"COME AND FIND REST"

April 18, 1999

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?" Isaiah 55:1-2

"You who enter into the holy place of my presence...."Come before Me with clean lips and a clean heart." Enter into my presence with the sound of thanksgiving. Come before Me with reverence. Sit down before Me, and listen to Me. There is music to be heard in my gates. There is the sound of choirs forever singing praises. They would sing...."Worthy is the Lamb which was slain." The book is opened up for all who would come unto Me. I would not blot out any name now, which would come before Me. Before Me, all men are equal. All would throw down their weapons, and come in peace.

(And I saw men and women from all time, bowing before Him.)

There is a river which flows from my throne, and the streams of it make the people glad. Why must many of you remain far off? There are times of refreshing made available. The rivers which flow from my throne can provide healing. Both young and old can come and bathe there. On this day of rest, come and lay down. Many of my people have burdens; and you carry those burdens. If you stayed at this river long enough, you could relinquish those burdens, and then there would be great rejoicing heard in heaven. These rivers are always there; all you need to do is open the door. Come....come....come to the waters, come and buy and eat. Why spend your labors on things which do not satisfy? What I provide does not cost anything. Freely I give all that I have. I have given everything, including my Son. He died and rose again to give you all things. There is so much more that I want to give. Many of you think that you don't deserve what I give to you. What you don't realize is that it is freely given and not earned. Nothing that you do can earn you my river. I have given of my wine freely. The wine and the bread---they were given freely, and they flow together, and they are mingled as one. My body was broken and given for you. It was given with a great cost, and with that cost I want to give you great things. There are riches of my kingdom that many of you have not yet tasted. Riches.....riches of wisdom, and riches of strength; and there are many other forms of riches which will come into your hands. I own the cattle on a thousand hills, and because of this, I can freely give you of my riches. I want my people to be provided for. Give, and it will be freely given. I can open doors which no man can. Behind those doors are my provisions. There is a great cloud of witnesses watching. They watch, and they wait. They have watched and waited for the time in which you are living. You are my people to carry out the plans. As you sit down beside this river, find rest. Cease from your labors. There will be other battles to fight, but do not forget to find your rest here."

Stephen Hanson

"WARS AND THE END OF WARS"

April 17, 1999

"While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." I Thess. 5:3

"For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved." II Thess. 2:7-10

"Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth: he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit." Isaiah 65:20-21

"Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? Why must there always be war in the midst of a man's heart? Man has schemed, and his plans have brought about another war. This is the beginning of many other wars. The rider on the red horse has gone out. Those who lift-up the sword will die by it. I care about all of the people who are homeless and have left their country. For it is always the innocent who suffer most. A king will arise; one who would seem great. He will grow up with a knowledge of political affairs. He will have a knowledge of commerce. He will be fair of speech and tongue. The pride of his ancient love will be manifested in his heart. Out of the east he will be brought up, and he will be "nurtured" in the ways of war. At an early age, it will be in his heart, to rule over the people. This "horn", this king, will arise, and in its time, I will hasten it. When this world would appear to be in upheaval; when the political arena and the economy have seemed to collapse, then the time would be "ripe" for his arrival. When "peace and security" is preached, then beware. For deception rears its ugly head most when times would appear to be at peace. I have told you ahead of time about these things. I have told you that "false Christ's" would arise. You are not to be enamored by any leader on this earth. You are to set your hopes on things above. Remember that great signs and wonders can deceive even the elect.

You are to continue in the work of my Spirit. Each of you, plowing the field and planting the seed. Let the wheat and the tares grow up together. For at the end of the age I will render unto each man his reward. Know that I will deliver my people out from the wrath that is to come. This present war is small in comparison to what is coming. Indeed, the birth pangs have begun, but before the delivery is to come, the contractions will become greater and greater. I said that when you begin to see these things, 'Look up for your redemption dwaweth near.' So, look past the things which occur on this earth. A new day is dawning, and the KING will return. Never again will the "taste" of war be seen. An old man will live out his days, and you will eat the fruit of your hands. The KING will reign in righteousness, and you will dwell safely. In its time I will hasten it."

