"A NEW HEART"

    Dec. 21, 1999

    "Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;" Ps. 26:2

    ..."Would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?" Ps. 44:21

    "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jer. 17:9

    "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ez. 36:26

    (As this word began, I was in the ocean under the surface of the water looking down into it. Then I was in the midst of an underwater tank which would take people down into the depths of the ocean to explore what is there. The Lord was with me, as we journeyed down together. I watched, as I saw various eddies and currents in the water. We were looking at the ocean's waters, but I knew that this was but an analogy, or symbol, of what He was showing me about the heart.)

    "I have created a heart in each man and woman. It is the place of my abode, and it is the place where I reside. Rivers of living water flow there. In the ocean there are currents which are continuous--there are eddies and various tides. In the depths of the ocean are many secret places. There are places where man has never gone. There are various creatures which lie hidden. And yet....I know these places. For when I dug out the great sea vaults, I provided a place for "this world."

    "And there are places similar to this in the heart. There are caverns and subterranean places. There are places that only I know about. These places, I hollow out, and I speak there. It is in the secret place that I reside. For it is silent there, and the currents do not invade in."

    "It is as a man who goes down into the ocean, to explore the depths. He is kept within that thing from the outside water. He is protected from those elements. And that is the place where I AM in. I have explored those caverns which lie deep within your hearts. No one has plumbed its depths. No one has gone all the way to the bottom. There is deceit in man that he knows nothing about. And in spite of this, I can make his heart new again. I can perform surgery on those areas that need work. "

    "Let Me explore the depth of your hearts with you. For it is out of the heart that man believes. Then I will make it an altar and a sanctuary. There I have hollowed it out, and there, I will make it a beautiful thing. I do not look on the outward appearance, but on the inner regions of the heart. Thus would say, the Lord who has given a new heart."

    Stephen Hanson

    "THINGS FASHIONED, AND
    MADE OF WOOD OR STONE"

    Dec. 18, 1999

    "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt. 6:19-21

    "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones." Isaiah 54:11-12

    "The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint. The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in the form of man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine." Is. 44:12-13

    "I AM God and a thing not made out of stone. There are places where men have fashioned things made out of wood or stone--birds and other images have been made into a thing of worship. Great care and thought have gone into these things. And yet, they sit on a shelf and are "life-less." Many people have various things like this."

    (The Lord showed me a scene, a picture of different types of cars and trucks. He then showed me a home tucked away in the woods somewhere. Then I saw a beautiful ring with a huge diamond on it, and various types of clothing, and women's hats and apparel from the 1920's and 30's.)

    Then He said again:

    "What is it you give your time to, my people?" What do you devote all of your energies to? What is your prized possession? Are not any of these things, things that are transitory? Some of them do not last a lifetime, or even a few years. You may not pray to them or worship them, but most of your time is devoted to them. "

    (Again, the Lord showed me a scene, and this time it was of jewelry, but it was of a different kind and type. There was a beautiful pearl necklace with a brooch on the end of it which was set before me, and then I saw a faceted emerald stone which was cut into several sides and it glistened and shone. Then there was a gold, perhaps a beryl-type of stone, beautiful in appearance, and lastly, a ruby.)

    "I have riches and things untold in my storehouse. I have wisdom and gifts to give unto mankind. They shine with a radiance which far outweighs this earth. The things I give will last and will not fade. And they are not to be worshiped, but to give glory back unto Me. In my storehouse are many beautiful stones and gifts. They are "jewels" of my Spirit. And they are not to be set upon a shelf where dust would collect upon them."

    "Look into your hearts, oh people, and tell Me... what is your prized possession. Is it something which moth or rust could destroy? Seek the treasures which are above this earth. For there, they shine and glisten with a glory which exceeds anything on this earth."

    Stephen Hanson

    "THE OCEAN"

    Dec. 14, 1999

    "My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer." Ps. 45:1

    "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." Isaiah 55:1

    "The Lord has given unto me the tongue of a ready rider."

    "From the lips of babes I ordain praise." I would infuse my servants with my very words, would say the Lord. My speech will bring the proud down, and cause them to see my word. "

    (The Lord was showing me an ocean scene, and I watched as the sea waves came in towards me, rolling ever so gently, with one wave after another. Then an occasional one would be lifted-up higher than others, and its spray would fall upon the shore. Then as I continued to watch, the water which fell upon the sand from this spray, turned into jewels, like diamonds.)

