This post was originally an article written by Doug Phillips of Vision Forum. However, a believer was kind enough to post a comment that pointed me to a number of other blogs out there showing Doug Phillips to have strong racial prejudices that were inconsistent with biblical truth. My own heart was grieved deeply due to my ignorant “endorsement” of a ministry that openly recommends reading authors who are racists. I will not tolerate this—and I do ask my readers for their forgiveness in for my ignorance. I should be more responsible to search out those whom I recommend on my blog. Indeed it is a lesson well received!
For the Cause,
Brian Francis Hume
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
The Incarnation: A Christ-Centered Christmas
Colossians 2:9—For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
As Christmas speedily approaches, it is urgent to find the means to sustain a Christ-centered approach to the holidays—especially in the midst of chaos. As studies have shown previously and life experiences attest, the Christmas season can be one of the most stressful times of the year: shopping for family, friends and extended relatives; attending Christmas-related parties and social function; sending cards to everyone on your list; traveling to spend time with family; putting up Christmas decorations—one can be extremely busy, surrounded by people, yet feel depressed and alone. This list goes on, but the notion is well taken—it is too easy to neglect the worship of Christ during the holiday season that heralds his birth. How can we ensure that we do have a Christ-centered holiday season that truly honors Christ? What steps must we take to ensure that we don’t allow this time to bypass us as we run to and fro to accommodate cultural expectations of what Christmas should be?
I want to propose that ruminating upon the doctrine of the Incarnation might just be the necessary means to truly celebrate and honor the Incarnate Christ during a holy-day that is supposedly dedicated to the birth of Christ. Let us begin this study by examining the following verse:
Matthew 1:16—and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Note that the writer of Matthew was writing his gospel specifically to a Jewish audience as evident by his meticulous detail in the genealogy of ensuring that the reader understood Jesus came from the lineage of David and Abraham. Verse 1 of Matthew 1 reads, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.” This messianic thread would be of keen interest to the Jewish reader. From Abraham to Jacob the father of Joseph, the Scriptures mention 39 fathers—yet it does not record Joseph as the father of Jesus. It explicitly records Joseph as “husband of Mary” (denoting a lawful union)—furthermore, it reads of Mary, “of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Jesus is recorded in Scripture as being born of a woman—affirmed by the wording, “of whom” which in the original Greek text is in the feminine gender. The implication in this seemingly insignificant detail is astounding—Jesus was born of a woman whose seed was not the progenitor of a human father.
Luke 1:35—The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
This was the response of the angel to Mary, a virgin. It would not be the seed of man that would conceive the God-child, but it would be by divine origins—the Holy Spirit. This New Testament passage is the direct fulfillment of several well known Old Testament prophecies, most notably the following:
Genesis 3:15—And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
The word offspring is also the Hebrew word used for seed. In other words, the seed of woman would bring forth the means of crushing the serpent’s head. Now obviously biologically speaking, the woman has no seed; for this comes from the man (the sperm)—hence it again points to the Incarnation as the Holy Spirit is the source of the seed.
Another verse that predicated the virgin birth is Isaiah 7:14—Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7—For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Incarnation
The term incarnation is derived from a Latin word, incarnre, which means “to make flesh.” The implications of this doctrine states that Christ Jesus in whom “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (Colossians 1:19)—thus Christ Jesus in being fully God, was also fully human. Again this was delineated in the passages above as Scriptures clearly demonstrate that the seed of man was not the progenitor of the God-man, but it was the Holy Spirit. Being born of a woman by the Holy Spirit ensures that Christ Jesus would have a human nature (note I didn’t say sin nature) without relinquishing or forfeiting his deity. Jesus Christ was fully man and fully God. Indeed it is as Paul asserts, “the mystery of godliness” is in full display in the man Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 3:16)
The incarnation stands as a declaration of the fervent and holy love of a Triune God that is remarkable and worthy of our consideration. The Incarnation was intended to be a means of dispensing grace to fallen man through the Lord Jesus Christ; a conduit of divine love expressed through the Father’s heart; and the securing of eternal salvation through the Cross. The crux of the Incarnation is found in the Cross. A Son was born to die—this is the Christmas message. There is no atonement apart from the Incarnation—likewise, the Incarnation isn’t complete apart from the atonement. James Denney, author of The Death of Christ (1902) writes, “the New Testament knows nothing of an incarnation which can be defined apart from its relation to atonement…Not Bethlehem, but Calvary, is the focus of revelation, and any construction of Christianity which ignores or denies this distorts Christianity by putting it out of focus.”
A Son was born of a virgin woman in relative obscurity—would die on a Cross so that you may find life eternal by faith in Him. The Incarnation made possible the atonement whilst the atonement allowed the Incarnation to find its overarching purpose. In closing, I want to leave you with the words of Charles Wesley that speaks of the grandeur of the Incarnation: “Our God contracted to a span; Incomprehensibly made man.” May the Lord himself bring fresh revelation this Christmas as you behold the glory of the Incarnate Son, "Incomprehensibly made man!"
As Christmas speedily approaches, it is urgent to find the means to sustain a Christ-centered approach to the holidays—especially in the midst of chaos. As studies have shown previously and life experiences attest, the Christmas season can be one of the most stressful times of the year: shopping for family, friends and extended relatives; attending Christmas-related parties and social function; sending cards to everyone on your list; traveling to spend time with family; putting up Christmas decorations—one can be extremely busy, surrounded by people, yet feel depressed and alone. This list goes on, but the notion is well taken—it is too easy to neglect the worship of Christ during the holiday season that heralds his birth. How can we ensure that we do have a Christ-centered holiday season that truly honors Christ? What steps must we take to ensure that we don’t allow this time to bypass us as we run to and fro to accommodate cultural expectations of what Christmas should be?
I want to propose that ruminating upon the doctrine of the Incarnation might just be the necessary means to truly celebrate and honor the Incarnate Christ during a holy-day that is supposedly dedicated to the birth of Christ. Let us begin this study by examining the following verse:
Matthew 1:16—and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Note that the writer of Matthew was writing his gospel specifically to a Jewish audience as evident by his meticulous detail in the genealogy of ensuring that the reader understood Jesus came from the lineage of David and Abraham. Verse 1 of Matthew 1 reads, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.” This messianic thread would be of keen interest to the Jewish reader. From Abraham to Jacob the father of Joseph, the Scriptures mention 39 fathers—yet it does not record Joseph as the father of Jesus. It explicitly records Joseph as “husband of Mary” (denoting a lawful union)—furthermore, it reads of Mary, “of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Jesus is recorded in Scripture as being born of a woman—affirmed by the wording, “of whom” which in the original Greek text is in the feminine gender. The implication in this seemingly insignificant detail is astounding—Jesus was born of a woman whose seed was not the progenitor of a human father.
