Are You Waiting for the Next Outpouring of God?

So often I think we, as Believers, get stuck in mind-sets about the next outpouring of God. We are so hungry for Divine Encounters, and understandably so. There is nothing quite as sweet as basking in a “strong Presence” of the Lord during times of prayer and worship.

But I wonder if we are missing something. I wonder if the “outpouring” GOD is planning might be a little different than our own expectations.

You see, we want an “outpouring” of His Spirit set in corporate gatherings. We gather together and cry out for “more of God”, but could it be that God is crying out for us to pour His Spirit into a lost and broken world?

Consider John 3:34. “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.” If I am “in Christ” and “Christ is in me” – then abundance of His Spirit is already my true condition.

Furthermore, Ezekiel chapter 47 tells of a river flowing from the temple of God. Strangely enough, the river gets deeper as it moves away from the temple itself. Thus the place of corporate worship is only the starting point. Depth is found away from the temple, until the river becomes part of the sea, making salty waters fresh. And we are told that fishermen will gather there with their nets. Think about it – you who are called to be “fishers of men”.

Could it be that as we gather and seek “the next outpouring”, God is waiting...., waiting for us to BE the next outpouring?!

Maybe, just maybe, God is waiting for us to humbly and FULLY accept the responsibility of being HIS vessels – the out pouring isn’t solely for our benefit.  Too often our motives are selfish. We want “warm fuzzy” and “weighty” encounters with God. But if these encounters bring no transformation in our own lives or in our families and communities – what exactly is the point?

There is nothing wrong with corporate prayer and worship gatherings. We need these times of encounter and refreshing. But any outpouring is for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

He is looking for vessels who will actively “pour out” what He “pours in”.  As He blesses US with His Presence, we are to take His Presence into the world for the sake of His Kingdom. We are not to hoard the anointing of God!

Which brings me to another point: do we “reap” sparingly because we “sow” sparingly?

How lavishly do we share “Christ in us” with those around us? Are we stingy? Do we let fear stand in the way? Do people need to “earn” the blessing of Christ within us? Do WE get to choose who and how and when and what we will deposit into another – or are we walking in complete submission so that GOD can make these choices?

So gather, pray and celebrate God certainly! Let us express our hungry hearts. But let us not neglect to pour out what we have into the brokenness around us. For what we have freely received, He desires us to freely give! So if YOU want “more” – give more. BE the OUTPOURING! Invade the earth with the Presence of God.

And know this - as we empty ourselves according to His interests, He will find us irresistible and a lost world will find Him irresistible as well!

Loving Others to Life

In our last blog we talked about the importance of investing into others for the purpose of life transformation.

Concepts such as “discipleship” and “mentoring” have been buzzing around for awhile. Programs are developed; resources are produced; ministries are created – all in an effort to somehow reproduce favorable results.

Yet reality proves that people are different. No matter what “formula” we use to make discipleship “neat and effective” – we find that what works for one person doesn’t necessarily bring the same resultsin another.

If we turn to programs or formulas, rather than seek God’s personalized wisdom, we can miss tremendous opportunities to impact lives on profound levels.

The questions before us remain:

·        “Can I be a vessel God uses to love someone into their next stage of growth?”

·        “What does this person truly need to see about God; about themselves; about life in general in order to thrive in his/her current situation?”

·        “How can I ‘encourage them daily’ toward the goal of reaching their destiny in Christ?”

The level of personal sacrifice required to love someoneinto growth isn’t something we can package in a “one size fits all” program.

It takes deep intention to get to know them; to seek God on their behalf; to speak both words of comfort and words of challenge when appropriate. It takes endurance. It takes vision. It takes personalization.

It requires that the heart of God for that person be formed in us. In Galatians 4:19 Paul compares his passion for their growth to labor pains. It is no easy task, but the fruit is well worth the effort.

If the Kingdom of God resides in the hearts of man – it is only by releasing someone into the fullness of their destiny that we expand the Kingdom. It is all about fruit born in relationships not “programs”.

So who are you loving into their destiny? Can you identify those in whom God has called you to invest? If so, what is your vision for that relationship? How will you intentionally pour the life of Christ in you into that other person? Are you willing to pay the price? How will thiscause YOU to grow and develop along the way?

Less "How to" Books and More "How to" People

With countless resources available concerning personal growth, emotional health and spiritual development, we should be the strongest, healthiest, most empowered generation of all time. If ever the church should be walking in the fullness of the power and likeness of God – it would be now.

Yet, looking around, it seems people are just as unhealthy and “in bondage” as ever. Relationships are marked with strife instead of love. Lifestyles reflect worldly priorities instead of a Kingdom agenda. Many within the Body of Christ lack a passion for the things of God. Few have an accurate picture of who God wants to be for them, in them, and through them.

