I wanted to share something that was conveyed to me through my wifes mother by someone in her church. They live in the north part of Alabama and were in prayer one night for our church. The lady had never been here or seen our church but she began describing to my mother in law what she saw in her spirit. She described the layout of our church exactly and said she saw people lined up waiting to get in. Now, I had never talked to her or shared with my mother in law what the Lord had shown me in the past. But, there have been several occasions where I have seen in my spirit this church and town overrun with people coming because of what God is doing in this church. I have even seen details that were so clear that it seemed as though it were happening now.
I have never been more content in Christ than I am right now. All I want is a greater measure of Him in my life and whatever He wants to do with me is fine. I am not looking for numbers because what God does will be more than a number. There is a spiritual awakening coming and it is starting with a hunger for God and His word. God will take us through a process of stripping things away and bringing us to a place of utter dependence upon Him. Beloved, hear this one thing: There is no amount of sacrifice, suffering and surrendering that we go through on earth that we will not be eternally grateful for in heaven! God will see us through by His Holy Spirit and bring us into the fullness of His son Jesus Christ.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
A Glimpse into David's Heart
As I have been reading recently in 1 Samuel about how Saul unmercifully pursued David and tried to kill him I was just in awe at David's response. Time and time again when David had the opportunity, and what looked like God's favor, to take Saul's life he spared him. Even after his death David still showed upmost respect for "the Lord's anointed". This even extended down through Saul's family.
Just think about it; God had rejected and left Saul but had chosen and anointed David. Saul walked in disobedience to God but David in obedience. On top of this Saul was tracking David like an animal to kill him. In the face of all this, David would not do anything against this man because he saw the authority of God represented in him. How would we...no...how do we behave in similar circumstances? When someone seems like they are out to get us. The good we do, the sacrifices we make, the love for God in our hearts are all misconstrued to be something that they are not.
Not only did David show mercy and love to his enemy but those on his side that had a hand in their downfall David had killed. Someone that stands for us and against those who may be out to get us are usually the ones we promote! God have mercy upon us! David's heart is a complete reflection of humility and brokenness. He never saw it as his job to promote what God had given him. ie. the kingship of Israel. He left it solely up to God to bring it about in His time.
I believe humility is the greatest attribute of God that we can have imparted to us. And the Holy Spirit will bring it about if we allow it. Most of the times we don't. We aren't willing to go through the process. Oh yes, we will humble ourselves to spiritually mature christians that think a lot like we do, but to humble ourselves to someone that has wronged us or who is spiritually immature, NO. This is where the breaking happens and true humility begins to take shape. Many times the Holy Spirit has led me there only to have me shun the situation and think this is not of God. God works in such mysterious ways. It's not usually about the offense but about what God wants to do with it. This is why we will often be brought back to these situations over and over and over. God is saying to us, "Just humble yourself to this and allow me to impart something in you of my very nature."
This is why God declared that David was a man after His own heart. HUMILITY!!!
Just think about it; God had rejected and left Saul but had chosen and anointed David. Saul walked in disobedience to God but David in obedience. On top of this Saul was tracking David like an animal to kill him. In the face of all this, David would not do anything against this man because he saw the authority of God represented in him. How would we...no...how do we behave in similar circumstances? When someone seems like they are out to get us. The good we do, the sacrifices we make, the love for God in our hearts are all misconstrued to be something that they are not.
Not only did David show mercy and love to his enemy but those on his side that had a hand in their downfall David had killed. Someone that stands for us and against those who may be out to get us are usually the ones we promote! God have mercy upon us! David's heart is a complete reflection of humility and brokenness. He never saw it as his job to promote what God had given him. ie. the kingship of Israel. He left it solely up to God to bring it about in His time.
