Dark Passage / Blinding Light . . . Journeying the Unseen Without Losing Your Way!
Joureyig the Unseen Without Losing Your Way!
Journeying the Unseen Without Losing Your Way!
Bio Link
Barbara Kankowske is an intense, passionate follower of Jesus Christ. She is equally passionate about equipping believers, desiring to see them mature in their callings. Her strong gifting in the prophetic and discerning of spirits has enabled her to speak into individual lives. She has helped many to find God's direction for their lives and has walked alongside them, providing intercession, instruction, and counsel. Barbara has served many years in the Chicago area as a Bible teacher, exhorter and, along with husband Dennis, led marriage ministry. In the nineties, God began to send her out to other states. Teachings on the experiential: the presence of God, spiritual reality, the spirit realm, and warfare have been and continue to be a strong emphasis. In 2000, she and Dennis founded Midway Ministries. It has served as a training and resource center, focusing on mentoring and releasing believers in the prophetic. A prophetic proclamation on July 4, 2008, declared that Barbara would function “like an apostle to build a prototype that will advance the armies of God,” thrusting new events into motion and producing a period of escalated growth and expansion. "The School of the Holy Spirit unto the Maturing of Sons," subsequent satellite schools, and other related ministries were formed. The school is providing a foundation for personal growth and is a "launching-off" place to develop gifts that function as they were designed to within the Body of Christ.
TO BE OR NOT TO BE ... sin conscious
What are you focusing on?
- Are you making a list? Does it include right, wrong, good, bad, success, and failure. Does your day end with a pass or fail grade written over it?
- Do you focus on your actions to decide if you have succeeded or failed before God?
- Do you live under a cloud of accusation?
- Do you have a persistent obsession of your own sinfulness, weakness, and helplessness?
Believers are to come boldly into the throne room of grace. Although we are aware of our own unworthiness and weakness, we must take hold of what Christ has done on our behalf.
Your focus must be on Christ!
TO BE OR NOT TO BE … sin conscious
Heb 9: 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 10: 1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Think about that!
The worshippers, once cleansed, would have no more conscience of sins. This is the perfect conscience.
In those sacrifices, made year by year, there is a continual reminder of sin. It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. What is impossible through the law Christ has accomplished. Through His own blood, He takes away not only guilt, but also our sin.
When the heavenly reality of this type and shadow appears, the cleansing is complete. The Amplified Bible states it this way:
Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin.
I am not saying that there is no need to deal with sin. We must have a keen sense toward sin, but we should not be living in sin consciousness.
Sin consciousness keeps us focused on ourselves, pathetic and powerless in prayer. It also opens the door to accepting the accusations of Satan.
Embrace the finished work of Christ on your behalf and live in the victory of a life that is fully God conscious!
*To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to Midway Ministries
THINK . . . REVELATION AHEAD
How many days do we go through life on automatic pilot?
Work, eat, relate, relax, play, sleep, repeat. Unless we rouse ourselves from such mundane routines, we relegate our lives to a visionless existence.Our walk with God is to be an advance!
Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand). i
The children of Israel knew the acts of God. Moses knew not only His acts, but also His ways. God spoke with him face to face.
God wants FaceTime with you!
He wants you to grow in the knowledge of Him and His ways. It is personal relationship, personal revelation, personal understanding.But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.ii
This kind of revelation comes through the spirit. When you are born of the Spirit, you are equipped to perceive beyond the natural world. You are equipped to see His working, purpose, and path for you! (consider EXPLORING THE UNSEEN )
Exciting, is it not? Do you have a new revelation of Him today? Are you seeking it?
He is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him!iii
. . . Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.iv
The definition of the word Selah in the amplified Bible is pause and think of that. It is a reminder to take time to wait on the Lord. Actively pursue and expect revelation.
Think – Revelation Ahead is a modern Selah. Press into what God desires to reveal to you. He is true to His promises. Your part is to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking.
*To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to Midway Ministries
[i] Jer 33:3 Amp
[ii] 1 Cor 2:9-10
[iii] Heb 11:6
[iv] Luke 11:9-10 Amp
Photo: Silhouette by aprile24
DEMONS playing HIDE and SEEK
Demons hide . . . and seek YOU!
They operate whenever and wherever they find access. They strive to remain hidden and undetected. They lay low, operating behind events, avoiding detection and thus resistance.
They must be exposed and rousted. As we discussed in DIVIDE AND CONQUER, step back and assess problematic or troublesome events. Next, consider demonic intrusion.
