Persistent Faith

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.
Matthew 15:22-28, NLT

The woman who approached the Lord did so in desperation. After insisting upon her request, the woman finally received the miracle she sought.

There is something powerful about persistence. In fact, the portion of scripture you just read makes it perfectly clear that persistence and faith are tied together.
Persistence is consistent faith.

Perhaps there is a stubborn issue in your life that will not move. Or maybe you struggle with something from which you desire to be free. Keep going; don’t quit.

Persistent faith overcomes all. You’re not going to climb the mountain; you’re going to move the mountain. Ask, seek, knock. The door will open.

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Something More

I committed my life to Christ in the summer of 2000. I was 11 years old. Though young, having been raised in a Christian home, I understood the implications of such a commitment. As it goes with conversion experiences, my meeting with Christ, the Son of God, was quite dramatic. However, in the coming months I was to experience numerous intense and transformative divine encounters.

You see, after I was saved, I became increasingly fascinated by the Person of Christ. He became my fixation—I read about Him, listened to sermons about Him and prayed to Him. His royal countenance, majestic and alluring, inspired within me a passionate pursuit. Soon enough, my soul longed for one thing, and that one thing was encapsulated in these simple words: “Jesus, I want to know you more.”

Those words began as a whisper but soon grew to be an inner shout. My desire to be drawn closer to Jesus began to demonstrate itself in long hours of prayer and the reading of several Bible chapters a day. My every moment was filled with an immediate awareness of God’s nearness. Throughout my days, I sensed a purposeful pull upon my will; I could sense the guiding hand of God. He used circumstances, conversations and occurrences to speak to me. And I was listening. 

The more I knew of Him, the more I wanted to know. There was a beautiful and energizing grace that compelled my every spiritual act. There was a flow to my prayer and devotion.

But then, seemingly out of nowhere, I felt a growing distance between God and myself. The clear image of Jesus, that the eyes of my heart had so clearly beheld, began to fade.

On this point, I must briefly digress to clarify: I do not believe that God ever abandons the believer. On the contrary, the scripture declares that He is an ever present help in times of need.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 ESV)

I know now that when God “withdrew” from me, He did so only in regards to my feelings. And He used that sense of distance to cause me to seek Him more, for He loves to be sought. He wasn’t toying with me by any means. Rather, He was testing me and moving me to greater depths. The reward for seeking Him is a revelation of Him. Nonetheless, that reward, at that time, seemed to be a negative. I mistook the privilege of His drawing for the punishment of distance. But He was drawing me deeper.

He wanted to show me something greater!

So what was He trying to show me?

I’d soon discover it. 

During that time, when I felt disconnected from God, I became frustrated. I so badly wanted to close the “gap” and know more of Jesus. Feeling as though something was missing in my spiritual life, I prayed prayers like, “Father, there must be more than this. There just has to be more!”

I agonized and pleaded in prayer. My sense of desperation was so profound that my physical body would tense. Clenching my fists, I would press my face into a tear-drenched carpet and call out to God. Unsettling thoughts intruded my mind—thoughts like, “God, are you angry with me?” and “Lord, did I do something wrong?”

I had applied everything I knew. I had read the books on prayer, attended the church conferences and even had mighty servants of God lay hands on me for impartation. My efforts proved to be of no avail.

Throughout those days, God was rarely far from my mind. Every moment in which I accommodated a pause, I pondered my severe need to connect to God in greater measures.

“Was that all?” I wondered, “Was that all there was to be experienced of the I AM - Eternity Himself?” A quiet but deep knowing assured me, “Son, there’s something more.”

It was because of this seeking despair that I began to watch Christian television. As much as was possible, I wanted to take advantage of my time for the sake of spiritual growth. That time included my TV viewing habits. I was trying to fill my days with the richness of Biblical revelation. 

But what I was longing to experience is not possible to receive from mere learning. What I would come to embrace needed to be caught, not taught. And, through sovereign use of my frustration and desperation, God had already set me on a path to divine destiny.

Because of what I had experienced, my spiritual hunger pains grew. And that desire for sustenance placed me before the TV, expectantly watching God’s anointed servants.

It was truly divine destiny.

So there I was flipping through the various Christian TV networks. Suddenly, on TBN, an image appeared upon my screen that pulled me in. The moment my eyes caught a glimpse of the programming, the atmosphere in my room changed - it became alive and energized! Forgive my use of the word, but what I saw was hypnotic!

I watched as slow-paced camera shots transitioned from one peaceful face to another. I immediately could tell that I was watching a worship service. 

The people seemed to be raptured in a glorious state of euphoric spiritual ecstasy. I watched as tears streamed down faces. The worship music sounded Heavenly, as if angelic beings had joined in the melodies. The words they were singing had a rich, lofty depth to them that I, in an instant, came to appreciate. Starting with a soft and gentle praise, the people in this worship service began to raise the intensity with which they worshipped. The choir, accompanied by piano and violin, led thousands in glorious adoration of Jesus.

Suddenly—

The worship scenes were disrupted by a transition to another portion of the church service. Now, it was at that point when I expected to hear preaching or teaching (As I had seen on all of the other Christian TV programs). I was pleasantly surprised.

