The Roar From Upstairs

The Roar from Upstairs - 

The day God empowered the normal!

Acts 2:6 (TPT), “When the people of the city heard the roaring sound, crowds came running to where it was coming from, stunned over what was happening, because each one could hear the disciples speaking in his or her own language.”

There was once an echo that cried out loudly from an upper room where His wind blew and a roar arose.  The sound of the echo that day was something new but being His echo was not. Ezekiel once echoed and raised an army from the dry bones and His spirit breathed life into them. Moses was His echo after coming down from the mountain. John the Baptist was His echo preparing the way.  Where is the echo today? The church is too quiet. WHERE HAS OUR ROAR GONE? The enemy is after your roar. (Proverbs 28:1, “The wicked flee when no one pursues them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”)  We have the answer for the hurting, broken and weary! Maybe we have forgotten where our roar started. What began on the cross culminated in an Upper Room. There was a roar that rose from an upper room! A roar that forever changed history and birthed the New Testament Church. A roar that came from an unknown deep cries out to deep place. A roar that could not be silenced! 

Acts 2:6 (TPT), “When the people of the city heard the roaring sound, crowds came running to where it was coming from, stunned over what was happening, because each one could hear the disciples speaking in his or her own language.”

But first let’s back up and remember before the roar was heard. Go with me to the darkest moment in history. Jesus was the lamb led to the slaughter. Hanging high in the air. Mounted as Satan’s trophy. The disciples were weeping in agony. Mary watched as her son died for sons and daughters. Heaven remained quiet…. At 3pm he cried out. John 19:30 (TPT), “When he had sipped the sour wine, he said, “It is finished, my bride!”Then he bowed his head and surrendered his spirit to God.”

                                                                     (Watch Evg. Pat preach this message - -click the video)

Let me ask you today,  Is there a cry within your spirit for more? You see, the roar will always start with a groan. Psalm 34:17 (TPT),“Yet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles.” I realize that many reading today are increasingly agitated. You feel a yearning for more. You are unhappy with your present lot in life. You know that you were created for more, but the more seems so far away.  You feel the groan.  Maybe its one of frustration or agitation or one of desperation. But in the distance, maybe even faintly within your spirit, you hear a knock at the door.  He is always knocking. Revelation 3:20 says, “Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.” (MEV). God will and can suddenly arouse you from your normal. Are you listening? Is there a cry in your spirit for more?

The sound of devastation leads to desperation.  Mark 15:37 (TPT),“Just then Jesus passionately cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last.” Devastation is an alarm clock!  Let me share personally with you about a recent “alarm clock” moment in our lives. It began with a doctor’s report, a diagnosis of cancer in the blood, the word, leukemia.  That devastation moment aroused within a desperation that brought us to our altar. Every morning and every evening! “… Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart.” (Psalms 5:3).  The sound of devastation leads to desperation.  Look at the disciples. The disciples were now alone…. Jesus had died, arose and 40 days later ascended.  Now they needed a God interruption! Just before He ascended He had given them a promise. Luke 24:49 (TPT), “And I will send the fulfillment of the Father’s promise (Holy Spirit) to you. So stay here in the city until the mighty power of heaven falls upon you and wraps around you.” God the Father had created His masterpiece called humanity so that he could have fellowship. Jesus the Son of God came to seek and to save that which was lost!  The Holy Spirit came to guide you into righteousness, friendship and purpose with God. 

Who is the Holy Spirit, the 3^rd person of the Holy Trinity? His name is Holy Spirit! He is my counselor! Often times he is now forced to fly under the radar, live in the gymnasiums of youth services, the Bible studies of homes and encounter weekends twice a year. But He has always been here. From the beginning God’s Spirit was here! Genesis 1:1-2 (MSG), “First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.” Noah would send forth a dove, in Genesis 8:12, “He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.” Isaiah prophesied about the Upper room.  Isaiah 28:11-12 (NIV) “Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said,  “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”— but they would not listen.” John the Baptist had made the introduction of who would bring him. Luke 3:16, “John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Jesus had promised him.  John 14:16-18 (MEV), “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, that He may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him, neither does it know Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you fatherless. I will come to you.”