Could it be that information alone does little to ensure the transformation necessary to live out our destinies in Christ Jesus?

Paul writes, ^“After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel). So I urge you and implore you, be imitators of me” (1 Cor. 4:15 Amp.).

It seems we too abound in teachers but lack the fathers (and mothers) who willingly model Christ to us at an intimate level. Unlike teachers, who can easily tell us WHAT to do, fathers and mothers show us. They get into the trenches of our lives to help us define vision, work through obstacles, nurture us in times of struggle, and hold us accountable for our choices.

While Jesus himself taught to the masses, it is no accident that He invested the bulk of His energies into a small group of people who were willing to be shaped by Him. He was intentional to build strong connections with this group – allowing Him to freely speak into their lives. They were known by Him – and privileged to know Him at a much deeper level than the masses.

Today, we seem to have “ministry” backwards. We’d rather speak to the crowd – teach the masses. As a result we have a small impact on the many we lead.

Such a focus prevents us from making the kind of deep impact that will bring true transformation into the lives of others.  Transforming lives takes intention and commitment away from “ministry goals” and places them instead into “people development”.

While we cry out for revival in our land, we have forgotten that it is the fruit of our love that will reveal to the world that we belong to God. If our love is cold, if we neglect pouring our lives into one another – not programs – then we are missing the mark needed to spark revival.

I encourage you to be a “how to” person. Take time to intimately invest in the lives of those around you. Live in such a way others would want to imitate you as you imitate Christ.

 

Pursuing the Life You Desire

“Do you want to get well?” It must have been an awkward question to hear Jesus ask the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda (see John 5). After all, this man had been paralyzed for thirty eight long years. Who would want to stay in such a miserable condition?

Yet Jesus asks, “Do you want to get well?” The man explains why he isn't well. No one will help him into the pool. He is unable to overcome the obstacles of his circumstance. He is a victim of an unfortunate situation.

Surely he wanted to be well - after all, he had been waiting at the pool where the stirring waters could heal him. Yet, Jesus asks him all the same. Perhaps Jesus saw beyond what was presented. Did this man truly want a different life?

And so it is with us! We say we want a life that is somehow better than the one we are currently experiencing. We want a stronger relationship with God. We long for greater intimacy in relationships. We want a better career, more opportunities. We desire to have a greater impact on our children. We hope to make positive contributions to the world around us – and so on.

There are many situations we wish were different. Yet while we long for our circumstances to be changed, we refuse to deal with the one constant in all of them – ourselves. Just like the paralytic at the pool, as long as our solutions remain outside our control, we have plenty of reasons to settle for life as we know it while maintaining the pretense that we want something better.

For the paralytic to suddenly become well, he would have to be willing to face a whole new way of life. He would no longer be known as a helpless man. He would enter a world of new responsibilities. Even his relationships with others would be radically changed.

Likewise, if we hunger for the abundant life Christ promised, we’d better be willing to deal with the mindsets that keep us from becoming emotionally healthy and spiritually mature. We better plan to “work” at changing some behaviors that keep us in bondage. We’re going to need courage to confront our self-imposed limitations and excuses. There is a cost to be paid. It is here that many disciples turn back and settle for a life far below God’s intended plan. It is here that YOU must answer “do I want to be well?”  

So where are you on the journey to wellness and abundant living? Do you have a plan to create a different future? Or, are you wandering aimlessly through life simply “hoping” a magic genie will appear and make things better?

 

Pursuing an Inheritance

I have a confession to make. For many years, I’ve had a re-occurring theme in my dreams. It’s possible that God is trying to show me something. This theme involves living in a home that is ever-expanding. There is always more “territory” then there is ability to manage. The uninhabited rooms are usually in a state of mess, and God knows, I don’t enjoy housework.

As I have sought His wisdom on the meaning of all of this, I am faced with a reality that God is telling me He wants to give me more, that He wants to expand my territory so to speak. But it’s going to require effort in order to occupy this inheritance. So, like the Israelites of old who battled giants in the Promised Land, I, too, must move forward in faith, obedience and action if I am to inherit His will for my life.

While this could be viewed as “exciting”, I have actually found myself in a season of reluctance. Am I willing to pay the price, to “do the work” that is necessary? I mean, after all, living a mediocre life provides a measure of “comfort” for the flesh. Even the Israelites were tempted to turn back. Their hearts preferred the known shackles and limits of Egypt over the unknown costs to fight for their Promised Land.

Besides, what if I can’t manage? What if I fail miserably? What if I don’t hear God correctly?

In my struggle, I realized that maybe I have been asking the wrong questions all along. Maybe I should be asking questions like these instead:

Am I willing to stand before the throne of God and bring less of an inheritance than all that is possible for me?

Given everything that Jesus was willing to endure for my account, what do I want to bring Him in return?

Do I want to miss out on anything He may have for me?

