What does God think?

Obviously, it has been a while since I wrote a substantial blog and hopefully I will write an update post soon. But for now I want to write some thoughts which I have been entertaining and need a way out of my head. When I came to Lee University I was a little nervous about studying Theology as a major, but as I am finishing up my last year I have grown with a great appreciation for it. Not only that, but already during my break I found myself wanting to continue to read theology (despite the vast amount of complaining about reading I did during the semester). I've come to realize that Theology could be one of the most misunderstood disciplines and should not be seen as boring or unspiritual. Instead, its ultimate end should lead the reader into the Love of the Father and great fascination of who God is.

One of my favorite Contemporary Theologians is Jurgen Moltmann. He is a German theologian who was born in 1926 and was drafted to be a German Solider in WWII. I want to be clear, I do not agree with a lot of his theological stances, but I think he has presented a unique approach to theology which needs to be utilized. His first book was Theology of Hope which was published in 1967. This was not intended to be a Christian Eschatology, but instead present a foundation of hope for all theology (in 1996 he decided to develop this more and write a Christian Eschatology). Soon after Theology of Hope he wrote The Crucified God which was published in 1973, which is where I intend to focus this post.

He poses a question which directs the rest of his book asking, "What does the human cross of Christ mean for God?" It seems like since Christ has died the church has only sought to define the cross in relation to what it means to us and the freedom, salvation, and future we have in Christ. Without neglecting this foundation, could the cross actually mean something for God too? Moltmann explores the dimensions of this in a profound way suggesting that maybe God suffered the loss of his fatherhood in the death of His Son (Expect a post soon discussing more of Moltmann's theology of the cross, but for now, lets continue exploring what prayer means for God).

Recently, one of my favorite professors at Lee made a comment about the current Christian Charismatic understanding of Intercession and prayer. Without quoting him directly he basically compared the churches understanding of intercession as a works based faith and something we do in order for God to act. This is a completely false understanding of prayer because God is outside of every being and needs no one nor nothing to do what He pleases. While I agree with this, immediately a thought popped in my head similar to Moltmann's question with the cross, "What does the saints intercession/prayers mean for God?" While God clearly doesn't need these petitions, could it be that he has set his Kingdom up in such a way to have full bridal partnership in the place of prayer? Could this be similar to the way he used Moses and other leaders in the bible? Could the wedding really be God's ultimate goal?

While God clearly doesn't need us to accomplish His plans, He has invited us to partner with him as His bride. It's the same as in a marriage, while the man is the head and leader he does not do everything. As the Bride of Jesus we are alongside of Him serving Him, we are with him where he is (John 17:24). In His meekness he has given us the freedom to join and to pray His will into existence. For so long I equated meekness with humility until I read this definition by Josh Hawkins:

"Meekness is the restraint of power for the accomplishment of a higher cause. Though outwardly they may all seem similar, we must not confuse meekness with humility or weakness... when someone is meek, they possess power but restrain from using it for themselves. Instead, they operate in humility and use their power for a redemptive purpose... The glory of Jesus’ meekness is that every time He was presented with an opportunity to use His divine power to shield Himself from the full-brunt of the human experience, He did not. He continually used His power as God for the benefit of others. Not once did Jesus warm himself up on a cold night, subdue His hunger pains when He went without food, or silence the mouths of His accusers when lies were spoken about Him." Click Here to read more.

His decision to set up His Kingdom so believers partner with Him in Intercession to accomplish His purposes is His meekness. Clearly He could do whatever He desires in a moment, but instead he has set standards in place that even He Himself will not cross. Just as he used Moses to release the plagues on Pharaoh and to speak to the people of Israel. In the same way He wants to use our prayers to affect those people and places we pray for. This should transform the way we pray, and instead of begging God to do things we should pray knowing that he desires to answer the things we are praying for more than we do..

But then what? Is the end goal prayer? While prayer is a fantastic demonstration of bridal partnership it is only perfecting humility and meekness within us, so that one day we will be ready to marry the Lamb. We will be a pure and spotless bride. This present evil age will end in the return of Jesus, and those faithful followers will be gathered with Him and celebrate at the Marriage supper of the Lamb.


Thoughts?

Cool Story

A few nights ago I went to the Marietta Square (Downtown Marietta, GA) to hang out with a friend. We hung out under a Gazebo and talked for a little while, when all of a sudden we started getting visitors. We had 3 homeless men walk by and talk to us at different times.

First, a man walked by and stopped and looked at us (almost doing a double take to look at me). Then he looked at us and asked the most random question saying, "Haven't I seen yall up here before? Aren't yall christians, don't you come up here and pray for people?" The answer to that was yes, but it had been close to a year (or more) since I had done outreach at the square. So I told him we were christians and we'd love to pray for Him. Then he sat down and told us a pretty sad story also trying to get some money. We listened to his story and then prayed for him. I ended up also giving him a little money, but it was difficult. It seemed like he was lying, but I felt like the Lord was just saying, "so what, just give him a something." After he left we tried to figure out what just happened. It was so weird because his first question was, "Are yall Christians, and do yall pray for people?" We didn't even have a bible or anything that would make him know we were christians. We decided it was probably the Holy Spirit and reflection of Jesus showing Him love, and he knew we had to be christians. Interesting...

Then a little while longer we had another visitor. This one was a little more shady, but he didn't stop long. He walked by the Gazebo and just said a few comments which i responded to. But he didn't bother to ask us for anything and just continued on his way.

