Prior to entering the “Promised Land”, a fruit inspection must take place. Otherwise, why should we make the trip?
At 2 PM Central Standard Time on Friday October 7th, 2011, twelve spies were gathered to inspect the fruit of the Promised Land. The fruit was consumed and found “good”. Further it was decreed that we are well able to conquer the land with the anointing of Our Heavenly Father. The fruit was exceptional and had a known seven year history of maturity. Now is the time.
This month marks the fortieth year of my conscious commitment to Our Heavenly Father. I was drawn to a Christian coffeehouse called “The Open Door” because of the quality of the musicians playing there. It was there that I heard the Word of GOD with passion. Other than a few Bible stories, I knew virtually nothing about the Scriptures. In the upper room, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Little did I know what impact that event would have on my life. The next month I met the wife of my youth and nine months later we were married.
The Feast of Tabernacles is at hand and this will be my 16th year to observe this feast. The first observance was at Moon Plaza in Fridley, Minnesota. During that meeting, I was asked to speak. I had been dissecting the Book of Esther and shared the revelation I was receiving at the time. To this very day, a lady who attended that meeting reminds me of my presentation of Esther.
Many of us have similar events in our lives as Our Heavenly Father guides us through our time of preparation. We are given revelation, signs, dreams, visions, all to encourage us as we navigate through our time of testing and preparation. Some started their walk earlier than me, and some later. Each of us has a unique calling to serve the Kingdom of Our Beloved Heavenly Father. Unique gifts were set aside for us to fulfill our service to the Kingdom. I know of not one soul who wanted to be as the woman with the issue of blood, but that woman had a calling to fulfill the Scripture just like David, Joseph, Esther, or others whom we prefer to associate our callings with. We must be careful to not underestimate the calling of those who appear to be less fortunate than the rest of us. They are just as important to Our Heavenly Father as we are. The spirit of entitlement must be replace with the heart of gratitude if we are to fulfill our calling.
Our Heavenly Father has molded my life for His purpose. My job was simply to respond. I did not plan my career, HE did. I did not plan my birthplace, HE did. I did not plan to receive the Holy Spirit in October, 1971, HE did. I simply went to hear some excellent musicians play. Our Heavenly Father has choreographed our lives for HIS perfect plan, will, and purpose. HE has exposed our lawlessness, our immaturity, our lack of skill, our lack of understanding, so that we would grow and mature in order that we could handle our calling properly. If there was one thing I could claim expertise in, it would be my quickness to ask for forgiveness.
Our Heavenly Father has sent many prophets to announce changes affecting all of us. Tumultuous times are ahead and a remnant of us have been prepared for such a time as this. Man’s wisdom can no longer keep the current system intact. The wobble has started and the earth is ripe for a change. None of this is a surprise to Our Heavenly Father. In HIS great grace and mercy, HE has appointed each of us to be alive at this time and to participate in HIS plan. May each of us be deemed a good and faithful servant. Now is the time!
The Inspection of Fruit
The precursor to entering into The Promised Land is the inspection of fruit. The fruit is the abundance of blessing by Our Heavenly Father by HIS Word spoken in Genesis concerning seedtime and harvest. Prior to the initial attempt of the children of Israel to enter the Promised Land, twelve men were sent to spy out the land. The people had lived a life of scarcity for generations as slaves to the Egyptians. Their sin and unbelief had enslaved them and the time of judgment had ended. Moses had been in his extended training period and had received the mandate of THE LORD to set the captives free. The people had witnessed great and mighty miracles by Our Heavenly Father as and expression of HIS Love for the people. HE delivered them out of the hand of Pharaoh and had provided for them as they crossed the wilderness over a six month period of time. They witnessed the supernatural on a daily basis. Now, twelve men were specifically chosen for the crucial job of going forth into the land of promise and giving their assessment of what was there. Surely each tribe picked one of their best men for the task for there was a lot at stake. The future of their tribe depended on that man. Caleb was one of those men.
The name “Caleb” means “whole-hearted” not "dog” as is commonly thought. This meaning of his name truly fits the character of the man. Joshua (Salvation) and Caleb (Whole-hearted) provided proof of the abundance of the Promised Land as requested by Moses. They spent forty days spying out the land leading up to what is now known as the fall feast of Tabernacles. They began their journey in the month of Ab (July-August), the time of the first ripening of grapes. They brought back grapes, pomegranates, and figs for inspection. The fruit of the Vine (Jesus) was listed first for the vine must always be the “first-fruit” of many. Pomegranates represent worship in the Temple where our focus on Our Heavenly Father is at its zenith. Thirdly, figs represent the “support” of life i.e. the bread of life.
