Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Awakening the Shepherds

“Awakening the Shepherds!”

I want to take you back over 2000 years ago on a cold dark night. I am reminded on that very special night of the birth of Christ (the Christmas altar call (as found in the book, “Rebuilding the Altar”)), who the angels decided to visit to announce the birth of the Savior. It was the shepherds! God always uses the shepherds. Look at Moses and David, they were shepherding when their lives were interrupted. “Shepherds”, in the Greek is “poy-mane”, meaning “a herdsman, overseer to which ones’ care has been committed.” We are all shepherds!  God wants to interrupt the shepherds (you)! He wants to interrupt the ones He trusts with care of others!  We are called to be shepherds to those around us. But first we must awaken! 

There are four things concerning the shepherds that were interrupted on that glorious night by the song of the angels that I want to share with you today! Four things you must understand about these shepherds that God chose to awaken that incredible and historic night that speak to us still today.

#1. The Shepherd is always on duty!  Luke 2:8, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” Here they were living in monotony but they had no idea what was about to happen. They would be a part of the greatest worship service of all time. What made them so special is that God knew they would be obedient. God knew they would handle the message. These were not normal shepherds. These were Near Eastern Shepherds - the tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd was - to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep - to defend the sheep from attackers - to heal the wounded and sick sheep - to find and save lost or trapped sheep - to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust. We must be ready to handle the message and be obedient to His calling.

#2. The Shepherds realized their time had come for their mission!  They were awakened from the monotony of life - peace and favor was here!
Luke 2:15, “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  I can see them sharing with each other as they walked along, “Dude- nobody is going to believe this.” There was such an excitement, they knew they had been visited by God. They were probably running; they were probably weeping; these lowly shepherds were the first evangelists! God chooses the simple things to confound the wise. He chose the watchers of the lambs! These shepherds were going to find the Head Shepherd. 1 Peter 2:25 – “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” Mom and Dad’s, you are the watchers of the lambs! All of us have a mission! We are all called to be shepherds! The Shepherds understood they were on a mission. Luke 2:16-18,” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”  

#3. When the Shepherd shows up everything becomes okay!  Luke 2:20, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” I bet when they showed up at the manger scene Mary knew everything was going to be okay. Luke 2:19 - “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” We have to have some shepherds show up in this generation! Shepherds that will proclaim to this generation that there is a Savior, a healer, a deliverer!  These shepherds were the ones who allowed Mary to sit back and say - “I Think everything is going to be okay.” God proved himself thru the shepherds.  He is looking for shepherds that He can prove Himself through today.  

#4- Today let God awaken the shepherds to the Great Shepherd!  1 Peter 5:1-4, “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” The enemy wants to destroy the shepherds, but the angels will awaken you! You are a shepherd – you are called and have influence – use that influence to share with others about the Great Shepherd!

He is calling us to awaken, we are the shepherds!  This Christmas season, I encourage you to look for God interruptions and allow Him to use you as a voice of life, wisdom and comfort to others, pointing them in the direction of the Great Shepherd! 
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Pat Schatzline is an Evangelist and Author.  Pat is the author of several books, including "I am Remnant" and "Unqualified"; most recently he and his wife, Karen Schatzline, are the co-authors of the book, "Rebuilding the Altar".  You can find all the books and more about Pat and Karen Schatzline, by going to their webpage: www.raisetheremnant.com.


Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Will You Roar?




I must tell you, that two weeks ago I was awakened by the Lord early one morning while ministering in PA. The Lord spoke to my heart that it was time for Lions to roar. He said, “where is the roar of my lions?” I said, "Lord what do you mean?" He said, "My people are perishing for lack of knowledge. They have lost their will to fight. Culture, fear and exhaustion has taken their roar away. They must be awakened and realize that they are called to be voices of truth that carry freedom in the hearts and fire in their spirits.” I began to weep before the Lord. I realized that I too had become quiet. He went on to say, “Tell my lions to roar once again!" 

Friends, I was shaken to my core. I stood in my hotel room praying and crying out for over an hour. Then, I felt stirred to research why it is that lions roar. I was astonished to learn the following; Lions roar to tell other lions where they are, to show how big they are and to warn lions from other prides to keep away from their home territory. They do this mostly just before sunrise and sunset when they are most active.” Did you catch that? The roar is to let other lions know that this is their territory. The Bible refers to Satan as a lion who is on the prowl. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Has the enemy invaded your territory? Has he taken land that wasn’t his from you? Then it is time to let the enemy know that he cannot have your territory!

