Ministries
4th Quarter 2007 (October, November, December)
Dearest Friend and Pray-er,
Has your heart been calling out for increase?
If so, you’re in good company. Every spiritually healthy believer I know is hungry for increase in this hour. Christians everywhere are on fire with desire to increase spiritually and ascend to higher places in the Lord; to increase in effectiveness and bear more fruit for His kingdom; to increase in victory and demonstrate more fully the power of Jesus’ resurrection—not just spiritually but physically, financially, and in every other area of life.
Such desire is a good thing. It’s a God thing! He put that desire in our hearts because it’s His will to increase us. When we increase, the Lord gets more glory and His kingdom advances. That’s why Psalm 115 says:
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth…May the Lord give you increase more and more, you and your children. (Psalm 115:1,14)
Increase is part of our divine destiny. It’s God’s plan for us!
Even so, we’ve all been frustrated at times by our desire for it. We’ve all wondered why God doesn’t open more doors of increase for us. We’ve had seasons when we struggled to move forward into increase in some area of life but found our efforts thwarted.
Maybe we stepped through what seemed to be an open door of opportunity with high hopes but somehow those hopes were dashed. Perhaps we could see the potential for increase was there but things just didn’t work out.
From Zero to a Thousand
Back in 1978, there were some missionaries in Afghanistan who had that experience. God had given them a heart to reach that nation for Jesus and the door opened for them to preach the Gospel there on the radio. Those missionaries worked hard. They were faithful to do what they felt God had called them to do.
But they saw no increase as a result of their efforts. Fourteen years passed without them receiving a single response to their radio broadcast. Think of it, not one in 14 years!
Then some of their friends got on board and began to pray for the Afghan people. At almost the same time, the Holy Spirit moved on a church in America to fast and pray for Afghanistan. The church didn’t even know the missionaries were there. They were just led by the Spirit to start praying.
Four months after those people began to pray, the missionaries started to receive responses to their radio broadcast. Not just a few responses either. Out of the blue, a thousand letters a week began pouring in from Afghan people who wanted to know more about Jesus.
Suddenly those missionaries had more than an open door in Afghanistan, they had an effectual door. They had a door that brought increased fruit into the kingdom of God.
Prayer Prepares the Way
In recent months, we’ve heard again and again through prophecy that we’ve entered the season of open doors. Thank God for that. I’m excited about it. But I don’t mind telling you, I want those doors to be effectual doors, and prayer is what produces them.
Prayer goes before any work of God and prepares the way. According to the prophet Isaiah, it is “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God’” (Isaiah 40:3).
Our prayers license the Holy Spirit to go ahead of us and get our paths ready to walk on. They cause “every valley to be exalted,” and “every mountain and hill brought low.” Through prayer, we release the power of God to go out in advance to make “the crooked places straight and the rough places smooth.” And when that happens: “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (verse 5).
One person who understood the importance of effectual doors was the apostle Paul. He not only prayed for such doors, he encouraged other believers to join him. Be “praying for us,” he wrote to the Colossians, “that God would open to us a door for the word” (Colossians 4:3).
We know those prayers were answered because in 1 Corinthians 16:9, Paul wrote about a “great and effective door” that opened for him in Ephesus. The Greek word he used that is translated effectual can also be translated working. It’s one of the four big energy words of the Bible. It has to do with the active operation of divine power that brings results.
Do you know what’s interesting about Paul’s effectual door in Ephesus? It took a while for him to get it!
According to the book of Acts, when Paul first wanted to go there and preach, he couldn’t. God stopped him. That’s right! He and his fellow ministers “…were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia” (Acts 16:6).
Can you imagine that? Can you fathom God telling a preacher not to take the Gospel to people who have never heard it? It’s hard to believe He’d do such a thing. Yet He did because the way hadn’t yet been prepared for Paul to minister to those people. Ephesus wasn’t ready for him.
Not Ready for the Rain
I understand that to a degree because of something the Lord said to me one time when I was praying for a certain group of people. I’d recently read the verse, “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain” (Zechariah 10:1 KJV), so I was praying for God to send a flood of His Spirit upon them. Right in the middle of my praying, the Lord interrupted me.
“Don’t pray for a flood yet,” He said.
