I found myself singing this hymn throughout yesterday....HALLELUJAH! HE AROSE!! CHRIST JESUS LIVES TODAY!!!
Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Love,
Mary
~~~~~~~~~
The Old Rugged Cross
(A Prophetic Exhortation)
April 8, 2007
The old rugged cross still stands in the minds of many as the place where the Beloved gave His all for mankind. Many still hover around that cross, looking up and remembering My sacrifice. I tell you truly, beloved, that I will never forget that old rugged cross. I will never forget the events that led up to that sacrifice that I gave so willingly. I will never forget the agony of the cross, nor the absence I felt when My Father looked away from Me. No. It will forever be imprinted on My mind. Forever!
But I tell you, beloved, what I want you to remember today - this day of celebration. I want you to remember ME, victorious in My mission. I want you to remember ME glorified, handing over the keys to hell to My Father. I want you to remember the wonder of that empty tomb. Death had no power over Me, and today it has no power over you. Remember this. Think on this. Rejoice in this. This is a day of celebration. It is a day to ponder the wonder of Who I am to you, to mankind. It is the day to dance, sing, clap your hands and celebrate. Celebrate the wonder of Who I am to you.
Yes, there will be times when you will think of that old rugged cross. There will be times when you will meditate on all that took place there and all that took place immediately after. But today, beloved, I want you to think on the victory that took place on that fateful day. I want you to think on the wonder of that hour when the Father shook the earth and the earth grew dark. I want you to think on the fact that the very recesses of hell were exposed, and that I entered, left, and went to My Father in total victory.
Yes, the blood from that old rugged cross still flows in the direction of mankind, and any who wish can receive the benefits of that blood. Any who wish may walk in the victory that My guiltless blood supplies.
So, beloved, as you spend time in celebration today, I want you to know that I, too, am celebrating. I am celebrating that wonderful time when sin could rule no more over mankind. I want you to celebrate with all that is in you, beloved, for the hour of wonder and greatness is approaching, and as it approaches you will revel in My glory like never before. Celebrate this, too. Celebrate My coming glory. For you know, when I purchased men’s lost souls on the cross, I purchased this coming hour of wonder, too. Yes, for the joy that was set before Me, I died that you might have life abundant, and that abundance is about to make its way in lives like never before, as My glory seeps into hearts, creating a new day in hearts, a new day of high revelry, a day of wonder when the peace and joy of the living God will surmount* anything the world has ever or could ever offer.
I want you to think on this wonderful truth today, beloved. Think on this glory-filled truth and rejoice! Yes, rejoice that your God saw fit to come as a baby, die as a spotless lamb, and rise again victorious in order for you to walk in freedom and delight, and also, beloved, to experience the coming hour when My glory will permeate hearts and make this hour in the history of man most notable, again I say, MOST notable*!!!
*surmount – overcome, prevail, conquer, triumph, get through, defeat <o:p></o:p>
Antonym - fail
*notable – distinguished, prominent, famous, noteworthy, outstanding, extraordinary, remarkable, important, significant<o:p></o:p>
antonym - insignificant
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Mary Clark
Sandra Bontemps
REJOICE IN GOD’S LOVE FOR US!
HE GAVE HIS SON JESUS, WHO DIED ON THE CROSS
SO WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE EVERLASTING!
REJOICE IN CHRIST’S RESURRECTION FROM THE TOMB!
THE STONE WAS ROLLED AWAY!
AGAIN I SAY REJOICE! HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD!
SO THAT WE MAY HAVE ABUNDANT LIFE IN HIM!
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION FROM THE TOMB,
BRINGS REDEEMPTION, RECONCILIATION, REGENERATION, AND REBIRTH
TOTAL AND COMPLETE RESTORATION!
"It was a glorious, golden dawning sunrise of a new day. I was kneeling alone in quiet reflective prayer, in a beautiful garden, breathing in the refreshing sweet smell of roses, my favorite flower. They were still glistening with the early morning dew. I had been thanking God for His tender loving mercies, new each day. And now, I was listening, waiting, to hear His voice, and what He wanted to speak to me. He had spoken so often to me recently, ‘Be still and know that I AM God.’
