Finding Your Place

This blog has been in existence for a long time. The postings have been random and sporadic. I really love blogs. I read a lot of them. So many people and personalities

that I would not otherwise know about. My interests are varied, but I lean toward blogs that talk about decorating, leadership and writing. I have always felt I write things better

than I can say them. I have no formal training, but love to learn by doing. Any constructive comments you could make would be welcome.

I am currently the Iowa State Prayer Coordinator for Aglow International. On the local level, I have a team called Gatekeepers. We are an internet prayer team, and operate a prayer

room on the campus of our church.

Following are some notes from a meeting we hosted this weekend. My hope is that by posting it here, someone of you, God's Treasures, can find some encouragement for

the times you find yourself in.

Thanks for reading.

Deborah

Gatekeepers Muster - Saturday May 15, 2010

What is a Gatekeeper ?

The Gatekeepers:
The gates of the ancient cities of Israel were shut by night, and the night watchmen guarded the walls of the city. The gates of the city were opened during the last hour of the morning watch. Thus, we had on duty (in the morning) both the morning watchmen and the gatekeepers.

The gatekeeper's job was to open the gates and then to guard the gates in case the enemy tried to come into the city. If the enemy was reported to be in the area, the gatekeepers would close the gates.

Small Straws by Marsha Burns -- I speak to those who have been called gatekeepers. Yet, you haven't been able to find the gate or know what to do with it exactly if you found it. You heard the call and said, "Yes, Lord, here am I." But in this time of testing, you have been in the fire and feel like you've barely been surviving, let alone maintaining your position as gatekeeper. I see your heart, I know the distractions and the discouragement, but I tell you to refuse to give up! You've come this far, and this is no time to turn back. My promises and calling are without repentance, and your answer is still, "Yes and Amen!"

A Word by Mary Ellen Gilliland -- Message for the Gate Keepers: Behold He comes! He is coming in glory. His outpouring begins. His dyke opens. The floodgates of the Holy Spirit open! Open the gates before Him. You gate keepers, open the doors. Speak to the gates, saying "Lift up your heads, O ye gates. Lift up your heads, you everlasting doors and let the King of Glory come in." (Ps 24) For where the enemy has come in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Speak to the watergates, the headgates, the ancient dykes, and say, "Be thou opened. A deluge is coming." I gift you with My spiritual vision so that you may see, and not miss one iota of, what I am doing in this outpouring, this rain/reign. Know that Pentecost is the time of outpouring in early New Testament days and today. It is the festal gathering, the moad, the appointed time, the feast to begin the outpouring. The Feast of Tabernacles is the culmination.

Both of these words were to encourage those who have been called to be gatekeepers not to become discouraged because they haven't yet witnessed the manifestation of that appointment. The gatekeepers could not have taken their positions before the morning watchmen came on guard duty because the gates could not have been opened at night, but now is the hour of the gatekeepers.

The gatekeepers will be those who, like Elijah, could open and close heaven's doors (see James 5:17-18). As the Old Testament night-watch prophet Malachi's watch came to an end, he prophesied that Elijah would be sent before the coming of the Great Day (first coming of Christ fulfilled by John the Baptist) and the Dreadful Day of the Lord (second coming of Christ). God is about to raise up a company of gatekeepers in the spirit of Elijah. These will be given power to open the gates of heaven and bring forth the blessings of God and close the gates of Zion when the enemy comes against the children of the Most High.

A New Breed of Watchmen:
God is preparing a company of watchmen who will begin to come forth and be visible. These are young prophets being trained by the Lord for the Day of His Glory. These young prophets have been hidden in the House of God for six years. 2 Chronicles chapters 22 and 23 record the story of Joash (whose name means "given by the Lord"). Joash was hidden from Athaliah (meaning "who God afflicts"), representing the harlot church, in God's house for six years and was taught by and protected by the priest of the House of God.

In like manner, the Lord has had His young prophets hidden from the enemy and will now begin to bring them forth as watchmen of His glorious Church. The Lord will give these watchmen revelation of these end times. He will reveal to them the mysteries of darkness, revelation of Satan's kingdom, weapons, and plans against Zion. He will also reveal His strategies for His Church in these end times.