This time, it was different.

A man, elated with astonishment, came to the stage, praising God and claiming to be healed of some crippling ailment. Leaving his wheelchair behind, the man leaped for joy, as the crowd erupted in celebratory commotion.

The pastor was just as excited, and went to interview the man claiming to be healed.

At this point, I was already glued to my TV.

Then, as the pastor approached the man (and the group who accompanied him), the people fell backwards as if overcome by some unseen, heavy weight. The moment I saw that, something deep within me ignited. Whatever it was that the preacher carried, I wanted it. The presence of God was so heavy upon him that people couldn’t stand up next to him while he was under that anointing.

Now, I can’t really explain it, but somehow I knew that this was the “something more” I so desperately sought. Not only did I know it was something I needed to glean from, I knew, even as a kid in that divine moment of destiny, that this was the ministry God had for me.

That something more was the in-filling of the Holy Spirit.

That something more was my call to the healing ministry.

That something more was the manifested presence of God.

After witnessing what I witnessed on TBN, I was forever changed. My prayer life was re-energized, and I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what I was called to do for God.

The Holy Spirit intensified the reality of Jesus with such detail and clarity that Christ became more real to me than my own flesh! But I didn’t just see Him more clearly. His Person possessed, filled and took over more of my very being!

Soon, my prayer life began to change. I prayed bold and audacious prayers. “Holy Spirit,” I prayed, “This pastor says that I can know you as a friend. He tells me that you can use my life for your glory. Please, Holy Spirit, use me. Give me a double portion! Guide me. Fill me. Empower me. Let my hands be Your hands; heal through them. Let my eyes be Your eyes; let me see through Your truth. Let my feet be Your feet; tell me where to go. Let my ears be Your ears; speak to me! Let my mouth be Your mouth; speak through me! Let my being be Your Being. Let my heart beat as one with Yours. Let my will be crucified; I’ll live for your will, not mine!”

It was only after this season of my life that I began to see things shift. There was an ease added to my prayer, worship and devotion. I went from sipping from a cup to being carried by a river!

That experience with the Person of the Holy Spirit radically changed everything about me. After that, miracles began to happen all around me. Total strangers would begin to weep and shake around me for reasons unknown to them (we know it’s the Holy Spirit and God’s glory). Demons began to manifest. I began to experience the book of acts!

That something more changed everything for me, and that something more can change everything for all who believe.

It was then that I realized that the Glory of God is not something to be experienced in a fleeting moment. It is the fullness of His ever-present Being, whole and complete, lacking in neither power nor substance, abiding in you. You are God's dwelling place, His holy habitation, a host of His presence, a carrier of His glory.

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We Need the Holy Spirit

“...It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.”
- Zechariah 4:6b

We are not clever enough to win this world. We are not strong enough to resist temptation. We are not faithful enough to win God’s favor. But the Holy Spirit is. He is infinitely more capable than you and me.

The Holy Spirt can accomplish more in a single moment than we can accomplish in a thousand years with our best efforts. The key to power and kingdom advancement is not striving but surrender. The more yielded you are, the more powerful you become in the spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the one who will grow His church. The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us to pray with power, worship in truth, preach with boldness, live with holiness, and receive the Word with understanding.

It is an understatement to say, “We need Him.” In fact, we are utterly helpless without Him. Therefore, welcome Him in your life and in your ministry.

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Setting the Atmosphere

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. - Luke 5:17, KJV

Notice the key wording: “the power of the Lord was present to heal them...”

The atmosphere was set.

While I believe that God’s healing power can be taken anywhere at any time, I also know that setting the atmosphere for the Lord to move is key.

Jesus, though He traveled through villages and towns, traveled to synagogues.

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. - Matthew 9:35, NLT

Jesus’s ministry is commonly misunderstood in this regard: people imagine Him as some wanderer with no structure, who just hung out in the streets and performed miracles.

In fact, Jesus was organized and intentional. He focused on teaching in the synagogues.

Why?

There, He would set the atmosphere of faith. He would teach the Word and then perform miracles.

There’s nothing wrong with taking our message “outside the four walls of the church”, as long as we recognize that those “four walls” aren’t wrong - they can, at times, be useful.

It is important and spiritual to set aside a place for the purposes of God. It is effective to minister in an atmosphere that is set.

In a set atmosphere, distraction is removed and the people become focused on the Word. And when they are focused on the Word, their faith rises. And when their faith rises, miracles happen.

To set the atmosphere, simply remove distraction and then build faith with the Word. That’s what Jesus did. The healing anointing is intensified in an atmosphere set aside for and dominated by the Holy Spirit.

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9 Marks of a Move of the Holy Spirit

A true move of the Holy Spirit will always be marked in certain ways. While the move of God will vary in the way it looks from one generation to another, there will remain these distinguishing marks:

#1 The Church Emphasizes Evangelism (Acts 1:8)

When the Holy Spirit is allowed influence in the lives of His people, He will stir them to evangelism. The fire of the Holy Spirit burns for the lost, and those who truly catch that flame themselves burn to win souls.