Joshua and Caleb brought forth a good report full of faith and expectation and were ready to enter into the land and conquer the inhabitants who were placed there until the children of Israel were ready to inhabit it. This fruit inspection was a prerequisite to entering in. Was the land productive prior to the children of Israel inhabiting it? Was there proof of blessing prior to the greater blessing of promised manifestation? Do you think they brought back mediocre fruit for inspection? No, only the best were selected. The best grapes were used to make wine, the offering of Tabernacles.
The giants in the land were no different than the perceived giants today. The ten spies who were full of unbelief did not trust Our Heavenly Father to bring forth deliverance. They knew HIS acts but not HIS character. The two spies (whole-hearted salvation) were different. Their eyes were opened to the ways of Our Heavenly Father and knew that if HE said to take the land, HE would provide victory. None of them had ever seen the fruit of the land prior to this. They fully expected to see good fruit even though the land was inhabited by those who had not been set apart for HIS service.
This 40 day period was just prior to the Day of Jubilee (or Atonement). Surely the inspection took place on the eve of this day. The results of this inspection with the rejection of the plan to enter in necessitated the establishment of the Day of Atonement. Though Jewish tradition places this inspection/rejection at the Ninth of Av, I would suggest that based on Numbers 13:20-21 that the spies entered the land in the month of Av and returned just prior to the Day of Atonement which was established due to Israel’s sin of unbelief. The time cycle of “July is as September” would parallel the 9th of Av is as the 9th of Tishri.
Now is the time to bring forth the fruit for inspection. Now is the time for fruitfulness in unity. Now is the time to trust Our Heavenly Father as we proceed to take the Promised Land and inhabit it for we are well able for we have a “different Spirit” within us.
I have received inquiries concerning the Bible Law project mentioned in a previous blog. We are working with the original administrator of the site to get the site back up and operational. When that happens, I will post the website name. I hope to see it operational soon.
The moment a structure is built by man, it begins to decay. Only with substantial energy and pressure does man’s systems continue. The energy consumed is often greater than the results it produces. Early in the life of the structure all appears to be in equilibrium and progressing without much intervention, similar to a spinning top. Once deceleration of the spinning top occurs it begins to wobble, much like the current economic system. The “wobble” of the current system is beginning to produce violent swings in investment assets such as gold, silver, and other commodities. At the same time, those who are called to service during the next major move of Our Heavenly Father are being challenged to think and respond in a new way. The ways of the past no longer apply whether politically, socially, or financially. The paradigm shift is occurring and the question is are you going to shift with it?
I believe we are being called to unity as members of the Body of Christ. In the past, many of us were called outside the “camp” so we could commune individually with Our Heavenly Father to hear His Voice. The church of Pentecost was teaching man’s views and traditions of the Holy Scriptures mixed with “leaven”. Churchgoers were complacent and satisfied with their reserved position in the pew and to hear the pastor’s revelation and nothing else. As Love told us as HE walked the earth, “My sheep hear My voice”. Now is the time for the sheep to move forth in unity.
When Our Heavenly Father wanted a Temple built, HE moved upon His people to give finances for the building of the temple and they responded. Prior to the building of the temple, the finances were placed in the treasury. Prior to the repair of the temple, the finances were there. This pattern was established each time throughout Scripture. Until men overcome their ego and the subtleness of greed that causes them to cling to their funds, the New Temple will not be built. Just as in the time of Joseph, it took a sore famine to cause men to finally separate them from their perceived wealth. It took the death of the first born for the Egyptians to give their wealth for the building of Our Heavenly Father’s dwelling place. There will be those who step out in faith and those who give in final desperation as their ego tries to cling to man’s perception of wealth. Both blessing and judgment are coming. The only question will be which side of Our Heavenly Father will you be on.
