City View Ministries International

The Apostle Paul wrote that “you have not many fathers” (1 Cor. 4:15).  He was speaking of having given spiritual birth to most of the believers in that congregation, even though there were many teachers.

While we only have one natural father, I believe we can have more than one spiritual father.  Those who have made rich deposits into our lives, not just briefly, but over the long haul.  I have been blessed to have had a number of such men, in addition to my own natural father, that have spoken into my life over many years.   One of those men is Don Normand.  

Don graduated to glory recently and his memorial celebration will take place April 6 in Keystone Heights, Florida. 

 Whenever Kathy & I were in Florida, we would drop by to visit Don & Cindy.  They always have had a great knack for hospitality.  But more importantly, the wisdom we gleaned from this veteran ministry duo.  These pioneers planted, revived and led hundreds of people to faith in Christ in Africa.  They relocated to the US over 30 years ago after 30 years of ministry in Central & South Africa. 

Don authored some 26 books, most of which I’ve read and re-read.  Two of my favorites are “Lions That Still Roar”, which gives a firsthand account of their incredible ministry in Africa, and “Jacko The Baboon”, which is based on a pet Don had as a young boy.   I read Jacko to my children and now read it to my grandsons.  Truth is timeless!

Don & Cindy have poured their lives not only into ministry, but into ministers by the hundreds on two continents.

Would you keep Cindy and the family in prayer?  If you would like to purchase one of Don’s books, you can go to their web site at http://www.biblesermons.com/file/Welcome and click on the books icon.  I know it would be a blessing to Cindy.  

Exodus 17 recounts the initial battle for God’s army which just left Egypt.  Granted they were running for their lives as they crossed over on dry ground, being pursued by Pharaoh’s army, but God saw them as an army.

Was this first battle in the timing of the Lord?  Whatever was the Lord’s plan we can glean insights for our lives and the tests that come.  Keep in mind tests are not the same as temptations.

Why didn’t people go to the Lord rather than getting angry at Moses for the need of water?  Rephidim was to be a place of “refreshing” a place where a test took place (Massah) and became a place of quarreling (Meribah) and tempting the Lord.  Refreshing can come in seasons of testing, provided we don’t rail against the Lord or those placed in our lives by His hand to stand with and before us.  Their contention essentially was “where’s God?”  That has too often been my response to tests!  All the while knowing He’s never left nor forsaken me, nor you!

What happens when we don’t “pass the test”? 

The contention with the Lord and Moses opened the door in some fashion for attack by the enemy, as immediately “Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim”.  Peter exhorted us to vigilant because our adversary seeks ways to infiltrate our lives, circumstances to reek havoc and destruction.  In this conflict we learn a valuable lesson, that there are two elements essential for victory; 1. the actual warring against the principalities and 2. the intercession joined in at the same time.  When we prevail in intercession, we will prevail in spiritual warfare.

When the testing season is concluded, God reveals Himself as Jehovah Nissi, The Lord is my Victory/Banner; a reminder when the works of the flesh come to destroy us, he has been defeated and will continue to be defeated.  When a work of the flesh (Amalek) surfaces, remember not only was it defeated by Israel, but by the Lord at Calvary.  

I have a strong sense in the Spirit that the Lord is raising up, imparting and commissioning a Joseph Generation of young adults and youth to flood the land.  Many of the great revivals have been launched through previous Joseph Generations and the season we are in is no different.

Note the following characteristics that were evident of Joseph, the son of Jacob & Rachel.

1st Joseph went before.  He not only went before his family but the entire nation of a culture counter to the Kingdom of God, Egypt.  The Joseph Generation being prepared are going before to prepare the way for a massive outpouring of the Kingdom of God.

2nd Joseph was filled with wisdom.  Granted he didn’t exercise that wisdom during the years prior to his imprisonment, in sharing the dreams.  Yet when in the Egyptian culture, he demonstrated and operated in amazing wisdom  responding to the temptations by Potiphar’s wife and leading while in prison.  And then unveiling the dream of Pharaoh and a strategy for the next 14 years.   Wisdom doesn’t only come with age, hopefully it does; but true wisdom comes from having spent time with THE ONE WHO IS WISDOM – Jesus!  The Joseph Generation is and will continue to spend time with the Lord and hear His heart beat, basking in His countenance rather than bowing down to the gods of this world.