#2 The Church Preaches the Gospel (Acts 2:38)

While we can become so distracted by many themes and concepts (leadership, encouragement, church growth, etc.), a true move of the Holy Spirit will always bring a people back to the preaching of salvation through Jesus Christ. That includes the themes of grace, forgiveness, the cross, love, and mercy. It also includes the themes of Heaven, Hell, eternity, repentance, sin, judgment, and death.

#3 The Church Honors Leadership (Acts 2:42)

Today’s culture portrays the “people in charge” as the villains and the oppressors. But the leadership of the Church is a gift from God - there not to rule us but to protect us. Godly leadership brings about spiritual freedom, not spiritual oppression. A people in revival respect and honor their spiritual leaders.

#4 The Church Lives in a State of Awe (Acts 2:43)

Cynicism and doubt dissolve in a culture of faith and awe. Awe undoes the effects of familiarity. When the Church is experiencing a move of the Holy Spirit, the awe of God returns to it.

#5 The Church Witnesses the Miraculous (Acts 2:43)

Miracle healing will never become outdated. Even with all of the advances in the medical field, there still remains a need for miraculous healing. The Church has the power to command sickness and diseases. In a move of the Holy Spirit, miracles and healing are a part of the culture. Miracles and healing should not be treated as liabilities but rather powerful tools to reach the world. The world is hungry for the supernatural.

#6 The Church Gives Generously (Acts 2:45 & 46)

Generosity is a key mark of a move of the Holy Spirit. People become overwhelmed by generosity with a focus on giving to expand the Kingdom of God.

#7 The Church Gathers Regularly (Acts 2:46)

Unity is cultivated in gathering. A simple yet telling sign of a move of the Holy Spirit is that people gather.

#8 The Church Grows (Acts 2:47)

A crowd alone is not the mark of growth, nor is a crowd necessarily God’s endorsement. However, when the Holy Spirit is moving upon a people, disciples begin to multiply themselves.

#9 The Church Emphasizes the Work the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2)

The Lord spoke to me, “I’m calling you to introduce my Holy Spirit to your generation”, and I long to see the Church as a whole return to an emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s power. That’s why I talk about the precious Holy Spirit so often.

All other movements and trends will eventually phase out, but the move of the Holy Spirit will always come full circle - history and scripture assure us of that wonderful truth. I prophesy a fresh emphasis on the Person of the Holy Spirit.

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Doubt: An Unwelcome Enemy of Healing

The spirit of doubt targets those who stir faith. As someone who ministers healing, you will be confronted by spiritual resistance, because you operate in the power of the Holy Spirit.

When learning to defeat doubt, the best example we can look to is Jesus, the greatest healing evangelist of all time.

38When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. 39He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” 40The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. 41Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” 42And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.
Mark 5:38-42 (NLT)

Before raising the little girl from the dead, Jesus removed the doubt from the room. And that, dear reader, is the simple and effective way to deal with doubt. Simply remove it.

It’s good to study and know the Word. It’s good to be prepared to answer difficult questions about healing and miracles. It’s good to avoid ignorance. But we must learn to simply put doubt out. Put it out of the room. Put it out of your heart and mind. Don’t tolerate it. Refuse to give it undeserved time and attention. Boldly deny its access into your life.

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Becoming a Vessel of Healing

Heroes of the faith are reflections of the glory of God, but they are only reflections. While we can receive impartation, wisdom, and inspiration from those who have gone before us, we must aim to imitate them only in this one regard: ourselves becoming reflections of the brightest light.

We must look to reflect Jesus.

Jesus was the greatest healing minister of all time. All others are only flawed imitations, myself included. So, when it comes to ministering God’s healing power, we must look to Jesus as our bright and pure example.

Jesus had a prayer life.

Jesus prayed in seclusion.

After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. - Matthew 14:23, NLT

Jesus prayed in the morning.

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. - Mark 1:35, NLT

Jesus prayed at night.

46After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray. 47When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. - Mark 6:46-47, NLT

Jesus prayed often.

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. - Luke 5:16, NLT

There is no substitute for prayer. There is no substitute for God’s healing power. Either you pray or you don’t. Either you carry God’s healing power or you don’t.

If you want to have Christ-like power, you must have a Christ-like prayer life. If you want to heal like Jesus healed, you must pray like Jesus prayed. To move like Christ moved, you must live like Christ lived. A prayer life is key to the healing ministry.

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Your Healing: Just a Matter of Time

If Jesus wanted you to be sick, He would not have paid such a high price for your healing. Healing is God’s will. Your healing is God’s will. Healing is a blessing of the cross, a gift of the covenant. The shed blood of Jesus was the purchase price for your total well-being. As surely as God is in control, your healing is on its way.

I believe that. Every word of it with all of my heart.

But what about those who aren’t healed? What about those who live righteous lives and are still sick? Sin causes sickness, but not all sickness is caused by sin. Demonic power causes sickness, but not all sickness is caused by demonic power. Doubt prevents healing, but not all delayed healing is because of doubt.

(Watch Video: Why Some Aren’t Healed)

Sometimes, the righteous and the faith-filled succumb to sickness. So how does one reconcile the truth that it is God’s will to heal with the reality that some aren’t yet healed?

