Repeat Of The Two Words For 2004
Clay Sikes
Dec 17, 2003
Dear List Members,
There have been several requests that I reprint the two words for 2004 previously posted...Clay.
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2004 – The Connection
Submitted By Clay Sikes
December 4th, 2003
For the last several years, beginning in early December, I have heard what I sense to be a prophetic word for some in the Body of Christ. While these words have been extremely accurate for me personally, I am not totally clear as to how they align with others in the Body of Christ. Please test this word, as it may or may not apply in your particular situation.
As I lay praying several mornings ago, I felt I heard the Lord say, “Just as 2002 was a year of separation and 2003 a year of change, 2004 will be a year in which my people will begin to experience my power as never before.” As I continued to pray, I strongly sensed that God is plugging His people into His power (source). His people have connections (to Him), and as such, will have extraordinary power to get things (He assigns) done. Because of the connection, the revelation of “How to accomplish the task” will flow, as will the anointed ability.
Just as people of the world who have “connections” to those in high places, so too will God’s people have “the connection” necessary to get things done.
Be aware that God has done much joining and connecting of people-to-people in recent years. This connection of people-to-people has been God joining the Body parts that are supposed to be joined in order that it (the Body) functions at its maximum capacity. Do not be alarmed or surprised that some of these connections may appear to be outside of what we would call “spiritual people.” There is a God directed purpose in this joining, which will require prayer to fully understand.
Some will be assigned God-given task that will seem all but impossible in the natural, but as the assignee accepts his work and simply begins the effort, the grace will come flowing and a bold empowerment will enable the work to be done. 2004 will be a year in which mighty exploits will be performed and mighty purposes fulfilled. True destiny will become reality for many.
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More On 2004
Clay Sikes
Dec 11, 2003
Dear List Members,
As we approach the year's end I sense some aspects of the New Year that I feel have prophetic relevance. I ask you to test this. As we have seen in years past, the remnant first walk in the "new thing," and then the flow rolls into the most yielded parts of "The Body" - take note of the fact that I didn't say "The Church."
We have seen significant financial breakthroughs during 2003, many more will begin to understand covenant with regard to finances, and consequently will see evidence of God's hand in areas of provision. God's people fulfilling God's purpose will never again experience a money problem. As we fulfill our part of the covenant (being obedient to the Spirit of God), our finances are God's responsibility. The word "covenant" will begin to take on new meaning as the Holy Spirit takes us into a deeper understanding of its power.
Be particularly attentive to the Spirit's leading in this area, and though there are many elements to our covenant with God, the areas appointed by the Holy Spirit are the specific ones of relevance to us individually. For example, as the Spirit speaks to specific areas of covenant, these are the areas we can have faith for and accordingly, see results in.
In contrast to the much maligned teaching from WOF [Word of Faith] sectors, COVENANT CAN ONLY BE UNDERSTOOD AS REVELATION IS GIVEN. Appointment to covenant rights can ONLY come from the Holy Spirit. WOF teachers have given us the impression that any covenant privilege found in the Bible is ours, and though this is true, it will come ONLY in God's timing and through God's Spirit. Again, be sensitive in this area as I strongly sense that God's people will come into a much greater awareness of covenant rights during 2004.
2004 will require us to stretch and "loosen up" for the long run that is before us. The stretching I see is not a painful battering, but the type that we do before exercise. God is getting us comfortable and confident (in Him) for the race that is about to be run. We will enjoy new levels of endurance that we will soon be able to walk in. This endurance (ability) will flow into all areas of our lives. Be sensitive to higher levels of spiritual, mental, and physical energy.
Begin to get excited as the "Time of God's people" comes into the earth.
Response To Prophetic Word For 2004
Magdala, Doorkeep Of The Ark
Dec 14, 2003
Dear List Members,
I have recently posted two prophetic words relative to 2004; one speaks specifically to a coming season of awareness of covenant with God in the area of finances. I have asked that you judge this word.
The response below is the only response I have received thus far, and it too should be judged. I have always encouraged members of this list to judge anything posted here. I always stand to be corrected because I know I am very capable of "missing the mark"....Clay.
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Praise be to YHVH that things are going so very well for you.
Please do not see this as a complaining pity party it is not; but rather a reality check for those living in relative ease and a call to open your eyes and see the suffering of your fellow believers, pray and ask YHVH what you can do to help them.
I, myself, want nothing except to hear "WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR MASTER."
At this time, it is a much different life story for many of us. We are still doing without many of the comforts (and sometimes necessities) of life but we know that this is a strengthening time for us and it does not change YHVH'S feelings for us or ours for HIM.
For the first time I am unable to pay all my bills when due, yet I know YHVH will see me through, not necessarily in my way but in HIS perfect way and time. I fell and broke my upper arm in March and am still in pain and have Physical Therapy regularly. Does that mean YHVH is angry with me or I am in sin? By no means! Be careful how you judge!!! This is just another test and trial. The last time it took 13 years! I hated every minute of it but HE is not a G-D who is early or late and that was HIS perfect time.