Greed is most subtle. Greed will tell you to postpone giving until some future event occurs. It makes conditional promises that are always deferred into the future. Meanwhile you are virtually useless to the Kingdom for your focus always remains in the future versus the here and now. I knew a man who was working on International financing deals and expected his “ship to come in” at any time. Once that happened, he was going to buy a diamond ring from Cartier and marry his girlfriend. That was ten years ago. I suspect she is still waiting.
The story of the widow’s mite is all about percentages. Those with much gave little whereas those with little gave much. If you are deferring your giving until your windfall comes in, don’t expect anything to change if and when that happens. Your ego will convince you to go build a bigger barn and defer your giving into the future. That “future” will never come and you will be judged accordingly. This blog might offend some but now is the time to judge yourself while there is still time. None of us are called to judge your heart, that’s yours to deal with. However, we are all called to be fruit inspectors. Those may be tough words but now is the time!
In the late 1990’s, I was asked to participate in a Bible Law project. The purpose was to create an awareness of the applicability of the Law in today’s society. The prevailing view in the church realm was that the Law had been done away with once the Old Testament had been replaced with the New Testament and Jesus being the perfect sacrifice. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Twelve men were selected and were to meet at a corporate lodge in Michigan: two from Australia and ten from North America. I was one of the twelve. It was determined that we would team up in twos and we drew lots to determine our partner. I was matched up with one of the Aussies. We all determined to divide the 613 Commandments and Statutes into categories and assign each team with certain categories. We were excited about the project.
One by one, men dropped out of the project until we were down to two, myself and the Aussie. Since I had given my word to take on the project, I was led to cross the finish line no matter how long it took. Though he may disagree, I had to drag the Aussie over the line with me. We ultimately posted the results of the project on the Internet for the world to view. Each of the 613 Commandments and Statutes had a commentary attached so that the reader could understand the applicability of the Scripture in today’s society. Some commentaries were better than others.
Out of Our Heavenly Father’s Heart came the Law and HE has not changed one iota since. The problem is that our hearts have tried to rationalize why The Law is no longer valid. If we could only view The Law through HIS Eyes then we could appreciated its importance. For example, we are not to “tattoo” ourselves. You would say that this statute is antiquated and does not apply to us today. However based on my discussions with a physician with over forty years of experience in studying the human body and its electrical system, the metal mixed with the ink in tattoos interferes with the body’s electron flow. This consistent interference will ultimately have a negative effect on some system within the body whether it be cancer or some other potential life threatening condition. Piercings do the same thing. (Lev 19:28) The Scripture was given for our benefit but our ego would have us believe that Our Heavenly Father simply wanted to control us. The only thing that has changed is our understanding.
When Joshua was being prepared to enter the Promised Land, he was told: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. When you understand that this command was given out of Love, you realize the importance of embracing The Law. Further when Jesus said that The Law can be fulfilled by walking in Love, we can simplify our approach to life. Simply Love Our Heavenly Father and our fellow man whether friend or foe. As we Love, we walk in unity with Our Heavenly Father. The things that were once important seem to fade away. Relationships take precedence over “things”. Rather than focusing what the other person has to offer us, we ponder what we have to offer to them.
It was necessary for me to focus on the 613 Commandments and Statutes over a decade ago. Studying the detail gave me an appreciation for Our Father’s Love. If you immerse yourself in His Love and purpose to walk in it, HE will entrust you with greater responsibility in The Kingdom because HE knows you will represent HIM well. The one absolute requirement of a Treasurer is the revelation of Love.
“Sequence Failed Continuity”
When I was faced with making a trip to British Columbia, I had major repairs occurring at the house. The office was in disarray and my “to do” list was long and screaming at me. I had business projects demanding my attention and the remaining summer schedule allowed for no unexpected trips. That was to change once the Word of THE LORD came. When we spend decades in training, developing our gifts, gaining needed revelation, understanding, knowledge and skill, we must be ready when the call comes. I believe that once the call is imminent, there will be a spiritual battle arise that will attempt to divert your time and resources as a final test to see if you will walk in the calling. It may not be the case for everyone, but it has been the case for me. Ten years ago I would not have handled the issues of this summer with the same maturity level. I have even marveled at my lack of emotion as each mini-crisis has occurred this summer. Only now can I appreciate why I was not activated in 1987 when first given the vision.