Luke 1:35—The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
This was the response of the angel to Mary, a virgin. It would not be the seed of man that would conceive the God-child, but it would be by divine origins—the Holy Spirit. This New Testament passage is the direct fulfillment of several well known Old Testament prophecies, most notably the following:
Genesis 3:15—And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
The word offspring is also the Hebrew word used for seed. In other words, the seed of woman would bring forth the means of crushing the serpent’s head. Now obviously biologically speaking, the woman has no seed; for this comes from the man (the sperm)—hence it again points to the Incarnation as the Holy Spirit is the source of the seed.
Another verse that predicated the virgin birth is Isaiah 7:14—Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7—For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Incarnation
The term incarnation is derived from a Latin word, incarnre, which means “to make flesh.” The implications of this doctrine states that Christ Jesus in whom “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (Colossians 1:19)—thus Christ Jesus in being fully God, was also fully human. Again this was delineated in the passages above as Scriptures clearly demonstrate that the seed of man was not the progenitor of the God-man, but it was the Holy Spirit. Being born of a woman by the Holy Spirit ensures that Christ Jesus would have a human nature (note I didn’t say sin nature) without relinquishing or forfeiting his deity. Jesus Christ was fully man and fully God. Indeed it is as Paul asserts, “the mystery of godliness” is in full display in the man Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 3:16)
The incarnation stands as a declaration of the fervent and holy love of a Triune God that is remarkable and worthy of our consideration. The Incarnation was intended to be a means of dispensing grace to fallen man through the Lord Jesus Christ; a conduit of divine love expressed through the Father’s heart; and the securing of eternal salvation through the Cross. The crux of the Incarnation is found in the Cross. A Son was born to die—this is the Christmas message. There is no atonement apart from the Incarnation—likewise, the Incarnation isn’t complete apart from the atonement. James Denney, author of The Death of Christ (1902) writes, “the New Testament knows nothing of an incarnation which can be defined apart from its relation to atonement…Not Bethlehem, but Calvary, is the focus of revelation, and any construction of Christianity which ignores or denies this distorts Christianity by putting it out of focus.”
A Son was born of a virgin woman in relative obscurity—would die on a Cross so that you may find life eternal by faith in Him. The Incarnation made possible the atonement whilst the atonement allowed the Incarnation to find its overarching purpose. In closing, I want to leave you with the words of Charles Wesley that speaks of the grandeur of the Incarnation: “Our God contracted to a span; Incomprehensibly made man.” May the Lord himself bring fresh revelation this Christmas as you behold the glory of the Incarnate Son, "Incomprehensibly made man!"
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Language of Love
What is your language of love? In other words, what do you enjoy receiving that blesses you tremendously!? What makes you feel loved? We all have something that really affirms us and blesses us more so than other things. For some it may be quality time spent together with people or receiving a letter written that expresses the heart.
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For me it is the gift of receiving books! Those that know me well are well aware of my fondness of books! One of my favorite quotes is by Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350): "To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you, and hold intimate conversation with men of unseen generations-such is pleasure beyond compare..." I understand fully the sentiments expressed by the author of this quote.
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For couples, it is paramount that they know their spouse's language of love! And for husbands out there who love football, don't assume that just because you like to watch football that your wife is going to want tickets for Christmas to watch the season finale between the Redskins and the Cowboys!
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Learn the language of love of those within your immediate circle. Be intentional about opportunities to speak their love language!
If you have been reading my blog for an extended duration, you should by now know my language of love.
If you have been reading my blog for an extended duration, you should by now know my language of love.
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Well...do you!?!
For me it is the gift of receiving books! Those that know me well are well aware of my fondness of books! One of my favorite quotes is by Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350): "To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you, and hold intimate conversation with men of unseen generations-such is pleasure beyond compare..." I understand fully the sentiments expressed by the author of this quote.
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Every Christmas for the past ten years, my mom's gift to me has been to purchase books that are on my most wanted list. She knows my love language! This year I had a little difficulty selecting books because I had some topics of interest, but I didn’t necessarily have specific books within that given category—an example would be the topic of Christology. I’m hesitant to simply pick out any book on Christology without having conversed with someone who is well
rehearsed in good books within this vein. Nothing is worse than paying big bucks for a book that isn't worthy of such an investment!
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Here is a list of books that I ordered today that I am eagerly awaiting to get my hands on. Some of them were recommended by others. A few I simply choose as I perused through several websites reading book reviews.
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Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge—this book has been recommended to me by several different people over the years. I have several other books by the author and I have been thoroughly impressed with his work thus far.
The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias—I have not read anything by this well known apologetist of the Christian faith. Nonetheless, I have listened to his teachings and have been blessed by them.
Wesley Gold by Ray Comfort
John Wesley: A Biography by Stephen Tomkins—I have been stirred to read more of the historical accounts of past revivalists such as John Wesley. Currently I am reading a two volume set on the life of George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore, which has been superb! I want to also read more extensively on the lives of other great men and women of the Christian faith.
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
—This book was also recommended to me by numerous believers who had read it themselves.
—This book was also recommended to me by numerous believers who had read it themselves.The Radical Cross by AW Tozer—Over the years I have enjoyed a number of Tozer's books. One of the earliest books that I read was The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer, which ignited a hunger in my heart to pursue God as a young believer. I love reading books that are written by theologians who "theologize" on their knees—a theology of the head and the heart. This book will supplement another book that I am currently reading by John Stott called The Cross of Christ.
Out of Depths of Sexual Sin by Steve Gallagher—I had read another book by the same author several years ago called At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry, which is a blueprint for helping men come out of sexual addictions. This new book that I've ordered is the biographical account of Steve's journey coming out of a life of sexual sins, perversion and hard-core pornography. Check out Steve's ministry, Pure Life Ministries.
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I also selected two business books that examine the 100 year history of the UPS—along with its business acumen. Several months ago I had a significant dream involving an UPS truck. These books will allow me to better understand what I believe the Lord is saying to me through the dream.
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Driving Change: The UPS Approach to Business by Mike Brewster and Frederick DalzellBig Brown
Big Brown: The Untold Story of UPS by Greg Niemann
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There are a few more books that I am expecting, but I think this list is sufficient to give you an overview of what I am going to be reading the next few months! Please feel free to share any book recommendations that you want to pass along. I'm all ears!
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Make sure this year you know the love language of those whom you are purchasing gifts for!
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Also I will be starting at the beginning of the year a series on leadership that I am currently writing. So far I sense that the Lord has given me some fresh thoughts and ideas concerning this topic. I'll keep you posted!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Simone Beth'el Hume
I want to announce the recent birth of our firstborn—Simone Beth’el Hume. After an intense labor (the Epidural started waning towards the end), our little Simone was born on Monday, November 26 at 8:07pm. As my dad and close friends can attest, Simone made her entrance well heard to those anxiously waiting nearby in the lobby.
Without question it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Simone’s size was somewhat of a surprise considering that our doctor was concerned two weeks prior that she might be too small—however, 9lbs, 1oz (20 inches) is anything but small! That is a big baby especially for someone Aneta’s size!
