Alerts

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2022 Summer and Fall Calendar

Daily

          “What the What?” Podcast (in development) (new episode)

 

Every Sunday (exceptions noted)

          Sunday Sessions (more)

 

Every Monday

          “Being Disciples” Podcast (new episode) (more)

 

Every Tuesday

          Ekklesia (more)

 

Every Thursday

          Fire-Pit Worship(more)

 

First Thursday of Each Month

          Pizza Man Church (more)

          Prayer in the Park (through November 3)

 

Third Thursday of Each Month

          Pizza Man Church (more)

          Prayer in the Park (through November 17)

 

Weekly

          Online Bible Study Groups (in development)

 

June 5, Sunday

          Spring Gathering and Baptisms

 

June 19, Sunday

          Open House at John and Sue’s Home (no Sunday Sessions)

 

July 26-31, Tuesday through Sunday

          Anoka County Fair – Church Host (no weekly activities)

 

August and September

          City Wide Prayer Walk and Flyer Distribution (Gospel and “IHH”)

 

October 1, Saturday

          “In His Heartbeat” – City Wide Worship

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Rethinking and Unlearning

Rethinking and Unlearning

January 2022

 

We need to be willing to change what we believe, from what we’ve been taught, to the truth that is revealed to us. As information is made known to us that contradicts what we think we know, the truth of the matter must be searched out and our beliefs must follow the evidence, not our emotions.

 

Here are three examples that I have:

 

  • Number one: Jesus was led into His forty-day fast in the wilderness immediately after His baptism in the Jordan River.
    • Matthew 3:16-17 records the baptism of Jesus and the voice heard from heaven
    • Matthew 4:1 KJV, the next verse, states, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”
    • Could there be a time gap between Matthew 3:17 and Matthew 4:1?
    • Mark 1:9-11 records the baptism of Jesus and the voice heard from heaven
    • Mark 1:12 KJV, the next verse, states, “And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness.”
      • Strong’s 2112, euthys, is the word used for immediately. The word can also be translated as soon or shortly.
    • Could there be a time gap between Mark 1:11 and Mark 1:12?
    • Luke 3:21-22 records the baptism of Jesus and the voice heard from heaven
    • Luke 3:23-38 records the generations of Jesus going back to Adam
    • Luke 4:1 KJV, the next verse, states, “And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,”
    • When Jesus “returned from Jordan,” where did He return to?
    • Could there be a time gap between Luke 4:1a and Luke 4:1b?
  • Those three gospels record the events, in various details, of the story of the baptism of Jesus and the trek into the wilderness.
  • But there is a fourth gospel.
    • John 1:15-28 records the exchange between John the Baptist and the priests that were sent by the Pharisees to question him
    • John 1:29-34 records the baptism of Jesus and the voice heard from heaven
      • John the Baptist declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God
    • John 1:35-36 KJV states, “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
      • This was the day after the baptism of Jesus, and He is still in the area
    • John 1:38-42 records the meeting of Jesus with Andrew and a second disciple, and with Simon
    • John 1:43 KJV states, “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, ‘Follow Me.’”
    • The rest of the chapter concludes with the story of Jesus meeting and calling Philip and Nathaniel
    • Chapter 2 of the Gospel According to John begins with the wedding celebration in Cana of Galilee where Jesus performs the first of His public miracles
    • Where is the trek into the wilderness for fasting and testing?
      • Could it be between verses 41 and 42 of John 1?
    • John 1:43 begins, “The day following …”
      • Following what?
      • Certainly, it appears to be the day on which Andrew appears to have brought Simon to meet Jesus in verse 42
      • The question can be asked whether that same day is the day Andrew found his brother and told him about finding the Messiah, the Christ
    • Result: I don’t believe that Jesus was led into His forty-day fast in the wilderness immediately after His baptism in the Jordan River. There were a few days revealed in the Gospel According to John.

 

 

  • Number two: the first time the disciples met Jesus, or possibly even heard of Him, was when Jesus called them, saying, “Come, follow me.”
    • Matthew 4 begins with the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness and recounts prophecies concerning Him through verse 16
    • Matthew 4:17 KJV states, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
      • Here we see that the ministry of Jesus begins after His time in the wilderness
      • We are not told here how much time passed, perhaps to recover from the fasting, between coming out of the wilderness and preaching as He travelled through Galilee
    • Matthew 4:18-20 KJV states, “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He saith unto them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.”
    • We tend to read these verses without concern for any passage of time between events.
    • Mark 1 covers the baptism of Jesus and His trek into the wilderness, as well as John the Baptist being imprisoned
    • Mark 1:14-18 KJV states, “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.’ Now as He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, ‘Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.’ And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him.”
      • “Now after that” is not a quantification of time; it is open-ended
      • At some point after “that John” was put into prison
      • “He saw Simon and Andrew” does not mean it is the first time that Jesus saw them
    • Luke 4:38 KJV states of Jesus, “And He arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought Him for her.”
      • Is this Simon the same Simon Peter?
    • Luke 5:10-11 KJV states, “And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, ‘Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.’ And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.”
      • This was a minimum of one day following 4:38
      • Was Jesus in the boat when the disciples launched out deep?
        • Another belief that He was ashore – Hmmm???
      • John 1:35-42, as we saw in the first example, records Jesus meeting Andrew the day after He was baptized and then Andrew finding his brother, Simon Peter, and bringing him to meet Jesus.
        • The meeting with Andrew was before the wilderness while the calling to follow Him was afterwards
      • Considering the accounts in the Gospels according to Luke and John, it appears there may have been multiple encounters before Jesus called them from their fishing boats, including being in the boat of Andrew and Simon
    • Result: I don’t believe the first time the disciples met Jesus, or possibly even heard of Him, was when Jesus called them, saying, “Come, follow me.” At least for some, whereas some may have had a great wave of faith by Holy Spirit or other possible circumstances that caused them to leave all and immediately follow Jesus.

 

 

  • Number three: John the Baptist was akin to a crazed loner
    • Mark 1:1-11 records some background on John the Baptist and mentions the baptism of Jesus
    • Mark 1:6 KJV states, “And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
      • John’s attire and diet as given here are launch points for degrading John and seeing him as something less than he is
      • In addition, the religious leaders can look down on him due to his lack of position as a prophet, Elijah, or even the Christ, or for not being in their formal religious system
    • John 1:25 KJV states, “And they asked him, and said unto him, ‘Why baptizes thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?’”
      • The priests were sent by the Pharisees to check John out knowing that they had not given him authority to baptize the people
      • The respect for John from the religious leaders was quite low, if any at all, as some evidently thought he had a devil
    • Luke 7:33 KJV has Jesus saying, “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, ‘He hath a devil.’”
    • And such is the picture often painted in some Sunday School classes and some teachings
    • However, Jesus had better to say of John
    • Luke 7:28 KJV states, “For I say unto you, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
    • Matthew 17:11-13 KJV states, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.’ Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist.”
      • High praise from Jesus
      • John also had disciples and was called Rabbi by them
    • John 1:35 KJV states, “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;”
    • John 1:40 KJV states, “One of the two which heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.”
    • John 3:25-26a KJV states, “Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, ‘Rabbi,’ …”
      • These examples are in addition to the many people who came to hear his message of repentance and were being baptized by John
    • Result: John the Baptist was neither crazed nor a loner, though he may have been alone for some years in preparation for his ministry.

