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Take a Look at Alignment

Take Another Look at Alignment By: Ken Malone

Alignment. It’s a word I had never heard of or used in the Church until the year 2000. Before that time, I had only used the word in relation to mechanics. I had heard of front-end alignment, in which you align the front end of your car, to help your tires wear evenly. Today they even have four-wheel alignment. I had also heard the expression, “when the stars align” and the alignment of two points.

When I was eleven years old, I went to work for my granddad, Esker Malone. My granddad owned a full-service gas station. He trained me in the skills of operating a full-service gas station. He aligned me with his skills. At sixteen, I went to work with my dad at his mechanic shop. He began to train me in his skills of repairing a car. I caught on quickly. At the age of sixteen, I built a dune buggy out of a Volkswagen Beetle. I rebuilt motors, tuned up cars, changed wheel bearings, etc. At this young age, I was always learning new skills when it came to the automobile.

In 1976, I gave my heart and life to our Lord Jesus Christ. I didn’t know it, but Holy Spirit had dropped the plumbline of redemption in my heart. It was then my choice to align with Him or to continue to go my own way. I aligned with Him. While serving our Lord in Alabama, I was not certain where Yahweh was taking me. The fire of the Lord filled my heart with passion for Him. I read the bible and learned that prayer was a necessary lifestyle if you are going to pursue Him. I prayed, led worship, and began to preach the gospel of the Kingdom.

Each move we made, every decision we followed through on, every holy nudge we embraced, and each divine appointment aligned us with His plan.

It wasn’t long before I felt the drawing of Holy Spirit to go full-time in the ministry and in 1984, we stepped out in faith. Moving to Montgomery Alabama, and becoming the pastor at Abundant Life Church. This was a very strong training ground. At 28 years old with a wife and four kids, I had a lot of zeal and revelation, but no wisdom to go along with the zeal, which was challenging. The four years I was there were filled with trials, testing, more trials, and more testing. Almost the entire time I was there, I wondered, “Did I miss God? Why is it so hard?” Through the years, I’ve discovered that each time you go to a new assignment (re-align,) you are tested. Will you go back to where you came from? Will you quit?

Labor Day 1988

On Labor Day 1988, we moved to Florida to continue the work of the Kingdom of God. The testing followed me. I didn’t know this was a part of my Heavenly Father’s process to refine me and to keep me in alignment. When seeking God, I said, “Lord get me out of Florida. It’s too hard.” Holy Spirit would say, “You’re going to be here a LONGGGGG time. My heart sank. “Why is it so difficult?” My mind wandered to a conversation that my grandmother, a preacher’s daughter, had with Cheryl and I. She had told me how hard she and her family had it when she was growing up. My great-grandfather was a Methodist Preacher. Grandmother said, “Don’t do it! You will be poor. You have a good job at the paper mill. Don’t give it up.” This is the place that many come to and reason because it’s so hard, it must not be the will of God. To the contrary. You’re being tested. Will you align with Him, His Plan or go home?

In the Church, we’ve not been taught how to sit with the refiner. We’ve not learned that we are to endure hardness. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 NKJV, You, therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. ⁴No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ⁵And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

In 2000 I began to run with those who were using the word alignment. The first message I ever heard Dutch Sheets share was in 2000. He preached a word he called, “The Divine Shift.” He was teaching how the Lord is re-aligning His body for Kingdom purposes. When I heard this word, my heart made another important re-alignment, to fulfill all that Yahweh had in store for Cheryl and I. Peter Wagner, Chuck Pierce, Jim Hodges, Cindy Jacobs and a number of others talk about alignment. Whenever someone used the word alignment, my ears perked up and still do today. It’s pretty much a buzzword today in and outside the body of Christ.

Declared With Authority

Those I heard declare the word of alignment, did so with such authority and passion, that you knew it was a word from them the Lord. Every time I heard the word, “ALIGN,” My heart would awaken and movement toward His plans would take place.

It was also in 2000 that I unpacked my emotional bags and decided I would stay in Florida for the rest of my life. When I did, Yahweh supernaturally married Cheryl and I to Florida. I Love every square inch of our state.

From 2000-2008, I was constantly in a cycle of realignment. Things were changing. For the first time, I was content with being in Florida. When Yahweh married us to Florida, everything began to improve. I no longer had to work two jobs. This marriage to Florida was a tremendous blessing. I began to travel across the state, and all was well.

The trials still come, but I now know how to abide in Christ. John 15:5-8 NKJV, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ⁵“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Apostolic Alignment—Learning to align with a gift, I thought no longer existed.