Suddenly I saw brilliant light illuminating from inside a cave or grotto in the distance. Irresistibly, drawn to the blinding light, I walked slowly toward the cave, knowing somehow that I was stepping into my divine destiny. It seemed both a mystery and miracle to me, as the very atmosphere was resplendent in transcendent glory.
Although I could not see them, I could feel the touch of angel wings, flying all around me, and could hear the angels singing, "Holy. Holy. Holy. Lord God Almighty. Who was and is and is to come." I had read a powerful word that the Angels are always gathered around His Throne, singing "Holy". God’s angels are always ascending and descending from Heaven to Earth carrying our prayers to God’s Throne of Grace. God’s Word tells us He has given them charge over us, and has given us the power and authority in the sweet Name of Jesus, to call them forth. And when we join them in praise and cry, "Holy, Holy, Lord You are Holy!" Each time we cry "Holy", God manifests and reveals more of Himself to us, with divine revelation as He continues to open up our spirit heart, mind, ears and eyes.
As I approached the cave, I could hear and feel the mighty rushing wind and fire of God’s Holy Spirit. My very soul was deeply permeated with intense excitement, great anticipation, and powerful emotions. All my senses were heightened. My spirit was awakened as never before to a new state of being, as I was taken to a higher spiritual realm.
As I stepped into the cave the light was so bright that at first I could not see. As my eyes began to adjust, I saw a Shepherds Rod, a Mattah, lying on a long stone bench. With great expectancy I was totally enraptured by God’s Presence. Completely mesmerized, I went over closer and looked down on the rose wood staff and saw that at the top was the very life-like intricately carved face of Jesus, with a hood around His head. As I looked down at Jesus’ face, He became vividly and powerfully alive. His beautiful eyes looked intently at me, so full of radiant light and love! And He gently, tenderly smiled at me. Overcome with the fullness of Christ, I felt joy and peace unspeakable. Never had I felt His love for me so deeply and strong. I understood more so than ever, with all certainty, His everlasting perfect love! For me! And I also saw in His eyes, a gentle plea, for me to go and tell His people the Good News of His love! And with this commission, it was as though He was giving me a fresh new anointing. Overcome with love and adoration for Jesus, I knelt down, bowing in complete awe, reverence and total surrender to Him, and allowed His love to flow ever so gently, into every fiber of my being. I could still hear and feel the powerful rushing of God’s Holy Spirit as He breathed new life and restoration into me, flooding my body, engulfing my soul and spirit. And I began to cry, ‘Holy. Holy. Holy.’
Then I heard God’s voice speaking loudly, ‘The name of the Mattah is Unity, Hope, Healing and Restoration!’ It was then suddenly that I realized I was in the Tomb of Jesus. I felt I had truly been taken there in my spirit."
And then I awoke from this powerful dream with tears streaming down my face. It was another sunrise of a glorious new day. And I was once again, undone! I thanked God for His Mercy and Love. And for Jesus’ Amazing Grace that is sufficient for our every need.
Filled with the wonder of the vision God had given to me in this dream, my thoughts drifted back to that Easter sunrise 2,000 years ago, when three women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James, and Salome came to the Tomb and found that Jesus had risen from the dead.
"Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Salome brought spices that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. Then they said among themselves, ‘Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?’ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away - for it was very large.
And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples - and Peter - that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.’ So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, and they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe." Mark 16:1-11
After this Jesus appeared to His eleven disciples. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe; In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
"And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen." John 25:14-20
I love the account also in John 20. Mary went to the tomb and stood outside, weeping. When she looked into the tomb, she saw two angels in white sitting there where the body of Jesus had lain. They ask her, “Woman why are you weeping?" And she answered, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." And when she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but did not know it was Jesus. And Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She thought Jesus was the Gardner and pleaded with Him saying, "Sir, if You have taken Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Then Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She recognized and turned to Him and said, "Rabboni!" which is to say "Teacher."
