Friday, March 29, 2013
The Impact of an Experience
Acts 9:3-6
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, SAul, why persecutest thou me? And he said who art thou, Lord? And The Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will thou have me to do?..."
Life is defined by moments. Scrapbooks, photo albums, diaries, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and even blogs like this one chronicle these moments. Ususally events, monuments, historical landmarks and even people can bring about the moments that impact you beyond today. I personally have witnessed great things, traveled to great places, and have had the privelege of meeting great people. And it was in these moments, where I as a young man was impacted and my life has been shaped around these moments. But in life there is one defining moment unlike any other; it's the only time in life, I have ever crossed the threshold of a moment to an experience! You see a moment can affect your life for a season; but an experience will affect your life for a lifetime! A moment will conform you, an experience will transform you! In life we can become content and even satisfied with these moments that have no enduring sustenance, or we can become driven to encounter an experience that will transform us into an entirely different person!
Saul of Tarsus was a very intelligent and strong willed individual. He lived his life to the fullest, grabbed life by the horns so to speak. Early in his life Saul was driven by a desire to be something other than ordinary. He is recorded as being the young man holding the coats as Stephen was stoned. He is recorded as having sat at the feet of Gamaliel, one of the greatest Pharisees who ever lived. He is recorded as being a chief Pharisee; Saul was not about to settle for normality. This is what I believe was his driving force on that fateful road that evening. He wasn't driven by hatred or by malice, although those were the emotions of his spirit at the time. Saul was driven by a desire for something more than a fleeting moment. How many of us live our lives in vain, as we aimlessly pursue things to fill a void inside of our spirits, a void that was put there by God himself. Rather than turning to Him to fill that deep longing we mistakenly wreck our lives in pursuit of these passing moments that we believe will one day fulfill our lifes emptiness.
God knew what Saul was after, it really wasn't about killing Christians, although that was the avenue he took, it was about doing something that would make a difference. Don't judge somebody by their misguided attempts to bring about change to outr world, we simply need to pray that Gold would pen their eyes to an experience that will transform them into a vessel God can use to impact the world with Gospel of Jesus Christ!!! So Jesus appears to Saul as a bright light, immediatley causing him to become blind. And that familiar voice echoed from heaven saying, Saul, Saul why persecutest thou me? Imagine what Saul must have thought at this moment! And so in a bit of shock Saul responds to that voice by asking this question, who art thou Lord? And Jesus simply responds; I am Jesus whom thou persecutest! And after spending most of his life pursuing these fleeting moments and temporary fulfilments, Saul was now having for the first time in his life, and experience! This experience impacted Saul to such a degree, that he is known as the greatest Apostle who ever lived, his ministry single handedly brought revival to all of Asia. 2/3 of the New Testament was penned from the hands of Paul! But How do you know when you've been impacted like this? How do you know when what you fell at the altar call is more than another passing moment of emotionalism, and it's really something deeper?
Philippians 3:12
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if tthat I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
The Apostle Paul explains to the Philippians church the defining factor in knowing the difference between a moment and an experience. After his experience on that road to Damascus, he explained his new perspective of life. He said my life no longer consists of what I can do to make a difference, my life is now consumed by trying to apprehend the very thing that has apprehended me! In other words Paul is saying I've been arrested by God! I no longer do what I do because I want to, I do what I do because I have to! I've been apprehended by an experience!!
When you come face to face with Jesus, and experience him in this manner your life will never be the same!
I'l never forget the day when I experienced God for the first time. I was struggling in my life, I had the Holy Ghost and I was baptized in Jesus name; but there was still something missing in my life. But that day at an altar, I saw him like never before, I was apprehended with a call of GOd that forever changed my life. I don't have the same friends I had before that day, I don't like the things i liked then, I don't do the things I did then; now my life is patterned after the one who I experienced! There is more to Christianity than emotion and knowledge, if your a "Christian" today and still feel like something is missing; then you need to pursue an experience! An experience can change your life for ever!! The impact of 1 experience with God will transform you into a brand new creature!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Lessons From a Leper
Mark 1:40-42
"And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed."
I am convinced in life there are two ways in which we learn; from our own mistakes, or from others mistakes. Fortunately for me, I learned at an early age to learn what I could from other peoples mistakes; not to say that I've never made mistakes, I've just been privileged to have been raised around people who have had their fair share of them. But there is another way in which we learn from, and thats from watching people endure seemingly impossible circumstances, and watch how they respond. Some of the greatest lessons I've learned is by watching people react while dealing with what appears to be unsurmountable odds. I've watched 2 precious ladies in our church, one of whom is our Pastor's wife, deal with the dreadful diagnosis of cancer. And I learned from them the value of consistency, as they never wavered and never lost faith in their God! I've watched my parents, as they were strung out on drugs, and had lost everything they had, mount up the courage to turn to God, and I have witnessed restoration first hand! I don't worry about the odds that are against me! I know I serve a God who is ALL powerful, ALL knowing and ALWAYS on time!
This story from the book of Mark reveals to us a man dealing with these surreal life scenarios. The Bible tells us that this man was a leper; now understand that this disease was one of the most miserable sicknesses you could ever have. It began in the nervous system and would cause your body to violently shake. It was severely painful and debilitating. But as this disease progresses, it begins to move from the internal organs of your body and begins to expose itself on the outside of your body. It begins to slowly eat away at portions of your body. It was not uncommon to see a leper without a nose, or without an ear. They were considered unclean by the priest and were expelled out of the city and forbidden to have any interaction with humanity again. Imagine the desperation that would eat at your soul, imagine the loneliness and the torment of this lifestyle. So I can imagine as Jesus approached that suddenly hope began to fill his spirit...
Now I know how I would've reacted. I would've made the biggest scene possible, I would've cried as loud as I can cry. I would beg Jesus to heal and deliver me from the torment of a disease that was considered incurable. But as I read this story I was blown away by the response of this man. He sees Jesus, and instead of begging for a miracle, this man instead gives me the greatest lesson I've learned so far in my ministry. He responds...
"If you will, I know you can make me clean."
His faith understood, Jesus can heal me! His faith understood all my hope rests in Him! His faith understood, Jesus is the answer to all my problems. But his faith recognized something even more powerful than a miracle. He told Jesus there was something more important than being healed, and being restored; and that's living in the will of God! I know you can heal me, he said, but if it's not your will for my life, I still believe in you! I still believe in your word! Because my physical condition is not more important than my spiritual condition! And I'd rather live a leper and be saved, than to live cleansed and be lost!
I've completely changed my approach in prayer. I no longer pray for specific miracles or blessings, I want to know I'm in the will of God! Oh, I could use a financial miracle; I could use healing and provision; but if that will deter me from the will of God I'd rather be broke, sick and without, and still have Jesus!
