The Desire of Children

It is not an understatement to say that the children of this generation are enticed with fun, fun, and more fun. With an onslaught of video games, movies, and music it would seem the church has some competition. There is nothing wrong with fun. The kingdom of God is immersed in fun and saturated with joy. In light of this challenge by the world…. With so many entertainment frontiers, we must have better alternatives to offer. This is no problem for our Father God, because He is the creator of every good and perfect gift. Did you catch that word, perfect? The competition has imperfect gifts to offer, while the children of the Kingdom have the right to offer gifts of perfection.

While I believe a big part of the advancing Kingdom of God is to occupy the mountains of media and technology (which includes music, movies, and even video games) there is more. How about real encounters with the reality of God through His power? “Beam me up Scotty” can become, “Beam me up Holy Spirit”. Our children need power encounters and maybe to our surprise, they desire power encounters. Often, while our children play their games and seem to be off in a fantasy world, their inner spirit is crying for encounters with their Creator.

As I look back at my childhood, somewhat void of music, movies and video games, I recall a deep hunger for God. My childhood fantasies involved outdoor games and simple adventures in the 60’s. However, hidden to those who knew me, I was spending a lot of time trying to connect with God. One memory involves the time that my older brother junked an old car in a sink hole back behind our house. I spent a lot of time in that old car. It had a radio. As long as the battery on the car lasted, I listened faithfully to the radio. I chose to listen to gospel songs and preachers. I learned the days and times these programs would come on. I wrote them letters. They sent me small pamphlets and things that I treasured. Although we didn’t have TV at home and weren’t allowed to listen to the radio in the home, this was a special time for me.

Sometimes when I visited our neighbors, they would be watching Oral Roberts on Sunday mornings. I wrote him. Another program came on called, “Revival Fires” and I loved the flame that come up on the screen. I wrote them. They sent me a brochure and a picture of the young minister. I remember carrying the picture of the minister in my little billfold for several years. In all of this there was a longing for adventure and encounter. The revival flames became embedded in me as deep as the Bonanza map that I also watched burn on weekdays at 5:00 on their TV. Oral Roberts surely had his faults, but the belief that God desires to heal was embedded in me.

And then there were Sunday mornings. I attended Sunday school and that was good. During worship, I sat without my parents, on the 4th row on the right, closest to the aisle. The speakers and older people commented on my attentiveness. It was more than attentiveness for me, it was hunger. I wanted as much of God as I could possible get and that desire has stayed in my spirit over the years. Remember we are talking about a child here. A child that did not live in a Christian home or have parents to pray with him or encourage him in his faith. The fact is that children have a need to plug into God as much as an electric coffee pot needs to plug into an outlet. Sometimes Sunday mornings is the only outlet some children have.

　
In these times of outpouring, as we see the hand of God moving amongst us in ways we only dreamed of seeing in the 60’s, are our children experiencing it too? Do they know that they can? Do we understand that they can? For this to happen, the vision or revelation must be imparted to the parents, teachers, youth pastors, children's workers and congregation.

Jesus ministered to the children (see Matthew 19: 13, 14). I am not sure how much he used games or stories, although I almost suspect He did. I do know that He ministered to them with the laying on of hands. This was a guaranteed encounter. It definitely resulted in power and love being imparted to each one of them. He also knew their callings, purpose and potential. Although scripture didn’t have room it seems, to record all that He said and did with the children, I feel sure He spoke prophetically into their futures. When the children were brought to Jesus, they were set up for power encounters and lives filled with His glory and blessing.

John the Baptist worshipped in his mother’s womb. He was filled with the Spirit before he was born. How does that fit into our cozy theology? Have we overlooked the radical side of God, that loves to do things outside the box? Our God cannot be tamed! He works outside the realms of human reasoning. What kind of pride have we allowed to rise up within us to think that we can fully explain God or His ways? Our own relationship with God requires a childlike trust so we can accept His ways.

