I got hit today! And I fell. Looks like the enemy is striking where it hurts me most. But I cannot — did not — stay down long. I am already aware that this is a season of war. I guess I got a little bit careless on the battlefield earlier. Won’t happen again… by God’s grace.

Now more than ever, I find the need to be constantly vigilant. I know the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is strong within me, but there is also another lion out there who’s just lying in wait, looking for someone to devour. The prophetic word during the Let the River Flow conference was really a timely warning. The watchmen really need to be watchful… 24/7.

The Lord prepared me this morning as well. On the commute, He reassured my that He is my Deliverer, my Help in time of trouble, my Rest in the rage of war, my Faith in the face of evil and my unfailing Hope. Also, Stacey Campbell’s words during the conference comforts me now: “God loves me no matter what!”

The scripture says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I stand on that word and I will not let the enemy butcher me in the battlefield. I HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE DEVIL. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!

und nicht mehr lebe ich, sondern Christus lebt in mir; was ich aber jetzt im Fleisch lebe, lebe ich im Glauben, [und zwar im Glauben] an den Sohn Gottes, der mich geliebt und sich selbst für mich hingegeben hat.

Съразпнах се с Христа, и сега вече, не аз живея, но Христос живее в мене; а животът, който сега живея в тялото, живея го с вярата, която е в Божия Син, Който ме възлюби и предаде Себе Си за мене.

Med Kristus er jeg korsfæstet, og det er ikke mere mig, der lever, men Kristus lever i mig; men hvad jeg nu lever, i Kødet, det lever jeg i Troen, på Guds Søn, som elskede mig og gav sig selv hen for mig.

Con Cristo estoy juntamente crucificado, y ya no vivo yo, mas vive Cristo en mí; y lo que ahora vivo en la carne, lo vivo en la fe del Hijo de Dios, el cual me amó y se entregó a sí mismo por mí.

J’ai été crucifié avec Christ; et si je vis, ce n’est plus moi qui vis, c’est Christ qui vit en moi; si je vis maintenant dans la chair, je vis dans la foi au Fils de Dieu, qui m’a aimé et qui s’est livré lui-même pour moi.

Napatay ako kaupod ni Cristo sa krus. Indi na ako ang nagakabuhi karon, kundi si Cristo na ang nagakabuhi sa akon. Kag ining kabuhi nga akon ginakabuhi karon amo ang resulta sang akon pagtuo sa Anak sang Dios nga naghigugma sa akon kag naghalad sang iya kabuhi para sa akon.

Ég er krossfestur með Kristi. Sjálfur lifi ég ekki framar, heldur lifir Kristur í mér. Lífinu, sem ég lifi nú hér á jörð, lifi ég í trúnni á Guðs son, sem elskaði mig og lagði sjálfan sig í sölurnar fyrir mig.

Napako ako sa krus na kasama ni Cristo, gayunman ako ay nabubuhay. Ngunit hindi na ako ang nabubuhay kundi si Cristo na ang nabubuhay sa akin. Ang buhay na ikinabubuhay ko ngayon sa laman ay ikinabubuhay ko sa pananampalataya ng Anak ng Diyos na siyang umibig sa akin at nagbigay ng kaniyang sarili para sa akin.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20… in different tongues

November 25, 2007 / Sunday

Morning Session
The worship time was really powerful and God’s presence was unmistakable. Pastor Joe DiSarno came up to the pulpit and sensed the Spirit asking, “Where are the watchmen? Where are they?”

Because the glory of God was so great in the hall, one of the giants in the land came crashing down — Jezebel! Stacey Campbell called on the men to rise up and take our place of leadership, as watchmen of the Philippines, and as gatekeepers of our families. It was really amazing. I believe the men coming forward to the altar and declaring victory over the Jezebel (controlling) spirit in the nation was really symbolic of what was happening in the spiritual. Whoa! Jesus has given us the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and to overcome “ALL” the power of the enemy! Hooooooooooooooooooooo! Hallelujah! Freedom!!!