Simone is absolutely gorgeous and has already stolen her daddy’s heart! Now Aneta and I are adjusting to life with our precious Simone. We have been blessed having Aneta's mom with us from Poland. She is a tremendous help to us—I’m not sure what we would do without her. There are times when we’ve been exhausted and she has stepped in to allow us some much needed rest!
Overall the past ten days have been nothing short of life changing. When Aneta gave birth to Simone Beth’el Hume, it started a chain reaction of understanding concerning the Father’s heart for me. Within one week I had a greater revelation of the Father’s heart for me than in the previous fifteen years walking with the Lord. Let me share a few of the highlights.
While Aneta was pregnant, I would often pray over Simone while also speaking tenderly to her, “Simone, this is your daddy speaking. Daddy loves his little Simone.” Almost every night I would speak these words to her prior to our bedtime—which coincided with her active movement in the womb. We knew she was awake during these times when I would bless her, pray over her and speak tenderly to her as her loving father.
Once she came out of the womb in the delivery room, the nurses plopped her naked body on a nearby table with a strong lamp shining on her to provide warmth. My heart was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as I wept—meanwhile Simone continued to cry out fervently, a sound that was so pleasing to my ears. As the nurse worked on her I inched up closer and closer until my head was within two feet of my newborn daughter. Quietly, but assertively I spoke, “Simone, this is your daddy speaking. Daddy loves his little Simone.” Immediately the flailing arms were stilled whilst silence subdued this holy moment—Simone looked up over her head in the direction of my voice as if she recognized that voice. It was a poignant moment that I will never forget. It brought so much pleasure (and tears) to my heart to see my daughter respond to the sound of my voice.
Then I was permitted to hold Simone in my arms for the first time. As I held her, I kept whispering over her: “You are my daughter, whom I love; with you I am well pleased!” You may recognize this statement as the words spoken by the Father over Jesus as he was commissioned for his public ministry.
Mark 1:11 – And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
That night as I held Simone for the first time, I thought I saw much of myself in her—yet I wasn’t sure if tt was just my own fabrication. However my wife came to the same conclusion. She even told her mother over the phone that Simone looked much like her daddy. Her mother assured her that probably wasn’t the case. Yet one of the first things she told Aneta after seeing Simone for the first time, “She looks like Brian!” In the days since that initial affirmation, I’ve had numerous people tell me the same thing. One friend that I’ve known since middle school wrote, “[M]aybe it's just because I know you, but I see a lot of her daddy in her!”
So what is my point in this?
When others tell me that they her daddy in Simone, it pleases my heart. This has given me a glimpse of how the Father feels when his image is clearly demonstrated in our lives. Christ reveals the Father—when others see Christ in us, they also see the Father. It brings such deep pleasure to the Father’s heart when His image is clearly visible in our lives. In the beginning, God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,” (Genesis 1:26) Can others see Christ in you? Are you consistently demonstrating a greater measure of Christlikeness in your life?
Also I have had another tendency during the past week that has enabled me to capture a glimpse of the Father’s heart for me. There are moments when I am working, preparing dinner or writing—and I’ll have a strong desire to stop what I am doing so that I can simply gaze at my little Simone as she is sleeping. My heart is warmed as I look down into her crib while she is peacefully sleeping. Likewise, the Father simply enjoys looking down upon his sons and daughters who bear his image. This has increased my confidence in the Father’s desire for me.
These life changing moments elucidate the reality of the Father’s love for me. In the midst of working from home between changing diapers and learning the fine art of butt pasting, I’ve gleaned powerful insights into the Father’s heart for His sons and daughters! I hope you’ve been encouraged from my own experiences here. I’ve had to write this on the run as I juggle a number of different responsibilities.
Also keep me in your prayers as I prepare to preach this Sunday at Novum Baptist Church outside of Culpeper, Virginia. The Lord has given me a strong message on the Incarnation of Christ. Blessings!
For the Cause,
Brian Francis Hume
Without question it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life. Simone’s size was somewhat of a surprise considering that our doctor was concerned two weeks prior that she might be too small—however, 9lbs, 1oz (20 inches) is anything but small! That is a big baby especially for someone Aneta’s size!
Simone is absolutely gorgeous and has already stolen her daddy’s heart! Now Aneta and I are adjusting to life with our precious Simone. We have been blessed having Aneta's mom with us from Poland. She is a tremendous help to us—I’m not sure what we would do without her. There are times when we’ve been exhausted and she has stepped in to allow us some much needed rest!
Overall the past ten days have been nothing short of life changing. When Aneta gave birth to Simone Beth’el Hume, it started a chain reaction of understanding concerning the Father’s heart for me. Within one week I had a greater revelation of the Father’s heart for me than in the previous fifteen years walking with the Lord. Let me share a few of the highlights.
While Aneta was pregnant, I would often pray over Simone while also speaking tenderly to her, “Simone, this is your daddy speaking. Daddy loves his little Simone.” Almost every night I would speak these words to her prior to our bedtime—which coincided with her active movement in the womb. We knew she was awake during these times when I would bless her, pray over her and speak tenderly to her as her loving father.
Once she came out of the womb in the delivery room, the nurses plopped her naked body on a nearby table with a strong lamp shining on her to provide warmth. My heart was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as I wept—meanwhile Simone continued to cry out fervently, a sound that was so pleasing to my ears. As the nurse worked on her I inched up closer and closer until my head was within two feet of my newborn daughter. Quietly, but assertively I spoke, “Simone, this is your daddy speaking. Daddy loves his little Simone.” Immediately the flailing arms were stilled whilst silence subdued this holy moment—Simone looked up over her head in the direction of my voice as if she recognized that voice. It was a poignant moment that I will never forget. It brought so much pleasure (and tears) to my heart to see my daughter respond to the sound of my voice.
Then I was permitted to hold Simone in my arms for the first time. As I held her, I kept whispering over her: “You are my daughter, whom I love; with you I am well pleased!” You may recognize this statement as the words spoken by the Father over Jesus as he was commissioned for his public ministry.
Mark 1:11 – And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
That night as I held Simone for the first time, I thought I saw much of myself in her—yet I wasn’t sure if tt was just my own fabrication. However my wife came to the same conclusion. She even told her mother over the phone that Simone looked much like her daddy. Her mother assured her that probably wasn’t the case. Yet one of the first things she told Aneta after seeing Simone for the first time, “She looks like Brian!” In the days since that initial affirmation, I’ve had numerous people tell me the same thing. One friend that I’ve known since middle school wrote, “[M]aybe it's just because I know you, but I see a lot of her daddy in her!”
So what is my point in this?
When others tell me that they her daddy in Simone, it pleases my heart. This has given me a glimpse of how the Father feels when his image is clearly demonstrated in our lives. Christ reveals the Father—when others see Christ in us, they also see the Father. It brings such deep pleasure to the Father’s heart when His image is clearly visible in our lives. In the beginning, God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,” (Genesis 1:26) Can others see Christ in you? Are you consistently demonstrating a greater measure of Christlikeness in your life?
