Is There Hunger?

Is There Hunger?

by | May 21, 2021 | Intimacy With God, Kingdom Culture, Prayer And Worship

Is There Hunger?

While reading about the Azusa revival that began in 1906, I was struck by how hungry the people were for God. There was a great eagerness to seek out the deep things of God. The people knew that there was more and they were willing to put in the time to search it out.   

William Seymour turned to God whenever there was a dispute. I believe that the trials that he encountered served to strengthen his pursuit of God. After being invited to Los Angeles he was locked out of the church over a disagreement of theology. With nowhere to go, a family from the church allowed him to stay with them. Seymour responded not with anger or retaliation, but by closing himself in the bedroom to seek God with prayer and fasting. Seymour spent three hours a day in prayer until a fellow minister gave him a word that God wanted him to increase that time to five hours. Even after revival broke out, Seymour continued to spend at least five hours a day in prayer. 

Seymour used a key that so many seem to lack today: hunger. He had a hunger to see what God had placed in his heart come to fullness. Specifically, he hungered to see the baptism of Holy Spirit fall as it did in the days of the apostles. Even before experiencing the baptism himself, Seymour preached and prayed for others to receive the baptism of Holy Spirit. Hunger had given him an insatiable desire for something that was yet to come. True hunger from God always produces a prophetic cry for something yet to come. It decrees salvation for the lost. It stands firm in the middle of persecution. In fact, trials produce the key components for glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18a states, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”   

When seeking God, neither time nor difficulty is of any effect, only hunger. Pursuit of God with hunger will cause every issue or obstruction in your life to give way for deeper realms of presence. Every issue or sickness must come into alignment with the word of God. As you hunger for God, even the biggest issues begin to fade into a place of lesser concern, replaced with a revelation of God’s heart.   

It’s in this place of transformed desires that our plans and concerns align with heaven. What does that alignment look like? Progressively, your concerns are replaced with God’s heart. What He is passionate about increasingly becomes your passion. You may find yourself moved for a city or nation. I have spent days in tearful intercession for the nation of Brazil and more recently, the state of New York. The Lord has given me dreams revealing His heart for these places. He has shown me the revival that will break out and How he will move across the nation and globe as a result of what He does there. As I press into His heart for these places, the mantle of intercession has started to rest on me.   

The concerns I had for my job, my health, and ministry shrunk away in light of the burning heart that I now had for revival. Every trial was producing in me a greater glory that has carried me to a place of greater anointing. I found myself praying what Isaiah prayed, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) Any true glimpse of God’s heart will force a realignment of priorities. As my revelation of God has increased over the past few years, my goals, ambitions, likes, and desires have shifted. As the glory has increased on me, my primary concern has been on hosting the presence and stewarding the heart of God well.   

Years ago, I began decreeing the words of Christ in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” I didn’t know exactly what I was asking for, I just knew that hunger was the ticket for more. I can now attest to the fact that there is no greater satisfaction than following the heart of God. When you contribute meaningfully to what God is yearning for, your heart will overflow with the joy of heaven. The more you abandon to see His will accomplished the more your joy will be full. Hunger is the opening to release the satisfaction of heaven. Obedience is the vehicle to see it fulfilled. Hunger produces obedience. Obedience releases greater glory, and His presence releases fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11)  

How will you respond to God showing you His heart for a city? Are you prepared to place His priorities above your own? Are you ready to intercede until the answer comes? God is calling for those who have a hunger for the harvest. I pray that He will send you into the field with a burning desire to see His agenda accomplished in the earth.    

 

Growing in Glory

Growing in Glory

by | Jan 24, 2020 | Intimacy With God

Growing in Glory

There are seasons of seeking, seasons of intercession, and then there are Reaping Seasons. God has positioned his bride to reap the undeniable, transforming power of His Glory. God is desiring his children to step out of religious ritual into the realm of His Glory. Recently, in prayer, God brought fresh revelation on how we can experience Glory Growth. There is Religious Growth and then there is Glory Growth. In this new era, God is wanting his children to earnestly desire Glory Growth. 

Religious growth is positive and involves your typical church growth. With this growth comes structure, organization, various programs and fundamental increase within the body. This type of growth is necessary at times for the ecclesia, however, God is calling his people to hunger for an intimate encounter with His glory so that we may become familiar with His presence and begin ministering from the glory.  