Stephen Hanson

"IDOLS"

April 13, 1999

"Aaron answered them, "Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me." So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf." Ex. 32:2-4.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph. 2:10

"What are the signs of the times in which we are living? You have heard much said perhaps, about this. But there is also a new dimension to all of this. Many have pointed out what my word says in I I Timothy 3, about perilous times coming. I tell you, that perilous times are already here. Men and women are exchanging natural relations with members of their own genders. There are even churches which accommodate their needs. I have said that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit---these things pollute it. Remember hearing about Moses when he came down from the mountain? He came down and found the people polluting the things which were holy. A golden calf was erected, and all of their jewelry and fine gold, had been melted down to create this image. There is the same type of sacrifices going on today. Many of you have created images. Tell me, what have you melted down? What have you created with your own hands? Whatever you give most of your time to, becomes an idol. It may not be gold or silver, but it has been erected as a monument. Do you not know that I AM a jealous God? I said that there would be no other gods before me, and yet many are still forming these things.

I formed this world out of my spoken word. I spoke the word, and mountains sprang up. I spoke the word, and hills and valleys were formed. I spoke the word, and a man came into existence. I formed you, and made you into my image. Do I treat you like an idol? I do not let you sit on the shelf and gather dust. Consider the works of my hands: Not many of you were of noble birth; not many of you have had prestige; not many of you are great according to worldly standards. I have chosen the weak things to shame the wise. Come unto Me....come unto Me. I AM the true and returning KIng. I AM coming back for a church which is "polished." One which is "fashioned" after the work of my own hands. I do not treat you like idols, and yet many of you would be happy to sit on the shelf. Would the clay speak to the potter? Would it say, "Why have you made me this way?" Each of you has a specific purpose designed within. I see some "fashioning" things in their own minds. I see them planning great things. Truly, I want to give good things to my children. I want to give them the desires of their hearts. But let your desires be my desires, and then you will not "erect idols of your own making."

Stephen Hanson

"BE FOUND IN SAFE HABITATIONS"

April, 10, 1999

(Over the last day, the wind has blown very strongly here where I live. I had sometimes wondered if things would break. Yesterday, after coming home from school, I noticed that a window had been shattered. The remaining parts of it were on the ground. What will the wind reveal in our lives? Will our houses withstand the effects of these "winds"? We need to examine our lives, and set our houses in order.)

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matt.. 7:24-25

"The wind blows where is will, and no one understands where it comes from. The wind can blow many things into our lives. If one were to look outside as the wind was blowing, they could see the force of nature as it would cause havoc. In great storms, trees can be uprooted; windows can break; and personal belongings can be tossed to and fro. A well-built house may withstand these forces of nature. A sturdy structure is important to maintain security within. Consider how its walls are built: Are they of wood, or hay, or stubble?

Oh my people, a great storm is coming....This will be a great storm, and will be seen in the world around you. Surely, desperate times will be coming, and times of "unrest" will be upon the earth. You have heard of "wars and rumors of wars," you have seen how the love of many has grown cold. You have seen the disobedience of children with their parents. You have even seen how there can be foes within your own households. You have even seen the liberal effects of what a man in the presidency may do. This nation will go through "birth pangs." The monetary system will begin to be "squeezed dry." Men and women will seek security in many ways. They will put money aside and seek treasures of gold and silver. For the mighty dollar will lose its value. You who hoard and put your treasures upon things on earth, do you not know that your house will not withstand the wind which is coming? For just as this wind "stirs" things up in nature, it will also "stir" things up in your lives. Seek those things which are at my right hand. Do not seek the things of this earth, where moth and rust will destroy. If you do, then your house will be filled with all these things; all these things which may appear to be beautiful. But upon further inspection, one will see how the effects of time have worn the "luster" and the beauty of them. Set your hearts on things above, not on things below.

It is time for your houses to be "swept clean." If you had company coming, would you not set your house in order? I want every room to be cleaned. Do not stuff everything away in your closets. As I have said, "The wind is blowing." What will it reveal? Will your houses be built strong? Remember that the wise man built his house upon the rock; and the rains came, and the winds blew, but that house stood because it was built upon the rock. Be found in safe habitations, and the winds which come, will not damage your dwelling."

Stephen Hanson

"VESSELS OF MY MAKING"

April 3, 1999

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed." II Co. 7-9

"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." II Tim. 2:20-21

"In this season in which you live, my fire has been burning away your chaff. I have been pressing you, and shaping you, into my image more and more. You have been refined through many trials and testing, and this has needed to be done, to be my servants in the world in which you are living. My fire has taken many impurities and other things, from you. Did any of my servants go through this life without being tried and tested? To be like Me, you have needed to be made into my image. The image of my only-begotten Son, was one in which He suffered. He suffered and died, and now, his image is of the soon and coming King.