Will I be found faithful?  Or will it show that I cared more about my comfort, my security or my reputation in this world than I cared about His Kingdom?

Do I trust God to be with me, to fight battles beyond my abilities, to lead me?

Do I really understand that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now inside of me?

Am I allowing fear or faith to rule my heart and, consequently, my decisions?

Somehow, reframing the questions makes the answers so much clearer.

I hope you realize that you, too, have an inheritance in Christ – an ever-expanding Kingdom has been bestowed upon you. There is much of Himself that He wants to give you. Likewise, there is “territory” that He seeks for you to occupy – a purpose for which you now inhabit the earth. May you pursue it with the same passion with which He pursued you!

What is True Christianity?

We have made Christianity a religion that says “follow Jesus and you will find a life of comfort, convenience and worldly blessings”. This is NOT the gospel of the Kingdom. In fact, Jesus makes it clear that there is nothing comfortable about following the Way.

Do you truly desire intimate fellowship with the Living God? We are quick to say “yes”, but even Jesus tells us in Luke chapter 14 to count the cost. He warns us that “those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples” (v33). Realize He is not just referring to our willingness to give up material possessions. He includes relationships, positions of respect and power, even our very “reputation”.

Again, do you really desire intimate fellowship with the Living God? Are you willing to let Him examine the depths of your soul and reveal to you those “things” you still value more than Him? Are you willing to let Him strip you naked of those competing interests?

These “things” aren’t necessarily evil in and of themselves. It could be your desire for a healthy marriage, a meaningful job, enough income to make ends meet, a strong relationship with your children, respect from your colleagues, respect in your church, or physical well-being and safety. Yet any one of these desires can hold a higher position in your heart than fellowship with God.

At times, we want to “use” our relationship with Jesus as a possible means to get these desires. We think, if I pray more; if I am more faithful in giving and service; if I read the Bible more, then maybe God will “grant me the desires of my heart”.

The only way to loosen the hold these “desires” have over our hearts and motivations is to walk the way of the Cross. By willingly surrendering our lives to the One who loves us beyond measure, we experience true victory. This victory is not a deliverance from circumstances - it’s the delight in our soul that remains despite the circumstances. This only happens when our greatest delight, our highest goal, our “pearl of great price” is communion with God.

Again, victory is not deliverance from our circumstances, its deliverance from our condition - the state of our flesh that values the “blessings of God” above communion with God.

When you value any of these things more than God Himself, you will not allow Him to be Lord over the outcomes - you will wrestle for control. You will become a slave to the lesser things of this life.

Jesus makes it clear, to be His disciple you must be willing to surrender it all. It is the only way these desires will lose their power over you. We must be willing to leave the cares of this world behind and enter into ever-increasing communion with Him - allowing Him to truly be God over every circumstance in our lives. That is the Way to abundant life. It’s costly, it’s messy, it’s even painful at times, but it is worth it!

Finding Joy that Lasts

"Joy" is a powerful fruit of the spirit. In fact, the joy of the Lord is our strength.  When our joy is rooted in relationship with Christ (not our circumstances), we overcome life's difficulties by remaining confident in God’s heart to work all things for good.

So how do we cultivate the fruit of lasting joy? Joy is produced in the soil of gratitude and praise. Thanksgiving and worship are keys to joy. We manifest a joyful spirit when our primary focus is God and His blessings.

The trouble is few of us take time to reflect on the "goodness" of the Lord. We fail to let his praise be continually on our lips.  Instead, we are too busy complaining about everything we don't like. This produces the fruits of bitterness, depression and negativity - not joy!

No matter what we are going through in life, there is always a reason for thanksgiving. Everyday offers a multitude of opportunities to thank God and praise Him for His goodness. If we look for them, we will find them.

The following exercises can help you cultivate "an attitude of gratitude and praise". Have a trusted family member, friend, or leader hold you accountable for your progress. Soon you will find it natural to live in unshakeable joy.

1. For one week - track the number of times you complain, whine or argue with God about your circumstances. This will help you see just how much negativity influences you. Repent and make a decision to praise God instead.

2. Train yourself to speak praise to God when tempted to complain instead. Invite Him to open your eyes to see things from a new perspective.

3. Create a "thanksgiving list". Every night journal a minimum of 10 things you are thankful for - do not repeat anything on your list.

4. Practice expressing gratitude to others throughout the day. Do not take another’s kindness for granted.

5. Think about 3 people who have had a positive impact on your life - write them each a detailed letter of appreciation.

6. Reflect upon a difficult circumstance in your past - journal how God has been able to bring good about as a result.

7. Tape up poster board in a common area of your home - invite others to write something they are thankful for on the board. See how many you can list as a family.

8. Share a personal testimony of God's goodness with others.

9. Write a song of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

10. Memorize and meditate on Scriptures concerning thanksgiving and praise.