George Mueller prayed to feed his orphans. God always provided. Yet it wasn't supernatural provision appearing on his table. God spoke to people who were obedient to act in his behalf. It's how he does it.
There are times when God supernaturally provides. I have experienced such. I can recall once having no money in my billfold. Then opening it not an hour later there was over a hundred dollars there. No one touched it. I hadn't made a mistake. It was just enough to solve a problem I was having just then.
There have been other times, you can probably testify to them. Healings, wisdom, knowing not to take a road, all kinds of things. Also checks in the mail you didn't expect.
In most cases the hand of God in a person's life is human. His hands, his feet, his heart, his voice, his compassion shown to others by the prompting of Holy Spirit (who is fully God).
Obedience is the engine of God's activity on the earth. Most of the time it is not a program, a mission, a request. Most of the time it is an inkling that I should do this and as we do HE gets the glory.
Going back to George Muller, he didn't and doesn't know who put groceries on the porch. They just did. Obedient people did.
Prayer MOVES the hand of GOD but God's hand is at the end of your arm in many cases.
This is why I struggle with the God is in Control theology, the full sovereignty of God theory. Both are true, but Control is subject to our obedience. Like a sovereign King in the lands of Old, fully sovereign over his kingdom, but if he declared war on a neighboring Kingdom he was only as powerful as the obedience to his commands his subjects showed. He was in control, he was the king, but if no one followed his command he was alone.
In the same way, we are in the Kingdom of God... HE is KING over all the earth and sky. He is able to do what he does because we obey His call on our lives. He has made us full on Kings and Priests in the Kingdom of God. He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings over all of us however. It's a strange nation, a weird kingdom made up not of serfs and subjects but a nation of Kings and Priests operating in full authority and power. What we command, take authority over, act upon, administer in Love as we follow his instructions is what makes the Kingdom of God on the earth work.
Yet, it won't work if we don't. We need to understand that there are mandates all thru the word of God to his Kingdom Kings and Priests. We have not been as successful as the enemy who we are at war with has again and again used his subjects to disarm and defeat us because we didn't follow direction. Surely many are being brought into the kingdom, it is advancing, but the authority of the believer is not yet understood.
We must learn better to walk in our posts.. a nation not made up of weak serfs but of Crowned Kings and Robed Priests. The devil doesn't much fear serfs.. but a King and a Priest in power? He trembles.
Let's take our position and go on the offense.. God NEEDS us to carry out his will.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Lord YOU Come Like The Rain
It's been raining hard. Almost 2 inches so far and more to come. It's OK. We were dry. We need the rain----
I know something about rain, it comes when the atmosphere is ready. You can have clouds without rain but no rain without clouds. Sometimes there are people in ministry who try to tell you it's gonna rain, but they are clouds without rain.
It falls on everyone in a region, just, unjust, righteous, unrighteous. Glory rain is contagious.
It helps things that are alive and washes away dirty dead things. Rain is a way to refresh and atmosphere... for good. No new growth can come without rain. Many people seek the rain, but dead things don't want any part of fresh rain. Their old dead ways would be threatened. They love their old dry religion too much.
You can artificially create rain (irrigation) when professionals know how.. and things will grow.. but when the professional stumbles.. things die. Many large ministries are nothing more than professional irrigation systems but no actual rain of God's glory ever falls.
Some people say rain rain go away.. but they don't know that LIFE is in the rain. Same is true of the move of God. Many are offended and wish God would just leaven their ministry and church alone without fresh rain.. it riles people up.
Sometimes there are floods from rain, sometimes it changes the landscape, sometimes it causes damage, sometimes people are swept away, sometimes structures that stood a long time collapse as the rain comes. Rain changes things, but most people see change as loss, particularly in spiritual matters.
Rain is what relieves drought.. and drought will eventually kill everything, including you.
I won't have to explain the spiritual implications of comparisons of rain beyond this. If you have eyes to see you will see how all these things are also the Rain of God's glory.
You probably know the song.. Let it Rain...
"Let It Rain"
I know something about rain, it comes when the atmosphere is ready. You can have clouds without rain but no rain without clouds. Sometimes there are people in ministry who try to tell you it's gonna rain, but they are clouds without rain.
It falls on everyone in a region, just, unjust, righteous, unrighteous. Glory rain is contagious.
It helps things that are alive and washes away dirty dead things. Rain is a way to refresh and atmosphere... for good. No new growth can come without rain. Many people seek the rain, but dead things don't want any part of fresh rain. Their old dead ways would be threatened. They love their old dry religion too much.
