Have You Lost Your Keys?

Have you ever felt like you simply did not have access to go where God has called you to go? We have been there, Karen and I! For years, we knew that God had more for us to do. We just couldn’t seem to find the keys. Jesus gave a promise to the disciples that they could have the keys. Matthew 16:19, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” For two years, Karen and I, after being prompted by the Holy Spirit, have prayed for the Matthew 16:19, “Keys to the Kingdom. “ The word “Keys” (kleis in the Greek) means power and authority. I am writing you today to tell you God has keys for you. Last summer, on July 25, 2016, Karen, Abby and I were in Orange Beach, AL to attend a dear friend’s ministry board meeting that Karen and I serve on. We decided to go on a prayer walk that morning on the beach. As we walked along a deserted area of the beach we took hands and prayed, “Lord, give us the keys to the kingdom.” Suddenly, there in the ocean surf was a key. We ran into the water and picked up the key. 

Karen and I rejoiced over this simple act of love from the Father. That morning our God knew we would be walking, praying and need a sign from above. Since that moment we have seen God do more in one year than in the last 19 years! God has shown us that without His authority you will never be granted into places that have previously been closed to you.

 Have you ever lost your keys?

There is nothing more frustrating than needing to get in a door, but finding it locked and the key nowhere to be found. I must speak to those that feel frustrated spiritually. It is time to find your keys! A few days after we found the key on the beach I had a prophetic vision while praying. In the vision I saw the waist of Jesus with a large belt on it. On the belt was a massive key ring with thousands of keys. Jesus spoke to me and said, “Pat, I have every key you have ever needed to accomplish my work. Now tell my bride I have the keys!” The prophet Isaiah declared in Isaiah 22:22, ^“I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”

Did you know that God has keys for his bride to go places that they never imagined? Realize that you belong to Gods family! 1 John 3:1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God….” We must realize that God has been waiting on his children to grab ahold of their authority! If not you, then who? Romans 8:19 declares, “For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. (AMP)” Therefore, you have access to His house. Everyone in our family has a key to our house. Would we give that key to perfect strangers? No! Only those whom belong to the family! You belong to the family of God. I have learned that big doors open with little keys. Often we are trying to go places without access being granted. This causes us to get frustrated and live a life haunted by a terrorist called lethargy. God has not called you to be stuck in the same place, but we are called to move forward. I have come to tell you that God has called you to realize that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)” This is your moment to take back what the enemy has taken from you and to walk places you have only dreamed! 

7 KEYS TO YOUR DOOR OF AUTHORITY

Key #1- Repentance- Cry out to God and ask him to forgive and cleanse you of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  The blood of Jesus has given you and access to the very heart of God! (Hebrews 10:19)

Key #2- Develop a prayer life! 1 John 5:14-15, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” When you pray you learn the heart of God! God is waiting on you to tell him what you need. Phil. 4;6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Key #3- Live in His Presence! Every day seek out the secret place! God is waiting on you for secret encounters. Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Here is a key we have found: the way we position ourselves impacts the volume of God’s voice. The surroundings we choose to be in either position us closer to God or father away. When God calls us deeper in Him, we must put away all distractions and allow our faith level to rise.

Key #4- Study His Word- God’s word is his map for your life! Psalms 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Hebrews 4:12, ^“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Key #5- Grow in Faith- Realize that nothing is impossible with God! Jesus promised in Mark 11:23-24, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Key #6- Walk in Boldness- Your boldness determines the path God leads you on! Luke 10:19-20, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

Key #7- Be a giver! Giving opens doors that you could have never imagined would open for you! Proverbs 18:16, “Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!” When you invest in the kingdom of God everything else will be given to you.  Matt. 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Are you ready to see doors open? Rev. 3:8, “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” This is your now!  Finding that key on the beach that day led us on a journey this past year where we have literally begun to find other keys: keys to our health; keys to new streams of finance; keys to blessings over our family; and keys to His kingdom.  We want the same for you!
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Find more info about Pat and Karen Schatzline at www.raisetheremnant.com

Learn about their new book "Rebuilding the Altar" at www.rebuildingthealtar.com

“When your heart is overwhelmed….”

“When your heart is overwhelmed….”

I awoke on Wednesday morning January 11, 2017 with a stir in my heart. Immediately I heard the Lord say, “When your heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Ps. 61:2)  Karen and I have had heavy hearts for several weeks because of what seems to be an all-out assault against those that God has chosen to do His work. Just the night before we had been with dear pastor friends at the hospital where we were praying for their granddaughter whose life was in jeopardy. We witnessed that night what it means when a family decides to do battle with hell! While at the hospital our spiritual daughter and assistant for 14 years, Jamie, found out she needed to return to Alaska immediately to be with her mother who is battling cancer. When we arrived home that night Karen said, “I am so angry at the enemy! We must do war!” I felt the same! For days I had felt the breath of the enemy upon our necks and for days I had been declaring God’s Word and truth in the midst of the storm. I have often said, “If you’re not coming up against the enemy it is because you are flowing with him!” You and I were never called to live normal quiet lives! We are called to do battle! T.L. Osborn used to say that physical eyesight will blind spiritual vision. The intense war facing you right now lets you know that there is a great victory on the other side! It seems that the enemy is doing everything he can to stop this next great move of God. I stood in our bedroom and declared, “in the name of Jesus I command the enemy to leave the anointed alone!”  There comes a moment when you realize that you have the ability and right to take authority over the lies and attacks of the enemy. Jesus told the 12 disciples in Matthew 10:1, “I give them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.” I challenge you as you read this newsletter today to build an altar of encounter and take back the authority that Father has given you. In Luke 10:19 Jesus said, "Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” This may mean anointing your house with oil…. walking the perimeter of your yard and declaring the ground as holy…. turning on worship….. turning off your phone…. Dancing before the Lord….. or even declaring a holy fast (Isaiah 58)! We must do as Ephesians 6:10 declares, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” No matter what you choose to do we have come to remind you that the enemy does not win! Romans 16:20 promises, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

“Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?”

