(part six)
The sixth sign of a prophetic church is her willingness to be periodically re-calibrated by the Spirit of God. This is not to be confused with just a willingness to stay “current” or “relevant” to ones generation. If we change for the sake of change or because it is the popular thing to do, we have missed the boat completely. Re-calibration is the result of adjusting to the will of the Spirit of God!
Case in point: While sitting in our living room visiting with a couple from Phoenix, I heard the voice of the Lord speak just one word. The word was re-calibration. I waited for an appropriate moment to speak "the word" I had heard. The dear sister in the Lord immediately responded, “I manage a Star Bucks - that’s a word we use everyday.” She proceeded to explain how the term was used. To condense the explanation, let it suffice to say: espresso machines have to be re-calibrated everyday to present a consistent product to you - the consumer.
Because, for the most part, a prophetic church will have its ear to the heart of God, she will not resist change or re-calibration. Periodically, this recalibration by the Holy Spirit is necessary so that we might present a consistent product to a lost and dying world. What is that product? And what should we, the Body of Christ, be known for? Simply put, we MUST portray and present the true heart of God.
This is most often lost in the mix of Christianity today. How unfortunate, because God has not changed. He cannot change. The scripture says, "...in Whom there is no shadow of turning" and "Behold, I am the Lord and I change not."
It doesn't get more simple than that. But to present the Christ, we must change (or be re-calibrated). A Prophetic Church will not resist such a change and be in a constant state of remaining in the face of God. We will not forget what He looks like nor forget what He has said, if we refuse to walk away from the mirror of His Word.
11/23/07
11/12/07
Eight Purposes for Signs and Wonders (part 5)
To Testify of God’s Ability to Deliver His People
Deliverance is most often a scary word. But even though there is the reality of demonic influence in the earth and occasional demonic possession that must be dealt with in the lives of people, deliverance doesn’t have to be feared and certainly must not be ignored.
However, in Daniel’s case, we see an excellent general definition for deliverance worth checking into. It is written, “He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions (Daniel 6:27 KJV). Here we find two words that sum up the work of deliverance, as it relates to be a sign and a wonder: rescue and work. But there is both a “deliverance from” and“deliverance into” that happens in the Kingdom of God.
The scripture speaks of the reality that we have been “delivered out of the kingdom of darkness, and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son” (Colossians 1:13 KJV). This speaks of the work of grace in our lives, as we are delivered out of Satan’s kingdom into the Kingdom of Christ.
This work of “grace deliverance” is experienced by every truly born again, child of God. This is the “deliverance into” we’re referring to, which is relational and positional. This definition from the Greek language is: to draw to one’s self; and to rescue. So, even within the context of salvation, all of us are signs and wonders of the grace of God!
The “deliverance from” is more related to the demonic influence mentioned at the beginning. This can also be related to the character flaws present within every one of us: some need tweaking, others need crucifying.
But whichever case, every work of deliverance is a sign and a wonder in the believer’s life. What an awesome thought! I am a sign and a wonder…and so are you! We are testimonies of God’s grace in action and His ability to deliver His people.
I close with a song that the Lord gave me when one of our daughters came back to Him:
I Am A Testimony
The path that I chose
Has led me to this place
The only reason I’m alive
Is God’s amazing grace
No more looking left
And no more looking right
I’m looking straight ahead
I’ve got You in my sight
And everything’s gonna be alright
I am a testimony
I am a testimony
I am a testimony
Of the grace of God
Deliverance is most often a scary word. But even though there is the reality of demonic influence in the earth and occasional demonic possession that must be dealt with in the lives of people, deliverance doesn’t have to be feared and certainly must not be ignored.
However, in Daniel’s case, we see an excellent general definition for deliverance worth checking into. It is written, “He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions (Daniel 6:27 KJV). Here we find two words that sum up the work of deliverance, as it relates to be a sign and a wonder: rescue and work. But there is both a “deliverance from” and“deliverance into” that happens in the Kingdom of God.
The scripture speaks of the reality that we have been “delivered out of the kingdom of darkness, and translated into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son” (Colossians 1:13 KJV). This speaks of the work of grace in our lives, as we are delivered out of Satan’s kingdom into the Kingdom of Christ.
This work of “grace deliverance” is experienced by every truly born again, child of God. This is the “deliverance into” we’re referring to, which is relational and positional. This definition from the Greek language is: to draw to one’s self; and to rescue. So, even within the context of salvation, all of us are signs and wonders of the grace of God!
The “deliverance from” is more related to the demonic influence mentioned at the beginning. This can also be related to the character flaws present within every one of us: some need tweaking, others need crucifying.
