In 2001 on Super Bowl Sunday, I was in Phoenix, AZ on business. We lived in VA at the time. I was returning from a horseback riding trip when a car pulled off of a side road and we collided. I was going about 45mph when they pulled directly in front of me. The collision was unavoidable. I hit the car in a T-Bone fashion pushing it over 120ft, breaking a fire hydrant and totaling both vehicles. I was out of work for the better part of a year. I had not been the same since; I had pain in my back, leg and numbness in my right foot. There was honestly not a time when I was not uncomfortable or in some level of pain.

During a prayer team training session for the Dayton Campus Vineyard, which Marc Dupont was doing he had a word concerning God wanting to heal some one with a bad hip & back. I was prayed for, hands were laid on me and a healing occurred. There are days that I am stiff but NOTHING like it was. As a matter of fact, I dug my garden this year by shovel and by myself. Last time I paid someone to dig it for me because I was not capable.

God’s mercy and grace is not only sufficient, it’s unimaginable. This healing has initiated other healings, emotional healing and thought process healing. I am a full-time student. Today, I don’t have to contend with the negative thoughts planted in a child from a broken home; instead I study and I learn. According to my earthly family I was never supposed to be a good student or be successful, by the love, mercy and extravagance of my heavenly family, I’m on the Dean’s List. There were times that my back was geting sore after my initial healing and I would think, “I have been healed, I don’t need to be sore.”

Sometimes the soreness would go away and sometimes I would take a Motrin. Today for the first time in almost 10 years I do not take narcotics for back pain. No narcotics, no being bed bound, no canceling plans because it’s a “Bad Day”, just living without thinking about my back.

No longer does my physical body determine my spiritual mood. No longer does my back control my mind. So by claiming and owning and even defending the healing in my physical body God has blessed me with emotional and mental healing, all of which have immediate results in my daily life. I thank you Father, for your attention, affection, love, grace, mercy and justice.
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Every single human being has been created by God to know Him, love Him, and be loved by Him. In God’s extensive and extravagant love are His unique plans for each of us.  When we come to be cognizant of those plans we are experiencing His calling on our lives. When we begin to move into those plans we begin to experience destiny.

The following 9 insights and prayer are intended to be simple, yet powerfully effective, to help each of us journey towards the fulfillment God has for us. Please feel free at any point to pray the prayer. And feel free to pray your own personal version of it often. It is built around several of God’s great promises. As we communicate with Father God, we don’t use scripture as incantations but we do constantly use it as our platform, grid, and wisdom to know (and pray) God’s kind intentions for each of us.

1.    Vision & Destiny Insight #1: One of the greatest lies satan uses to hold people back is “as it has been, so it will be”. This lie can get ingrained into one’s thought patterns to the point where one’s identity and future is always determined by the past disappointments & failures. God has more for those who love Him than can even be imagined. (1 Cor. 2.9)

2.    Vision & Destiny Insight #2: God not only sees you in Christ, He sees you and calls you according to the calling (destiny) He has for you. In John 1 Jesus acknowledged Peter’s current name of Simon, (“reed like” and “shifting sands”). Jesus then said you shall be called “Peter” which means a rock. (Christ like, as Jesus is The Rock). God knows our current issues but always sees us according to His finished work!

3.    Vision & Destiny Insight #2, con’t. God sees you according to His calling(s) on your life. His vision of you, as you move towards His vision, makes room for the mistakes He knows you will make on the journey. Abraham & Peter made mistakes in not fully trusting God between the times they were called and the times of fulfillment. God’s vision for you is situated between His all knowing & His mercy/grace.

4.    Vision & Destiny Insight #3: God’s great plans for your life were established in His sovereign will before even one of your days began. (Psalm 139.16 & Jer. 1.5) Despite what seems like random & even bad circumstances in life He is working past & through all of that to bring you to a banqueting table- even if you are surrounded by enemies. Your job, like Enoch, is simply to walk with God! (Genesis 5.22)

5.    Vision & Destiny Insight #4: Your destiny in God is unique. God is never a paint-by-numbers artist. While He is always the same in whom He is, He rarely does the same thing, the same way twice. His destiny for you is as unique as your fingerprints, vocal chords, and eyes. The spirit of religion, which is fear based, breeds conformity. God, the creator of creativity, releases uniqueness out of love!

6.    Vision & Destiny Insight #5: Walking out your God given destiny is intended to be unique. Due to the mix of your primary motivational gift (Rom.12.6-8), your God given passions, and gifts (natural & supernatural) the odds are there is no one else exactly like you! And that is due to God fearfully & wonderfully creating YOU. Religiosity demands you blend in. God desires you to compliment the whole by you being you!

7.    Vision & Destiny Insight #6: For clarity’s sake, it could be said there is a difference between destiny & calling. Destiny is God’s will for your life. Calling is the recognition that you have experienced the leading/voice of God’s Spirit calling you into His primary will for you in life. The former is already given. The latter you need to experience and respond to. The first is true of every one, the second is only realized by those in Christ!

8.    Vision & Destiny Insight #7: Along the journey (of destiny) God will, from time to time, do miracles in your life. Because God purposely causes His destiny for you to be unreachable without His amazing grace He will, from time to time, allow you to be surrounded by impossibilities. He is merely setting you up for miracles as you learn to place dependence on Him, which in turn releases His miraculous grace

9.    Vision & Destiny Insight #8: As you grow (mature) in Christ you will find God’s destiny goals for you are not merely the ones He initiates. As you delight in Him (adapt your ways & goals to His) He expects you to have faith that He desires to bless your desires. (Psalm 37.3-7) Maturity involves trust, commitment (prayer & obedience), and last, but not least, resting in the truth that He desires to prosper you soul!

10. Vision & Destiny Insight #9: Keys to determining God’s goals for your life: 1) There will be accompanying faith, despite the challenges. 2) You will experience God’s peace. 3) It will call for miracles on God’s part for fulfillment. 4) There will be mature Christians who will help confirm it as time goes on. 5) It will provoke a growing passion within you. 6) You will feel over your head! 7) THERE WILL BE OPPOSITION!!!

Praying into your destiny (don’t forget to personalize it):

Father God, Father of all glory, and the God of my Lord Jesus, (Eph. 1.17) I trust you and thank you today for the amazing promises you have made me. Thank you for fearfully and wonderfully creating me in your image. (Psalm 139.13 & 14)). I ask that as you teach me of yourself and your ways you will lead me and guide me by your Holy Spirit (John 16.13)) into the fullness of your kind intentions for myself and my family. Thank you that your intentions are to give me a hope and a future not plans for destruction. (Jeremiah 29.11) And thank you for the ultimate gift of Jesus- that by His life and love and sacrifice on the cross I can know and live an abundant Holy Spirit filled life. (John 10.10) Thank you that these plans are filled with your amazing creativity. They completely exceed all that I can think, hear, or see. (1 Cor. 2.9) Thank you for your great grace for me to live life as Your Son (or daughter). (1 John 3.1) Thank you Father that as I enter into the destiny you have created for me I can reflect Jesus and your love to all I meet.

In the powerful Name of Jesus,

Amen.

Paul asked the rhetorical question of the Christians in Galatia; “does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Paul’s question was to specifically call the church back to an emphasis on grace and intimacy with God and deemphasize their focus on the law- their performance. For the contemporary church (and contemporary leaders) we need to ask ourselves why Paul’s underlying presumption is not current for most of the church today, in the western world. Where are the miracles, which should be the norm rather than the exception?

