Table of Contents

Introduction

Learning the Lord’s Voice – The Call

Seal Team Six vs. Heavens Team Seven

Two Paths Through Life – Ours or God’s

Walking through Life’s Daily Battles

God Will Move in the Church

God’s Anointing Move – Are You Ready?

The Rise of the Church

God’s Lasting Word, Abundant Life, Love and Promises

The Non-Functioning Body of Christ

Heaven Is Moved by Worship

Your Drought Is Over

Expect Attacks – Expect Total Victories

About the Authors

GOD IS MORE

THAN AN ASPIRIN

A Prophetic Perspective on the Body of Christ

Robert D. Shipman

&

Charles K. Wilsey

LIFE SENTENCE Publishing

Introduction

This book is about what God has to say to His church, especially in these last of the last days. You will notice it is not written for comfort or the feel good Christian, but for those people interested in what purpose God has for them. It’s about God wanting to work through His church. No, we are not talking about buildings full of people, nor are we referring to a hippity hoppity, let’s all just get along, and everyone will be in heaven approach. Our main desire is to bring attention to what God started before creation, followed by His handiwork, with a look at the present and His expectations of His greatest creation, you and me. This is often referred to as His will on earth for us.

We see and understand that God has had a plan since before anything was created. Isaiah gave us the best proof of this when God spoke through him saying: Earnestly remember the former things, which I did of old; for I am God; and there is no one else, I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose (Isaiah 46:9-10 AMP).

The Bible is clear that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Plus, His greatest creation He called male and female (Genesis 1:26-28). He made you and me in His image and likeness and gave us the rest of His creation to have dominion over. Later, God spoke through Isaiah that there would be a baby born who would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Years later, God spoke through Matthew with the account of an angel telling the virgin Mary that she would give birth to a baby by the Holy Ghost and should name Him Jesus (Matthew 1:18-21).

This baby is the one Isaiah prophesied would be born and called the everlasting Father and Mighty God. This is all part of God’s original plan designed before anything was created, and He made it clear He does nothing without first revealing it to His prophets (Amos 3:7). God further confirmed this in the book of Revelation: But when the days come when the trumpet call of the seventh angel is about to be sounded, then God’s mystery, His secret design, His hidden purpose, as He had announced the glad tidings to His servants the prophets, should be fulfilled, accomplished, completed (Revelation 10:7 AMP).

Without doubt, God’s plan includes a way for all His followers to know. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, so He has not stopped talking through His prophets and directly to His true followers.

This is the foundation of this book, co-authored by Robert Shipman and Chuck Wilsey. This book covers forty years of prophetic information the Lord has given us. It focuses on things that were coming into the world, and things we see today. In some areas, problems are our own fault, as followers and as leaders, when we followed man’s traditions and ideas instead of listening for God. This book is based on prophetic messages that were mostly given through open visions or prophetic Words to the body of Christ. Some came through the spiritual gift of interpretation of messages: messages the Lord gave when moving during church services.

Interestingly, this may just be the book you have been looking for because it is written to the individual reading it and centers on you as a Christian. It is also about God and His will for His followers during the final days of the earth in His eternal plan. It focuses on you, your life in Christ, your purpose for being created for a time like this and your journey through all that is going on in the world today. Many times it looks like there are no real answers. Yet, God’s answer was created before He created His plan for all heaven and earth.

No matter what role you play in church, this book may be the answer you have been hoping for. If you’ve ever thought “Christianity isn’t working,” or “the church isn’t functioning like people say it should,” this book is for you. The visions in this book address the purpose God has for each of us within His church. You will see your primary function is not to simply fill up a pew and stay awake. You will see how important you are in God’s plans. God designed you to fulfill His purpose for you. You are a major player in God’s plans. Many have been fooled for years into thinking everyone else is important. If this is the case, you may feel like a spectator. We want you to see how important you are. Put yourself in the driver’s seat.

Many people today identify themselves as Christians, saved and heading toward heaven. This is good, but most of them are not sure what this really means. It is often said that the two easiest things in the Christian’s life is getting saved and going to heaven. We can’t save ourselves, nor can we get into heaven without God. So, God is doing all the work here. The hardest part of being a Christian is the time between getting saved and going to heaven. That is called life on earth. This is where our part of living the Christian life becomes a reality.

In truth, the area of greatest responsibility for the Christian is our walk through life between being saved and going to heaven. Yes, it’s even greater than the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, or the teacher’s offices (Ephesians 4:11-12). Don’t get me wrong; these are important, even vital offices because they are the gifts of God to help equip and train the saints for their ministry (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). When the saints get off of the pews and take up their position, there will be a lot more people saved. Ninety-five percent of the church consists of those sitting in the pews. That is where the power of God’s army is.

Many Christians today attend a church faithfully every week. Yet, if they were asked what Gods’ will is and what His will for their life is, most would not have an answer. Our desire with this book is to help people see and understand God’s enormous love and know His wonderful purpose for His church. It is also our desire to help those in church leadership to understand their gigantic value in training and equipping of the saints for their massive work in their ministry. The day of the Church Body Ministry is here. It is not coming. It is here.

Our hope in sharing these God-given visions and Words of the Lord from over the last forty years will cause both leaders and followers in the body of Christ to come to grips with the seriousness of the work of the church. We know the time is short.

Unless it is noted differently, when a vision is described, it refers to an actual scene or picture in living color with specific details. The visions were viewed and seemed like one reality which overlapped another. Watching the visions was similar to watching a three dimensional hologram while still experiencing the world in a regular setting.

Most of the visions were given to Robert. He is passionate that the body of Christ functions in a healthy way. While speaking at a pastors’ conference, I shared a message with the 300 attending pastors about the importance of the body of Christ functioning as one body. I opened by saying this:

“All of us at this conference, at one time or another, have preached a message concerning Jesus being the head, and the believers being the body of Christ. If there had been an artist present while each of us preached who painted one picture based on what we all preached, the picture would look like hundreds of necks with little bodies sticking out of the head. Everyone here has also preached that if they were a finger of the Lord’s body, they would be the best finger ever. A finger is not connected to the head of our body; it’s connected to our hand that is connected to our arm that is connected to our shoulder that is connected to our neck that is connected to the Head. All of the parts of the body are vital to the head. That makes each of us vitally important to Christ.”

As Robert shared the visions the Lord had given him, it will become apparent to you that these were not simply visions for self-edification, but are useful and even needful for the entire church to hear. The visions were almost never directed right at Robert. Almost without exception, they included many people, incorporating many actions. Even though these were not detailed instructions given during every single vision, the actions themselves indicate a truth. We know there are times God will reveal something just for the one. He might give a vision to one person that she is to go to school and become a doctor. To another He might impress him to go and apologize to a coworker. These visions are shared so that the entire body will fit together.

Someone may ask why we wrote a book like this. Whereas it is true that we do gain something from understanding life from the vantage point of another’s shoes, that isn’t the real reason for writing it all down. The apostle Paul said it best, So we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:5 NKJV). God does not give us spiritual gifts for our own edification, nor to teach ourselves. The body of Christ is designed to fit together in order to serve and glorify Jesus, the Head of the body.

Today there seems to be a couple of incorrect trails of thinking. First, many pastors have the notion that God has given them members for their congregation to bless them to get the work of ministry done (to fulfill their own calling for ministry). This is poor theology and thinking. It overrates the leaders’ sense of importance, and it denigrates individual believers to servants and objects. Paul wrote: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).

God wants His church fully mature, not just her leaders. The leaders are here to serve people to make sure they are equipped to fulfill their role in His plan. Second, as people are equipped for ministry through those operating within the five-fold offices listed in Ephesians, the majority of the ministry will be accomplished by God’s believers, you and me, those sitting in the pews. The ministry rests upon the entire church, not simply her leaders. The church must operate as one body. That is where her strength lies.

Unless noted, when describing a vision or word from the Lord, whenever the word “I” is used, it refers to Reverend Robert Shipman. This is done to be clear to you, the reader. This book has been a joy to write. It has helped to clarify to us the work God is doing. We created each chapter through conversation about Scripture and these visions. Our conclusion is that God is up to something. It is pretty incredible.

Our hope is that this book would stir up the body of Christ to read God’s Word and take seriously the calling of individuals to ministry and come to grips with the seriousness of the work of the church, as well as understanding time is short. Now is the time that the church, with every member activated for ministry, should perform at the level of God’s calling in order that we take dominion of this realm. Lord, may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

CHAPTER 1

Learning the Lord’s Voice – The Call

After reading the introduction, we imagine you are wondering how you can have a walk with the Lord that is vibrant, exciting, and experiencing visions. Every Christian can have a very intimate connection with God. Robert has been asked many times how he began his walk with the Lord. What I can tell you is this: Since I received the Lord, I have hungered and longed for intimacy with the Lord. I would often pray, “Lord, do whatever you want with my life. Please, just make sure I am on the front line. I don’t want to be in a back room, forgotten.” I didn’t have any formula for closeness. I didn’t know enough about Christianity to have a formula. All I knew was that I loved the Lord.

Years ago, my sense of closeness with the Lord increased. For years the Lord spoke to me. He talked plainly to me in my spirit. I asked Him questions. He answered. As I studied, I grew. As I served the Lord, I grew. Each time I listened to the Lord’s voice, I grew. Each thing I learned brought new questions and a desire to be even closer with the Lord. For me, hungering for the Lord’s presence is the key. I expected to be close with the Lord. I didn’t really know what that would mean. I expected to grow in my faith and in my personal holiness. But, what I got was much more than I expected.

Let this be a reminder to you. God is able and willing and wants to do more in your life than you can even imagine. Don’t settle. Don’t just sit there. If you think you lack qualification you are right. With that said, know for certain that the Lord really does want to bless you and use you to testify to who He is. He wants a relationship with you. He wants to bless you with His presence. He created you for this purpose.

The church I was attending in those early years held services on Sunday Morning and Sunday evenings. One Sunday night, while I was getting ready for the service, Ann and the kids were at choir practice at the church. While they were in church, I was in prayer.

I asked the Lord a question: “Lord, why are you dealing with me in this manner? Why are you talking plainly with me? Why are you showing me things?” People often have various feelings about the Divine Creator of the universe conversing with an individual, especially if that person is you. It can stir up all sorts of emotions. Some people might be confused. Some will think these communications are coming from themselves. And others may think they are going crazy.

Before I came to church, I knew there was a God, but I didn’t know much about Him. I didn’t know much about the Bible. It was through these visions that the Lord opened my mind to understand Scriptures. I had heard many of the biblical stories. I didn’t know what they meant. As the Lord gave me visions, He opened my understanding to the Scriptures.

The Lord showed me that the burning bush Moses saw was tied to the Lord walking on water. He showed me some of the significance of these Scriptures. The Lord said, “These stories, they are about me”. What was opened up was the understanding that the entire Bible was about this God, Jehovah. The Lord God (Jehovah) was the Creator and the Sustainer. He was the One speaking from the burning bush. He was also the One who came to Abraham in the desert. This same God that fought battles for Israel was the one who fed the 5,000 with a few loaves and some small fish. This God raised Jesus from the dead and will one day return and gather His church.

The question that I asked was, “Why are you dealing with me in this way, Lord?” The answer was not what I expected.

He simply said, “You are moving in the right direction.”

Pastor Chuck asked the question that maybe you are asking. What direction? What direction was He leading me? The answer was simple enough. The Lord was making me aware of His very presence and the reality of His purposes. God was training me to listen and to know His voice. Because the Lord obviously was training me, I slowed down. In my life I always wanted things my way. I had a way of just getting things done. If I wanted to start a business, I did. I have always been a highly motivated person. Since I was now on His schedule, I spent more time learning to listen. That’s what I did. I listened. I listened and waited.

You ask whether you have to stop life in order to be trained by Him. Even though I was listening, I was also continuing on with my regular life. What has to change, though, is your priorities. You can still live your life. Your top priority is to learn His voice and be willing to replace your priorities with His.

So I waited for the Lord to lead. The Lord told me to continue listening and waiting. If I did that, I would learn His voice. By continuing to wait and listen to Him, I would grow and wisdom would come forth from my mouth. Through the Lord’s Word, all people would know His ways. He called me to move in steps guided by His Spirit. What I began to see is that He was answering my eight-year prayer to have wisdom.

I thanked the Lord. It was as if he embraced me with His Spirit. A feeling of love and being loved went through me and over me, starting at my head and moving down to my feet. I could never explain the power that flooded inside of me. God was with me in a very special way. I praised the Lord and thanked Him. That night in the church service I asked the Lord what all this meant. He said, “This is your calling.”

He first saved me. Then He called me. That is the message God has. I hope you have heard that message. He saves us, calls us, and gives us the message of reconciliation. Together we fit into the purpose of God. Together we operate as one people, through all the earth and through all time. We, the church, are accomplishing the mission of God.

AN OPEN VISION OF STORM CUBES

The first thing I saw was a storm. The winds began to blow and twist and build energy. It became stronger, more furious, and terrible looking. It seemed as though all the different types of storms were happening at the same time. The strength of the wind and the darkness of the storm were most terrifying. People were being blown everywhere. Some were thrown against trees, others against walls, everyone twisting and turning upside down and flying around. They could not grab anything to stabilize themselves. They had no control of what was happening.

I could not see the end of the storm. It was everywhere and went on and on. Although it was all around me, I was not affected. I could not see the Lord, but I knew that He was there. I asked Him, “What is this vision you are showing me?”

He did not answer. But I knew He wanted me to continue watching. As I watched, I saw turmoil, disaster, things that were in disarray with fearful people flying everywhere and out of control. Suddenly, I began to see small squares, cubes actually. They were cubes of bright light moving slowly and calmly through this raging storm. I kept staring at these cubes, curious about them. As I stared at them, I could see they were actually clear, that is to say translucent. They emitted a lot of light. But, I could see inside of them. Everywhere these lighted areas moved, the darkness would move away. I noticed each lighted cube was filled with brilliant sunlight and a beautiful meadow with green grass, laced with flowers and a person walking around in his own little world in his own cube. This person didn’t seem to know there was a storm raging.

“Lord, what are they doing? They are walking around smelling flowers and enjoying their sunshine while all these other people are being destroyed, and they don’t seem to even know it.” Again, He gave me no answer. But, I knew He was telling me to watch and see.

Suddenly, almost as if they all acted together, the people in the storm began seeing the people in the lighted area and started trying to get to them. “Thank you Lord, they see hope.” Yet, as they came near the areas of light, they were stopped by a transparent wall.

“Those in the cubes, Lord, are not aware people are trying to get to them. They continue to enjoy the grass and flowers and sunshine. And the wall will not let those in the storm get into the grass and light.” Again, the Lord did not answer, but still his answer was to watch.

Almost instantaneously, and without any apparent reason, all those in the light looked toward that transparent wall and started moving toward it. “Oh, thank you. Thank you Lord.” Each cube moved toward the wall where those in the storm area were located. The cubes began to merge together until all the individual lighted areas became one great lighted area. By now, those in the storm were pressed against the transparent wall, multitudes upon multitudes. Their eyes were pleading for help; they were yelling and begging.

I watched and prayed. “God help them, help them.” My heart became full of joy, and I praised and thanked God for what happened next. Those in the cubes reached through the wall and took hold of one person and pulled them into the lighted area. “Oh, thank you Lord, but look, there are multitudes on the other side of the wall and only a few in the light. They are pulling them through one at a time, how will they reach them all?” Again, the Lord did not answer, but I knew He wanted me to watch and see.

As I watched, I saw that those who had been pulled through the wall were now all pulling their family and friends through also. As each new one was pulled into the lighted area they would pull others. Those, in turn, pulled more until multitudes were pulling multitudes into the lighted area. This all took place in a very short time. “Oh thank you. Thank you Lord.”

As I thanked the Lord, I looked to my right, and I finally saw Him. Jesus had been standing there watching everything going on. He had a great, big smile on His face, His eyes full of joyous tears. There was joy all about Him. He looked so happy; yet, He didn’t look at me or say anything; I knew He was telling me He had let me watch what He was enjoying. He looked so full of joy that He was bursting with pride and love.

The vision seemed to go into a pause stage. I continued to watch, but nothing was happening. “Lord, how does this end; aren’t you going to show me the rest?”

This time the Lord answered. He looked over at me and said, “I have put the end in you, but it is not for now.” Even though the vision would have an end, I would have to wait for a later time to see it.

Have you noticed that life seems a lot like a great storm? Just look around. We know many people who have lost their homes from economic crises. You may know people with all sorts of problems that the world throws at them – everything from relationship problems, addictions, personal habits, economic hard times, etc. We live in a stormy world.

There is good news. Jesus has begun the greatest disaster aid program that has ever existed. He calls it the church. There we are. We are children of light, living in a dark world. We truly have the answer the world is looking for and needing.

How many Christians do you know who live their lives oblivious to the perils of those around them? We are children of light and children of hope. It is crucial that we wake up. We must come to understand our calling. Our calling is to receive life from our Lord and join Him in His mission, the mission of reconciliation.

The Lord was showing me, through that vision, how important it is that we, the church don’t simply live for ourselves. Joining Him in His mission of salvation is the greatest project we may ever be a part of. When we start taking our eyes off ourselves, we will see that they need us.

One of the things I noticed in what the Lord showed was that it was necessary for the lights to join together. As they joined one another, they gained power to accomplish His will. Watching the lights join together brought joy to our Master.

May we, the church, work together to reach into the storms of this world to bring people into the kingdom of God.

