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Amazing Grace Ministries
August 99
Pastor John Doonan
The Fountain Gate #7
Nehemiah 3:15 But the gate of the fountain repaired by Shallun son of
ColHozeh, ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up
the doors thereof the lock thereof and the bars thereof and the wall of the pool of Siloah
by the king’s garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
Proceeding into God’s presence through the tabernacle we first come to the
brazen altar whereby we put all our sins upon it that they may simply burn up. The fire
purges our sin away. Then we approach the layer of the washing of the water of the word.
Believers realize God has made provision for those who come humbly before Him. One gate
does not leave out or take the place of the last gate, but each gate prepares us for the
next one. Each prepares us for another revelation of God. We draw near the fountain gate
respectfully aware we are coming into the presence of God, because of our love for Jesus.
In the house of the Lord we receive purification, and peace, knowing He is doing a mighty
work in our life.
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying,
if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink
38 He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers
of living water
The water of life, this fountain we speak of, is the Holy Spirit of God. This river of
life flows from the very depth of our being and overflows to all that is around us.
Praise God! When we have an accumulated power of God flowing through us we are thus
purged, of all our iniquity, doubt, and fear. We are empowered by the Holy Ghost.
God, in these last days, is calling His people to step forward, and then empowers them to
rebuild the walls of His house— Empowered to restore the purpose of His temple, by
making it again a house of prayer— A noble house where the Spirit of God inhabits the
praises of His people. We are building a city of refuge where all may rest in the
refreshing of God. However, there lays before us the rubble and broken pieces that have
clogged the fountain gate. What happens when a fountain doesn’t flow? It becomes
stagnate, infected, and defiled. By faith, let us rebuild the gateway here on earth stone
upon stone. The greater importance is the working in heaven rather than here on earth.
Earthly eyes see stones as dirty stones but with our heavenly eyes, they are beautiful
crystal stones. Here it seems a hopeless and endless task but by faith, we see a boundless
flow of the refreshing fountains of life. Involve yourself in building the fountain gate
for it allows the Spirit of God to flow freely that we may never thirst again.
There is spiritual cleansing and washing of the word of God that takes place in our lives.
We have the privilege of coming into the Father’s presence, changed by the power of
His Spirit, that we might receive the fullness of God’s provisions for our life. The
Bible says, "be ye filled with the Spirit." The baptism of the Holy Spirit is
the empowerment through the living waters that flow forth from inside us. The Spirit of
God doesn’t come upon us making us do things, but flows faithfully out of us from the
very depths of our inward man.
Working on this doorway is not just about entering God’s presence to receive from
Him, but it’s about becoming a doorway. Jesus says if you come unto me, you will
never thirst again. We are the body of Christ so by faith and submitting ourselves to God
we are purged and cleansed that the washing of the word might flow through us. The washing
of the Spirit unclogs the fountain of the rubble from broken down walls, restoring the
gate of Spiritual flow. God is speaking to the born again believer It is the born again
believer who has the living Spirit abiding in them. The Spirit bears witness of truth from
within, acknowledging God’s gifts of empowerment. The Spirit makes us to become
overcomers. We press toward the mark of this high calling despite the unpleasant
circumstances that arise in our lives.
It’s one thing to be born again, filled with God’s Spirit of life. It’s
another thing to receive the power to give Him away. The Holy Spirit doesn’t
necessarily make us holier than other Christian’s, but rather we are used as His
Fountain Gate. There is no competition or points earned as to these gifts of
empowerment— who can speak in tongues or prophesy better then every one else. There
is much lost in the kingdom of God when this rivaling attitude prevails. We must give; not
seek to receive acclamation. How do we give the Spirit away? The word of God is Spirit and
is life. We are washed and cleansed continually by God’s word in our heart, which is
the Spirit of Power The more we are washed by the word we learn to quickly put away our
garbage before coming into the Fathers presence. As we develop in His word, all we have
left to speak of are the things of the Spirit, which are life, and words of encouragement
and edification. The words we speak become matured (seasoned) with grace. Great strength
starts to manifest as these things begin to work through us. Not only are we born again,
but we are also offering the Spirit of God to whom ever we speak to. One day you begin
sharing with someone and the word of God just naturally flows out of you even though you
were completely unrehearsed. You realize that God spoke not you. What an awesome
experience!
