this week elevates we continued our look at this vision of revival that many people desire and hope for.
You are in the book of Ezekiel chapter 47. In this chapter we work through a dream in which the writer is brought from the throne room of the temple along side a stream that flows from under the throne, out into the desert and ultimately to the dead sea.
After walking1,00 cubic s he is allowed to enter into the stream which is about ankle-deep. He goes another1,000 cubic s and the stream is now up to his knees. Another1,000 and it's up to his waist, another1,000 and he is swimming in a river that is too wide to cross.
And we have the option of applying this in several ways but for our study were going to apply it to levels of maturity and how that affects revival. We see through the process of1,000 cubic's dad killing deeper into the river of God's Spirit is a process. And that God walks us through the process completely before we get to go deeper.
Many people get tripped up in ankle-deep experiences of God's Spirit become overwhelmed because of a lack of character and ultimately never go deeper. These areas that trip them up are often things like pride, presuppositions, extremes, and selfish pleasures. They get a taste of what God's Spirit can do and begin to splash around in such a way that they avoid completing the walk to the deeper levels with God. Often times the pressure that causes people to be tripped up its success. They successfully work within the spirit of God's moving and then become distracted by their own lack of character.
As we observe them vision we see that the river flows through the desert to the Dead Sea. These two places are not known for life. The desert is not a place you want to be if you're in need of water or food. In the Dead Sea has long been known as a place that nothing lives, and nothing grows.
What we see in the vision is that the river of God brings life to the desert and turns the Dead Sea into fresh water teeming with fish. As the man in the vision comes back out of the river he is surprised to see the banks of the river are now lined with fruit trees. These trees are bearing fruit year-round, and the leaves of the tree bring healing.
The surprise comes because much like us we often think that the desert (which is the world we live in) is so filled with death that nothing outside of a massive revival could bring life again. I think one of the main applications of this passage is the stream that God wants to flow through is can bring life to whatever part of the desert we are flowing through.
The life giving flow of God's Spirit is designed to refresh those we come in contact with with life-giving nutrients of God's fruit of his character, and healing touch of his kingdom.
This is a revival that we should be seeking. We should not hold out for some massive move of God before we decide to get involved in the flow of God's Spirit. It is individuals can make a difference. Hundreds of streams of God's Spirit lined with fruit trees bearing God's character and healing that change our immediate communities. It's the life-giving stream of God's Spirit that flows into someone's life that can bear no fruit and turns their salt water into fresh water teaming with fish.
God took one man on his journey because God wants each individual person to do the same thing. He wants us each to journey deeper into the flow of his spirit. He wants each of us to bring life to our communities. He wants each of us to make a difference and not be overwhelmed by the vastness of the desert that we flow through.
As a word of caution there are several types of "faults revivals" that can distract us from our individual walk.
"Rapid revival", where we seek to make every aspect of God's presence happen right now. In other words we skipped the process.
"Premature revival" as gods presence starts to make a difference, we relax in our work and ultimately the presence of God lifts.
"New cart revival"man-made methods/creativity to produce revival.
"Kitchen revival" we get so busy working for God we don't stop to go into the living room and listen to God.
"Sensational revival" we don't think revivals happening unless something sensational, emotional or big is going on.
"Stale revival" the reworking and rehashing of the way it was done before.
God's presence/revival should bring life to the desert not just get attention for the individual, or fire up emotionally the people around you.
What are you bringing to your desert?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Elevate april 17
The Presence of God.
It is something that many people desire. God's presence is the essence of revival.
God often describes His presence like a river. God actually uses many different forms of water to describe aspects of himself. God describes life with him like water, a well, a river, a Belgian, a stream, and rain. God describes his piece as "still waters". He describes His love like a garden spring, a well of fresh water, flowing streams. God describes his voice like the noise of many waters, and his righteousness like the waves of the sea.
So with all of these descriptions we understand why the presence of God can be so refreshing. It is something we can bathe in, something that can bring us joy, and peace.the presence of God is something that many Christians pray for and seek after because of the results and experiences His presence brings.
But our desires for experiences can lead to activities that ultimately lose God's presence. Our pursuit of God's presence can become a pursuit of just the next spiritual high .One author put it this way "God is often lost in our pursuit of God"
in the book of John chapter 7:37-39, Jesus challenges those who believe in Him.