CHAPTER 2

Seal Team Six vs. Heavens Team Seven

Millions of dollars are spent every year on self-help materials, conferences, books, CD’s, etc. People want to find meaning and purpose. There is something within us that is searching. Christians, too, have the same desire to become the best we can be. We want to know why God put us on this planet. How can we accomplish that goal and fulfill God’s purpose?

In this chapter, you will read a vision that brings clarifies our place and what our overall purpose is. You may find this particular vision very significant to your life. We pray it brings understanding of how the body of Christ fits together. I know in my life it proved to be extremely important. I have returned to it many times.

The Navy has a special operations division called Seal Team Six. They are a highly trained, counter-terrorism unit, designed for highly classified operations. When the government wants to go into certain areas covertly to rescue hostages or to do other secretive missions, they often send in this team.

The point is that the government has seen it is necessary to have special operations teams more highly trained than most. Look at this: The government’s highly trained team goes in and takes care of particular issues in a precise locale.

God also has a more highly trained team. This team can be dispatched to handle global issues. The government’s special operations team is called Seal Team Six. Let us call God’s special forces team, Heaven’s Team Seven. Seven as you know represents God’s perfect completion.

Heaven’s Team Seven, the special forces team which God has prepared, is the greatest force on earth that God has created when each individual member comes together. Filled with the Holy Ghost and with Jesus as their leader, this team marches across the earth. This team is His body, the church.

THE CHOSEN STONE AND HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE

It is important that we point out one particular way in which God has used stones within Scripture. To help understand the context for what is about to be shared, notice that we are considered living stones in Scriptures. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion. A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, “and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:4-9 NKJV).

In this passage we see Jesus is a living stone. Actually, He is the primary stone, the Cornerstone. He is the stone that sets boundaries for the rest of the building. The cornerstone is the strength point of the building. We, therefore, are also stones. We take our cue from Jesus, and continue forming what He began.

Verse nine says that we have been called out of darkness. We have been called into light. We are called out for a purpose. Imagine that you are about to build a great stone structure. You go to your field, a field filled with stones, and you begin picking them up, one by one, placing them in the appropriate places. In the same way, Jesus, our Cornerstone, has taken stones without purpose and used them for His purpose. Once we were stones without purpose, living in a dark world. Now we live in His light, helping Him continue building.

VISION OF LIVING STONES - JULY 3, 1974

Within my spirit, I was led to begin fasting and praying. Why was He leading me to fast? I had no idea. However, I expected something. I felt like my life was nearing a big change. I knew something would be different from everything else that had transpired up until this point.

As I began to fast and pray, the song Jesus Loves the Little Children began to play in my mind’s ear. I knew I was the only one hearing it, but it was real nonetheless. The visions are for God’s people, God’s children.

I listened, and the beautiful music and voices became clearer. My eyes were open, and I was alert, listening and wondering what was happening. I felt so good. I felt a comfort from God with a tremendous amount of peace. It seemed as though the heavenly choir sang only for me. I could see the blue sky, dotted with large soft-looking clouds, floating peacefully. Yet, I could also see everything in the room where I sat. I saw two things at the same time. The room in the background and this vision of the sky and clouds laid out over it. It was all in living color and very beautiful.

Suddenly, a strange sight appeared – another cloud, but very large and white. As I watched the cloud, the underside emerged and looked like the bottom section of a large wall, maybe a foundation. I could not see the entire wall, only this bottom area. It was huge and made of large stones. As it began to fade away, the music and singers grew fainter. I first thought the vision was ending, but God’s Spirit let me know it was only a starting point.

A couple of days later on July 5, 1974, the Lord gave me the second part of this very special visitation. Like the last time, the vision began with this beautiful, heavenly choir singing the same song, Jesus Loves the Little Children. Again, it displayed in beautiful, living color. This time I could also see the earth, as if I were out in space. It appeared very big and clear. In this particular vision, the sky, the clouds, the wall, and the earth began to unfold. This vision was all about God’s creation.

The wall descended toward the earth out of the cloud as though it was going to rest on the earth. Before it reached the earth, it stopped. It hung in space between heaven and earth. Its top was still in the clouds.

I looked at the western coast of the American continent. I could see across California, the United States, the Atlantic Ocean toward the horizon where the earth curved out of sight. As I surveyed the beauty of all this, I could also see people: people who were buried to their necks in the earth. Their eyes pleaded for help, though I heard no actual words. The music continued, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” It was so beautiful. I just wanted to soak it in and listen, but the eyes of these buried people demanded help. All I could do was stare at them. These people were of all races. It seemed every nation was represented. The music continued.

Part three of this vision began on July 6, 1974 while I studied a Sunday School lesson I was to teach. The music slowly coursed through my spirit again. The music indicated to me that this was still part of the same vision. “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red, brown, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

I prayed, knowing the Lord was asking for my attention. I listened for the Lord to speak, but He was silent. This music caused me to listen more intently. “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

The vision immediately returned as beautiful and clear as the previous occasion. This time the Lord spoke quietly and in a clear voice, “Pray for the people you see. These are those who are buried in the ground to their necks.”

When I began to pray, the people started to rise out of the earth, some to their waist and others to their chest. The prayers seemed to unlock them from their earthly hold. They were dressed in beautifully colored costumes representing their nation of origin.

Then the Lord stretched out his right hand toward the earth and the people buried in the earth. He looked at the people, and He turned to face me.

Although I saw nothing but a hand and forearm, I knew it was the Lord’s hand. He turned to face me and told me to pray for them. It was at this time I started to pray very hard for the people who were buried. As I prayed, people raised up out of the earth individually. The more I prayed, the higher they rose.

By this time, most of them were drawn out to their ankles and knees. Despite my praying, they raised up, but not out of the ground completely. They were not totally freed. The music played on, “Jesus loves the little children of the world….” This time it ended without seeing the end result. I wanted desperately to see what the Lord would accomplish.

On July 21, 1974, the music began once again. It sounded near and beautiful, and I knew the Lord was very close. This time I watched the cloud float toward the earth knowing something new was happening. I looked back at the earth just as the corner of a very large cornerstone wall began to rise up from the earth on the western California side.

Two sides extended outward, as though actually growing. One side stretched eastward, heading away from me to my right. Another side of the wall expanded to my left, which would have been northward. The wall to the right continued to spread eastward over California, across the United States, and over the Atlantic ocean toward the horizon. It continued over the crest of the earth and out of sight. The wall to the left grew a short distance and stopped. “Why Lord? Why did the wall stop, I asked?”

The Lord spoke, “I will explain the people buried in the earth, the cloud that descended and stopped, and the cornerstone with the two sides of the stone walls. The people you see buried in the earth are trapped in the world’s systems. They are in need of being freed. But Robert, they cannot free themselves. The eyes of the people are pleading for help. Pray Robert. Your prayers will begin to prepare help for them. The cloud you see is my preparation – a preparation that will culminate with my return to the earth.”

The wall stopped because the Lord has not returned. I suppose the wall will be completely around the world when He returns. The Lord continued, “The corner of the stone wall you see rising toward heaven is the chief cornerstone. That cornerstone is Me, the living Lord. The two stone walls growing to the right and the left are my people who are living stones. The growing wall is the grouping together of my people around the world before I return. The stone wall to the right is my people who listen to my voice and follow Me. The wall to the left is also my people. However, these people have not listened to my voice. They operate in their own strength and ideas. They work for a while, then they stop. They think they are doing My will, but they are really following their own will. They will go for awhile and then stop. They need to listen to My voice and obey.”

God’s people have a mission. We have been given a purpose. It is to free those who are in bondage to this world and placing them into the wall of free living stones, connected in unity and purpose with Jesus as the Cornerstone. The stone wall to the right are the saints of God, obedient to Jesus. The completion of this wall is preparation for the return of Jesus Christ for His kingdom. Life on earth is all about Jesus and an eternity with Him. But, so many are stuck in this world’s system, and each believer has an individual responsibility to pick up as many people as possible, free them, and help them to find their place within the body of Christ.

Can you see the vision? Can you tell that the church is God’s people fitted together to be one people? We represent the living Christ, and we function together. In the Revelation, John saw the great city New Jerusalem and also saw a city where God’s people were fitted together to form the walls. The city walls are powerful. When we began this chapter we said that the church is God’s Team Seven. As walls, the church is strong. As an army, we are unbeatable.

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kind of precious stones (Revelation 21:19 NKJV).

It doesn’t take much imagination for those of us in His church to understand what the Lord was saying. People really are stuck. The systems of this world have captured people and hold them in bondage. Money, for instance, is a system of oppression. Those who have it often covet it and do all they can to obtain more. Those without money often idolize it.

In our country, there are companies that exist to loan money to the poor. Some of these loans are called “payday loans.” If a person is in need of money, they can go to one of these payday loan centers and get a short-term loan. Now think about it. If someone is short of money and cannot pay for all their needs before the next payday, how will they make it when they now have another payment (with interest)? A person is charged a fee for the loan. Compounded over a year, the individual, in some cases, will actually pay over 200 percent.

This isn’t the only financial system that works against people. The lottery system is designed to take people’s money and give it to the government. Many would say our tax structure is designed to do the reverse, to take from the rich and give to the poor. The tax structure is not the same for all people. That much is true.

The people of the earth are oppressed through money, drugs, alcohol, relationships, power, time, sexuality, and so much more. The devil has taken every good thing the Lord has made and helped people turn it into a power for harming people.

As members of Christ’s body, living stones in His wall, we are called to take up His mission of building the wall. We must free people from the systems of this earth by getting on our knees in prayer. “Lord, free Your people. The cross has freed them, if they will only receive You. Help us to help Your people and fulfill the ministry of reconciliation.”

Today, we see churches all over the world reaching out. There is a church in San Francisco that read the parable of the rich man who invited guests to a banquet. The guests would not come so this man instructed his people to go to the highways and byways to urge people to come. This church read the parable and actually did that. They began developing relationships with a poor section of the city so they could invite them to a banquet. At this weekly banquet, they have an opportunity to open God’s Word and share the love of the Lord.

We know of churches that have started recovery homes for those who have lived under the power of addiction to substances. They charge no money at all. Our church is one of these churches. There are churches around the world dedicated to sending missionaries in all directions so people would be freed. There are no shortages of people who still need to be freed. We need more and more people, working together to pray, to work, to seek the Lord’s help, to receive equipping in order to assist people to be free.

In the vision, prayers are what released these people from the hold the earth had on them. May we become a prayerful church, useful for releasing people from bondage. Let our lives be a prayer of redemption, offered to God on behalf of lost people.

CHAPTER 3

Two Paths Through Life – Ours or God’s

Life for many people does not feel secure. We walk through this life, blind to our purpose and our calling. Not only do we not know where we are going, we have no idea, much of the time, how we are going to get there. We say this tongue-in-cheek. Let me draw you a mental picture of something God wants you to see. Find a comfortable chair and relax. Ready?

Read the next few paragraphs slowly. As you do, visualize what I am saying in your mind. This is very important. Don’t just read over it without drawing the picture in your mind. When you are through, you will see why.

First of all, think of yourself standing on a high mountain looking out over a very large valley below. The terrain below is parched from lack of water and is like a wilderness. The ground is rough and dry with little bushes scattered here and there. The valley you are now over-looking is very large, and it extends far beyond you.

When you look at the valley, you see hundreds of people wandering around. They all appear to be in a great hurry. However, they are actually lost. They turn from here to there and back again. They don’t seem to notice all of the other people, also wandering around aimlessly. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth: Where are they all wanting to go?

There are no roads, walkways, paths or any distinguishable markings to indicate what direction they are going. There are no signs. They are just walking around on the dry ground. To make the picture even clearer, understand that there is nothing, no large trees or buildings. Get the picture? Oddly enough, they all seem to be in a hurry.

Look closer at the middle of the desert. Let me draw your attention to something that is not easily seen by those walking around. Focus on a place right in the middle of the valley. Your vantage point makes it clear. There is a pathway through the middle of the valley. As you follow the path with your eyes, you’ll notice the trailhead begins below in the middle of the valley.

With your eyes follow the trail from its beginning. As it heads off toward the horizon, notice that the opposite end of the trail meets an incredible city. The city is visible, but those in the valley are not looking for it. If they would only look for it, they would see it. But, they are too focused on their own problems and agendas. The pathway is right under their feet in some cases. Most of them do not notice it because it blends in with the terrain. The path is narrow and extremely difficult to see. People are walking right past the trailhead, the beginning of the path. They even walk across it as though it is not there. It is vital that these people get to the city. Getting there is the difference between life and death. There it is on the horizon – an influential city, shining as a golden beacon.

Who will show these people the path? The urgency builds. They must find the path before the heat grows too great, and these people perish.

Suddenly, you see a few people who spot the entrance to the path and take steps toward it. For those who find it, there is great joy. They have finally found what they have been searching for and are on their way to the city of gold.

Those now on the path increase as it becomes known. Others are still walking without any idea of the path. Do you feel like you have seen it? Good.

Now, let me explain why I wanted you to read this and picture it in your mind. This is the exact vision the Lord gave me in regards to this world. The world thinks it is on the right path. Even many Christians are following the world’s path, the things they feel are important. So many people are missing God’s truth, His path. He does have one. There is a way that seems right to men, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12 KJV). Sound familiar? God has a path, a plan whose end is life and rejoicing.

God has His own plan. It has been around since the beginning of creation. He created the heavens and the earth and everything in it. In Genesis 1:26-28, He tells us why He created humans and describes our purpose as well. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. He also says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He never changes. The path for mankind has been in place through all time since the beginning.

Today, the path to His plan is still open, and He is inviting those who are looking for it. Remember what the vision showed. We see that most people, both believers and non-believers, are following their own path. More and more people are now looking for His plan and they are paying more attention to it.

People are seeking to find their path through this life. They see their path is not working. It’s time for those who are on God’s path to reach out and pull those who are walking in circles onto the path of God.

Chapter two opened our eyes to be God’s living stones placed into His wall, the wall that covers the earth. This vision is one of people following their own path instead of God’s path. The path has always been there. Once we have seen it, it becomes our mission to point it out to as many people as we can. They must find the path. It is the difference between life and death.

Years ago, I worked as a sales director and trainer. Ron had applied for a position in my company, and I invited him in for an interview. My friend and his wife were a cute couple. They were expecting their first child. He really needed the job. He was a real man’s man, a bit rough, and definitely a macho man. After the interview, I did as I normally do, I invited him to church. Sadly, his answer was no.

A short time later, I read in the newspaper that their child was born, and I called and congratulated them. Again, I invited them to church, but this time they said, “Yes.” It wasn’t long before they attended church regularly. He matured and grew in his spiritual walk in real, noticeable ways.

I invited him to be a part of our bus ministry. This time I didn’t have to ask him twice. He joyfully accepted. His wife was changing too. She started helping with the children’s Sunday school department. A few short months later she joined the church choir. As I tell the story, you should feel what I feel. I am ecstatic over what the Lord did in their lives. It wasn’t but a year or so down the road when he accepted some leadership responsibilities over the bus ministry. The two of them became one of the best and most successful couples in the church. They regularly brought friends, relatives, and other visitors to the church. They had the privilege of seeing many friends grow in their faith.

So far, I have described how his life changed spiritually as a result of a spiritual chain reaction. I shared my faith with him. He, in turn, grew and began sharing his faith with others. Today, as I see my friend, he continues that chain even now. That isn’t the end of the story. While all this was going on in the church, he was growing as a salesman and as a man God loves. He became one of the best sales leaders in the company. He later changed to the construction business and ended up owning one of the largest construction companies in the area. He and his wife not only became successful financially, but became living stones for God. Today he serves as a pastor. He has built the largest church in his city. Can you see what happened? His entire life, and that of his wife, changed when they moved from following their path to following God’s path.

Let me share another friend with you. She is another one of God’s living stones. This friend went through a tremendous time of sadness after her husband left her. Her life became difficult, personally and financially. Needless to say, she was heartbroken, and her life was in shambles in many ways. She was already a believer. Maybe a better way to describe her spiritual life was to call her a church attendee. She really was not living a victorious life. Her life was devoid of joy. She was like those in the vision walking, but not knowing where she was going. She simply hoped she would end up somewhere. The congregation at her church did a good job sharing Christ with her. They shared Jesus in a way that she found joy a reality again. She felt like she belonged again, like she was part of a family.

First, she fully committed her life to Jesus Christ. It was not long before she was a regular Sunday school attendee. However, when I tried to get her involved, she was very clear that she did not want to be involved in serving. The reason: she was shy. She hated to be in front of anyone for any reason.

Accepting her shyness as an excuse was not my way of dealing with things. I can be a bit persistent. Through lots of encouragement, I finally got her to help another children’s Sunday school teacher. Her job was to assist the teacher by handing out papers and keeping the room organized. One Sunday the regular teacher was not able to teach the class. She agreed to teach it this one time. When she saw that she could actually do it, it wasn’t long before she agreed to co-teach a class, then later to be the lead teacher of her own class. Can you believe that in a couple of short years, she accepted the responsibility of leading the entire Sunday School department. She became the superintendent.

The transformation, like the last friend I shared with you, did not stop with her life at church. Amazingly, what happened was that God also transformed her in all areas of her life. She started out as a part-time clerk with a large corporation. Through the next couple of years, she was promoted over and over: clerk, supervisor, public relations field agent, head of public relations, to corporate executive. As a corporate executive she was responsible for holding training seminars for management. This doesn’t sound like someone who is shy, does it? God’s path was far better than the path she was following on her own. When we walk down God’s path, He not only changes us in spiritual ways, but in all ways. He is interested in us as whole people.

