FOREVER CHANGED

How do I describe the energy, the power and the love of true spiritual hunger. It surpasses anything anyone could ever imagine. The shouts, the sounds of celebration; of intimacy. There is nothing like being in the midst of a people who emanate the reality of knowing what it is like to be forgiven much, therefore they love God a whole lot. This was our experience in Caldwell, Idaho at Higher Ground Worship Center. We were greatly honored to be with Pastor Chuck Seip and his wife Jennifer, as well as the entire body at HGWC. We saw God healing his people. We saw Him open deaf ears, and straighten up painful and crooked backs. We listened to a testimony of a man believing without a doubt that God healed him of cancer. He had severe pain, and then; no pain. We saw people coming forward, giving their lives to the Lord for the very first time. We encountered the hunger of children coming forward, wanting to be profoundly touched by the glory and power of God's love.

The hunger and thirst of a people just wanting to lay hold of God any way they can, becomes a magnifying glass over anything anyone might say or do. As I began to prophesy about the glory of God; the love of God, their hunger for Him magnified the prophetic voice of the Lord a hundred fold. Everything that happens in the midst of a people who are spiritually hungry for the presence and glory of the Lord is amplified exponentially. There were times during the course of our meetings that the shout and celebration of the people would become so great that I would become paralyzed with an over whelming reality of God's eternal love.

When people are truly hungry for the presence and glory of the Lord, the dynamics of worship dramatically change.  In an atmosphere of spiritual hunger every motion of participation creates a rippling effect in the spirit so large that the invisible realm becomes visible. A young man playing rhythm guitar, along with another acoustical guitar, drums and violinist, were more than enough to surround us all with the glory of heaven. At one point during an intense  time of kingdom celebration,  I was caught up into a visual display of heaven. I saw an overlay of the city of God descending upon us. It was literally a visible transparency of the city of God as mentioned by John in the book of Revelations.

“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem , coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said,"Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." (Rev 21:2-5)

During this amazing vision we were all being joined together with the saints who had already passed  into eternity. We were all part of a great sea of people worshiping the Lord with all our might. I knew that we were all overwhelmed by one thing; the power of being forgiven and the awesome love of God toward us. This powerful revelation was motive enough to cause all of us to worship the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

I didn't want this revelatory moment to end. I said, “Lord please brand my heart and mind with the revelation of what I am hearing and seeing right now in the spirit. Every member of my body was frozen with heavenly delight. The louder the people shouted, the more compressed I felt with the love of God. What made this moment so powerful was that all of my senses were being captivated by one thing; His love for me and my love for Him. I know now what Jesus meant when He said,

"I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:18-20)

Glory to God! Rejoice because your name is literally engraved in heaven! Our names are embedded in the eternal walls of glory. Once you see this; when we know this; you can trample over all the power of the enemy and nothing, by any means, can hurt you. If you let this really get into your spirit you will rejoice like you have never rejoiced before, because you will know His love with a heart and mind that is completely unveiled. We should never have to go to another city or state to experience the power of an open heaven. We should never have to say, “I wish I could go over there and feel the hunger of God's people.

A couple of months ago I told Lori, “I'm tired of going out trying to convince people that living in the kingdom of God is well worth the price. I'm tired of going to places, feeling like I'm pumping up a deflated tire." What has happened to the hunger of the people? A spirit has seeped into the church at large and taken her joy away. Much of the body of Christ has forgotten how to rejoice in the power of God's love. It was true in ancient times and it is true now, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Neh 8:10)

When the nation of Israel stood at the walls of Jericho, it was their shout that brought the walls down. The walls had not yet fallen, but they celebrated the victory of the Lord in advance. Their shout was a prophetic act of faith, knowing if God was for them-- who could be against them?

We must follow the pattern of our forefathers; the pattern of heaven. We must learn to celebrate the love of God no matter what state we are in. I say, “Let us follow the pattern of Higher Ground Worship Center in Caldwell, Idaho and other like gatherings across the world. Let us celebrate the fact that everything has become new; old things have passed away. Let us rejoice that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Let us become a part of the cloud of witnesses here and now. We are on the threshold of experiencing the oneness of God; for the unity that Jesus prayed before His death and resurrection from the dead.

I am inviting everyone to celebrate Easter as you have never celebrated it before. The word “celebrate” comes from the Hebrew word “asah.” It means to make, to fashion or accomplish. When we celebrate the presence of the Lord we are creating a new look in the earth. We are showing the world the style of heaven and the manner in which we are clothed with glory. The trends of fashion in this nation have always had a tremendous influence throughout the world. So get ready for a new look! Get ready for a garment that the world has never seen. This garment is tailor-made; especially designed just for you. When you see this new look it will make you want to shout, to dance and sing about the goodness of God.

So now is the time for the people of God to celebrate His life, to celebrate the life He has given to each of us. No matter what your circumstance may be, see that you are victorious! See that your name is engraved in heaven! When you gather together this Easter, gather with great expectations, gather expecting to experience an open heaven. It is time we stop looking at this nation through the eyes of the world and see it through the eyes of promise. I promise you, God promises you, that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of God. (Rev 11;15)

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” (Ps 5:11-12)

April 1, 2010

Blessings,

Michael