Sorry it has been so long since I have
bloged. I have been struggling to put into words everything that is
on my mind. The things we
see every day are both amazing and horrid
at the same time. We are fortunate enough to watch a county rebuild
itself from years of genocide and wars. First, the after math of the
war and genocide are awful and it has ravished the people that live
here! However, they are resilient in nature and chose to be
resourceful and bounce back. The people here have a great sense of
hope and accomplishment for what they have and what has been
accomplished. The people here are so resourceful and have the
availability and determination to accomplish anything. In that is
the horrible struggle of having no money and no way to make money.
There is a nasty cycle here that keeps people in poverty and I am
certain that there are governing authorities that work to keep things
the way they are. When I say governing authorities I mean both
political and spiritual. I hope to clarify what that means in detail
below…. but I am just getting my thoughts so if there is no
structure please forgive me!
Every month we are in a different
country and because of that we face different challenges and
obstacles. I will use an illustration as an attempt to clarify my
point. Let me paint a picture.
You have a new friend and your new
friend has three children. Each child is different yet each one of
them are very similar because of the rules there parents have
established. The most important rule your friend has established is
that confusion is the main method of discipline in her house. Your
friend has decided that if the children never know what is going on
they will always need their parents. As a friend you think this is
silly so you try to teach the kids how to think on their own. Yet
you have no authority or a place of influence to teach the children
otherwise. It is actually stupid for you to attempt to teach the
children when the power lies in the parents.
find myself in on the World Race. God has given us ALL AUTHORITY! It is made very clear time and time
again that all authority is given to God’s people. Yet at the same
time God gave us free will to decide when to exercise that authority
that has been given to us. Jesus was not a moron, He was not
reckless in his decision making process. Rather, Jesus told us that
He only did what He saw the Father doing. Jesus lived a life of
submission to the authorities that were placed over Him. However,
Jesus also knew how to take the authority that was GIVEN TO HIM and
to beat the hell out of people, cities, and countries. I mean He
literally beat the hell out of them! He took every ounce of matter
that was not of God and cast it out! Yet He always had the
discernment and obedience to do what was the Fathers will!
where the problems are very evident yet the source of the problem
stems from a place of authority that is beyond the reach of human
hands. For example, in Cambodia there is a major problem with
communication. Often you are mis understood or not heard at all. I
believe with all my heart this is a spiritual principality at work
keeping people in confusion like the parent discussed above. I have
had a very hard time hearing people and feeling heard this month.
Yet I know it is not the people around me but a larger force at work.
This is why we pray for divine appointments! We want to be sitting
in from of governors, business leaders and kings. If we were able to
teach these men and women Kingdom principles their lives would be
radically changed! Moreover, their communities and nations would be
transformed into the likeness of God. I am ready for community
transformation to take place! I am realizing that that starts with
me! I need TRANSFORMATION!
I spent five hours on a buss yesterday
and made the choice to press into God and share my hear with Him and
attempt to hear His heart as well! There is nothing quite as sweet
as when God reveals His heart to us!!!!!!!!!! On the buss I was just
imploring God! I was begging Him to speak to me more and share His
heart with me! I was telling God, “I know I am a lowly servant,
yet I desire so much to offer mt heart to you in full abandonment!”
The Lord in His grace showed me that I am a man who hears and does
not hear.
Let me explain. When Jesus was
talking with Nicodemus in John 3 Nicodemus did not understand what
Jesus was saying. Jesus responded I speak of earthly things not
heavenly things, how is it you a teacher of Jerusalem do not
understand (rough quote). God revealed to me that often when He
speaks He speaks through people… especially the people closest to
us. Then He showed me that I do not listen when they speak. God in
his gentle nudging asked me a deeper question. He said, “Brad,
how is it you expect to hear Me… God… a Spirit, when you are
unable to hear the people I have set in your midst?” I felt as if
I was sitting in His throne room and He was speaking right to me! I
am overwhelmed just thinking about it!
My point in all of this mess is that
God is moving and He is stronger than any mess you stand against! I
want to be a man who HEARS God when He speaks. Also, I want to have
the boldness to proclaim those words to others!
