I have had such an amazing week at our Church's National Conference in Melbourne, and what a week it was!
To see how God is moving around the world, in different movements, different cities, different organisation, and yet receiving the same call.
There were a lot of prophetic words given, from the pulpit, but also from the prophets (In the Apostolic church, there are recognised prophets). That was not so unusual, in fact, it is what would normally happen. The content of such words were the thing that cause me to be amazed.
The words that were being given were the same as what God had been telling me earlier this year. That God had also been showing to others of my friends. That this is a time of new beginnings. The 'new thing' is here, and it is powerful.
There was a call to return to the very thing that made our movement what it was. An apostolic sending mission. Planting churches, seeing salvations, and doing it all through the power of God.
That we cannot preach the anointing of God without first living it. We cannot send others without first ourselves being sent. Maybe not physically, but in the heart. That the laying down of our whole lives. The laying down of the things that God has placed into our lives releases us to greater levels, and releases those around us as well.
Jesus is on the over around the world. He is moving in Australia that is for sure. He is pouring out His Spirit, a new wine is available. The question is this, are we willing to destroy the old wine skin and get a new one? Or will we hold on to the old and so miss out on the fresh outpouring that He is bringing?
It is a scary thing to face, but to let our focus fall on the sacrifice of giving up is to completely miss the point. Yes we may have to give up more than we ever dreamed. But what we will gain is Jesus. We will gain Him more fully, and more completely, than ever before.
What a joy it is to lay down our lives, it is no burden, it is no sacrifice it is no cost compared with the Glory and power of His love.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:44-46
It took me years to understand this. I am not someone who values possessions very much, and so my thoughts were always why would you sell everything for a pearl? Seems like a bad trade.
I did not understand the value of the pearl. The pearl is Jesus. It is His love for us.
When we understand the value, of that, then we do not hold on to our junk saying I don't know if it is worth it. We immediately go and throw away everything that we might gain Christ.
I love you all, let me know how this hits you! Also what is God speaking to you or has been speaking to you?
Grace and peace!
Daniel