Faith Tabernacle
P. O. Box 1148
Kremmling, Colorado 80459
http://ft111.com
FAQ
DESTINY'S
DIRECTION
The wind
blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it
comes from or where it goes.
So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8
BEND IN THE RIVER
by Marsha Burns
May 5, 2008
Flow of the River:
I see our walk with the Lord as being more of a flow, like a river instead of a series of starts and stops. So, this is how I currently perceive the spiritual and prophetic flow.
Five months ago the Lord began to speak to us about the New Plateau, which basically is a higher altitude of revelation and service in the kingdom, and the Lord is causing us to arise to this new spiritual level.
The first important revelation came regarding binding and loosing, opening and shutting, allowing and forbidding.
Matthew 16:19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Isaiah 22: The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open
Isaiah 45:1-3 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held––to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: ‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.
In our past Christian experience, we have used Matthew 16:19 mostly in this context as we pray: “Satan, we bind you in the name of Jesus, and we loose the Holy Spirit into this situation!” But, with fresh revelation of this concept, we took this scripture verse and began to rise up into the spirit realm and open and shut doors. The results have been astounding and miraculous.
The Rapids:
As we began to flow in this powerful revelation of opening and shutting, we found ourselves being tested in various ways that revealed to us what is necessary for us to go up to the new plateau. As He did in the last season, God again used crisis situations to reveal the things that were out of order physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The lesson to be learned was that we must lay down our own lives, our own natural desires, in order to behold and embrace God’s will and purposes. We know this religiously and intellectually from the Word of God, but it is time for us to know this truth experientially.
Our natural tendency is to be selfish and self-centered, thinking only of serving ourselves. But, these tests are designed to bring us together as a cohesive body of believers. And, God’s mandate to us is to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4: 1 I (Paul), therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
The fires of purification continue to burn as we are being prepared for the next great move of the Spirit of God.
“Beloved, do not hinder the flow of My cleansing tide as I wash away all of the debris of your soul and spirit. Let go and trust Me to do all that is necessary at this time to truly bring you higher spiritually. Release the baggage of the past so that you can arise in new hope, purity and power to embrace all that I have prepared you for,” says the Lord.
The river rapids often stir up mud and debris, which is symbolic of the chaos that reveals disorder. But, clarity always comes as God brings order out of chaos and clarity out of the confusion that reveals our iniquity.
Isaiah 57:20-21 The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
Isaiah 58:1 "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
Bend in the River:
There is a might river of the Spirit that flows with great force and power. If we yield to the moving of the Holy Spirit, He carries us to divine destiny.
Psalm 46:4-5 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
I see a bend in this great river, which represents a turn or deviation from where we have been. We might also see it as a crossroad, a prophetic intersection or junction. We are at a great turning point where our choices will either bring us closer to God or take us away from God to seek our own desires and purposes. We must seek the Lord in making the right choices.
“Beloved, if you can receive it, I am revealing to your own heart the places where you are motivated by selfish ambition, for this motivation hinders your freedom in the Spirit. You cannot serve yourself and serve Me at the same time, says the Lord. This form of idolatry is rampant in Christian circles and must be brought down and removed. Otherwise, you cannot move forward in My purposes for you, and this double-minded position prevents you from receiving the fullness of My blessings,” says the Lord.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
“In the process of time, you are ending a cycle that began about seven years ago, and you will undergo an accelerated separation from the past that will create a division that cannot be bridged. Certainly, you will never be able to go back, nor should you look back. This chasm is ever widening and your spiritual landscape is ever changing, but you can only move into the next phase of your existence as you have freedom to do so. Disappointments and regrets from the past can keep you bound and unable to progress, so now is the time to completely release everything that brought a sense of failure or reproach. Let go and be free,” says the Lord.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things, which are behind and reaching forward to those things, which are ahead.
Fresh Springs:
There are fresh springs feeding this mighty river,
which are symbolic of the Lord’s abundance and blessings to those who are in
right standing or right relationship with Him.
Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.
