Your Kingdom Come!
Your kingdom come – Luke 11
This was Jesus’ prayer. This was His desire and we know the desire of the Father. His kingdom on this earth. Much has been written, taught, and preached regarding this kingdom. What does it look like? What is the impact of His kingdom on this earth. In His kingdom there is peace, health, joy, wealth – no more tears, sickness, ungodliness and evil.
When I look back over 30 years of ministry what can I say has the been the result of this prayer in my life? Have I seen His kingdom manifest in my life? Yes, there are those that have been saved, delivered, taught and discipled, but is this pleasing to the Lord and is this what I’ve been called to accomplish? Or is there more?
This past week Gary Oliver spoke of completing our assignment and used the disciples crossing the lake in a boat that Jesus directed and ordered. They were to cross the lake. . . simple assignment. I am to make disciples . . . that too a simple assignmnet. But is there more?
Father I pray for a continued revelation of what it means for your kingdom to be seen and experieneced on this earth. Above all else, my desire is to please you and fulfill my assignment. I also read this morning in Zechariah that You are jealous for Jerusalem. Are you too jealous for the Bay Area? Is so, then I pray for a revelation of what you want to accomplish and complete in this are at this day, this time, in my life. . . and again I pray . . . “your kingdom come” Amen!
You want proof? The blind see, the dear hear, and the dead are raised!
Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. – Luke 7:22
John needed some type of proof that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. From prison he sent men to inquirer about Jesus and as a result we have the above verse that shows the means of how Jesus responded. This is incredible! John’s in prison. Perhaps wondering, desiring, fretting, worrying, anxious and / or fearful about his call, Jesus, the prophetic word and all the emotions tied into the purpose of God for that day. John remembered that he was the one that pointed our Jesus as the “Lamb of God”. Days went by, he ended up in jail, and the thought hit his mind. . . is Jesus really the one, perhaps a mistake was made, can there be some type of proof that Jesus indeed was the “Lamb of God” that he saw that day by the river Jordan?
Jesus sent back proof. boy did He ever. John’s men saw blinded eyes opened, deaf ears popped open, the lame got up, etc . . . Jesus’ proof was a power demonstration.
Can we do this today? People want proof? You want proof? Come watch this! Open the eyes, ears and heal the limbs and raise up those on the sick beds. Will that get your attention . . . it does mine!
Lord I ask for this anointing . . . . again. You know that this has been my passion, desire and dream for 32 years now as I have served You. Forgive me for not pressing in as I’ve done in the past to see the miracles. I believe and know that you have been calling me in times past to believe for the power to heal, but you also know my weaknesses and discouragements with the status quo. Revive Your purpose in my life Lord. Revive Your anointing! Revive Your passion for You and the lost and forgive my complacency toward Your work. Spirit of God, draw me back to the place where you’ve said . . . go tell John (others) what you have seen and heard . . . how the gospel is demonstrated and heard and brought forth great results with power. Amen!
The floods will come – will you stand?
“I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built” – Luke 6:47:48
Doing God’s word. Putting them into practice. Living His truth. Obeying and listening to His direction and responding in faith. These are all elements, exhortations, encouragements in order for us to live a victorious, prosperous and blessed life. Our Lord has come and shared His truth with us so that we are not shaken. He wants us to overcome, to stand, to live in victory and no His faithfulness.
When a flood comes . . . We know that the floods will come. But what will they look like? A flood of doubt, unbelief, discouragement, issues, with health, people, family, ?? A job loss, a financial set back? What will the flood look like in our lives? Many of us had floods already that we’ve experienced. How did we respond? Did we stand or were we blown away?
Lord you know what I went through about a year ago. You know the fears, doubts, insecurity, anger, frustration, confusion and anxiety. Did I know scripture? Yes, Did I sense the presence of God – no. Did I sense fear? – Yes, Did the flood come and try to wipe away my faith – yes. Lord I was embaressed, fearful, frustrated that I didn’t stand as well as I could have. Forgive me Lord for living a life that poses as one thing, but felt another entirely different case of insecurity.
Today Lord, I’ve learned not to take anything for granted and that your word and me being a doer of your word is my only sure foundation. You’ve brought me through the fire and now where do I stand? Hopefully I’m in a place where I’m prepared for another flood. But then you only know once the flood starts . . . until then I continue to stand and do God’s word . . . believing that He’ll cause me to stand.
Be strong – in God’s word and truth
“Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” - Dan 10:19-20
The angel showed up and spoke with Daniel. After Daniel’s 21 day fast he was visited and told about what was to come in the near and far distant future. The angel appeared after Daniel initiated the fast and the angel came after intense spiritual warfare in a 21 day period.
Needless to say, this is was a dramatic time in Daniel’s life. His prayer, his heart’s desire for his people. The yearning for God’s restoration and forgiveness after Israel’s rebellion. And then to hear of climatic times in the future. The angel said to not fear, but be strong. And the word spoken gave him strength.
That is the nature and working of God’s word in a person’s heart. . . to give strength. God’s word by nature gives strength to the receiver to hear and do His word. Sometimes obedience is hard. Many times to obey God’s word stirs up demonic spirits and causes a response in the spiritual realm and we thus need strengthening. But know this, as God’s word is heard, there is the corresponding strength to do the word of God. We are told to be doers of God’s word. But we need to strength to do the word. As we step out and do His word, we know and trust we’ll have strength to do His word and will.
Lord, there is much yet to learn, do and obey in your word. I too pray today that we too have sinned adn forsaken the ways of the Lord in the Bay Area and in our country. We now face men with men, women with women in that which is holy – marriage. I know you are grieved? Where are the prophets to rebuke and denounce as in days of old? We also face the church not doing what is suppose to do . . . make disiciples . . . Forgive us for the religious activity without the power. Forgive us for not waiting on you and seeking you for the power to perform your word and work in building the church. Lord I ask that you strengthen my heart to obey and do what you have commanded – for your sake and your glory. – Amen!