3rd Joseph was a reconciler.  A series of reunions with his brothers, then his father must have been exhilarating for Joseph.  Those being raised up in this Joseph Generation have  a passion for reconciling breaches in relationships and in particularly in reconciling generational rifts.  Perhaps another way to put it, they are mediators, bridging gaps that have polarized the Body of Christ, not compromising or peace keeping; rather peace makers.

4th Joseph was a redeemer. Joseph’s life was characterized as being redemptive; toward Israel but also Egypt.  An inkling of this is seen during the interpretation of butler and the baker’s dreams and is more evident when positioned by Pharaoh to implement a 14 year plan that not only reaped a harvest, but provided in a season of famine.  The contemporary Joseph Generation on the rise will be seen as redemptive in Kingdom activity that will be strategic for the Body as well as the culture.

5th Joseph was positioned. During the encounters he experienced at the hands of family, slave owners, employers and jailers positioned him for great things that could not be seen at the time.   Likewise this Joseph Generation is being positioned now through experiences, relocations and education so that they can step up and step into their destiny.

6th Joseph demonstrated honor.  His early youth was a testimony of honoring his father.  Then with Potiphar, the jailer, Pharaoh and finally his family.  In meeting with this Joseph Generation, they have always – without exception – demonstrated honor to me and my generation.  Not in patronizing manners, but in genuine respect.  With several “Josephs” I meet with, they not only draw out of my life but make rich deposits as well.

7th Joseph was a positioner.  His wisdom and counsel to his father and brothers made available the best of the land for their trade, herdsmen.  Joseph was a door opener!  This Joseph Generation not only will open doors but are doing so now.  They demonstrate that by positioning the next generation with opportunity and visibility for their gifts.

This is by no means a definitive list, but it is a vital list of characteristics of this up and coming Joseph Generation.

Speaking as a father, both naturally and spiritually, I’m proud of what God is doing for this Joseph Generation.  May you be blessed as you step into your purpose.

Jacob had lost one of his sons, a favorite son, Joseph – or so he thought.  It’s hard to imagine this man of faith being debilitated by anything, much less fear, yet it was in fact the case.  He knew there were abundant resources in Egypt, but because of fear  in loosing Benjamin, he DELAYED his sons’ returning to Egypt.

Granted, he didn’t know the entire scenario, but fear intimidated him from obtaining provision and blessing that awaited him.

Here is a discovery that fear not only hinders and can destroy faith, but here is an example how FEAR DELAYED BLESSING.

Resist, renounce, rebuke fear and move forward in faith, being assured not only of God’s ability and desire to bless but that He’s already provided.   Walk around it, over it or even through it and receive what has been provided.

We were driving to another ministry assignment when this “God thought” came to mind.  Ruminating on a prayer request, the thought came such and such would be awesome, but I’d settle for. . . .   Then a “God thought” came, “As long as you settle for something less, you’ll never see My best!”

In an instant, it wasn’t just that single request that was less than His best, there were scores of things I had been quite content or settled “something less”.

Please don’t mistake my heart, nor your’s.  It wasn’t a greedy thought or motivation, rather it was something less than what He desired.

We’ve been experiencing a new fresh sense of God’s presence in recent months and is it ever exciting.  Yet there is a longing in my heart to see more of God’s presence released to see entire congregation, cities, states and nations be transformed.   Again, don’t mistake that for pride.  It’s a God desire to see an audacious outpouring of God’s presence that will eternally alter the destinies of people; young or old, rich or poor, American or alien.  Whether we are in the States or overseas!

That’s an audacious desire!  But God is audacious!

Paul had learned to be “content”, but he also “pressed on”.  He wasn’t willing to settle for “something less”.

My prayer is to never settle, but to continue to pursue His very best.  Not just for stuff, as much as I enjoy stuff.  But to pursue Him that He would be known in all the world – to the very least and last and lost of this planet, this galaxy!

