Sunday, February 28, 2016

Soft & Tender - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Soft & Tender

Now Think On This
Steve Martin


“Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares the Lord.”
(2 Chronicles 34:27-28 NASU)


When I heard the Lord speak the word “soft” while I slept, I knew it was from Him. But then that was it. Just the word “soft”. What did that mean, and what would He have me write about it?

When I got out of bed about two hours later, I remembered the word I had heard. As I normally do in times when I am given a word, I asked the Lord to further explain what it meant. So I prayed in tongues, read some Scripture, and did a concordance search for the word “soft”. Surprisingly, when I went to my Bible software program on my computer, I realized the name of it was PC Study Bible V5, by BibleSoft. I have used this program for over six years, and had never really thought about the developer’s name. But I was getting somewhere.

The Lord Jesus (Yeshua) likes to do that. He gives you something, whether it is just a word, a picture in your mind, or what you might think of as just another “random thought”, which can typically be from the Holy Spirit, to see what you will do with it. He is wanting you to seek Him further, to dig deeper into your relationship with Him. As we pursue the Lord and His kingdom, He will show Himself more to us, and what are the plans and purposes in His heart, for you and the nations.

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2, NASU)

So what did I find in my “gold digging” treasure hunt?

After doing a search on just the word “soft” in the Bible program, the verses that came up with that word in them didn’t really speak anything that I would think He was wanting to say. So I asked the Holy Spirit to further bring clarity, and the word “tender” came to mind. So I did a search on that word.

And this was one Scripture that did stand out above the others.

"But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus you will say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God of Israel regarding the words which you have heard, "Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 34:26-28 NASU)

In these dark times we are living in, when evil seems to be encroaching in every sacred area we have held dear, our own hearts can become hardened to people. Rather than praying for mercy and grace in their lives for repentance, I know personally sometimes for me my request to the Lord is to just send judgment and get it all over with. Enough already with the filth and wickedness.

But to know the Father’s heart in these times, I am the one who needs to humble myself before the Lord and continue to cry out for mercy for them and our nation. His heart is not for me to call down fire and brimstone, but to intercede on their behalf. That isn’t always easy to do. But it is the right thing to do, while leaving the judgment times in the Lord’s hands.

Because the Lord is a holy God, the days are coming when He will judge the nations for their wickedness and ungodly acts. That is truly written in His word. But until that day comes, my attitude and heart is to keep praying for my co-workers and neighbors who’d rather seek pleasure and wealth than the living God of Israel, to order to walk in His ways.

“Keep my heart soft and tender for Your ways O Lord” must be among my prayers. “Let me not give up in seeking Your face for the nations, until the time comes when You act according to Your Word.”

Together we can have the heart of the loving Father, and see more of the unsaved come into the salvation found only in His Son Jesus. His Kingdom will come when we do according to His will.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.



P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

We are blessed when the ministry receives gifts to support the families that we do, primarily in Israel, India, Pakistan and the hurting ones here in the USA. You also can share out of the abundance you have been given.

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA humanitarian organization started in 2010 to share the love of the Father in the nations.

If these messages minister to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families we know in Israel, whom we consistently help through our humanitarian ministry. Your tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

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Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
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Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 02.28.16 - #247 –“Soft & Tender” – Sunday at 7:30 am

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This


Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Heaven TV7 - direct from Jerusalem (in English and other languages)

Jonathan Hessen - Israel Bureau Chief and Editor of TV7 Jerusalem
(with Steve Martin, Love For His People, Inc.)

I had the joy of meeting Jonathan Hessen, the young Israel Bureau Chief and Editor of TV7 broadcasting from Jerusalem. This was his first year at the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) convention in Nashville, TN Feb. 23-26, 2016. He is a sabra (born in Israel).

After comparing "notes", we found we have many common friends in Jerusalem. I promised him I would help share his work and the news network on my blog, so I am fulfilling my word. Not only in this blog posting, but I also have added the link to the Heaven TV7 on the right column of our blogspot. Please take a look!

You can also click here: TV& Israel News.

Heaven TV7 also broadcasts into Europe and Scandinavia. Again, please check out the network.

Blessings on ye head Jonathan! Hope to see you again in Jerusalem in May when we come over to Israel.'