I believe humility is the greatest attribute of God that we can have imparted to us. And the Holy Spirit will bring it about if we allow it. Most of the times we don't. We aren't willing to go through the process. Oh yes, we will humble ourselves to spiritually mature christians that think a lot like we do, but to humble ourselves to someone that has wronged us or who is spiritually immature, NO. This is where the breaking happens and true humility begins to take shape. Many times the Holy Spirit has led me there only to have me shun the situation and think this is not of God. God works in such mysterious ways. It's not usually about the offense but about what God wants to do with it. This is why we will often be brought back to these situations over and over and over. God is saying to us, "Just humble yourself to this and allow me to impart something in you of my very nature."
This is why God declared that David was a man after His own heart. HUMILITY!!!
Friday, February 13, 2009
I feel a little like Abraham.
Let me preface this by first of all saying that I know that my faith does not even bare a faint resemblance to that of Abraham's. A man who lived his entire life without seeing the promise given to him by God fulfilled. He didn't see the land obtained and all of his descendants: 1. Now this is what I call faith!!! Living his whole life committed to the promise given by God. Wow.
I know at times that Abraham must have felt a little of what I am feeling; God am I crazy!!! I am truly excited about what is happening and what this year entails. At times my mind races about what all God is going to do, how He is going to do it, and the joy about being involved in any way. However, in the natural, nothing has changed. We are still at our lowest numerically; struggling financially; bombarded spiritually and wondering how in the world we are going to make it to next month. This is why I find myself asking, "Am I crazy". Because what I feel in the spiritual realm is far different than what is before me.
I feel that for the first time this church is drawing the attention of the spiritual forces of darkness. Not only drawing their attention but they are going about in a state of frenzy trying to stop what they are seeing in the spiritual realm. You see, it is not the numbers that make the enemy tremble; it is not the programs that send them in a panic. On the contrary, I believe the devil will be more than glad to pack out a church and let you start more ministries than you can count. However, you let the measure of Christ start increasing in your heart, in your family and in your church and this is what makes him tremble. There is nothing else that draws the attention of the principalities of the Devil like Jesus Christ being made more manifest in the life of a believer. That's it!! That's the thing!!!! It is Christ revealed....Christ manifest...... Conformed into His image.....a daily dying to what we want, our plans, our wills, our desires and a making alive to the spirit of Christ within us.
I tell you the truth, the measure that as to whether or not we are effective as believers is the measure that Christ is manifest in us and therefore the measure that we are known in the heavelies. If we are not known in the heavenlies then we are of no threat and we have relegated Christ to a one time experience or something. But you let your heart begin turning to Him in desperation and allow Him to so have His way that you become ejected from the life you once lived and mark my words.....THE POWERS OF HELL WILL TAKE NOTICE!!!!! There will be a noticeable change in the heavenlies and every attempt made from Satan's cohorts to stop what is happening. They don't fear a big church or a busy church but a church where Jesus Christ is being manifest and wrought out in the hearts of His children!!!
Therefore, I feel a little like Abraham must have felt at some time. Lord, I can feel it; I believe it; I am staking everything on it; Even though at this present time I don't see it before me. But one thing I will do is continue surrendering to Your ways, Your breaking, Your humbling, and allow You to develop what You will in my life. And there is where I want to spend the rest of my life. I look for nothing else, but Christ formed within me.
I know at times that Abraham must have felt a little of what I am feeling; God am I crazy!!! I am truly excited about what is happening and what this year entails. At times my mind races about what all God is going to do, how He is going to do it, and the joy about being involved in any way. However, in the natural, nothing has changed. We are still at our lowest numerically; struggling financially; bombarded spiritually and wondering how in the world we are going to make it to next month. This is why I find myself asking, "Am I crazy". Because what I feel in the spiritual realm is far different than what is before me.
I feel that for the first time this church is drawing the attention of the spiritual forces of darkness. Not only drawing their attention but they are going about in a state of frenzy trying to stop what they are seeing in the spiritual realm. You see, it is not the numbers that make the enemy tremble; it is not the programs that send them in a panic. On the contrary, I believe the devil will be more than glad to pack out a church and let you start more ministries than you can count. However, you let the measure of Christ start increasing in your heart, in your family and in your church and this is what makes him tremble. There is nothing else that draws the attention of the principalities of the Devil like Jesus Christ being made more manifest in the life of a believer. That's it!! That's the thing!!!! It is Christ revealed....Christ manifest...... Conformed into His image.....a daily dying to what we want, our plans, our wills, our desires and a making alive to the spirit of Christ within us.