So it’s not about who we are but is about the truth in our heart which is all about
Jesus, the living Spirit who abides in us. No fuss, no fluff here, just the true facts
thank you. It is the Holy Spirit of God that empowers us to do and fulfill the works of
the ministry He has called us too. Using the gifts of the Spirit is not confusing at all
and it begins with God’s foundation, tongues.
Now please, bear with me for awhile setting aside all your preconceived ideas of what man
made doctrines have told you about this matter Allow the Spirit of the one true living God
to minister His truth to you lest you fall short of God’s fullness. The word says the
least of all the gifts is tongues, not the least in importance, but it is the beginning
place; the starting place. Simply start by submitting ourselves to God putting one block
upon the next block.
There are nine bells around the garment of the High Priest as there are nine gifts of the
Spirit. Paul said in 1Corinthians 13 without love tongues, prophecy, and giving are as a
tinkling bell and unprofitable. A powerful gift from God that is only a shadow of what it
could be. Its no wonder so many have denounced tongues and prophesy for today. Wonder why
they have not denounced giving?
We begin at the foundation with the first block at the bottom. Everyone knows you
don’t start building anything in the middle or at the top of a building. The same
goes for the gifts of the Spirit. We don’t begin with Miracles and prophecies but
first tongues, although it is not the preference of signs and wonders instead of having to
humbly speak tongues we would not need Jesus. Many believe tongues are not for today Many
believe tongues are of the devil. Many think they have no need of tongues or it is just
not for them. We rob ourselves of God’s full empowerment working in our life with
these attitudes. What arrogance to think I have a right to pray for healing and deny the
gift of tongues. Who would instruct God? He has clearly instructed us.
The issue is not about having to talk in tongues because no one has to talk in tongues. In
order for the fountain gate to many to want to start there. We impatiently want to jump
over what seems uninviting when we can have the greater glory now. Who wants to labor on a
foundation when we could be working on beautiful arches and windows? Unfortunately tongues
has been given a bad name because of misunderstanding and misinterpretation of God’s
word, either because of fear, heresy, confusion, or the world is just simply uncomfortable
with the indignity of tongues. If we in our own ability had the kind of power to work
healings, miracles, diverse blessings and work in our lives, we need to submit to God and
start where He instructed us to start. Tongues are the first stone as we begin to build
this nine-block gate. By faith, we receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit allowing
ourselves to be used by God His way. When we bypass tongues because of embarrassment or
whatever the reason, we miss God’s preciousbpower. Why settle for AlaCarte when you
can have the full Entree including dessert with whip cream on top? We’re not wise
enough nor do we have great power of our own to be a doorway. Those who are operating on
the idea they can do it without Jesus have a rude awakening coming their way
Speaking tongues in front of the world is not a favorite of many, they feel it would
confuse the world, so lets speak with understanding. Do you know anyone that honestly
wants to hear what we intellectually think we understand? I think not. First, talking in
tongues is for the unbeliever, the world, they already know we’re beyond their
reality of what rational people should think and do. Very simply speaking in tongues is a
motivational force of the Spirit in our life that maintains this spiritual doorway in us.
It edifies the one who speaks. Praying in tongues is so important because it is God giving
us utterance to speak His will. It is the fountain from our inner man flowing forth to
bring the cleansing waters of His word with revelation, healing, faith, and miracles
Only God knows His perfect will and what is best for our life. Tongues is greatly
misunderstood, and feared only because of ignorance— resulting in the Spirit being
quenched. Believers operating on this first foundation never stop there, because the Word
and Spirit of God have taken deep root, and it no longer matters to us what others say or
think about us. When the Spirit of God is talking to us who is going to tell Jesus to shut
up? No! We let Him finish and pray for the interpretation fulfilling our understanding of
what was uttered in another language.
Tongues, the first stepping stone the first brick to build upon. Then, as we mature in the
Word and Spirit, the miracles begin to happen, prophecy, speaking with revelation
understanding, fires up and begins flowing from within us. We notice our lives being given
direction— empowered by God.
At Amazing Grace the Word of God is communicated clearly because it is the Spirit that
minister. By faith the Body of Christ assembles together ministering in the Spirit of God,
and together we are building the fallen gateway.
God gave us a huge billboard, a sign.
Tongues are a sign to the nonbeliever, it’s a doorway. A doorway for the unbeliever
should never be overlooked. It may be this lost soul’s only chance to meet Jesus and
receive Him as Lord and Savior The Bible says forbid not to speak in tongues, it is for us
here and now. Today! It doesn’t mean standing for hours and hours praying in tongues,
we simply begin at that point and release it to Holy Spirit who does the rest. Yes it may
feel awkward and uncomfortable at first to pray in tongues because of all the myths and
misconceptions that have characterized tongues but it is a direct line to God.
By submitting ourselves in spiritual prayer to God we allow His perfect will to set the
direction and the foundation in our life. We have the freedom to stand in the Spirit of
God and those who walk through the door broken and humbled go to the next step finding
peace, joy, and most of all love.
The Spirit of God is not found in confusion. Is it extremely important to have controls?
Are we that arrogant and bold to tell God we’re just not going to do tongues today or
ever because we want to cut corners? If we try to operate in our own might not submitting
to God, having our own agenda, not God’s, we’ve just entered another way Our way
not God’s, and in doing so it now produces rubble that clogs the fountain,
contaminating it with the impurities of stagnate, non-flowing waters. It will never flow
fresh as long as we try to enter with our own agendas.
Rivers of living waters—that is what tongues are— flowing from our inner man of
the heart. We become a doorway when we leave behind foolishness, pride, and presumption,
seeking to enter God’s presence without concern of the world’s murmurings or
thoughts of unbelief. What do you think word of knowledge and wisdom is? It is the Word of
God interpreted by the Spirit. If we didn’t start in tongues we would not hear His
word so clearly. It is a sign of what Jesus is manifesting in this place as we begin to
minister by the Spirit of God. Why be ashamed of what God Himself has created? The doorway
is open and the fresh breeze of the Spirit begins to flow back and forth from this earth
to the throne of God. We have this exchange between that which is heavenly and earthly
Somehow as they have combined, as Jesus is in heaven, so are we in this earth.
The miracle of life and the Spirit of God unifies us as we are seated in heavenly places.
We are prosperous. We stand in health and strength. We have all the empowerment of God as
He directs and fulfills our life. We can’t do it without the fountain gate, the
Spirit of God.
I have found a door, this wonderful great beautiful pearl, whose workings are perfect.
It’s there so we can fulfill the things of the Spirit of God in this earth. Those
that drink of the living waters that flow from the fountain will never thirst again. They
will be converted into worshippers in Spirit and truth.
In this world there are a lot of doctrines and new gimmicks that at first seem stimulating
and feel kind of right. It’s not long before those things cease to satisfy and
fulfill in us what we have been created to do here on earth. I think we all have followed
winds of doctrines a time or two in our life until the great idea has ran its course and
we find ourselves stagnating. Following those things which are born of the Spirit of God,
simple faith and truths, we are immediately refreshed in the word of God and are able to
receive of the Spirit of life Himself
Jesus is the doorway He is the Holy Spirit. In the presence of God there is His Spirit and
the cleansing and washing of His Word. The two are inseparable truths. They are Spiritual
Christians. They are Spirit filled and Scripture filled Christians. They are inseparable.
You can not have one without the other! There is no such thing as being filled with the
word of God and not filled with the Spirit of Life. The Word is Spirit there is no
distinguishing between the two. It is the manifestation of the Word of God that is the
Spirit of God. It’s not truth to say I need the word but not the Spirit or I need the
Spirit but not the word. If we have the word of God that word demands we be filled with
the Spirit. As we submit to His Spirit, those things which God has called for our life
start being met. All scriptures where given by the inspiration of the Spirit.
Without the Spirit of God, the Word is stale and dry. Without the Spirit, we can read7
Nehemiah but just skip the third chapter for it would have no meaning. However, when we by
the Spirit look at that same chapter it comes alive and we realize God had a reason to
include their names in The Bible. The Spirit inspires and releases God’s word, it
reveals to us the vision of these gateways; the doors into the presence of God.
By faith we are able to see our names written on the door as we build stone upon stone for
today we are building a Holy house of prayer and worship unto the Lord. We set our heart
before God to be refreshed by the Spirit of the living God, that as the word teaches us
where to place each stone, our labor is done with a purity of heart. Building by the Word,
by the Spirit of God is the refreshing power that sets us free. Why shut the door to God?
How can we even think we can live in this world without the help of God? By faith, for
remember whatever is done without faith it’s already sin. By faith we submit
ourselves to God fully committed to Him so that He can fulfill and satisfy in our life all
He has planned for us. In obedience to submitting to Jesus His power manifests in our
lives creating this incredible doorway into His presence. That doorway comes by the Spirit
of God because we are willing to stand in our commitment to God though the world pokes fun
and makes jokes.
It is plainly wanting more of Jesus. I want to be filled with your Spirit. I want to know
the glory of the peace of God that passes all understanding. I want to know what joy
unspeakable is all about. I want to know what it’s like to throw up my hands in
praise and thanksgiving really meaning it in my heart. I want to know what it’s like
for my feet to dance before your throne and not to be so stiff necked and frightened to
enjoy your love.
How can any one feel free or experience liberty when we come into His presence if we
don’t know that is why Jesus became the doorway. God’s truth, His purpose, and
plan for our lives come in knowing who Christ is in us and who we are in Christ. As we
release ourselves fully committed to the Spirit of God we are refreshed, and can thus
refresh others. We are satisfied, and can satisfy. We are healed, and can give healing to
others. We live by faith, and can give faith to others.
If we are resisting and struggling with God, we are not receiving of His Spirit.
Therefore, we are not satisfied and have nothing to give away We are only satisfied in the
presence of God’s Spirit, not with what we carry into Him, but what we come out with.
Jesus said" I Am The Way the Truth the Light no man cometh unto the Father but by me.
To come into pure worship, to seek pure peace, and righteousness we must enter with
pureness of heart and by faith into His presence. In His presence is fullness of joy,
life, and peace. There is liberty and freedom to worship and praise Him. For God inhabits
the praises of His people. We have found a doorway that has been established by God and is
working in behalf of improving our lives.
Coming to the fountain of life, the Spirit of God, is not to be done in a casual manner
Together in the Body of Christ, we begin to earnestly build the wall, with all of our
heart unto the Lord, each of us being positioned by God, placing stone upon stone. God has
specifically given each one of us a work place to rebuild the broken walls of His temple.
The Spirit of God is given to all of His people, so it’s not just the five fold
ministry gifts creating a doorway It’s the Body of Christ, those who come before the
door, each given a specific stone that is just as important as all the other stones. How
can a wall be built with a stone missing here and there? It’s not just for one person
to build; it is for all of us working together in unity. The Spirit gives to whom He wills
whatever is necessary for that doorway to flow.
God mentions three people who worked up against their own house. it’s not just about
fulfilling our duty to go to church, praying in the Spirit, praising, worshipping, and
dancing before the Lord then hurry home to watch TV or continue a life style not in the
will of God. We live in the Spirit by the Word first at home. The Word of God, the Spirit
of God are not here to fool around with us. They are here rightfully dividing the truth.
The two inseparable parts of God are here to separate those whom He has called to be His
own from this world. Returning home from church keeping ourselves submitted to the will of
God as we are repair the doorway to our house so the Spirit of God may work in our homes
as well.
Be ye filled with the Spirit of God submitting ourselves one to another singing songs and
hymns and spiritual songs. When do we get out of the Spirit? Never! Be it in the house of
God, our home, workplace, or with anyone of our relationships. Make this personal, make
our part in this temple a door that will effect every area and everyone in our lives. Each
of us has a place and a part at church, but does the Spirit of God also touch our home? Do
we give lip service and appearances, but are not really changed? Many pray at church but
not at home. The benefits we receive for praying and serving the Lord are the blessings He
showers upon us. The consequences of not serving the Lord in subservience are not
expedient if we are searching for peace and victory.
As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord, allowing the doorway to the Spirit of God
to touch and change our lives not only for this generation but the Word says this blessing
will be passed down to four generations. You’ve heard about the generational cursing?
Well who cares when we have a generational blessing that will be passed down because we
have learned to build on the Spirit of God?
Seek to understand the inseparable workings of the Word and Spirit in our life. I am
filled with the Word of God. I am filled with the Spirit of God. I study to show myself
approved a good workman unto God that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word
of God. All word is given by inspiration of the Spirit of God. This is inseparable truth.
Our life was created to make a commitment to the Spirit, the Word of God, and everything
we build should be by submitting to Jesus in songs, hymns, and spiritual songs, praying
always, praying in the Spirit, and praying with understanding. Don’t be uptight and
dignified but release the song of the Lord when we feel it well up inside us. Join in with
the heavenly host of angels who sing twenty four hours a day "Holy is the Lord",
magnifying the Name of the Lord.
Why settle for the man made doctrines of taste not, touch not, handle not? Be filled with
the Spirit, be satisfied, and never thirst again, partake of the living waters, be
refreshed, come to the fountain gate. Start at the beginning, not in the middle, not at
the top. The fall is greater when we get out of God’s order trying to cut corners
just to get to the top. Honor God. Honor God’s Word. Honor God’s Spirit
While praying about the newsletter I felt God impressing upon my heart
that He wanted us to share the heart and the vision of Amazing Grace Ministries with all
of you who receive the Gospelletter each month. God is doing powerful and eternal things
through Amazing Grace Ministries and at this time it seems important to give you the
opportunity to become more intimately acquainted with us. I asked Pastor John Doonan and
his wife, Reverend Dianne Doonan to talk about Amazing Grace Ministries in many of its
different aspects. I’d like to share that information with you now.
Amazing Grace Ministries is a God ordained ministry of restoration and
reconciliation, accomplished through the preaching of the Gospel of Grace by demonstration
of the Holy Spirit. There are many different sides to the ministry which include the
preaching and teaching of the gospel, establishing Amazing Grace Community Churches,
networking and supporting affiliate ministries, i.e., nursing homes, as well as prison,
urban and alternate ministries. Amazing Grace Ministries has founded a three-year School
of Ministry Internship Program to train ministers, elders, and
deacons. Another branch of the ministry is Amazing Grace Ministries Publishing, which
furnishes literature, books, teaching tapes, music, and other teaching materials. Amazing
Grace Ministries have a strong focus on children’s ministry that includes puppet
evangelism, club programs, and the training of children’s ministers. Pastor John
Doonan and Reverend Dianne Doonan along with the church ministers also get involved with
street evangelism and revival meetings to further the work of the gospel.
Reverend John and Dianne Doonan who were following God in obedience with the
purpose of expanding both the adult and children’s teaching ministries founded
Amazing Grace Ministries in 1987. Since that time they have been successful in starting
three churches in the Chicagoland area.
Pastor John has been in ministry since 1973 called by God after a 3-day
life-exchanging encounter with Jesus Himself He was specifically called and instructed to
teach Jesus Christ and Him crucified by the Grace of God. Reverend Dianne has been working
in children’s ministries since 1972 and is compelled by God to reach children for
Christ. She is now fulfilling the vision God gave her of a teaching ministry as she
co-labors with her husband in the leadership of various ministries within Amazing Grace
Ministries and of Amazing Grace Community Church.
I asked this anointed couple to share some examples of and statistics concerning
ministry they have done. I found that through the evangelistic outreach programs thousands
have received Jesus Christ as their Savior and many of them have received the baptism in
the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues. Many miracles, healings and
life-changing commitments from precious believers have followed the preaching of the word
of God. Blind eyes have been opened, the lame have walked and many prison doors have been
opened as people have been set free from the bondage’s and pain of this world. The
Prophets anointing on Pastor John has not only encouraged people with the word of wisdom
and word of knowledge but also the inspiration of the Sprit reaches deeply into the hearts
of every person who sits under the prophetic teaching. Pastor John doesn’t just
prophesy but he humbly lives out the life of Jesus Christ in his prophetic anointing. One
of the biggest revelations that has touched the body of Amazing Grace Community Church is,
"It’s not about us, it’s about Jesus Christ." This truly encapsulates
the motivation behind and the work of Amazing Grace Ministries.
Amazing Grace Ministries is an end-times ministry and currently is concentrating on
teaching teachers in preparation for the great Holy Ghost Revival of these last days.
Amazing Grace Ministries is reaching people, touching lives and sharing the gospel
today through the church, through the sheet and puppet evangelism, books, tapes, the
Worldwide Newsletter and through the website on the Internet. http://amazinggrace.org
The vision of Amazing Grace Ministries is to reach every heart searching for the
Lord with the Gospel of The Good News. The foundational belief is that the goodness of God
brings men to repentance and that through evangelizing and then discipling new converts,
the newborn believer is able to come out of darkness and walk boldly in the kingdom of
light. The vision includes these blessed people all walking in the glorious truth of the
gospel of Jesus Christ, as the powerful Spirit of God transforms their hearts, and as His
power is released in their lives. God called Pastor John and Reverend Dianne to the
Chicago-land area to minister the Gospel of Grace. Chicago has always been known as the
center for the teaching of Grace however God shared with the Doonan’s that
"though they teach grace they have denied my Spirit." His commission was to
"go and teach the Gospel of Grace by the Demonstration of the Holy Spirit." This
unique and powerful message has its foundation in the preaching of the fundamentals of
Jesus Christ. Their beliefs is the word of God, applied by faith, works.
I asked Reverends John and Dianne how they felt what Amazing Grace Ministries is
doing will impact the church. They shared that they were given a vision of small fires
starting all over the city, one by one igniting until the blazes overtook the city in a 50
mile radius and them became one united, complete fire of revival which later reached
out to other great cities. The work of Amazing Grace Ministries in the Chicago-land area
is to start fires and burn them brightly until the Chicagoland area is filled with the
presence of the Spirit and its people call Jesus Christ their Lord.
As you can see, Amazing Grace Ministries is actively involved in sharing
Christ’s Gospel in many ways. Whether through church services, books, evangelistic
outreach, tape ministry, the Gospelletter, God is changing lives. He is setting them free
to live in the kingdom of light rather than in prison darkness. It is also preparing
ministers to continue to run with the message.
Each month we send the Gospelletter out to so many people who are receiving and
growing by the anointed word of God within its pages. The Gospelletter is not compiled by
an office filled with paid staff members but rather by a handful of volunteers who
strongly believe in and are committed to word of God preached from the pulpit of Amazing
Grace Church. These individual’s lives have been completely changed by this inspired
message. It is a labor of love and faith motivated by the belief that others would benefit
in hearing this message, enabling them to walk in it, and enjoy the fullness of their
salvation God has provided for them as so many of us have.
The ministry is supported by its member’s offerings. Each month we face the
large expense of sending the Gospelletter out to many hungry hearts. After reading about
the ministry, if you feel a kinship with us and believe in what we are doing, would you
consider a financial gift of support? If you are being edified and encouraged by the
Gospelletter, would you consider making a contribution to give us the ability to increase
our outreach and continue providing it? If this ministry is touching your life and yet you
have nothing to give financially would you consider faithfully praying for us? We believe
prayer works. We thank you in advance for your love, support and prayers. May god bless
you richly and supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory.
For His Glory,
Kim Wozniak, Editor
Published by Amazing Grace Ministries Evangelistic Association Publishing, Westchester. Illinois Distributed by Amazing Grace Ministries Evangelistic Association Publishing, Westchester. Illinois Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are from the Authorized / King James Version (KJV) No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission except for brief quotation in books and critical reviews. For information write Amazing Grace Ministries Evangelistic Association Inc.--198 Burnett St.--Yorkville, IL 60560--708/708/23-9901
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