Now look at the power of this kind of submission. The Bible says when this leper made this statement, that Jesus was moved with compassion. This is the key to unlocking the door of God's compassion. Mark 5 shows us a man who's son was possessed with a devil, and when he saw Jesus he responded this way. "My son is possessed and often times he throws himself in the fire and in the water, and if you can do anything; have compassion." (Paraphrased) He thought that by telling God how bad he had it that it would open up the compassion of God. But God does not respond to need, or else we would all be healed; God responds to faith! And when that leper tapped into that dimension of faith, when he got consumed with being in line with the will of God; Jesus was moved with compassion! And Jesus said, It is my will!
If your going through what seems to be impossible situations, don't feel sorry for yourself, and don't allow yourself to get consumed with the pity party of life. But start approaching God with this new mindset. It's not about the miracle, it's about being submitted to the will of God!
"And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed."
I am convinced in life there are two ways in which we learn; from our own mistakes, or from others mistakes. Fortunately for me, I learned at an early age to learn what I could from other peoples mistakes; not to say that I've never made mistakes, I've just been privileged to have been raised around people who have had their fair share of them. But there is another way in which we learn from, and thats from watching people endure seemingly impossible circumstances, and watch how they respond. Some of the greatest lessons I've learned is by watching people react while dealing with what appears to be unsurmountable odds. I've watched 2 precious ladies in our church, one of whom is our Pastor's wife, deal with the dreadful diagnosis of cancer. And I learned from them the value of consistency, as they never wavered and never lost faith in their God! I've watched my parents, as they were strung out on drugs, and had lost everything they had, mount up the courage to turn to God, and I have witnessed restoration first hand! I don't worry about the odds that are against me! I know I serve a God who is ALL powerful, ALL knowing and ALWAYS on time!
This story from the book of Mark reveals to us a man dealing with these surreal life scenarios. The Bible tells us that this man was a leper; now understand that this disease was one of the most miserable sicknesses you could ever have. It began in the nervous system and would cause your body to violently shake. It was severely painful and debilitating. But as this disease progresses, it begins to move from the internal organs of your body and begins to expose itself on the outside of your body. It begins to slowly eat away at portions of your body. It was not uncommon to see a leper without a nose, or without an ear. They were considered unclean by the priest and were expelled out of the city and forbidden to have any interaction with humanity again. Imagine the desperation that would eat at your soul, imagine the loneliness and the torment of this lifestyle. So I can imagine as Jesus approached that suddenly hope began to fill his spirit...
Now I know how I would've reacted. I would've made the biggest scene possible, I would've cried as loud as I can cry. I would beg Jesus to heal and deliver me from the torment of a disease that was considered incurable. But as I read this story I was blown away by the response of this man. He sees Jesus, and instead of begging for a miracle, this man instead gives me the greatest lesson I've learned so far in my ministry. He responds...
"If you will, I know you can make me clean."
His faith understood, Jesus can heal me! His faith understood all my hope rests in Him! His faith understood, Jesus is the answer to all my problems. But his faith recognized something even more powerful than a miracle. He told Jesus there was something more important than being healed, and being restored; and that's living in the will of God! I know you can heal me, he said, but if it's not your will for my life, I still believe in you! I still believe in your word! Because my physical condition is not more important than my spiritual condition! And I'd rather live a leper and be saved, than to live cleansed and be lost!
I've completely changed my approach in prayer. I no longer pray for specific miracles or blessings, I want to know I'm in the will of God! Oh, I could use a financial miracle; I could use healing and provision; but if that will deter me from the will of God I'd rather be broke, sick and without, and still have Jesus!
Now look at the power of this kind of submission. The Bible says when this leper made this statement, that Jesus was moved with compassion. This is the key to unlocking the door of God's compassion. Mark 5 shows us a man who's son was possessed with a devil, and when he saw Jesus he responded this way. "My son is possessed and often times he throws himself in the fire and in the water, and if you can do anything; have compassion." (Paraphrased) He thought that by telling God how bad he had it that it would open up the compassion of God. But God does not respond to need, or else we would all be healed; God responds to faith! And when that leper tapped into that dimension of faith, when he got consumed with being in line with the will of God; Jesus was moved with compassion! And Jesus said, It is my will!
If your going through what seems to be impossible situations, don't feel sorry for yourself, and don't allow yourself to get consumed with the pity party of life. But start approaching God with this new mindset. It's not about the miracle, it's about being submitted to the will of God!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The Influence of Sincere Prayer
Acts 9:10-11
"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said The Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And The Lord said unto him, Arise, and go unto the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."
The story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to the Apostle Paul is well chronicled. It's a fascinating account of the mercy, grace and compassion of God. Instead of killing the man responsible for wrecking havoc on the church, God instead reaches for his heart in an attempt to save his soul. This lets me know that it doesn't matter where I've been, what I've done or where I've come from; God's love is still reaching for me! Be encouraged friend, regardless of your plight in life, God still loves you! This story is of a man who is traveling down a road to Damascus, searching for even more power and influence; and is interrupted by Jesus along the way. I call this Mercy's Intercession. How many times have you and I been traveling down the wrong road in life only to be blindsided by tragedy or hardships. In the moment we can't see what's just happened, but days, even weeks later you realize if it had not been for that moment; my soul might be lost! Where would we be today if it wasn't for Mercy's Intercession? What a beautiful revelation about the mercy of God!
But the part of this story that catches my attention doesn't deal with the event described above; but it deals with the passage I opened this blog up with. Ananias is minding his own business, when all of a sudden God begins to speak to him. And I can almost imagine the look of his face as God tells him of what his mission involves. Seriously God? You want me to go look for Saul of Tarsus? You do know who this is right? I mean he's made a reputation for himself for his abuse and destruction of Christians! But noticed the words of Jesus here, he speaks to Ananias to go to the house of Judas and to enquire of Saul of Tarsus. Why? Becuase he's praying...
There is something powerful about prayer that reaches beyond the routine of "Apostolic Prayer". We're all guilty of this, we recite cliche' after cliche' loud enough to impress the people around us. But sincere prayer flows from your heart. And when sincere prayer is released God always responds! Recently my wife and I traveled to Lufkin to pick our kids up from my sister-in-law. We went to church with them that evening, and they asked me to testify. So I went through my notes and bookmarks in my Bible, and I found something I thought would go over good. As the worship began however, God began to speak into my heart. He showed me the face of a young lady who was in the service, and told me exactly what to say. I began to not just speak planned out words, but began to speak words of life! Not of myself but as God moved through me. I don't use this story to build myself up, I was simply the vessel God used that night; the incredible part is the young lady who influenced God! We've all been in those moments of need, and have had people in our local church or our pastor speak to us, but we can sometimes write that off as inside information. But when God moves on somebody you don't know, from a town you don't live in to come the night you need a word; you've got influence! As God was showing me her face and revealing to me what to speak, I knew in my spirit, this girl has been praying! And the sincerity of her prayers were influencing the entire service! What a testament of faith! Never discount the power of sincere prayer!!
