The Lord was showing me bundles of cloth, and various things which were being handed to someone else, and then given to a person at the last. They seemed to be very busy at doing this. These bundles of things, were then discarded into a pile and left.
I asked the Lord, "What does this mean?" He replied, "These are those who try to give sacrifices to Me, but they are not true sacrifices from a willing heart." (As this unfolded, I continued seeing a mountain before me, and a pathway which led up this mountain. There was a sense of looking out into the surrounding area, where various hills and a distant landscape could be seen.)
"Who would ascend my holy hill and come into my presence? Truly he who has a true and repentant heart. My hill should not be an arduous one to climb. Behold the mountain of the Lord....those who would climb it, must take what is needed. I go before those who climb my mountain. I go and discard the things which have blocked the passage. I say to my servants of mine, "Do not be content in staying in the lowland." Take the path that is before you, and pursue it with diligence. Come up higher, I say. Here the air has a stillness about it. Go the way which I will show you. Behold your view....look around at your surroundings....look at the distant hills and surrounding plains. This mountain is my training ground. Some have been content, and they have stopped, and pitched their tents at certain places. They have developed a certain "laxness" and they have become used to the things "that they see." But I say to them, "Get up and walk." This is not for those who are lazy, or are not ready for the journey, but for those who long to seek my face. This pathway leads to higher ground. For those who desire Me, I will show them more. Here the eagles gather, and circle round about this mountain. Here the water is pure, and its taste leaves one renewed. Have some of this water, and let it refresh you for the journey ahead. I say unto my servants, "CLIMB ON, CLIMB ON." Forget the former things; look not to the past. Let your hearts and minds be set like flint. Climb up the mountain, and leave your beds of laxness behind. "
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt. 7:7
..."That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. " I Co. 15:4
"This season which is called the third day has just begun. But the "fullness" of that fruit will be seen as the season progresses. More and more fruit will be manifested in the lives of people--- I was raised-up on the third day, and many of you are being raised-up in Me. In the natural you can see the fruit that hangs on the trees. Many people go out into their ministries without the fruit maturing first. Would you want to taste an apple or an orange if it had not fully ripened? It's taste would not be pleasing. It would not have the "sweetness" of that individual fruit.
Dear people of mine, do not run ahead of Me, nor lag behind. I AM always right on time. Wait till the fruit falls off the tree, then you will know that it is time. Will you allow Me to further prune? Know the seasons...and know the season in which you are in. There is a time to every purpose under heaven. Know the circumstances in your lives as well. There are doors which open, and there are doors which close. Do not attempt to open a door which is not ready yet, for it will not have what you are looking for in it. I have said that in my Father's house that there are many mansions, and truly, I do go to prepare a place for you, but I have also come to prepare a place for you on earth. I go ahead, and prepare that place, that door, that ministry.....and so, then, behind that door, it is prepared for you. I have said that I stand at the door and knock, and anyone who would, I would come and sup with him. Behold, I AM knocking. Keep on knocking also. Keep on knocking upon those doors which I will open for you. But do not merely seek the door, but seek first my kingdom and my righteousness. In seeking first my kingdom and my righteousness, then all these other things will be added unto you as well. Seek first my kingdom....Seek it first."
"Hear the word of the Lord, those who wait, and are in waiting....During this season, during this time, I have brought many of you out into the open. From out the caves and the fields you have been brought forth. It is an important time of strategy, would say the Lord. It is an important time of assembling together in my name, would say the Lord. Many of you have wanted to see doors open up for you; and I say that the doors are about to open up. But the doors need to open up first for you to do some things. The very hinges are about to break off of those doors. Beyond the corridors of those doors, are new beginnings. Oh my people, I do not want you to live in the past on the other side of these doors. Give Me ALL of your lives.... Give Me your wounds... Give Me your joys.....and I will give you my promises.
Upon the waters I AM moving. I AM moving upon the waters of your very spirits. I AM equipping many of you, and bringing you into that place of ministry. That water will flow into every crevice of your lives if you would but yield to it. But the water flows for you not only to bathe in it. That water flows to activate you into my service. What is my service, you would ask? Is it not about waiting upon the needs of others? For I came to be a servant and that is what your tasks are to be. To lay down your lives for the brethren, and to minister to those I've called you to. It is not just a service for you alone, but it is a service unto Me. I said that John the Baptist was more than a prophet, but he who was least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he, because I have gone onto the Father, and I have brought forth that fullness unto each of you.