I have witnessed first hand over almost 30 years of international ministry how many churches and ministries have grabbed hold of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians regarding the true purpose of the “ascension gifts”. They are not simply for performing ministry, but rather, for training and equipping the body of Christ as a family to move into mature, fruit bearing lives as each seeks to imitate Christ Jesus. This “releasing” of ministry to every day people has, indeed, brought about a wholesale increase of healings and, even, miracles, to many, many, churches. However, we are at a point where, I believe, God wants to take many into the next level of break through. And that is going from experiencing miracles occasionally to experiencing miracles as a lifestyle.

Duel citizenship in the land of the always possible!

Anyone who has truly surrendered his or her life to Christ Jesus while still in this world is no longer of it. They have been born into the Kingdom of God. In effect, we have dual citizenship. We have the legal rights of our home nation and, more importantly, we now have supernatural rights due to our citizenship in heaven.

With the Kingdom of God, the things that are often impossible for man are always possible for God. I like to say when the Kingdom of God is moving on earth ‘the realm of the always possible is invading the realm of the often impossible’. Hence Paul’s rhetorical question to the saints in Galatia.

If you are a follower of Christ, you actually began life with a miracle- you supernaturally entered into both the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus! (Romans 6.3) So as we seek first the Kingdom of God to manifest and spread on earth, as it is in heaven, there should be a consistent manifestation of God’s nature- compassion and grace, expressed supernaturally, i.e. miracles!

When discussing a Kingdom lifestyle, however, we must make sure we are not shortchanging miracles to only those of physical healings. A true miraculous Kingdom lifestyle is one in which we experience God multiplying resources (as Jesus did) and restoring lost relationships (as Jesus did). After all, the Kingdom of God is first and last about relationships- that is the only context in which Biblical love can be fully realized. And the Kingdom of God is about seeking to give, nor merely seeking to get. That is love in action.

To make some simple observations regarding miracles let’s observe a few simple facts regarding the feeding of the multitude, as related in Matthew 14.15-21:

1)     Jesus directed the disciples to miraculously provide for the hungry multitude (well over 5,000 counting women & children) even though they did not even have enough even for themselves.

2)    Jesus (always our model) took what they gave him and thanked the Father for it.

3)     He then instructed the disciples to have the people sit down. In other words to be in a place of rest.

4)     He then instructed the disciples to begin giving.

5)     No one went away hungry. In fact, they had 12 basketfuls left over.

A few simple observations:

1)    Right where you are at, no matter how absurd the need of the moment, there is the possibility of the ‘realm of always possible invading the realm of the often impossible’.

2)    Always give thanks for God’s provision, even (and especially) if it is by faith in what He will do to meet the need.

3)    Striving is the opposite of faith for grace, hence Paul’s rebuke of Galatians 3.5. It is important to live in God’s rest, even when there is turmoil all around you. Isaiah 30.15 reads: “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.”

4)    A true Kingdom lifestyle is one of seeking to give, not to get. God does not desire to take you from poverty to prosperity, but rather, from poverty to generosity. (2^nd Corinthians 9.6-11) *

5)    When you give out of God’s miraculous provision there will always be an incredible return to you.

The Key: What, or Whom, are you focused on?

The first generation out of Egypt certainly experienced miracle, signs and wonders. However, they failed to go from their initial experiences of God’s supernatural grace to a miraculous lifestyle because their eyes were focused on the natural problems, as opposed to their supernatural Father. When the spies came back with the report of the fierce and giant enemies they chose to focus more on the enemy than on the person of God. In contrast, Jesus, when taking the 5 loaves and 2 fish from the disciples then lifted His eyes to the Father and gave thanks rather than focus on the seemingly inadequate resources and the hungry multitude.

God is calling many of us to learn to stop focusing on the giants of famine, recession, and being seemingly underfinanced for the vision He has given called us to. When Peter asked Jesus if he could do what Jesus was doing- walk in the miraculous (walk on water), Jesus said, “Come”. When, and where, Peter got in trouble was when he took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the size of the waves and the increase of the wind. If you are floundering at this point due to stepping out into the miraculous be encouraged. God will get you back into the boat to complete the journey. His heart, as it was towards Peter, is to give you the desires of your heart, as you adapt yourself to Him and His will for your life. Our job is to keep our eyes on Him as He leads us in a way we have never gone before!

A Final note: God is all about relationship

A final encouragement I would like to leave you with concerns trusting in relationship. While God often releases the supernatural directly by His Holy Spirit, much of the time the Holy Spirit utilizes others in Christ (the body of Christ) to release His amazing grace. This is a lesson I have been dramatically relearning the last few months. In facing some of the giants I am being confronted with God has been doing amazing miracles in many different areas. How ever, He has been doing them as I have reached out to others I am in relationship with. Let us remember: Jesus never said wherever two, or more, are gathered I will be “on him, or her” but rather I will be “in their midst”!

Marc A. Dupont

June 30, 2010

* I highly recommend Terry Appel’s excellent book “The Father’s Financial Favor”.

A fruit tree, as with all of plant life begins with a seed. The Bible, and, in deed, life itself has a lot to say about seeds being planted. Jesus spoke the parable of the “sower” in Matthew 13 to communicate the importance of seed being planted in good soil. The soil that God plants seeds of vision and calling into, as well as the salvation message itself, is our hearts. It is out of the heart that we have ‘ears to hear’ and ‘eyes to see’ what the Holy Spirit is desiring to plant that may grow into something way beyond what we can understand, or envision, on our own. As with the young woman, Mary, who had never had a physical relationship with a man, God can impart something to us by the Holy Spirit that gives birth to things way beyond our natural comprehension. The key was Mary’s incredible response to the angel Gabriel- “let it be done, according to your word”.

When God speaks (Rhema) it is not only alive, but those words are intended to release life. The first seeds planted, which produced fruit, were supernatural- the word of God. God can speak into the most depressing, hopeless, confusing situation and if we ‘receive’ the word properly in our hearts and nurture it through prayer and faith supernatural breakthroughs come forth. Another way of putting is that the “the realm of endless possibilities invades the realm of impossibilities when God speaks”.

The key, as already mentioned, is believing what God speaks despite the situation in the natural. Proverbs 3.5 reads: “lean not to your own understanding, but trust in the Lord with all of your heart”. So to begin with it is not enough to hear the word, but to receive it into good soil that is nurtured and nourished by our prayers and faith.

To be continued…
Marc A. Dupont

For more than the first half of the last century the overwhelming challenge for the church came from those Bible and Seminary teachers who championed a liberal perspective of the Scriptures. Truths such as the virgin birth of Christ and the infallibility of the Scriptures were not only questioned but often times derided and rejected as foolish by the very people who should have been championing God’s supernatural power interacting with our natural limitations. That battle has largely been won by those who believe the Bible as being completely true and completely inspired by the word of God. It is interesting that certain groups such as some Anglicans in the UK and some Episcopalians in the US who have theologically embraced liberal moral standards due to a liberal interpretation of the Scriptures have themselves been recently derided and rejected by their African counterparts within their respective denominations.