You can artificially create rain (irrigation) when professionals know how.. and things will grow.. but when the professional stumbles.. things die. Many large ministries are nothing more than professional irrigation systems but no actual rain of God's glory ever falls.
Some people say rain rain go away.. but they don't know that LIFE is in the rain. Same is true of the move of God. Many are offended and wish God would just leaven their ministry and church alone without fresh rain.. it riles people up.
Sometimes there are floods from rain, sometimes it changes the landscape, sometimes it causes damage, sometimes people are swept away, sometimes structures that stood a long time collapse as the rain comes. Rain changes things, but most people see change as loss, particularly in spiritual matters.
Rain is what relieves drought.. and drought will eventually kill everything, including you.
I won't have to explain the spiritual implications of comparisons of rain beyond this. If you have eyes to see you will see how all these things are also the Rain of God's glory.
You probably know the song.. Let it Rain...
"Let It Rain"
Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad
Let the distance shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround him
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side
His lightning lights up the world
The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord
Before the Lord of all the earth
The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory
We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?
Lift your voices, lift your hands!
Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven
Open the floodgates of Heaven
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad
Let the distance shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround him
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side
His lightning lights up the world
The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord
Before the Lord of all the earth
The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory
We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?
Lift your voices, lift your hands!
Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven
AMEN!!
Thursday, August 27, 2015
When Pressing Through means Pressing In
I have had a few bumps in life, some harder than others.
Some would have killed me off except... except.... except GOD!
I knew that if I stopped or gave up I would lose. I knew that the Call of God on my life was to play till we win.
I was Never alone:
The LORD IS MY ROCK…
THE LORD IS MY REFUGE…
HE’S MY FORTRESS…
HE’S MY DELIVERER…
HE’S MY STRENGTH….
HE IS MY PROVIDER…
HE IS MY PEACE…
HE IS MY COMFORT…
And HE IS THE MOST HIGH GOD…
Even in the storm, even in the pain, even in the hard times.. I can trust Him. Doesn't feel that way sometimes, but I can't afford to be moved by what I see or feel as We came up against some financial hills…We walked through some dry valleys…We had some struggles with drugs and alcohol…There is not enough time in the day…We have lost our patience…We lost control and sometimes it feels like there is a riot going on inside…But we stuck it out with God…We keep hanging on to His right hand…We keep holding on to His promise
No one said it would be easy and it hasn't been. YET as I thought about the difficulties, about our life, as I pressed in to God.. He told me this:
Sometimes I have to encourage myself in the Lord and just did.. and hope you were as well.
Some would have killed me off except... except.... except GOD!
I knew that if I stopped or gave up I would lose. I knew that the Call of God on my life was to play till we win.
I was Never alone:
The LORD IS MY ROCK…
THE LORD IS MY REFUGE…
HE’S MY FORTRESS…
HE’S MY DELIVERER…
HE’S MY STRENGTH….
HE IS MY PROVIDER…
HE IS MY PEACE…
HE IS MY COMFORT…
And HE IS THE MOST HIGH GOD…
Even in the storm, even in the pain, even in the hard times.. I can trust Him. Doesn't feel that way sometimes, but I can't afford to be moved by what I see or feel as We came up against some financial hills…We walked through some dry valleys…We had some struggles with drugs and alcohol…There is not enough time in the day…We have lost our patience…We lost control and sometimes it feels like there is a riot going on inside…But we stuck it out with God…We keep hanging on to His right hand…We keep holding on to His promise
No one said it would be easy and it hasn't been. YET as I thought about the difficulties, about our life, as I pressed in to God.. He told me this:
"You are mine, I am never going to leave or forsake you, you are never alone even if it feels that way. I can only guide you as you keep going. If you stop here, I will have to stop too. Your life is in my hands and as you are obedient to my word in your heart I will put your feet on high places. Trust in me. Your own understanding is too weak to overcome what the world throws at you. My ways are far above yours and yet you must be the one to walk out my purposes I have invested in you. There is nothing more to do than that. So take another step, take another and then another. My word is the lamp your feet needs. My Spirit in you manifests Himself to say, this way, walk in it. As you press into me, you will press through. So press in by trusting me to direct you.. even in your uncertainty, for I am the God who can take what looks like disaster to you and turn it into blessing."
Sometimes I have to encourage myself in the Lord and just did.. and hope you were as well.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Leaving Obscurity
I have been in places of high visibility in my life. Owned and operated business and otherwise. I have been in places of authority, the center of the circle.
Then 14 years ago that all changed. My keystone position came down. I didn't go bust. I just fell out of place. It was a shock. From Hero to Zero in a year. It was lost.
