May 15, 2005
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John & Harold at April conference in the Netherlands To subscribe or add a friend click Here
Kings – that pray
Epic struggles - Much is in the travail of birth among Kings right now. Epic struggles are underway as God’s mighty men and women war for their destiny. I wish it felt as glamorous as those words suggest. For most, the feeling is one of unexplained delay. This pioneering season tries our prayer life. On one hand we really do have greater authority in prayer than ever before, but our expectations have outpaced our breakthroughs. I want to instill in your heart a theology for prayer that will draw us toward the throne room instead of away from it.
Sovereignty - For a King, the ability to pray is very much tied up in his view of God’s sovereignty. Too often we assign God the responsibility for unmet needs and unanswered prayer. We start to think that if he doesn’t answer, he must not care, the communication starts to shut down, and our prayer life diminishes. Biblically the concept of sovereignty is not that God is behind everything. God is sovereign in the sense that he can do anything but he usually chooses to work through the laws of nature and the efforts of people. That’s different than our traditional theology. While we're praying (or pouting) for God to move, I often think He's praying that we would move.
Who’s Got the Ball? - I had breakfast with a couple of Kings that are involved in building and real estate this morning. Most of us would love to be in their shoes. But, most of the conversation was about how they are contending for the next level. One of them mentioned this quote that I had never heard before.
If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.
Get a bigger stick - When Kings are confronted by the reality of unanswered prayer, they do not blame God – or themselves. They simply ask the Lord for the next step toward the desire of their heart (it really is up to me to expand the Kingdom). I know God will work with me. I know he has the power to work without me – but he chooses to limit Himself and work through me most of the time. He's committed to empowering Kings to do His work. The degree of difficulty is really an invitation to greater communion. Facing big problems? You’re invited to receive bigger revelation and larger portions of His anointing to overcome them. That’s why James instructs us to “consider it pure joy” when we face a high degree of difficulty (James 1:2). If you adopt that theological stance you’ll convince the enemy that more pressure will just drive you deeper into prayer to receive more anointing and more power. There really is no issue about defining the will of God or entering in – it’s all about how big a stick do I need to make it happen.
Feeling Destined - Even though we face obstacles and discouragement, the feeling of warfare is an undertow that irresistibly pulls us toward the destiny of the desire God has placed in our heart. I’m excited about the next steps. We will prevail.
A big part of the “behind the scenes” spiritual warfare has to do with delays. Kings learn how to put one foot in front of the other in work and in prayer knowing that God is for us and will soon position us above the obstacles we face in the natural. In the spirit, prayer always leads to a prophetic sense of what God is doing and encourages us to take our position seated with Him in heavenly places - "over" our problems.
When I listen to the dreams of most Kings, I’m not finding presumption or a lack of realistic goals. It’s much more common to find hard working people grappling with the issues of prayer, pulled by their prophetic destiny, and hungry for what they see in the near future. We live in a precious hour - allow yourself to get excited! What's your next step? Ask the Lord. A mighty army is being prepared and released into a new anointing.
Blessings,
John & Harold
PS: if you enjoyed this article your might also like "Six Ways to Find Your Heart's Desire." The full story is in our book Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace, particularly chapter 7, "Who is God?"
PS: we get lots of interesting feedback on these newsletters at "You Wrote Back" http://www.releasing-kings.com/you-wrote-back.html
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Progress - Kingly Bio's are Up We've completed the first round of interviews with Kings. These are real people that have been blessed by God in the Market Place and have hearts for ministry. Check it out at http://www.releasing-kings.com/Interviewing-Kings.html. If you have a success story, we'd like to post it by giving you a web page on our site.
Progress - A Teacher's Guide We've completed the first version of a study guide that targets those teaching the material in Releasing Kings. It includes a page of notes on each chapter, all the graphics suitable to make overheads, and a PDF file of the book with the key points highlighted that includes marginal notes, comments, and questions. This material is available for purchase on the teacher's guide page of the web. 509-308-6873
Harold and I have both been hesitant to "market" this book... sounds self-serving. Here's the "grassroots" reality. God has given us a great tool to communicate a message that sets people free in an amazing, contagious, life-changing way. If you haven't read it - get it. If you have read it - give it. http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html
We've gotten a ton of positive feedback on the newsletter too... get it, give it. Reloading Seniors was powerful. Pass the link on. http://www.releasing-kings.com/Newsletter.html
PS: don't forget to look at the free reports - show your pastor the article on marketplace ministry from the pastor's perspective. You can simply email him this link or print a copy to give him. http://releasing-kings.com/pastors-perspective.html
____________________________________________________________________ You can get your copy of Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace at 1-800-308-5837 (or) |