My sons and daughters of my third day ministry, know that you have been tested beyond what you thought you could endure. You have endured hardships, persecutions, and calamities. There have even been times when your own families have misunderstood you. I would say, "Was I not misunderstood?" "Was I not reviled?" You can not escape the same fate. In a room, there are vessels of various kinds. Some are for noble purposes, and some are for plain. In either case, I can make you into a vessel fit for the Master's use. I can turn your borders into gold and fine gems. Truly I say, unto many of you, you are coming out, and you will accomplish my desires for you. You will go forth in joy, and be led forth in peace. Truly all nature awaits for the sons and daughters to be revealed. And because you have passed the test, and because you have endured persecution, and because you have sought my face, because of these things, you will go out in my power and anointing. You see, each vessel is designed for certain purposes, and I have a specific plan and task for each of you. I planned it ages ago, before the world began. I knew you in your mother's womb, and I knit together your secret parts. But I want you to know the height, and the depth, and the breadth of my love for you, and the unsurpassing love which is found in the saints. Let the wings of my glory cover each of you. You are called for a purpose and set apart by Me. Surely it is time to go out and do my work. On the third day I was raised, and surely it is the third day, and time to arise."

Stephen Hanson

"MY GARDEN"

March 27, 1999

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Gal. 5:22-23

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:1-4

"Seasons come, and seasons go. In nature one will see the advent of a new season. The trees begin to bud, and plants and flowers begin to bloom. You have come out of the long Winter months, and now "new growth" is beginning to form on your branches. In those long Winter months, your roots were one of the most important parts. You found nutrients from the soil and it kept you sustained. But now, the dry months are over, behold, the Spring rains are coming.

Surely, says the Sovereign Lord, my body will come unto new growth. As the Master Gardener, I AM searching for the fruits of the Spirit to be seen. Now is the time to produce these "fruits" in your lives. Now is the time for kindness, and love, and patience. Surely, this world needs to see a manifestation of these things. Surely, I see apples, and pears, and various other types of "fruits."

(I saw several rows of trees, the type that would be in an orchard. And there in the midst, was the Lord standing above it all, looking over the work to be done. He also seemed to be "sprinkling" something in the air, and this was falling onto the trees below.)

I walk amidst this garden, and I tend it day by day. As a farmer, I inspect and look upon each branch of these trees. I have a special kind of fertilizer to be used, and this is what I use to help with the growth. There are circumstances which I allow to come into your lives. These circumstances can help produce these "fruits" in your lives. And I use this fertilizer, my Holy Spirit, and with it, it is "sprinkled" onto your branches. Let this work be a good work. Let it go down into the very "fiber" of your lives.

Now know this, there are many out there who display the "gifts" in their ministries. They have a "word" for this, and a "healing" for that, and surely, they have their reward. But in order for you to be truly effective for Me, then you must have these "fruits" manifested in your lives. There are many areas of this garden which I AM tending. There are some who have stood there for years and they are still not producing. Be among those who would be those who are producing. Then a rich harvest will come, and then my garden will display the beauty for which I intended it."

Stephen Hanson

"A NEW WAVE OF MY SPIRIT"

March 22-23

"And afterwards I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." Joel 2:28-29

"The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the LORD Almighty." Haggai 2:9

"Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored." I Co. 14:36-38

tsuanmi--A huge sea wave resulting from a seaquake or submarine volcanic eruption; a tidal wave.

"Consider the prophets who went before you. Did the word of God originate in you? I tell you, that many will come and say that they have a word from the Lord. They think that the word originated in them. In the past I poured my Spirit out on a select few. I said through my servant Joel that I would pour my Spirit out on all flesh, and so....my Spirit has been poured out. My Spirit has been poured out and given in many ways. With my Spirit you have healed, and prophesied, and raised the dead. Many have tasted of my Spirit and bathed in it. They have seen the goodness and the effects. You have seen the effects of how it can enlighten, encourage, and impart. My Spirit has given many things to many people, yet it has also been abused. My Spirit is given to draw all men unto myself, and yet some have attempted to draw others unto themselves.

A new wave of my Spirit is coming. In the distance, on the ocean, you may see it as it is approaching. For truly my Spirit has been poured out. You have tasted of just the beginning of the wave. A great wave is coming; a kind that many have called tsunami. And yet this wave will not be for destruction. You will see the effects of this wave as it comes towards you. The crest of this wave will bring all the things; all the things I want to give. With the signal of this great wave, it will bring the things of my Spirit, but in the natural realm, there will also be forces of nature displayed and seen. For this new wave will also signal a wave in the natural. Truly there have been birth pangs; you have witnessed these things. So you who stand on the beach, don't just stand there watching. Do not just be a spectator, for I AM calling you to ride this wave. Behold the glory of the Lord as it comes. As this wave approaches, catch it, and be found in Me."

