We need to gather and assemble our personal prophetic history as we write in journals and remember the spiritual markers (God’s activity) in our journey. Journal the journey.

We must also gather and assemble the prophetic history concerning the regions in which we live for the establishment of the house of prayer. Then the house of prayer links the  prophetic history  to the word of God, CIW (Corporate Intercessory Worship), obedience in the lives of believers and teaching which will in time establish this prophetic history and its promises in our prophetic DESTINY.

We know God’s will for a region is the MATURITY of the body of Christ.  Paul thru teaching (Colossians 1:28-29) and Epaphras thru prayer (Colossians 4:12-13)   were used of God to establish the kingdom of God in the region of Colossae.

Paul, thru the word and power of God established the Kingdom in Ephesus Acts 19.

Again here are ways we help establish the prophetic history and destiny of a house of prayer and the Kingdom of God in a region. 

CIW, Obedience, teaching, EGS (Encountering God Services), Website and print, seminars, conferences for painting vision and birthing other houses of prayer.

So here is how we build and establish a house of prayer:

1. By the word of God (solid theological foundations)
2. By the prophetic history and promises over the region
3. Develop the vision for the house
4. Develop values for the house
5. Develop Strategies for the house

 *Then we day and night/night and day bring the word of God (vision and values) into the CIW, EGS, seminars, conferences and the school of ministry as we teach, promote and obey.

Look at Jesus (Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:1-13, 14-19). (Isaiah 53 and Luke 22)

*In the midst of opposition we must continue to press and endure: STAND

1. Eyes on Jesus- (Hebrews12:1-3)
2. Inner might- (Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:13, Colossions 1:11)
3. Prophesy- (I Corinthians 14:3, I Timothy 1:18 and Ezra 5:1-2, 6:14)
4. The armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-19)

“Vision is conceived thru intimacy, birthed thru intercession and established thru obedience”

1. Tabernacle of Moses (Ex. 25-40)
   Bronze Altar (Leviticus 6:8, 12, 13), Lampstand (Leviticus 24:2-4), Showbread (Leviticus 24:5-8), Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:7-8), God’s Presence (glory) (Exodus 25:8, 40:34-38)
   
   For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel. (Exodus 40:38)
   
   
   
2. Tabernacle of David (I Chronicles 15-25)
   Asaph (Chief Musician) (I Chronicles 16:4-7, 37), 4,000 musicians (I Chronicles 23:5), Ministry to the Lord (Intercession) (I Chronicles 23:13), Prophetic Worship (288 skillful prophetic singers) (I Chronicles 25:1-7)
   
   
3. Church (Living Stones) 1 Peter 2:5
   “While other ceremonials and ritualisms of the Old Testament passed to the cross and are abolished there, expressions of worship passed to the cross and through the cross into the new covenant. Through the cross they become purified.  Worship and praise will never be abolished.  Worship and praise are eternal.
   Kevin J. Conner “The Tabernacle of David”
   
   Worship/Praise and Prayer/Intercession (Luke 2:36-38, 18:1-8, 24:53, Acts 1:14, 2:42, 46-47, 6:4, Romans 12:12, Colossian 4:2, Hebrews 13:5)
   
   
4. Historical Examples:
   Bangor, Ireland- In 555 A.D. a Celtic monk named Comgall and his co-worker Columbanus gathered 3,000 monks to a place called Bangor (the High Choir). They began a prayer meeting that continued with singing 24 hours a day for 300 years resulting in the first Celtic missions movement in history.
   
   Clairvaux, France- In 1120 A.D. a Catholic monk named Bernard gathered 700 monks to a valley called Clairvaux (the Valley of Light).  They began a prayer meeting that continued 24 hours a day for many years resulting in a dynamic release of evangelism through signs and wonders across all Europe.
   
