Do We Really Believe We Can Change the Future?
I posted this on facebook, but I'm thinking that I want to blog here, rather than there. Course that could change, one never knows. Anyway, I thought I'd repost what I posted over there. It's still something that's been on my mind a lot as of late, so it's just as pertinent now as it was then.
I was listening to a webcast yesterday from Lou Engle and the cause. It was a huge webcast and thousands of intercessors from all over the world were tuned in. Lou had lots of different people call in and share what was on thier heart-Chuck Pierce, Mike Bickle, Jill Austin, Cindy Jacobs, and a bunch of other people. It was really good and really powerful to hear what God is doing and what He is saying through His people. They were just so positive and confident about what the Lord was telling them.
I was in church this morning and it was a really good message. It was all about how things are very wrong. I like those messages. It lets me know that I'm not the only one that thinks things are dreadfully, horribly, wretchedly wrong. You don't even have to look around. You can feel it in your spirit. Then on the other hand, you feel something else. It's the Spirit of God being raised up and the cry and graon of His people longing for Him to come. Longing for justice and righteouness to once again prevail.
So what do these two things have in common? Well the preacher goes on and says something to the effect of changing society where divorce is a oddity, addictions are few, and moral values are searched out and taught.
Then the thought hits me.
Do we really think that God can change things? Not just change things so we can get by this evil age then die, but REALLY change things. Do we really think that God fearing men will once again rule our lands? Do we think that righteouness and truth will be the norm? That miracles and healings can be an everyday occurance? That our children will be taught things that are pure, just, lovely, and right by people that are interested in what's the best for them?
I'm not talking of a utopia here, but at one time this was a reality. And in thinking about all this I realize that I, as well as most of us, don't think that these things are possible. We keep hearing that things are getting worse and pretty soon the end will come and it's inevitable that darkness will prevail before Jesus does. And becasue of that, we have the idea that we can cry out to God, but really nothing is going to change because it all already been dertermined and we have read the signs of the times and according to scripture we are in real trouble.
In once sense that's true. Revelation states it clearly. But on the other hand, I know that seasons and times have been changes and delayed, or hastened, by the praying people of God. God has His timeline but things can be changed.
Moses volunteered to forfeit heaven and be sent to hell forever if God would just forgive Israel one more time. He told God to blot his name out if only God's chosen people would be allowed to live. Lot tried more than once to spare the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. The king of Ninevah backed up the distruction of his country by his willingness to fast, repent, and cry out to God. Do we-do I-have that kind of passion, desperation, and willingness to change the future and heart of God?
Now I know that eventually things will go as it has been written in the scripture, but wouldn't you like to delay evil and bring a glorious change to the earth? Wouldn't you feel better knowing that instead of more evil and death and destruction that your childen and grandchildren and great-grandchildren would be able to live in a time of wonderful communion with Jesus Christ and His will being done on earth?
So as we partner with the Son in this hour and He reveals His heart and mind to us, may we be open to the revelation of the sights, sounds, and smells of heaven.
Here's to a radical change and paradigm shift in my, and our thinking, to believe and KNOW that we can change the future. Really change the future. Not just in some little way, but we can change the course of humanity.
As it is in heaven, let it be on earth.
I was listening to a webcast yesterday from Lou Engle and the cause. It was a huge webcast and thousands of intercessors from all over the world were tuned in. Lou had lots of different people call in and share what was on thier heart-Chuck Pierce, Mike Bickle, Jill Austin, Cindy Jacobs, and a bunch of other people. It was really good and really powerful to hear what God is doing and what He is saying through His people. They were just so positive and confident about what the Lord was telling them.
I was in church this morning and it was a really good message. It was all about how things are very wrong. I like those messages. It lets me know that I'm not the only one that thinks things are dreadfully, horribly, wretchedly wrong. You don't even have to look around. You can feel it in your spirit. Then on the other hand, you feel something else. It's the Spirit of God being raised up and the cry and graon of His people longing for Him to come. Longing for justice and righteouness to once again prevail.
So what do these two things have in common? Well the preacher goes on and says something to the effect of changing society where divorce is a oddity, addictions are few, and moral values are searched out and taught.
Then the thought hits me.
Do we really think that God can change things? Not just change things so we can get by this evil age then die, but REALLY change things. Do we really think that God fearing men will once again rule our lands? Do we think that righteouness and truth will be the norm? That miracles and healings can be an everyday occurance? That our children will be taught things that are pure, just, lovely, and right by people that are interested in what's the best for them?
I'm not talking of a utopia here, but at one time this was a reality. And in thinking about all this I realize that I, as well as most of us, don't think that these things are possible. We keep hearing that things are getting worse and pretty soon the end will come and it's inevitable that darkness will prevail before Jesus does. And becasue of that, we have the idea that we can cry out to God, but really nothing is going to change because it all already been dertermined and we have read the signs of the times and according to scripture we are in real trouble.
In once sense that's true. Revelation states it clearly. But on the other hand, I know that seasons and times have been changes and delayed, or hastened, by the praying people of God. God has His timeline but things can be changed.
Moses volunteered to forfeit heaven and be sent to hell forever if God would just forgive Israel one more time. He told God to blot his name out if only God's chosen people would be allowed to live. Lot tried more than once to spare the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. The king of Ninevah backed up the distruction of his country by his willingness to fast, repent, and cry out to God. Do we-do I-have that kind of passion, desperation, and willingness to change the future and heart of God?
Now I know that eventually things will go as it has been written in the scripture, but wouldn't you like to delay evil and bring a glorious change to the earth? Wouldn't you feel better knowing that instead of more evil and death and destruction that your childen and grandchildren and great-grandchildren would be able to live in a time of wonderful communion with Jesus Christ and His will being done on earth?
So as we partner with the Son in this hour and He reveals His heart and mind to us, may we be open to the revelation of the sights, sounds, and smells of heaven.
Here's to a radical change and paradigm shift in my, and our thinking, to believe and KNOW that we can change the future. Really change the future. Not just in some little way, but we can change the course of humanity.
As it is in heaven, let it be on earth.
posted by John | 8:42 PM
1 Comments:
the church is definitely lacking in VISION!!!
especially many leaders... i mean, it must be easy to let it get old after doing the same thing in the same ministry for many years. this current church structure does not reflect the calling of Christ! We need to believe for change - and see it! Otherwise, the church WILL die. For if we are not growing...
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