Don’t stop now….
562 words — 2m 14 s read time
I'm confident the Holy Spirit wants us to:
Intentionally train the saints of God for a life of good and godly works (Eph. 2:10).
Implement a reproductive discipleship methodology (Matthew 28:18-20).
Invest in spiritual friendships. The church will grow healthier as we embrace smaller gatherings (Acts 2:42-47). Jesus spent approximately 8,000 hrs with his disciples. Two hours a week on Sunday is grossly insufficient to build a life that abides in Him. We need the support of close friends.
Participating in what the Holy Spirit is doing will require receiving and responding to His work within and among us. Recently, I shared about five scenarios (there are more, but I only had a sense of these 5). Each reveals a hardship that requires a response.
Lazarus (John 11:44) - Lazarus represents those of us who are born again and experiencing the life of God. We are also still wrapped up in grave clothes. Grave clothes represent old ways of thinking, responding to life, relating to people, old belief systems, and habits. We are new creations in Christ. Engage in a friendship where your discipleship and sanctification can surface and shed the grave clothes. This story is about maturing into your identity.
Imprisoned (John 8:36) - I had a picture of people sitting in a prison cell, and the door was open. Some of us choose to stay in what's comfortable rather than take responsibility for the freedom given to us. We can't glorify Christ by fulfilling the work He has given us (John 17:4) if we stay in our prison. We are free yet live imprisoned. This story is about living free from sin and shame and for the glory of King Jesus.
Travail (1 Kings 18:42) - There will be moments when our fruitful, contemplative, regular praying will be insufficient. What God wants to do and how He is asking us to pray will require travail. Intensity is the only distinction I want to make between travail and our "normal" praying. God said He would send rain. Elijah's response is to physically position himself the way a pregnant woman will give birth, and he prays (travails). This story is about partnering with God for breakthroughs.
Costly sacrifice (1 Kings 18:30-35) - Water is the most precious resource in a three-year drought. Elijah collects the most valuable resource and pours it over the altar. I believe we are in a time when God asks for what's most costly and places it on the altar expecting God to meet us in supernatural ways. What is the "water" in your life that God asks you to put on the altar? This story is about experiencing the miraculous.
Confession (James 5:16) - I wish James didn't say what he said. It’s hard to hear and maybe harder to live. James connects aspects of our vitality and health to confessing sins to another person. The enemy does his best work in darkness. As long as our sins remain private and secretive we’ll be children of God living as prisoners of sin. Be wise about with whom you will share. There awaits a cleanness that boosts our confidence in living and praying. This story is about living with confidence, not arrogance.
Join me in asking King Jesus about these that apply to our life.
Repent. Receive. Rejoice. Rise up!