Let’s get down to the core of what we are trying to say here. Our children can move in the anointing of God. They can prophesy with great accuracy. They can pray for the sick with tremendous results. They can be used powerfully in the Kingdom. They can have amazing experiences with God. I have heard testimonies lately of how missionaries are using small children in prayer lines for the sick. I have heard of revelation given to children that is totally accurate. I have heard of them being touched by God in phenomenal ways. They easily see angels. They have simple expectancy that adults have long ago discarded. They do not try to explain away the involvement of God amongst us in these times but stand with open arms to receive all that He gives.

Some may think children are not ready, and are unqualified to speak, or pray for the sick. Qualification does not depend upon age, but depends more upon intimacy with God and love for Jesus. God also shows His strength through weakness. That is a basic principle in scripture and in the Kingdom. There are no real “professionals” in the Kingdom of God. Grace is the key that unlocks all encounters.

I am in great support of “Children’s Church” as implemented in most churches today. I think this is fertile ground for training and bringing the children into intimacy and encounter. However, I feel the door should be left open for a child to step out of “Children’s Church” when the time is right. When the child feels a desire to be in the main worship service because of deeper hunger, this should be allowed. As this happens, may we be wise enough to involve them (if they desire) in the prayers for the sick, the laying on of hands, and prophetic encouragements over the people. Watch how people are touched by their humility and involvement. 　

I know this sounds somewhat radical and abnormal. Let's not be normal anymore. Let’s enter in by faith to all that God has for us. This will challenge our predictable and canned programs. Hungry people want more than what’s in a can. We want home cooked meals. We do know where home is…. don’t we? Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again (see John 3). Jesus added an additional comment in His discourse with Nicodemus. He said, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Jesus is saying that we are to be as free and as unpredictable as the wind. This looks and sounds like a new kind of normal to me.

Standing on the Promises

What do you do when you are awakened early and you can’t go back to sleep? How about those times that you lay there and think about life in America? You think about the years of blessings on a nation sent from God Himself. Sometimes you wonder about how long it will continue. It is in these moments that we have a decision to make. We can despair or dismiss the thoughts. We can worry or try to muster up some faith. Or…. we can look at the promises of God.

There doesn’t seem to be many promises given directly to America in the scriptures. However, there are major promises for the world itself and especially for those who make a covenant with God. Scripture is filled with promises for the people that God has made a covenant with. He made a major covenant with Abraham and his descendents. He made another even greater covenant through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. The early Apostles gave many encouragements to covenant people by the Spirit’s inspiration. Men and women who have connected with the vision of the Spirit have continued to see the promises of the covenant throughout the years. They have spoken and written letters, articles, and books that are filled with these visions of promise.

Stepping onto the scene in our times is an army of people filled with hope because of the promises of their God. They are as certain as Jeremiah that the order of the sun, moon, and the roaring of the sea would cease before God’s promises for those He has a covenant with would fail (see Jeremiah 31).

This remnant group (that is growing every day) knows there is great darkness on the earth. They are not in denial. They understand it is a deep, serious darkness. Yet, they hear the clarion call of Isaiah to arise and to shine. They are certain beyond doubt that their Light has come (see Isaiah 60:1-3). They are certain that the glory of the Lord has risen upon them and they are ready to march. Darkness cannot affect light. Light repels darkness. The Lord, Himself, has risen upon them and His glory appears all around them. They have been touched by Ezekiel’s River (see Ezekiel 47) and everything they touch is affected. Like a “Midas touch”, life flows to everything they touch. Nations are touched by their light. It is their inheritance and their delegated authority. They have doves eye vision for recovering what has been lost and for the promises to be fulfilled.

Instead of just standing by idly waiting for something to happen, they see that the fullness of time has come. Don’t be mistaken, they have seen the “thumbs up” of the Lord and they are ready to go forward. Is there danger? Sure, but this is their testimony, they love not their lives to the death. This is how they overcome (see Revelation 12:11).