This battle is well addressed by Pastor Mark Hoffman in his book “On Earth, as it is in Heaven”. One particular chapter is aptly titled “the battle for the soul of the church”. In the final section for Pastors and leaders Mark concludes with the argument that the huge battle we currently face is the tension between churches and leaders who are Kingdom led and inspired versus those who are church growth led and inspired. The former group places a much higher priority and dependency on prayer, worship, and God’s voice, and power where as the latter group is more focused on prevailing methodology based on what ‘seems to be working’ in today’s culture. No matter how learned we may be it seems that each leader needs a personal revelation that they cannot face today’s giants while wearing another king’s armor.

Mark Hoffman describes the battle for the soul of the church and the mindset of many leaders today quite powerfully. What I would like to briefly address is the battle for the heart of many leaders today. It is the heart that leads to the mindset, which, in turn, leads to the values and practices of the church.

It has been the rage for some 15 years now for church leaders throughout the western world nations to study and try to adapt and adopt the CEO model of leadership from the corporate world. The high flying, authoritative, outspoken, visionary, leader adept at casting vision, brokering deals, and raising the profit margin, while being dismissive of support people as being inferior and expendable has some how become the hero of many church leaders today. The successful CEO of the world is focused on profit margins of mere numbers. Where as the servant/leader model of heaven is focused on prophet margins of the healing, destiny, and calling on those around them.

I, for one, have often noticed that many leaders of growing fruitful churches are more visionary minded than the classic pastorally minded leader who simply desires to encourage and assist people one by one. As far as that goes it is all fine and well. A true apostolic leader should be a leader of vision and adept and communicating that God given vision. However, where a line seems to have been crossed, in a huge way, is the leaving behind of ‘the servant of all’ model Jesus exemplified. Instead, an embracing of a hierarchal corporate model which values numerical results at the cost of a heart value of one’s team and core group.

Jesus was, and is, the leader, who was not simply concerned about the bottom line of numbers, but was willing to leave behind the ninety-nine in search of the one lost sheep. Even more telling was the ways of Jesus with people as individuals and with His ‘leadership team’- the twelve disciples. We never read of Jesus being dismissive and/or using anger towards His disciples. For those who would say ‘what about when He rebuked Peter’ (Matthew 16.23) I would answer He was not speaking to Peter, but rather to a demonic entity. In deed, when Jesus addressed Peter’s denial of Jesus, in John 22, Jesus was both affirming and encouraging. Jesus never treated people, including His ‘staff’ with less than a servant/leaders heart. He always spoke the truth in love!

The good man speaks out of the treasure within, not the success without!

The key to moving in authority (which I believe God does call pastors/elders to do) while demonstrating humility (the servant’s heart of Jesus) is to be found in two vital types of relationships and perspectives. First of all Jesus always lived, led, and ministered out of a heart foundation of knowing His self worth was not based on a ‘bottom line profit margin’ bur rather simply based in who He was- the beloved of the Father. At His greatest hour of need of encouragement from His disciples Jesus stripped Himself to the role of a lowly servant and washed the feet of the twelve. That key is illustrated in John 13.3: Jesus knew where He had come from (the kind heart of the Father), where He was going to (back to the Father’s side and worshipped by the angels), and lastly, that the Father had given all things to Him. Jesus modeled and served constantly out of the heart knowledge that He was the Son of God almighty! That heart knowledge allowed Jesus to face extreme stress levels but still give out love and encouragement even in His hour(s) of need.

The second key was His constant perspective of people, including the twelve. He always saw people, including sinners, as works of the Father in progress. In one of His initial meetings with the future Cephas (rock) Jesus acknowledged that Peter’s current name (Simon) reflected his reed-like easily swayed nature. Jesus knew of Peter’s future failures, but rather than dismissing Him prophetically called and loved Him into his apostolic destiny. He knew that when He was done with Peter, Peter would reflect Him- the rock of salvation! In the same vein, the woman called a sinner (a prostitute until quite recently) was most welcome to minister to Jesus. Like wise there was no condemnation from Him to the woman caught in adultery. His correction to her was without condemnation!

The second book I wrote was called “Walking Out of Spiritual Abuse”. It has since then been republished as “Toxic Churches”. I wrote it during 1993-94 due to the fact that I had seen so many good Christians taken advantage over by people in leadership. Those leaders, while well meaning, had bought into a leadership philosophy in vogue at that time in many streams. Essentially, that particular philosophy of ministry espoused exercising almost complete control over the lives within one’s ministry. What those leaders failed to realize was that Jesus had given His life so that everyday Christians could, indeed, be the sons who were led by the Spirit (Romans 8.14). That particular heavy-handed controlling model of leadership has largely been dismissed from the contemporary church seen.

That said, the problem of senior church leaders abusing core people and staff has actually increased over the last 10 years. As there has been an increased demand for senior leaders to have ‘mega churches’ there has equivalently come an increased stress level on their hearts. Those leaders whose identities, unlike Jesus’, are rooted in outward success and the size of the crowd become increasingly slaves to insecurity, pride, and anger. As stress levels and unfulfilled man made vision begin to boil over rather than a core church member or staff person being valued for who they are in Christ Jesus in Christ, they are seen merely as a tool, or asset, for achieving one’s goals. And that mindset, to quote James, is ‘earthly and demonic’. When Jesus stated ‘whoso ever desires to be first in the Kingdom of God learn to be a servant of all’ He was not making a suggestion!

When a slave becomes king

The scripture I most often quoted in the abuse book was from Proverbs 30. Verse 21 states “Under three things the earth quakes, And under four, it cannot bear up”. Verse 22 lists the first of those four: “Under a slave when he becomes king”. When someone in leadership is a slave to insecurity and pride the subsequent resulting anger will rise up as the weight of responsibility grows. As the stress levels grows so too does the true make up of the heart manifest. Alternatively, if the peace of God is established in the heart, then that’s what he, or she, will speak out of in moments of stress, But if the ‘nickels, noise, and numbers game’ is what drives a leader then that leader will, like Nebuchadnezzar and his fiery furnace, make everyone around them miserable to the point of the leader’s own downfall.

James’ admonishment ‘Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment’ is a fairly stern warning. It should be a constant reminder to the heart that a leader of the body of Christ is not called to build their empire. Rather, he, or she, is called to be a steward of another’s wealth. Accordingly, the wealth of God, we must always keep in mind, is people. And those people are not pawns, tools, or commodities. They are sons and daughters of God Almighty. In the empires of man people only really hold a utilitarian value- they are valued strictly by their performance. In the Kingdom of God, however, function always follows value. If we in leadership cannot love in the micro of the circle God has put around us- staff and core church members, not to mention spouses and children, then we have no business preaching ‘love another’ to the macro of the world.

Marc A. Dupont

February 2010

The problem, however, with transition unto greater fruitfulness is it always involves the necessity of unlearning some old ways and learning new ways. This scenario in a nutshell is illustrated in Isaiah 6 when God is planning on anointing and releasing Isaiah to become one of the greatest prophets of all time. In verses 1-8 we see Isaiah beholding his righteousness, or lack there of, in the light of God’s absolute righteousness. For Isaiah to enter in to the greater thing God was calling him to change was required.

A popular saying over the last 20 years in many circles has been “higher levels, bigger devils”. While it is true that spiritual warfare usually increases with an increase of anointing and responsibility, it is also very, very true that God always, always, always gives us the tools, the resources, abilities, and power to move in the new things He calls us to. It is not so much “higher levels, bigger devils”, but rather “more of God necessitates more of His ways”!