Most of the night-watchmen did not have a revelation of sonship. They saw everything from the perspective of servants and stewards. But, this is the time in which the sons of God's glory will be revealed.

Those who patterned their watchman ministries after the Old Testament types of prophets will continue to see only the darkness of these times of judgment. The prophets of the morning watch and the new prophets now being birthed in the womb of the morning of this new day will see God's plan for a glorious church, a city set on a hill, Zion, the Holy City.

To be sure, the prophets of the morning will see the judgment which comes, but they will not be focused on the darkness. They will not sit and curse the darkness, as many have. No! They will bring forth the light of Zion. These will be sons who know the rights of sonship, and they will be about their Father's business. These are those who know that they are joint heirs with Christ, and they will know what that means in terms of authority.

The sons of glory will not be hiding out in a cave; they will be building Zion, the city set on a hill. They will do exploits for King Jesus. The prophet Joel prophesies of the Army of the Lord that will be seen in the last days "the like of whom has never been." Brethren, read the description of this glorious army as written in Joel 2:1-10 and rejoice! Let us arise and go forth into the sunrise of a new day. It is time for God's people to arise and shine with the glory of the King whom we serve, the King of Glory!

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Joel 2:⁷ They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course. ⁸ They do not jostle each other; each marches straight ahead. They plunge through defenses without breaking ranks.

¹² "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."

¹³ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

¹⁶ Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders,¹⁷ Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD.

Types of Intercessors

• Intercessors – Active – All prayers
  

• Intercessors – Stand-by – Special/urgent prayers, pray for events etc.
  
• Intercessors – Prayer Shield, prays for Christian leadership, city government leaders and state leaders
  
• Footmen – Prayer walkers, strategize/map out prayer walking for specific neighborhoods/areas
  

Michael Hyatt – CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing Company speaks of Jesus teaching style in the following way;

Jesus focused on true depth and long-term impact. To achieve this, he had a four-pronged leadership strategy:

1. He taught the multitudes.
   
2. He mobilized the seventy.
   
3. He trained the twelve.
   
4. He confided in the three.
   

   (You can see the full text at the end of this hand out)
   

Jesus' leadership strategy evidently worked well. Within a generation, His followers turned the world upside down.

Where are we now?

The multitude?

The seventy?

The twelve?

The three?

It is my belief that we are …………….. Somewhere between the twelve and the seventy.

We the twelve, need to define where we are, so we can bring in and help train the seventy for their

place in the rank and file..

So.

What type of Intercessor are you?

How did God design you ?

How can you know?

Where do your passions lie?

Each of us has a different position in the rank and file. No two will be exactly alike, but they will all walk in step, together in unity.

In the Bible, different tribes had different purposes. The tribes of Benjiman, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar and Naphtali were cited for their warriors. They were blessed because they mustered for battle. The Levites, were in charge of the temple, and their tribe was very small, only 212, compared to other tribes numbering in the thousands, but their job was no less important. Our numbers may be large or small, but we need to be in the right place at the right time. The now time. For such a time as this. The place you take weather at the gate or out on the plains, is important.

Please break into groups of three or four, and talk about what your passion might be. (10 minutes)

Now, you should be able to go back to the questions above and answer the questions about what type of Intercessor you are.

No pressure if you can't figure it out. Consider it food for thought.

If you were able to answer those questions, then how can we place you in the rank and file?

If you were not able to answer those questions, then how can we help?

There are a vast amount of resources concerning the topic of prayer.

How does it look in your mind and heart? (Please answer)

Is it boring and dry, exciting and invigorating, peaceful and soothing, or difficult and scary?

Some of you have already found your place in line, some have not.

If you have found your place, would you mind sharing any steps that could be helpful still searching?

Here are some ways that the Gatekeepers already use in their prayer times.

We would love to share them with you. Please ask questions!

• Use of prayer Cards
  
• Crafted Prayer
  
• Read the Word out loud
  
• Pray with a friend
  
• Pray in a room by yourself
  
• Soaking music
  
• Write your prayers in a journal. Keep them to yourself or share them with a friend.
  
