Every Joint Supplies

Yesterday I met a man, a missionary to the nations, whose theology mirrored my own, but whose vision far exceeded mine. As he shared he opened up new realms in my understanding and perception of the Kingdom of God. He was a man of conviction and who clearly understood his assignment from the Lord. And though he was gentle and mild mannered when I first met him, once he began sharing, he was like a man on fire.

After listening to him for a while I had to stop him. I said, "I can't listen to anymore. I need to pray," and together we went up and began to engage the atmosphere of heaven and call out for an awakening in our region.

This encounter with a man who truly walks with a God given burden has changed me. I have been pondering the question of why it impacted me so much.

First of all, I did not come away with the feeling that he had an ax to grind. He did not make me feel guilty for not "winning souls." This wasn't brow beating.

I also did not feel it was just another person trying to build a ministry helping the poor or an attempt to get people to support something with their money. It was more than information about the plight of persecuted believers around the world.

It was even more than revelation. He brought an impartation of the Lord for awakening hearts to the opportunity to participate in God's global harvest. I came away with a burden for his burden. I left with a clearer vision of what God was doing and a burning heart to help carry the burden.

It has been a very long time since I experienced anything like this. Clearly, this man was not just trying to build his own ministry or even trying to make himself feel better for doing something. This burden did not originate with him. This ministry, Vision Beyond Borders, was not his idea. It was the burden of another given to him as a stewardship. I felt that Pat was not the only player in the picture but that clearly the Lord had something deep in his heart and he found a willing vessel who would share his heart and get something done about it.

When God anoints a ministry with a burden, it is clear and pure and it does not need a lot of hype to get it moving. It carries within itself a propulsion for movement and momentum. When God initiates the thing, God will propel it in partnership with his people and all who feel called will have opportunity to participate and "every joint will supply"!

What does God want?

I was journaling the other day and found myself facing that question again, "What does God want?" I was happy to be entertaining that question again because until I can answer it with some sense of integrity and assurance, what's the point of attempting anything. It so easy to start drifting away from what really matters... "Without a vision the people drift." (Brian's translation :)

I waited on the Lord... but not for very long. He seemed only too eager to answer the question. "I want My people to myself. I do not want my leaders interfering with what I am trying to do with them and in them."

God wants unhindered access to His people. God wants His people to gather in His presence and listen to His voice. God wants His people to be still and know Him. God wants His people to believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God wants to be able to speak to His people without the use of an interpreter. God wants a people who are not afraid they are going to be deceived. (Fear of deception is a deception in itself.) God wants the veil lifted off the face of the bride.

There are many obstacles that hinder us from hearing the voice of God. None is greater than unbelief. We can hear God's voice... if we really want to! But it is our decision. A fundamental Biblical assertions is this: "They shall seek for Me and they shall find Me when they search for Me with all their heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me." Rev. 3:20

Bringing forth Sons

God's word is a seed. When it finds fertile soil it sprouts and grows until it brings forth fruit. "The husbandman waits patiently for the precious fruit of the earth." The fruit God is looking for is the likeness of His Son.

The church is described in the Bible as the Bride of Christ. Isaiah 66 and Revelation 12 both portray God's people as being "with child" and about ready to give birth. When the church gives birth to the seed of God, she always brings forth "her sons." The sons of God are God's answer to a world that is out of control.

Sometimes in the church's effort to help God fulfill His purpose she produces her own seed, with her own vision, her own understanding of the way things ought to be. When this happens, the church brings forth "the wind" but it does not "accomplish deliverance for the earth."

God is longing for a people who will simply draw near enough to Him to be impregnated with the Holy Seed of His word. The church is fond of experiences with God that cause her to experience goose bumps. She is not, however, fond of having experiences with God that leave her feeling uncomfortable. But the Lord is not satisfied with a church that is not serious about raising a family. God is a father, looking for His sons.

When the church draws near to the Lord with the intention of being impregnated with His Holy Word, she will take on a new form and a new glory and she shall bring forth her sons and the teetering earth will rejoice.