I’m telling you it was a great way to “anoint the warriors” of Cebu! Haha! Daddy!!!

The Lord’s reassurance to the body was that He loves us no matter what. Therefore, we don’t have to strive as children of the Father. We don’t have to fall under the performance trap. We don’t have to prove anything to anyone. WE ARE LOVED BY THE KING! WE ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE ALMIGHT GOD! PERIOD. Haha! The God who holds the universe in His hands has His eyes locked on us. Whoa!

Rise up, men of God! Rise up, WARRIORS! “Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, ‘I am strong!’” Rise up, sons of God! PREPARE FOR WAR!!! Haha!

Afternoon Session
The afternoon meeting was more of a time of instruction as to where our “war efforts” were to be concentrated. Stacey said she felt Cebu is going to be a place of training and instruction for the Kingdom, and that she sees the city as a spiritual refreshing station for the nation. Wow! I live in Cebu. I am so blessed! Haha!

Later on, Stacey shared part of what she and her husband, Wesley, were doing in their ministry. She shared about the need to reach out the women and children of the world, emphasizing that children at the most at risk today. She also pointed out the spirit of poverty as one of the major enemies of the Church. Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us. Hehehe. Thank You, Lord.

Stacey used the parable of the good Samaritan to drive home her point. In the passage, an expert of the law asks Jesus, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Then Jesus tells him the story of the traveler who fell into the hands of robbers, and how a priest and a Levite who were passing by didn’t do anything to help the poor guy on the ditch. Instead, it was the most unlikely — the Samaritan — who extended a helping hand to the beaten man. Stacey challenged us, as Christ did in this scripture, that if we want to go to Heaven, we should “Go and do likewise” — or as I summed it up in my notes: “Love God. Love people.”

Evening Session
The last session of the conference was really something else. It was as different and as unique as the other sessions the came before it. Stacey shared to us part of what she does during her personal devotional time. We were reading passages of scripture, and singing the Word as a way of praying the Bible. It was intense. Everyone was on their feet and singing the Bible to God, singing prophetic words to the nation. It was really great. I got a lot of tips from this evening’s session.

- - - - -

Let the River Flow 2007 was incredible, to say the least. With the changing of season in the Philippines, it was timely to hear what the Spirit of God had to say. I believed we got what we needed in preparation for the new season. I believe the men in this city, in this nation are hearing the call of God to take their place of leadership, and are rising up. I really believe things are starting to change in the spiritual atmosphere in my nation.

I am excited about what God will do next.

“Maranatha!”

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To Pastor Benjun and Ate Malou: I hope these notes gave you an idea of what took place during the conference. God bless you guys. ;o)

The Tower still stands in the place it was built
While the birds have all flown and the flowers now wilt
It is mighty and high as its powerful Builder
And when the Day comes, it will leave all bewildered

The Tower is tall and a bit unrelenting
Its Spires are high and they seem never-ending
Its Gates may be hidden from mortals ascending
But Windows announce the Immortals descending

The Tower is far from the hands of the reaching
It is closer to those whose hearts are not beating
It glimmers afar, on a wide, barren field
Its secrets the Tower won’t easily yield

Some look at the Tower in awe of its gaze
While some are but humbled and greatly amazed
It welcomes the weak, pursuant of vigor
And when they draw near, the Tower gets bigger

The Tower still stands in the place it was built
No longer the hidden, not troubled with guilt
It beckons the famished to take on their fill
And shelters warrior who knows to be still

One of the songs covered by Jars of Clay [in the album Who We Are Instead] is this really moving song called Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet. I find this really encouraging in times when I feel weak, tempted and down. It reminds me of a fundamental biblical truth: Jesus’ precious blood that was shed on Calvary for mankind has never lost its power.

Read the story behind the song here.