The Joseph Covenant, which the Lord revealed to us prophetically over a year ago, is still in effect for another five years of great plenty. But, this covenant is only available to those who have a heart to give and are not only good stewards of what is given to them, but a conduit of God’s blessings rather than a reservoir. It requires a heart of generosity and selflessness.
Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
Great and Effective Door:
“I am opening a great effective door of evangelism for
you, but you will not be able to go through using religious techniques that have
been established through what you have been taught. This will be a move of My
Spirit like nothing you have ever experienced. I have equipped you and prepared
you, and now you will be able to go forth with a pure heart and attitude that
will not bring attention to yourself and your ministry, but it will only bring
the revelation and glory of My kingdom. Only the humble in heart will be able
to go through this door of opportunity,” says the Lord.
The Lord is making a way for an evangelistic revival. We have seen plenty of evangelism, and yet I read that somewhere in the neighborhood of 95% of people who make a decision to receive Christ do not remain faithful. God is about to show us a more effective way, and He will open the door. He will use those with a broken and contrite heart. This will be a work of the Spirit and it will not have its roots in denominationalism, religious exercise, religious duty, or flesh. It will be a supernatural move of the Spirit.
“I have deposited a seed of desire in your heart that will begin to acquire definition by taking conscious form. You will first be aware of a stirring in your spirit like the fluttering of the first movements of an unborn child. This desire when it has fully matured will set you on a course that will bring forth destiny. And, you will be moved by the irresistible power of My Spirit to establish you in kingdom purpose. You must resist the temptation to define this seed of desire according to your mind or emotions. This is not a desire of the soul or of thoughts and feelings; it is the call of the Spirit,” says the Lord. “Be sensitive to these subtle yearnings and yield to this powerful work of My Spirit.”
“Prepare your heart to receive, for I am releasing a wave of power that will sweep over you and will demonstrate the strength of My intensions for this season. But, you must be open and surrendered if you are to catch this wave. Come, I say, with an openness to receive of My Spirit. Release yourself from religious duty and the pressure to perform. This will be My gift to you and not something you can cause to happen, nor can you earn the right to partake of it. Yours is only to position yourself by faith to receive,” says the Lord.
A Fresh Word:
“You
will do whatever it takes to go for the gold (that which is of the Spirit). You
will not be satisfied with silver (pertaining to the soul) or bronze (associated
with flesh). You have set your heart on doing your best to reach your greatest
potential in Christ. You have fallen short many times, but you are ready to
move beyond mediocrity, compromise, and self-satisfaction to reach the goal and
obtain the prize. And, you are more determined than ever to fulfill your
kingdom destiny, for you know the time is now.”
“These times are golden, and you are no longer willing to waste precious time and energy in the spiritual dissipation of disappointment, grief and regret. This quality decision will result in a maturity that will not only bring honor to Me,” says the Lord, “but will draw others into a greater level of commitment that will inevitable bring the same results.”
“I call to the ends of the earth to a people who will make a covenant of salt with Me. It is a covenant of strength and loyalty. It requires commitment, faithfulness and obedience, and it will establish a permanent and satisfying relationship between us for eternity. Mine is to keep My promises to you, and yours is pure devotion free from corruption,” says the Lord.
Matthew 5:
13-16 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how
shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set
on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do they light a
lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all
who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see
your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
NEW PLATEAU -- 2008
by Marsha Burns
Where have we been?
1. The Third Day Church (a dispensation of the third millennium since Christ), which began on Feast of Trumpets 2000:
a. Was the beginning of a time of greater revelation of the Word of God and the end times.
b. Brought further revelation of the
Tabernacle of Moses as showing the plan of redemption:
Door, brazen altar, brazen laver -- all types of Christ and redemption.
Holy Place—table of showbread, candlestick, altar of incense --
the work of the Holy Spirit
Holy of Holies –
ark of the covenant, mercy seat -- the work of God, the Father, and His covenant
with us.
There have been continued layers of revelation of the plan for God’s people.
c. Brought
further revelation of the
Feasts also showing the plan of redemption & end times.
Jesus fulfilled
The Feast of Passover on the Cross, Unleavened Bread in the grave, First fruits at His
resurrection.
