Today, I finally finished reading "Power From On High" by Rev. John Greenfield. What an amazing account of the Moravian revival that started in Germany, but stretched across the globe; from the 1750s, and for decades; with the affects of this great move of God seen even today through all the churches established, the hymns sung, and the books read by millions around the world.

I have persoanlly been moved by the words of this book and through the prompting of the Holy Spirit challenging me in my persoal devotion to the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (This challenge coinciding with out study last night at REAL Church where we talked about how WE are the Gospel.)

I have been compelled by completion...

Compelled by completing this book; and reading of the amazing things simple men can do through the power of the Holy Spirit. All one must do is earnestly seek God, and be persistant until He shows up.

Comepelled by the completion of the mission of so many, in which God called them to... The countless faithful that counted their lives worthless if unable to proclaim Christ!

Compelled by the desire to complete the task God has called me to. Have I been faithful to this point?What needs to change in my heart in order that I may be faithful, even to death?

Count Zinzendorf stated:
"I am destined by the Lord to proclaim the message of death and the blood of Jesus, not with human wisdom, but with divine power, unmindful of personal consequences to myself."

This declaration stirred my heart... It moved me to memeorize Revelation 12:11, which says:
"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death."

Powerless, ineffective lives for the Kingdom of God are lives that are too in love with themselves.

Compelled to be completely in love with Savior (and compelled to complete the mission)...

steve

I've been thinking about my post last night, and about what God was challenging me with through the testimony of C. M. Ward (read previous post for a snap-shot of his testimony); and there are more thoughts/questions popping up in my head and heart.

DEPRIVATION births either DESPAIR or DESPERATION.

Am I, in the midst of hard times and tough circumstanses, retreating in despair or advancing in desperation? If in retreat, what/who then am I retreating from? If advancing, what/who am I deserate FOR?! This morning God asked me, "Are you desperate for me?"

It's easy to sound and look spiritual in tough times, but what is your heart longing for? Am I seeking the better paying job OVER the providing hand of God? It is possible that God will provide through a better paying job - as it is possible that He wants me to remain where I am.

When someone becomes very sick, even to the point of death, they will tend to do one of two things: give up and die or fight to stay alive - even at the persuation of, or inspite of other's prayers/suggestions. We find many stories of people fighting to stay alive in all sorts of unimaginable situations; and against all odds. Why do we find ourselves giving up on God so easily and using the smallest obstacle as a reason to blame Him for our short-comings? Am I fighting for Life in the shaddow of death? ... the death of prosperity? ... the death of comfort? ... the death of the 'American dream'?

"For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?...For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own" (Matthew 6:25-34).

I signed my post last night saying, "Standing on His Truth... (because it's all I've got!)"... and was quickly reminded that if ALL I have is the Truth, I have everything I need!

Are you retreating or advancing? What is it that you are running from?... or to?

Standing on His Truth... (because it's all I need!)
steve

Last night, as my wife and I arrived home from a night of ministry, I walked up the steps to our 2-bedroom flat on Belmont St in Hamtramck; and as I approached the door to unlock it, the porch light turned on. Now you might ask yourself, "So? What's so special about that?" I understand your question! A porch light, especially when equipped with a motion sensor, SHOULD turn on when someone walks onto the porch!

Well, since living here, I have only seen this light turn on one other time! I was certain that it was simply brokenal and needed to be replaced. Every time I have come home at night, it has never turned on (but that one time)!

As the light turned on, I said to myself, "Huh. Imagine that - this light works!" And then I followed that thought with another - "I wonder if the sensitivity just needs to be adjusted."

At that moment, God asked me a question! He said, "How sensitive are you to my movements?"

"WHAT?!" ... (God has this way of taking normal-day stuff and challenging me with them!)

"That doesn't make sense, God," I said.

As I sat on the couch in silence, debriefing through the recent events of the day, I began thinking about this question proposed by God.
• The world is dark
• Jesus is The Light
• We are called to be light (reflecting Him [Matt. 5:14-16])
- light to the world
- city on a hill
• God, through the Holy Spirit, is moving
• The Word is alive and active

AM I SENSITIVE TO HIS MOVEMENTS? Does my "motion sensor" need to be adjusted? Are others surprised when suddenly a seemingly "broken porch light" turns on?

* I need to turn up the sensitivity to the moving of the Holy Spirit
if I want really be a light in this dark world! I desire for our house
to be a light to our neighbors!

What more does He want me to do? Who does He want me to? What do I need to give up?

Listening to His whisper, and sensing His movements more...
steve