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| "Feed My Sheep" ... The Spirit of Christ reaching out through the Family of God |
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In our small town community, there were those who kept hearing of people in our outskirts who were slipping through the cracks (not eligible for social services), who are being helped by those Father brings across their paths, in their day to day interactions. Those in need found themselves having an unexpected emergency ... some through no fault of their own ... others through cycles that seemed impossible to break due to dysfunctional generational ways of thinking and unhealthy habitual ways of being, which had become their learned norm. Some have learned to live from crisis to crisis.. and feel powerless to change and felt like they were just existing... living out the hand in life they were played. Many feel too ashamed or oppressed to attend a church thinking they have to better themselves first. Those of us who help them pray ultimately each will come to know the Lord intimately and be transformed in the process as HE breaks generational sins and yokes of bondage's off of them in ways HE has ordained.
Some who only heard of those in need... but never met such in their day to day living, prayed that Father make a way and enable them to help as well... be it spiritually, physically or emotionally. Father began crossing our paths one with another.
Through divinely orchestrated circumstances... 'Feed My Sheep' a living organism was birthed.... and a core group from various backgrounds was brought together. "Feed My Sheep" consists of a growing network of caring volunteers who desire to serve in the name of love. Christ is our head... we each have a vital part and are in need of one another for His full intention to take place... we go with His flow and offer that which He provides... be it things or talents and/or free services. Prayer and Counseling is always available. We have opted not to become 'official'... due to too many 'Non Profit' restraints and 'Board Rules' such could put upon us... we seek HIS wisdom/provision moment to moment. Those who do not go to church but consider themselves to be a part of the body of Christ work alongside church members from various local denominations. We are not led to push our faith on those we help. We pray instead they will ask about our faith... and we will be given His words to share with holy boldness. We meet in places which have been made available for free. Our Local Mayor and Town Council and various Service Agencies and Ministries network with us.... (most are believers from among them) no salary is taken.
"Feed My Sheep" began a little over a year ago with the offer of Community Fellowship through a Free Community Meal of Pot Luck Favorites, to be held on the 4th Saturday of each month. There is a different menu each month. A Free Community Exchange of Goods and Services was added the second month. During favorable weather, before and after the free meal... donations of all kinds are dropped off which anyone can take for free.... 'free community cycling'. There is a Free Community Exchange Resource Board which is set up for larger/other offers, needs and wants to be posted... 'leave a sticky, take a sticky', which is sent to those who request to be a part of such. Volunteers network together to meet these needs throughout the month. We thank Father for them and His provision daily...
Many come just for the fellowship ... we are slowly growing into a interdependent caring community, whose numbers vary from month to month. (One elderly widow shared with me through tears of gratitude, 'These gatherings help me not to be so lonely'). That which is left over (to include food), is given away to those who attended and the rest is taken to the Homeless Shelter in the next town or the appropriate Ministries/Agencies via volunteers. One church came to me and offered funds if ever needed, to feed anyone who comes to us hungry throughout the month. Locals cook extra food and donate it throughout the month or keep it in their freezers for when an emergency arises. Unsolicited cash donations are used to buy perishables... and we send those in need of canned goods and household supplies or financial aid to local ministries/agencies we network with currently, when such in not in our possession.... as this is their main ministry and we desire to support them in their efforts as well.
As word has gotten around... (out of town), other's from afar have joined us. Through one member Panera Restaurant sends their left over breads the night before, to each monthly meal, to be given away or utilized. A Gourmet Catering Shop sends their left over pastries throughout the month through another member. Wal-Mart Distribution Center gives meats and other items to another member... and another receives donations from Whole Foods and other groceries/bakeries... which she shares with us and others throughout the month.
In January a Bible Study in a neighboring Town asked us to speak to their members... (we go where ever sent to speak) as they are seeking Father's will in how He would have them serve in their area this year and they had just heard about "Feed My Sheep". Some of them visited our gathering in January.... they were blessed... we pray they will return as led.... we also pray this become a global outreach that HE brings about worldwide, if it be His will... as it seems to be the god of this world... mammon, is being dethroned, world wide, and many will suffer unless those who have, give to those who have not.... 'there but the grace of God could go I'.
We help in a wide variety of ways these days as HE provides ... Spirit, Soul and Body ... we pray through entering the lives of those He brings across our path, dysfunctional cycles are exposed as His light and unconditional love is brought in, setting captives free. In return... we too have been blessed .... and some of us have discovered needs of our own and ways we could help, we did not know of before we began. Some of those in need are now volunteering to help as well... (setting up, tearing down ect). Ministry to the children has become our priority currently. I have some great testimonies of His divine intervention I will share later, Lord willing. Your prayers are solicited and will be greatly appreciated.
