Lakeland And His Kingdom
Deborah Cozzetti
May 24, 2008
So much discussion about whether this outpouring is of God, about whether angels can be involved and whether there are female angels…this one thing I do know, people are being healed, delivered and saved, first love is being restored and an ailing church in America has found her great physician!
Jesus had many offended as He followed the leading of the Father. When John the Baptist sent word from prison if He was the Coming One...Jesus answered in Matthew 11:4-6, “ Go tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”
God raises up those who He has gifted for times, seasons and His purposes. There is no way I will completely understand all that God is about, it is an eternal quest! And yes, God is moving in other places all over the world, not just in Lakeland, Florida. But as an American, Praise God He is pouring out His wind, fire and healing this nation now!
How do we know it is God? Only you can answer that for yourself. This move is about intimacy. If you are intimate with Him, you will recognize His voice and presence. He will bring peace to your soul, and it should bring you closer to Him. It’s not about accepting a man and his ministry, it’s about recognizing the form of God as He moves in the midst of His people. The man will always be imperfect. If our eyes are upon the vessel, then we must ask ourselves why? Seek God and His work as He moves upon the hearts of mankind. Pray for the vessel!
In 2nd Thessalonians 2: 9-12 Paul writes that “… the lawless one is according to the working of satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them a strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Being a lover of truth, walking in righteousness, and loving God with all your heart is all part of intimacy with God. The above mentioned power, signs and lying wonders and with all unrighteous deception is a message to those who are among those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
Is Jesus being preached? What Kingdom is being preached and glorified? These are the things we must discern. In Luke 4:42-44 Jesus had been preaching in the cities with signs and miracles following and needed to leave and it says in verse 42: ”And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, ”I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” Signs and miracles following are the fruit of the kingdom being preached! Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:20,” For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”
The world will know that we are the children of God by our love for one another and the kingdom we preach with signs and wonders following! I believe in the supernatural and angels who minister to the heirs of salvation anyway God chooses to send them no matter what gender they are. We all still have much to discover about our majestic God, and in the process the fruit of His love should keep us from judging one another.
I have picked up many of the great things the Lord has shared with me during my 30 plus years of serving Him, which I had laid down because it offended someone in the church. And by laying it down I lost the joy of my salvation and rejected the unique individual that God made me to be. I have had angels visit me in my dreams and teach me about spiritual warfare, they have showed me my calling, and talked to me about nations. I rejoice in this and desire more!
I exhort you to be fearless in the things of God’s kingdom, look always to Him as your source and rejoice when He is given the platform to move and touch His people whether you agree with the method and vessel He is using...It’s about His kingdom being preached and part of that is through His power being displayed!
Lord I rejoice in all the ways You choose to display Your power and love for Your children. All around the world You are moving to prepare a bride! Come Lord Jesus! You are welcome in our lives and nations to move and displayed the wonderful majesty of who you are….a Fearsome, Loving God!
Great Grace!
Deborah