July 2009 ~ A month of Kingdom Realities!!!

At CKE, we are choosing to view our world, through the eyes of Abba Father's outrageous love and His constantly overflowing goodness!! God has a great track record - He has never, ever, ever, EVER failed...He's brilliant at being GOD...so we are 'sentenced' to victory when our trust is in Him!!

What an exciting month we've had...here are some highlights from July:

July 4th - Fireworks!!!
We had 27 people at our 4th of July party...from an overflowing table of food, to making new friends, to playing Catchphrase on the terrace, to watching some phenomenal fireworks...it was an amazing day which ended with impromptu ministry to three young men who came over for the first time. God radically touched each one of their lives...one of them, after having been prayed for, said, "I feel so free." They were so impacted by the selfless love everyone showered on them...yay God!!!

CKE Kids
Our first CKE Kids launched on July 16th. We spent the afternoon training them on how to 'Treasure Hunt' and go on adventures with Holy Spirit. In an hour, we impacted 21 lives with the love of God. They were prayed for, encouraged and blown away that God highlighted them. The kids had fun & were so excited that they too could hear God's voice and see people encountering God's presence. They can't wait to go 'Treasure Hunting' again!!!

Single in the City - For Ladies Only...
On Tuesday, July 21st, 14 women gathered to take an honest and nonreligious look at dating, purity, and sexual values in our culture.

In a society where purity in character and relationships seems archaic, boring and 'holier-than-thou', God is raising up a generation that choose to walk in His freedom and value HIS heart above the compromise and bondage that the enemy offers. Even if we have failed, God's heart is for our complete restoration.

We've received such great feedback from the first session...

"This is exactly what I needed. Thank you for being real."

"Now that I'm saved, I need to know how to relate to Christian guys...(Single in the City) helps me in this..."

"Knowing that others have the same questions and struggles, helps me to know I'm not alone in this journey... thank you for doing this...it is SO needed."

There are more exciting events lined up for "Single in the City"...stay tuned for more details!!!

We live during a time, where the thin line between heaven and earth is closing in and God is calling His Bride to say "YES" to His heart and influence our world with demonstrations of His love. Whoever we are, wherever we're from, all God is asking for, is a heart that says, "Yes, use me." Dream big with God and you may be surprised what He does in and through you!!

Love...Love...Love!!!

Wow! What a week it has been. As of today, four celebrities in the entertainment and media industry have passed away. Each of them were precious and mattered to JESUS. His love for them, is deep, immeasurable and unconditional. We are commissioned to love our neighbor – those in our world - with that same Christ-like Love.

How do we do that? By pursuing intimacy with Jesus and staying hungry for HIS Presence – involving HIM in every area of our lives – communing with HIM at work, on the campus, at dinner, during times of joy, times of uncertainty, when we make important and even not-so-important decisions...HE welcomes every part of our life and longs to be in relationship with us.

From that place of intimacy with LOVE Himself, we receive His transforming Love in our own lives, and are empowered by His Spirit to love those in our world. When that happens, transformation WITHIN and WITHOUT will take place in our circle of influence - which will then affect our society, our culture and our world!

It’s difficult to remain defeated, broken, hopeless, and bound in sin, when you encounter the wild, powerful, beautiful, authentic, eternal and beyond-logic love of JESUS!!

So what are the ingredients of this kind of relentless, enduring LOVE?

1. Love is patient.

2. Love is kind.

3. Love is not jealous and does not envy.

4. Love does not boast.

5. Love is not proud.

6. Love is not rude.

7. Love is not self-seeking.

8. Love is not easily angered. It does not become irritated. It is not touchy.

9. Love keeps no record of wrongs.

10. Love does not delight in evil but it rejoices in truth.

11. Love always trusts, and believes all things.

12. Love always hopes.

13. Love always perseveres.

14. Love goes on forever.

Now read the list and replace the word "love" with "God." God is not just loving, He IS Love!

All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever...there are three things that remain -- faith, hope, and love -- and the greatest of these is Love. I Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13 (LBV)

Let's challenge one another to show the tangible love of JESUS, to each individual we come into contact with, today! "They will know we are CHRISTians, by our love..."

Living Backwards, Upside Down and Impossible

So this is what we are called to do....our job description...to live backwards, upside down, and absolutely impossible. Isn't that just like God? The funny thing is that to Him, it is totally forward, right side up, and not only possible, but NORMAL.

So...are there really people who have chosen to live completely "unfashionable" in this society? Jesus did. He said that in order to live, we must die. In order to find life, we must lose it. Though He was rich, He became poor. Though He was King, He became a servant to all. It is a decision to go as absolutely low as possible, placing yourself in a posture of complete dependence on the One who is fully dependable.

