“Revival, a move of God, is the heart of God that continuously flows from Him to humanity. It’s the people of God that actually make decisions to step into what He has already sovereignly ordained.” – Pastor Bill Johnson, Bethel Church
Last week, I was awakened at 5:30am with this invitation from the Lord.
What would life be like if I lived out the verse that is on my world race shirt?
The verse is Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” In this passage, Jesus is talking to the twelve disciples and He has just given them authority to do these things.
The real question is: Have I actually been living in the fullness of what it truly means to be a follower of Christ? To be a disciple?
When I read through the word about Jesus’ twelve and all the others that followed him, I can’t help but be amazed at the passion and boldness that these people had for the Kingdom of God.
So why do I allow the enemy to tell me that they were different? They walked and talked with Jesus for 3 years. They received his teachings and knew his heart.
Yes, they did those things but I have that same access today that the disciples had thousands of years ago.
I have the Word of God! I have the Holy Spirit inside of me! I have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead that is alive and active in me.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Do I believe this? Usually when we are in a spiritual battle, we forget that the Lord gave us our greatest weapon against the enemy. HIS WORD.
I believe that it’s time to get serious about following Christ. It’s time for me to truly become a disciple.
When I look again in Matthew 10, when Jesus was sending out the twelve, in verse 22 he said to them, “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
He tells them again in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world it would love you as it’s own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
These are the words of Jesus to his disciples. But how can the world hate me, if I’m not standing out like Jesus did?
Jesus’ life oozed the love and compassion of the Father and that is what drew so many people to Him. He couldn’t help but tell them of the Father’s love.
His life exemplified intimacy and it wrecked the religious systems of the Sadducee and Pharisees.
Am I ready for that life? Am I willing to wreck the religious systems of our common day Pharisees and Sadducee?
We hear about or see some people who have already accepted this way of living. They are already sold out to living this life of reckless abandon. They are witnessing to whoever they see, praying for people in public places, they are unashamed of the gospel that they believe. Our initial thought is, “Wow, they are really bold in their faith.” Well, yes, they are but the calling that they are living out is not just for them, it’s for ALL of us. Jesus says so before he ascended into heaven.
In Mark 16:15-20. “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; and they will plae their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” After Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
What I love about this passage is that what Jesus spoke still required a step of faith and boldness on the disciples part. Another part that I love even more is that the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Jesus is moved when we step out in faith and boldness.
If I were to do what my Father in heaven were doing, to say what he is saying in every situation, won’t that require a new level of devotion on my part. It will require a look into my priorities. What are my priorities? Are they necessary for this season the Lord has me in? Even if my priorities aren’t bad, are they providing the space for me to grow in this season or do I need to get rid of something to make room for new growth?
This way of living demands a new level of casting aside the fear of man and moving when He says to move. Saying what He is saying. Doing what He is doing. Unapologetically!
It’s time! It’s time to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century who is no longer passive about the things that break the Father’s heart.
It’s time for me to speak out and be bold about the passions he has placed inside of me. The passion to worship, to heal the sick (in His name), to teach others by being an example and to spread the knowledge of intimacy with the Father to all nations.
It’s time to take the Lord at His word in EVERYTHING He says! To mediate on it. To get it into my spirit. To strengthen myself in the Lord.
The joy set before Jesus was what helped him endure the cross. He died not only for me or my small group of Christian friends. He died for the WHOLE world! Every man, woman, boy and girl! Do I truly believe this? Or have I been so wrapped up in the security of where I know I’ll spend eternity that I have failed to invite others into the truth of this reality? Eternity in heaven is meant for them too.
If the perfect love of the Father casts out all fear, why is it so hard to tell everyone that Jesus loves them and died for them? What are we afraid of?
We need to decide if this is truly the life we want to live.
I have been asking the Lord to see his signs, wonders and miracles lately but I haven’t always responded when he has moved me to be His mouthpiece. His hands and feet.
Well, no more excuses. I’m choosing to say Yes to this invitation. Yes to living a life of reckless abandon for the Lord! I have no idea what it will look like but I trust that the Holy Spirit will show me each and every day.
I don’t believe that this revelation at 5:30 am was only meant for me. I believe that it is an invitation into a new wave of revival for the body of Christ. But this is a wave that cannot die down. It’s a revival that needs to be carried on until we see heaven invade earth. It’s a call for us to be awakened to this revelation and to live wholly surrendered, reckless lives that honor the Lord.
This call to action isn’t for the weak ones. It’s for the warrior servants of God!
Do you feel Holy Spirit stirring this mandate inside of you? Calling you to this new level of discipleship?
Will you join me on this journey? Will you accept the invitation?
