Shouts of Praise

I woke up with God’s voice saying, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” It’s Sunday, and I’m getting ready to leave early for church. There’s a sense of excitement in me as I think of Donna and me being with our church family.
Question: what is church to us? And, what is her significance in these days? I mean, I’ve grown up in the church; been a believer 50 years. I think I have some inkling into the answers to these questions…but, the truth is, for many the church is completely irrelevant and incapable of addressing the issues of our days. The church simply is an outdated institution. Or is she?

As I lay there, waking up, I began to hear Papa saying, “Yes, I am building My church. But, not as religion has considered, am I building. Religion takes what I said to My servant, Peter, and makes it a place of ‘organization’, of rule, regulation, program, facility, and politics. But, that is NOT what I was speaking to, nor was that ever in My heart. I was responding the PRAISE; for, Peter had just exalted My Name above all others–‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’–Peter had aligned with My heart and entered into the secret place of praise. That, My children, is how I build.” The Lord says, “How sad that My people are satisfied with song, with hymn, with words that speak of praise; but, know nothing of the POWER OF PRAISE.” “Do you think that I am impressed by the professional performance of your religious activities? Do you think that I will draw close to you, and fill the temple with My glory because you are SAYING the right words?–It has never been so. For I AM NOT IMPRESSED.” says the Lord. “But all that is changing–swiftly coming to an end. For I AM pouring out of My Spirit in these days-in ways never dreamed of. Truly, I AM releasing dreams and visions into the hearts of men and women who never would have imagined such a thing was possible. And, they are stepping forward with these dreams and visions-releasing what I have put within them to the advancement of My Kingdom. I AM, in these days, POURING FORTH THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY in a WHIRLWIND OF SONG. Praise is beginning to arise to levels beyond all you could imagine.” “For, just as it was in the days of Joshua, so it is now–that with SHOUTS OF PRAISE my people will see the mighty walls of the enemy crash to the ground. For, just as it was in the days of David, so it is now–that in the POWER OF PRAISE, every foe is defeated; and, the spoils of the defeated enemy gathered by My people..For, I AM POURING FORTH PRAISE IN A NEW WAY. No more, just words on a page, or notes on a scale. No more, the skilled performance of musicians, or the soulish/religious routine of the organized church. For I AM bringing all that to an end in a WHIRLWIND OF SONG..new song with a new sound.”
I hear Papa say, “For truly, these are the days of the WORSHIPING WARRIOR..For, the MANTLE of Joshua and of David is being released. This mantle is the MANTLE OF MY PRESENCE, the MANTLE OF MY GLORY, the MANTLE OF MY POWER. I AM placing this mantle upon My people–not on the basis of their skill, or talent–or even their enthusiasm; but, on the basis of their PASSIONATE PURSUIT OF ME. For it is out of the place of My presence that all authority and power issues,” says the Lord.
“Therefore, My people..take up this mantle. Put it on as your ARMOR as My worshiping warriors. For, these are days of great battles requiring great weapons of warfare in the hands of mighty warriors. Do not fight as you once did. Do not rely on weapons of the past; for these days require new weapons. Learn from the warfare of Joshua..how I caused great defeat of the enemy, not with spears, swords, arrows; but, with shouts of praise.” “This new praise, this NEW SONG, NEW SOUND, I AM calling you into is literally MY VOICE GOING FORTH…and the enemy is terrified at it’s coming.”
I hear Papa say, “Yes, My children, upon THIS ROCK I AM BUILDING…and no weapon of the enemy, no plot or scheme, no religious opposition or regulation of man shall prevail against it.”
I suddenly hear Papa say, “Do you think I am surprised at the work of the politicians who are seeking to restrict, or bring down My church? Do you think for one moment that I am concerned about laws being passed by wicked men in Washington that seek to destroy My church? NO, I AM neither surprised, nor concerned; for I AM about to shake Washington to its foundation with the SHOUTS OF PRAISE. I AM about to bring the walls of the enemy fortresses down into ruin. I AM releasing MY VOICE through My worshiping warriors.” “Many in Washington, in the halls of congress, in the back rooms of the White House, are beginning to hear the SOUND OF HEAVEN…and hearts are being turned–even now, even now,” says the Lord. “And the stirrings of revival are beginning there.” “Watch and see what I’m about to do in these days of praise,” says the Lord, “For what the enemy has meant for harm-for destruction, bondage, death–I AM turning even now, even now–into well watered gardens; into the place of the REVEALING OF MY BRIDE IN HER GLORY–MY WARRIOR BRIDE”

So, it’s time to RISE AND SHINE, for it’s Church Day..time to celebrate what God is doing…amen?