May 6, 2008
Wow! It has been so long since I’ve posted on this blog. I don’t even know how to convey what’s been happening in our lives.
About a month ago I asked God to invade every part of my being. I prayed this believing that He would take me to new heights spiritually, but something else happened. Suddenly we were faced with all kinds of people at all kinds of hours—I can’t say I reacted well to it. My time was invaded. My home was invaded. (Even now we have a homeless man living in our home.) My selfishness was confronted. Even as a street ministry, we could go out and minister in the harvest but then we could leave it and come home. As we ask to be more like Jesus, the truth is He lived among the people that He ministered to. Here in America, it’s sad to say, we hold our privacy in such high regards, that we fall very short of being like Jesus. Here in the West, we like to use the word “outreach” instead of “lifestyle.” Honestly, I always used the word lifestyle but never really understood the cost until now.
Jesus said on two separate occasions that He desired compassion more than sacrifice. Will true compassion provoke us to open up every area of our lives to the ones He so desperately loves? I wonder.
There have been seasons in the past where Troy and I grew substantially in God’s supernatural giftings. But in this season we’re actually using them in the trenches. We have also been learning about God’s economics, as we walk in His provision. I have learned that as I fiercely sow into kingdom with my finances, that He supernaturally multiplies them. The result is that He is making me into an aggressive giver because I am so excited to see what He does next.
So, that is what’s going on in our lives right now. Never a dull moment.
March 14, 2008
About a month ago, God had spoken to me very clearly about using most of our savings and paying everything off. God is a practical God, so when I asked Him about walking in divine provision, He said, “Let me show you.” But as a mother of two little girls, there were mornings I woke up with much apprehension…….and so I fervently prayed.
Monday night I had a dream. In the dream I was seated in a high place where I could see clearly all that was below me and before me.
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the righthand of God. Colossians 3:1 (NASB)
It was like sitting on a sea of glass. I could see mountains with a road snaking through them. The sun was shining and the sky was clear. However, the road was concealed by what looked like white fog; only a few patches of the road were exposed. Suddenly I am down on the road, standing before the fog and I am frightened to enter because it is so thick, it is blinding. So I go up to that high place again and assess the situation. From up high, that road seemed less intimidating…so I appear back down on the road again. I see a house to the right and a man standing there, watching my reaction. I stood there for a long time contemplating how to travel on that road despite the conditions that were completely hindering. I considered crawling on the road so I could feel my way, but deep down I knew that was not an option. Shortly after I woke up, feeling somehow that I did not pass the test that God laid down before me. So I pondered the dream most of the next day, asking God to teach me.
On Wednesday, although there was much to do, I decided to spend the first hour of my day worshiping Jesus. He began to speak to me about the dream. I remembered how the mountains looked like hills as I was looking down on them and how they seemed to go on forever. God then said, “Andrea, those are the thousand hills.” You see in the book of Psalms, God says He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. And because it all belongs to Him, He is truly a God of provision.
Immediately I said, “God forgive me. I was so focused on the road that I didn’t see all the hills surrounding it.” I will never forget what He allowed me to see, it was more than mere words can express. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus tells us to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” In other words I’m not seeking His provision…….I’m only seeking Him.
March 6, 2008
When I was in Kindergarten and first grade, I remember getting in trouble for daydreaming. I would get lost in them. Don’t laugh but I would imagine myself as a princess with Jesus coming down from the skies and scooping me up in His arms. I remember that in those daydreams, the landscape began to shine like diamonds…….I can still see it so vividly.
Well even today, my relationship with Jesus is an interesting one. There have been numerous occasions where I will be worshiping Him when I’ll begin to see specific scenarios in my mind. I used to think that they were just daydreams only to discover that those scenarios would actually occur, sometime later. Why? It’s because it was God who placed those dreams in my heart. I still dream of following Him anywhere and ministering in His love and power.