 

 

There are many more “Sunday School” lessons that may not be completely accurate. Like the old joke goes; How many of each animal did Moses take on the ark? The quick answer is two because the focus is on the animals and the ark. This is what has been drilled into us. The answer to the joke is zero. Noah was on the ark, not Moses. Yet, even two is the wrong answer.

 

  • Genesis 7:2-3 KJV states, “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.”

 

There are a couple of points to notice here. First, we must be willing to adjust our thoughts and beliefs based upon what is revealed in Scripture. Second, the whole of Scripture must be studied and used if we wish to understand the full story and the principles being taught within the pages of Scripture.

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Discipleship: Identity in Christ

Discipleship

 

Discipleship is the training of the followers of Christ. This involves the interaction of mature believers with new followers of Christ and fellow believers for the purpose of bringing all to maturity in faith and action as disciples of Christ Jesus.

 

As followers of Christ Jesus, we are called to make disciples. Evangelism is merely the first step in the process. The actual making of disciples is the training of believers in prayer, worship, intimacy with God, hearing God, daily living, and more. This is accomplished on a personal level involving instruction and being an example.

 

Identity in Christ

 

This is a new study, as of October, 2021, that will explore our identity as God sees us. Our true identity is what God says about us; both individually and corporately. We are, as individuals, disciples of Christ. We are, as a group, the Body of Christ. An accurate understanding of our identity enables us to more effectively interact with God, with one another, and with the environment or atmosphere around us. We need to learn what God says about us, then come into agreement with Him. When we come into agreement with God, our faith is increased, and His power and love can be released through us.

 

Please join us in this study either here with us, or joining us for Sunday Sessions.

  • 01 – Introduction
  • 02 – Children of God
  • 03 – The Body of Christ
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Crime Rates in Anoka

 

This report was assembled April 21, 2021 and contains the most current information I could find at this time.

 

I have been searching for measurables concerning crime to offer concrete data to our subjective sense of the community. There are multiple tables of information from various sources, and it can all seem quite confusing after a while of looking at it. I am not looking to find data to support my beliefs for which I can offer skewed statistics. I want real information that is easily understood.

 

What I offer here is some data that I have gleaned from various sites online that anyone can get to without pay walls, etc. Typically, there is a 1-1/2-to-2-year lag time in the collection, organization, and distribution of the information. I did find a site with more current information, but it too has its shortcomings such as a 500-case maximum display which severely shortens the search window. It is interesting to research specific crime classes or time frames. The site is https://www.communitycrimemap.com/.

 

The population of Anoka is just over 17,000 people. Crime has, for the most part, been going down in Anoka. Though crime may still be higher than more than 50% of the cities in America, it is encouraging to see the reduction in the numbers. Some specific crimes have risen, and some specific years show a spike. Overall, however, it appears as though crime has decreased in Anoka. I provide here a couple of sites and a brief summary of their findings. Please visit the sites if you have further interest in the details of their reports. Many more sites can be found, including from realtors, by searching “year-over-year crime rate Anoka, MN”.

 

 

The City-Data.com Crime Index

 

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/crime

 

Crime rate in Anoka, MN

The 2019 crime rate in Anoka, MN is 154 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 1.8 times smaller than the U.S. average. It was higher than in 58.0% U.S. cities. The 2019 Anoka crime rate fell by 9% compared to 2018. In the last 5 years Anoka has seen decreasing violent crime and decreasing property crime.

 

Violent crime rate in 2019: 136.4

Violent crime rate in 2018: 105.3

Violent crime rate in 2017: 140.5

Violent crime rate in 2016: 135.1

Violent crime rate in 2015: 153.1

Violent crime rate in 2014: 196.6

Violent crime rate in 2013: 150.6

 

Property crime rate in 2019: 138.4

Property crime rate in 2018: 161.9

Property crime rate in 2017: 201.0

Property crime rate in 2016: 244.7

Property crime rate in 2015: 242.1

Property crime rate in 2014: 223.2

Property crime rate in 2013: 224.7

 

Crime rates by year: 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Murders (per 100,000) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 1 (5.8) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0)

Rapes (per 100,000) 15 (86.9) 16 (92.5) 17 (98.2) 8 (46.0) 8 (45.9) 10 (56.9) 4 (22.7)

Robberies (per 100,000) 9 (52.1) 9 (52.0) 7 (40.4) 10 (57.5) 11 (63.1) 3 (17.1) 8 (45.5)

Assaults (per 100,000) 13 (75.3) 27 (156.1) 12 (69.3) 17 (97.8) 22 (126.2) 14 (79.7) 32 (181.9)

Burglaries (per 100,000) 55 (318.5) 52 (300.7) 53 (306.3) 65 (373.8) 52 (298.2) 42 (239.0) 36 (204.7)

Thefts (per 100,000) 487 (2,820) 486 (2,810) 554 (3,201) 492 (2,829) 433 (2,483) 326 (1,855) 259 (1,472)

Auto thefts (per 100,000) 23 (133.2) 26 (150.3) 24 (138.7) 33 (189.8) 20 (114.7) 25 (142.3) 28 (159.2)

Arson (per 100,000) 2 (11.6) 1 (5.8) 3 (17.3) 4 (23.0) 1 (5.7) 1 (5.7) 1 (5.7)

City-Data.com crime index 245.9 266.3 265.2 239.6 210.2 168.9 154.2

 

Summary

2019 – 154.2

2018 – 168.9

2017 – 210.2

2016 – 239.6

2015 – 265.2

2014 – 266.3

2013 – 245.9

 

 

 

https://www.macrotrends.net

 

Violent Crime

  • 2018 was 153.64 per 100,000 population, a 34.65% decline from 2017.
  • 2017 was 235.11 per 100,000 population, a 13.56% increase from 2016.
  • 2016 was 207.03 per 100,000 population, a 0.48% decline from 2015.
  • 2015 was 208.02 per 100,000 population, a 30.81% decline from 2014.

 

Murder / Homicide

  • 2018 was 0 per 100,000 population, a NAN% decline from 2017.
  • 2017 was 0 per 100,000 population, a 100% decline from 2016.
  • 2016 was 5.75 per 100,000 population, a INF% increase from 2015.
  • 2015 was 0 per 100,000 population, a NAN% decline from 2014.

 

Rape Reported

  • 2018 was 56.9 per 100,000 population, a 24.05% increase from 2017.
  • 2017 was 45.87 per 100,000 population, a 0.3% decline from 2016.
  • 2016 was 46.01 per 100,000 population, a 53.16% decline from 2015.
  • 2015 was 98.23 per 100,000 population, a 6.18% increase from 2014.

 

 

Aggravated Assault

  • 2018 was 79.66 per 100,000 population, a 36.85% decline from 2017.
  • 2017 was 126.15 per 100,000 population, a 29.04% increase from 2016.
  • 2016 was 97.76 per 100,000 population, a 40.99% increase from 2015.
  • 2015 was 69.34 per 100,000 population, a 55.58% decline from 2014.

