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CITY CHURCH // an Apostolic Community
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News & Updates:

Announcements -

Our gathering on Sunday, February 25th was really a wonderful time. We had a great group in attendance - both in person and by Zoom. As always, it was great to be together. In the gathering Michael gave a message entitled, "The Weapon of an Unoffendable Heart." That message is posted in the upper right corner of this page. We urge everyone to listen to this very important and timely message. Also, feel free to share the message with those that you are walking with.


Also, please put Sunday, March 17th in your calendar. We will host a Household Gathering that day beginning at 10AM CST. As always, this gathering will be hosted both in person and also on Zoom. We hope you can be in this gathering with us. Additionally, please put Sunday, March 24th in your calendar for the next Zoom with Sam Soleyn. That meeting will begin at 11AM CST. We hope to see you on Zoom.

This is a busy time for us, and we are sure it is for you too. Both Melinda and I are working on resource creation projects. I am currently working on a large writing project. That is going very well. My plan is to have a new book published by the summer of this year. It is an exciting time.

Until we see you next time please know that we love you very much. :)

Michael & Melinda

New Message -

You will see on the center of this page a new message entitled, "I Don't Know How." This message addresses what I have often found to be a misperception and misunderstanding of one of the most quoted verses in the New Testament. In this message, I share my personal encounter with the broader truth of the Scripture that the message is taken from. I urge you to read this message and also listen to it's companion audio recording which is listed in the upper right side of this home page.

I also encourage you to periodically check this site for new messages. As the Lord is leading us along with the bread of revelation, it is my intention to continue to speak and write the things that I am hearing from the Lord. Part of the "re-engage" word that I heard last year involves writing and speaking messages that are current and relevant. "Profitable" (upper right on this page) and "Patmos" are both messages that are well suited for this time. And there are others soon to come. So, check back as you can.

Resources -

A recent quote from Sunday, May 7, 2023 Zoom meeting. Sam Soleyn said, "the problem with submitting to your own soverignty is that you can never move beyond yourself." If you are not on the email notification list for Sam's Zoom meetings, please email us and we will add you to the list. Email us by clicking this link: infoat@citychurchla.com.

Blessings to you,

Michael


SEAMLESS FELLOWSHIP
on 4/2/17
by Michael Barrett

THE ISSUE OF SOURCE
on 3/5/17
by Norman Moreau and Michael Barrett
  (
click here for companion notes)

AMBASSADORIAL REPRESENTATION
on 2/5/17
by Michael Barrett
  (
click here for companion notes)

ROYAL BIRTHRIGHT OR A BOWL OF STEW
on 1/1/17
by Michael Barrett
  (
click here for companion notes)

BUILDING GOD'S WAY (Spanish)
on 12/4/16
by Javier Lopez

THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
on 11/6/16
by Michael Barrett
  (
click here for companion notes)

DESTINED TO FAIL (Pt. 1)
on 9/1/16
by Michael Barrett


THE CRITICAL KEY OF SPIRITUAL HEARING
on 7/31/16
by Michael Barrett
  (
click here for companion notes)

LOVE - IF AND IS
on 6/5/16
by Michael Barrett

A TIME & A SEASON

on 5/1/16
by Michael Barrett

CRITICISM, A CRITICAL SPIRIT, OFFENSE & GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY
on 4/3/16
by Michael Barrett

ENTERING AND EXITING
on 3/6/16
by Michael Barrett

THE WEAPON OF QUIETNESS
on 2/7/16
by Michael Barrett

IMMEDIATELY
on 1/3/16
by Michael Barrett

THE BOUNDARIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
on 5/3/15
by Dan Crawford

THE DUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
on 4/5/15
by Michael Barrett

RESURRECTION AND THE TELEIOS MAN
on 10/5/14
by Michael Barrett

A CITY WITHOUT WALLS
on 8/10/14
by Michael Barrett

A CULTURE OF ONENESS
on 7/13/14
by Michael Barrett

EMPOWERED AND ENABLED
on 4/6/14
by Michael Barrett

WHAT'S IN A NAME
on 2/02/14
by Michael Barrett


2013 - 2014
on 1/05/14
by Michael Barrett

A YEAR IN REVIEW
on 12/08/13
by Michael Barrett

CHRIST FORMED
IN YOU

on 11/03/13
by Michael Barrett

WHAT IS GOD TEACHING YOU IN THIS SEASON and WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION
on 10/06/13
by Michael Barrett

Divine Initiation

by Michael Barrett

In Psalm 119:32, the scripture says, "I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart."  The Hebrew word translated here "when" is a word that indicates a "causal" relationship or a consequence.  David is saying to God, "the thing that gives me the ability to run in Your commandments lies in the consequence resulting from the experience of Your touch, which has enlarged my heart."