Recently I was praying about this upcoming year and had my mind and spirit focused on praying to experience more of God’s Glory! As I continued to pray, I felt an increase in the wind and presence of Holy Spirit. I heard the Lord say: “You have experienced religious growth but you have not yet experienced Glory Growth.”

I immediately saw the places throughout our ministry where we experienced tremendous growth, whether it was in programs, numbers, or youth and children’s ministries. All of these experiences were positive and legitimately blessed by the Lord but I knew God was saying, “There is more!” After hearing this word, I must say I was somewhat discouraged! I began questioning the Lord, “How can I experience your Glory?” or “Lord, where can Your Glory be found?”

Weeks before this, I was listening to a pastor who experienced complete burn-out. He was ready to leave a successful ministry career of 20+ years because he had completely lost his motivation and zeal. After typing his resignation letter to his church, he went to bed late that night only to be awakened by God Almighty audibly calling his name. He arose from his bed and asked, “Lord, where have you been?” When I heard the Lord’s response, it radically changed my life! Jehovah answered him, “I’ve been waiting for you in the secret place!”

My spiritual hunger began to increase as I determined in my heart to seek the Glory of God at whatever cost. I was reminded of that pastor and his testimony and grabbed my Bible to read the Psalms: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalms 91:1)

Glory Growth happens when an appeal to heaven is made from the secret place. The secret place is where deep hunger for the presence and power of God is cultivated. Glory Growth happens in an atmosphere of love, unity, humility and total reliance upon the presence of the Almighty. God is wanting the ecclesia to experience a surge of Glory Growth in these last days. There is a latter-day outpouring awaiting those in the body of Christ who are humbling themselves and seeking the face of God.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

This Glory surge that is coming will provide God’s people with greater insight into His word and a new encounter with Holy Spirit like they have never seen! In this new era, we are called to minister from the Glory and impart restorative power into the body of Christ.

Over the years, I have learned that at times, God speaks in a whisper so that we will lean into his voice and embrace His presence. Our Heavenly Father desires his children to be filled and overflowing with his power, love, and compassion so that we will be ready to move in power and lead others into His Glory.

Recently, I was in the hair salon and one of the stylists brought her daughter with her. This precious little girl was bouncing around all over the salon with endless energy! She ran up to my chair and I asked her, “Wow, you have so much energy-can you share some?” Her response absolutely pricked my heart! She boldly replied, “Sure you can have some! I’ve got a full tank!”

We all laughed in wonderment at her conquering personality and I then felt sweet Holy Spirit tug on my heart and say, “Heavenly Father wants each of his children to be able to say, ‘My spirit is full and running over-what do you need? That which I have, I give to you!’”

Peter knew the gift he had received and fully understood he was expected to give it freely for whosoever would believe! “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6)

How empowering the body of Christ would be if we could all simply recognize that greater is He that’s within us than He that’s in the world! And this gift we have received is meant to be shared, stirred up, and ever-increasing throughout the body of Christ! For His Glory! There IS more to Jehovah God than we realize. His character, imagination, creativity and power are infinite! Fortunately for us, God not only desires covenant relationship with us but to give freely to each of His children according to His riches in Glory!

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

Let the body of Christ rise in boldness and proclaim, “Here’s my cup, Lord! Fill it up!”

Knowing Holy Spirit: Part 1

Knowing Holy Spirit: Part 1

by | May 25, 2019 | Intimacy With God, Kingdom Culture

Knowing Holy Spirit: Part 1

Stop for a moment and consider your relationship with Holy Spirit. Would you describe Him as completely transformative, or is He more of a passive observer to your life? I see so many believers who have a very complicated relationship with Holy Spirit or even none whatsoever. God is calling this generation to a greater knowledge and relationship with His Spirit. Let’s look at some ways that we can know Holy Spirit in a greater way!  