I am much better off than many other believers in so very many ways and for that I thank YHVH. I have a roof over my head and sufficient heat and running water. In the early days, believers lived in caves and were hunted with a bounty on their head. Even today, in many countries they are thrown in prison and live in condition that would test the sanity of most of us. It has not yet come to that in this country and the poorest of believers here are much better off than the most comfortable in many in other lands. If I had to live as one of these, my suffering brothers and sisters, I do not know if my faith would be strong enough. I pray it will be but I also pray not to be put to the test.
FATHER G-D, YHVH, does not give us more than we can handle. HE will take care of us and meet all our needs. Needs - not wants, comforts or pleasures. It is not a promise of wealth by any stretch of the imagination and it is time to give up measuring salvation or belief by money or material goods.
What is a man (species, not gender) made of? The answer comes by testing through trials; not for a day or a week or a month but for years without any foreseeable 'escape' from the situation. When we learn true surrender and trust in these circumstances and stop demanding that YHVH give us what we want then we begin to grow up spiritually.
For the most part we in the comfortable 'western world' have a long way to go and the coming year will test more and more of us. Learn how to trust and serve your only true source of life if you want to live -- really live.
Magdala,
Doorkeep for THE ARK
More Discussion - Word For 2004
Clay and Others
Dec 16, 200
Dear List Members,
As some of you know I have posted two Words for 2004. I have asked that you judge these. Some of the responses below are references to a response I received judging these words, and some are to the specific 2004 Words given.
As I sought the Lord this morning, I am more deeply convinced that God's Spirit-led (not to be confused with Spirit-filled) people will come into a greater understanding of their covenant rights during 2004, especially in the area of finances. I do not retreat from that word; however, I felt the Lord (this morning) make a distinction as to who will walk in this and who will not.
We are told in Romans 8:14-17 that "those who are led by the Spirit of God ARE THE SONS OF GOD" and those sons have an inheritance (because of the Covenant). There are many in the Body of Christ who are not led of God's Spirit, hence the word "those" in Romans 8:14. The word "those" distinguishes a particular group. All of us to some extent walk in the vanity of our own minds, which is why there is "a time set by the Father" (see Galatians 4:1-7) for the "Heirs of God" to come into their inheritance. The greater level of "sonship" (maturity), the more our Heavenly Father can trust us with; and certainly this is not limited to material resources. Read Galatians 4:1-7 for a much deeper understanding of the timing of God in your life.
I believe that Sonship is based upon two distinct elements - HEARING AND OBEYING! To truly "hear and obey" we must have come to the end of ourselves and, have made the great exchange - His life for ours! "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abides alone; but if it dies it shall bring forth much fruit (John 12:24). Death to self ushers in "sheep" status - a place of deeper Spiritual maturity. "His sheep hear His voice, the voice of a stranger they will not hear." The word "His" in the above scripture is possessive. If we have not completely died to self, we will still belong to ourself - we are not possessed of God to such an extent that we clearly hear Him. 'How well' and 'how accurate' we hear is an evidence of our Spiritual maturation. Not hearing clearly is nothing to be ashamed of, but 'hearing clearly' a goal to be sought - a level of maturity that we all seek.
I know I have fallen short in this area, but seek to know "Abba Father" in a much deeper way, to know Him as "Daddy" and for Him to know me as a "Son" in whom He can trust. I believe my heavenly Father will allow an inheritance directly proportional to my level of maturity, or else I am apt to become another prodigal.
An evidence of a lack of "sonship" abounds in churches everywhere. Only those who have come into "sonship" can truly 'Father' a flock. No human can truly 'Father' without first becoming a "Son," and a true "Son" will be led of God's Spirit in his every move.
Test this word.
In Him,
Clay
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Hi Clay,
Just wanted to respond to your 2004 Prophetic Word for the coming year. I concurred also with your 2003 outlook and also with 2004. We are really excited about the direction we feel God is bringing to us personally, and also for the Body at large, for the New Year.
Of Course, the members of the Body of Christ are not a group of "cookie-cutter clones" BUT there is a fresh move of God, that will usher in a new fresh, and more importantly a strong renewal (i.e. filling again by supplying what has been used up) of the Holy Spirit. Which I believe will come with much "Power and Gifting" among those that have been in the "caves and deserts"; and have experienced the "death of Pride" and their own expectations.
I know I do not have to explain this to you, as you have also been on the back side of the desert.
I wanted to write this to say that I agree with your word for 2004. I am amazed and in awe of our God, that has brought us through a time of "cave dwelling". I feel in my spirit a new and bright day on the horizon, even in these later years. Isn't it wonderful how He redeems and makes all things new?
Nancy Deane
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Sorry, I hear mostly anger in that response. A broken arm might just be an accident, NOT a test. All I read was someone who is bitter. I'm with you that God never promised a bed of roses and have been through much refinement by fire the last 2 years, and am sickened by the manipulation of some pastors to live high while their sheep pay for it, but you almost come off as though God is beating you down and enjoying it. Sometimes we all need help from others, and sometimes we don't have enough because we are lazy. Test or no test, peace has to be one of the marks, and I heard no peace in this letter (response).