But whichever case, every work of deliverance is a sign and a wonder in the believer’s life. What an awesome thought! I am a sign and a wonder…and so are you! We are testimonies of God’s grace in action and His ability to deliver His people.
I close with a song that the Lord gave me when one of our daughters came back to Him:
I Am A Testimony
The path that I chose
Has led me to this place
The only reason I’m alive
Is God’s amazing grace
No more looking left
And no more looking right
I’m looking straight ahead
I’ve got You in my sight
And everything’s gonna be alright
I am a testimony
I am a testimony
I am a testimony
Of the grace of God
©Legacy of Worship, Int'l, 2004
Bill Faught, Jr.
11/5/07
Eight Purposes for Signs and Wonders
(part 4)
DEUT.4:35- Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him
According to Paul’s writings, there are arguments swarming all around trying to dispute the truthfulness of God’s Word. We are to take every (argumentative) thought captive…everything that attempt to exalt itself against the knowledge of Christ.
In some circles, knowledge has been viewed as a bad concept; after all, “knowledge puffs up”. I felt it especially needful to share with our local church this past weekend about the balance God has brought us to. Certainly, too much Word can lead to legalism; and too much Spirit can lead to fanaticism. Paul said, “The Word kills, but the Spirit gives life”. This speaks of the balance of both, because both are very much needed.
There is an aspect of the knowledge of God that we must capture. This aspect is what I call a “showing” that proceeds a “knowing”. While great faith demands no physical proof of a spiritual reality, many of those whose faith has been severally injured need a manifestation (such as a sign and a wonder) that becomes the proverbial knot in the rope that helps us hang on until the answer comes.
Our text mentions both the “showing” and “knowing”. God told Moses that the purpose of showing or displaying the signs and wonders of the plagues of Egypt, was that Israel might comes to know “…the LORD, He is God; and there is none beside Him.”
After hundreds of years in slavery, Israel had become convinced by the arguments of the enemy that God was no longer interested in their well being; that some how God had abandoned them. We see this as we try to minister to the abused. The lie or the argument of the enemy has swallowed – hook, line, and sinker – to the point that it almost impossible to see beyond their abuse. Israel was at this point…but God!
It took forty years for Israel to finally be convinced of God’s ability and to KNOW (through signs and wonders) that God was truly big enough the do what he said. The years of seeing themselves as grasshoppers had finally come to can end. Signs and wonders was the convincing argument on God’s side of Israel’s mental struggle.
I believe that a new wave of signs and wonders are on their way…even now! God’s has rolled up His sleeves and gone to work on our behalf. Can you really believe it? “Believing until we see His glory” was the cry from Jesus’ heart before He raised Lazarus from the dead. Can you believe until you see – then in seeing – you will know once and for all – “…there is none beside HIM.”
DEUT.4:35- Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him
According to Paul’s writings, there are arguments swarming all around trying to dispute the truthfulness of God’s Word. We are to take every (argumentative) thought captive…everything that attempt to exalt itself against the knowledge of Christ.
In some circles, knowledge has been viewed as a bad concept; after all, “knowledge puffs up”. I felt it especially needful to share with our local church this past weekend about the balance God has brought us to. Certainly, too much Word can lead to legalism; and too much Spirit can lead to fanaticism. Paul said, “The Word kills, but the Spirit gives life”. This speaks of the balance of both, because both are very much needed.
There is an aspect of the knowledge of God that we must capture. This aspect is what I call a “showing” that proceeds a “knowing”. While great faith demands no physical proof of a spiritual reality, many of those whose faith has been severally injured need a manifestation (such as a sign and a wonder) that becomes the proverbial knot in the rope that helps us hang on until the answer comes.
Our text mentions both the “showing” and “knowing”. God told Moses that the purpose of showing or displaying the signs and wonders of the plagues of Egypt, was that Israel might comes to know “…the LORD, He is God; and there is none beside Him.”
After hundreds of years in slavery, Israel had become convinced by the arguments of the enemy that God was no longer interested in their well being; that some how God had abandoned them. We see this as we try to minister to the abused. The lie or the argument of the enemy has swallowed – hook, line, and sinker – to the point that it almost impossible to see beyond their abuse. Israel was at this point…but God!
It took forty years for Israel to finally be convinced of God’s ability and to KNOW (through signs and wonders) that God was truly big enough the do what he said. The years of seeing themselves as grasshoppers had finally come to can end. Signs and wonders was the convincing argument on God’s side of Israel’s mental struggle.
I believe that a new wave of signs and wonders are on their way…even now! God’s has rolled up His sleeves and gone to work on our behalf. Can you really believe it? “Believing until we see His glory” was the cry from Jesus’ heart before He raised Lazarus from the dead. Can you believe until you see – then in seeing – you will know once and for all – “…there is none beside HIM.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)