What does freedom look like?

worship

I recently asked Jesus this question: “What does freedom look like?”

He immediately brought to mind the picture of the Israelites walking through the Red Sea escaping slavery… BUT … NOT grumbling and complaining in the wilderness wanting to go back to slavery …which, sadly, is what the Israelites did …and as a result died in the wilderness, not entering the promised land. It was only the next generation who were allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Today, I reflect on this promise: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
– 2 Corinthians 3:17

And I read this from Nicky Gumbel…from his ‘Bible in One Year’ readings…

Love and unity go hand in hand. The Tower of Babel is the symbol of disunity (Genesis 11:1–9). The people said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves’ (v.4). This act of pride and power-seeking led to disunity, symbolised in the confusion of different languages in the world. ‘The Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth’ (v.9).

The day of Pentecost was the reversal of Babel. The Holy Spirit enables people to say: ‘each of us hears them [speaking] in our native language’ (Acts 2:8). The gift of tongues symbolises the fact that the Holy Spirit reverses the disunity of Babel and unites all peoples and languages.

This is a common experience today as we see the Holy Spirit bringing love and unity across churches, languages and nations.

Lord, may we never seek to make a name for ourselves or our own church, denomination or movement. Rather, may we seek to glorify your name. Pour out your Spirit, O Lord, on the church as on the day of Pentecost. May there be a reversal of Babel. May there be an end to disunity. May your Spirit and the values of the kingdom of God bring love, joy, peace, true happiness and unity.

Wow…

As I continue to reflect on …what God is calling us to BE as the church …building God’s kingdom, rather than our own little kingdoms, this rings so beautifully.

Questions to Reflect on:

Where have we been trying to make a name for ourselves? (Rather than lifting up the name of Jesus?)

Where have we settled, perhaps becoming complacent, becoming stuck in ruts?

Where have we been looking backwards to the past?

Have we perhaps been controlling or manipulating a ‘move of God’ without asking for more of Holy Spirit?

Are we open to God moving outside the box in the future, no matter what He brings?

Ask the Lord, “What do you have next?”

Invite Holy Spirit to fall on your family, your friendships, your gatherings and be ready for anything that looks different than what you’re used to.

Be prepared to fast and pray for days… God longs to invite us into friendship with Him rather than just giving us marching orders.

Did you know that in world history, all the Revivals look differently? They each look like Jesus but not like each other. People may reject Jesus’ move of Holy Spirit when He doesn’t fit their box. Let us not be people who reject God’s Spirit because He doesn’t fit our traditions.

My Prayer:

“Holy Spirit lead us to be ready for each new day of what you are doing. Thank you for your move in the past, but let us not settle and build our own little kingdoms around your movements. Let us instead, build your Kingdom by following your every move! Yes & Amen! 💗🙌

Quote Source: https://www.bibleinoneyear.org/bioy/commentary/3171

Are you ready for new wine?

What does it cost for new wine and new wine skins?

So often we want God to move but when He moves differently than we want, we shut the door on Him. Let’s not be stuck, but hungry for more of Him. You can’t see the new thing unless you let go of the old. God is on the move.
 
I enjoyed a delightful conversation this morning over coffee as a faithful friend and I reflected on all the changes we’ve experienced together. I found this video afterwards thanks to my friend and it reflects MUCH of our conversation. My friend and I both agree we are in better places today and yet grateful for the hell we both walked through together – feeling like we were ripped out of an old wine skin. (Definitely, we experienced the ‘tension in transition’ as Craig speaks of below…) Yet, today, we are hungry for more of what God has next! And what we’re experiencing today is thanks to being open to more of Him outside of any box we unknowingly put Him in.
 
God, what do you have next for us in this new year?

I’ve enjoyed reading Craig’s words on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daily.prophetic/

and on Twitter…

Locating God’s presence this past year.

reflection
image source: Biblicalleadership.com

Locating God’s presence this past year.
(The Grand Prayer of Examen)

  1. Look Back
    – Look over the past 6 – 12 months.
    – Where has the Lord been present and at work in my life?
    – What significant changes have come my way?
    – When have I been the most stressed? the most blessed, and full of joy?
    – What can I give thanks to God for?
    – Where have I been?
    – Where am I now?
  2. Look through
    – Identify any patterns, connections or themes that have characterized the past 6-12 months.
    – If you can, summarize the past year in a sentence or two.
    – Do you notice anything or patterns? specific thought patterns or emotions?
    – Ask the Lord about these patterns. How do they line up with the fruit of Holy Spirit?
  3. Look forward
    – Where do you sense God leading you forward?
    – What do you sense your spirit needs in this season?
    – What are your hopes and dreams for this coming year? Ask the Lord what His hopes and dream are for you!
    – Paint a picture of what you envision over the next six months.
    – What are you asking the Lord for in the new year? for your community, your family?
  4. Look around
    – What does your community need? How can you pray for them, help them?
    – Consider a prayer walk through your neighbourhood to help you see.
    – Who are the people you can intentionally walk with?
    – What community support do you need in this season of your life?
    – Who are the people you need to invite to walk alongside you?
    – Who are the people you can intentionally walk with?
    – How can others best support you?