Shalom my new friend,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.


Spirit of Slander Is Raging Against Believers in This Season - JENNIFER LECLAIRE CHARISMA NEWS

Slander is to make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone, according to Merriam-Webster. It means to defame, malign, vilify, and asperse, which is a fancy word for a continued attack on one's reputation.

Spirit of Slander Is Raging Against Believers in This Season


Photo above: Slander is to make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone, according to Merriam-Webster. It means to defame, malign, vilify, and asperse, which is a fancy word for a continued attack on one's reputation. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Watchman on the Wall, by Jennifer LeClaire
Jennifer LeClaire is now sharing her reflections and revelations through Walking in the Spirit. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

The spirit of slander attacks at strategic times—and we're in one right now. I've witnessed in past weeks men and women of God take hits from people operating in a false murderous spirit, and it both grieves and thrills me at the same time. More on that in a minute.
Slander is to make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone, according to Merriam-Webster. It means to defame, malign, vilify and asperse, which is a fancy word for a continued attack on one's reputation. Back in 2013, I addressed the slanderous accuser of the brethren, and it has returned at a more opportune time.
Over the last week, I've been accused of having a Jezebel spirit, spitting churches, cussing out pastors, being a lesbian, breaking and entering and stealing from churches, refusing to cooperate with pastors in my city for revival and a few other choice things. Time to rejoice! It looks like I'm doing something right since Jesus said we'd be lied about for His sake just as He was lied about. And the more people spread ridiculous lies and rumors, the more I'll lift up Jesus. 
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I take heart in this passage from the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be very glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12).
Responding to Slandering Spirits the Right Way
How you respond to mistreatment is one of the most important aspects of your spiritual life. When we respond the right way, we climb higher—or go deeper—in the Spirit. In fact, a season of slander is a sure sign that you are up for a promotion.
By contrast, when we respond the wrong way, we get bitter. Over time, that bitterness will defile our spirits and dull our ability to sense the presence of God or hear His voice. Bitterness is deadly—and it's easy for the people around you to discern. Where true humility lives, though, bitterness can't take up residence. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
As I said, I've endured plenty of mistreatment during my life, and I can honestly say that I count it a blessing. By God's grace, I've always managed to ultimately respond in meekness rather than retaliating against the poor soul manifesting the character of slanderous Satan. And I pray that God's grace will continue to pour over me as the slander from religious spirits, atheists, radical gay activists and, occasionally, even those who I let get close to me who have believed the enemy's lie continues.
No one likes to be slandered. I don't enjoy it. It makes me sorrow for the one who's committing the sin. The Bible says, "Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy" (Ps. 101:5). And Romans 1:30-32 suggests backbiters are worthy of death. Paul told us not to keep company with a believer who has "a foul tongue [railing, abusing, reviling, slandering]" (1 Cor. 5:11, AMP)—Scripture actually lists the slanderer among the sexually immoral, the covetous, idolaters, drunkards and extortioners. The point is, God hates slander.
Understanding how seriously God takes slander has had a twofold impact on my heart. First, I don't want any part of slander. I don't want to engage in it, and I won't listen to anyone else engaging in it. If someone comes to me with slander on their lips, I put out the fire and bring gentle correction to help them avoid Satan's snare. Second, when I see the damage the slanderer is doing to himself by attacking me, I take pity on him. While they think their words are digging a pit for me, they are actually the ones who are bound to fall headlong into the hole.
Dying to Your Own Reputation
I've learned over the years to transfer my personal rights to God, knowing He will vindicate me amid the slander—or any other mistreatment. And He has confirmed me time and time again in the presence of my enemies when I give Him the reins. As Paul wrote, "You were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:20, MEV). I've committed my spirit into the Lord's hands, and, in return, He takes responsibility for my protection, provision and vindication when necessary.
I don't want to be like the accuser of the brethren. And I don't want to swap insult for insult (1 Pet. 3:9). I want to be like Jesus, who, "when He was reviled, He did not revile back; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but He entrusted Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Pet. 2:23).
God is the judge. He will make the wrong things right in His way and in His timing. Vengeance is His. He will repay (Rom. 12:19). I won't be overcome with evil, but I will overcome evil with good (v. 21). I will rejoice when I am persecuted because I know that when I respond the right way, I am blessed. My first response is to pray for those who persecute me. And pray. And pray. And pray some more. It keeps my heart clean. I encourage you to do the same.
I've found it true, looking back over the many instances when I've been mistreated, abandoned, robbed, persecuted, falsely accused and otherwise slandered that the initial sting of the mistreatment fades more quickly when you walk in love, speak the truth in love without being defensive and refuse to retaliate. I've also found it true that God repays, vindicates and takes vengeance on my behalf. If you respond with meekness in the face of mistreatment, you can have the same testimony.
Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, co-founder of awakeningtv.com, on the leadership team of the New Breed Revival Network and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening;Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of GodThe Making of a Prophet and Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer onFacebook or follow her on Twitter. Jennifer's Periscope handle is @propheticbooks.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here
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How 'Miracles from Heaven' Transformed Jennifer Garner - CBN News