Now the disciples were stuck in a room waiting on the promise. Desperation leads to the Restoration of the Roar!  Stuck between Amen and there it is! The Lamb of God had surrendered his spirit and breath in order to save lost humanity. They needed HIS SPIRIT. Now they were in the waiting room! SUDDENLIES ARE PRECEEDED BY OBEDIENCE! Acts 2:1-4, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues as of fire, being distributed and resting on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.” It is in the waiting room that prayers lives awaken! The slumber of the bride has caused a release of the unprecedented plunder of God’s storehouse and harvest by the enemy. He is now unabated by a church that once stood its ground but has now gone underground for fear of being exposed by our lack of purpose.

It is time to RESTORE YOUR ROAR! History is never made by those who choose to sit out the fight but by those were willing to relinquish their fear and stand their ground against evil. It is time to allow desperation to once again lead to the restoration of the your roar and the roar He is longing to hear. Amos 3:8 says, “The lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” Let me share with you three (3) keys to finding your roar!

3 KEYS to finding your Roar!

1.    It was the right time!

Fifty-three (53) days after devastation, as promised, the Holy Spirit came and the New Testament 

church was birthed.  120 GATHERED! 120 WAITED! 120 CRIED OUT! I love numbers, and if 

you look at 120, you see: 100 (election process) + 20 (expectancy) = elected group with expectancy! 

God in his brilliance birthed the New Testament church on the Day that the Harvest feast was 

beginning! Pentecost- Feast of ‘Pentekostos’ meaning “fiftieth.” 50 days after Passover.  In the Old 

Testament it was also known as the Harvest festival (Leviticus 23:9-16) also called the Feast of 

Weeks “Shavuot”which Jews celebrate as God’s revealing of the law at Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:22).

The 7^thSunday after Easter. God chooses timing! Kairos (appointed time) Could this be the 

appointed time!They were desperate! They waited ten days! The number 10 meaning completeness 

in divine order- the beginning of one period and the ending of another

2.     It was the right attitude!

They were in one mind and one accord! They checked their religion at the door! Their door knob 

was expectation! God always chooses places to pour out His Spirit that have decided “we must have 

a move of God”. Too often we have rejected a move of the Holy Spirit as yesterday’s move of God 

when in fact God desires to move past your daily facade into a face-to-face encounter. 

Eph. 5:18 -  says be filled with the Holy Spirit

1 Cor. 12:13 -  For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body

1 Cor. 14:1 -  eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit

1 Cor. 12:4-7 -  many gifts but one Spirit 

1 Cor 12:7-11 - “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is 

given for the common good. … All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he 

distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

1 Cor. 14:22 - Tongues are a sign to the unbeliever

1 Cor. 14:40 - all of the gifts are done in order

3.    It was the right place!

The Upper Room!  Place - Greek- “Epi”- the center of earthquake!

God will show up in the house that has decided He is welcome. 

The Roar has sound waves! When the church awakens to the Holy Spirit who has been longing to come inside of their sanctuaries and homes, they will soon discover that the world will come running to the sound of freedom coming from their dwellings. Acts 2:6 (TPT), “When the people of the city heard the roaring sound, crowds came running to where it was coming from, stunned over what was happening, because each one could hear the disciples speaking in his or her own language.” Your awakening will cause others to hear a sound and come running to find freedom.  Right now God is looking for bold and courageous leaders who have a holy fear of the Lord to arise and stand firm. These are those who are not worried about losing their reputations or their standing but understand that they gain strength and purpose in God.

You were rescued, revived, and restored for some-thing greater than yourself. With great freedom and blessing comes great responsibility. God not only wants you to walk free of fear, but He also wants to see you rescue and revive both those around you and the next generation of freedom fighters. Your courage is so important in raising up a new generation equipped to keep the fire of God burning in the world.  It is time to roar over the land God has given us!