I am reminded of when David arrived at Ziklag in 1 Samuel 30. The Bible says that the city had been burned down by the Amalekites and his family had been taken hostage. David was

distraught; even his own men wanted to kill him. David was ready to give up! Surely he must

have felt God had abandoned him! We have all felt that way! We have all had seasons of doubt and fear. It is when we are at our lowest that we must realize God is still God. He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)!

Look at what David does next! 1 Samuel 30:6b-8, But David found strength in the Lord his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.(The ephod was a worshippers gown)” Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” We must realize that God has called us to get up and go forth! He has called us to take back what the enemy stole from us. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 30:17-19 that David and his mighty men chased down the enemy and everything was restored back to them. In fact, it became known as “David’s Plunder!” I am calling on Pastors, Leaders, Dads, Moms, Grandparents, Sons and Daughters to arise and do war. Declare that God is the Lord and He has all authority over your home, business, church and city! Who knows that someday you will look back and call it “insert your name Plunder!” We must always remember that the enemy cannot steal your authority, but you can give it away. How? By not holding fast to the promises of God! Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” What is most powerful about the story of David at Ziklag is that I believe it was David’s final test before taking over the throne of Saul. When he decided to inquire of the Lord and pursue the enemy for his family then the very next chapter he would become King of Israel, because of the death of Saul. So I say to you, we must arise and do war. Put on the armor of Light and declare enough is enough! God has anointed you for such a time as this! Call on the name of the Lord and you will not be shaken! “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10) “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalms 16:8) I want to remind you of something simple, but profound! WE WIN!!!!

A Christmas Altar Call

 Can you imagine with me what it must have been like on an ordinary night in a field where shepherds were keeping watch? I imagine that they were settling in for a simple night of very little excitement except the sound of bleating sheep and the rustling of the wind. Then suddenly their sensory vision was overwhelmed with an explosion in the sky above! I have learned that our God always knows how to make a grand entrance. He will never be outdone by Hollywood, fictional writers or even the extravagance of earthly kings. No way! God was about to give the first altar call! He was putting forth an invitation to welcome the King of the world onto the stage. A King that would be born in the humble surroundings of animals, sewage, the harsh elements of nature and a world in need of redemption! Is this not the way God always does it? He always brings greatness from the foundation of humility. I believe that it is in the hibernation of holiness that produces real fruit, not on the stage of presentation, but in the cave where God does a lasting work! This little King would let out a cry from His tiny lungs that would cause creation to sit up and say, “HE HAS ARRIVED!” As the shepherds stood watch suddenly the angel of the Lord would declare, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on Earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:10-14)

Finally, mankind would be rescued from the grip and lies of Satan! This awakening in the night would lead them to a Lamb that would be led to the slaughter. This awakening in their hearts would lead to salvation that would later be purchased on a cross. Humanity would now know that God so loved the world that He gave His SON! Old Testament prophecy would finally be fulfilled! The Prophet Micah had told us it would happen in a tiny town called Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)! The Prophet Isaiah had told us that a virgin would give birth and we would call him Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14)! God had used 23,145 verses that comprise the 39 books in the Old Testament that would lead to the crescendo of angels giving the first altar call! It was the ultimate “O’ Come, all ye Faithful” moment that would lead to me being able to experience my “On bended knee I come!” transformation. Friends, dare we believe that Christmas is only about Santa, the elves, wrapped presents and hot cocoa! No! Christmas is about the beginning of all that we hold dear! It was the beginning of the tearing of the veil that kept us from relationship with God! Favor could now rest on the meek and lowly! Our restoration now lay in a shanty, a lean-too, a feeding trough so that we could now be temples of the Holy Ghost! Hallelujah to the Lamb! As you can see this first altar call was not an interruption of a “well-produced” one hour and ten-minute service that would not scare off the seeker, but rather a place where the seeker could find hope, restoration and freedom. This first altar call would alter all of humanity! There were not naysayers, scoffers, mockers or religious zealots invited so that they could use their “hipster” theology to explain away the divinity! No just humble and dirty men whom were awakened by messengers of light!

This encounter should awaken us all to the fact that no matter how many times we have fallen away, been wounded or left without hope God gave us a way to salvation! As the angels allowed their worship to spill over into Earth’s atmosphere that glorious night….

This opening of the sky would lead to the renting of a veil (Matthew 27:51).

This child wrapped in swaddling clothes (candle wick) would someday lead to a savior naked before mankind (Matthew 27:28-30) whom would set the world ablaze. The cry of a baby lamb would someday lead to roar of a mighty lion (Luke 23:24). This innocent little gift from heaven would become my doorway to God (Hebrews 10:20)! The Saints of Heaven were now robbed of glory so that you and I could now experience Him in our neighborhoods!

We must use this season to boldly approach the throne! Do not allow man or minions to keep you from the place the shepherds once beheld. The altar is open! Hebrews 4:16 says, “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.” The church must rebuild the altar! Have we now come to a place where doughnuts and coffee are more important than what the lowly shepherds were commanded to do? This is why I believe that leaders whom render the altar encounter a loss cause are in direct correlation with today’s churches that desire to have community over communion. We must desire to see God once again! Together we can restore the altar so that all of humanity can hear, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

My friends, we believe that this Christmas is the year where your family, friends and community can be saved! We stand with you! Now more than ever we must turn our trees into altars and our homes into sanctuaries. Dads, Moms, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles we implore you - do not let this season go to waste. Give your family the gift of eternal salvation (1 John 5:13)!