How 'Miracles from Heaven' Transformed Jennifer Garner

02-25-2016 CBN News

Actress Jennifer Garner says her life was transformed while working on an upcoming movie called "Miracles from Heaven."
The movie tells the true story of Annabel Beam, a little girl with an incurable digestive disease, and the faith struggles of her parents as they dealt with the devastating impact on their daughter.
But as the title and trailer for the film reveal something truly amazing happens, healing little Annabel.
Garner told CBN News that after she met Christy Beam, the mother of Annabel, Beam's faith had a profound impact on her personally.
And while preparing for the role, Garner wanted confirmation of Annabel's healing from the doctor who worked with Annabel.
Garner told CBN News the doctor confirmed to her that the little girl's amazing healing could truly be described as a miracle.
Through that series of events, and during the making of the film, God touched Garner's heart. She told an audience at T.D. Jakes' church The Potter's House that the Beam family's faith was a big part of that transformation.
CBN News Reporter Efrem Graham confirmed Garner was clearly engaged in Sunday worship during a visit to The Potter's House.
Garner says she has been taking her own daughters with her as she has started going back to church.
Those comments came during a question and answer session with members of The Potter's House, following a private screening of the film.

Friday, February 26, 2016

NRB Awards Kim Davis for Commitment to Christian Values - LIBERTY COUNSEL CHARISMA NEWS

Kim Davis leaves jail.

NRB Awards Kim Davis for Commitment to Christian Values

Above: Kim Davis leaves jail. (Reuters)

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Kim Davis, the Rowan County Clerk who was jailed for her Christian faith and her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, received the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) President's Award for her faithful commitment to Christian values despite political and media opposition. Last year, this award went to Miriam Ibrahim, a woman imprisoned in Sudan for her Christian faith.
Kim Davis will receive the Heroine of the Faith award for her courage from Bott Radio Network, a Christian radio network with more than 100 stations nationwide that reaches more than 50 million people. The NRB conference brings together thousands of similar Christian communicators each year to encourage and educate them about current trends and issues facing the religious community.
Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, joined Kim Davis at the podium to represent the importance of our First Amendment freedoms and free-speech rights. Staver said, "Our client, Kim Davis, never asked for the spotlight. She was just doing her job while remaining faithful to Christian values. Our nation should never force people to choose between their jobs and their faith. Kim has been an encouragement to me and to everyone she meets, showing how completely God can transform a life and use it incredibly beyond what you can imagine, ask or think. I'm thankful to Jesus Christ for transforming lives. What you see in Kim is a woman whose life was transformed by Jesus, and she will not be unfaithful to our Lord, and that's why she was there. That's the story of Kim Davis."
Kim Davis is still in the process of a legal battle in Kentucky, where her case is pending. There has been victory after victory for Liberty Counsel's client, including the governor's executive order protecting her freedoms and a legislative bill that permanently removes clerk's names from the marriage license. There still remains her court case that we are continuing to fight for clarification of the religious freedom of all county clerks and for all citizens' First Amendment freedoms.
Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Original Bibles, the Word of God printed, from the 13th century onward! Fascinating!


King James Bible- 1611 
An original!