D
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Well my brothers and sisters in The Lord Jesus, I can only add one thing, thank god for everything you have and everything you don't!!
When god blesses you use that to bless others, remember it's the LOVE of money not money that is evil and also you can be rich in so many other ways other then money
Why did Jesus say to the rich man to give all that he had and follow him? It was a test Jesus wasn't really saying hey get rid of everything you own and leave you servants and your wife or whatever
no what he was trying to put across to him was to give himself fully to him and follow him just as many of us true Christians do everyday
We take up our cross and follow him!!
We do this by giving are all to him and letting the Holy Spirit guide us and I agree 100% on the trying of spirits
We are to try the spirits to see if they are of god or other we are to rightly divide the scripture and correct and reprove and even rebuke stand firm in him and he will stand firm in you!!
In Christ
Jeff O
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Dear Brother,
As a list member you have asked that I judge the Word, please be patient I shall study the words you have given so far for 2004 and get back to you, I am not a teacher so it will take me sometime! I understand that through our 'minds' we filter the 'Words' that the Lord gives us and therefore our 'doctrines' can affect what we think we here the Lord saying; it is no personal judgment then if as you have a heart to receive correction as we are all coming into the fullness of truth hence the need for discernment which you rightly suggest.
I am not saying there is anything wrong with the Words by the way as yet I have not given them careful thought. I will print them off and look at them today. This morning I was reading 1 Thessalonians and was highlighted to the chapter 5 v 19 - 24 "Do not put out (quench) the Spirit; Do not despise prophecies (do not treat them with contempt) Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" I take this as a rebuke from the Lord for I ask your forgiveness I read the words you sent but did not take time to 'read' them if you know what I mean.
Be in touch soon
Gail Hemmings
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Hi Clay,
I agree that the testing will continue, until we each are brought to a place of being conformed to his death, being joined (subject) to his suffering (Phil. 3:10). I believe the relief we seek will only be quenched when we no longer seek it (Phil. 4:11-13), when we yelled to His lordship over our lives and allow Him to shape the circumstances of our life's to His will.
I believe it is easier to be called to the spotlight, rather than to no light (meaning no temporal recognition), and if we are pressing on to the upward call of God, that would mean - down to where the sinner is, the ones that need to hear the good news - of the cross that covers their sins! But here's the problem, their not in the nice comfortable places, their in the ugly places, the dark places, the lonely places, the despite places, the places clouded by drugs and alcohol and thoughts of suicide, the places that must be approached without judgment and must be looked at in love - the love that lays it's life down - that covers a multitude of sin - the love that returns after attack and attack!!! The love that has been forgiving much and knows that much is required.
I believe that we must continue to pray as David did in ps.139, to willingly make ourselves subject to Him and His lordship over our entire lives, that we may be as Him who was totally yielded to the Father, to complete the Lord's prayer " thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" and when we pray this prayer we allow Him to decide with or without according to His purpose and to whom He will reach through our lives. Most importantly our prayer list diminishes from our wants, wishes and even needs to His will for our lives.
We must come to a place where we are at total peace in the place and the moment we are in with out self will, to allow the spirit of God to flow through us and bring the of Christ to the need in toughs around us!
Your servant Bob Collins
andhewent@hotmail.com
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I am writing in response to the prophetic word for 2004. I believe that those that have an ear to hear let him hear. Yes God does take care of needs praise His Holy Name. But the word says He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we may ask or think, so why not in our finances. My husband and myself suffered many years in our finances. God proved to meet our needs now I believe He wants to go beyond that to show us another side to Himself, because I believe we are ready to handle it.
Yours in Christ,
Donna S.
Further Responses - 2004
Various
Dec 18, 2003
Dear List Members,
The responses keep coming in as these articles will reveal...Clay.
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Dear Clay,
I want to affirm the words you gave for 2004. They are a comfort and confirmation to what God is doing in our lives. It is not always easy walking by the Spirit especially when the religious around you are not. Your words, and those in Dr. C. R. Oliver's books, have shown us we are not alone, not rebellious, and have not abandoned the faith.
God recently directed us to move form Southern California to Arizona. This was a financially positive move for us. Many of our friends in CA were in the same place spiritually as us. We were unable to find peace in the churches of the area. No matter how charismatic they claimed to be, we found the prophetic and things of the Spirit subject to approved filters and dead works abounded. Here in AZ, we have had many Divine encounters connecting us with people of God who are experiencing the same thing. They are hungry for more of God and not able to find it in the traditional church. We met a retired man who had pastored a full-gospel church here for over 37 years. When we asked for a recommendation of a church, he said, There are over 100 churches in this valley. I can only half-recommend two of them. None of them are doing what they are called to do. The churches that we have tried here seem to be under the control of man, not God.
