The sheep gate was the place where sheep and lamb were brought into the city and taken to the temple to be used in the temple sacrifices. This gate symbolizes the place where Jesus, as the sacrificial lamb, comes into our hearts and homes.
This gate must be repaired and restored because it means we are establishing this one prevailing truth for our families; Jesus Christ is our ONLY savior and Lord. He must be welcomed into our hearts and homes to cleanse us and deliver us. We must accept the truth that Jesus is the only salvation of our lives. If this gate is broken down, we will believe that there is some other way to find deliverance, freedom and success.
No President, Governor or Mayor can deliver us. The business community cannot deliver us. Education is beneficial, but it is not the thing that will deliver us. This gate has been destroyed in many hearts and homes and most people do not see Jesus Christ as the answer for themselves or their family. But today, we restore the sheep gate. Jesus is the answer for our families and communities.
Next week, we’ll continue our journey around the wall and begin making repairs to other gates that surround our lives. Every gate that has been destroyed means that we have been allowing things that are the opposite of what God intended for us. We have been open to concepts and ideas that are against God and His ways. We have believed lies and followed philosophies that have led us to destruction. So let’s get these gates repaired as we gather in prayer each week.
We close this email with prayer for you and your family:
Father God, we thank you for giving us this opportunity to rebuild, restore and renew these vital gates to our hearts and homes. For some of us, this will be the first time the gates will ever be established. For others, it will be the first time, in many generations, that these gates will be set in place. No matter how long it has been, or if it has never been, we are just thankful that in our lifetime, these gates will be set in place in our hearts and homes.
Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. *Nehemiah 4: 7-9
Even though there is opposition to the rebuilding of these walls and the closing of these gaps, we will do the same thing that Nehemiah did in their time. We will pray to our God and set a watch day and night.
In the authority and name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
In the Shemittah year, God's people were instructed to neither sow or harvest their fields for that entire year. Instead, they were to eat from the abundance of the previous year's harvest. That's what we have been doing in our gatherings this year. We have been going back and bringing forth the words and revelations the Lord has given us in previous years, as our way of partaking of the harvests that will sustain us and elevate us in this season.
Well, it seems we've hit our stride in the current review of email/blogs/lessons from our harvest archives. These messages and prayers were so prophetic that they have absolute application to this hour in America. So, here's another message from our harvest of 2012:
Repairing the Gates
The Spirit of God led us to pray from the backdrop of the historical account of a massive restoration project in Jerusalem. Under the leadership of Nehemiah, the Jews took on the daunting task of rebuilding and repairing the walls and gates that surrounded this great city.
Since we were sent to Harrisburg to rebuild, restore and renew hearts and homes, we believe that we have a similar assignment. However, we believe that it’s our hearts and homes that need the walls and gates repaired. During this season of fasting and prayer, this is where we are concentrating our efforts.
Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified) declares: Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs (issues) of life.
Whatever is in your heart depends upon what has been allowed to come in through your gates over the years of your life. Whatever flows out of your heart, (your view of life) depends on how your heart has been guarded.
There were ten gates that were embedded at strategic points along the walls of Jerusalem and each gate had a very specific purpose. Each gate holds a profound prophetic meaning for our families. Therefore, (over the next few weeks) we are taking the time to look at each gate, understand its purpose, and then pray about how each gate is supposed to guard our hearts and homes.
In the Shemittah year, God's people were instructed to neither sow or harvest their fields for that entire year. Instead, they were to eat from the abundance of the previous year's harvest. That's what we have been doing in our gatherings this year. We have been going back and bringing forth the words and revelations the Lord has given us in previous years, as our way of partaking of the harvests that will sustain us and elevate us in this season.
Well, it seems we've hit our stride in the current review of email/blogs/lessons from our harvest archives. These messages and prayers were so prophetic that they have absolute application to this hour in America. So, here's another message from our harvest of 2012:
Prayer Focus: Esther, Mordecai and Haman
We feel that we’ve made a good start with our Prophetic Family Prayer campaign. Last Sunday the Spirit of God led us to pray from the backdrop of the marvelous story about Esther, Mordecai and Haman.