The Psalmist wrote that the heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth has been given to the sons of men by God (see Psalm 115:16). The Lord has delegated authority of the earth unto men. Our response is to agree with what He has already spoken and through prayer, intercession, declaration, and sometimes fasting, move towards the advancement of the kingdom of God upon the earth. When Daniel read about from the prophecies of Jeremiah that Israel was to return home from captivity after 70 years, he started praying into it. Promises need the mixture of intercession. The book of Revelation gives an illustration of how the prayers of God’s people mixed with the fire of the altar of Heaven brings a reaction upon the earth (see Revelation 8:3-5). We need the reaction of Heaven upon the earth and the authority has been given to man to intercede accordingly. We make a difference.

So… we lie awake and we ponder our choices. Darkness or light? Disaster or blessing? Hopelessness or glory? Death or life? Unless we are in great bondage to the lies of the enemy, the choice is easy. We will stand on the promises of God and we will intercede, fast, and proclaim His goodness in the land of the living. We will watch as the river flows through the desert and watch the flowers bloom. We will experience restoration of our lives and our land.

As we recently watched a documentary on the transformation going on here in the Appalachian mountains, I felt excitement. Most of the documentary was about restoration in the lives of the people in Manchester, Kentucky, as they stand on God’s promises for them. However, I was blessed to see how the land is being affected. One of the ways the land is being restored is the return of wildlife. Elk is coming back in great numbers. To the people of Appalachia this is like a rose blooming in a desert. Isaiah talked about how barren places would blossom like a rose (see Isaiah 35:1). We can watch the lives of people being transformed. We can watch nature glorify the restoration process of the Lord. This will include restoration of the land, the water, and the wildlife. All of this is welcomed by the people of God.

The gloom and doom reports don’t have the final word. God does. The gospel means good news. How long has it been since you heard some gospel? It can become a new kind of normal. The choice is ours.

Evangelism

Could there be a new normal happening and we aren’t aware of it? Are there things happening outside of our culture that we aren’t seeing? What is happening in world evangelism?

According to some recent reports, Christianity is increasing by 8% a year. It is said to be the fastest growing faith on planet Earth. This growing group crosses theological lines, laying aside controversial doctrines, to focus on relationship with Jesus Christ. The number is said to be over 700 million and growing fast. The bulk of these people are from China, India, Africa and Southeast Asia.

This movement is exploding in such a way that one article (I recently read) states that the entire world could be composed of such Believers by the year 2032. Of course many would debate such an idea and there are always those who resist the gospel, but look at the possibilities. It didn’t look this way 50 years ago. 50 years ago Christianity was stronger here in the Western hemisphere than anywhere else in the world. Now it is stronger throughout the rest of the world. At the rate we are going, tomorrow there will be 175,000 more Christians. At this rate there will be 8.2 billion believers by autumn 2032. Sounds funny…. because at this rate, there would be more believers than people on the planet. Is the snow ball rolling and picking up momentum as it rolls?

Many of us base our entire belief system on how things are going in America. If something happens bad on this side of the ocean, we believe the end of the world must be near. We are not the only ones on planet earth. The idea that God is a white American republican needs to be erased from our minds. God is doing major things throughout the world. He is emotionally in love with all races of people on this planet. This planet we live on is not even big enough for a paper weight on His desk, in comparison to the size of the Universe He controls. Yet, He loves us so much He’d rather die than live without us.

The reason that Islam have been reported as the fastest growing religion by the media, may be because the media hasn’t done its homework. Surveys look at the traditional Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic Church and make their reports. There are multitudes of believers and followers of Jesus Christ who aren’t a part of these. There are those who are intimately in love with Jesus Christ, who do not want to be labeled Protestant or Catholic. They do not want to be boxed up with either group. They live and worship outside the box with a strong passion for Christ. Some worship in churches that are not denominational. Others meet in homes. Some meet in secret in caves, underground, and different places to avoid persecution.

　
Some have described this explosion of evangelism as the mushrooming of the Kingdom of God. There are reports and evidence of an original form of biblically inspired Christianity sweeping throughout the planet at the present time. One of the main drives for this explosion of evangelism is healing, miracles and powerful answers to prayers. There have been hundreds of dramatic cases of resurrections of actual corpses. Also, countless testimonies have been given of blind eyes and deaf ears being healed. I have often referred to this kind of evangelism as, “power evangelism”. Simply defined, unbelievers see the power of God displayed in their life or someone else’s life and are converted. Even miracles in the lives of unbelievers will become more common. Many of the miracles in the scriptures happened to unconverted people. Jesus came to seek and deliver the lost.

