Doing battle.
Going through a box of papers, last night, I came up with an old journal. Flipping through the pages, I was shocked to see that the issues I was most concerned about then are the same ones I would list today. My circumstances have changed somewhat–different work, larger family, geographic move–but the inner struggles are virtually the same. As a matter of fact, but for those circumstantial differences, the pages could be interchanged with one that I might write this morning!
The effect has been that of a cold splash of water on the face. I see some advancement, but not nearly what one would expect over a span of years. Is it possible to achieve decisive victory and move on? Or, is this life simply an extended battle and the Christian soldier is fortunate just to hold ground? These are pertinent questions, especially as I am set to participate in revival services soon.
The scripture that comes to mind is from Romans, chapter seven–and this one is going to take some real pondering. It seems to me that this is one of those “great mysteries.”
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Kentucky River Revival
Revival for Kentucky meetings are scheduled for the week of May 11th, and we are ramping up on prayer and fasting to prepare. Please join us in supplication for this special event. There will be preaching and praising every night for a week in a little church alongside the Kentucky River. The signs are that God is in this and something wonderful is going to happen. Do pray with us in this regard. Hosanna!
Sons of Thunder
I have an airline ticket credit of $500 that I will lose on May 26th, if I haven’t used it by then. Searching for lyrics to a song about Israel tonight, I came across a website about an event coming up next weekend in Nashville. It’s called the Sons of Thunder conference, and it sure looks like it’s going to be a powerful gathering of praise and celebration. Unfortunately, the best Delta fare this close to departure is over $700.
According to Harvest Sound, the “Sons of Thunder” idea is based upon “a prophetic promise from heaven about a day when an army of worshiping warriors would be released into the streets with an extraordinary anointing upon them in music and evangelism. Men and women who have been hidden with the Lord and marked by the penetrating power of His presence… men and woman who have true grace and gifting in music along with humility and selflessness in sharing Christ… who are fearless in their faith and faithful to the call.”
More of the prophecy: “Say this to the church: ‘Stand in the light, lift up your voice and sing in the streets. Sing the simple message of the gospel in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, be saved. Lift up your voice as a witness to Christ and the Spirit of God will cause people to be converted’.”
I know only what I saw on the website, so I can’t offer an opinion…other than I would love to go see what’s happening. Here’s the link to the entire Sons of Thunder vision.
Will blog for shoes
Whenever someone discovers that I have a blog, you can be sure that one of two questions will follow: “What’s a blog?” Or, “Are you making much money from it?” I love both questions, because they help me to introduce the questioner to something that I believe is an integral part of the Great Commission in these last days. Read more
Let us know…
So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth (Hosea 6:3, NASB).
Yom Tov!
According to the Jewish Calendar today (beginning at about sunset last night) is the first day of the Passover (Pesach) celebration. “Yom Tov” means “Good Day” and it is a fitting way of greeting one another on this good day. I love the festivals and observances that lead us through the year–and Passover is just as real and special to me as any celebration of the Church, for Christ is truly in the Passover and rightly seen, it is all about Him and his great mercies towards us. Hosanna!
The value of Looking…
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels…singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb.” (Revelation 5:11-12 NSRV)
I sat working at the computer this morning for an hour, before finally turning away and looking out the window. The sun had risen. The mountains, with trees beginning to show spring new growth, were now visible. I could hear a chorus of birdsong greeting the new day. Until I turned from my concentration, though, and looked…I was oblivious to the sunrise.
So it is with my prayer life and my walk with God. I am often too busy to notice He is there. Forgive me, Father. May I wake up, this day, and abide in You.
Heading towards Revival
With the week-long revival meetings about a month away, the pastor leading the charge has called for prayer and fasting. Here we go. Like he told me today, “It’s just good to have a prayer partner.” Men and Women of God arise! Join us in the prayer for, and movement towards, Revival.
Prayer and the Brooklyn Tabernacle
A fellow teacher at our Christian school told me that I needed to read this book. It looked familiar, but I couldn’t say whether I had read it before or had just seen it somewhere. At my friend’s insistence, I took it home and my wife said, “Hey, that’s my book.” You see, she had kept one on her bookshelf at our home in Florida. I had seen the book hundreds of times and had often thought of reading it, but had never done so. If you’re like me and still haven’t picked it up, I urge you to get it and read it at the first opportunity.
I speak of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire
But, it’s more than that. It is a witness to the power and necessity of prayer. I am about a third of the way through the book, and last night I was reading about Cymbala’s daughter–how she had pulled away from her parents and was alienated from the Church. In desperation, her father entrusted her welfare to God and followed the lead of members of the congregation who wished to lift her up in prayer. Within days, the girl had come home and was begging her father’s forgiveness. She went on to a Bible college and to marry a preacher. Looking at my little girl, I determined to do that for her right now–to bathe her in prayer and trust that the Father will pull her more and more to Himself. Moreover, I am motivated to begin a fresh study of prayer and to devote myself to a deeper walk in the Spirit. Cymbala is right: Revival begins with prayer and leads to prayer.
The bottom line…
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39 (NKJ)
Revival Ministry
I have just received an email from Dr. Paul Solomon, whose ministry of revival was featured in this column in an earlier post.
Says Dr. Solomon: “Prayerful greetings in Jesus Mighty Name. It thrilled my soul to see my testimoney in your web. Glory to God! Amen.The way Jesus touched me has touched thousands of lives in India. More than 1200 sincere christians who were converted from Hinduism , now serving the plan of Revival and praying along with me.”
He went on to say something that humbled me and convicted me of my lack of effort towards global evangelism: “I have a deep hunger for Global Revival. I am so much praying for America…”
Prayer for India and for the ministry of Dr. Solomon has been added to our prayer page and will become a part of my own intercession.
Here is an excerpt from Dr. Solomon’s website:
THE MEANING FOR REVIVAL
Theo+ logic - is theology- which the world knows is knowledge about God.
Zoë’+ logic - is Zoe’logy - The LIFE, which every one should have. As a matter of fact Zoë is not logic- but it is life the very Life of God. Anazoe’ - The meaning is regaining the very life of God which is called Revival.
The Greek word Zoë’ is the breath of God. Let us read Gen. 2:7, “The Lord God formed man of the dust the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living beings.” Anazoe’- is regaining the life of God in our (Dead) lives.. “The breath of the Almighty gives him understanding (Reviving sense)” Job 32:8.
Listen carefully dear readers, without Revival a man will be like the dust of the ground with his inborn nature of carnality. When he received the breath of God, that reviving process made him a living being. Only Revival brings the breath of God into the human lives.. That’s why the Psalmist prayed this meaningful prayer in Psalm 85:6 “Will you not revival us again, that your people may rejoice in you”. Yes in Revival, there is joy, freedom, deliverance, blessing, and many more things. But without Life what you can enjoy. When Adam lost His Life- the Almighty God send it though His Son Jesus Christ. At the Cross He gave the Life(Jn.10:10)
REVIVAL STRUCTURE
God precisely shared with me many precious things during my years together walking with God by doing His Revival ministry. Those things are glorious and numerous. But I can simplify how to obtain Revival in three important things of God.
1. The glory of God,
2. The fire anointing,
3. The Holy Spirit outpouring.
But to learn these three things, God may demand our whole life. Revival is fundamentally strong and strongly rooted with the word of God.
Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!
The gifts of God
May you be given more and more of God’s kindness, peace, and love. (Jude 1:2, TLB)