In life there are two paths. God has a path, and the world has a path. One of the world’s paths is created within our own heads. We create paths that are often very different than the one God has intended for us. Only God’s path guarantees victory. God is a gentleman. He has done everything He can so we can follow Him. He will not force us to take His path. He doesn’t want anyone in heaven with Him for eternity, who doesn’t want to be there.

Since God has made the road, He has shown us the road and put people in our path to show us the road. It is now our job to choose to walk the road. We have to take charge and be willing to walk it. The vision I shared with you covers everyone, both the saved and the unsaved. Our responsibility is to get ourselves on God’s path and then help others see it also.

God wants to raise people up, people He can promote and use in His kingdom. Each believer is a member of the one body of Christ and has a very important position that connects to the rest of the body. This makes us the most powerful body on earth with Jesus as our Head.

The problem many of us face is that we are reluctant, maybe anxious or scared, to really get involved in another person’s life. Some Christians are nervous about sharing Christ. They try a backdoor approach, like saying a quick “amen” in conversation. When they do that, I think they hope to generate interest in spiritual matters with those they are talking to. It’s like dropping breadcrumbs and hoping the other person will pick up the hint, and a spiritual conversation will ensue.

Getting people to simply invite others to church is becoming rarer all the time. I am suggesting that to be effective, the Lord is asking us to share our lives with others, especially those who Satan has bound in the earth. God has called His people to share the Lord Jesus with others and stay involved with them for the long haul. He wants us to watch for the miracle of life to take over in the lives of others. Think of the wall of living stones. The miracle of life is seen when people are picked up, polished by the master, and fitted together in His beautiful wall. God wants to do a miracle. Will you be His miracle worker today?

We, the body of Christ, are powerful. Don’t discount God’s church, the body of Christ, and especially don’t count yourself out of winning this battle of life while on the earth. Remember that Christ is in you. You may feel weak and wonder if you’re still fighting. But, remember, you are a living stone in God’s wall of living stones, and there are more of us than you might think.

Do not let discouragement or criticism defeat you. Do not become defeated at all. Remember your high calling. If you could see God’s call on your life at this very moment, you would see yourself as a precious stone, rightly placed to become a massive wall in the most prominent city in the universe.

May the Lord speak into you the knowledge of the true you, the one Jesus loves and died for. May you, being built as a strong wall, know of your worth and your strength. Know that you will be used by our heavenly Father as you cross the land. Claim and expect to be used of God, regardless of what your situation looks like.

Some time ago, I interpreted a message in tongues that I know was also meant for you. “There is a glory I want to pour out on My children. Some have been running from the presence of My glory. They cannot outrun My compassion. They cannot outrun My love. They cannot outrun the sacrifices of blood I have given for them. So by the love of My heartbeat being poured out, they will be drawn to the place where My glory will fall. It is a glory of new thought; it comes from the same God. It is a glory of power; it comes from the same God. It is a glory of renewal; it comes from the same God. It is a glory of enlightenment, refreshment, and restoration; it comes from the same God. For My love knows no bounds; My mercy knows no bounds, and My glory is for empowerment of My children. For wherever My glory is, there I am,” saith the Lord.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV).

CHAPTER 4

Walking through Life’s Daily Battles

Have you ever started the day feeling like you are in a war zone? Guess what? That’s exactly right. You are in a war zone, and you are warring. We often fight our biggest problems by fighting only those areas we can see. That seems like a good strategy for many things. When your boss gets on you for poor work habits, you give an excuse. If you fight a mouth that speaks ungodly words, you try harder the next time you are cut off in traffic. Fighting what we see can feel like the right thing to do.

However, the battle being waged against us is spiritual, not physical. We cannot fight spiritual things by fleshly means. Our willpower is just not enough. The devil, our real enemy, will do anything to block or even stop our God-given position of kingdom victory as Christians. In almost everything we do, we can fake it. Many Christians do it every week. This area of the flesh verses the spirit is one area we cannot fake. We must be authentic.

The enemy wants to rob you. If we try to fight the enemy by ourselves, we will lose. We need God’s help, His power, to have victory. Winning is not optional. When we walk in His spirit, His power at work within us, we win.

So far we have talked about God’s plan and purpose for creating us and the entire human race. God intends us to work together with Him to accomplish His plans through us. Meanwhile, the battle continues. Ask one of our generals from WWII, and they would have been ecstatic to finish the war in a day or two. But, wars aren’t won in that way. Battles can be won in a short amount of time, but the entire war is much longer. That is the way it is with our spiritual battle. Satan is working to steal our joy, our victory, our health, our position and anything else God is building in us. Each day we wake up, the thing we often overlook and Satan tries to blind us to is that we are still in the war. Yes, we have an enemy that doesn’t sleep or rest. I call him constant. He’s like a constant pressure we often don’t recognize.

Think of it this way: If you held a glass of water in your hand with your arm straight out, you would not think of it as heavy. But, just hold your arm out for a few minutes. You’ll see your perception of reality change. Within short order, it now feels very heavy. If you try to hold it out for one hour, your arm will probably feel like it is going to fall off. Imagine being told to hold your arm out for 24 hours. Impossible.

This is exactly the way the enemy works; he starts by putting a little pressure on. The pressure might originate as finances or inner struggles with temptation. People sometimes do not recognize it as war, but rather think of it as a bad day. We need to understand that this is the enemy at work. So many times, Christians feel the pressure more and more, and the weight feels heavier and heavier. They get mad, give in, or give up, never asking God for guidance. “It’s just a bad day.” We must recognize that this, too, is war.

Satan doesn’t try to get credit. He would actually rather stay incognito. If you knew that battle was spiritual and you were in the enemy’s scope, you might fight harder. It is to the enemy’s advantage to keep you fighting a bad day.

Christians and non-Christians alike have an enemy that is always active, 24 hours a day, trying to figure out how to separate us from God. Scripture clearly tells us that sin separates us from God. When the enemy gets us thinking about me, myself, and I, he successfully keeps us on a path separate from God. In its easiest description, sin is separation from God. Remember the Scriptures pertaining to Adam and Eve in the garden? They ate of the fruit of a tree God told them not to eat of. They disobeyed God’s commandment and what happened? They were separated from God and the garden. If Satan can get us to separate ourselves from God, he wins our daily battle; but if we recognize the hand of Satan in our daily war zone, we can bind him and expect victory. In this chapter we want to share with you a vision God used to explain what a daily walk through a normal life looks like when you walk in Christ and not self.

My wife and I were at an amusement park a couple of years ago. We got into a space shuttle and strapped ourselves in. In front of us was the front windshield that displayed the edge of a space dock. As we watched closely, the space ship left the dock, and we traveled through space where we encountered various battles with other space ships. We had to dodge asteroids and eventually locate and land on the dock where we began.

It all seemed so real. The emotions felt very real. The windshield (large screen monitor) displayed an image that looked the way I imagined space war should look. The sensations of our cabin tossing, turning, and pitching back and forth made us feel as though it really was happening. The truth of the matter is that we never left the ground. It was all designed to be a type of simulation.

As we have said several times so far, we are in a battle. Life is like walking through one situation after another fighting to take over your life. One asteroid after another threatens to destroy your ship. This happens multiple times a day.

Watch a young person play a video game. They can spend hours winning and losing their battles. When the game is over, they hit restart, and it all begins again. That is the way many Christians live. They don’t enter each day expecting victory or failure. It’s just another day.

We fight a daily battle against an unseen force. So what is really happening each day? For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV).

No wonder religious surveys show many Christians are giving up. No wonder ministers are stepping down from their pulpits, and gospel singers are changing their music to fit the world’s crowds. No wonder even true believers are wondering if they can win their next battle. We don’t live our lives aware that we have an enemy who is trying to destroy us. We must wake up. There is a lot at stake. It is time that we stand up, put on God’s armor, and accomplish what God has called us to do. It isn’t time for a coffee break. It isn’t time to practice the game. It is time for real war against a real enemy.

The vision the Lord showed me was an open vision. In it, I saw a long building with many rooms. The side of the building facing me had a single, large window the size and length of the building. In this vision, I was the one walking from room to room. Each room represented a different situation in life; every room depicted a different scene in life. As I exited one station of life, I entered another.

One room was a restaurant with people sitting around eating. Another was a home where a family lived; still another was a store full of shoppers. The one thing that was the same in all the rooms and streets was that they were full of people and looked like any daily scene from life.

I entered the door to the right end of the building and started walking through the rooms one at a time. As I entered each room, the people were doing what you might expect them to be doing in that environment. Those who were in cars were driving. People in grocery stores were shopping. Dogs were being walked, and people were eating in restaurants. It all seemed very normal.

What was apparent to me was that when I walked into each room or down a street of a city, and the people saw me, they would immediately react in strange ways. The look on their faces was bewilderment. They would see me, react with fear and anxiety, and dodge away from me with enormous distress.

I should mention that these people were all transparent. I could see right through them. As I looked at them, I also saw various spirits, ugly and awful, lurking around them. The spirits looked at me with hatred and trepidation. The closer I got to them, the more fear they displayed. I walked closer, and they hunched down in fright, sometimes moving behind people, as if they couldn’t stand to be in the same room with me. As I passed near them, they hovered against a wall or under tables or crouched down like I was going to hit them. They did everything they could to not look directly at me. But my presence was so strong, they could not ignore me. It was as if they knew they had a serious problem. These spirits were powerless to affect the people in the room. I knew it was the presence of the Holy Spirit in me that was causing them real problems.

Another strange thing was that none of the people seemed to know any of this was going on. They were not aware of the spiritual battle taking place. They just continued doing whatever it was they were doing. They did not know these evil spirits had control and influence over their daily activities.

It was interesting to watch these transparent people. Whatever reaction a spirit had, the transparent person did the same. When the spirit around them hid in fear, they did the same. When the spirit cowered, they cowered. My presence actually worked against the evil spirits and reduced their effectiveness. I was making a difference. The Holy Spirit living in me gave me authority. The Lord showed me that my position in Him changed reality all around me.

Every true born-again, Spirit-filled Christian affects the lives of those around. The problem is that, like these people in the vision who were not aware of evil spirits in their daily lives, Christians are not aware of the power of the Holy Spirit within them. They are not aware of His ability to affect those around them.

Think about this: Of all the created order, people are the highest and greatest creation of God. Our place in the universe is right below our Creator, our heavenly Father. He has created us to be like Him. He has given us of His Spirit. He has commanded us to take dominion. Look at a couple of Scriptures. We are told in Scripture that when we receive salvation and the Holy Spirit, we have been sealed by His Spirit. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13 NKJV). We will reign with Christ, and we do reign with Christ. We are made in the image of God. It is written Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth (Genesis 1:26 NKJV).

It should not surprise us that evil spirits are subject to us. You may not be able to see the spirits in the spiritual realm, but it’s for sure they are there. When Jesus sent out the seventy, they came back and were excited to declare that the demons themselves were subject to them in Jesus’ name (Luke 10:17).

The kingdom of God is forcefully advancing across the land. Jesus said the very gates of hell will not prevail against His church. The kingdom which is ruled by God cannot be stopped. We are the marching army of God. We will not be stopped regardless of the situations we go through.

The vision showed me many things people go through each day. Your daily life ushers in the kingdom in the areas you encounter. The kingdom advances in your workplace when you get there. When you say no to sin, the kingdom wins. Your life introduces the kingdom wherever you go. It is so important that you know who you are.

We are not losers, we are the winners. We are not spectators; we are the team playing on the field. Who are you? You are an image of God, an heir with Christ, a son/daughter of the King of this universe.

You are created, out of love, and in the image of God. That is no small thing.

You were created to walk in dominion. That is no small thing.

You are endued with power on high. That is no small thing.

The actual situations and struggles you see in this life are not the problems. Our fight is against evil “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places,” not against flesh and blood. Fight spiritual battles in spiritual ways – on your knees. That’s no small thing.

As children of the Most High God, we must know the spirits are subject to us and around us. Just like this vision the Lord gave, the spirits themselves are also aware of our presence. As powerful, born-again, spirit-filled, saints of God, we have authority over them. If you have never been told this, then be sure you hear it now. In Jesus’ name, you do affect your surroundings. As sons and daughters of God, we represent Him wherever we go and in whatever we do or say on earth. It’s no mystery or secret that demons want to avoid the spirit-filled believer, the person who knows who they are and is ready to proclaim it in His name.

On August 21, 2002, the Lord gave His church a Word that applies to the entire body of Christ.

DO NOT FEAR, YOU ARE POWERFUL

I have been your God. You see yourself as small, but I see you as a mighty giant. You see yourself as a snow ball, but I see you as an avalanche that nothing can stand in front of. I have called you, and I have led you. Have not you seen the little things I have done amongst you?

Have you not seen the influence you have had? Oh yes, it’s reached into the world. You see yourself as insignificant, but I see you as a mighty arm reaching out. I see you as a mighty people standing up. I see you as a mighty force going forth. Yes, you see yourself small, but I have talked with you. I have led you. Look at the little things that have happened, the influence you have had on others’ lives. Yes, you are small in the eyes of the world, but I see you with spiritual eyes. What I see is a mighty army rising up. When obstacles stand before you or try to stand before you, they will seem insignificant to you.

Put your trust in what you believe. It is within you. The desire that is in your heart, I have placed there. That need to reach out, that desire to be in My presence, I placed there. If I had not placed it there, you would not desire it. You see yourself weak. I see you mighty. You see yourself insignificant. I see you effective and influential. I see the desire in your heart manifested. I see its fullness. You still see it as a desire. Believe in it; hold on to it; it will manifest.

A door is open. On the other side of that door are mighty names, mighty strengths; and there will be people who I will bring to you. You see yourself as small, I see you as a multitude. You see yourself as little, I see you as great. I see you with your desire completed. I see you standing in strength. Hold on to what I see and not what you see. I speak to you in words, but My words are love, they are designed to bring you forth and raise you up. Follow Me, for I see you not like you see you. I see you as what you want to be. Hold on to what I see, and you will see it too. Look forth with your spiritual eyes. Seek to see the things around you as you desire. See yourself as the desire I have placed in your heart and follow that desire. Hold it; hold it strong. When I look upon you, I am proud for when I look upon you, I see you as you will be. See yourself the way I see you, and you will see it too. My Word is true and shall not fall to the ground. Hold it in your heart.

CHAPTER 5

God Will Move in the Church

“Lord, the church is Your presence in this world. Over and over, You have told us that we are important. Help me understand what You want us to be.”

Suddenly, the Lord showed me soldiers, ready for battle. They were dressed in fine armor. Look at one soldier, and you would be amazed. The soldier looked big and intimidating. The armor he wore was beautiful and polished. He was indestructible, undefeatable, and yet beautiful.

On the other hand, when I looked at the enemy, I saw something completely different. He was crafty and shrewd. He launched missiles, darts, and other objects of destruction. He appeared inferior for the battle. The weapons were not equal to the strength of the soldier’s shield and protective gear. But, strangely enough, the weapons against the soldiers wounded them, and some soldiers even died.

I looked upon the field of battle. Soldiers ran to and fro, trying to avoid the enemy. No two soldiers talked to each other or paid much attention to the other. Then, something changed. Two soldiers looked up and noticed each other. They came together and locked their shields over their heads. A third soldier came. Now there were three locked together.

First by ones and twos, then by tens and 20s, soldiers formed one body. They locked their shields over their heads and established an impenetrable barrier. They could not be stopped. They became very powerful and were able to fight the enemy. The shields formed one shield, reflecting the summer sun. It was as though they reflected the very presence of God. Not only were they safe, but their shields, as one, were incredible to look at.

Then the Lord spoke: “This is My church.”

Have you ever wondered why so many people just show up at church, seemingly without any reason or purpose other than to say they went to church? Some people go to church the way others go to a football game. They become spectators. The routine goes something like this: they go to church, listen to the choir sing and the preacher preach, and they leave. Probably if someone in the parking lot were to ask what songs were sung or what the message was about, their answer would be, “I don’t remember all of it, but it was good.” It seems to me there should be a better reason to go to church than listening to a sermon or be reminded to bring someone with you next time you come to church.

In the world, we see people gather together. David Copperfield can fill an auditorium faster than the average church can fill its pews. This tells me people would rather see David Copperfield make a jumbo jet disappear than to hear a message from the Bible about truth, righteousness, or salvation. So, let me ask you, would you rather go to a place where you listen to a message on how to live the good life, or go to a place where you experience the message? Would you rather learn about deliverance or experience deliverance? Would you rather understand what the Bible says about healing, or would you like to be healed? Think about the question. Why do you really go to church? Are you experiencing the spiritual power being preached? Are you receiving healing? Are you praying for someone to be healed? Did they leave healed? Is your life outside the church one of power and victory and blessings? Are you sharing those blessings with others so they may experience salvation and hope? It’s an interesting thought process. We each should ask ourselves questions like these. Jesus said, ...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15 KJV). Jesus saved us, and now it’s time we spread that same salve on the wounds of those around us.

What Jesus started was a perpetual healing process. He passed the good news of the kingdom to His followers. They were healed of what was destroying them. They in turn passed it on to others, who passed it on to others, who shared it with you, who now need to share it with still others. It is like the cure for all things being wrapped up in a healing virus. It is passed from one to another until it reaches the entire world.

I (Charles) have counseled with many couples to help them work through their difficulties. Bitterness in one’s marriage can distort the work of God in his/her spouse. It gets worse than that. It affects how children respond, too. The home is God’s ordained unit of love for this earth. A husband, by the way he loves his wife, can prepare her heart to hear from God. I knew a man who was able to bring about healing for his wife by the gentleness he showed. He would say things like, “I want her to be the best version of herself.” Women do the same thing for their husbands when they love like Christ loves.

