God is Removing the Guardrails

 

Today the Lord spoke to me. He said “I’m removing the guardrails.” Well, let me back up a minute… You see, today I was at work (yes I do work. Paul made tents and so do I. Kind of) and my job was to paint an area of wall in our warehouse located in the walkway.  There is a guardrail about 3-4 feet from the wall to guard the walkway and it stands about a foot tall. There are also little yellow footprints on the floor to let people know where to walk. How nice. Sounds good so far.

The problem was that as I was trying to paint,  people kept using the walkway and trying to get past me. I would be down on the floor trimming with the brush or trying to dip my roller in the paint tray with people trying to step over me and also letting me know that I was in their way. The funny thing was that on the other side of the 1′ tall guard rail was wide open floor space that they could have used. A simple step over the rail and they would have loads of space to walk.

But people get used to the rules and I realize that. People understand that we must follow the little yellow footprints and stay within the area prescribed for walking. It’s for our own protection as has management explained to us. No one wants to take the chance of bucking the system and getting into trouble. All that sounds good except for the fact that I know why the guardrail was installed. It was not put up because there were safety issues or injuries to the employees in the building at all. The reason the rail was installed was because workers were constantly ramming their pushcarts into the wall and damaging it. The guardrail was put up to protect the wall, not to protect the people.

So today as I was working, the Lord was speaking to me about the systems that the “church” sets in place that they say are there to protect people. The rules and regulations that have no basis in scripture but are given more weight than scripture are the guardrails. It’s the “we’ve always done it this way. Don’t rock the boat” mindset. As long as we have those rails up, things can go very smoothly, the services seem so nice and organized and we all get out in time to get to the buffet before the line gets too long.

All those little things… three songs for worship… a nice 20 minute sermon… maybe a poem and at the end 15 minutes for those who need prayer… Those rails are there to protect the religious institution and not to protect the people. Once the rails are gone and the Holy Spirit is invited to have free reign, anything can happen. (and does) Without the rules and regulations to protect the traditions of men, we can follow the voice of the Spirit and things get real. Real salvations…real deliverances….real healings…real miracles… a real relationship. That’s what the Lord was talking to me about today. He is removing those guardrails for so many people and they are seeing firsthand what the Gospel and the Kingdom is really all about. They are being drawn out and set free from that “I have to follow the path like everyone else.”

I have seen this in many places. Churches that never even believed in healing are now praying for the sick. Mainline denominational assemblies having classes on deliverance, healing and the gifts of the Spirit. It’s exciting and it’s growing. God is removing the guardrails. On a personal note, I have been invited to share on the supernatural to denominations that I never would have imagined. Praise God!

Following the rules just because everyone else does, is not safe.  Following the voice of the Spirit is quite safe. I’m glad those rails are coming down… for everyone’s sake.

Blessings!

Mike

http://www.riverofblessingsinternationalministries.org                         http://www.michaelvanvlymen.com

 

SCHOOL OF THE SUPERNATURAL – Rinteln, Germany June 2-5 2017

School of the Supernatural!

What a fantastic time we had at JESUSGemeinde Rinteln for the School of the Supernatural! Well over 200 hungry believers from many different nations gathered together in one accord to experience the presence and the power of God and grow in the supernatural things of the Lord. Altogether we had nine powerful meetings followed by lots of time of prayer and impartation. Some of the meetings lasted quite long, but I don’t like to leave questions unanswered or anyone in the prayer line un-prayed for!

The Pastors of the church , Bernhard and Karin Koch there were very gracious and ministered powerfully also during the school. Thomas Hantsche  also a great blessing in not only interpreting but bringing his own anointing into the mix!

Iron Sharpening Iron

One thing I love about these types of schools and conferences is that those who attend, much of the time are already moving powerfully in the gifts. You could take just about anyone out of the crowd and put them behind the pulpit and be edified. When you have a group of that type, anything can happen.

We had many sessions of teaching and also times for questions and answer. There were times for testimonies about what God was doing during the school, and for me this was one of my favorite parts. I love to hear what God is doing in the lives of others. Many were healed of various illness and several delivered also. Many launched into encounters with God that they had never experienced before. A couple of my favorite testimonies are….

Testimonies!

On the last day of the school, everyone was leaving when a woman came back in and wanted to tell me something,. She said as she was driving away, she realized that she could not see normally through her glasses. She got a little upset, wondering what was wrong. So she took the glasses off and then realized that she could she perfectly without them. She turned and drove back to the church to give testimony! Praise God!

A few minutes later, another woman came back to the church. She said “I know it’s over but I felt the Lord say He wasn’t finished, so I came back.” I told her that we must pray then! A few seconds into the prayer, she was under the power of God and stayed that way for about a half-hour. When she was able to get up she realized that the Lord had set her free from something. Hallelujah!