If you have something similar in your area... or know of such elsewhere... do tell us!
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An article I read states the original New Testament Greek word for Church is: Ekklesia which means: a called out assembly of people for a special purpose; to gather/congregate together for a special purpose. With that in mind... I can agree with your word above: '....sounds like "Ekklesia" Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm'
Thanks for your comment bro... look forward to reading more of what the spirit of the Lord desires to offer through you. I understand Joian Schroff has as article on her site she considers to be outstanding from you.... She shares it as an explanation of what she believes God is doing in our lives these days. May I ask which one it was exactly? Was it: The Church that Christ built? If your led... do post it here... under any blog topic you are led. |
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Thanks for posting this bro... THIS is an excellent article... and very appropriate, considering the blog above... |
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Thirst!!!!!
9th February, 2008 Lana Vawser lanavawserpropheticministries@lizzy.com.au
My precious church, I am calling you deeper into Me. For many of you are continually looking around to hear what I am saying to My Church, and I say to you that My heart is always the same, My heart is for My Church to grow closer to Me in intimacy. To grow deeper in relationship with Me, to walk in line with My heart, walk in unison with My Spirit, know My heart and seek My face and not always My hand.
For I am releasing a thirst upon many, a thirst that will not be quenched by the usual daily ‘routine’ of seeking Me, but will require great lengths of time seeking Me, and sitting in My presence.
Many of you are already experiencing this greater thirst. Many of you are experiencing the thirst in your spirit that is not being quenched and that is because you can never receive enough of Me, I am always calling you deeper and deeper into relationship with Me, to know Me and to know My Word.
I am speaking to those of you who are feeling this intense feeling of thirst, thirst that seems to be drawing you away from many things and you find yourselves spending more time with Me and listening to what I have to say and revelations from My Word.
I have released this thirst upon many of you because I am about to pour out in greater measures; My Spirit to demonstrate My power and many of you will be propelled forward in the giftings and ministry I have given you.
Many of you are running on empty. Many of you are running in your own strength that is why you are so tired all the time. Many of you are moving forward ploughing through tough times in the strength that comes from man. Numerous situations that many of you find yourselves in, you find are draining you. Church, that is because you are running in your strength and running on dry spiritually. I am speaking to you My Church again, that I love you and I desire greater intimacy with you, but you must maintain this intimacy. You must not seek Me one day, and then not seek Me again for weeks or months. You are to continue to come to Me and seek Me, and as you do, and walk in a life of surrender DAILY to Me you will walk in My power, strength and Spirit, which will enable you to overcome and face ANY circumstance.
Because of My Great love for you, I am releasing this thirst upon many to draw many back to Me. To draw many deeper into greater intimacy with Me, because I do not want My Church to just ‘visit’ Me, I want My Church to ‘live’ in Me, abide in Me and walk in Me.
Loose boundaries, and loose convictions are sapping many within My Church of the living waters of My Spirit flowing in your lives. You must draw closer to Me, My Church and keep close to Me. Continue to walk in MY footsteps and follow My heart and My convictions, do not walk as the world walks. Do not worry if many look to you as aliens, for you are aliens to this world. Stand tall, stand with high lifted convictions and be greater people of intimacy. Worry not about the world and what others say but move forward in intimacy. Do not allow loose boundaries, loose expectations and convictions to quench My Spirit within you and your lives.
Those who thirst…… come to Me and I will continue to give you a drink, and as you drink of My Spirit you WILL be transformed, and nothing will affect you because you will be learning how to remain in that place of rest within ME.
Interestingly My Church the more you drink of Me, the thirstier you become, because the more you see of who I am, the more you hunger for Me, but the thirst that you will have is a thirst for righteousness and overflow, not a thirst because you are finding yourselves in a dry complacent place. Many of you will be hungering to see My holiness and My purity. I am the Lord thy God and none compares to Me. I am perfect, and I am calling you My Church to walk in My ways and My footsteps.
Many of you are being bombarded in this season by the adversary, throwing many condemnatory thoughts, situations and people in your paths that are causing many of you great distress and pain. I am speaking to you My people that you will find the peace that you need as you continue to drink deeply of My Spirit, and hide under the shadow of My wing.
I am releasing a greater revelation upon you My Church of what it means to hide under the shadow of My wing. Many of you are learning what it means to stay hidden under My wing; close to My heart at all times and not move ‘in’ and ‘out’ all the time.
The enemy is speaking too many of you that the hunger and thirst that I am releasing upon you My Church is one that is causing harm and pain to My Church. This is a lie and this is not My heart, and the truth of My Word.