The Lion roars in the morning and evening. The Bible says in Psalm 92:1-2, "It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.” The Bible says over and over that the fire of the altar is to be lit morning and night (Lev. 6:12-13, Ezra 3:3-4). Karen and I actually write about this in our book, “Rebuilding the Altar.” Imagine what would happen if we spent mornings and evenings praying? Our roar would tell the enemy to keep away. Maybe you have been quiet because somewhere along the way you became weary, exhausted or simply lost hope. You are not alone. That day is over. I believe that God is about to awaken and use those that have been silent for too long. We must pray and cry out for the lost, the hurting and deceived. I want to challenge you to arise and lead. Our lives must once again kneel at the cross where our authority was won. Your authority over Satan always begins with submission to Jesus. God is calling us to do what James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

 We need your voice to be heard. Proverbs 28:1 says, "The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions." I want you to know that God has called us all to be His voice of freedom to a hurting world. We must start a revival of the remnant!  We carry within each of us the Spirit of the Living God. The lion with the loudest roar always wins. Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! His roar shuts the mouth of the enemy! I challenge you to listen to the powerful new message from Karen called, “Faint-Heart!" This message has transformed thousands already. God has called you to take courage! Will you answer the call? I recently told our staff that the only thing that separates those that have answered the call of God and those that haven’t is the word YES! This is your now!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

The Death Of Me: Created for a Greater Purpose!


“Are you crucified?” The Bible says in Galatians 2:20 that we are called to be crucified with Christ. That means many times the hammer is in His hands and the nail in your flesh.
Let me speak to those whom have chosen the calling of proclaiming the Gospel. Surely, you could have chosen a better profession, according to the worlds standards, one that the laws I speak of do not apply. But, you chose a greater purpose, so please read slowly. 
You see.... When I first got started I wanted to touch the world without first touching heaven.  
When I first got started.... I had more desire to build my kingdom and not His.
When I first got started... I had more hunger to be seen than humility to hide, more passion than purity and more potential than prayer life.

So God, ever so rich in mercy and love, had to slow walk me past relevance into resignation; to then bring forth true resurrection in His likeness and not the image manufactured by the spiritual talent-scouts of today.

This is a Job 13:15 moment; “Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.”

When you begin to grow in your calling you must first walk through a season of the death of dreams to be exposed to a God vision. A time when He takes you from the Renaissance of ministry into the Restoration of His Majesty. It is in the death of personal agenda that we will soon discover God was your loudest cheerleader. For Zephaniah 3:17 declares, “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs”

The longer you are called the more you’ll find yourself to be more introvert and not extrovert. You see, God is jealous (Deut. 6:15) with His creation. It’s in the cocoon of preparation that your wings are strengthened to fly not on the accolades of dying man, but by the breath of the almighty. The hibernation of holiness is not produced on the stage exaltation but rather the dark room of spirit confrontation. If we are to hunger and thirst after righteousness then we will have to lose our appetite for our own flesh. We must once again have the starvation of personal infatuation.

We must understand that if you get exposed to praise too early then you are dangerous to the courts of heaven. Personal praise becomes a license to lord over that which you did not die for.

I learned long ago the self promotion of myself only leads to a heavenly demotion. God does not share the glory (1 Cor. 1:29). Oh yes, Father has placed me on the stages of five different continents allowing me to preach His Word, but that was the easy part. I’m not talking about Sunday’s presentation, but rather the Monday through Friday “Underground Railroad” where God is trying to lead me out of slavery into freedom. This is when I recite Psalm 86:15, “But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.”

So if you are walking the Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross) heed the call of Revelation 22:17, “Come away with me.” Along the way stop at the hardware store and grab a hammer. God already has the nails.

Now, if you are still in the midst of being crucified, hold on, Sunday is coming! God is not slow in keeping His promises, but the first promise He must procure is the joy set before Him!

Friday, June 1, 2018

The Hidden



I have said for years, “the greater the anointing, the greater the isolation”.  I know what it is to feel hidden, to feel alone, to feel put on the shelf or to feel like you are in the wilderness. Are you feeling that way?  I think a lot of us are.  Can I encourage you and tell you I feel in my spirit that God is about to make you His big reveal! Recently the Lord gave me this word, Are you Hidden?Then I have good news for you! God has His telescope to His eye! He is searching for the “Hidden!” These are those that are leaving isolation to help lead His visitation. God is bypassing those that have become so entitled that they smell like green rooms and not sheep, so narcissistic that they look past the hurting and stare at the mirror, so self-reliant that they can now avoid the secret place, and so greedy for acceptance that they have chosen relevance over the reverence. You see, God always chooses the ones that have disappeared into anonymity in order to learn how ravens feed and brooks keep bubbling. The marching orders are being sent out to the forgotten. The orders are clear.... “Decrease and He will increase. Catch aflame and they will come watch you burn! Declare the hope of the cross and exalt His name. Reach the hurting, lost and broken for they are future citizenry of heaven!” “Yet, Even Now!""