That same thing can be restated like this. Jesus came to reconcile us back to God after Adam and Eve sinned and brought death into existence (Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20). The work of sin, when it is fully developed, produces spiritual death. Sin causes people to distrust God, to think they know what’s best. Sin separates us from God. Jesus came that we might have the effects of sin destroyed. He reconciled us back to God and gave His people (you and me) His Word of reconciliation and His ministry of reconciliation to continue what He started. This makes all true believers, you and me, ministers of reconciliation.

The church has a lot of biblical purposes. One of them is to help us live life on earth in preparation for our eternal life with Him. This requires working together as a team and not as competitors of His gospel. Imagine, if the Christian church, the body of Christ, were in unity, God’s church would be the strongest entity on earth. The body of Christ would be the richest and most powerful organizing power around. If the body of Christ were to use our finances for kingdom purposes, rather than the world’s purposes, it would change the entire financial structure of the world. Genesis 1:27-28 tells us we are supposed to take dominion over the earth. A unified church would really accomplish that.

Many people might think we are advocating the creation of homogenous churches with exactly the same agenda and programs. We don’t agree with that, nor would we want to see that happen. Unity for the body of Christ is more about being driven and empowered by the same Spirit to accomplish His will, rather than about doing exactly the same things.

When I (Robert) was training to be a pilot of a twin engine aircraft, one of the first things I learned was the importance of the two propellers being synchronized with each other. This does not happen automatically, nor does it happen by accident. It requires that the pilot make it happen. God’s vehicle, His church, has to be in sync also if it wants good performance. Can the airplane fly if the propellers are not synchronized? Yes it can. But you will not get ideal performance. Can Jesus’ church operate without being in sync with the rest of the body? Again, yes. But, like the plane, the body of Christ does not happen automatically or by accident. The people have to make the needed adjustments.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (NAS). Unity, the church being together, is vitally important to God’s plan and our desires. Why would God ask that we not forsake being together? The Scripture just listed above indicates that blessing each other is what we are supposed to be doing. We are called to live our lives with one another so much that we spur one another on to live out the gospel message.

I have spoken in churches all around the world. When I go to the church, I often take a puzzle with me to make my point to indicate the work God wants us each to do in one another’s lives. I will hold up the puzzle in the box. I mention that all of the pieces are in the box, and they are together in one place. This is the way in which many people are when they are in church. It isn’t difficult to get all of the church together in one place, in one box. However, if we were to assemble the pieces of a puzzle, they would not fit in the box any longer. When the puzzle is assembled, it creates a beautiful picture outside the box where it can be seen and appreciated by everyone. The same holds true when we get together. The Bible tells us to live our lives in ways that will encourage and be a blessing to others – to love and do the things God has called us to accomplish.

This is the church Jesus wants us to be part of, one that is assembled, creative and nurturing each other to live the true gospel. The church I just described will not fit in a box (church building). But until the church pieces, those within the body, are assembled as one glorious and beautiful picture of God’s love, no one will ever know the real power and beauty of a true Christian life. God’s design is and has always been to use the local church to impact communities. As we are together, we will impact the entire world.

In these last days, the Lord has declared He is going to move in mighty ways throughout the land through His church. Keep in mind His church is people and not buildings or organizations. The body of Christ is the sum total of all God’s members on earth. The local church is a function of the entire body, a body made up of many parts known as the saints of God.

Think of each person in a congregation as one part of a body. A hand is a body part made up of five fingers, joints, veins and nerves, but it’s referred to as a hand. Yet, it takes all the parts working together to function the way God designed it. The same is true with the local church. If all the parts are not functioning, the local body will be at a disadvantage. That body might possibly be crippled entirely. Being a member of the local body is one of the most important positions during a person’s earthly life. In fact, it’s so important it can affect the entire life of eternity. To make this point more clearly, read these few Scriptures taken from the Bible:

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one member’s one of another (Romans 12:4-5).

What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 26-27).

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:4, 15-16).

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:30, 32).

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18).

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God (Colossians 2:19).

I hope these verses get into your spirit like they do mine. Like hammering blows, they make the point that unity in the church is vital to our message and for our strength. The church, early in the book of Acts, saw incredible things. In one day, three thousand people were added to the church. They had all things in common. They were changing the very nature of their culture. What an incredible sight – the church God is making.

Think again of the vision: As we lock our shields together, we will once again see the book of Acts come alive. That type of church will be active, marching across the land. This is the church that cannot be stopped, the body of Christ, which you and I are connected to. The Head of the body is Jesus Himself. We, operating as one body, will cover this earth and help Him set up His kingdom and wait for His return.

I hope you are getting excited. Nothing will be impossible for us to do in His name. This high-impact church will change the face of world hunger. This church will be able to hold world leaders accountable. This church will end human trafficking. This is the very church that the Bible says the very gates of Hell will not prevail against. A city on a hill cannot be hid. This church cannot hide. This church is majestic and beautiful. It’s not what we preach, but what we live that affects people. The sermon on the day of Pentecost was only minutes long. But what they saw affected people. In Acts 4, Peter and John continued the revolution with the healing of the beggar at the Gate Beautiful. They didn’t preach a great sermon. Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I to thee. It was not a long sermon, but it was anointed.

Think of that army with their shields linked together, representing the presence of God. As it moves across the land, His Spirit will manifest itself. All the great revivals in the past, these great moves of God, were accomplished through a variety of people. They began with a small handful of individuals. As the army moves, others join in and become a part of this undertaking. Our hope is that you too will link with the rest of those in the body to be part of the world impact of this gospel.

If you are not actively involved in your church, we encourage you to link up. Sell out for the gospel. Give your life totally to Christ. Join the Ephesians 6 team. It is time we all stand up in our armor and prepare to fight the spiritual battle. Live completely for the King and His kingdom.

God has made it clear that He wants the army of God to take their stand against the enemy. He wants people to join the army and fight in the spiritual battle.

He gave me a prophetic perspective of this through this next vision. It was in full color as all the visions. In this vision, I saw a storm forming. It was large and very turbulent, forming on the other side of a tall beautiful mountain range. It looked like it was about to spill over the mountain tops, and immediately I asked the Lord, “What does this mean, and what am I to say concerning it?”

He answered, “This storm will start a great turbulence. It will overflow the mountains and cross the land.”

As I have read the Bible, I’ve come to realize that visions are symbolic. Things within visions represent a truth or situation. With this in mind, mountains are symbolic of governments, nations and leaders (Matthew 21:21; Revelation 8:8). Storms usually are a sign of a spiritual warfare, pending trouble, divine judgment, or divine reassignments (Nahum 1:3b: Ps 83:15).

As the vision played itself out, the storm raged on and on with no end in sight. It came over the mountain top and poured down the side of the mountains, covering the hills and valleys, and continued to cross the entire land. With all the turbulence, I could not see clearly what was going on. It was a brutal storm. Suddenly, from the midst of the storm, I saw soldiers dressed in armor rising up. Debris flew everywhere. There were only a few soldiers. They were spread over a large area and didn’t seem to be able to see each other. Each stood in place, unwavering, and were not affected by anyone or anything. It was difficult to see. However, the armor of these soldiers reflected light, allowing me to see them more clearly. All the soldiers faced the same direction with their eyes fixed forward, not looking to the right or left.

As I watched, they grew in numbers, and the armor covering their body grew brighter and brighter, lighting the area around them. At first, they slowly grew in number, just a few here and there. Then suddenly, they were everywhere. They had dominion over the elements and the land. Nothing was going to stop this army from reaching its purpose. They marched forward, and as they did they came together in rank and file until they became one great, powerful-looking army marching across the land.

I asked, “What is it I now see, and what is Your Word concerning it?”

The Lord answered, “Tell My people what you have seen and that My people will cover the Land.”

Unity is powerful. The unified soldiers march across the land and conquer anything in their path. That is why God has made us one. Satan also knows that very thing. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He will do anything to deceive the people of God. It is his desire to break up the unity of God’s church. It happened in the book of Acts with Ananias and Saphira. It happens to us in our age as well.

God is preparing us for a victorious battle and for life within the Spirit and in the community of faith. He empowers us. He gives us new life. God has given us His Holy Spirit, which guarantees a win. In that new life, He causes us to grow and produce fruit. Isn’t it just like the evil one to try to distort the new work of God by distorting our perception of spiritual life? The Lord once told me that as the Holy Spirit moves in the church, the spirit of envy would also be manifested.

Imagine a big family reunion where the patriarch and matriarch of the family bring gifts for each family member. Each gift was hand selected with a great deal of thought, based on their knowledge of each person. After the gifts are opened, some individuals see the gifts of others and then despise their own. “I want what she has.” “I like his gift better.” The complaining goes on, person after person.

In that way, we see that God gives each Christian a gift(s), according to the Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4). But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11 NAS). One person may be given the gift of wisdom or healing or knowledge. However, their brother or sister is given a different gift. Isn’t it funny how we are satisfied with what we have until we see another person with something we perceive as better? I suppose the old saying is true, “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” The saying is true because the enemy plants these seeds of envy. Sadly, that attitude is too often in the church.

From the inception of the church, God has had a plan to create strength, unity, and power within the leadership of the church. In Ephesians 4, we see this plan laid out. Jesus Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers, for the equipping of the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV).

Many of us refer to this ministry structure as the five-fold ministry. These are five offices that represent the fullness of Christ’s anointing. When each of these offices functions correctly, there is strength in the body of Christ. Take a minute and imagine a true pentagon shape. If we make the pentagon using five triangles, the pentagon will be strong because all five sides are working together as one. Together, they are much stronger than the sum of their parts.

This is the same way the church is made strong. The modern church is most effective when all of the anointings function fully. We all benefit. Yes, one triangle is strong, but not as strong as a pentagon made up of all five triangles. We have seen some churches function with only one primary anointing. This certainly limits their effectiveness.

Where would the church be if all people wanted to be leading worship? What if we all wanted to be the Sunday school superintendent? More than likely, the message of the kingdom would be much less effective. Like all human bodies, the body of Christ must function in healthy ways. No human body could function successfully unless each system in the body is doing its part. When the local church realizes it is a body part within the total body of Christ, the end result will be the power of God’s Spirit working through the church bringing attention and glory to all communities. It will be like a lighthouse beacon that can be seen throughout the area to save lives heading for the rocks of this life.

The Lord wants His church to stand up and move. It is His presence which gives the church power to accomplish the ministry which He has called every true Christian to do. Therefore, we must decide to be faithful in using the gifts God has given us. If He has gifted you to lead worship, you need to lead in the power of His Spirit using your talent. Has He gifted you in service? Serve with all your heart and soul letting the Holy Spirit work through you as your helper and comforter? Are you a pastor of a local flock? Then, in the power of His Spirit, guard and protect the flock.

God wants to move His church, and He’s patiently waiting. Know this for certain: God is moving with or without us. If you are like we are, you want desperately to move under His control. However, it cannot happen until the church is equipped and trained and ready to be used inside and outside the church building. This is the mission of the five-fold ministry. The church is not waiting for God to move, God is waiting for the church to move. This is a reality.

God wants leaders who understand the church body; He wants those who are in the pews to know that they are the most powerful ministers in the church. They need training and equipping for ministry to be a powerful kingdom force. For the church to function fully, we need those operating under the five-fold anointing and all of us operating in the gifts of the spirit. We can’t do it without everyone fully functioning. Notice that when the church saints are involved in ministering with their individual gifts and callings, the church will grow. When the congregation is made up of people who primarily sit, observe, and do not use their gifts, the church will not grow.

Think of it this way: About 5 percent fewer of Christians are part of the five-fold ministry, and 95 percent or more are part of the congregation. Now, if you were a commander and going to battle, which would you want to have fighting with you, five percent of the army or 95 percent of the army? It’s pretty clear that if we can figure this out; God knows it also.

To conclude: God is not asking us to give up every dream, ambition and desire to follow His will like some kind of slave or puppet. He has given us our dreams and desires. Let’s read what Jesus did say: Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33 NKJV). For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you (Luke 12:30-31).

Notice that Jesus did not say give up everything you desire and follow only what I desire. No, He is giving us an opportunity to have our desire by partnering with Him. Let me say it my way: Put My desire first and you will accomplish your desire (obviously, if our desires are not sinful). God is offering mankind a wonderful opportunity to partner with Him; but many people think God is telling us to give up our desires and will and do His only. What Jesus is offering is for us to join Him in partnership. We help Him, and He helps us, and all these things will be added to us. What are all these things? Well, they’re the desires, the dreams, and ambitions, the things we would like to have and accomplish. Jesus said, I know you have need of them; He did not say we couldn’t have them, but if we really want them, we should let Him help us while we place His kingdom first.

When I (Charles) was finishing high school, God placed in my heart the desire to go to Bible college and to be a pastor. Because of our economic condition (we were fairly poor), I didn’t see going to Bible college as realistic. I prayed about it for months. Then one night, I became completely convicted that God was telling me to go, and go I did. I left with just a little more than gas money to get there. Once I arrived, before I attended the first orientation class, I sat in the car and cried. I had no money. I was almost out of food. I didn’t have a job. How in the world was I going to make it 900 miles from home?

I prayed and declared to God that I was walking in obedience to what I understood was His call. I went to the orientation class. After speaking with the financial aid officer, I ended up with a dorm room and a meal ticket. Before the day was out, I got a job in the dorm as the janitor. Before the end of the week, I had another job to supplement my needs. By the end of the month, I had a full time job, replacing both of the other jobs. You see, God will use our dreams and desires to fulfill His purposes. He is the one who helps steer those desires when we seek first the kingdom of God.

CHAPTER 6

God’s Anointing Move – Are You Ready?

August 2, 2008 started out like any other day except during my prayer time, the Lord gave me a vision I would never forget. He showed me a very large enemy facing the church. The enemy was an army. This army had chariots, horses, bows and swords. They were very well equipped. They presented a huge problem for the church.

The church began to fight this enemy with prayer. Imagine this: As the church prayed, the enemy was defeated. A prayer went up, and chariot wheels fell off of the chariots. More prayers and the blades of the swords broke and fell to the ground. First one weapon, then another; prayers went up, and the enemy was defeated.

At this point, the Lord told the entire church to go out and pick up the fallen weapons. What was surprising was that only a few people actually got up and went out. The rest of the church stayed inside their buildings, sitting on the pews.

This next part was interesting to watch. Those people who went out and picked up weapons witnessed those weapons transform into Spiritual gifts. A broken sword might turn into gifts of healing, others into encouragement. One weapon after another was transformed into a gift to be used to attack the world’s strongholds. Why did only a few people respond to God’s instructions? It wasn’t as though the command was that difficult. Yet there it was. Only a handful of people responded to God’s instructions to get up, go out, and pick up their weapons.

I asked the Lord, “What will happen to those who rejected Your command to go.”

His answer, “if they will not go out and pick up their weapons and claim their victory by defeating their enemy, then this same enemy will return fully armed again.”

As we look around, we see many Christians today struggling with the same problems as non-Christians. Christians should be the most victorious group of people in the entire world. We are equipped with spiritual weapons. These weapons outfit us to fight (and win) tremendous battles.

It is true that we are subject to earthly problems, but our Lord Jesus promised us an abundant life. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10 NKJV). We first see signs of God’s abundant life for people in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were given the most ideal place in the world to live. Their abundant lifestyle, if they had followed God, would have eventually covered the entire earth. It would have kept expanding until the dominion they exercised touched the entire earth.

The same Bible that speaks about God’s abundance also speaks about Satan and his agenda. Satan’s purpose on the earth consists of three things: to steal, kill and destroy. Now here is one of the lies of Satan that people have come to believe – that Satan can kill us. The fact is he can’t kill us. It isn’t within his power to do so. All he can do is deceive us. He came to steal, kill and destroy, but he will have to kill something else, because he can’t physically kill us. If he could kill us physically, we would already be dead. If Satan could steal our car, it would already be gone, and if he could have destroyed us physically, he would have.

What he tries to kill, steal and destroy is our plans, dreams and abundant life in Christ. Satan was cast down to the natural world, the earth. He was kicked out of heaven and the spiritual realm. Therefore, he can only deal with things in the natural. Jesus took his spiritual power and authority from him. So we should think of it this way: Our spiritual enemy has no spiritual weapon to affect our spirit, except by lies and deception. This is not spiritual. It is the natural.

We have been given a great advantage over Satan. First, we have the gift of salvation, and God has made His Holy Spirit, power, and authority available to us. This is an incredible advantage to us. It means that as true believers we have spiritual weapons to fight with. We have strength and power available to us: things that have the power to bring down strongholds and to do damage to the enemy’s camp. In contrast to that, the devil only has natural things to fight with. By natural things, I mean things of the flesh: deception, lies, stealing, and manipulation. Yes, we have the advantage, both natural and spiritually, over the devil and anything that attacks us if we receive and trust Him and expect His involvement in our abundant lifestyle. This is why Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10 to make sure to keep our armor on at all times and fight with our spiritual sword, the Word of God.

Always keep in mind that God created His plan for us long before He created heaven, angels, earth, or mankind. His plan was that He would create a people who would be like He is. They would bare His image. His plan has never changed according to Scripture: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Our Lord’s eternal plan was established before creation, but this plan does have a transition point built in. This transition point or period is the church age. It started with the birth of Jesus and continues today, but we are in the last of the last days of this church age.

The best way to explain the church age position is to think of a four person relay track team. The coach always places the best runner in the last position to finish the race. It doesn’t matter if they are running in last place or first place when the baton is handed to that last runner. They are responsible for running the best to win the race and take the baton over the finish line first.