I feel that Magdala missed the spirit of what you were saying. It wasn't a prosperity message, but one of provision for those walking in the Spirit obedient to the call on their lives. We have been trying to live by faith walking in obedience. It has been our experience that doing the will of God does not always result in prosperity. In the places God has sent me, both in churches and private sector jobs, I have had to take stands against ungodly positions and practices. These almost always resulted in having to leave these jobs and the security of a paycheck. I can also testify that God has never failed us we always have had what we need (versus what we might want). He has blessed us immensely in so many other ways. We have found the adage to be true, God always pays for what He orders. He will make provision for what He asks us to do,
In Christ,
Michael
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This isn't in reply to sonship, then again maybe it is... I just heard a pastor tell the congregation that they don't have $$ because maybe they tithe and give, but the Lord told him that they haven't been giving off of all their holdings, cars, homes, assets! Another spin to pay off the church debt at the price of families. I think I'm going to get sick. Will their sheep stick around after that was preached? I pray they will flee to the caves...D
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Clay,
In response to Magdala's response and the others posted I feel led to share a few things with this body. I am long winded but I feel led to share these with everyone.
I can see where she is coming from in a sense. The old way, the way we have been taught, is that a Christian should be humble and a lot of us feel/felt this means living humbly too. I know. I felt that way for a very long time. I felt "guilty" every time I spent money on something that I really didn't need but wanted. This little voice would say, "Now do you know how many hungry people that would have fed", etc., etc.
Like Paul, I know what it is like to have and I know what it is like to not have. I feel God will take each one through a (or several) "not have" period(s) for humbling purposes. I feel this period is for us to learn to yield to and to depend on God to take care of us. Then as we are led by His Spirit more and more, He allows us to have more and more according to our level of maturity. As Paul, we need to be content, joyful, and thankful no matter what conditions we are living with in each season of our life. We have a part, I feel, in how long some of those seasons last. If God is teaching us to be content, joyful and thankful with practically nothing, and with financial hardships, then we have a choice to make while we are in that season. We can purposefully choose to be "truly" content, joyful and thankful (meaning we just don't care what we have or don't have, it doesn't matter). We can go around the mountain once, or we can go around it several times until we get it. It's a choice we make and it's the condition of our heart when we make the choice.
I bare witness to what Clay felt led to share 2002, 2003 and am looking forward to 2004!! I did not know what it meant to "be a daughter of God" and the Lord has been showing me this through His word and through others. If my children are obedient to me, seek me for their needs, and LOVE me, I want to give them everything their heart desires, as long as it is age appropriate. That's how much I love them and I love seeing them enjoy life and happy. The Word says this IS what God wants for US and we WILL have it IF we are called Sons and Daughters of the Living God. There are several references in the Bible as to what that means or entails. One I saw in the Word last night (Matthew 5:44), which is an area in which I have been tested by the fire the last few years, but more so the last couple of weeks! I started noticing key words in scripture, e.g., that, then, so when, and the end of most of them are, then you will be Sons of God, or ....that you will be Sons of God, etc. There are attitudes and heart conditions we are required to have and we need Grace for each one of them and the Lord will give Grace for each once specifically if we ask.
But to give a testimony. I have always longed for the Mountains. I live in Southeast Coastal Georgia. Next to the mountains of the North West, the Smoky Mountains of Western NC is my next, most loved, place to be. My heart literally longed for a home in the mountains. Once I turned this obsession, this dream, over to the Lord and said "Lord, if you want me in southeast Georgia, then here I will be content and joyful and am very thankful for I could be in much worse places" I give you "my" desires and "my" dreams as I want for me what you want for me. I truly felt this way and made a choice by the Grace of God to be content living somewhere that I really didn't like. My desire was no longer an obstacle for my growing a little more spiritually.
Almost immediately, my mother called me and told me she was thinking of investing some of the money she received from my father's death, in real estate. She said "I know how much you love Western North Carolina, Asheville Area and I wanted to know if you and Mike would meet me there and help me find a cabin for the family. Since all of my children are so spread out this would give the family a central meeting place where we can get together more often and I wanted to do something special for my children". I am a very family oriented person; I love my brothers and sisters and long for their company so I was elated at this idea!
Well, we looked for two days and we were on a tight budget. We weren't impressed with almost every home we saw and were feeling a little discouraged. Most were inside city limits and I really felt we would find one in the mountains. Mom was willing to take one as she was getting tired of looking but I felt it wasn't what the Lord had in mind for us. There was one left and it was one we had decided not to see because it had very little room based on the MLS listing sheet. We said, well shoot it's the last one, what will it hurt! As we crossed the small creek (literally in the creek) and started climbing the mountain road, this excited started to rise in me. When we pulled into the drive I was thinking, don't get your hopes up, as I walked into the cabin, I was elated!! The square footage was wrong on the sheet and it had ample room. It was furnished!!!! It did need a little work but not much.
It was more than mom wanted to pay so we left the mountains and went home. We had a camper that we LOVED as we loved camping and the outdoors. (My family has labeled me a "tree hugger"). So I felt led to ask my husband about selling the camper and making up the difference of what mom couldn't pay toward the cabin. We knew we couldn't have both and enjoy both. He quickly agreed and we put the camper up for sale and made an offer on the cabin. I "knew" it was going to happen. The camper sold on Sunday, we closed on the Cabin on Friday. God wanted our family to have it and also He gave me a desire of my heart.
