Pentecost 2011

HAPPY PENTECOST SUNDAY!

This is the time in the Christian church where we celebrate the coming of Holy Spirit and it descending on the 120 who were gathered in the upper room on one accord, waiting for a manifestation and revelation of the presence of God. On this day we celebrate the reconciliation of that which took place at the tower of Babel. There people were separated. On Pentecost the people were restored and heard the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD in their own language.

Fast forward a few centuries…..

It is Pentecost Sunday in 2011 and right about now everyone could use a little bit of good news and to hear AND see the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD. It’s a reality that times are indeed rough and challenging. If you’re a part of the Church in the Now family/network then you know that for us as a church/network AND as individuals it has been a time of transition, transformation, and change. To borrow something from Pastor Jon Scott I am reminded of the story of the Phoenix. When a Phoenix decides that it wants to re-invent itself or that it has done all that it can in its current form and state it will return home and set not only its nest but even set itself on fire in order to be reborn from the ashes as a new creature so that it can push forward towards its destiny. I’m also reminded of John the Baptist’s words in Matthew 3 when he said “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit AND FIRE…” Now all throughout the Bible we hear about the fire of God. “For the Lord your god is a consuming FIRE(Deut 4:24)”, “…..God is a CONSUMING FIRE(Hebrews 12:28-29).” I think with all the talk about hell that comes from literal translations of the Bible we forget that the word fire itself comes from the Latin root pur which means “to purify”. So if we REALLY understand what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit AND with fire then we need to realize EXACTLY what that holds. Yes, it does come with some or all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and yes it gives us a level of Godly power and dominion but we also need to realize that it comes with some challenges as well. Yes the fire of God is a purifying thing but not always is the purifying process going to be easy. Just like the Phoenix we are being set up to be set ablaze, and not just with spiritual power. Most people when they first get baptized or filled with the Holy Ghost they feel as if they can take on anything that (D)evil can throw their way. Then after a while their fire “goes out.” It’s during this time that most people don’t realize that this is exactly what they asked for and what is necessary for them in order to walk in greater revelations and greater truth. They go through fiery trials and tests that usually are misperceived as a work of (D)evil. The only problem with this logic is that ALL things come from God and ALL things work together for G(o)od. To refer back to the story of the Phoenix, it knows that it must set the nest on fire in order to be reincarnated or reborn as something better.

So here’s the Word of the Lord for us on Pentecost 2011….

The Holy Spirit is still outpouring and revealing Christ IN US (Coll. 1:27). However, we need to understand that this process is not an easy one. When you sign up to be/come into the revelation that you’ve already been reconciled to Christ and you chose to do his will in the Earth then it’s not going to be an easy journey. Furthermore what you have perceived as “all hell breaking loose” really is you being purged/purified of the things that are holding you back from your destiny in God. So if you really want to embrace the things of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire then you need to embrace the burn. Before the Phoenix re-invents itself it goes back to its nest where its made of dry and dead twigs. So basically its surrounded by a lot of dead ideas, dead relationships, dead or dying dreams that may or may have not been the fault of the Phoenix itself. But then when all the craziness is going on there’s just one thing that’s the straw in the camel’s back and rather than crying and secluding itself or leaving the nest it goes to the middle of all the dead garbage and twigs and with that one thing acting as a match or a lighter will set everything and itself on fire. So whatever has been that “thing” or situation that has broken you and left you weary after everything else has happened use it and set everything on fire. Let it not seclude you away from what God is trying to do but let it push/force you into His presence, around His people, and most importantly into your destiny. Let all the crap that isn’t truly you and all the material things/strongholds/relationships that hold you back be burned away. Life isn’t easy by a long shot and it comes with some fire. However the good news is that you’ve already been destined to come out of the fire as pure gold or as the Phoenix a new creation. Embrace the fire. Sometimes the fire is much more necessary than the water. Usually when you experience a flood it leaves behind remnants of dead/destroyed things that can be put back together. However when a fire happens it burns EVERYTHING to the point where you have to start fresh. Yes, the rain washes the dirt away and gives us a drink. But there comes a time and situations that can only be cleansed by fire. So whatever it is that has been testing you and purging you embrace it. The good news is when you go through it you’ll realize that there will come a place where (D)evil has thrown everything he/it can and yet you’re left standing. Your literally broken and not destroyed, burned but in ash form waiting to be reborn. And when you are reborn you’ll come back swinging with all the power you thought you lost or was taken away from you plus a double portion for all the trouble you went through.Weeping endures only for a night/season but joy comes in the morning/mourning!