At first, I couldn’t figure out why He’d say that. Then I began to think about how natural, earthly places that have been in drought for a long time can’t handle floods of rain. The earth is too hard and crusty to soak it up. Instead of being a blessing, the rain causes damage. Those areas need dew and light showers to soften the ground first so the earth can drink in the heavy rains when they come.
That was the case in Ephesus. It had been in a spiritual drought, locked up by demonic powers for years. The people there wouldn’t have been open at all to a ministry like Paul’s.
So what did Paul do?
We can assume that he prayed in tongues over the situation because he’d already told the Corinthians, “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all” (1 Corinthians 14:18).
We also know that he left a couple of his co-workers in ministry, Priscilla and Aquilla, there and said, “…I will return again to you, God willing” (Acts 18:21).
Only Walk Where God Has Worked
Paul knew what we all need to learn. If we get ahead of God and go into places before His Spirit has prepared the way, we won’t be productive. We won’t see the increase we hope to see.
That’s true in every realm. It’s true in our work for the Lord. It’s true in our finances. It’s true in every area where we long for increase.
A missionary to Bangladesh who grasped that fact used to pray this wise prayer: “Lord, let me only walk where You have worked.”
I have no doubt that before Paul walked in Ephesus, he prayed for God to work there. I’m sure Priscilla and Aquilla did too. As a result, in Acts 19, we see that when Paul returned, he found some disciples in that spiritually barren city.
Granted, there weren’t many—only twelve. And those hadn’t even been baptized in water or the Holy Spirit yet. But even so, Paul perceived that an effectual door had at last been opened. He realized that God had gone before him and prepared the way so he jumped in with both feet.
He didn’t despise that small beginning. He didn’t say, “Well, I’m looking for a bigger opportunity than this.” He preached to that little church of 12, laid hands on them. “The Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied” (verse 6).
Not long after that, Paul got the opportunity to preach every day for two entire years in the school of Tyrannus. He preached to so many people there that “all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (verse 10). Now that’s what I call an effectual door!
Still, God wasn’t finished working yet. He increased the outpouring of His power by working “unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them” (verses 11-12). Over time, the Word and power of God so flooded Ephesus that the reverence of the Lord fell on all the people there:
…and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. (verses 17-20)
Little by Little
Wouldn’t it be glorious if in every area of our lives we could all experience the kind of victory and increase that Paul experienced in Ephesus?
I believe we can. I believe God yearns for us to increase until His Word grows mightily and prevails in our hearts, in our families and our finances, in our churches and communities and countries. His will for us is increase!
But notice that in Ephesus, that increase came a little at a time. The more God had opportunity to work and prepare the way, the more of Himself He could pour out on that city. And the more of Himself He could pour out on that city, the more Paul’s results increased. The Ephesian church didn’t grow overnight from 12 disciples to multiplied thousands who were so committed to God they were burning their ungodly past in bonfires. The Holy Spirit had to bring that increase a little at a time.
That’s the way God almost always works. The Bible reveals that again and again. In Exodus 23, for example, when the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, God warned them about the giants there and said, “Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land” (verse 30).
Why does God always increase His people little by little?
Because real, sustainable increase always comes from the inside out. To increase on the outside, we must first increase on the inside, and that kind of inner increase takes time.
It takes time in the Word, meditating on God’s promises, and fellowshipping with Him over them. It takes time spent in His presence just letting His Spirit expand and change us. It takes time in prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to prepare our minds and our hearts for the increase God wants to give.
“Give Me Your Mornings”
I remember a time many years ago, Mac and I were looking for a new building for our church. We’d outgrown the one we had and it was time to increase but nothing was opening up. Instead of just busting the doors down in the natural and trying to force our way into a new building with our own strength, we asked the Lord what we should do.
Do you know what He told us? He said, “I want you to give Me your mornings.”
So that’s what we did. Every morning, we would draw near to the Lord and get into His presence. Every morning, we’d worship Him and seek His face. Every morning, we’d spend time with Him feeding on His Word and praying in other tongues.
Before long, we’d increased on the inside enough to receive the building we needed. Sure enough, that’s when the building manifested.
Many other believers have had similar experiences. One missionary I know tells about a time, for example, when God said to him, “This is your year of increase.” Although he didn’t realize there was a connection, he also sensed God calling him to dedicate himself to prayer during the first six months of the year. In that season of prayer, the Holy Spirit moved often on him through groanings and travail.