   Herrnhut, Germany- In 1727, a young German nobleman named Nicholas Ludwig Count von Zinzendorf (1700-1760) gathered persecuted Christians to his large estate in Germany that he named Herrnhut (the Watch of the Lord).  These Christians, the Moravians, began a prayer movement that continued 24 hours a day for 120 years, resulting in the first Protestant missions movement. Herrnhut represents the reality that night and day prayer releases evangelism unto the Great Commission.
   
   
5. Present Day Examples
   IHOP-KC (International House of Prayer Kansas City,MO): 24/7 since 1999
   IHOP-Atlanta (International House of Prayer Atlanta, GA): 24/7 since 2006
   ZHOP (Zadok House of Prayer Charlotte, NC): 24/7 since 2006

Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples." The Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares, "Yet others I will gather to them, to those already gathered." (Isaiah 56:7-8)

Jesus’ Zeal for the House of Prayer
(Luke 2:41-52-age 12, John 2:13-17-age 30, Mark 11:15-17-age 33)

The tabernacle of David was distinct because the Ark of the Covenant was brought into open view for approximately thirty-six years.

Prophetic singers, musicians, and intercessors surrounded the ark night and day, which gives us a picture of the reality in heaven (Revelation 5:8) and of the New Testament church as living stones ministering to the Lord, with Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs and intercession (Ephesians 5:19, 6:17-19, Colossians 3:16, 4:2).

David made a vow for this reality to be manifest in his day (Psalm 132:1-5) and was consumed with zeal for the house of the Lord (Psalm 69:9).  As we weave together the three main passages in the Bible concerning the tabernacle of David (Isaiah 16:5, Amos 9:11-15, Acts 15:16-18), we see several distinctives for our day:

• God will raise up the fallen tent of David in order that the Gentiles may seek the Lord. We see the beginning of this fulfillment in Acts 15, with its culmination in the Millennial Kingdom (Is. 16:5, Ezekiel 37:24-28, Zechariah 14, Revelation 20:4-6).  We believe in this age, that we as the church will function in the spirit of the tabernacle of David as we come continually before His presence as prophetic singers, musicians, and intercessors.
• Continual worship and prayer with a prophetic spirit.
• When considering (Genesis 18:16-21, Isaiah 16:5, Psalm 89:14, 97:2, I Chronicles 18:14) we see righteousness and justice, which are the foundation of God’s throne, being established thru the tabernacle of David among God’s people, Israel.  As we come continually before the Lord in worship and intercession, praying for His kingdom to come, He will also establish righteousness and justice among us, His people, and the culture in which we live. (Luke 18:1-8, Matthew 6:9-13, 33).

(God’s design and desire is a perpetual dwelling place for Himself in the earth.) 

• Adam and Eve
  Man was God’s original design and desire for a dwelling place. (Genesis 1-2)
  
  
• Tabernacle of Moses
  God came to dwell among His people (Israel) for four hundred years.  (Exodus 25-40; 25:8, 40:34-38)
  
  
• Tabernacle of David
  Under David’s leadership, the Ark of the Covenant (God’s Presence) was in open view, night and day, with no veil for thirty-six years. (I Chronicles 15-25)
  
  
• Temple of Solomon
  The temple of Solomon carried the same design of the tabernacle of Moses but was a permanent structure in Jerusalem, unlike the transportable tabernacle. (II Chronicles 1-7)
  
  
• Rebuilding the Temple
  In 586 BC. Babylon destroys Solomon’s temple and Judah is taken captive to Babylon for seventy years.  After the captivity, Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, returns (through the financing of King Cyrus of Persia; (Isaiah 44:28-45:7) to rebuild the temple.  They began the rebuilding by the command of God, but finished by the prophesying of Haggaiand Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2, 6:14)
  
  
• Jesus
  John 1:1, 14. Jesus tabernacles among men but does not reject corporate worship at the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-52, John 2:13-17, Mark 11:15-17).  After Jesus’ death and sacrifice as our mediator between God and man, Godinvites man to have open access to His throne forever, signifying this by the tearing of the veil in the temple. (Matthew 27:50-51, I Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 4:14-16)
  
  
• Church/Body of Christ
  I Corinthians 3:9,16, Ephesians 2:19-20, I Timothy 3:15, I Peter 2:5, 9-10: We are priests before God. (I Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6)
  
  
• Tabernacle of God
  Revelation 21
  
  *Note: We believe that God’s dwelling among men is only partial in this age, substantial in the Millennial Kingdom, and ultimate in eternity, where God tabernacles among men, and where there is no presence of sin or evil.
  

