In a dream I was preparing to go to a funeral, and the next day I was getting married. A friend of mine brought me a tuxedo to use at the wedding, but then suggested I could wear it at the funeral too. I replied saying, "I am not going to dress up for a funeral, the dead don't care!" It suddenly dawned on me that I was getting married in the morning and I had no idea what was going to happen. There was no wedding rehearsal and nobody had told me what the plan was. After the funeral my mother, father, and sister came rolling up in a carriage, dressed in the attire of pompous wealthy merchants from the colonial times. They began to yell at me about the wedding. They said that the bride did not want to get married now because I did not dress up for the funeral.
I knew as I woke up that my family in the dream represented the Church. It is interesting to me that they were so focused on the funeral that they were not looking at the wedding. Is it possible that the Church is so focused on death that they are missing life? Just as I in the dream was not prepared for the wedding because of a funeral, so many in the Church are not prepared for the great wedding feast of the Lamb. Like the 10 brides in Jesus' parable, 5 were not ready when the day came, and they found themselves locked out.
We can get distracted by many things in life that will keep us from God's purpose.
1) The family looked as if they were stuck in the days of the first great awakening. If we are focused on what God has done in the past we can miss what God is doing today.
2) The family looked and acted like pompous wealthy people. The wealth of this world is a subtle distraction and so many Americans are distracted from the call of God because they feel they need to make more money.
3) Many miss the life God has called us to live in because they are so focused on dying. The religious people wanted me to prepare for a wedding by celebrating death and wearing my wedding garments for a funeral. We miss what God calls us to do because we are focused on not doing instead of doing. Do what God has called you to and you will not be doing what is wrong. Focus on living for God rather than dying to the flesh.
Let us not be like the 5 virgins that had no oil in their lamps. Focus on the wedding feast rather than the funeral. If you are in Christ your old man is dead. When something is dead it is dead- done and finished. Now live for God and prepare for His call and the great wedding feast to come. As we become passionately in love with the bridegroom we will not care about the distractions of this world. They will fade away in the light of Christ. Get the oil of love by spending time with the bridegroom and learn what is on His heart. Get ready for THERE IS GOING TO BE A WEDDING.
The way we prepare for a wedding is by getting to know the one we love, and by asking them what they want to do at the wedding. Many believers know more about the world than they do about the lover of their souls. Our religion can consist of traditions of days gone by, and reveling in what God did years ago, but God wants to do a new thing. As we spend time with Him in the secret place He will reveal what He is doing today. God wants to bring a new reformation to this nation. Let us prepare for it by seeking His face and knowing His heart. Fill your lamp with the oil of His anointing.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
First Love part 3
In my dream from "First Love" part 1 I saw a garden where the trees were dead and the fruit was rotting on the ground. God desires to make His people like a fruitful vine that produces fruit that remains, and He will. He is sending His gardeners, the prophets, to prune His vineyards and lead us in His ways.
Read Matthew chapter 21:12-43. Jesus, through a curious chain of events, gives us a striking message about the kingdom. It begins with an incredible display of passion as Jesus drives the money changers out of the temple and declares, "My Father's house shall be a house of prayer." See, the people had turned relationship with God into a man made religion of rules that took advantage of people and kept them from knowing God. This made Jesus quite upset, for He knew the death that it brought to people. The religion of the day was not connected to God, and was therefor not producing fruit.
Jesus then leaves the temple and finds a fig tree. Not finding any fruit on the tree Jesus curses the tree. This story gives us a powerful metaphor of the preceding events. The religious leaders had become an unfruitful tree and Jesus was sending the message that they were in danger of being cursed and dying. It is interesting that in the same story in Mark 11 we are told it was not the season for figs. How could Jesus expect there to be fruit if it was not the season? Jesus is not looking for a people that live by the rules of this world, but by the rules of heaven. These are they who abide in Him.
The next day Jesus returned to the temple and was confronted by religious leaders about his outburst of zeal. He declared to them that if they did not produce fruit for the kingdom, it would be taken from them and given to those who did produce fruit.