Jesus stands up and tells those who will listen that if they believe in him they should "come and drink" and when they do "rivers of living water will flow out from them".
What we see here is that the presence of God is available not just for us to experience, but for us to present to the world.
The river of God is sourced at the throne of God. In this passage the living water is a reference to the Holy Spirit. Jesus is saying when we drink from God's river that same spirit that we drink in flows out from us to the world around us. The phrase "come and drink" is a command to those who believe in Jesus.
The "Flow" is something that should be continual.
And the "life" is the idea of giving birth.
Jesus is commanding those who believe in Him, to drink from the river that is God's Holy Spirit, and birth life in the world that is dying of thirst.
Now that is a beautiful description of what our Christian life should be like. We should not just be a group of people who bathed in the spirit of God. We should be a body of people who create a flow of God's presence were ever we are. And from the flow of God's Spirit bring refreshing drinks, and life-giving opportunities to those who are lost in the wilderness of bitter life sucking culture.
We are challenged to do more than just bathed in the spirit of God. We are challenged to drink constantly from the flow of his spirit. By drinking constantly the life that flows out from us will be a river of life that will affect and bring life to all those around us. If we have not been drinking, that is if we are not 100% full of God's Spirit then we need to be. We need to take the steps necessary to reconnect ourselves to the river of life that comes from the throne of God.
Let's open up streams of living water in the desert of this world.
It is something that many people desire. God's presence is the essence of revival.
God often describes His presence like a river. God actually uses many different forms of water to describe aspects of himself. God describes life with him like water, a well, a river, a Belgian, a stream, and rain. God describes his piece as "still waters". He describes His love like a garden spring, a well of fresh water, flowing streams. God describes his voice like the noise of many waters, and his righteousness like the waves of the sea.
So with all of these descriptions we understand why the presence of God can be so refreshing. It is something we can bathe in, something that can bring us joy, and peace.the presence of God is something that many Christians pray for and seek after because of the results and experiences His presence brings.
But our desires for experiences can lead to activities that ultimately lose God's presence. Our pursuit of God's presence can become a pursuit of just the next spiritual high .One author put it this way "God is often lost in our pursuit of God"
in the book of John chapter 7:37-39, Jesus challenges those who believe in Him.
Jesus stands up and tells those who will listen that if they believe in him they should "come and drink" and when they do "rivers of living water will flow out from them".
What we see here is that the presence of God is available not just for us to experience, but for us to present to the world.
The river of God is sourced at the throne of God. In this passage the living water is a reference to the Holy Spirit. Jesus is saying when we drink from God's river that same spirit that we drink in flows out from us to the world around us. The phrase "come and drink" is a command to those who believe in Jesus.
The "Flow" is something that should be continual.
And the "life" is the idea of giving birth.
Jesus is commanding those who believe in Him, to drink from the river that is God's Holy Spirit, and birth life in the world that is dying of thirst.
Now that is a beautiful description of what our Christian life should be like. We should not just be a group of people who bathed in the spirit of God. We should be a body of people who create a flow of God's presence were ever we are. And from the flow of God's Spirit bring refreshing drinks, and life-giving opportunities to those who are lost in the wilderness of bitter life sucking culture.
We are challenged to do more than just bathed in the spirit of God. We are challenged to drink constantly from the flow of his spirit. By drinking constantly the life that flows out from us will be a river of life that will affect and bring life to all those around us. If we have not been drinking, that is if we are not 100% full of God's Spirit then we need to be. We need to take the steps necessary to reconnect ourselves to the river of life that comes from the throne of God.
Let's open up streams of living water in the desert of this world.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Elevate april 10
We continued to have an awesome time during our elevate services.
Vision.
Vision is the fun part. Having a great idea is something many people experience. Expressing that idea to others and getting them excited about it as something that is fun to experience.
working out the vision, now that's where life can get a little rough.
In a Bible story regarding David we applied the importance of following God's plan, and sacrifice in order to complete the vision God has for us to do.
David knew that God wanted to bring the arc to the capital city of Israel. David knew that the ark of God would bring forth blessing to the people of Israel if it could be housed in the capital city.
So David had a vision.
David got a lot of people excited about it.
