Children Are Timeless

One fascinating aspect of children is their seeming lack of awareness for time. They can happily play for hours without an agenda or even the desire of looking at a clock. Most adults on the other hand live conscious and almost bound by a schedule. A common complaint from parents is that there are just not enough hours in the day. This is illustrated by the story of a father who always brings files and folders home after work. His son asks one day, "Dad, why do you bring all those papers home every night?" The father responds, "Well, it is because I can't finish it all during the day so I have to do it at home". The son looks innocently at his dad and says, "Can't they put you in a slower group?"

My kids living life in the slow lane

I believe there is something to be learned from children in the way they approach life. Perhaps some of us need to be placed in a slower group, intentionally cutting back our ambitions, appointments, and endeavors in order to live a more manageable and healthy life. I understand that certain things need to get done and adults have responsibilities, but if we are always in a hurry it can be easy to miss the moment. This might be a good time to take a break from your busy schedule and enter into the care-free world of your child's play- at least for a few minutes...

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)

Revival Is Stirring

I just read a little article about young people praying for revival in America that has stirred my excitement. If you are interested, click here to learn more. The United States has not experienced a major outpouring of the Spirit since the Jesus movement of the 60's and 70's. Believer are beginning to hunger for more of God's presence and the Church is realizing her destiny is not only about saving souls but transforming society and discipling nations.
A new, or perhaps more accurately, a renewed vision of the Great Commission is being implanted in the hearts of Christians. They are becoming more aware that following Jesus is not merely about good church attendance, Bible study, and offering. A revelation is being released that is causing men and women to grasp the idea of societal transformation through becoming influencers and mind-molders in the important pillars of our nation. Believers are being challenged to be the head and not the tail in their sphere of influence and disciple their entire field with kingdom principles, presence, and power. The separation of what is considered sacred and secular is blurring as the Church embraces her call to expand the Kingdom until all kingdoms are under the authority of Christ. What will be your role in this movement?

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15

Faith, Healing, and Innocence

I have been privileged to witness hundreds of people experience divine healing over the past few years. I have also seen many people who have not... yet. It is interesting to observe the various reactions to healing ministry. They range from apathy, confusion, doubt, and animosity to hopefulness, perseverance, faith, and joy. Sometimes even those who have received a miraculous touch still respond with slight indifference or disbelief. Healing can be mentally offensive to many because it counters their preconceived notions of how the world works. When we begin to renew our minds and think properly about the nature of God then healing will not only be pursued, it will be expected. Check out this video of a little girl rejoicing over the way God healed her. May we all have the faith, innocence, and joyfulness of this beautiful child.

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:45

Taking Risk

Thrill seekers often push the boundaries of risk and danger when satisfying their need for excitement. Once they accomplish something, they will try to outdo what they just attempted because the fear factor and adrenaline high are diminished. The explosion of X-Games, motocross, and B.A.S.E. jumping demonstrate this trend toward extreme behavior. Although most people will never parachute off of a skyscraper or jump a motorcycle over 50 cars, we can learn something from those who do.

Can the Church really learn something from this guy?

Faith is activated by risk. It is not enough to simply believe in principles or concepts. Believers must step out and act upon their faith in order to advance the kingdom. It is usually fear that hinders us from taking action. But interestingly, when we begin to take risks, the fear factor becomes lessened and we actually develop confidence in something we once feared. For example, some children are scared when they first learn how to ride a bike. This is natural because it takes time to master balancing on two wheels and not fall. Eventually kids become proficient at riding and will even begin racing, jumping, or doing tricks on their bikes. I remember the fear I had in asking others if I could pray for them. So many thoughts raced through my mind such as, "What will they think of me? What if they reject me? What if nothing happens when I pray?" The more I approached and prayed for people, the less frightening it became to the point where others have even called me bold in my faith. I'm not so certain I would label it that way because I still have to overcome fear and doubt when ministering to others, but it is certainly much better than it used to be. When I read the Bible, there are so many stories of people who do crazy things for God. They are like the extreme sports athletes of the Christian world- standing up to giants, fighting armies, facing lions, healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead. I want to live the same way. I believe as we take small steps of risk, we will build confidence to do the greater things. May our lives be a continuation of the book of Acts!

"He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!" Acts 28:31

Prayer for Reformation

Recently, President Obama gave a very important announcement of great significance. I am not speaking of Osama Bin Laden's death but rather the National Day of Prayer. According to the Office of the Press Secretary, the President proclaimed:

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 5, 2011, as a National Day of Prayer. I invite all citizens of our Nation, as their own faith or conscience directs them, to join me in giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and I ask all people of faith to join me in asking God for guidance, mercy, and protection for our Nation."

Thursday, May 5 is the 60th Annual Observance of the National Day of Prayer

We have been bombarded with challenges such as the recession, national deficit, earthquakes, tsunamis, radioactive leaks, tornadoes, and global terrorism. Add to this the ongoing battle of protecting unborn children, preserving the institution of marriage, and promoting healthy marriages, the United States of America is truly in need of divine intervention. I am thankful for the National Day of Prayer tomorrow but it just seems that one day is not enough. It would be wonderful if there was a movement, revival, or awakening that caused the hearts of people to turn back to the Lord. Though we cannot control others, we can make a choice for ourselves. May we gather together in unity with other believers to stand in the gap for our nation and the entire world to experience transformation. Our prayers shift earthly realities!

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”Psalm 91:2

The Royal Wedding

Perhaps the most famous wedding in history has taken place today. It is at least the most watched and talked about marriage ever. Prince William and Kate Middleton exchanged vows in Westminster Abbey amidst great pomp and pageantry. An estimated one million people came out to catch a glimpse of the regal gala and one billion from around the world were expected to watch it on television or internet.

The Happy Newlyweds

Sentiments have ranged from pride and jubilation to apathy and cynicism for this royal union. Whatever your opinion of Will and Kate, their wedding is a prophetic sign of the greatest marriage of all time yet to come. It is the marriage of Jesus and his bride, the Church. Just like commoner Kate (now known as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge), believers will marry into a royal family and be forever known as the Bride of Christ. Preparations are already under way but much work is still needed. The amount of thought, planning, resources, and time required for most weddings is incredible. The royal wedding was a national undertaking. The divine wedding will take a global effort. Let us make haste and get the Bride ready for her groom!

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7

Hearing Should Be Believing

Post-Easter, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and later to two of his disciples. They in turn reported what they saw to the apostles. Mark 16 tells us the apostles did not believe their testimony. When Jesus finally appeared to the Eleven, "he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen" (v.14). Jesus taught about his death and resurrection to the apostles on multiple occasions but yet when it actually happened they did not believe in the testimony of others and were rebuked. Apparently, hearing was not enough to cause belief. For the Apostles, seeing was believing.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples After the Resurrection
by Imre Morocz

Jesus continues in verses 15-18, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Jesus is now telling the Church that certain things will happen with believers. We have the testimony of countless Christians who are experiencing signs and wonders in their lives. Just like the Eleven, we have a choice of whether to embrace the words of our Lord and the testimonies of the saints or face rebuke for our stubborn refusal to believe. Eventually, the apostles get it right and start doing the stuff. I pray the Church may listen and do the same.

"After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." Mark 16:19-20