Our warfare is not with flesh and blood.i This is just one of many scriptures that clearly reveal that there is a war. You either stand up and fight or lie down and die. There is no neutral ground.
"My people are covered with demons
because they refuse to believe!"
I received this word from God several years ago. By refusing to believe God’s Word about the nature and reality of the enemy’s work, demons thrive.
Let’s pull back the covers and expose them! These unseen forces are at work and have the advantage if they can remain well hidden.
But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, ...
This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.ii
Remember that the next time someone comes against you. Then is the time to exercise your spiritual senses to see the unseen forces behind the events.
Separate out the works of darkness and take authority over it. Jesus gave authority over demons to his disciples. He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out.iv
"Jesus I know, and Paul I know v ... and you are a problem!" I want demons to say say that about me. Do demons say that about you?
No one starts out perfect. Practice makes perfect. It is the same with exercising your authority. Here are some practical steps:
The next time tension, angry words, fights etc. begin around you, remove yourself to a private place, and bind the enemy. Remember, this is the breeding ground of all sorts of evil.Start today to uncover, expose, and expel every invader. Exercise your God-given authority on behalf of others, in your home, workplace, and all the Lord has given you charge over.
In your personal thought life, remember the relentless push of the enemy. The mind is the battlefield.vi Not every thought you have belongs to you. Take authority over what is around your mind.
Don't be afraid to be wrong. Remember, practice makes perfect. When you hit a home run, you will feel more confident. How will you know? Things will change for the better, people will calm down, peace will enter the atmosphere etc.
Don't worry about what others think and don't advertise. Remember, the god of this world blinds the minds of unbelievers.vii This includes believers who walk in unbelief!
Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.viii Resist —To withstand, strive against, or oppose. This speaks of active engagement, war, and an attitude of intolerance toward enemy intrusion.
Determined to stand up and fight!
It is time to turn the tables . . .
DEMONS HIDE . . . AND YOU SEEK THEM!
*To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to Midway Ministries
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
HOW CAN I DIVIDE WHAT I CANNOT SEE?
It may not be as difficult as it first appears. Dividing the unseen will enhance your discernment.
As we continue our exploration of the unseen, and in particular discerning of spirits, it’s division time!
Discernment has many facets. One significant part is division. Separating each of the component parts, which act and interact, enables you to discern their source.
We have all probably heard the comedic routine about the downhill slide of irritation that ends with the proverbial ‘kicking the cat’. In that scenario the ‘cat’ stands dazed and confused, wondering what it ever did to deserve such a fate. Have you ever felt like that cat?
You may have felt just like that at one time or another. In that dazed state, many people are likely to just retreat and sulk.
MAY I SUGGEST A CHANGE OF STRATEGY?
Stand up, resist, find the source, and kick back!
FIRST, review the events. List everything that occurred leading up to ‘kicking the cat’. Look behind every important piece.
Question yourself … Am I offended? Am I thinking - What about MY rights?
Separate yourself … Picture a catfight … do you really want to jump into the middle of that?
NEXT, consider the other party/parties involved. Perhaps you are reacting or interacting with a drama that is playing out in their life. They may be reacting to events, and you just need to stand apart.
Consider the possibilities that it is not about you at all . . . you are just the poor cat!
Consider your emotions. For instance, you may be saying “he/she irritates me when he/she criticizes me; he/she always does that”. Recognize that you too may be reacting to a history and not just the present situation.
Question: Are you reacting to a person or a history?
If your reaction is coming out of your past, it will distort your perspective. When this happens, more than likely everything will go downhill from there.
A good example of this happened with me many years ago. In my fear of being wrong on an issue with an important person in my life I said, “If I am wrong you will never trust me again!” The response given surprised me, it was “I don’t trust you anyway, I trust God”.
I was responding to my father! A friend’s insight brought this to light. It took me back, but as I thought about it, I could see how true it was. I was now clear to deal with the real root of the problem.
Whether there is one root problem or several layers, prayerfully dividing and separating the actions and reactions will allow God to bring His light.
These are some of the natural components of divide and conquer. Next, we will approach the demonic interaction in the events of our lives.
Next: Demons Playing Hide and Seek
*To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to Midwayministries.com
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS - mission possible
Stepping from the seen into the unseen requires a shift in perspective.
This perhaps leaves you with the question “How do I begin?” In the previous post, DISCERNING OF SPIRITS, I presented examples of discernment.