One testimony I can relate to…  There was a man who took the mic during testimony time and said that he was a bit upset. I wondered what was coming next… He explained “I have been sitting right here next to my daughter and she got covered in gold dust and I didn’t get any!” Lol! ( Those who get offended by such testimonies of signs and wonders please just disregard this one. Thank you.)

The School

So what did we talk about and learn about at the School of the Supernatural? Here is a non-comprehensive list of topics we tackled….

• Choosing a Supernatural Life
• The Offense of Signs and Wonders
• The Word, Worship and Prayer as Gateways
• How to Get Breakthrough
• Seeing in the Spirit will Launch You into the Supernatural
• Your Position in Christ
• Holiness and Sanctification
• Overcoming Fear of the Supernatural
• How and Why to Pray in Stillness
• Working with Angels Should be a Normal, Everyday Part of our Lives
• Being Supernatural and yet Normal at the Same Time
• How to Pray Powerful and Effective Prayers
• You are Called to This Life as a Believer!
• Living 24/7 in Both Realms
• Jesus did not Make this Difficult!

These are a few of the things we got into as well as topics brought up by many questions that people had.

All in all, it was an incredible 4 days of fellowship and encounters with God! I wish you all had been there!

Mike

http://www.riverofblessingsinternationalministries.org                   http://www.michaelvanvlymen.com

 

 

Is The Supernatural Really God?!

Moses boldly marched up to Pharaoh’s palace and was brought before him. “Let my people go!”  Pharaoh was not intimidated. He knew Moses. They grew up together. In Pharaoh’s eye’s Moses wasn’t so special. “Who does he think he is anyway?” Pharaoh mused. But Moses wasn’t the same man he was when he left Egypt. He had encountered the living God and learned a few things about God’s supernatural power and his (Moses’) destiny. Moses had seen miracles. He had been instructed to move in the supernatural for the Kingdom’s cause. Boldness is a benefit of seeing the hand of God move powerfully…it takes your faith to new levels.

Moses, sure of his calling and his God stepped closer to Pharaoh, looked him in the eye and handed his staff to Aaron. Aaron threw down the staff. There were gasps from the surrounding crowd. The staff of Moses had turned into a huge serpent, slithering around on the steps of the throne. Many in the crowd were stunned! The Pharaoh’s magicians, Jannes and Jambres came forward and also threw down their staffs. Their staffs also became serpents and slithered upon the steps of the Pharaoh’s throne.

The gasps in the crowd increased and suddenly many began criticizing and complaining about Moses. “Oh my goodness” they whispered amongst themselves,. “He is doing the same thing those demonic magicians are doing! This must be of the devil!” The mood in the crowd changed….they eyed Moses suspiciously….. “How could this be God if it looks so demonic?!” No doubt about it they reasoned…Moses is in deception.

The Heart of the Matter

Of course we know it didn’t really happen this way. (Read Exodus 5) The people of the day, the children of Israel, had no problem believing that God could and would do the most amazing supernatural things. Not only did they know it but they depended upon it. Read the Bible. They had a history of the supernatural and it was normal for the people of God to experience the supernatural, receive miracles, see and speak with angels, perform signs and wonders, etc.. What happened?

Somewhere along the way we stopped believing. Bill Johnson of Bethel Church calls that “unbelieving believers”, people who believe in God but deny His power today. All throughout the Word, Genesis to Revelation, the power of God was manifest and evident. Even in the writings of the early church fathers it was obvious that they still believed  and walked in the power of God. Tertullian, an early church father around 100-200 A.D., taught new converts to ask for and believe the gifts of the Spirit to come upon them.

I believe the problem that caused believers to stop believing and working in the miraculous is the same problem we face today. In lives so engrossed in the natural, we cease to see the supernatural. If churches and believers alike do not heal the sick, cast out devils or do supernatural exploits, we must have an excuse as to why. “Why can’t you do miracles? The rest of the Bible people did!”  What kind of answer is appropriate? “Well Brother, God doesn’t do those things anymore.” Once you have one person of “authority” that starts teaching people the new normal is NOT to expect miracles, it infects the whole group. Multiply that by centuries and you have millions of people who believe in Christ but not in His power to be available today. Now THAT is demonic. Don’t be offended! I was a non-believing believer for much of my life. You don’t know until you know….

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (Matthew 15:14)

The very sad thing about this is that there are so many people who need the power of God manifested in their lives today. Everyday I hear the most heartbreaking stories of people who need a touch from God. Many won’t even allow you to pray for them because they have been instructed that anything miraculous is of the devil.

What is the Answer?

Pray. Pray for those who need God’s power to at least ask Him to show them if it is real or not. Encourage that God does not lead us into deception if we are seeking Him!

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  (Matthew 7:9)

Share scriptures that tell of God’s desire to heal us and deliver us. Give a Biblical reason for them to consider that God has not changed.