Holy Spirit leads us to Christ 

I used to struggle with understanding Holy Spirit for many years. I believed that He was present, but struggled to see how He connected to my life. I knew that He was part of the Godhead, but what is His personality? I once asked the Lord to teach me how to understand and interact with Holy Spirit. His response helped me and I pray that it helps you as well. God spoke to my heart, “You understand Jesus from scripture. Holy Spirit was in Jesus while on earth. All of the personality and nature of Jesus is in Holy Spirit.“ Holy Spirit is the gateway to Christ. Without Him, there is no way to know Jesus.  

All of the personality and nature of Jesus is in Holy Spirit.

This revelation set me out to understanding Jesus in a deeper way. I often tell people, “Want to understand Holy Spirit? Get to know Jesus!” The personality and desires of Christ appear much more defined to us because we can read His words in Scripture. God was showing me that this was Holy Spirit just as much as it was Christ. Jesus himself said “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

The Lord also brought this scripture to mind: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you… When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:7, 13-15) 

Jesus made it clear that it would be better for Holy Spirit to come. Realistically, what could be better than Jesus? As amazing as Christ in the flesh was, He did have limitations. We know that Jesus was tempted, He had normal human sensations such as hunger and grief. He also was limited in terms of location. A man can only be at one place and can effectively listen to only one person at a time. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus was unable to be reached for several days leading to Lazarus’ death; although Jesus easily raised him.  

Holy Spirit is every bit as powerful, loving, and passionate as Jesus; however, Holy Spirit is everywhere at all times. He indwells the believer and is literally everywhere we are at all times. Every temptation and even in grief, He is there. Despite failure and weakness, He is present. I bet the disciples wished Jesus was with them while they unsuccessfully attempted to cast out a demon in Mark 9:14-29. Holy Spirit is infinitely able to be present, heard and communed with. His agenda is heaven’s agenda. Often, we are the only obstacle to Him moving or speaking.

Holy Spirit is infinitely able to be present, heard, and communed with.

Holy Spirit is a Person 

Think for a moment about the way we approach worship services. While they may appear dynamic and spontaneous, often times, they are anything but. Especially in larger settings, services often are scheduled down to the second. A former ministry I was a part of took this to the extreme. We kept a countdown screen in the stage and one on the back wall just in case. In our service planning meeting, we would discuss even when or how the “spontaneous worship” would break out and who would lead it from the stage. Occasionally, we would even coordinate with certain people in the crowd to either stand or come up front. To the casual observer, they were in a great service. After all, that’s what we were targeting: casual observers who had children and paid tithes.  

This felt wrong to me for obvious reasons. Often, I would comment, “Where is Holy Spirit” and, “That’s not genuine.” After several objections, I gained the nick name “Old-Timer.” Apparently, that is the way things were done in days past. Now, we have a computer and a clock. Even our worship consists of backing tracks and a click metronome. Do not misunderstand me, I am not totally against such things, but the thought of relying on our program instead of Holy Spirit for direction turns my stomach.  

Holy Spirit is not always understood as a person of the Godhead. He is not seen as truly present, or at least active most of the time. In truth, He is more alive and active than the air you’re breathing. He moves on, in, and through the praise, declarations, faith, and prophecy of His people. Every day, He must be passionately sought and listened to. We can never break communion with Holy Spirit or we will be lost without His direction and anointing.  

Holy Spirit Speaks 

Our current ministry is a house church. The focus has been to give Holy Spirit room to move in every meeting. I have to admit, it took time for us to detox from a system of charts, agendas, and orders of worship. Everything from teaching, to singing, to giving can be used as a key to open the heavens. I often forego sermon notes and speak what Holy Spirit has laid on my heart. I have found, it is much easier to hear Holy Spirit when you aren’t reading bullet points. The further we move into spontaneous worship, the more we must depend on Holy Spirit. Search for what Holy Spirit is saying or doing and press into His impression and you will encounter breakthrough at every level.

I can promise, if you give Holy Spirit adequate room to speak, He will do that and much more. Imagine if Jesus was scheduled to attend your meeting next week. Obviously, the whole service would be structured around His presence. You would expect Him to not only speak, but to heal, deliver, prophesy, even raise the dead. People would come from miles around to see and hear Him. The truth is, we don’t expect Jesus to come and we plan accordingly. When He does come, we have a schedule to keep so He gets ignored.  