Prayer prompts:

God, still my heart and mind. 

I am silent in your presence. 

You are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are fully here with me. 

Father, I look back on my year. 

Thank you for… (list off people, provision…)

God, help me to see where you were present and working in and around me… 

 …I bend my heart to you. Show me where I need to ask for your forgiveness and receive your grace. (If He brings things to mind, take time to do so.)

In humility, and renewed vision, faith and courage, I look toward the new year coming. I commit what I know and not know to you Lord. I ask for your discernment. Help me through your Holy Spirit to know you more deeply, to better love, serve, and lead others with your guidance and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

 

Scriptures for Reflection:

Psalm 103:2-5 (NLT)

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

 

Psalm 139:1-7 (NLT)

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too great for me to understand!

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!

 

Psalm 51:10-12 (NLT)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
    and don’t take your Holy Spirit[a] from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.

 

I bless you with a new year of greater intimacy with your loving Heavenly Father, rich in Holy Spirit fruit, in the name of Christ Jesus! Amen!

Sources:

The Prayer Of Examen, Ignatian Spirituality

The Psalms, NLT

The Grand Examen – Locating God’s Presence in 2017 : New Life Fellowship Church – New York

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZAauF3laXQ

 

Hybrid Church: ReThinking the Great Commission

Read Roy’s: “Hybrid Church” here… (free resource)

Longer video but poor quality: Roy Moran – Hybrid Church: ReThinking the Great Commission

One pastor’s thoughts on Roy Moran’s other book: “Spent Matches”

Spent Matches – Roy’s book on being apart of an institutional church but with a missional focus.

 

Making Disciples WHO MAKE Disciples

I was recently sent an interview with Roy Moran on disciple making movements.

Some of the quotes…

In order to make disciples who make disciples, you need to learn a new language. In a churched world, we have to tear down a lot of concepts.

It’s not about making disciples, but about making disciples who make disciples.

Making disciples who make disciples is a lifestyle.

Start with a group, rather than individuals…

Learn the space you are in. Where do people have relationships and activities there? Begin prayer walks there in order to learn it. Pray for God to lead you to people who are spiritually interested.

Below, I lined up all 3 parts of the interview for easy viewing… (each video has a short duplicated intro but each has new content.) Also, you’ll see below and after the videos, I share the resources he refers to.

 

Resources mentioned:

Miraculous Movements: How Hundreds of Thousands of Muslims Are Falling in Love with Jesus

The Father Glorified: True Stories of God’s Power Through Ordinary People

Contagious Disciplemaking

Spent Matches – Roy’s book on being apart of an institutional church but with a missional focus.

Multipliers

Multipliers for Educators (I couldn’t find it but found this: http://multipliersbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Multipliers-Minimizing-Accidental-Diminisher-Tendencies-May-2017.pdf

Teaching as a Subversive Activity – Neil Postma

Seth Godin’s blog – often relates to DMM – (missional thinking)

Discover DMM

DMM Learning Lab

Hermie Smit on DMM – YouTube

DMM City Team – Now NewGenerations

Read Roy’s: “Hybrid Church” here… (free resource)

 

 

Worship is Warfare

worshiphands

Topic: Worship is Warfare
Scripture Text: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Aim: To help us focus on worshiping God during the battle

God gave me this message in early 2017 after my nervous system crashed in June 2016, that had left me stuttering and walking like a 70 year old cripple. A long-time friend invited me out for coffee at 8am on Christmas break in 2016. She invited me to join her and take a course together (from a training society for hearing God’s voice, and seeing Him at work in our lives, according to God’s Word). This began a huge healing journey in me. She and I and another friend did this together. Part of my crash was over the shock of being told in ministry that I listened too much to the voice of God and prayed too much. (It’s still bizarre typing that out.) So, thankfully, the course set me free confirming my heart’s desire to hear my Shepherd’s voice, …which is never condemning of seeking to hear His voice!