He led us to pray concerning those who are in the position of Esther; where God has blessed them to be hired or assigned to high positions. We prayed that they would recognize that God has blessed them so that He could use them in this hour of crisis in America today. We prayed that they would not seek to merely preserve their careers. We prayed that they would take on the attitude of Esther who asked for her people to join her in fasting because she was about to do something that could cost her life.
The Spirit of God led us to encourage those who are in the position of Mordecai, where the enemy is plotting against them. They are the ones who deserve positions of leadership, but they have been overlooked and ignored.
One of the great things about Mordecai was that even when he was finally honored for a deed that had never been recognized or acknowledged, his heart remained focused for the deliverance of his people. We prayed that this kind of spirit would be released in us today.
We also prayed concerning the people who are like Haman, who have been elevated to high positions of authority, but they have used their authority to intimidate, manipulate and dominate others.
Even though this Haman-type demonic influence has oppressed this region for many, many years, we are taking a stand in the Holy Spirit to pull down this stronghold that has established itself in the hearts and homes of this community.
"Father God, we stand before You, in the name of Jesus Christ, on behalf of this wonderful family that You have given us here in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. These are the ones who have heard Your call and stepped out beyond the normal, the usual and the predictable. They have dared to respond to Your voice and step into the great adventure of following You for a higher purpose than their own.
You are positioning them, like Esther, in high and lofty places. You have caused them to stand out amongst many. You are bringing them to these places for such a time as this. May they be filled with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, and may the eyes of their understanding be enlightened.
We lift up those who have been like Mordecai. If it had not been for them, the company that they work for would have failed. If it had not been for them, their department would have been cut. If it had not been for them, their supervisor, manager or department head, would have lost their job. Their true worth has gone unnoticed and unknown.
So, like You did for Mordecai, cause their true worth to be revealed. You caused the King to come across the records that showed how Mordecai had been the person who foiled a plot to assassinate him. Reveal the records of the faithfulness of those who have been like Mordecai.
Reveal the faithful record of fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and siblings. What they have done has preserved lives. Reveal the records of the faithful in this hour, Lord!
May hearts and homes be rebuilt, restored and renewed.
In the authority and name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Declaration of Dependence on God for Harrisburg, PA July 4, 2015
Lord God, WE, YOUR PEOPLE, choose to willingly stand in the gap this July 4 weekend, 2015, to DEDICATE Dauphin County as God’s region—and all the surrounding towns of this region.
We DECLARE our DEPENDENCE upon you in this Dauphin County region, of Pennsylvania. Isaiah 53:6b Oh Lord, apart from you, we can do nothing, but we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us!
John 15:5, Philippians 4:13
You are the Lord of Lords & King of Kings over Harrisburg!
Come reign and rule in all our hearts-- in every man, woman, and child. We ask Your forgiveness and we REPENT-- we have all turned aside and gone our own way. Forgive us for the uncleanness of our hands, hearts, motives, and deeds. We dedicate ourselves to You. By faith, we take back all the rocky soil of rebellious hearts and legal access that has been given to the enemy by the people of Harrisburg.
We proclaim that every heart of every person of Harrisburg is covered by the mighty blood of Jesus! We consecrate each person to yield to You and become holy in your sight, Heavenly Father. Thank you for paying the price of redemption upon the cross, Lord Jesus. For God so loved that world that He gave His only Son, that whoever would believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. It is your will that none should perish!
John 3:16 & 2 Peter 3:9
We come into agreement with your Word and intercede for ALL the people of Harrisburg, that none should perish, but that everyone would come to repentance. Your arm is not too short to save any! Isaiah 59:1
We, the people of Harrisburg, will live -- FOR the KING and FOR the KINGDOM! Your Kingdom come! Your will be done! Matthew 6:10
You are the Lord of Lords and King of Kings over Harrisburg! Come reign and rule in every street and highway of Harrisburg! We dedicate every place unto You, and BLESS every home, business, school, and governmental office with Your perfect peace. We take back all the ground and legal access that has been given to the enemy in Harrisburg, as we lift you up, Lord Jesus. We proclaim that every private and public institution in Harrisburg is covered by the mighty blood of Jesus!
