When I was in Kota Kinabalu for the Leaders Conference, I learnt about the Florida Outpouring. Through an unusual man by the name of Todd Bentley, God poured out His Spirit and His power and many good things appeared to have happened.
I have had a look at Todd Bentley's website. Whilst I am encouraged by the miraculous healings taking place, I am troubled by the other manifestations including a variety of animal sounds and movements. I do not deny that it could be a move of God, but I also know that every move of God would have a mixture of spirits which require discernment and regulation.
During the Empowerment Meeting of 27th April in Hope London, I gave a prophecy that Hope Europe shall experience an abundant harvest in the next 7 years (2009 - 2015). I included certain conditions for it to happen. I sense that the timing is right for the Lord to show Himself in tangible ways in this spiritually dry land. These would include signs and wonders. But I also believe that God does not want us to have it too easy. It will be more like [Mark 16:20] 'Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.' It will involve great efforts on our part. It will involve hardwork in building His Church. Yes, keep up the good work brother Peter Troung. :o)
I also shared with my leaders that more and more, we need to step up our faith by dreaming and thinking imaginatively of God's might and glory. We have seen nothing yet!
I also believe that whilst our God is loving and joyful, in His presence, we should not be like revellers getting high on alcohol. When God moves, His people will rejoice in His presence with reverence and thankfulness. Our spirit will be heightened. It will be more like that in the Psalm 'Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy. You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.' [Ps 65:8-13 NIV] Other signs would include prosperity and physical blessings.
When God moves, our understanding of God will be transformed. Our eyes will be opened. We will learn that God can do anything beyond our knowledge, including using a donkey to speak to Balaam. 'Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.' [Num 22:21-31 NIV]Come Holy Spirit!
Our desire for God to move should match that of a man in the desert longing for water. Our desire to know Christ and His power should mirror that of Apostle Paul's heart cry. '........ I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ......I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,' [Phil 3:1-21 NIV] When we are in God's presence, we share in His sufferings (in our service to Him) and His victory (resurrection power in advancing His Kingdom).
Whilst we wait upon God patiently for Him to move, we should also have the confidence that the future is in God hands. Events will unfold according to God's timing for '.....the LORD....directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases........The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.' [Prov 21:1-3,31 NIV]
Amen!
I have had a look at Todd Bentley's website. Whilst I am encouraged by the miraculous healings taking place, I am troubled by the other manifestations including a variety of animal sounds and movements. I do not deny that it could be a move of God, but I also know that every move of God would have a mixture of spirits which require discernment and regulation.
During the Empowerment Meeting of 27th April in Hope London, I gave a prophecy that Hope Europe shall experience an abundant harvest in the next 7 years (2009 - 2015). I included certain conditions for it to happen. I sense that the timing is right for the Lord to show Himself in tangible ways in this spiritually dry land. These would include signs and wonders. But I also believe that God does not want us to have it too easy. It will be more like [Mark 16:20] 'Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.' It will involve great efforts on our part. It will involve hardwork in building His Church. Yes, keep up the good work brother Peter Troung. :o)
I also shared with my leaders that more and more, we need to step up our faith by dreaming and thinking imaginatively of God's might and glory. We have seen nothing yet!
I also believe that whilst our God is loving and joyful, in His presence, we should not be like revellers getting high on alcohol. When God moves, His people will rejoice in His presence with reverence and thankfulness. Our spirit will be heightened. It will be more like that in the Psalm 'Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy. You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.' [Ps 65:8-13 NIV] Other signs would include prosperity and physical blessings.
When God moves, our understanding of God will be transformed. Our eyes will be opened. We will learn that God can do anything beyond our knowledge, including using a donkey to speak to Balaam. 'Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.' [Num 22:21-31 NIV]Come Holy Spirit!
Our desire for God to move should match that of a man in the desert longing for water. Our desire to know Christ and His power should mirror that of Apostle Paul's heart cry. '........ I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ......I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,' [Phil 3:1-21 NIV] When we are in God's presence, we share in His sufferings (in our service to Him) and His victory (resurrection power in advancing His Kingdom).
Whilst we wait upon God patiently for Him to move, we should also have the confidence that the future is in God hands. Events will unfold according to God's timing for '.....the LORD....directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases........The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.' [Prov 21:1-3,31 NIV]
Amen!
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