• Share what you're doing in your quiet time
  
• Close your eyes for quiet contemplation (Or flat out sleeping if you need it!
  

  We call that "Resting in the Lord")
  

• If you're at home – Turn everything off for a while (This can be a total challenge!)
  
• Read or write in your journal while waiting for your husband, kids, Dr. or other appointment
  
• Pray while walking your neighborhood or favorite bike path
  
• Pray while driving to work
  
• Pray "On the spot" when someone is in need of it
  
• Ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware when special prayer is needed for something.
  

  He is Faithful!
  

  
  

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Our world is in crisis mode right now. Biblically speaking, it won't get any better. Biblically speaking also though, He will never leave us or forsake us and every circumstance can be used for training, if we allow the Holy Spirit entrance to do it. Since we find ourselves here, we need to use every opportunity we can find, to seek God's Face.

Here are a few of my favorites when facing crisis, blown in from the enemy to side track even the heartiest of Believers.

David - Returned home to find that his entire village had been destroyed. Not one living thing was left, not one building standing. His wife and children were taken away, and he had no way of knowing whether they were alive or dead. Here's what David (and his men) did. You can read this account in 1 Samuel 30. Here's what he did - 1. He wept bitterly, until all of his strength was gone. 2. He then found strength in the Lord his God. 3. He inquired of the Lord to see what he should do (He prayed) 4. He took a portion of his men with him and pursued the enemy. He got EVERYTHING back, and then some. God honored the fact that he did not quit, but that he and a small number believed God could restore. (Nation, Families, Finances, Churches)

Daniel – Chapter 9. Now Daniel finished reading the scrolls and saw that the captivity was coming to an end. He could have said hip-hip-hooray and stopped praying, but he didn't. He didn't stop crying out to God, he called out to God what He had already promised! Three things he did – 1. He repented, for his sin AND the sin of his people. 2. He interceded. He took the promises of God's word and brought them before Him all the more. 3. He gave thanks. He gave thanks for what He had done and what He would do. He thanked Him for His promises and covenants.

We can follow these guidelines, and then prayer becomes easier, more alive, and more relevant.

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You can finish reading Michael Hyatt's lesson here;

Jesus focused on true depth and long-term impact. To achieve this, he had a four-pronged leadership strategy:

1. He taught the multitudes. Yes, Jesus had a public ministry. He occasionally spoke to thousands. However, he didn't pander to these groups or "tickle their ears." He confronted the status quo, jarred his listeners' sensibilities, and often taught in parables. He didn't feel the need to clarify everything. He often left his audience confused and wondering what he meant. His goal was apparently to shift their paradigm and get them to think.
   
2. He mobilized the seventy. Jesus had a smaller, more intimate group to whom he gave specific assignments. He sent them out two-by-two. He asked for a BIG commitment. He gave them virtually no resources. Yet he demanded that they perform miracles. He told them to expect opposition (see Luke 10:1–12) and promised no earthly reward (see Luke 10:18–20).
   
3. He trained the twelve. He chose the twelve disciples to be "with him" (see Mark 3:14a) He taught them and also gave them assignments (see Mark 3:14b–19). However, he also shared with them his daily life. Like the Apostle Paul would do years later, he poured into them his very life (see 1 Thessalonians 2:8). Because of this, he entrusted them with power to do the work he himself had done. In fact, he promised them that they would actually do greater works (see John 14:12–14).
   
4. He confided in the three. Jesus had an inner circle comprised of Peter, James, and John. He took them on special outings (see Matthew 17:1). He allowed them to witness his greatest glory (see Mark 9:2–3) and his deepest temptation (see Mark 14:33–34). He prayed with them (see Luke 9:28f). He taught them things He did not teach the others (see Matthew 17:2; Mark 5:37–43). He even introduced them to His heavenly family (see Matthew 17:3). They were his closest friends and confidants.
   

Jesus' leadership strategy evidently worked well. Within a generation, His followers turned the world upside down (see Acts 17:6). Within seven generations (318 A.D.), the emperor Constantine accepted his message and made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. And here I am, almost two millennia later, writing about it.