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Relational Discussion Forum Dedicated to Apostles
Gods Ultimate Purpose
by Traci Carson
"No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; other wise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined." But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved." "And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, "The old is better."
Luke 5:36-39
In Bible times, skins were used as containers for liquids. Over a period of time the skins dried out and became hard and brittle. When that happened they were dipped in water and then rubbed with oil to soften and restore them so that they could be used again. If they were not processed in this way, they became useless because of their hardness and lack of flexibility. Jesus gave this parable as an example of what He desires to do in His Church. He desires to change our hard and dry hearts into soft and pliable vessels, prepared to yield to His will and contain His new wine. Each heart varies in its experience as this change takes place. If our hearts are stiff, the new wine will break our old wine skin.
The New wine represents a new move of God's Spirit. He desires our sensitivity in preparing, then recognizing and containing the new anointing when it comes forth.
The old crusty wineskins were first dipped in water to restore moisture. This represents our hearts being moistened by "the washing of water by the Word of God." Without this cleansing we build up resistance and unbelief which keeps us from receiving the flow of the Holy Spirits power. The old crusty wineskins that were dipped in water to restore moisture were then rubbed with fresh oil to bring flexibility and endurance of strength. This fresh oil represents the new anointing in our lives. This oil (anointing) gives us the ability to move on with God and walk in the new wine of His Spirit.
We are in such a fragile time right now. There are wonderful things within the body that are presently taking place; nonetheless we have been in this place before. It's a wonderful refreshing from our Father who has heard the cry of His children. Our Father is so loving, so patient, so giving, and long suffering as He continually seeks a people who desire Him. We must have spiritual vision that is ever seeking His heart, seeking His purpose, and ultimate intention as the panoramic unfolding of His practical outworking is from "glory to glory".
There is recorded church history of restoration movements that have provided proof of the process that the Father directs the Holy Spirit to use in restoring Christ's Church to the place of purity (maturity) for the presenting of herself (in His image) as His Bride. When God gets ready to do something new, He makes preparation in certain areas. He prepares a people, a product, and a place to bring His plan forth. The Lord then raises up men and women with a message and a ministry which produces a movement that further fulfills His will by various methods and means. These men and women are not received in the beginning of their ministry to bring forth these movements. In fact, they are despised, rejected, misunderstood, and very much acquainted with grief and sorrow. Let's go back in history a bit.
In the 1500's there was the restoration of the "Protestant Movement" bringing forth the Salvation by grace through faith messages.
In the 1600's there was the restoration of the "Puritan Movement" bringing forth the water baptism, separation of Church and state.
In the 1700's there was the restoration of the "Holiness Movement" Bringing sanctification, the Church set apart from the world (what happened here??)
In the late 1800's and early 1900's came the restoration of the "Faith healing movements" bringing forth the revelation of Divine healing for the physical body.
In the early 1900's came the restoration of the "Holy Spirit baptism and speaking in tongues" The Pentecostal Movement.
In the 1950's came the "Latter Rain Movement" of the Prophetic presbytery, praise and worship.
In the 1960's came the "Charismatic Movement" bringing the renewal of all restored truth.
In the 1970's came the "Faith Movement" bringing forth faith confessions of good health and prosperity.
In the 1980's and 90's came the "Prophetic Movement" of restoring the prophets and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Church Body.
In the late 90's to the turn of the century is the restoration of the apostles, "the Apostolic Movement which is still being opposed."
Every one of these movements above was, and is from God, and every one of them has been opposed. With each movement there were things of God, and things that were not of God. It takes great discernment and maturity to listen to a man or woman of God, and rightly divide what is seen and spoken without throwing out the vessel, and the movement altogether. I thank God for those who have prayed and continue to pray for me during times of weakness instead of criticizing my every move, accusing me at every turn, and gloating at any failure that may be seen.
There have been great men and women of God who have been used mightily only to fall head first into deception. We have been given the gift of prayer. Do we pray for such a one? We have been given the gift of love. Do we love such a one? Without love we are nothing more than clanging symbols (1 Cor.13:1). The Love of God is not like the love of man. God's Love is not afraid to correct. God's Love is not afraid of man and his opinions. His Love desires to protect, direct, and expose hidden reasons why an individual or the Church as a whole is still being tossed to and fro (Heb.12:6; Eph.4:14).
