GET TOGETHER- REFLECTIONS AFTER A NIGHT IN THE TENT

Lu 12:29-34 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. “For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Last night the Lord gave me the wonderful opportunity to minister in a different setting. I preached at the Tabernacle in the Wilderness just north of Jasper. As J.J. and I were getting waiting for the service to start several thoughts went through my mind. It was very hot. I have got to where I like air-conditioning more and more each day. But on the other hand, the presence of God was there in a powerful way.

I then thought about how that there had been other times at places where it was hotter than that. I have tailgated at football games and have sat in the stands at 1:P.M. kick off times when it was in the high 90’s. Please don’t take this as me saying that it is a sin for someone to go to a college football game. But what I am saying is what people have a passion for is that they are willing to be in a setting that is either very hot, or very cold to see their passion realized. Check out fans up north who are willing to sit in sub-freezing temperatures to pull for their favorite team.

People do that because they have a passion for those things. And for many, not all that would be where their treasure is. I know that at one time my treasure was in things like that and I often had a misdirected passion for some things that would not have been necessarily bad, but they had become idols in my life. We once sat through the fourth quarter of an Auburn – Alabama game in Birmingham in the early 80’s when a tornado had been spotted not very far from the stadium. That was where our treasure was, and that was where our hearts were.

Last night the Holy Spirit moved in a very special way in the service. We prayed for people for over two hours. It is my belief that when we become seekers of His Kingdom first above all else that we will see the Holy Spirit move in a wonderful way. Jesus knows our needs. We don’t have to seek after them first. He has promised us that if we will seek first His Kingdom the other things will be added unto us. Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)

There is a risk involved when we do this. Last night as we were in a setting where the gifts of the Holy Spirit were operating, we saw people get healed, someone get saved, and someone delivered from addiction. When you begin to minister in the gifts of the Holy Spirit there is the risk that people will think that you are a fraud. You take a risk when people come to you for healing and deliverance. You have to do what the word of God says, have faith, and leave the results to God. They misunderstood what was happening on the day of Pentecost. Ac 2:13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”(NKJV) Many people are praying for revival in our nation. Revivals can get messy. Go study some of those in the past and you will see what I mean.

There is also the risk of people getting prideful when God begins to move in a very special way. That is why we need to be sure that we are seeking His Kingdom and not trying to build our own. That is why we need to be sure that our heart is in tune with His heart. When we do this, I believe that we will see God change people, God change communities, God change churches, God change our nation and God change the world. I am not sure what God will do tonight. But I am going seeking first His Kingdom. Expecting to see people get saved, healed, delivered, and encouraged!

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus we thank you that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever! We thank You that You still save! You still heal! And You still deliver! Give us a passion for what You have a passion for.

In Jesus Name

Amen

God loves us unconditionally, but He loves us to much to leave us in the condition that we are in.

Your Friend/Kinfolk

Preston