All of the other runners have run their lap and passed the baton to the next runner. Throughout Scripture, we see salvation history progress from one person to another, from one generation to another, through one covenant to another. Abraham ran his lap, Moses ran his, Joshua ran his, and King David ran his, among many others. Now the baton has been handed to the church. We are the ones actively running the final lap. The Lord Jesus picked us for a time like this. He expects us to run the best and win the race.

The Lord made this clear to me in July 1974: He explained how He would move in the church during her final days. He said that when He started to move, He would begin by manifesting His Spirit through His people. He let me know there would be a time when believers would be challenged.

He said when His Spirit starts to move, the spirit of envy would also move to kill, steal and destroy by getting His people to feel cheated because they wanted the gifts of others. One might have the gift of healing and feel envious of those who have gifts of prophecy. Some with gifts of interpretation of tongues might feel envious of those who have the gift of healing. People must control their personal emotions and be patient as He begins to work through them. According to the Lord, there is no room for those with a self-centered attitude. He said that He has a work for all believers. Church, be patient. God wants to use you, too.

Earlier, I told of a vision of the church praying during the battle. The Lord commanded the church to gather the weapons. Most people did not gather. Through this, the Lord showed me that the church was operating in limited power and authority. She was walking in the lack of obedience. The church does not know who she is.

VISION OF THE CHURCH IN THE LAST DAY – MARCH 17, 2001

March 17, 2001, the Lord said to me, “Robert, you are always using the types and shadows to confirm the Word for the church today. Let Me give it to you like this so you will understand more clearly. Solomon’s reign and David’s reign are both shadows of the church in the last day. During this time, you will see the church as I designed her to be. I am going to deliver My church completely from bondage. My church will have the splendor and honor of Solomon’s reign, and the strength and fear of David’s reign.”

Why won’t the church get up and use all of our gifts? Why haven’t we seen the church become glorious like the reign of Solomon and as strong as the reign of David? The church would become all of these things if we would realize what it is that we are, if we were to realize that all of the parts are there and must be assembled correctly.

VISION OF THE UNITED CHURCH

He showed another open vision. This time He showed me a large church that was in session. Several people on the stage seemed to be the leadership. The pews were full of people ready to participate in worship and prayer. By observing the congregation, I would guess this congregation was in a prayer service. All of a sudden, those in the pews began to stand and raise their hands toward heaven with great praise and excited worship. At the very same time those on the platform seemed to stop and watch the congregation in amazement.

The congregation became more and more vocal and excited. They didn’t seem to pay attention to the leaders on the platform. Suddenly, those on the stage started moving off the stage and mingling with those in the pews until they were all off the platform and in the pews. I could no longer tell which was which; they all looked the same, praising and worshipping as one body.

Then something interesting occurred. The Lord showed me the door as it opened. A bright light shined through the windows and doors. Everyone in the church seemed to see it at the same time, and they all started moving toward the door and eventually all were outside of the building. Without anyone saying anything, they all started ministering to the people in the streets and local buildings. The Lord quietly spoke to me saying, “Now, My people are ministering as one.” The different levels had become one level with those in the pews. They were all one ministry instead of spectators in the pews and leaders on the platform.

I could not tell who was a part of the leadership team and which people were in the pews. It was one large group of people covering the entire city, ministering to everyone in sight.

Yes, God is preparing His army, the church, for the final day. His plan is not about us, or our titles, or gifts, but about Him and His body working as one.

The body of Christ has different positions with different functions. The body of Christ, the church, is like a human body that has many parts: toes, fingers, arms, legs to mention a few. Yet, all of its parts are important to the overall functioning of the body. The same is true with God’s true church. Whatever body part we are – pastor, worship leader, usher, bus driver, or Sunday school teacher – all are important to Christ’s body. No part can function separate from the others without weakening or even crippling the results of the local church. God’s plan calls for a whole body, healthy and powerful, a body connected to the beautiful Head, Jesus Christ.

Are you important to God? Yes, you are important. If you are a member of His body, then you are very significant. As we conclude this chapter, we want to end with a very important word from God. The true Christian walk is not about going to a church or walking through life the best we can. It’s about being connected and loved by our Lord and Savior. Keep in mind that the church Jesus is talking about is not a building or an organization, it is God’s people assembled as one army.

The Lord gave this word for the body of Christ. As you read it, take it personally. Know that God loves you and wants you to be completely involved when He returns again.

SWORD UPON THE LAND

As a promise, I have said I will never do anything without first telling My people, but I tell you tonight that I will bring a sword upon this land. This sword shall hit first upon My church. My church has used My name and polluted it; the church has built itself monuments and uses My name like an old rag to clean up spilled water. I shall bring a sword upon the land. I shall bring this land to a point where people will wonder where God is. This land has claimed its strength and its power because it has followed Me, but has profaned My name.

I shall first strike the church as a large building that falls, and as the dust comes up, man cannot see. It will eventually clear. It will be as a field of grain that looks out across the land and is drying up before your eyes. As people look to each other for help, and they turn to each other for answers, they see nothing. Confusion fills the land. It looks as though there is no answer, and the dust begins to fall upon the ground. The air begins to clear; they will see the image of a beautiful church.

Oh yes, My church shall fall, but that is the church man has built. And when the dust falls, they will see, standing in its place, a building of pure gold, a building that is brilliant and can be seen throughout the world. They shall see glory. When they look upon the field that looked like it was drying up, they shall see a harvest they’ve never seen before. Those who call themselves My church shall look upon this gold, glorious and beautiful monument and know I have built My church. They shall see the wickedness of their way, and they shall run toward Me. They will see how they have used My name profanely, and they will begin to use My name correctly. When they use My name, I will be glorified, and all the land shall see that I am God, and I only am God.

I shall raise a church that has never been seen before. My name is defamed, polluted, and is used in ways that are not reflective of who I am. My name gives freedom. My name should not be used to hold people in sickness, because My name is wholeness. Out of the rubble of this crumbling building, when the dust shall fall, and the air shall clear, and the sun shall show forth, eyes shall be opened and the dust shall be taken out of the eyes. Before them, they will see a great church – gold, pure, powerful, and mighty. Man shall come to Me, and man shall come to My church; and My church shall come forth, and people will see them, and they will say, “Yes, yes, yes, this is a church. This is the church of Almighty God.” But first I must get rid of man’s building, his monuments.

I tell you this because I said I would never do anything without first telling My people what I am doing. I speak to My people often, and I’m telling My people what I am about to do. Out of this rubble will come a people for they have the ability to rise as a beautiful, golden monument to the Lord God Almighty. Glory shall shine from them, and a voice shall go out, and shall crumble. But the voice shall pick up, and people shall come, and My church will know I am God. The world will know that I am God. I will have My pleasure upon this earth, and My creation will be of God. I tell and I warn you for I am giving this warning to encourage you to stand because I have chosen you (true believers) to be part of that building which shall be standing. Hold on to these words. Do not lose them, for these words are My Words, and they come from My voice for I am the Lord God Almighty and My Word shall not fall to the ground, and they shall not return to Me void for what I have said will happen. Hold on to it. See only Me, and you shall see the power of God as no one on earth has ever seen before. The world has never seen, but you shall experience it. Hold tight to My Word.

CHAPTER 7

The Rise of the Church

If we look at the world over the last several years, we see many things that seem strange. In the natural world, we have seen many abnormal weather patterns, with a huge number of destructive super storms. In 2005 alone, we saw a major earthquake in Indonesia. It had the magnitude of 8.7 and killed more than 1,600 people. Hurricane Katrina struck the United States and resulted in nearly 1,800 deaths and $120 billion in damages. Hurricane Stan hit countries throughout South America and killed over 1,100 people.

Natural disasters are only one set of strange events happening throughout the world. Politically, we are seeing tremendous storms happening, too. There have been international struggles, wars, coups, and many uprisings. We see nations overturned by the hands of evil, and almost every country on earth is in financial trouble. We haven’t yet mentioned corruption in leadership or problems such as the abuse of money and power. Sadly, much of the Christian world is following this same path to dead ends. God’s plan for us does not include failing. His path for us isn’t full of weeds, death, and destruction. His path for us is full of life, truth, hope, trust, His Word and His promises. We must learn to see the correct path using spiritual eyes.

That is why this chapter is so important. We want everything spoken to help you to grow in your faith. God spoke to me during a church service on March 9, 2003. He gave a message in tongues, and I gave the interpretation.

VISION – WHEN I AM LIFTED UP

When I am lifted up, all men shall look upon me. It makes no difference what their surrounding desert looks like. It makes no difference how dry the plains and the ground are. It makes no difference if there are no clouds in the sky to bring rain. Call on the Lord our God and Savior. When I am lifted up, all men shall be drawn to Me. When I am lifted up, glory shall fill the area where you are. When I am lifted up, My glory shall cast through you into a dark world. For there is a darkness coming upon this earth, but My light will shine upon it and hold it back. Choose you this day My light. In that light you will find strength, victory, prosperity, and love. You will find family. You will find all the things you seek Me for. Lift Me up, and all men shall come unto Me. The battle and the spoils shall be yours.

VISION OF MAN ON MOVE WITH A MESSAGE

Believers are like soldiers on a mission conquering the enemies’ territory. They come against the enemy with a message of hope. What is God looking for in these people He lifts up? The Lord helped me understand this through a vision.

The Lord opened the vision by saying, “My People are taking their eyes off of the mission and putting them on the things of the world.” Immediately, I saw a very large and beautiful area full of green grass adorned with large shade trees that surrounded a large, lovely lake. Walking through this area, I saw a lone solider, carrying a bag. He seemed to be in a great hurry. As he walked, he began to look around instead of focusing on the direction he was walking.

He sat down under a big shade tree by the lake and watched the deer and animals. Finally, he laid back and closed his eyes and fell asleep. As he slept, I could see the enemy army coming out of the trees heading toward him. He eventually became completely surrounded. The man’s mission was ended, and the enemy was in control of him. Those who were waiting for his message will not hear it.

Obviously, our Lord wants us to enjoy His beautiful creations, but when that becomes our main focus, we open ourselves to the enemy’s evil tactics as we lose sight of our real mission.

Maybe the man in this vision was a part of the church body. He might represent an individual or maybe an entire congregation. It is important to know that the lure of this world can become the major motivation for any of us. It can override our call and purpose as Christians.

Notice that this vision was not about sinning or giving up our faith in God or about attendance in church. It is about us letting our guard down and not taking seriously the things we have been asked to do. Our immediate desires need to take a backseat to the things of the spiritual realm and our relationship with God. God is looking for those He can raise to new levels of spiritual greatness.

A while ago, I was going through a season of questions, a time like many people do. I looked at the different types of ministers: apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and their teachings. It seemed everyone had their own ideas of what godly leadership really was. Yet, very few got the results that Jesus did. While I tried to understand this dilemma, the Lord helped me. He showed me a vision that, at first, was very puzzling.

Like several other visions He has used, this vision also started with a large dry valley. It seemed to be miles and miles long and wide. I stood on the top of a high mountain as I looked across the valley. Suddenly, I noticed that in the very middle of this valley were hundreds of people on their knees facing the same direction. These people were kneeling in a triangular formation. The first row had one person, the second row had two, the third row had three, etc. The rows went on and on, covering a very large area. All the people wore what seemed to be robes.

The kneeling people were so far from me that I could not make out their exact features. They were all looking toward a very bright light in front of them. The brightness filled the end of the valley, all the way in the heavens. It was obvious that every single person could see the light, from the front row to the very last row. Hundreds of rows of people could all see the light.

The person at the apex of the triangle stood up and turned around to face the people. When he stood up, he cast his shadow over all the people, and at that point, none of them could see the light because he was blocking it. I asked the Lord what this vision meant.

The Lord answered, “The person you see at the front is the leader of this congregation. As long as he was in the right position, all could see Me. When he stood up, he was the only thing people could see. When leaders are out of position, they cause the people to focus on them and not Me. When leaders are in their rightful position, the people see the Light. This is the leader’s position among My people.”

THE LIGHT THAT SHINES FORTH – JUNE 22, 2003

On June 22, 2003, the Lord gave a message to the church through me. “I am the Light that shines forth. Without Me there is darkness, but My light covers the world. I reach into every person, I reach into every area. There is no place you can go, for I am the Lord God Almighty, and none can stand against me. Receive My salvation. Receive My strength, and receive My encouragement for I walk above the face of this earth. Look to Me as your source. Look to Me as your light. I am all in all; I am the Lord God Almighty, and none stand against Me and beside Me there is no other.”

When we think of the body of Christ, let us remember it’s about gathering and includes both the physical and spiritual. The Holy Spirit must be involved in every individual believer’s life as well as the church community. We all must see Him as our Light. This is the body Christ Jesus desires.

There is one thing we can always count on. Each of us, as individuals, must make the choice to follow His Light. The Lord really brought this out to me clearly in another vision. November 2008: This vision concerned the upcoming years and final days of His church. It also started as a large field with a high mountain range in distance.

VISION OF DRY FIELD – NOVEMBER 2008

As I looked down, beneath me stretched a large, dry field filled with dead weeds. He showed me that in this vision, the church is represented as people spread across the dry field. They walked around as if they didn’t know where they were going. They looked tired and walked in slow, labored steps.

In the middle of the field was a starting place for what looked like a path. The path began with a small opening, and it increased in size as it extended across the field. It was clear that entering this path would be a decision people would have to make individually.

As I watched, people starting seeing the path, and one at a time would enter it. That’s when things started to change. Something moved down the path very fast, causing a tremendous dust storm. It overwhelmed the entire area, making it almost impossible to see what was happening. I could faintly see what looked like a great, powerful, and mighty army with tanks and all kinds of military vehicles moving swiftly up the path. What started as people walking around looking for a direction was now an entire army equipped for war. This was an army of God’s people. They were choosing to walk on His path, anointed with power and causing a Holy Ghost dust storm around the world.

The Holy Spirit is raising a people out of His church to their created purpose. Jesus said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongue; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover (Mark 16:15-18 NKJV).

Regardless of our confusion or failure, God is always ready to take us by the hand and show us where our path to victory begins.

Today is not the only time God’s people have been confused or weary. When Jesus was crucified, the men and women who followed Him were left confused and weary. Look at Peter. He had spent every waking hour with Jesus, and then Jesus was gone. In fact, the last time Peter saw Jesus was after he denied Him three times. Yet, Jesus asked Peter three times to feed and care for His sheep, His church.

Peter preached the first message of the church designed to bring God’s message of hope to the entire world. It’s through the church that the world will see God’s presence is with us through tough times as well as good times. This makes part of every Christian’s ministry a missive to proclaim the good news of the kingdom, that Jesus the Christ is alive and well and getting ready to return for all His true believers.

Today our Lord needs His church to prepare for His return. His church is vitally important to fulfilling His plan. Every born-again, spirit-filled, true believer is vitally important. This is a time for believers to be encouraged and active, seeking and knocking, and asking for divine guidance to help others find their path to God’s will and purpose.

The Lord wants his people to be blessed and enjoy all the beauty of His creation. God made all kinds of things for our blessing, but it can come apart if the world’s beauty becomes the total focus. If the lure of the world is our major focus, those things can become a major motivation, and it can override our purpose as Christians.

These next words from our Lord strongly show how much more God wants for us than we think. He said this verbatim: “I desire to raise you as a great tree, a large tree, tall and strong which offers shade to the needy. I desire to create you as a great bird that flies through the air and rises above the clouds and storms: one that can see those in need and swoop down and pick them up. I desire to see every wish that you have fulfilled, but I also desire to see you pick up your cross and follow Me. I desire to see you reach forth, step forth, and look forward – being what you want to be. You have the ability and the desire, and I see you doing everything you wish to do, and I tell you that you can do it. I encourage you to step out for what I see that you can obtain. Then, you will be a mighty, exceeding army. Nothing can stand against it that will be fitting into My plan and My desire for you. When your desire and my desire have reached a point that we match, you will see the mightiest time in your life, for all things are yours. Seek Me, look for Me, find Me. I am right beside you. I desire to see you grow into a mighty tree because My desire is for you. Know that My love spreads around you and through you and goes before you. No weapon can form against you when you are in My presence. I desire your company; I desire to comfort you. Let us walk together.”

CHAPTER 8

God’s Lasting Word, Abundant Life, Love and Promises

There are many people who are looking for answers in the wrong places. You may want to be careful if you are one of them. The answer to who you are and why you are here are very specific questions you need answers to. Just go to the local bookstore and look at the quantities of books under the category of self-help, or psychology, or sociology. You will not find your answer in those places because God has already revealed what you are looking for; and we are about to show you where it is. The answers are right at your fingertips.

There are over seven billion people on the planet, and it isn’t hard to think of yourself as just a number. Hear us on this: God is calling you. He is calling you to a higher level, and He has chosen you for very special purposes.

It isn’t new or hidden. Since creation God has called men and women to help Him, giving them special assignments. As we move through the Bible, we see that God calls, and He chooses.

Though God called mankind, He chose Seth for the blood line of Jesus.

Though God called the world to follow Him, He chose Noah to build the Ark.

Even though God called the Nations, He chose Abraham to be father of the faithful.

We know God called the Jews to Him, but He chose King Saul to be king.

We see that God called all of the Jews to follow Him, but He chose the twelve Apostles.

God calls everyone to help Him and chooses some to train and equip those who come to Him.

Do you see it? God has called you for your assignment. No one else can do what you are called to do.

Where do you find the answers? God’s Word. That answer is simple, but it isn’t easy. It takes work, patience, obedience, self-control, persistence, and more to get the answers out of it. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you (Matthew 7:7). Read it. Don’t run from it. Run toward it. In a vortex, you have to swim into it in order to be free from it.