1. God’s Omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-12)
2. God’s Indwelling Presence (I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19, Ephesians 2:21-22)
3. God’s Manifest Presence (God Encounters) (Exodus 24:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8, Acts 9:1-9, Revelation 1)
4. God’s Dwelling Presence (Exodus 25:8, 40:34-38) (Shekinah Glory: Where God desires to dwell continually in a given location) “Where God is praised, His presence comes.  Where God is praised continually, His presence dwells.” (Psalm 22:3)
   Robert Heidler (The Messianic Church Arising)

• No Idolatry (look at the progression of God’s glory leaving the temple: Ezekiel 8-11: 8:6, 9:3, 10:19, 11:23)  Idolatry drives God’s presence away.
  
  
• Holiness birthing the priesthood Leviticus 10:1-3), sustaining the priesthood (I Samuel 2-4) and the birthing of the church (Acts 5:1-16). Men and women were killed because of their lack of reverence for the presence and holiness of God.
  
  
• Continual praise before the Lord (Psalm 22:3) and the PSA (Perpetual Solemn Assembly) (Joel 2:12-17)

REVIVAL in the Word

• the doorway to REVIVAL- Repentance (Acts 3:19, Revelation 2:4-5)
• the lifestyle/pathway of REVIVAL-  the Word (Ezra 7:10, Psalm 119:25, 37, 40, 50, 88, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159) (Acts 19:1-20) the revival center of the first century (Ephesians 5:26-32, Revelation 2:4-5)
  
  * See attached sheets (these teachings were spoken in a burn for the word conf in March 2007 in 4 1 hour sessions)

• Psalm 22:3–Where Jesus is praised He comes, where He is praised continually He dwells.
• Acts 13:1-4 Jesus is worshipped and He reveals His will concerning others.
• Revelation 4-5, 7, 11, 14-15, 19–Worship and the presence of God
  
  *See the sections of our vision on worship and God’s presence throughout this document.

3 areas of Fasting:

• Urgency–a cry for preparation (Joel 2:12-17, 28-32) and insight with understanding (Daniel 1:8, 6:10, 9:1-3, 22, 10:1-3, 11:36-12:13) concerning the great and terrible day of the Lord in the end times.
  
  
• Fervency–a cry for the preparation of ministry (Isaiah 58, Luke 4:1-13) the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14-18, Acts 1:14, Acts 13:1-4) and the coming of Jesus our bridegroom (Luke 2:25-38, Matthew 25:1-13, Revelation 22:17)
  
  
• Intimacy–a cry for purity (Joel 2:12-17, Nehemiah 1:1-11) the bridegrooms presence in His absence, a lovesickness of mourning for Him (Matthew 9:15) and secrecy with the Father (Matthew 6:16-18)
  
  *We fast not to earn anything from God but to position and enlarge our hearts to receive more from Him in the fast. Richard Foster says in his book “Celebration of Discipline’ “in the process of fasting it reveals what controls us”.   The biblical fast is about the absence of food as we partake of the Lord and His Word (Matthew 4:3, John 4:33-34).
  
  *In the House of Prayer we see fasting as a way of life (Matthew 6:16-18 Sermon on the Mount wholeheartedness). It is Christianity 101 and 401. We fast at least 1 day a week on a regular basis.  We think it is best to join in together in corporate fasting as we understand the PSA (Perpetual Solemn Assembly) of Joel 2:12-17.  We also are committed to the GBF (Global Bridegroom Fast) the first Monday-Wednesday of every month and the first Monday-Sunday of December which brings us into 40 days of bridegroom fasting a year (Matthew 9:15). This GBF is a wonderful time to set our hearts afresh on a monthly basis, corporately, to seek 1 thing, intimacy with Jesus (Psalm 27:4, Luke 10:39, 42, Philippians 3:7-8). 
  

