The entertainment-driven church calculates success as attendance + programs + offerings x short attention span.
Now in a COVID-19 era, the church calculates survival as viewers + offerings x short attention span.
Where do we go next?
Earlier this week, I wrote down the words, “May the pressing of the ripened grapes bring the sweetest and freshest new wine of the Holy Spirit.”
We are living in pressing and driven times. Demonically driven times, like the pigs, headed toward the cliffs of destruction. Yet, fleshly fights, quarrels and battles are for unholy pigs, not for the children of the most high God. Many of us are so wrapped up in battles of the flesh that we can no longer discern between the Holy Spirit and our fear, anger or other fleshy emotions.
There is seldom, if ever, unchallenged ground in this life.
To find the right answers, I have to start asking the right questions. The premise is simple, but it’s easier said than done. If my heart is not focused on God, the flesh leads me. When my spirit is tuned to God, my heart unearths questions that lead to Spirit-filled answers.
Are we being driven by an election and looking to man for answers? Is the hand of government our source? We should be directed by the Holy Spirit, not by fear, flesh or man. Micah 7:7 says, “But as for me, I watch for the Lord; I await the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”
Election prophecies are being mocked not only by the world but also by many brothers and sisters in Christ. Where do we go from here? But more importantly, who do we look to at this moment?
I believe when the voice of man has failed, there is an invitation from the book of James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
In every worldly problem, we can find the power of God’s promises. With every opposition, there is an opportunity for the world to see His good works and glorify the Father. God has supernatural provision to overcome every demonic wind of resistance.
I believe God is saying, “Come near to me; if you are real with me, I will be righteous with you. Then you will be righteous with me, and I will be real with you.”
Adventure into the heart of God in 2021. Be real and righteous; leave fear behind you. To start your journey, ask these questions:
— Am I led by the sweet whispers of the Holy Spirit or the shouts of the needs of people?
— Am I asking the Holy Spirit for help to fulfill my desire or the Lord’s?
— Am I allowing fresh instructions of the Holy Spirit into my heart?
— Am I receiving growing correction through the Word and prayer?
— Is the Holy Spirit giving birth in my supernatural, creative and abundant life?
“I came that you might have abundant, overwhelming, to the max life.”
The Holy Spirit is giving you an invitation this year to kick it up a notch, not down a path fueled by fear but in a deep calling of the Lord. Intensify your walk, and trust in Him in 2021.
You are beautiful; I see Jesus in you. Have an awesome week. {eoa}
Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the Book of Hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. He considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor’s conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia’s 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
