Heavenly Vision and Glory, Earthly Problems!

“Holy Brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3: 1).

Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

Seems people have not changed much over the centuries!

It has been said, that the very participants of the previous great move of God, become the greatest opponents of the current move, because they are sure God should do it like He did it last time.

Yet, God loves to confound the wise, to keep us humble and intimate with Him.

Seems He places His hand upon some of the weakest and most foolish looking people, and opens heaven to them in their brokeness and humility, and reveals mysteries, keys to unlock the hearts of the current generation, yet, previous soldiers in the previous move, who through obedience and good works are now generals in God’s army, often oppose vehemently, that which God is determined to do.

And so there is conflict in the kingdom.

The younger generation, firebrands with open heaven experiences, are often quenched by the old guard, and wonderful moves of the Spirit can be aborted, before they ever begin to bear great fruit for the kingdom.

Yet, we need each other.

I love the African proverb:
‘When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground!”

We need the wisdom and seasoning of the mature, yet not at the expense of obedience and fire!

Heard a preacher say: “Sure we want the fire of God, but not wildfire!”
Another man replied: “Any fire is better than no fire, fire burns best on old dead wood!”

Yet, the Scripture says that things in public worship must be done ‘decently and in order!’

Things are in perfect order in a graveyard!

People generally are not particularly spiritual, and when a heavenly office with all it’s glory hits the earth, like in the days of Jesus, people love to categorizee folks by their family, education, culture, vocation, or anything familiar to them.

Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Yet, this was God the Son! The man Christ Jesus, having stepped into His heavenly office, mandate, and ministry, the miracle worker.

Yet, people did not recognize Him!

So, young firebrand with heavenly vision, is it any wonder that people don’t recognize you?

Yet, do what Jesus did. Don’t fight with them, nor try to curry favor.

Simply do the will of the Father, and move on in your ministry. Maybe you will be of some use to them in later years….

I remember the initial days of what is now known as ‘The Toronto Blessing’ where people howled, jerked, moaned, and lay on the floor as Holy Spirit wrecked lives with his love. It was an awe inspiring thing.

Then came Pensecola, where REPENT was the word, God is Holy, come running for mercy!

Over the years, I have seen God move in missions, the Word of Faith camp as we all shouted, ran, and laughed in the glory, often drunk as skunks with holy laughter, with incredible miracles occurring.

Yet, that was then, and NOW faith is. His name is I AM!

In ‘Conspiracy of Kindness’, we see the dealings of God: When He wants to move, He lays His hand upon a MAN, and gives him a MESSAGE, a MESSAGE  of fire, and passion that moves the hearts and lives of a generation. From the MESSAGE, comes a MOVEMENT of men, materials, resources to facilitate that particular move of God. Yet, if the MOVEMENT develops METHODS that are not continually pruned by the Spirit of God, then the new wine continually coming out of heaven, finds old wines skins, and the adherants to the METHODS become legalists, actually quenching what they fought to build! While the MESSAGE of the gospel will never change, the METHODS constantly change, as the creative love of God breaths His love towards hurting people, and if we do not continually change with them, all we have is a MEMORIAL and a MONUMENT,  to what God did then, instead of what He IS doing NOW.

I want to be included in His movings NOW, in this generations, and it is my cry that He not pass me by, that I might be included in this fresh wind of heaven, this breath of God to our generation..

Let me always have a message that is a voice, not an echo!

Let’s Pray:
Father God, speak to me today. Use me! Let me not bow to people but serve and obey You above them, seeking Your approval and acceptance, above theirs. Let not my fire nor vision be quenched by their lack of understanding, but may I move on and move out, into the fullness of all you created me to be and do in this, my generation.May the fire of Your passion and love, burn from me any hint of bitterness or offence!

Light me on fire with your love and passion Jesus, that people might come and watch me burn, Amen’