Also I have had another tendency during the past week that has enabled me to capture a glimpse of the Father’s heart for me. There are moments when I am working, preparing dinner or writing—and I’ll have a strong desire to stop what I am doing so that I can simply gaze at my little Simone as she is sleeping. My heart is warmed as I look down into her crib while she is peacefully sleeping. Likewise, the Father simply enjoys looking down upon his sons and daughters who bear his image. This has increased my confidence in the Father’s desire for me.
These life changing moments elucidate the reality of the Father’s love for me. In the midst of working from home between changing diapers and learning the fine art of butt pasting, I’ve gleaned powerful insights into the Father’s heart for His sons and daughters! I hope you’ve been encouraged from my own experiences here. I’ve had to write this on the run as I juggle a number of different responsibilities.
Also keep me in your prayers as I prepare to preach this Sunday at Novum Baptist Church outside of Culpeper, Virginia. The Lord has given me a strong message on the Incarnation of Christ. Blessings!
For the Cause,
Brian Francis Hume
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Don't Waste Your Life: 26 Hours to Live
Recently Aneta and I have been so busy with preparation for the birth of Simone that I haven’t had time to write. Also we are expecting the arrival of Aneta’s mom from Poland who will be here on November 26 to stay in our home through the beginning of January. I’ve been trying to get our library/prayer room ready for her to sleep in. Needless to say, it has been a lot of work altogether.
Yet we are in a good place and the Lord continues to give us clarity regarding what He has in store for the future. Recently both Aneta (October 31) and I (November 17) have celebrated our birthdays—I know, I know, I married an older woman! For me, birthdays represent a time to focus on the Lord in order to discern what He is saying for the next year so that we may consecrate our hearts afresh to Him.
Every year when my birthday rolls around, it is a time to seek His face. It is a time of reflection—and I’m always sensitive as to what is the Lord saying to me from the Scriptures for that season in my life. Usually the Lord gives me a verse or a passage to meditate upon for the upcoming year. Birthdays, to me, tend to have even a stronger emphasis than the start of a new year. Once I hear from the Lord, I consecrate myself to Him wholly to obey Him in all that He desires in my life.
I do want to share a story of how the Lord spoke to my heart one year as I was anticipating His voice. This was seven years ago in 2000 during my first year as a student at Christ For the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. As I awoke that morning, I knew that the Lord desired to speak to my heart that day—I felt that it would be quite significant. As I ventured through the day I came to a class with my favorite instructor—Dr. Larry Hill. I don’t remember now the entirety of the teaching that morning, but I do remember one poignant statement that he made that reverberated in my spirit. As he was passionately teaching about how we are going to live our lives in the light of our destiny in Christ, he asked the following question, “What if you have…[a short pause]…26 hours to live?” Dr. Hill went on to explain the necessity of living our lives each day from the vantage point of eternity.
On that day I had turned 26. My ears perked up when he used the same number as my age to describe how many hours left one would live. My first thought was who in the world uses the number 26 to describe how many hours you have remaining to live. Normally in such a scenario you would propose a more standard usage of time such as 24—is there not a reason that a popular show is called 24 and not 26! In spite of the unusualness of the time selected to describe this scenario, I knew it was the Lord speaking to my own heart. Each year since then I have reflected on this as a reminder of the urgency of setting my heart apart unto the Lord so that I may live my life for His glory.
Life is short. Let us heed the wisdom penned by the Psalmist—Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
Take time today to meditate on that verse. What can you do today to consecrate your heart afresh to Him in this hour? Don't be the couple that John Piper writes about in Don't Waste Your Life. Their sole objective was simply to retire early, move to Florida to live a life of comfort and ease—traveling, playing softball and collecting shells. Don’t waste your life seeking the comforts of life. My heart aches simply writing about this tragic pursuit of the American dream. Heed the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:15-16—Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
So, if you have 26 hours to live from this moment, what would you do in order to not waste your life?
Yet we are in a good place and the Lord continues to give us clarity regarding what He has in store for the future. Recently both Aneta (October 31) and I (November 17) have celebrated our birthdays—I know, I know, I married an older woman! For me, birthdays represent a time to focus on the Lord in order to discern what He is saying for the next year so that we may consecrate our hearts afresh to Him.
Every year when my birthday rolls around, it is a time to seek His face. It is a time of reflection—and I’m always sensitive as to what is the Lord saying to me from the Scriptures for that season in my life. Usually the Lord gives me a verse or a passage to meditate upon for the upcoming year. Birthdays, to me, tend to have even a stronger emphasis than the start of a new year. Once I hear from the Lord, I consecrate myself to Him wholly to obey Him in all that He desires in my life.
I do want to share a story of how the Lord spoke to my heart one year as I was anticipating His voice. This was seven years ago in 2000 during my first year as a student at Christ For the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. As I awoke that morning, I knew that the Lord desired to speak to my heart that day—I felt that it would be quite significant. As I ventured through the day I came to a class with my favorite instructor—Dr. Larry Hill. I don’t remember now the entirety of the teaching that morning, but I do remember one poignant statement that he made that reverberated in my spirit. As he was passionately teaching about how we are going to live our lives in the light of our destiny in Christ, he asked the following question, “What if you have…[a short pause]…26 hours to live?” Dr. Hill went on to explain the necessity of living our lives each day from the vantage point of eternity.
On that day I had turned 26. My ears perked up when he used the same number as my age to describe how many hours left one would live. My first thought was who in the world uses the number 26 to describe how many hours you have remaining to live. Normally in such a scenario you would propose a more standard usage of time such as 24—is there not a reason that a popular show is called 24 and not 26! In spite of the unusualness of the time selected to describe this scenario, I knew it was the Lord speaking to my own heart. Each year since then I have reflected on this as a reminder of the urgency of setting my heart apart unto the Lord so that I may live my life for His glory.
Life is short. Let us heed the wisdom penned by the Psalmist—Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
Take time today to meditate on that verse. What can you do today to consecrate your heart afresh to Him in this hour? Don't be the couple that John Piper writes about in Don't Waste Your Life. Their sole objective was simply to retire early, move to Florida to live a life of comfort and ease—traveling, playing softball and collecting shells. Don’t waste your life seeking the comforts of life. My heart aches simply writing about this tragic pursuit of the American dream. Heed the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:15-16—Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
So, if you have 26 hours to live from this moment, what would you do in order to not waste your life?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Prophetic Prayer by Bob Yarbrough
Recently I posted an excellent article by Bob Yarbrough on the prophetic. Here is another one worth reading. Enjoy!
PROPHETIC PRAYER
The lessons taught in previous studies on prayer have laid a foundation for what we believe is the call of God upon the intercessors in this hour. We desire to be a group abiding in the unity of Christ, hearing the Word of God by the Holy Spirit, and speaking what we hear - praying in the Holy Spirit. This form of prayer is best described by the term “prophetic prayer.”