The text in Acts 9 reveals this principle. Saul without the Holy Ghost, without being baptized in Jesus Name, without having had time to prove himself as changed; influenced the God of glory with his prayer! It's recorded that Saul spent 3 days alone; blind and hungry in the desert. I don't know how long it would've taken for him to find Ananias on his own, but what I do know is that the moment that wretched man (his words) tapped into this dimension of sincere prayer, he didn't have to go looking for the man of God, the man of God came looking for him!!!
I don't know what your battling, or what kind of challenges you face; I don't know how long you've been searching for a word from God, but I do know this, If you can tap into this dimension of prayer, that word of God will find you wherever you may be! Because God is always influenced by sincere prayer!
"And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said The Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And The Lord said unto him, Arise, and go unto the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."
The story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to the Apostle Paul is well chronicled. It's a fascinating account of the mercy, grace and compassion of God. Instead of killing the man responsible for wrecking havoc on the church, God instead reaches for his heart in an attempt to save his soul. This lets me know that it doesn't matter where I've been, what I've done or where I've come from; God's love is still reaching for me! Be encouraged friend, regardless of your plight in life, God still loves you! This story is of a man who is traveling down a road to Damascus, searching for even more power and influence; and is interrupted by Jesus along the way. I call this Mercy's Intercession. How many times have you and I been traveling down the wrong road in life only to be blindsided by tragedy or hardships. In the moment we can't see what's just happened, but days, even weeks later you realize if it had not been for that moment; my soul might be lost! Where would we be today if it wasn't for Mercy's Intercession? What a beautiful revelation about the mercy of God!
But the part of this story that catches my attention doesn't deal with the event described above; but it deals with the passage I opened this blog up with. Ananias is minding his own business, when all of a sudden God begins to speak to him. And I can almost imagine the look of his face as God tells him of what his mission involves. Seriously God? You want me to go look for Saul of Tarsus? You do know who this is right? I mean he's made a reputation for himself for his abuse and destruction of Christians! But noticed the words of Jesus here, he speaks to Ananias to go to the house of Judas and to enquire of Saul of Tarsus. Why? Becuase he's praying...
There is something powerful about prayer that reaches beyond the routine of "Apostolic Prayer". We're all guilty of this, we recite cliche' after cliche' loud enough to impress the people around us. But sincere prayer flows from your heart. And when sincere prayer is released God always responds! Recently my wife and I traveled to Lufkin to pick our kids up from my sister-in-law. We went to church with them that evening, and they asked me to testify. So I went through my notes and bookmarks in my Bible, and I found something I thought would go over good. As the worship began however, God began to speak into my heart. He showed me the face of a young lady who was in the service, and told me exactly what to say. I began to not just speak planned out words, but began to speak words of life! Not of myself but as God moved through me. I don't use this story to build myself up, I was simply the vessel God used that night; the incredible part is the young lady who influenced God! We've all been in those moments of need, and have had people in our local church or our pastor speak to us, but we can sometimes write that off as inside information. But when God moves on somebody you don't know, from a town you don't live in to come the night you need a word; you've got influence! As God was showing me her face and revealing to me what to speak, I knew in my spirit, this girl has been praying! And the sincerity of her prayers were influencing the entire service! What a testament of faith! Never discount the power of sincere prayer!!
The text in Acts 9 reveals this principle. Saul without the Holy Ghost, without being baptized in Jesus Name, without having had time to prove himself as changed; influenced the God of glory with his prayer! It's recorded that Saul spent 3 days alone; blind and hungry in the desert. I don't know how long it would've taken for him to find Ananias on his own, but what I do know is that the moment that wretched man (his words) tapped into this dimension of sincere prayer, he didn't have to go looking for the man of God, the man of God came looking for him!!!
I don't know what your battling, or what kind of challenges you face; I don't know how long you've been searching for a word from God, but I do know this, If you can tap into this dimension of prayer, that word of God will find you wherever you may be! Because God is always influenced by sincere prayer!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Overcoming the Mustard Seed Mentality
Mark 4:30-32
"And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it GROWETH up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and shooteth out branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."
Jesus asked a question, what's the kingdom of God like? The kingdom of God, he says, is like a grain of mustard seed. In this "mustard seed" parable Jesus begins to address one of the major mindsets of Christianity, what I call the mustard seed mentality. It's not what you would think, you see Jesus was addressing a mindset that would cause man to struggle with their ministry; and would cause many people to fall short of their purpose. What Jesus is saying is that there will come a time in the life of every believer when, without question, you you will suffer from the "less than" syndrome. This syndrome is dangerous and has critical side effects. With this "less than" syndrome you will become a small thinker, and will never allow yourself to grow into your potential. This "less than" syndrome will handicap your future and dwarf your growth! This syndrome is birthed from the hearts of impatient people, who are quick to compare themselves to their counterparts; their mistake, however, is comparing themselves while still in the seed stage! This happens in churches as well as saints, we see others who are bigger, more successful, and seem to have more going their way; and we feel inadequate and useless. You begin to question whether or not God will actually use you, or whether or not your church will ever see revival. The mustard seed mentality begins to become who you are, and you just settle for "less"....
But notice Jesus continues the parable by saying that the mustard seed, when it is sown, grows to such a degree that the birds of the air can live in the branches. Although that seed starts out small and seemingly insignificant, if that seed will submit to the process of growth, it has the potential to become great! What Jesus is trying to tell these people, and what I feel Jesus trying to get His church to understand now is this; stop looking at what you are now! Stop looking at what you have now! Stop looking at what talent you have now! You may not see it now, your family may not see it now, your church may not see it right now; but God has a purpose for you, and a destiny reserved for your future! Your not destined to be small! You're not destined to be less than every other church! God is wanting to release his presence in these last days, and if we'll allow the process to grow us, we will become that tree of destiny, and the birds of the air will dwell in our branches. Let me show you the revelation.....
Genesis 8:8-12
"Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him unto the ark, for the waters were on the face the of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark: and the dove came unto him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth."
This story is a multifaceted story; it reveals the historical plot of Noah and the flood, yet also reveals a prophetic insight into revival. God showed me this passage some time back, and I couldn't catch the fullness of what he was showing me until tonight. The dove that is sent out is symbolic of the spirit of God. The spirit is searching for a place to dwell. But as Noah soon found out, unless the waters subside and the trees grow up, the dove will always go back to the boat. What God is showing us here is an illustration into modern day religion. People are drowning in traditionalist doctrines, we are quick to hold to what the way it's always been done, yet hesitant to grasp the reality of truth. God has released his spirit upon the earth, and he's searching for a branch (church) to rest on! Only as the search progresses, the spirit is left without a habitation. What is happening is, people are conforming to the mustard seed mentality, and allowing the "less than" syndrome to define them. So instead of actively pursuing revival; they sit stagnant and never allow themselves or their churches to grow!