I tell you the truth, the measure that as to whether or not we are effective as believers is the measure that Christ is manifest in us and therefore the measure that we are known in the heavelies. If we are not known in the heavenlies then we are of no threat and we have relegated Christ to a one time experience or something. But you let your heart begin turning to Him in desperation and allow Him to so have His way that you become ejected from the life you once lived and mark my words.....THE POWERS OF HELL WILL TAKE NOTICE!!!!! There will be a noticeable change in the heavenlies and every attempt made from Satan's cohorts to stop what is happening. They don't fear a big church or a busy church but a church where Jesus Christ is being manifest and wrought out in the hearts of His children!!!
Therefore, I feel a little like Abraham must have felt at some time. Lord, I can feel it; I believe it; I am staking everything on it; Even though at this present time I don't see it before me. But one thing I will do is continue surrendering to Your ways, Your breaking, Your humbling, and allow You to develop what You will in my life. And there is where I want to spend the rest of my life. I look for nothing else, but Christ formed within me.
Monday, December 29, 2008
2009 The Year of Repositioning
I have received a prophetic word from the Lord for 2009. I spirit is literally leaping within me at what God has spoken. 2009 will be the year that God miraculously begins repositioning this church in many areas. This has already been happening in some areas but things are going to get turned up even more this year. The biggest area that God has already started repositioning us is spiritually. An intimacy and utter dependence on Him is and has been being established in the majority of hearts here. This is the biggest area that God wants to continue to reposition us in. Without this then we have nothing to offer but a dry religion and a lot of words. This area will continue as we truly grow into the full measure of Jesus Christ.
Another big area of repositioning will be in the area of relationships. Relationships that have just seemed to be draining and unfruitful God will move to severe those ties. However, He will reposition us in relationships that truly birth the life of God in hearts. I believe this is the cry of every believers heart; Lord, use me to impact someone else with Your love!!! This year there will be a big shift in relationships so that God can use the vessels that He has been preparing this past year to translate life and freedom into the lives of others.
Another area of repositioning is emotionally. God is ready to reset a lot of people from feelings of guilt, depression, anxiety, hopelessness and defeat to feelings of innocence, joy, peace, hope, and victory.
I believe we will see breakthroughs in areas that christians have been living in for many many years. My spirit just keeps shouting GET READY GET READY GET READY for the repositioning that is coming to your life!!!
Another big area of repositioning will be in the area of relationships. Relationships that have just seemed to be draining and unfruitful God will move to severe those ties. However, He will reposition us in relationships that truly birth the life of God in hearts. I believe this is the cry of every believers heart; Lord, use me to impact someone else with Your love!!! This year there will be a big shift in relationships so that God can use the vessels that He has been preparing this past year to translate life and freedom into the lives of others.
Another area of repositioning is emotionally. God is ready to reset a lot of people from feelings of guilt, depression, anxiety, hopelessness and defeat to feelings of innocence, joy, peace, hope, and victory.
I believe we will see breakthroughs in areas that christians have been living in for many many years. My spirit just keeps shouting GET READY GET READY GET READY for the repositioning that is coming to your life!!!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Wrought in God
John 3:21 (NASB) 21“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
These three words, "wrought in God" have been ringing in my spirit for months. The focus of the above scripture is not the first part of the scripture but the last. You see, the one who practices the truth and comes to the Light is a natural result of having something "wrought in God" within them. This is the key: Surrendering to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to form Christ within us. This definately sounds more glorious in word than it feels in action. It is a place of death and agony. But the beautiful result is the image of Jesus Christ being brought into a clearer view within our lives. Then, and only then, our lives will follow the pattern of Christ's as He is manifested through the very things we do. We will feel a drawing in our spirit to come more and more into the light of His presence so that all things will be revealed as having been "wrought in God".