The people of that day trusted in the temple and in outward displays of religion, but God was looking for their hearts. Because of it their temple was destroyed. The Father is looking again for a supernatural people who will produce fruit for His kingdom today. He is looking for those who abide in Him and let His word abide in them. Going to church every Sunday will not do, and neither will outward religious actions. God is looking for hearts yielded to Him. These will be proved by how they love one another.
Note: When Jesus accused the people of making His Father's house a "den of thieves" he was quoting Jeremiah 7:11, which is a prophecy about the destruction of the temple. The people in Jeremiah's day thought that because they had the temple God would overlook their injustices and sins. Jesus is pointing to this scripture and saying that this would happen again if the people did not repent. As in the time of Jeremiah the people in Jesus' day thought religious actions would save them. We must be careful today not to think that because we go to church and have a bible on the shelf we read once in a while that we are safe. God is looking for those who know Him and do what is just and right. How can God expect us to walk in holiness? Because as in the lesson of the fig tree, He is not looking for those who live by the rules of this wold, but who connect with a supernatural God who delivers captives and gives power to live a holy life. A church is coming that produces the fruit of the kingdom.
Read Matthew chapter 21:12-43. Jesus, through a curious chain of events, gives us a striking message about the kingdom. It begins with an incredible display of passion as Jesus drives the money changers out of the temple and declares, "My Father's house shall be a house of prayer." See, the people had turned relationship with God into a man made religion of rules that took advantage of people and kept them from knowing God. This made Jesus quite upset, for He knew the death that it brought to people. The religion of the day was not connected to God, and was therefor not producing fruit.
Jesus then leaves the temple and finds a fig tree. Not finding any fruit on the tree Jesus curses the tree. This story gives us a powerful metaphor of the preceding events. The religious leaders had become an unfruitful tree and Jesus was sending the message that they were in danger of being cursed and dying. It is interesting that in the same story in Mark 11 we are told it was not the season for figs. How could Jesus expect there to be fruit if it was not the season? Jesus is not looking for a people that live by the rules of this world, but by the rules of heaven. These are they who abide in Him.
The next day Jesus returned to the temple and was confronted by religious leaders about his outburst of zeal. He declared to them that if they did not produce fruit for the kingdom, it would be taken from them and given to those who did produce fruit.
The people of that day trusted in the temple and in outward displays of religion, but God was looking for their hearts. Because of it their temple was destroyed. The Father is looking again for a supernatural people who will produce fruit for His kingdom today. He is looking for those who abide in Him and let His word abide in them. Going to church every Sunday will not do, and neither will outward religious actions. God is looking for hearts yielded to Him. These will be proved by how they love one another.
Note: When Jesus accused the people of making His Father's house a "den of thieves" he was quoting Jeremiah 7:11, which is a prophecy about the destruction of the temple. The people in Jeremiah's day thought that because they had the temple God would overlook their injustices and sins. Jesus is pointing to this scripture and saying that this would happen again if the people did not repent. As in the time of Jeremiah the people in Jesus' day thought religious actions would save them. We must be careful today not to think that because we go to church and have a bible on the shelf we read once in a while that we are safe. God is looking for those who know Him and do what is just and right. How can God expect us to walk in holiness? Because as in the lesson of the fig tree, He is not looking for those who live by the rules of this wold, but who connect with a supernatural God who delivers captives and gives power to live a holy life. A church is coming that produces the fruit of the kingdom.
First Love part 2
In my dream (see first love part 1) the prophet said that ministry kept him busy and it was hard to find time alone with God. If we are to bear fruit for the kingdom it is crucial we learn to stay in the presence of God, and as the prophet in the dream said, "to walk hand in hand with Jesus." We cannot hope to offer life to people unless we are connected to the giver of life. So many ministries today do not offer life and have very little power to set captives free, and this truth is imperative if we are to be a garden that bears fruit. We are God's garden, and unlike the garden in the dream, we are called to bear fruit in season and out.
