Saturday, May 31, 2008

The Purpose of Outpouring

I was recently sharing with someone about the unusual manifestations of the outpouring of the Spirit of God in our midst. She was intrigued, but questioned the purpose. I immediately replied, "It is about souls!"

I personally have experienced a renewed longing in my heart for the lost to be brought into the Kingdom. During times of intercession I feel the longing of Father's heart to see the "prodigals" come home. I am sensing an awakening of my heart to "seek first the Kingdom" like never before.

We are corporately sensing a swell of anticipation every time we meet for service. This anticipation breeds expectation and hope which is bringing us into a new level of faith. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) This revival of hope is especially evident among our young people. I have never seen such excitement in them about the things of God. This renewed fervor about the Kingdoom is sparking a yearning within to "go tell". We are excited about what God is doing in our midst and we want to share the "Good News"!

Jesus told us to "seek and we will find, knock and the door will be opened to us". Seek the Lord like never before and see what He will open to you!

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Is There Power in Memorial?

This weekend in the USA we celebrate Memorial Day and remember those who have fallen in the service of our nation. This is a Biblical concept to "give honor to whom honor is due." I as write this post I am at Heritage International Ministries in Fort Mill, SC where there is a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Many miracles are happen here and I have seen many touched by the healing power of God. This move began in a classroom at their Christian school following a time that the ministry founder, Rick Joyner, had set to honor the founders of the faith. At our church the World Lighthouse we are experiencing a great outpouring as well which has followed a time of honoring those in the faith who have brought us to this point in history. We also are receiving a greater revelation of honoring one another in the Body of Christ. I believe God is pleased and is pouring out His Spirit in great measure.

The media so often has taught us just the opposite and it has brought dishonor into the home, especially against men and fathers in particular. It is time to restore honor to our homes, to the church, and to America again. God is honoring those to show honor to whom honor is due.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Outpouring

Last night I listened to a message of Rodney Howard Browne ministering in Tenessee. He shared a prophetic word the Lord had spoken to him about America. The Lord told him it was time to mobilize the Body of Christ and focus on America. He then shared that America would be in a time of shaking and gave the following time-table: This move of God would begin in 2007, explode in 2008, and that America would experience full revival in 2009.

I have personally experienced an explosion of God's power in the last few weeks. Since the beginning of the year our church, the World Lighthouse Worship Center in Grantsville, Maryland, has been believing for breakthrough. Our Pastor shared with us in January of this year Isaiah 43:19, Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? God certainly is doing a new thing!

The breakthrough came the evening of May 2nd at the Women of Valor Conference held at the Wisp resort in McHenry, Maryland. We were in a time of praying for all of the conference attendees when suddenly there was an erruption of great joy. The intensity of the moving of God continued to escalate over the next few hours. There was intense laughter and great freedom in the spirit. God was pouring out new wine and many were intoxicated by His powerful presence.

The outpouring continued Sunday evening, May 18th at our Sunday evening service at the World Lighthouse. Melissa Flores (www.cafenotes.blogspot.com) and I released a prophetic word that chronicled the moves of God during the 20th century. During corporate prayer at the close of the service the power of God moved into our midst. The fear and conviction of the Lord was strong as we travailed in prayer for the lost. Our prayers reached a crescendo and breakthrough came followed by a time of great refreshing. Laughter swept the room and the atmosphere was electric with the presence of God. Many were not able to stand as we were experiencing "a new thing" from God.

I quote the Apostle Peter as he spoke after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost,

For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.' Acts 2:15-18

Our sons and daughters are prophesying! An elementary school aged boy from our church shared this message he had written with his mother after church last evening.

He wrote:

"There is a storm cloud coming. There is a black shadow over the horizon. Are you going to bury your head in the sand or are you going to fight? Fight! There's a storm cloud coming."

It is time for the church to awaken and discern the times.