THE POWER OF

THE POWER OF

IMPARTATION
IMPARTATION
SEVEN KEYS TO UNLOCK THE POWER OF GOD
IN YOUR LIFE
PAUL M. GOULET
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations in this publication are from
the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) Copyriht ! "#$%, "#$&,
"#&' International (ible Society) Used by permission of *onder+an
,ublishin -ouse)
Scripture quotations mar.ed (N/0V) are ta.en from the New King James
Version, Copyriht ! "#&1, 2homas Nelson, Inc) Used by permission)
3ll rihts reser+ed)
,rinted in India
DEDICATION
I dedicate this boo. to 0esus Christ, my Sa+ior and 4ord)
I also dedicate it to the scores of people who ha+e poured into me)
I am eternally indebted to5
6om5 7our faith, resilience and beautiful disposition inspired me)
8ad5 7ou were a hard wor.er, respectable, honest and touh as
nails) I needed these qualities)
8enise5 9+er twenty years of marriae and it :ust .eeps ettin
better) 7ou are ifted, inspirational and passionate) I wouldn;t be here
without you)
Isabelle, Christine and Samuel5 I didn;t .now I could lo+e anyone
this way) 7ou are a ift from <od) I am so proud of you)
,astors, coaches and teachers from my past5 =hat can I say> 2his
boo. is a product of your commitment to impart)
?riends, staff and leaders of IC4V5 2he best is yet to come) 2han.
you for i+in to the 4ord) 2ruly, I am a life that has chaned) I lo+e
you)
@
TABLE OF CONTENTS
?9AB=9A8 $
IN2A98UC2I9N #
C-3,2BA " 0BSUS, 2-B 63S2BA I6,3A2BA ""
C-3,2BA 1 2-B ,9=BA 9? I6,3A232I9N 1$
C-3,2BA % "##'C2-B 7B3A <98 SUA,AISB8 US %@
C-3,2BA ' <98 =3N2S 29 I6,3A2 2-A9U<- 79U D%
C-3,2BA @ SBVBN /B7S 29 UN49C/ 2-B ,9=BA 9? <98 IN 79UA 4I?B D#
Key #1: You can't give wat you !on't ave "#
Key #$: You must !eci!e wat you want %&
Key #': (o! im)arts to us so tat we may im)art to oters &%
Key #*: +osition yoursel, ,or im)artation #*
Key #-: .ee/ multi)le im)artations 100
Key #": 1en you get it, guar! it 11"
Key #%: 1en you get it, ,ee! it 1$-
C-3,2BA D <UI8B4INBS ?9A 2-B 6INIS2A7 9? I6,3A232I9N "%%
C9NC4USI9N5 E23/IN< I2 29 2-B S2ABB2SE "'$
N92BS "@@
FOREWORD
2his new boo. by my friend, ,astor ,aul <oulet, is a ift of <od
to the church) It;s a messae full of ood news to all those that cry out
from their heart to <od as 6oses did, 2I beseec tee, sew me ty
glory2 345o!us '':1& KJV67
It is possible to li+e a Christian life without eFpectancy) It is
possible to be satisfied with the eFperiences of the past and not eFpect
anythin new from <od) It is possible to e+en inore that a deep and
personal fellowship with the -oly Spirit eFists and li+e :ust paddlin
on the shore of a +ery deep ri+er) (ut we .now that this is not our
-ea+enly ?ather;s will)
2he (ible says, 28n! be not !run/ wit wine, werein is e5cess9
but be ,ille! wit te .)irit2 34)esians -:1& KJV67 2his =ord of the
4ord, in its oriinal meanin, eFhorts us to be EcontinuallyE filled with
the -oly Spirit, re+ealin that this process needs to be renewed daily
and in a constant manner) 2he intimate fellowship with the Spirit, the
anointin for ministry and the fullness of holy li+in is not sustained
with eFperiences from the past) It depends on our huner and passion
for the -oly Spirit each day)
I ha+e a sincere lo+e for ,astor ,aul <oulet and his wife 8enise) I
.now their wonderful International Church of 4as Veas, in Ne+ada,
and the tremendous ministry that <od enables them to carry forward in
a city with such unique characteristics) I admire their pastors; hearts,
their passion for souls and their surrender to the -oly Spirit)
2here are many of us who, toether with ,aul <oulet, ha+e
redisco+ered the person and the wor. of the -oly Spirit as the most
priGed thin in our li+es) 3nd throuh different impartations of the
-oly Spirit to our hearts we ha+e renewed our commitment and our
$
& :e +ower o, Im)artation
thirst for <od)
,astor ,aul <oulet shows us clearly, throuh the Scripture, his
own testimony and deep ministerial eFperiences, the requirements to
recei+e fresh and transformin impartations of the -oly Spirit) -e
spea.s of the necessary humility, of the constant searchin, of the
worship that reaches <od;s throne, of the blessed influence of other
ser+ants of <od, of the special care the person of the -oly Spirit
deser+es, and of the life of holiness and ser+ice that results from this
full and +ictorious life)
=e may eFperience a touch of the -oly Spirit in a ser+ice or in our
room of prayer, but what is most important will follow later, when the
internal chanes and the eFternal fruit of this encounter become
e+ident) 2hese lorious chanes become fundamental in a new,
personal and lo+in relationship with the -oly SpiritH become e+ident
in our character, e+ery day becomin more li.e 0esusH and by a new
power to be -is witnesses and to do -is wor. in the world)
2his impartation will affect your life, your ministry, your children,
and your family) 3ll that you are and all that you ha+e will be mo+ed
by the lorious and blessed wor. of the -oly Spirit) =hen you recei+e
this new impartation of the Spirit, ta.e care of it as the most precious
treasure and do not become satisfied, because you are :ust beinnin to
.now him) See. -im moreI ?ill yourself with more of -imI
I feel in my heart that by means of this boo. <od has placed into
your hands the .eys to bein a new stae in your life and ministry) <et
ready to recei+e itI
Rev. Claudi !. F"eid#$
INTRODUCTION
2he purpose of this boo. is to help you unloc. the power of <od
in your life, family, business, church and community) 9nce it is
released, there is no force that can stop it)
I ha+e been in pastoral ministry since "#&%, but it is only since
9ctober "##' that I can claim to .now the 4ord;s power) (efore this
date, I had eFperienced only a mere tric.le spillin o+er a seeminly
indestructible dam, which held bac. the mihty ri+er of <od,
pre+entin our church and our city from eFperiencin the full flow of
-is healin, sa+in, lifeJchanin power) I hope and pray :e +ower
o, Im)ortation will burst the dams in your life and ministry)
2his boo. was not written as an apoloetic wor. for the ministry
of impartation) 2he term im)artation fell under suspicion durin the
latterJrain mo+ement, when it came to be associated with the
mo+ement;s oftentimes aberrant theoloy) -owe+er, it is time to free
this important concept from its neati+e historical conteFt and ta.e a
fresh, biblical loo. at it)
=e li+e in a eneration hunry for more of <od) Impartation is the
+ehicle <od is usin to satisfy this huner and to unleash a reat endJ
times re+i+al) I assume you are readin this boo. because you are one
of those hunry people) 2hese paes were written to help you
eFperience -is power li.e ne+er before)
Impartation is all about the power of <od flowin throuh people)
It is not restricted to an elite few) <od can use whate+er +essel -e
chooses in order to impart (i)e), Eto i+e o+erE
"
) to another) =hen ,aul
wrote to the Aomans, he was confident of his ability and <od;s
willinness to pour into their li+es throuh him5 2I long to see you so
tat I may im)art to you some s)iritual gi,t to ma/e you strong2 3;om7
#
10 :e +ower o, Im)artation
1:1167
I am also confident that <od will use this boo. as a tool to impart
truth and power into your spirit)
In these last days there is no room for false humility) <od is
loo.in for men and women, teens and .ids, who are full of faith and
confidence) -e wants to heal the sic., deli+er the oppressed, sa+e the
lost, and touch a hurtin world throuh people li.e you and me) 3s -e
pours -is power into us and throuh us, we ordinary people will
become the instruments <od uses to spread a tremendous endJtimes
re+i+al to e+ery corner of the earth)
3m I sure <od is oin to mo+e when we preach or pray> 7ou
better belie+e I amI If I weren;t, I would be a doubleJminded man, and
the (ible says that such a man should not eFpect to recei+e anythin
from <od)
But wen e as/s, e must believe an! not !oubt, because e
wo !oubts is li/e a wave o, te sea, blown an! tosse! by te win!7
:at man soul! not tin/ e will receive anyting ,rom te <or!9 e
is a !ouble=min!e! man, unstable in all e !oes7 3James 1:"=&6
Isn;t that how many Christians li+e5 eFpectin nothin from <od> 2hey
li+e in fearCfear of failure, fear of financial ruin and fear of the
future)
=hat do you eFpect from <od> ,ower or pity> 4o+e or
condemnation> 6iracles or near misses> It is your choice) ,lease
realiGe that your choice will determine what and how you recei+eC
you will find, for better or for worse, that you often et what you
eFpect) BFpectation is all about faith) 3nd 2,ait is te substance o,
tings o)e! ,or, te evi!ence o, tings not seen2 3Heb7 11:1 NKJV67
I eFpect that <od is oin to use this boo. to unloc. -is power in
your life) =hat about you> =ill you :oin your faith with mine and dare
to eFpect the same thin>
If so, let;s et startedI
C-3,2BA "
% !ESUS& THE MASTER IMPARTER
I belie+e our theoloy needs to be firmly ChristJcentered) -e is
2te 8l)a an! te >mega2 3;ev7 1:&67 -e is 2te autor an! )er,ecter
o, our ,ait 2 3Heb7 1$:$6) 28ll tings were create! by im an! ,or
im2 3?ol7 1:1"67 -e is the model that we must follow) -is words and
actions are life and truth)
-e li+ed -is life accordin to the ?ather;s will) -e did and said
what the ?ather instructed -im to do and say) 2I !o noting on my
own, but s)ea/ @ust wat te Aater as taugt me7 :e one wo sent
me is wit me9 e as not le,t me alone, ,or I always !o wat )leases
im2 3Jon &:$&= $#67
9ur beliefs, whether about impartation or any other sub:ect, must
be filtered throuh the life and teachins of 0esus) 3s we search the
Scriptures, we can find many eFamples of the power of impartation at
wor. throuh -is lifeCin fact, -e was the +ery master of impartation)
Aecently, durin my early mornin de+otions, I fell upon one of
these eFamples) I bean by readin the story of 0airus5
.o it was, wen Jesus returne!, tat te multitu!e welcome!
Him, ,or tey were all waiting ,or Him7 8n! beol!, tere came a
man name! Jairus, an! e was a ruler o, te synagogue7 8n! e ,ell
!own at Jesus' ,eet an! begge! Him to come to is ouse, ,or e a!
an only !augter about twelve years o, age, an! se was !ying7
3<u/e &:*0=*$a NKJV6
I wept as I read the +erses about 0airus fallin at the feet of 0esus,
bein for help) I .now what it;s li.e to ha+e a child who is +ery ill)
,erhaps you do too, or ha+e been throuh some other painful situation
""
1$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
that helps you relate in a +ery personal way to this story) I recalled
many occasions when I had fallen at the feet of my Sa+ior, as 0airus
did, cryin out for my own dauhter, my Isabelle) I hated the cancer
that had crept into her body) I hated e+erythin about this horrid
disease) 0airus; cry for help roc.ed me that mornin)
3s I continued to read, this mo+in scene was interrupted by a
desperate woman, the woman with the issue of blood) She was wea.