Stephen Hanson

"THE ISSUES OF THE HEART"

March 20, 1999

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:1-5

"My word will go out from Zion and will accomplish what I sent it to do. It is living and active, and able to divide between soul and spirit. I hollowed out this world and breathed my word into it. With a word, the mountains sprang up. With a word, valleys and trees were formed. With a word, I breathed into man and gave him life. This is the creative force of the universe. By this, mountains can be moved, and things cast into the sea. The good man, with the treasure which is in him, speaks words which come and give life. You are ensnared with words which come from evil. A man's heart is shown by the words which he speaks. Your words form realities for you in this life. They give substance to that which is formless. The enemy of your soul knows my word, but he does not believe it. He would try and twist the words of mine. Everything that he does is an imitation. Let my word sink deep into the crevices of your spirits. Say unto the diseases in your bodies, "Be healed;" say unto past sins and offenses, "You are forgiven;" say to the death which reigns in your hearts, "Come unto new life." There is unlimited power and life in my word. For indeed, there is an entire universe embodied within my words. How can a man keep his life pure? I tell you, by keeping a watch over his heart. From your heart, the issues of life are manifested, either unto eternal life, or death apart from Me. I can remove the mountains from your lives. I can establish new and good things for you. I can give you the desires of your heart, if you would but seek Me with your whole hearts. Some have wanted to speak my words. Some have wanted to be an oracle for Me. What they don't realize is that the words that they speak ensnare them. How can you speak for Me if your heart is against your brother? I examine every man's heart, and I probe the secrets hidden there in those caverns. So, how can my words flow from you if you have bitterness in your hearts? There are two streams flowing out of your hearts: One is brackish, and dark, and bitter, and one is pure and life-giving. There is a river which flows from my throne, and the streams of it make the people glad. Spend time with Me at this river, and then the issues of your hearts will be right. "

Stephen Hanson

"A WORD FOR THE PROPHETS"

"Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the LORD: "This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD'S house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word." Jeremiah 26:1-2

"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It wil not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

March 15, 18, evening

Surely, as I the soverign Lord live, my prophets will speak my word for Me. From the rising of the sun until it goes down again, their words will not fall to the ground. Some trust in the words of men, for they are sugar-coated, and they promise many things. But those who speak truly for Me, will say what I have put in their mouths. Even as an ax cuts the wood, the wood is split in half. So in the same way, my word is a cutting force, it severs between soul and spirit, and goes clean to the bone. I would say to those who have been called to speak for me: "Do not water-down your words." "Do not place sugar on them so that they would be more acceptable." Be mighty in spirit, and shrink not from the tasks I've given unto you. It is time to go forward. It is time to move into the battlefield. You are all my representatives, and you speak and give the words of what I want you to give. Be earnest in how you come to Me. Come to Me in the morning, and in the noon hour. Seek Me throughout the day and I will be there. Be diligent in your time spent with Me. Fine-tune your ears, and I in turn, will fine-tune the gifts I've given unto you. Let not fear grip your hearts, but let the fire of my Holy Spirit burn within you. Trust those who are among you, for I have made my prophets to be accountable, one to another. Jeremiah was persecuted for what he said, but I made the words which were in him, to accomplish what I had sent them to do. I made his face like flint, and made him like a "polished arrow." So will I make many of you into "polished arrows." I will make the things you do and say, to accomplish what I want. Do not shrink back in fear; be steadfast in what I've called you to do. Without a vision the people perish, and they need the vision. There will be times when you will feel like you are "struck-down," like you are "cast" to the ground, but you will not be destroyed, and you will come to new life in Me. You are carrying my death in your bodies so that my "life" will be manifested. Let my light so shine in you so that others will see this light and come unto Me. It is my will that you would be joined together with the other members of my body, for indeed, no man is an island. A hand has five fingers on it, and each finger has a function. A thumb is necessary for a hand to function properly. A thumb is like an apostle. Consider how a forefinger works: It is an important part of the hand; without it one could not grasp things. This represents my prophets. The middle finger is like unto an evangelist, for it is far-reaching. The other finger next to this one, would represent a pastor, for this is the ring-finger. (This finger is the heart.) The little finger is like a teacher. So the hand is complete, and without every finger, it is missing something. Speak the words that I give, and be diligent in doing this. Be obedient unto Me and I will reward your efforts. "

Stephen Hanson