(John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”)

While in class one day, I received a message from the Lord that continued to be the theme of that season of healing. God spoke it over me again and again. I now have shared it over and over with other prayer warriors.

My focus: Worship is Warfare

When we feel an attack raging and we feel a darkness over us, whether it’s a spirit of overwhelm, anxiety, depression, addiction… when we feel like the enemy is closing in… There is one battle tactic in the Bible that I think we need to use more often. It’s a fun one. Way less stressful. In fact, the enemy runs away!

Turn to 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT and read it aloud. It’s a bizarre story!

Here is the excerpt…

War with Surrounding Nations

After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.)

3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.

5 Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. 9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war,plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’

10 “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children,14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.

15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.

20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:

“Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”

22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.

25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing,[f] which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.

27 Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord.

29 When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

Review: (What happened? In your own words, what stands out for you?)
Some things which stand out for me…

-The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel – Levite.
-The King bowed low to the ground
– King Jehosophat put the singers in front of the army.
– confusion over the enemy
– how many days to gather plunder? 3 days! They spent energy gathering the plunder and no energy fighting!
– Name of the Valley?? – Valley of Blessing
– verse 30 – God had given him rest on every side. The kingdom was at peace.

If you’ve ever heard Melissa Helser’s testimony – she suffered from chronic fatigue and the Lord told her to sing her way out of the battle. And out came a flood of music – music that has impacted thousands today – bringing peace and blessing.

(Hear her tell the story: https://youtu.be/0ULDu6M5KQo)

(One of the songs she’s written is: “No longer slaves” – https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k)

Application Qs:  Ask yourself…

  • What valley in your life do you want God to turn into the Valley of Blessing?
    (Read Isaiah 61:7 – for every shame and dishonor – a double portion of honour!)
  • What good things to date, no matter how small, that you can give thanks to God for? That you could turn into a praise song?!
  • Do you need to surrender a certain situation to God, with your face to the ground? Recognizing that the battle belongs to the Lord and not to you? He goes ahead of us! God loved you enough to send Jesus to die on the cross for you. That pain in your life, Jesus died for that – to defeat it and turn it into joy! (Isaiah 61)
  • verse 30 – God had given him rest on every side. The kingdom was at peace.
  • Where in your life do you need rest and peace?
  • How is God speaking to you right now? Are there people or situations in your life that come to mind? How is Holy Spirit speaking to you? What is He saying? Take note. If you are hearing comforting and encouraging things even challenging things that are loving – that is God. If it’s blame, shame, guilt, despair – that is not God. Just reject that in Jesus name.

James 4:7-8 CEV: Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you.8 Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives… Purify your hearts…10 Be humble in the Lord’s presence, and he will honor you.

  • Where have you doubted God in your life? James calls us to make up our minds and walk away from doubt. Today, if you have doubted – repent. “God, I’m sorry for believing the lie that you are not going to come through for me… for believing the lie that…(fill in the blank.) Forgive me for trying to win this battle on my own strength… instead of falling on my face before you…”
  • Or maybe you have surrendered, and today is another opportunity to give Him worship and thanks… to declare to God:… “because you are faithful God, and I am choosing to surrender… I give thanks that you are bringing freedom… that I am on a journey and you are doing a good thing in me in order to experience freedom! Hallelujah!!”
  • There are 2 battles – one to get free – and the 2ndto stay free! When the enemy comes again, to tempt us with lies – we simply must …over and over …reject his lies in Jesus name. You are to remind him who you are, and that you are royalty – you belong to Jesus. The mention of Jesus’ name makes him flee.
  • I invite you now to bring to the Lord whatever battle, situation, person, …in your life that He invites you to bring to Him.
  • Declare to Him, “God this… is yours… I worship you and not the problem by worrying more about it …rather than worshiping you!” (pause)
  • And then, give thanks! “Thank you, God for…” and list off the things, God has done for you to date… if you have trouble… ask Him… God, where were you at work in my life… show me where you were battling for me… and then give thanks… I love how the people declared to God who He is and listed off historical reminders of God’s faithfulness… You can do that today…
  • Then, very cool thing…. After you have surrendered things and people to God, ask Him – what gift do you want to give me in return…? For every loss/situation in our life that we surrender to Him, God wants to give us a blessing…! Ask Him! (Isaiah 61:7 – Instead of shame and dishonor, you will inherit a double portion of prosperity and everlasting joy!)- Let me prime your praise pump with this…