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*This powerful message by Evg. Pat Schatzline was shared on June 9, 2019, on Pentecost Sunday at Faith Assembly in Orlando, FL

**Quotes in this blog are taken from "Restore the Roar", the new book by Authors Pat & Karen Schatzline. You can buy the #1 new release best seller in Christian Faith book, "Restore the Roar" by going to www.restoretheroarbook.com

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Watch and hear Evg. Pat Schatzline preach this powerful message from Pentecost Sunday at Faith Assembly in Orlando, “The Roar from Upstairs” by clicking the video link below.

Take Back the Night!

1 Peter 5:8 (TPT), “Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy,the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour!”

I am here to talk to the ones that have had your dreams stolen, the ones who feel lost or wonder where the light has gone. Can I tell you that tragedy has a trajectory.  The painful memories from yesterday often determine whether we have peace today. As a result many believers live in fear that tomorrow will bring great pain or sorrow rather than trusting Jesus in the now. Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (nlt).  We cannot change where we have been or what we have been through, but we can change how we let it control us.

I want to tell you – it is time to “TAKE BACK THE NIGHT!”  There is a powerful scripture in 1 Kings 3:21 that says, “When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, here was this dead baby! But when I looked at him in the morning light,I saw immediately that he wasn’t my baby.” It is in the dark that your identity can be replaced with a dead imposter. When we are in the night, in the dark, we have a hard time seeing the truth, we can mistake something false for something real. But I believe so strongly God is stirring and calling us out of the night season and into a new and glorious light. 

Let’s take a deeper look at 1 Kings Chapter 3. We find God asking Solomon what he would like to be given, Solomon’s reply is found in 1 Kings 3:9 (message), “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?” God replies to Solomon, 1 Kings 3:12, "I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” Then he goes to the throne. It is so interesting that Solomon had just been given his identity (as the king) and now the first case to come before him would be one that puts identity at stake. The identity of an innocent child.  

The enemy is and always has been after identity. You see, the devil lost his identity and ever since he has been trying to get it back by attempting to steal it from others. He got Adam to forfeit it in the garden and he tried to get Jesus to do the same in the wilderness.  Two of the three temptations in the wilderness Jesus faced were directly at His identity. “If you are the son of God …”.  The enemy wants what he lost, he wants what you and I can have.  Sonship! Daughterhood! We are children of God! 

Before we look further at 1 Kings, I must share with you a recent Word gave to me. Early on morning in my prayer room, after hearing a scream cry out a few weeks back, God said,  “The cry that you heard is that of birth pains. The birth pains have begun! The water has broken. The bride is in labor. Call forth the midwives to grab the towels and the water. The time has come for deliverers to arrive. Prepare for the sons and daughters to come forth. These will be those that will usher in the greatest harvest the world has ever seen.” This is the moment you need to realize that God has been waiting on you!  Romans 8:19-21 (TPT), “The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! … But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children.”

There is an all-out attack against you! The enemy wants to take you out! He wants your identity. You are a threat to him and so he tries in the night, in the dark, to confuse and cause question and doubt. But it is time to “Take Back the Night”!

Back to 1 Kings 3, check out Solomon’s very first case, 1 Kings 3:19-21 (message), “The infant son of this woman died one night when she rolled over on him in her sleep.  She got up in the middle of the night and took my son—I was sound asleep, mind you!—and put him at her breast and put her dead son at my breast. When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, here was this dead baby! But when I looked at him in the morning light, I saw immediately that he wasn’t my baby.”

You see, the enemy wants what he didn’t purchase. From the moment you arrived the enemy has been plotting! He’s been trying to make you forget who formed you. Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." You were made in the dark! Psalm 139:13,“You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb.^” Don’t let the night take your identity!

Darkness has many forms:

DECEPTION

The enemy wants your mind… 1 John 1:6-7, (message), “If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth — we're not living what we claim. 7 But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.” 2 Corinthians 4:4, The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

FEAR

And as you know, fear is one of the main weapons the enemy uses to keep us in the dark. Faith is the antidote to fear. God has given us weapons to defeat fear! 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

WEARINESS & DEPRESSION

Weariness and exhaustion have the ability to not only quiet the dream but also silence the messenger. If we are not careful, weariness can cause us to go into hiding rather than into a place of rest. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.” 