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:22-24)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Live ready to provide an answer! God is seeking to manifest His love towards us ALL and He will create opportunities for us to display His power to those in need. A person being in need, many times will open a door for God to move. There is nothing like being desperate for God. I have been there!

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15)

If you are one of those who believes that everything God has done, He will do and everything the Bible reveals is for us today, don’t be dismayed. Sometimes you may wonder where you fit in. You may not fit in anywhere right now but God has people just like you all over the earth and increase is happening! Thank God for those you know who believe, and fellowship together, encouraging each other in the faith! Know that you are not alone! We are right here with you!

Blessing upon you!

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Offended by Signs and Wonders?

One of the most encouraging things that I have discovered in these last few years has been the signs and wonders of God. Those special supernatural events that are unusual to even the most spirit filled of the bunch. It’s encouraging to me because it is a strong reminder that God is very present. It tells me that He is thinking about us and that He cares. To me, it also means that there is no issue or problem beyond His ability to solve it. When all of our natural reasoning and efforts may fail, we know that God is not bound by  the “normal”.  He can answer our needs in any way He chooses and bless us beyond our ability to understand it. Is there an incurable disease? He can cure it. Not enough food or money? He can multiply it. (literally) He can do anything!

The problem with signs and wonders comes when God does things that makes little or no sense to our natural minds. Some of us have grown up with a religious idea of what God will or won’t do and we balk when He steps outside of our comfort zone. Supernatural fragrances? What possible purpose could something like that serve? Winds blowing inside a closed room? Sounds pretty strange also. Don’t even get started about the gemstones from Heaven and the gold dust appearing on people. That is an offense that many, many people have taken. No…. normal signs and wonders would be salvations and healings. (as long as the healings are not too weird)

One minister speaking at a church we were at once stood before the congregation weeping and saying “We need to get back to the normal Gospel. We don’t need all that signs and wonders stuff.” Another Pastor told me once that it was all foolishness. Why would God even do those kinds of things when so many people need to be healed. It wasn’t something that “serious” men of God paid any attention to.

Yes, signs and wonders are truly an offense to many people. An angel told me the other day that they are a blessing to some and an offense to others. It is the same with many parts of the Gospel. If it doesn’t make sense, it can’t be God. (Or so many believe.) It becomes easier to accept once it happens to us. Then the light seems to come on. “Well…I know that I truly love God and now I’m experiencing this weird phenomenon so in my case this really must be God.” Exactly.

When some have asked me why God would do something with no apparent value or purpose when there are so many sick that need to be healed, I offer a simple explanation. Because He is a good Father and He loves to bless us.  We are believers right? We are ambassadors for Christ. We represent Him and the Kingdom. We are supposed to be doing His will. So why do we buy our own children the “nice” shoes when there are children across the world with no shoes at all? Why do we take the kids out for ice cream when there are children with no food? Why do we purchase unneeded things when there are people who cant afford even the most basic necessities of life? Is it because we are cruel or uncaring? No. We are not, and neither is God. We don’t judge ourselves for such things and we can’t judge God when He does something special like the signs and wonders.

God seeks to encourage us and sometimes the fragrance of His presence does just that . Sometimes He multiplies your money to tell you He cares about you and will meet your needs. Yes, I’m sure there is someone out there who is out of balance. If you ask someone “Would you rather have a healing for so and so or an angel feather?” and they choose the feather, there would be a problem. But in all honesty I have never met such a person.

So all I’m asking is this… If you have an issue with this stuff,  just let God be God. Let Him do what He wants to do in your life! Even if we don’t understand it all, we can trust Him. He knows what He is doing! The Bible says that His ways are above our ways, so don’t think that everything has to make sense for it to be God. If you tell Him that you are willing to yield to His plan no matter what it looks like, He may just surprise you!

Teaching the World to See Angels

There is a spiritual realm. It is as real if not more so than the physical realm. The Bible says that the visible was created from the invisible.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)

To anyone who will pursue an understanding of this reality, God will make it very apparent to them. God wants us to know about these things. He wants us to see the unseen and to have understanding about spiritual things.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Many have an understanding that seeing the unseen, or seeing the angels around our lives is an unnecessary or even frivolous pursuit that takes away our focus on the important things of God such as salvation or healing. I have encountered many people who feel this way, in the church and in ministry as well. I can only answer with the instruction given in the Word of God.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. (Ephesians 1:18)

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. (Matthew 13:16)

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. (Revelation 3:18)

In the Bible we are given instruction and encouragement to see. In my own life, several years ago the Lord Jesus himself taught me about seeing in the unseen realm and He never once told me this is frivolous or distracting from important things or that it was only for the “qualified” few.  If we seek we will find. This is our promise in the Word. It is my passion to share with you that the spiritual realm, the realm of Heaven and heavenly encounter is right before you. There is a revelation so profound that it will draw you into the deepest places in God. Right where you should be. Once you begin to experience this reality it will “ruin” you for the things of the world. The most exciting things that the world has to offer will seem dull by comparison.