　
Life on earth is going through such a paradigm shift at the very present time. Teachings that have been built upon the sand are being washed away. For some people wineskins are bursting at such thoughts. It’s hard for them to imagine such a thing, much less recognize it. Teachers who have scoffed at healing and miracles because of the deception of charlatan type preachers of the past will now have to re-adjust their thinking. Those who have dissected scripture to suit their doctrines will have to put miracles, healing, and the raising of the dead back into this dispensation. Many who are standing in line at “Rapture Airport” will see the need to go out and compel the lost to come to the big feast prepared for them. Escapism will give way to occupy the earth for the Kingdom of God.

Does all of this excite you? Does it get you out of breath? I am out of breath as I write. The keys are clicking fast. Or…. Does this burst your bubble? Get a new wineskin. The kingdom of God is forcefully advancing (see Matthew 14:12). The violent take it by force. What a mighty fortress is our God!

The Thumbs Up of God

The New Normal must rely upon a thumbs up from God. Everything we say and do needs to be in alignment with what He is saying and doing. It is so exciting to break new ground and be pioneers in these times but each new direction always needs a warrant from the King. An Apostle is someone sent on a special mission for the King. Our missions, small or great must originate from His desk. We must be in agreement with Him. It is His desire to be in agreement with us. I figure the universe itself is somewhat like a paper weight on the desk of our Heavenly Father. This makes us smaller than a piece of sand, and then to think that He thinks this much of us. I am overwhelmed. He wants me…. Smaller than a piece of sand… to agree with Him. It is important to Him.
　
We need to agree with what God says about us, our future and our relationship with Him. We hear Him speak through His written word and other various ways. The word must be read under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The other various ways must be carefully discerned. God’s still small voice must be heard over our own soulish desires crying out to be heard. Dreams and visions need the Holy Spirit’s interpretation. Words through others have to be tried and tested. Maturity in our conversations with God will make all of these much easier. As we tune our hearts to hear Him, His voice becomes louder and more sure to us. To sense His agreement with us is what I refer to as a “thumbs up from God”. However, on the flip side of the coin, we need to be in agreement with God also.

To be in agreement with God means that we have the same mind as He does. In other words, we need to be developing the mind of Christ within us like never before! We can meditate on the words and actions of Christ in the gospels. Let Him mold us instead of the uncertain doctrines of men. Jesus was really more different than a lot of religious leaders portray Him. Some have done no more than box Him into a personality, not much different than the Pharisees and religious leaders of His day. This is so unfair, since Jesus came to break that mold. Jesus’ mind and passion was full of forgiveness, justice, and love. He was a man of joy. He persevered in the worst of storms. He was sacrificial to the point of giving His life. There was no arrogance, pride or jealousy in His heart. His motives were pure. These are only a few examples of so many of the attributes of the mind and passions of Christ.

To understand agreement with our Father, we may need some understanding of the word “agree” itself. Some of the definitions of the word "agree" are: "To be of one mind; to harmonize in opinion, to live in concord, or without contention, to yield assent." I especially like the last one when it comes to being in agreement with my Father. I want to yield my assent to Him. Even the word assent holds depth, when it comes to our relationship with God. Assent means to agree to something especially after thoughtful consideration. I love to think upon what the Father speaks to my spirit. There are three words that Webster uses to define the word "agreement". These three words are concord, harmony, and conformity. It is so good to be in concord and harmony with someone….. especially God. Then, when I am out of alignment I need to come into conformity.

To come into conformity may require us to change some wine-skins. Jesus told a parable about the danger of putting new wine into old wine-skins. He said the new wine will burst the skins and the wine will be wasted. (see Luke 5:36-39) Our wine-skin needs to agree with God’s plans. Unless we are able to embrace the new living word of God for our lives and times we cannot have fullness of life. If we choose to hang onto old habits and wrong beliefs that are useless to the kingdom of God, we will fail to walk in unity with God. Even new ideas that fail to get His stamp of approval are useless. We definitely need the “thumbs up” of our Father.