The answer is logically consistent with scripture but not emotionally persuasive. I mean that it’s difficult for some to accept. Quite simply, the reconciliation for this apparent contradiction is God’s timing. Trust in the sovereign timing of God is the key to perfect faith.

We see an example of God’s timing for healing in Acts chapter three.

As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. - Acts 3:2, NLT

The man is later healed by God’s power through Peter and John.

But let’s examine that scripture for a moment. The scripture tells us that “a man lame from birth was being carried in.” Now think about that. He’s referred to as a “man”, not a boy. So he’s been there for several years. The scripture also tells us that he was brought to the temple “each day”. So for several years, this man was begging at the gate of the temple.

Do you know who else frequented the temple and often passed by that gate where the man begged? Jesus.

Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns. - Luke 22:53, NLT

So here’s my question: if Jesus passed by that man so often, why wasn’t the man healed? Why did the man have to wait until Peter and John arrived in order to be healed? The answer is simply God’s timing.

There will be, for every sick believer, a glorious moment of healing. Even if one has to wait until this vapor of a life has dissipated, healing will come in eternity.

Knowing that God is sovereign and faithful to His Word, I pray for every sick person to be healed “now” but trust the Lord if He decides to heal them ”then” – on either side of eternity.

So have hope. Whether now in this moment, whether later upon this earth, or whether sometime in eternity, you will be made whole. Any moment can be your miracle moment. Trust in God’s timing, but never lose hope that today could be your day!

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The Healing Touch of Jesus

It takes but one touch from the Master’s hand to bring forth a miraculous healing. To heal the sick, Jesus neither toils nor fails. Healing virtue flows mightily from Him and in great abundance. Whether you are in need of a healing yourself or desire to minister God’s healing power to the sick, you need to learn one thing and one thing only: it is the touch of Jesus that heals the sick.

Healing is not found in the touch of a man or a woman. Healing is not found in a gimmick, a technique, or a methodology. Healing is not found in a special prayer or a special message. Healing is found in the touch of Jesus.

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. - Luke 4:40, NLT

I love that scripture. Its power is in its simplicity.

Often, ministers will ask me, “What is the secret to God’s healing power?” They’ll say things to me like, “The way you minister to the sick makes it looks so easy.”

So what is the “secret”? I’ll be totally honest with you. There is no secret. If there was a secret to it, then that would mean healing is in man’s power to give. And why does healing seem to flow so easily? It’s because I’m doing nothing but surrendering to the Holy Spirit. It has nothing to do with me. I’ve just learned how to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Really, that’s all there is to it.

There is no healing power in me except for that which belongs completely to Jesus. And the same goes for you.

It’s only His touch, and it takes just one touch. It truly is simply the healing power of God.

So how does one receive or minister healing power? It’s simple. To minister healing, just point to the Healer. Tell the people about His wonderful healing power, and tell them that they can receive healing from Him. To receive healing, just go to Jesus in faith. Ask for His healing touch and leave the rest to the sovereignty of God.

We ask and then leave it to God. Don’t fret or worry about the results or the timing of the results. Just be at peace knowing that He is a healing Jesus. You don’t have to give money to receive a healing. You simply have to ask in faith. Then trust Him from there.

I encourage you now. Reach back to the Lord. Touch Him by faith. Declare the promises of the Word. Focus totally on the Lord Himself. Forget your sickness. Forget your pain. Love His presence. Focus on Him. In the spirit, look upon the face of Jesus. When His presence becomes more real to you than your sickness, you will be healed. You will receive the healing touch of Jesus.

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Following the Voice of the Holy Spirit

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. - John 5:19 (NLT)

I don’t want to just obey the voice of the Holy Spirit from commitment to commitment. I want to obey His gentle leading from moment to moment. That’s exactly how Jesus did it.

Jesus did nothing unless He saw His Father doing the same. “Nothing” really means “nothing”. Jesus did not a single thing outside the will of God. Every thought He thought, every word He uttered, every act He made, every miracle He performed, every step He took – it was all part of the will of God.

Jesus walked in perfect obedience. He lived in the fine center of the will of God, and He did this by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit to carry out the will of the Father.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
– Luke 4:18-19 (NLT)

Can you imagine that? Jesus lived in the will of God right down to the millisecond! He missed not a single opportunity or appointment. He touched every life He was supposed to touch. He traveled every journey He was supposed to travel.

You read that Jesus wept, that Jesus taught, that Jesus fled, that Jesus ate, that Jesus slept, that Jesus prayed, and so forth. But not once will you read that Jesus hurried. Jesus never hurried. And Jesus never hurried, because Jesus was never late; He walked in the perfected will and timing of God.

You too can walk in the perfect will of God by simply daily obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit. Daily obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit results in a life lived unto the glory of God. Aren’t you glad it’s so simple?

Of course, this does not mean that you should be carried away with fear, as many believers are. Often, believers will come to me and express their paranoid concerns about missing the perfect will of God. You need not worry, for the Holy Spirit will make sure that you stay within the will of God.

