Revival Fire Bangkok “Take Aways” Day 3

Below are my take aways from Day three and the last day of the Fires of Revival of Conference in Bangkok led by Randy Clark.

• The Great Awakening in America had its critics who even called it the “Great Clamor”, or great noise, but history vindicated it as a genuine move of God that did more to build the church in America than any other time before it.
• Jonathan Edwards wrote in “Religious Affections” that you cannot tell whether something is of God through manifestations.  They could be of God, from the devil, or of the flesh; but its the fruit of the revival that tells your where it’s from.
• All revivals in history have had common characteristics and at least one new things that offends people. Gave many examples throughout history.
• One of the biggest Baptist revivals was the “Shantung Revival” of China and it was accompanied by unique manifestations and signs.
• History proves we most usually miss it when it comes to judging revival.
• I Cor 12- the gifts of the Spirit are mostly for those who are outside of the church.  The power of God is power to be witnesses unto the uttermost ends of the earth.
• To think of the revival as a party only grieves God’s heart.
• Many times people throw a party before you go to war.  If you only hear about party but not about the war, you will misjudge revival.
• The purpose of revival was summed up in a song that came forth from revival, “Let your glory fall in this room, let it go forth from here to the nations…”
• Revival is judged not by the numbers of people who get saved but how many people get saved through the people who get saved.
• In the last 100 years, more people have been saved and had a “pentecostal or charismatic experience” with the Holy Spirit more than those saved throughout all 500 years of the whole Protestant movement put together.
• In 200 years of Protestantism, all of the Protestants of the world has sent about 100 missionaries.  During the Moravian revival, a group of about 300 people sent 100 missionaries within 25 years.  This is the evidence of the Spirit at work.
• If you lose missionary evangelism, you lose the fire.
• You can’t keep the fire and not go.
• 2 Cor 4:13 is the secret of the miraculous realm.  Whatever we hear from God and declare it, it happens.
• 2 Cor 1:18-20 All the promises are Yes!
• Believe in your spirit even when your brain can’t.
• While we argue whether the gifts are for today, the enemy is rising in power.
• The Last Days will see an increase of the supernatural, both ungodly and Godly.  But the devil’s power will be eclipsed by the power of God through His people.
• Moses’ snake ate the snakes of the magicians of Pharaoh.  God’s power through his servants is greater!
• We believe in a glorious Church before Jesus returns.  Reread the parables of the Kingdom found in the Gospels.
• The greatest church will be the church of the last days because we go from glory to glory not from glory to demise.

Revival Fire Bangkok “Take Aways” Day 2

Here are my take aways from day two of the conference.  See below on the blog for Day 1.

• Genesis 28:10-17 is arguably the most important dream in the Bible.
• Jesus fulfilled this verse and brought a new relationship where heaven could come to Earth. John 1:46-51
• We are the Body of Christ-the place where angels are ascending and descending now.
• Don’t confuse the possibilities of God with the ways of God.  There is a difference between what God CAN do and His ways.
• Example of William Carey.  People told him that God didn’t need him to go to India to save the Indian people, but God still chose to use him and send him.  It was his way to open India.  Lord said, “I don’t need angels just like I don’t need William Careys, but I chose to use them.”
• If Jesus needed to be ministered to by angels then who am I?    Paul, Peter, Philip & John all were assisted by angels.
• Two different girls who were healed of dyslexia each had separate visions of angels coming and “rewiring” their heads.
• God chose angels to be helpers for us. Hebrews 1:14.  The Holy Spirit is our Helper too.  Both work together.
• “You don’t have to command friends.” when a friend was asked if humans could command angels.
• Angelic activity often takes place when healing/impartation happens.
• Don’t exalt the messenger, worship God.  Rev 19:10
• You don’t worship the postman who brings you a $10,000 check.  You thank the person who wrote the check!
• Don’t camp at the cross.  The cross is a doorway to a whole new realm of life.
• We have reduced the great victory of Jesus to being forgiven and going to heaven.  Our faith doesn’t just prepare us for death, but for Life!
• We receive the Co-mission when we are in submission to His mission.
• Revival is based on a revelation of God’s power which is the revelation that God is good and His mercy endures forever.
• Luke 4:18,19 When Jesus quoted this, he left out the part about judgement for now.  Our focus must also not be on judgement but of grace, mercy, and goodness of God through the manifestation of signs and wonders.
• We need a baptism of both power and the Father’s love-not just talk about it but demonstrate it.
• Pastors-Ordination should be a powerful sending experience with words of prophecy, believing God to anoint them with special gifts and words that confirm what God has already placed in that person’s heart.
• Heidi Baker took 12 men with no education, power, money, or education but gave them impartation and prophecy by the Spirit of God and they are shaking the nation of Mozambique and beyond.
• Fan into flame the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of hands. 2 Tim 1:6, Deut 34:8, Ex 17:11
• Don’t turn your “Charis”-mata into Works-mata.  If you think you earned it, you won’t be thankful for it. “grace”
• 4 Kinds of Faith: Mark 9:22-27, Mark 1:40, Luke 5:25-34, & Mark 10:46-52
• Three lies from the enemy when you are coming to God: -You are too good. -You are not good enough. -Now is not the right time.