You see...When you know that the Creator of the Universe truly wants you to access everything He is and literally overtake you with abundance, you don't have to promote yourself. You don't have to strive. You don't have to walk in fear and doubt. You simply believe that you are accepted, loved, cherished, and not only in relationship, but actually co-laboring with the One who is withholding NOTHING from you.

So, what do you say? Shall we live totally "unfashionable" in this society, daring to believe that God will exalt us, provide for us, surround us with favor, and let His power be displayed through our lives? I'm in....are you?

CKE
What happens when a hungry group of men and women come together for one purpose...His Face! The Word of God infused our worship as the fragrance of Heaven filled the room. In a prophetic act, we released our will to Him and stepped over into total dependence on a trustworthy God, with NO BACK-UP PLAN.

The men of CKE got totally blasted as the women surrounded them and spoke to the greatness of God in their lives...calling them to be men of integrity, purity, lovers of the Word, worshipers, and leaders with Kingdom purpose.

S.W.I.M.
Last week in Columbus Circle, 6 radical men and women broke through the facade of happiness, wealth, and success to let people know that God loved them and had a plan for their lives. It was a beautiful encounter that they never expected, but I know they will never forget. Prophetic words and miraculous healing happened right in the lobby of the Time Warner Center.

God is so good and this is THE GOOD LIFE!!!!

20 Representing Millions!!!

What happens when 20 hungry people come together for ONE PURPOSE...HIS FACE!!!!

The room could hardly contain the heart and passion for MORE of Him...GREATER measure of His Glory...ABUNDANCE of souls into the Kingdom...Love RESOUNDING in our worship...His Word REVEALED...More Lord!!!!

God opened up the WORD to us around the room in a beautiful way:

- Rom 8:38 "...Nothing shall separate us from the love of God..."
- Num 6:24-26 "...the Lord make His face shine upon you..."
- Isa 64:1-4 "...make your name known...Nations tremble at Your Presence..."
- Mark 8:1-10 "...Jesus had compassion on the multitude...fed 4000 with 7 loaves and a few small fishes...They ate and were FILLED (satisfied)."
- Rom 8:15 "You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Adoption by whom we cry out, ABBA, ABBA."

TENSIONS OF 2 WORLDS

We are living in the tension of 2 worlds....ONE where we are completely satisfied in Him and ONE where we are soooo ravenously hungry for MORE of Him. Where there is friction....stuff happens. There was an illustration of one substance on it's own that just "is", but when you put it together with something completely different, they become explosive together.

The tension of these 2 worlds have come together tonight to create:
- An "energy-rich" environment
- An explosive "creativity-rich" environment
- An "idea-rich" environment
- A "fertile-rich" environment

PROPHETIC WORDS

- "I am planting you in this rich soil...digging out the old, stale, hard soil. He is placing us into new soil, that is full of life, oxygen, and food...Transplanting equals Transformation in the Spirit"
- "There is something deepening...there is a deeper unity and camaraderie...it's a new day with new meaning and new purpose. It's deeper than yesterday. It's fresh. It's alive. It's new. It's fertile. It's growing. It's deep. Things got cut away, so that things that are only of God can be brought to the next level. He is pruning us all to move forward unhindered and unencumbered. Be willing to lay on the operating table as long as it takes. He is getting us to the place of who we REALLY ARE. I am GLORIFIED when you bear much fruit!"

- Isa 45:8 "...Heavens rain down righteousness...let the earth open...let them bring forth salvation and let righteousness spring up together....I, the Lord, have created it."

ABIDE - Every answer for every question is found in this place!
- John 15:1-16 "I am the true vine and my Father is the vine dresser...ABIDE IN ME as I ABIDE IN YOU..."

FREEDOM

- Laugh in the face of the enemy
- See yourself free...What do I look like FREE? See it! Believe it! Let that vision be on the forefront of everything else you see and do. Hold onto that vision TIGHT and FAST.
- It all boils down to "Believing"

Love Encounters All Over Columbus Circle!!!

Last Thursday night, there were "Love Encounters" happening all over Columbus Circle! It was sooooo awesome.

We began the evening by praying together and asking God for the "prophetic clues" for our Treasure Hunt. You could feel the love beginning to grow in all of our hearts as we asked God to "open our eyes beyond the exterior to see those who were blind, hurting, broken-hearted, and in need." Many came that night to go shopping, get a cup of coffee, or just relax...THEY GOT JESUS!

Here are some of the testimonies:

- We talked to a lady in Starbucks who was Buddhist. She wanted prayer for her parents to have long life.