Psalm 100 (TPT) Praise God

100 A poetic song for thanksgiving

1 Lift up a great shout of joy to the Lord!
Go ahead and do it—everyone, everywhere!
2 As you serve him, be glad and worship him.
Sing your way into his presence with joy!
3 And realize what this really means—
we have the privilege of worshiping the Lord our God.
For he is our Creator and we belong to him.
We are the people of his pleasure.[a]
4 You can pass through his open gates with the password of praise.
    Come right into his presence with thanksgiving.
    Come bring your thank offering to him
    and affectionately bless his beautiful name!
5 For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you.
He’s so loving that it will amaze you—
so kind that it will astound you!
And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all.
Everyone knows our God can be trusted,
for he keeps his promises to every generation!

Prayer and Ministry time:

Look in the mirror and declare:
…“you are winning!”
…you are chosen to be a worshiper of the one true King!
…He is crazy about you!
…He invites you to celebrate and be on His winning team!
…He invites you to sing at this party!
…He goes ahead of you in the battle!
…Jesus went ahead and died on the cross for your victory!

My prayer for you:

>I bless you by the power of Holy Spirit with Hope that would lead to perseverance! (pause)

Put your hand on your heart… and another hand open to the Lord…

Open your hearts, minds, and ears to receive this blessing…

Lord, I release hope and perseverance in these warriors. Release their hearts, their mouths to sing your glory!! Lord, strengthen those who were feeling weak – give them your power, your strength! In Jesus’ name.

I bless your spirit to worship who God is – a Good, Good God – who wants to fight our battles to bring freedom, rest, peace and joy! I bless your spirit to be bound to Holy Spirit and all His fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – and all His chosen gifts appointed for you… in order to receive all that your loving Heavenly Father, Creator of the Universe – has for you – in Christ Jesus, your Saviour who set your joy as his goal in order to endure the cross, and in order for you to experience freedom! Amen!!

>Declare aloud:… “I receive that for myself. …I am about to breakthrough! The promises of God for me are : Yes and Amen – I receive that in Jesus’ name!!”

Maybe you need to soak this one in again:
“No longer slaves” – https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k

Update? My health is awesome. I’m more fit than ever before, and I’m having fun praying with and for people, teaching them to hear God’s voice (sometimes I have clients who have been in church for 30 years and hear the Lord while in my office for the first time!), and seeing them set free from addiction, depression, anxiety, etc… There’s never been a dull moment when I meet with Jesus and a hungry soul in my office seeking to be healed by Him! I come home from work each day praising the Lord!

“Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”

 

 

 

What is Church?

I recently came across this powerful illustration on church. This comic book is basically a short introduction to a much longer conversation. If you’re a Christian who’s only experienced today’s institutional form of church, you’ve probably got several lingering questions. For instance, what about pastors? What about sermons? What about baptism, spiritual authority, the Lord’s Supper, and tithes?

In September of 2017, nearly 150 supporters came together to produce this comic book…

church-comic.png

Read the comic online for free here: http://www.unchurching.com/comic

There are also some powerful articles and blog posts on the growing movement towards BEING the church and building God’s kingdom. Could God be moving us towards being ONE body under the Headship of Jesus to answer His prayer in John 17?

Ready for a paradigm shift? 😉

Related: Francis Chan – Why the Megachurch can’t be the goal of the future

Why not Canada?

Originally posted by Light Magazine Canada (but blocked by security browsers).

why-not-canada

by Don Klassen

“Why not here?” is the question that pesters me when I see the growth of the church in many parts of the world. What is it that makes the gospel so appealing elsewhere?  Is there something that Canadian Christians are missing? Have we adopted habits that are hindering us? 

Pastor Roy Moran in his book Spent Matches confesses he is weary of putting increasing effort and finances into practises that result in diminishing returns. Over time we have become more and more dependant on attractional programing, professional leadership and expensive buildings. There are a few larger churches that are able to experience modest growth with this approach but most of that growth is at the expense of churches that can’t provide the same level of attraction. Many Christians now gravitate to churches that “meet their needs”. Non Christian Canadians seem largely unimpressed by the attractions the church offers. Television, sports leisure and the great outdoors here in BC are more attractive than church.

In the first centuries the church experienced rapid growth. The early disciples had no money, no power, no human leader and they were outcasts in their own society. How did they begin a disciple making movement? The disciples had a life changing encounter with Jesus, the willingness to obey, the power of the Holy Spirit and lots of contacts. 