While others fantasize about people and things of this world, I fantasize about the Kingdom of God coming to earth. I’m not talking about the Kingdom just coming to churches. I’m talking about individuals being filled with the glory of God and it spilling out into their homes, their neighborhood and their communities. So many times we say the Kingdom of God is here but the world just sees the same old stuff going on and says, “Oh yeah, where?”
Last week my heart just felt broken because there are so many people who say they know Jesus but I have to wonder. I believe that we are coming into a season where the body of Christ will move in so much Kingdom power that many will be tempted to say that it isn’t God. I believe mere words, prompted by the Holy Spirit, will cause the demonic to manifest and people will be set free. I believe that because I am a child of God and that the moment my feet touch the ground it is consecrated for the Lord Jesus Christ. He is supernatural…..period! And there is no infirmity, mental illness, addiction or devil that can get in His way. I don’t analyze it, I just believe!
So last week with tears welling up in my eyes, I looked at my husband and said, “If none of these things are true then what are we here for?” You can’t reach the world with words only, otherwise Paul would not have presented the gospel with signs and wonders, which confirmed that Jesus is real and who he was in Him.
17Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found (A)reason for boasting in (B)things pertaining to God.
18For I will not presume to speak of anything except what (C)Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed,
19in the power of (D)signs and wonders, (E)in the power of the Spirit; so that (F)from Jerusalem and round about as (G)far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:17-19)
Father…. all I can say is that I believe in everything that You are.
February 23, 2008
Last night at RPMs freedom Friday night service we tried to imitate the conditions that one might find as Christians in another country. Approximately twenty of us huddled in a dark room while we heard the pounding on surrounding walls by others who were checking to see if a secret meeting was taking place. Of course, we were pretending but many of our brothers and sisters in Christ in foreign places are persecuted and even killed for their faith. I think what was so interesting is that the children were completely quiet. It was so real that my little daughter, Daphne, kept asking me if I was sure it was just pretend.
After we shared some things with those that were there, we celebrated our freedom by worshiping Jesus. Three people ended up giving their hearts to Him and making Him Lord. I have come to realize that it matters very little what I say. As I was praying with a young mother, before I could even finish praying it felt like this liquid warmth poured over her. I paused out of pure astonishment…..what an incredibly real God He is.
Freedom doesn’t just mean that we’re free to do what we want, but rather we are free to be who we are, in Christ and He is free to be who He is, in us.
February 21, 2008
Okay, right now I am reveling in my Lord, Jesus Christ. There are no words to adequately describe Him—He is breathtaking to me!
Here’s the deal. On friday nights, R.P.M. started “Friday night freedom” services and it has been so enlightening for me to see God work. During most of the time, on those nights, we worship Him with reckless abandonment. First of all, I just want to say, I love to worship the Lord. He is so worthy of my worship! Nowadays, it seems though, that most people would think that worshiping the One who loves us with all that He is, would just be undignified.
There are times when I wondered who would stay at those services. Then I came to a place where I didn’t care because my worship was only for an audience of one—His opinion was the only one that mattered. I realized that it was not my job to work on the hearts of men. That was the job of the Holy Spirit.
And out of our heartfelt worship before the Lord, something remarkable has started to happen; people who are searching for more, have expressed interest in coming. It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced.
One day, as I was praying in my bedroom, God began to show me many who were dancing before the Lord and He said, “I am raising up worshipers, Andrea.” For some reason, all I could do is cover my face and sob into my pillow. Perhaps it was because I’ve never forgotten the time, five years ago when I was praising God for all that He does and I heard Him quietly whisper, “And yet I am forgotten.” My heart was broken and I cried out, “I will NEVER forget You.”
So please understand, that my heart is leaping out of my chest when He says that He is raising up a people who will worship Him in Spirit and truth. (John 4:23) Not only did He say it, but He is confirming His word—it’s actually happening.
This isn’t just going to a bible study or a worship service….this is a love relationship between God and His children. Father, I don’t know how to put all of my heart into my words but I want to somehow. Somehow I want all the feeling behind everything I say to leave this page and provoke the reader’s heart. How I long for people to feel what it is like to be loved by the living God. It is life changing.