Original Bibles, the Word of God printed,
 from the 15th century onward! Fascinating!
On display at the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters)

From the collection of Dr. Harold Rawlings
The Rawlings Foundation in Florence, KY

Nashville, TN
Feb. 26, 2016


Geneva Bible 1599



World's Smallest Printed Book


"The Unrighteous Bible"



The Geneva "Chained" Bible - 1578



The Coverdale Bible 1553



Page from the Catholicon 
- printed by Johannes Gutenberg in 1460



The Gutenberg Bible - Germany



13th Century Latin Bible - 1200 A.D.



Dr. Harold Rawlings
Bible collection

The Rawlings Foundation
P.O. Box 908
Florence, KY 41022
859-371-3332, Ext. 240


Israel Awakening Angel: The Winds Are Coming! - JAMES W. GOLL CHARISMA NEWS

The time has come for Israel to wake up to the fullness of their identity in Christ.

Israel Awakening Angel: The Winds Are Coming!



The time has come for Israel to wake up to the fullness of their identity in Christ. (iStock photo )

Standing With Israel
In early December 2006, I was supposed to fly to Long Island, New York, to be the first speaker at the Open Heavens Conference with revivalist Matt Sorger. But God had other plans.
Prior to my flight, I suddenly came down with a flu-type sickness. The conference planners quickly reshuffled the order of the invited speakers, while I took the day to rest and recover at my home in Franklin, Tennessee.
As I lay there in bed that day the Holy Spirit kept telling me, The winds are coming! The winds are coming! I did not understand what He meant, and I could not get any more information than that. All day long as I rested, I heard the same declaration: The winds are coming!
The next day I felt well enough to fly. As the first leg of my flight headed from Nashville to Baltimore, we encountered unusually strong winds. The plane was bouncing around like crazy. The pilot came on the loudspeaker to say that we were hitting winds of 160 knots and that these were the fiercest winds he had ever encountered in flight.
When we finally landed safely in Baltimore—in winds that were still blowing 40 to 60 knots on the ground—the plane was shuddering and shaking. I wondered how I would make my connecting flight, but I soon discovered that it did not matter. Nobody was going anywhere. As it turned out, the entire East Coast was affected by this weather pattern, and all the airports in New England were closed down. That meant I would have to layover in Baltimore for a day. I began to wonder if I would ever make it to this conference at all.
That night, lying awake in my hotel bed, I heard the same words once again: The winds are coming. What? More winds?
By morning the winds had died down enough for us to fly, and I finally made it to Long Island in time to address the closing session of the conference. As I sought the Lord beforehand, I felt that He wanted to give me words of knowledge for people at the beginning of the service (which is not my typical modus operandi). Again I heard,The winds are coming.
The winds are still coming? I thought they had already come and gone.
During the worship portion of the service, I was worshiping our awesome God, enjoying His presence and minding His business with my eyes closed. Suddenly I felt a wind blow across my face. I opened my eyes to see if I could find the air vents. I could not see any vents, so I went back to worshiping. Again I felt a wind blow. In an instant, the atmosphere shifted, and I began to scribble down words of knowledge as fast as the Holy Spirit gave them to me—people's names, cities and diseases. The air was permeated with the spirit of revelation.
Then a third time I felt the wind. This time when I opened my eyes—whoosh—an angel suddenly appeared in front of me, hovering and looking right at me. The angel was carrying a shofar and wearing a glowing white robe with a gold sash that went from the left shoulder to the waist. On the sash I could read the words "Israel Awakening." The angel blew the shofar right in my face and then vanished.
Israel Awakening
I have experienced angelic encounters before, but never before have I been given the name of the angel. Was "Israel Awakening" the name of this angel? Though I did not ask, I believe it was. But whether that was the angel's actual name or not, I do know that the angel had come from the throne of the Ancient of Days to convey a message to His people.
The angel, Israel Awakening, had come like a wind in our day to blow a trumpet and to awaken the Body of Christ in a new way. This particular messenger from heaven had been released to this generation to blow the shofar and to keep blowing it. The winds had come. The winds would continue to come. The atmosphere had shifted. The time for change had come.
The time had come for Israel to be awakened, for the Jewish people worldwide to wake up to the fullness of their identity in the Lord their Maker. A new spirit of adoption seemed to have become available from the Lord Jesus Himself to help prepare the Body of the Messiah to fulfill her call in these last days.
Church Awakening
Simultaneously, the time had come for the Gentile church to awaken to her intercessory mission of compassion, to say "yes" to her calling to stand in the gap for God's purposes in Israel and wherever the Jewish people reside on the globe. I believe the angel named Israel Awakening was the head of a legion of angels that had been released to bring a spiritual awakening to both the Jewish people (regarding God's purposes within Israel) and to the Body of the Messiah, the Church of Jesus Christ (concerning her role of supporting Israel in the end times, when the dispersed of Israel shall be gathered into the Kingdom of God). Centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah said, "The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel says, 'Yet I will gather others to them, besides those who already are gathered to him'" (Is. 56:8).
First God had sent the winds in the natural realm, and then He sent them in the spiritual. Why had the Spirit made such a point of telling me, The winds are coming? Because the angels are winds. "Of the angels He says, 'Who makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire'" (Hebrews 1:7, NASB). Why had they come? Because they are "ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14, NASB). The Word of God will interpret the revelation sent from God.
Excerpted from The Coming Israel AwakeningDr. James W. Goll is the cofounder of Encounters Network, a ministry to the nations. He has written 15 extensive Bible study guides and is the author or coauthor of 14 books, including The Coming Prophetic Revolution and Praying for Israel's Destiny. Goll is a contributing editor toKairos magazine and speaks and ministers around the world.
For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!
NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here
Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.

