STRATEGIC HOLINESS (PART 2)
(c) Morris Ruddick
This is Part 2 of a message unveiling the strategic nature of holiness for the times we have entered. Part 1 can be found at http://strategicintercession.org/2013/02/strategic-holiness-part-1/
In Part 1 we addressed “Holiness and Abiding in Oneness,” “The Strategic Dimension,” “Radical Holy Change,” and “Judgment and Fulfillment.” In Part 2, after briefly reviewing an overview of the times, we pick up by addressing issues close to God’s heart; followed by spiritual vision and authority; the realities and expected impact when applying a strategy of holiness; and concluding with a prayer.
Touching God’s heart; with a pure heart is a catalyst, an igniter for something significant. It realigns things. When this happens within a community, it begins releasing radical change. It lifts the spiritual gateway into a path with no parallel in this world. It is a pathway marked by the fire of His presence, as those navigating it are purified by fire.
Leadership on the pathway of fire requires the experience of ones who have been prepared by fire; together with this issue of a pure heart. We can no longer trust in man’s wisdom, even when anointed. The times DEMAND that we be led by the Spirit. While the challenges are increasing, there is a release of His power, as a growing remnant reach for something beyond the best of our natural abilities.
It is a time in which Jesus’ message of the Kingdom is vital. The employment of righteous power in corrupt settings without the purity and wisdom of applying the Kingdom message will result in one or two things: 1) progress will be stymied and fall short and/or 2) there will be a tendency to be seduced by cultural and doctrinal formulas driven by religious spirits. When that happens the manifestation will be elitism or critical, divisive responses (i.e. Isaiah 58 of “pointing the finger in scorn) toward those whose spiritual maturity is perceived as “less.”
The point is that the pathway “purified by fire” is not just designed to make an impact, but to be a strategy and model that will draw others to the higher standard of the mantle/commission; and for still others outside our spiritual boundaries to see the demonstration of the reality of God.
Morris
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“In the time of the end, many shall be purified and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3, 10-12
The spiritual turning underway is redefining the times. The phrase “the dark is getting darker and the light is getting lighter” doesn’t even begin to describe it. We are entering a day of His power; a time of great shifts, as the doors also open to “disciple nations.” It will be a time of disruptions and uncertainty; a time in which to straddle the fence will mean being shot at from both sides. It will be a time of miracles, as it will be a time of judgment.
It will be a time that carries the need for something more. We are going to have to understand the times with a focus on being about God’s priorities. Being about His priorities will necessitate walking in strategic holiness.
These are days prophesied by Ezekiel when he said: “The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. For I the Lord will speak what I will and it will be fulfilled without delay. For the rebellious shall see that I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Lord. When the people say the visions he sees are for many years from now say, this is what the Lord says, ‘none of My Words will be delayed any longer, whatever I say will be fulfilled.'” Ezekiel 12:22
These will be like the days of Joseph described by the Psalmist, “And He sent a man before them; Joseph; who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.” (Psalm 105:17-19) Joseph trusted God as he paid the cost required for Him to walk into the fulfillment of the prophetic vision he received at a much younger age. There are many who have been called today as modern-day Josephs, who have been tested by the word of the Lord. The time of fulfillment is at hand.
Issues Close to God’s Heart
As we reach for God’s heart, it will thrust us beyond our limited perceptions and worldviews. In touching God’s heart, we will become aligned with His highest priorities.
Israel and Jewish Revival. At the pivot point will be Israel and Jewish revival. The Messianic Jewish movement IS the forefront of Jewish revival. Connect with the Jewish believers in Israel! Loving Israel, while overlooking our Jewish brethren in the Land, is among the foremost schemes being orchestrated by the devil.
The rise of Messianic Judaism has been a catalyst igniting the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s dry bones prophecy: “Thus says the Lord to these dry bones: Surely I will cause breath to enter into you and I will put sinew and flesh upon you, and you shall live. Prophesy to the breath, O son of man and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied and sinew and flesh came upon them and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.” Ezekiel 37: 4-10
Isaiah 58. Then Isaiah 58 gives focus to reaching out to enable opportunity for the poor, the needy; to the widows and orphans.