The inherent problem, however, is that when God is calling us to use new tools and minister/live in new ways we can not apply the ways we used the old tools with the new ones. It’s a little bit like when a carpenter goes from using a traditional hammer powered by arm muscle to a pneumatic nail gun. With the old tool you bang the hammerhead against the nail. To use a nail gun in the same way would quickly destroy it. With the nail gun you simply set it against the spot you want to drive the nail and pull the trigger. With the nail gun you drive far more nails, in much less time, with much less energy but it does call for a change of doing things. We are in a time of increase where many of us will see a greater anointing unto greater fruitfulness, but actually requiring less work on our part.

The promise before the Hebrews who crossed over the Jordan was that they would enjoy fruit in a size and quantity they had never experienced before. However, as mentioned, moving into the land of bigger & better usually necessitates change. The book of Joshua, chapter 5, verses 11 & 12 read: “On the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year.” Shortly after entering the land they did, in fact, begin to enjoy the greater fruit. The problem, however, was that on the next day the particular supernatural blessings of God which they had experienced everyday for all of their lives completely ceased. The sense of shock and retooling they experienced must have been severe. The manna (bread) and quail (meat), which God had simply given them every day, all of their lives, was no longer there. Instead, they had to begin to exercise a whole new level of faith. (When we say the manna is disappearing we are obviously speaking about the level of God’s provision, not of Jesus- the true Bread of Life)

This faith was a very targeted faith. It was following the specific leading of the Holy Spirit (Joshua 3.3-5). The accompanying problem, however, was that the Lord led them into the seemingly impossible. Joshua 3.13 tells us that the waters did not part until the feet of the priests stepped into the flooded Jordan River. 40 years prior with Moses, the great man of God, he had stretched forth his staff and exercised the authority God had given him while the people simply spectated. This time it was a very different scenario. The time of Moses was over. They had symbolically (at least from our perspective) journeyed from the ministry of Moses, which represented the law or the performance of man to the ministry of Joshua, or Yehoshua, which represents the grace of God for the impossible. The only requirement of God was to actively and obediently follow the Presence of God with faith even if it meant stepping into the impossible!

The previous generation had experienced the same invitation 40 years previously but “the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.” (Hebrews 4.2) They had even seen some of the incredible fruit first hand due to the spies bringing some back. They chose, however, to lean unto their own understanding and failed to believe that God could accomplish the miraculous against the fierce enemies and giants of the land.

Today, despite the economic chaos, which is gripping, much of the world God is calling us to initiate new endeavors in reaching out to our cities, cultures, and nations. Common sense would tell us to simply hold the fort until things change financially. God’s seasons, however, seldom coincide neatly with our seasons and perspectives. Like the Hebrews who crossed over God is calling us to confront giants and fierce enemies of the gospel (at least, in a spiritual sense). The promise of His word is that “the righteous will prosper even during a time of famine”. The key prophecy of Haggai, chapter two, is to not be afraid of the outward situation because the Spirit of God is with us (if we are truly with Him)! In fact, Haggai went on to say that the riches of the world, would, in effect, fund the work of the kingdom of God. The fresh call on God’s leaders today requires three things, I believe. 1) We must not lean to the their own understandings, but to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts 2) We must keep our eyes focused on the Holy Spirit, for He is about to lead many of us in ways we have not gone before. 3) And if we will accordingly sanctify ourselves (be open to change) He will do wonders in our midst. (Joshua 3.3-5). His promise is no matter how large the enemy or how thick the armed fortress’ we will come into the land of greater fruit. The price tag is being willing to change from the blessing we know, to the greater glory we don’ so much know.

Marc A. Dupont

October 2009

Mantle of Praise Ministries

Tonight, I have just returned from a welfare type of hotel in a inner city which has suffered financial downsizing and decay through out much of the city. Instead of hundreds of mainly middle class people who passionately love God there were less than fifty people, the majority of whom struggled with very serious issues, ranging from severe health problems to poverty level incomes to substance addictions. Instead of worship leaders who are of professional ability tonight the worship was led by an acoustic guitar player who along with a lone female accompanist struggled to maintain momentum. Except for a couple of the faster songs there was little visible passion in worship and the atmosphere seemed so lackluster in comparison.

However, (and this is a huge however) the Spirit of the Living God showed up tonight just as He had two weeks ago. And although things seemed so different outwardly (with both the building and the people) God was attracted to the worship of the people tonight just as He was two weeks ago. The Holy Spirit performed several healings of backs, legs, feet, and stomachs some of which were truly amazing!

The faith level and the praises dramatically escalated as people realized what God had just done for some of the people- most of the small church knew them well. At that moment no one, myself included, would have rather been anywhere else in the world than there- where the Holy Spirit was touching lives and bodies and giving beauty for ashes and praise replacing strongholds of discouragement (Isaiah 61.3).

I have felt for years that the most under utilized resource in the contemporary church is the Person of the Holy Spirit. By that I do not simply mean that the spiritual gifts are not appreciated and sought after by many. Rather that the awesomeness of who God is and His transforming Presence are too often neither very appreciated nor hungered after. Usually the Holy Spirit is simply viewed as the messenger and/or the deliveryman of Jesus. While it is true He does disclose to us the things of Jesus the greater truth is that He is the Presence of God Almighty in our very lives and our very midst as we gather in Jesus’ Name. He is the Immanuel- God with us! And when He shows up with just a bit of His manifest glory it doesn’t matter whether one is in a dilapidated inner city hotel, a big beautiful modern church building, or a stable. It’s the only place you really want to be- simply because the wonder of God’s Presence changes everything.

“For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.” Psalm 36.9

The Lord says that He loves us, and because He loves us He wants us to bear greater fruit. Because He wants us to bear greater fruit He is going to prune us. We are to know that this pruning is not a punishment, but those that He loves He prunes, just as a vine grower prunes not just the unfruitful vines, but especially the fruitful ones that are his favorites.

You have up to this point been a watering place for the Jordan during the time of John the Baptist I have brought the empty and the dry from all over the world in ways you formerly would not have believed them. I have brought them to you and you have been faithful. You have baptized them deep in My refreshing love and Joy. They have gone away intoxicated with Me and have effected many others all over the world. But know it is now the time for the John the Baptists to embrace a deeper death to self. Everything you have done, just as everything John did was of Me and for Me. But I did call for His ministry to cease so that the bigger ministry of my Son Jesus might begin. I say to you that if you will die to self, reputation, programs, and the way the river has been nourishing the peoples I will take you into an even greater baptism.

This baptism will not be in front of the crowds. It will be alone in your prayer closet. Instead of moments of greater laughter you will experience moments of great sorrow. Just as my Son Jesus stated before the hour of His being glorified; that a grain of wheat must fall to the ground and die to itself if it is going to bear much fruit” He said “My soul is troubled within Me” Those who I love I prune, and if you will let me I am going to cut you deep within you. But, I promise you where I make cuts there are going to be new branches grafted into you. And these new branches are going to bear a fruit even more delicious that what you have previously known.

I say to you, do not trust in the programs, the systems, the ways in which you have been ministering. Do not trust in your resources, personnel, or strategies. I Am going to do something far beyond what you are capable of, just as almost 3 years ago I did something far beyond what you knew was capable. I am calling you to leave the focus of the John the Baptist ministry and travel with My Son out into the wilderness for a season of fasting and prayer. It can be lonely there. You will miss the parties and the laughter and the drunkenness. But, I say to you if you embrace this death and do not trust in what you have in place, or in motion, I will give you new ministries and a deeper anointing. I will give you the treasure of the secret places rather than the joy of the parties. I say to to I want to do these things not because I am against you but because I love you so deeply My children and and I desire for My joy to be even stronger within you. And when you experience that joy you will have a strength for ministry you have never known before. And this joy will be very contagious to the lost and broken outside of the existing church.