But, as Jesus taught his parable regarding the mustard seed, he reveals to us the grey areas of understanding. When, and only when, the seed allows itself to be changed by it's environment, and allows the water and the sun to develop it into what it's purpose is, will there be a habitation for the birds to rest in. This reveals to us a critical principle into the success of not only our individual lives, but also the success and eventual growth of a church. The Apostle Paul exposed this principle to the church of Galatia when he stated in Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." In the NIV version it reads this way, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!" Don't allow your mentality to become small by the weariness of life! Do not allow yourself to be conformed to the "less than" syndrome, if you can avoid the desire to give up, if you can avoid the temptation to throw in the towel; if you can avoid the mindset of smallness and realize, my due season is on it's way!!! Allow yourself to grow, and the harvest (birds) will find a home in your destiny!! and When God releases the dove (spirit) into the world, the dove will find a church to rest in!! And When the church is anointed by His spirit, and the people are empowered with determination and perseverance; we create an atmosphere conducive for a great revival, and a great harvest of souls!
Let's not become small thinkers in these last days, let's not judge our future by our present; buy into the vision of God, and allow yourself to be transformed into your purpose! Revival is looking for a home, the harvest is searching for a church, and within you is the ability to bring it into fruition! Remember no matter how small you seem, and no matter how small your church is; Jesus said the mustard seed is always the smallest in the beginning, but when God is allowed to have his way, the growth of that seed will exceed your wildest imaginations! For the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." In other words, your wildest imagination pales in comparison to the reality of the prepared destination!! It doesn't say to the most talented, or to the biggest church, it says to those that love him! This revival is not limited to the parameters of talent or connection, it is dependent solely on the ability of the seed to grow!
"And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it GROWETH up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and shooteth out branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."
Jesus asked a question, what's the kingdom of God like? The kingdom of God, he says, is like a grain of mustard seed. In this "mustard seed" parable Jesus begins to address one of the major mindsets of Christianity, what I call the mustard seed mentality. It's not what you would think, you see Jesus was addressing a mindset that would cause man to struggle with their ministry; and would cause many people to fall short of their purpose. What Jesus is saying is that there will come a time in the life of every believer when, without question, you you will suffer from the "less than" syndrome. This syndrome is dangerous and has critical side effects. With this "less than" syndrome you will become a small thinker, and will never allow yourself to grow into your potential. This "less than" syndrome will handicap your future and dwarf your growth! This syndrome is birthed from the hearts of impatient people, who are quick to compare themselves to their counterparts; their mistake, however, is comparing themselves while still in the seed stage! This happens in churches as well as saints, we see others who are bigger, more successful, and seem to have more going their way; and we feel inadequate and useless. You begin to question whether or not God will actually use you, or whether or not your church will ever see revival. The mustard seed mentality begins to become who you are, and you just settle for "less"....
But notice Jesus continues the parable by saying that the mustard seed, when it is sown, grows to such a degree that the birds of the air can live in the branches. Although that seed starts out small and seemingly insignificant, if that seed will submit to the process of growth, it has the potential to become great! What Jesus is trying to tell these people, and what I feel Jesus trying to get His church to understand now is this; stop looking at what you are now! Stop looking at what you have now! Stop looking at what talent you have now! You may not see it now, your family may not see it now, your church may not see it right now; but God has a purpose for you, and a destiny reserved for your future! Your not destined to be small! You're not destined to be less than every other church! God is wanting to release his presence in these last days, and if we'll allow the process to grow us, we will become that tree of destiny, and the birds of the air will dwell in our branches. Let me show you the revelation.....
Genesis 8:8-12
"Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him unto the ark, for the waters were on the face the of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark: and the dove came unto him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth."
This story is a multifaceted story; it reveals the historical plot of Noah and the flood, yet also reveals a prophetic insight into revival. God showed me this passage some time back, and I couldn't catch the fullness of what he was showing me until tonight. The dove that is sent out is symbolic of the spirit of God. The spirit is searching for a place to dwell. But as Noah soon found out, unless the waters subside and the trees grow up, the dove will always go back to the boat. What God is showing us here is an illustration into modern day religion. People are drowning in traditionalist doctrines, we are quick to hold to what the way it's always been done, yet hesitant to grasp the reality of truth. God has released his spirit upon the earth, and he's searching for a branch (church) to rest on! Only as the search progresses, the spirit is left without a habitation. What is happening is, people are conforming to the mustard seed mentality, and allowing the "less than" syndrome to define them. So instead of actively pursuing revival; they sit stagnant and never allow themselves or their churches to grow!
But, as Jesus taught his parable regarding the mustard seed, he reveals to us the grey areas of understanding. When, and only when, the seed allows itself to be changed by it's environment, and allows the water and the sun to develop it into what it's purpose is, will there be a habitation for the birds to rest in. This reveals to us a critical principle into the success of not only our individual lives, but also the success and eventual growth of a church. The Apostle Paul exposed this principle to the church of Galatia when he stated in Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." In the NIV version it reads this way, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!" Don't allow your mentality to become small by the weariness of life! Do not allow yourself to be conformed to the "less than" syndrome, if you can avoid the desire to give up, if you can avoid the temptation to throw in the towel; if you can avoid the mindset of smallness and realize, my due season is on it's way!!! Allow yourself to grow, and the harvest (birds) will find a home in your destiny!! and When God releases the dove (spirit) into the world, the dove will find a church to rest in!! And When the church is anointed by His spirit, and the people are empowered with determination and perseverance; we create an atmosphere conducive for a great revival, and a great harvest of souls!
Let's not become small thinkers in these last days, let's not judge our future by our present; buy into the vision of God, and allow yourself to be transformed into your purpose! Revival is looking for a home, the harvest is searching for a church, and within you is the ability to bring it into fruition! Remember no matter how small you seem, and no matter how small your church is; Jesus said the mustard seed is always the smallest in the beginning, but when God is allowed to have his way, the growth of that seed will exceed your wildest imaginations! For the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." In other words, your wildest imagination pales in comparison to the reality of the prepared destination!! It doesn't say to the most talented, or to the biggest church, it says to those that love him! This revival is not limited to the parameters of talent or connection, it is dependent solely on the ability of the seed to grow!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Climbing out of the Tree of Observation
Luke 19:1-5
"And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus ho he was; and could not for the press, because he was of little stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house."