Persecuted Church. Closely aligned with the priority of reaching out to the less fortunate is a segment of the church persecuted and oppressed for their faith. Psalm 107 refers to those who are brought low through oppression, affliction and sorrow.
Integrated into the strategic response to this focus has been restoring the roots of the biblical model; of God-centered, entrepreneurial community. Through the community of God’s people enabling opportunity for one other, the world will see the reality of God in operation. At the forefront of this restoration of biblical pathways is the marketplace movement.
Spiritual Vision, Faith and Authority
As we embrace this path of priorities aligned with God’s heart, we’re going to find it marked by radical change. We need to face this change with spiritual vision, faith and authority.
“Be steadfast, immovable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work in the Lord will not be in vain!” 1 Cor 15:58
Spiritual vision can only come through the time we spend before the Lord. It’s not about intellect, it’s about the anointing. It’s not what we can do for God, but rather what we allow Him to do through us.
Likewise, spiritual authority is the result of paying the cost, like Joseph and Daniel paid. As Joseph demonstrated the reality of God through the authority He operated in to be blessed to be a blessing, those in authority over him promoted him with responsibility and gave them their authority. It happened in Potiphar’s house; then when Joseph was unrighteously put in prison; as well as when Pharaoh discerned the Spirit of the Lord operating in him. The same thing happened as Daniel stood his ground, demonstrating God’s authority that he wielded.
Spiritual authority is about clearly discerning and operating in the sphere the Lord has entrusted us with. It’s about a faith and commitment that “loves not your lives unto the death.” Rev 12:11
Operating in this level of authority takes faith and is directly correlated with hearing His voice. It’s about knowing who you are in the Lord and what you’ve been called to do. It is a boldness in the face of the enemy throwing all he can at you. It is a boldness that operates free from intimidation and fear. Indeed, Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.
In this context, we must also recognize that for some, engaging the enemy and repossessing the land will mean walking through the valley of the shadow of death. May we be encouraged by the truth in that well-known Psalm: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
Realities and Expectations
A corner has been turned. It is a turning that will result in a maturity at the community-level. It is a turning that demands that we be led by the Spirit, as a people. That means guarding against being preoccupied and distracted with last year’s agendas. It means being alert and sensitized to current realities, the changes and the pace of the times; and with that, the realities and expectations before us as those called to walk out a strategy of holiness.
These realities will include obstacles that present themselves as impossibilities. However, that’s a lie, because NOTHING is impossible with God. These are times to consecrate ourselves, to gird ourselves in strategic holiness and to rise up in the face of the impossible. As we do, we can expect:
- greater victories in the face of impossible odds;
- honor in the midst of our enemies; and
- restoration from what the enemy has stolen.
Greater Victories in the Face of Impossibilities
“For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He might utterly destroy them, and that they might receive no mercy, but that He might destroy them, as the LORD had commanded Moses.” Joshua 11:20
The Lord will never overwhelm us. There is a progressive dimension for those called to the forefront, into leadership, for these times. We can expect progressive steps akin to those operating in Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus raised from the dead, the little girl who had just died. But in raising Lazarus from the dead, there was more. Lazarus had been dead for four days. Finally, it was Jesus Himself who had to face and experience death, before death was conquered in His resurrection. Greater obstacles should not be a threat to us. The time is now, in which we can expect greater victories in the face of greater odds and impossibilities.
Honor in the Midst of Our Enemies
“And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.” Exodus 11:3
We are called as God’s ambassadors. We are the light sitting on the hill that cannot be hidden. The anointing of God upon us will open doors and grant favor in the midst of strange and difficult circumstances. The authority of our calling will initiate unusual events and agendas that will serve God’s purposes. It will be the foundation for modern-day Josephs and Daniels being promoted within seats of power of the world’s systems. For those called in this way, we can expect honor in the midst of our enemies.