from her condition) She had spent all her money on doctors who had
not been able to help her) Somehow she made her way throuh the
thron surroundin 0esus) She made her way to her one last chance)
But as He went, te multitu!es tronge! Him7 Now a woman,
aving a ,low o, bloo! ,or twelve years, wo a! s)ent all er
livelioo! on )ysicians an! coul! not be eale! by any, came ,rom
bein! an! touce! te bor!er o, His garment7 8n! imme!iately er
,low o, bloo! sto))e!7 3<u/e &: *$b=** NKJV6
2he compassion of 0esus seeped throuh the paes that mornin)
Somehow, in the midst of a chaotic and noisy mass of people who
threatened to crush -im, -e was able to remain sensiti+e to the needs
of the indi+iduals, and alert to the flow of -is own healin power)
Somehow, -e was able to lo+inly listen and respond to the bein
father, immediately notice a touch of faith that tapped -is power, and
affectionately spea. to the tremblin woman who had :ust been healed
by that power)
8n! Jesus sai!, '1o touce! BeC' 1en all !enie! it, +eter
an! tose wit im sai!, 'Baster, te multitu!es trong an! )ress
You, an! You say, 21o touce! BeC2' But Jesus sai!, '.omebo!y
touce! Be, ,or I )erceive! )ower going out ,rom Be7' 3<u/e &:*-=
*" NKJV6
-ow could -e feel power lea+e -is body> 2his statement has
puGGled me for twenty years5 2I )erceive! )ower going out ,rom Be2
3<u/e &:*" NKJV67 4et it sin. into your heart and mind) 8o you feel
the power o out from you when you pray for someone> 8o you feel
the power o out from you when a faithJfilled person touches your
arment> 0esus did)
-a+e you e+er wondered about this passae> 0esus had power
within -imself) 8o we ha+e the same power in us> If not, are we
meant to ha+e it> -ow do we et it> If this power is in us, then how do
we share it> =hat can we do with it>
Jesus, :e Baster Im)arter 1'
2his woman who had suffered so much finally tapped into the
power that could heal her) -ow did she do it> (y faith)
Now wen te woman saw tat se was not i!!en, se came
trembling9 an! ,alling !own be,ore Him, se !eclare! to Him in te
)resence o, all te )eo)le te reason se a! touce! Him an! ow
se was eale! imme!iately7 8n! He sai! to er, 'Daugter, be o,
goo! ceer9 your ,ait as ma!e you well7 (o in )eace7' 3<u/e &:*%=
*& NKJV6
-er faith was the .ey to unloc. the power of 0esus Christ) =ithout
faith it is impossible to please <od) =ithout faith it is also impossible
to seiGe <od;s promises for us) =ithout faith the woman would ha+e
left helpless and hopeless)
Circumstances should not dictate our ability to ha+e faith and
eFercise it) 2he woman in this story had e+ery reason to be depressed,
discouraed and hopeless) Not only had she suffered physically for
twel+e yearsH she must ha+e suffered from loneliness, isolation and
scorn as well, for within her culture she was considered ceremonially
unclean) 9ther people, e+en her closest relati+es, would ha+e a+oided
touchin her or e+en touchin the places where she sat or lay, lest they
also become unclean)
2he (ible says she had spent all of her li+elihood on physicians
but no one had been able to heal her) -ow crushin it must ha+e been
to submit to new medications, procedures and treatments, only to be
let down time and aain) 6ost li.ely, after each failure, she was forced
to bear cuttin remar.s from insensiti+e friends and relati+es who were
all too ready to condemn her for her illness) EIf you;re still sic. after all
that, it must be because you ha+e some sort of hidden sin in your life,E
they may ha+e said, or, ENo doubt <od is punishin you for some
terrible thin you ha+e done)E 2hey may ha+e loo.ed down on her
because it seemed <od was not respondin to her prayers) Some may
ha+e told her she :ust didn;t ha+e enouh faith to be healed)
Ne+ertheless, she did not i+e up hope) No matter what others may
ha+e thouht or said about her, she pressed on) =hat perse+eranceI
=hat tenacityI Her ,ait trust er into action, an! te actions se
too/ reveale! er level o, ,ait7 2hat faith reached riht out and
touched the 6aster)
I was deeply mo+ed by these +erses) 2he Spirit of <od was usin
them to teach me an incredible truth about my personal life) (y faith,
1* :e +ower o, Im)artation
the same power spo.en of in this portion of Scripture was supposed to
li+e in me) In fact, for o+er se+en years, it as li+ed in me) 6y
dauhter;s healin, the rowth of our church from 1$K to o+er %,KKK in
less than nine years, my family;s spiritual rowth, and the birth of
(ible collees around the world are only a small fraction of the fruit
<od has produced and the miracles -e has wrouht since -is power
was imparted into our li+es)
I'(a")a)i$ %*%
3s I continued to read in the boo. of 4u.e, I also stumbled upon
some nuets of truth that re+ealed the heartbeat of 0esus) ?irst of all,
4u.e #5" i+es us a limpse of 0esus; theoloy of impartation in action5
2:en He calle! His twelve !isci)les togeter an! gave tem )ower
an! autority over all !emons, an! to cure !iseases2 3NKJV67
3ll twel+e disciples recei+ed power and authority, e+en 0udasC
not because of anythin they had done, but because 0esus chose to i+e
it to them) -e imparted to them, drawin from the +ery power and
authority that -e had within -imself) -e could do so because -e
wasn;t lac.in in either) -e hadCand still hasCplenty to i+e away to
-is followers) 3re you a disciple of 0esus Christ> 3re you -is de+oted
follower> 8o you belie+e -e has filled you with power and authority
o+er demons and sic.ness> If you ha+en;t been filled yet, you can be)
-e is loo.in for disciples in the twentyJfirst centuryCmen,
women and youn people who will follow -im with all their hearts)
2he destiny of a true disciple is to wal. with the power and authority
of Christ)
4u.e #51 tells us -is purpose in impartin power and authority to
the disciples5 2He sent tem out to )reac te /ing!om o, (o! an! to
eal te sic/72 In this +erse, the word )reac is translated from the
<ree. /erusso meanin Eto herald, to proclaim)E
"
0ust li.e the
disciples, we presentJday followers of Christ are all called to be
heralds) =e must proclaim the /indom of <od to e+eryone we meet)
=e are to announce to others what the 4ord is doin in our li+es and in
the world) Bach of us is a mouthpiece for the thins of <od) =e are
part of -is reat mar.etin campain) Not all of us will be pulpit
preachers, but we are all commissioned and can be empowered to tell
people about our Sa+ior)
In 4u.e #5"K, the disciples tell 0esus how they in+ested the ifts of
Jesus, :e Baster Im)arter 1-
power and authority -e had imparted to them) 21en te a)ostles
returne!, tey re)orte! to Jesus wat tey a! !one72 2his is the first
time the term a)ostles (from the <ree. word a)ostolos, meanin Eone
sent forthE
1
) is used in the (ible) 2he 2wel+e had somethin that 0esus
a+e them) 2hey needed to put it to use, so they became the EsentJout
ones)E 2hey were set apart, empowered, and sent out to touch a bro.en
world) 2hey disco+ered that they were not only proclaimers, but they
were doers also)
Can you picture the radiant faces of the twel+e apostles as they
returned from this assinment> Can you imaine their eFcited +oices
as they eaerly told the amaGin stories of repentance, deli+erance, and
healin> 2heir testimonies meant that 0esus; power and authority had
been transferred successfully to others) 6ission accomplishedI
(ut this was :ust the beinnin) Now that E,hase 9neE had been
completed, 0esus wanted to eFpand the impartation of power and
authority to a larer roup, a roup of se+entyJtwo, to be eFact) Can
you see the principle of multiplication here> 0esus is ne+er satisfied
with a stanant or cliquish mentality (EUs four and no moreIE)) 9n the
contrary, -e uses impartation to eFpand the .indom because
impartation leads to multiplication) -ere, in the form of an equation, is
a theoretical account of how 0esus turned -is first twel+e disciples
into se+entyJtwo5
" anointed 0esus L "1 empowered apostles L D people discipled
by each apostle M $1 disciples healin the sic., castin out demons,
and winnin the lost)
Scripture doesn;t tell us whether the first twel+e disciples had a
hand in the disciplin and empowerin of the other siFty) 0esus could
ha+e and probably did personally impart into all of them, but it would
seem loical that -e would use -is closest disciples as models of the
success of impartation)
0esus bean the onoin process of reachin the world when -e
multiplied -imself throuh impartation into -is followers) 2he
number of people whose li+es were transformed by <od rew
eFponentially as 0esus and -is followers continued to multiply
themsel+es, but without impartation, that multiplication could not ha+e
been achie+ed)
=hat anticipation these early followers of Christ must ha+e felt as
they were prepared for this new +entureI 2he 2wel+e had already
1" :e +ower o, Im)artation
beun to turn the world upside down) -ow much more impact se+entyJ
two would ma.eI
=hen the lare roup returned from their Emissions trip,E they
were as triumphant as the first roup had been) -ow did they feel
about what they had :ust eFperienced> 6ore importantly, how did
0esus feel about their success> 2he answers to these questions can be
found in 4u.e "K5"$J1"5
:e seventy=two returne! wit @oy an! sai!, '<or!, even te
!emons submit to us in your name7' He re)lie!, 'I saw .atan ,all li/e
ligtning ,rom eaven7 I ave given you autority to tram)le on
sna/es an! scor)ions an! to overcome all te )ower o, te enemy9
noting will arm you7 However, !o not re@oice tat te s)irits
submit to you, but re@oice tat your names are written in eaven7' 8t
tat time Jesus, ,ull o, @oy troug te Holy .)irit, sai!, 'I )raise you
Aater, <or! o, eaven an! eart, because you ave i!!en tese
tings ,rom te wise an! learne!, an! reveale! tem to little
cil!ren7 Yes, Aater, ,or tis was your goo! )leasure7'
2he se+entyJtwo disciples had disco+ered that they had the power
and authority to apply e+erythin they had learned and recei+ed)
2<or!, even te !emons submit to us in your name,2 they said)
=hene+er you see phrases li.e 2in Your name,2 2in His name,2 or 2in
te name o, Jesus2 in Scripture, you must understand that the disciples
used -is name as a point of authority) 2hey wal.ed in an authority that
had been deleated to them, i+en to them, im)arte! to them by Christ
-imself) Some immature Christians use the name of Christ as if it
were some type of maical incantation) 2he disciples were not merely
sayin -is name, and they were not in+o.in -is name in order to ain
the power and authority they needed to heal and deli+er) 2hey were
simply proclaimin, actin upon, and wal.in in that which was
already theirs throuh impartation from the 4ord)
2he disciples eFperienced :oy because reat thins happened while
they wal.ed in -is authority) 3s for 0esus, -e was full of :oy because
he saw Satan bein defeated by empowered disciplesCand we should
note that -e was not simply pleased or e+en filled with a calm, quiet
type of :oy) 2he <ree. word agalliao, translated to Bnlish as ,ull o,
@oy or re@oice!, is used in 4u.e "K51" to describe how 0esus felt, and it
means Eushin, leapin, sprinin up or :umpin for :oy)E It also
means Eto lory,E Eto eFult,E Eto eFperience eFceedin :oy,E Eto be
eFceedin lad,E or Eto re:oice reatly)E
%
2his +erse is a mo+in
Jesus, :e Baster Im)arter 1%
limpse of our 4ord at a moment when -e was absolutely o+erflowin
with :oy, than.s and praise)
I'(a")a)i$+ A$ I'(le'e$) , C'(a--i$
0esus lo+ed people) -e cared about their eternity and their welfare)
B+erywhere -e tra+eled, -e was mo+ed to help, heal and deli+er)
0esus was full of compassion for the hurtin and the lost) 9f course,
-is compassion was not limited to the time -e spent on earth) -e still
cares for usH -e is not insensiti+e to our strules) 2he offer -e made
two thousand years ao is still in effect today5
?ome to Be, all you wo labor an! are eavy la!en, an! I will
give you rest7 :a/e my yo/e u)on you an! learn ,rom Be, ,or I am
gentle an! lowly in eart, an! you will ,in! rest ,or your souls7 Aor
By yo/e is easy an! By bur!en is ligt7 3Batt7 11:$&='0 NKJV67
2his compassion mo+ed -im to be an imparter) =hile 0esus was
on the earth in the flesh, -e was limited to one location at a time)
=hen -e chose to come to earth as a man, -e temporarily a+e up the
eFclusi+e rihts and powers -e had as the Son of <od) 2his is alluded
to in ,hilippians 15@J$5
Your attitu!e soul! be te same as tat o, ?rist Jesus: 1o,
being in very nature (o!, !i! not consi!er eEuality wit (o!
someting to be gras)e!, but ma!e imsel, noting, ta/ing te very
nature o, a servant, being ma!e in uman li/eness7
-e was no loner able to be e+erywhere at all times) -owe+er, -e
was still mo+ed by compassion to reach out to the multitudes)
Impartation was -is tool to multiply -is impact around -is world)
Impartation continues to be -is +ehicle to touch a lost world) 0esus
is still mo+ed by compassion) -e continues to impart power and
authority to -is disciples) I am a disciple of 0esus Christ) 3re you> If
you are, then et ready for -im to impart -is power and authority into
you) 7ou can become part of a wellJoraniGed, equipped, and
empowered army) 2his is -is perfect will for your life)
Mved ./ C'(a--i$
0esus is mo+ed by compassion for the siF billion souls in the
world) 2hat is why -e wants to unleash -is power and authority into
1& :e +ower o, Im)artation
you) 8idn;t -e emphasiGe this truth shortly before he ascended to
hea+en> 2Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait ,or te gi,t my Aater
)romise!, wic you ave ear! me s)ea/ about7 Aor Jon ba)tiFe!
