Spirit and Truth Ministries

True worshipers are now being sorted out to play a role in the final conflict, and to inhabit the Kingdom for eternity. At the time of separation described in Matt. 25:31-46, those at the Lord's right hand will be the true worshipers. They will not be from some particular denomination or ministry, but will constitute the Body of Christ.

Our Lord himself clearly defines what it means to be a "true worshiper," so that we need not fall short. It is one who has a balance between the Logos and the Rhema, between the written Word and the spoken Word, between doctrine and experience, between truth and spirit, between the bread and the wine. For too long Christendom has been divorced over this matter, either starving for the bread of truth or thirsting for the wine of the Spirit -- or both. But God is now calling for a remarriage. Our personal response to this reunion movement will have eternal consequences.

There have been times of revival through the years, but in 1994 began the greatest move ever of the Holy Spirit. This Renewal has affected millions as it sweeps around the world. My personal conviction is that this time it will not fade away, but will usher in the Second Coming of our Lord.

In Scripture several symbols are used to represent the Holy Spirit, one of the most common being water. It is heavy rain that causes rivers to run with intensity and strength, and I believe this present Renewal is unprecedented because the Latter Rain has already begun. When Jesus said he wanted to see a balance between truth and spirit, he didn't mean a balance of paucity. He wants a balance of fullness, an abundance of Truth and Spirit, much bread and much wine. Anything less means we are not receiving all God has for us.

Indoor pools with tile sides are very predictable and seem safe. Rivers in nature, on the other hand, are very unpredictable. Especially is this true at flood stage, when it's impossible for mere men to tell with certainty what will happen. Often strange things occur. Sometimes the river takes several acres of land from one farmer, and deposits them on another property on the opposite side of theriver!

So it is with the River of Renewal. Since it is orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, who is Sovereign God, there is no way to predict exactly what will happen. This uncertainty unnerves some, especially leaders who want to exercise complete control over church members. Loudly they proclaim "Everything should be done decently and in order." Agreed, but according to whose standard of decency and order, God or man's? Strange things happened at Pentecost. Was the Holy Spirit indecent and out of order?

When the river flowed with unprecedented strength during the Early Rain, many thrilled to see the power of God at work. Others, however,were frightened and stood on the bank criticizing. That didn't stop the flow of the river, it merely passed by those who were indifferent or antagonistic.

Nature's rivers can be dangerous, but the River of the Spirit is perfectly safe, whether we understand it all or not. Our tendency is to love Jesus, question God, and fear the Holy Spirit. In any case, change is always difficult.

No one puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would burst the old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be put into new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the fresh and new. The old way is better, they say. Luke 5:37-39.

The Naamans of our own day are not happy with God's designated River, but long to cling to old traditions. The old wine may be stale,they think, but at least we're used to it. This new move of God takes us out of our comfort zone.

The River of Life is flowing just now as never before. As we might expect, millions of Christians aren't even aware of what is going on. Others have read about the Renewal, don't like what they've read, and are on the bank throwing stones. Millions have plunged into midstream, while others are at ankle depth with teeth chattering.

WE ARE SAVED INDIVIDUALLY

Although we need fellowship in Christ, there are certain dangers to moving only if our group moves. At Pentecost many who didn't respond to that move of the Spirit were merely indifferent. Others, however, were repulsed and offended, reacting with ridicule. "They're drunk, that's all!" Since the Latter Rain will be much greater than the Early Rain, some will find even more reason to resist. But we must be swept along by the Spirit, rather than by group dynamics. We are saved not by groups but as individuals,and individually we must decide whether or not to move with the Cloud. This is a serious decision; in Moses' time those who refused to move with the Cloud died in the desert.

There are those who are comfortable with, even eager for, a Latter Rain just as long as it's always in the distant future. We must realize that sometime "tomorrow" is going to be"today." The Jewish people were eager for their Messiah to arrive; they talked about little else. Still, when He came they didn't like his style, and either ignored or rejected him. Now, 2,000 years later, when he is about to come the second time,they are still peering at the distant horizon.

I fear that those who cannot accept the Latter Rain of the Spirit, may end up ripe for the devil's counterfeit precipitation.

LEADERSHIP IN TIMES OF RENEWAL

These are particularly challenging days for those called to lead the flock of God. A good shepherd likes to take all his sheep with him, but since we are individually responsible, that is not always possible. I personally know of several pastors who plunged into the River of Renewal. Most of them lost sheep, some nearly half their flock. That is never an easy thing for a conscientious shepherd.

However, I also know that these same pastors soon faced unprecedented congregational growth. Many in the community, unhappy with the usual lukewarmness, now hastened to see the burning bush -- and stayed to worship. In case after case, the congregation with the new wine became the rallying point for other congregations of different persuasions. God is in the process of Gideonizing his troops to see who he can count on in the final conflict. He is looking for warriors to press the battle home.

EMPOWERMENT FOR MINISTRY

All Christians who still have a pulse like to read about Christ's promise of living water.

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within."

(When he said, "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) John 7:37-39.

It is now a long time since Jesus entered into his glory. The Spirit came then in the Early Rain to empower the disciples for sharing the Good News. Now, I believe, the Latter Rain has come to empower those who are serious about sharing in our own day. Once again, Jesus says, "If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink!" Rivers of living water are not going to flow out of us if we are desert dwellers. Only when we ourselves are immersed in the River of Life can we overflow into the lives of others. Jesus promised:

When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere. Acts 1:8

God isn't into using force; we each have freedom of choice. We can ignore the River, criticize the River, or get into the River. However, time is running out. Time is too short to be coy; it's decision time.

How about you, friend? Have you noted that the River is running? If so, are you merely sitting on the bank criticizing? Have you plunged in to receive all your mortal flesh can absorb? Or are you painfully moving in one inch at a time? Remember the words of John the Baptist.

I baptize with water those who turn from their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am -- so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matt. 3:11.

I imagine most everyone reading these words has been baptized with water, but have you also been baptized with fire? If not, your ministry cannot be fully empowered. Our Lord told the disciples there was no reason to leave Jerusalem until they could minister with power.

Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told about this before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4, 5.

When you were baptized with water did the minister lower you inch by inch, or did he put you beneath the water as if he meant it? It's quite possible the congregation was singing, "I plunge, and, oh,it cleanseth me." Now it's time to be immersed in the River of Renewal. If you go timidly, inch by inch, eventually you may give up and retreat. Or by the time you finally get in over your head, it may be about time to go home. You may be saved for the Kingdom, but will have lost out on the privilege of playing your assigned role in the final move of God.

When the Spirit moves with great power, it will always jar our comfort zone. But the Comforter can be trusted. Go ahead, plunge in and never look back. If you give yourself to the water, you will soon experience the Lord in a way you hardly thought possible. You will learn of your spiritual gifting, and you will minister with power. In moving with the river, you have nothing to lose but your inhibitions and fears.

Take the plunge!

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