Brad Stine - comedian in support of Israel speaking at NRB - PJTN dinner


Brad Stine - comedian in support of Israel 
Speaking at NRB - PJTN dinner
Feb. 25, 2016  Nashville, TN

It was a true joy listening to Brad Stine for the first time at the Proclaiming Justice To The Nations dinner at the NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) convention in Nashville, TN. He is funny!

After watching a brief presentation of the 2016 PJTN video "Hating Israel: In Search of the Truth Behind BDS" (which I am really looking forward to seeing the full video), he came out on stage and did a 15 minute comedy routine. Loved it!

I was able to record most of it from our table in the middle of the room, filled with several 100 people. 

It was also a great joy to have so many present from Jerusalem. We sat a a table with Bruce Mills, deacon at the Jerusalem Baptist Church. Also present was the former director of ICEJ (International Christian Embassy Jerusalem), the director of Yad Vashem, and staff from Christian Friends of Israel. Jeffrey Levinson of GODTV was a panelist during one segment of the 2.5 hour evening.

Shalom,

Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.





Published on Feb 26, 2016
Brad Stine - comedian in support of Israel speaking at NRB - PJTN dinner Feb. 25, 2016 in Nashville, TN

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

Rev. Raphael Cruz - NRB Nashville - Proclaiming Justice To The Nations speaker on support for Israel


Rev. Raphael Cruz - NRB Nashville 
Proclaiming Justice To The Nations (PJTN)
Support for Israel
Feb. 25, 2016 in Nashville, TN





Published on Feb 26, 2016
Rev. Raphael Cruz - NRB Proclaim16 in Nashville - Proclaiming Justice To The Nations(PJTN) speaker 02.26.16

A strong supporter of Israel and the Christian's role in standing with the Lord for His plans and purposes.

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

The 1 Lie Millions of Christians Are Believing About the Holy Spirit - LARRY SPARKS CHARISMA NEWS

Why are millions of Christians believing this lie from the enemy?


Why are millions of Christians believing this lie from the enemy? (Lightstock )
Point of Breakthrough, by Larry Sparks

