I hate that.

This week I really struggled with my message.  I knew exactly what I was going to preach.  I knew the text, I had an outline, I had references, I was ready.  Except I wasn’t.

I have no desire to bring a sermon.  I step into the pulpit to bring a message from the Father and yesterday I had a sermon but no message . . . until the third song of worship.  At that point the Holy Ghost came into the room, gave me a vision, and told me what to preach.  Actually He gave me a vision, two sentences, and an altar call.  I had to figure out how to preach it.

So with a few minuted till I was going to be welcomed on stage I furiously scratched out the message the Holy Ghost gave me.  I preached it and the Holy Ghost confirmed it with signs and wonders.

Now, that’s preachin.

I believe God tells people things all the time.   So if  I believe in hearing God what is the problem?  Glad you asked.

I am at a place that the phrase, “God told me” has one of three meanings, and two are not good.

1. I am a mature Christian who hears God.  Purpose: Live in unity with God and God’s people.  Scripture: Acts 21:13  Likelihood: least likely.  Description: I am a person who is submitted to heavenly and earthly authority.  I am submitting what I believe God told me for you, as my leader to test.  I would like to walk in submission to this direction from God and I would like you to prayerfully consider what I think the application of this word is.  Please hold me accountable to this direction since I know how serious God’s spoken word is.
   Likely Example: “Since you have asked me to take a leadership role in this area of ministry, I feel I should tell you that before I started serving I felt God told me I was going to lead this area of ministry.  I was just planning to come to church here but God told me so I started serving.  Please help me stay in God’s will and not take on things God does not want me to.”
2. God has to audibly speak before I will do anything I don’t feel like doing.  Purpose: Get credit for being a martyr by obeying God and make it clear God is really inconveniencing you.  Likelihood: probable. Description:  I know about God.  I may have walked with Him for a season.  I clearly heard Him tell me to do something I don’t want to do and I will not do it without someone lavishing praise on me for obeying God.  I am willing to try obeying God but if this is not enjoyable real fast count me out.
   Likely Example:  In service God told me that I am supposed to go to church here.  He said my kids will walk with Him if I serve here and that I will come into my ministry calling here.  Pastor, can I lead a connection group?  Can I be on the worship team?  When can I preach?  I want to write curriculum for Mission Kids.  I want to lead a Mission Trip.  You can count on me to … oh look…. they use candles at New Age Worship Church.  I am still with you.  I will be back.  These folks will not be seen again till tragedy revisits their home.
3. You’re not the boss of me. Purpose: Protect pride.  Likelihood: Bing! Bing! Bing! We have a winner!  Description:  I believe that I am above other Christians.  I am sharing this with you so you can tell me I am right and to tell you that if you disagree with me, you disagree with God.  You might want to refer people to me so I can minister to them.  God thinks I am going to be the biggest, the greatest, the most anointed, the most widely recognized and the most respected ever.  If I submitted any of this to five fold leadership it is possible that my over-sized ego would be damaged.  I might be inclined to lay on my bedroom floor and suck my thumb in depression.  I can’t let that happen so I have convinced myself that I am infallible, and by telling you “God said” I am trying to manipulate you into agreeing. 
   Likely Examples:  There are so many it is hard to list just a few.  I know you can’t stand me but God said you are going to be my wife.  or God told me to share something on the mic, that’s why I did not ask first.  or God told me that people would not understand my call.  or God told me I don’t need to get water baptized.  or God said that tongues is not for me. or God said I should live off my parents well beyond adulthood.  or God showed me in intercession a problem with your ministry.

Real prophecy comes from the heart of God and will always be drenched in humility.  It will ooze with submission to God and His plans.  Pride, rebellion, self-exultation, and manipulation are never from God.

Music video for “Goon” by J’son ft. Thi’sl & Pastor AD3. From the album ‘City Lights’ out 7/20/10.

When you were born 7 years ago, I held you in my arms and declared that “this is my daughter, in whom I am well pleased.”  And truly you have fulfilled that prophetic declaration.

Anastasia, words cannot begin to describe how much I love you.

This morning, when you came into the bed to cuddle with me, I thanked the Lord for you again.  Just like I have a thousand times before.

I suspect one day climbing in bed with your mom and I wont be the first priority of your day but know that will we wish it was.

One day, when all your dreams are coming true, when the world is at your finger tips, when you have accomplished everything God destined you to become, know that on the first day you were born you already captured my heart. When the world tempts you to try and earn my love know that you had it the moment I found out you were in your mothers belly.  When you feel you have to earn acceptance in this world remember that I already deemed you acceptable the moment I laid eyes on you.

Have a happy birthday princess.  I love you.  This has been seven years of Joy.  Thank you Jesus for this gift.

• Ghetto parenting is cursing around, and at, a child.
• Ghetto parenting is brawling with your man or your woman in front of your child.
• Ghetto parenting is letting your child roam the streets until somebody else’s mother has to tell the child to go home.
• Ghetto parenting is putting your child off on friends and relatives because you want to hang out in the street.
• Ghetto parenting is getting so hooked on substances that the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has to remove your children and place them with strangers.

Now, you would not think that this would need to be stated but to some it is a surprise that there are varying levels of parenting.  Some people took exception to the article.  They were not mad at “ghetto parents” but mad at the woman who coined such a phrase.  Sometimes things get so ridiculous that they have to be pointed out even at the risk of offending people.  Otherwise, people begin to think that the ridiculous is the accepted norm.

I could follow that thought with a boatload of doctrines at loose in the Charismatic church right now but I will defer for later.  I would, however, like to point out Charismatic Christianity’s version of ghetto parenting.  For the purpose of my typing laziness, I will shorten Charismatic Ghetto Parenting to CGP.

Ok, so you love getting touched by God.  You love laying on the floor enjoying His presence.  You love sitting under anointed preaching.  It makes you feel good to be around people hungry for God.  That’s great.  But if that touch, presence, preaching and hunger does not manifest in the ability to understand that God wants you to raise the children He gave you, then at best you have hardened your heart to the true word of God and at worst you have been deceived by a false spirit.

Newsflash:  You are not your own.  Bring real glory to God.  Get off the ground, prepare a meal at home, and raise godly children.

The funny thing about this worship set is that it is during this time that the most dramatic breakthroughs happen in people’s lives.

In any event, I decided to be less lazy this week and post part of the prophetic song from this week.  enjoy

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

The Beginning of the Solution

Overcoming the obstacles

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