At the end of the six months, that missionary’s church planting suddenly increased by 25 percent. Within another year, it increased by fifty percent. In addition, God made a divine connection that enabled him to open a Bible school just beyond the border of mainland China where Chinese believers could be trained and then return to China to preach the Gospel.
What did groaning and travail in prayer have to do with that amazing increase in ministry?
Galatians 4:19 gives us a clue. There Paul wrote, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”
God had to form more of Christ in that missionary before he could handle the increase God wanted to give him. The same thing is true for all of us. Before God can open new, effectual doors for us, we must increase in our spirit man first. We must come up higher so that we can carry something greater. We must be strengthened with might in our inner man.
Oh, there’s so much more to say about it but I have to close now, so I’ll just trust God to reveal to you all you need to know. Until I write again, keep praying. Keep being the voice in the wilderness that cries, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” And always remember…
You are loved,
By Lynne
(All scriptures are from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted.)
Testimonies from around the world
UK
Today I watched your Prayer Conference with my husband, Tony. What a blessing. I had lost my focus on what I was doing spiritually. Thank you for the program in the middle of the night in UK. May God bless you all from a heart that’s for God.
A.& T. N.
Alma, MI
Dear Lynne,
Yesterday, I felt impressed to begin looking through the website to learn and enrich my prayer life. In my searching, I began with the notes dealing with the powerhouse of prophecy and how it energizes and strengthens believers in their walk and worship. … I went to my regular weekly music rehearsal of my church congregation... We had our usual rehearsal, right up to one of our song leaders going over music she planned to do for the coming Sunday. As she finished, just short renditions of each song, our whole group began to move further into spontaneous, heartfelt worship of the Lord. It was magnificent. Then someone stepped to the mic and prophesied of the refreshing, renewal, and rejuvenation that comes in the presence of the Lord. … I’m used to having a somewhat structured rehearsal, then allowing the Lord to use what we do on Friday as seed to minister to the larger body. … Because I had read the aforementioned article on the powerhouse of prophecy, I understood some of what was happening and I was able to settle in and receive of His goodness. … It was awesome! Thank you, Sister Hammond, for hearing from the Lord and giving of your treasures.
In Peace and Love,
A.E.
Brooklyn Center, MN
Dearest Pastor Lynne,
There are no words to express my gratitude for the invaluable PrayerNotes that I underline and study like homework! I have been attending Living Word for 13 years and I praise God for the strength of the prayers. Thank you and Pastor Mac for the obvious love that I perceive every time I attend.
M.P.
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The Rise of the Euro Empire
A Guide for Believers by John W. Rood
The Euro Empire Is Here
The Euro Empire is now here and its influence is far beyond the thirteen European Union nations that have adopted the euro currency. The Euro Empire is a term I will use to describe the group of nations and territories that currently use, plan to use the euro currency, or their central bank is influenced directly by the euro. The Euro Empire actually consists of 55 nations and territories worldwide—and there can be more to come.
The European Union celebrated its 50th birthday during March 2007 to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Rome. European Union leaders regard the euro currency as perhaps the greatest tangible achievement in half a century of EU history. The euro has served well as an effective tool in the quest for the “reunification” of Europe, a term which can only refer to the ancient Roman Empire.
The euro currency began as an experiment and success was necessary at all costs in order to keep the European Union relevant. Milton Friedman, one of the most influential economists of the 20th century, predicted the Eurozone would last ten to fifteen years, then just split apart. There are no obvious signs of that happening now. The euro has done remarkably well and has accomplished the greatest economic coup in history.
There is little awareness that the euro is used in or directly affects dozens of nations. The euro has enormous influence in the world.
On the reverse of each euro banknote there are five small boxes showing non-European territories that use the euro. But there is much more to the story than this little hint provides. The euro is by no means limited to Europe. In fact, the euro is currently officially in use by nations and territories on nearly every continent.
Europe has a Dream—Economic and Political Union
The dream to unify Europe economically, and eventually politically, has unfolded over these many years through a well-defined multiyear plan. In 1992, European monetary union was approved in the Treaty of Maastricht, nearly coinciding with the single market and “no borders” initiative. In 1998, the European Central Bank was established in Frankfurt, Germany. January 1, 2002, was the introduction of the physical euro banknotes and coins.