Revival Fire Bangkok “Take Aways” Day 1

Just a “few” take-aways for you from the first day sessions at the Revival Fire conference at Jaisamorn Church in Bangkok led by Randy Clark.  During these meetings there were many practical demonstrations of what was being taught as God healed many Thai people.

• -Acts 19- The greatest revival ever recorded in the Bible was in Asia among the most “demonized”  where sexuality and religion came together in the cults of the goddess Diana or Aphrodite.
• Powerful Personal Experience with God plus a Sense of Destiny and Calling = a Historymaker.
• When you have a powerful experience with God and are convinced of your destiny; hardships, persecution, and offense will not stop you.  You will have perservering grace and commitment.
• The test of a manifestation of the Spirit in a person’s life is what happens with them after they are touched by God.  Are they more passionate for Jesus than they were before?
• There are two main kinds of manifestations: one is the conflict between two kingdoms inside of a person who God is setting free and the other is God restoring those who have been exhausted, burnt out, and or wounded.
• To have a sense of destiny without impartation will result in certain burnout.
• Since around the 13th century with the advent of Summa Theologica we have substituted a knowledge of the truth for experience of the truth.
• Knowing in our head does not equal the Bible kind of knowing.
• Healing is becoming normal for the church.  If people don’t get healed, I get shocked.  I totally expect healings today.
• Our tendency has been to create a model without the sacrifice that person made to get what they got.
• Our ceiling should be the floor of the next generation, but I don’t think you can enter into it without your own tempering through tribulation & persecution.
• Legalism is a killer of revival.
• Small groups (cells) are healthy as long as they continue to be evangelistic.  When visitors quit coming so do the gifts of the Spirit.
• Of the 9 gifts of the Spirit listed in the Bible, 8 are for those primarily outside of the church.
• If you already know everything about everyone in your group, how will there be words of knowledge?
• The work of Pastors/Leaders is not to “Hatch, Match, & Dispatch.”  It is more like the work of a drill sargeant taking new recruits and turning them into a core of soldiers.
• Pastors-”Don’t wait on the Saints, equip them”!
• Gifts are the Spirit are not bad, but the handling of them can be bad.  Humble yourself when you know you need more training.
• “The best thing that happened to the Church in China was when the government kicked out all of the missionaries, put all pastors in prison, and left the believers with only the Bible.  When the people had nothing but the Word and the Holy spirit they experienced the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Quoting missionary Dennis Balcombe
• We are in revival when our brains can’t understand all that are spirits are leaping about.
• The Kingdom of God is more than forgiveness of sin.
• How can God “confirm” the message preached if there is no risk from proclaiming that God still heals today?
• Matt 28:18-20-  How do we know when we have obeyed this scripture?  When we have healed the sick.  Teach them all that I have commanded YOU-  What did he command them? Matthew 10:8 is one of many.
• Basis of Healing: Covenant-Ex 32:10, Atonement at the cross-Isa 53:4-5, The Kingdom of God (many refs)
• We don’t command God, but don’t ask God for something he told you to do. Luke 10:9
• Peter is the example of a “teflon Christian,” he doesn’t let the glory stick to himself. Acts 3:11-12
• There is a mystery to healing.  Luke 5:17.  ”The power of the Lord was present for healing” Also 2 Tim 4:20
• More people get healed…when more people pray….more.
• Kingdom is Salvation, Healing, and Deliverance because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Luke 6:17-19

