There is a common denominator among those who read the weekly blog, purchase my teaching CDs, and attend our Ignite Conferences. They all want to be mightily used by the Holy Spirit. They all want to flow in His gifts and power, right?
If we all want to flow with the Holy Spirit and we know that the Holy Spirit wants to flow through us, then why aren't we seeing this in a greater degree? To quote one of my friends, "What's the deal?"
I am convinced that the public demonstration of the Holy Spirit has a precursor ... the intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit in private. Quite simply, public demonstrations and manifestations are a direct result of and proportionally seen due to our private intimacy with the Holy Spirit. It could be summarized in this Selah thoughts ... the kind that you need to allow to permeate your mind and spirit ... the more intimate the relationship, the softer the voice.
For some reading this blog, the Holy Spirit would have to literally yell to get their attention. His voice is mixed in among a multitude of voices. For others, the Holy Spirit is just a whisper away. Others have gotten to the place where a voice isn't needed at all. They know that they know His leadings and promptings.
What is the difference? Let me give that Selah thought one more time ... the more intimate the relationship, the softer the voice. Here's the secret ... as you and the one of your passion birth and nurture an intimate relationship, you can become so attuned to each other that a mere look can convey the secrets of each other's heart. While others will be oblivious, you will be able to know what the other is thinking.
Here is the reason for this blog entry. The Holy Spirit longs to move publicly in your classes and services. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it! Here is where we often miss it ... intimacy is never developed in the crowds. Intimacy is birthed and nurtured in the secret places, the place where only you and the one of your passion can go. Matthew 6:6 shows that as we discover that secret place, the bed chamber (Greek tameion), the place reserved for only you and the one who alone can share your deepest longings and intimacies, you will learn to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit. In this secret place, there is no need for loud booming voices. A whisper can convey the yearnings and passion of the soul.
Pull away from the crowd. Retreat to that place of intimacy that only you and the Holy Spirit can know. Fall in love with the Holy Spirit and you will find that His voice will become softer and more intimate. Then and only then will the secrets of heaven (that's the simplest definition of what the Gifts of the Spirit are) be shared with you and through you. Selah!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Holy Spirit On Assignment
Several years ago, Vickie and I had the privilege of ministering in Fiji for 7 days. During our stay, we ministered some 30 times. It was an awesome experience. Lives were changed, we had added to the Kingdom. I felt fulfilled in knowing that we had accomplished our assignment. We went back the next year and instead of ministering 30 times, we ministered I believe 5 times. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't a happy camper. We had traveled an enormous distance only to minister a few times. I felt as though my time was being wasted. I so wanted to get back on the plane and head home.
John 14 - 16 tells of another Children's Ministry Specialist, who has traveled a long distance to fulfill His assignment. His teaching credentials are undisputed. (John 14:26). He has an uncanny ability to know what is coming next in your class and what should be done. (John 16:13) In fact, Jesus said that it to our advantage to have this Specialist's presence in your classroom. (John 16:7).
Sadly, this Specialist, the Holy Spirit, often experiences the same restraint in our ministries that Vickie and I felt in our second trip to Fiji. There is much that He is assigned to accomplish. There are lives that He wants to impact. And yet, He is constrained and restricted to itsy, bitsy portions of our program and schedule.
Let's allow this Specialist to fulfill His assignment. Let's allow Him to speak and work through us. Let's be attentive to His voice and direction. Then, the supernatural Spirit of God will begin to do supernatural things in and through our ministry. The results will be out of this world!
John 14 - 16 tells of another Children's Ministry Specialist, who has traveled a long distance to fulfill His assignment. His teaching credentials are undisputed. (John 14:26). He has an uncanny ability to know what is coming next in your class and what should be done. (John 16:13) In fact, Jesus said that it to our advantage to have this Specialist's presence in your classroom. (John 16:7).
Sadly, this Specialist, the Holy Spirit, often experiences the same restraint in our ministries that Vickie and I felt in our second trip to Fiji. There is much that He is assigned to accomplish. There are lives that He wants to impact. And yet, He is constrained and restricted to itsy, bitsy portions of our program and schedule.
Let's allow this Specialist to fulfill His assignment. Let's allow Him to speak and work through us. Let's be attentive to His voice and direction. Then, the supernatural Spirit of God will begin to do supernatural things in and through our ministry. The results will be out of this world!
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Holy Spirit in Jamaica!
What a weekend. It all began early Thursday afternoon with a flight to Jamaica. I had the privilege of conducting my first international Ignite & Unite conference Thursday night in Mandeville. For three hours, I taught some 40+ children's ministry workers how to flow with the Holy Spirit. Friday
and Saturday, I participated in a Children's Convention at Fellowship Tabernacle teaching boys and girls about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. On Sunday morning, I had the privilege of preaching in the adult service. It was awesome to see God baptize children's ministry workers, children, and then adults in His precious Holy Spirit during the four days of ministry. Sunday morning was especially exciting. Of the 19 who came forward to be filled with the Spirit, I know of 18 that had a genuine encounter. It was everything that Jesus promised when He said that out of their bellies would flow rivers of living water. I believe that the service ended at 1:40 PM. We raced to the place where I was staying, I changed out of my soaking wet clothes, packed the final items in my luggage, and then drove two hours to the airport in Kingston. I had strict instructions from Vickie to not miss the airplane.
What a privilege it is to be assigned the responsibility to travel and announce that today is the day of the Holy Ghost. When the announcement is made, He always makes a grand entrance and begins to fulfill His assignment. Today truly is His day!
On another note ... I've entered into a whole new arena of life. I'm now hip, groovie, far-out, and rad and all of that other kind of jive talk! I've signed up for Facebook!
and Saturday, I participated in a Children's Convention at Fellowship Tabernacle teaching boys and girls about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. On Sunday morning, I had the privilege of preaching in the adult service. It was awesome to see God baptize children's ministry workers, children, and then adults in His precious Holy Spirit during the four days of ministry. Sunday morning was especially exciting. Of the 19 who came forward to be filled with the Spirit, I know of 18 that had a genuine encounter. It was everything that Jesus promised when He said that out of their bellies would flow rivers of living water. I believe that the service ended at 1:40 PM. We raced to the place where I was staying, I changed out of my soaking wet clothes, packed the final items in my luggage, and then drove two hours to the airport in Kingston. I had strict instructions from Vickie to not miss the airplane.
What a privilege it is to be assigned the responsibility to travel and announce that today is the day of the Holy Ghost. When the announcement is made, He always makes a grand entrance and begins to fulfill His assignment. Today truly is His day!
On another note ... I've entered into a whole new arena of life. I'm now hip, groovie, far-out, and rad and all of that other kind of jive talk! I've signed up for Facebook!
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Power of the Holy Spirit through You!
This will be my shortest blog ever. How can I amplify what the Amplified Bible says? Allow this verse from Ephesians 3:20 to challenge you to walk into your ministry with full confidence that the Holy Spirit will manifest His presence in you and through you ...
"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]."
"Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