In 1999 while on a mission trip on the island of Eleuthera, I hear Holy say, I’m shifting you to the gift of Apostle. I wasn’t sure about this. I heard that Apostles were missionaries were overseas. The only overseas work I wanted to do was a Mediterranean Cruise. Like Jonah, I ran from this call because I did not understand this type of alignment. So I placed this word on the shelf of forgetfulness. (This is where many of our prophetic words go to collect dust or die.)

In 2000, Cheryl and I were in Miami, along with leaders from the church we led. Cindy Jacobs and Dutch Sheets were hosting a Glory Fire Conference. At that time, I did not know Cindy and we had just met Dutch a few months before. Cindy calls Cheryl and I out of 1000 people. She was very cordial and kind. Who are you? Where are you from, what do you do,” she asked? I shared who we are. Cindy then gets this look that most prophets get when they are about to give you and word. She prophesied, “The Lord has place upon you the mantle of an apostle, but you have resisted this. Now resist no more. Suddenly a 3-way conversation is going on. As Cindy is prophesying to us, I say to the Lord, “No I didn’t.” He says, “Yes you did.” “How?” was my reply. He said, “because you did nothing with the word, I gave you.” I REPENTED.

It’s time to engage. I looked at Cheryl and said, “Let’s spend the rest of our lives pursuing our Lord and His plans, regardless of the cost.” She agreed.

I bought every book I could find on the Apostle. If it had apostle in the title, I bought it. Out of 100 books I bought, only 25 were helpful. I read everything on this subject I could.

The greatest thing I did during this major shift was to align myself with other apostles. Iron sharpens iron. I need to be around others who are apostles. I came into strong alignment with Dutch Sheets.

I showed up where he was speaking. Made many trips to Colorado Springs to be with him. Then I began to serve him in whatever manner I could. If it was toting his suitcase, pick him up at the airport, grabbing a meal for him, I did it. The relationship began to grow and now 23 years later, we still run together.

My authority level went off the chain. Our ministry began to grow. Our finances grew. I began to really understand what I was made for. Jesus didn’t die, just to take you and I to heaven. He died so that I could discover life in Him and walk that out. It happened in 2000 and it’s happening today.

For those wanting to grow in ministry, the best advice I can give you is, align yourself with God’s plan, then align yourself with an apostle.

Kingdom Expression Through His Ekklesia

Kingdom Expression Through His Ekklesia

By: Ken Malone

In the year 2000, Yahweh began a massive shift in my life, and for the next five years, He moved me from a “local church” paradigm to a Kingdom way of thinking. I began to see that traditional thinking will not change the world. This change caused me to identify as being a part of God’s Kingdom. Jesus taught us to go after His Kingdom. “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NASB) It was a radical move for me and for the congregation that I led at that time. The pains of reformation were there, but it has resulted in a big payoff. Holy Spirit has taught me that you and I have been called to express, execute, and experience the Kingdom of Yahweh on the earth. In this chapter, I will share some of what I learned.

We all know this familiar verse, written in red, in Matthew 16:18-19 (NASB). “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Most see this as a word that builds the local church in the traditional sense. However, it is really about Yahweh’s Kingdom and building His Ekklesia (legislative assembly) so that we can rule with Him and through Him on the earth.

The function of the Ekklesia, under the leadership of Holy Spirit, is a team concept. The days of one man doing the work of ministry are over. In Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV), we can see that our Lord is sharing this team concept. “And He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” All of these gifts work in unison with each other. Jesus sent His disciples out in groups of two. In the book of Acts, you will see the function of a team throughout most of the chapters. However, there are a few exceptions.

There are a few things we must do before we can function as an Ekklesia on the earth.

1. Hear the Voice of the Lord.

2. Listen to what Yahweh is saying.

3. Ask Him what His assignment is for me.

4. Know how we can partner with Him to accomplish His plan as an Ekklesia.

5. Understand how we can steward His Kingdom on the earth.

6. Build a team around what Holy Spirit is saying.

As I build a team, I do so with one goal in mind. That goal is to accomplish our Father’s purpose by bringing transformation to a region. Then, I pick each person based on two things; relationship and gifting. What can each person bring to the team? Then, this team will function as a unit anointed by Holy Spirit. Over the following pages, I will attempt to share how we have operated as an Ekklesia and experienced transformation in society.

The Governor’s Race

Some years ago, during the governor’s race in Florida, my personal convictions were causing me to lean toward a vote for the Republican’s favored pick. While watching a negative ad campaign against this man’s opponent, I heard Holy Spirit say, “I want this man to be the next governor of Florida.” I replied, “You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not voting for him!” The Lord says, “I don’t care who you vote for. I want this man to be the next governor of Florida, and I want you to help him.” Be prepared; Yahweh will interrupt your plans with His. You may think you have everything planned, but He will bring His plans into place. He is Lord Sabaoth; He can do that. “Okay, Lord,” I said, “You win!”