The Holy Spirit fulfilled The Feast of Pentecost in 32 AD.
The Feast of Trumpets will
be fulfilled at the end of the harvest of souls, the Church will be raptured.
The Feast of Atonement will signal Israel’s
salvation and God’s judgment when He separates the sheep from the goats.
The Feast of Tabernacles begins the Millennial Reign on the earth.
2. A year ago we began the new spiritual season with the primary focus on order. Every crisis that we endured was for the purpose of bringing divine order.
3. We’ve been in a time of continued intense spiritual warfare.
4. It’s been a time of extremes … the best of times and worst of times.
Where are we now?
1. Beginning to move from the Church Age to the Kingdom Age –
change of focus.
2. Learning how to dwell together in unity.
3. Being established in a higher degree of divine order as God brings every area of our lives under
His rule.
4. Learning to run with the horses – more intense level of warfare, precise
battle plans.
5. Moving in a divine flow of blessing as we abide in the covenant of the Joseph
Anointing. We must be diligent stewards of what we are given.
Vital points to our part in the Covenant of Grace:
1. Stay in Christ and His anointing.
2. Stay in the flow of the Holy Spirit.
3. Don’t get trapped by the world, the flesh or the devil – it will result in spiritual death.
4. Stay within the safe boundary of NOW; don’t try to live in the future.
5. Be in the right place with God or we won’t receive His signals.
God’s part:
1. Supernatural blessings
2. Grace to do all that He sets before us
5. Restoration of what has been stolen
6. Healing on all levels
7. Clarity of vision and direction
Where are we going?
Not long ago Bill, in a time of ministry, encouraged us to ask God for something we really wanted. I asked God to bring me to a New Plateau, but not a pinnacle. I asked that I wouldn’t stand alone, but He would bring us all to a new level of revelation and service in the Kingdom. I believe He heard my prayer.
Psalm 18: 19-21 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
A Plateau is an extensive land area having a relatively level surface raised sharply above adjacent land, a relatively stable level, period of time or condition, a level of attainment or achievement.
I remember the word that the Lord gave me some time ago that “old ceilings will become new floors.”
Recent Small Straws:
You are poised and ready to rise up to a new plateau of breakthrough in various areas of your experience, but you must be persistent in order to push through the places where you have been blocked. Do not give up or settle for less than what you consider to be your optimum potential. I have gone before you to make a way for you to achieve this breakthrough. Trust Me to bring you through, says the Lord.
Isaiah 45:2 I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.
Be sensitive to possibilities and opportunities for expansion. I will bring to your attention doors that you can go through that will result in increase. Allow Me to direct you to take advantage of your potential to grow. Do not be afraid to be stretched as you move forward into unfamiliar spiritual territory; I am with you every step of the way.
You are about to arise and come up. You are going to grow up and ascend to a new spiritual level.
You are now in the early stages of preparation for a new spiritual year, which will be another step up in terms of covenant, revelation and blessing. This New Plateau will require a greater level of commitment. The gift of discernment will be vital to the success of every endeavor. Wait patiently for My wisdom and direction before any major exertion of time, energy or finances. Any undertaking that is motivated by your fleshly desires instead of My Spirit will produce disappointment.
Just as deep calls to deep, My Spirit calls to your spirit to come up higher. I have gone before you to prepare a place, a New Plateau. …I am the Way-maker, and I have set a path before you, so now come! Move to the sound of My leading, you who have ears to hear.
The Lord spoke the word “continuum” to me (sequence, progression).
We will continue in cycles and seasons.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
We will continue to wake up each morning to face the challenges of the day. I had a dream that I had new computer software. It was a game where you would have to figure out how to meet random challenges. And, there were various tools to use in doing so. Some of the tools I can remember were: Knowledge, Wisdom, Prayer, Warfare, Faith, Courage, Strength, Love, Peace, Money, Communication; there was an entire menu of things to use in the quest to win the game. But, the main idea was that it was a game. It was fun, and everything needed to win was provided. And then, the joy of victory!