 

Property Crime

  • 2018 was 2236.26 per 100,000 population, a 22.78% decline from 2017.
  • 2017 was 2895.81 per 100,000 population, a 14.65% decline from 2016.
  • 2016 was 3392.95 per 100,000 population, a 6.94% decline from 2015.
  • 2015 was 3646.13 per 100,000 population, a 11.81% increase from 2014.

 

Burglary

  • 2018 was 238.99 per 100,000 population, a 19.85% decline from 2017.
  • 2017 was 298.18 per 100,000 population, a 20.23% decline from 2016.
  • 2016 was 373.8 per 100,000 population, a 22.06% increase from 2015.
  • 2015 was 306.25 per 100,000 population, a 1.86% increase from 2014.

 

Larceny / Theft

  • 2018 was 1855.01 per 100,000 population, a 25.29% decline from 2017.
  • 2017 was 2482.94 per 100,000 population, a 12.24% decline from 2016.
  • 2016 was 2829.37 per 100,000 population, a 11.62% decline from 2015.
  • 2015 was 3201.2 per 100,000 population, a 13.92% increase from 2014.

 

Vehicle Theft

  • 2018 was 142.26 per 100,000 population, a 24.04% increase from 2017.
  • 2017 was 114.69 per 100,000 population, a 39.57% decline from 2016.
  • 2016 was 189.78 per 100,000 population, a 36.85% increase from 2015.
  • 2015 was 138.68 per 100,000 population, a 7.75% decline from 2014.

 

 

https://www.roadsnacks.net/category/dangerous/

 

Anoka does not appear in the top 10 lists for safest or most dangerous cities to live in for Minnesota. According to the list on this site, Anoka is #86 on a list of 125 cities for the safest cities in which to live in Minnesota.

 

 

https://www.areavibes.com/

 

This site shows Anoka to have an 82% livability score according to their scale.

 

Concerning crime, they give Anoka a “B” grade based on the following:

  • Total Crime is 16% below the national average.
  • Violent Crime is 34% below the national average.
  • Property Crime is 13% below the national average.

 

  • Anoka is safer than 43% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Anoka has decreased by 13%

(Note: According to their map, I happen to live in the most dangerous neighborhood in the city. However, by what I found on communitycrimemap.com, there has been no reported crime on the whole of the city block I live on since Nov. of 2019. Such is the peace of God.)

 

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2019 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2020; this is the most current data available.

 

 

https://www.cityrating.com/

 

Anoka crime statistics report an overall downward trend in crime based on data from 21 years with violent crime decreasing and property crime decreasing. Based on this trend, the crime rate in Anoka for 2021 is expected to be lower than in 2019.

 

 

Posted on

Isaiah 60

 

Isaiah 60

April 15, 2021

 

 

This morning as I listened to a video, I heard a reference to a verse in Isaiah, chapter 60. I did not catch the verse number, so I just began to read the chapter. As I read the chapter, I felt a rising in my spirit. I began seeing things that I thought Holy Spirit was trying to highlight for me. I began to get the sense that on a micro level, some of these things relating to Jerusalem were blessing Anoka. So, I took the time to write them down. Here is what I was sensing in my spirit. I feel led to share it so you can seek God on the matter and see if anything is shown to you. At best, we praise and glorify God. At worst, we read a chapter of scripture. I am not saying this is prophecy or “Thus says the Lord,” rather, it is simply something I was seeing this morning and found it to be encouraging. Please continue with me in prayer for the prosperity of Anoka and the people.

 

 

 

Verse 1

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

 

Arise, shine; our light has come, the glory of the Lord.

 

Verse 2

For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you.

 

It seems as though darkness covers the earth as never before, at least in my lifetime.

 

 

Verse 3

Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

 

My prayer for Anoka has been for the city to be a light to others, the glory of the Lord.

 

 

Verse 4

Raise your eyes all around and see; they all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried on the hip.

 

That people would come to encounter God.

 

 

Verse 5

Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.

 

For the prosperity of the city.

 

Verse 6

A multitude of camels will cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba will come; they will bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim good news of the praises of the Lord.

 

That those who come would do business here and encounter the love of God.

 

Verse 7

All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will go up on My altar with acceptance, and I will glorify My glorious house.

 

That they would minister to the city as God ministers to them.

 

Verse 8

Who are these who fly like a cloud and like the doves to their windows?

 

They shall come from other lands or regions and shall take home the blessing of the presence of the Lord.

 

Verse 9

Certainly the coastlands will wait for Me; and the ships of Tarshish will come first, to bring your sons from afar, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of the Lord your God, and for the Holy One of Israel because He has glorified you.

 

Children of God shall come and encounter their heavenly Father.

 

 

Verse 10

Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you; for in My wrath I struck you, and in My favor I have had compassion on you.

 

The mercy of the Lord shall be upon us and cover those who come to seek Him.

 

Verse 11

Your gates will be open continually; they will not be closed day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.

 

The gates of the city shall be open always, day and night, to those who seek God.

 

Verse 12

For the nation and the kingdom which will not serve you will perish, and the nations will be utterly ruined.

 

Those who choose not to come, do so to their own peril, their own loss.

 

Verse 13

The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the elm tree and the cedar together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious.

 

The strength of the Lord, and His beauty, shall show forth in His glory.

 

Verse 14

The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, and all those who despised you will bow down at the soles of your feet; and they will call you the city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

 

Those who have scoffed and demeaned shall be humbled and seek the Lord.

 

 

Verse 15

Whereas you have been forsaken and hated with no one passing through, I will make you an object of pride forever, a joy from generation to generation.

 

Those who devalued the city and belittled it shall see the majesty of God here and come to encounter Him.

 

Verse 16

You will also suck the milk of nations, and suck the breast of kings; then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

 

The Lord will establish us and prosper us, as He is our Redeemer and Provider.

 

Verse 17

Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver, and instead of wood, bronze, and instead of stones, iron. And I will make peace your administrators, and righteousness your overseers.

 

His blessings, peace, and righteousness shall be upon us.

 

Verse 18

Violence will not be heard again in your land, nor devastation or destruction within your borders; but you will call your walls salvation, and your gates praise.

 

Violence and destruction will give way to His salvation and praises to His name.

 

Verse 19

No longer will you have the sun for light by day, nor will the moon give you light for brightness; but you will have the Lord as an everlasting light, and your God as your glory.

 

The Lord will be our light and glory.

 

Verse 20

Your sun will no longer set, nor will your moon wane; for you will have the Lord as an everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will be over.

 

The Lord will be our light and joy and bring an end to our mourning.

 

Verse 21

Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever,
The branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified.

 

Our people shall be righteous and possess the land. They are the work of the hands of the Lord.

 

Verse 22

The smallest one will become a thousand, and the least one a mighty nation. I, the Lord, will bring it about quickly in its time.”

 

The least shall be great in the hands of the Lord. The Lord will bring things to pass.

 

 

 

This is not a bible study. This is the account of thoughts that had come to mind. Perhaps a decree to be made over the city.

 

 

Arise, shine; our light has come, the glory of the Lord.

It seems as though darkness covers the earth as never before, at least in my lifetime.

My prayer for Anoka has been for the city to be a light to others, the glory of the Lord.

That people would come to encounter God.

For the prosperity of the city.

