Church Is Fun

My wife and I were invited by a local pastor to minister at a church. After sharing about the goodness of God and how He still heals, I activated and released the people to pray for those with physical ailments. The Holy Spirit moved and many got healed. As this was going on, the pastor's teenage daughter approached me to pray for her knee which had been injured from sports. She had a younger brother next to her so I told him to pray for her sister. He said, "I don't know what to do!" I just encouraged him to command healing in her sister's knee. So he placed his hand on her knee and said a short, simple prayer. I asked the pastor's daughter how she felt and she ran around the church to test it out and exclaimed, "There's no more pain!" I high-fived the brother and said, "You just healed your sister!" As amazing as that experience was, the best part of the story came later. The brother and sister left the meeting early because it was a school night but the brother decided to come back. When the pastor saw his son return to the church, he was so surprised because his son never comes back to church after he leaves. The pastor asked his son why he returned and the son replied, "Because this is fun!"


This is probably one of my favorite testimonies because church is meant to be fun! In fact, it should be the most joyful place on earth. God is pure goodness and in his presence is fullness of joy (cf. Psalm 16:11)! I grew up experiencing the opposite. Church was so boring and my understanding of God was one of fear, confusion, distance, and seriousness. The truth is that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 14:17, emphasis added). That means if we are not experiencing overwhelming joy in our lives, especially at church, we have not properly grasped the nature of his kingdom. May we encounter his presence and step into the kingdom reality of freedom, peace, grace, love, healing, wholeness, reconciliation, forgiveness, intimacy, and perfect joy! It would be hard not to have fun in a place like that.

"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful." Psalm 68:3

Prayer for Japan

Heavenly Father,

We give you praise for your goodness. You are the best daddy in the whole world. Thank you for your love, grace, and joy. Father, we come before you because our hearts are burdened by what is transpiring throughout the world, especially in Japan. We read the reports and see the images of devastation, death, and despair. Lord, what the enemy has meant for evil we ask that you will bring about for good. We intercede for the countless injured and missing. Send your angels to minister to them. Help the lost to be found. Reunite the separated with their loved ones. We pray healing for those in pain- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Holy Spirit, as the tsunami waters brought waves of destruction may your Spirit bring waves of wholeness and hope. May the land of the rising sun become the land of the rising Son!


We speak peace upon the land and command no more aftershocks. We even ask for warmer weather to help the people during this time of mourning and rebuilding. We declare there will be no nuclear disasters from any of their power plants. May a spirit of compassion and generosity rise up from the world and cause aid, support, encouragement, hope, and love to flow into the nation of Japan. Thank you that individuals, families, and nations are responding. The United States has sent a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and several destroyers to Japan for assistance. Thank you that our armed forces are being used in this way and not for war. We take this as a prophetic act that peace and unity are on the horizon. The military even named their efforts "Operation Tomodachi" (Japanese for friendship). Jesus, our Prince of Peace, stir the hearts of people to seek after you. Create a hunger for your presence to swing open wide the doors to your Kingdom. May revival fall! We need your supernatural touch more than ever. Let the Church rise up in power, authority, and love to bring transformation to the broken. Even in the face of despair, we will press in for victory! We praise you, Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to make a donation to the relief efforts in Japan through Mercy Corps, please click here. Thank you!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We Have the Keys

One of the most common objections or arguments against Christianity is the issue of human suffering. The question is often asked, "If God is so good and loving, why does he allow suffering?" I believe a key to understanding this query lies in the idea that God is in charge but He is not in control. This may sound blasphemous to some ears but take a moment to ponder this illustration. Suppose a father has a son who turns 16 and gets his driver's license. The father comes to his son with the keys to his car and says, "Happy Birthday, son! I love you and am proud of you. Here are the keys to my car. Go out and have some fun with your friends." The dad is in charge of the car. It is still under his name. But as soon as he hands the keys to his son, the father is no longer in control of it. He must trust that his son will take good care of the vehicle.



God has given us the keys to the kingdom (cf. Matthew 16:19). He has entrusted the Church with the task of releasing the goodness of heaven and undoing the works of the enemy. When we rise up to embrace our authority and power through the Holy Spirit, we will not only do the things Jesus did but even greater acts. Therefore the real issue is not why God allows suffering but rather why the Church allows it. When we learn to walk in the supernatural power and love Jesus demonstrated, suffering will be remedied. Of course we acknowledge the principle of sowing and reaping, where our freedom of choice often produces negative consequences. But the world is waiting, literally groaning, for the sons and daughters of the King to rise up and take their rightful place as rulers of the kingdom so that they can lead people to walk in wisdom, humility, compassion, love, generosity, and righteousness. We have the keys to the kingdom. May we learn how to use them effectively and honorably because the world is hungry for salvation.