It was hard. It was disappointing. Set aside. I was at that point in my late 50s. I was starting to slow down. I was no longer able to get things done as I had in the past. Just on the fringe.
Some people I trusted turned their backs on me. I became a stranger in a strange land. Some in business, some in churches, even some friendships.
It was hard and as I think about those years, I find myself grieving over the lost time. Yet the lost time has seasoned me to where I am today.
Committed to the house of the Lord, I committed myself to places that were willing to embrace what I bring. I began to remove myself from places that did not receive the gift of God I have been given. Not that I'm not important, I just didn't fit in any more.
I am not a placeholder that keeps a seat from tipping over. Claps on cue. Stands up and sits down on cue and listens to a lecture, then puts money in the basket dutifully. If I can't give what God has invested in me, HE invested in vain and I can't let that happen.
It's been a long time. NOW all these years later I am being received (and celebrated) by ministries that matter. I didn't need the Glory, GOD DID. He needed to find a vessel to express Himself in this area. I was available and had proven to be what He needed from me.
Here's what I heard from the Lord that will encourage you:
That is the word of the Lord for someone today.. it was for me too
It was hard. It was disappointing. Set aside. I was at that point in my late 50s. I was starting to slow down. I was no longer able to get things done as I had in the past. Just on the fringe.
Some people I trusted turned their backs on me. I became a stranger in a strange land. Some in business, some in churches, even some friendships.
It was hard and as I think about those years, I find myself grieving over the lost time. Yet the lost time has seasoned me to where I am today.
Committed to the house of the Lord, I committed myself to places that were willing to embrace what I bring. I began to remove myself from places that did not receive the gift of God I have been given. Not that I'm not important, I just didn't fit in any more.
I am not a placeholder that keeps a seat from tipping over. Claps on cue. Stands up and sits down on cue and listens to a lecture, then puts money in the basket dutifully. If I can't give what God has invested in me, HE invested in vain and I can't let that happen.
It's been a long time. NOW all these years later I am being received (and celebrated) by ministries that matter. I didn't need the Glory, GOD DID. He needed to find a vessel to express Himself in this area. I was available and had proven to be what He needed from me.
Here's what I heard from the Lord that will encourage you:
"I have kept you hidden until the day you would be unveiled. Some has been protection, some has been because while you were ready for Egypt, Egypt wasn't ready for you. You will find new hope, new ministry, new service, new place as I take away the covering from you and allow those who need what I have invested in you to be released.
Go to the city (ministry, group, church, fellowship) that celebrates your mission. If they do not, shake the dust from your sandals and find a place where who you are adds to the place you find yourself. You are meant to be an addition not a distraction."
That is the word of the Lord for someone today.. it was for me too
Monday, August 24, 2015
The Contagion of Fear and the Stability of Courage
Every so often we get a moment when it seems men's hearts are failing them for fear.
Today it's markets, tomorrow it's ISIS, day after it's blood moons and Shemitah.
For some it's personal, health, finances, relationships.
For others it's a fear of radial change.
Others it's fear born of bad theology.
Fear is not of God - He is not the author of Confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33
So where does fear come from?
Let's see if we can figure it out. FEAR NOT is the first thing said by angels and by Jesus in difficult situations.
On the other hand, courage is contageos. When people need to overcome fear, they want someone to say, Don't Panic, Don't Fear, Have Faith, Be Courageous.
So as the Lord Speaks to us in our spirit and by his word:
Today it's markets, tomorrow it's ISIS, day after it's blood moons and Shemitah.
For some it's personal, health, finances, relationships.
For others it's a fear of radial change.
Others it's fear born of bad theology.
Fear is not of God - He is not the author of Confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33
So where does fear come from?
Let's see if we can figure it out. FEAR NOT is the first thing said by angels and by Jesus in difficult situations.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
On the other hand, courage is contageos. When people need to overcome fear, they want someone to say, Don't Panic, Don't Fear, Have Faith, Be Courageous.
This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
So as the Lord Speaks to us in our spirit and by his word:
Do not fear, do not be afraid what the world may do, many hearts will fail them for fear, but that is not for you. Seek Peace. Seek victory. Seek hope. I am the GOD of HOPE and Fear is not found in ME. Fear ME only, and walk in the victory you already have. There will come a day when you will look back on this day remembering how you faced it.. and it will Glorify ME as you face it with courage.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
What I know about the Prophetic by Experience
Last night I gave a presentation to people who are being trained in the Prophetic. It was a meeting of the Prophetic Company of Prophets at Crusaders on South Michigan Ave, Raising the Water Level of the Prophetic.
I offered up 17 things I know about the prophetic and the life of a prophet that they need to know. Here are some bullet points..