But I do warn you, just as not all of John the Baptist’s disciples went on to follow Jesus, not all of your leaders will be able to make this transition. Do not be hung up on everyone making the transition, because some I have given you for the refreshing stage, but others I have given you are for both, and there are some I have given you that are now coming that you know not of.

Let each in his heart of hearts decide at this time to pick up their cross and follow Me into the deeper things. Because to whom much is given much will be required. And I say to you to always know this: “I love you with a love beyond what you can understand. Trust Me and follow Me with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding. If you will do that I will accomplish all of these things I have placed on your heart and even more, because I love you.”

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Last summer I found myself on a road trip with a group of pastors who were pondering the pitfalls and struggles of ministry. As we were talking I offered the following challenge: A struggling pastor could escape those pitfalls if he could make five basic changes in how he approaches life and ministry.

Later, one of the ministers remembered my words and asked me if indeed I thought that reshaping one’s ministry could be as simple as “Five easy steps.” I reassured him that I truly believe this is possible and went on to explain how I have lived this out over the last eleven years of my life. I explained how it took me 2 years to realize I was how terribly I was stuck! Our church lacked both growth and excitement. In short, we bordered on boredom. So I began to seek God and to ask Him to teach me what needed to change. At the time, our congregation consisted of about 50 people. Now, about 3,000 people call the Dayton Vineyard their church home. The real excitement to me is not how many attend but how much is happening each week. In the last month we have seen over 250 people turn their lives over to Jesus Christ. We have also seen about 25 people receive physical healing. One couple who had given up on having children announced that they are now expecting twins!

I attribute these successes to the following changes that God has made in my life:

# 1 Create an encouraging environment

One Monday morning after a somewhat difficult Sunday service, I found myself sitting at McDonalds pondering what had happened the day before. Some kind soul had delivered a “prophecy” declaring that we were going to have a huge snow storm the following week. We were also admonished to buy candles, water, and blankets. The only problem was that it was the middle of the hottest summer Dayton had experienced in many years! Coincidentally that same Sunday, three families decided it was time to find a new church home. So there I was, sitting in McDonalds drinking my coffee and asking God for help. I felt that the Holy Spirit asked me what it was I liked about McDonalds. I reasoned that it was because I liked the consistency of the product, the friendly atmosphere, and the play area for kids. I then felt the following challenge: “If you create an atmosphere like this on Sunday morning, I will fill it with lost and hurting people that need God.” Later, I summed up that encounter by declaring that from now on, the atmosphere of the Dayton Vineyard would be, “Safe, Fun, and Anointed.”

I now realize that when hurting people think about doing business with God they think of it in terms of going to church on a Sunday morning. The question is; “What are they going to get?” As for me, I am concerned about what our church looks like and feels like to a first time visitor. At the Dayton Vineyard we make our church services safe, fun and anointed by ministering to each of the five senses and creating an atmosphere of love, acceptance and forgiveness and our sign on the street now tells the community that we are a “pretty good church.”

We try to reach people with soft, light touches. In short, we try to be naturally supernatural. Churched people tend to view Sunday morning as the Holy of Holies. We view it as the Court of the Gentiles. We endeavor to make each service similar to what a real estate person would call an “Open House.” We realize that people truly want to know if God really does care about them. We also realize that before they check out God, they check out the church.

#2 Start where Jesus started

During this time of change, I began reading through the Gospels to understand how Jesus started The Church. I outlined everything that Jesus did: Healed the sick, forgave sin, raised the dead, preached the Good News, touched the untouchable, overcame storms and became a friend of sinners. So I created a list of some 30 or so items which I call the “Jesus To Do List.” I continue to ask myself if we are doing church the way that Jesus would do if He were here today.

Doing this has been an uphill battle for me. The easy stuff was praying for the sick, acting spiritual and demonstrating devotion. The hard and brutal part was learning how to relate to unchurched people. Not long ago, I was fly fishing with a friend who is a vivid fisherman. I asked him, “Barry, you seem to always catch fish, how do you do it?” He replied, “I just try to think like a fish!” As I thought on this, I realized that I need to catch fish the same way! I had to learn how to become friends with people who did not go to church. I had to think outside the box. I had thought that church was about me! God was now asking me to make it about someone else. I had to learn how to talk in ways that unchurched people could understand. I had to learn about sports, about cars and about business news to have something to talk about as a starting point. Remember, Jesus spent far more time in the marketplace than he did in the temple!

#3 Clear communication

The Bible says, “Reliable communication permits progress.” That means that unreliable communication hinders progress. One of the investments of my life that has paid the biggest dividends is learning how to communicate clearly to my family, my friends, the staff and the congregation. Here is what clear communication means to me.

–Make your “yes be yes and your no, no”.

–Don’t be afraid to say what needs to be said, but say it as kindly as possible.

–“Be quick to listen and slow to speak.” If I do this, people will begin to think I’m a pretty smart person. It also gives me time to think through my answer.

–Say I don’t know when I don’t. I don’t have to have an answer for everything.

–Defeat gossip and slander.

–Drop the religious jargon. Normal people don’t speak it, neither did Jesus.

–Don’t talk around people … talk to them.

– Avoid triangular communication.

#4 Work on myself

This is important for one simple reason: The messenger is the message. Whatever God is going to do through me he is first going to do to me. People are watching to see if God has done in my life what I am saying He can do in theirs. As our church began to grow, the pressure of growth began to take its toll on my emotions. One Tuesday morning I felt the Lord ask me to fix my own heart. I thought, what does that mean? I soon realized God was asking me to work on my heart, not the hearts of others. Because I was still struggling with hurt and discouragement, it wasn’t until I began to concentrate on fixing my own heart, that true healing began. I had to reach a crisis point where I determined that even if it required a lobotomy, I would do whatever necessary to become a whole person. And for the record, some people think that is what happened!

Since then I have taken classes, gotten counseling, worked on codependency issues and asked many questions to leaders who have come further than I have. I have asked for prayer and gotten powerfully touched by God in ministry settings. My goal now is to be a life-long learner. My advice to you is: Don’t do it alone. Please get some help! Deal with the unresolved issues of your heart, marriage and parenting, so you can go into ministry settings with emotional wholeness, confidence, and peace. Ministry is draining. I have to go into ministry settings with something to give. I can only give what I have received. A prepared heart makes all the difference.

#5 Have faith

Everyone needs to believe that God loves them, is for them, and wants to use them to extend His Kingdom. Faith is spelled “RISK!” Dare to believe God. The Bible tells us that God wants to do more than we could ever imagine, more than my heart can perceive, more than my eye has seen. Faith comes down to keeping score. Although I am not a great golfer, I love to play the game. And because of persistence, I am improving. How do I know that? Every round I play – I keep score. I think that most people pray unanswerable prayers. Prayers like, “bless the church, reach the lost, touch souls, light the fire….” Ask yourself these questions. What does a blessing look like? How many lost do you want reached? Whose soul do you want touched? What fire do you want lit and what does that look like? Spend time alone with Him. The Bible teaches that David encouraged himself in the Lord. Get God’s heart for how many souls to be touched. He wants to tell you. Pray! Pray specifically, pray intentionally and pray strategically.