Finally, we met our friend Turbo. Before he came over we saw him dancing on a brick ledge and he was actually a really good dancer. After that he walked by us and wasn't going to say anything when my friend decided to say, "Nice Dance moves." He said thanks and continued to walk, then did a double take and joined us on the Gazebo. He proceeded to say, "You really think so?" and our response was, "Yes it was awesome!" Then in the most humble way he said, "Well, you see, I don't really have a home, and I try to do that to make money." We responded sympathetically really wanting to help him. As we continued to talk we told him we were christians and wanted to pray for him. Then He told us that he goes to Stonebridge Church (which is a church plant from Riverstone). After that we prayed and prophesied over him. it was incredible. i really sensed the Lords pleasure over Tavarace (Turbo was his dance name). We didn't end up giving him anything, but as he walked away I was gripped and knew I had to give him something. So we called him back over and gave him some money.


I'm really not sure what the point was for these three men, but it was an incredible night and words really can't describe the compassion from the Lord which we felt. We sensed the Lords pleasure in an incredible way.

2nd Coming

I am currently stirred with urgency about the Second Coming. It is discouraging when this topic is brought up among the church because of how taboo it is. Throughout the past 100 years there has been many ideas proposed concerning this topic, and because of this there has been a mysterious confused precedent set to approaching the book of Revelation, or any eschatology (study of last things). This is an understandable problem, but after going to Israel I am stirred with urgency to pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation about the coming hour.

In 1948 Israel was restored back as a country for the Jews and then in 1967 Jerusalem was set back up as the capital of this city. Not only is this one of the best proofs for Christianity, but arguably one of the greatest miracles in all of history. 1900 years ago their city was destroyed. The Roman Empire made it illegal for Jews to enter. Not only did it's people not lose their ethnicity, but they kept their original language which some scholars say could be 3,000 years old. This is incredible. The Messiah will not return until all of Israel cry's out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." Jesus quotes this in Matthew 23:39 and it comes from Psalm 118:26. The people of the city said it in the day of Jesus, but He was addressing the Leadership in the city (the Sanhedrin). For 2,000 years this was impossible, but now it is possible again.

In Romans 10 and 11 Paul Talks about His desires for Israel to be saved and says that this "mystery" will happen before the restoration of all things. These are statistics given by David Sliker,
In 1999 there were 2,200 messianic believers in Israel. In 2009 there were 10-15,000 Messianic believers in Israel. In 10 years the number of believers has increased by 700%. That is unbelievable.

There are many other things concerning this that are happening in the earth today, but the point is that we must watch and pray. In Mark 13:33 Jesus says, "Watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is." We are commanded to know the times and seasons that we are living in. For 2,000 years the 2nd Coming has been impossible, but for the first time in history the scriptures are lining up and its likelihood is increasing. I encourage you to pray about this and ask the Lord to open your eyes to what the Spirit is saying in this hour.

Update - I highly recommend this article by Josh Hawkins - Click Here!

Strangers

I have a book called, The Valley Of Vision. This is a book of Puritan prayers and devotions. I picked it up to read this morning and the one I turned to is called "The Saviour." Towards the end it goes,

"May I feel that I am a stranger and pilgrim on the earth,
Declaring plainly that I seek a country,
My title to it becoming daily more clear,
My meetness for it more perfect,
My foretaste of it more abundant."

These few lines are incredibly rich with deep revelation of scripture. Hebrews tells us that we really are pilgrims searching for a city who's builder and maker is God. The reality is that we will never be fully satisfied in this age, but only partially. Our actual inheritance and glory is in the age to come where we will dwell in fullness with God on the earth in the New Jerusalem.

As we are here on earth we begin to get little pieces of it where the Lord will touch us, but in reality this is just a foretaste of the coming kingdom when we will live in communion with God. In Mark 14:25 Jesus says, "truly I say to you, you will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until you drink it new in the kingdom." Jesus is telling us that our ultimate fulfillment will be in the Coming Kingdom, but even now there are tastes of this wine and kingdom which is evidence of heaven touching earth.

I would encourage you to watch this video of one of the songs that has come out of the IHOPU Student Awakening. This is exactly what they are singing of, that in that day we will drink of the marriage wine for real! Enjoy!

The New Wine

A few nights ago (Wednesday 1/13) we had our first prayer meeting in Hughes Hall for the semester. We were praying for about an hour when we just waited on the Lord. All of a sudden a few of us started to receive the joy of the Lord. A few began laughing and experiencing the delight of the father. After about an hour there half of us were drunk the holy spirit (Acts 2). We continued to experience joy and overwhelming peace and just couldn't stop laughing.

We proceeded to walk out in the halls and pray for guys that were still awake. Each time we prayed the Lord would pour out His gladness. When I turned around and looked at what was going there about 7 guys rolling around laughing on the floor! I realize that it is not about the manifestation or even the laughing. Ultimately the point is that most of us were set free from the fear of man and another guy was set free from nicotine! This is what it is about! If the Lord has to make us look like fools to the world so we can be free from bondage, I want it!

The next night (Thursday) we were scheduled to have our dorm small groups. We decided to meet all on one floor and just wait on the Lord. After about an hour the Holy spirit again fell on us in power. Guys who hardly know the Lord are being set free from guilt, shame, and condemnation. He is touching us with His delight.

There have also been multiple testimonies of the Lord releasing healing at Lee. When we got here a guy in our dorm had a torn ligament in his foot, and was healed! A girl in a dorm had a hurt leg and was in a lot of pain, then a couple girls went to pray for her and she didn't hurt at all. Another girl was healed from pain in her back!

We recognize the Lord is on the move and we are agreeing with Him. We are only expecting this to increase. I would encourage you to check out this blog: www.outpouringoncampus.wordpress.com for more updates and testimonies. Thanks!