I called my friend, James (whose name was changed for this story), a Baptist pastor in Gainesville, Florida. This man loves the Lord and our state. During this election cycle, he was also a Representative in the Florida House. I told him what I heard Holy Spirit say, and he replied, “Wait a minute, Ken. Do you know what they are saying about him?” I said, “Yes, but Yahweh wants him to be the next governor of Florida.” Then James said, “Let me see if I can get a meeting with him.” Two weeks later, we all met in Bunnell, Florida. Before the meeting, a former state attorney was contacted to inquire about this candidate. The former state attorney said, “The things they have said about him are untrue. They are lies.” Sound familiar?

Our time with this candidate in Bunnell (whom I had previously opposed) was like meeting with an old high school buddy you’ve not seen in forty years. He was cordial and very informed, though he had never been in politics. My friend asked him, “How would you defeat abortion in Florida?” He said, “I think abortion is despicable. “Any bill to defeat abortion in any way, after it passes the House and Senate, I will sign it into law.” He did just that. I had just one question for him. “Tell me about your relationship with Jesus Christ.” When someone asks another about their relationship with Christ, they should be able to testify of their relationship with Jesus. Not just talk about what church they attend or about their pastor. This man began sharing about his relationship with Christ. He told me about his grandmother, who took him weekly to Sunday School, and how she taught him the principles of Christ and His kingdom. He then spent time telling me about his prayer life. He also talked about how his mother had instilled a strong work ethic in him by working three jobs so she could keep a roof over their family’s heads. This meeting felt like a breath of fresh air. Was this a politician? No, but he was a businessman who wanted to make a difference in his state. I believe the American people are sick and tired of politicians. Upon leaving, James and I walked to our cars, and I asked, “What do you think?” He said, “I don’t know yet. Let me see if I can get a meeting with his opponent.” Most of the time, we don’t see all the plans that Yahweh has ahead. We were about to learn that what was now unfolding had previously been hidden. He gives it, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little. (Isaiah 28:10)

Your Worst Enemy

James and I met with the opposing candidate at a golf course country club in Jacksonville, Florida. Upon arrival, we found this place to be neither warm nor inviting. The exterior boasted old, dark wood, and when inside, we were seated in a large, dimly lit hallway with twelve-foot walls. As James and I chatted, a state senator entered through one of the doors. He greeted both of us and then asked to speak with my friend privately. After their conversation, James came to me and said, “Ken, they won’t let you into this meeting.” I said, “Why?” ‘They’re afraid of you,” he responded. I knew that word had gotten out to the Republican party that I supported his opponent, and the conservatives in Tallahassee were not pleased.

Note: The enemy is afraid of you. These men were not my enemy, but the spirit of darkness is the defeated foe we war against.

I said to James, “Don’t call off the meeting. Let’s see what Yahweh will do.” After James entered the room, the man (whom I had intended to vote for) came out of a side door with two men following him. He walked up, greeted my friend, and said, “How are you?” James responded, “I was doing fine until you decided not to let Ken Malone in. I see you have brought two men with you. If you don’t allow him in, this meeting is over.” Suddenly, the dark wooden double doors opened. I went inside, and then we were all introduced. The tension level felt very high in that room. It felt like a meeting with your worst enemy.

The meeting was brief, lasting just twenty minutes. James asked what he would do to defeat abortion. This man never gave a straight answer but began to reprove James for the bill that he had introduced to defeat abortion in Florida. He said, “You can’t defeat abortion that way. It won’t win in the courts. You must nip around the edges of it.” James held his ground and did not become intimidated at all. Then James asked a question that sent this man over the edge. “In your twenty-two years as a member of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., did you ever introduce a bill to help defeat abortion?” He replied,” No!” Finally, after he had berated my friend, I got to ask him about Christ. “Tell me about your relationship with Jesus Christ.” He replied, I believe in Jesus.” I said, “Is that it? Is there more?” “No, I believe in Jesus,” he said. The scriptures say the devils believe and tremble. (James 2:19) I knew in my heart that His fate was sealed and He would never sit in the governor’s seat. As we walked outside, I asked James, “What do you think?” He replied, ” I believe God wants the businessman to be the next governor.”

Our Work is Not Done

Holy Spirit prompted us to form an Ekklesia which consisted of many Florida Senators and Representatives who supported His choice to be the next governor. With James’ assistance, an Ekklesia began gathering. This group included three pastors and twelve politicians. We met by phone to pray and seek the Lord for Yahweh’s choice to be the next governor of Florida. I asked, “How many of you believe that Yahweh wants the former businessman to be the next governor of Florida?” They all acknowledged with a resounding “YES.”