The kingdom of God is more than just food or drink. It is much, much more than just eating and drinking the things of my kingdom. To be sure, eating and drinking is important. There is the food and drink of my word, and there is earthly food and drink. Surely the body needs sustenance, and surely, you need the food of my word and spirit. But it is so important to go beyond food and drink into service. Everyone who has a gift needs to use it to serve others. Remember that I have an open door, and I AM calling many of you to go through it."
(This word was given to me today, and it is interesting to note that my son, Brent, who is 19 now, came over to our house to help us. He had decided to help my wife, Carol, with a car problem we have been having lately. He is fairly mechanical, and decided, on his own, to come over, after work, and check the brakes on our car. This is one example, in my mind, of how service can be offered and given unto others in a variety of ways.)
I AM calling...I AM calling to all of those who are out in the fields. I AM calling to come back unto Me. There are many that are called, but there are few that are chosen. Many have been called to a vocation in Me. Many have been given things to do for Me.
(The Lord was showing me a towel, and it was being held in one hand, ready to wipe or clean someone's feet. I saw pairs of sandals, and they were being ready to be taken off for the purpose of being washed.)
Have I not said that the greatest of you would be the servant of all? It is time for the true service to begin. Do not just go about doing the work of the kingdom, but go and do service one to another. For I came not to be served, but to serve. Are not you called to wait upon each other as you would unto Me? I have said that if you give unto Me, that it will be given back unto you, pressed down, over-flowing without measure. But I AM also saying that if you give of your service unto one another, that it will be given back unto you. Those in leadership are called to equip others. You are called to give of yourselves and your time. If you do not give of yourselves and your time, then you are building your own kingdoms. Was not my life given as a ransom for many? I gave of my life so that you would be given abundant life. Because you are also my servants, you are called to lay your lives down for the brethren. It means sacrificing of your time and your abilities. So, give...give of yourselves and your time. It is a reciprocal thing in doing this. It is a reproductive thing in doing this. For you are not just birthing others into the kingdom, but you are also training them. When a servant of mine has been trained of Me, then they are also able to train others. Are not there many forms of service? As there are a variety of gifts, so there are varieties of service. All of these forms of service are done unto Me, and then are done unto one another. All of it is service, whether it is speaking, or teaching, or giving unto the poor. For the body is made up of many members, and each offer their service unto Me. Give of your time, and your resources. Seek to be the kind of servant who would lay his life down for the body. Be not self-seeking, but have a selfless love for one another. Without love in your hearts, and a true service, you are truly like a clanging cymbal. I want my body to be equipped and ready--I want this service to be done as if you were offering your service unto Me. Wash one another's feet, and be a servant unto one another. The greatest of you, must be the servant of all. "
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." Matt. 23:25-26
"The signs are everywhere about my soon return. Are your houses in order? Many of you have changed the appearance of your home but you haven't cleaned the inside. Many of you are like the Pharisees, they cleaned the outside of the cup, and not the inside of it.
(I saw a house which was propped-up on one end, and stilts were being used to keep it in this position. The outside appearance looked good, and it was as if the ground were like a carpet, but things were being swept under the house.)