The night has the ability to make you think morning will never come! Many have built a monument of pain and sorrow at the place they were harmed or hurt the most. Instead of realizing we survived “the worst,” we continually visit the tombstone of yesterday’s pain, allowing its shadow to dictate the peace we walk in today. Far too often the greatest attacks against the spirit and mind come from the shadows that loom over life instead of the reality that God is still in charge.  It is impossible to look forward when you are busy fearing what is behind you.

It is time to take back your night! WAKE-UP! Turn on the light! Quit hiding in the closet of fear! What starts as fear and self-preservation can actually become the story that leads your restoration. God has the power to change sleepers into reapers, orphans into sons and daughters, and widows into brides.

God speaks at night! Jesus came to interrupt nightmares! It is your night season that the God light in you reduces the enemy to a shadow of what he used to be, your greatest fear reality! The one who made you will protect you!

Back to I Kings 3, remember Solomon prayed for wisdom. Solomon’s first ruling was to declare identity.  1 Kings 3:22-27 (Message), “Not so!” said the other woman. “The living one’s mine; the dead one’s yours.” The first woman countered, “No! Your son’s the dead one; mine’s the living one.” … The king said, “What are we to do? This woman says, ‘The living son is mine and the dead one is yours,’ and this woman says, ‘No, the dead one’s yours and the living one’s mine.’”…  Then he said, “Cut the living baby in two—give half to one and half to the other.” The real mother of the living baby was overcome with emotion for her son and said, “Oh no, master! Give her the whole baby alive; don’t kill him! But the other one said, “If I can’t have him, you can’t have him—cut away!”  The king gave his decision: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Nobody is going to kill this baby. She is the real mother.”

The one who gave identity to the child would protect it from the thief that stole the identity. The one that formed you…The one that breathed life into you…The one that plans your future...The one that knows who you are…Can interrupt the nightmare! He will protect you! We are called to be bold as lions! You and I are called to roar! Regardless of how exhausted and weary we become, we must seek the Lord once again. We must once again take our rightful place of authority.  We must break free from fear and TAKE BACK THE NIGHT!

*Listen to Evg. Pat Schatzline preach this powerful message, “Take Back the Night”

*This article taken from excerpts of Restore the Roar, Chapter 4 – “When the Shadow Looms”, by Authors Pat and Karen Schatzline

Pat Schatzline is an international evangelist and author who coleads Remnant Ministries International with his  wife, Karen. Their newest book Restore the Roar released August 6^th, 2019. Pat and his wife are known for their passion to lead people of all ages into deep encounters with God. They are frequent guests on Christian television and radio shows such as Sid Roth’s It's Supernatural! andThe Jim Bakker Show as well as networks such as Daystar and GOD TV. They have written several books, including Why Is God So Mad at Me?, I Am Remnant, Dehydrated, Unqualified, and Rebuilding the Altar. You can follow Pat on social media @Patschatz

The Ministry of the Midwife

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and rescues them from all their distress and troubles." (Psalms 34:17)

It started with a scream, a cry rang out as I was praying early one morning last week.  On the morning of May 29, 2019 at 7:24 am I heard a cry ring out. The cry sounded like someone in desperation, a cry that shook me to my core. I searched the house to see where the noise resounded from. I had only been home for about 36 hours from a trip to Singapore. While in Singapore I had felt stirred that the Lord was about to do something unprecedented. Now I had heard a cry, a cry that caused me to search the house to see where it had come from. After searching, I realized my family was still asleep so I went back to my prayer room. Upon arriving back, I looked up 7:24 and found Matthew 7:24, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

The Lord then spoke to me:

“The cry that you heard is that of birth pains. The birth pains have begun! The water has broken. The bride is in labor. Call forth the midwives to grab the towels and the water. The time has come for deliverers to arrive. Prepare for the sons and daughters to come forth. These will be those that will usher in the greatest harvest the world has ever seen. Tell my midwives their time has come. The birth of the newborn shall come quickly. They must come from their places of normality and be prepared to hold the hand of those that are ushering in this harvest. THEY WILL BE THE PROTECTORS OF THE INNOCENT, THE PROPAGATORS OF NEW LIFE AND GUARDIANS OF THE SACRED TRUST CALLED, “DELIVERY.” For without the midwives, we will not see the revelation of all that is to come. Open the door, for the midwives have arrived!”