Everything that the Lord requires from you, He always furnishes to you!  Christianity is not a do-it-yourself kit.  Christianity is not a do the best you can life.  Christianity is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).  The power of the Christian life is found in the reality of Jesus Christ living His life through you, not you living your life and hoping (or what is often begging) for Him to bless your best effort.

The Lord has recently been speaking to me about how to wait for and expect His initiation.  If the work of the ministry is God's work, then we must understand some things about His initiation.  If we are to be expected to walk in our destiny in God, then it is imperative that we have God's Divine Initiation!  After all, the way our Lord Jesus walked out His earthly ministry was simply, He only did what he saw the Father doing and He only said what He heard the Father saying.

A companion verse to Psalm 119:32 is found in Isaiah 60, verse 5.  This text reads, "Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee."  Notice that the last portion of this verse says, "because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee."  This word "because" is the identical word found in Psalm 119:32, translated "when."  Again we see that the result of "seeing, flowing together, our heart fearing and being enlarged" is all a consequence of Divine Initiation. 

He must, I must or I must, He must?

In the 3rd chapter of the book of John, in verse 30, we read that John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease."  There is a great key to powerful Christian living and working found in this text.  However, the human tendency is to get this key twisted around so that this verse reads, "I must decrease, and He must increase."  Is there a significant difference in these two thoughts?  Profoundly different!  It is impossible for me or you to will, or by the strength of any human agency, to get more of Jesus without Divine Initiation.

The order of of this increase requires Divine Initiation.  As Jesus increases, I naturally decrease.  To attempt to decrease without the work of the Holy Spirit cannot produce the Spirit's fruit!  This is the law of displacement.  Something new takes the place of something old.  The Holy Spirit and His fruit take the place of my natural, carnal life.

Jesus said, "No man comes to me unless the Father is drawing him." (John 6:44)  This is the quintessential picture of Divine Initiation.  A person cannot even get to Jesus in a saving way unless the Father draws that person.  This is really why so much of traditional evangelism doesn't work.  If there is no drawing, no real work of the Holy Spirit, then the best that can happen is some kind of intellectual conversion, which is nothing more than a mental agreement and cannot and does not produce the power of a real new birth experience.

The Work of God

The disciples asked Jesus what they needed to do to work the works of God.  Jesus responded by saying, "This is the work of God, that you believe on Him who He has sent." (John 6:28-29)  Our work as believers or as followers of Christ is to believe.  Believe what?  Believe His word to us.  We must become more and more a people who are in fellowship with the Lord and are hearing His voice.  Faith begins where the will of God is revealed.  How can we know what to do, how to do it or when to do it, unless we are hearing the Lord's voice?  We cannot!

The very reason that there has been such an emphasis on the prophetic in the last 15 years is that there has been a clear imperative for the people of God to know how to hear the voice of God.  One strategy of the enemy against the Body of Christ has been to keep the gift of the prophet out of true functional relationship to the Body.  As long as the enemy can successfully keep the prophet out of relationship to the people of God, the grace to hear will not be imparted to God's people.  If we can't or don't hear, how are we to be expected to believe and follow?

Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."  To be led by the Holy Spirit implies that the Holy Spirit is moving.  This is Divine Initiation.  The Lord moves and we respond.  The Father speaks and we respond.  We become a person who does less and less without Divine Initiation.  The Father initiates and we respond.  The Holy Spirit initiates and we respond.  This sounds more like the way Jesus lived and worked than a lot of what I've experienced.  This kind of lifestyle opens up a true supernatural way of living, with signs following.

Conclusion

We are living in the most exciting time in the history of the Church.  These are the last days.  These are the days of Joel 2 and Acts 2.  These are Isaiah 60 days.  I believe I am hearing the Lord say that this year, 2004, will be a year filled with Divine Initiation.  There will be untold opportunities to share the gospel, pray for the hurting, minister to the oppressed and equip the saints this year.  The key to knowing who, when, and how will be Divine Initiation.  Who is the Father ministering to?  When is the Father ministering?  How is the Father ministering?  Know this and you will see signs, wonders and miracles like you have never dreamed.  Start today to learn the way of Divine Initiation.

Father, in the name of your son Jesus, I pray for my brothers and sisters.  Lord, would you grant to each of us by your grace a greater capacity to discern your initiation.  I ask that you would increase in us and give us more of Jesus, Father.  We want to truly be a Holy Spirit led people this year more than ever before.  We want to work the works of God and see your kingdom come to the earth.  Teach us your ways, Lord.  Raise us up so we can follow you.  We want to be found hearing your voice, doing your will and giving you all of the glory.  In the name of the matchless Son of God, Jesus Christ, I pray!

