The tide is coming in...

Last Thursday night we had our second evening of a series of videos by Reinhard Bonnke. If you haven't heard of him, he is a ultimate evangelist to the nations. As a young boy at the age of nine, God called him to be a missionary/evangelist to Africa... Since then he has been to numerous countries and thousands upon thousands have come to know Jesus. The videos are so neat. They are arranged as small interviews or bible studies that Reinhard leads a few people in while in different countries. His messages are so clear and simple. The Love of Christ which compels us to love and share His love with others. It's so provoking to your spirit. I was so encouraged by numerous little stories he shared, but this one in particular. As a young boy he grew up in an area where the tides often come in an out. Along with a friend he'd often find himself in a ship yard with dozens of enormous ships (tons and tons of pounds.) And as the tide was out, he wouldn't dare dream of moving it. It was the impossible. However, as soon as the tide came in, he could move the entire ship with one strong kick of his leg. How powerful!!! The impossible became possible as the tide came in. Reinhard likened this picture to the power of Christ in our lives. God says that we can move mountains with our faith... As Christ's power moves in our lives the impossible becomes possible. We too can move the heavy burdens, or large ships that stand in our way. Isn't it such a beautiful picture? And oohhh the beauty of the ocean and the tide coming in. It reminded me of this song written and performed by David Crowder...

Here is our King... Bask in the lyrics for a moment (I love all of them) or download it from iTunes!!

From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground
From where ever searching comes to look itself
A trace of what we're looking for
so be quiet now, and wait

The ocean is growing
The tide is coming in
Here it is:

Here is our King
Here is our Love
Here is our God who's come to bring us back to him
He is the one,
He is Jesus

And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest
So be quiet now, and rest.

Majesty!
Finally!

I love it. Don't you hear Him? Calling you back to His arms? Beckoning you into his heart. He's urging you to understand that there is more. He's opening the delicate places of your heart. He longs for you to shine. To come alive. To step into His power where ALL things are possible...

Last night after church (which was absolutely phenomenal - Thank you Jesus for anointing Chris Hippe)... I picked up the book The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge... Funny how sometimes cerain situations can really draw you into desiring greater intimacy with Jesus - to be filled and lifted into His heart.

Some years into our spiritual journey, after the waves of anticipation that mark the beginning of any pilgrimage have begun to ebb into life's middle years of service and business, a voice speaks to us in the midst of all that we are doing. There is something missing in all of this, it suggests. There is something more.

The voice often comes in the middle of the night or the early hours of mnorning, when are hearts are most unedited and vulnerable. At first we mistake the source of this voice and assume it is just our imagination. We fluff up our pillow, roll over, and go back to sleep. Days, weeks, even months go by and the voice speaks to us again: Aren't you thirst? Listen to your heart. There is something missing.

We listen and we are aware of... a sigh. And under the sign is something dangerous, something that feels adulterous and disloyal to the religion we are serving. We sense a passion that threatens a total disregard for the program we are living; it feels reckless, wild. Unsettled, we turn and walk quickly away, like a woman who feels more than what she wants to when her eyes meet those of a man not her husband...

And on it continues, the authors beckon you to understand that the call of your heart into greater things, is indeed the voice of God!! He is calling you out into life! I love his picture of the ebbs and flows of life. Again, so powerful. I pray that as the Lord is whispering adventure, life, purpose into your heart that you would respond with a quickness. That the love He has shown you would be ignited into flame and touch those with sincere love around you. That the impossible passions, dreams and visions for your life would come alive by the power of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 1:6 > This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self discipline.

If you find yourself repeatedly hitting the wall of fear and hesitation, the time has come!! Allow the love of Jesus Christ to inflitrate your life and empower you as you fan into flames the spiritual gift and calling God has given you!!! The time is now. Fly!