That same day in the evening, Jesus went to His disciples and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." He showed them His hands and sides and said again, "Peace to you! As the Father sent Me, I also send you." And when He said this, He breathed on them, and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Again Jesus appeared to another woman, Martha, "Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" John 11:40
HALLELUJAH HE IS RISEN! He has risen from the dead and He is Lord! Through the power of His Resurrection He wants to bring us Redemption. Restoration. Rebirth. Regeneration. He wants to give us the Glory His Father has given to Him so we will be equipped and empowered by God's Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, to do His works.
Immediately after my dream, I thought of Psalm 51:12 and praised God, thanking Him for restoring to me the joy of my salvation! I felt so revitalized. So refreshed, my spirit powerfully renewed within! Just think, Jesus said He would give us the Glory of God. And that God would send His Holy Spirit and give us the Gifts of the Spirit so we might do greater things than HE!
As we think of the meaning of Christ’s Resurrection, this Easter, 2007, bringing salvation to all mankind, let us also think of ALL THAT THIS MEANS. He has given us all authority and power to live the abundant life and to live in His fullness that God has promised. We have been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. But many of us do not understand redemption and restoration. Look carefully at the promises of God in these scriptures. And what they mean about our rich inheritance in Him!
RESURRECTION
Colossians 2:12 "Buried with Him in baptism in which you were raised with him through faith in the working of God who raised Him from the dead."
Jesus Christ’s triumph over sin and evil powers was accomplished in the Cross. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. " Romans 5:1-5,8-9,20-21
Just think, the blood of Jesus reconciles us to God. Faith in His blood infuses divine life, health and provision for our continued Victory in Jesus. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For in Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create In Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:13-18
These scriptures firmly establishes Jesus’ suffering, blood, sacrificial death, and resurrection in triumph as the only grounds for RANDSOM from sin, RECONCILIATION to God, REDEMPTION from slavery and RESTORATION. The Cross is our hope and means for full RELATIONSIP with God to "REIGN" in life. God’s sovereign authority and almighty power is our source of Kingdom power. God our Father is glorified in what Jesus has done on the Cross.
"For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For He who has died has been freed from sin. Now as we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more." Romans 6:5-9
"And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness in sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace.” Romans 6:13-14 To be under grace is to be justified and to live by the indwelling resurrection power of Christ.
Arise with exaltation, praise and thanksgiving! Christ is Risen and Enthroned!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REDEMPTION
Because of Christ’s love and sacrifice on the Cross, we have now received redemption. God’s has freely given us His amazing, redeeming grace. And God wants us to live and eat and taste from the Tree of Life in His Garden. As believers we are delivered from bondage, into the glorious liberty and freedom, hope of deliverance. God wants to have a personal relationship with us, and for us to have an intimate relationship with His Son Jesus. We are to be conformed to the image of His Son.
REGENERATION
Just as we owe our natural existence to our Father God, our Creator, His spoken Word and life giving breath, we owe our New Birth to the activation of its power. God’s intent for our created being is only completely fulfilled when our spirits are alive toward Him. Salvation in Jesus Christ also provides us spiritual life. God wants us to live and have power and authority in the spiritual realm because this is where the enemy is. We cannot battle the enemy in the natural realm.
" May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered awhile, restore, establish, and strengthen you." I Peter 5:10
RESTORATION
Giving or receiving back something that was lost. Did you know that you could take back and reclaim your rich inheritance in Christ Jesus that the enemy has stolen from you? Your divine destiny! We can take back our health, our finances, our families, our churches, our communities, our cities, our regions and our Nations! (Coming soon a message on: "Who Stole Your Dreams? Reclaiming Your Dreams")
Healing spiritually, emotionally and physically is ours because Jesus paid the price two thousand years ago on the Cross at Calvary. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die on the Cross so we could have eternal life in Him. Jesus’ abundant life manifested within us makes body, soul, spirit and us whole.