God’s Word doesn’t always make sense in the natural mind. For example, the mature believer knows tithing increases, not decreases. God is not one who subtracts or divides. He adds and multiplies. But in the flesh, some think tithing creates decrease. Those of us who live God’s principles on tithing and giving know that His wisdom is much greater than the world’s. God’s wisdom always flies against the wisdom of this world. Get in the Word, and let it get in you; don’t give up. Those of us who are pastors and leaders need to lead God’s people in the full council of God to live out His Word. We get into the Word, and God will create something within that Word into your life.

VISION OF BIBLE OPEN ON A TABLETOP

The Lord showed an open Bible lying on a table. From the very pages of the Bible issued a flow, similar to a whirlwind or tornado that climbed upward instead of downward. However, it was not water or dirt. It actually was filled with various scenes taken from every life situation that you could think of or imagine. Nothing in life was missing. Within the flow of these pages were things known and things not known. The answer to every problem was right there. I can’t stress enough that everything pertaining to life was there. It was as though each word in the Bible created as it flowed. An entire volume of information surged forth, enough to fill the eternities with answers to all questions. I could see no end to the continuous stream. It flowed and flowed endlessly. It was obvious that if I were to count all the books of the world together, they could not equal the sheer volume of information that was being illustrated – coming out of this Bible lying open on the table.

There have been many things this vision should cause us to think about. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:1-2 NKJV). Following those two verses we begin to see God create. We don’t know a lot about what it looked like from a heavenly point of view. Maybe God was dancing while He created all things. Maybe He waved His hands in the air. Possibly, He was laughing with a deep-hearted joy at His creating process, especially when He was thinking of you.

We don’t know what it looked like, but we do know that He spoke all things into existence. Time and again, we see it. In Genesis 1:3, 4, 6, 9,11, and more, we read those words: Then God said. After He created the various parts of our world, he gave meaning to them; He gave the creation a name. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night (Genesis 1:5).

This creative God has a name: Jesus. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). The very expression of God has created everything. That spoken expression of God, that creativity has a name: Jesus. Jesus is our Creator God. It is impossible for our Lord to lie. His words create. They create life and all that is in existence.

It’s true that many people read the Bible looking for a historical perspective of the world. It’s also true that the Bible is where we can find facts and the answers to all circumstances God’s people experience. It offers historical data that not only answers our problems or addresses our desires, but that can be verified through non-biblical resources. These extra-biblical resources prove God’s words are real, true, believable, and usable for us today. Yes, a thousand times yes, every situation, problem, and success in life can find its answer in God’s Word, the Bible, if we ask God to show it to us. Many people treat the Bible as though it were just one of many holy books. In their final analysis, it is just a book, but oh what it has to say is endless. The book is open and the vortex is spinning.

To read the Bible as just a book is to miss out on the divine wisdom and knowledge available to us. When we read the Bible, we can ask God to reveal His heart to us. We can know His will for our lives. He can show us answers to our daily problems and even show us our problems before giving us the solution. It has the answers you are looking for right now. In the vortex of God’s Word, we find all life’s answers.

The Holy Spirit works with His written Word to show us the Word of God. Imagine looking into a picture on a wall. You see a country scene of someone on a horse galloping, heading for a village. You look at the village and imagine what the village holds. Now imagine that you try to touch the canvas, and your hand goes inside the picture. You can feel the air blowing on the other side. How incredible. You put your head in, then your feet, and finally your entire body. Now you are able to walk to the village and know those people and the life which they lead.

Through the Holy Spirit, we are able to go past the paper and ink of the pages and be swept away, in the Spirit, to know God’s real truth. Every word expands to take you on an adventure. Every question you ask, you ask of God, and He answers. By entering the stream of the Holy Spirit, we are able to begin anywhere and hear a fresh creative new word that will speak to your situation.

Many times, when we preach, we are not simply looking for information about the passage we are to preach. We say to the Lord, “As we step into that stream of Your Word, speak Your Word to us. Oh Word of God, create Your reality in us.” We might begin in the book of Philippians seeing the joy Paul has for the church he planted in Macedonia. However, once in His Word, He may speak about marriages, or church life, or righteousness, or employment.

It’s time we individually, and as the church, step into the stream which is His Spirit, where His Words come from. Allow Him to create within you a desire to know Him, fellowship with Him and walk with Him through the rooms of your life. Expect Him to take your heart, your mind, and soul every day while reading His Word. Every answer may not be found in the three-dimensional book called the Bible. However, once we are captivated by Him, we can open that book and be transformed to the river’s edge, where all the answers are found. Step in.

Everything God created was created to solve a problem in some way. It may be our automobile, it may be emotional or legal, maybe a health problem, but God is the answer, and He created us to work through all of our problems and to help solve problems.

God wants both the believers and the nonbelievers to know how Satan and his evil spirits attack a person. God wants us to know how he attacks us. Satan works on our minds and emotions. He rushes us all the time to keep us going at a fast pace. This hurried pace forces us to think fast and not take the proper amount of time to think at all. Satan wants to keep us so busy that we don’t read the Scriptures, or pray, or meditate, or go to church, or to have our faith raised up. This will keep peace far from us. The enemy will try to get us to rush into doing things or committing ourselves to a plan or action without thinking it through or testing it. Satan is always trying to train us not to think of consequences.

When we are concerned with busyness, we are not focused on His Word. Busyness keeps us from being concerned about results. In fact, busyness keeps us focused on methods rather than the results. If a person is too concerned with their activities, they run the risk of not focusing on His Word and His vision and what they are really there for. If we don’t spend time in the Word and prayer, we are cutting ourselves off from the guidance of the Holy Spirit who is trying to protect and lead us. This will actually separate us from God’s will, which will produce the negative results the enemy wants.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Keep your eyes on the vision the Lord has given you and not on the things you are doing, the work, to get there.

If you are doing work for the Lord and getting negative results, you will eventually become disappointed and possibly give up. The devil hopes this will turn you away from God so instead of going to Him for guidance, you will rely on yourself. Now, God’s position is focused on keeping you out of trouble and getting you turned around and back in line with His will where blessing and joy really are.

A WORD FOR WOMEN

In 2005 my wife, Rev. Ann Shipman, held a women’s conference for women pastors, teachers, speakers and saints. The Lord gave me a message to encourage women in ministry. It went like this:

There are armies on the hills, through the valleys, and across the land, mustered and being sent out to help you. Thousands upon thousands of fiery chariots with thousands upon thousands of flaming swords are lined up in files and groups and sent to help you. These groups file out on to roads that go everywhere heading for those they are going to help. A storm is coming across the land that will cause destruction. It will separate, and it will also unite. Even though there is a flood coming, there will be drought. It will cause the land to be burned brown, but it will also cause the fields and trees to be green and beautiful. There are two roads; one follows God very closely, making sure every step is the plan of God with no self-motivation, no self-building; it is all God or nothing. The other road is a way that walks outside God’s will, building self, following the natural, and the way is rough and devastating.

Both roads are full of women. Some will go all the way into their ministry while others only go part way and some not at all. Yet, the roads come together at different areas. Some women will move from one road to the other.

Women of God: He is calling you. Remember how He calls, and He chooses? Well, God is calling all of you. He has chosen you to fulfill His purposes on this earth. Be bold. Step out and claim your victory. Walk in faith to do the work He has chosen you for. Boldly, heal the sick, and proclaim the gospel.

This word was not just to give us information about where the answers of life are, but to also learn where they are so we can help others. God has been speaking to His greatest creation, mankind, since He created us. We were created for a purpose, not just to live a hundred years and die, but to be of use to help His creation find Him. Then we can live an eternity with Him.

Each of us was created for a purpose. We just have to find it. King David’s assignment was to defeat Goliath. Esther’s assignment was to keep the Jews from being destroyed. Joseph’s assignment was to save Israel from starving. Someone or something needs what each of us have been assigned to bring to earth. Everyone one of us is a solution or reward to someone or something.

A WORD IN TONGUES GIVEN TO THE BODY OF CHRIST.

I have impregnated My church to give birth. The church has gone through a very difficult pregnancy that has been painful and very heavy to carry. My church is like a large wheat field so full of grown wheat that it needs to be harvested immediately. Wheat is about to be birthed.

The pregnancy of My church is contagious and will impregnate any ministry that connects or associates with it. The pregnancy will impregnate those who receive it, and I will give them a spiritual birth and harvest. I have churches all over the world that are pregnant and about to give birth. My Word is in them.

The Bible is putting out the information, and we need to receive it. We have to get into it, read it and be open to it. Not just get into the Bible. Let the Word get into you. Let it form your thoughts and intentions. Let the Holy Spirit form His thoughts and life in you.

CHAPTER 9

The Non-Functioning Body of Christ

Not long ago, we were traveling through the desert and listening to the radio. It was playing some great music. Right in the middle of a song, another song started to play over the top of the first one. I tried to adjust the radio reception, first one direction, then the other, but there was no way to get around the fact that two signals were crossing over one another. The radio didn’t have a way of filtering out one without getting rid of the other.

In the church, the words of many authors, speakers, and leaders can overlap the clear message of the Lord. It isn’t their fault. They aren’t trying to bring confusion. However, the church can become confused by following first one person’s philosophy, then another’s in an attempt to create a better church.

Think for a moment about Christ, the Head of the church. No Christian would argue that the perfect Head of the church body is Jesus Christ. His track record for performance is 100 percent. He has never failed. According to the Scriptures, He created all things. He created people in His image, and they were very good. The plans of God became perverted at the time when people sinned. Satan’s intrusion into the life of Adam and Eve caused God’s plan to take a turn. It all started with Satan and one third of the angels who followed him. They fell from heaven and were cast to the earth. Then, Adam and Eve disobeyed Gods commandment to not eat the fruit of a particular tree, and their disobedience caused them to be separated from God. Now people must be born again to close that separation and walk again with Jesus in His glory.

Adam and Eve sinned. Simply put, sin is separation from God. When we separate from God, we begin to see the destruction of many things in our lives. Families deteriorate. Health falls apart. Chaos runs rampant. Financial problems grow from a mole hill to a mountain.

The Lord said, “I speak to the body but it doesn’t react to what I say.” In today’s church we seem to be more worried about numbers and correctness than what Jesus is interested in. Our doctrines, church rules, political correctness all give us reasons to better fit into this worldly mold of Satan’s kingdom.

Jesus is, and always has been, our highest standard, but in many circles, it isn’t popular to stand with a biblical position against many moral issues. Sometimes we think it’s easier to just not make waves and get along with everyone. But, in truth, it is better to stand in purity and walk in God’s righteousness. We the people of God must let Christ shine brightly through us. We should be the physical manifestation of the presence of God in the world. It is important that the world see our faith in action. We must not take a hardhearted view of Christ’s words like the Pharisees of His day did with the law. We must choose to be a counter culture, to live as a nation of priests who simply say no to the world and yes to God.

Have you even wondered if you were hearing God speak to you when He wanted to communicate with you or direct you toward a better way of doing something? Or when he wanted to warn you of something that could affect your life in a harmful way?

Now, magnify this question to cover the entire body of Christ which He created to be His partner in covering the earth with His glory. We wonder whether the church is hearing and responding to God’s leading. Well, this chapter covers another open vision the Lord gave concerning this very subject. This was not a message just for me; it concerns the entire body of Christ. The church is commissioned to cover the entire world and subdue it for Jesus Christ’s return.

BODY ON THE FLOOR

The vision started with a startling eye-opening scene of a body lying on a floor. I looked and right in front of me on the floor was what looked like a person’s body, but it was transparent and lying flat on his back. Think of a translucence of a jelly fish. What was amazing was this person’s head was beautifully perfect in every way. It was obvious he was wise and full of understanding, but his body was crippled, and every movement was difficult. It looked almost impossible to function in the simplest ways.

As I watched, I saw a full glass of water sitting on the floor next to the body. It was easily in reach. Yet, his coordination was so bad that when his head sent a signal to the arm to reach out to get a drink, his hands and arms could not pick up the glass.

No matter what the head would tell the body to do, it had the same results because the muscles and body parts were so deformed they could not fulfill the command. As I stood watching, I wondered what I was seeing and why the Lord was showing me this terrible scene. Then the Lord said that this was His church, the body of Christ. The Head is perfect and the signals He gives the body are perfect. But, the body is unable to receive and apply them as given. This is how His body, the church, functions spiritually. God has done His part and continues to heal the body of Christ.

In the parable of the sower and the seed (Matthew 13), Jesus challenges our ability to truly hear the Word. Our hearts are like the ground that receives the seed (the Word of God). A soft and receptive heart can produce a tremendous harvest. A hardhearted person will not produce anything from the Word. People can listen superficially and wither away for lack of the water of life. The weeds of the world can choke the life out of them. Or, for those whose hearts are willing to receive the Word of God, it will produce much fruit.

Through this vision of this body lying on the ground, we learn so much from the Lord. We know the Lord wants His body to be fully obedient and responsive. This will only happen as we submit to the Lord and are willing to fall in line with His Word. He has had a plan, since the beginning of creation. He has never changed it. He is our Head. There is nothing wrong with the Head. It is perfectly formed. The body, to function correctly, must obey the Head. He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18 NKJV).

We know He is the Creator, and He is the Lord Most High. He is God Almighty, Jehovah, the beginning and the end, our Redeemer. We know true born-again believers are His body, and He will lead us and guide us into all truths. This allows us to function perfectly in His kingdom. The problem arises when we are disconnected in some way from receiving His instructions.

A word was given to me from the Lord for the church. His desire is that we all truly hear Him. Read this next section as though God were speaking to you directly. He is.

“I have a word for My people. I have a word for those whom I love. I have a word for those who have gathered in My presence and who are seeking Me. I feel the love and pleasure coming from you. I have a word for My people. Am I not God? Do you know of any other God besides Me? Have I not created all heaven and earth? Have I not said that I was here before all things started and I am the last? Has not My word come true in every case? Have I not told you that I would speak to you? Have I not talked to you through My voice? Have I not come and reasoned with you? Do you know of any God besides? I know of none. Does My word go forth? Can it go forth? Do you feel it can go forth and fall to the ground?

“Am I not the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the only God – and My word has gone forth. Have I not promised you great things? Have I not said I would speak to you? I said I would raise spiritual gifts up amongst you, and I am doing that. Many of you are close, and I am working with you, but your words that say you believe fall short. I am reaching for you.

“There are many things I want to do amongst you, but I need you to receive what I am trying to get to you. For I have great works for you to do. Am I not the God you speak about? Am I not the Word that comes forth? Am I not the one who’s in your heart?

“Grab hold of My Word. Step out on My Word. I’ve told you that the priest stepped into the water and the waters parted. I encourage you. Yes, step out; seek Me. Step out for there are great signs and wonders waiting for you. I am pleased with the praises that come forth. I am pleased with the sound of your voice. You will be pleased with the return I give, but there is a time to step out, a time to reach out, and a time to step into the water.

“The waters are flowing, and I am calling you forth. I am calling you to stand and to step out and watch the waters part. You feel like you can’t walk on the water, but I declare unto you, and My Word is true that when you stand on the waters, you will see them part. The waters will not overtake you, but you shall overtake the water, and no weapon formed against you will prosper.

“Am I not God? Is My Word not true? My Word I give to you. Turn that belief in your heart into action and words. Stand and walk into what I’m leading you. Believe My Word and see the things and wonders that will follow. I have spoken; I have called; I am calling My people into My presence. Come closer for all things I have spoken are in My presence.”

If we are Christians, we know God created this universe by speaking it into existence. It did not take a great effort or years to accomplish. The Lord took one week. We cannot even think of something God cannot do. God says, “Give me your problem you feel I cannot solve.” We have seen the sun and moon, the majesty of the mountains, and the bodies of waters He created. Is there anything you can think of that God cannot do? He is our answer, and it’s important that we know that no evil can enter His presence. Sickness, pain, tears, trials, problems – none of these can enter. Isn’t His presence an ideal place for Christians to be? His presence should be the desire of every human being. It is vital that those who know Him should introduce others to Him.

God is calling us, “Come into my presence. I am about to bring a new thing. You shall start to see things you wanted to see with spiritual eyes. Don’t let your time slip, or your glory fade, instead, start expecting great things to happen to you and your family.” Start talking about what He can do, not what this world is in fear of. Do not focus on what you see in the natural; start looking at what you can’t see in the spiritual. God’s plan for you was set up before creation.

When believers obey the voice of the Lord, even though His Word looks impossible, they must walk in faith. That is really what this vision is all about. We will all have times when we will need to walk out the Word of the Lord though it looks impossible.

THE IMPOSSIBLE MADE POSSIBLE

A pastor I once knew walked the impossible situation out through faith. This man had a small rented building, and his church was growing. While traveling through his city, he spotted a church building he fell in love with. He asked God if he could have a building just like that one. He didn’t have the money, and there were no church buildings in the city for sale. He put it in the Lord’s hands to provide a building like that one.

A few years went by, and it looked impossible for his dream to be fulfilled. One day, he passed the church building he had noticed a couple of years previous, and it was empty. The congregation that used to be in that building had built a new facility. The pastor of that church knew my friend needed a new building. He called him and asked him if he was interested in buying the building. Without any money, he answered yes, he would purchase the church. In his heart, he knew God would provide the money for him.

He had a time limit in which he had to raise the money. He received much money in donations, but when it came to the final day of the time period that the bank would hold the building, he was $5,000 short. He went to the bank to try to borrow the money. The bank declined his request. Discouraged, he walked out of the bank, knowing that by 5:00 p.m., he would not be able to have the building.