The last testimony I will give is in the area of obedience. God has been allowing me to go through the furnace in many areas of my life over the last few months. In one area with my teenage daughter, He showed me that my little white lie "spirit" had been passed down to my teenage daughter and that now the spirit attached to her grew to a "big lie and deceit" Spirit for which I am now in a spiritual war over her because of it. I felt it was O.K. to tell white lies in areas that I felt people were infringing upon "my rights".
Keep in mind this on the tail of her missing a day of school with my permission and squabbling with the school over as to why she wasn't excused. All the women in my family are taking a cruise in January and my daughter is going with us. She will miss 4 days of school. Experience told me that the school would not excuse this absence and she would receive 0's for work missed. I was defensive in the fact that my attitude said they have no right to tell me when I can and can't take my children out of school, etc. So I was prepared to write a note and say that she was sick so she wouldn't receive 0's for 4 days. BUT, the Lord told me that He was bigger than that and to trust Him and be up front and honest with her teachers and/or principal. This is one of the choices that I would make that depending on my choice would affect my daughter either positively or negatively. I struggled. I struggled violently inside over this decision. I prayed, and I prayed. Finally, I said O.K. Lord, I WILL and I meant it! I didn't care the outcome because whatever the outcome I knew it was God's decision and we would live with it and He would see us through whether it was all 0's or not. I emailed her Principal told her what we were doing. She wrote me back (she is not an easy person to deal with at all) and she told me she had the authority to approve trips and that even though this trip would be an unexcused absence, she would allow Kristin to still make up her work and that she had no problem with her going!!!!!!
Then......
A couple of days later the company I work for was handing out "big" checks to employees because of a problem they had and the DOL had to step in. I was not on the list because I was already fell under DOL. When the group manager (who had a hand in the payments) came to deliver the checks, he called me into the room and told me that he had absolutely no idea why and didn't know until he received the checks in his hand, but here is a check for you. It totaled $5900. He told me how much to give back to Him and I did. I asked Him what to do with the rest, how to apply it to my families life and He showed me with each amount that has been spent so far. But, I had to "coral my exuberance" in order to hear Him on what to do with the money so as not to go out and just blow it.
God does want to give to us and wants to give abundantly. But we have to remove ourselves from each situation and allow Him to be Lord, to be DADDY over every aspect of our life and He will give accordingly to our spiritual maturity. I am not saying I am so mature, so please don't take it like that. I have a very, very long way to go (smile). But the Lord gave me a taste of what He wants to do for me and my family. And I want every bit of what is mine (inheritance), the spiritual blessings, the emotional blessings, the material blessings, and last but not least, the trials and tribulations blessings because I know if I am yielded, they will make me more like Jesus, which is my goal.
I made a choice early on in my Christian walk that I would not care nor worry about money and my finances and the Lord has always, always, always, at least, given me what I need. But do we have to feel guilty during the times He gives abundantly?? Absolutely not. I am His daughter and He loves me.
I thank all of you so much for what you share on this site and for "my" No Name Church. The Lord is using all of you to minister to me and to each other and I am so thankful for you!!!!!! None of us have all of the picture but when we put the pieces of the picture that has been apportioned to us individually, together, what a beautiful picture we have!!!!!
Thankfully In Him
Lisa
More Discussion - 2004
Jack Helser / Others
Dec 18, 2003
Dear Clay,
The proof of any word of prophecy is in the fulfillment. I remember 3-4 years ago, when I first published “To Tithe or Not to Tithe: the $earch for Truth” to Pam Clark’s Trumpet Wind Bulletin, I received hundreds of emails, and nearly 2 dozen other prophetic lists asked my permission to re-distribute and post the article at their sites. There were several of course who denounced me as single-handedly destroying the ‘Holy Church of God’ and accused me of being deceived. That so many prophetic lists wanted to post the article themselves was a confirmation to me that the ‘word’ was indeed inspired by the Holy Spirit. And time has shown me that the Spirit confirms the truth again and again to God’s children, while the paid religious people resist the truth and come up with new twists to keep God’s children under the law.
By way of proving a word, last summer I read a study published by the Barna institute that found tithing was down 62% in the US. The study blamed various economic factors, and failed to consider that it might just be a move of God to set His children free from the tithe lie. Personally, I believe God is exposing the true foundation of many institutionalized churches and ministries – specifically the ‘love of mammon’.
Once people are set free from the tithe lie, and are free to give by the Spirit’s leading, there can be NO doubt that the Spirit will move the hearts of the Children to love one another by their actions – including giving what would have previously gone into the offering plate, directly to a brother or sister in need, or to a ministry that is established by God and servants of His choosing. Having given like that many times, I can tell you it is pure joy to help ease the real burden of a brother or sister – or to give in such a way that I can see what my gift is doing to accomplish God’s work.