Jesus said that as we abide (remain, live, stay) in Him we will bear much fruit (John 15:4-5). Like a branch can only stay alive if it is connected to the tree, so we must stay connected to Jesus if we want to produce fruit for His kingdom. We remain connected to Him as we allow Him to richly dwell in us through His word and His presence. Dwell in Christ and let Him richly dwell in you. Jesus went on to say that He calls us friends. What makes two people friends is the fact that they spend time together and know each other.
Do you know Jesus?
I mean, do you know who He really is?
Do you know what is on His heart and what He is doing?
Friends become like each other as they spend time together . As we see more of who Jesus is we will become like Him. We will have His heart and know the things that please Him. It is then that we will bear fruit that lasts, in season and out. Jesus is the Son of God. He is supernatural. If we become like Him we will be supernatural sons of God as well, and that means that we will live lives according to the rules of heaven. In heaven the trees bear fruit all year. As we remain in the vine of fellowship with Christ Jesus we will have streams of water even in the desert, and we will bear fruit that remains.
Jesus said that as we abide (remain, live, stay) in Him we will bear much fruit (John 15:4-5). Like a branch can only stay alive if it is connected to the tree, so we must stay connected to Jesus if we want to produce fruit for His kingdom. We remain connected to Him as we allow Him to richly dwell in us through His word and His presence. Dwell in Christ and let Him richly dwell in you. Jesus went on to say that He calls us friends. What makes two people friends is the fact that they spend time together and know each other.
Do you know Jesus?
I mean, do you know who He really is?
Do you know what is on His heart and what He is doing?
Friends become like each other as they spend time together . As we see more of who Jesus is we will become like Him. We will have His heart and know the things that please Him. It is then that we will bear fruit that lasts, in season and out. Jesus is the Son of God. He is supernatural. If we become like Him we will be supernatural sons of God as well, and that means that we will live lives according to the rules of heaven. In heaven the trees bear fruit all year. As we remain in the vine of fellowship with Christ Jesus we will have streams of water even in the desert, and we will bear fruit that remains.
First Love part 1
I had a dream a while back that I want to share. It has some personal application as well as some application for the Church. There are many details so I have chosen to share it in two parts.
In a dream I was walking east on 20th street in Chico (meaning little boy) when a car pulled over to give me a ride. The driver was a seasoned prayer warrior and there was a mature prophet in the passenger seat. I got in the back and we drove off. The prayer warrior and the prophet were communicating as we traveled. We arrived in Reno (the biggest little city in the world) and the prophet spoke to me.
He told me it is hard for him to find time alone with God because many people want his attention.
We arrived at a plant nursery and went inside. I told the prophet I had a revelation about IDENTITY.
He said to me, "I already know who I am, I have walked hand in hand with God for over three years now."
I told him my revelation nonetheless, "We know who we are as we see...."
And then he finished my statement as if he had heard it before, and with a pleasure as if the thought of the statement delighted him... "As we see who Jesus is."
The nursery was filled with plants with no leaves, as if it were winter, and the remains of dropped figs from the last season were rotting on the ground. The prophet proceeded to go into a shed as if to get some tools and the dream ended.
Key points of the dream:
1) Prayer was driving this vehicle of ministry
2) Prophecy was directing the vehicle and communicating with prayer
3) It is important for leaders to set time apart for God
4) It is important to know who we are, which will happen as we see who Jesus is
The Church should be a place of fruitfulness and life, yet so often it is not. God will bring us to the place where we bear fruit for His kingdom. It begins with seeking God through prayer and understanding His heart (prophecy). So many ministries do not give life to people because the leaders do not abide in the vine. It is so important that we spend time with God if we are to walk in His anointing. Many ministers have found themselves too busy to spend quality time in prayer, and because of it their ministries are fruitless. God is calling us back to our first love- spending time in His presence.
God is calling His bride to a place of maturity. Maturity comes as we learn to spend time receiving His revelation. The Church will no longer see herself as little and fruitless, but as the biggest and as fruitful.