Large movements to Christ on other continents today share similar characteristics. We have the same potential in our area. We need to take a closer look at how essential ingredient of Disciple Making Movements can once again take centre stage among Christians in British Columbia. If we do our part I am convinced that God will do the rest. 

Pastor Merri Ellen Giesbrecht was exposed to Disciple Making Movement (DMM) over two years ago. She says “In the first year of focusing on DMMs, I found myself discipling a dozen new people I had met just out on the town. There were so many divine appointments. I have a new passion and joy in disciple making, without the need to find volunteers for any programs. I love it!”

Learning from what is happening around the world I would  suggest the following practises take centre stage in BC:

Refocusing on intense sustained prayer for the lost and for transformed communities; Unleashing the potential of Christ followers to share their faith and to disciple their families, friends and neighbours; Modeling obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit as Scripture is interpreted by ordinary people in the context of their culture and in the presence of friends or family; Focusing on multiplication rather than on addition.

Outreach Canada is promoting an event entitled “Disciple Making Movements: Why Not Canada?” Participants will take an exploratory journey into the steps of starting a movement in their own back yard.  

Ultimately a Disciple Making Movement is entirely dependent on God. The best we can do is begin praying and developing some of the same habits the early disciples had. Only God knows what will happen then!

(Posted originally here: https://lightmagazine.ca/2018/10/why-not-canada/ but many of you cannot access it because their site has not updated.)

My thoughts after going to this event listed above that happened on October 20 in Surrey entitled “Disciple Making Movements: Why Not Canada?” (outreach.ca/registration/dmm. ) :

Well, today was an incredible day!

We got to hear how disciple making movements are going in Canada, what prevents disciplemaking, and what key elements we need to remember. So many powerful stories! The key is to keep groups small 5-7 and no more, completely relying on Holy Spirit. Once you get bigger, you become formal and growth slows down.

A pastor I once worked with was there. He came over to me after lunch to say ‘hi’. I asked what he thought of it all. He said it is a big paradigm shift for him. One pastor shared how pastors need to work themselves out of a job in order to fulfill the Great Commission in Canada.

The question was asked: “What is the greatest source of error and false teaching?” The answer was revealed. Seminary trained leaders who want their own followers. Higher learning without reliance on Holy Spirit is the main source of error.

Oh my goodness, the day was incredible!! 60 people were packed in the basement. People were rocked with a new paradigm!!! But it was all well received! They got it! They saw the statistics of the decline of institutional churches in Canada and the high speed spreading of the Gospel in house church/disciple making movements.

We got to gather in groups of 3 to pray and to read the Word in such a way that we asked questions to allow Holy Spirit to teach us.

And we got to hear from Ray Moran who wrote: “Spent Matches” https://amzn.to/2J8ALIa for institutional churches to help them with implementing a hybrid strategy (kinda like a gas-electric car). I loved that book! In it he shared actual stories from his church who does this very thing of large gatherings BUT movements within. MUST read for any large church leader hungry for more of disciples who make disciples.

It felt like I was witnessing a shift in people’s minds perhaps how Peter felt when Jesus changed his perspective! New glasses.

Your heart is revealed under pressure.

I remember an Elvis Presley song and a line that sings…
“Sweetened through the ages just like wine…”
I’m pondering how going through trials and hardship makes one sweeter.
I was listening to a woman the other day share about a preacher she heard and something was missing. I asked if he was a green man? Basically, a preacher who knows only theology but has never experienced what he supposedly believes. She got it. Yes. Years of heartache and experience was missing from his teaching.
Today, I read this after listening to Murray Dueck speak on seasons in life…
Jeremiah 48:11  (ERV)
“Moab has never known trouble.
Moab is like wine left to settle.
Moab has never been poured from one jar to another.
He has not been taken into captivity.
So he tastes as he did before,
and his smell has not changed.”
One’s teaching and authority becomes sweeter when they have been sifted/ gone through trouble…
Character is who you are in the dark.
Your heart is revealed under pressure.
Gold refined in the fire – 7 x will burn out any dirt.
What kind of oppression does it take to get you depressed?
Do you believe the same thing about God when you go through trials?
The reward from a season of favour is a season of pruning to regift you, change your belief systems.
When God calls you into the dessert, He wants to spend more time with you! (I get this.)

God will ask…

Am I enough for you? If you never minister again?
Is your love for ministry greater than your love for me?
Often the very place we were wounded, is the place we are sent back to stand. But, we first must learn to rest in the Lord. He desires relationship with us and longs to teach us our value is not in doing, but in being with him.