    "I have an entire reservoir, an entire ocean of my words. From time immortal I have poured forth my speech, and it has rolled ever onward. But the ocean is incomparable to my boundless love. From time immortal, I created this world and everything in it. I placed in man a Spirit, a place inside of him, which would seek after Me. And in some, the ocean spray has instilled in them, my word. From since time began, my word has "rolled forth." It has come forth in undulating waves. "

    "But there are still others who do not hear the sound of the ocean."

    (This time He showed me a barren landscape which was devoid of any vegetation or water. It was a place of craggy cliffs and was dark altogether in appearance.)

    "Here, people have gone far from my ocean. They do not feel the spray of it as it hits the shoreline. They are not nourished by the springs. They do not realize that I could give them "living waters." And this ocean which has been here since before time began, will pour forth its speech. The Spirit of the Lord was moving upon the waters...and now it is moving upon the waters of your souls. It is coming to fill-up every vessel. I say, come to the waters. Come and eat. Come and eat without price. Let my word add fatness to your souls. For my word is indeed, food and drink. Gaze out into the ocean of my love, and see Me there, waiting for you. "

    Stephen Hanson

    "LOOK TO THE ROCK FROM WHICH YOU WERE HEWN"

    Dec. 11, 1999

    "Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many." Isaiah 51:1-2

    "For he was looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God." Heb. 11:10

    "Look to the rock from which you were hewn and the quarry from which you were dug."

    "There is an ancestral heritage which is part of my body. There is a heritage, a pilgrimage, of fellow believers.

    (The Lord showed me various people, who were in a procession of wagons, carts, and teams of horses pulling these wagons and carts.)

    "These people, who were your forefathers, had a "pioneering spirit." Abraham left his home and went to a place that he didn't know. And because of this, he became the father of many nations. Many of these people lived in tents and wandered in the desert. They looked toward that city who's builder is God. There is a heritage...there is an ancestral home....there is a longing to come to that place. But I tell you, that the kingdom is within you. Truly, there is a future city. Truly, there is a city "clothed" with the raiment of my Son. Surely, there is a city where the "gates" of that city are always open. But I have said that the "dwelling" of God is with men. But the "dwelling" of man has become a dwelling which I AM not pleased with yet. How shall the dwelling of men become a pleasing thing? When you look to Me rather than to your own agendas. When you don't harbor envy or bitter jealousy. When you don't fear the reproach of man. When you do these things, then you will have a "pioneering spirit."

    I don't want you to live in the past, but I do want you to learn from it. To see their "singleness of vision," and their faith and hope in Me. There is a great quarry which was dug, and in it, echoes the faith of millions. You are part of that quarry, for you were made of the same stuff. "Rise-up" oh people of God, and go forth. Go forth to that city, whose builder is God."

    Stephen Hanson

    "THE INNER COURT"

    Dec. 4, 1999

    "Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple." Ezekiel 43:5

    "In times past, I showed Ezekiel a plan for the temple. There was to be a certain design for it--It housed many places and many rooms. I showed him a perfect representation of this temple. I showed him where the outer court was, and where the inner court was. I made it plain to him that many of my priests were not to enter into my holy sanctuary because they had defiled it by their practices. Only the descendents of the Levites were to serve before Me; those who were from Zadok and had not been led astray. For they did not partake in the activities that many of my other priests did. Therefore, they were the only ones who were to go before Me. They were the only ones to come and serve Me in the inner court."

    "And it is the same today. Many have served Me in the outer court; they have sacrificed unto Me, and they have eaten of my table, but they have partaken of some of the things of this world. They have mixed other things with my word. Those who serve Me in the inner court are to forsake all others. They are to serve Me, and to wait upon Me. For I AM to be their only possession. I AM to be their only inheritance. As they come into the inner court of my presence, they are to come to my altar and listen for Me.... Past the brazen candlesticks, and through the door way."

    (The Lord was showing me an altar which was set before Me, with a white tablecloth, and it had various other things set upon it. And in the midst of this altar was a fire which was burning, but it was not burning up the cloth or the altar. It was the presence of the Lord himself. And it was He who was above this altar with His arms spread out welcoming those who would come here. A scroll was being unraveled, and spread out upon this altar, as I was observing this scene before me.)

    "My servants, I say that my fire will burn upon this altar place. It will burn and consume you. It will burn and anoint you. I have prepared a table before you, and my orders and my plans are being given here. Come into my holy place, and then go out unto the people. This is my word for those who wait upon Me at my table. "

    Stephen Hanson

    "MY EVERLASTING WORD"

    Nov. 27, 1999

    "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8

    "Surely, the word of the Lord will stand forever."

    "Many people are building structures which they think will stand, but I tell you that the only thing that will last will be the "everlasting word."