I have seen much evidence of the ‘provision’ word manifested in my life over the last year - specifically, of God meeting my needs. It was the fall of 1998 that God called me to ministry, and instructed me to resign from the Boeing Company in Seattle where I’d worked for 21 years. As far as the world is concerned, I’ve been ‘unemployed’ since January 1, 1999. Since then, the Holy Spirit has done a lot to heal and teach me, and I’m glad to have been used to help many people. Along the way there have been a few basic instructions. 1) Give freely; 2) Don’t read books (next to sermons, they are a major source of Pharisee yeast).
Giving freely has been hard – it runs counter to everything the world teaches about supply and demand, making a profit, earning a living. Where I am a also a singer / songwriter who has recorded a CD and gives them away, and who does free concerts locally, the lack of provision is difficult to manage. There are costs associated with replicating CDs, mail, sound equipment for concerts, etc. Karen and I fund that out of her teacher income, and the rare Spirit-led gift from someone. The gifts rarely cover expenses, and to be truthful and transparent, I have fought some terrible internal battles over provision, and bitterness. Simply put, HOW can God expect me to give, when the cost of giving exceeds my income?
I’m certain some will disagree, but I do think God has called on some of us to ‘re-seed’ giving into the Body of Christ, and to live by Christ’s instruction “freely ye have received, freely give.” Most Christians seem to have forgotten how to truly give – they pay – but giving is different. Pay is compulsive / obligatory. Giving is from the heart as the Spirit leads. I’ve also found that most Christians don’t know how to receive. I’m still not a good receiver – on the occasion someone gives me something I make excuses to not receive it, like “I don’t deserve it” or “you shouldn’t have”. Where does the ‘poor man’ attitude come from when we are sons of the King?!? Sometimes, when I give someone my CD, after doing a free concert, there are tears, and bewilderment – “you are GIVING this to me?” Some have told me they listen to it over and over – perhaps not because the music is so great, but because it was a FREE GIFT. Frankly, real GIVING plants seeds of healing, that payment never can.
Though we are sons and heirs, the King sends us out among the lost, to see how they are being treated by the world, and to tell them that the Father loves them. The people are more inclined to listen when the sons come to them in humility, and in need. If the son’s had no need, how would the sheep of the nations’ in Matthew 25:31-46 express their love for Christ by their acts of giving to the ‘brothers’ of Christ?
In the last year, I’ve begun to see some little things Clay – gifts and provisions from the Father. On a day I was very down, the Spirit prompted me to stop at the thrift store, and I found something I’d wanted for several years. His love overwhelmed me and I had to fight back the tears until I’d checked out and got to my car. I’ve been led to a number of other things like that – by His “still small voice” and I’m slowly making improvements to my recording setup.
Lest I sound like music is a selfish interest, the Lord impressed me last September that the season for writing articles is entering a fallow time, and my new focus is His music. I’m starting to record my 2nd CD, and have recorded other Christian songwriters. There are many costs associated with recording a CD, and it requires a lot of time. Arrangement, recording, mixing and mastering, CD replication and packaging, web site creation with streaming audio – all takes time and money – and honestly, there has been little or no provision for it outside of ‘out of pocket’ finance. Working with proverbial ‘duct tape and bailing wire’ gets old fast.
A few weeks ago, I was awakened with the strong impression to approach some of the major recording equipment manufacturers for the donation of a refurbished (or new) recorder. So far, I’ve sent a request to the maker of the recorder I presently use, but have heard no response. It’s early still, and this is a busy time of year. I’m nevertheless hopeful that it is God’s leading, and that someone will share the vision of making Christian music – truthful music – freely available to everyone – via the web, free concerts, and free CD’s.
Among my bitter internal battles, has been trying to understand the gap I see between people’s knowledge of the truth, and their putting the truth to practice. Great numbers of people have read the tithe articles and have been set free from the tithe lie, yet based on the emails I receive, continue to give to the maintenance of a church building, traditional religious church programs, and support the paid professional religious staff who preached the tithe lie in the first place! That utterly astounds me! There is virtually NO outreach to the lost in those things – it just maintains the status quo – it is the path of least resistance in ‘Christian City’. At the same time, I am aware of many ‘Outside the Camp’ ministries (including musicians), who are doing without – yet still go to the lost. And I wonder when, if ever, God’s children will stop giving to do-nothing ministries, and start giving, with the Spirit’s guidance and discernment, to people with need, and to ministries that are making a difference.
For example, my dear friend David Benrexi, who lives near Pittsburgh, is an outside the camp musician. Under the Spirit’s leading, he recorded a CD called “Pink or Blue”. Every time David scrapes together $1000, he has 1000 CDs duplicated and packaged in bundles of 50, and he sends them to Christian Crisis Pregnancy Centers all over the country. The counselors there GIVE David’s CD to the ‘expectant mom’ as an encouragement to keep God’s gift to her – the child in her womb. The songs minister to them where they are at, in a time of crisis, and lives are being saved on account of God’s work through David. But David has to beg and borrow to make it happen, because the bulk of Christians are concerned with maintaining a church building, staff and programs, and are wary of taking an unpopular position concerning the unborn. David’s web site, if you are interested, is at http://www.mydaddylovesme.org, and the “pre-mix” version of the CD we just recorded here can be can be heard at http://www.mydaddylovesme.org/cd_wag.html. The new CD, Weekend At Grandma’s, will be donated to prison libraries. David has already lined up 50 prisons to receive it when it is available. How many more lives could David’s work affect, if he had more provision from God’s people?