That those who come would do business here and encounter the love of God.

That they would minister to the city as God ministers to them.

They shall come from other lands or regions and shall take home the blessing of the presence of the Lord.

Children of God shall come and encounter their heavenly Father.

The mercy of the Lord shall be upon us and cover those who come to seek Him.

The gates of the city shall be open always, day and night, to those who seek God.

Those who choose not to come, do so to their own peril, their own loss.

The strength of the Lord, and His beauty, shall show forth in His glory.

Those who have scoffed and demeaned shall be humbled and seek the Lord.

Those who devalued the city and belittled it shall see the majesty of God here and come to encounter Him.

The Lord will establish us and prosper us, as He is our Redeemer and Provider.

His blessings, peace, and righteousness shall be upon us.

Violence and destruction will give way to His salvation and praises to His name.

The Lord will be our light and glory.

The Lord will be our light and joy and bring an end to our mourning.

Our people shall be righteous and possess the land. They are the work of the hands of the Lord.

The least shall be great in the hands of the Lord. The Lord will bring things to pass.

 

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Burst Forth and Rejoice

 

February has been an interesting month with a focus on the giants in the land. We began meeting on Tuesday evenings as the Ekklesia at Anoka in January where after an initial introductory gathering, we had eight nights of prayer followed by some clarification on what we were to do in February.

 

The first two weeks of February carried on the message from January which was to inspect ourselves. We were to purify ourselves to prepare for what the Lord would have us do. We were, in a manner, preparing the way of the Lord. Our purification is important in that we do not want any basis for the enemy to latch onto us with any stronghold. The month’s plan materialized.

 

February 1-13: Purification and Preparation

February 14-21: Decrees Made

February 22-26: Bursting Forth

February 27-28: Rejoicing!

 

This document will lay out the next two weeks of Sunday Sessions being February 21 and February 28 which will have the topics of Bursting Forth and Rejoicing. See AnokaAwakening.com for more information on Sunday Sessions. If you have never joined us for Sunday Sessions, perhaps now is the time. We enjoy the company of one another during some social time and a meal, then the Holy Spirit always guides us through an interesting conversation on a topic of the week.

 

 

Bursting Forth – 2/21

 

  • An action: voluntary or involuntary? Or both?
  • Standing firm in the face of the enemy
  • Not silent concerning our relationship with our Lord and our God
  • We are to burst forth with rejoicing
  • With the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven

 

 

Rejoicing! – 2/28

 

  • An action: by choice and determination
  • A command to be obeyed
    • Often going against our feelings
  • Attitudes of contentment and hope
  • Our joy in the Lord
  • Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit
  • Salvation is the first step
  • Walking in submission to Holy Spirit and God
    • Die to self – Daily
  • Maturing in Christ
  • Deal with conflicts
  • Serve the Lord with gladness
  • Develop intimacy with God

 

 

A Short Study

 

While contemplating, Bursting Forth: Not silent concerning our relationship with our Lord and our God, I was led into the verses below and made these notes.

 

John 4:40-42 KJV

 

Verse 40: So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

  1. Samaritans: not friends of the Jews
  2. Tarry, or stay, with them: they desired to be with Him and to hear His message
  3. They besought, or asked, Him: they hungered for Truth
  4. He abode, or stayed, there two days: Jesus went against the cultural norms – for them, for their sake

 

Verse 41: And many more believed because of his own word;

  1. Because of His own word: the word of the Gospel of the Kingdom produced fruit

 

Verse 42: And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

  1. Said unto the woman: the people acknowledged and spoke to the woman
  2. Not because of thy saying: so, they had believed, at least to some extent, based on her word
  3. We have heard Him ourselves: eventually people need their own revelation to cement their belief
  4. And know that: intellectual knowledge became heartfelt belief
  5. Saviour of the world: The only proclamation like this? The world: they were outside of the Jewish system

 

Concerning #8, their own revelation: Discipleship? Leads to this?

This was a revelation from God – as it was for Peter.

Matthew 16:17b KJV

for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

John 6:44 KJV

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

 

Concerning #1, not friends of the Jews: What drew them? The Father and the Gospel. There is a dynamic here of the Father drawing people, the gospel being shared, triggering belief.

Matthew 10:7 KJV

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Romans 10:17 KJV

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

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Cast Out Demons

 

The disciples were commissioned to do a number of things, including the casting out of demons.

 

And as ye go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

Matthew 10:7-8 KJV

 

The original twelve apostles were ordained with such authority.

 

And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

Mark 3:14-15 KJV

 

This was also lived out as an example for us by Jesus Christ.

 

And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Mark 1:33-34 KJV

 

Those who didn’t care for Jesus also recognized that He cast out demons, though they distorted where that power originated.

 

And He was casting out a mute demon; when the demon had gone out, the man who was previously unable to speak talked, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out the demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.

Luke 11:14-16 KJV

 

Jesus Christ also described what His disciples will do. Are we those “who have believed”, as described by Jesus?

 

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16:17-18 KJV

 

Jesus was recognized by the demons. In this example the demonic obviously had no fear of man; they did recognize the power in the Son of God. We must ask ourselves, “Is there enough of Jesus in us that we will also be recognized as having such authority?”

 

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Matthew 8:28-29 KJV

 

The casting out of demons was a sign that the Kingdom of God had come near unto man.

 

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Matthew 12:28 KJV

 

The first scripture I referred to says we are to “go”, not sit and wait. We are not to wait for a rapture or something or someone to deliver us from our present circumstance. We are to be proactive and GO!

 

We are also to “preach”, that is to share the Word of God, give testimony to His glory, and inspire others to develop an intimate relationship with Him. We are not to remain silent as if to agree with those who would say faith is a personal thing. Though it is intensely personal, it is to be displayed and shared, for faith without works is dead, or meaningless.

 

We are to declare, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We must do so in faith as this is the message from our Lord. It is this faith that enables us to do the other things, for if the kingdom of heaven is not at hand, by what power would we be casting out demons or healing the sick?

 

And as ye go, preach, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

Matthew 10:7-8 KJV

 

We ought not look at this verse as a series of individual commands, but as one command, which is the mode of operation for those who believe. Thus, we ought not leave out the first steps of going and preaching. To ignore the first part may preempt the effectiveness of anything else. This is not to say that there is a formula per se, but we need to walk in obedience. Our faith must overcome our lack of comfort level in doing something for the Kingdom of God. A walk of obedience calls for us to step out in faith.

 

In a parable concerning a nobleman going to a far country, we are told to occupy, which is a word of action, not complacency.

 

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Luke 19:13 KJV

 

We are to occupy, be fruitful, and do the work of the Kingdom. We are to walk in obedience, and we are to do so in love. But what are we to occupy? Corporately, the Body of Christ ought to occupy the whole earth as we obey the command to take the gospel to all the nations of the world. Individually we are to occupy the space He has chosen to put us in. As an Ekklesia we are to occupy and govern the region we are in. Will we respond to the call?

 

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my [church Ekklesia]; and the gates of [hell Hades] shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

 

We are the Ekklesia the Lord is building. The gates of Hades, the power of sin and death, will not prevail against us. We are to walk in the victory which Christ Jesus has already procured over sin and death.