Glen Foster’s excellent book, The Purpose and Use of Prophecy, has several statements defining prophecy. He writes on this subject from the usually understood perspective of utterances directed toward people given by the Spirit. If we take these same definitions but apply them to utterances directed toward God given by the Spirit, we are describing prophetic prayer:
"To prophesy is to speak for God….True prophecy is the voice of Jesus revealed in the spirit of a believer….Prophecy, whether in word, deed or attitude, is one of the most powerful forces for revealing Jesus Christ."
Prophetic prayer is calling forth from the spiritual realm (in heaven) into the earthly realm (on earth) by the words of our mouths those things revealed by the Spirit of Truth through communion with Jesus Christ. It is by its very nature the prayer of faith (Js. 5:15); it is praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20); it is praying in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:13); it is powerful and effective (Js. 5:16); and it accomplishes what God desires in the earth (Is. 55:11).
Contemplate carefully these words of wisdom:
"True prophecy is God’s words breathed into our hearts and minds. These words then take charge to keep us in perfect peace….David said that God’s thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered (Ps 40:5)…Prophecy verbalizes God’s good thoughts. Any prophecy that is not a revelation of God’s good thought is either wrong or incomplete.
Many times we accept the good thoughts that come to mind without realizing that they are the word of the Lord to us. So instead of responding in full faith we take sort of a wishful attitude such as, ‘Those are nice thoughts. Wouldn’t it be great if it were true about me.’ But Hebrews 3 says that if we will hear His voice and do not harden our hearts, God will not only give us words of promise, He will bring us into the land of promise.” (Glen Foster, p. 36).
Prophetic prayer or “prayer in the Spirit” is the great need of the hour: Yielded intercessors who don’t pray for what they can get out of it, but who seek the glory of God by establishing His Word by faith. This requires “seeing” God’s Word with the eyes of faith, followed by “saying” God’s Word with the voice of faith. Then, like Mary who received the ‘implanted Word’ in her womb, they yield and say “be it unto me according to your Word!” In God’s time, it will come forth in the way He chooses as they persevere and refuse to give up their hope.
One of the best aids to developing our sensitivity to the Spirit in prayer is to keep a journal – a record of what we hear in our hearts and commit to the Lord in prayer. The example of Habakkuk comes to mind. He was told to write what he has seen prophetically on tablets. This was to help him to “wait for it” when it “tarried” or was incubating in the Spirit realm (See Hab. 2:1,-3). In its appointed time it would manifest. This is the privilege of the sons of God. Be faithful to your calling and standing! God has ordained that He will work through prayer (See James 5:16b).
LEARNING TO PRAY “OUTSIDE THE BOX”
Whether or not we are aware of it, each of us to some degree brings to prayer a mindset that has been conditioned by our culture – the world in which we have developed. As one psychologist writes: "Everyone lives within, and responds to, life from a certain psycho-spiritual conditioning where they see life through their ideas about it." This is the “box” that limits what we see when we kneel to pray. It “feels” right to us to think in these parameters even though the prophets tell us that God says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts…” (Is. 55:8)
If we desire to “pray in the Spirit” we must begin by acknowledging our cultural “box.” The world around us seeks to brings us into “conformity” with its norms. As spiritual beings “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness,” we are admonished by Scripture to “put off [our] old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires," and “to be made new in the attitude of [our] minds, which is in keeping with our new self.” [See Eph. 4:22-24)
Spiritual disciplines are tools by which we “offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” in acts of spiritual worship.” By these deliberate actions we learn to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but [to] be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” Only then will we “be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” [Romans 12:1-2]
Sadly, many modern believers are looking for “short-cuts” on the narrow path that leads to life. Books abound on “easy steps” to spiritual power. Concerning these popular approaches, Eugene H. Peterson puts the words of Jesus found in Matthew 7 in stark paraphrase:
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life – to God! – is vigorous and requires total attention.”
The purpose of spiritual exercises is to bring us to a place in prayer where we escape the conditioning of our culture and are able to hear the “still, small voice” of the Holy Spirit given to guide us into all truth. To escape the voices in our conditioned thoughts and hear the voice of our Shepherd is our quest [See John 10]. Only then can we cease to be echoes of a noisy world and become “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” who prepares the way of the Lord to come to our needy world [See Isaiah 40:3].
That there is a crying need for the recovery of the devotional life cannot be denied. If anything characterizes modern Protestantism, it is the absence of spiritual disciplines. Yet such disciplines form the core of the life of devotion. It is not an exaggeration to state that this is the lost dimension of modern Protestantism. Donald Bloesch
Six Practical Affirmations for Spiritual Freedom
If your heart agrees that the world continually forces you into its mold and limits your ability to stand by what the Word of God reveals as your position in Christ, I offer you some specific inward commitments that will help to lead you in the path of Life:
I choose to accept the process of discipline as an absolute necessity for my life.
…anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple – Luke 14:27
I choose to learn obedience beginning with the small things of life.
…whoever can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much – Luke 16:10
I choose to recognize the value of developing regular habits in the formation of my life.
…train yourself to be godly… Be diligent in these matters…persevere in them. - 1 Tim. 4:7,15,16
I choose to give priority time to conscious fellowship with God in prayer and meditation on the Scriptures.
…I urge…requests, prayers, intercession, thanksgiving... - 1 Tim 2:1
…do your best to present yourself to God… a workman…who correctly handles the Word of God - 2 Tim. 2:15
I choose to respond positively to perceived need for change in my life.
He who ignores discipline despises himself,but whoever heeds correction gains understanding-Pr. 15:32.
I choose to continually acknowledge my dependence on God and give Him the glory for all progress in my life.
It is written: “Let him that boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:31
Remember, please, that inward spiritual vows are only offered to the Lord under the guidance of the Spirit. In the coming teachings I propose to outline some inward dispositions that have helped me to a new freedom in intercessory prayer. These disciplines of the soul include:
Silence, stillness, serenity, solitude, submission, servitude, suspended judgment, and secrecy.
I pray that you will consider this matter for the sake of the Body of Christ and a world that has lost touch with the realities of the Spirit. The Scriptures promise a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. In the same breath it encourages us to “make every effort to enter that rest." [See Heb. 4:9-11] Will you heed the call?
PROPHETIC PRAYER
The lessons taught in previous studies on prayer have laid a foundation for what we believe is the call of God upon the intercessors in this hour. We desire to be a group abiding in the unity of Christ, hearing the Word of God by the Holy Spirit, and speaking what we hear - praying in the Holy Spirit. This form of prayer is best described by the term “prophetic prayer.”