Sometimes our wine-skins are soaked in disappointment and bitterness. If this is true, we will need to allow ourselves to receive healing so that we can come into agreement with God's divine will for our lives. We cannot allow the discouragement of past challenges to dictate our future. God wants us to walk in victory. We must allow the disappointments of the past to die. We need to confess them to our Father and receive healing and receive from Him the power to go forward.

Psalm 133 speaks of unity and agreement and it’s power in our lives. It is a perfect example of how unity releases life to God's people. He actually breathes life into us, as well as our situations as we come into unity. Jesus also explained the principle of the power of agreement in regards to spiritual warfare. He said that whatever we bind on earth is bound in Heaven. He said that whatever we loose on earth is loosed in Heaven. This is powerful stuff. (see Matthew 18:18,19) Jesus is saying that we have the power to bind the enemy if we will come into agreement with Heaven. The word "agree" in this passage is the Hebrew word sumphoneo, which again implies being in unity or being harmonious. However, it is connected to another word, phone, which is described as "noise, sound, (and) voice." I think we can be safe to say that Jesus was inviting us to come into unity with the sound of Heaven and the voice of Heaven…. which is God's voice!

In Matthew 16:19 Jesus continued His discourse on agreement by saying that if a couple of us agree on earth, the Father recognizes it in Heaven. Paul tells us that we need to agree with each other, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with us. This brings to us the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. (see II Corinthians 13:11;14) Wow… what great power…. agreement brings to us. It invokes the presence of the Triune God. I believe this passage is referring to the bringing together of one sound. Our agreement with God and our harmony with one another brings it together. This one sound should fully reflect the sound from Heaven. When we are in agreement with God there is surely life and when we are in harmony with one another, there is a release of even more life!

I recently attended the funeral of my brother who died after a four wheeler accident. He lived in another state, so I asked some of those who were with him in his last hours about his response to it all. My brother never spoke much of spiritual things and I wasn’t sure about his faith. I talked with his friend who was with him at the scene of the accident and asked him some questions. He said when my brother was going into emergency surgery he asked him about his relationship with God and he gave him a gesture. My brother gave his friend a thumbs up.
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

Rest

With so much burn out in ministry we need to understand that there needs to be seasons of rest. The ideal type of ministry is to listen to God and only say and do what we hear and see Him doing. It becomes an easier and more prosperous ministry. As the grapes lie dormant for a season and then produce the sweetest wine… we can do the same. Our time of rest can be powerful.

Abraham received the greatest covenant of the Old Testament. He was asleep during most of it. He laid out a sacrifice of a heifer, goat, and ram along with a turtledove and a pigeon. He cut the three animals into two pieces and kept the vultures away. When the sun was going down Abram fell into a deep sleep. The Lord showed him how his people would be enslaved for 400 years. A flaming torch and smoke passed down the path of sacrifice and God laid out the promise of the nations borders. None of this happened while he was fighting the buzzards away. It happened while he was resting. (see Genesis 15)

Jacob spent so much time striving. He came out of his mothers womb striving. He strove with his twin brother for birthright and blessing of inheritance. Years later on his way back with his family to the promised land, he arrived at Penuel. He sent his family on ahead and was left alone for a night. An angel (or the pre-incarnate Christ) wrestled with him until day break. (see Genesis 32) After this experience Jacob mellowed. He began to rest in the promises of the Lord. As an old man he entered Egypt years later to live in the land of Goshen. It was a special land set aside in the midst of a great empire just for him and his family. It was a place of rest for him as he watched his children’s children play and live in this special place.

The apostle John was left on the isle of Patmos. Here he received one of the greatest revelations of the New Testament. Just when we think we may have been put on a shelf, God walks through the door with new purpose for our lives. We must learn to celebrate rest. We don’t need to apologize for rest. Faith and trust will help us to celebrate rest.