It’s been my experience that “after” a major blessing of the Lord, He tests us.  A test isn’t a temptation, rather a test; which is a means by which to understand how much we’ve learned, not just by the “blessing” but the scope of life up to that time.

The setting follows the miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah, Genesis 22.

I view this as a series of tests, the first being could Abraham “hear God”?  He could and he responded appropriately.  We can’t pass any test and advance to new levels without hearing from the Lord and responding in an appropriate manner.

The second test in this series deals with promptness of our response or obedience.  The indication is that Abraham responded as soon as he could, “early in the morning” on the next day. Had Abraham left later, the ram may have escaped from the thicket.  There are tests that may not be as “time sensitive” as others, but many are.  How many blessings have been missed because of delay on our part – not God’s?

The third test deals with our perception of what we’ve been called on to accomplish.  Abraham viewed it as “worship” through eyes of faith – “we will come back to you”.  Duty will only take us so far, but it’s when we view our kingdom activity as worship – regardless of what size or significance we place on it or even when questioned (real or imagined) by others close to us.

The fourth test deals with explicit obedience, “Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.  And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”

Abraham’s ability to “hear” comes into play again as the Lord speaks to him in the midst of intense purpose/resolve of obedience.  He was focused, but not so much that he couldn’t discern the voice of the Lord at this heart palpitating time.

The father of faith, Abraham, passes the test and is rewarded with the presentation of God’s sacrifice – His ram/lamb!

When we’re faithful on the front end of life, God releases blessings on the back side of life.  Abraham passes the test and the consequence is a “trans-generational” blessing with Isaac, Jacob and Joseph serving the Lord.  Jehovah Jireh.

Passing this series of tests released Abraham into a new level of faith and responsibility and ministry.  Guess what?  He got an A+ and so can we!

How do you see yourself?  How we think God sees us affects how we will see ourselves, our destiny, our purpose!

Genesis 20 & 21 provide insights into the power of perception and intercession from a different perspective.

It’s the account of Abraham, Sarah and Abimelech; the King has taken Sarah to be a wife, but has not yet consummated the relationship physically.  We don’t know how long this arrangement was in place, but many believe it was possibly lengthy.

God rouses Abimelech in a dream and reveals to him the truth about Abraham and Sarah’s true relationship. In the dream Abimelech pleads innocent to the charge and judgement, being a man of “integrity”, which God Himself agrees with.  God directs Abimelech to have Abraham “pray for you and you shall live”.

It’s a good thing the King didn’t consult with the theologians of the day as to the validity of dreams and visions.  He simply acted on what he had seen and understood.

Perceptions are strategic in how we believe God sees us and affects how we see ourselves.  Abimelech saw himself as a “righteous nation”, that is he saw what was “unseen” to the human eye, children.  He saw himself as a man of integrity!

Keep in mind that up to this point in time he is childless and has no apparent “heir” for his kingdom.  God spoke to him declaring that he would “live”.  He would have children, even though he likely was older.  That is an assumption on my part, based on the fact this transpired in a dream.

Without an heir, he still sees himself as a “righteous nation” and a man of “integrity”.

HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?  The answer to that question will impact what you ask of the Lord for yourself and others.

Intercession essentially is standing on behalf of another for their need, regardless of our status or need.

Abraham intercedes for Abimelech and the result was they “bore children”.  Abimelech’s life was sustained through his children.

A caveat to this scenario is that Abraham and Sarah don’t have children yet.  How many times had they thought about their praying for another to have children, which they desperately desired to have themselves?  Why would God give children to a man who led a people where there wasn’t any fear (reverence) for God?  Undoubtedly they had those queries rise in their minds, yet they didn’t allow those thoughts to dictate their role as intercessors for Abimelech, they simply obeyed and prayed.

The next chapter begins with these words, “And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.”

Remember Job’s dilemma?  It’s when he prayed for those who for the most part were tormentors, not comforters, that things began to turn for him.

Abraham & Sarah’s intercession for Abimelech resulted in life, life that was sown through the agency of intercessory prayer.  That seed of intercession resulted in the birth of the son of promise – Isaac.