    (The Lord showed me a view of several high-rise buildings which would be seen in a large city. I was looking at them from a distance, and then they suddenly came crashing down, and a few people were watching this scene as it was happening. The dust was beginning to settle and then as I kept watching this scene, some of the people quickly began to run, because of the fall-out of the debris from these buildings. Then there was another scene of a great gush of water which had come upon a city. Then another scene, showed a huge power line; the kind that would stretch across the country: This huge structure, wires and all, suddenly came crashing-down. A scene then was shown in a family's living room. People were on a couch as if to watch T.V, but there was nothing to be seen, and someone else was trying to talk on the telephone, but could not get through to the other person because of the loss of power from the circuits. )

    "Oh people on this earth, do you think that there is anything on this earth that can save you? Do you think that the strength of the almighty dollar will save you on that day? Do you think that technology will somehow save you? Do you think that your family will save you? I tell you that on that day when I return, it will ONLY be your faith in my Son and the everlasting word. Many people have put their faith in other things--they have fortified the walls, as if to make them stronger. They have put their faith in the things of this world. I tell you that, the time will come when their faith in these things will fall. A time is coming when NOTHING will stand but my word. All flesh is as grass...

    Be ready, for the day is coming when I will shake the heavens and the earth. Put your houses in order. Let the temple of my Holy Spirit be a place where I can reside in. Then you will know when trouble comes, and you will be ready."

    Stephen Hanson

    "TRAIN YOUR EARS SO THAT THEY CAN HEAR"

    Nov. 24, 1999

    "Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord? You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing." Isaiah 42:18-20

    "Why is it that the sons of God do not seek Me with their whole hearts?"

    "I will tell you why--"

    (The Lord began to show me something, and I knew that it was to be something strange, just by the way He was preparing to speak with me. He showed me a caterpillar, or a worm-like insect, and I watched as this insect "wiggled" in front of me. Then I was shown an ear, and the insect was beginning to go into the ear, and travel inward through this ear of this person. As I looked further, I was shown the various "canals" of the ear, and it appeared to look like a cavern which has various twists and turns in it. Then I saw the eardrum, and knew that this insect had not come all the way, and that the entrance past this point was "blocked.")

    He then had said: "The ear-wig has gone into the ears of some of my prophets."

    "This has caused "madness" and confusion in some of them. For when they think they have heard from Me, they have not. This worm has "enticed them; for it has spread its filth in them. I will blow my horn, and through my Spirit, it will "loosen" this insect. Oh, my servants, you must have your ears "clean." The oil of my Spirit will penetrate and obliterate this insect. If you are to hear from Me, then you need to hear rightly. For your eyes are the windows of the soul, but your ears are the chambers of my messages. Enlarge the capacity to hear from Me. Open-up the canals of your ears so that you can hear. Then you will have no question in your heart. Then you will know that that "still-small voice" is Me. Again I say...."Train your ears so that they can hear."

    Stephen Hanson

    "LOOK FOR HIS RETURN"

    Nov. 20, 1999

    "There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor." I Co. 15:40-41

    "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and the leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door." Matt. 24:32-33

    "A voice of one crying in the wilderness says that the time of Israel's release is near."

    "Come up to the roof tops, and behold... and see, that your King is coming." The brightness of this coming will be unequaled to anything in all of creation. Surely, the sun has a glory all of its own; and there is a glory seen in the stars and the heavenly hosts. But the brightness of my Son's coming will be unlike anything which has ever happened. There are phenomena which are called super novas--giant stars which once held the mass of a star. These heavenly bodies are unequaled in the light which travels across the galaxies. But I tell you, that their brilliance has nothing to compare with my Son's return. "

    "There have been kings, and there have been kingdoms which have ruled upon this earth. But this King, and this kingdom, will rule for ever and ever. For He will come with glory, and the heavenly hosts will follow Him. My winnowing fork is in my hand, and I will gather my elect from the four corners of the earth. I have told you the lesson of the fig tree, and to pay attention to it. Behold the leaves have become very tender. I told you that when you start seeing these things that the time is near."

    (The Lord then showed me a door which was opened, and behind this door was the image of the earth, as seen from a distance, as a globe. The door was opened almost all the way. Around the door were clouds, and they encircled the door and the globe. Then behind me, as if to my rear, was a single horse with a rider, who was poised and ready to come.)

    "Oh, my people, have your lamps ready and trimmed. Have salve put upon your eyes so that you can see. Discern the times in which you are living; pay attention to them, and "listen" to my Spirit. Know that there are many things which can lead you astray. But if you buy this oil, and put this salve on your eyes, then you will not be deceived. "

    "But this crown which my Son will wear will "overshadow" any evil which the enemy may bring. "

    "Look for His return, and be ready."