The economic progression has transpired as follows; first the establishing of a free-trade area, then “open borders” that guarantee the free movement of people, goods, and services, then the common currency, then the Eurozone and voila the Euro Empire is next!
Monetary union proceeds political union. It is certain that we are witnessing the early foundations of political initiatives yet to come. For example, the rejected EU Constitution provided for a common EU foreign minister (which necessitates forming EU embassies worldwide) and a position that equates to being the president of the European Union.
Dr. Paul-Henri Spaak, one of the EU’s founding fathers and former president of the Council of Europe, made this startling plea: “We do not want another committee. We have too many already. What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the allegiance of all people, and to lift us out of the economic morass in which we are sinking. Send us such a man and, be he god or the devil, we will receive him.” (Note that economic troubles were the reason for Spaak’s statement foreboding of an antichrist figure.)
At the time of the euro banknote and coin introduction in January 2002, EU Commission President Prodi said that the euro brings a “definitive marriage” of nations and clarified, “You cannot leave the Eurozone once you are in.” This is no ordinary union, to say the least. Each EU member nation agrees to be bound by the 90,000-page acquis document. It is an equally overpowering experience for a nation to join the euro.
The euro promises economic gain to its nations, but also removes entire dimensions of national sovereignty. Thomas Jefferson said nearly 200 years ago words that today’s Europe could consider, “Any nation which gives up its freedom in pursuit of economic advantage deserves to lose both.”
Money Is a Tool, so Let’s Use the Euro for God’s Purposes
I will never forget the first time I landed in Hong Kong. As I was walking on the tarmac toward the terminal, I was viewing the expansive Hong Kong skyline. It was quite impressive to see this economic powerhouse. Then the Holy Spirit impressed my heart with these words, “Money is a tool.”
Money is a tool. It can be used for good or evil. The Devil wants to control people and money. The euro is the largest monetary system to be introduced in history. The eye of the man of sin is upon Brussels in order to turn the EU system into the vehicle of the Antichrist system. It is easy to perceive how the euro is furthering these coming political aims. The euro is part of the consolidation into the Revived Roman Empire referred to in the Books of Daniel and Revelation.
God wants euros to be used for His purposes. Our prayers should be freeing euros to work for godly tasks and influences!
It is important to note that in recent years the euro has appreciated over 40% in US dollar terms. Missionaries residing in Europe who are supported by gifts from the United States have lost nearly half of their salaries! The euro is exerting pressure on missionaries. They need your support.
The Rise of the Euro Empire: 55 Countries and Territories and Counting
The euro unites monetarily many more nations than the 13 Euroland nations. Let’s take a look into the “true Eurozone” and its influences. In total there are 55 countries and territories that now use the euro, will use the euro in the next few years, or have the European Central Bank be involved in their monetary policy!
30 Countries and territories currently use the euro, not just the Eurozone 13.
14 African nations are linked to the euro and the ECB by the Central African Franc.
11 Expansion nations scheduled to join the European Union must join the euro; there is no possibility to opt-out.
The Euro Empire consists of:
Thirteen EU nations and many territories that now use the euro as their national currency.
Six non-EU nations that now use the euro as their national currency.
Eleven EU nations that will join the euro when they meet the economic criteria.
Fourteen non-EU nations whose national currency is linked to the euro and monetary policy is determined with the help of the European Central Bank.
In total, this represents over 44 nations and 11 territories! There is a real need to be informed and to have understanding of the times we live in. In the United States, few people know these facts. Even in Europe, few people are aware of the extent of the euro’s influence.
Believers worldwide should be the most “in the know” and pray for the nations.
The Euro-Mediterranean Group Free-Trade Area by 2010
The Euro-Mediterranean Group consists of the 15 EU nations plus the 12 Euro-Mediterranean Conference members: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and the Palestinian Authority. The EU plans to form a free-trade area between these nations and the Palestinian Authority by the year 2010. (Remember that the EU began under the pretext of being a free-trade area.)
This would add nine more nations and one territory to our list. This would make a total of 65 nations and territories under the direct influence of the euro!
As believers, we need to be informed and aware. We must be accurate and knowledgeable; then let us pray and take action!
Reverend John Rood can be contacted at jwhitneyrood@yahoo.com. John and Liliane have served the people of Europe for 22 years. Missionary support for the Roods can be designated “John Rood” and sent to Rhema Bible Church Missions, PO Box 50126, Tulsa, OK 74150.