It is in the waiting season that God does His greatest work. We tend to only like God’s timing if it is according to our time (chronos) instead of realizing we must wait on His timing (kairos). Often times we believe that God has placed us in “time-out” or the “wilderness-season” due to our lack of gifting, our circle of influence, our knowledge or even our stage persona; but actually, it is because He is a good Father, He is protecting you from the image that culture desires to create. Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  You are the preciousness of possibility!


There is an obscure story found in 2 Chronicles 22:10-12, “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah’s sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.”  He remained hidden for six years.  I want to talk today to those who feel the stirring of incompleteness. Those that feel like they have been hidden for a season.  Those who have dreams yet fulfilled. We all want an exit door to our desert. Truth is that every major thing God has ever done is spun in secrecy. I believe you have been hidden so God can separate you for your next!  God always calls His special people out of the crowds and puts them in the alone place to do something in them and through them.   Sometimes rejection is protection.  It is in the waiting room that God does His greatest work.

Why do you think all through God’s Word he would hide key figures in the early years?! Joseph was in hiding for 20 years; Moses was hid for 40 years.  David in the field was hidden as he killed the lion and the bear. He was even hidden from Samuel when he first appeared and had to be brought from the field.  1 Samuel 16:7, “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  God waits until you are ready before he reveals you! We must protect the anointing from the anointing thieves.  

Parents today have every kind of party, even a gender reveal party.  Well, can I tell you that Heaven is about to have an anointing reveal!  It’s not pink or blue! It is Gold and Purple.  The colors of the anointing - God is about to awaken priests and kings!  
Joash was hidden in the house 6 years. Six years!  That’s right six years of hell would lead to 40 years of blessing! But then, II Chronicles 23:1 saysIn his 7th year, Jehoiada showed his strength!  Johoiada restored the priesthood.  The name Johoiada means, “Yahweh knows!”  Then he said, “come here Joash, it is time to make you the leader.” Joash reigned for 40 years. God hid Joash for six (6) years, hid him until it was time.  See, Athaliah had wanted to kill the children, destroy the House of David.  The Athaliah spirit is the daughter of Jezebel, it not only kills the anointing but tries to make sure it never reaches maturity.  Athaliah wanted to kill the anointing, kill the House of David. She was trying to kill the seeds of royalty but one woman hid the preciousness of possibility that God had ordered. God sometimes hides what He needs to protect until it is ready to overcome! Out of your hiddenness can come the greatest revelation of God’s purpose!

Joash was hid so the House of David stayed protected!  God’s big reveal would come from the House of David.  It would come in Jesus. Romans 1:3, “The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line.”  If Joash needed to be hid for a season, don't mistake the hiding in your life, you cannot kill what God put in order! Get ready to come out of hiding!  God is ready to use you and you are needed for this next great awakening.  It is time to dream again!  Think of the life of Joseph, he had to go from dreamer to worker to prisoner until he became ruler.  The dream had to process while he was hidden but at the appointed time he came out of hiding.  I believe your appointed time is now and God is ready to have a reveal party with your name on the box.  You are the hidden! You are the preciousness of possibility!  
Watch this powerful message and get more insight on "The Hidden"!


You can see more videos of Pat and Karen ministering by going to their YouTube channel:  
www.youtube.com/RemnantMinistriesInternational

Monday, March 19, 2018

Yet, Even Now


"Yet, Even Now"

There has never been a deeper stir in our heart for revival than we have felt this year. Already it has been a year of divine interruptions. From Wisconsin to Mobile, Alabama to Miami, we have seen God radically transform lives. The Spirit of the Lord has whispered to us over and over “prepare for Him to come into the services and transform lives”. Could it be that we are on the verge of the 3rd Great Awakening to hit America? Karen and I certainly believe so. At the beginning of the year we knew this would be a year like no other. The evidence of this was in the attacks that came from the enemy in 2017. We have learned that the enemy always fights the hardest when he is losing ground.  On Sunday, January 28,, 2018, we were ministering at Saraland First in Mobile, AL. God moved mightily that morning and as we were preparing for the Sunday evening service, we received a text from our Executive Director of Remnant Ministries, Emily Epperson, who had heard the Lord say, “Yet, Even Now!” This stirred our hearts deeply. We immediately began to search God’s word. The Bible says in, 