Thailand: Nation of Fire

This is a portion of a word that was given at Jaisamarn Church of Bangkok on 24 Aug 2008 by Chuck Pierce.  I am headed to Bangkok tonight to be a part of a three day conference there that will be led by Randy Clark.  This will be my first time at this church and I found out about the conference in a seemingly “random” way.

I am going with the expectation and faith that God has something for me there that will affect our ministry work here.  I mean, our ministry is named “Spread the flame”!  At the same time, a group from Bethel Church in Redding will be traveling to various parts of Thailand to minister.  People from our “team” have already went out to meet up with them!

My trip will come on the eve of a major ruling by the Thai government that could affect the nation’s peace & stability.  This ruling has to do with the wealth of the exiled former leader of Thailand, Thaksin Sinawatra. He was overthrown by a recent coup and his supporters, known as the red shirts, come mainly from the area of the country where we live and work, also known as Isaan.  He is still influencing the country from his new home in nearby Cambodia and some would say still causing unrest.  Whatever the case, there are at least two groups that are not very happy with one another right now in Thailand.

As I meditate on this word that was spoken, I am also thinking of what may come to pass in Bangkok tomorrow and how it may all tie to this scripture. Hebrews 11:26-29 Whatever may come, it is our prayer that the church of Thailand arise in this hour and bring light to all who sit in the shadow of darkness!

Here is the Word that the Lord has been speaking to me over and over for Thailand. He has spoken to me clearly all year. He has said, “The Nation that I have chosen that it is now time for CHANGE is THAILAND.”

“The Spirit of God says Thailand is going to be baptized with fire. HE has said to me that this is your defining time. The leaders of the movement of God in this region are ready to advance into their next anointing. A new generation is rising filled with passion and fire. There from this night forward, the Spirit of God will start circling this Nation. HIS Fire and Passion will come alive in such a way in this Nation that the Fire began to burn in this Nation.

And He has said to me “You will be known as the Nation of Fire!!”

This Nation is now being released under the Fire of God. That means a new passion of the Lord will overtake this ENTIRE NATION…

Tiger’s Apology and Asian Shame Based Culture

Tiger Wood’s mother, Kultida, is a native of our beloved Thailand.  This makes Woods himself half Asian.  Some people may already know this fact, but what they may not understand is how this ancestry affects his recent public apology and confession.

Thailand, as with many Asian nations, is a shame based society.  This is in contrast to other cultures which may be “guilt or sin based.”  Being shamed or bringing shame upon one’s family is the cardinal “sin” of this worldview.  Many would argue that there is nothing worse.  Having multiple affairs is wrong in the eyes of most cultures, but in Asia the reproach brought upon one’s family through public exposure is even worse.  This is especially true when a person holds themselves, or is seen to have held themselves, to a higher standard yet has fallen short of it.

So in a shame based culture, “being honorable” is more important than “being right or wrong.” Theoretically one can do wrong things, but still keep up a good “face” and everything stays smooth.  But once a person “loses face” and causes family to “lose face”, he has committed the highest “sin” if you will.

In the West, our transgressions are individual problems, between us and God or between us, God, and our family.  But in Asian cultures, if we are regarded as a role model and we fall short, we bring shame upon our family, our culture or religion, and even our nation.