 

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

Matthew 28:18 KJV

 

Jesus is in us and we are in Him as the Body of Christ. We are to operate according to His will and follow the mind of Christ, as He is the head of the body. And since He had been given all power, we are to simply walk in obedience by faith and in love as we are linked to Him and operate in His power.

 

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

Colossians 2:9 KJV

 

Christ Jesus, our Lord, carried, and carries, the fullness of God.

 

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Colossians 2:10 KJV

 

We, the body, are in Him, the head.

 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

1 Corinthians 10:3-6

 

Our weapons are for the tearing down of strongholds. That is what we are called to do. That means we are to go and do it, not wait for things to come to our doorstep. We are to go and we are to preach, or declare by faith, and tear down the strongholds of the enemy. We are to do this in our personal lives as well as in the region we are to occupy until He comes.

 

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:19-20

 

He gives us the power to tread “over all the power of the enemy”. Our rejoicing for this is to be that we are in Him; just as our power comes from Him. So, who or what can stand against us?

 

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

 

This being the case, why would we sit back? For those who remain in fear and do nothing will fail to see the reward that is available to them. That reward will be lost and given to another.

 

And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

Luke 19:23

 

Be an overcomer: Go, Preach, Do. The Kingdom belongs to those who walk by faith and do the works of obedience to our Lord, our King, our Savior. There are many rewards for the overcomer. Are we the overcomers? Will we stand up and say, “Here am I Lord, send me”?

 

Go, and serve your King.

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Nine Year Prophecy Commentary

This is a commentary on a prophecy video which was sent to me.

God Says We Only Have Nine Years, Tomi Arayomi

2021 Prophecy

YouTube Link to the video.

(This is not a complete transcription.)

My commentary is in blue.

I added the Scripture verses and note when Tomi cites them, otherwise I added the verses.

 

 

  • Tomi believes the outcome has changed based on actions we took or failed to take, as the Body of Christ, in 2020.
    • From his introduction
  • I concur. Past words concerning apathy in the body or waking up to engage.

 

  • Tomi cites Isaiah 5:20

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Isaiah 5:20 KJV

  • I have said often over the past months that we are living in the days when evil is called good and good evil

 

  • Tomi has never felt the displeasure of God so mixed with hope and compassion as he has during the preparation of this word
    • From his introduction
  • Certainly, God takes no pleasure in the lukewarm church or in turning aside from it
  • Likewise, God has struck a fire in the ekklesia He is raising up and He will not turn His back on the faithful

 

  • Tomi has, as it seems to me, a proper air of humility as displayed in his introduction

 

  • Tomi cites Amos 3:3

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Amos 3:3 KJV

  • This is a theme of ekklesia; true unity
  • This is key to spiritual warfare; agreement
  • This is true in relation to walking with God; being His ‘yes and amen’

 

  • The heart of the message now, “What the Lord has said to me for 2021.”

 

#1) Look to Luxembourg

 

  • 12/27/20, heard from the Lord
  • He was taken in the spirit to Luxembourg
    • Biotech, AI, projections of a sci-fi nature
    • Next 9 years – building tech
    • Many meetings and conventions there
    • Model of city others will look to build for the next 9 years – the new smart cities
    • Many elites shall conspire from there
    • God looks to raise a praying army there
    • Men shall succeed there but God will expose the tax haven, the data haven, and the European Union from that place
    • I believe we have been seeing the precursor to this over the past decades
    • This is believable based on all the evil and wickedness being exposed right now
    • He talks about exposure of evil, how it slows things down, but doesn’t necessarily stop things; exposure gives more time
    • Exposure of what laws can be circumvented
    • A bold move to redesign the world

 

#2) The Lord says, “I am now counting down.”

 

  • Tomi cites Revelation 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Revelation 12:12 KJV

  • In 2021 you will see fulfillment of this verse
  • I could see this as we often hear the comment from people that evil seems to be escalating
  • The Lord says, “The clock has now reversed.”
    • Before we were in a counter, now we are in a countdown
  • I believe we have been living through the end of a season and into a time of transition
  • You have 9 years; but 9 years will be as 9 months, and 9 months as 9 minutes
  • An acceleration of darkness is on the horizon
    • Not because it was needed to be so, but because my church has been double minded
  • I believe most people sense an acceleration of things, or time, overall
  • We have talked about the lukewarm church and how church is compartmentalized by many while going after the things of the world
  • Tomi references James 1:8

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 1:8 KJV

  • I believe Tomi is saying that the Lord said the following:
  • “I declared in 2020, ‘Choose who you will serve.’ And your Absaloms were released and they caused you to wander and follow men not knowing their true course.”
  • ‘Choosing who you will serve’, it seems to me, is a consistent call through all times and seasons
  • I believe the varieties of churches, and their moral choices, is a reflection of the Absaloms released
  • “I am now counting down, and you have 9 years. Things will happen so fast that 9 years will feel like 9 months, and 9 months as 9 minutes.”
  • I recall similar words from Sean a few years back. Things would move so quickly that immediate response would be required, or the opportunity would be lost, never to be recovered
  • The Lord says, “This will be a time to redeem, not a time to wait. For an ekklesia shall arise and her new measurement of success will not be attendance, but persecution; not numbers, but disciples.”
  • We are seeing the ekklesia arising over the past few years as God has called many out of the church system, called out to follow Christ
  • Follow Christ = Disciples
    • Not butts in the seats and bucks in the plates
    • Doers of the Word
  • Persecution will arise from this
    • A good part of it from the religious, just as the Pharisees of Jesus’ days on earth
  • We have talked a good deal about being and making disciples

 

#3) The Lord says, “Prime Ministers will become Presidents, and Presidents will become Kings.”

 

  • Tomi saw in a vision, leaders being crowned Kings
  • Actual or symbolic?
  • President Trump – the last President?
  • Rigged election anyway? What will people here accept or demand?
  • Tomi says it did not seem to be literal and was not supposed to happen so quick; it will now be quickened
    • Powers will be increased
    • Small governments will become bigger
    • Leaders of nations will give themselves longer tenure
      • And some even lifetime tenure
    • I think we see this in play now, developing before our eyes
    • In the chaos, people will want the stability and accept things they may not otherwise agreed to
    • Government and corruption continue to grow
    • “Many will say, ‘But I did not choose Absalom.’ And the Lord says, ‘I will say to you, O Moses, do not be angry, but I cause you to wander with a stiff-necked people. If you will keep your heart steady, I will cause your eyes to see your good in the end.’”
    • I’m not sure what to think about this part, but it appears that the called-out ones will still need to deal with the stubborn and the lukewarm
    • The key is remaining focused on the Lord and seeing the reward in the end as an overcomer
    • Nations will conspire. They will collude together to use fears as a backdrop for more power.
    • We see this now. First covid, and now new strains
    • A fearful people are easier to control and manipulate
    • This push has a conclusion
    • Nothing of this world lasts forever
    • “For there will be those who move in a spirit of delusion. I’ve given it to them,” says the Lord.
    • This may be the lukewarm being spit out
    • This may be those working wickedness
    • It has been ongoing to some extent
    • “I have allowed for a spirit of delusion, and it will drive them to actions that they have planned in secret.”
    • This seems par for the course
    • It may be severely ramped up during this time
    • “There will be an emboldening of nations to act on behalf of the people, and a trade off of fear beyond covid for policies that will cause nations to surrender their freedom.”
    • The groundwork is consistently being laid for the next crisis
    • “On behalf of the people” may be the excuse for doing things
    • Fear with every crisis as people give up liberties for the perception of safety
      • Remember 9/11 and the Patriot Act?
    • “They will say, ‘This is not democracy, this is despotism.’ And I will say, ‘You have sown the wind, and now you will reap the whirlwind.’”

