Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's to a Selah moment between mouthfuls and touchdowns :-)

"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse." Henry Van Dyke

"He that enjoys naught without thanksgiving is as though he robbed God." St. Chrysostom

"None is more impoverished than one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy." Fred De Witt Van Amburgh

"God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart." Izaak Walton

Risk

A great reward requires a risk of equal proportion. The reason a neurosurgeon banks a huge check is because drilling open a patient’s head involves enormous risk. The manager of Burger King meets the important need for food of his customers. He may feel pressure during the lunch rush but nothing compared to the stress of the operating room during neonatal brain surgery. His paycheck will not buy him a Porsche like the doctor’s

Jesus taught the disciples many lessons about the fear of risk, the robber of rewards. The man who was given one talent in the parable of the talents lost not only the praise of the master, but also his one talent, which had the potential to bring him increase. The reason for his loss was fear. Who else lost out because he didn’t take a risk but buried the talent? Did his family or his town?

It is hard to believe that Jesus had to step past fear, but the Bible says He was tempted in every way we are. The difference is He never let fear stop Him. Miracles happened each time He put faith in His Father’s word and not in the enemy’s lies. Lazarus would still be stinking in the grave if Jesus had let fear stop Him from yelling “Lazarus, come forth!”

The power to overcome the panic of the moment is released when we focus on the reward and not the risk. The writer of Hebrews wrote that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. He looked past the present danger to the reward. Paul testified to the Philippians that he was always pushing toward the prize.

There are different levels of prizes. A student in a local high school track meet who finishes first wins an award. The athlete in the Olympic Track and Field competition wins a bigger award and a place in history. To win the big one requires victory in a lot of little ones.

The world desperately needs bold believers who blast through the door of fear to the miraculous rewards on the other side.

Expanding Perspectives

I love to ask people how God speaks to them. Over my years of knowing Him, He has surprised me many times by speaking to me in ways I did not expect.

When God first spoke to Moses, it was just an ordinary day tending sheep in the wilderness. It was not uncommon for brush plants to combust in the dry heat of the desert. It was only when Moses looked a little closer that he realized something very unusual was going on: the bush was burning, but it was not being consumed. Now that was extraordinary! God used this miraculous sign to get Moses' attention, but He also used it to teach him a life-long lesson: nothing is impossible for Him.

God does not want to be confined by our perspective of Him - He wants to speak to us in ways that expand our perspective of Him! He loves to challenge both our imagination and our intellect as He shares with us what He is capable of doing.

However God chooses to speak to us, His voice is life-giving. When He speaks, abundant life breaks out. Everywhere He speaks, He releases beauty, energy and vision. If you are currently experiencing a situation that seems impossible, why not ask God to speak to you afresh about it? Once He has spoken, nothing is impossible.

Why Are Dreams So Fascinating?

Did you know there are over 500 million websites dealing with dreams? Along with this, there are 105 million websites dealing with dream interpretation, and 185 million coaching websites helping people to fulfill their dreams. Why are dreams so fascinating to us?

Secular influences would like us to believe that our dreams are nothing more than a psychological sorting box, or an indicator of our appetites. While our dreams can reflect our everyday realities and desires, they are so much more than that. We dream because God loves to communicate with us!

In Joel 2, God says "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." This is a promise for our day and age! Along with signs, wonders and miracles, let's remember that dreams and visions are key indicators of an outpouring of God's Spirit. Revival happens when God's people are in tune with what He is saying.

In Genesis 40, Joseph meets some fellow prisoners who are frustrated because their dreams feel significant, yet they do not know how to interpret them. Joseph's response is bold: "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams." Even in prison, Joseph knew that he had access to God, and that God would share his messages with him. Out of Joseph's dream interpretations came life-changing events and decisions.

Joseph was right: interpretations belong to God. Though each of us may not have expertise in dream interpretation or a deep understanding of symbolism, God is longing to converse with us. He is looking for friends to whose hearts He can reveal His secrets, instructions and encouragement.

If that is the case, I say "Papa, pick me!" Why not take a moment to ask Him for some heavenly dreams this week?

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If you would like to learn more about connecting with God at night-time, you may enjoy my message 'Shifting Nightmares to Dreams', which can be found in the messages section of my web store.

Have You Ever Used an Oil Lamp?

Have you ever used an oil lamp?

Oil lamps consist of a fuel chamber filled with oil. A wick soaks in the oil, and the tip of the wick protrudes from the top of the lamp. The wick will burn for hours, as it is saturated with a highly combustible fluid. They were common before electric lights were in use.

