A prophetic standard is rising up in the city of Palembang. Great favor is being released to the Body of Christ that remains faithful. This prophetic standard will be a powerful witness of God’s glory in the city. And the harvest is now!
“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” John 4:35 (ESV)
We cannot afford to delay. Cities are ready to respond to the Gospel. We need a release of Christ-like harvesters! The Lord gave a prophetic Word to the city and to the pastors in Palembang. He is going to raise up churches and pastors in the city to become gateways to the supernatural:
“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!” Psalm 24:7-8 (ESV)
During the conference, we saw many of the young people touched by the Spirit of God and weeping in His presence. These are the future leaders of the Body of Christ in this nation. There was a clear call on the night meetings that the Lord was releasing a generation of youth to fly higher and see further like eagles:
“You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” Exodus 19:4 (ESV)
An exciting dimension of ministry of the History Maker partner church in Palembang is their desire to influence their city in righteousness. To be a church in the marketplace—marketplace miracles, marketplace ministry, and marketplace mercy! It is not a big church, yet they have a big faith, better still, A BIG GOD! God has seen them faithful in small things and is now giving them greater responsibilities and opportunities.
One project they are now responsible for is a five-star 14-storey hotel complex, a 5,000-seat sports stadium with an exclusive range of 40 prime retail sites—all interconnected. Amazing! This USD$50 million project is due to open end of next year. We went and prayed over the stadium and grounds. It will provide jobs for over 800 people. Jesus will be proclaimed in this city. He will be exalted! Located in the heart of the city, right near government building and major companies, it will stand as a testimony of what God can do to those who simply depend on His grace and favor.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Crowds of people were being fed and cared for by GISI Palembang. This is the History Maker partner church here in Indonesia. Hundreds were fed and clothes being sold at incredibly low prices. Muslims, Buddhists, Catholics or Christian...it does not matter. The church should be about building bridges, not walls. We want to bless the community and the poor in the area. Everyone is so happy! Hallelujah! What an opportunity for the love of Christ to be demonstrated in very practical ways.
The team also marched around with prophetic declarations over this busy shopping mall. A team of some 40 saints (mostly 15-20 year-olds) dressed in white and proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Healer. This is in Indonesia. Sure it is dangerous; sometimes some radical elements may stir things up. There may be a spirit of intimidation, but remember that in the Gospels “the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37).
What never ceases to amaze us is the awesome mercy of God. We are meant to follow His lead, not try to get Him to follow our lead. We need to ask, “Lord, what is it you are doing now?” It is really so simple! Our expectations are usually so low and so far out of alignment with Kingdom operations that we program and plan and fiddle and talk; and all the time the glorious demonstration of the name of the Son and the will of the Father is sidelined. There must be manifestation! There must be demonstration!
John 17:6 (ESV)
“I have manifested Your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.”
Manifesting His name is far more than giving a theological talk or singing a religious song. What a powerful move of the presence and purposes of God at the last night of ministry. Pastor Richard spoke a timely word that was also emphasized in Korea! The church has to move to the next level. We cannot remain where we are.
When it came time for ministry, around 100 people responded to the call of God. Believers genuinely want to change and move on with God. They just need a thrust in the right direction, a word in season from the throne of Heaven. As we were about to pray for the people, an Angel came and stood to the right at the front of the altar. This Angel had a large chain in his hand and indicated he was breaking it. This was an Angel of deliverance and breakthrough. As soon as he appeared, people started to scream out as chains and blockages started to break off their lives.
God comes to manifest His presence in His way. Sometimes He shatters all our perfected little theological boxes in which we think we can define God and His operations. We need to allow the program of heaven to take over. We prayed with the people and the Spirit of God touched hearts, but it was His agenda, not ours. Many ran to the altar, falling on their knees, face hitting the floor prostrate, tears streaming down cheeks and hands held high. Hallelujah!
Hebrews 1:13-14 (ESV)
“And to which of the angels has He ever said, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”
Psalms 91:11 (ESV)
“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
We never thought we would see days like these. It seems as if there is a sharpening of the saints, a sharpening of senses to this spirit realm. The unseen realm is far more real than this physical realm. There was like a tangible snap in the spirit. Snapping chains that held people in bondage. God’s way, God’s time, God’s methods!
The message of the Cross remains the same, the call to repentance remains the same, the radical love of Jesus is proclaimed, the beauties of grace and mercy are proclaimed. What is different this time is the level of expectation and the desire to see God take over!
(Excerpts from Steve Roberts blog)