Don’t be overwhelmed with the constant fear of stepping outside of God’s will. And don’t be caught up in the emotional hype of superstition. Instead, be joyfully aware of the abiding Guide Who lives within you. Walk in the awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence and be attentive to His instructions. Like Jesus, you too can walk in the will of God. You too can find divine appointments, godly opportunities, and sovereignly opened doors.

It’s so simple. You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to delay. You don’t need to fear. You simply need to yield. Do as the Holy Spirit instructs you. And if ever you stumble, don’t stay off track. Be quick to repent and slow to wander. Cling to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Listen for His voice and walk in the perfect will of God.

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Make Room for the Lord

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. - Luke 5:1-3, NLT

Jesus presented the Word of God with such a magnetic anointing that large crowds would gather to hear Him preach. Because of the press of the crowd, Jesus was unable to address everyone effectively.  So He looked for a place from which He could effectively teach. That’s when the Lord took notice of two empty boats.

Jesus stepped into the boat, and, as He did, He asked Simon to push the boat into the water. Simon obliged.

After teaching the Word, Jesus told Simon to push the boat onto the water and cast his fishing nets into the water again. Simon was at first reluctant but then obeyed Jesus.

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. - Luke 5:5-7, NLT

Simon had worked all night for a catch but caught nothing. But because He let down his nets in response to the command of Jesus, there was an abundance. Simon was likely exhausted from the night before – and likely discouraged. But what couldn’t be accomplished by man all night was accomplished by the Lord in a matter of moments.

Even Simon’s business partners, James and John, were blessed by Simon’s obedience toward Christ. And those around you will also be blessed at your obedience toward Christ – including your family and loved ones.

To top it off, Simon, James, and John were then called by Jesus to become His disciples. Can you imagine that? The failure of the night was likely forgotten in the joy of their newfound abundance and calling. How quickly things can change when Jesus comes on the scene!

But I can’t help but ask this question: what would have happened if the boats were not empty?

Sure, the call of the disciples was an important part of the sovereign plan of God, but you cannot forget the element of free will. People miss their opportunities everyday. Think of the rich young ruler who many Bible scholars say could have been a disciple of Jesus had he only given up his riches.

My point is this: have you left room for the Lord in your life?

Do you give Him time in prayer, the Word, and worship? Do you live attentive to the inner witness of the Holy Spirit?

You see, dear reader, the Lord will step into the lives of those who make room for Him. And, once there, the Lord will challenge you. Once you make room for the Lord, He will move on your behalf and then challenge you to forsake all and follow Him.

Think about it. The Lord had just blessed the disciples with an abundance of fish. Then He asked the disciples to leave that blessing and follow Him. Often, God will bless you just to test you. And, often, God will bless you just to show you that He is your source – that you need only to follow Him.

Once Jesus had stepped into the empty boat, He made a request of Simon – namely, to push the boat out onto the water. This is how the Lord works: He will challenge those who make room for Him. He will test those who seek Him. And He will bless those who by faith obey Him.

Have you made room for the Lord to challenge you? Have you given Him a place to speak into your life? Are you ever quiet enough to hear His voice?

Make room for the Lord. Once He’s on your boat, everything changes and rapidly so.

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Waiting Upon the Lord

One of the most common frustrations that people express to me concerning prayer is this: “I don’t know how to begin”.

Anyone can pray. Satanists can pray. Religious people can pray. But only the Holy Spirit can make your prayer more than an act of human effort. If it begins with human effort, prayer remains powerless. If it is born of the Spirit, prayer becomes effective.

So how can we ensure that prayer begins and remains spiritual?

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. - Psalm 40:1

We ensure that by simply waiting.

Many approach the Lord in a hurry and rush into their prayer requests, making declaration of their needs.

Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong with presenting your needs to the Lord. In fact, the scripture encourages us to ask the Lord for what we need.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. - Philippians 4:6

But we cannot stop at the prayer request. The prayer request is only the beginning of prayer. It unburdens you and allows your mind to be put at ease. When you know that the Lord has heard your requests, you are filled with a certain peace. That peace enables you to focus your heart on pursuing the Lord simply for the sake of His glorious presence.

So the prayer request is a valuable tool in prayer.

But beyond that, prayer will take you to a place of waiting for the Lord. Notice that you’re not just waiting but waiting for the Lord. Wait. Expect. Patiently wait for the Lord to touch you through His Holy Spirit and guide you further into prayer.

The Holy Spirit wants to take you into the depths of prayer, but He waits for you at the gate of stillness.

So I encourage you, dear reader, to add to your prayer time a moment of pause. Wait for the Lord to quicken you so that you can call upon His name, not from a place of human effort, but from the Spirit.

So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. - Psalm 80:18

Wait upon the Lord. Be still and wait to sense His guidance. He will lead you from there.

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The Love of the Holy Spirit

One of the many wonderful works accomplished by the Holy Spirit in your life is the cultivating of divine love. The Holy Spirit is the One Who fills you with the love of God.

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. - Romans 5:5

Truly, the love of God comes from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One Who causes this divine, eternal love to permeate the entire being – outer and inner man.

Think of just how primary love is, for everything that actually matters hangs upon this love.