This out pouring in Lakeland Florida is truly from our Lord, and I treasure it; but what is our Lord's desire when He pours out His refreshing upon His people? What is His ultimate purpose?
Gary and I are acquainted with Apostle Stephen Strader of Ignited Church. His heart is all out for God. He is an honest, good man. I couldn't imagine the stresses that entail such an out pouring. The arrogance, pride and spiritual indifference that has manifested within some of the people are the result of heart issues that have never been dealt with. The anointing from this out pouring is bringing the dross to the top. It is up to the individual themselves to allow the deliverance and healing to occur. It is also up to the individual to "root" themselves in a local church that is flowing apostolically. These governmental churches, if allowed, will deal with weed seed heart issues that will change into a true kingdom relationship that prepares the saints for their part with Jesus in the Millennial.
There is a panoramic unfolding that is distinguishing between man's viewpoint and God's eternal viewpoint. Recently, we received an e-mail from Apostle Richard Wright of Eagles Wings Ministry in Milwaukie Oregon, and this is what he had to say, "While in prayer yesterday, I received from the Lord what I am now telling everyone who asks what I believe about that which is happening in Lakeland. My stand is that I desire to see a "move of God" that will bring change to the body of Christ. A deeper level of maturity and commitment to the Lord..... A move that would cause Charismatic's to settle down and stop all the gossip, backbiting, lying and stealing. A move that would produce the character of Christ in believers. A move that would bring forth people who could be trusted. I'm happy some folks are getting healed, but that should be just a part of normal every day Christianity. I am sick of having to deal with charismatic's who claim to have the Holy Spirit yet live like the devil. This apostolic reformation was to have produced this but it has not happened because most who are calling themselves apostles do not deal with the character issue, just the anointing. This apostolic reformation was to have been different in the fact that it is (in reality) a deep inner move that will then produce the outward manifestation of Christ in our lives.
When someone goes down under the true anointing of God, they are changed! (Somebody say amen!)"
There is a place that God is moving us into. It is a place we have not been before. It is greater than former days. It is more than a refreshing; it is a place where there are true changes. It goes beyond visitation and on into "habitation". The saints are nailed to the Holy Place, pierced through with His Love. They live in heaven while still on this earth. They have learned how to live in Christ in heaven, and walk the streets of this earth releasing His glory in season and out of season (Eph.2:1-10; 2 Tim.4:2). When the refreshing fizzles they are pressing onward in spite of goose bumps or not.
Beloved of Christ's, rightly divide what you see and hear. Set your hands to the plow and don't look to the left nor look to the right (Luke 9:62). Receive what He is pouring out, open your mouth wide and eat what He has to give you (Ezel.2:8; 3:1-3; Matthew Chapter 13). After you have received, go to a place that flows in apostolic authority and be discipled, not stifled.
A disciple is not just one that runs around laying hands on the sick, casting out devils, speaking in tongues, etc. A disciple is one who submits to the workings and process of the Lord, and flows in the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit through Christ. Gifts are given, but the fruit of the Spirit is grown as we are cleansed by the washing of water by the Word of God (Eph.6:26). The gifts from God are without repentance, they are irrevocable (Rom.11:29 -KJV). If one is not careful they can commit fornication one night and flow in the gifts the next. This is why Jesus said to "them" that cast out devils and laid hands on the sick, "Get away from Me, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."(Matt.7:23) Moses knew the ways of God, but the children of Israel only knew His acts (Ps.103:7)
Dr. Kluane Spake, whom I'm privileged to call both friend and spiritual mother, says, "We don't set out to act foolishly, but often we are drawn toward that kind of behavior. Our association with foolishness is compared to adultery. We become intimately involved with partial truths and seducing thoughts that take us off track and kill our ability to complete God's plan… Fools are preoccupied with "bless me" mentalities and self-centered feelings of offence… They are creatures of undeveloped discernment, shallow desires, and petulant temperaments. Their attitudes make moving forward in the Kingdom impossible".
While Jesus was in Jerusalem, at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs performed, but Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men (John 2:23,24). I love how Wade Taylor puts it, "Lord, make me a "you", rather than a "them". He says there are two types of believers within any fellowship of Christians. These can be identified as either being a "you" (it is given to you to know) or a, "them" (to them it is not given) (Matt.12:10-11). Those referred to as "them" do not have spiritual ears to hear and understand the mysteries of the Kingdom. Those referred to as "you" have entered into a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord.