Deserae Arboleda is a key member of the Patricia King Ministries family. She was hand-picked by Patricia to serve as one of the lead Pastors of Shiloh Fellowship – a church with both a global and local outreach. She was also commissioned as a prophetess by Patrica King. She is a passionate worshiper and loves to engage with the word of God for His people.
‘Making My Character Famous’
Not long ago, I was in worship and prayer during an event I was attending, and I heard the Lord whisper a phrase to me, “Who will live to make My character famous?”
Within this question, there was an implied knowledge that there are those who cry out for the power of God, the signs and wonders of God, the anointing of Him, and His miracles. These things are not wrong in and of themselves. But while many cry out for the manifestations of Him and the mighty displays of His power through their individual lives or their ministries, the question of who is crying out for the character of God to mark and overtake their own character became loud and resounding. Who is asking to make the character of God evident, known and alive, truly famous to a dying world? Imagine what it would look like on a global level if every person who makes up the body of Christ cried out, “Lord, mark me in Your character! Allow my life to be a holy and pure representation of the character God.”
As I pondered this and the current state of the church at large and thinking of our reputation among non-believers and even those who profess to be Christians, the overwhelming thought of our bankrupt character grieved me. There are scandals and rumors surrounding the church; more so in this current hour than our testimony of love or holy character. These are the attributes that should announce us and make us known before we ever set foot somewhere. The reputation of Christ should be the one we are known for.
About four years ago, I had a dream in which an event of mass destruction was happening. People were running in every direction and chaos ensued. Simultaneously, there were leaders in the church completely oblivious to the pandemonium because they were so distracted and utterly consumed by their own sin. All at once, a massive golden eagle appeared. It was grand and took up a large portion of the sky. The hearts of the people were filled with hope. “This is the hour we are saved, and this is the answer” was the unified thought that echoed through everyone. Then, without warning, this magnificent eagle morphed into a demonic representation of an eagle and began swooping down, picking up people in its mouth and consuming those who had placed their trust in it. The demonic eagle destroyed everything and everyone it came in contact with.
There are a couple of directions you could go with this dream, but the emphasis on the church and its leadership is what I would like to address, as the details of this dream seem to fit our current time and status.
For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;
—1 Peter 4:17
1. We must look different from the world.
In the dream, there was no distinction between those who were worldly and those considered to be believers or, worse yet, leaders in the body of Christ. Steeped in sin, they were unable to arise with godly solutions, or be the light that would draw the lost into the redemption and saving grace of Jesus.
How do we suppose that we can ever bring lasting righteous change — His Kingdom here on earth — while straddling darkness and attempting to hold the reins of righteousness at the same time? A double standard will never do and never hold. We are in such a critical hour! We cannot sit idly by, and wait for someone or something to happen. We become what we behold. Are we beholding the King of Glory? Are we living to make His character famous?!
If we do not possess the character of Christ, how can we expect to possess and occupy the land He has given us? We are so concerned with our current status in the nation, but are we failing to maintain our God-given freedom in the spirit realm? Have we made an idol of our freedom in the land? Or do we know that whom the Son sets free is free indeed? Apostle Paul understood this well. He was in and out of chains and prison cells, yet he had the revelation that our freedom was provided through the opulent sacrifice of Jesus, with the ultimate fruit leading to the Glory of God being produced in our lives (See 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
We want politicians as leaders in the land to tote good character along with their policies, but do we, as the church, possess righteous character? Do we turn the other cheek? Do we give peaceful answers that turn away wrath? Do we listen first, then speak? Do the attributes of love occupy our being? Are we more concerned with being right in our own eyes than being righteous? Do we hold onto what is righteous and pure without making excuses?
‘Now all discipline seems to be painful at the time, yet later it will produce a transformation of character, bringing a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who yield to it. ‘
—Hebrews 12:11
2. Our character must uncompromisingly shine JESUS!
We are His sons and daughters; the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us (Romans 8:11)! Let us remember and partake of the sacrifice of grace that He made available to us.
In Matthew 5, Jesus shares that believers are the light of the world, and He also explains and gives examples of righteous characteristics and promises that are given to those who operate in each one. These are character traits that Christ Himself holds: humility, mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaker to name a few. He has given us the power and grace to operate in them all!
We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
—Philippians 4:13
As we operate in the fruits of Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and the attributes of His love (1 Cor. 13), our lives become like a city of light set on top of a hill; His light that penetrates the darkness and causes confusion and disruption to the enemy and his agenda. We are the living demonstration of His light dispelling the darkness! It is an amazing realization that when we operate in the character of Christ, it literally causes the enemy’s power and plan to crumble! Remember that visual earlier: What would a global cry for the character of God, from the body of Christ look and sound like? If we truly give ourselves over to it, we will sound like and look like Jesus – making His character famous!
Decree this with me:
I decree, in Jesus Name, that the character of God lives vibrantly inside of me! I decree that His thoughts are my thoughts and that His ways are my ways. I give myself over to His desires in all things. I set my choice upon Him who is righteous, pure, and holy, knowing that He has begun a good work in me and that He is faithful to complete it. I declare that my character is a righteous representation of the character of God. I am not controlled or influenced by faulty personality traits or dictated to by past hurts or wounds. I decree the fullness of His character in which nothing is missing or broken. My character is wrapped and intertwined in His! Furthermore, I declare that the fruit of the Spirit of God lives so loudly and fully in me that atmospheres shift wherever I go. I carry and release the character of Christ in all things, at all times, making the character of Christ famous, in my home, in my workplace, in my school, in my city, in my state, in my nation… and throughout all the earth!
The Bride Makes Herself Ready – Book from Patricia King
Here comes the Bride and it’s YOU! How Amazing, but what does that really mean? Patricia King leads you to answers through revelation from scripture. She offers insight from Hebrew wedding traditions and biblical feasts and festivals to help you understand in a deeper way Jesus’ all consuming love for you. You are invited to respond to that love, prepare yourself to be His bride, and step into the place of bridal devotion, abandon, and intimacy with Him now and forever more.
Winning the Battle – Book by Robert Hotchkin
All of heaven is available to you right now through the finished work of the cross. But often it does not look or feel that way. The reason: There is a battle for your mind, will and emotions that largely determines the fullness of God’s presence, power and Kingdom that you walk in. It is critical that you partner with Him to the battle.
We at Patricia King Ministries thank you for your prayers, partnership, and financial support. May you be richly and abundantly blessed.