I my opinion, these are the main reasons Tiger made the recent statement on his Buddhist faith with his stern faced, but loving, mother looking on.  It was an effort to rescue the face that she lost because she “raised him better than this” and he “went away from the way he was brought up.”  I didn’t sense the conviction in his voice over what he said, but more of the desire to help lessen the amount of shame he brought to them.

In the shame based cultures of Asia, it may be safe to say that real actions and behaviors don’t matter as much, but rather what others BELIEVE about the offender, his family, or the way he was raised.  This is the most important thing.

Is the Buddha a Higher Power?

A Little Joke... But It Shows Many People's Understanding

As people like Tiger Woods go through the process of dealing with addiction, many are encouraged to look to a “higher power”  or a “god as we understand him” in order to help them overcome.

People in 12 step programs are encouraged to connect to that “higher power” for help to be free from addiction.

So, what about Buddhism? Is the Buddha a “higher power” ?  Can people chose “Buddha” from a list of  ”higher powers”,  if he better suits one’s own “taste”?

In my humble opinion, no.  There are some who erroneously pray to the Buddha as a god, but he never claimed to be one or desired worship.  This idea of praying to “my god Buddha” is an aberration of true Buddhism.  It parallels the idea of Christians praying to “the saints.”  Nice thought, but no power to really help us.   Buddha called people to follow the principles he discovered and laid out in the “Dharma”, or teachings.  He taught that humans should only rely on their selves for the help they need.

Some may feel that the Buddha is a good “role model”, but he is certainly no higher power.  People who actually study Buddhism will agree with me that in Buddhism there is no “god” to pray to and ask for help.  There is no one to cast your burdens and cares upon like the God of the Bible.  There is nothing available like the word of Jesus Christ that says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened down and I will give you rest.”  (See Matt 11:28)

Buddhists believe that the wisdom they need is already within them.  Humans are ends to themselves.  Nice thought, but deep down inside, I believe each of us knows that humanity is fundamentally flawed on the inside.  As I said in my previous post, we know what is right but many times feel powerless to do it.  The Bible gives the reason for this dilemma, as well as its origin, cure, and the power to overcome.

In the Bible; God the Creator of Heaven and Earth of all that is seen in unseen, tells us to seek out wisdom above anything else in life.  (see Proverbs 4:1-13) God also says that the beginning of wisdom starts with an acknowledgement of and true reverence for (Godly fear of) Him as the one and only true God…the only real “higher power” if you will. (see Proverbs 9:10 among many other passages)

As you may contemplate taking the Buddha as your higher power; I hope that you will understand that although Buddha has some good worthwhile things to say about the power of craving and suffering, he is definitely not an available savior or living god.

Consider these key verses from the Word of God:

“I alone am God … I am the Lord and there is no other Savior.” (Isaiah 43:10,11)

“…she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21-23

*The world may have many “powers” but only one true Savior.*

Tiger Woods, Buddhism, & Power Over Temptation

At his recent public mea culpa, Tiger Woods mentioned that he was raised in the Buddhist faith but he had fallen away from his faith later in his life.  He said that Buddhism teaches him “to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint.”

Indeed Buddhism does teach that all suffering is caused by craving or desire.  This is the first Noble Truth of Buddhism.  We can clearly see that Tiger Woods as well as many others are suffering because of his choices.

However I think this brings up a thought I want to share with you…

As normal human beings, even though we many times know what is the right thing to do, we don’t do it. Given the right circumstances and opportunities each one of us could fall prey to desires that have the possibility of destroying us. Whether its lust, the love of money, hatred, lying, or the like, we are potentially susceptible to falling.

So, how do we have the power to do what is right?  I would like to show you a little of the Christian answer to this problem that is common to ALL people.

The Apostle Paul, writer of about two thirds of the New Testament, wrote about these very things.  In Romans Chapter 7:15-25 he intriguingly says,

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.

Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So, we see that it is impossible to be freed from the sinful nature in our own strength.  The power to potentially overcome these universal cravings to do what we know is wrong comes only through Jesus Christ.  ”Religion” may have the ability to diagnose the problem but it doesn’t have to power to save from being a “slave to sin.”  Through Jesus Christ, we have the potential to be “dead to sin.”