Now, let’s consider some of the ways that discernment may come.
Discernment comes in varying ways. It oftentimes comes through a word, a vision, a dream, or a revelation of activity in the spiritual realm. This revelation may sometimes come as a ‘knowing’ deep within. As your spirit perceives, a comprehension comes, which is best expressed by the words “I know this”.
God has given spiritual gifts to enable us to work in the spiritual realm. Development of those gifts, not unlike developing natural gifts or talents, requires time and practice.
TIME: Spend regular time in quiet with the Lord, communing with Him and listening for His voice.
PRACTICE: Practice is not as easy. Practicing spiritual gifts is not widely encouraged, if even allowed. Practicing discerning of spirits can be challenging. It may be better suited to small groups and prayer meetings. In our meetings we have, and often still do, encourage the practice of spiritual gifts (freedom to learn, even from failure).
To be able to test and improve, it is helpful to have your discernment confirmed. Develop relationships with other believers who desire to grow in their spiritual gifts. Worship, pray and practice together.
God delights in His children. His desire is that they grow and develop into full maturity. He has given us the Holy Spirit as teacher, counselor and guide and we can trust Him to keep us as our hearts turn toward Him.
As God gives revelation, wait on Him for understanding and direction. Although you may perceive clearly, you cannot assume you know what the outworking of the revelation will be. What God reveals may be literal, figurative or symbolic. You may or may not understand from your present paradigm.
Many years ago, while visiting a church, God clearly spoke that He brought us there to help usher in revival. I felt it must be that particular church. Two years later, we bought the building and started Midway Ministries. We are still watching the unfolding of that word. It is happening in varying ways that I could not then understand or foresee.
PREPARATION:
Discerning of spirits is a vital gift. It is, however, one thing to discern a spirit, quite another to have authority over it. We see this with the sons of Sceva.
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.i
Discerning of spirits oftentimes involves direct engagement with demonic spirits. Practice exercising authority in and over your life. For example, take authority over the spirit of fear and refuse to yield. To have authority on behalf of others, you must walk in authority over those very spirits in your own life.
All believers need to appropriate their identification in Christ and the authority given to them. In dealing with demonic spirits, this is imperative.
Christ has defeated Satan and his hosts. He has delegated His authority to the church. The work of the church is the exercise of that authority over the powers of darkness. It is not optional.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Revelation through visions differs. Some are open visions in which the person is fully involved. The individual interacts in the vision as in real life. There can be, and often is, a direct interaction in the spirit realm. Authority taken while working in the vision accomplishes the Lord’s work.
Some visions are ‘mind’s eye visions’. These visions display on the screen of your imagination. They often evolve and move, sometimes with spoken words. It is important to watch and listen, waiting for the witness of the Spirit. Listen for understanding as the vision unfolds. It is like standing with the Lord watching and asking questions.
Questions are an important component. Much of my relationship with the Lord has developed around questions. I would experience something, and then seek Him for understanding. Because of this, I have developed what I call a spiritual file cabinet. The Holy Spirit pulls a file indicating, this is like that, and I have the understanding.
I journalized some of my experiences in the book The Dragon's Gate.*
I encourage you to do the same with your experiences! Take them before the Lord and seek understanding. His desire is for you to know Him and His ways.
Seek to know the Lord above all things. Next, seek understanding of the spiritual gifts He has given you. Seek discernment of spirits, it is a critical gift in this hour.
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS IS MISSION POSSIBLE!
*Free PDF download of this book at The Dragon's Gate
Photo: by TORLEY
[i] Acts 19:13-16
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
Discerning of spirits is the ability to differentiate between human, holy, and evil spirits.
As with every gift, revelation comes as the Holy Spirit wills. He gives the discernment.Most of us enjoy telling the story of Elijah and Elisha. Elijah sees the army of God while Elisha only sees the army of man. How empowering that story is, and how exciting it is when God opens Elisha's eyes.
Nonetheless, those with the gift of discerning of spirits often encounter suspicion or rejection from other believers.
Man has a propensity to lean on his own reasoning. Believers are no exception to this rule. We tend to validate that which is true from our own experience, instead of the Word of God.
The Word of God is clear from Genesis to Revelation on the fact of demonic presence in the earth. We need to beware lest we walk in unbelief. Satan blinds the eyes of the unbelieving! i
Following are a few examples of my experiences when God given discernment over-ruled my thinking.