In a dream I was walking east on 20th street in Chico (meaning little boy) when a car pulled over to give me a ride. The driver was a seasoned prayer warrior and there was a mature prophet in the passenger seat. I got in the back and we drove off. The prayer warrior and the prophet were communicating as we traveled. We arrived in Reno (the biggest little city in the world) and the prophet spoke to me.
He told me it is hard for him to find time alone with God because many people want his attention.
We arrived at a plant nursery and went inside. I told the prophet I had a revelation about IDENTITY.
He said to me, "I already know who I am, I have walked hand in hand with God for over three years now."
I told him my revelation nonetheless, "We know who we are as we see...."
And then he finished my statement as if he had heard it before, and with a pleasure as if the thought of the statement delighted him... "As we see who Jesus is."
The nursery was filled with plants with no leaves, as if it were winter, and the remains of dropped figs from the last season were rotting on the ground. The prophet proceeded to go into a shed as if to get some tools and the dream ended.
Key points of the dream:
1) Prayer was driving this vehicle of ministry
2) Prophecy was directing the vehicle and communicating with prayer
3) It is important for leaders to set time apart for God
4) It is important to know who we are, which will happen as we see who Jesus is
The Church should be a place of fruitfulness and life, yet so often it is not. God will bring us to the place where we bear fruit for His kingdom. It begins with seeking God through prayer and understanding His heart (prophecy). So many ministries do not give life to people because the leaders do not abide in the vine. It is so important that we spend time with God if we are to walk in His anointing. Many ministers have found themselves too busy to spend quality time in prayer, and because of it their ministries are fruitless. God is calling us back to our first love- spending time in His presence.
God is calling His bride to a place of maturity. Maturity comes as we learn to spend time receiving His revelation. The Church will no longer see herself as little and fruitless, but as the biggest and as fruitful.
Monday, June 7, 2010
First Things First
Acts 13:2- As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
As the prophets and teachers at
Years ago the Lord spoke to me and said, “The ministries of the future will not last unless they are built upon prayer. This was the tradition of the ministers of God in the Bible and it is true today. God called Moses to set apart the tribe of Levi to minister to the Lord with prayer and worship. This was their primary duty, and it was from the outflow of this ministry that anointed teaching and preaching came. As the Levites kept their gaze upon God through worship they would touch God’s heart and see His strategies.
The early church kept this way, constantly seeking the Father through prayer, worship, and fasting. They were aware of God’s will and in tune with His love and power because they had their eyes fixed on Jesus. As we today become a people who live to gaze upon Jesus He will release anointed workers into the harvest fields again.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
To the Ends of the Earth
When Jesus first sent his disciples out he sent them to the house of
Sometimes we get stuck ministering to the church and never get to the second part of the mission. Most of what I hear referred to as ministry consists of teaching those who already know the message, and who probably aren’t even “doing it.” The majority of the ministry of the church should be focused on reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel and then teaching and equipping them. There has been a number of new church congregations started in the last two years in the place I live. I don’t think I’ve seen a new convert in any of them. We are teaching ourselves over and over again with no impact on our cities. We have become so introverted in our ministry to one another that we are ineffective at affecting the people around us.
The purpose of church ministry is so that we can be built up and equipped to be a light to those around us. Jesus said we are to be a light on a hill, but how many people in the world see a light? It is time to move from the Matthew 10 call to the Acts 1:8 call to teach the nations the ways of God. It is time to go to those who have not heard. The invitations have been sent to the friends of the bridegroom, now it is time to send out to the highways. Ask God for a strategy for your city and be willing to be a light set on a hill. Tell people what God has done for you, and then tell them of a Jesus who will act for them as well. Then, ask them if they would like to meet and learn more. Teach them whatever God has taught you.
Leaders are arising who equip the saints for works of ministry, teaching them how to set captives free and disciple nations. They will equip a generation who are skillful at shining the light of Christ. The Church will be a city set on a hill. The Church will be a place where the sick are healed, the poor hear the good news, and the captives are delivered. This Church will see the powers of Satan crumble in their city.
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