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:6,11)

Tiger may have desired to do what was right, but he found that “evil was always right there” with him.  Temptation is common to mankind.  We all face it in varying degrees.  But the difference for Christians is that we have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us giving us the power to overcome evil desires.  It is not a given for any and all who call themselves “Christian”, but to those who choose to “walk in the Spirit” and allow Him to steer them away from the cravings of the “sinful nature.”

Be filled…with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by him. Ephesians 5:18,(Living Bible)

“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16

As a multi-millionaire and one of the most well known sports stars known to the world, Tiger Woods’ temptations were undoubtedly strong, but I am suggesting that if he would have been looking to God and his faithfulness he would have had a greater power to say no and would have seen a way of escape from the temptations he faced.

The Bible gives this promise,

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” I Corinthians 10:13

If and when we come to the end of ourselves; we will find power to overcome sin, not in reverting to religion or “finding balance”, but in an new, fresh, intimate, & ongoing relationship with the God who created us.

In Buddhism, Tiger can only look forwar to the iron clad law of Karma.  He will reap what he has sown.  In Christ, Tiger can receive forgiveness from his past and the ability to start a new life. (I John 1:9 & 2 Cor 5:17).

Still holding out hope that Tiger find this for himself.

Lao Officials Force Christians from Worship at Gunpoint

Many of you will remember my first hand reporting from Laos on a recent ministry trip.  Here is another fresh recent true story illustrating the horrible persecution Christians are facing in the Communist ruled country.

This is yet another ugly stain to the national pride of Laos.  Until the Lao government puts a stop to this sanctioned hatred & persecution of Christianity, this is NOT a country that you want to spend your tourist dollars in if you are a backpacker or adventurer!

Pray for the Christians of Laos.

> Lao Officials Force Christians from Worship at Gunpoint.  Church members marched to open field, deprived of homes.

LOS ANGELES, February 8 (CDN) — About 100 local officials, police and villagers put guns to the heads of Christians during their Sunday morning service in a village in Laos last month, forcing them from their worship and homes, according to an advocacy organization.

Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF) reported that in Katin village of Ta-Oyl district, Saravan Province, Lao authorities including the village chief, a religious affairs’ official, three district police and a 15-man volunteer unit joined 15 village police officers to force all 48 Christian adults and children of the church to an open field.

Why the Tim Tebow Superbowl Ad was PERFECT.

The highly anticipated and controversial Tim Tebow Superbowl ad sponsored by Focus on the Family was perfect.  It took the steam right out of the criticism and had people scratching their heads saying, “what was the big deal again”?

It was charming, warm, and funny which is everything the critics hoped it wouldn’t be.  They hoped to have the ammo to continue to paint people who hold pro-life views on the abortion debate as mean spirited bigots who are only out to hurt women.

All of the controversy only served to get the message out to a broader audience more than probably anyone at Focus on the Family could have hoped for.  

The “SAINTS” Always Win!

Being a native Cajun from Louisiana, it was very fun to write this post given the Super Bowl 44 win of the New Orleans Saints. Great to see New Orleans makin a comeback!  Who Dat?!

But let’s go a little deeper and find out why someone might name a football team “The Saints.”  Hang in there and check it out for yourself!

When you think of the word “Saint”, what do you think of? Many people think of someone who lived an extraordinary life of supreme separation from the world and was “cannonized” by the Catholic church as a Saint.

But did you know that the Bible speaks of EVERYONE who have committed their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord as SAINTS?

The word “saints” is found almost 100 times in the Bible.  See a few of the key places below!

Many times when the churches of the New Testament are addressed, they are called “saints at ______(insert name of the city).  They were all alive at that time, not dead!  The Book of Revelation also speaks of future saints.

The whole duty of ministers in the New Testament age is to

“equip the saints for the work of the ministry.”  Ephesians 4:12.

That means every person who has received Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Every true believer is called a “saint”! What a high calling!

So what does the Scripture say about “THE SAINTS”??