Wait on God and watch the growth happen. On a regular basis I go through our church’s mailing list and pray specifically for people whose names jump out at me. Sometimes I give them a call to see how they are doing. I am amazed at how many of them at that very moment are in great need of a shepherd’s hand. Pray in specific terms. Pray for the exact amount needed in the offering. Pray for specific attendance figures, conversions, baptisms, healings, etc. Think this through with me. When I pray for a sick person, I don’t pray a general prayer of healing. I ask God to fix the hurt, broken, or sick area of the person. I pray specifically. Do the same for your life, your family, and your ministry. I encourage the people at the Dayton Vineyard to have specific prayer goals. God loves a challenge and honors people with faith who dare to believe Him!

In answering my friends question about the five easy step to getting unstuck I would one give you last thought. That thought is this. These five easy steps are not all that easy and in fact may be some of the hardest steps I have ever taken. In looking back over the last eleven years these steps have been hard but freeing, hard but eternally rewarding, and hard but life changing. Enjoy the ride!

When God allows us to be hemmed in by impossibilities, He is merely setting the stage for us to experience the miraculous!

Jesus warned that the last days would be typified by wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, and famines. (Matthew 24.6 & 7). While it is hard to absolutely state we are in the “last” last days, the years of 2008 & 2009 certainly are experiencing the very things Jesus spoke of. In a parallel prophecy, Haggai predicted everything that could be shaken would be shaken! (Hag.2.6 & 7). As with Jesus’ prophesy, Haggai’s is in many way being fulfilled, as well. Everything from the global economies and politics to the weather patterns have been shaken over the last few years. Historic cold and snow in places like S. America and S. Africa, the western world economies being shaken (complete with the island nation of Iceland basically bankrupt) and as 2009 began- fierce fighting between Israel and Hamas terrorists in Gaza. As if that were not enought there is the fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, the heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, and the genocide, which has taken, place in Darfur, and a severe cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe!

There is a very different side of the coin regarding these prophecies, however. On the one side are the disasters- natural, economic, war and the threat of war. The mitigating factor, herein, is fear. The fear factor of these disasters is exponentially multiplied far beyond the mere sum of the events. Completely contrary to naturally minded thinking regarding the state of the world, however, is what God has spoken and is speaking! Haggai encouraged us to not be afraid- due to the fact that God’s Spirit is abiding in our midst. Jesus Himself stated that when all of these things were to happen to not be afraid, nor to let our hearts grow cold- dulled through fear and unbelief.

Jesus’ words of encouragement were that in this time of great difficulty the gospel would be preached to all peoples. Haggai’s encouragement was that in the midst of the shaking, the glory of God would fill the house- both in a supernatural and natural ways. Haggai chapter 2, verses 7-8 read: “‘I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the LORD of hosts.”

For those who truly know God, the glory of His presence far exceeds the glory of gold or any other treasure of this world. At the same time, silver and gold (money) is a vital tool given by God to facilitate the work of the Kingdom. The wise men brought gold as a gift to Jesus when He was born! I believe that Joseph and Mary saved the bulk of that gold and it financed some of the ministry Jesus and His disciples did later on. These prophecies of God’s favor and provision being with us during dark and difficult times bring me to what I believe God is saying regarding this New Year.

2008 was for many a transition year. It was a season of metaphorically crossing over “Jordans” into the “Broad Place” of His long awaited promise(s). See the article entitled “the Beauty of the Burnt Stones” 0n our website. One of the key differences between the younger generation who crossed over the Jordan compared with the previous generation who did not was faith that God would be with them to face the giants, the iron chariots, and the fierce enemies within the Promised Land. God is calling the contemporary church to not focus on the stock markets, the unemployment, the wars, and rumors of war. Rather we are to focus on the economy, provision, power, wisdom, and revelation of God’s Kingdom which knows no lack whatsoever. When one invests in the Kingdom of God, one’s stock is always at a premium.

The number “eight” Biblically speaking is symbolic of new beginnings. “Nine” is symbolic of fruitfulness and completion. The number “3” according to Bible numerology is symbolic of perfection and completeness. There is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit that comprise the trinity of God Himself. Time is comprised of the past, the present, and the future. Matter consists of mineral, vegetable, and animal. Nine is the number three squared! And speaking of fruit- there are the nine aspects of the “fruit of the Spirit” according to Galatians chapter 5, verses 22 & 23. As well, there are the nine gifts of the Spirit, which comprise the “Charisma” supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. And speaking of the Charisma gifts these are actually comprised of three groups of gifts- the power gifts, the revelatory gifts, and the discernment gifts which when added up, again, equal three squared! For more than just a few reasons “nine” can be equivocated with great fruit, Biblically speaking!

If last year was a year for getting “out of the gate”, this year is symbolic of pioneering new Holy Spirit inspired endeavors for taking the land. Our eyes must not be focused on the impossibilities of the world and its fallen systems, but rather the eyes of our hearts must be focused on the God with whom all things are possible. This is a year to behold the Lord of the Hosts who is standing outside the contemporary Jericho’s- the seemingly impenetrable armed fortresses the enemy holds which God is calling us to bring change to. When God allows us to be hemmed in by impossibilities, He is merely setting the stage for us to experience the miraculous.

I believe God is going to be releasing supernatural Kingdom vision, strategies, wisdom, people, provision, and power for fresh initiatives in seeing lives saved, healed, and delivered from the deception and entanglements of the devil. I believe this is a year for gearing up according to the supernatural provision of heaven and then stepping out in the faith of God, which only comes about by hearing God (Romans 14.17).

One point I would like to stress is simply that we don’t need any new heroes! We simply need a bigger revelation of the majesty, power, and compassion of Christ Jesus. When it came time for the miraculous, the first generation out of Egypt all focused on Moses, the great man of God. With all the people watching he stretched forth his staff – his anointing, and the waters parted. We are now called to be an emerging “Joshua people”. When Joshua led the people and they came to the flooded Jordan rather then have them focus on the great-anointed leaders- Joshua and Caleb, God had the priests themselves step into the impossible. While keeping their eyes were focused on the Arc- His presence, they were to step into the very wet water. It was then, when the feet of the priests touched the waters, and not before, that the miraculous came into play. God wants everyday Christians to look past the impossibilities and see the potential of God, then step right into the flood of the impossible. As we do so by the leading of the Holy Spirit the miraculous will take place, but not before our feet step into the seemingly impossible.

According to Revelation 5.10 we are both a Kingdom and Priesthood to our God. We are all to be led by the Spirit into the miraculous as the mature sons of God (Romans 8.4 & 15). The time for cult of personality within the camp of God’s people is over. God is calling each of us to behold both the Lamb of God AND the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! It is only out of a bigger revelation of God that we can more fully understand in our hearts who we are called to be- the mature Christ like sons of God, led by the Spirit as our Lord Jesus was! As God said to the Hebrews who were about to cross the flood waters- keep your eyes on My presence for you will be going a way you have never gone before and I will then do wonders in our midst!

According to the Oxford American Dictionary the word “pioneer” means “a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.” Just as the Hebrews who crossed the Jordan river began to explore, conquer, and settle new lands promised them by the Lord, many Christians, churches, and leaders will, I believe explore, conquer, and settle new areas of ministry. While it is true that there is nothing new under the sun, it is also true that God has more for those who love Him than we can even imagine. I believe this will be a great year of breakthrough in new areas of ministry as well as great fruitfulness for many.