Life is just like this game.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Some of you remember the famous bumper sticker from the late 60’s that read “I Found It.” The burning question at that time for most of us was, “What was IT they found?” Well, I’m ready to update the bumper sticker to “I Found It, I’ve Got IT, and I’m Keeping It!” What have I found? LIFE in the Spirit!
Words from the Lord for this time:
You have felt like you are in over your head, doing things that you have little knowledge of or experience in accomplishing. And, I say to you that it IS true that you are in over your head, but you are NOT in over My head, says the Lord. If you will ask for wisdom, I will give it, and I will empower you to do all that is set before you. Refuse to allow fear to paralyze you or keep you from moving forward. Remember that you “can do all things through Christ who strengthens you”.
Old things and old ways of doing things will no longer facilitate you in accomplishing what is set before you. You are living in new times that will require you to embrace more efficient ways of carrying out My plans and purposes. Do not be afraid to learn new things (perhaps even technical processes) that will equip you to deal more effectively with your challenges. I will provide the necessary instruction as you yield to this transition, says the Lord. Isaiah 42:9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Prepare for a course correction. You have come to a point of decision where you can go no further until you find resolution in your current situation. You will either have to make adjustments and come to a new level of understanding and commitment or abandon it altogether. The choice is yours, but you will not be able to maintain status quo.
You are about to awaken out of a slumber of idolatry that was brought about by fear of man and a desire to please people. This has been a great hindrance in your life and has resulted in compromise. Your loyalties are being tested, and your devotion will be redefined as you are elevated to the level of fearing and pleasing the Lord only.
You are coming to a level of spiritual maturity that will be astounding in contrast to your past religious experience. If you are willing, I will bring you out of carnal, social Christianity into the reality of life in the Spirit. But, you must stir up your desire to really know Me, says the Lord.
In an effort to forget past offenses you have buried some things that need to be reviewed and forgiven. I am shining the light on bondages from the past, and I will reveal every hidden work of darkness against you. It is time for you to be truly free. And, in the process of this spiritual emancipation you will find that you have been miraculously healed and delivered. It’s time!
You have tried desperately to find your niche as you struggle to know where you belong. If you will stop striving to find acceptance and camaraderie among your peers and instead seek to abide in Me, then you will find a people of like mind who dwell together in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace. However, as long as your focus is on you and your desires to be accepted, even if you are among like-minded people you will still feel like an outcast.
You have entered the River of God, and the power of that flow will carry you to places beyond your wildest expectations. Continue to yield to the moving of My Spirit as I show you things that you “know not of.” The flowing of this river will bring revelation of the progression of destiny in every aspect. Be at rest and let Me take you where I will, says the Lord.
Prophetic Direction for 2008
by Marsha Burns
You will arise to a new level of overcoming. You have already begun to see patterns in your life that have consistently opened the door to the enemy’s work against you. These patterns will become increasingly apparent as you progress and punish disobedience with your obedience. Rejoice in this process.
Your struggle is not over, but if you look back you can see that victory has come more speedily than in times past. This is because you have learned to release your anger and bitterness and have refused the victim position. You will continue to rise up to defeat the enemy more effectively as you choose to exercise your faith in Me to bring you through.
Do not be afraid of unknown challenges that lie ahead. You cannot fight the battle until you see the enemy and discover his method of attack. Rest in the assurance that My grace is sufficient, and that I will bring you through to victory as you yield to the leading of My Spirit, says the Lord. Luke 12:11-12 "Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
This indeed is a season when you discover in greater dimension the power to overcome every obstacle. Old mindsets that bring defeat to you will become crystal clear. It will be like suddenly awakening from a dream to see the absolute reality of your existence and spiritual dominance.
I am lifting you up to a high place spiritually where you can see the valley below with great clarity. You will no longer see the world and people around you with natural eyes, but you will see through eyes of discernment that penetrate through the veil that separates flesh and spirit.
Be prepared to have the eyes of your understanding enlightened. I will cause you to grasp the wisdom of things you have not been able to comprehend. This will enable you to overcome obstacles and walk in confidence and victory.
You have already had significant breakthroughs in understanding how the spirit realm affects your body and soul, but I tell you honestly that your level of comprehension is not even half of what you will come to know and grasp. Every new revelation will become your possession and strengthen you.