Jesus’ blood never failed me yet
Never failed me yet
Jesus’ blood never failed me yet
This one thing I know
That He loves me so

Jesus’ blood never failed me yet
Never failed me yet
Jesus’ blood never failed me yet
This one thing I know
That He loves me so

Jesus’ blood
Won’t fail me yet
Won’t fail me yet
Won’t fail me yet

Jesus’ blood
Won’t fail me yet
Won’t fail me yet
Won’t fail me yet

Jesus’ blood never failed me yet
Never failed me yet
Jesus’ blood never failed me yet
This one thing I know
That He loves me so

November 24, 2007 / Saturday

Harp & Bowl
The second day prayer and intercession time was more intense and focused again on the nation. There was a strong cry for God’s Kingdom to come down on the Philippines.

Morning Session
Before Pastor Jerome came to share the word, he prophesied over the Jesus Revolution and Maranatha worship teams. It was a call for the team members to rise up and go to the next level of faith.

Pastor Jerome’s preaching was anchored on Exodus 4, where God asked Moses, “What is that in your hands?” He pointed out that God has given us what we need to do what God has called us to do. After all, God planted eternity in the hearts of men. In order for us to fulfill God’s will in our lives we must recognize the purpose He has set in our hearts and the things He has placed in our hands.

Pastor Jerome urged us to not underestimate what God has placed in our hands because it can be used by Him mightily when we place it back in His hands. “It depends on whose hands it is in!” It was basically calling us to use what we have — the talents, the giftings, the time, the resources though little it may be — for the glory of God.

He also quoted Daniel 11:33, wherein it says “Those who are wise will instruct many.”

Afternoon Session
Pastor Salome Oro shared on the topic of submission to authority. She said that the Kingdom of God is run by principles and one of them is submitting to authority to be in authority. It is important for the Christian to be under authority — God’s and those delegated by God — especially during wartime.

Pastor Sal pointed out the benefits of submission to authority. God designed authority:
- to bring guidance
- to ensure success
- to bring confirmaton and bear witness
- to discipline in love
- to circumcise hearts
- to properly release to ministry

Our response towards the delegate authority in our lives is submission as unto the Lord. Pastor Sal stated that we need to die to self, die to pride, die to delf-preference. She also said there should be a death to any desire for self-importance — all glory has to be given back to God, all our actions and motives should point back to the King. We must allow the Spirit of God to take dominion in all aread of our lives.

Evening Session
Stacey came back for the second evening and started the session by saying that we were getting deeper in the river — no longer at ankle level. Stacey felt that the night was about consecration and that people needed to decide at that time whether they were willing to go all the way for the Lord. We have to be in perfect union and oneness with the Father, Spirit and Son, and that as Christ’s bride we need to be completely one with Him.

Stacey read from the gospel of John (chapters 2 and 6) and showed how Jesus kept speaking in “riddles”, which drove the casual disciples away. She emphasized that God doesn’t want superficial believers. This was a call to truly go deeper and more intimate with God, and an echo of what Pastor Joe has been saying in past few months: “God doesn’t reveal Himself to the casual.

- - - - -

Day Three to follow.

November 23, 2007 / Friday

Harp & Bowl
Before the 10am assembly started, we had a worship, prayer and intercession session. The spirit of intercession for the nation was heavy as it came down upon the Upper Room of the Maranatha World Outreach Center (in Manalili, Cebu).

There was a cry for the children of the nation, for the fatherless generation; that Father God would father them; that the Lord would send them father figures to train them and raise them up so they can fulfill their destiny in the Lord.

A prayer for the schools in the nation was also spoken. It was a prayer for the teachers to become the leaders and instruments that the Lord would use to raise up the students in righteousness.

There was also a cry for the Filipino church, the body of Christ in the Philippines, to rise up and stand in the gap for the nation.

Morning Session
The main emphasis during the morning session was a changing of seasons. Pastor Jerome pointed out that recognizing the seasons in our lives is one of the most prophetic things we can do. There is a new season that has already begun in the Philippines and we can either be part of it or just be bystanders. Pastor Jerome said it this way: “We could either be forerunners or drifters.”

There was a call to revolutionalize our way of thinking, to have a mindset of serving God and fighting for the Lord as the Philippines has now entered a spiritual season of WAR! “We must have a wartime mindset,” said Pastor Jerome. He also emphasized that Satan wants to lure us to a peacetime mindset in order for us to not be on the watch. “WE ARE AT WAR!”