wit water, but in a ,ew !ays you will be ba)tiFe! wit te Holy .)irit
G you will receive )ower wen te Holy .)irit comes on you2 (3cts
"5'J@, &)) -e repeats -is purpose for the power5 2777an! you will be my
witnesses2 (3cts "5&)) 2hen, -e i+es them a plan that, amon other
thins, re+eals to them the tremendous scope of their mission5 2777in
Jerusalem, an! in all Ju!ea an! .amaria, an! to te en!s o, te eart2
(3cts "5&))
2he old adae seems appropriate here5 E<i+e a man a fish and you
will feed him for a dayH teach him to fish and you will feed him for a
lifetime)E If we apply this to the concept of impartation, we miht say5
E-eal a man with <od;s power and you will chane the life of one
manH fill -im with <od;s power, and multitudes can be healed)E
T0e$)/1,i"-) Ce$)u"/ P0e"& Pu"(-e a$d Pla$
6en and women of the twentyJfirst century church, there is power
and authority a+ailable to youCthe same power that healed the woman
with the issue of bloodH the same power that raised 0airus; dauhter
from the deadH the same power that 0esus imparted into -is followers)
3re you ready to ta.e hold of it and be released into <od;s plan>
4et us imaine that someone handed you the .eys to a brandJnew,
redJhot 6ustan con+ertible) 2he title, reistration and insurance are
yours for free) =ould you lea+e the car unused in your dri+eway>
=ould you continue to dri+e your ?ord ,into e+ery day or choose to
wal. to wor.> 9f course you wouldn;t) 7ou would ta.e the .eys, :ump
in your new car and dri+e around town with the C8 playin your
fa+orite tunes) 7ou would stop at your friends; homes to show it off)
7ou would e+en let some of them dri+e it) I;m sure you would brin
the top down and test out your new car;s hue, powerful enine on the
hihway)
Unfortunately, many twentyJfirst century Christians ha+e recei+ed
power, authority, and purpose from the 6aster, but it is par.ed in the
arae for safe.eepin) 6any ne+er use it and others only use it on
Sundays, in church)
=hy does this happen> =hy would anyone settle for less> I
belie+e the answer is quite simple) Some don;t .now it is a+ailable to
Jesus, :e Baster Im)arter 1#
them) 2hey embrace New 2estament theoloy as best they understand
it, but they li+e with EnoJtestamentE power) 9thers are crippled by
fear) 2hey are afraid to dri+e that powerful new sports car) 2hey;re
afraid they will crash and fail) ?ear has crippled their faith and future)
Inorance miFed with fear is a deadly combination)
It hurts to admit it, but often, we pastors and theoloians ha+e been
responsible for hinderin the full release of <od;s anointin and power
to the multitudes) Aecently, in a denominational newsletter, I read an
article claimin that impartation is not biblical) 3nother one asserted
that <od does not dispense the anointin or power throuh a person) I
couldn;t belie+e my eyes) It shoc.ed me into prayer) =hy would
anyone ta.e such a stand> 3s I prayed, <od filled me with insiht)
3lthouh most pastors are wonderful, dedicated ser+ants of <od, there
seem to be three forces in us that cause us to be an unholy bloc.ade to
the anointin)
Elitism: ?or centuries prior to the ,rotestant Aeformation, the laity
had been releated to the role of mere listeners) 2hey had become a
+ast mob of de+otedCbut utterly passi+eCfollowers) 2auht that only
priests had the ability to interpret the =ord of <od, they were not
permitted to study the (ible independently) 2hey were unaware that
anyone but the clery could ha+e a callin from <od or be anointed for
ministry) 2hey were made to belie+e that sal+ation could only be
ained throuh the church and adherence to its teachins)
Such passi+ity on the part of the laity a+e the clery an inordinate
amount of power and led to reat abuse) 9ne type of abuseCone that
brouht in much re+enue to the churchCwas the sale of indulences)
?or a price paid to and determined by the church, one supposedly
could obtain remission of temporal punishment for sins committed and
confessed to a priest)
9n 9ctober %", "@"$, an indinant <erman theoloian named
6artin 4uther posted on the door of the castle church at =ittenber
his now famous #@ theses ob:ectin to the doctrine of indulences)
'
2hus bean the ,rotestant Aeformation, a holy mo+ement that brouht
new fire and purity to a church that had become cold and corrupt)
?rom his own eFtensi+e studies of the (ible, 4uther drew many
re+olutionary conclusions still embraced by ,rotestants today) 3mon
these are that sal+ation cannot be earned by ood wor.s, but only by
<od;s race throuh -is ift of faithH that the (ible, rather than the
$0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
church, is the source and norm for all reliious teachins and
authorityH and that Christ is the sole mediator between <od and man)
@
-owe+er, in spite of all the positi+e chanes that 4uther and other
Aeformation leaders made, some felt there were still many issues that
needed to be addressed) ?or eFample, a apin chasm between laity
and clery continued to eFist) Church leaders were enerally wellJ
educated in the =ord, but conreants were quite inorant of <od;s
truths) 3s a result of the percei+ed need to bride this chasm and to
resol+e other issues, new and more radical roups of reformers were
born)
9ne such roup, led by pioneers such as 6ichael Sattler, 6enno
Simmons, Conrad <rebel and ?eliF 6anG, ad+ocated personal
con+ersion, independent (ible study, and belie+er;s baptism) (ecause
of this latter point of doctrine, most members of the roupCha+in
already been baptiGed as infantsCfelt a need to be baptiGed aain as
belie+ers) 8etractors disdainfully referred to them as 3nabaptists, (i)e),
baptiGed twice), but the roup e+entually embraced the nic.name as its
official desination) (ecause of their (ibleJinspired beliefs and
practices, these saints eFperienced horrible persecutionCincludin
imprisonment, torture and eFecutionCfrom both Catholics and other
,rotestants) =e modernJday e+anelicals and ,entecostals ha+e our
roots in this mo+ement)
D
2he re+olution initiated by our Aeformation brothers and sisters
must continue) 2he =ord, Spirit, anointin, power, and wor.s are for
each and e+ery belie+er) 3s we can see in Bphesians '5"1, <od 2gave
some to be a)ostles, some to be )ro)ets, some to be evangelists, an!
some to be )astors an! teacers72 So, while it is true that -e has
established structure in the church, the days of hierarchy are o+er)
Under the new co+enant, <od;s holy flow chart is based on
ser+anthood and is desined 2to )re)are (o!'s )eo)le ,or wor/s o,
service, so tat te bo!y o, ?rist may be built u)2 34)7 *:1$67
0esus set the tone for all true ministers in 0ohn "%5"1J"$5
1en e a! ,inise! wasing teir ,eet, e )ut on is clotes
an! returne! to is )lace7 2Do you un!erstan! wat I ave !one ,or
youC2 e as/e! tem7 2You call me :eacer an! <or!, an! rigtly so,
,or tat is wat I am7 Now tat I, your <or! an! :eacer, ave
wase! your ,eet, you also soul! was one anoter's ,eet7 I ave set
you an e5am)le tat you soul! !o as I ave !one ,or you7 I tell you
Jesus, :e Baster Im)arter $1
te trut, no servant is greater tan is master, nor is a messenger
greater tan te one wo sent im7 Now tat you /now tese tings,
you will be blesse! i, you !o tem72
2he biblical role of all ministers, theoloians, and denominational
leaders is to be holy dispensers of <od;s truth, power, anointin,
healin, and ifts)
2he followin is a simple analoy of the role of e+ery minister and
leader in the church5 In our school hallway, there is a row of machines
that dispense water, :uice, sodas, candy and other snac.s) 2hese
dispensers are not selfJsustainin) 2heir role is +ery limited) 2hey
dispense their contents to willin recipients) 9ur staff orders the
contents, a representati+e of the +endin machine company fills the
dispensers, and the company sends us the bill)
=e Christians are called to be holy dispensers) <od pro+ides ifts,
healins, blessins, insiht and .nowlede throuh us) -e has supplied
us with e+ery ood ift that is in us) 9ur role is +ery limited) 24very
goo! an! )er,ect gi,t is ,rom above, coming !own ,rom te Aater o,
te eavenly ligts2 3James 1:1%67 -e also built into us the
mechanisms that enable -im to dispense to others throuh us5
preachin, teachin, prayin, layin on of hands, anointin with oil,
prophesyin, and wal.in in the Spirit) =hen we wal. in the Spirit and
are led by the Spirit, we ser+e as smoothlyJfunctionin dispensers that
<od can use to impart into people;s li+es)
,raise <od that the role of dispenser is not limited to pastorsI <od
can and wants to use e+ery belie+er in this role) Blitism would require
you to be a raduate of a seminary with ministerial credentials and a
title in order to be used of <od)
2han. <od the 3postle ,aul was not a professional snob) -e
loned to see the body of Christ mobiliGed and empowered to do the
wor. of the ministry) In Aomans "5"", he ma.es this quite clear) -e
wanted <od to ta.e e+erythin that he had recei+ed, and dispense it
into the li+es of all the Aoman belie+ers) 2I long to see you so tat I
may im)art to you some s)iritual gi,t to ma/e you strong72
Fear of Fallout: Some leaders are afraid if all belie+ers could
recei+e power and anointin, the fallout would be hard to control)
=hat if they misuse the power> =hat if they ma.e mista.es> =hat if
they ma.e theoloical errors> =hat if thins are done out of order>
$$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
2hese are appropriate questionsH howe+er, they must be answered
by <od) It is -is plan) 2herefore, -e has anticipated the fallout and
has already made arranements to handle it) 9ur role as leaders is not
to a+oid problems by failin to release the multitudes into the
anointin) It is to pastor the people as they function in the powerH to
uide them throuh a little falloutH to use the =ord to direct the flow
of power in their li+es) E8ll .cri)ture is (o!=breate! an! is use,ul
,or teacing, rebu/ing, correcting an! training in rigteousness2 3$
:im7 ':1"67
Empty Dispensers: 2he third reason the flow of <od;s power and
anointin is limited in many churches and denominations is that the
dispensers are almost empty) 8on;t you hate it when you place the
correct amount of money in a +endin machine, select a be+erae and
push the appropriate button, only to see it flash the words, ES948
9U2E> Could those same words be a prophetic warnin sin flashin
o+er North 3merican Christianity> -ow many pastors and leaders
ha+e sold out their birthriht of power and authority for a bowl of
EsafeE but lu.ewarm and powerless practices>
Blisha cried out, 21ere now is te <>;D, te (o! o, 4li@aC2 3$
Kings $:1*67 <ood question) =here is -e> Is -e in your church,
pastors and leaders> Is -e in you>
0esus clearly said in 6ar. "D5"$J"&,
8n! tese signs will accom)any tose wo believe: In my name
tey will !rive out !emons9 tey will s)ea/ in new tongues9 tey will
)ic/ u) sna/es wit teir an!s9 an! wen tey !rin/ !ea!ly )oison,
it will not urt tem at all9 tey will )lace teir an!s on sic/ )eo)le,
an! tey will get well7
=hen was the last time the sic. were healed, the lost sa+ed, the
possessed deli+ered, and the power unleashed at the tips of your
finers or the sound of your +oice>
2he 3postle ,aul was so filled with the power of <od that 2even
an!/ercie,s an! a)rons tat a! touce! im were ta/en to te sic/,
an! teir illnesses were cure! an! te evil s)irits le,t tem2 38cts
1#:1$67 =owI 2his dispenser wasn;t sold out) ,aul was so full of <od;s
power, it was seepin out of his pores and saturatin his armentsI
Isn;t it interestin that the soldJout itemsCthe items that so many
dispensers are lac.inCare the +ery ones that would i+e us strenth
Jesus, :e Baster Im)arter $'
and power and nourishment and ood health> -a+e we compromised
the <ospel by bein stoc.ed instead with only the popular items, the
ones that are pleasant to the taste but +oid of nutrition>
In our desire to appeal to the masses, ha+e we chosen to a+oid
stoc.in items that miht be offensi+e, confrontational, confusin or
contro+ersialCdispensin instead a few predictable minutes of polite,
unemotional worshipH a bit of socially rele+ant, politically correct
teachinH and a couple of cold but poetic prayers, uttered in perfect
/in 0ames Bnlish> -a+e we banished those imaes and practices
that miht cause distress or discomfort, such as altar calls and
repentanceH admonition and eFhortationH the cross and the blood of
ChristH the power and the ifts of the -oly Spirit> -a+e we decided
that it is too incon+enient, messy, and embarrassin to welcome into
our midst a <od who con+icts of sin, draws the lost to sal+ation,
inites burnin passion in the lu.ewarm, miraculously heals the sic.,
dramatically deli+ers the demoniGed, dares to interrupt our wellJ
planned ser+ices with an aenda of -is own, and refuses to be put in a
boF>
If we ha+e done these thins or held these attitudes, it is time to
repent (i)e), to chane our mind, our way of thin.in
$
)) =e need to as.