Two lessons: 1) see yourself as God sees you and 2) intercede on behalf of others for things you may not have – it could be a seed that will reap a sky full of stars or a beach full of sand.

Sleep was a challenge, tossing & turning, and then asking the Lord if there was something He wanted to speak to me about.

Kathy must have had a challenging night as well, as she was up and down too.  After a period of time, I rolled over and clasped her left hand with mine, at that point it came to me that must be a very difficult position for her, I released her hand and simply covered her left hand with my left hand.

I realized by my covering her hand rather than clasping it, was a demonstration from my heart toward her.

That’s when He spoke. “I want your heart, not just your body!”

Meditating on those words brought several thoughts to mind.  That particular comment could have been said about me by Kathy and had been stated to me by many wives concerning their husbands.

I wondered how many times my “love making” had made Kathy feel like a prostitute, rather than a lover, my wife?

Then I wondered how many times I had gone to do something for the Lord or had gone to Him in prayer and did He had feel like my spiritual prostitute.  Had my ministering been something similar to “pimping God”?  Come to Jesus and “get” what you need, rather than allowing Him to capture our heart.

It was then I began to understand He doesn’t want my activity, ministry or service ( i.e. my “body”); He wants my heart and for any activity to flow out of the relationship where He covered my hand as an expression of love, care and concern for my personal comfort.

Activity doesn’t earn the Father’s love, it may bring a smile to His face; but it’s when I’ve captured His heart and He has mine that love is the consequence.

When the Lord laid on my heart to take the first 31 days of this year, 2013, to be positive in my speech, attitude and thoughts; well let me say I honestly didn’t think it would as much of a challenge as it has been for me.  Perhaps those of you who have either accepted that challenge or have had the desire to be positive to create an atmosphere, an environment for God’s presence in and around your life, have found it challenging as well.

The Lord is faithful not only to make a way to “escape” temptation, but He’s also faithful to “equip” us so we can stand and make a difference in the midst of the negative world we live in.

He reminded me that the distance between rails that trains roll along is 4′ 8″ wide.  Here’s how we can stay on track for positive living in a negative world.  Philippians 4:8 The Message “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”  You may recall the NKJV as “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

Think of these 6 keys as a sieve or filter that we pour thoughts, words, attitudes through before we respond or permit them to be retained. Let these be the “how” we think, not just the “what” we think!

1. Think on things true.  That can only occur because we have all the information or circumstances available about someone or something before permitting it to be downloaded onto our mental hard drives.

2. Think on things noble.  Essentially does that thought elevate or denigrate myself or someone else?

3. Think on things reputable/just.  What’s the origin of the thought?  Where it came from often times will be a valid indicator concerning that thought’s future in our mind.

4. Think on things authentic/pure.  Thoughts that would enter my mind should not bring defilement to the thinker or whatever is the thought is.  Gossip is often on the opposite end of living authentic/pure lives.

5. Think on things compelling/lovely.  Positive living will cause growth, not stagnation or atrophy.  Am I compelled to be more of a loving person, for God is love.

6. Think on things gracious/good report.  The word report could be translated “confession”.  Will the thought, when repeated or reported, bring edification and motivate for excellence?

Positive living in a negative world cannot be separated from positive thinking.

Thanks for being positive and staying positive, not just for the first 31 days, but all of 2013.

Positively His with you!

Since Christmas, I’ve been asking the Lord what’s in store for 2013?  Perhaps you too have wondered about the days ahead, what does the future hold.  We know Who holds the future, yet there are anxious moments periodically we find ourselves contemplating on the unknown and can find ourselves in emotional upheaval over things we have little or no control over.

Over three consecutive nights, I felt that the Lord impressed the following on my heart.  This has not caused distress, nor is it my intention that you who read this be distressed either.  Anything we “hear” from the Lord must be weighed in light of Scripture and shared with those who speak into our lives and will tell us the truth.  I’ve submitted these thoughts to others and now share them with a wider audience.

When I ask such questions of the Lord, it’s always with the caveat that He gives me what I can handle.

