Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Takin' It to the Streets

Christ went about healing all and brought deliverance to those oppressed by the devil. Takin' It to the Streets have been experiencing God is so many ways. Our first outreach was in October of 2007 at a church yard sale. It was new and nerve recking to say the least. But we saw the Lord touch individual to the heart.

We were sent out among the crowds in teams of two. We waited on Holy Spirit to highlighted to us individuals the Lord wanted to speak to. There was one particular lady who shard she was filled with Holy Spirit but never spoke in tongues. We prayed for her and she had the evidence! She was so excited. We had a team member to run after a lady leaving the yard sale and was able to give her a prophetic encouragement. She receive it with gladness. It was a wonderful experience.

Since then we have done restaurant evangelism, door to door, park evangelism and random acts of kindness in our neighborhood. It's all been very different and sometimes scary but so God provoking. As we continue to move out fear and intimidation is loosing it's power. The team feels stretched to the limit but the Lord is expanding us to hold and carry more of His Glory.

We've had testimonies of people on the street to share how they were praying ealier in the week but didn't think God heard them until God met them on the streets and was gave them same prayer or words prophetically they were praying or asking for. We've had individuals to feel the power of God go through them or heat. It's so amazing to hear the responses. Many of us walk away with confidence that we are hearing the voice of God.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Awaken with a Resolve

This morning I was awaken to the words "It's time for you to resolve some things." Without knowing it I was unconsciously going through my mind of how I can't do this or do that." I was tempted to want to pull back from being active. I felt as though these words could only come from Holy Spirit as he is helping me walk through difficult times.

I continued to hear. "You have to make a resolve that I love you no matter what. Do not confuse your emotions with my abilities." WOW! Okay, I do that. "You have to make a resolve that you can do all things in Me and through Me. It is not your abilities but it is My Abilities moving through you." So often I hear it's not your ability it's His abilities but it does not always feel that way. Oops, there I go again it doesn't "feel that way".

The FACT is we will go through hard times and in those hard times many inadequacies will surface. However, the TRUTH is I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. He has not given me a spirit of fear but of love power and a sound mind. Those that trust in Him will not be put to shame regardless of our emotions, our abilities or lack thereof. That is the resolve He is wanting.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Proclaiming liberty to the Captives

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because He has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound...

In December of 2007 shortly after Christmas one night I felt impressed of the Lord to read Isaiah 61. As I began to read Isaiah 61 I felt a commissioning...a NOW commissioning. I began to feel a rekindling in my spirit. The passion I once had is returning! It was a now word that must be accompanied with demonstration.

I began to revisit a dream I had many years ago where the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me in an audible voice. I was standing in a green field full of trees as far back and as wide as the eyes can see. The sky was crystal blue and sunny. The wind was blowing with such peaceful assurance. I was standing with my former assistant Pastor who loves to evangelize. He did not say much in the dream but handed me a yellow leaf. When I took the leaf I heard a voice say "The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few." The dream ended.

Since then I've gone through so many seasons in my life where all I could think about was me, myself and I. I was like Peter. In fact while in College I had a colleague come to me with the very same words Christ gave Peter. My name was in place of Simon's.
Luk 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.

I did not received the word well at all. But guess what the word came to pass. I went through several years of drought. It is of course said in Psa 68:6 "...but the rebellious dwell in a dry land". Well that is where I was until International House of Fire and Apostle Tina Baker. This was the place where the scales from my eyes fell. The Lord began to strengthen me and in return the desires, the grace to pour into others slowly returned.

In September 30, 2007 a prophetic word came and resurrected passions that I thought no longer existed. This prophetic word birthed Takin' It To the Streets, a prophetic evangelism outreach. Our mission is Mat 10:8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give." We take this scripture literally. Many settle for figurative speech and nice church services without the power and demonstration of the Spirit of God. But not so with us! The Spirit of God is full and ready to release His power through those that say, "Yes, I will go."

It was the word of the Lord that brought life back to those dry bones of mine. It healed the leprosy of my heart. It caused me to realize that God is so much more real than what religion has taught. And so we are takin it to the streets proclaiming liberty to the captives, to those that are bound, to those who need to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying right NOW.