Luke 19 starts out in a very familiar tone, Jesus entered and passed through... How often have we sat in service and been eyewitnesses as Jesus entered in our midst and passed through the sanctuary. Truly, it is an incredible moment to feel the supernatural power of God passing through. But this text reveals to us a man named Zacchaeus, a tax collector, who was of little stature. The Bible says that this man sought to see Jesus for who he was. Now, in my opinion, not enough attention has been paid to this statement. It is one thing to want to see Jesus for what He DOES; it is an entirely different matter to desire to see Him for WHO HE IS! Where our churches could be if the pews on Sunday morning would be filled with people who have come to see Jesus for who he is! Sadly, however, most of the people of our world, and even in our movement, have no desire to see Him as he is, only to see what miracle they can pry from his hands. It bothers me that the only time some people get desperate for God is when they have a desperate need. I understand the sense of desperation that comes with trials and tragedy, God knows we've all been there. But I wonder of someone's character, when they never pursue to see Jesus for who He is! Without a revelation of who Jesus is, we will never bee pursuaded to abandon our lives on the earth in search of a life with Him. The Apostle Paul, knew who Jesus was, he even knew of his miracles, yet Paul was a murderer of Christians. But one day on a road to Damascus, the Apostle Paul finally saw Jesus for who He was! That revelation is what preceded this statement by this Apostle, "For I am persuaded!!" No trial, no temptation, no storm, no betrayal is bad enough to separate me from the love of God! When you KNOW HIM, it changes your response to difficulties, it strengthens your stance in your doctrine, and it encourages you that nothing from human or demonic forces are powerful enough to separate you from the perfect love of God!
So Look as Zacchaeus, in his desperation to see Him, runs ahead of the crowd and climbs into a tree. What I call the Tree of Observation. I commend Zacchaeus for his desire to see Jesus for who he is, and I wish every soul in our world possessed this same zeal and determination to simply catch a glimpse of who Jesus is. I am all for Bible studies, and I believe that Bible studies are part of our duty as Christians. But I have learned through the years, from observations of others and through my own person experiences that unlocking the mystery of Godliness as Paul put it, can not come from knowledge.
I understand that Hosea 4:6 tells us that the people of God are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. But without a relationship, knowledge can be just as destructive. In the book of Genesis, we see a painful revelation; as the serpent fills their ears with the temptation to sin, the Bible says that Adam and Eve desired the tree as to make one wise! They sought the tree of knowledge, because they perceived that knowledge produced wisdom. Wisdom does not come from knowledge, as the great philosopher Socrates once said, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing". That's why the Apostle Paul offered these words in 1 Corinthians 2:2, "I know nothing but Christ and Him crucified." Wisdom doesn't come from how much you know, it is birthed by a desire to know Him! Adam and Eve's biggest mistake was when they, through knowledge sought wisdom; when the plan of God was for them through relationship to pursue him, and wisdom is a byproduct of our relationship with God!
What I'm saying is, that no matter how many Bible studies we participate in, and no matter how much preaching we hear on the matter, there will always come that defining moment in a life when Jesus looks you in the eyes and says, "...make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." There comes a time in every believers life when we face this crossroad of faith, and we find ourselves in this defining moment of reality; do I sit in this Tree of observation trying to learn of all I can? Or do I harken unto the words of Jesus saying, climb our of that tree, for today I'm coming to your house! You see what Jesus is showing us here in this text is that as long as you and I stay in this Tree of Observation, we will never know Him for who he is. But as he mentions to the crowd that day that began to murmur at this announcement, "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus didn't say he came to seek and to save those who were lost, but he came to save THAT which was lost! Knowledge wasn't what was lost, relationship was. And what Jesus is telling this man is this, all your observations are fine, its what brought you to where I'm at; but if you really are sincere in wanting to know who I am, then it's time you climbed down from that tree of observation, and entered into an intimate relationship with me. I can't be learned about, I have to be experienced!
Abraham knew about God, and had even heard his voice, but as he drew that knife into the air and heard the voice of GOd speak, Abraham behold a ram in the bushes! Abraham knew who God was!
Jacob knew about God, but one night in the wilderness wrestling with God all night, Jacob learned who God was!
Moses knew about God, until Moses encountered a burning bush; then Moses knew who God was!
Elisha knew about God, and had witnessed God work through Elijah; but when Elisha walked down to that river and and cried, where is the God of Elijah, Elisha found out who God was!
God can't be discovered by observations. God desires intimacy with him, he's come today to seek and to save that relationship that was lost in the garden. But will we climb out of the comforts of the tree of observation today? Or will live a life short of the abundance God promises to those who make him their priority? The choice is yours Zacchaeus, the call has been made...
"And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus ho he was; and could not for the press, because he was of little stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house."
Luke 19 starts out in a very familiar tone, Jesus entered and passed through... How often have we sat in service and been eyewitnesses as Jesus entered in our midst and passed through the sanctuary. Truly, it is an incredible moment to feel the supernatural power of God passing through. But this text reveals to us a man named Zacchaeus, a tax collector, who was of little stature. The Bible says that this man sought to see Jesus for who he was. Now, in my opinion, not enough attention has been paid to this statement. It is one thing to want to see Jesus for what He DOES; it is an entirely different matter to desire to see Him for WHO HE IS! Where our churches could be if the pews on Sunday morning would be filled with people who have come to see Jesus for who he is! Sadly, however, most of the people of our world, and even in our movement, have no desire to see Him as he is, only to see what miracle they can pry from his hands. It bothers me that the only time some people get desperate for God is when they have a desperate need. I understand the sense of desperation that comes with trials and tragedy, God knows we've all been there. But I wonder of someone's character, when they never pursue to see Jesus for who He is! Without a revelation of who Jesus is, we will never bee pursuaded to abandon our lives on the earth in search of a life with Him. The Apostle Paul, knew who Jesus was, he even knew of his miracles, yet Paul was a murderer of Christians. But one day on a road to Damascus, the Apostle Paul finally saw Jesus for who He was! That revelation is what preceded this statement by this Apostle, "For I am persuaded!!" No trial, no temptation, no storm, no betrayal is bad enough to separate me from the love of God! When you KNOW HIM, it changes your response to difficulties, it strengthens your stance in your doctrine, and it encourages you that nothing from human or demonic forces are powerful enough to separate you from the perfect love of God!
So Look as Zacchaeus, in his desperation to see Him, runs ahead of the crowd and climbs into a tree. What I call the Tree of Observation. I commend Zacchaeus for his desire to see Jesus for who he is, and I wish every soul in our world possessed this same zeal and determination to simply catch a glimpse of who Jesus is. I am all for Bible studies, and I believe that Bible studies are part of our duty as Christians. But I have learned through the years, from observations of others and through my own person experiences that unlocking the mystery of Godliness as Paul put it, can not come from knowledge.
I understand that Hosea 4:6 tells us that the people of God are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. But without a relationship, knowledge can be just as destructive. In the book of Genesis, we see a painful revelation; as the serpent fills their ears with the temptation to sin, the Bible says that Adam and Eve desired the tree as to make one wise! They sought the tree of knowledge, because they perceived that knowledge produced wisdom. Wisdom does not come from knowledge, as the great philosopher Socrates once said, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing". That's why the Apostle Paul offered these words in 1 Corinthians 2:2, "I know nothing but Christ and Him crucified." Wisdom doesn't come from how much you know, it is birthed by a desire to know Him! Adam and Eve's biggest mistake was when they, through knowledge sought wisdom; when the plan of God was for them through relationship to pursue him, and wisdom is a byproduct of our relationship with God!