 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:

Hosea 8:7a KJV

  • The principle of sowing and reaping

 

#4) The Lord says, “A new false crisis.”

 

  • “A false alarm shall become a real one; and a real one, a false one,” says the Lord.
  • More deception to come
  • Discernment will be needed
  • “‘Prepare for the new threat,’ the talking heads will chant in unison.”
  • A continuation of the mockingbird media
  • “We must preserve the planet. Extinction is on the horizon. We must face the global threat of extinction.” … “Give us power and we will act to save the planet.”
  • More fear, more control/power, more money flowing to globalists
  • “Although the earth will shake in birth pangs, it will not be destroyed, until I create a new heaven and a new earth,” says the Lord.
  • Most would agree, I think, that God is shaking things
  • I believe we could also agree that there is not a global destruction until God does it
  • I think we could also agree on the idea of birth pangs and their increase in intensity and frequency
  • The timing for a new earth seems backward the way he states it

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Revelation 21:1 KJV

  • The old passed away, the new appeared, then the New Jerusalem came down
  • The real point of this part is fear not, there will not be a global extinction or destruction before the time of judgment

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Revelation 20:11 KJV

 

#5) The Lord says, “I am sound proofing my church.”

 

  • “I am separating the noises from the voices,” says the Lord.
  • This could be a clarity of hearing for the Body of Christ
  • “This will be a time for the fine tuning of My bride to release the sound of distinction. There will be a difference between the notes and the vibration and the variation so clear that it will cause those guardians of the old to persecute what I am doing.”
  • The truth coming from the ekklesia, truth lived out, will expose deception and manipulation in the institutional pyramid system
  • Persecution from those under the religious spirit will be the result of the exposure of truth
  • “They will say, ‘Look how the devil is manifesting among this clear sound. Look how they have become political. Look how they have fallen away and become worldly.’”
  • This is projection of their own shortcomings
  • As the ekklesia strives to live as the Body of Christ should have all along
  • The persecution will come, in large part, from within the church

But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

Matthew 11:16-17 KJV

  • The called-out ones will no longer respond with the masses and their religious responses
  • They will be ridiculed as the Lord calls them out of the system
  • “They will be proved right by their results, not by their methods

But wisdom is justified of her children.

Matthew 11:19c KJV

  • They no longer do things the old way of the institutional system
  • They will be proven by their fruit

 

#6) A New Genetic Race

 

  • Not a new race of man but a race in the field of genetics much like the space race
  • This time with China rather than Russia
  • Ethics will be compromised
  • I believe the base of this is already in play
  • The previously unacceptable will become acceptable
  • This is standard operating procedure as morals and ethics decay
  • Perhaps this is telegraphed in part in a 2005 film, The Island, where the residents are clones used for organ harvesting.
    • Even back in 1979 – a film, Parts: The Clonus Horror
  • Programming for what is to come?
  • Science will smile as funding develops
  • Another money stream for the globalists to take a cut of
  • Over the past months we’ve been hearing ‘look at science’, ‘listen to the science’, ‘trust the science’
  • Not just for vaccines, but for evolution of mankind
  • The master plan, the bottom line
  • Still seeking a master race?
  • Still trying to outlive the plans of God?
  • The Lord says, “I will raise up the righteousness within sciences. And their will be those who I will hold to an ethical standard.”
  • The righteousness is needed to contrast the wickedness, exposing it for what it is
  • “And I will promote discoveries and sciences and release breakthroughs.”
  • The righteous will make positive contributions
  • “Righteous ones shall arise in various types of scientific research”
  • “Some discoveries by direct revelation”

 

#7) The Clashing of the Swords

 

  • “In 2021 I will command the clashing of the swords. Some will be prepared; others will feel as though suddenly the swords have clashed. Many shall fall and many shall rise.”
  • The battle between good and evil will intensify
  • “For a fight you fail to bring to the gates of hell, I will bring to your doorstep, O shepherds.”
  • The ekklesia is supposed to engage in the tearing down of strongholds
  • Leadership will be held responsible for the failure to do so
  • Failing to go to the enemy invites the enemy onto your soil
  • The battle of good vs. evil will happen
  • “For you who said, ‘Do not engage, safety first,’ I will declare, ‘Safety third. Engage, pursue, overtake, and recover all. Come to the gate. Stand at the entrance and at the mouth of the caves for she has not done spewing out her foul spirits.’”
  • Some have not gone out to engage in the battle, rather, they stay within their own walls hoping to be left alone
    • A perceived position of safety
  • The ekklesia is to pursue and overtake the enemy, recovering all that has been taken as in 1 Samuel 30

And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

1 Samuel 30:8 KJV

  • We tend to not even ask of the Lord, thinking we will not be held accountable
  • Then we also miss out on the victory and the rewards
  • “For where you have said to my sheep, ‘Safety first,’ I will declare, ‘Safety third; strength first, courage second, safety third.’”
  • Choosing perceived safety over obedience will not save anyone
  • “For these warriors will come as tiny challengers against the giants: the tech giants, the media giants, entertainment giants, science giants. And they will win, not by power, but because they know my covenant against the uncircumcised.”
  • Think David and Goliath; Read 1 Samuel 17

And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

1 Samuel 17:42 KJV

  • David did not have the appearance of a warrior

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.

1 Samuel 17:47 KJV

  • The battle is the Lord’s, but David went out to fight
  • David knew the covenant and he trusted God

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6 KJV

 

#8) A Constitutional Crisis

 

  • “Declare a constitutional crisis, not just of state, but for My bride, for she does not believe her prophets anymore.”
  • The absence of the proper operation of the five-fold ministry has severely hindered the Body of Christ
  • Discernment is needed with the many voices and noises
  • “2021 will be a year where you shall see a lengthening of the journey but a shortening of the time, for I’m not counting up, I’m counting down.”
  • Acceleration reiterated?
  • Longer journey due to choices made and not made?
  • God did not create the divisions.
  • We have been talking for a long time that the divisions are to distract us from the real battle of good vs. evil
  • “A divider has done this. A divider has known that kingdom divided cannot stand. I allowed the divider to know what was in your heart. I brought you to a valley of decision, and the division that I make before you is life and death.”
  • Without repentance, exposure will lay bare the sinfulness
  • Sin leads to death, but repentance leads to life
  • Choices, even hard choices, need to be made for they will not be ignored
  • “In doing so, the Lord says we have grieved the Holy Spirit. And the Lord said, “I am against the shepherds who have healed my people slightly saying peace where there is no peace!”
  • There is no peace until the battle is won
  • This is due in part by refusing to take the battle to the enemy’s gates
  • And the Lord said, “I will separate in this season the carnal bride from the spiritual bride and I will allow for the great divide, but a wandering season will declare it.”
  • It appears time that the institutional church will be separated from the ekklesia
  • Disciples of Christ are being called out of the religious system
  • Believers will need to make choices of following Christ or something else
  • A divide will take place and persecution will accompany it