God was giving me a prophetic word for this hour! The cry I heard in the morning on May 29th shook me to my core! I understand more now why there was a cry, as I would later learn on this very same day Illinois would pass the most lenient abortion legislation seen yet.  Illinois has been added to the list of States discounting, and in effect eliminating, the life of a child in the womb.  The new law passed by the Illinois House legislature on May 29th, known as the "Reproductive Health Act", is more extreme than the New York law passed earlier in the year.  It allows abortions to be preformed at anytime during the pregnancy; literally allowing an abortion to take place right before birth. WE MUST HEAR THE CRIES OF THE UNBORN!  It is time to protect the innocent! It is time for the midwives to arise! 

Let me share with you about the midwife. The Bible says, in Exodus 1:20-21, "So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own."  But what is a midwife; and what was God speaking to me in "calling for the midwives"?  A Midwife is defined as, "one who brings to birth".  A woman who helps women in childbirth. A midwife has often been an older relative or friend of the family. Part of her duties are described in Ezekiel 16:4, as cutting the umbilical cord, washing the baby with water, rubbing it with salt, and wrapping it in swaddling clothes. The key role of the midwife was to protect the child and mother, to provide encouragement and expertise in the aspect of birthing, to create an environment conducive to birthing, and to be the ones that ensure safe passage for the new child. They were given the joy of naming the child.  The midwife also has two jobs: 1. Dress the child and 2. Whisper to the child (which means provides mouth to mouth resuscitation). 

THERE IS A SPECIAL ANOINTING that has been lost to the church. This special anointing is called, “The Ministry of the Midwife!" This anointing is what has helped to usher in the revivals of the past. It does not bring with it fanfare and popularity. You will not gain followers on social media or even gain access to the elite green rooms. In fact, if this anointing is done right then you will most likely not even be seen; but, oh how heaven will speak of you. In the day and age of celebrity driven Christianity that makes the arrival of the called look more like a movie premier taking selfies on a red carpet that is stained by the martyrs' blood, those who once stood for truth and holiness in generations past. We must hold onto the words of Christ in Matthew 24:8-9, “This is how the first contractions and birth pains of the new age will begin! You can expect to be persecuted, even killed; for you will be hated by all the nations because of your love for me.”

I must warn you that many will read this and dismiss it as a message that does not apply to them and choose to stay silent. They will read and dismiss it as charismatic hype best left to a small prayer gathering of only the most zealous deemed to not have a life outside. I ask that you read and listen closely, for Satan desires to abort all that is birthed of the spirit. He will stop short of nothing except total annihilation of what God desires to do. Satan has his ear to the wind listening for the faintest whisper of hope arising from lips of the saints so that he can interfere, demolish and disrupt the agenda of heaven. Today, we declare that what God will do will be unprecedented. The tectonic plates have shifted.

Agitation is a sign that the birth is upon us!  It says in Romans 8:19-21 (TPT), “The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children.” I realize that many hearing this message are increasingly agitated. You feel a yearning for more. You are unhappy with your present lot in life. You know that you were created for more, but the more seems so far away.  In the distance you hear a knock at the door.  This of course is God’s way of awakening the bride. God suddenly arouses you from your normal. He waits until you are close to nodding off and the knock comes on the door.  Song of Solomon 5:2 (TPT), “After this I let my devotion slumber, but my heart for him stayed awake. I had a dream. I dreamed of my beloved; he was coming to me in the darkness of night. The melody of the man I love awakened me. I heard his knock at my heart’s door as he pleaded with me: Arise, my love. Open your heart, my darling, deeper still to me. Will you receive me this dark night?” The knock you hear at the door of your heart is that of a wounded savior desperately trying to find a bride that is awakened to his presence and ready for him to be the head of the house. The cry I heard was not just a cry of the birthing that is coming, but also the midnight cry. Matthew 25:6, "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!"