I am moulding you My Church greater into the image I have created you to be, pure and spotless. There is nothing that you can do to be snatched from My hand, for I am holding you My Church close to My heart and using the thirst I am releasing upon you, to take her to a higher level in Me.
Many of you are finding yourselves in unpleasant circumstances; do not weary, because I am using these circumstances to teach My Church to continue to drink from Me, and to not be content and filled from other areas.
I am raising up passionate pursuers. Those within My Church who are willing to lay down their lives, carry their cross and pay the price to serve Me and walk deeper in intimacy with Me.
I am doing a great work within My Church to cut away much from many lives. Many of you within My Church are finding the pruning occurring at a deeper level removing things that you did not expect, but I am removing these things so that I may draw you deeper into intimacy with Me, and make more room for My Spirit.
The thirst I am releasing is a blessing, make sure that you follow the thirst and come to Me continually, allow the shift I am orchestrating take place to continue to raise up passionate pursuers of My heart who will then move forward and take people, places and nations for My Kingdom.
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Hopeful |
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February 23, 2008 at 5:30am |
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What a blessing to watch the sheep be fed through your hands and the hands of others! Maybe the Lord will have us go visist you before we move.
http://toknowhimmore.blogspot.com/ |
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| YES... we are near Charlottesville... where are you? |
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R |
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February 23, 2008 at 7:21am |
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Hey, It's interesting that things like this are going on over there in NC/SC. This has been coming to my mind lately (these areas). Though I don't know anyone over there and have never been there before. Regardless keep up the good work as you are lead. Also, I'd like to make a comment about what others have shared related/ somewhat unrelated. To apodemeo: Many things in that Darin Hufford article seems right and strikes a cord with me. Some of it I do not know if it is him or it's you continuing to write? Also, I'd like to add this for those who find themselves in this situation. I have been a nomad for about 30 years... and I find myself often without that inner circle of flesh and blood (they die and or we disconnect). So the One that keeps me going is this intimacy with Christ (talked about by Lana), not the inner circle. Some might read this and make it to understnd that if they don't have this inner-circle, then they are inferior and that's far from the truth. So just a point of clarification, in my opinion. Still, I am enjoying the reading of this blog. Thanks, many things in it ring true (all comments).
R... |
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| Thanks R...for all your comments (sorry to take so long to respond have been busy off lin |
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This is what the Lord gave me concerning the shepherds, not all of them of course, but many of our church leaders have not been teaching the truth of Christ, but are building social clubs. Instead of preparing the sheep for hard times.
Word of the LORD, Feb. 27th 2008
To the Shepherd’s, I AM angry with you. MY sheep are not being prepared. They wonder around aimlessly. You shepherds were given a great responsibility, you were to prepare and strengthen MY sheep. Instead you have made them weak and lazy. They depend on you instead of looking to ME. You have not taught them to search ME out. You tickle their ears and feed them with a false sense of hope. I dispatched you out to prepare MY bride, and you threw her into the dung pile. I will purify her and cleanse her, but I will require of you shepherds the blood of those that have suffered. You lead MY sheep into pastures I never told you to go. You take them to places and allow and encourage them to whore themselves to false gods. You sit back and watch, and even have partaken with them while they prostitute themselves to the lusts and desires of the world. I told you that to be a friend to the world you make yourselves MY enemy. I will purify MY bride just as gold is purified, with fire. You will now watch as I burn the chaff from among MY harvest, but first I will thrash the wheat and separate those that are pure in heart. I loath and despise the luke warm, those that sit on the fence and try to fit into both worlds. You were to train MY children to go out and be ambassadors to this world, no to be partakers. |
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apodemeo  sorry to take so long to respond to your comment above too ... truly I appreciate it... (read it a while back and clicked on your screen name and read at your site instead of responding right away, need to break that habit, as I can see I have done that alot) and what you sent me privately witness as well... will post it as soon as time allows bro. Keep up the excellent posts at your own site and elsewhere...  reading them is makes one think or brings lots to rememberance... from my own walk! |
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Lana...  for posting that sis... it was timely!!! Thank God we speak elsewhere... and you know how much I appreciate HIM in you and your life.... |
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Gary.... good to meet you!
I appreciate your response and was delighted to see a prophetic word with it. Please... if you are led... for those who may not be drawn to this topic... please feel free to post it and other prophetic words you believe you have received under: The Spirit of Prophecy offered through Seekers and the Body of Christ:
Will be offering a sample of His Divine Intervention through 'Feed My Sheep' soon, Lord willing... it will be very encouraging I am sure!
Oh... and if your led... do Introduce yourself someday and tell us about yourself: Please... Introduce Yourselves
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