Posted: 01/14/2011 at 8:44am | IP Logged

Worldwide Kingdom Awakening News and Views

Published by Ron & Barbara McGatlin - Basileia Publishing

 
 In This Issue
1. Heart to Heart
2. Pressing On To The Goal
3. Top News Headlines


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1. Heart to Heart

2. PRESSING ON TO THE GOAL

The other day Father showed me a place in the realm of the Spirit that He had prepared for me, He asked me, "Do you want to sit there?" My reply was "Yes, more then anything." He said " It will cost you EVERYTHING!" This once again brought me to a surrender of everything and what I thought I knew and understood in order that He would show me His way. He began to reveal to me more places of self serving within me that were hindering me from progressing into the knowledge of Him, His kingdom, and His ways. 

Walking in the reality of the kingdom of God goes against the wisdom of the natural mind and the comfort of the flesh. If we are not continually being challenged and stretched by the reality of the kingdom, the revelation of the nature of it, and how it is demonstrated, we might want to question whether we have become sidetracked by a deceptive comfortable substitute.  

Brethren, I do not reckon to have laid hold of it yet, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and extending myself unto those things which are ahead, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ~Paul~ The apostle Paul's constant state of mind was pressing on in His pursuit of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. While he was content in any circumstance of abundance or lack, he was not content in his journey to obtain the high call of God in Christ Jesus. He was continually "pressing" into knowing Him.

COUNTING THE COST, LOSING OUR LIVES
For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. ~Jesus~ We must continually count the cost and press in, even though we may have come many times to a place of surrender and death to our own ways. No one who retains their right to keep their own life and reputation will walk in the place of kingdom life Father has destined them to walk. We must continually remain in a place where we can do NOTHING but what we see Father doing. What God builds He will defend. We don't have to defend ourselves or present ourselves, our works, and our lives in Him in such a way as to please others. If we must defend it, He didn't build it. This does not mean He does not use us to speak in a situation where He is defending His own. We've simply got no point to prove anymore, no person to impress, no reputation or doctrine to defend.  

We must make the transition from being servants that defend truth, to being sons that contain and express it. This is a place of Rest. It increases as we lay down our need to justify or vindicate ourselves in the eyes of men. It is a pressing battle to understand, embrace, and demonstrate the true gospel of the kingdom. What many have called "kingdom" is simply building men's kingdoms and agendas with men's wisdom. The battle is not one of defending or promoting a doctrine, the battle is to enter into being a living demonstration of the kingdom that expresses who He is. It is a battle for sonship.

THE KINGDOM IS TAKEN BY FORCE
We are not battling with simply flesh and blood, but principalities, powers, and rulers. The greatest battle for the kingdom is the battle for the kingdom within you. Jesus said, "...for the Prince of this world is coming. And yet in me he has nothing..." There is a spiritual realm within each of us that can still have "places of occupation" for the enemy. When the inward land is taken it takes less effort to take the outward land. The battle is inward but the victory is manifest outward as we simply rest in the Victory of God we have within; doing and saying only what He is doing and saying. The kingdom is not simply in words of doctrine or debate about kingdom understanding; it is in POWER that manifests from WITHIN YOU, and is executed perfectly as by faith we go forward into the places He sends us to "occupy". When we are sent by God to a place to establish His kingdom we can expect Him to move with His kingdom authority. Why? Not becasue we are great, but because He only sends us where we have conquered the INWARD land that correlates to the stronghold of the OUTWARD land He is sending us. 

WHAT GOAL ARE WE PRESSING TOWARD?
There is a generation that will inherit all the promises of God and reach the goal. I am pressing to be of that generation and by faith apprehend it. The goal we are pressing toward is conformity as sons to the person of Jesus Christ in our inner being. As the varying colors of the light spectrum come together form bright white. So, together in common unity we are all being individually and corporately transformed into His image. As we collectively press in and are transformed, we will by His grace reach the goal. We are crossing over into the promised land together, not as individuals who have received a portion, but as our portions are freely shared and mingled together in love and relationship we will all come into the fullness that is intended for a people whose greatest kingdom attribute is love, even as Christ loved them.

In His Love
Kriston Couchey
http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog/
 

3. Top News Headlines 


Violence and incredible church growth in Nigeria - It is not all bad news from this huge West African country - 1/12/2011
There were rumors in Nigeria that the Christmas Eve bombings in Jos and Maiduguri, could have been a "dress rehearsal" for a more devastating attack on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. Sure enough, on December 31, 2010, another bomb went off at the Market. Initial report indicated that 30 people were killed in this bomb blast; however the BBC later reported only 11. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35278&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Haiti One Year Later -- A Ray Of Hope in 'Miracle Village' for Earthquake Victims - 1/12/2011
It's been almost one year since the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the small country of Haiti. Amidst reports of sidetracked donations and widespread ineffectiveness there is a ray of hope for survivors living in a tent city outside Fond Parisien. A new 'miracle' village is being built in part by its future inhabitants in the immense suffering. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35276&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