The strong impression on the first night was that “the shaking would continue and escalate”.  That the shaking would include the political arena and that there would be those shaken out that we didn’t think it could happen and many would be surprised not only by the “who” but the “why” and “how”.  I didn’t sense this had to do with the President, but other political leaders.

I had two impressions, one being that there is still time to alter the near future and destiny of our nation.  It will take returning to “ancient landmarks”, which in part I took to mean intense and passionate prayer.

The second part was recalled – that God is the God of multiple opportunities (not chances). We need to view challenges not as obstacles, rather as “opportunities” for the glory of the Lord to be revealed in and through us as we respond to the challenges we encounter.

In a dream, I found myself standing by building that we had constructed years ago in Florida that had a  very steep & high roof line.  Viewing the roof, it appeared to be sagging and so due to my fear of heights, others began to climb the roof to see why the shingles were “sagging”.  As they climbed, it was discovered the super structure beneath the shingles had been destroyed by rotting away of the trusses and beams.  During the dream, I realized my Dad was standing next to me (he passed away a couple of years ago), and we discussed what could have caused it.  Dad had served as our maintenance man at this structure.

Then my Heavenly Father spoke and shared the interpretation of that dream.  Essentially that “there are denominations and groups that have had the superstructure that in the past had provided spiritual covering for those who identified with them; yet the covering was not supported any longer and there was only the ‘appearance’ of covering – i.e. spiritual authority.”

I didn’t get the impression that this was an issue with the denomination that I had been a part of where this building was at.  But for the greater Body.

In the dream my conversation with my Dad, I asked him “how can we repair this?”  He responded that we would have to restore the decking destroyed along with many of the support beams.  It was at that point “reconstruction” began.

The interpretation continued by the Father revealing that a “restoration of those ancient landmarks and entities that had proven to be true superstructures of the past were to be rebuilt as a storm is approaching.”  Some of those include prayer, Bible ingestion and digestion, worship, fellowship, focus and staying on track.  There seems to be a moral collapse across the Body of Christ, particularly in charismatic/pentecostal arenas.

There are those who are “under authority” – they’ve done their part in being positioned in what they believe to be places of safety, only to have been susceptible the great storm that will come.  God will hold accountable those who continued to call into these places, all the while knowing that there was no true superstructure present, as the foundations of past had eroded and are no longer present.

There are deceptive, even heretical teachings that are being propagated by some very high profile individuals and ministries that threaten to undermine the faith of many.  Teachings such as; greasy grace, open theism, no hell just to name a few.

As I write this, there are three words that come to my mind: repent, rebuild & restore.

There are those who’ve built structures (ministries) while using another’s armor, another’s experience and at the same time not having a genuine spiritual authority and few experiences or encounters with God and His power.

Saul wanted David to use his armor to fight Goliath, yet as David viewed himself in that armor he not only felt uncomfortable, but probably a bit ridiculous as well.  His decision to use “his” armor – not another’s, that brought not only him, but Israel the victory that day.

The word of the Lord is to repent, it’s not a dirty word.  When was the last time you heard a message on repentance?  The writer of Hebrews declares that repentance is foundation stone upon which we build our lives.  If that stone isn’t built, how can we build any kind of superstructure?

Rebuild – there are some areas that need total decimation and others that simply need reconstruction.  One of the areas that need to be rebuilt is that of Apostolic ministry across the board; planting of churches, fathering, mentoring, governing, establishing, expanding, the Kingdom of God & Heaven.

Restore – this will be where the Lord begins to work by His Holy Spirit – restoring integrity, confidence and boldness to confront not just the devil and his minions but a culture that has gone haywire.   This is where the prophetic voices must not only make clarion calls, but clear calls.  We don’t any more noise, we need the sound of heaven.

I believe with all my heart 2013 can be the finest hour of the big C Church (not just individual congregations – but collaborations of congregations across regions) so we can not only respond to the needs of the culture, but serve as mitigating agencies to the strategies and schemes of the enemy of mankind – the devil.

I refuse to fear, be negative or fall prey to despair.  “My hope is build on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name!  On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Let’s meet at the Rock!