Example 1 – Discerning the human spirit
During a ministry time, a woman coming forward for prayer appeared very apprehensive. From outward indications, she seemed to have serious problems. It looked like she would crawl up the wall to get away from me if she could!
- What I discerned was quite the opposite. I was impressed with a purity of spirit that I had not previously perceived. Her apprehension was due to a recent negative experience in personal ministry. This discernment enabled me to dismiss accusations that came against her shortly thereafter. She became an integral part of our ministry.
Example 2 – Discerning the Holy Spirit
Unusual manifestations - A group of teenagers came forward in response to an altar call. The presence of God was strong. Their physical response was markedly different from others. Some may have found their actions offensive. Although I had never seen such manifestations before, my discernment was that it was indeed the Holy Spirit.
- Over the next few days, I inquired into the matter. To my surprise, I found that God was indeed pouring out on young and old in surprising and deep ways.
Example 3 - Supernatural manifestations
Something was directly in front of me! I was walking in the woods. My usual meditative way is to look down as I walk. I have no idea what drew my attention. Had I not stopped I may very well have ended up on the ground!
- A presence was before me, covering a large section of the path. I sensed power, great power! My discernment — it was not an angel, not a demon, but the Holy Spirit. The manifestation lasted only a few minutes and then was gone.
- What was the purpose? A prophet counseled me that God often prepares a vessel in this way. He clarifies from whom and where the power comes. This discourages any attempts at the ownership of God's glory.
Example 4 – Discerning a demonic spirit
It was the last altar call, ending a conference at which I was a speaker. It was also a very specific altar call.
The Lord told me that He was present as deliverer.
A woman came forward, small and neatly dressed, standing very rigid. I saw a large demonic entity standing over her with its arms crossed. It appeared superimposed over her body. It stood like Mr. Clean from the cleanser commercial, but it was anything but clean!
- Pure Love delivered her. I spoke to her of God’s love for her and explained that when I hugged her that spirit would leave. When I felt it was time, I embraced her and the demonic hold was broken. She raised her hands shouting for joy, thanking Jesus she was free! The Deliverer had come and we all rejoiced with her.
As believers, we have everything available to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit. There are, however, individual gifts He dispenses for the benefit of the entire body.ii
The gift of discerning of spirits, though perhaps not as easily accepted, is nonetheless valid and important.
As you journey the unseen, do not fail to receive the grace of God through others. It may make all the difference between victory and defeat with unseen forces!
* To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to https://www.midwayministries.com/
EXPLORING THE UNSEEN
UNSEEN - how does one explore what they cannot see?
God imparts spiritual sight to every individual that is born of the Spirit. We must grow in our understanding of what we see, much as a baby learns to focus and understand what it sees.
T. Austin Sparks describes it as . . . a spiritual faculty. It is so true and pierces right through every encompassing realm to our souls, and it pierces right through our souls into our spirits. The Light from heaven brings to birth this spiritual sight so that we are not governed by these outer realms, principalities and the powers of this world with its system and its standards. Also, our spiritual faculty is not governed by our soul, our own, self reaction to propositions. This spiritual faculty appeals to the self, our soul: it comes right inside and is governed by the Spirit, not by our own spirits. Be careful about that. I hear people talking about being governed by their spirit. No, no – we are to be governed by the One Who is the Spirit, the Spirit inner realm. We are to be governed by the Holy Spirit, “the Anointing . . . which abideth in you” most inwardly.i
This faculty of sight enables you to see beyond and behind the natural world.
It is as if you suddenly can see what you are dealing with. It is not that you break down a problem and come to a mental understanding. That is, even though at times, the breakthrough of sight follows a flow of thought.As you spend time communing with God ... seeking Him on issues of life, He brings light. It is important to note that it is time with Him.
We live in a world with a fast-food mindset. God does not. He is interested in our interaction and relationship with our heavenly - spiritual life. He must bring us beyond our natural understanding. Bring us to the place where we perceive spiritual realities. Our search for wisdom and direction is part of this process.
You may feel very frustrated, just wanting an answer. God is after so much more. He is leading you to a revelation, not just an answer. Ultimately, it is a revelation of Him!
How can you explore unseen places? First, by recognizing that God gives you a faculty that enables you to see in the unseen realm.
Exercise yourself in faith and prayer, expecting God to increasingly open your spiritual eyes.
Spiritual growth is a matter of seeing!