'Unshaken' Quake Survivor Rises from the Ruins - 1/12/2011
It's been one year since a powerful earthquake rocked Haiti, Jan. 12, 2010, killing more than 200,000 people. In the middle of the tragedy, there were amazing stories of survival. Dan Woolley's rescue from the ruins of the collapsed Hotel Montana made headlines around the world. "I never could have predicted that this would be such a dividing line in my life," Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35271&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Haiti Quake Solution: Best Hope is Native Missionaries Preaching the Gospel - 1/13/2011
“Millions of dollars poured in, and foreigners flooded the country. But humanitarian aid alone will never solve the problems of Haiti.” “A million are homeless. Naturally speaking, the situation is hopeless. But the gospel of Christ brings hope. Their spiritual life will affect their physical life. Christ will do it through them. It is not imposed on them from the outside. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35290&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Murder of Governor in Pakistan Darkens ‘Blasphemy’ Case - 1/7/2011
Think of it like an Islamic Mafia. Radical clerics declared Governor Salman Taseer and Asia Bibi "liable to be killed." He ended up being gunned down by one of his police bodyguards in broad daylight this week. Bibi, who is also known as Noreen, is in jail on a trumped-up charge of blasphemy. Her hope for pardon is not looking so good since her best supporter was murdered. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35226&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Asia Bibi, the Christian woman who triggered a blasphemy furor in Pakistan facing threat of suicide attack - 1/13/2011
Asia Bibi, the Christian woman in whose defense Punjab Governor Salman Taseer lost his life, is facing a threat of a suicide attack inside a jail where she is housed. She denied the charge and said she was framed by a group of Muslim women. "Taseer, was gunned down by a police guard who said he was angered by the Governor's criticism of the blasphemy law." Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35289&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Youssef Calls on Clinton to Confront Egyptian Government - 1/13/2011
23 people were killed and more than 90 injured in the New Year's Day attack on Egyptian Christians, some leaders are looking to the U.S. government to step in. "This so-called religion of peace sent out another message of carnage and bloodshed in Egypt on New Year's Day" A car bomb was used with the words "More to come" written on the car. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35288&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Growing Numbers in Britain Convert to Islam - 1/9/2011
Thousands of Britons are converting to Islam every year — with more women becoming Muslims than men. That's according to a Welsh study which suggests the number converting to the religion last year may have nearly doubled from the 60,669 in 2001. 56% of converts to Islam were white British, with 62% being female. The average age at conversion is 27.5. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35246&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Survey Shows a Mixed Bag of Beliefs for British Christians - 1/10/2011
David believes evolution and Christianity are compatible although Julie isn't so sure. David donates – or tithes – part of his monthly income to his church, while Julie does not. But what these two people have in common is their belief that Jesus is the only way to God. ‘David’ and ‘Julie’ are fictitious but they are not untypical among evangelical Christians in Britain. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35255&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Obama Administration Removes Death Panels After Pro-Life Backlash - 1/9/2011
The Obama administration has agreed to remove new rules instituting "death panels," after a massive backlash following their publication. Pro-life groups believe doctors would have been given financial incentives to hold end-of-life discussions with patients, leading to rationing of care. "The New York Times" links the "about face" to political considerations. Read On:  http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35247&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1 


John Piper Returns to Pulpit after Eight Month Sabbatical - 1/10/2011
John Piper returned to the pulpit after an eight month leave to reexamine his soul and work on his family life. He got more specific on his blog. "I would label my decades-long, besetting sins in this relationship as selfishness, self-pity, anger, blaming and sullenness." This was the well-known Baptist pastor's first ever break from 30 years of ministry. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35256&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Psych Studies Ordered for Jailed Homeschooling Dad - 1/3/2011
It's another case of European social workers inferring a link between homeschooling and conjectured psychiatric problems. Unspecified psychological studies or evaluations have been ordered for Christer Johansson. He's the father of a boy placed with social services, because he was homeschooled. The family was about to move to India, where Mrs. Johansson is from. Read On:  http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35177&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
 

Multi-Year Televangelists Probe Ends with a Whimper - 1/7/2011
History may be repeating itself. In 1977 Senator Mark Hatfield told evangelicals they must police themselves financially or face additional government legislation. That's how the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability was formed. Now Senator Charles Grassley is saying something similar after finding several big-money televangelists did not actually break the law. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35228&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Over Two Million Children Are Now Homeschooled - 1/7/2011
Just 30 years ago there were only about 20 thousand homeschooled children. Now, according to a study released by the National Home Education Research Institute, there are more than two million. That's one out of every 25 children. Today, homeschoolers can be found in all walks of life with a proven record of academic and social success. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35224&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


Forty-One Percent Of New York City Pregnancies End in Abortion - 1/8/2011
Statistics from the Health Department show the rate for minorities is even higher. Blacks have the highest abortion rate — 59.8%. Hispanics have a 41.3% rate. For Asians, it's 22.7%. And non-Hispanic Whites have a 20.4% abortion rate.  Perhaps it's no coincidence Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger once spoke at a Ku Klux Klan rally. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=35229&a mp;a mp;PN=1&TPN=1


For More Top News Headlines, Go Here: http://archive.openheaven.com/news/headlines/