1. Most people don't believe people can hear from God. You are in the minority. They think you are weird. Get over it.
2. I didn't sign up for this. Never strove for it. People just began calling me prophet. I began to recognize that it is who I am, like being a man. I can't deny my maleness. I embraced the call. My call became my anchor.
3. Getting over the fear of man required me understanding I have a big God and man is little in comparison. Who am I gonna serve? I gotta serve someone, I choose God. Big God, Little Man.
4. I live in terror of God killing me if as a Prophet I take His name in vain. I know He won't, I get that, but the fear of God is powerful in helping me prophesy effectively..
5. I have had to fight allowing my sympathies and bias get in the way of what God wants to say. Like Jonah at Nineveh. OR when someone comes before me that is homeless, broke or in a world of hurt... my heart goes out.. I must take them to someone, but for me as a prophet I cannot get in the way of God providing or changing them. My mercy gift must submit to the prophetic.
6. After a while a prophet sees Jesus in everything. Movies, News, TV program, Music, Literature, the Opera (for me). Everything is filtered thru Jesus. He is constantly talking.. It's why the gift of Tongues is always the gateway to hearing from God. We need the filter.
7. Most prophecy that has to do with superficial issues are not prophetic. (you will write books, movies, open schools, fame, fortune, great wealth....) any of those are not seen in the Bible and are not real. Yes it is possible but rare and be careful in these areas. Don't say what God isn't saying.
8. Never say, "I see you ______________" WHO ARE YOU? Speak first person God. That's the only safe place. Say what he says. Say, I I I, call them My Daughter, My Son.. it's God speaking, not you.
9. Be sensitive to the issues of life and see what God would say about them. Most people that come to you are wondering about Money, Health, Destiny (Ministry), Relationships, Children. Look for a word in these areas. Speak it if you get something.
10. Nothing beats face to face in the Prophetic. Touch matters. I get phone calls and notes asking for a word. Very hard to do... Not really possible... unless a long term relationship exists... even then it's difficult.
11. Before you prophesy, ask yourself the 1 Corinthians 13 question: Do I love this person enough to do this? Hug them. Make contact. Look them in the eye. Never prophesy out of anger or frustration.
12. In a related vein, sometime you have to prophesy a hard word, not correction, bad news. Don't shy away.. some people need to know the truth.. and knowing makes them confident in the future. I have had to prophesy to someone that they would go to Jail or that they would die. In those kinds of cases, do it in love, but tell the truth. Truth is missing in the prophetic. It needs to come back
13. You are making a person's world better. There is much reward to the prophet in helping others see themselves as God sees them. It's why I write. Let that motivate you to do well and honor God in your call. You are changing lives. Preaching can't do this.. Prophecy does.
14. Don't mix deliverance and the Prophetic. They are linked in giftedness, but if you run across a person with a demon, deal with that outside of the prophetic. Jesus didn't prophesy to demons and neither should you.
15. I don't often seek the prophetic for myself. I will receive it from someone I respect. I am careful to whom I submit my spirit. I hear from God by listening carefully to him in silence, no music, no noise, quiet. Pad and pencil. Writing down what God says.. It is also what I do when I am asked to and accept the assignment of inquiring of the Lord for someone. I don't do it often, it's a big task, can take hours and sometimes days.
16. My prophetic is mostly to leaders. Those who are willing to hear what the Lord says are who God has called me to. I can't do much and neither can the Lord for those leaders who are intentionally deaf dumb and blind. Why waste your gift and time on them? Being a leader requires a lot of hearing from GOD... and if they won't.. you are casting pearls before those who won't value them. Also identifying emerging leaders in the Body of Christ is part of the task. Before anyone else, a Prophets should be anointing the future King Davids in the land. Sometimes they are also tasked with telling Jehu that he has to cast down Jezebel.
17. I recognize the power of God in bringing a word that God will honor even above His plan.. We must be careful, power of life and death is in the tongue.
In closing, we have been given great responsibility in the call of God on our lives. Be careful to only say what God says and say all the God says.. no more, no less.
I offered up 17 things I know about the prophetic and the life of a prophet that they need to know. Here are some bullet points..
1. Most people don't believe people can hear from God. You are in the minority. They think you are weird. Get over it.
2. I didn't sign up for this. Never strove for it. People just began calling me prophet. I began to recognize that it is who I am, like being a man. I can't deny my maleness. I embraced the call. My call became my anchor.
3. Getting over the fear of man required me understanding I have a big God and man is little in comparison. Who am I gonna serve? I gotta serve someone, I choose God. Big God, Little Man.