<od to fill our churches and us with e+ery item in -is in+entory) =e
must allow -im to stoc. us as -e wishes so that we can participate in
this dispensin process) =e must surrender to -im the processes of
fillin and dispensin) -e will i+e people what they need, not
necessarily what they want or what they thin. they need)
2his concept liberates us from the domination of public opinion) It
frees us to be what we were desined to be) It also frees us from the
burden to produce or perform) <od is the supplier) =e are only +essels
desined to be used by -im to dispense blessins, power, anointin
and ifts)
Unfortunately, many Christians ha+e chosen to be ineffecti+e
dispensers of pious platitudes and socially rele+ant principles)
Aeturnin to our other analoy, this is E?ord ,into faith)E =hat .ind of
faith and life do you want> ?ord ,into or mihty 6ustan> 3n empty
dispenser or a dispenser full of the -oly Spirit>
Isn;t it interestin that Stephen, the first martyr of the New
2estament church, was a deacon (from the <ree. !ia/onos, denotin a
Eser+antE
&
)> -e did not hold a hih position in the early church) -e
$* :e +ower o, Im)artation
was i+en the role of table waiter and bene+olence steward) 7et, he
was such a full dispenser, he became .nown for the 2great won!ers
an! miraculous signs2 38cts ":&6 he did amon the people)
Scripture tells us the story of Stephen in :ust two chapters, 3cts D
and $) (ut within those two chapters are many references to Stephen
bein ,ull7 -e and the other deacons were 2,ull o, te .)irit an!
wis!om2 38cts ":'69 Stephen was 2,ull o, ,ait an! o, te Holy .)irit2
38cts ":-69 and he was 2,ull o, (o!'s grace an! )ower2 38cts ":&67
6inutes before he became the first person to i+e up his life for the
cause of Christ, Scripture tells us aain that Stephen was 2,ull o, te
Holy .)irit2 38cts %:--6, and this time, he was permitted a limpse into
hea+en where he saw 2te glory o, (o!, an! Jesus stan!ing at te
rigt an! o, (o!2 38cts %:--6, ready to welcome -is ood and
faithful ser+ant home)
Stephen;s life on earth may not ha+e been lon, but it was full, and,
more importantly, he was full) -e had allowed <od to fill him
accordin to -is will, so he became a dispenser full of topJnotch items)
No ?ord ,into faith for StephenI
9f course, ?ord discontinued the ,into model a lon time ao)
0esus, on the other hand, ne+er had to discontinue anythin) -e ne+er
desined or produced anythin less than pure perfection) -e ne+er
imparts beatJ upJoldJ,into faith) -e fills us with brandJnewJredJhotJ
6ustanJcon+ertible faith) If you;re tired of settlin for less than -is
best, read this boo. with a desire to recei+e a powerful impartation)
2his analoy could be used to describe my own life) It will be a
:oy and a pri+ilee for me to share my testimony with you in this boo.)
2he se+en principles that will unleash the power of <od in your life
were deri+ed from my own successes and failuresH they also emanated
from the relationships with which <od has blessed me)
If you;re tired of your beatenJup old faith, I hope and pray that :e
+ower o, Im)artation will help you trade it in for a powerful twentyJ
first century modelH or if the car you;re dri+in is reat, but it;s
beinnin to couh and sputter, I as. <od to use this boo. to i+e you
a tuneJup, chane your oil, and fill your tan.) <et ready to rab the
.eys, put on the seatbelt, and as. the -oly Spirit to inite that
powerful 6ustan enine of yoursI
Jesus, :e Baster Im)arter $-
N N N
Sela2
2he word sela was often inserted in the ,salms as an
admonishment by the author to emphasiGe his point) -e was
encourain his readers to fully rasp the depth of the truth) 3t the end
of e+ery chapter and after each one of the se+en .ey principles in
Chapter ?i+e, I ha+e inserted a ESelahE pae to help you diest and
assimilate the sub:ect matter of the pre+ious paes) Start by re+iewin
the scriptures quoted in this chapter and meditatin upon them) 2ry to
apply them to your own conteFt) 3re you ready to bein> <reat, let;s
et startedI
8o you belie+e that Christ;s presentJday followers are meant to ha+e
the same power and authority o+er sic.ness and demons that -e
had> =hy or why not>
If you aree that impartation is still an important +ehicle <od uses
to touch a lost world, name some reasons why such a +ehicle would
be effecti+e)
C-3,2BA 1
3 THE POWER OF IMPARTATION
A Pe"-$al Pe"-(e4)ive
2he principle of impartation has been nelected by educators and
ministers) I had ne+er heard the term used in church and, althouh I
attended a uni+ersity and (ible collee, earnin a master;s deree in
psycholoy and pastoral counselin, I ne+er heard the term used in any
of my classes) -owe+er, e+en thouh the term was not used, and the
concept was not tauht, the truth was bein eFercised in part) 2he fact
that I can now put a label to somethin that has been happenin
throuhout my life is both enlihtenin and empowerin)
2he term translated as im)art in the New 2estament comes from
the <ree. word meta!i!omi, which means Eto i+e o+er, to share)E
"
-a+e you e+er stopped to thin. about all those who ha+e imparted
into your life> 3 list of those who ha+e poured into me would include5
Pa"e$)-
2hey imparted throuh touch, discipline, teachin, +erbal
reinforcement, affection, rewards and modelin)
G"a$d(a"e$)-
B+en thouh their contact may ha+e been sporadic, they handed
down the family history) 2hey pro+ided a sense of continuityH a
enerational perspecti+e)
Si.li$5-
3ccordin to family dynamics, a field of study that eFamines the
relationship connections within a family, siblin relationships are
1$
$& :e +ower o, Im)artation
crucial in the de+elopment of a person;s self esteem, body imae,
confidence and position in the world) /e+in 4eman;s popular wor.,
:e Birt >r!er Boo/, presents interestin theories and research
about this sub:ect)
9thers who come to mind are other members of my family,
friends, teachers, coaches, youth wor.ers, pastors, authors, peers,
employers, e+anelists, and missionaries) <od used all of these people
to impart into my life) 2hey were all role models throuh whom the
-oly Spirit flowed)
In the past decade we ha+e seen a heihtened awareness of the
need for coaches, mentors, and disciplers) 2housands floc. to
leadership seminars to recei+e the secrets of success in business, life
and family) 3s I thouht bac. o+er my own de+elopment, I identified
.ey people and e+ents that left a lastin deposit in my mind and
emotions)
6y oldest brother 6ic.ey was a remar.able influence in more ways
than one) 2en years my senior, he was an amateur and, later,
semiprofessional hoc.ey player who had used his s.ills to et a reat
education) I admired him tremendously) -e was touh on me, but
fair, and thouh he li+ed far away, he imparted a reat deal into my
life) -e played a .ey role in de+elopin my mental touhness as well
as my hoc.ey and timeJmanaement s.ills)
-e was the one who placed Norman Vincent ,eale;s :e +ower o,
+ositive :in/ing into my hands and encouraed me to read other
boo.s by the same author) 3s a Catholic teenaer rowin up in
Canada, these boo.s pro+ed re+olutionary to me) 2hey tauht me
many dynamic principles and helped me bein to memoriGe
Scripture, and to use it to chane my way of thin.in) 8oesn;t <od
promise that -is =ord will not return +oid> 2.o is my wor! tat
goes out ,rom my mout: It will not return to me em)ty, but will
accom)lis wat I !esire an! acieve te )ur)ose ,or wic I sent
it2 3Isa7 --:1167 2he =ord must bear fruit, and it did for me) I don;t
.now if my brother realiGed that i+in me ,eale;s boo. would be
my introduction to hidin the =ord in my heart, but I am eternally
indebted to him)
2here are many other .ey people and e+ents that planted seeds in my
heart and mind) I;ll ne+er foret when my peewee hoc.ey coach told
me I had leadership ability) -e li.ed me and told me so) -e a+e me
:e +ower o, Im)artation $#
hope and confidence with his words of encouraement) -a+e you
e+er considered the impact of your words on the li+es of children or
youn adults>
3 recent brush with death was also a +aluable tool in the ,otter;s
hand) 3lthouh <od did not send that pain into my life, he did use it
to transform my character and ministry) 8yin to self miht sound
li.e a hih ideal as a Christian, but the reality of it is o+erwhelmin
and traumatic) 9ne of my hoc.ey coaches used to say, ENo pain, no
ain)E ,ain is a +ery important factor in the process of chane,
whether physical or spiritual)
=hen <od beins to impart somethin into our deeply encrusted
souls and spirits, pain will often be the precursor) ,erhaps that is
what 0esus was referrin to when -e said, 2I, anyone woul! come
a,ter me, e must !eny imsel, an! ta/e u) is cross !aily an! ,ollow
me2 3<u/e #:$'67 2he cross eFperience means torture and death to
self, selfishness, the flesh, pride and eo)
0esus spo.e of old wines.ins bein unable to contain new wine) If
we desire the new wine from <od, we will eFperience some
crac.in, brea.in and death) <od wants to impart so many
wonderful caris (i)e), EiftsE or EracesE
1
) into our souls, bodies and
spirits, but first, -e has to ma.e us ready to contain them) 2he
followin pararaphs tell the story of how <od prepared my
wines.in to recei+e more of -im than I e+er could ha+e dreamed)
Old Wi$e-6i$- Mu-) C"a46
I was sa+ed throuh the ministry of 3thletes in 3ction and
discipled by Campus Crusade for Christ) ?rom the earliest days of my
con+ersion to Christ, I was trained to place little or no stoc. in
eFperience and emotions) 6y faith would be built on the =ordH
faithfulness and ser+ice to <odH witnessin to the lostH and ma.in a
difference in the world) =hat a tremendous foundation of stability and
substanceI I;m sure they sometimes felt li.e i+in up on me, but the
staff of this reat ministry imparted their li+es and character into me,
and I am so rateful to them) (ecause of their influence, I chose to
finish my bachelor;s deree in psycholoy) Chanin li+es and helpin
people would be my life;s callin) I turned my bac. on my oal to play
professional hoc.ey) Instead, I chose to ser+e <od with the same Geal
as those who discipled me)
'0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
6y :ourney too. an interestin twist when I read a pamphlet
written by (ill (riht on the -oly Spirit) -a+in been brouht up in
the Catholic Church, I had a healthy respect for the supernatural) I
remember oin to St) 0oseph;s 9ratory in 6ontreal and seein the
e+idence of miracles and healins) <od performed them throuh a
humble priest named (rother 3ndre) =heelchairs and crutches
adorned the walls of this reat edifice built on the foundation of his
ministry) 3fter bein born aain, I had a +ital relationship with <od
that fortified my natural belief in the supernatural) 2he pamphlet
stimulated a renewed huner in me to see. the <od who could do the
miraculous) 3s I studied the =ord, I disco+ered the concepts of Esins
and wondersE and Ethe baptism of the -oly Spirit)E =ow, it was a
whole new world of possibilitiesI
I searched for the <od of the supernatural for years) I saw limpses
of -im in a SpiritJfilled 3nlican church, in charismatic Catholic
ser+ices and, e+entually, in the ,entecostal Churches of Canada) I;ll
ne+er foret the first series of sermons on the -oly Spirit that I heard
at a ,entecostal 3ssemblies of Canada church in 9ttawa, 9ntario) I
was homeI 2he 4ord led me to a reat church with a faithful man of
<od, ,astor (ert 4iira) 2his church seemed to espouse a theoloy I
could embrace, but I still felt there had to be more)
(y this time, I had recei+ed a call to ministry and the baptism of
the -oly Spirit, and I had eFperienced rowth in my wal. with Christ
Cbut where was the <od of Bli:ah, the <od of ,eter, the <od of ,aul>
Isn;t this how Blisha felt> 3fter Bli:ah was ta.en up to hea+en by the
chariots of fire, and Blisha was left to carry on his mentor;s incredible
ministry, he cried, 2'1ere now is te <>;D, te (o! o, 4li@aC'2 3$
Kings $:1*67 I belie+e that most of us ha+e this same huner) =e want
to see <od mo+e in power, the way -e did in the days of Bli:ah) 3nd
as we try to touch the lost and hurtin world in which we li+e, we
sense that the church today needs the -oly Spirit to flow throuh us as
powerfully as -e did throuh our predecessors in the boo. of 3cts)
W2e"e i- )2e Gd , Eli7a28
3fter raduatin from the Uni+ersity of 9ttawa with a bachelor;s
deree in psycholoy, I married 8enise 2aillefer, a beautiful ?rench
Canadian physical education ma:or) =e were both youn Christians
but we had a burnin desire to ser+e <od) =e went to (ible collee to
:e +ower o, Im)artation '1
fulfill our call to ministry) It was at =estern ,entecostal (ible Collee
that I recei+ed my first word from <od) I heard quite clearly that I was
supposed to start counselin centers in churches, but this directi+e
seemed so forein to my oriinal intentions) I had thouht that I was
oin to be an e+anelist or missionary who would win people to
Christ) 3fter all, Campus Crusade for Christ had tauht me how to be a
soul winner) It was the first priority of my Christian wal.) No one,
howe+er, had tauht me how to hear the +oice of <od)
I could identify with the youn intern Samuel when he first heard
the +oice of <od5 E:en te <>;D calle! .amuel7 .amuel answere!,
'Here I am'2 31 .am7 ':*67 2he dean of the (ible collee, 8r) 8a+id
4im, was a reat comfort to me) -e helped me understand the +oice of
<od) -e became an Bli to a youn Samuel)
?or the neFt twel+e years, <od put 8enise and me throuh Eboot
camp,E usin +arious elements to brea., shape, train and transform us)
-e was, in fact, preparin us for a fabulous, eFcitin, and challenin
future, far beyond anythin we could ha+e imained) <od is +ery
patient with our trainin, much more so than we are) -e uses the
circumstances of our li+es and our responses to them to wea+e the
fabric of our future) 8oesn;t the (ible say that we are 2(o!'s
wor/mansi), create! in ?rist Jesus to !o goo! wor/s, wic (o!