Glen Foster’s excellent book, The Purpose and Use of Prophecy, has several statements defining prophecy. He writes on this subject from the usually understood perspective of utterances directed toward people given by the Spirit. If we take these same definitions but apply them to utterances directed toward God given by the Spirit, we are describing prophetic prayer:
"To prophesy is to speak for God….True prophecy is the voice of Jesus revealed in the spirit of a believer….Prophecy, whether in word, deed or attitude, is one of the most powerful forces for revealing Jesus Christ."
Prophetic prayer is calling forth from the spiritual realm (in heaven) into the earthly realm (on earth) by the words of our mouths those things revealed by the Spirit of Truth through communion with Jesus Christ. It is by its very nature the prayer of faith (Js. 5:15); it is praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20); it is praying in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:13); it is powerful and effective (Js. 5:16); and it accomplishes what God desires in the earth (Is. 55:11).
Contemplate carefully these words of wisdom:
"True prophecy is God’s words breathed into our hearts and minds. These words then take charge to keep us in perfect peace….David said that God’s thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered (Ps 40:5)…Prophecy verbalizes God’s good thoughts. Any prophecy that is not a revelation of God’s good thought is either wrong or incomplete.
Many times we accept the good thoughts that come to mind without realizing that they are the word of the Lord to us. So instead of responding in full faith we take sort of a wishful attitude such as, ‘Those are nice thoughts. Wouldn’t it be great if it were true about me.’ But Hebrews 3 says that if we will hear His voice and do not harden our hearts, God will not only give us words of promise, He will bring us into the land of promise.” (Glen Foster, p. 36).
Prophetic prayer or “prayer in the Spirit” is the great need of the hour: Yielded intercessors who don’t pray for what they can get out of it, but who seek the glory of God by establishing His Word by faith. This requires “seeing” God’s Word with the eyes of faith, followed by “saying” God’s Word with the voice of faith. Then, like Mary who received the ‘implanted Word’ in her womb, they yield and say “be it unto me according to your Word!” In God’s time, it will come forth in the way He chooses as they persevere and refuse to give up their hope.
One of the best aids to developing our sensitivity to the Spirit in prayer is to keep a journal – a record of what we hear in our hearts and commit to the Lord in prayer. The example of Habakkuk comes to mind. He was told to write what he has seen prophetically on tablets. This was to help him to “wait for it” when it “tarried” or was incubating in the Spirit realm (See Hab. 2:1,-3). In its appointed time it would manifest. This is the privilege of the sons of God. Be faithful to your calling and standing! God has ordained that He will work through prayer (See James 5:16b).
LEARNING TO PRAY “OUTSIDE THE BOX”
Whether or not we are aware of it, each of us to some degree brings to prayer a mindset that has been conditioned by our culture – the world in which we have developed. As one psychologist writes: "Everyone lives within, and responds to, life from a certain psycho-spiritual conditioning where they see life through their ideas about it." This is the “box” that limits what we see when we kneel to pray. It “feels” right to us to think in these parameters even though the prophets tell us that God says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts…” (Is. 55:8)
If we desire to “pray in the Spirit” we must begin by acknowledging our cultural “box.” The world around us seeks to brings us into “conformity” with its norms. As spiritual beings “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness,” we are admonished by Scripture to “put off [our] old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires," and “to be made new in the attitude of [our] minds, which is in keeping with our new self.” [See Eph. 4:22-24)
Spiritual disciplines are tools by which we “offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” in acts of spiritual worship.” By these deliberate actions we learn to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but [to] be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” Only then will we “be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” [Romans 12:1-2]
Sadly, many modern believers are looking for “short-cuts” on the narrow path that leads to life. Books abound on “easy steps” to spiritual power. Concerning these popular approaches, Eugene H. Peterson puts the words of Jesus found in Matthew 7 in stark paraphrase:
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life – to God! – is vigorous and requires total attention.”
The purpose of spiritual exercises is to bring us to a place in prayer where we escape the conditioning of our culture and are able to hear the “still, small voice” of the Holy Spirit given to guide us into all truth. To escape the voices in our conditioned thoughts and hear the voice of our Shepherd is our quest [See John 10]. Only then can we cease to be echoes of a noisy world and become “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” who prepares the way of the Lord to come to our needy world [See Isaiah 40:3].
That there is a crying need for the recovery of the devotional life cannot be denied. If anything characterizes modern Protestantism, it is the absence of spiritual disciplines. Yet such disciplines form the core of the life of devotion. It is not an exaggeration to state that this is the lost dimension of modern Protestantism. Donald Bloesch
Six Practical Affirmations for Spiritual Freedom
If your heart agrees that the world continually forces you into its mold and limits your ability to stand by what the Word of God reveals as your position in Christ, I offer you some specific inward commitments that will help to lead you in the path of Life:
I choose to accept the process of discipline as an absolute necessity for my life.
…anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple – Luke 14:27
I choose to learn obedience beginning with the small things of life.
…whoever can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much – Luke 16:10
I choose to recognize the value of developing regular habits in the formation of my life.
…train yourself to be godly… Be diligent in these matters…persevere in them. - 1 Tim. 4:7,15,16
I choose to give priority time to conscious fellowship with God in prayer and meditation on the Scriptures.
…I urge…requests, prayers, intercession, thanksgiving... - 1 Tim 2:1
…do your best to present yourself to God… a workman…who correctly handles the Word of God - 2 Tim. 2:15
I choose to respond positively to perceived need for change in my life.
He who ignores discipline despises himself,but whoever heeds correction gains understanding-Pr. 15:32.
I choose to continually acknowledge my dependence on God and give Him the glory for all progress in my life.
It is written: “Let him that boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:31
Remember, please, that inward spiritual vows are only offered to the Lord under the guidance of the Spirit. In the coming teachings I propose to outline some inward dispositions that have helped me to a new freedom in intercessory prayer. These disciplines of the soul include:
Silence, stillness, serenity, solitude, submission, servitude, suspended judgment, and secrecy.
I pray that you will consider this matter for the sake of the Body of Christ and a world that has lost touch with the realities of the Spirit. The Scriptures promise a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. In the same breath it encourages us to “make every effort to enter that rest." [See Heb. 4:9-11] Will you heed the call?
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Russell the Revivalist
This Friday and Saturday Corey Russell of IHOP-KC will be here at Grace Church of Fredericksburg on November 2 and 3. Each night the meeting will start at 7pm, which is different than the normal meeting time. Please consider coming at 6:30 pm to pray before the meeting.
Check out his website. He writes concerning himself:
"I, Corey Russell, have been a senior leader at the International House of Prayer located in Kansas City, Missouri for the last six years. IHOP is a prayer and worship ministry that has 84 prayer meetings a week and has continued 24/7 for the last 7 years. Th
e IHOP missions’ base is filled with approximately 1000 intercessory missionaries, students, interns who raise their own support to give themselves primarily to the place of prayer and fasting. I have led in multiple roles of training, discipling, instructing those that the Lord is sending here, while my wife has sang as a prophetic singer. Our daughters, Trinity (7) and Mya (3) are growing up in an atmosphere where prayer and fasting are normal realities of life.Currently, I spend the majority of my time and energy in the prayer room giving myself to the place of prayer and fasting. In addition to this, I co-lead an internship of 60 young adults and also teach several classes at our bible school (FSM) on intercession and the forerunner ministry. I usually travel twice a month nationally and internationally calling the church back to her first love through prayer and fasting. I’m convinced that the great need of the hour is the knowledge of God. We need a corporate returning to God through gatherings of prayer and fasting and we need it now."