Send to a friend.  Copy: http://www.citychurchla.com/city/divine_initiation click here to open a new email.  Address new email, paste link into new email and send.

RECENT MESSAGE

THE WEAPON OF AN UNOFFENDABLE HEART
on 2/25/24
by Michael Barrett

A PROPHETIC WORD FOR 2024
on 1/21/24
by Michael Barrett

I DON'T KNOW HOW
on 11/5/23
by Michael Barrett

TRANSFORMATION & MATURING SERIES -
JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2023

REPENTING, RENEWING & MATURING
on 9/24/23
by Michael Barrett

THE REVEALING OF THE SONS OF GOD
on 8/27/23
by Michael Barrett

PREDESTINATION, TRANSFORMATION & TRANSFIGURATION
on 7/23/23
by Michael Barrett

SUFFERING AND REIGNING
on 6/25-23
by Michael Barrett

SENDING AND RECEIVING
on 5/28/23
by Michael Barrett

THE IMPERATIVE OF UNDERSTANDING
on 4/26/2023
by Michael Barrett

PROPHETIC STEPS FOR 2023
on 3/26/2023 - Zoom @ Varghese Household
by Michael Barrett

PHILEMON -PROFITABLE FOR YOU & FOR ME
on 2/4/2023
by Michael Barrett

PROPHETIC MINISTRY - SOAKING IN THE ANOINTING
by Michael Barrett

SEAMLESS FELLOWSHIP
on 7/21/2022
by Michael Barrett

THE EMOTIONS OF THE SOUL IN THE NEW SEASON
on 7/4/2022
by Michael Barrett

VOWS & OATHS - A REFUGE OF LIES
on 9/6/2020
by Michael Barrett
   (
click here for companion notes)

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE
on 6/14/20
by Michael Barrett
   (
click here for companion notes)

A CONSCIENCE VOID OF OFFENSE
on 3/1/20
by Michael Barrett

SAM SOLEYN MESSAGE
on 1/5/20
by Sam Soleyn

THE SPIRIT OF EVANGELISM
on 11/17/19
by Dan Fox

THE VOICE OF ONE
on 11/3/19
by Michael Barrett (with open sharing)

THE RELATIONSHIP OF SON TO FAITH
on 10/6/19
by Michael Barrett

ESTABLISHED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
on 9/1/19
by Michael Barrett

FROM MOURNING TO DANCING
on 8/4/19
by Michael Barrett

WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG
on 7/7/19
by Michael Barrett


THE GENESIS FACE
on 6/2/19
by Michael Barrett

CREATION'S EXPECTATION AND GOD'S PROVISION
on 5/5/19
by Michael Barrett

SEAMLESS FELLOWSHIP
on 4/7/19
by Michael Barrett

JESUS - YOUR KINSMAN REDEEMER
on 3/3/19
by Michael Barrett
   (
click here for companion notes)

INHERITANCE - DOCTRINE & EXPERIENCE
on 2/3/19
by Michael Barrett

AN ANSWER FOR YOUR MIND
on 1/6/19
by Michael Barrett

A SON, A HOUSE, A NATION
on 12/2/18
by Michael Barrett

A SEASON OF AWAKENING
on 11/4/18
by Michael Barrett

BROKENNESS, HUMILITY AND PRIDE
on 10/7/18
by Michael Barrett

PEACE THAT PASSES UNDERSTANDING
on 9/2/18
by Michael Barrett

DAN FOX: A MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
MICHAEL BARRETT: PROPHETIC WORD
on 8/5/18

THE EYES, WHICH EYES AND SEEING AS GOD SEES
on 7/1/18
by Michael Barrett
   (
click here for companion notes)

THE OIL OF GLADNESS
on 6/3/18
by Michael Barrett

THE HOUSE AND THE PRIESTHOOD
on 2/4/18
by Michael Barrett

EYES ALL AROUND
on 1/7/18
by Michael Barrett
   (click here for companion notes)

THE KINGDOM OF GOD - A KINGDOM OF ORDER
on 12/3/17
by Michael Barrett

APPROACHING THE GOD OF GLORY
on 11/5/17
by Dan Fox

CROSS OVER AND OCCUPY
on 8/6/17
by Michael Barrett

ANNOUNCING A CHANGE OF SEASON
on 7/2/17
by Michael Barrett

PERSPECTIVE - GAINING GOD'S VIEW (includes discussion)
on 6/4/17
by Michael Barrett


ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER
on 5/7/17
by Michael Barrett
  (
click here for companion notes)

*other messages may be found on the "Media Resources" tab at the center top of this page

    City Church
    132 Scopena Circle
    Bossier City, LA 71112

    email: City Church