30,000 troops, and a whole city full of people came with his leadership to get the ark of God.
David had come up with a plan on how to move the ark. He decided to put it on a cart. The card would move directly in without hesitation to the capital city. The troops would surround it in a ceremonial honor guard. And the people with praise and worship with all their might for the entire trip.
This looked awesome.
Then things got tripped up.
When the arc began to slide off of the cart, one of the people who had been housing the ark reached out to make sure it didn't fall. When he touched it he died.
Party Over
David was angry with God. I imagine he was also embarrassed, afraid, confused, frustrated, hurt, and maybe a few other things in front of more than 30,000 people. They carefully move the ark to a nearby house and everybody went home.
David spent the next few months trying to decide what to do with the vision. The Place where the ark was being housed was continue to experience blessing.David came to understand that the vision was from God but the plan had been David's. David returned to the arc with God's plan, and took the opportunity to humbly sacrifice before God in order to remember and should be in control of all things.
When David entered the city he was worshiping with all his might.His wife was upset at how undignified he looked.I am sure he was bloody,sweaty,dirty mess and only wearing a loin cloth if anything at all.This trip involved a slow walk to the city.A sacrifice was offered every 6 paces,about 3,500 animals overall.It took many hours and it ended in victory and celebration.
David response was he was willing to become even more undignified in order for God's plan to be accomplished. David understood that day the importance of God's vision but also the joy of following through with God's plan.
It is easy and fun to have a vision of where God might want us to go as individuals, as a church, or a family, but it takes work, sacrifice, and an awareness of God's pace,and plan for that vision to be accomplished with joy and celebration.
Vision.
Vision is the fun part. Having a great idea is something many people experience. Expressing that idea to others and getting them excited about it as something that is fun to experience.
working out the vision, now that's where life can get a little rough.
In a Bible story regarding David we applied the importance of following God's plan, and sacrifice in order to complete the vision God has for us to do.
David knew that God wanted to bring the arc to the capital city of Israel. David knew that the ark of God would bring forth blessing to the people of Israel if it could be housed in the capital city.
So David had a vision.
David got a lot of people excited about it.
30,000 troops, and a whole city full of people came with his leadership to get the ark of God.
David had come up with a plan on how to move the ark. He decided to put it on a cart. The card would move directly in without hesitation to the capital city. The troops would surround it in a ceremonial honor guard. And the people with praise and worship with all their might for the entire trip.
This looked awesome.
Then things got tripped up.
When the arc began to slide off of the cart, one of the people who had been housing the ark reached out to make sure it didn't fall. When he touched it he died.
Party Over
David was angry with God. I imagine he was also embarrassed, afraid, confused, frustrated, hurt, and maybe a few other things in front of more than 30,000 people. They carefully move the ark to a nearby house and everybody went home.
David spent the next few months trying to decide what to do with the vision. The Place where the ark was being housed was continue to experience blessing.David came to understand that the vision was from God but the plan had been David's. David returned to the arc with God's plan, and took the opportunity to humbly sacrifice before God in order to remember and should be in control of all things.
When David entered the city he was worshiping with all his might.His wife was upset at how undignified he looked.I am sure he was bloody,sweaty,dirty mess and only wearing a loin cloth if anything at all.This trip involved a slow walk to the city.A sacrifice was offered every 6 paces,about 3,500 animals overall.It took many hours and it ended in victory and celebration.
David response was he was willing to become even more undignified in order for God's plan to be accomplished. David understood that day the importance of God's vision but also the joy of following through with God's plan.
It is easy and fun to have a vision of where God might want us to go as individuals, as a church, or a family, but it takes work, sacrifice, and an awareness of God's pace,and plan for that vision to be accomplished with joy and celebration.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Elevate april3
this holy week we took a look at the Passover.
Passover is a celebration that in general the church has forgotten. We have released a Passover to the Jewish community while we emphasize the resurrection. The fault in this lies on multiple layers but in general by missing out on the Passover we take away a celebration that emphasizes the power of the blood. It was faith in the blood of the Lamb that allowed death to Passover the Hebrews in Egypt. The blood is something that Satan continues to battle against knowing its power. I believe on a spiritual level Satan is quite happy that the church does not emphasize Passover anymore.