These three words, "wrought in God" have been ringing in my spirit for months. The focus of the above scripture is not the first part of the scripture but the last. You see, the one who practices the truth and comes to the Light is a natural result of having something "wrought in God" within them. This is the key: Surrendering to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to form Christ within us. This definately sounds more glorious in word than it feels in action. It is a place of death and agony. But the beautiful result is the image of Jesus Christ being brought into a clearer view within our lives. Then, and only then, our lives will follow the pattern of Christ's as He is manifested through the very things we do. We will feel a drawing in our spirit to come more and more into the light of His presence so that all things will be revealed as having been "wrought in God".
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A Stirring in the spirit
This past week I have felt a definate and urgent stirring in my spirit. Much different than just seeking more of Him or desiring revival; this, I believe, is something much more universal in the body of Christ. I believe there is a drawing by the Holy Spirit or a calling out, if you will, for those that the book of Revelation refers to as "overcomers". What is evident is the fact that these aren't just overcomers of the world but overcomers of the condition of the church. The condition we have in these last days is a church that thinks it has it all together: rich, great wealth, and no need of anything. However, God says we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. THIS IS TALKING ABOUT THE BODY OF CHRIST! Not some "other" denomination you don't like or church that seems watered down. NO,NO,NO....this is US!!! God have mercy on us for the state we have allowed the body to get into.
I have often heard through the years people talk about a "remnant" of God's people and most of the time it comes across as some special "class" of christians or as "spiritual elitism". You can rest assured, if someone comes across like this then they are definately not part of it. This remnant or last days overcomers will emanate the humility and servanthood of Christ. The closer they come to Him the more wretched and pitiful they view themselves. You aren't left with the impression of having been in the presence of some "awesome" christian. You actually won't be impressed with them. What you will be left with however is the impression of Christ upon your heart. You will think more fondly of Jesus and not the person. Oh God would you burn away every trace of us so that all is left is the image of Jesus Christ.
Be still and listen to the Holy Spirit....do you feel Him calling?....He will lead the way.
I have often heard through the years people talk about a "remnant" of God's people and most of the time it comes across as some special "class" of christians or as "spiritual elitism". You can rest assured, if someone comes across like this then they are definately not part of it. This remnant or last days overcomers will emanate the humility and servanthood of Christ. The closer they come to Him the more wretched and pitiful they view themselves. You aren't left with the impression of having been in the presence of some "awesome" christian. You actually won't be impressed with them. What you will be left with however is the impression of Christ upon your heart. You will think more fondly of Jesus and not the person. Oh God would you burn away every trace of us so that all is left is the image of Jesus Christ.
Be still and listen to the Holy Spirit....do you feel Him calling?....He will lead the way.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Re-Digging The Wells
The Lord has spoken to me this past week about the significance of the redigging of the wells that God has established. In every church or ministry that at some time had the life of God moving in it, it was a spiritual well that took on a particular purpose. Now all of them will have certain things in common but the heart of it is uniquely different in fullfilling the purpse that God had created it to be.
The Lord began showing me that what He is doing here is re-digging something that He established a long time ago. And He quickly brought "Missions" to my mind. This church has always had a heart for missions and has had several missionaries come out of this church. As I looked on the back wall of our church, where the pictures of the missionaries we support hang, I saw in my spirit the whole wall filled with missionaries and many of the faces were people going to church here now and many will come later. I immediately saw that God was not only wanting us to support missions but to be a sending agency once more in the final outpouring of His Spirit! My spirit leaped with me and in the words of Isaiah cried, "Here am I, send me"!!!
The Lord began showing me that what He is doing here is re-digging something that He established a long time ago. And He quickly brought "Missions" to my mind. This church has always had a heart for missions and has had several missionaries come out of this church. As I looked on the back wall of our church, where the pictures of the missionaries we support hang, I saw in my spirit the whole wall filled with missionaries and many of the faces were people going to church here now and many will come later. I immediately saw that God was not only wanting us to support missions but to be a sending agency once more in the final outpouring of His Spirit! My spirit leaped with me and in the words of Isaiah cried, "Here am I, send me"!!!
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