Joel 2:12, “Yet, even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.”   
That evening we shared the verse to the church. God moved powerfully! We continue to go back each month.
Now, I feel that I must challenge you to declare with everything in you, “Yet, Even NOW!” The Lord spoke to us as we were writing, “Rebuilding the Altar” that he would use the book as a catalyst for many. He also said, “If you build the altar, He will provide the fire, and masses will come watch it burn.” This has been our promise for over a year! We believe that now more than ever the reputation of God is at stake. While we have seen thousands touched by Jesus in a genuine way, I believe that our posture must change towards the Lord. We must return to the altar. This is the hour when men and women must crawl past their insecurities, doubts and fears and boldly approach the throne. God says, that the separation has begun. This separation is not only of the goats and the sheep (Matthew 25:31-46), but also the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). God is drawing the battle lines. He is saying are you with me or against me (Matthew 12:30)? We must be aroused from the slumber of mundane weekend only Christian walks and the celebration of secularism. We must return to intimate encounters with our Savior. God’s Word declares, Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:26).” The Bible declares, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Eph. 5:14)” The Lord is preparing for Himself a bride that will answer the door when He knocks. Song of Songs 5:2 says,  I slept, but my heart was awake, when I heard my lover knocking and calling: "Open to me, my treasure, my darling, my dove, my perfect one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night." This may sound radical in nature, but Karen and I truly believe that God is declaring to the bride “awaken, purify your heart and prepare for the harvest”. We believe that we are on the verge of a great “Prodigal Awakening”. 

I am reminded of the great Hebrides Revival of 1949-1952. The Hebrides is a small group of islands off the West Coast of Scotland. On one of the islands in the village of Barvas two elderly women named Peggy and Christine Smith would pray day and night in their tiny cottage for the Lord to move mightily. Then the Lord gave them a promise, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground.” Soon a young evangelist by the name of Duncan Campbell came and began to minister. The island began to experience a mighty outpouring. There is one account of a late-night prayer meeting taking place. After a long time of waiting upon the Lord in the service Duncan Campbell called upon a blacksmith, named John, to pray. As the man prayed he reminded the Lord of the promise that he would pour water on him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry land. Then the blacksmith said these immortal words, "Oh God, Your honor is at stake, and I now challenge You to fulfill your covenant engagement and do what you have promised to do.” Suddenly the entire house was shaken. The revival burst forth and the islands saw the masses saved. We are living in a day when God is mocked and the passionate for Jesus are dismissed. We truly must have a move of the Spirit.  
His whisper to the bride is, “Yet, even now”.  It as if God is saying while my bride sleeps, my warriors’ sabbatical from the exhaustion of life and my children weep from weariness; I will visit!  He has the power to change the sleepers into reapers, the warriors resting into standing at attention and the children’s weeping into spirit laughter. The challenge is simple, does your life, family, church, city and nation need an awakening? Then will you declare, “Yet, Even Now?”


v  Yet, even now God wants to restore his bride! Hosea 2:14
v  Yet, even now God will restore your broken spirit. Matthew 11:28
v  Yet, even now God will heal the sick. Psalm 103:3-4
v  Yet, even now God will meet you where you last left him. Jeremiah 29:13
v  Yet, even now God will ignite your calling. John 5:25
v  Yet, even now God will remove my spiritual cataracts to see His glory. Col. 2:9
v  Yet, even now God will open your ears to his voice once again. Matt. 11:5
v  Yet, even now God will flood the dry land with his Spirit. Isaiah 43:18-19
v  Yet, even now God will visit your home. 1 Kings 8:13
v  Yet, even now God will disarm the enemy! Col. 2:15
v  Yet, even now God will awaken an army to move sons of thunder. 2 Cor. 6:7
v  Yet, even now God send revival to our land! Joel 2:28

Could it be that God is on the verge of shaking America to its core? I am not speaking of more riots in the streets, natural disasters or political upheaval. My friends, I speak of a Holy Call being released from heaven for us to once again fall to our knees, remove the distractions, turn off the perversion of our 52 inch TV screens, shut off the back lights of our hand held phones and detox our spirits of all that has so easily entrapped each of us to have lost our appetite for a feast called, “Gods Banqueting Table (Psalm 23:5)”.  We must regain our appetite for more of Jesus. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)”

How do we begin? It is simple, really. Yet, even now simply prepare a place to meet with God. Just ask God to visit you where you are at. James 4:8, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Let us no longer leave Jesus as a beggar in the street. Let’s open the door for Him to come in (Revelation 3:20).  The Lord will show up! How do I know, because it is just as a blacksmith cried out during the Hebrides’ Revival, “Oh God, Your honor is at stake…”  Will we answer the door?