Righteousness and Justice: the foundation of God’s throne were administered and established in all of Israel as David’s tent was 24/7 for 36 years (I Chronicles 15-25: Psalm 89:14, 97:2—I Chronicles 18:14).  Here we see the activity of the spiritual and natural realms converging as David lived out his encounters before the ark of God as king over Israel.  In our house of prayer in the spirit of tabernacle of David, we stand before God interceding for His kingdom to be established on earth; righteousness (Matthew 6:9-13, 33) and justice (Luke 18:1-8).  Here we enter God’s desire: heaven and earth in agreement with His heart, His will and His word.

God has chosen intercession as the primary way He releases His government through Jesus and with His people now and forever (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34).  God does not need His people to accomplish His will on the earth, but He desires for us to partner with what He does.  We are the only creatures who get to ask for things from God.  When we ask God for things, He issues a decree, and angels carry out the order of the Lord (Daniel 9:23).  The Lord requires night and day prayer to release justice (Luke 18:7-8).  Justice is the making of wrong things right, which either comes through judgment (punishment, vengeance on those who resist God) or salvation (deliverance to redeemed).  David understood that prophetic intercessory worship had huge impact in the spiritual realms to release justice in the nations (Psalm 149:6-9). 

• PSA (Perpetual Solemn Assembly) (Joel 1:13-15, 2:12-17)
  
  
• The corporate issue is non negotiable before the Lord.  It is US that He wants His body in unity, intimacy and maturity (Ephesians 4:13). (Acts 1:14, Ephesians 2:11-22, I Peter 2:5,9).  The harp (worship) and bowl (intercession) ministry in heaven (Revelation 5:8) carries great significance before His throne and we seek His kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-13). We also see these bowls filled up at the end of the age and poured out as judgments of God on the nations (Revelation 8:2-5, 15:7). This ministry to the Lord CIW is much better caught in action than taught in theory. This model in the house of prayer is core to everything we do in ministry to the Lord before His throne and on behalf of the nations.
  
  
• Intercessory prayer is primarily agreement with God in His word. This is where we carry apostolic prayers of intercession (New Testament prayers of the apostles and Jesus) before the throne of God for the house and the region.  We also carry prophetic promises of intercession (Old Testament, New Testament, and present prophetic utterances by the Holy Spirit) before the throne of God for the house and the region.  One clear area of intercession is for the break in of justice as we cry out day and night (Luke 18:1-8).
  
  
• Worship is primarily agreement with God’s heart in intimacy. We minister to God’s heart and He ministers to our hearts.  This is a love exchange where we enjoy intimacy with Jesus without shame (Ephesians 5:18-19, 26-32). Actually the word (rhema) that Jesus washes us with (moving us to intimacy without shame before Him) becomes a sword of the spirit the word (rhema) of God to bring boldly before the throne in intercession. (Ephesians 6:17-19).  In the house of prayer, we have devotional sets of worship (times to sit at Jesus feet) as David (Psalm 27:4) and Mary did (Luke 10:39, 42) where we gaze at Jesus and listen to His word. We also worship with the word (times of singing and praying through appointed passages of the word). These times are for meditation, reflection and refreshment.

We see the necessity of developing lives of prayer.  As we come continually before the Lord and His throne there are a number of distinctives that will begin to mark our hearts. We will enjoy deeper friendship and desire greater partnership.  God will make us joyful in the house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7) and here is the life of enjoyable prayer, friendship with God.  A life of prayer molds us into intercessors whose primary passion is to stand in the council of the Lord to see and hear His word (Jeremiah 23:18, 23). Standing in His council is the place of agreement with His heart…this is partnership with God.  We will move into greater and deeper places of intimacy, fervency and urgency as we develop lifestyles of prayer. 

