Yesterday we discussed a little about the “Full Atonement of Jesus” and today I’d like to venture a little further into those often, uncharted waters.  My singular desire is to inspire us to press into God more and be open to whatever God desires to do in our midst.  I have encountered a philosophy in ministry that severely limits God in today’s world.  I believe that we, believers, are to be agents of change in our world impacting them with the message and person of Jesus and thereby bringing into reality the Lord’s Prayer of Matthew 6, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

We all know or have known some who were diagnosed with ‘incurable diseases’ and felt powerless in the presence of that killer.  The only Hope is the Stripes Jesus bore in His body for our healing as is referenced in Isaiah 53 and 1 Peter 2:24.

I am confident that part of what God desires to ‘restore’to the Church is the miraculous as well as effectively restoring the guidance of the Church to the Holy Spirit.  I am not speaking of some legislative thing but a supernatural thing where the Holy Spirit guides our steps in the church as well as in our lives.  When that happens, it will get the attention of the world and will be severely opposed by some in various religious circles.  Every new move of God is opposed by those of the previous move and those following God in the new revival are often branded as heretics and called people of wildfire to be avoided.

God is, transforming minds so that we no longer categorically reject things we thought were of a bygone era but recognize the sovereignty of God and the authority of His word.  We will see the dismantling of man-made traditions and sacred cows of religion being offered on the altar of sacrifice.  We have the most highly educated and well-trained technological world that has ever been and that is visible in the church as well. 

What God is about to do and promised to do in the Last Days cannot be accomplished by education and technology alone.  It will be supernatural and that will cause many to be incredibly uncomfortable because our safe spaces and comfort zones will be shredded.

In the world, today the movers and shakers in the world of finance teach that Joe Average can become wealthy and make a lot of money.  They teach that success can be the experience of anyone willing to take the risk, put in the labor, and persevere.  In too much of the Church, there is the idea that only a few can have wealth.  Yes, some push the idea of prosperity out of bounds in both the world of worldly finance and in the church, but the idea of prosperity is a biblical truth. 

One thing the Hebrews had that too often we lack and a truth that has been stolen or lost in much of the church is the truth that In Christ there is no sense of lack.  What brought about the Doctrine of Insufficiency? One reality that I have learned is that anything that man cannot reproduce he will seek to disprove, deny, or discredit. 

The Commission of Jesus to His Disciples in Luke 9:1-6 seems to have led to a misunderstanding and misinterpretation in the church that we are to go with nothing and go unprepared financially.  Jesus did give that commission but if we consider the big picture and the whole context that followed and the Commission that followed we realize that Jesus was not advocating lack but trust. Consider Luke 22:35-36 – “And He said to them, ” When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.”  

Do you hear the LORD?  He is basically saying, “The last time, you went out to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, but now you are going to the wilderness of the heathen and when you go there you must have money and possessions.  You will have to pay your own way to win them. Therefore, do some commerce and get the finances and then go!”  The first commission was a teaching session and an exercise in trust, this time the Marching Orders are to go into ALL THE WORLD and that world is a Hostile World.

God does not want His soldiers to run around looking like a mile of a bombed-out runway or a fugitive from The Goodwill Store.  You are representing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  I am not suggesting lavish living, but I am suggesting that we take pains in how we appear before the world and be presentable, clean, not unkempt, and unwashed.  No, your suit or tie won’t anoint you and you do not have to wear them but don’t go ragged and dirty either.  Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves but most of all Go in the Name of the LORD and EXPECT Him to go with you!

I have more to discuss and hopefully, you will join me next time as we dig a little deeper in the Truth of the Atonement.  I know that some are saying, “Roy, you haven’t talked about the Atonement yet.”  BUT I have and you have not connected the dots yet, but hopefully we will. 

So, until next time, Go with God, and He Will Go with you!