Clay, all this is to say that my spirit bears witness to the ‘provision’ word. But at the same time, I want to be realistic about it. God seldom goes “POOF! Here’s the money you need.” God most often works by the Spirit through the hearts and gifts of His children. Much of the provision of God is ALREADY here, if the people of God would just learn to give as His Spirit leads, to our brothers and sisters who are needy, and to those whom God has called to ministry. I believe the ‘release’ for provision will come in tandem with God’s work in Malachi 4:6 which says He will turn the hearts of the children to their fathers – which will in turn cause us to turn our hearts to one another because the Father is IN us and LOVES us.
Far too often, people are giving to those who are NOT doing God’s work, but are in fact hirelings, and who are doing more to imprison and oppress the people of God in institutionalized religion, than they are to set them free. Haven’t the hirelings robbed the Children of God for long enough? Jude 1:10-19 serves to warn us about hirelings. And Proverbs 30:15 conveys much wisdom.
Have a blessed Christmas Clay and family!
Jack Helser
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Blessing Clay in the precious Name of Jesus! I just wanted to affirm or confirm what you are hearing from Papa in regards to 2004, Amen and Amen! Divine connections speak so clearly to me and the past few months I have seen His mighty hand connecting the pieces of the puzzle together and I know they will fit come 2004! I have had several visions about this connecting but the last one was a few days ago when the spirit of the Lord came upon me and I not only spiritually but physically felt like He was plugging me into a socket of His power, Wow! I could hear and feel the buzzing of the electricity flowing through out my body and the connection was so divine, praise Jesus He is hooking us up! Awesome word, keep them coming! Blessings in Jesus Name!
Robin Paisley
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Dear Clay,
I read your word concerning finances for 2004 and I wholeheartedly concur. I too am in the place Magdala mentioned, presently unable to pay my bills due to unemployment. This is not the first time for me either. I went through 9 months of unemployment before as I watched my house go into foreclosure. Even though God pulled us out at the last minute, we still are not eager to go through it again. My wife, children and I moved from Florida to Virginia at the prospects of a better job and 11 months later my position was eliminated. Our greatest fear was that we would have to go through 9 months of unemployment again and watch the previous scenario repeat itself. At first I was determined not to let that happen. Now, I have two job prospects, one that I sought out and one that came to me, and an interview next week. How I wish I had just "been still." I have struggled to stay in the "secret place" especially since it is Christmas time and we have three small children. Now I am back in and determined to stay put.
Lisa's word was such an encouragement and a blessing. I so want to get to the place that I can truly rely on God without fear of what He is willing to allow us to go through. I believe things are going to be different in 2004, not because I'm "claiming" it; but because God is raising up His Bride and bringing us into a greater understanding of His covenant. I believe, as you said Clay, that finances are not going to be a problem, not so much because we are going to overflow with them, but because we will not be concerned about them having come to rest in the "knowing" that God has taken care of us.
Blessings to all,
Rick
To Unify The Parts
Clay Sikes
2004 - A Call To Unify The Parts
Clay Sikes
December 27th, 2003
As the government of God (Isaiah 9:7) begins to emerge in us individually, the government of God will begin to emerge in the earth through the collective Body of Christ. As the true parts of the Body unify, the power of the true Church will increase. 2004 is a year of building; the new wineskin is being prepared. As we (individually) allow our direction to be completely governed by God’s peace (I Corinthians 14:33) being totally led of God’s Spirit (Sonship – Romans 8:14), we as individual Sons will begin to act in the ORDER OF GOD as a collective Body – the Body of Christ, merging individual effort with an overall collective effort. The revelation (by individuals) of an ongoing COLLECTIVE EFFORT will signify a unity of oneness (within the Body) of an overall purpose. Walking in ‘purpose’ will increase God’s power in us as individuals and in the Church as a collective Body. The time for “playing Church” is over – the time of seeking God’s true purpose is upon us!
Even now, individuals acting in obedience to God’s Spirit are preparing the way for others; small groups are preparing the way for larger groups and provision is being stored for the time of the vision. The Body of Christ is joining, almost cataclysmically, in unity and purpose; first in small cells that will attach to other cells, which in turn will attach to larger cells, ultimately forming the COLLECTIVE BODY. As the parts JOIN and UNITY emerges, the Body will recognize that it is stirred and inspired by common purpose – a thread will spread!