• Intimacy—Enjoying God where our hearts move into deeper friendship. (John 15:5-11).  As our hearts move in oneness with Jesus, we will become intimate without shame before Him (Ephesians 5:18-19, 25-32, Genesis 2:24-25, 3:10).  This oneness, deep friendship with Jesus, lifts shame where we can live confident before Him.
  
  
• Fervency—Agreement with God and His word.  Here we partner with God’s heart in developing structured and spontaneous lives of prayer.  It is crucial to develop secret/private (Matthew 6:5-13) and corporate prayer lives (Acts 1:14, 2:42, 4:24-31, 6:4).
  
  
• Urgency—Expectancy at the end of the age where our hearts are alive, alert, ready and watching for Jesus 2nd coming. (Matthew 24:42-44, 25:10, 13).  This expectancy builds purity, confidence and resolve into our hearts so that we will be a bride prepared with oil for our lamps at the end.  (Ephesians 5, Matthew 25:1-13, Romans 13:11-14). This readiness with oil of Matthew 25:1-13 yields the faithful servant of Matthew 25:14-30 and the obedient and righteous of Matthew 25:31-46. 

There are students of revival who are observing the activity of the kingdom of God and its impact in the cultures of the world.  One of those is George Otis Jr. In his transformation videos he highlights the fact that there are a number of regions that have been radically transformed by the power of the gospel. The sad reality is there is not one city or county in America that is experiencing this kind of invasion of the Kingdom of God breaking in to a region where righteousness, peace, joy and power are a way of life.  (Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, Acts 19:1-20). We see this break in only partial in this age (Because Satan is raging and the hearts of mankind are dark and sinful) substantial in the millennial kingdom (because the lost will still be among us although Jesus will reign and rule in righteousness) (Revelation 20:1-6), and ultimate in eternity (no presence of Satan, evil or sin) (Revelation 21). But we do pray and receive all that God will give us in this age as we live in His grace and wholehearted obedience. We do believe in a great end time harvest of souls into the kingdom of God and therefore prepare ourselves now to have perpetual worship and prayer furnaces to keep their hearts aflame. (Matthew 28:18-20, Joel 2:12-17, 28-32, Acts 1:8, 2:17-21, Matthew 24:14, Revelation 5:9-10, 7:9, 14, 14:6). 

We have a heart to see the church of Jesus Christ come into revival.  Unlike the early church that experienced revival for 300 years, most revivals throughout history fade away between 2-5 years. We believe that revival is an act of God’s sovereignty but He moves and revives in partnership with the CRY of His people. (Acts 1:14 the context is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit but we see the CRY of the early church).  (We see this even in the return of His Son Jesus, He will come in relation to the Spirit and the bride crying “come” Revelation 22:17).  We see that in many places of revival, the prayer movement that birthed revival did not stay in its proper place of sustaining the revival (but look at Acts 1:14, 2:42. 3:1, 4:24-31, 6:4, 12:5, 13:1-4 and we see sustaining prayer throughout the book).  As we establish 24/7 houses of prayer, here we see furnaces burning to keep fire on the altar before the Lord and fire on the heart of His revived people.  We see the prayer movement paramount to birthing and sustaining the revival that is coming to the church.

Our hearts see the great place of awakening in our communities will be in neighborhoods, on the streets and throughout the marketplace.  As we live holy lives before a watching world this will be a primary mark upon us as His bride in living lives of distinction.  This has always been God’s desire that mankind would see God in His people through their lifestyles that reflect His presence, mind, heart and kingdom. (Exodus 33:14-19, Matthew 5:1-16, Philippians 2:1-16). Below we will see other ways by which God reveals Himself to those in need of the gospel.