When the devil wants to hijack the advancement of God's people, he introduces subtle, yet destructive deceptions. Deceptions that are easy for us to embrace as truth, even though they are not presented in Scripture ... anywhere!
I want us to consider one of these deceptions and its severe implications to every single Christian or church who has bought into the lie.
Why Does the Devil Hate the Holy Spirit?
One of the enemy's favorite topics to target is the Holy Spirit. This is no coincidence. The more the enemy can confuse the church about the role of Holy Spirit, the more he can gain influence.
Consider this. The very Spirit of God that empowers ordinary men and women to be a restraining force to darkness in the earth has become reduced to being a controversial doctrine that we tolerate, at best, and ignore, at worst. This should not be so!
Satan hates Holy Spirit intensely for one key reason. The Christian who fully embraces the revelation that he or she is actually filled with the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead becomes a spiritual Joshua or Caleb who enters into and releases the promise land of heaven on earth. We begin thinking, speaking, and acting like people who are, quite literally, possessed by God. Surely, this throws a wrench into Satan's diabolical plans.
This is why the enemy so persistently perpetuates lies about the Spirit. He's done this since the beginning of church history, causing division about how equal (or non-equal) the Holy Spirit is to God the Father and God the Son. Controversy has continued all the way up into our modern era, where everything from speaking in tongues to the continuation of miracles to being "slain in the Spirit" is on the table for theological debate and division. Yet, while Christians are dividing over the Spirit, darkness is gaining ground. This must stop if we are going to see a great worldwide revival prior to the Second Coming of Jesus.

The Lie that is Impacting Millions

There is a lie that is being widely circulating in the evangelical (and yes, even the charismatic) church that shuts down expectation concerning the Spirit's movement. In many ways, this lie is robbing the people of God from embracing (let alone sustaining) the supernatural culture that is the inheritance of every single believer. So, what's the lie?
Have you ever heard someone say, The Holy Spirit wouldn't do that ... remember, He's a gentleman. That's the lie right there. "He's a gentleman." We've taken this to mean that the Spirit of God will not move with unusual power or force. He won't make us uncomfortable. That's a lie. You know how I know? Because God's chief concern is not mankind's comfort; it's His kingdom.
Jesus never seemed to consider comfort when he healed the sick or drove out demons. These kingdom-advancing activities always brought great freedom, while simultaneously attracting significant reproach from the religious community.
This false idea about the Holy Spirit has put a ceiling on what we are expecting from God in our lives, church services and in our world today. As C.S. Lewis wrote of Aslan, "He's not a tame lion, but he is good." Yes, the Holy Spirit comes to faithfully represent King Jesus who is kind, compassionate, gentle and caring. Yet, this Jesus is also a King, Warrior and Conqueror. He is Lamb, yes, but also Lion. He blesses little children one moment and casts out devils in the next.
I don't want a containable, in-a-box Jesus. Likewise, why should we place the same expectation on Holy Spirit?
I'm most concerned about the definition we've assigned to "gentleman." While I don't believe the Holy Spirit forcibly causes us to experience something we don't want to, my concern is how we have lowered our expectations of what He can do, will do, or wants to do. Even Charismatic communities tremble at the prospect of "opening the service up" to the Spirit, in fear of what He might do.
Is there risk? Always. Is there potential for disorder? Certainly. As long as human beings are involved, you will have those who behave out of order. Is it worth it all to watch God crash in and transform people's lives forever? Ask John and Carol Arnott, pastors of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship during the Toronto Blessing. Ask John Kilpatrick as he pastored the Brownsville Revival. Ask Steve and Kathy Gray, leaders of Smithton Community Church. Ask Randy Clark and Heidi Baker. Ask Bill Johnson and Leif Hetland. Ask Dr. Michael Brown and R.T. Kendall. The answer is yes. To pay the price of risk and experience the move of God in exchange is always worth it.
Consider the multiple scriptural accounts of how the Holy Spirit moves. In the Old Testament, he comes upon the judges and prophets with great power, anointing them for supernatural exploits. Even from His grand entrance on the Day of Pentecost, it's quite obvious that He's not tame. He invaded that upper room as a mighty rushing wind (Acts 2:2-3) and it's been His will to bring heaven's mighty transformation ever since. So why aren't we seeing it as much today?
Tune in Tuesday for part two of this article. 
Larry Sparks is co-author of the book, The Fire That Never Sleeps, with Dr. Michael Brown and John Kilpatrick. Larry's mission is to help teach all believers how to experience and sustain personal revival—enjoying a deep relationship with God through encountering the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. To this end, he maintains a blog through Charisma magazine, is a published author, teaches revival seminars, and is the co-founder of Renewing South Florida, an organization committed to uniting the local church for regional outpouring. Larry holds a Master of Divinity from Regent University and presently serves as vice president of publishing for Destiny Image Publishers.
You can receive daily empowerment for personal revival from Larry on Facebook (facebook.com/larryvsparks).
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