- There was a young lady and her friend by the name of Emily in Whole Foods who wanted prayer for a job. The girls sat down at the table where they were eating and prayed for both of them, who were totally receptive.

- We prayed for a woman in a wheel chair who had just arrived today with her daughter from Germany for a 10 day vacation in NYC! I prayed for healing for the mother and a wonderful trip. What a welcome for them and first impression!

- We prayed for a pregnant woman working at Bebe. I first told her how beautiful she was and then I asked her if I could pray for the baby and the birth. What mom wouldn't want prayer for that?! I sensed she really appreciated it and needed the encouragement.

- Spoke to a Muslim man about Jesus. That Jesus came to die for our sins so we could be with Him in Heaven. It was probably the first time he'd ever heard about Jesus. I prayed that the Lord would reveal himself to him and he thanked me! WOW!!!!!

- Tonight we told many people that Jesus loved them, God wasn’t mad at them, and that He was in a good mood!! I saw a guy by the name of Ray walking on the third floor of the mall, and then I saw him again later downstairs. I told him we were treasure hunting and that he wasn’t on my map at all, but since this was the second time I had seen him, I knew it was God. I was able to talk to Him about how amazing God’s love is. He said he knew that God has sent me because he needed to be reminded that God remembered him.

- I feel like everyone I spoke to and prayed for received it and felt blessed. Once I started stepping out, it got easier and easier. I was so encouraged to know that I was being a vessel for the Lord. It was a lot of fun!

- At the end of the evening as we met to share testimonies, one of the team members had just arrived, and missed the outreach. She was wearing an animal print jacket, which happened to be one of the clues on our list. We laid hands on her and thanked God for touching her body because she had been sick and in lots of pain for days. She was instantly HEALED!!! Praise God. She thought she was coming to go "Treasure Hunting", but instead, she was the Treasure." YAY GOD!!!

GOD KISSED US WITH HIS PRESENCE!!!

The last three CKE meetings have been rich with wisdom and revelation as we surrendered our worship as incense to the Creator of the Universe.

Here are some of the prophetic words proclaimed into the atmosphere:

- There is a Spirit of Expectancy that is opening the door for a Supernatural move of Holy Spirit.

- Song: I will go free, because "Free people free people."

- There is an open Heaven over us!

- The younger generation humbled ourselves in a prophetic act to the older generation of Generals who have gone before us to prepare the way. We surrounded them and prayed a blessing over their lives as they continue to be the Spiritual Mothers and Fathers to this generation of revivalists. They responded, by surrounding us and praying a blessing over us. It was a beautiful act of unity and LOVE!!!! God is breaking down the generational barriers as we submit to one another in love, and selflessly move together in genuine desire for His Presence.

- There are books and manuscripts in this room, just waiting to be released!

- "New territory...every place the sole of your foot shall tread...I have ALREADY given you." (Joshua 1:8)

- There is HUGE POWER that is released in the Testimony of what God has done to prophetically propel us into faith for the next opportunity to see Him move. Rev 19:10 "The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy."

- NO LIMITS!!! The "Do Not Enter" tape has been ripped off. NO LIMITS!!!

- New songs were birthed and written.

Every time we meet, the atmosphere gets richer and richer. What an honor to do Kingdom Business with amazing men and women who are sold out to a pursuit of His FACE above all else!!!

The Most Explosive CKE Yet!!

Last night 15 people gathered for our seventh CKE event. The atmosphere was filled with expectation & we came prepared for God to speak & move! And HE did...beyond our expectation!! Some of the key words released last night were:

* Supernatural Unity is happening among us, which paves the way for a massive move of God, like that of Azusa Revival...but it'll be even greater because of the times we live in!

* God knows what He has invested in us and He's putting a demand on His investment. He's a wise Businessman!

* All of us are LEADERS - it's like right here in this room we're at a Round table at the White House

* II Cor. 4:7 "We have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God."

* Our obedience is our anointing...out of obedience comes blessing

* What's in your hand? Surrender the 5 Loaves & 2 Fishes in your hand & I will bless, break & multiply it...so what's in your hand?

* Reign in my Authority in what I've called you to do

* Grab the scepter...when Egypt was in famine & crisis - God set Joseph as the leader with the answers. So grab the scepter & rule in what God has called you to do!

* Daniel 3 - Three Hebrew young men who did not compromise even though they lived in an evil empire

* No more excuses!!

* No can define us...because they didn't design us!

* The power of Creation is in your hands. Just as He created & FASHIONED the world out of nothing...He has empowered you IN HIM, to influence your world with His creative power!