The challenge toward the end of Pastor Jerome’s preaching was to bring the focus back to God, and to put our wartime mentality on. We were encouraged to find joy in this season of war and to be confident in the fire of God to burn inside of us.

The question that lingers in my mind is: “Are you willing to lay down your today for your country’s future?”

Afternoon Session
Stacey Campbell came in for the afternoon session and confirmed the prophetic word spoken by Pastor Jerome — the season is changing in the Philippines; it is a season of WAR! Stacey pointed out that on her way to Cebu, on the plane, she sensed the strong presence of witchcraft and demonic spirits in the land; that these spirits are oppressing and opposing Christians in the nation. She called for us to fight against these spirits for GREATER is He in us than he that is in the world.

Stacey also encouraged us to turn passive faith into aggressive faith, and to not let the enemy’s design (to make us quit) take over us. Instead, we should hold on to the fact that God wants — and enables — us to be successful overcomers.

She also said that God is training us for this new season and that even in our trials we can be happy because there is joy in serving Him — this is also a confirmation of what Pastor Jerome said in the morning session that God doesn’t want us to live a miserable life.

Evening Session
The evening session was a build-up of what had been shared by Pastor Jerome and Stacey during the day. Stacey felt that she was in Cebu to anoint the warriors and prophesied over Pastor Joe (DiSarno) saying he’s a general who’s gonna be getting battle strategies from the Lord and lead the army to war.

Then Stacey read from the book of Joel (chapter 3), which is call to war, to rouse the warriors. She highlighted the importance of becoming intimate with God in relation to going into battle: “You can’t go to war if you don’t know you’re loved!” Intimacy is the key to victorious warfare! And acts of war does not have to be big and bold all the time. Stacey shared that during her times with the Lord, He told her that “it is enough that you die to yourself daily.”

Another point of emphasis that night was the importance of how we pray and live our lives, because according to Stacey, “it matters to the nation.” As we stand in the gap and pray for those who cannot pray for themselves in the Philippines, we also need to show God’s love and righteousness by the way we act and live. And there was also the reminder to keep praying and fasting for this nation to bring in the prophets, prophetic words and prophecies.

It is time to get serious about the weapons of warfare God gave to us — FAITH, HUMILITY, PRAYER AND FASTING (among others, of course). Because of John 3:16 — because God so loved the WORLD — we need to be in warfare for the world, for the lost, and bring them into the Kingdom of God.

- - - - -

Day Two to follow.

The Elijah List website has become one of the sites that the Lord is using to speak to me — for confirmations and revelations. Today’s featured prophecy from Chuck Pierce and John Mark Pool gave me the following:

+ “I am praying that you sing a new song. Do not stop singing until you get to the end of your song. The enemy tries to stop your song from coming to the end. He brings circumstances and discouragement to get you out of your place so you cannot hear the completion of the song.”
[This is a revelation of my current circumstances]

+ “I decree that you will not fall short, but will have new energy, stamina and strength to press through for the extra mile… I decree that we will hit the mark.”
[New bread for the now to reach the next level]

+ “We are entering the calendar year 2008, and the Lord has shown me this will be a year of ‘New Gates’, and we will enter these new gates with thanksgiving.”
[This is a confirmation of the changing of seasons]

+ “Thankful hearts know their ‘position in God’ through Jesus Christ as Lord, and are very thankful for that.”
[Confirmation of a previous word to trust God and be humble]

+ “King David appointed Levites to lead in prayer, thanksgiving and praise.”
[Revelation of my calling as a Levite.]

+ “True worship of God comes forth from grateful hearts. Feelings such as bitterness, envy, hostility and pride disqualify one from genuine worship. Thanksgiving opens up the door of the heart toward God in such a way that the individual is freed for true worship of God.”
[Encouragement for me to continue walking in the path of thanksgiving]

[read the full text of the prophecy here]
- - - - -

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 3:13-14