What I'm saying is, that no matter how many Bible studies we participate in, and no matter how much preaching we hear on the matter, there will always come that defining moment in a life when Jesus looks you in the eyes and says, "...make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." There comes a time in every believers life when we face this crossroad of faith, and we find ourselves in this defining moment of reality; do I sit in this Tree of observation trying to learn of all I can? Or do I harken unto the words of Jesus saying, climb our of that tree, for today I'm coming to your house! You see what Jesus is showing us here in this text is that as long as you and I stay in this Tree of Observation, we will never know Him for who he is. But as he mentions to the crowd that day that began to murmur at this announcement, "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus didn't say he came to seek and to save those who were lost, but he came to save THAT which was lost! Knowledge wasn't what was lost, relationship was. And what Jesus is telling this man is this, all your observations are fine, its what brought you to where I'm at; but if you really are sincere in wanting to know who I am, then it's time you climbed down from that tree of observation, and entered into an intimate relationship with me. I can't be learned about, I have to be experienced!
Abraham knew about God, and had even heard his voice, but as he drew that knife into the air and heard the voice of GOd speak, Abraham behold a ram in the bushes! Abraham knew who God was!
Jacob knew about God, but one night in the wilderness wrestling with God all night, Jacob learned who God was!
Moses knew about God, until Moses encountered a burning bush; then Moses knew who God was!
Elisha knew about God, and had witnessed God work through Elijah; but when Elisha walked down to that river and and cried, where is the God of Elijah, Elisha found out who God was!
God can't be discovered by observations. God desires intimacy with him, he's come today to seek and to save that relationship that was lost in the garden. But will we climb out of the comforts of the tree of observation today? Or will live a life short of the abundance God promises to those who make him their priority? The choice is yours Zacchaeus, the call has been made...
Thursday, March 14, 2013
The Blueprint to Apostolic Revival Part 2 The 3 Keys of Revival
In part 1 we covered the joy factor. We need joy in the church if we are to have any success in reaching our world. This part is going to deal with what I feel to be the 3 keys of end-time revival. We understand Joel's prophecy concerning the last days, the last days church will be built round revival and soul-winning. Joel says that the last days church will be empowered by the Holy Ghost with visions and dreams. But if we lose our joy, all of those resources will wither and die. So now that we have a full understanding of our need for joy, let's dive deeper into Joel's prophecy and unlock the three keys to revival!
Joel 1:10
"...the corn is wasted, the new wine has dried up, and the oil languisheth."
The Corn is wasted:
Genesis 42:1-2
"Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: Get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die."
We find here Jacob, the patriarch of God, embedded in a famine. It was so bad that all the sons of Jacob, were sitting there looking at each other wondering, what in the world are we going to do! But Jacob tells them, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Most of us understand the story of Joseph and how he ended up in Pharaoh's palace; Joseph through all his trials found himself in the prison, where the Bible says Joseph worked. We must always be willing to do a work with God regardless of where we are in life! So Joseph interprets a couple of dreams, and now Pharaoh has a dream and they remember, oh there is a guy in the prison who can interpret dreams. So Joseph receives the dream, and understood the warning of God, a famine is coming. This insight and knowledge into the plan of God required Joseph to act with wisdom, vision and determination to implement a plan that would reach the world, and eventually save all the families of the earth.
Amos 8:11
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."
We must understand that the famine of Jacob's day was a foreshadow of the famine of the last days. God said there would be a famine in the last days, only this time it won't be of bread or water; its going to a famine of truth! And now that we have been given access into this plan of God, we are now bound with an obligation like Joseph to begin to implement a strategy for world-wide revival! We may have truth, but unless we learn to utilize vision, determination and wisdom to make a way for all the ends of the earth to be reached; the corn will be wasted!
Proverbs 23:23 tells us to buy the truth and sell it not! We can't just sit back and assume that truth will take care of itself! We had better learn to value the corn! We'd better take the time to make sure we're teaching our children the word of God! When that famine hit the world in Joseph's day, the people of the world abandoned their backgrounds, and all the things they believed in. Why? Not because of a new fad, but because the corn in Egypt was real! And if we want to be available for the floods of people who will swarm the apostolic church in these last days, we'd better stock pile some truth! The world is in need of truth, and we'd better make sure that there is still corn available in the apostolic church!
New wine is dried up:
Mark 2:22
"And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."
Jesus said if new wine isn't accompanied with new bottles there is a danger that the old bottles will not be able to contain the new wine; and the bottle will break, and the wine will be spilled. Jesus is referring to the Holy Ghost here; and the Holy Ghost will not dwell in an old vessel. Unfortunately, we see this often; people come to church and receive the beautiful gift of the Holy Ghost, only before they can make it back for another service, they've already lost what they received and now they've been wounded on top of it. Was the Holy Ghost not good enough? Yes it is! The danger comes when we don't allow that spirit to change us! Yes the Holy Ghost will guide you on the journey of change, but it must be your hands on the plow with determination to change regardless of what must go! But when Joel looked through the eyes of the spirit, he said that the new wine is dried up! What a dreadful sight!!
Paul admonished the Thessalonian church, "Quench not the spirit!" When truth isn't valued like it should be, the people of God begin to desire the things of the world. And through the desire and pursuit of "worldly lusts" the spirit of God will be replaced with the spirit of flesh. The result? A church with dried up spirit. A Chruch that no longer responds with the spirit of God, but now through ritual and practice attempt to manipulate the spirit of God. My prayer in these last days is that the church would empty herself of all unrighteousness, and allow the new wine to fill us up like never before! If we want to be effective in these last days, we can't depend on anything but the spirit of God! Don't let the Holy Ghost dry up in your life.
The Oil Languisheth:
Isaiah 10:27
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing."
The anointing of God is a powerful asset to the church: with it we can do incredible things, without it we can do nothing! Jesus sad in Luke 18:27, "...the things which are impossible with men are possible with God." The anointing will empower us to operate beyond our human ability, and to operate with His authority. With the anointing we are literally agents of God's divine power!
When I read and study the life of Samson, I see a man who is a symbol of the apostolic church. He was set apart, he was anointed, he couldn't do what every one else did. But Samson played with his anointing...Samson always ended up doing what was in his best interest, and never learned the value of submitting completely to the word of God. But the biggest mistake Samson ever made wasn't marrying the wrong woman, it wasn't going in to the harlot's tent or even flirting with Delilah. No, the greatest mistake Samson ever made was in assuming that his power actually came from his hair!