I taught this group of men how to make decrees instead of offering petitioning prayer. Over and over, we decreed the former businessman to be the next governor of Florida. Though each senator and representative were in that election cycle, these men never prayed for their own appointment. My heart filled with emotion while each man wept as their prayers remained focused on Florida. Then the candidate’s pastor offered our closing prayer. I then asked if anyone else wanted to pray. I heard a familiar voice. Our candidate said, “I want to pray.” He then prayed Solomon’s prayer. “Lord, if I’m elected governor, please give me the wisdom to run the state as You would have it run.” We met weekly after that first phone call until Yahweh’s choice won the primary by a landslide.

Next, our candidate would have to run against his final opponent. That person was a politician and financier who was a strong opponent. She had been well-financed in the race and was held in high regard by all the democrats of Florida. After Holy Spirit began reinforcing His desire for the governor’s seat the same Ekklesia started meeting again. We met weekly over the phone to decree Yahweh’s choice as the next governor. These politicians would weep over Florida and decree victory for their candidate. This time, we used Isaiah 22:22 and said, “Father, I close the door to this woman; she will never be governor. I open the door to Your man as governor.”

It was a very tight race with no landslide win. Yahweh’s businessman won the election by one and a half percent of the Florida votes. Hundreds across Florida had prayed for this, and Yahweh had answered our prayers. Those who opposed the Lord’s choice in the primary election were now standing shoulder-to-shoulder in support of him. Today, I firmly believe that if the Ekklesia had not met, if no one had prayed, we would have seen a different outcome. An Ekklesia wields a high level of authority; even more authority than an individual. When we meet to pray with Lord Sabaoth, the Kingdom of Yahweh comes, and His will is done in the earth. (Matthew 6:10) Let’s link up as an Ekklesia and watch Yeshua have His way on earth.

Father, teach us how to work with You. Not for our own desires, but to know Your heart. I decree Your kingdom has come to the earth, and Your will is being done on this planet.

New Framework

In December of 2004, Yahweh gave me a dream that would create a new framework for one Florida town. In the dream, I was taking an old picture down from a plaster wall. I could not see the picture, but what stood out was the frame of the picture. The picture frame was old, natural wood, rickety, dry rotted, with wormholes and grooves. I removed the picture frame from the wall. Behind the frame, engraved on this wall, were the words, “6/17, Ken, call me. Chuck.” What did this mean? I had no reference, except that on June 17, 2005, we would be holding a meeting in Key West, Florida. This dream was shared with Chuck Pierce, and he asked, “What was on the picture?” I replied,” I don’t know- I didn’t see the picture. The frame was old, dry, rickety, and filled with wormholes.” Chuck said, “You are dealing with the spirit of wormwood. Wormwood is referenced in Revelation 8, Proverbs 5:4, Deuteronomy 29:18, Jeremiah 9:15, and Amos 5:7. The word means “bitter, cursed, undrinkable.” At that time, I had no grid for this, so we formed an Ekklesia with Florida prayer warriors and prayed into the date and meeting for about six months. The bowls of heaven were being filled with prayer for this island community, and a glorious answer was on the way.

June seventeenth finally came, and the climate there was hot, but the spiritual atmosphere felt electrically charged with the presence of Holy Spirit. While we were setting up the sound system at the conference center, a man walked up and said, “I’m Morgan. You know my parents.” I said, “Yes, I do. They are wonderful people.” Morgan continues, “I’m running for the Key West mayor position. Could you pray for me?” “Sure, we can.” was my reply. I called together a small Ekklesia, and we prayed over Morgan. Later, I asked his parents about his campaign. They said in the natural, there is no way he could win. He would have to beat a twenty-two-year politician with plenty of money to back the campaign. The politician had raised $50,000; Morgan had only raised $5,000. The current mayor was pro-abortion and pro-homosexual, but Morgan represented the Kingdom of God.

A worship team from Gainesville joined us in Key West, and their worship had a powerful prophetic flow. The Ekklesia was in unity with Holy Spirit and one another. We could tell that the atmosphere over Key West was shifting. Suddenly, a power outage hit the island, and their entire grid went out. A shift in the Spirit Realm will often cause a shift in the natural world. To this day, they still do not know what caused the outage. I know that Holy Spirit was all over the power outage because a massive shift in the spirit realm had occurred.

What was the outcome of the assignment that Yahweh had given? What was the result? I’m glad you asked. The general election for Key West in 2005 was on October 4. This year, October 4 was also Rosh Hashanah. A great transfer of power was taking place in this season. Morgan won the mayor’s election by only twenty-four votes. Yahweh supernaturally shifted the island both in the spirit and the natural through the prayer of the Ekklesia. When we partner with the Kingdom of God as an Ekklesia, all who are in heaven back us!

Father, I decree, that we will partner with you today to see a shift come to our cities and regions. As an Ekklesia, we decree that Your Kingdom has come and Your will is being done in our city, state, and nation, in Yeshua’s name.