1. Prayer—Matthew 9:36-10:8, Ephesians 6:17-20
2. Worship and the presence of God—I Corinthians 14
3. Prophetic ministry—John 4, I Corinthians 14
4. Preaching and teaching the word of God—Acts 2, Romans 10
5. Obedience—Jonah 1-4, Acts 8:25-40, 16:6-14
6. Signs and wonders, miracles and healing ministry—Acts 8:4-13, Mark 16:15-18)

The empowerment of the Spirit comes for the primary purpose of ministry (in the church and in the world).  In the church we need the manifestation of the Spirit in relation to the distribution of spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. I Corinthians 12-14).  In the world we must be empowered by the Spirit to manifest the kingdom of God in word and power ministry. We see these two realities woven together throughout the scriptures and history. (Romans 15:18-19)  The book of Acts is full of word and power in reaching the lost. 

We see the empowerment of the Spirit coming on us with power (Acts 1:8) and revelation of dreams, visions and prophesy (Acts 2:17-18) as the Holy Spirit is poured out in our midst by promise (Luke 24:49) and perpetual prayer (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:42-43, 3, 4:24-31…).  We should ask, seek and knock for greater and increasing manifestations (in the church) and empowerments (in the world) of the Holy Spirit in our midst.

As the Holy Spirit comes upon us we will be empowered to declare the kingdom of God.  We have many examples of the word of the Lord coming to God’s people to declare His mind, heart and will (His present priorities and future plans).  Through the scriptures and by prophecy God is continuing to speak so that many will come to know Him by the power of His word.  (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48, John 4:39-42, Romans 1:16, I Corinthians 2:1-5, Romans 15:18, Acts 6:7, 12:24, 19:9-10, 20, 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

As the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we will be empowered to demonstrate the kingdom of God.  God’s power is released and manifested in a number of ways.  We see healings of sicknesses, signs and wonders (miracles), and casting out demons as 3 primary power manifestations of the kingdom coming to express God’s heart of compassion in areas of discomfort, disorder and injustice (Matthew 9:36-10:8, Romans 15:19, I Corinthians 4:20, Acts 3, 5, 8-9, 12-14, 16, 19). *the book of Acts is full of power encounters as the kingdom was established in many regions. Discipleship, with the 12 and the 72, according to Jesus (Matthew 4:23-24, 8:14-17, 9:35) was understood in 3 areas: preach the gospel of the kingdom, heal the sick and cast out demons. (the 12—Matt 10, Mark 6, Luke 9/ the 72-Luke 10).

*For more on this issue of discipleship and the 3 areas above see an excellent book that lays this all out: Richard Mull “Lord, Disciple Me”. Let us again look at Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8 and then look at the break out of power in the book of Acts with several power encounters listed above. Paul linked the full preaching of the gospel not just to word but also power (signs and wonders) (Romans 15:18-19, I Corinthians 2:1-5, 4:20).

Raising up and Equipping Forerunners

• A forerunner runs in advance (Malachi 4:5-6—Luke 1:17, Malachi 3:1—Luke 1:76, Isaiah 40:3-5, 62:10—Luke 3:4)
  
  
• In the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:16-17 Matthew 11:14,  17:10-13)
  
  
• Preparing the way (Luke 1:17, 76; 3:4) before the great harvest (Acts 2:17-21) and terrible judgments (Revelation 6-18) (Joel 2:11,31, Malachi 4:5) day of the Lord
  
  
• Oil (Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 9:15)

10 Marks of a Forerunner

1. Prayer and fasting (Luke 5:33)
   
   
2. Friendship with Jesus the bridegroom(John 3:29)
   
   
3. Humility before Jesus the bridegroom (John 3:30)
   
   
4. Repentance/obedience (RO) (Matthew 3:2, 8) and righteousness (Luke 1:5-6, 15) as a lifestyle and as a message.
   
   
5. A call to the wilderness (barreness) producing intimacy (Matthew 3:1, 3, Hosea 2:14-20).
   
   
6. A voice not an echo (Matthew 3:3) like David serving the purposes of God in this generation (Acts 13:36).
   
   
7. Radical lifestyle (Matthew 3:4, Luke 1:15).
   
   
8. Bold, confident, courage (Matthew 3:7-12) “men don’t follow titles, they follow courage”
   
   
9. Living filled (Luke 1:15, Ephesians 5:18-33) and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:16-17) to fulfill God’s mandate.
   