Additionally, 2009 will be a year noted for the miraculous on many fronts. It will be a year when many begin to move from glory to glory, rather than mere critical insight to critical insight. It is no longer a time to try to mimic someone else in order to generate their experiences in God. It is a time to set the eyes of our hearts on the God of our Lord Jesus and the Father of all glory, and experience first hand the hope of the calling we have in Christ, the experience of His surpassing power towards us who believe, and to have a sense of our true inheritance- His glory in our lives.

One final point: I believe there are going to emerge many Josephs and Daniels in places of great importance. Some may be in the realm of government while some may be in areas of great economic importance. They will be Spirit filled men and women of integrity who have the ears of the kings of this world. And like the Joseph and Daniel of old they will be used by God to impart wisdom from above in great times of need!

“Behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome… And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.” Revelation 5.6-7

Since the beginning of the Charismatic movement in the sixties there has been a fresh exploration of the spiritual gifts within the Body of Christ worldwide. While moves of the Holy Spirit replete with the operation of the spiritual gifts have taken place since the beginning of the church (the church was birthed on the day of Pentecost- a day of great power in the Holy Spirit), the charismatic movement ushered in a fresh hunger for everyday Christians to move in the charisma gifts of the Spirit. It is clear from the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the church of Corinth that everyday Christians are to be seeking after the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 14.1)

Historically speaking, however, with a few exceptions, the realm of the spiritual gifts has been reserved by church leaders as strictly for church leaders. In the famous Pentecostal moves of the Holy Spirit over the last 100 years it has primarily been the well known evangelists, preachers, prophets, and apostles, and to a lesser degree the pastors and elders of Pentecostal type churches who ministered with the gifts of healing, miracles, word of knowledge, prophecy, etc.

Over the last forty years, or so, since the heyday of the charismatic movement there have arisen a number of charismatically gifted men and women who have had a God given burden for releasing everyday men and women in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. People like John Sandford, Francis McNutt, John Wimber, and Ian Andrews are just a few of those contemporary pioneers who did what Jesus did with His disciples. He modeled, trained, and released people into the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit for the work of the Kingdom of God. Today a large portion of the body of Christ in the Western world nations can trace their current focus on team ministry to what was rebirthed in the church at large in the sixties with the Charismatic movement and especially in the 70’s and 80’s as many traditional churches caught vision of team ministry. Today there are millions of Christians all over the world who take seriously the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to seek after the spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14.1). In this article I would like to briefly discuss some of the root differences between the charisma gifts of the Holy Spirit and the callings God gives for our very lives.

Charisma & Doma Gifts

First of all, it must be understood that a spiritual gift is not a title, or position, rather it is an anointing, or capacity, to serve God. It should be viewed as a tool to do the work of the kingdom much in the same way as a plumber, or carpenter, has tools to accomplish their tasks. The supernatural charisma gifts, or graces, from the Holy Spirit are simply tools, not trophies, which are always given by God to serve others not promote oneself. While many seem to succumb to cult of personality due to the giftedness in a leader it should always be remembered that giftedness speaks more about the gift giver than it does the recipient of a gift.

The nine charisma gifts, listed in 1st Corinthians, chapter 12, basically fall into three categories. There are the power gifts- the gifts of healing, miracles, and faith. There are the speaking gifts- the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and word of knowledge. And then there are the discernment gifts- the gifts of word of wisdom, discernment of spirits, and interpretation of tongues. Any Christian who seriously desires to serve God can pray to God for an impartation from the Holy Spirit. An impartation from the Holy Spirit can be a release of the gifts and/or power of God to move in the areas of ministry that motivate our hearts. This in turn brings up the motivational gifts found in Romans, chapter twelve.

Paul lists seven motivational, or personality, types God gives to the church in the book of Romans, chapter 8. While there are many different personality types I believe God has made each one of us with a primary, and sometimes secondary, motivation, or impetus, which falls into these seven categories. They are serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, prophecy, mercy, and leadership. What ever your core drive may be it should propel you to seek after certain spiritual gifts in the same way that a carpenter who finds he prefers finish carpentry rather than framing will end up buying very specific tools for finish carpentry.

While one is born with a motivational gift, or gifts, the spiritual gifts are imparted as one begins to actively desire to serve God. This impartation can happen sovereignly. The Holy Spirit may quite unexpectedly in a time and place of His choosing simply impart the gifts to you, or it may happen through the laying of hands in a church ministry time or at a conference type setting. It should be noted what with several of the gifts- particularly the gifts of healing, miracles, faith, and prophecy, they are often imparted with a great release of the dunamis (Greek for dynamite) power of the Holy Spirit. However, it should be known that some receive these gifts with no outward sense, or manifestation, what so ever. Either way is okay, as long as we receive the gifts of God by faith, not by sight! Additionally, God often uses prophets to impart and encourage people in their potential gifts and callings.

Where there is a great deal of confusion with the gifts of the Spirit is the difference between those spiritual gifts for the work of the ministry which are imparted as opposed to the doma gifts where one is simply born to become the gift itself. These five doma gifts are the ministries of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher which Paul calls ascension gifts in the book of Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 7-12. Many incorrectly refer to these as offices as in a position of authority. In the original language, however, the word for office is not really used. As with the charisma gifts, the doma, or calling gifts, are for serving, not a hierarchal posturing.

One can seek a charisma gift, where as one can only be born to become a doma, or calling gift. While the charisma gifts are usually stronger and more in evidence with someone called to one of the five ascension gifts the true mark of someone walking in a doma calling is not so much that they operate in the charisma gifts. A true doma person is committed to training and equipping the church at large to grow in each one’s gifting so we can all bear fruit for God the Father. (John 15.8) As well, they normally have a strong desire to help grow the church in Christ like maturity. This is why some with the gift of prophecy can prophesy, but not necessarily be a prophet. On the other hand a prophet can come to your church and minister and they might not actually prophesy over anyone, but they communicate the heart of God for your congregation for that particular season! A doma person with a strong anointing for healing should be more interested in training others to pray for the sick than simply praying for the sick themselves. A true pastor may not actually hold the responsibility of pastoring in a local church, but everywhere they go they end up building people up with genuine love and hope.

Mantles

Another area having to do with the power and supernatural gifts of God, which seems to come into a lot of misunderstanding, is the topic of spiritual mantles. Specifically, the word mantle, as used in the Old Testament, means a cloak, or covering. As with the case of Elijah and Elisha the word becomes somewhat synonymous with a calling, or doma gift. A mantle has much more to do with the ethos of whom God has created you to be rather than an impartation of a charisma type gift.

Frequently, I hear people saying things like “so and so’s mantle has come upon me”. Really, the only place in the Bible where there is even a hint of that sort of transference of a mantle is with Elijah and Elisha. But even then it was not something that could be passed on through the laying on of hands. Rather it had to do with the God given destiny over each of their lives. It was not Elisha’s for the asking like with a charisma gift. Neither was it Elijah’s to give away. Rather it had to do with Elisha coming into spiritual maturity (eyes to see) and stepping into the Father’s will for his life. (2 Kings 2)

Mantles, very much like a fine garment, are very tailored things, which God creates in a specific way for specific people. It is more than gifting. It has to do with the spiritual and emotional DNA, destiny and calling God has put with in some special people. It is not their specialness that qualifies them; rather it is simply the unique will of the Father that makes them special. The current focus some have of wanting to come into another’s mantle speaks of the brokenness of our culture and a lack of faith that the Father has something both unique and wonderful of each of His sons and daughters. In any case, the mantle of Elijah is unique in that God invoked that ethos, or impetus, within certain people through out history for the purpose of true revival. People like John the Baptist, who came to prepare the way for Jesus some 800-900 years after Elijah.