4. I live in terror of God killing me if as a Prophet I take His name in vain. I know He won't, I get that, but the fear of God is powerful in helping me prophesy effectively..
5. I have had to fight allowing my sympathies and bias get in the way of what God wants to say. Like Jonah at Nineveh. OR when someone comes before me that is homeless, broke or in a world of hurt... my heart goes out.. I must take them to someone, but for me as a prophet I cannot get in the way of God providing or changing them. My mercy gift must submit to the prophetic.
6. After a while a prophet sees Jesus in everything. Movies, News, TV program, Music, Literature, the Opera (for me). Everything is filtered thru Jesus. He is constantly talking.. It's why the gift of Tongues is always the gateway to hearing from God. We need the filter.
7. Most prophecy that has to do with superficial issues are not prophetic. (you will write books, movies, open schools, fame, fortune, great wealth....) any of those are not seen in the Bible and are not real. Yes it is possible but rare and be careful in these areas. Don't say what God isn't saying.
8. Never say, "I see you ______________" WHO ARE YOU? Speak first person God. That's the only safe place. Say what he says. Say, I I I, call them My Daughter, My Son.. it's God speaking, not you.
9. Be sensitive to the issues of life and see what God would say about them. Most people that come to you are wondering about Money, Health, Destiny (Ministry), Relationships, Children. Look for a word in these areas. Speak it if you get something.
10. Nothing beats face to face in the Prophetic. Touch matters. I get phone calls and notes asking for a word. Very hard to do... Not really possible... unless a long term relationship exists... even then it's difficult.
11. Before you prophesy, ask yourself the 1 Corinthians 13 question: Do I love this person enough to do this? Hug them. Make contact. Look them in the eye. Never prophesy out of anger or frustration.
12. In a related vein, sometime you have to prophesy a hard word, not correction, bad news. Don't shy away.. some people need to know the truth.. and knowing makes them confident in the future. I have had to prophesy to someone that they would go to Jail or that they would die. In those kinds of cases, do it in love, but tell the truth. Truth is missing in the prophetic. It needs to come back
13. You are making a person's world better. There is much reward to the prophet in helping others see themselves as God sees them. It's why I write. Let that motivate you to do well and honor God in your call. You are changing lives. Preaching can't do this.. Prophecy does.
14. Don't mix deliverance and the Prophetic. They are linked in giftedness, but if you run across a person with a demon, deal with that outside of the prophetic. Jesus didn't prophesy to demons and neither should you.
15. I don't often seek the prophetic for myself. I will receive it from someone I respect. I am careful to whom I submit my spirit. I hear from God by listening carefully to him in silence, no music, no noise, quiet. Pad and pencil. Writing down what God says.. It is also what I do when I am asked to and accept the assignment of inquiring of the Lord for someone. I don't do it often, it's a big task, can take hours and sometimes days.
16. My prophetic is mostly to leaders. Those who are willing to hear what the Lord says are who God has called me to. I can't do much and neither can the Lord for those leaders who are intentionally deaf dumb and blind. Why waste your gift and time on them? Being a leader requires a lot of hearing from GOD... and if they won't.. you are casting pearls before those who won't value them. Also identifying emerging leaders in the Body of Christ is part of the task. Before anyone else, a Prophets should be anointing the future King Davids in the land. Sometimes they are also tasked with telling Jehu that he has to cast down Jezebel.
17. I recognize the power of God in bringing a word that God will honor even above His plan.. We must be careful, power of life and death is in the tongue.
In closing, we have been given great responsibility in the call of God on our lives. Be careful to only say what God says and say all the God says.. no more, no less.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
What Father Wants FOR us and FROM us
I have become convinced we don't understand God's best intentions towards us. This morning in dealing with an issue I heard from the Lord..
"My desire is that every son and daughter alive today become all that I intended them to be. That they fulfill My destiny and purpose in them. I designed them to do so. I never destined My people for defeat, discouragement, failure, despair and uselessness.
It has always been my will that I give good gifts and that those gifts are used to expand My Kingdom. I cannot expand my Kingdom by people in constant want, poverty and pain. Pain will come, want will happen, poverty occurs, but it is not My best.. you are to be the Head and Not the Tail. Lend and Not Borrow. Able to provide for those who have not yet entered into the fullness of what I have for them.
The enemy lies to you that you are more Holy when in poverty. That is not the case. You are Holy because of ME. Now lift up your heads, look to My deliverance from not only your spiritual poverty, but your physical poverty.
I WILL supply every need according to My riches in GLORY... and they are vast. More than you can Possibly IMAGINE, THINK and what you may even be afraid to ASK for. Yet, ask.. trust, use the gifts I have given you. I never waste a gift.. don't you either."
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