Our pastors aren’t conditioned to hearing His voice and the people aren’t trained to listen. I am ashamed to say, if Holy Spirit took a week off this Sunday, many churches wouldn’t notice a difference. The pastor wouldn’t either. He’s on part three of a six week series. This whole concept should scare and shock you. The church cannot continue in such a dead and lifeless state. We are the living fulfillment of 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions…” 

We need Holy Spirit more than ever before. Get in your prayer closet and pray until you sense His presence. Listen until you hear His voice. Lead others to do the same and we will see a much needed revival in our land.  

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising. 

Isaiah 60:1-3

Discerning God’s Voice

Discerning God’s Voice

by | May 7, 2019 | Intimacy With God, Prophecy

Discerning God’s Voice

I have heard God’s voice in the most unexpected circumstances. You may laugh, but I often get a word while in the shower. Occasionally, I have been awakened at 4 a.m. with a strong urge to grab a pen and paper. Some of the most important words of my life have come in this fashion. We must discern when He is speaking and listen for the voice of Holy Spirit at all times.   

God is Speaking  

I want to establish two things that the prophetic moving of Holy Spirit centers on: hearing God’s voice and having God’s mind. First, God is speaking and His words are power. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:25-26) Jesus never wrote a book that we know of. He often spoke in parables that were convoluted. Occasionally, He concealed His true identity as the Son of God. More often, He relied on one’s heart to lead. In response to Nicodemus’ inquiry on salvation, Jesus finally states, “You must be born of the Spirit.” (John 3:1-6) His expectation was that something would come alive inside the person as a response to hearing the truth. Jesus taught with the understanding that the Holy Spirit would fill in the gaps.  

Jesus had faith in the power of Holy Spirit to speak and so should we. Holy Spirit is powerful because He speaks at the deepest part of the person; to the soul. The sense of affirmation or caution that rises from inside us is most often Holy Spirit speaking. Don’t listen for words but for impressions and simply a “knowing.” Have enough faith to give expression to the impression. Faith pulls and transforms the impressions into a declaration and the word of God is made active. In this way, we speak the heart of God and creation responds. In this way the sick are healed, the lame walk and the dead are raised. All power springs from proper response to that voice.   

The Mind of Christ  

Second, God desires to impart His mind to us. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2) The most transformative aspect of salvation is the renewing of one’s mind. From this springs forth all fullness of the Spirit. Without the mind of Christ, we are void of any true power from heaven. The strength and power of Christ are displayed in the believer only to the degree in which they have conformed to the mind of Christ. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…” (Isaiah 55:8-9)   

All of us have struggled with one sin or another. Freedom is only found in the person of Christ. Many people struggle with freedom and are saddled by guilt and shame. It’s only with a transformed mind that we can actually begin to think and live like royalty. Need to break a sin or overcome shame? Change your mind! You are a child of God and heir with Christ. You are His body and bride. Jesus takes pride in His church. He longs for a spotless bride who has no guilt of sin but is only fascinated with His beauty. Walk boldly bearing the identity of Christ. Let His thoughts, desires, and emotions fill your mind.   

The reason I bring up the mind of Christ is that, without His mind, we are unable to perceive or follow His voice as we ought. The fleshly mind scoffs at the word of God. What kind of person would find peace at the end of a spear?  Who would leave their family to evangelize a lost and remote people group? Only those who have seen and know Jesus. The reality of His existence is transformative enough to change a person, city, and nation. I have often said, “You will not overcome sin until you fully realize how ugly sin is and how abstrusely beauty Christ is.” A sinful life pales in comparison to the overwhelming peace of knowing Christ. Only in Him will you find freedom and peace for your soul.   

Defining the Voice  

Recently, I was listening to a popular Christian artist. I began to think on some very unflattering information that had recently come out about them when the Lord convicted me. Prophetically, I could see what looked like two ribbons coming from the radio. The first represented the music itself, and second represented the spiritual. As I began to focus on the second ribbon, I heard the Lord say, “These words are still true and I will speak through whomever I will. It is your job to listen to me, not to judge them.” The more I focused on the second ribbon, the more I felt and heard Holy Spirit. Beneath the music was an entire symphony of the supernatural that I had never seen before. It was not limited whatsoever by this performer’s failures. We miss so much by limiting how we hear God’s voice.  