We dedicate all our transactions in Harrisburg to bring honor and glory to your name; we break the chains of the Babylonian system in this land, by the blood of Jesus.
You are the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings over Harrisburg! Come reign and rule in our land, over our waterways, and in the heavens above us. We dedicate this triune of nature unto you. We take back all the ground and legal access that has been given to the enemy in Harrisburg, and we break every curse in the name of Jesus.
We proclaim that every square inch of Harrisburg is covered by the mighty blood of Jesus! We consecrate the land, the water, and the airways to be holy in your sight, Heavenly Father. May the breath of your Holy Spirit blow across Harrisburg like a mighty rushing wind!
You are the Lord of Lords and King of Kings over Harrisburg--over the cities of Pennsylvania and over the country, that Harrisburg would be BLESSED, according to Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
We, the people of Harrisburg, are overcomers-- by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, and we love not our lives even unto death. Revelation 21:11
Purify our hearts, sanctify our valley! Be Lord! Transform us from the inside out, that we would surrender ALL to you! Thank you for your great mercy and unconditional love. We proclaim the YEAR of HIS FAVOR: We will rebuild the ancient ruins, restore place long devastated, renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. . . We will inherit a double portion in our land, and everlasting joy will be ours! Isaiah 61:2, 4, 7b
Harrisburg—ARISE and SHINE--for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you! See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. . . Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night. . . I will make peace your governor. . . No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders; you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:1-3, 17-18
We make this declaration over our region in the name of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Last week we came across a blog by someone who's blog name is Madame Prezident. She's an African American woman who was expressing her views about the Supreme Court's decision regarding gay marriage and the response of many Black Christians and church leaders. We don't know anything about her political, social or religious views, but she made some very serious points regarding the state of the Church in America.
Here's a condensed version of what she wrote:
Genesis: 18:22
The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?
Genesis: 18:26
The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” -
Genesis: 18:32
Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”
God is no liar, so God destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah because it’s evident that he couldn’t find at least ten righteous men to spare the life of the wicked...... what most Christians have failed at is “being the righteous to spare the city.”
America is not Sodom and Gomorrah because “gay marriage” has been legalized in all fifty states; it’s Sodom & Gomorrah because “Straight men” sleep with multiple women and sometimes men, all while spreading the HIV virus amongst the black community.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because a pastor wants a 65 million dollar plane instead of a school, shelter, or hospital.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because pastors sleep with the congregation.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because Christians don’t believe in abortions until it’s their underage daughter who is pregnant.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because women sleep with both men and women to satisfy their own filthy desires.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because “straight” women are killing their children.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because men like Bishop (she stated the name) dominate the Black church – pedophiles in the pulpit.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because you have the Black church, White church, Methodist, Pentecostal, and COGIC; instead of the Christian Church.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because straight women sleep with other women's husbands without conviction.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because nine Black people were gunned down during a Bible study.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because rich people refuse to help the poor.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because there are more Black men in prison than inside the home.
America is Sodom & Gomorrah because you’ve been going to church your entire life & you know the Bible like the back of your hand, but you still don’t know God.
A great percentage of Americans identifies with Christianity as their chosen religion, so if you’re reading this and you’re a Christian – please ask yourself, am I one of the fifty righteous that God can count on, to spare the destruction of America?
We read this blog in last Sunday's gathering to open our session. Then we sang a couple of songs of dedication and worship, crying out to God that we would be considered and counted as part of the righteous who can spare our nation.
How about you today? Will you take your fear focus off the gay community, the racism, and the corruption in our government, to simply bow before the Lord? Will you become part of the solution and healing of our nation? That's what we're doing in this ministry. That's the direction we have taken.
Chris and Carol Green