In some ways, we are very much like oil lamps. Sometimes our hearts are like fuel chambers filled with oil - we feel like we are burning with passion and joy! Other days, we may feel like an 'empty lamp' - tired, lacking compassion or excitement.

Jesus frequently used oil lamps to share His insight into the human heart. In Matthew 25 He told a story about ten bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom to arrive at his wedding celebration. Now I have been to a few weddings that started late, but this is something else: not until midnight does the bridegroom arrive! Five of these bridesmaids have been wise enough to bring extra oil to refill their lamps so they could light his way. Maybe they knew a thing or two about his punctuality! The other five are in a panic because their lamps are dying out. How can they greet their friend with no lamps to light his way or celebrate his arrival? They ask to borrow some oil from the five wise ones, who reply 'No - there may not be enough...buy some for yourselves.' The end of the story is bittersweet: the five with the burning lamps light the way for their friend, and the party begins. The others return late with their new oil, but guess what? The dooor is shut, the party is in full swing, and the bridegroom is not interested in opening the door for the friends who could not be bothered to show up on time for the biggest day of his life.

Many of us will find this story a little disconcerting. Especially those five bridesmaid who thought to bring extra oil: 'buy some for yourselves.' Some friends they were! But what point was Jesus making?

Nobody else can give us a heart connection with Him! Each of us must take responsibility for the oil on our lamps: our personal, heart-to-heart relationship with God.

God has designed us to work together as family. Many beliveers - myself included - acknowledge the importance of impartation, that is the transferring of spiritual gifts through the laying on of hands. We grow as we worship together, pray together and do life together. But let's learn from those five bridesmaids who brought extra oil: in the excitement of life, let's remember to take time, step aside, and immerse ourselves in His presence. When we spend time with Him and open our hearts to Him, we are like lamps filled with oil. Our 'fuel chamber' is filled with the combustible fuel of Holy Spirit! When God shows up, I want to be ready, with a smile on my face, burning with joy.

Best Friends

When I was 10, I had a close friend who lived next door. We spent every waking moment together. One day we discovered a perfect place to build a fort. Everything about it was top secret. Only our best friends were trusted with the location and password. Even at that age, we knew friendship had privileges...'

Best friends love to be together, even when they have nothing they need to talk about. Best friends share jokes, thoughts, questions and observations. Best friends celebrate each other's success, and support each other through challenges. Best friends dream together about the future. Because they care for each other, they feel safe to share secrets. I believe God has designed each of us for this kind of friendship with Him.

'I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I have learned from my Father I have made known to you.' (John 15:15)

In addition to the honor of serving the Father, believers in Jesus share the benefits of friendship with the Father. More than church meetings or a daily time of prayer, His Holy Spirit brings us the gift of continual, intimate connection with Him. Friendship with God is much more fun, varied and fulfilling than we are often led to believe. His presence brings joy, pleasure. freedom and peace.

Friendship with Him opens up a whole world, completely inaccessible by any other means. The mind and heart of God are full of wisdom, revelation and creativity. His thoughts are unquantifiable and unconstrained by time and circumstance. He has plans, messages and dreams for every person, every family, every city and every nation...the best thing is, He loves to share them with His friends.

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The opening extract of this entry is from my newly released book, Hearing 101. To purchase a copy, visit the book section of my web store.

It's Fire Season!

Recently I was speaking at a church I had never been to before. Although I had a message prepared, I had the feeling that Father God might have a different word for the evening. Walking with God is always an adventure much like bungee jumping. Although you know He has you securely tied to Himself, that step off the platform into thin air does take your breath away. Stepping up to the podium without a message, knowing the one on your ipad is not going to be delivered at this meeting can be equally scary. 

It is good that even Kathryn Kuhlman admitted to just talking until the Spirit came. So, I stood up, began talking, taking the leap into thin air. Very soon I was aware of the Presence of God. I was safe. Those invisible ropes were holding me close to the Father. As I spoke I realized it was rather like being on a stage with an ear piece and an unseen voice telling me what to say. I had to stay focused because the words coming out of my mouth were things I had never thought of. I wanted to stop and take notes but realized I was the speaker!

The topic was the Baptism of Fire. I have never preached or taught on the Fire. Since I had no notes and haven't listened to the cd of the meeting there isn't a lot I can share in this blog. It is enough to know that when I had finished and gave a call for people who wanted to receive the Baptism of Fire, almost everyone in the congregation came forward. The Fire of God is a good thing.

After the service, the pastor told me that the prophetic words and prayers of the intercessors before the service were all about Fire. I had another meeting prior to the evening service so had missed almost all of the worship. Apparently the theme of the worship that night had been Fire and Glory. The pastor's comment on the evening was "It's Fire Season!"

Selah.