What was it do you think that caused the martyrs to lay down their lives and say, “Take my blood; I want to preach the gospel - Jesus is Lord!” That’s the Holy Spirit Who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts. The Holy Spirit is the One Who gives to us all of the promises of the Father, Who causes us to walk in the perfect will of God, not just day by day, but moment by moment.
He opens springs of water in the desert, causes the Sun to stand still, sends fire from Heavenly places, and commands power over the grave. He’s the One Who spoke and brought galaxies into existence. His breath caused the waters of the Red Sea to stand like walls and the walls of Jericho to fall like water.
As 2019 comes to a close, we celebrate the goodness of God. I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the friends and supporters of this evangelistic healing ministry for your heartfelt prayers and selfless, sacrificial giving. Together, we have spread the gospel of Jesus Christ all around the world, in the power of the Holy Spirit, through events and media.
Whatever strengthens my Spirit weakens my flesh. So if my spirit is strengthened through fasting and praying, then my carnal nature is weakened by the same. Therefore, every benefit that you can receive from a weakened flesh or from empowered prayer, you can receive from fasting. Though there are many more, here are 10 benefits of fasting:
The Holy Spirit loves us all equally, but He trusts us in proportion to our obedience. Every sincere believer wants to be trusted and used by the Lord. So what’s the first step? Being used by God is as simple as obeying God. Simply do what’s before you, and allow promotion to come from the Lord.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NLT)
You will receive power when the Spirit comes upon you. What’s the purpose of that power? The purpose of that power is to turn you into a witness, one who shares the gospel. And as you are faithful in sharing the gospel, God is the One Who brings about the results. You do the possible, and God will do the impossible. You preach the gospel, and God will save the lost.
Now, notice that the Bible says, “in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The early Church spread the gospel first in the city of Jerusalem, then the regions of Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth.
Their influence grew gradually. So I believe it also goes with us.
These are the seven levels of ministry influence:
Personal
Corporate
Regional
National
Global
Generational
Eternal
Personal influence first occurs in you, as the Holy Spirit works on your character and nature. He breaks the bondage of sin over your life and delivers you from demonic influence. That personal influence then begins to touch your loved ones. This is the initial stage of ministry impact.
Then the Spirit will raise you to become effective in a local body of believers, a local church, corporate influence. And, yes, a local church is Biblical. God creates systems - the solar system, your immune system, ecosystems, and so forth. Creation is filled with orderly systems that reflect the orderly nature of God. The church is no different. Yes, it’s organized, and, yes, that’s how God intended it. And it’s not possible to edify the body of Christ using your spiritual gifts outside of the context of the body of Christ, which is clearly described in the New Testament. And if you are faithful to serve in a local body of believers, God may raise you to have regional influence.
Regional influence is impact over a city or even a State or province. Likewise, national and global influence impact nations and the world.
Now, here I must stress that it’s important to think of ourselves soberly. Just because I preach in different States doesn’t mean I have national influence. Just because I have a list of countries on my preaching itinerary doesn’t mean I have national or global influence. National influence means that when I operate in my gift, nations shift. The same concept applies to global influence. Very few reach that level.
However, the level of your influence really is up to God. After all, it’s about His agenda, not our notoriety. So don’t concern yourself with how you’re raised. Just obey what God has spoken and leave promotion in His hands. How far you’ll go is none of your business. So don’t go after influence, go after obedience.
And as we obey, we all can share in the collective impact of generational and eternal consequence. Just by living a holy life that glorifies God, you become the preservation of your generation - and generations beyond. And by simply sharing the gospel, you’re not just impacting lives; you’re impacting eternities.
When teaching his disciples how to pray, Jesus began by saying this:
Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Notice that Jesus didn’t begin His prayer with a plea to be heard. He did not beg for God’s attention. He did not cry out to be received. He prayed with a confident knowing. Assured of His identity, Jesus prayed with a holy boldness.
The key to praying with boldness is knowing that God is your Father and that you are His child. We find our confidence when we can sincerely pray, “Our Father.”
When the believer is assured of his divine identity, he can pray unhindered by doubt and shame. Doubt and shame are the great destroyers of your prayer life. Doubt tells you that God can’t hear you; shame tells you that God won’t hear you.
And both doubt and shame can be overcome by knowing one simple yet powerful truth. That Truth is found in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Because of what Christ accomplished on the cross, because we have a High Priest representing us before the Father, we can approach the throne of God with confidence and boldness.
The disciple of Christ does not doubt God’s existence, but the disciple of Christ does, at times, doubt God’s ability to perform His Word. And it’s not that we imagine that God is powerless. Instead, we imagine that we ourselves are unable to receive. That’s the great hindrance of doubt. In the same way, shame causes us to question whether or not God will hear our prayers.
Shame and doubt go hand-in-hand. Shame and doubt energize one another, and they are rooted in the same lies.
“Your past isn’t forgiven.”
“God is unwilling to hear you.”
“You’ve made too many mistakes.”
“It’s too late for you.”
Shame and doubt can hinder your prayer life, yes. But there is a holy boldness within - a boldness that has the power to destroy the weakening bondages of shame and doubt.
When you begin to pray, start from the place of identity. Maintain a divine audacity. Know to Whom you belong. Know that you are accepted and forgiven. Cry out, “My Father!” Let the Holy Spirit persuade you. Let Him convince you that you belong to God.
Romans 8:15
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
Trust the voice of the Holy Spirit. Ignore the voices of doubt and shame. When you pray with boldness, you’re not afraid to ask of God. When you pray while free from shame, your confidence in the Lord is renewed.
Imagine how much time you could save while praying if, instead of begging God to hear you, you simply believed that He already did. Imagine how boldly you could approach the throne if you knew the sin that causes you shame was wiped from God’s records. You’re already His. You belong to Him. Remember: we don’t pray to connect with God; we pray from connection with God. Go boldly before God.