In the beginning of the book of Genesis, we find God creating days. It tells us that the evening and morning were the first day. The day began with evening. This is the way God created it. Our day begins with rest. This is a new normal for us. To change our mindset to see that God wants us to begin our days with rest, will be a little difficult for most of us. In our culture we celebrate labor and works more than we celebrate the importance of rest. The reason we sometimes fail to have victory in the daytime may be because we haven’t learned the value of rest in the night.
What can we accomplish during the night? Or better still, what can God accomplish in us during the night? Scripture tells us that God opens the ears of man and seals his instruction during the night. (see Job 33:15-17)


Our time of rest is an opportune time for God to speak to us and to give us direction. While we are asleep He can give us dreams and even place understanding into our hearts about things we were confused about when we went to sleep. I have experienced this and have heard testimonies of others who have went to sleep unsure about things. Often to our surprise we have awakened with confidence and new understanding. Our sleep time is an important time of our day. It is vital for the rest of our day as we meet the challenges of the morning. His mercies are new and fresh each morning. In the night season He has prepped us for the coming morning. What a wise and wonderful God we worship.

I have always liked Psalm 127. It begins by telling us that unless the Lord builds the house, and guards the city, all is vain. It goes on to describe painful labors. Painful labors are when we rise early and retire late. This is quite the opposite of how we have been taught. We honor those who work extra hours. We honor those who get up early and go to bed at midnight. God honors those who take time to rest and allow Him to work. An old word used much in the past by the church is, Providence. Providence can be pictured as the big hand of God just stirring itself around in the affairs of man. That’s what we want. We want His input in our daily work.

God often speaks instructions to us during our waking hours. But, we cannot limit God to only speaking to us during the waking hours. Job tells us the reason God instructs us during the night is to keep us from the grips of pride. When we are asleep and God speaks to us we have nothing to do with it. We cannot take any credit for anything other than simply committing our sleep to Him. He also gives us such powerful dreams and visions that it changes our conduct. In Psalm 127:2 it tells us that God gives to His beloved, even in his sleep. This is beautiful. The God of all good and perfect gifts gives to us even in our sleep. We have so underestimated the power of sleep. We have not honored or celebrated rest. Let’s embrace a new normal of rest.

When we retire in the evening it would be good to focus our attention upon the Lord. The Church has pushed Bible reading for early morning and made countless people feel guilty who prefer reading of the evening. Could it be that reading of the evening is more beneficial? We were taught that to wait until evening was like giving God the leftovers. However, if we now understand that evening is the beginning of the day, we are giving God the first fruits. Wow! How powerful truth is in setting us free. For all of you out there who have felt condemnation for not getting up an hour early each morning to read…. be free. There is now no condemnation for those in Christ (see Romans 8:1). Many of our little neat ideas about study and prayer are tools of condemnation. As the Lord has birthed in your heart to commune with Him, follow Him instead of the ways and programs of man. Each of us must receive instruction from the Lord. He has designed the night for you to position yourself with Him to change the nature of your coming day. How beautiful is the Lord and all His ways.

I have a friend who struggled for years with feelings of condemnation when he awakened each morning. When he awakened he felt so void of God and His love. Although he was a part of ongoing cutting edge ministry, he battled with feelings of being out of touch with God each morning. I have felt this way some mornings but not to the degree my friend has experienced this.

A solution for this is to commit our nights to God. As we fall asleep we need to turn our hearts and all its affections upon Him. Fall asleep with pillow talk between you and Jesus. Talk to the Shepherd instead of counting sheep. Adore Him and overwhelm His heart as you fall into the arms of the Lover of your soul. If you awake during the night continue to do the same. A new kind of normal will form into a new habit, as you continually receive from Him even in this precious time of rest.

Responsibility

A new kind of normal will bring more responsibility. It will raise the bar for us in our works and extension of the kingdom of God here on earth. Our works will need to speak louder of how we have been with Jesus. When we are tempted to do wrong, we need to be stronger so we can be people of power. Business as usual will need to change.