 

#9) Church You Have Nine Years

 

  • Nine years of intercession without intermission
  • This is for the long haul
  • “No longer do I want intercession without boots on the ground.”
  • The ekklesia must engage in the battle in a tangible way
  • “For whilst the hands of Moses go up, there must be an army willing to go down.”
  • Prayer and action work together, hand in hand, not one without the other
  • “For I saw that there was no man to stand in the breach. I desire men in the breaches in 2021,” says the Lord. “For if you will not, then you will be beating the air for nine years.”
  • Intercessory prayer will be in vain without engaging in the battle
  • “Nine years,” says the Lord, “to beat your plowshares into swords, and your churches into schools of empowerment.”
  • Now is the time to change our ways
  • Faith without works is dead

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:26 KJV

  • Swords: engage in the battle
  • Empowerment: functioning of the five-fold ministry

 

#10) 2021 Shall Be a Year of Hastening

 

  • Your enemy will speed up automation
  • Bankrupt, bankrupt, will be the cry of many
  • Your economy will be offset
  • Impeach 46 they will cry
    • China, Ukraine, impeach 46
  • A great betrayal
  • An emboldened BLM movement to show their true colors and it will not be black
  • Censorship and banning of world leaders
  • A great push to police the internet in the name of countering cyber-bullying
    • But really censorship in disguise
  • Draconian policies and unjust arrests
  • Civil disobediences
  • We will have to watch and see what comes to pass
  • We now see the beginnings of most of this stuff

 

#11) And the Shaking Will Continue

 

  • “Many will say, ‘The shaking is at an end.’ I will say, ‘The shaking will not end in 2020 or 2021. I will shake and shake.’” And the Lord says, “I will make you a salt and I will be the saltshaker until everything that can be shaken is shaken. I will shake every manufactured thing, every manufactured church, relationship, ministry, tradition. For I will build a house,” says the Lord. “A house not made of human hands. This will carry the seed of My revelation and will prioritize it above bread and what satisfies the stomach. They will cry, ‘When will the shaking end?’ And I will say, ‘When you are unshakeable.’”
  • We have sensed the shaking and pruning for some time now

 

#12) The Ekklesia Arising

 

  • “This will be a time where I will show that My justice is not delayed. I will raise up new parties, new wealth, new challenges, and for the great reset there shall be a great awakening.”
  • We are the ekklesia that is arising
  • I believe God will use us in our region to impact it for the Kingdom of God

 

#13) The Divided States of America

 

  • “Many shall say how the United States of America has become the Divided States of America, but I will raise up sheep and goat states, sheep and goat counties.”
  • I pray Anoka will be a sheep county even if Minnesota is a goat state
  • “There will be talk of secessions and of unionizations.”
  • There is already some of this talk
    • Texas, New California
  • “Ancient alliances will break, and new ones will be forged.”
  • Probably within and without the country
  • “They will taunt and jeer and say how the United States has become the Divided States of America.”
  • This is already happening to an extent
  • “For a two-headed monster comes from your sea”
  • The two-parties from the people, but the same corrupt monster
  • “And a new party forms from within, and an outcry comes up to my ears, and there are those who would say, ‘All is at peace, stay silent and let the healing begin.’”
  • This is spoken of now, but would happen after this election cycle ends if the globalists are in power
  • “But a war has already begun in the heavenlies that the earth will feel and shake.”
  • The spiritual battle rages before the manifestation on the earth

 

#14) Home School and the Deborah Anointing

 

  • The Lord says, “A new Deborah anointing is coming upon the mothers to write the new home schooling system for families and disenfranchised neighborhoods.”
  • What does this say about our education system and school boards?
  • The Lord says, “The first movers in this I will bless and give the fat of the land.”
  • An important timing issue?
  • The Lord says, “I am looking for a Deborah arising in the area of education that can bring forth that which will be attention grabbing, yet deeply educational; tech integrated; socially integrated yet socially safe; easily duplicated and franchised and secure.”
  • Fairly specific parameters
  • For the Lord says, “The one who will bring forth this, I will bless.”
  • He rewards those who seek Him

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV

 

#15) A Changing of the Guard in Israel and Iran Intensified

 

  • “Pray for Israel,” says the Lord. “Pray for her, for all her allies will shrink back and the guard that was holding her will retreat. For a betrayal is on the horizon; a changing of the guard is at hand.”
  • The Middle East also shakes
  • “Netanyahu shall be shaken and there will be those who will push for it in the name of secularism, but if My church will pray, I will roar as a lion.”
  • Even Israel is not immune from forces that would like God out of the picture
  • “Pray against a tension in Iran, for her people cry out again, but her tyranny shall arise.”
  • The government tyranny
  • Pray peace for the people
  • “Pray for her church, for her enemy is angry.”
  • Peace and safety for our brothers and sisters in Christ
  • “Pray, saying, ‘Touch not my anointed ones and do my prophets no harm. For many will push for nations to leave the human rights council and U.N. that should not leave; and others will push for many to enter that should not enter.”
  • This goes beyond just Iran

 

  • The conclusion of Tomi’s message follows

 

  • “Pray my bride and cover the breaches”
  • The ekklesia must engage
  • “For my bride, this is the time of your awakening. This is the time,” says God, “to redeem, for I desire to give you more time, but now the reset has come, and the clock is counting down.”
  • Redeem the time with prayer and with boots on the ground
  • No more lukewarm response
  • “Many will say it is counting down to My return. I will say, “It is counting down to a new ekklesia arising.”
  • There are always those who say the end is near
  • The ekklesia is for eternity
  • “A new level of persecution.”
  • Comes with being bold and effective in the Kingdom
  • “New laws that will embolden those who pleaded for tolerance to become intolerant of those that tolerated them.”
  • This is on the increase
  • Laws will embolden them, especially with social media these days
  • “My bride arise, for this is your testing place and the way is narrow.”
  • The testing of our ability to love, even in persecution
  • “For the swing is coming. ‘Socialism,’ they will cry. ‘We want our dues,’ they will say. And I will feed nations with what they have desired. But they will not know it will cost them their freedom.”
  • There is always a price to pay
  • The short-sighted and the uneducated in these things take the bait and land in the trap
    • Taking the rest with them
  • “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matthew 10:34 KJV

  • The differences in beliefs and in how the faith is lived out will cause divisions
  • “And this will be the split in my bride; them that hear My voice, and those that follow a stranger.”

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 10:27

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

John 10:4-5

  • Thus, the importance of a relationship with God that is growing in intimacy
  • “For nations who have been taught to love, will fear Me again, and they will know the difference. For I will be feared among the nations, and I will call for the agreement of the remnant to bring My word to pass.”
  • We have discovered and discussed that we are to be His ‘yes and amen’ people

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Job 28:28 KJV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7 KJV

 

  • “O prophets, this will be your hour of testing, and many will decry you as false, but hold your ground, do not be dismayed, or I will dismay you among them.”
  • Faithfulness is essential
    • To the Lord
    • To the word He gives
    • To the gift you exercise
  • “The nations will know chaff from wheat; contend faithfully. Not to be light, but to be truthful and holy. And I will defend you and deepen your reach. Your persecution will be great, but I will have my final say,” says the Lord.
  • Faithfulness and righteousness are what will be rewarded
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Glance Back, Gazing Ahead

 

John, to the Ekklesia at Anoka,

 

It has been my honor to serve as part of the group, Anoka Awakening.