"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes, we are healed." Isaiah 53:4,5 Our healing took place at the Cross!
We are Raised with Christ. "Buried with Him in baptism, in which you were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raise Him from the dead." Colossians 2:12
The RESURRECTION of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is an image of New Beginnings. ARE YOU READY FOR COMPLETE RESTORATION, REDEEMPTION AND REGENERATION? ARE YOU READY FOR NEW BIRTH AND NEW BEGINNINGS?
AN AWESOME WAY GOD ANSWERED A SPECIFIC PRAYER!
Let me add something very important that still totally mystifies and fills me with wonder and awe about the vision and dream God gave to me about the Mattah. This is as they say, "The rest of the story!" Janis, my partner and I had been to a life changing Prophetic Conference in Knoxville led by the powerful, prophetic, anointed leaders, Bob Jones, Patricia King, Ryan Wyatt and Jeff Jansen. During the last day during our praise and worship time, led by JoAnne McFatter and Vince Gibson, Shepherds’ Rods, Mattahs, were passed out to us. I was first of all amazed that the one given to Janis, and she passed on to me had the Scripture Isaiah 61 my personal Life Verse and our mission and commission for Aspire Ministries.
Bob Jones led us in a mighty prayer for the Nation of Israel. Together, in great belief, with no doubts, people in unity and one accord, from all over the United States lifted up our voices and joined in praise and prayer for our states, regions, cities, communities, churches, families, and friends. Actually at one point Bob encouraged us to "Roar" mightily, (Shout It Out!) and God’s Holy Spirit fell in a mightier way than I have ever experienced in my life. The Almighty Presence of God filled the place, as we lifted our voices, blended with the sounds of the beautiful symbolic Shofars, and the symbolic Mattahs, lifted up to God together in this great symphony of total Praise!
The day before others and I had seen great fire like lightening coming down into our midst. And I had seen a vision of a White Dove, symbolic of God’s Holy Spirit the morning before Bob Jones spoke in the afternoon. When he came up to the platform and said he was going to bring a message on the White Dove, God’s Holy Spirit. God took me down to my knees, and I humbly bowed, crying in awe and reverence. You see, so much of this was still new to me.
That last morning, some could see in the natural realm, but all felt the great rushing wind and fire of God’s Holy Spirit in the supernatural spiritual realm, and there were Angels all around as we released this great and mighty roar of praise to God on High! At the same time it was releasing so much within us individuals! Bondages were being broken. People were being freed! Praise God! Healing spiritually, emotionally and physically were taking place I knew! Earlier Bob Jones had already led a mighty anointed prayer for God to release curses upon bloodlines! I had fallen out in the Spirit and Janis, half my size, somehow found the strength to pull me up, when Bob Jones asked for those of us with Indian blood to stand! And I personally felt a newfound freedom! There was truly a breaking within and without, a breaking forth, and then a breaking UP, of God’s Spirit upon us that glorious day!
Suddenly there was a quiet stillness as God’s Holy Spirit fell upon us in a new way. God’s Shakinah Glory fell! His Glorious Garment covering us, because of our total obedience, surrender, worship and praise. His Overshadowing! And Bob said that we had changed the atmosphere in the Heavenlies, bringing Heaven down to Earth, with our faithful prayers, praise, proclamations, and decrees!
(I was reminded of God’s promise, that when two or more of us gather together in Jesus’ Name and pray God’s will to be done, He will answer us. And then when three or more are gathered together, it is a cord not easily broken. Then I thought if one could bring down a thousand enemies. And two, together, 10,000. Then what can a crowd of 1,000 believers do together? Just think about that!)