As he walked to his car, an old man, dressed like he was indigent, approached him and asked for a ride home. The pastor first wanted to say no, but asked himself, “why not?” He took the man to a very depressed neighborhood. He pulled up in front of an old shack that looked abandoned. The grass and weeds were more than two feet tall. The old man asked him to come into the house. He went in and found it to be very clean and tidy. A single table sat in the middle of the dining room. On the table was an old brown sack. The man told the pastor to look in the sack. When he did, he found $5,000 in cash. The old man gave it to him. My friend ran out of the house to get to the bank before 5:00, forgetting to thank the old man.

My friend remembered he had not thanked the man. After he left the bank, he headed back to the man’s house. He went in to thank him. What he found shocked him. The house was not like he had left it. There was no table. Things were not in tidy condition. It looked abandoned and as though no one had been in this house for years. It was then he realized an angel had brought him the money. The faith that he set in motion began a miracle.

God wants you to walk according to His Word. Obey it. Walk in faith. Watch the miracle of working side by side with God. If God can do it for one person, He can do anything you need Him to.

CHAPTER 10

Heaven Is Moved by Worship

As you know, heaven is moved by our worship. To say heaven is moved means that it responds to our worship. In this chapter, we want to describe how heaven gets involved by what happens when we worship. Heavenly beings join us. They join us in praise, but also in tearing down the strongholds in life. You know how life brings about battles of all sorts. There are battles fought in the body. There are battles fought in the mind. Battles are also fought in the spirit realm, and there are even literal battles between nations.

The things that happen in your life when you praise Him are significant. The things God can do for you during this worship relationship will start to change your life immediately. This is an area many Christians miss. People often fail to understand how worship changes their reality in the heavenly realm.

A number of years ago, our church choir was invited to sing at an Hispanic church convention. The worship service was especially good and included heavily anointed music. Every person was connected with one another. Most importantly, the power of God’s Spirit flowed. The Holy Spirit moved in and out and through each of us, using the worship music. We were meeting in the city convention center, and it was very large. It seemed that the entire place was alive. We enjoyed every minute. It was one of those times you could just feel like you’re about to be raptured.

As I looked around the room, the Lord allowed me to see a very large figure of a man standing on the floor to the right of the platform. His head was almost touching the ceiling of the convention center, and his presence filled the space between the floor and the ceiling. This convention center had a very high, vaulted ceiling. To get an accurate impression, you have to know that I was sitting in the balcony, and the man reached the ceiling above me. He wasn’t large; he was gigantic.

Strangely, no one else seemed to notice him. On his own, he was an intimidating figure of a man wearing a military uniform. It was a uniform similar to the first century Roman solider. He was a mighty warrior angel of God, but not in any type war-like stance. He had his arms out and his face held high and a loving smile on his face. He was actually just enjoying the praise and worship music, and like the rest of us, soaking in the presence of the Lord. He must have known I was watching him because he turned and looked at me as though he was talking to me. Then the Lord spoke to me and told me something very significant. He said, “I have many people, in many places. They are worshiping and giving me praise. I am gathering a people from all over the land that will worship me.”

I want to remind you that this was not a vision. It was actually happening. I know the difference between a vision and reality. This person was an angel of God. He was showing me that there are always angels looking over God’s people. You are never without divine help. All you need to do is believe the promises of God. I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV).

Heaven is affected by our praise. We see full well that angels enter into praise with us. This angel was truly moved by our praise. Heaven is affected by our praise. What happens when we worship? It gets the attention of God and all heaven.

When we use the word “worship” we often picture in our minds singing. You might say, “we enjoyed great worship today in church.” Usually when that is said, you mean that the song part of the service was good. But, singing is not the only part of worship. Worship isn’t even the prayer time. Each of these actions are one directional while worship really is relational.

If I were to go home tonight and give my wife a kiss, she might say, “Thank you.” That heartfelt kiss might be straight from my heart. However, if she just turned and walked away, my heart would not be as thrilled or encouraged. In the same way, if I was to go home tonight and give my wife a kiss, and in return she embraced me, and we shared a moment of closeness, my heart would feel like we really connected.

Worship is more than strictly adoring God. It is adoring Him and the relationship that is enjoyed through the adoring experience. Through that intimate connection that happens from being in the presence of the Lord, we see tremendous spiritual breakthroughs.

Peter, James, and John experience intimacy with the Lord on the mountain of transfiguration. Following their return, they also watched as the Lord healed a boy. It was through the intimacy of closeness that gave Peter the closeness and trust in the Lord to ask to come out on the water with the Lord. Jesus answered, as He always does, “Come.”

The Bible defines worship and sacrifice as obedience. We worship God by obeying the Lord. We prove we love Him by our obedience to His Word and to the Holy Spirit.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith (1 John 5:3-4 NKJV).

Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (1 John 3:24 NKJV).

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love (John 15:10 NKJV).

What we are seeing is that worship is relational. Worship acknowledges the presence of God and basks in His presence. God is ready and willing and desirous to “hug” us back. Worship is a heart thing that has physical results.

Don’t underestimate the power of worship. It is powerful for bringing down strongholds. A number of years ago, I (Pastor Chuck) suffered from a bout of depression. Many things in my life had brought me to that position. I was finishing a Master of Divinity program at a local seminary. My children were on the verge of leaving home for college. My best friend had just died of lung cancer. Through all of these events, darkness had crept into my mind. The darkness, that is depression, was one of those kinds of depression I could not just shake off. It only seemed to get worse day after day.

One day, as I sat at a stop light, the thought crept in my mind, “This is why people kill themselves.” That voice scared me. I was not thinking of death or suicide. But, I wondered if the next thought would head that direction. I had to do something.

In my car, I drew near to God. His Word promised that if I were to draw near to God, He would draw near to me. I began talking to God and stirred up the relationship I knew we had. I praised Him, sang, and leaned on Him and drew near to Him. As I spoke with Him, I knew that He was speaking back to me in my spirit.

Do you know what happened next? The dark blanket of depression lifted. It didn’t just go away and hover close by. No. It lifted, and I could no longer feel the sadness I had experienced for almost three months. This led me to praise the Lord even more. As a result of this experience of worship and adoration and close intimacy with the Lord, I have never been the same.

Knowing Him and having a close relationship with God brings so much power into your life. Winning our battles and seeing answers to our prayers comes about through intimacy with Him. As you know, He shows Himself by the way He walks with us and helps us. Look at your circumstances. Did you get the job you applied for? Thousands may have applied for the job. The Lord showed you who He is by how it turned out. Maybe you were diagnosed with an illness and/or disease. Were you one of those people who went through further tests that proved you were healed? You know that this was the Lord demonstrating His love for you.

Much of His work is often unnoticed by us. But, His presence is powerfully seen through His unique body, the church. The Lord will not be found through advertisement, programs, special events, or wishing. He will be found through the people through whom He is working through. He is looking for people right now who He can use, including you, to manifest His love and His presence. He did it for me. He will do it for you.

For your life and my life, praising and loving God is the most important thing we can do. We may think winning our battles is crucially important. However, our fellowship and our intimacy with Him should take precedence during these last days. This kind of relationship with Him is what allows us to win our battles.

When Jesus was on the cross, His last words were, “It is finished.” He was not talking about His death, but about the battle He had won. He was saying that He accomplished everything He came to do. Now He’s turning it over to us, His church, to complete and prepare everything for His return. Many Christians are looking for Jesus to come and set up His own return, but the truth is that He left this responsibility to His church to accomplish.

How many churches are saying they need this or that to grow the church so it must be the Lord’s will that we buy this or that thing to accomplish our goals. This may make sense in the natural realm. However, in the spiritual, that may not be the case. It is easy to begin a battle believing it is the Lord’s will for us to prevail. Yet, when Israel came out of Egypt into their own land, Joshua had to get the people centered on the Lord’s way. He actually circumcised the entire nation of men. Preparation for spiritual battles is not always easy. In fact, what it sometimes takes can actually hurt.

If we look around us, we see the great storms of life in action everywhere. There are so many people in need, people not knowing where to turn, people confused and seeking answers to what is going on. Christians are asking where God is, what’s happening, why isn’t church working, what are we doing wrong, where is the blessing of God? Yet, many Christians only attend church when they want. It’s a fact that about 95 percent of all Christians have never gotten one person saved. Sadly, most Christians are not aware of how bad things really are or how many non-Christians are looking for what only God can provide – salvation and life.

God, right now, is telling His people across the world that if they will bring those people who need help or encouragement and those looking for answers to Him; they will see wonderful things happen along with blessings for themselves. Jesus hears the prayers you pray for others, even the prayers you pray for those you see walking down the street who you don’t even know, but your compassion goes out like flowing water through a water pipe.

He also hears the prayers we pray for ourselves, our family, and loved ones. But does He see us bringing them before Him so His glory can shine through them? Also, we can see them bringing others who will also bring others to Him. This is how you grow a church, the local body of Christ. This is God’s plan from before the foundation of the world. Does His Word not tell us this and should we not believe and trust His Word? Matthew says, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Old Testament prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world (Matthew 13:35 NKJV), and confirmed by the apostle Paul in the New Testament saying: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:4). As believers, we have a promise of rest from God that is set in stone before the foundation of the world saying: For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world (Hebrews 4:3).

We challenge ourselves and all true believers who say they are Christians and love the Lord: Introduce those who are down, those who are lost, those in need of healing, mentally, physically, and spiritually to Jesus Christ and bring them, not just invite them to the local house of the Lord and introduce them to their new brothers and sisters in the Lord. Why do I say to introduce them as a brother or sister? It is because my challenge was to introduce them to the Lord first. Yes, you can help get them saved as much as the church pastor or prayer team can. Remember, as a true Christian you have 100 percent of what it takes to get someone saved. Many Christians think they have to get someone to church before they can get saved. Not true, for a true Christian can lead anyone not saved to the Lord. So, step out in faith and lead people you witness to into the kingdom of God, take them to church and introduce them to the rest of their family.

Those living in the darkness are looking for light. I read a report that said 65 percent of the people who have left church would return to church if they were asked. Plus, we also know that most of the world is looking for something better in life, and we have their answer. The streets, the shopping centers, the neighborhoods in every city in the world are full of people looking for what God wants to give them, but they do not know He even has what they need. It’s our job to tell them and lead them to Him. This is part of the plan since the foundation of the world, and Jesus does not change. He’s still using His plan and not ours.

God is the God of adding and multiplying; He is not a God of division or substations. God’s plan for adding and multiplying comes to pass when the people of God get off the pews as spectators and become part of the team on the field.

CHAPTER 11

Your Drought Is Over

Robert, behold the church.” While I prayed, the Lord showed me an incredible view of land stretching out before me as far as I could see. I first thought it was the same vision He had already given me. There was nothing special about the land, but the grass and trees were green and alive. It was as if I was driving through the countryside.

All of a sudden, the land and the trees started turning brown and drying up. The drying up process accelerated. Then, I saw two huge hands and forearms stir up some of the dirt and plant what looked like a parched twig of a tree. The Lord didn’t say anything. I knew He was showing me the church as a dry twig. I thought to myself, That twig will not grow in that dry ground.

Then the same two hands appeared again. This time they had a pitcher of water that they poured out on the little tree. It didn’t look like enough water to last more than a few minutes, but the hands continued to pour, as much as the ground needed so that the ground never dried. In fact, the twig started to look strong and green. Leaves sprang forth. As this happened I heard a voice say, “The Lover of the tree will furnish the water.” The Lover of the tree was God, and the tree was His people.

The land around the tree, for as far as I could see, became more desolate, dry and burnt brown. However, the tree grew greener, stronger and larger. The water became more and more abundant as the tree required more water. The hands continued to nourish and care for the tree, supplying its needs, regardless of what happened to the land. The land started off green and abundantly healthy. That was our nation. The land that became parched and barren was our nation. When a nation follows God, it is very green and fruitful.

The vision showed three things. First, the tree is the body of Christ. It started out strong and beautiful and very fruitful. Just look at the beginning of the church age and see how much fruit she bore. The church was full of power. People got saved, healed and anointed. The church grew and not just by transfer growth. Today the church has become smaller. The total percent of the population who are Christians is getting smaller.

We know there are many, many congregations who are being faithful to the Lord and highly productive. We also know that throughout the earth the church has gone through drought. If a church stops focusing on Jesus and the mission that He gave her, she will stop producing fruit. This vision shows that the Lord wants the tree to bear much fruit. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5 NKJV). Church, we must stay connected, focused, and driven by Christ.

Second, by showing us the changing condition of the church, He also showed us the changing condition of the world. Ask someone who has lived many years to describe the good old days. They will tell of another time and place where things were ideal for them. They will talk about a better time. The church experienced revivals with the Holy Spirit moving and tremendous growth. God’s tree, limbs, and leaves were vibrant and alive. It was producing great quantities of fruit.

Just as a snapshot, our condition today is very different. We know many things are better than other times in history. Technology has allowed us to live longer. We have more avenues of entertainment than ever before. However, many people, in and out of the church, have indicated there has been a slow moral decline of our country. Unplanned pregnancy is at an all-time high. Pornography is a billion-dollar industry. Drug use is out of control. Our government has become increasingly divided, self-serving, and controlling. Christians are being pushed to the margins in our culture.

In the United States, we have become very sensitive to the types of language we use when we talk about people’s religious affiliations, ethnic background, moral standings, and more. However, when it comes to Christians, many feel like they have the right to speak negatively about Christians and our views. It’s unbalanced and unhealthy. The ground around the tree is in bad shape.

Third, through this vision, He demonstrated His love for the church and His desire for a relationship with us. He wants to be continually involved. Without His care, the church would not grow or produce fruit. His love for us nourishes us, waters us, and sustains us. The world is in a drought. We have seen it, not only in this country, but all across the globe. The body of Christ doesn’t have to live that way. We can receive all that God wants to give to us. His sustaining water. Picture the world as a desert. As you walk across the desert, you become more and more thirsty and in need of refreshment. Then you see this beautiful tree, planted so people might enjoy its fruit. The church has blessings waiting for it. You have blessings waiting for you. The Lord wants you to live abundantly, even in an era where things are difficult.

Although God has blessings waiting to nourish and refresh us, sometimes things happen that stunt the growth. Sometimes people in the church get wounded, and their faith is harmed. They stop believing and expecting.

Pastor Chuck recently experienced how God works His plan for healing, not just for a nation, or a church, but also for an individual.

I was driving to my church office and praying for those the Lord laid on my heart. As a father often does, I had a burden for my children. I was praying for the issues in their lives and for them to walk with the Lord in strong ways. To make sense of the vision the Lord showed me this particular day, you must know that my son had not been a good student through high school and early college. While he was in high school, he did poorly. Studying was a chore for him. He struggled with everything in regards to the academic world. Yet, oddly enough, he was often drawn toward it.

At the time of this vision, my son was attending college again. As I began to pray for him, the Lord showed me a tree. It looked to me to be a healthy tree with many branches. It wasn’t terribly old, but it was large. My attention was drawn to the area right above the ground on the right side. About six inches from the ground, I saw that the tree was damaged. It looked like a vehicle had hit the tree and left it with a nice sized gash. The bark was missing. The damage still looked fresh. Green strands of bark hung from the gash, and it oozed sap.

At this point, the Lord showed me that this tree was my son. He showed me that he was damaged early in his formative years. He had heard something the evil one had spoken. He believed the lie, and it continued to have power and impact on his life, even today. I began praying for him.

That evening I called him and relayed what it was that I had seen. I asked him whether this seemed reasonable. “Dad, I’ve been thinking about this very thing for the past couple of weeks.” We prayed for healing. We agreed that God is the one who determines his value and agreed with the very Words of God that declare God’s purpose is to prosper him and to give him a future.

The next day, at the same location as before, I was praying again. In my prayer, the Lord showed me the same vision. I looked at the area where the injury had occurred. What I saw was a burl over that area. It looked like a big growth right over the top of the injury. From the center of the burl was brand new growth. The growth was new and green, indicating that it had just sprouted. My son was healed from the lie of the enemy.

All through that semester, I wondered how his grades were. What has been the outcome? Has he truly been healed? At the end of the semester, he announced that it was the greatest semester since being in junior high.

As the body of Christ, we sometimes get wounded. And, it isn’t just the older saints who are injured. The enemy targets the children too. If he can injure them, they will go into their adult days mentally or spiritually limping, possibly wounded in such a way that they may not be as effective as we should be.

When we talk about the body of Christ, let us remember that this means we will have to gather around the physically sick. We will have to gather around the divorced, the molested, the abused, the addicts – and in many cases, it might mean we have to sift through the damage of the past. We have to pray and break the generational curses. We will need wisdom from the Lord to know where these people are really wounded.

PRAYER FOR HEALING

Lord, we seek your healing over this your servant. He/she is wounded, and we want him/her to be whole. Show us the area that needs your attention. Your word tells us that by your stripes we are healed. You took our condemnation. We know the wounds we have are not only physical. We choose to reject the lie of the enemy, and we believe the truth of your very words.

As you read this, you may be identifying with your own areas of brokenness, disappointments, and pain. These have brought a drought. Many people are going through this right now. If you are, know that the Lord wants to revive you. He doesn’t just want to barely keep you alive. He wants you to thrive. He has a special pitcher of water ready to revive you. You may feel like you are in the worst time of your life. God is telling you that this will be the greatest season in your life. Allow Him to water you. In your dry and thirsty land, look up. Your refreshing is here.

CHAPTER 12

Expect Attacks – Expect Total Victories

The apostle John teaches us that we cannot separate godly love, a love of God, from our love for each other. Each one of us is dependent on one another in the body of Christ. We really need each other. We don’t mean that maybe we could use the help of one another. No. We need each other because separation in the body is mortally dangerous. Separation from our spiritual family leaves us vulnerable. That is why the vision for this chapter is so important.