    Stephen Hanson

    "TIME IS NOT AN ENEMY"

    Nov. 14 evening,

    "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come." II. Thess. 2:1-2

    "I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." Ecc. 9:11

    "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Heb. 12:1

    "My Spirit is speedily working in the midst of my people in this hour. I AM asking that all of you "slow down" and pay attention to the hands on the clock."

    (The Lord showed me the pendulum on a grandfather’s clock, as it went back and forth. As I watched this, the pendulum went "back and forth" at a seemingly "normal" rate of speed. Then as I continued to watch this, the pendulum went faster and faster at a very high rate of speed. I then saw various clocks and watches, and all of them were going at an incredible rate of speed. It was very disconcerting. As I continued watching the scene, I saw a demon, whose hands were upon the pendulum of the grandfather’s clock, pushing it back and forth, "faster and faster." Then, at the last, the hands on the various clocks and watches, started going backwards, and then was the end of the vision.)

    The Lord then said this:

    "Time will "stand still" for those who seek Me with their whole heart. I created time for man and not man for time. The purpose for a thing such as time is not to keep man in bondage. The hours in a day are not meant to be a "flurry" of activity, but they are meant as a means to find Me in the midst of them."

    "Man is "caught-up" in the affairs of many things at this time. His heart "grips" him as he sees the scenes before him—earthquakes, floods, and other catastrophes. The olive tree is "ripe and ready," but the "times and seasons" are not to cause fear in your hearts."

    "As you go around the last few times of the track, pace yourselves for the race. My servants are those who do not fear in the midst of the storm. They do not look at "dark skies" or the "cloudy" things around them. Oh, to be sure, they can discern the times they are living in, but they do not let this cause them to become "unsettled." And do not become easily provoked or distressed by a word or prophecy. Surely, my people, I will deliver you out of the midst of the things which will be happening. So, slow down the hands that are on the clock, and let your hearts be at peace, and then peace will roll like a river in your midst."

    Stephen Hanson

    "NEW LIFE AMONG THE BONES"

    Nov. 13, 1999

    (Below is a word from the Lord today, and a similar one which He spoke to me back in 1994. The earlier one was included because it "speaks" about some of the same things concerning this "coming together" in Him, and this vast army which He is raising-up in this hour.)

    "The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know." Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.' Ezekiel 37:1-6

    "I called Ezekiel and told him to speak unto the bones. He prophesied unto them so that new life would enter into them. There was a great "rattling noise" and a coming together. Flesh was added, and tendons, but they were lacking breath. Then I asked Ezekiel to prophesy unto their breath, and they stood up, and were a vast army. Then what once was "dead," had life in it. They were lacking hope, and they were told that I would bring Israel back to her homeland."

    Oh, people of God, are you lacking hope....do you need new life? There is a coming together, and a "rattling" which will take place. For this army which first appeared "dead" will be given new life. For my army will be raised up in these days. It will go forth in the power of my might and Spirit. I say unto those areas which once were dead, "Rise up." For too long, many of you have been "buried." Is there a King who will lead this vast army? Indeed there is, and He will lead you forth to battle. Listen to the "rattling" noise, for it is the sound of coming together. This "rattling" noise will bring forth an army out of the midst of the congregations. I AM speaking unto those dry bones. For there is an army in the midst of many churches; an army that will hear the battle call. Some of you have been isolated, and have been buried in the ground, but you indeed, are part of that vast army. In bringing you back to your home land, I had said unto Ezekiel that it was the land of Israel, and truly, that will be done, but there is also the "homeland" which is found with Me.

    I say, "new life" will enter into the house of Israel. Even unto your children, my "breath" will enter unto you. I say, to grab the hand of your brother or sister, and walk with them. Grab the hands of many, and march forth. Let my breath bring you unto new life."

    Stephen Hanson

    "THE BONES RENEWED"

    1994

    "For out of the earth they come, ancient ones from long ago. This is the valley of vision; for out of the earth I formed them, I gave unto them flesh and bone.

    They are coming forth, and they are mine. For they have been brought out of the valley of dry bones, and now, they stand waiting. For I have formed bone, and sinew, muscle, and tendon. And they are my army, and I am calling them out into the open, so that they might have all the weapons of warfare: spear, and shield, and helmet.

    For they are mine, and they are clothed in my armament. When Ezekiel spoke unto the bones, he didn't know who he was all talking to, but over the years and millenniums, I have been raising-up a vast army; and they will be gathered from all corners of the earth. For each and every heart of mine that comes before me, is one part of that vast army."

    Stephen Hanson