)re)are! in a!vance ,or us to !o2 34)7 $:106C I am than.ful that <od
was more than able to use the threads of our li+es to create somethin
beautiful)
3s I recall those early years of marriae and ministry, the elements
Cor EthreadsECthat stand out are5
Ha"d-2i(
8enise and I were +ery poor) 9ur marriae was strained) =e were
both quite unhappy) =e had +ery few tools to build a healthy
marriae) (ible collee, raduate school, and the first years of
ministry put us under tremendous stress) 8urin that time 8enise and
I souht healin for our marriae and, than. <od, -e pro+ided it) -e
also helped us to learn that a healthy marriae ta.es wor.Clots of it)
I belie+e that <od used this time to refine our character and faith)
2Not only so, but we also re@oice in our su,,erings, because we /now
tat su,,ering )ro!uces )erseverance9 )erseverance, caracter9 an!
caracter, o)e2 3;om7 -:'=*67 <od can redeem e+en the worst
hardships)
'$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
Edu4a)i$
=e were blessed with tremendous professors who lo+ed <od, -is
=ord, and people) It was only years later that I rasped the full
eFtent of their impartation into our li+es) I would encourae e+ery
one of you to pursue a ood education) 9f course, whether we are
currently attendin a school or not, we should ne+er stop studyin
and learnin)
Mi$i-)"/ E9(e"ie$4e
8enise and I were pri+ileed to wor. for true men and women of
<od) 2he 4ord was +ery racious, allowin us to learn ministry with
successful, sincere pastors and counselors) =e dedicated those years
to helpin hurtin people throuh seminars, counselin, support
roups, and writin) In retrospect, it is clear that <od was usin us
durin this season to mend the bro.enhearted and reconcile
relationships)
9f course, our ministry was not perfect) Barly on, I found myself in
the first staes of burnout because of poor boundaries) <od was so
faithful, thouh, uidin and teachin us throuh each new
challene) -e imparted important principles durin those years that
ha+e become the foundation of a life based upon New 2estament
beliefs and practices)
In spite of all that we were doin and learnin, deep in our hearts,
we .newCe+en bac. thenCthat there was more) 2here had to be
more) E=here is the <od of the New 2estament>E we often wondered)
=hy were there so many bro.en people> =here was <od;s healin and
deli+erin power> =here were the miraculous sins that 0esus
promised> -e said, 2'8n! tese signs will accom)any tose wo
believe: In my name tey will !rive out !emons9 tey will s)ea/ in new
tongues9 tey will )ic/ u) sna/es wit teir an!s9 an! wen tey
!rin/ !ea!ly )oison, it will not urt tem at all9 tey will )lace teir
an!s on sic/ )eo)le, an! tey will get well'2 3Bar/ 1":1%=1&67
In "##', <od was to answer the cry of our desperate hearts and
meet us in a dramatic way) 9ur old wines.ins that relied hea+ily on
proof and rational e+aluation would i+e way to a surrendered faith
:ourney) =e would bein to wal. in the supernatural, seein <od;s
promises fulfilled in our li+es each day) =e would start to minister
with a new confidence, li.e ,aul;s when he said, 2I long to see you so
tat I may im)art to you some s)iritual gi,t to ma/e you strong2 3;om7
:e +ower o, Im)artation ''
1:1167 <od would bein to wor. throuh us as -e did throuh ,eter
when he said to the crippled bear, E'.ilver or gol! I !o not ave, but
wat I ave I give you7 In te name o, Jesus ?rist o, NaFaret, wal/'2
38cts ':"67
I ha+e .nown Christ for o+er twenty years, but only durin the past
siF ha+e I beun to eFperience what ,aul referred to when he said, 2I
want to /now ?rist an! te )ower o, is resurrection an! te
,ellowsi) o, saring in is su,,erings, becoming li/e im in is !eat2
3+il7 ':1067
8o you want to .now -im that intimately> =ill you dare shed
your old wines.ins> 3re you ready to i+e up the preconcei+ed notions
you may harbor about <od> 3re you willin to prepare your heart and
mind for di+ine impartation> 3re you lonin for a supernatural
+isitation> If the answer to these questions is yes, you are about to
embar. on the most thrillin, challenin, and meaninful :ourney of
your life)
N N N
Sela2
=ho has imparted into your life> =hat are the .ey relationships so
far in your faith :ourney>
3re you eFperiencin <od;s presence, power and lo+e more now
than you did at the beinnin of your Christian wal.> 8o you e+er
find yourself thin.in that there must be more>
C-3,2BA %
: %;;<=THE YEAR GOD SURPRISED US
2here comes a time in e+eryone;s life when they realiGe they don;t
ha+e what it ta.es to et to the neFt le+el) 2he ,eter ,rinciple states
that e+eryone rises to the le+el of his or her own incompetence) I
belie+e this is true in e+ery aspect of our li+es5 from careers and
relationships to emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual
de+elopment) (ut, as children of <od, we are not bound to natural
limitsH after all, the infinite resources of our ?ather are at our disposal)
3s lon as the thin we are attemptin to do is within <od;s will for
our li+es, our own competence (or the lac. of itI) is irrele+ant) =hen
we hit that in+isible ceilin, <od can help us crash throuh it and soar
far abo+e anythin we e+er could ha+e imained) =ill you choose to
let -im push you past your le+el of incompetence> I ha+e) 2he choice
to brea. free from this principle will propel us to our destiny, our
inheritance in Christ)
9ne of the steps toward brea.in free is simply reconiGin our
unhealthy or unproducti+e patterns of thouht and beha+ior) It is
insane to .eep doin the same thins in the same way, o+er and o+er
aain, each time hopin for different results) -a+e you e+er been stuc.
in this type of rut> 3s a pastoral counselor, I disco+ered how common
this isH howe+er, common is not the same as inevitable7 3s followers of
Christ, we must eFpect our li+es to be full of the eFtraordinary, the
remar.able, the uncommon7 =e must shed our old wines.ins and learn
to li+e in the supernatural rather than the natural)
In my case, <od had to ta.e rather drastic measures in order to pull
me out of the comfortable, coGy little rut I had made for myself) 2he
first of these measures would in+ol+e mo+in me to a city I ne+er
%@
'" :e +ower o, Im)artation
dreamed I would call home and steerin my career in a direction I
ne+er would ha+e imained)
C2a$5e , Pla$-
2he mo+e came as a complete surprise) 9ur ministry had been
oin well) 2he counselin center that I had started was helpin
hundreds e+ery wee.) 8enise and I led a Sunday school class with
three to four hundred people in attendance) I was writin, teachin at a
(ible collee, tra+elin to conduct seminars, and spea.in on a wee.ly
radio proram) 4ife was ood, and I was en:oyin success on many
fronts) =e were content and comfortable, with a beautiful home, three
reat .ids, and a lifestyle to be en+ied) If left to oursel+es, we probably
would be in the same city still, in+ol+ed in the same ministry and
li+in the same lifestyle) (ut <od had other plans)
It all started as an in+itation to the ,hilippines to ta.e part in the
de+elopment of curriculum for a (ible collee) I was chosen to ser+e
on a subJcommittee to implement counselin trainin for the future
minister) 3ll was oin as eFpected until the day I found myself alone,
with a little spare time on my hands, and decided to ta.e a wal.) 3s I
wandered throuh the streets of 6anila, I was confronted with scene
after scene of po+erty and human sufferin)
Bach encounter was li.e a slap on the face, awa.enin all my
senses) 2ears spran to my eyes when I saw a family li+in inside a
small wooden boF) 6y heart ached for the undernourished, halfJna.ed
children playin in the streets) <od used these and other rim realities
to sha.e me all the way down to the +ery core of my bein) Suddenly,
my definition of success didn;t seem important anymore) I found
myself tellin <od that I would do anythin for -im) I did not feel a
call to the ,hilippines that day, but I did feel an urent desire to ser+e
where+er and howe+er -e miht leadH to surrender all for -is perfect
will)
9n the return fliht, I continued to pray, yieldin myself to <od
and as.in for -is direction) 2o my surprise, somewhere between
0apan and 4os 3neles, <od spo.e to me so clearly5 E7ou will be the
pastor of =est Valley 3ssembly in 4as Veas)E (=est Valley
3ssembly is the former name of the International Church of 4as
Veas)) B+en thouh I was see.in -is will for my life, I couldn;t
imaine why <od would want me to do such a thin) =hy would -e
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is '%
ha+e me lea+e a successful pastoral counselin ministry in
Sacramento, California, to pastor a home missions church in 4as
Veas, Ne+ada>
I was familiar with =est Valley 3ssembly) Aobert 8oulas, the
foundin pastor of this new church, had attended a seminar I had
conducted in 4as Veas) 3fter one of the sessions, he as.ed me to stay
o+er and preach on Sunday, and I accepted) =e de+eloped a ood
friendship as a result, and our relationship seemed to ma.e it e+en
more improbable that I would e+er become pastor of the church)
2he thouht of i+in up financial, emotional and relational
stability in order to sub:ect my family and myself to the un.nown
challenes that would await us in 4as Veas unner+ed me) It was
o+erwhelmin to e+en consider such a thin) (esides, it seemed
ridiculous) Surely, a thouht li.e that could not be from <od)))could it>
I decided to dismiss it, blamin it on :et la, fatiue or indiestion)
2he +ery neFt day, my comfortable little world recei+ed another
frihtenin :olt) Aobert 8oulas called to inform me that he was
lea+in his church) -e said <od had shown him that I was the one who
was supposed to ta.e his place as senior pastor) So it was <od;s +oice I
had heard on the planeI 3s the shoc. of this realiGation hit me, I went
numb) 6y heart bean to pound and my .nees turned into rubber)
(efore I .new it, I found myself sittin on the floor) 2hen, the soonJtoJ
beJformer pastor of =est Valley 3ssembly went on to say that he had
actually seen my face in a +ision) 3s far as I was concerned, it sounded
more li.e a nihtmare, because it scared the wits out of meI
?rom an earthly, natural perspecti+e, a mo+e li.e this made no
sense at all) It would mean i+in up e+erythin we had wor.ed and
studied for, lea+in our comfort Gone, and enterin a new ministry
entirely by faith) It would mean droppin the wor. for which I had
been trained in order to do somethin with which I had no eFperience
and for which I had no predisposition)
8enise and I had often :o.ed about the thins we didn;t want to do
with our li+es) (ein a senior pastor of a small church was at the top of
the list (riht neFt to :umpin off a bride and wearin leisure suitsI))
(ut there was no doubt that we had heard from <od) -ow could we
re:ect -is plan for our li+es> 3s we tal.ed and prayed about it, we
decided we had to obey the 4ord, reardless of the price)
3t the time, there was no way to foresee how lon we would be
'& :e +ower o, Im)artation
called to do this difficult and seeminly ridiculous thin) 4ittle did we
.now that <od was oin to use this iant step into the un.nown as a
means to et us past the walls that hindered us) -e was oin to help
us enter a new realm of faith and eFperience)
Could it be that your neFt brea.throuh is riht around the corner
of obedience> 9bedience will spar. rowth) It will open your mind
and spirit to new perspecti+es and insihts) It will propel you out of
your comfort Gone, forcin you to let o of your security blan.et and
depend solely on <od) -e wants you to stretch more than you e+er
thouht you could stretch) -e wants to lift you so hih that only -e
can catch you)
-ow do you bein to climb out of that comfortable rut you may
find yourself in> Commit to .now 0esus Christ more intimately than
e+er before) In+ite the -oly Spirit to fill e+ery fiber of your bein so
that you will truly become one with Christ) 2he 3postle ,aul .ept his
huner for <od because he prioritiGed this intimate relationship)
I Wa$) ) K$0 Hi'
In ,hilippians %5"K, ,aul eFpressed his deepest desire5 2I want to
/now ?rist an! te )ower o, His resurrection an! te ,ellowsi) o,
saring in His su,,erings, becoming li/e im in is !eat72
(efore becomin senior pastor of =est Valley 3ssembly, I
undoubtedly .new 0esus Christ as Sa+ior and 4ord) I lo+ed -im and
was ser+in -im as far as I .new how) (ut our mo+e to 4as Veas
quic.ly opened my eyes to a tremendous need for -is power) 9nly a
few months after we arri+ed, it seemed that our family was bein
attac.ed from e+ery direction) 9ur second child, Christine, started to
ha+e seiGures) 2he doctors dianosed a form of epilepsy) 9ur eldest
dauhter, Isabelle, fell in with the wron crowd and rebelled) 8enise
and I came under the consistently suspicious eyes of a conreation
that didn;t trust us)
Surprisinly, in spite of e+erythin, the church rew quic.ly and
so did my dependence on <od) I needed -im desperately) I really
didn;t .now how to be a senior pastor) I cried out to <od for more of
-im) I as.ed -im for help, wisdom, and direction) I e+en as.ed -im
for re+i+al without really .nowin what it was) I struled with
feelins of inadequacy) 9thers could pastor better, I thouht) I was
only a pinch hitter) I had ne+er done anythin to prepare specifically
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is '#
for bein a senior pastor because I had ne+er planned to be one) If <od
really wanted me to pastor this church, -e was oin to ha+e to i+e
me the ability)
I decided to dedicate one entire day each wee. to fastin and
prayin) B+ery ?riday, I would hide out in the desert area surroundin
4as Veas) 3lone with my (ible, my <od, and the cacti, I would wal.,
climb and pray)
Now that I loo. bac. on those days, I realiGe I was chasin after
<od) =hat a shoc. when I finally cauht -imI (9r should I say, Ewhen
-e let me catch -imE>) 2ommy 2enney;s boo., :e (o! ?asers,
seems to ha+e captured the huner for <od that is rowin in so many
