Roger is a friend in his 40's that was diagnosed
with colon cancer and given a couple years to live. He invited me to
pray with him a couple of times and at last count he had been into the
local healing rooms (a prayer ministry) 14 times. His healing is very
measurable in terms of blood tests and the change is so remarkable his
wife wanted to go in for prayer as well and was also touched by God in a
physical healing.
The Father's Touch
- When I say "prayer" it's not just several other Christians talking
through the needs on your prayer list. They actually allow the Holy
Spirit to minister. The result is better prophetic clarity, a real sense
of God's presence, and quite often physical manifestations of the
healing process that folks, like Roger, can feel. There is nothing more
intellectually convincing or personally encouraging than a personal
experience in the presence of God. The realization that God personally
cares about us and is moving on our behalf is a life-changing
experience. It should be the norm but it's often the exception.
The Father's Love
- Answered prayer and time in the presence of God rearranges our DNA in
significant ways. The tangible experience teaches us that the Father
cares in a way that goes beyond intellect and reason. We know in our
minds that "God so loved the world" but our hearts aren't as convinced
His love is personally directed at me. Most of us have grown up in the
faith with some sense that God is someone we reverence, worship, and
obey. We're afraid He'll catch us violating one of his procedures (and
we're painfully aware of how many times we've stepped out of bounds). We
carry a religious tradition that God is very distant and possibly
disappointed in us. The resulting attitude is that we're afraid to try
new things. The idea of being adventurous or entrepreneurial would
expose us to more risk of mistakes - something we're afraid to try
because we don't sense the Father's encouragement. Religious tradition
kills the spirit and replaces motivations of our heart with rules and
dead works and monotony. It feels like this:
To whom
he said, "This is the resting place, let the weary rest"; and, "This
is the place of repose" — but they would not listen. 13 So
then, the word of the LORD to them will become: Do and do, do and
do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there — so
that they will go and fall backward, be injured and snared and
captured. Isa 28:12-13 NIV
Adventure -
What if we were in tune with how much the Father really loves us? What
if we sensed it was His plan that we try new things and explore our
heart's desire? What if mistakes were just opportunities to learn and
Jesus' forgiveness was so real that we forgave ourselves... in a way
that we were really washed and the blooper was drop-kicked into the
ocean (Micah 7:19). With the Father's encouragement, you might actually
be willing to try something, even if it involved a little risk.
Conference question
- When we share on the idea that 98% of us are called by God to function
in the Kingly realm (adventurous, entrepreneurial and prosperous) a
question often arises. "We all know some Christians that are
entrepreneurial but most of us don't have that personality. Isn't it
really 20%?" Here's the answer:
It's not about your personality. We're all
called to walk with the Father on an adventure that touches our own
heart's desire and results in multiplication of finances and
ministry. I know too many introverts that are quietly starting
businesses and getting blessed beyond their expectations. Your call
is bigger than your personality. God has invited you to take some
initiative and He's powerful enough to connect His will with your
heart's desire. He's invited all of us into a relationship that goes
way beyond "obedience." He's just way more "relational" that the
master / slave model would suggest. Jesus invited up from servant to
the status of friend and to ask for whatever. (Jn 15:15)
I
no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his
master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for
everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to
you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to
go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will
give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love
each other. John 15:15-17 NIV
Becoming a Father
- You can echo the Father's heart in friends you encourage or mentor by
drawing out their initiative and helping them into the experience of His
presence. Lay your hands on them and impart the presence and power and
calling God has for them. Listen to Paul as he pulls Timothy out of his
youth and into His destiny... "not timidity, but a spirit of power, of
love and of self-discipline."
For
this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is
in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give
us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of
self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:5-7
My wife Sue is my greatest supporter. She
ministered in my shadow, shared my dreams, and quietly raised four
children. She's a nurse and she's starting her own business this month.
It's already apparent the Lord is opening doors for her and it's very
obvious she will be successful and blessed as will those she serves and
ministers to. Three contracts for work are already signed and she hasn't
quit her old job yet! Sue is a great example of a King in a quiet
feminine package. Like many other women God is calling out, she's living
Proverbs 31:10-31. My job has been to offer an occasional encouragement
while staying out of the way... making room for her initiative and her
heart.
10 A
wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than
rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing
of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her
life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She
gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and
portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys
it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her
work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that
her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her
fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to
the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for
all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her
beds he is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is
respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders
of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and
supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength
and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with
wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches
over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of
idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband
also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you
surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the
reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the
city gate. Prov 31:10-31 NIV
Life is an adventure. People are a blessing.
God is amazing. We're winning.