If you ask anything in My name, according to My will. I will do it. I will teach you and show you by My Spirit the difference between what you want according to your carnal nature and what My will is. It will be a divine separation of soul and spirit. Yield yourself completely to this process. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two–edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
I Am Your Pilot:
Things have not worked out exactly as you expected. This is because you cannot see the end from the beginning. I have designed it to be this way so that you can be built up in faith and know that I am with you to direct you along your path to destiny. Take delight in the fact that I am your Pilot, and I will maneuver you through even the most dire straits.
Don’t miss or overlook opportunities that look small and insignificant by looking too far out and focusing on the big picture. I have great things in store for you, but you must not despise the days of small beginnings. Job 8:7 Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.
I say, establish clear boundaries and reorder your priorities, so that My blessings can flow like a river – uninterrupted. The temptation will be to create your own blessings and to depend on your own strength to accomplish your desires, but I hold all power over heaven and earth. Depend on Me to cause you to be fruitful. Your accomplishments are of a temporary nature, but what I produce in you is everlasting.
Your most difficult days are behind you. You have endured much and been strengthened by your perseverance. Truly you are stronger now than you have ever been. Your faith has been tested through many trials and tribulations, and you have come through in victory. I count your faithfulness as righteous.
You’ve come a long way, baby, but you have not yet gone as far as you can go. The possibilities for your life have not been exhausted. On the contrary, you will be surprised and delighted at what I have in store for you. But, you will have to hold your own dreams and desires loosely to allow My will to manifest so that you can receive the best that I have for you, says the Lord. Trust Me!
Prepare to be stretched. But, know that you will not be challenged beyond your ability to accomplish what is set before you. Trust Me for strength to overcome and endure. It is true that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Those things in your life that seem to have been fragmented or left undone will now be brought to a conclusion as the door to the past is shut and a new and exciting door is opening before you. Rejoice in this time of new life and hope.
I am taking you step by step through the things that have consistently made you stumble and lose heart. It will be like breaking the chains one link at a time so that you can see clearly the nature of the bondage, and you will never again be ensnared as in days gone by. Rejoice in a new level of liberty, says the Lord.
There have been times in your life when you have swung between two poles, one of ultra hope and blessing and the other abject poverty and hopelessness. If you will yield to the work of My Spirit along these lines, I will bring you from extreme ups and downs to a plateau of spiritual reality and faith. For, certainly I am the Author and Finisher of your faith, and I will establish you on this level ground.
Refuse to allow the enemy to use condemnation to remove you from the flow of revelation by the Spirit. His tactics won’t be anything new. Expect the same old lies that bring guilt, shame, and rejection. But, now I will give you greater capacity to see quickly and deal with the attacks, so that your times of oppression will be immediately cut off like awakening from a bad dream.
I am releasing healing in you that will wash away the rejection and failures from the past and equip you to go forth with wisdom and endurance. Let go of the labels that have been assigned to you by various people and circumstances, for I call you My beloved.
Prepare to make some of the most important decisions of your life as I present opportunities that you could never have imagined. You are Mine, and My plan is to establish you and bless you in ways that will remove even the vaguest remembrance of past disappointments and struggles.
I will open doors before you, and you will behold new vistas and prospects for the future that you really never dreamed of. And, I will bring you by a way that you have not known and make your feet like hinds’ feet that will enable you to negotiate even the most difficult of paths. You will scramble up the craggiest places as though it were level ground because I am with you to make the crooked places straight and the rough places smooth.
You will have choices to make in the days ahead that have the potential to change the landscape of your life forever. Seek Me for wisdom, and choose wisely. If you ask for wisdom, I will certainly give it to you.
In this season you must recapture the gifting and flow that you once embraced. In the passage of time and circumstances you lost confidence, but now is the time when you can reclaim what was rightfully yours from the beginning. You cannot go back to the old manifestation of your gift because it had to become like a seed that fell to the ground and died in order to take root and grow up in you to produce fruit for this time. Be open and yielded, says the Lord.