 

The year 2020 was turbulent in many ways, but through them all, God was faithful. Almighty God was with us every step of the way guiding us through changes in our operations, refining us through pruning that we may produce greater fruit, comforting us in our trials, and faithfully, lovingly providing all that we needed, both physically and spiritually.

 

The year 2021 will undoubtedly have much of the same, concerning challenges and refinement. We should, however, be operating at a higher level, walking in greater faith. The ministry opportunities will be numerous, and we should experience great times of rejoicing in what the Lord has done, and will do, in our midst. While some may preach the darkness, I choose to focus on the light. The darkness may seem greater all around us, but this is due in part to the increased light as the Kingdom of Heaven invades our space through those who intimately walk with God in this world.

 

The line of demarcation between dark and light, evil and good, seems to grow clearer with the passage of time. Fence sitting is becoming increasingly difficult as people are being pressured to take a stand for or against the things of this world. Choices and decisions need to be made and positions are being established. While this may be good to enhance the ability to discern a matter quickly, it does have a dangerous pitfall. It creates an “us vs. them” paradigm that can inhibit ministry to others.

 

The evil one has done well this past year to pit person against person to distract us from combatting evil with good. Now more than ever we need to focus on overcoming evil with love; specifically, the love of God flowing through us. We cannot let the manifestation of demonic rage and wickedness distract us from loving the person and sharing the hope that is offered by the gospel and kingdom life.

 

Concerning the ministry of Anoka Awakening, the past years have been primarily reactionary in nature. While a few things have been accomplished in the city, we must be more proactive in the future to impact our community for the Kingdom of God. We will not do things just for the sake of activity in search of meaning, rather we will continue to only do things as led by the Lord. The difference will be the intention to persistently seek the Lord concerning His desires and His will rather than sitting back and waiting for someone to be inspired and seeing if any action will take place. We will ask, seek, and knock. We will discern the will of the Lord and then we will be doers and not hearers only.

 

Thus, the Ekklesia at Anoka is operational. We have explored ekklesia in prior Sunday Sessions with some excellent conversations. It has been interesting to see how this all tied back to the beginning of Sunday Sessions with the Living Stones and Building the Wall. Holy Spirit is Masterful at tying all this together when we pay attention and follow His plan. While we will still have Sunday Sessions on Sunday afternoons/evenings and Fire-Pit Worship on Thursday nights, we will also have Ekklesia on Tuesday nights.

 

  • Fire-Pit Worship, Thursdays, 6:30 – 10:00 PM
    • Corporate gathering to worship God
    • Time for personal encounter and intimacy with God
    • Opportunities to minister to one another
  • Sunday Sessions, Sundays, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
    • Fellowship gathering with a meal
    • A short teaching on a topic
    • A conversation on the topic
    • Opportunities to minister to one another
  • Ekklesia at Anoka, Tuesdays, 7:00 – 10:00 PM
    • A time to corporately inquire of the Lord for His plans for Anoka and beyond
    • A deliberate seeking of His will and the plan for the implementation of it
    • Acting upon the revelation we receive
    • Opportunities to minister to our region

 

Throughout my time as a follower of Christ, many people have either called me a pastor or asked me if I was a pastor. Much of what I did involved pastoral care for my brothers and sisters in Christ, so I suppose the assumption was reasonable. Until recently I would always respond that I was not a pastor because I did not have the diploma, nor did I care to go sit in classes. However, God has called me with the gift of pastor. A prophet confirmed it with a word from the Lord for me, while others have affirmed the validity of it by the witness they received. This realization does not change how I do things as such, but it does add a weight of responsibility to what I do.

 

The gifts, as seen in the Apostle Paul’s writings, were given for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. That is, the gifts are for the maturing of fellow believers, that each one may be strengthened to do the ministry they are called to do by the Lord. The gifts are for serving the body of believers. Like Christ, the one with the gift is there to serve, not to be served.

 

Christ gave these five gifts: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher. (Ephesians 4:11)

Christ gave the purpose: for the perfecting of the saints so they can do ministry and build up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12)

Christ defined the time frame: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13)

 

The gifts have specific roles and purposes in building up the body. The ekklesia will explore these and seek God as they are put into practice. I believe we have a few of these in place by the grace of God. I also believe that until all are in place, He uses others to perform some of the necessary roles, for the time being, to accomplish His purposes. For our part, we need to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and have discernment to know what is of God and what is of the flesh.

 

Activities in 2020 were somewhat limited by the events of the world. There were 69 official events with Anoka Awakening. This new schedule potentially puts that number over 150. With 44 people involved throughout the year, only 6 participated in 40% or more of those activities; only 2 over 60%. We will each need to determine our level of commitment and participation for 2021 as the Lord opens doors to minister to our community.

 

Concerning our finances in 2020, the Lord blessed us with exactly what we needed. Anoka Awakening entered the year with the January bills paid and $204 cash on hand. We concluded 2020 with the January rent paid for 2021 and $0 cash on hand. God used 11 people to provide 80% of the finances. Here too, each of us must ask God what He would have us to do. We should then come into agreement with Him and do what we have determined with Him. God will remain faithful to His children.

 

Our email list in 2020 remained consistent at about 50 recipients of our updates. Of the 50, 24 have not participated in activities nor provided finances in 2020. I trust the Lord has them praying for us as I know personally that some do.

 

I, as I hope you do also, appreciate all who participate in Anoka Awakening whether in activity, financial support, or prayer support. It is the Lord who keeps all these bases covered for us. It is Christ Jesus who said, “Upon this rock I will build my ekklesia.” He will build it and I trust we will continue to serve it. I deeply appreciate and sincerely thank our intercessors.

 

My personal focus for ministry remains as it has been for the past 36 years since I surrendered my life to the Lord in February of 1985:

  1. Share the good news of the gospel with whoever will listen
  2. Provoke believers to live more holy lives for Christ

Considering the recognition of the pastoral gift, I will serve in building up the saints to perfect the body for the ministry to which they are called. The Lord willing, I will make myself available to all who seek encouragement, comfort, and council, doing my best as the Lord leads me and as His grace enables me.

 

That said, I will continue to participate in every event or activity as possible and I will continue to financially support the ministry as led by the Lord to give from what He provides in my life. I will also continue my practice of spending time in the morning in worship, study, and prayer. Over the past number of years, I have begun most days at our space for time with the Lord focusing on Anoka and the ministry He calls me to do. Aside from the times a job takes me out of town, I will be as involved as I ever have been, if not more, in the ministry of Anoka Awakening.

 

I pray that each of you will seek the Lord for:

  • clarity in the ministry to which you are called
  • discovery of the commitment He asks of you to make
  • the faith and faithfulness to carry it out

 

I look forward to serving you, and serving with you, in 2021.

 

“for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” (Ephesians 6:22-24)