* To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to https://www.midwayministries.com/
i T. Austin Sparks, Called Unto the Fellowship of His Son, p84
THE CALL OF THE LORD . . . there is more
The call of the Lord is a call to deeper intimacy.
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea . . . And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.i
The call of the Lord comes as an invitation.
The Lord bids you to come to Him. That lone night, Peter was the only one who dared to venture forth.Is it any different today? He bids us to come to Him outside of the boat, outside the place of corporate security. Where are the Peters?
Faith is easiest to exercise in a corporate setting. The preaching and the faith of others charge the atmosphere. It builds us up and reinforces our beliefs. You can only assess your personal faith level, however, apart from outside assistance.
God often calls His own to come apart, to spend time with Him alone. He removes our support systems. He reveals to us if our reliance is on Him or other things.
Periods away, often called desert or wilderness time, can have a profound effect on your spiritual life.
Come . . .
Come alone with the Lord when it seems no others follow.
Come out of the security of the boat and keep your eyes on Him alone. Can you hear the call — there is more!
Come into the wilderness with the Lord. Did He not lead his choicest servants there to learn of Him? Moses, Paul, the prophets, and Jesus himself sought solitude to be with the Father.
God's work in the wilderness refines, corrects, strips and equips vessels for His use. His ways have not changed.
Come and refuse to move, even when it seems you hear nothing, see nothing, and when nothing seems to prosper. He has promised wisdom to those who ask. He has promised to lead by His Spirit.
In your very refusal to move in the silence, to turn back, you can break through the worldly and touch Him. You touch spiritual reality.
Let the Lord equip and empower you. Let Him position you to declare His Word with authority, releasing its power into the earth.
Come out of the boat at His bidding . . . there is more!
*To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to https://www.midwayministries.com/
PROPHETIC WORDS -- God's desired end
Prophetic words are signposts!
Have you ever received a personal prophetic word? It is exciting to hear the declaration. Perhaps it involves how God will use you in ministry, or the next steps you need to take to advance in Him.
Prophetic words declare God's desired end. Our cooperation determines the fulfillment of those words. He will bring us through whatever is need to prepare us for that final purpose, if we cooperate!
Prophetic words open the way before us. They release the power of God. They also allow us to war a good warfare.
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to theSometimes the word is the advance notice of a season or event. Other times, the word is a pronouncement of something that is already in motion. With the word, we recognize God's hand at work. The word becomes a confirmation and encouragement to continue.
prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.i
In fact, we may not recognize what is happening until the Lord sends a word. Whatever the timing may be, we must allow God to bring us to the place of usefulness.
When God gives a word of declaration, it may involve more than we realize. I am still walking out what was declared several years ago using four small words . . ."get ready to travel". Those words launched thousands of miles of travel on trains, planes and automobiles.
Within a few weeks I would be on my first-ever airplane trip. I would not only travel on one plane, but five planes in a three-day period! The airline was Delta, which means change. I was on every size plane that Delta operated, including the very large plane used for overseas travel.Prophetic words are signposts. They describe what God is doing.
Remember, although God speaks the word, fulfillment is not guaranteed. There is a necessary RSVP, which you send as you yield to God's process.
Prophetic words announce God's timing. The question is, what will you do with this window of opportunity?
* To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to https://www.midwayministries.com/
Photo: Signposts by The Retronaut
GOD INVITES YOU . . . to dance
WILL YOU DANCE?
Where you are in life right now, may or may not be what you thought you would grow up to be. It may or may not be what your family expected of you.
Nevertheless, the good news is that God has a good, acceptable, and perfect will for you, personally.i
Do not be conformed to this world (this age). . . but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind. . . so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. ii
He has every hair numbered and all your days are in His hand.
But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows. iii
WILL YOU DANCE?
God invites you to dance with Him in an intricate, exciting, and creative dance. It is personal and intimate. It is a dance of love. He sings over you in the night and smiles as you move with Him during the day. What a wonderful invitation.
Try visualizing your day and all of its activities as part of the dance floor. He is the lead and you move with the steps and flow in the dance with Him.
Pause occasionally to sense His direction, to hear His soft whisper.
Remember, it is intricate, personal, and intimate.
Intimacy grows as you spend time with your partner. In time, you grow in understanding the nuance and intent of their words, expressions, and actions. This is true with God as well, the master of this dance.Come now, prepare yourself to be led by the Master.
Come now . . .
Your personal dance floor awaits!
*To learn more about walking and living in the Spirit go to https://www.midwayministries.com/