The healing of the lame man as Peter and John went to the temple brought amazing publicity. They were questioned by the authorities and eventually spent some nights in jail…. but not before 5,000 more people were saved. The amazing conclusion that the authorities came to was that these men had been with Jesus. Upon returning to their team for a report of what had happened, the disciples were again filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word with even greater boldness and power. The result of persecution was their being of one heart and one soul. With great power they gave testimony of the Resurrection of Christ. After the incident with Ananias and Sapphira the church experienced great fear (see Acts 5:11) However the people held them in high esteem (see Acts 5:13). They were changing their society.

When the early disciples experienced these things, it changed their lives. As their society held them in higher esteem their responsibility changed. They couldn’t just have a good day and then a bad day. Any normal day they might be called upon to minister to a sick person. Any day they might have to answer the authorities and they needed the Holy Spirit to give them the appropriate answer. Any day they might need the power of God to do the works they knew they couldn’t do themselves. They needed daily manna from the Lord. Yesterdays experience weren’t enough. They needed the mercies of God new and fresh each morning. They had to be more intense in their pursuit of God and stronger in times of temptation. They had to be instant in season and out of season. They had to rise above their feelings and emotions. Each day they needed to be faithful to the anointing upon their lives.

It wasn’t about them being watched by the people but that they were on a momentum with God. When we get on a momentum with God, who wants it to stop? We want to go from glory to glory. Once we have tasted of the heavenly gifts we want to stay at the table eternally. Once we have waded into the Rivers of God we want to swim. Our works aren’t obligation based but hunger based.

When I am tempted to sin or tempted to become lax in my pursuit of God, I think about who may need me to minister to them. If I am walking in error how can I expect the power of God to be upon me in its fullest measure? I know that all believers have been used by God even when in error or after major failures, but we cannot continue to knowingly abuse the grace of God. We must keep a good balance between grace offered and grace abused. We must not allow guilt and condemnation to hinder us (see Romans 8:1). However, we need to lay aside every weight and sin that does so easily beset us so we can run the race and do the works of God (see Hebrews 12:1). By the grace of God given in Christ we need to do the works of God with confidence having a clear conscience before God. With this confidence we can readily meet the responsibilities that come each day.

In times of God’s visitation and times of outpouring more is required. When truth is flowing without measure there is more required. For the believer who sits and hears a nice homily on Sunday morning, there may be no inward urge to go out on the streets and pray for the sick. For multitudes of believers that hear the same sermons over and over as they are lulled asleep week after week, there may be no inward passion awakened to take a lame man by the hand and tell him to walk in Jesus’ name. However, for those who have ears to hear that Jesus has said that we would do “greater works“, something awakens in us and we can’t see things the same anymore (see John 14:12). This causes a new normal of responsibility. It’s dangerous to listen to truth if we aren’t willing to walk in it.

One of the most dangerous heresies (here in the Appalachian mountains) is teachers who teach people to hold on to what they label as the “old time religion”. Their ideas about “old time religion” aren’t really old enough. If they would only go back to the teachings of the early disciples they would not be denying the power of God for our times. The true “old time” way has its foundation and roots in the ways of the early disciples who walked with God and people were laid in the streets to be healed as their shadow passed by. If we are not careful, “old time religion” can become nothing more than a watered down version of powerless teachings passed down by teachers unwilling to pursue God for deeper truths found in the scriptures. These teachings often become flavored with escapism offering little hope for solutions in life now. There is almost no challenge to have faith in God for the greater things He so desperately wants to do among us. Often, escapism makes a mockery of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray (see Matthew 6:12). Our prayer, proclamation, and desire must be for the ways of Heaven to come to earth instead of us only wanting to go to heaven for the better life. A new normal will require us to bring the agenda of Heaven to earth on a daily basis.