The practical level Passover was celebrated by the New Testament church up until the Roman Empire under Constantine. Constantine was used by Satan to destroy much of Christian heritage and unique interactions with God. He made Passover illegal and moved the Resurrection celebration to the same day as a goddess of reproduction with a name that sounds an awful lot like Easter, and is represented by a rabbit.
I know that there are some who do not celebrate Easter because of its secular roots. I believe there is redemptive value in celebrating Easter as a resurrection morning, but I do understand why some would want to deemphasize the Easter celebration. As with most holidays in our western capitalistic society many have found ways to make money on religious holidays, this should also not deter us from an opportunity to focus on such a powerful event.
We focused on the Passover celebration by the king Hezekiah,from 2 Chronicles 29-31. This was a godly king who sought to recapture the worship of God. He recognized the Passover was the most important celebration of the year. Within the first month of his reign as King he started preparation to peer five the temple and bring about the celebration of Passover. Technically he did just about everything wrong. There were not enough priests for the sacrifice.
They moved the celebration back a month because they didn't have enough time to invite everyone.
People showed up who were not purified, and were allowed to celebrate anyway.
After a weeklong celebration they decided to do another one for second week.
Hezekiah's heart is what mattered. He reminds those who he invites think God is gracious and merciful He calls out to God regarding those who are in fewer to forgive them and cleanse them later after Passover, to which God answered his prayer. Hezekiah was a king who recognized the Gods character as one full of compassion / love for his people. He knew that love was not going to get stuck on ritual but would welcome home those who had run away. Hezekiah was noted as a king that sought God with his whole heart. This is what the Passover is really about.
Many Christians have celebrated a Seder meal. They have listened to and participated in the traditions and rituals that the Jewish culture brings to the Passover celebration. But what we see in Hezekiah is that God is not interested in the traditions and rituals around the Passover, He is interested in the heart of those who recognize the power of his blood.
Passover is a celebration that in general the church has forgotten. We have released a Passover to the Jewish community while we emphasize the resurrection. The fault in this lies on multiple layers but in general by missing out on the Passover we take away a celebration that emphasizes the power of the blood. It was faith in the blood of the Lamb that allowed death to Passover the Hebrews in Egypt. The blood is something that Satan continues to battle against knowing its power. I believe on a spiritual level Satan is quite happy that the church does not emphasize Passover anymore.
The practical level Passover was celebrated by the New Testament church up until the Roman Empire under Constantine. Constantine was used by Satan to destroy much of Christian heritage and unique interactions with God. He made Passover illegal and moved the Resurrection celebration to the same day as a goddess of reproduction with a name that sounds an awful lot like Easter, and is represented by a rabbit.
I know that there are some who do not celebrate Easter because of its secular roots. I believe there is redemptive value in celebrating Easter as a resurrection morning, but I do understand why some would want to deemphasize the Easter celebration. As with most holidays in our western capitalistic society many have found ways to make money on religious holidays, this should also not deter us from an opportunity to focus on such a powerful event.
We focused on the Passover celebration by the king Hezekiah,from 2 Chronicles 29-31. This was a godly king who sought to recapture the worship of God. He recognized the Passover was the most important celebration of the year. Within the first month of his reign as King he started preparation to peer five the temple and bring about the celebration of Passover. Technically he did just about everything wrong. There were not enough priests for the sacrifice.
They moved the celebration back a month because they didn't have enough time to invite everyone.
People showed up who were not purified, and were allowed to celebrate anyway.
After a weeklong celebration they decided to do another one for second week.
Hezekiah's heart is what mattered. He reminds those who he invites think God is gracious and merciful He calls out to God regarding those who are in fewer to forgive them and cleanse them later after Passover, to which God answered his prayer. Hezekiah was a king who recognized the Gods character as one full of compassion / love for his people. He knew that love was not going to get stuck on ritual but would welcome home those who had run away. Hezekiah was noted as a king that sought God with his whole heart. This is what the Passover is really about.
Many Christians have celebrated a Seder meal. They have listened to and participated in the traditions and rituals that the Jewish culture brings to the Passover celebration. But what we see in Hezekiah is that God is not interested in the traditions and rituals around the Passover, He is interested in the heart of those who recognize the power of his blood.
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