people today) I belie+e people are tired of the predictable eneric
church ser+ices) 2hey want to .now the <od of Bli:ah)
7oun people, in particular, seem to ha+e embraced this quest in a
dramatic way) ,erhaps the neFt eneration will be more effecti+e than
ours) 2here is a reat need for passionate men and women of <od who
li+e in anticipation of -is neFt reat mo+e) I pray that <od will i+e all
of us a holy dissatisfaction with the status quo, the safe and sanitiGed,
and the lu.ewarm, moneyJbac.Juarantee church) =e need a radical
chane, a spiritual re+olution, and new wines.ins to contain the new
wine that <od is pourin out on -is children)
3re you pursuin <od> 0esus said, 2'I, anyone is tirsty, let im
come to me an! !rin/7 1oever believes in me, as te .cri)ture as
sai!, streams o, living water will ,low ,rom witin im'2 (0ohn $5%$J
%&)) -e promised that -e would let you catch -im if you see. -im)
2'8s/ an! it will be given to you9 see/ an! you will ,in!9 /noc/ an! te
!oor will be o)ene! to you7 Aor everyone wo as/s receives9 e wo
see/s ,in!s9 an! to im wo /noc/s, te !oor will be o)ene!'2 (6att)
$5$J&))
T2e Da/ )2e L"d Su"("i-ed Me
So, obedience to <od;s call had led to a strane new situation, full
of insecurities and strules, that forced us to see. -is face li.e ne+er
before) 3nd that period of intense see.in e+entually led to the
moment when <od too. pity on me and let me catch -im)
=hen my children were little, I used to play chasin ames with
them) 2hose of you who are parents .now that if you don;t let your
*0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
children catch you at reular inter+als they will either i+e up or
become anry) (ecause we lo+e our children and want our time
toether to be warm and pleasant, not frustratin or discourain, we
slow down and let oursel+es be cauht) 3s human beins, our lo+e
cannot e+en bein to compare with our hea+enly ?ather;s, so how
much more will -e allow us to catch -im, when we see. -im with all
of our heart>
3t first, the ?ather let me catch -im :ust lon enouh to et a taste
of -is intimate presence) It happened on an unforettable Sunday in
our small church when, at the beinnin of the ser+ice, <od suddenly
filled me with an uneFplainable :oy) 8id I lauh> 7es, of course I did)
I still cannot understand why some people ha+e a hard time
acceptin lauhter as a manifestation of the -oly Spirit) 6any of those
people are mature ,entecostal or charismatic Christians who ha+e no
trouble belie+in in other supernatural ifts or manifestations of the
Spirit) 3s for me, I thin. lauhter is a beautiful and biblical response
to the presence of <od) It is ood medicine for a weary soul) I can
testify that I ha+e had more :oyCand, therefore, more lauhter in my
lifeCsince the -oly Spirit filled me with new fire from hea+en) 3fter
all, 8a+id declared to <od, 2In Your )resence is ,ullness o, @oy9 at
Your rigt an! are )leasures ,orevermore2 3+s7 1":11 NKJV67 If we
belie+ers .eep oursel+es open to it, <od;s :oy can be in each and e+ery
one of us) I pray that the time will soon come when all Christians are
o+erflowin with the :oy of the 4ord)
=hen the 3postle ,aul spea.s of the fruit of the -oly Spirit,
doesn;t he mention :oy> 2But te ,ruit o, te .)irit is love, @oy, )eace,
)atience, /in!ness, goo!ness, ,ait,ulness, gentleness an! sel,=control7
8gainst suc tings tere is no law2 (<al) @511J1%))
2here has been a false assumption that spiritual matters are a
somber and solemn affairH howe+er, Scripture tells us that the :oy of
the 4ord is our strenth) 2Neemia sai!, '(o an! en@oy coice ,oo!
an! sweet !rin/s, an! sen! some to tose wo ave noting )re)are!7
:is !ay is sacre! to our <or!7 Do not grieve, ,or te @oy o, te <>;D
is your strengt'2 3Ne7 &:1067 3nd we :ust read ,aul;s assurance that
there is no law aainst :oy) 4auhter is simply an outward eFpression
of that :oy, and personally, I belie+e we need a lot more lauhter and
:oy in church) 3 :oyJfilled church will become a peopleJfilled church)
0oy will attract both the lost and the sa+ed)
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is *1
Now, until that day when <od let me catch -im, I had ne+er
started lauhin durin a worship ser+ice before) (=ell, maybe I had
lauhed once or twice when someone messed up really badly)) B+en
thouh I was ma.in reat efforts to control myself, I couldn;t stop
ilin) 8enise as.ed me, E=hat;s so funny>E but I couldn;t come up
with a ood answer) =hen she encouraed me to stop lauhin, I tried
e+en harder, but to no a+ail) I;m not sure what I preached, but I do
remember ha+in a ood time)
3fter the ser+ice, a member of our conreation mentioned that I
was not alone in what I had :ust eFperiencedH it was happenin to other
people in other places, as well) 2hat was news to meI -e in+ited
8enise and me to attend a pastors; and leaders; conference in 2oronto,
Canada) Now, at the time, I had not heard any neati+e comments
about the phenomenon .nown as E2he 2oronto (lessin,E nor had I
read any articles condemnin or analyGin what was happenin) So,
8enise and I attended the conference with an open mind) =e simply
went to chec. it out)
Upon arri+in at the conference, howe+er, we quic.ly became
quite s.eptical) 3fter a few minutes of obser+ation, 8enise remar.ed
that it loo.ed li.e a hospital for the mentally ill) 2hrouh our
counselin wor., we had actually +isited such places, and trust me, her
comment was not an eFaeration)
3lthouh I thorouhly areed with my wife;s first impression, I
soon became curious about the power the altar wor.ers seemed to
ha+e) ,eople were fallin under the power of <od) 2here was no
pushin) I loo.ed for it) 6y s.epticism bean to dissipate when I saw
two respected ministers who were completely o+ercome with <od;s
power and presence) 2hey were rollin, cryin and lauhin on the
round) I had .nown them for o+er twel+e years) 2hey were not the
types to fa.e somethin li.e that, and they were definitely not mentally
ill) I tried oin forward for prayer se+eral times and was shoc.ed
when I actually felt the power of <od touch me) I was deeply mo+ed
and than.ful, and I wept for a lon time in -is presence) -e touched
me ently those first few times) 3 little touch was fine with me) 3s
lon as I didn;t lose control or loo. foolish, I would be all riht) Can
you relate> Is it more important for you to maintain control than to be
touched by <od>
6y wife had a different eFperience) =hen she went up for prayer,
*$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
she didn;t eFperience the touch of <od) Instead, <od used a prayer
team member to discern hurt and pain in her heart) 8enise returned to
her chair anry and disappointed) 8urin the neFt ser+ice, she athered
the courae to o up aain, but another woman shared a word of
.nowlede about 8enise;s hurt and pain) (3 wor! or message o,
/nowle!ge is one of the ifts of the Spirit listed in " Corinthians "15$J
"") It is the supernatural re+elation of facts i+en by <od, usually for
the purpose of protectin the Christian, showin him or her how to
pray more effecti+ely, or showin him or her how to help others))
She returned to her seat feelin miserable) 3t the neFt session, she
tried once more to et a touch from <od) 3s you probably uessed,
another prayer team member discerned the same condition) 2his time,
8enise was finally willin to allow the 4ord to deal with her pain)
Seated on the carpet at the front of the church, my wife wept in the
arms of the compassionate altar wor.er as the -oly Spirit healed all
her hidden hurts)
8urin the past se+en years of altar wor., we ha+e disco+ered that
the 4ord will often heal a +essel before sendin -is power) 6any ha+e
come to our altars loo.in for <od;s power or a certain spiritual ift,
but ended up findin somethin completely different) 3ltars should not
be li.e a dri+eJin burer stand) =e cannot simply select somethin
from a +aried menu and place our order) Instead, we must surrender
oursel+es to <od, and -e will choose to i+e us what -e .nows we
need most) If we fail to approach the altar in this way, -e will frustrate
us) -e wants us to come to -im with no strins attached) -e calls the
shotsH we don;t)
Cau52) ./ )2e P0e"
8ue to a pre+ious commitment to do a marriae seminar, I had to
lea+e the conference before it was finished) 3t about midniht, I
decided to as. for prayer one more time, not for me, but for a re+i+al
in 4as Veas) I was surprised by the response of the altar wor.er) -e
didn;t want to aree with me in prayer) -e wanted to pray for me) I
told him I didn;t want to be prayed for) I was feelin blessed and still
in control) (ut he insisted, so I let him pray for me) =hat happened
neFt is difficult to describe) I remember fallin bac.wards and lyin on
the round in perfect peace) I was thin.in, E2his is .ind of nice) I
thin. I will lie here and let <od do whate+er -e wants)E =ow, was I in
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is *'
for a rideI
I saw a +ision for the first time in my life) I had often heard other
people describe beautiful imaes they would see durin worship or
prayer, but I ne+er saw anythin) =hen I closed my eyes at those
moments, I would :ust see blac.) (ut not this time) I saw an oil tan.er
bein filled with a substance from hea+en) 6y heart started to raceH I
felt li.e I was ha+in a heart attac.) I lay on the round for about two
hours) I lauhed and I cried) 6y body started sha.in and it seemed
li.e my stomach was in contractions) I remember 8enise leanin o+er
me in disbelief and as.in, E3re you o.ay>E 6y sense of humor still
intact, I responded to her with, E-oney, I;+e fallen and I can;t et up)E
2hen, I as.ed her to help me)
3ll my studies in psycholoy and theoloy had not prepared me
for this eFperience with the power of <od) I felt out of control) 9n the
one hand, I .new it was <od) =hy would anyone ma.e this stuff up>
=ho li.es to roll on the round, lauhin and cryin and floppin
around li.e a fish out of water> It felt as if someone had connected my
finers and toes to an electric current, a stron oneI 3s this was
happenin, a rush of emotions o+erwhelmed meCembarrassment,
confusion, elation and :oy)
Now, please understand that my story doesn;t +alidate e+erythin
that has one on in 2oronto) I was touched by the power of <od at this
conference, but that does not mean that I am in a position to :ude the
2oronto (lessin) I don;t belie+e any of us are in that position) 2he
only scriptural way to e+aluate how much of it was an authentic mo+e
of <od would be to obser+e the lonJterm resultsCthe fruitCthat
follows this phenomenon)
-istorically, re+i+als and re+i+alists ha+e been criticiGed until the
fruit is undeniable) B+an Aoberts, the 1DJyearJold coal miner whom
<od used to usher in the "#K' =elsh Ae+i+al, was criticiGed for his
lac. of education, for his unorthodoF preachin methods, and for bein
o+erly emotional) -e had such passion for the 4ord, he would spend
hours in his room, prayin aloud, praisin <od and preachin) -is
landlady, o+erhearin him, became con+inced that he was mad or
demonJpossessed and, in fear, she as.ed him to lea+e)
"
9f course, the
re+i+al he helped start is one of the bestJdocumented and bestJ.nown
of all time) 9+er a period of two years, the fire of the -oly Spirit
swept o+er the country, and was carried by +isitin pastors to Norway,
** :e +ower o, Im)artation
0apan, the United States, India, South 3frica, and /orea, where further
re+i+al bro.e out) 6any thousands of souls were sa+ed and many
miracles were recorded) Could it be that the re+i+al that roc.ed /orea
bac. then has ne+er ceased> Is the reat church of ,astor 8a+id
7oni Cho the result of this re+i+al>
0ohn =esley was a preacher of reat power who founded
6ethodism durin the eihteenth century) 2he -oliness 6o+ement, an
immediate precursor to ,entecostalism, issued from the heart of
6ethodism) 3t that time in Bnland;s history, e+anelicals had to face
bitter opposition and persecution) In many cities, =esley;s preachin
was initially met by shoutin, anry mobs who pelted him with +arious
ob:ects, some e+en attemptin to stone him) In e+ery case, he met the
attac.s with reat courae and calm)
1
-is beliefs were also sharply
criticiGed and ridiculed by many writersH howe+er, those critical
writins ha+e passed into obscurity, while the fruits of =esley;s
ministry continue to flourish)
=illiam Seymour, the pastor from the 3Gusa Street 6ission in 4os
3neles, who was instrumental in spreadin the ,entecostal mo+ement
throuhout the world, also faced ridicule and tremendous hostility)
=hen he first mo+ed to 4os 3neles, for eFample, he was in+ited to
spea. at a church, but was promptly .ic.ed out when he bean to
preach on the ift of spea.in in tonues)
%
2he entire ,entecostal
mo+ement was treated with similar disdain and disappro+al by many
Christians and nonJChristians throuhout most of the twentieth
century, and only in recent years has beun to ain a certain le+el of
acceptance)
?rom my personal eFperience, I belie+e that the power of the -oly
Spirit was manifested in 2oronto) 2he fruit of these re+i+al ser+ices
will one day be reconiGed) I ha+e been to the re+i+al hot spots of the
twentyJfirst century5 2oronto, ,ensacola, China and 3rentina) 2here
are common threads connectin these places toether) In each, there is
a renewed passion for worshipH there are radical demonstrations of
<od;s powerH there are reat numbers of souls sa+edH and there are
impartations)
2he critics tend to concentrate on the flesh that always follows the
Spirit, or they question manifestations they don;t understand) =hen the
breath of <od touches the body of a man or woman, there will be
interestin reactions) Some will be li.e an oa. tree5 +ery little
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is *-
mo+ement, but they are recei+in it in faith) 9thers are li.e willow
trees, flappin e+ery which way in the wind of <od) I lo+e to wal.