Do you not discern the times? If not now…. Then when?! The slumber of the bride has caused a release of the unprecedented plunder of God’s storehouse and harvest by the enemy. He (the enemy) is now unabated by a church that once stood its ground but has now gone underground for fear of being exposed by our lack of purpose. Many times what is taking place in the natural realm is in direct correlation to the spirit realm. Not everyone can perceive this. It will require a spiritual depth that comes from the depth of God’s Word and quiet of the secret place. 1 Cor. 2:14 (TPT) says, “Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit.” We live in a day where the rights of the unborn end not only at conception, but when they arrive on a cold table of delivery. The attack doesn’t stop there. The very sexual identity assigned to each of us by a God who purposes our DNA is now up for grabs by a culture that declares gender as bigotry unless it fits the narrative of progressive thought. Congress is removing "so help me God" from all swearing ceremonies. Congress passed the new Equality Act, which is really an act against Judeo Christian values. The passage of this bill means that churches and Christian schools no longer have their values protected. Anarchy and unrest fill the streets!   The marching in the streets is no longer that of the “onward Christian Soldiers” bringing a message of hope and redemption, but rather an anarchy in the hearts of wounded sons and daughters screaming for an inheritance. We must have spiritual insight that goes past todays shallow messages of self-help and hyped one scripture sermons. We need righteous warriors that will arise with humility & holiness that discern the times. “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:13, 14 NIV)

Where are the God fearing midwives?  Every time God wants to change a generation someone gives birth! Exodus 1:8-13, ^“Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly.”

It is time to multiply amidst persecution. Exodus 1:15-22, “The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.” Who was Shiphrah and Puah? Believed to be mother and daughter,  their act may be the first known incident of civil disobedience in history.  Many Hebrew scholars believe that they were Jochebed and Miriam (the Mother and Sister of Moses)! The names Shiphrah and Puah translated in the Hebrew mean "one who cuts" and "one who whispers".  God is asking those to arise who will cut away at the ties to culture and the world and rise up to hear His whisper. He is drawing those into the secret place.  We were born not of this world nor called to conform to the pattern of the world but to be separate and apart like Shiphrah and Puah. When you are willing to protect the next generation God will allow you to be a part of raising up a deliverer. 

God is looking for midwives!

*These are those that will arise and protect the innocent.

*They guard the room from intruders.

*They will not rest until deliverance comes!

*They are happy watching birth and find satisfaction in seeing others give birth!

*They understand that the next move of God will be enjoyed by those that are willing to simply help push through the labor pains.

*They honor the process and await the arrival with anticipation.

*The midwife understands that their role is to simply be available when the timing is right!

*Without the midwives, the children of God will be still-born!

The next move of God will be led not only by the sons and daughters of revival, but by those who helped them come into the world. God is bringing upon the land a midwife spirit!  A spirit that fights for the birthing of the righteous.  They ignore the law of man when the law of God is at work. If you will become a midwife to the next move of God, you will experience what it is like to give birth yourself.  Exodus 1:20, “So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.” These two women who helped bring forth the babies have their names written in the Hebrew book of names. This is a high honor. They were known as those who delivered Israel. Without the midwives, there would be no deliverer.

There is something about the power of a new birth.  John 3:3, “For the Spirit-wind blows as it chooses. You can hear its sound, but you don’t know where it came from or where it’s going. So it is within the hearts of those who are Spirit-born!”

Are you ready? Birthing time is near! Something new is coming! Can you hear the cry? God is calling midwives to rise up! "...THEY WILL BE THE PROTECTORS OF THE INNOCENT, THE PROPAGATORS OF NEW LIFE AND GUARDIANS OF THE SACRED TRUST CALLED, “DELIVERY.” For without the midwives, we will not see the revelation of all that is to come. Open the door, for the midwives have arrived!”  The time of the ministry of the midwife is here!

Luke 7:31-32, "Jesus went on to say, "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation?  What are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:  "We played the pipe for you and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry."

WE MUST HEAR THE CRIES OF A GENERATION AGAIN!
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Watch Evangelist Pat Schatzline preach this powerful new prophetic Word on "The Ministry of the Midwife" by clicking the link below. 

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.

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!