We can look back at all the opportunities to be diverted to another path or even death. Each change in employment had an alternate job opportunity with a seemingly better future. Each time THE LORD told me which job to accept, defying man’s logic. At various points in time, there was a fork in the road and Our Heavenly Father told me to take the road less traveled defying human understanding. The road turned into a path, the path became narrower and narrower until there was no trodden path to follow. At each time of uncertainty, HE would send a confirming Word through a prophet who had no personal exposure to my calling and reassure me that I was on the right path.
Each of us has a calling and Our Heavenly Father sees to it that we will navigate through the tests, trials, and circumstances to fulfill that calling. Whether it be a miraculous healing from a life threatening illness or being diverted from a trip that would insure death, HIS Plan will come to pass. Some are called to give their lives on behalf of others and they return unto Our Heavenly Father before us. It is not our responsibility to determine who “falls on the sword” on our behalf but simply be grateful that they took that assignment before being birthed on earth.
The following video provides some perspective:
While assets are under management of the Treasurer, his job is to protect value and grow the principal in reasonable investments. Ongoing bank or management fees chip away at principal in a very subtle fashion. In Europe, banks tend to charge fees for simply holding deposits. The Swiss know that when foreigners open accounts in their jurisdiction, it is generally to take advantage of the safety of the Swiss banking system but that privilege has a cost associated with it. Bankers tend to develop an attitude of entitlement rather then that of serving the customer. In my experience, loan officers let the power of the lender get inside their heads. It was as though it was their money being lent to the borrower rather than from the pool of various deposits, the true source.
Gold and silver have no liability attached to them whereas currencies issued by countries have liabilities that can affect the value of the money printed. This is the case with virtually every country around the globe. Recently, the Swiss took action to reduce the demand for Swiss francs because large investors were moving their deposits to Switzerland as a protection against currency devaluation in other jurisdictions. This demand raised the exchange rate of the Swiss franc and lowered its export demand which is bad for its economy.
A global network of established values of goods and services based on the weight of gold and silver would reduce the complexity currency management and speculators would be unable to manipulate values at the expense of mankind. The Kingdom of GOD operates on equal weights and measures. If it is going to envelope the entire earth, then one monetary system will be installed. The technology infrastructure is in place to handle such as system. There is no need to send physical metal across the ocean to settle payments on a commercial basis.
Making productive use of Treasury assets includes investing in Kingdom companies. Rather than charge interest (usury) for financial capital, investment in the productivity of a company provides long term cash flow for the Treasury. It also removes the burden of interest payments of the company while developing its product or service. In essence, the Treasury becomes a partner of the company.
The Treasury should develop support services for Kingdom companies. Each Kingdom company will have temporary need for expert services but cannot afford the ongoing cost of having such an expert on payroll. The Treasury’s mandate is to support and serve rather than hinder and exploit.
Generated cash flow should be distributed to the needs of mankind. Widows, orphans, and the poor often have no means of support. The infrastructure of the Kingdom must insure food, shelter, and clothing needs be met. In the Book of Ruth, Boaz made sure the Ruth and her mother-in-law received sufficient food from the gleanings of the field. Our Heavenly Father designed the earth to supply all our need and it is the mandate of the Treasurer to support the development of industry to serve mankind in these areas.
There will be a transitory time where the current financial infrastructure will be required to support the Treasury. We must trust Our Heavenly Father to guide us through this transfer by revealing the necessary steps at the appropriate time to insure the Treasury is protected by those who would attempt to steal from the storehouse of the Kingdom. It is our responsibility to serve at HIS pleasure and respond to HIS Voice.
To counterfeit means to illegally imitate something. Over the last forty years I have come across many who claim to have a financial calling in the Kingdom of GOD. Many were called to a “Joseph” ministry but I have not met a soul who claimed to have a “Judas” ministry. Judas was the treasurer on Jesus’ staff. Nobody wants to be associated with the man who betrayed Jesus.
Greed among Christians exists as a subtle, hidden aspect of the ego. The ego will always tell us that we are to be something great in the coming Kingdom and be honored by all mankind. Judas was expecting Jesus to be the conquering Messiah and overcome the current political system with one wave of the hand thus elevating him to treasurer over the whole earth.
Christians attempt to take on a calling without the gifts and preparation that is required to operate in that office. They often point to signs that support their perceived calling in an attempt to convince themselves and others that they are “the one”. They spend so much time on the illusion, they are unfruitful in every area of their lives. The glamour of the counterfeit calling takes their focus away from their true calling. Those who would benefit from their true calling suffer. When you expect “signs” to be your primary confirmation be assured that the ego will ensnare you.