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

A Shaking in Christchurch

As you may have heard in the news a 6.3 magnitude earthquake occurred on February 22 in Christchurch, New Zealand. At least 160 people have been confirmed dead while more than 200 others are reported missing and thousands have been injured. May we pray for all the people in this city and give our support in any way possible. If you would like to make a donation to the relief effort please click here for the New Zealand Red Cross. There are also some amazing revivalists ministering in that city actively involved in serving the citizens there. You can also donate through their ministry Kingdom Reality and get video updates of the situation.

Photo of Christchurch, New Zealand taken from the International Space Station

Image credit: NASA

I don't believe God caused this devastating earthquake but I do find there is prophetic significance to this disaster. Christchurch has been shaken and now the world's attention has turned towards it. It is certainly our responsibility to help the people there but perhaps there is a hidden message to the body regarding the season we are entering. A shaking is taking place in the church of Christ and divisions are arising between those who are fully devoted to God and those who are not. The world is beginning to take notice of these radical lovers who carry the love and power of the Holy Spirit wherever they go. These faithful believers are rebuilding His Church to its original intent and glory. It will be interesting to see how things unfold in this city during the coming weeks and months. May we have an increased sensitivity to the Spirit in discerning the signs of the times.

"I've come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now! I've come to change everything, turn everything rightside up—how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I've come to disrupt and confront!" Luke 12:49-51 (The Message)

The Rungs of the Church Ladder

There is a ladder illustration used to describe the various types of people who come to church based on their primary area of focus or involvement. The first or lowest rung of the ladder represents men and women who come for personal needs. How will this church meet my needs? Do they have a good children's ministry for my kids? These are the types of questions someone on the first rung of the ladder asks. There is nothing wrong with this but it is the responsibility of the leaders to encourage people to climb the ladder.

The second rung of the ladder symbolizes the church itself. These are people who are passionately dedicated to building up the church. They serve on committees, sing in the choir, make food, usher, and even clean the bathrooms. Second-rung members are often faithful in attendance, giving, and service. Every congregation desires these types of individuals but it is the responsibility of the leaders to challenge them to climb higher on the church ladder.


The third rung of the ladder represents community. People on this rung recognize that ministry must extend beyond the walls of the church and into the surrounding neighborhood. These members get involved with evangelism, feeding the poor, and helping the homeless. They realize that faith without deeds is dead and therefore intentionally demonstrate their faith even to non-believers. As amazing as these people are, it is the responsibility of the leaders to instill a vision for climbing even higher.

The fourth rung of the ladder is about nations. These members understand that the gospel must go out into the entire world and the church should impact the nations. This is more than an effort to send out short-term mission teams or raise up missionaries. Fourth rung believers embrace the Great Commission and believe their mandate is not simply to make disciples in all nations but to ultimately disciple nations. The body of Christ is called to transform society, advancing the kingdom of heaven with signs, wonders, and supernatural love in the power of the Holy Spirit. Leaders are entrusted with the responsibility to convey this vision and help the body reach the top of the ladder. May we become a Church of fourth-rung history makers!

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Matthew 28:19

The Nations- Our Inheritance

I recently came back from teaching a class in Korea entitled "The Renewed Mind: Living Naturally Supernatural". It was a wonderful experience as God moved in powerful ways through 10 sessions in three days. I returned home with a greater appreciation not only of my mother country but also God's love for nations. The Bible teaches us that the nations of the world are actually our inheritance. Psalm 2:7-8 says, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession".


I have intentionally started asking my Father for specific nations that I may go and serve- releasing the supernatural power of God, advancing the Kingdom, and sowing into the native people. When we tap into the heart of our Father, we will realize his passion for the nations. They are our inheritance. He commands his children to ask for countries until the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord. I have already asked for the United States, Korea, and several others. It doesn't seem like there is a limit. What nations are you asking for?

"Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him." Genesis 18:18

Honoring the Presence

If the President of the United States made an announcement that he was going to visit your home, you would probably get prepared regardless of how you felt about his politics. It would most likely be a focused and intentional endeavor to clean the floors, make the beds, dust the blinds, and pretty much make sure attention is given to every possible detail. On one level, this diligent effort stems from a desire to look good but the main reason people would "roll out the red carpet" is to honor the President.


One greater than the President is wanting to visit with us. It is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the Creator of the universe and lover of our souls. The dwelling He longs to enter is our heart. What is our response to the King of glory who deserves honor more than anyone or thing in this world? I pray we would make every effort to prepare the home of our heart so that His presence would be honored and cherished. Treasure, protect, and cultivate your secret place. God is not looking for a one-time visit, He is yearning for a habitation.

"But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:6