Also check out a recent message he preached on TBN's Praise the Lord show that was featured on Friday, October 12. He preaches on the necessity of bearing fruit.
Please prayerfully consider making one of the meetings and inviting others to hear this powerful preacher of the gospel. If you live within an hour of Fredericksburg, I highly recommend you making one of the meetings. The address for Grace Church is as followed:
1141 Heatherstone Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Check out his website. He writes concerning himself:
"I, Corey Russell, have been a senior leader at the International House of Prayer located in Kansas City, Missouri for the last six years. IHOP is a prayer and worship ministry that has 84 prayer meetings a week and has continued 24/7 for the last 7 years. Th
e IHOP missions’ base is filled with approximately 1000 intercessory missionaries, students, interns who raise their own support to give themselves primarily to the place of prayer and fasting. I have led in multiple roles of training, discipling, instructing those that the Lord is sending here, while my wife has sang as a prophetic singer. Our daughters, Trinity (7) and Mya (3) are growing up in an atmosphere where prayer and fasting are normal realities of life.Currently, I spend the majority of my time and energy in the prayer room giving myself to the place of prayer and fasting. In addition to this, I co-lead an internship of 60 young adults and also teach several classes at our bible school (FSM) on intercession and the forerunner ministry. I usually travel twice a month nationally and internationally calling the church back to her first love through prayer and fasting. I’m convinced that the great need of the hour is the knowledge of God. We need a corporate returning to God through gatherings of prayer and fasting and we need it now."Also check out a recent message he preached on TBN's Praise the Lord show that was featured on Friday, October 12. He preaches on the necessity of bearing fruit.
Please prayerfully consider making one of the meetings and inviting others to hear this powerful preacher of the gospel. If you live within an hour of Fredericksburg, I highly recommend you making one of the meetings. The address for Grace Church is as followed:
1141 Heatherstone Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Monday, October 29, 2007
Hearing His Voice by Bob Yarbrough
The following is from Bob Yarbrough—a man who has "dug down deep" (Luke 6:48) concerning the inner life of intimacy with the Lord. He served many years as a missionary and pastor. He is the founding pastor of New Covenant Fellowship in Manassas, Virginia and is deeply respected by those who know him. He no longer the pastor, but is still lovingly referred to as Pastor Bob—and he has much to offer the body of Christ through his writings. If you are a pastor in the body of Christ, I highly recommend that you prayerfully invite Pastor Bob to minister to your congregation.
As I write this, I am lost for words to adequately capture or express the depth and quality of this man's life and ministry. In fact, I'll let Bob's words speak of his heart for the Lord.
This is part one of two part series.
HEARING HIS VOICE AND KNOWING HIS MIND
“The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:15,16)
“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’” (Acts 8:29)
A few books from my shelf deal with a subject of universal interest:
Does God Still Guide? By J. Sidlow Baxter: “Countless hearts today keep asking, “Which is the right way? What’s at the end? Is there a sure guide? Does God still guide? How may I know? The Bible answer is : Yes, there is guidance. God offers it to godly men and godly nations: and they may live safely in it.”
You Can Hear the Voice of God by Steve Sampson: "Countless Christians are tired of fleshly hype and hoopla, and desire to hear the Master’s voice. Sincere Christian leaders involve . . . baby Christians in church activities, quickly giving them a job title, doing special projects, and have them immersed in all manner of religious busyness. Yet Nothing is being done to train those spiritual babes to exercise their spirit by listening to the Lord…The simple truth has been forgotten. It is the most basic New Covenant principle."
“None shall teach his brother, saying, ‘know the Lord, for all shall know me from the least of them to the greatest” (Hebrews 8;11).
The Sound of His Voice by Kim Clement: “The Bible says, ‘Let everyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying’ (Rev. 2:17). Our great concern should not be how the Spirit has directed us in the past, but what the Lord is saying now.”
How to Recognize God’s Voice by Graham Fitzpatrick: “When you are born again, your human spirit and the Holy Spirit become one with one another. 1 Corinthians 6:17 says: ‘But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one Spirit with Him.” Therefore, since your spirit becomes one with the Holy Spirit, your human spirit can very easily find God’s will.”
I seek to bear witness to the rising revolution of the manifestation of sons of God who are led by the Spirit of God. I have been assured that before it is over a purified Bride will gladly hear the voice of her Lover and obey His heart. For now, there must be those willing to be “heavenly misfits” who are an affront to culture’s religious ideas because they are living a life suited for “a new heaven and a new earth”—the suitable home of righteousness. Listening to heaven’s drumbeat, they walk “out of step” with the multitudes who live surface lives.
Thus we escape “the degrading slavery of being a child of this age” (Chesterton).
Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.”
Bargain conscious Christians will buy cheap imitations at cut-rate prices. There are many slick salesmen ready to offer short-cuts to the palace of wisdom. Discipline is the expensive element missing in all such imitations.
Philip is our example of a normal believer hearing the voice of the Spirit. Look at Acts 8:29
THE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT
He speaks. (“The Spirit told Philip...") The Book was not intended to replace the Voice.
Hebrews 12:25 “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.” (Acts 13:1,2 corporate guidance)
He speaks specifically. ("Go to that Chariot and stay near it." See also v. 27 “so he started out…”) Guidance is personal and progressive.
He speaks specifically to obedient servant spirits. (Philip ran…)
Jesus indicated that this would be the assignment given to the “Counselor” (John 16:13). Why are such incidents of guidance rare? Not because the Spirit is not speaking, but for lack of listening ears and intimacy with the “Counselor.”
THE EAR OF THE DISCIPLE
Isaiah 50: 4-4,5 “The sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious.”
There is a mysterious balance between a “Sovereign Lord” who alone opens ears and a listening heart willing to be “wakened morning by morning” and “not be rebellious” but “putting the Word into practice” (James 1:25). Listen, hear, obey!
As I write this, I am lost for words to adequately capture or express the depth and quality of this man's life and ministry. In fact, I'll let Bob's words speak of his heart for the Lord.
This is part one of two part series.
HEARING HIS VOICE AND KNOWING HIS MIND
“The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:15,16)
“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’” (Acts 8:29)
A few books from my shelf deal with a subject of universal interest:
Does God Still Guide? By J. Sidlow Baxter: “Countless hearts today keep asking, “Which is the right way? What’s at the end? Is there a sure guide? Does God still guide? How may I know? The Bible answer is : Yes, there is guidance. God offers it to godly men and godly nations: and they may live safely in it.”