And then Bob said, "Wait. Listen. The Wind of God’s Holy Spirit always comes after this! Ahhh! Here it is!" Janis and I were sitting about half way back from the platform where Bob was standing. We could hear the "oohs and ahhs" of those up front, row by row. Then I felt this cool, cool wind upon my face! Janis described it best afterward, saying, "It was like a cool menthol wind. And you could smell it too, as it heightened all our senses." Bob then decreed and imparted to us all in Jesus’ Name that we would be bringing these awesome displays, wonders and manifestations of God’s Presence, Power and Glory back to our homes, cities and churches.
After this for several months Janis and I studied the symbolism of the Mattah. First we went to God’s Word. We all know many accounts of God’s Rod and the miracles He performed! Janis and I also found good resources on the Internet for further study. (We will have a message on this later as God’s Holy Spirit moves.) The more we studied the more excited we became. She and I also said how awesome it would be to have and use the Mattahs at our home church! And we knew that we could not introduce them, so we prayed for Holy Spirit to speak to our Pastor’s spirit.
This also brings to mind how we need to trust God, and to lean not on our own understandings. And not try to control things ourselves. We need to allow God to be God. And pray that He speaks His will to us and to others. Know that God is in control. We are not.
Not long afterward in a Sunday morning service, our beloved pastor said, "I don’t know why! But Holy Spirit told me I needed to get a Shepherd’s Staff." Janis and I looked at one another, smiled knowingly, and nodded. After service we went to our pastor and told him we wished to gift him with a Mattah. I asked Holy Spirit to guide us as to where and to whom to go. And He led me to a young anointed woman, named Jamie, in Texas that had just started a Mattah Ministry. We commissioned her to make a Mattah for our Pastor. She prays for guidance and direction from Holy Spirit, over each individual Mattah before she ever begins the process. She also prays for the name of the Mattah. So Janis, Jamie and I were praying together for the name God wanted for our Pastor’s Mattah, when God gave me the dream/vision of the Mattah. The Mattah was named "RESTORATION." And Holy Spirit gave both Janis and me a mighty prophetic word to speak and to impart into our pastor and his wife when we took him our love gift.
I share this with you, because what God does for us, He will do for you. It is no secret what God can do! We know "The Secret" to the abundant life! We know beyond a doubt how to live the life of fulfillment in Jesus Christ! Not only is He our risen Savior, bringing salvation to all who believe, repent and call upon His Name, but also He wants to be Lord of our lives!
BECAUSE HE LIVES! BECAUSE HE WAS RESURRECTED TO GIVE US LIFE EVERLASTING! BECAUSE GOD PROMISES NEW LIFE EVERLASTING, NEW BEGINNINGS THROUGH REBIRTH, He will bring total RESTORATION, HEALING AND HOPE TO ALL WHO CALL UPON HIS NAME.
Jesus wants to be LORD of our lives. So we can live victoriously in Him. He wants to give us the JOY OF OUR SALVATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By HIS ATONING BLOOD WE RECEIVE SALVATION. BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. AND BY HIS RESURRECTION HE GIVES US HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. THE FULLNESS AND COMPLETION OF LIFE IN HIM!
Doesn’t that help you understand more deeply and completely the scripture "In HIM we live and move and have our being!" Acts 17:28 Jesus said He will give us the glory that God, His Father has given to Him! Because He Lives, and by the power of HIS RESURRECTION, we may live an abundant life in Him!
Father God, and Our Precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
We praise You.
It is by You
For You
Through You
Because of You
And To You
We give all Glory, Honor and Praise.
We want to step into our Divine Destiny IN YOU!
We want to ‘Aspire to be ALL that You created us to be!’
We thank You that we can walk in Fullness of Life and Victory!
We thank You that You have given us Your Power and Authority
to pray, ‘Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.’
We thank You for Your Redeeming Amazing Grace,
Your Mercy and Compassion,
Your Everlasting Perfect Love,
And that we can do ALL THINGS THROUGH YOU, CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US!
RESTORE THE JOY OF OUR SALVATION.
RESTORE US! REGENERATE US! REVITALIZE US!
We ask all these things in Your Sweet Precious Name, Jesus.
There is no other Name but Yours, Jesus.