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus teaches that the greatest command is loving God with your all – heart, soul, and mind. Jesus tells us that it all – your purpose, your life, your walk with the Lord – primarily rests upon your love for God and, secondly, your love for others. This means that by endowing us with the love of God, the Holy Spirit is giving us all that we need to live the successful Christian life.

Loving God is the key to life, and the Holy Spirit gives us both a desire for that love and that love itself. Without the Holy Spirit, one cannot truly love Jesus. In fact, without the Holy Spirit, one cannot even desire to love Jesus. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit shares that love with us.

That love expresses itself in worship of and obedience toward Jesus, because Jesus is the focus of the Holy Spirit.

 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. - John 16:13 & 14

The Holy Spirit glorifies, magnifies, and emphasizes Jesus. His heart is to point humanity toward the Savior. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus and, as I like to phrase it, vivifies Jesus. He makes Him more real to you than even your own flesh. And He does this because He loves Jesus.

There is no one on earth more passionate about the name of Jesus than the Holy Spirit. He loves Jesus more than anyone does. If you’ll yield your life to Him and obey His gentle voice, you will share in that love.

What a wonderful truth, that the Holy Spirit can cause you to love Jesus like He loves Jesus. Think about that! You can love Jesus like the Holy Spirit loves Jesus. Perhaps you are reading this right now and you are saying to yourself, “I want to love Jesus like the Holy Spirit loves Jesus.” Well, it’s possible, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

How can this love be attained or grown?

While your love for Jesus can grow throughout the remainder of all your days, there is, thankfully, a very simple place to at least begin.

Loving Jesus begins in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. After all, He is the One Who fills us with the love of God (Romans 5:5).

I first learned of this fellowship when I was eleven years old. A preacher pointed this verse out to me:

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. - 2 Corinthians 13:14

What does it take to fellowship with the Holy Spirit? Simply put, it takes time and surrender.

Remember this: the essence of all true spirituality is simplicity. If it’s complicated or tedious, it isn’t spirituality, it’s religion.

Time spent in prayer and worship, being attentive to the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, will result in not only you loving Jesus but also being like Jesus.

The Holy Spirit loves the image of Jesus so much that He also works to bring about that majestic image in you. Whether you feel like fellowship with the Holy Spirit is accomplishing anything or not, know by faith that every second spent with the Holy Spirit is increasing the love of God within you.

The more time you spend in the presence of the Holy Spirit, the greater your love for Jesus becomes. The Holy Spirit will set your heart ablaze with an undying love for Jesus, if you’ll only give Him some time.

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Honoring Your Saul

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit[a] that filled him with depression and fear. 15 Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” 21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. – 1 Samuel 16:14-16,21

That portion of scripture intrigues me for a couple of reasons. One, I can’t help but wonder what could have happened had Saul become broken in spirit enough to repent before the Lord. Could there have been a godly transition between David and Saul? Might Saul have served David as an advisor? Would scripture have acquired another story of redemption? Those are just a few of the questions that run through my mind.

Second, it is quite the display of character that David was able to serve Saul, the one he would replace as king. David knew that Saul was no longer God’s choice. David knew that Saul’s reign was coming to an end. Perhaps David even knew about the Lord’s displeasure with Saul. Still, David served Saul.

Saul was not right with God. Saul had many character flaws. Saul disobeyed God publicly and privately. Saul was self-absorbed, insecure, competitive, jealous, and ambitious. Yet David served him. Saul was a terrible example of God’s anointed, yet David served Him.

And the Lord was not angry with David for serving Saul; He was pleased with David.

Saul, at that point in his life, was the worst example of a godly leader. He lived well below the standard of what we imagine to be deserving of honor.

Yet David served him.

And in serving Saul, David didn’t aid in Saul’s disobedience. David didn’t align himself with Saul’s every belief.

My point is this: Saul is one of the worst examples of leadership, yet David served him. This means that we are without excuse when we don’t honor the men and women of God who have preceded us.

I often hear critical believers making unkind remarks about the mothers and fathers of our faith. Quick to pinpoint every error and slow to forgive, the conspiracy theologians blame our predecessors for every problem in the church, claiming that they themselves will redeem the name of Christ among this generation.

That’s easy to claim. But what happens when they make blatant mistakes? Actually, what happens when even their positive actions are purposely interpreted as an example of ungodliness? What happens when their every word is twisted and taken from context? What happens is they learn that it’s not so easy to lead.

I am not trying to make excuses for Saul. I am conveying this very clear warning: We must avoid this sort of pharisaic accusation, lest we also prepare to take it upon ourselves. The called must honor their predecessors, even if their predecessors are like Saul.

Am I saying to endorse or enable sin? Am I advising you to sit under the teaching of blatant heresy? Of course not! I’m simply saying that we must not carry a hyper-critical spirit. We must be ready to honor those who God has placed before us, even if those placed before us have flaws.

The honor you place upon your predecessors is directly proportional to your promotion in the spirit.

Furthermore, not every leader is a Saul. But if we are supposed to honor the Sauls, how much more should we honor the godly examples of leadership?

Honor the anointing. Have grace for the man.