BATTLEFIELD VISION

I (Robert) almost never get sick. However, one morning I woke up and felt as bad physically as I have ever felt. I hurt all over my body from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet. It was in this condition that the Lord opened up a vision to me.

In front of me was a battle field. On the field were two armies fighting against one another. To give you an idea of what I was witnessing, imagine a Roman soldier from Bible days on horses with spears and swords. Each army was outfitted with this type of weaponry. Two armies fighting each other in hand-to-hand battle.

Suddenly, off to one side, I saw a wounded warrior lying on the ground. Several enemy warriors on horses advanced toward this fallen soldier. I knew if he didn’t get help, he was doomed. He was too weak to stand, much less defend himself. I thought, this man is going to be killed. Then, all of a sudden, his army saw their wounded brother and the enemy advancing toward him. They turned toward him to save him from being overcome. The enemy saw they were outnumbered and immediately retreated. The fallen soldier was picked up and taken to safety.

I asked the Lord to explain this strange vision and why He gave it to me during such a painful time. I was ill and needed to go to the doctor. He brought to my mind a prophet I knew who lived in Texas. This man’s face appeared before me. My friend said to me, “The closer you get to your purpose, the harder the enemy will fight.” This prophet had spoken these very same words the last time I saw him. He told me that the Devil was going to try to kill me. It was then that the Lord showed me the sky above my house. In the sky, I saw a huge army, horsemen with spears, waiting for the command to be given to attack God’s enemies.

My wife Ann, her brother, and my sister prayed for me. They prayed for the illness that I was battling. You might be able to imagine what came next. My illness left immediately. Then the Lord let me know that the enemy was waiting to attack. He is continually looking for those who may be weak physically, mentally, or spiritually, especially in faith and the Word. It is important that we stay close to our army of believers and watch for our brothers and sisters in the Lord who may be wounded or weakened and, thus, a potential target for the enemy.

Can you imagine a general with a strategy that sends one person in to fight an entire army, single-handedly? That would be deadly. The apostle Paul referred to the church as the body of Christ, and so we are. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV). He describes the church. Each one of us is a different part of Christ’s body. Some have one function. Some have another. Each has the same Spirit giving us life and causing us to work in unity.

Jesus prayed for unity in John 17. He prayed we would all be one. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one (John 17:20-22 NKJV). When the entire church functions together in unity, there is power, the same kind of power that was demonstrated in Christ. When we understand this, we do the same thing that the Jewish people did on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached the gospel. Those people asked a very good question. Now when they heard this, they were stung (cut) to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles (special messengers), Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, [even] to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself (Acts 2:37-39 AMP).

The next time you are getting dressed after taking a shower, look in the mirror. After you are finished admiring God’s creative abilities, notice how each member of your body is connected to the rest of the body. If your fingers were not attached, they would cease from being useable.

There is no place in today’s church where you should operate on your own, like the Lone Ranger Christian. We all need to live submitted to our Head (Jesus Christ) and to our spiritual covering of the congregation. It is also important we are connected to the rest of our body through fellowship, prayer, and church services in order to win life’s battles victoriously.

How many marriages have failed because couples are too proud to let the body of Christ know there are problems? How many people have self-destructed through pornography, alcohol, or drugs, to mention only a few enemies of the faith? People self-destruct partly because they are too embarrassed or feel like they are able to handle it on their own without God, or the prayers of fellow soldiers.

There was a time in boot camp when we were climbing up a very steep hill, carrying a full pack of about 75 pounds. We were told to make sure we did not fall behind. I had just gotten out of the hospital from pneumonia and was feeling very weak. It wasn’t very far into the march that I began to slow down. The tall soldier next to me grabbed my uniform and began pulling me up the hill. I was so appreciative of the efforts he made to make sure we got there together. I thought he must be exhausted too. When I got to the top of the hill, I noticed his other hand was clenched around the backpack strap of another soldier who was falling behind.

The true body of Christ will come out of the local church. Just because someone is in church doesn’t mean the entire congregation is made up of true believers. Hear us when we say that God’s church is in the church that we see. Every corner of the land has members of the body of Christ. The Lord is calling us to join forces and be united as one body. We will be an organized powerful force that cannot be shaken or stopped. This is not to suggest that the true body of Christ is just one denomination. Actually, God has His people all throughout the land. A great minister once said that the body of Christ is like a giant construction company. There are several types of contractors working together to accomplish the same thing, but each has a different responsibility. There are cement contractors working on the foundation and framing contractors working on the building. There are roofing contractors working on the roof and sheet rock contractors working on the walls and electrical contractors working on the electrical areas, and many more. They all have different approaches to their work, but the same building is being built. The church can be thought of as a giant construction company with many contractors (local churches), all with different ministries (purposes) working toward the same goal through their called and anointed ministry.

We have different ministries, but the same Spirit. We are a movement connected through His Holy Spirit. We represent the Kingdom of God on earth. Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

We want to leave you with something important. God has created you to be like Him. You were created in His image. He cares what happens to you. He cares that you become all that He had in mind. Many people only come to Him when they have a problem, as though He was the divine quick fix. To become all He intended requires a relationship – a deep, growing relationship with Him. We must not approach Him like He is an aspirin, a quick fix for what ails us. Come to Him.

May the Lord bless you. We pray that His Spirit powerfully works in you. Know that all true believers, regardless of ethnicity, country origin, or denomination, form one people. They are your spiritual family. We believe that as you seek God, He will be found.

ADDITIONAL WORDS OF THE LORD FOR HIS PEOPLE

Although given to individuals and groups, the Lord let me know from the start that His Words through me were not for me, but for the church, His body. So, when you read this, continually keep in mind that this is the way God thinks of you. He wants a close relationship with you.

You will notice that these Words of God were given in the years 2002 to 2004, with one more at 2010. These were picked out from over forty years of prophetic words given. I have chosen these few so you would have a strong idea of how God loves you and wants you to have the very best life possible and an eternity of abundant life with Him.

JULY 24, 2002

“I am an awesome God. I am a God of love, but I am also a God of judgment. My Word is true. I am pleased with you, but you haven’t brought the sick and lost to me. If you will bring those who need me to the house of prayer, you will see things happen. You have not brought before me those who you talk to and pray for. Oh yes, I hear your prayers. I hear the prayers you pray for those who work around you. I even hear the prayers you pray for those you see walking down the street who you don’t know, but your compassion goes out to them. Yes, I hear those prayers for your family and loved ones, but I don’t see you bringing them before me so that my glory can shine, so that my word can go forth and show that my power can be displayed in the glory within me and can be seen through you.

“I challenge you. Bring those who are down and lost and in need of healing. Bring those who are not whole, bring those who are lame, and watch my power manifest among you.

“Oh yes, the glory you seek is right there waiting for you; I am pleased you are praying for them, and I hear your prayers. Now bring them to me. If you will bring those who need me into my house of prayer, you will see great manifestations of my glory among yourselves and among them. Seek those who need me. Look under the rock and find those who are looking for me. Seek them. Bring them, and I will do what my Word has said, and you will be glorified, and I will be glorified, and the body of Christ will be seen. Those who doubt me will not be able to say they don’t know me for my glory will be among you as a light, and you will shine as light into darkness and the darkness will not stand against your light.

“Now go into the highways and compel them to come in. Bring them to me, and I will show you great wonders and healings. Spiritual gifts will manifest among you, and you will say the glory of the Almighty God is among you, and I will show great and might things.”

NOVEMBER 20, 2002

“Lift up your hearts and reach forth because those things which are coming to pass are coming forth throughout the land. There will be a loud noise, but you may not hear anything. Those who hear My voice will hear Me so loudly they will know I am there. And, those who do not hear My voice will wonder what is happening.

“As some will go down, some will come up, and I will raise My body. There will be such abundance throughout the land, yet there will be such lack throughout the land at the same time. This will be done so people will know who My people are. Don’t be fooled. It is not the way you think it’s going to happen, but there will be a noise. There will be movement throughout the land. My Spirit will cover this earth, and throughout this land you will see devastation, and you may see glory, depending on whether you can hear My voice or not. You will either yell with victory or cry in despair. For there will be no in-between.

“For a great and mighty movement is coming, and My people will hear My voice, and to those who listen, it will sound as a trumpet. But those who do not hear My voice will say, “I hear nothing.”

My people will rise and be strong and mighty. My church shall prevail with such glory that the world will say, “There is God amongst His people.”

“The abundance of My love will flow one to another. Know that you are Mine. Look for Me. Know that regardless of how you feel or what you think, My way is above your way. I will speak to My people, and as I speak, I will speak with a loud voice, and those who hear will know and understand. For I love My people, and I shall have a people who loves Me. Be strong; fear not, for I am with you. Don’t look at what you see in the natural, but look into the spirit as I have told you once, twice, three times. Look into the spirit, and you will see mighty and wonderful things. Do not look into the world, for what you see, you will not want. Keep your eyes in the spirit for all things you long for you will see, and it will encourage you. Listen to My voice. I am a God of My Word, and My Word shall not fail. Hold onto My Word, it is your strength, your hope and your victory. It is everything you need. Hold strong and see the power and glory and majesty of your King.”

FEBRUARY 2, 2003

“I am great, and I am mighty, and My love fills the earth. My glory fills the universe. For I live in the praises of My people. I abide in My people, and My people I love, and My love fills the earth. My compassion spreads and works across the land for there is no love, no compassion, no greatness like My love and My beauty. My beauty spreads amongst you. It fills you and strengthens you, and it never sleeps. I live in your presence and through My love and glory you are strong.

“Arise and strengthen yourself and go forth for you are My children and shall spread across this earth. My Love and compassion for My children is never ending. My love reaches the heavens to earth, east to west, and north to south. You cannot walk out of My love. Enjoy it, hold it, live in it, breathe it and see that I am your God. I am your Savior, and I walk amongst you, and I abide in your praises. Continue in your walk of love for Me and others.

“My people are rising and strengthening and coming off their knees, out of their chairs and walking. They will become a great and mighty army sent forth across these nations for every kingdom of the world shall be My kingdom, and My army is on the move joining together. I called you. Get off of your pews and stand knowing who you are and join the ranks of My mighty army. For this glorious army’s light will be blinding and the universe is watching you. You are part of it. Now move forward. Do not look at those behind you or those in front of you. Do not look at those beside you. Look at Me. See Me. Keep your eyes upon Me and, with your eyes on Me, your strength will start renewing, and you will see mighty wonders. Don’t let anything take your eyes off Me, and I will guide you. I will accelerate you. Know that I am bringing you forward, moving you, so keep your eyes on Me, and you will be experiencing My purpose in your life. My mighty army shall not be stopped. Nothing formed against it can prosper. My strength does not sleep or slumber. My strength is constant, and My strength is in you. Do not look at your frail body or your absent mind. Look at Me, and you will see your purpose fulfilled, and My purpose and My glory shall shine from you.”

MARCH 28, 2004

“It seems that I look from afar. I weep for My people. As I see the time, they enter. Oh, but My people don’t see. My people are not aware. My people are looking to and fro. They are going here and there, unaware of what they are walking into. Oh My people, I weep for you. For there is such a blessing ahead of you, but you do not see it. Warn My people. Warn this world that this is not the time they will walk into what they like. A time is coming to an end, and I am returning. When I return, I will lift up those who have followed me, but put down those who are not. The ways and traditions of men is what they follow, trying to build their future, but woe unto those who walk forward blindly for they shall fail. All glory, honor and praise will be to those who are looking up, to those who see Me and are waiting. My glory shall cover this earth in a way that has never been seen before. My glory shall permeate throughout the earth; all mankind shall bend a knee to My glory. My glory shall go to and fro. It shall be fast. It shall raise and shall also tear down. It shall bring to those who see me – great rewards.

“I look down and see, and I allow My people to see those who will look for Me. Those who have ears to hear and those who have a heart for My kingdom reach out, and you shall see My glory for you are coming to a time when you will need to know who your source is. For you will see things you haven’t seen before. You shall hear things that you haven’t heard before. You shall experience good and evil depending on who you place as your source. Don’t fall for what you see and beware of things you follow. Follow My Word, My will, and you will walk upright and strong. Your spiritual muscles will be flexed, your eyes will be looking toward heaven, and the glory of Almighty God will walk and surround you. No one will have to ask, are you of God or are you not God? All mankind will know that you are of God.

“I look down. I see. I weep because so many do not hear what I have been saying throughout the earth. Listen. Obey and go forward in Christ Jesus.”

MAY 23, 2004

“My Word goes forth; My Word that floats throughout space.” (I could actually see the words floating around like fog that covered the earth, and people were walking through it.) “For My Words have filled this earth, for people walk through My Words not knowing My Word is the power they are searching for. For when My Word is obeyed, all heaven will back you. For when My Word is taken seriously, all things can happen for you. When My people reach out and take hold of My Word, that Word will beat down anything that comes against it. When you step out into My Word, and you believe, all things are possible. For nothing is impossible for Me, and I have said it, and that is My Word. Nothing is impossible. When you hold onto it and take it into your heart, you can prove My Word, and you will see your life change.

“People are sick because they do not understand My Word. People are reaching out for something they cannot reach. But My Word is what they are walking through. Though My Word surrounds them, they do not take hold of it. Reach out and take it. It is all around you. It is in you. It is through you. You walk through a world filled with My Word. Take it and watch your life change.

“Watch your minds become full and your dreams manifest. Watch your families come together and watch the love increase within you and your family. Watch My power and glory come into your life. You shall not be sorry for My Word is truth and has never fallen to the ground or returned with no result. My Word is present right now; take hold of it, and you will see the glory of God in your life.”

DECEMBER 26, 2004

“I am a God of miracles. I am a God who knows nothing that I cannot do. I am a God who can raise cities in the desert. I am a God who can level mountains. I am a God who knows all things. I am a God who loves My people. And when My people see, when My people experience My love, nothing is impossible.

“I will raise you above heights you cannot imagine. I will lift you when you are down. I will encourage you when you fall. I will love you as you walk forward for I am a God of miracles; I am a God who knows no restraints. See as I am, see yourself as I see you. I am your God and you are My people. Together we prevail.”

SEPTEMBER 28, 2005

“When My words have been placed in you, when My words have reached the skies with our mouth, heaven looks down. I know the words you speak reach all the way up, so know that the words you speak reach all the way up. Know that what you claim heaven will back up. Know that your words are powerful. Your belief is strong. Your faith is great. Apply them. Deploy them and send them forth into the sky where the powers and the principalities of the air know the power and wisdom of God, because the church speaks it forth. When you speak forth, your word becomes a stronghold against the enemy, a blocking point to the adversary, and strength and encouragement fills the air. Send them forth. Deploy them violently. Let your words be heard. Let your words sound like a mighty wind, and heaven will back you up. Know who you are, and know the power of your words. Declare your words and take dominion over your mouth and your words. Speak out words that will bring down strongholds. It is in you. Start bringing it forth.”

APRIL 2010

“The end time church will be different than man thinks. It will not look like what people visualize or expect. There will be great difficulty with many making the changes God will require for the body of Christ during the last of the last days. Leadership will have the most difficult time accepting their responsibility. But, the saints will be the most challenged. The church structure and ministry position and responsibilities may be a difficult adjustment and major process because of letting go of their security and work habits as they focus more on people and their needs. Plus, training the saints for their ministries in the outside environment will not be as comfortable as the pews. Some leaders will leave their ministries because they have built it around themselves and may conclude they have lost their ministry, even blaming God.

“The body of Christ, the church, will not be made up of positions or organizations, but will be people who are ministering on the streets, in homes, the workplace or wherever there is a need for God’s Word and power to be accomplished. God will be confirmed through healing, deliverance, spiritual gifts, and those being saved will be trained and equipped to continue the growth of the kingdom of God with a focus on salvation and training.”

(During this vision I saw people ministering in the streets and homes and everywhere I looked.) “The Lord let me know that the growth of salvation and God’s kingdom on earth will be ministered through all believers, leaders and saints working together.

“The body of Christ, and all believers are part of this body, will be focused on building the kingdom of God so Jesus can return and take His throne.

About the Authors

Robert Shipman and Charles Wilsey are partners in co-authoring this book, and in having traveled the world teaching leaders how to lead. They have faithfully supported and encouraged each other over the years and are now working harder than ever to encourage the Church to realize its fullest potential.

Robert Shipman has been a church builder and planter, recently planting a church in California. He is currently director of Living Stones ministry, and has a passion that the church would fulfill her high calling.

Robert’s background includes:

- Over 20 years in network marketing positions varying from basic distributor to national trainer.

- Author of six books on entrepreneur-ship, creative sales, financing, and growing small business.

- Published in Who’s Who in Finance and Who’s Who in Business.

- Venture Capital Intermediary and Financial Strategist for small and corporate business.

- Business and Financial plan preparations, start-up, expansion and marketing requirements.

- Extensive background in sales, sales management, and sales training.

- Held executive positions such as National Sales Manager, National Trainer, Motivational Training and Trouble-shooter.

Charles Wilsey presently pastors a church in central California, and has planted a church in the Cincinnati area. He is educated in Bible and theology, with an emphasis on missions. Since graduation from the San Jose Bible College, Charles has served the Lord by preaching, counseling, and leading on a daily basis five different churches. Knowing no bounds, he recently earned a Masters of Divinity from the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary.

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God is More than an Aspirin

Robert D. Shipman & Charles K. Wilsey

Copyright © 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from King James Version

Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations noted by (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

First edition published 2012

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ISBN: 978-1-62245-033-6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012951984

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