2004 is a year of building the new wineskin. As God’s purpose dominates man’s purpose (in us) as individuals (Proverbs 13:1), we will begin to see the favor of God as never before – the Sons of God will come into the power and the blessing of God! Many whose pendulum has swung far away from the past “bless me” message of prosperity teachers will come to a new revelation – it is OK to seek our inheritance as true Sons (study the difference in Jacob and Esau). Many Sons will experience the first fruits of their inheritance. However, to whom much is given much will be required as the Lord disciplines those He loves. As we stray from the leading of The Spirit, the discipline of God will correct us into proper discipleship (Proverbs 13:8/Psalm 85:8/Hebrews 12:2-11). True Sons will accurately discern the difference between God’s correction and satanic attack. “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and NOT TRUE SONS” (Hebrews 12:7,8).
Individual Sons are becoming ‘Collective Sons’ as we individually begin to discern the parts of the Body we are connected with. As we first discern ‘the connection,’ we will soon see ‘the purpose.’ As we walk in ‘the purpose’ we walk in ‘the Kingdom,’ and as we walk in ‘the Kingdom’ we will walk in ‘the power,’ causing conflict between ‘the Kingdom of God’ and the World’s System (Isaiah 43:11-13). Walking in ‘the purpose’ releases the systematic destruction of the World’s System (Isaiah 47). Many churches, who, in some cases unknowingly, are caught up in the World’s System will come to recognize the Kingdom of God through the power and favor of God operating in TRUE SONS. They will abandon the ways of men – intellectual application, programs, and entertainment for the ways of God. Those who continue in the ways of men will come to time of severe difficulty.
2004 is a year of building, not to be confused with a year of dwelling. We will dwell later in what is being built during the coming year(s). The New Wineskin is being prepared for the New Wine that is sure to flow.
Footnotes To The Above Word
“Of the INCREASE of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7). God’s government and peace will increase (in us). God has ordained government because the Kingdom of God is a government. All government (in God) begins with self-government in bringing our lives under the authority of the Holy Spirit. Our spirit must rule over our soul and body under the government of God (the Holy Spirit).
God has ordained sphere, or jurisdictional government – we can never become Spiritual Fathers (to others) until we can first become Sons, led of God’s Spirit, hence the problems in the Church today. It is interesting to note that in Isaiah 9:7 “government” is mentioned before “peace.” Peace is a blessing that flows out of good government. If there is no peace in us, the government of God has eroded from us. Additionally, if there is no peace in a particular situation it is because there has been a breakdown in the government of that situation. When things in our domain (kingdom) are properly governed, there is peace in the valley as well as the mountaintop. In God, government precedes peace. There can be no peace without proper government. It is God’s government that Christ implores us to pray for – “Thy Kingdom come thy will be done ON EARTH…” To the extent that we allow the government of God to rule us, to that extent will God invest His power and purpose in us. It is important to note here that true power and purpose should never be confused with the gifts of the Spirit, a common error amongst many in the Church today.
Bad government produces confusion, dependency and poverty, whereas Godly government produces order, initiative, and productivity. Bad government in our culture has produced elephantine problems. Bad government in the Church has produced a powerless ineffective Church; bad government in us individually has produced extraordinary difficulties – “ A Kingdom divided against itself cannot stand…” The word “Kingdom” and “Government” are synonymous terms. Another interpretation of Kingdom/Government is GOD’S PERFECT ORDER – the hierarchy, position, and placement of things according to God’s will (not necessarily and always our will).
God’s order and God’s peace are interconnected – “For God is not a God or disorder but of peace” (I Corinthians 14:33). God’s Word illuminated in our Spirit and properly applied, brings God’s order. God’s Word unctioned to us by His Spirit is His government for us in any particular situation. “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and He adds no sorrow (trouble) to it” (Proverbs 10:22). Listen again to how the government of God’s Word (to us) brings peace – “I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people his saints – but let them not return to folly” (Psalm 85:8) - First the word then the peace, with a warning not to return to our old ways. Often our difficult circumstances are God's way of pointing us to His Word.
Only true “Sons,” those lead of God’s Spirit, will lead this great move of unifying and connecting the Body of Christ. Many in the Church will be shocked that unknown nobodies will lead this move, not the ever popular man-lead ministries nor wealthy denominations with their steeples and stained glass.
As mentioned, those empowered Sons will fall under a stricter judgment, thus understanding the discipline of God. They will walk in a revelation of the difference between God’s call to discipline and man’s call to convenience (Proverbs 13:18). The release of power to us is proportionate to the discipline within us. We, the Church, have learned to wrap ourselves in the comfort called convenience - If it is not convenient, it is not God - What a lie! To walk in true Sonship we must awaken from our slumbering, slothful lifestyles and recognize the difference between OUR call to convenience and HIS call to discipline. A true Spirit-led life will be a disciplined life.
Again, all government in God begins with self-government. It is of extreme importance not to confuse legalism with the word discipline. Most charismatics hate the word discipline and often and conveniently confuse it with legalism. The word disciple has root connections to the word discipline and true disciples of Christ walk a disciplined lifestyle. The difference between “the called” and “the chosen” is discipline. In conclusion, one of Satan’s greatest strategies against the Church has been to name inconvenience legalism. Those to whom the power and favor of God is being released in during the coming year will know and understand the word discipline and its real connection to discipleship.