You Can Hear the Voice of God by Steve Sampson: "Countless Christians are tired of fleshly hype and hoopla, and desire to hear the Master’s voice. Sincere Christian leaders involve . . . baby Christians in church activities, quickly giving them a job title, doing special projects, and have them immersed in all manner of religious busyness. Yet Nothing is being done to train those spiritual babes to exercise their spirit by listening to the Lord…The simple truth has been forgotten. It is the most basic New Covenant principle."
“None shall teach his brother, saying, ‘know the Lord, for all shall know me from the least of them to the greatest” (Hebrews 8;11).
The Sound of His Voice by Kim Clement: “The Bible says, ‘Let everyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying’ (Rev. 2:17). Our great concern should not be how the Spirit has directed us in the past, but what the Lord is saying now.”
How to Recognize God’s Voice by Graham Fitzpatrick: “When you are born again, your human spirit and the Holy Spirit become one with one another. 1 Corinthians 6:17 says: ‘But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one Spirit with Him.” Therefore, since your spirit becomes one with the Holy Spirit, your human spirit can very easily find God’s will.”
I seek to bear witness to the rising revolution of the manifestation of sons of God who are led by the Spirit of God. I have been assured that before it is over a purified Bride will gladly hear the voice of her Lover and obey His heart. For now, there must be those willing to be “heavenly misfits” who are an affront to culture’s religious ideas because they are living a life suited for “a new heaven and a new earth”—the suitable home of righteousness. Listening to heaven’s drumbeat, they walk “out of step” with the multitudes who live surface lives.
Thus we escape “the degrading slavery of being a child of this age” (Chesterton).
Proverbs 23:23 “Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.”
Bargain conscious Christians will buy cheap imitations at cut-rate prices. There are many slick salesmen ready to offer short-cuts to the palace of wisdom. Discipline is the expensive element missing in all such imitations.
Philip is our example of a normal believer hearing the voice of the Spirit. Look at Acts 8:29
THE VOICE OF THE SPIRIT
He speaks. (“The Spirit told Philip...") The Book was not intended to replace the Voice.
Hebrews 12:25 “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.” (Acts 13:1,2 corporate guidance)
He speaks specifically. ("Go to that Chariot and stay near it." See also v. 27 “so he started out…”) Guidance is personal and progressive.
He speaks specifically to obedient servant spirits. (Philip ran…)
Jesus indicated that this would be the assignment given to the “Counselor” (John 16:13). Why are such incidents of guidance rare? Not because the Spirit is not speaking, but for lack of listening ears and intimacy with the “Counselor.”
THE EAR OF THE DISCIPLE
Isaiah 50: 4-4,5 “The sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious.”
There is a mysterious balance between a “Sovereign Lord” who alone opens ears and a listening heart willing to be “wakened morning by morning” and “not be rebellious” but “putting the Word into practice” (James 1:25). Listen, hear, obey!
Monday, October 22, 2007
A Few Good Books
Since we’re talking about the topic of books on the subject of the prophetic, I thought it would be worthwhile to ask Brad Herman his recommended books on this topic. He humbly asserted that he himself was not necessarily wired prophetically—nonetheless, he could point me in the direction of books that others have spoken highly of. Brad is the owner of The Arsenal Bookstore based in Colorado Springs. I met Brad back in 2004 and I have tried as much as possible to purchase my books through his website in order to support a business that is definitely a Christ-centered enterprise. The bookstore was initially founded by Peter Wagner and it continues to sell books at conferences hosted by Wagner’s ministry.
Here is what Brad wrote…
Concerning Prophetic books, I would recommend several:
1. Understanding Prophetic People: Blessings and Problems with the Prophetic Gift by R. Loren Sandford - This book is a sound look at the character development that prophetic people will go through. This is one of the most well rounded books that would be good for someone who wants to understand the gift of prophet. Sandford does a great job of exposing the excesses.
Here is what Brad wrote…
Concerning Prophetic books, I would recommend several:
1. Understanding Prophetic People: Blessings and Problems with the Prophetic Gift by R. Loren Sandford - This book is a sound look at the character development that prophetic people will go through. This is one of the most well rounded books that would be good for someone who wants to understand the gift of prophet. Sandford does a great job of exposing the excesses.
2. How to Hear God’s Voice by Mark Virkler - Prophetic or not, every believer should read this workbook. This book is a classic that has helped many of today’s top prophetic people get their start. It is a sound, practical approach to hearing the voice of God.
3. The Seer: The Prophetic Power of Visions, Dreams, and Open Heavens by James Goll - For those who have open visions or are Seers, this is a good book that will help them understand their gifting.
The only other books that come to mind would be Graham Cooke’s new titles. I have only read bits and pieces of them, but he is a sound prophetic voice. End of Brad's recommendations
Personally I have only read Jim Goll's The Seer in its entirety, which I thoroughly enjoyed and found useful. Jim applies an exhaustive biblical study on this seer dimension that I am comfortable with—whereas, some other prophetic voices out there tend to gravitate towards “techniques” that are questionable. All prophetic activity stems from an intimate relationship with the Godhead—namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Techniques can never substitute for an authentic pursuit of the hidden life that is found in the secret place in Christ. On the basis of His ongoing pursuit of us, we must pursue the deep things of His heart through the crux of the Cross. May your heart be stirred right now even as you read this to pursue the One who has pursued you! May your inner man desperately long for greater revelation of His great worth, His great splendor!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Favorite Book on the Prophetic
I recently asked Jon Cressey a question on his blog, The Days Are Coming, concerning what is his absolute favorite book on the prophetic. Jon Cressey is a guy that I've met via email about two years ago through my good friend Cesar Nieto. Jon is a prophetic voice in England and has extensive knowledge and understanding of the prophetic movement.
This question that I posed to Jon was prompted by my recent pursuit to understand more clearly the prophetic calling from a biblical perspective, and not simply through my own Western, charismatic lenses. It is a journey that I anticipate will take me well into 2008 and beyond as I seek the Lord for the greater understanding of this precious gift to the body of Christ.
What are book(s) that you would recommend regarding those who desire to walk in the fullness of their prophetic calling? Please take a moment to respond by sharing with readers of this blog what you would suggest for them to read. I too, will submit my top list once we have a few responses.
For the Cause,
Brian Francis Hume
This question that I posed to Jon was prompted by my recent pursuit to understand more clearly the prophetic calling from a biblical perspective, and not simply through my own Western, charismatic lenses. It is a journey that I anticipate will take me well into 2008 and beyond as I seek the Lord for the greater understanding of this precious gift to the body of Christ.
What are book(s) that you would recommend regarding those who desire to walk in the fullness of their prophetic calling? Please take a moment to respond by sharing with readers of this blog what you would suggest for them to read. I too, will submit my top list once we have a few responses.
For the Cause,
Brian Francis Hume
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