Celebration for the Nations : Encouragement (29 May 2015)

Hi fellow worshipper warriors,

I just wanted to write and encourage you all, as I have been encouraged in this last week. There has been a week of celebration for the re-opening and re-dedicating of the Bible College of Wales. 85 years to the day after Rees Howells dedicated the College, on Pentecost Monday, the college was re-opened by Pastor Yang and his team from Cornerstone Church, Singapore.

Cornerstone has sacrificially raised millions of pounds over the last few years for the restoration of this spiritual inheritance. They are very clear that it is for the people of Wales.

If you have read Norman Grubb's biography of Rees Howells, 'Rees Howells: Intercessor' (and if you haven't please do, it is translated into Korean too), you will know that among other things, the students and staff in this college gave themselves to intercession in the Second World War, changing the course of history by their prayers. One of the speakers this week said, 'the intercessors from this place saved the world at that time'. I agree with that statement.  

Pastor Yang had a word from the Lord to be like Shammah, one of David's mighty men, who stood in a field of lentils and would not retreat when the enemy attacked. By taking his stand he turned back the battle and the Lord gave them a great victory, (2 Samuel 23:11-12). That field was the same one where David defeated Goliath. Shammah was standing for his King. He would not give ground that His King had won.

We too have ground to stand on. Our King has won back the nations for Himself. He shares His inheritance with us...

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:16-17).

To take a stand involves suffering, it involves believing God when everything in us tells us we are idiots. It involves praising when all we can see is pain. Standing when the enemy comes with all his lies and deceit, and knowing that our God is greater, and that He will save us and save others through us!

Dutch Sheets
Many of you will have been blessed by this man's prophetic teaching on prayer and intercession. He was one of the speakers this week. His daughter told him that he needed to speak on David and Goliath. I would like to relay some of that message, as the Lord deeply impacted me by it, and encouraged me in the Celebration vision through it.

Dutch spoke about the power of testimony. Literally, the Hebrew word for Testimony, tuda is from the root word ud which means to repeat or do again. When we give testimony, we are releasing a prayer and releasing faith that says 'Do it again Lord!'. That is why the word of our testimony is so powerful.

He felt that the Lord was saying that He would 'do it again' in Wales, but at a higher level. We need to remember what He has done in the past and 'tell the old stories'.

As he was speaking about Wales, my heart was echoing, yes, and Korea! I know that they are linked in the spirit, as are many other places, but Korea is where the Lord is highlighting for us in Celebration now.  I encourage you, read about the revivals in Wales and Korea, and let the testimony stir your faith!

David's testimony
When David was convincing Saul to let him fight Goliath, he used his testimony. God had delivered him from the lion and the bear, and would surely rescue him from 'this uncircumcised Philistine'. David was standing on his past experience of faith, but also his covenant relationship with the living God. The Philistine, (David didn't even give him the dignity of a name, for his name meant 'splendour' and he would not honour the enemy) was not in covenant with God, he was uncircumcised.

We know the story, David tried on Saul's armour, but could not get on with it. He had to be himself. He was of the Tribe of Judah. Judah means praise. The word literally means to stretch out a hand. It is also used in the context of throwing a stone. David was being true to who the Lord had created him to be. He was a worshipper who could sling stones! A worshipper warrior!

He took his staff, on which would have been carved all the significant events in his life, including when he defeated the lion and the bear. So he carried his testimony with him. He was saying in effect, 'Do it again Lord!'. He then dipped his hand in the brook (root word 'inheritance') and took out five small stones. Five is the number of grace.

So he went into battle proclaiming his testimony of what the Lord had done for him and picking up the grace to claim the inheritance that was waiting for him. He didn't look at the size of the giant, or the strength of his armour. His eyes were firmly fixed on the truth of who God is, what He had already done, and what He was going to do. In his own words...

I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (1 Samuel 17:45).

Our testimony, our inheritance
For this next insight I would like to thank my brother and fellow team member Teme: We have claim to a greater member of the Tribe of Judah than David; the Lord Jesus Himself. He too is true to His nature. He too is a worshipper warrior. He did not stretch out His hand to sling a stone, but He stretched out His hands on a wooden Cross.

It is because of those hands stretched out that we too come into His tribe. We too come under His anointing.

The Lord is looking for us to take our stand. The enemy is destroying our cities, and trying to steal our nations. One man standing in a field of lentils turned back the battle.

Jesus has stretched out His hands. He still stretches out His hands to us. He invites us;

Stretch out your hands with Me
Stand with Me
Stand into my anointing
Take hold of your inheritance in the nations
Declare what I have done in the past for you and for others.
Declare what I will do according to my word
Love people into my Kingdom
Use my Name.
I am the Lord of Hosts.

How can we allow the enemy to hold North Korea? We are in covenant with the
God of angel armies!  We stand as we worship in faith, declaring His Name, declaring what Jesus has done when He died on the Cross. Declaring His finished work.

We stand when we obey whatever He tells us to do, even at the cost of our very lives...

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11).

We are members of Jesus tribe, the Tribe of Judah! We are worshipper warriors! Let's be true to who we are.

Footnote
As they cleared the grounds of the Bible College of Wales they uncovered a well with a stream running under it. They cannot yet find the source of the stream. It has been hidden for 50 years. 'Spring up O well!'. (Thanks to Yuri for the photo).

May we be true to who the Lord has created us to be, and take back our cities and our nations for Him!

In Christ

Gail Dixon

www.celebrationforthenations.org

Rick Ridings at BCW on Wednesday 9th September at 2pm 2015

The 8th Forge School of Faith : 23rd April - 23rd May 2016

The 8th Forge School of Faith

God has called us to restore the ruined “spiritual forges” and to raise up “spiritual blacksmiths” as Rees Howells left the legacy. We are running a month journey and a 3-6 month as a community living journey too.

This school is not teaching based but community living, although we have resting, working, teaching, worship, and intercession. We function in English and there is no translation service. (Your airfare to come to Wales and go to the Middle East are not included. Also abroad journey is optional.)

 
www.theforgewales.org.uk
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(+44) 7870653157

제 8 기 대장간 믿음학교

하나님은 우리에게 리즈 하월즈의 영적 유업을 계승하면서 이 땅에 무너진 영적 대장간을 다시 세우고 영적 대장장이들을 일으키라는 부르심을 주셨다. 지금 우리는 한 달간의 대장간 믿음학교를 부정기적으로 진행하고 있고 약 3 - 6개월 정도로 함께 공동체 생활을 하면서 믿음을 연습하고 있다.

이 믿음학교는 쉼, 노동, 강의, 예배, 중보 시간이 있는데 강의 중심이 아니라 함께 사는 단순한 공동체 생활을 중심으로 진행된다. 그리고 모든 일정은 영어로 진행이 되고 통역은 없다.

www.theforgewales.org.uk
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(+44) 7870653157