And this is where i'm terrified; I'm witnessing a generation of apostolic people who thinks that their anointing comes from their obedience to our standards. So they play with their anointing, never sold out completely to the word of God. After all, they still "look" the part. But we have a culture now in the church, where people lilve how they want to live, and yet still expect God to show up when they need him to perform because of their "nazarite vow". Listen I still wholeheartedly believe in our standards, I still try and live as far from the world as possible. But are we really presumptuous enough to think, that because we're obedient to a list of guidelines that God is obligated to use us? Your power is not in your standards Samson, your power comes from God! What we need to understand in these last days is that the anointing does not flow from your rituals, the anointing flows from your relationship!
What I'm saying is that we cannot allow our "Pentecostalism" to ever replace our relationship with God!
If we want the kind of revival that is prophesied in the book; then we must use these keys to unlock the door of revival! We need corn in the church, we need new wine that is fresh, and we must be able to operate in the genuine anointing of God! Without is, we'll become tinkling brass and sounding cymbals...with it? We'll discover a revival that will turn our world upside down!!!
Joel 1:10
"...the corn is wasted, the new wine has dried up, and the oil languisheth."
The Corn is wasted:
Genesis 42:1-2
"Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: Get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die."
We find here Jacob, the patriarch of God, embedded in a famine. It was so bad that all the sons of Jacob, were sitting there looking at each other wondering, what in the world are we going to do! But Jacob tells them, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Most of us understand the story of Joseph and how he ended up in Pharaoh's palace; Joseph through all his trials found himself in the prison, where the Bible says Joseph worked. We must always be willing to do a work with God regardless of where we are in life! So Joseph interprets a couple of dreams, and now Pharaoh has a dream and they remember, oh there is a guy in the prison who can interpret dreams. So Joseph receives the dream, and understood the warning of God, a famine is coming. This insight and knowledge into the plan of God required Joseph to act with wisdom, vision and determination to implement a plan that would reach the world, and eventually save all the families of the earth.
Amos 8:11
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord."
We must understand that the famine of Jacob's day was a foreshadow of the famine of the last days. God said there would be a famine in the last days, only this time it won't be of bread or water; its going to a famine of truth! And now that we have been given access into this plan of God, we are now bound with an obligation like Joseph to begin to implement a strategy for world-wide revival! We may have truth, but unless we learn to utilize vision, determination and wisdom to make a way for all the ends of the earth to be reached; the corn will be wasted!
Proverbs 23:23 tells us to buy the truth and sell it not! We can't just sit back and assume that truth will take care of itself! We had better learn to value the corn! We'd better take the time to make sure we're teaching our children the word of God! When that famine hit the world in Joseph's day, the people of the world abandoned their backgrounds, and all the things they believed in. Why? Not because of a new fad, but because the corn in Egypt was real! And if we want to be available for the floods of people who will swarm the apostolic church in these last days, we'd better stock pile some truth! The world is in need of truth, and we'd better make sure that there is still corn available in the apostolic church!
New wine is dried up:
Mark 2:22
"And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."
Jesus said if new wine isn't accompanied with new bottles there is a danger that the old bottles will not be able to contain the new wine; and the bottle will break, and the wine will be spilled. Jesus is referring to the Holy Ghost here; and the Holy Ghost will not dwell in an old vessel. Unfortunately, we see this often; people come to church and receive the beautiful gift of the Holy Ghost, only before they can make it back for another service, they've already lost what they received and now they've been wounded on top of it. Was the Holy Ghost not good enough? Yes it is! The danger comes when we don't allow that spirit to change us! Yes the Holy Ghost will guide you on the journey of change, but it must be your hands on the plow with determination to change regardless of what must go! But when Joel looked through the eyes of the spirit, he said that the new wine is dried up! What a dreadful sight!!
Paul admonished the Thessalonian church, "Quench not the spirit!" When truth isn't valued like it should be, the people of God begin to desire the things of the world. And through the desire and pursuit of "worldly lusts" the spirit of God will be replaced with the spirit of flesh. The result? A church with dried up spirit. A Chruch that no longer responds with the spirit of God, but now through ritual and practice attempt to manipulate the spirit of God. My prayer in these last days is that the church would empty herself of all unrighteousness, and allow the new wine to fill us up like never before! If we want to be effective in these last days, we can't depend on anything but the spirit of God! Don't let the Holy Ghost dry up in your life.
The Oil Languisheth:
Isaiah 10:27
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing."
The anointing of God is a powerful asset to the church: with it we can do incredible things, without it we can do nothing! Jesus sad in Luke 18:27, "...the things which are impossible with men are possible with God." The anointing will empower us to operate beyond our human ability, and to operate with His authority. With the anointing we are literally agents of God's divine power!
When I read and study the life of Samson, I see a man who is a symbol of the apostolic church. He was set apart, he was anointed, he couldn't do what every one else did. But Samson played with his anointing...Samson always ended up doing what was in his best interest, and never learned the value of submitting completely to the word of God. But the biggest mistake Samson ever made wasn't marrying the wrong woman, it wasn't going in to the harlot's tent or even flirting with Delilah. No, the greatest mistake Samson ever made was in assuming that his power actually came from his hair!
And this is where i'm terrified; I'm witnessing a generation of apostolic people who thinks that their anointing comes from their obedience to our standards. So they play with their anointing, never sold out completely to the word of God. After all, they still "look" the part. But we have a culture now in the church, where people lilve how they want to live, and yet still expect God to show up when they need him to perform because of their "nazarite vow". Listen I still wholeheartedly believe in our standards, I still try and live as far from the world as possible. But are we really presumptuous enough to think, that because we're obedient to a list of guidelines that God is obligated to use us? Your power is not in your standards Samson, your power comes from God! What we need to understand in these last days is that the anointing does not flow from your rituals, the anointing flows from your relationship!
What I'm saying is that we cannot allow our "Pentecostalism" to ever replace our relationship with God!
If we want the kind of revival that is prophesied in the book; then we must use these keys to unlock the door of revival! We need corn in the church, we need new wine that is fresh, and we must be able to operate in the genuine anointing of God! Without is, we'll become tinkling brass and sounding cymbals...with it? We'll discover a revival that will turn our world upside down!!!
The Blueprint To Apostolic Revival Part 1 The Joy Factor
Joel 1:10-12
"The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: Thew new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vine dressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. The vine is dried up, the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men."
Joel is a very interesting book, when we read his prophecy we immediately get the understanding that Joel is very connected with our generation. After all it was Joel who prophesied the last days church when he looked into the future with spiritual eyes and said, "and it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh." Joel is seeing with perfect clarity the end time generational church. Joel begins his prophecy in a very intriguing way. he paints the picture of a generation in which the field, or the people of the world, is looking for hope, searching for peace and longing for a change; yet when they come into "our" fields they find no corn, no wine, and no oil.