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Cleansed and Called

Before God will use you, He will cleanse you. Of course, one mustn’t be perfect before becoming useful in God’s hand. However, there is a standard God has set before us at the threshold of each promotion. The promotion upon your life is directly proportional to the purity within your life. As you allow God to cleanse you, you become more able to cooperate with His agenda for your life.

Isaiah the prophet experienced this cleansing before answering the call, “Who will go for us?”

While serving in the temple, Isaiah captured a glimpse of the Glory of the living God. Imagine that! He literally saw the train of God’s robe fill the temple. The Lord was accompanied by angelic hosts, and the voices of the angelic hosts shook the temple to its foundation. They cried, “Holy, holy, holy is Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with His glory!” Their vibrant worship literally shook the place. What powerful voices these angels must have had!

It was while witnessing this dramatic display of divine beauty that Isaiah was moved to anguish over his own humanity. In Isaiah chapter six, verse five, Isaiah exclaims of his filth: “…Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

When you draw closer to the Lord, His holy light shines more intensely upon you, and when that revealing light falls upon your humanity, you too will be moved to anguish. Anguish over sin indicates that you are moving closer to the Lord. For when we truly glimpse His glory, we know, simply by comparison, the wretchedness of self.

But we must move beyond sin-consciousness. Sin must be confronted, and repentance must be worked whenever we find ourselves in the wrong. Just know this: your hatred of sin is not an indication that you’re drifting from God; it’s a sign that you’re moving toward God. In fact, the closer you get to the Lord, the more sensitive you become to sin in your life.

And God will cleanse you. That is the power of the presence of God – He cleanses you. He does not shine His glory upon you to shame you; He shines His glory upon you to cleanse you.

But until you allow the Lord to cleanse you, you cannot move deeper into the call He has placed upon your life. For every cleansing we undergo, we enable ourselves to become promoted.

6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. – Isaiah 6:6-8

Oh, to be free of the shame and heaviness of sin! Allow the Lord to cleanse you today. Then, fix your focus on Him. Ask Him to cleanse you, repent, and then move forward into what the Lord has called you to do.

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Abiding in the Vine

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

Making the mistake of doing things in your own strength is as deceptively easy as living without prayer.

Certainly, the ministry requires from us hard work, and living the Christian life is done so with vital disciplines. But the ministry is not to be overwhelming, and the Christian life is not tedious. The believer is not meant to walk in a constant state of exhaustion and tension.

We become exhausted when we give from ourselves instead of from the Source. However, if you will abide in the secret place of prayer, you’ll not grow weary.

When you abide in the vine, your ministry is overflow, your messages are fresh, your prayers are energizing, and your efforts are carried by the wind of the Spirit.

By contrast, when you try to carry out the ministry while neglecting the secret place of prayer, your mind grows tired, your body becomes exhausted, and there is a dryness to your prayers for others.

Thankfully, abiding in the vine is simple. It takes only this: time.

Spend time with the Lord daily – and moment by moment. Whether you, at first, sense a difference or not, God is pouring into you when you set aside time for Him. So step out of the desert and into the springs of living water.

Establish again the altars. Seek the face of Jesus. Keep it simple, and just spend time with Him. Obey His Word, and trust Him. Then you will receive all the benefits of abiding in the vine.

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The Futility of Worry

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” - Matthew 6:34

Let neither the depression from the past nor the fear of the future deny you of your peace for today. Jesus understood the troubles with the human heart. When He spoke those timeless words, He knew the nature of man.

We worry. We worry, even if we can’t admit that we worry. Some worry more than others. And we all worry about different things. But we all worry or, at the very least, have the inclination to worry.

Anxiety, paranoia, fear, and all kinds of phobias are deeply rooted in man’s desire (not “need”) to control everything. Worry is man’s useless attempt at control.

Somewhere within our minds we believe that if we can assess, analyze, and consider a matter thoroughly enough, long enough, and intensely enough that we can prevent or solve the problem.

This is why Jesus asked this powerful, rhetorical question:

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” - Matthew 6:27

Worry accomplishes nothing.

Your breakthrough, your freedom from fear and anxiety, begins with exchanging worry with prayer.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” - Philippians 4:6

So, today, replace worrisome thinking with faith-filled prayer. Exchange what troubles you for what gives you peace. Give up the futility of worry and walk in the effectiveness of prayer.

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Only One Nature

You’ve often heard it said that the believer has two natures, two identities that battle for the foreground his being. An intense, inner struggle between sin, self, and spirit rages deep within the soul. However, I contend, based upon what the Bible says, that the believer is not dual-natured. Rather, the believer has only one true nature – the spirit.

The Bible clearly teaches that the born-again believer has crucified his former self with Christ.

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20, NLT

In the book of Romans, Paul the apostle asks a rhetorical question regarding living in sin.

By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? - Romans 6:2, NLT

The answer to his rhetorical question is simply that “the believer who is dead to sin cannot live in sin”. You’ve been made completely new.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV

But this is where it can become confusing: while we know that we are dead to sin, we still experience a very real struggle to resist the temptations of the world.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
- Galatians 5:16-17, NLT

How can this be?