   
10. Martyrdom—a continual call to death “His way” spiritually (Luke 14:26-27) and potential physical death for His names sake. (Matthew 14:1-12)  (Revelation 3:10-keep you from/in the hour of testing John 17.15) (Revelation 12:11-17, 7:14-17, 16:6, 17:6, 18:24) a call to (Live unoffendable lives of love) (Matthew 11:2-6, Philippians 1:9-11, I Peter 3:8-4.11) *when facing offense, persecution, trials; we walk in prayer (I Peter 4:7, walk in love v. 8, and we serve one another without complaint by God’s grace and strength v. 9-11)
    
    *At the end of the age, many will be offended and have occasion for “falling away” from the truth (Matthew 24:10, II Thessalonians 2:3, 9-12, I Timothy 4:1-3).

As John the Baptist was set apart to live a forerunner lifestyle we see this as our mandate in the house of prayer.  This is the life and vessel that God desires at the end of the age through which He will prepare the bride to live wholehearted before the bridegroom, the church and the world in expectancy of His 2nd coming.  We see a number of major issues presently, and others on the horizon that will that are going to test, shake and shock many in the church and the world.  We must prepare ourselves, the church and the world for the the spiritual and physical collision that is coming to planet earth.  At the end of the age many will be offended and have occasion for “falling away” from the truth (Matthew 24:10, II Thessalonians 2:3, 9-12, I Timothy 4:1-3).

1. The groan of creation and the birth pangs (Romans 8:18-25, Matthew 24:4-12)
   
   
2. The sinfulness in the heart of man (II Timothy 3:1-9, Revelation 9:20-21) (Four main sins demonically imposed: murder, sorcery, immorality, theft at the end of the age)
   
   
3. The rage of Satan (Revelation 12-13) thru the antichrist (II Thessalonians 2:3-12)
   
   
4. The judgments of God (Revelation 6-18), seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls of wrath. God’s judgments will increase in church (I Peter 4:17) and be fully released against the unrepentant at the end of the age. (Revelation 6-18)  God’s mercy does triumph over judgment but God will not relent forever.  His desire, bringing judgment, is to remove any hindrances or barriers to the first commandment, being first place as we overcome at the end (Revelation 2-3). We must be living lives full of the oil of intimacy (His presence) and expectancy (His coming) with the heart of Jesus the bridegroom (Matthew 9:15, 25:1-13, John 3:22-30, Luke 1:15, 41) that our hearts would be alive in love without shame (Ephesians 5:25-32) and without offense (Philippians 1:9-11) at His coming. 

Developing a lifestyle of wholehearted devotion brings together two things.  Here we are at the heart of God’s desire for us. Jesus said “if you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  We see this reality lived out in the life of King David: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will…David served the purpose of God in his own generation” (Acts 13:22,36). Wholehearted devotion is our love and obedience woven together as one in our hearts.  We ache for the great commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20. Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:46-49) to converge in our hearts.  This again is all about loving and obeying God bringing us into wholehearted devotion. 

A Sermon on the Mount lifestyle is wholehearted devotion in the kingdom of God.  Here is where we see the way of life for every believer.  Here we will lay out a few areas that are pathways to wholehearted devotion.

Pathways to wholehearted devotion as a lifestyle (Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7)

1. Walking in love (no place for shame—confident before the Lord)
   
   
2. Walking in forgiveness (no place for offense-confident before man)
   
   
3. Giving to others and the poor in secret before the Father
   
   
4. Praying for others and myself in secret before the Father
   
   
5. Fasting in Secret before the Father