A Greater Joy

Lastly, let me say that this season we are in right now is the “Season of the Broadplace”. (2 Sam. 22.20, Psalm 18.19, Job 36.16) It is a season that for those who have, more shall be given! (Matthew 25.29) The wonderful thing about the anointings, gifts, and power that God gives us to serve Him by is there is always more to be had. (Read through Acts 1.4-5,2.1-13, & Acts 4.23-31) Jesus is the one who gives the Spirit without measure. God calls us to ministry not simply for utilitarian reasons but also because it is more fulfilling to give than it is to receive. God wants us to seek Him for more of Him, so that our joy might be made full in Him, as we extend His love, grace, compassion, and power in the wonderful Name of Jesus.

Marc A. Dupont
August, 2008- The year of the Broadplace

In September of 06’ I wrote an article entitled “Something Wonderful is Happening”. The gist of the article had to do with the increase of freedom for healings and miracles the Holy Spirit was releasing. I equated the season with the “certain seasons” of John 5, when an angel of the Lord would stir the waters of the Pool of Bethesda. As well, I related in the article how I had sensed the Lord say to me in the mid 80’s that many in leadership at that time would live to see a great freedom for healing, miracles, and evangelism such as experienced in parts of Africa, Asia, and S. America that have helped produce authentic revivals.

We received quite a bit of positive feedback from a number of ministries globally who, basically, were experiencing the same sort of increase for healings, miracles, and signs and wonders. Since that time, some 18 months ago, there has continued to be consistent increases of the Kingdom of God moving in the power of God’s compassion.

Now, however, in the spring of 08’ (for those nations in the Northern hemisphere) there is a definite increase again! The picture, as I see it, consists of huge waves coming in to shore, but also with the tide coming in. When the tide is out even if there are waves they don’t have much impact unless one is far out in the waters. When the tide is in, however, you don’t have to go very far to experience the might of the ocean.

There are two occasions in the gospel books of Jesus instructing disciples who were fishing to try again. The first occasion is in Luke 5 when Peter, James, and John (future disciples at that moment) had been fishing all night without any catch of fish. Jesus, having had Peter take him out in his boat in order to speak to the crowd then instructed him to merely go out to deeper waters and let out the nets. Peter, although doubtful, did as Jesus instructed and then had to signal for the other boats to come out and join him because of the size of the catch. Peter, according to Luke 5.8 &9, was seized with amazement and immediately humbled himself before Jesus in the boat and, essentially, worshipped Jesus. As I wrote about in the afore mentioned article, God is doing things that are truly wonderful so that again the church might be caught up with a sense of awe and wonder regarding the person of God.

Some 3 years later, after the crucifixion and resurrection, Peter and six of the other disciples have turned back to fishing as they are not quite sure where Jesus is at and what He is doing. And just like that meeting of Peter with Jesus in Luke 5 they have again fished all night but have not caught any fish. This time however, rather than telling them to go out to deeper waters Jesus, standing on the shore, simply told them to let out the nets on the right hand side of the boat. John 21. 6 reads: “So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish”. Many, many churches and leaders have over the last many years, including the last 18 months gone into the deeper waters of the Holy Spirit. And for sure, all of our lives should be characterized by growth in God, and learning to walk more fully in the ways of God. Knowing, however, that even though sanctification and consecration are life long pursuits, there does come God’s sovereign times of reaping exponentially where we have been sowing. Two years ago it was a time for going into the deeper waters of faith, intimacy with God, and pursuing the Kingdom. Now, however, the tide has come in and we don’t have struggle so far out in the waters to catch the wave the Holy Spirit is bringing. It’s not a matter of going into deeper waters, but simply, go to the other side of the boat, if where we’re at is not happening.

Over the last 4 weeks, or so, I have had numerous calls and emails asking me what I think about the outbreak of revival in Lakeland, Florida. Without having had the opportunity to visit the meetings I can only say I am tremendously excited. Several days after the meetings began I received a group email that Todd Bentley’s ministry sent out to many leaders. As I read it I felt a leap of the Holy Spirit with in me. Along with many others, I have believed for years now that we would live to see times when our stadiums would be filled with people worshipping God and experiencing the power and glory of God. While this sort of thing is common in parts of Africa and a few other places it is very uncommon in our western world cities. I believe Lakeland to be a picture of what’s going to come about on a wide level.

While there have been and, indeed are a few evangelists who do pack out large venues and move in the Holy Spirit’s gifts; for the most part they are old school. They are old school in the sense that although they are there to see people get saved, healed, and delivered, their ministry very much centers around their ministry, their gifting, and their calling. While the kingdom does move through them they are to some degree less than fully Biblical in their focus. The apostle Paul wrote to the church of Ephesus that the pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, and apostles are not given to the church merely to do ministry but rather “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ: until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

If we talk about “new school” evangelistic and prophetic ministries we can say that they not only move themselves in the power and revelatory gifts of the Spirit, but more importantly, they impart gifts to others and train everyday Christians in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the times I have been with Todd Bentley I have been impressed by His heart and passion for not just ministering in the gifts, but for training and equipping every day saints to do the same. In short, I believe Lakeland is a torch of faith and encouragement for Christians everywhere that we are very much in the deeper waters and it’s very much a time to just let out the nets and begin to see the exponential increase of the catch God wants to bring.

One of many noteworthy miracles I have recently seen the Lord do originated while I was in Johannesburg, S. Africa in December of last year. While ministering in some meetings there I received words of knowledge from the Lord to pray for people with various types of cancer. One of the types, in particular, was cancer of the blood. At the end of the meeting a lady came up and asked if she could receive prayer in proxy for a friend dying of this type of cancer in Scotland. I agreed and laid hands on her as she stood in for her friend thousands and thousands of miles away.After receiving prayer for her friend she went home and called her friend in Scotland and related the prayer and prayed for her. Almost immediately, her friend reported back a dramatic improvement in health. After several days the doctors were seeing a great improvement in her and ordered a round of blood tests. When they saw the results they thought they had mixed up the chart with another patient’s as these tests showed a cancer free patient!

The day I began to write this article I received a phone call from a businessman in Norway who is very involved with church leaders throughout the body of Christ in his nation. He related to me that recently while I was ministering at a prophetic conference in Kristiansand, Norway a man experienced a very significant healing. He is, in fact, the father of one of the conference organizers. Over 30 years ago, while in a foreign country he was severely beaten to the point of having many bones broken. For over 30 years he has been in great pain. While in the prophetic seminar he was completely healed!

The first healing mentioned transcended thousands and thousands of miles. The second transcended over 3 decades. Like the man at the pool of Bethesda who had been lame for 38 years, or like the man born blind in John 9, we are definitely in a Kingdom season where God is rending the heavens and releasing the power of His compassion in the western world nations. It is very much a time for those who know the times and seasons- like the Sons of Issachar, to rise up. It’s time for fresh vision, focus, and energy to throw out the nets, for the harvest is, indeed ripe and the catch is ready to be caught!

“The sons of Issachar, were men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” 1 Chron. 12.32