throuh the forest) B+ery tree seems to respond a little differently to
the wind) <od;s children will also respond in unique ways)
=hen the -oly Spirit (i)e), )neuma, meanin EbreathE or EwindE
'
)
of <od fills a child of <od, somethin spiritual, emotional, and
physical will occur) 2he impact of Spirit on flesh will always create an
interestin set of reactions) ,lease don;t try to put <od in a boF) 2he
boF ne+er has been built that could contain our omnipotent,
omniscient, infinitely creati+e <od) In Isaiah @@5# the 4ord declares,
2Aor as te eavens are iger tan te eart, so are By ways iger
tan your ways, an! By tougts tan your tougts2 3NKJV67
=e must not resist <od when -e beins to sha.e up our neat little
preconcei+ed notions about what -e can or can;t do and what -e will
or won;t do) I hope you won;t allow your opinionsCor anyone else;sC
to stop you from recei+in from <od) -e would lo+e to surprise you)
-e lons to do a new thin in your life) (e open, be hunry, be
desperate, and be ready for re+i+al) I can uarantee that you won;t be
able to predict it, limit it or .eep it neat) 2rue re+i+al is .nown for
bein loriously messy)
Su"("i-ed ./ Gd>- Wa/-
8o you remember Naaman;s eFpectations> Naaman, the
commander of the army of the .in of Syria, had a desperate need) -e
was so desperate that he souht help outside his comfort Gone, his
country and his ods) Could it be that you will disco+er somethin new
about <od outside your denomination or frame of reference>
=hen Naaman souht Blisha for healin from his leprosy, do you
thin. he eFpected to see a simple messener instead of the prophet>
No wayI -e didn;t li.e what he heard either5 2(o was yoursel, seven
times in te Jor!an2 3$ Kings -:1067 3fter such a ris.y trip, and bein
such an important man, he was eFpectin to et some personal
attention from Blisha, himselfI
But Naaman went away angry an! sai!, 2I tougt tat e
woul! surely come out to me an! stan! an! call on te name o, te
<>;D is (o!, wave is an! over te s)ot an! cure me o, my
le)rosy7 8re not 8bana an! +ar)ar, te rivers o, Damascus, better
tan any o, te waters o, IsraelC ?oul!n't I was in tem an! be
*" :e +ower o, Im)artation
cleanse!C2 .o e turne! an! went o,, in a rage7 3$ Kings -:11=1$6
Not only was he eFpectin to see the prophet, he was eFpectin a
bi show) 6any come to our altars with the same attitude5 I will be
healed if, and only if, ,astor lays hands on me and anoints my head
with oil) 3nd we do the same thin with <od) E9h <od, I want 7ou to
heal me and this is how 7ou are oin to do it)E =e can be so proud
and controllin, can;t we> > (o!, )lease ,orgive usJ
(ecause of his position, Naaman was used to preferential
treatment, e+en thouh he had leprosy) -is leprosy was bad, but his
pride was worse) It almost .ept him from ettin a miracle) Could it be
that pride has .ept many belie+ers from humblin themsel+es before
their <od> -as it .ept you from humblin yourself before your <od>
-as it stopped you from oin to the altar or ettin help for a
personal problem> -as it .ept you from bein a constant learner at
wor. and in life> -as your pride stopped you from mo+in forward
with technoloy or from learnin new s.ills> -as it crippled your
marriae and ruined your family because you wouldn;t listen to
anybody> Naaman;s pride was his worst sic.ness and it may be ours)
I don;t belie+e that <od is really impressed with our opinions and
discussion about when and how -e mo+es) I appreciate the way (illy
<raham and 0ac. -ayford ha+e handled contro+ersial phenomena
throuhout the years) 2hese two respected and influential men ha+e
reser+ed :udment) 2hey ha+e followed the wisdom of 0ames "5"#5
24veryone soul! be Euic/ to listen, slow to s)ea/72
=e cannot be surprised by people;s reaction to <od;s presence, nor
by how -e chooses to mo+e in their li+es) 2a.e the blind man, for
eFample, in 0ohn #5DJ$5 21en He a! sai! tese tings, He s)at on
te groun! an! ma!e clay wit te saliva9 an! He anointe! te eyes o,
te blin! man wit te clay7 8n! He sai! to im, '(o was in te )ool
o, .iloam' 3wic is translate!, .ent67 .o e went an! wase!, an!
came bac/ seeing2 3NKJV67 8o you thin. he en:oyed mud pie in his
eyes> I doubt it) 8id he eFpect it> No) 8id he need to be healed> 7es)
-e had a reat need and <od met it in a humblin, unique, and
uneFpected way) -ow would you respond if 0esus wanted to touch you
in a humblin way>
I ha+e read much about the ministry of Smith =ilesworth) It
seems that <od tested his faith and obedience by tellin him to do
thins in an uncon+entional way) =hen people with tumors would
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is *%
come to him for healin, he would minister to them by punchin them
Csometimes rather forcefullyCin the part of the body where the
tumor was located) It may ha+e been a far cry from the usual layin on
of hands or anointin with oil, but when it came to healin, this man of
faith ot results) 3nd he didn;t ha+e any trouble belie+in that the same
<od who miraculously dissol+ed tumors and healed the sic. could also
restore life to a dead body) Indeed, <od raised numerous people from
the dead throuh =ilesworth, but aain, his technique was rather
unorthodoF) -e was .nown to stretch himself out o+er the body of a
dead child, Bli:ahJstyleH to throw dead bodies up aainst walls and
command them to wal.H and, at least on one occasion, to fetch a
cada+er from a morue, and brin it to the place where he was
spea.in, so that he could demonstrate to his listeners that <od is still
in the business of raisin the dead)
=ilesworth was a man utterly abandoned to the will of <od)
=hat about youCare you fully surrendered> 8o you trust <od enouh
to yield to -im e+en when what -e as.s or does doesn;t ma.e sense to
you> If we are too easily offended by the uncon+entional, too riid, too
sophisticated, too attached to our own opinions and eFpectations, we
are in daner of missin our miracleCworse yet, we are in daner of
missin <od altoether)
?unny how when people are desperate, either because of a
problem or because of spiritual huner, they become more willin to
lay aside pride and preconcei+ed notions) -ow about the deaf and
mute man in 6ar. $5%%J%@>
8,ter e too/ im asi!e, away ,rom te crow!, Jesus )ut is
,ingers into te man's ears7 :en e s)it an! touce! te man's
tongue7 He loo/e! u) to eaven an! wit a !ee) sig sai! to im,
24))ataJ2 3wic means, 2Be o)ene!J267 8t tis, te man's ears
were o)ene!, is tongue was loosene! an! e began to s)ea/
)lainly7
8id he as. for 0esus to put sali+a on his tonue> 8id he eFpect it>
No, but his physical need was reatChe was in no position to ob:ect to
0esus; uncon+entional methods)
2hen there was the time that 0esus blew on the disciples to impart
the -oly Spirit to them5 E8gain Jesus sai!, '+eace be wit youJ 8s te
Aater as sent me, I am sen!ing you7' 8n! wit tat e breate! on
tem an! sai!, ';eceive te Holy .)irit'2 3Jon $0:$1=$'67 =ere the
*& :e +ower o, Im)artation
disciples offended when the 4ord EblewE or EbreathedE on them> 8id
they ob:ect to -is technique> I doubt it) 3fter e+erythin they had been
throuh with 0esus by this time, they were probably only too aware of
their reat spiritual need and willin to submit to anythin the 4ord
wanted to do in them, reardless of how -e chose to do it)
If the apostles were open to that which they had ne+er eFperienced
and did not understand, who are we to be offended by certain
manifestations of the -oly Spirit or by the beha+ior of those -e is
touchin or usin as -is +essels> =e must et our eyes off the
manifestations, and :ust commit oursel+es to see.in <od with all our
body, soul and spirit) 2hen we will find -im, but because -is ways
and -is thouhts are so much hiher than ours, -e will most assuredly
surprise us) -e is <od and we are not) -e is in control and we must
surrender)
We-le/>- Te-) ," T"u)2
I lo+e 0ohn =esley;s theory on discernment) It is called
quadrilateral theoloy, and proposes that truth can be discerned by
usin four elements5
%. S4"i()u"e
3. Rea-$
:. E9(e"ie$4e
<. T"adi)i$
3ccordin to =esley, any e+ent, mo+ement, or teachin must be
sub:ected to all four tests before we decide whether to accept it as
truth)
In order to :ude whether somethin is from <od, we also need
di+ine wisdom) =e would be well ad+ised to humble oursel+es and
as. for -is wisdom reardin these matters, for 2(o! resists te
)rou!2 31 +eter -:-67 4et;s not be uilty of creditin somethin that is
of the -oly Spirit to the flesh or the de+il)
Can I be perfectly honest with you> 2here was a day when I was
critical of a wellJ.nown e+anelist because of his technique of
blowin on people when they came to him for prayer) I;m not sure why
this one beha+ior ir.ed me, but it did) <od must ha+e wanted to teach
me somethin about my attitude because, since that time, I ha+e
effecti+ely recei+ed impartation throuh that same technique and, as I
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is *#
prayed for people, I ha+e also been clearly uided by the -oly Spirit to
blow on some of them, myself) I ha+e e+en been criticiGed for it)
9uchI (o!, I am sorry ,or being so o)inionate!7 +lease ,orgive me ,or
my )ri!e an! my big mout7
,erhaps any of us who ha+e been critical of such thins should
ta.e a moment riht now and as. <od for fori+eness) -e will ha+e
mercy on us if we humble oursel+es and repent of our misuided
opinions) 2Humble yourselves be,ore te <or!, an! e will li,t you u)2
3James *:1067
I don;t want to cause <od to resist me because of my pride) I want
-im to ta.e me to places I ha+e ne+er been) I want -im to use me in
ways -e has ne+er used me before) I want to see -im more clearly
than e+er before)
N M"e Bu-i$e--1a-1U-ual
3fter the trip 8enise and I made to Canada, and the amaGin but
unsettlin phenomena we eFperienced there, I was loo.in forward to
the first Sunday bac. in our safe, see.erJfriendly church in 4as Veas)
I ha+e to admit that I thouht e+erythin would be businessJasJusual
once we ot bac.) =e had de+eloped tremendous reputations and our
church was rowin so quic.ly) ,astors of other churches used to call
us, wantin to .now what our secret was) 2he church attracted a wide
+ariety of peopleCprofessionals and blueJcollar wor.ers, married
couples and sinles, people from many different races and cultures)
6any came see.in solutions for li+es one awry) 9ur church was a
healin place) (ecause I was a pastoral counselor, I preached primarily
on hope and healin)
2hat first Sunday bac., howe+er, was to chane us fore+er) 2he
music started on cue, and, at first, I thouht I was bac. to EnormalEC
howe+er, I quic.ly realiGed that <od;s power was not limited to
Canada) I started to sha.e almost uncontrollably) It was so
embarrassin) I tried to hide it) I sat, then I .nelt, but I could not
disuise it) I finally wal.ed up to the front and declared the one
sentence that I could et out of my mouth5 EIf you want the power of
<od, come forward)E I .new the power of <od was all o+er me) I could
barely stand up)
2o my surprise, almost e+eryone came forward) I thouht to
myself, E=hat do I do neFt>E I concluded that maybe I should wal.
