Showing posts with label engaging God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label engaging God. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Prophetic Message: End Time Principles For This Season


During the early morning hours, I recently had a vision of God's hand repositioning me back into my place in God's army. I saw His hand move me like a chess piece. I believe He will be doing this with many people in this season. Those who resist Him will be replaced. He is the Grand Master of Chess. He is the one who moves all the pieces. He has a strategy and we must remember that the devil always plays into God's hand. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) 

There are a few Kingdom principles that are going to play out in this next season.

First, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. (Matthew 19:30) Those who were last to be picked will be first in this next season. They will be the forerunners of a new move and break out of the confinements of the old wineskins (mindsets) that have kept the church stuck. They will be the unlikely Peters who abandoned their posts in discouragement because of the church's systemic failures but whose comeback will signal revival and reformation.  

I also see that the following end time principles being played out in this very important time in World History as churches worldwide have closed their doors. The second principle is the wisdom in knowing how to get your own oil from God. I do believe that staying on fire or lit for God has a lot to do with knowing how to go to God as your resource for His presence. If you have become "church" dependent you are in a dangerous place. It is foolish to depend on others to feed you, keep you motivated, and close to Jesus especially in this season. As leaders, it is imperative that we teach God's people how to go to God for themselves as their resource and teach them how to trim their lamp so they can be those who will endure to the end.
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 24:13)

"And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps, are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’" (Matthew 25:8-9)

The third end time principle: To those who have more shall be given.
"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away." (Matthew 25:29) Those who have the resources, talents, finances, spiritual gifts and etc to advance God's Kingdom will be given more in abundance if they step into their position. Those who squander their time, resources, talents, finances, spiritual gifts on mundane things will experience lack until they prioritize seeking God's Kingdom first and His righteousness. In this parable, the wicked steward hid his talent out of fear. If fear is keeping you from speaking out, doing good, standing up for righteousness, and advancing God's Kingdom; please understand that God considers this wicked. Why you may ask? Fear is the opposite of faith. Without faith, we cannot please Him. We must move out of what's comfortable (safe) and take Kingdom risks (faith) to accomplish what we are called to do. Especially at this time!
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) 

Fourth, end time principle:
His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:23)
Being faithful over small God-given tasks in this season will also be rewarded greatly. In this parable, God rewarded those who took on the simple tasks of helping the poor, clothing the naked, visiting the prisoner, healing the sick, and other acts of kindness. This too will be marks of revival. Going into the highway and byways to invite all those who have been marginalized (a person or group treated as insignificant or as outcasts) will be a sign to the world that love is the answer to this world who has fallen into chaos and violence. 

To summarize, we must not be discouraged by what's going on because we understand that all things work together for good. Turn off the news and read the Good News. We win! Don't be shocked by those who God uses to bring revival and reformation. God uses who He wills. Learn to go to God for your resource. This is imperative if you are going to endure to the end. This is the wrong time to hide in fear. Please know the season you are in and don't squander God's resources and your time on mundane things and tasks. Finally, don't minimize being faithful in small things like community outreach, feeding the poor, visiting the prisoner, healing the sick, and talking to strangers about Jesus. God is impressed by faith motivated by love. Love is the answer to chaos, rebellion, and violence. It is not a time to take sides! It is time to make our lives a sermon that speaks the truth in love! 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Engage God!

Engage: To attract and hold by influence or power

Not so long ago I was at a church service and the guest speaker was encouraging people to come to the altar to pray over their loved ones.  Strangely, many people continued to sit motionless on the chairs.  It was almost like they didn't hear what they were being asked to do. Again the invitation was given but only a few people came up.  The rest remained in their seats the rest of the night. It was literally like pulling teeth to get anyone to leave their comfort zone. As I was at the altar the Lord started to speak to me about this problem. 

First, we here in America have gotten used to coming to church and have everything happen behind the pulpit. Like the children of Israel we have sent Moses up the mountain to encounter God while we stay behind and build the golden calf. Our expectancy level only goes as far as believing God for a good sermon for the day. On the other hand, the only thing that is expected from the congregation in most cases is their tithe money and that is all. Honestly, I have seen more enthusiasm at a football game than I have seen in many churches.  At least at a football game people cheer and get into the game.  In some churches we can't even get people to stand up and praise God.  We have a lot to thank God about. He choose us to live life abundantly and be filled with His amazing unconditional love.  Unfortunately, many people don't receive this abundant life because they never engage God.  They never go beyond listening to the Pastor speak to hearing the Holy Ghost reveal himself through scripture, getting filled with His Presence, being touched in their bodies or being set free from their bondage.  They walk into church depressed, hurting, sick, addicted, unsaved and leave the same way they came in. This is religion.

I believe that God is about to change all of that. There is nothing more powerful than a group of believers coming into unity, with expectancy, ready to engage God so they can receive what they are believing for. If those believers love each other deeply than expect God to show himself mighty in them. As God starts to move on His people and they start to respond to the love of God be sure that every person that comes within that atmosphere will be changed forever.  As God's people ascend the mountain with Moses unafraid and unabated asking for God to show them His glory...will He not do it? My God this is how Pentecost was poured out.  A group of believers who prayed in unity, loved each other, were willing to lay their life down for the gospel and waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit. It was these empowered witnesses that received the Pentecostal fire. My friends, we already have this Holy Ghost fire and all we have to do is rekindle it at the altar of our hearts.

To rekindle this fire, we just need to engage God in our loving adoration.  He seeks those who worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  All of heaven will stop to listen to just one thankful heart. It was always those who declared the Divinity of Christ who caused Jesus to pay attention. Jesus, son of David have mercy on Me was the cry of every desperate soul.  They would then throw themselves at the feet of Jesus and worship Him. My friends, if we are ever to get passed our mundane traditions then we must be willing to let go of our religious pride. We must be willing to leave that chair, go to the altar, weep, worship, pray or anything else that the Spirit of God moves upon us to do. If you are willing to do this...you will leave changed. Engage God!