God’s voice is not defined by what is conveying it. Let me explain. In scripture, the voice of God came is several unusual ways. It came in the stillness, a tornado, a dark thundering cloud, a burning bush, and even a donkey. We must learn to listen for His voice at all times. This is especially important now that Holy Spirit indwells us. 

God’s voice manifests in more than just words. He speaks through emotional stirring, faith, and impressions as well. In fact, we can become so intertwined with Holy Spirit that even His thoughts and feelings are constantly streaming to us. This is much more than conversational, He becomes joined to us emotionally and physiologically. Mentally, we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) We are actually being emptied of ourselves and filled with God! “…It is not I who live but Christ who lives within me.” (Galatians 2:20) Likewise, we are commanded to “put to death” any aspect of our old sinful selves. (Colossians 3:5) Always seek to hear the Lord and follow His voice. When His voice speaks to a transformed mind, great acts of the divine are sure to follow!  

Pray this prayer with me. “Lord, remove my old, dead, and lifeless thoughts. Fill me with that which is fresh, living, and prophetic. Let your thoughts be my thoughts. Let what moves you move me. Let me love how you love. Give me the mind of Christ at all times. Open my ears to hear whenever you speak. I declare that the spirit of religion will not silence your voice in my life. In Jesus name open the heavens and speak! Amen!  

Is God Enough For You?

Is God Enough For You?

by | May 2, 2019 | Intimacy With God

Is God Enough For You?

Today I was reading a great book by Michael Lombardo titled “Immersed in Glory” in which he shared about God’s sufficiency. God struck him with a simple question: “Am I enough for you?” Take a moment to ask yourself, is God really enough for you?  

To answer the question honestly, we must look at the foundation for everything in our life. I would also say we should look at every strength and weakness in our walk with God. Is Christ the Lord over not only beautiful places in your life but the places of lack as well? What areas are left only partially surrendered to His will?  

Maybe it is better to ask: what exactly is God calling you to? Your level of abandon to His voice will give you a quick answer to the question of “Is God enough?” Follow along with me on this exercise. Take a sheet of paper and make 2 columns. On the left write, “My Calling.” On the right write, “My Steps.” List what God has called you to do and your vision statement on the left. In the right column, list every sacrifice and every step of faith. Now, honestly assess if the steps you have taken are sufficient to achieve your call. Is this all that God requires of you? If not, you may not be trusting God like you need to.  

Live Like He is Alive

I firmly believe that God will not abandon you in your calling. Great moves of God rest on great acts of faith. Live like Jesus is alive and that Holy Spirit is actively living within you. If God has given the assignment, He will see it through. If He has commanded it of you, He has also commanded it in the heavens and of the heavenly hosts. “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18) Don’t be mistaken, you are not calling the shots in heaven, but you are coming in alignment with it! When you are aligned with the will God, no devil in hell can resist God’s word in you. In the words of Reinhard Bonnke, “God’s words in your mouth are as powerful as God’s words in His mouth.” Speak with heavenly authority and make great leaps of faith. Not one word will return void. Even the angels are tasked with seeing the word of God accomplished, yet we never hear of them struggling with faith or obedience. This is simply because they know and have seen the power of God first hand.

Following your calling is an essential part of the equation. God has allotted resources and commanded authority on your behalf. Speak with the authority of the King, heaven is also fighting alongside you. “For I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish my purpose,’” (Isaiah 46:9-10)  

Think about what God is calling you to do for him. It is so easy to waste time or not even start in His calling. I have been guilty of waiting for just one more thing before I was ready to follow God’s direction. In reality, if God has said go, just those words by themselves are enough to start moving. The fear of loss is often our greatest obstacle to following God extravagantly. What is at risk of being lost? You’re flesh is. Our flesh desires comfort, familiarity, and security, none of which Jesus promised to His followers. Following God with abandon will always leave your flesh behind. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25) He is saying in essence, “Following me is trading your life for mine.”  

When God becomes enough, you will not fear following His voice but will follow without hesitation. Jesus commanded His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26)  

Live free of fear and follow His voice with abandon. Give God an opportunity to prove Himself true and you will be amazed. When God becomes enough, you will lack for nothing! “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8)