Beautiful curtains, and beautiful surroundings, but the house is filled with poison. Do you not know that I look upon the inward condition? Remember my servant David, and how I called him? I called him from out of the pasture as a lowly shepherd boy. There were many other sons to look at, and they thought that they would be chosen. But I looked at his heart, and it is still the same way today. Humility and lowliness are attributes which I look upon as good. Never let your ministry or your influence cause you to forget this. Many have let the spotlight to cause them to forget this. Remember that I have said that he who exalts himself will be humbled, but with humility comes honor. Do you want great things to happen? Do you want to see my glory fall? Then enter into the way of lowliness and humility. Come to my banqueting table; there is room for all; no one is esteemed greater. I have offered my body and blood for all. Do you not know, as the household of God, that you are all members together? Many in the spotlight will grow too rich in that light. Be careful when the light of your own glory causes you to shine. It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. I AM turning my light on the inside. The light burns brightly, and the darkness has never understood it. That light will expose the secret motives of the heart. Clean the inside of the cup, and do not merely clean the outside. When the light in you is great, then how great is that light! But when there is darkness, then there is every evil imaginable. But I can make the inside of your cup sparkling clean and shining. "
"There is a knitting together...there is a joining together of my servants in Me. Gather a trowel, and together, build this wall. Everyone has something to offer. It is not with human hands that I build, but it is through my Spirit. There are things that I can do, only through the multitude of different people. A wall is made stronger through various "types" of stones. Some, because of their irregular shape, will fit-in with another one. Some are "polished," and some are "rougher" in places. Some are "multi-colored," and some are of a single "tone." Where do you come from, and what is your stone like?
(I saw a very majestic King, who was looking out from this wall, and observing how it was being done and created.)
There is a need for my body to be working together as one man. How can one man do the job when so many are needed? For it is the effort of many laborers working on the wall. How can the wall be built when there is bickering and dissension? When man is left to his own devices, he will build a tower of Babel. Because of this "seemingly" great effort, nothing was done. In man's efforts to reach the sky, he was left alone and was "dispersed." This magnificent man-made building was brought to ruin. and because of this, the confusion set-in, and there was no unity done in my name. What would you long to build? What would the crowning achievement be of your life? Great things have been done perhaps in the past--great monuments, and things of incredible splendor, but nothing can compare to the incredible "workmanship" of my Spirit. Consider for a moment, the Great Wall of China....an incredible effort, but used to keep people out, a boundary line between two borders.
So, the effort to build this wall in my name will be something that will be remembered forever. All of the trappings of religion and tradition need to be done away with. Every "stone" that is not of Me, needs to be done away with.
(I saw several layers of "solid-looking foundational stones which had been laid, and were set and ready to build upon. They were like great limestone rocks which had been quarried and cut to fit perfectly into this wall.)
Gather the stones and build this thing in my name, and then this wall will be "raised," and will be built strong in my name. Will you join with Me in the building of this wall?"
"Look to the rock from which you were hewn. Look to that area from which you have come. Who are your ancestors, and the people from which you have come? Everyone has a family and a background. Everyone has a family tree which they are a part of. Not many of you were of a noble birth, or came from a "kingly background." But I have chosen you, and caused you to be part of a greater family. Consider how Jacob and Esau were regarding their family: One of them had sold his birthright. One was loved by his mother, and the other one was loved by his father. I would ask of you; what is your birthright? You are my sons and daughters; sons and daughters of the King. And I would say to you, "Do not sell your birthright." You have all the rights and privileges of royalty.
(I saw a King robed in gold and splendor, who held a scepter, and wore a crown. Then I was shown a gilded book, with flourishings and markings. The kind which would be used in a book like the Book of Kells. The book was opened to several pages, and then it was as if it flew into the air.)
I rule with an iron scepter and a royal diadem. I have called you to be princes and queens with Me. For the time will come when you will sit with Me on my Father's throne, and help judge the nations. So know that my blood, the blood of royalty, flows through your veins. Children are given an inheritance from their parents; some are given houses and money, but the inheritance I give will last forever. As my children, I want to give you everything. I want you to be seated with Me in the heavenlies. As sons and daughters, you have all the rights and privileges. You are no longer orphans, and you are not unknown to Me. I have loved you since before the beginning of time, and I have wanted you to sit with Me in "heavenly places." Your home and your place is with Me, and I long to embrace you. I will bring out the fatted calf and give a feast in your name. I want to dress you in the best gowns and robes that I can find. This is your inheritance.....this is your birthright......this is your place in my kingdom. Come, and reign with Me, my beloved. You are to know of your inheritance now. In the coming ages you will know of this more. My family is made up of many members. You have many brothers and sisters, but you have one Father who loves you with an everlasting love. And with this love, I have given unto you everything that you need. Do not sell your birthright, for it gives you the rights and privileges of my sons and daughters."