Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Last night, in some conversation, I was asked how do we cultivate ministry from a path that we have not yet been released into, or “sent” to (apostostelos)? This question came to this person knowing that a mantle was resting on him to be developed further. My answer related to how we get caught up into Kairos, appointed ties where we then become led by the Spirit. How we “go before” those we are to disciple is defined more from the unseen realms that we learn to engage in regards to what we are presently walking out. This is worked out and walked out as what we engage from how what is yet unseen is walked out in relationship with what we live daily.

As our personal paths, or assignments become complete, the seed bed that the Holy Spirit establishes through us will spring forth with greater Life in due season, from faith to faith, from glory to glory.

Note: the person that I was speaking to is a Prophet, who also Pastors the youth within his local church. So, this scenario speaks of how gifts and ministries are formed to function within our local church. Yet, it also prepares us in how to yield our gifts within the ministry needed to build our cities and regions. Our gifts can change from how they function within differing administrations. We see these things in God’s glory where the Holy Spirit teaches and counsels us more fully. Oftentimes, from what multiplication is coming to, the ministry that is being developed is purposed to reach where people where they live spiritually. Which is why much of the ministry that we engage for these purposes will, at times, shift into the Melchizedek Priesthood Order.

Before we ever come to discern the glory(ies) that already cover the earth, we continually learn of greater ministry from walking out divine order progressively. Order is simple and never changes, yet the progression of ministry causes us to be led, or sent outward from what is bringing the multiplication. What becomes harvest through ministry continues to be knitted into a greater tapestry of Life and lifestyle.

Whether through gifts, Ecclesia, administrations, etc., all ministry is set in place in the heavenlies according to Kingdom Order. While walking this out in heavenly places, we begin to speak forth what is to rise, or is rising in the earth in the times that follow (by revelation, declaration, etc.). Once the seed opens to break forth into the soil that it is to be further cultivated in, we begin to see the harvest that has come or is coming. Each harvest is for the purpose of developing the people who will continue to carry the seed and harvest further.

Our Positioning for the Purpose of Governing

While there is great value in ministry that flows out of our gifts within Ecclesia, there is even greater value in ministry that flows out of where we govern in relationship to our cities. When we see or discern conflict, whether within Ecclesia, or beyond, we know that the Holy Spirit will begin moving to establish a place or time of dunamis (power). Dunamis marks a place of God presence, which is often followed by miracles. Dunamis can also bring disruption by marking where Light needs to come to divide the darkness from Light. What marks holy divisions, from how Holy Spirit leads, will mark where foundations need to be established. These foundations are also purposed to build from where divisions are present from what people naturally occupy from, which relates more to chronos, natural times.

Mat 6:13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, (G1411 dunamis) and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Mat 11:20

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works (G1411 dunamis) were done, because they repented not:

Here, repent (metanoia) has more to do with mind changes and mindsets that adapt to take on the mind of Christ in what is to come. (Come up here, and I will show you what is to come after…Rev. 4)

From the foundations of Christ, we begin building people in a manner to identify the Door that he brings. Then, on to the path (the Way) where people can be further developed as a Priesthood that steps with God.

Followers of Jesus:

As followers of Jesus, we know that our lives will follow in his footsteps. Our lives will also follow leaders who lead according to his life in them. Which is why the Holy Spirit often moves to orchestrate the times so that we see the whole movement from beginning to end. The greater the lens of ministry that is formed, the greater the scope of ministry that we see and discern from in what is being cultivated.

Of the Wilderness

Luk 4:1

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

In the chapter prior to this, John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

Luk 3:21

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

Luk 3:22

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

After being baptized by John, Jesus opens the heavens and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. The Father’s voice, which came from heaven is heard, saying, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”

From Luke 4:1, where Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, returns from Jordan where he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

How do we recognize this mystery taking place among us today?

The wilderness spoken of in this passage, is the Greek word, erēmos. Erēmos Is defined as solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited; even an uncultivated region. Of persons, it speaks of deserted, or deprived of the aide and protection of others. It also speaks of a flock deserted by the shepherd.

The Lord’s ascension ministries immediately begin to prepare us in how to disciple, train, and equip people to enter into the promise that is being ministered. Furthermore, how to occupy and inhabit until the Lord comes. When the Lord manifests himself to us, or appears, he will embody what we are occupying together with others.

Standing in the Gaps

Some notes about what is in the divide, where foundations will need to be laid:

Sometimes people have not heard or seen the Father from where they naturally abide, or in what they gravitate to in times of distress. When we see the Son, we will see the Father.

Sometimes people are laboring to come out and be set apart from cultures that are present from within family, community, ethnic groups, etc. The Lord is faithful to show up where we stand upon Matt 18:20: where two or three are gathered in my name, there I AM in their midst.

Sometimes sheep, who are without shepherds, are laboring to occupy the uninhabited places without needed aide or resources. The garden cannot be further tended without workers to inhabit the land from heaven.

Sometimes the shepherds have been struck and the sheep have scattered. In all that is mentioned here, we need God to redeem the times to bring healing to what harm has come to. Standing in the gaps is more about occupying the middle ground in what is divided and speak the word, “come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this”. (Rev. 4:1) The Lord will manifest a Door that all can enter through without choosing sides. What rises from being Christ centered is not in any form of division, as from one side against another.

I have only outlined a few purposes that we can be sent in, but making the Door known is the first step towards entering God’s greater promises. All who pass through these Doors do so by tapping into the very nature and virtue of Christ. We often ascend alone where there is a place of lack. We build according to what we live and walk out daily, much like the Jesus spoke, “I go to prepare a place for you".

Isaiah’s Commission

Isa 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”