Jesus inspected the fig tree in Matthew 21. He found nothing thereon but leaves and cursed it. It is well established that Nation o f Israel represents the fig tree. Jesus Himself proclaimed that the Nation would never be fruitful again but to this very day they claim to be the chosen of GOD. The church has been duped into supporting Israel both politically as well as financially in spite of the words of Jesus. In effect, they are counterfeiting the calling of the Sons of GOD. Do you think that they will avoid judgment for their lawless actions?
Being called as Treasurer is not a glamorous job. The bigger the job, the greater requirement to serve in the Kingdom. The ego would have you believe that handling the funds would trump any other calling. In 1972 while working part-time in the largest bank in Oklahoma and finishing my education, I helped out in the commercial receiving and vault area. One of my tasks was to “balance” the vault with another person. That required me to count in excess of $5 million in currency held in the vault. There were stacks of cash everywhere. Initially, I was like a kid in the candy store. After the third or forth time of counting the bank’s vault cash, the glamour evaporated. It was just another task that required someone to do it. The responsibility of overseeing funds for the Kingdom of GOD is a reverent responsibility. By knowing the consequences of sin entering in and seeing the repercussions of failure by those in the past who took on the office, the glamour has long since passed.
Do you think that those who believe they are in power are going to be oblivious to the transfer of wealth? Do you think that there will be no risk associated with handling Kingdom funds unless you have the anointing to navigate through perilous times and at personal risk? Without the anointing and the Word of THE LORD, I would have preferred another, safer calling. Let someone else catch the arrows! Paul wrote of the perils he experienced while fulfilling his calling. How many of us are willing to walk through the perils for the temporary glory of the office of Treasurer?
I serve at the pleasure of Our Heavenly Father. If HE wants to redirect me to another calling I am good with that. My heart’s desire is to faithfully serve HIM in Love, no matter what the task. HE prepares each of us throughout our lives to fulfill our calling. We are drawn to those tasks, jobs, books, people, tools, and education that develop our gifts in order to fulfill our calling. There are plenty of people who want to experience the glamour of wealth and would attempt to take on the treasurer’s office without the calling. They would be a counterfeit treasurer and would also be subject to judgment by Our Heavenly Father. We are called to be fruit inspectors. We cannot judge the heart but we can and should judge the fruit. If someone claims a calling but has not fruit in that area, the chances are that they are not really called to that area. I am not called to be an accountant, a lawyer, or an evangelist. If I were called to any of these, the last forty years would be filled with fruit in those areas. The counterfeit will be exposed by the light of the Word.
Why now? An economic famine is coming. I have been warning about this reality for some time. If you have been reading this blog you would have known that investments in oil, gas, gold, and silver would yield relatively higher returns. That fact is that the world currencies are declining in value thus the commodities’ prices are rising to offset the depreciation of currencies.
Do you think the investment banks, community banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions really care about your future? It has been reported that Goldman Sachs sold financial instruments to its clients and then bet against those same instruments and made billions of dollars. Yes, greed is legal in today’s system.
Men and women who love Our Heavenly Father have been prepared in their respective fields for this point in time. When you look at the journey of each one you find a common thread. They were moved by Our Heavenly Father to take specific paths often sprinkled with opposition to their calling. At times they considered giving up but were once again encouraged by the “Word of THE LORD” to continue and persevere through opposition raised up against them. Many of them relate with Joseph who seemingly against all odds was raised up to acquire and distribute assets for the benefit of mankind. Their lack of total success during this time of training was by design. Had they achieved complete success, they would have refocused their attention on the current system and protected it at all costs. As they matured as Sons, they realize the current system has no future. Their trust in Our Heavenly Father has grown to the point where they will respond to HIS voice on a moment’s notice. Jesus endured a time of preparation as did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and others. At the time of the activation of their calling, they were no longer moved by what the world had to offer.
Now is the time to come together as a unified Body of Christ. Our egos must be set aside. Fear of exploitation must be dealt with and the ego must be placed on the cross once and for all. The current system is going to be replaced by a counterfeit system or the Kingdom of GOD. I have been called to the Kingdom. Come, let us be joined together.