Now what strikes me at first glance is the condition of the tress that reside in the vineyard. All the trees of this field are withered, unproductive and fruitless, because the Bible tells us that joy had withered from the hearts of the sons of men. This assures me that the fruitlessness of our generation is not the result of poor teaching or poor leadership; although admittedly that may be a small factor. The fruitlessness of our time is the direct result of a joyless generation. It is to be understood that fruit and joy always walk hand in hand. There is no possible way to exhibit the fruit of the spirit without possessing first the joy of the Lord. Because without joy, the fruit cannot survive.
Unfortunately today our world has become a vacuum of self indulgent and self entitled people; people who spend all of their energy and all of their resources seeking some form or fashion of joy. They dedicate their lives, their money, their energy and all their hopes in finding that golden ticket to joy and happiness. The result? A world of unbridled searching for pleasure and self-fulfillment; and anything goes in this pursuit of happiness. As made evident by the various avenues of self expression in our world people truly have no idea what makes them happy. So through their searching for that joy and happiness we see a trail of heartache and devastation. Pain and poor choices have now left a trail of broken dreams and disappointment, and without question if you were to dig through the wreckage in search of what went wrong, you would come to the understanding that all of your efforts and all of your searching were in vain...
You see joy, that is true joy, cannot come from material possessions; true joy can't be found in relationships or people; true joy can't be found in the right career or business move; in fact, joy can't be purchased at all: joy can only be found in one place as the Psalmist so eloquently puts it...
Psalm 16:11 "...In thy presence is the fullness of joy!"
Truth can be kind of shocking can't it? Especially once we realize that everything we've been pursuing doesn't possess that magical formula we hoped to find, or the key to a life overflowing with joy. I understand our careers are vital to happiness, our family is to be valued, time spent with our spouses and our children are to be treasured; but we cannot afford to mistakenly think that these things which can be taken from us tomorrow are the foundation of our joy. And sadly, the driving force in most lives today are these temporary "moments" of happiness that simply will not endure beyond the moment. What we need flowing in our lives is not happiness, what I'm talking about isn't some emotion that can be altered by the events of your day; I'm talking about a joy that can sustain in the face of destruction and will allow you to face any challenge, conquer any foe and defeat any enemy! A joy, I believe, if ever allowed to flow in our lives and in our churches that will produce a "true apostolic revival"!
Psalm 30:5 "weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning"
How often have we quoted this passage when surrounded by the difficulties of life, as some far out attempt to comfort our fears and uncertainties?
But look at Psalm 126:5, "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy"
Could it be that what the Psalmist spoke of in Psalm 30:5 means more than just holding on through the difficulties of night? Could it be that the avenue for joy might be found through weeping and through tears? Not tears for the bad things in life, but tears of sorrow, a Godly sorrow, that is rooted from a deep, burning desire to be changed! I am of the opinion, that if we ever spent the night paving a trail of tears; not because of how bad we have it, not because of bad things happening, but simply because we desired to be like him: I believe this passionate pursuit for change will give birth to a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory!
If we truly want to experience genuine joy, then we must be willing to pick up that old cross, deny ourselves, learn to live not after our wants, but after His will; and patterning our lives after the one who first said "not my will, but thine be done"! And on the other side of this conversion is a joy that will produce a true apostolic revival in our homes and in our churches....
Continue on part 2...
"The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: Thew new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vine dressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. The vine is dried up, the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men."
Joel is a very interesting book, when we read his prophecy we immediately get the understanding that Joel is very connected with our generation. After all it was Joel who prophesied the last days church when he looked into the future with spiritual eyes and said, "and it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh." Joel is seeing with perfect clarity the end time generational church. Joel begins his prophecy in a very intriguing way. he paints the picture of a generation in which the field, or the people of the world, is looking for hope, searching for peace and longing for a change; yet when they come into "our" fields they find no corn, no wine, and no oil.
Now what strikes me at first glance is the condition of the tress that reside in the vineyard. All the trees of this field are withered, unproductive and fruitless, because the Bible tells us that joy had withered from the hearts of the sons of men. This assures me that the fruitlessness of our generation is not the result of poor teaching or poor leadership; although admittedly that may be a small factor. The fruitlessness of our time is the direct result of a joyless generation. It is to be understood that fruit and joy always walk hand in hand. There is no possible way to exhibit the fruit of the spirit without possessing first the joy of the Lord. Because without joy, the fruit cannot survive.
Unfortunately today our world has become a vacuum of self indulgent and self entitled people; people who spend all of their energy and all of their resources seeking some form or fashion of joy. They dedicate their lives, their money, their energy and all their hopes in finding that golden ticket to joy and happiness. The result? A world of unbridled searching for pleasure and self-fulfillment; and anything goes in this pursuit of happiness. As made evident by the various avenues of self expression in our world people truly have no idea what makes them happy. So through their searching for that joy and happiness we see a trail of heartache and devastation. Pain and poor choices have now left a trail of broken dreams and disappointment, and without question if you were to dig through the wreckage in search of what went wrong, you would come to the understanding that all of your efforts and all of your searching were in vain...
You see joy, that is true joy, cannot come from material possessions; true joy can't be found in relationships or people; true joy can't be found in the right career or business move; in fact, joy can't be purchased at all: joy can only be found in one place as the Psalmist so eloquently puts it...
Psalm 16:11 "...In thy presence is the fullness of joy!"
Truth can be kind of shocking can't it? Especially once we realize that everything we've been pursuing doesn't possess that magical formula we hoped to find, or the key to a life overflowing with joy. I understand our careers are vital to happiness, our family is to be valued, time spent with our spouses and our children are to be treasured; but we cannot afford to mistakenly think that these things which can be taken from us tomorrow are the foundation of our joy. And sadly, the driving force in most lives today are these temporary "moments" of happiness that simply will not endure beyond the moment. What we need flowing in our lives is not happiness, what I'm talking about isn't some emotion that can be altered by the events of your day; I'm talking about a joy that can sustain in the face of destruction and will allow you to face any challenge, conquer any foe and defeat any enemy! A joy, I believe, if ever allowed to flow in our lives and in our churches that will produce a "true apostolic revival"!
Psalm 30:5 "weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning"
How often have we quoted this passage when surrounded by the difficulties of life, as some far out attempt to comfort our fears and uncertainties?
But look at Psalm 126:5, "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy"
Could it be that what the Psalmist spoke of in Psalm 30:5 means more than just holding on through the difficulties of night? Could it be that the avenue for joy might be found through weeping and through tears? Not tears for the bad things in life, but tears of sorrow, a Godly sorrow, that is rooted from a deep, burning desire to be changed! I am of the opinion, that if we ever spent the night paving a trail of tears; not because of how bad we have it, not because of bad things happening, but simply because we desired to be like him: I believe this passionate pursuit for change will give birth to a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory!
If we truly want to experience genuine joy, then we must be willing to pick up that old cross, deny ourselves, learn to live not after our wants, but after His will; and patterning our lives after the one who first said "not my will, but thine be done"! And on the other side of this conversion is a joy that will produce a true apostolic revival in our homes and in our churches....
Continue on part 2...
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