Jesus spoke often about responsibility. He said that when we are given much, there is much required. When we are entrusted with much, more will be asked of us (see Luke 12:48). Our generation is responsible for more than the last because of the knowledge and wisdom it has been given. It seems we have advanced in every arena of life and it calls for more responsibility. For example, we see how technology advances with powerful acceleration and we stand in amazement. Likewise, the kingdom of God advances forcefully as a new normal is set. God has never been and never will be outdated. He is the Ancient of Days and He makes all things new. We are not to become a people of compromise, but we are to invade and make a difference in our culture and society. Revelation portrays Babylon as a system that controls the earth in the end times. It is a political, commercial, and religious system. Instead of fearing Babylon, we must invade Babylon. It is our responsibility to make a difference.
　
　

Shoulders of the Saints

One of the main reasons we can go beyond the normal in our spiritual maturity is the shoulders on which we stand. Those that have pioneered the way before us have built highways for us to travel faster and farther. Their shoulders are strong and we must honor these men and women of God. To dishonor them is to slow down our process of maturity and purpose.

I remember a mountain family that I befriended in the mid 70’s. Hanging out with them as they farmed and did their chores was a great opportunity for me to hear of their experiences. They told me about the bumps in the road. I listened carefully and was blessed to miss some of the bumps. They were just simple people living their lives for Jesus. We had debates about my hair being a little too long. They didn’t agree with my belief that I could date more than one girl at a time. I didn’t know any different. They dressed a different way than most believers do today. However, they weren’t unwise, naïve, or out of touch with God anymore than I am today in sandals and jeans. My hair isn’t worth arguing over anymore and dating is a thing of the past. I appreciate the opportunity of standing on their shoulders.

I remember the Taylor brothers and how they pioneered revival of their day. Big tent meetings and crowds of people marked their path. Hard preaching and old time singing was what they called it. I didn’t agree with all their doctrines and I didn’t copy their style of preaching. My songs I sing now are almost 100% worship phrases with some testimony. Upon request I might sing an old escapist song about getting out of here and going to Heaven, but I prefer proclaiming occupancy and extension of the Kingdom of Heaven now. I haven’t backslid and they weren’t ignorant. I just have the privilege of standing on their shoulders. I was born “spiritually short”, and so for them to pick me up on their shoulders and let me see the parade means a lot. The view from here is great. But, without them I would still be very short.

Some of those before us were wrong in their doctrines and some even fell hard in times of temptation. Great Revivalist of the 1900’s often fell because of the money, self-glory, and sexual temptation. I used to think if someone fell that we should forget all they taught us. I am glad the Holy Spirit didn’t forget David and Solomon. My favorite saints of the Bible are probably the ones who failed the most. I still stand on their shoulders.

A believer that may have challenged me the most didn’t even believe in Trinity. I never brought the subject up but they did fairly often. I wasn’t about to budge from my beliefs in that department. However we have remained close friends and I have really enjoyed the testimonies that have come from this person. I am Wesleyan and yet have worked side by side with Calvinists. Many times I have kept quiet in debates so I could still stand on the shoulders of those different from me. I still do it today. Outside of the basic doctrines of our faith I don’t ague over doctrines. However, I choose to be very radical when I happen upon revelation and truth that the Holy Spirit brings to the light for me. I choose to honor those that have gone before me by standing on their shoulders. I am able to see farther because of them.

To take the Bride of Christ to new levels and defy the norm in our times could never happen without the shoulders of the past to stand upon. Any new truth and revelation follows close behind those who have paid the price to purchase the simple truths we have heard a hundred times. Every level of the mountain must be maintained so there can be those who reach the top to get the new view. Unlike the children of Israel who were busy making a golden calf, we choose to accompany Moses to receive the oracles of God. Some of us may maintain certain levels of the mountain while others of us will continue to the top. We will behold the glory of the Lord and then we will bring the glory back into all the other levels of the mountain. Scripture tells us that Moses shined with the Presence of the Lord upon him. Although the nation wouldn’t go with him upon the mountain, he brought the glory back down to them.

There have been those who have pushed me up the mountain. They may not have been privileged to see what I see today but they longed for it. Scripture speaks of us being able to see times that the prophets longed to see. We stand on their shoulders. How glorious is the view! Never has vision been more clear. Never have dreams been more numerous. It’s the joy of standing on the shoulders of the saints.