Restoration from What the Enemy Has Stolen
“And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed.” Exodus 3:21
As time passed after Joseph’s death, the Egyptians began fearing the Israelites. It is no different today with God’s people. For the Jewish people, there is going to be a restoration from the times of oppression, as the momentum of Jewish revival builds. For believers, we will see progressive developments in our opportunities for the Lord; as were illustrated by the “raising the dead” steps in the life of Jesus.
This progression is illustrated on another level as the fifties marked the beginning of the Church being activated from a staid churchianity and occasional mission outreach-thrust orientation into the parachurch movement. This incredible move of God gained great strength in the sixties; and resulted in an incredible increase and transformation in exposure, awareness and thrust. It has been a significant step in connecting the Body and positioning the Body for the time it will come together in unity. During this same general time frame, the rise of the Messianic Jewish movement has resulted in more Jewish people embracing Jesus as their Messiah, than took place since the Lord walked the face of the earth.
We have entered a time in which an equally significant move of God is emerging. The Lord is penetrating the fabric of society with His people. It is a time in which we will see the release of modern-day Josephs and Daniels who will operate in seats of power within governments and business enterprises around the world. The expected impact is for strategically-placed shifts in the spiritual climate, as revival gains momentum from pathways purified by fire and strategic holiness; and as Israel progressively turns to God; all in the face of creeping darkness and a world trying to pervert God’s intentions.
God will not be mocked. He is restoring His authority and dominion and entrusting it to those who KNOW Him; who walk in strategic holiness, a pathway marked by the fire of His presence.
The Prayer
Lord God, in the Name of Jesus, we bow our hearts before You. For Yours O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty. Indeed, everything that is in the heavens and earth is Yours. YOURS is the dominion O Lord; and You do exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You and You do rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to strengthen and to make great. So we thank You O Lord and we glorify Your awesome, holy Name.
And Lord we thank You for preparing us for a pathway purified by fire, that we might walk blameless before You. Lord, we bless You and we praise You. You are awesome and worthy to be praised. Lord, give us the grace we pray, to rule our own spirits. We thank You Lord, for giving us a heart to repent and a heart to forgive. Lord, we resist and renounce all forms of unholy dependencies and blindnesses. We likewise repent, and renounce and resist impatience and the sin of Saul to force issues that go contrary to your plan and timing, as well as the bitterness and fear and jealousy that so marked his tragic life. Lord, bring us into Your flow. Sensitize us to the issues central to Your heart. Enable and equip us afresh as able instruments of Your purpose; as Your ambassadors. Lord, may we be strong in You and do exploits.
O Lord, the thunder of Your power; who can understand? Lord, up until this point, we have only heard the small whispers of Your power; despite these “whispers” being awesome. May our hearts be prepared for the time in which we will witness the thunder of Your power. Grant us the wisdom to recognize and flow in the authority you’ve given us each within our spheres.
Lord, we thank you for the incredible opportunity in these times we have entered. Help us to better understand the unfolding of these times and to know what to do. These are the times spoken of by so many who have come before us. They are the times spoken of by Daniel when he said that many will be purified and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. Lord may we flow in that type of wisdom. Lord, these are the times spoken of by Ezekiel, when every vision will be fulfilled and the accomplishment of Your word will not be delayed. Lord, may we operate in the level of strategic holiness, authority and faith that releases that type of impact.
Help us O God to believe You for greater victories in the face of impossible odds; honor in the midst of our enemies; and restoration from what the enemy has stolen. May it be said of us, as it was said of your ambassadors in the time of Daniel, that we are ten times wiser than ALL the wisdom of the world within our realm. May we operate in the prophetic wisdom of Joseph that was recognized by Pharaoh when he promoted Joseph to rule over the land. And Lord, sharpen our discernment and ability to remain stable and to accurately hear You in the midst of the rumbling and shakings taking place about us.
Blessed be Your holy Name, Lord God almighty. For wisdom and might are Yours. You change the times and the seasons. You remove kings and You raise up kings. You give wisdom o the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. You reveal deep and secret things. You know what is in the darkness and light dwells with You. We give thanks to You in the Name that is above all Names, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