Do you have loved ones who seem enamored by the things of the world? One encounter from God could change everything. There is a spiritual realm and we are supposed to walk in it. And the truth is you can do it. You were created to do it.

These things that I speak of or write of are not by any means just about “seeing your angel.” But rather coming to a relationship in Christ so profound that the things of Heaven are open to you as well. Seek Him, but value also those things of His Kingdom as they by design are also given to you. Do not distain the things from God that seem small or unimportant.

My prayer is that the Lord leads you into the most extraordinary encounters you have ever experienced and that you get closer to Him every day.

Michael

 

A Visitation from the Angels of the Lord by Gordana Van Vlymen

I love the book of Ezekiel. There is so much to learn and understand… so much revelation that the Lord has given us there. The times of the last days are laid out before us and some of this revelation seems somewhat open and accessible and other parts seems to be veiled in mystery.

 And say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. Ezekiel 37:21

Sometimes we believe we understand some of the events of the last days because we have studied them so much. Sometimes the Lord has to send clarity to supernaturally help us to understand. I’m so glad He does.

The word of the LORD came to me: Ezekiel 37:15

On January 24th of this year (2017) as I was in my home an angel of the Lord appeared to me in a vision. He was clothed in light and everything about him seemed to convey light. He was about seven feet tall and powerful. His hair was a light blonde color and although I couldn’t tell the color of his eyes, they were also light. He had with him a scroll. He showed me the scroll and told me “Get ready for Ezekiel 38.” I looked at him and said “No… you mean Ezekiel 37.” He responded “No, Ezekiel 38.” And after delivering that message he left.

Almost immediately after this visitation another angel of similar look and stature appeared to me also carrying a scroll. He showed me the scroll  and also told me… “Get ready for Ezekiel 38.” I again said to him, “You mean Ezekiel 37.” And he also responded “No, Ezekiel 38.” And after delivering this message he was gone.

And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 38:23

This message from the Lord had a considerable impact on me. I had thought for so long that there were events in Ezekiel chapter 37 that had to come to pass before the days of Ezekiel 38 would happen. The Lord through this visitation allowed me to see that the events of Ezekiel chapter 37 are already being fulfilled and He will make Himself known in the sight of many nations.

The time of “darkness covering the earth and deep darkness the people’” is not a time of fear among the children of God. It is not a time of wringing our hands along with the world, but a time of the glory of the Lord being seen upon you. We are in a time and coming into a time where we must shine brighter than ever. We must reveal the truth of the Gospel and it’s power to save. We must rise up and take our positions to do the will of God as He reveals it to us. This will be a time of unprecedented salvations such as no other time in history.

I encourage you to read Ezekiel chapters 37 and 38 and ask God to help you see everything that He desires to show you. You are created for such a time as this! Bless you!

Gordana Van Vlymen

 

 

 

One Revelation Can Change Everything

Who do you say that I am?

In the world today there are so many people who are seeking for answers and so many people that desperately need answers to life’s toughest problems. All over the world I have spoken with so many people who are suffering with the most difficult things that anyone could ever face. On one hand I am torn for them and what they are going through, yet on the other hand I have an unshakeable hope because I know beyond a shadow of doubt that Jesus can and will help them.

So many in the world today, even those attending Christian churches, believe that Jesus was just a good man or religious figurehead that represents our :”religious tradition.” They don’t know the reality of the power and the love that is calling out to them to lay their burdens down and allow the King of Kings to bring salvation to their lives…to their families.

In Matthew chapter sixteen, Jesus asks Peter a very important question. “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus tells Peter “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” This is still true today. No matter how much we desire for those we love, those around our lives to find the joy and peace and rest that only comes through Him, this can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit. They have to have the revelation for themselves.

This is why we need the power of God on display in our lives and in our homes. Our loved ones must know that the Jesus we talk about is not some religious figurehead, but a living, breathing God who has the power to change their lives beyond anything that they could ever imagine. Our God is a powerful and supernatural  (yes I said supernatural) God who will prove who he is, and He has done this since the very beginning.

As one who has a passion to share that everyone can live in and walk in the supernatural of God, one of the things most exciting to me is that if we are willing to receive it, God will do the most spectacular things to reveal himself in our lives and to those around our lives. He will show beyond a doubt that He is real. He will take away the confusion about who Jesus is and reveal the truth…. whatever it takes. He will do it!

The title of my blog page is “One Revelation can Change Everything.” This is something I would like you to meditate on for a moment. Every issue, every problem and every lost soul can literally be changed in an instant. All it takes is one revelation from God.

Pray for that revelation.

Michael