What do you do when your new mind seems to be thinking old thoughts? Where should you turn  when your new nature behaves according to old patterns? This is the frustrating part, indeed. Paul the apostle describes this battle.

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. - Romans 7:15-25, NLT

So on one hand the scripture describes the believer as being completely dead to sin, yet on the other hand the scripture describes sin putting up quite a lively battle. How can we reconcile these two realities?

The answer is found in one simple verse:

But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
Romans 7:20 (NLT)

Paul the apostle, in the verse above, is not dismissing himself from the responsibility of his own sinful actions. He is simply choosing to not identify with the sin nature. Sure the sin nature puts up a fight, but the sin nature just simply isn’t you anymore.

Just because you struggle with sin doesn’t mean you have to identify with sin.

So when you sin, you are not acting according to “another nature” that you possess. Instead, when you sin, you are acting against your actual nature.

When you sin, you’re not a fake Christian; you’re a fake sinner. You’re not a wolf in a sheep’s clothing; you’re a sheep in a wolf’s clothing.

Avoid sin. Repent of sin. Feel sorrow over sin. Despise sin. But never identify with sin. You have one nature: you are of the spirit.

Choosing to identify with the Spirit rather than with the sin nature is an important step towards holiness. For overcoming the power of the flesh is not a matter of fight sin but of surrendering to the Holy Spirit.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. - Galatians 5:16, NLT

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The Holy Spirit: Masterful Teacher

The difference between information and revelation is like the difference between looking at a photo of a moment and actually being there to experience that moment.

The Holy Spirit is a Masterful Teacher of the Word of God, because He doesn’t just give you information; He brings forth revelation. He doesn’t just help you to process the information; He helps you to appreciate the revelation. Information is the depositing of facts into your mind, but revelation is the impartation of truth into your spirit. Information informs. Revelation transforms.

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. – John 14:17 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit leads us into the truth of the Word of God. We cannot fully appreciate what God is communicating with us without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Sure, anyone – even the carnal man – can retain the factual information of scripture. However, knowing what God’s Word says and experiencing the truth of God’s Word are two separate things.

One can know of God’s love and still never yield to it. One can know of the Holy Spirit’s power and still never walk in it. One can read about Jesus and still never meet Him. The information of the Word comes by reading the Word, but the revelation – the full experience and understanding – of the Word comes only with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God becomes an experience when the Holy Spirit breathes upon it.

You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst. - Nehemiah 9:20 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit is our Instructor.

Perhaps you have become frustrated with what you feel is a lack of understanding. Perhaps you have attempted several times, to no avail, to receive from the Word of God on your own. Maybe you have seen others expound upon the Word of God with powerful insight and have thought, “Why didn’t I see that in the Word?” or “I wish I could receive revelation like that.”

If you’re like me, then there are times when you’re reading the Word and the information seems scattered. You have a difficult time putting the pieces together. My secret is simple: I just ask for the Holy Spirit to teach me as I read the Word.

Yes, it really is that simple. The scripture says…

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:5 (NLT)

Without His help, I am absolutely unable to truly understand the deeper things of God. I don’t want to just learn theology, I want to access spirituality. The Holy Spirit helps me to do that. I simply and slowly move through the text. As I am diligent to give myself to the discipline of research and reading, He is faithful to remind and reveal. You do the difficult, and the Holy Spirit will do the supernatural. You take the time for the Word, and He will meet you there to teach you.

So, as you read the Word of God, relax, be still and, with child-like faith, ask for the guidance of the Masterful Teacher, the Holy Spirit.

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Divine Brokenness

Before God will use you, He will break you. Before God will bless you, He will test you.

I mean that the carnal nature must be broken. God will use circumstances and challenges to change you. He will use pressures and problems to process you.

Challenges have a way of making us cling tighter to the Lord. I think of Jacob who, upon having his hip broken, held tightly to the Lord.

When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
– Genesis 32:25-26

Of course, we later discover that the “man” with whom Jacob was wrestling was actually God.

When wrestling with you, when dealing with you, God will sometimes break you. I don’t mean that He will harm you. I mean that He will break you in the same sense that a wild horse is “broken”. He will tame your unruliness by making you need to lean on Him.

God wants to bless you. God wants to use and anoint your life for His glory. God wants to change your nature. God wants to give you a new name. But first, He has to break you.

Why?

It’s because the broken lean on Him; the broken cling to Him.

Jacob was alone. Jacob was facing pressure (His brother was pursuing him). Yet that loneliness and pressure positioned Jacob to meet God face-to-face.

Don’t fight the process. Don’t resist what God is doing.

You may find yourself alone. Perhaps you’re reaching out for help, and nobody seems to be reaching back. Often, the invitations of God are disguised as the rejections of man.

You may be facing pressure. Your circumstance may make you uncomfortable. But pressure makes you desperate, and desperation drives you closer to the Lord.

Could it be that God is using your current predicament to get your attention?

We don’t want to find ourselves in the place of challenge, pressure, loneliness, and heartache. But that is the very place where God will meet us and deal with the flesh. That is the place of brokenness where we receive true transformation from a true encounter with God.

Embrace it. Let God break you.

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