-0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
toward each one of them and pray) 3s I wal.ed toward a +ery tall man
I had ne+er met, the power of <od .noc.ed him down) I loo.ed at his
wife and she fell down) No one touched them) No one e+en cauht
themI 9ne by one, people would fall as I wal.ed toward them or
prayed) <od mo+ed on them in an incredible way) 2hese ood people,
for the most part, were not really ,entecostal) 6ost of us had ne+er
seen this .ind of manifestation) It was actually quite funny to see
people who didn;t .now how to fall out in the ,entecostal fashion (i)e),
bac.wards, racefully)) 2hey fell e+erywhere) 2hey fell forward,
bac.ward, sideways, on the cement, on the chairs, and on other people)
It was a holy mess) (6any of them remained EoutE under the power of
<od for quite some time) Some were later carried to another room and
some had to be dri+en home))
2hose who bean to arri+e for the second mornin ser+ice wal.ed
into a sanctuary full of people stretched out on the floorI 7ou can
imaine their surprise at this siht)
3fter worship durin that second ser+ice, I wal.ed up and said the
same thin I had said at the first ser+ice5 EIf you want the power of
<od, come forward)E 2he result was the sameCa full altar and full
power)
Not e+eryone welcomed the unfamiliar manifestations of <od;s
power) B+en thouh people were bein healed, sa+ed and filled with
the -oly Spirit as a result of this new mo+e of <od, many doubted that
it was actually -is doin) =ithin a wee., we lost o+er one hundred
people) -owe+er, while some of our people left, others stayed,
faithfully tryin to understand what <od was doin)
=e came under tremendous criticism from within and without) =e
were stun by ossip from people we lo+ed and respected) 3 +erbal
minority e+en questioned my sanity) I don;t care what the eFperts say
about ettin used to criticism) It still hurts)
2he neFt few months were amon the worst of our li+es) In
addition to the criticism and the loss of people from our conreation,
the -oly Spirit started to eFpose hidden sins in the church body) It was
so difficult to handle all that -e was re+ealin)
3s we were strulin to deal with these problems, our eldest
dauhter;s rebellion escalated) 2here were days when I feared that we
miht loose her completely) 2he combination of o+erwhelmin
conflict both at home and at church brouht on a storm of painful
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is -1
emotions in 8enise and me, includin a tremendous sense of
insecurity) =e were under attac. by the enemy, who had his own
reasons for wantin to stop the new mo+e of <od in our church) It
often seemed that we had nowhere to turn, but, in retrospect, I reret
allowin these trials to de+astate 8enise and me)
I realiGe now that I had recei+ed a +ery powerful im)artation7 I
didn;t understand the ift that I had recei+ed when the straner in
Canada prayed for me) 2hat straner turned out to be Aandy Clar., a
man whom <od has used mihtily as a catalyst for re+i+al in Canada,
the United States and many other parts of the world) <od had imparted
throuh him into me) I had been prayin for re+i+al, but I was not
ready for the price ta)
3fter a few months of tryin to lead our church throuh this new
mo+e of <od, I a+e in) 6y pride had been crushed and my ood
reputation was destroyed) I saw myself as a sha.in fool who had
trouble standin in <od;s presence) I will ne+er foret the words I said
that rie+ed the -oly Spirit) I said, 2Holy .)irit, !on't touc me in tat
way anymore7 You can touc oters in any way tat You want, but not
me72 =e should ne+er tell the -oly Spirit what -e can or cannot do
because that causes -im rief) Scripture warns us, 2Do not grieve te
Holy .)irit o, (o!, wit wom you were seale! ,or te !ay o,
re!em)tion2 34)7 *:'067
-a+e you e+er told <od what you would let -im do> E9/, <od,
I;ll o to the altar, but I don;t want to cry or do anythin else that;s
weird or embarrassin,E or EI;ll ma.e my decision my own way, in my
own time) <oin to altars isn;t for me, <od, and I don;t li.e ettin
emotional, either) 2hat;s :ust the way I am)E Some of us e+en try to
barain with <od5 E-elp me et that raise, <od, and I promise that I;ll
start tithin,E or EI;ll ladly ser+e 7ou fore+er, 4ord, if 7ou :ust ma.e
(ill fall in lo+e with me)E If you try to relate to <od this way, you may
find out the hard wayCas I didCthat -e does not ta.e instructions
from us and -e refuses to play E4et;s 6a.e a 8ealE with us)
I tried to tell <od how to reach this city and -e didn;t li.e my
limits) 3s you can probably imaine, the reat mo+e of <od soon
stopped) =e reressed5 9ur church was comfortable, con+entional,
and successful once aain)
T2e Gd , Se4$d C2a$4e-
-$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
<od is so racious to us) 2han.fully, -e does not i+e us what we
deser+e) 8urin the neFt year and a half, the power of <od stopped
flowin in such an intense and eFplosi+e way, but -e continued to
bless our ser+ices) ,eople still ot sa+ed) 2hey still :oined the church)
=e also miraculously obtained fifteen acres of land situated on a
hihway runnin throuh the larest masterJplanned community in 4as
Veas) Soon afterward, our first buildin went up) So, our church
continued to row, but, meanwhile, I was painfully and constantly
aware of ha+in let <od down) I came to the conclusion that I had
cared more about the appro+al of others than about -is) I had folded
under the pressure)
?or about a year, I would pray alone at the church on Saturday
nihts, as.in <od for a second chance) 2his was hidden uiltH no one
else .new how I felt) In most people;s eyes, my success had returned
and I was respectable aainCbut I was miserable) I;m not sure how
many times I as.ed <od to fori+e me) I can assure you that it was
many) I .now <od ranted me fori+eness the first time I requested it,
but -e did not send the -oly Spirit in power aain until I was ready)
-a+e you e+er bailed out on <od because of ad+ersity> -a+e you
settled for comfortable conformity to the eFpectations of people
instead of total commitment to the will and power of <od> 2he apostle
0ames had stron words for those who were li+in li.e this5 2You
a!ulterous )eo)le, !on't you /now tat ,rien!si) wit te worl! is
atre! towar! (o!C 8nyone wo cooses to be a ,rien! o, te worl!
becomes an enemy o, (o!2 3James *:*=-67
2he ood news is that our <od is truly the <od of second chances)
8o you need a second chance> -a+e you rie+ed the -oly Spirit>
=ould you li.e to .now how to reain lost territory, and ta.e bac.
what the de+il has stolen from you>
2ry doin what /in 0ehoshaphat did when he needed another
chance) -umble yourself and repentH see. the 4ord throuh prayer and
fastinH cry out to -im, confessin your helplessnessH put your trust in
-imH submit yourself to -im completely and resol+e to do whate+er
-e tells youH i+e -im than.s and praise) 2hen position yourself for
+ictory, wait on the 4ord eFpectantly, and et ready for another
lorious +isitation) -e did it for 0ehoshaphat and -e did it for me) -e
can do it for you)
2You will not nee! to ,igt in tis battle7 +osition yourselves,
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is -'
stan! still an! see te salvation o, te <>;D, wo is wit you, >
Ju!a an! JerusalemJ2 Do not ,ear or be !ismaye!9 tomorrow go
out against tem, ,or te <>;D is wit you7 3$ ?ron7 $0:1% NKJV6
3re you in position for a mihty mo+e of <od> 3re you ready for
a second chance>
Ta6e I)?
6y second chance came :ust when I needed it most) 8enise and I
had been as.ed to o to Awanda to conduct trainin in postJenocide
crisis counselin for the sur+i+in pastors and leaders) Awanda is a
nation that suffered a racial massacre comparable to the -olocaust, at
least in terms of sheer horror, cruelty, and sufferin) In one hundred
days the rulin political o+ernment and its supporters .illed &KK,KKK
2utsis) 2he racial tension had been oin on for years, and, for that,
there was room for blame on both sidesH but the ruthlessness and
ferocity of this campain was appallin) 6en, women and children of
e+ery ae were murdered, tortured, raped and dispossessed)
2he traedy was still +ery fresh when we were as.ed to train some
of the pastors in ;econcilers
@
counselin techniques) 2hey needed
tools to help the +ictims who sur+i+ed and the families that were left
behind)
I was feelin inadequate for the tas.) =hat could I say to these
people who had seen and suffered more than I e+er could ha+e
imained> In my desperation, I cried out to <od, ne+er dreamin what
that cry would unleash) <od would answer my prayers in a remar.able
way that not only would enable me to help the Awandans, but would
ha+e a farJreachin effect on my relationship with -im, and,
ultimately, on our ministry, our church, our city, and many other parts
of the world)
-e would use this opportunity to place me on the potter;s wheel)
-e would force me to face my inadequacies) I would ha+e to admit
that I had rie+ed the +ery 9ne I needed so badly) 3s -e helped me
e+aluate my spiritual condition and the difficult tas. that awaited
8enise and me in Awanda, I .new that mere words would not help
these bro.en people) I would need much more) I would need nothin
less than the raw, unhindered power of the -oly Spirit flowin throuh
me) 3nd for <od to restore that, -e would ha+e to be willin to i+e
me a second chance)
-* :e +ower o, Im)artation
2he 4ord used a conference set up by the 3ssemblies of <od
2heoloical Seminary as the means by which to rant me that second
chance) 9ne hundred pastors of the larest 3ssemblies of <od
churches in 3merica were in+ited) I was honored to be in+ited and to
meet the other pastors) I was also eFcited about the opportunity to see
and hear Ste+e -ill, one of the spea.ers featured at the conference) I
went alone because 8enise was carin for our children) I went to the
conference with a deep lonin for <od to touch me aainH hopin
that, somehow, -e would meet me there) I was becomin more and
more desperate because, by this time, I was absolutely con+inced that I
couldn;t o to Awanda without -is power) 3s I responded to Ste+e
-ill;s altar call, I wondered if this was oin to be my second chance) I
felt the -oly Spirit put a crac. in my shell when Ste+e laid his hands
on me, but I wasn;t satisfied) I still felt uilty)
Claudio ?reidGon, an 3rentine pastor, was the neFt spea.er)
Instead of preachin at his scheduled time, Claudio started worshipin
<od aain) 2hen he shared a word of .nowlede throuh his
interpreter5 ESomeone here needs a secon! chance)E 9+erwhelmed
with emotion, I ran to the altar weepin from the depths of my heart)
<od had heard my prayer)
-ow many nihts had I as.ed <od to i+e me a second chance> I
didn;t care what people said anymoreI I had eFperienced <od;s powerH
I had lost itH and now I wanted itCand -imCbac. on -is terms,
reardless of what those miht be)
I had ne+er heard of Claudio or the reat 3rentine re+i+al with
which he is associated) 9nce aain, <od was about to surprise me with
whom -e was oin to use and how -e was oin to touch me) 3s I
stood there at the altar, I obser+ed that Claudio ministered to people in
an unusual way) -e would simply wa+e his hand at each person and
say, E2a.e itIE 3s he approached me, I closed my eyes, anticipatin the
power of <od) =hac.I -is wa+in hand slapped me in the nose) In a
millisecond, my emotions went from shoc. to aner to disappointmentH
and then, I had a sudden ure to burst out lauhin) 2his had to be the
most ironic moment of my lifeI =as <od tryin to humble me aain>
8id -e want me to admit once aain how foolish I had been> It is
amaGin how many thouhts shoot throuh your mind at a moment li.e
this)
2hen, before I could thin. of a cle+er response to the situation, the
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is --
6aster rescued me by ta.in the matter entirely out of my control) 2he
-oly Spirit surprised me with a rush of power that sent me fallin on
my bottom) I;m sure it didn;t loo. +ery raceful) Claudio wa+ed his
hand aain and I fell on my bac.) 8urin the neFt hour, <od had a
confrontational +isit with me) -e caused me to see certain areas of my
life throuh -is eyes and forced me to ma.e a series of decisions about
what or whom I would choose to ser+eCmy flesh or -im) 2hese bitter
re+elations and piercin questions pro+o.ed an intense but holy pain in
my soul) I lay on the roundCa humiliated, blubberin mess) So much
for ma.in ood impressions on the famous pastors) Intermittently,
Claudio would come bac., slap me on the head or feet, and shout,
E2a.e itIE or E6oreIE
<od certainly did do more) 2his was <od on -is terms and not
mine) 2his was my introduction to the cross eFperience) =ould I pay
the price for re+i+al> =ould I die to self> 9n the round that niht, I
areed to pay, whate+er the price) I ne+er wanted to rie+e the -oly
Spirit aain)
<od a+e me two +isions that niht) ?irst, I saw the cross with me
bein nailed to it) I was li.e one of the two thie+es who were crucified
with 0esus) 2he list of my sins was nailed with me on a cross) It was a
declaration of my uilt) It hun li.e a scroll from my left hand that had
been pierced) <od spo.e so clearly to me5 E,aul, will you crucify your
flesh today>E E7es, 4ord,E was my response) B+ery area of my life that
displeased -im was brouht to my attention, one by one) 3fter each,
-e would as. me if I was willin to crucify that area) E=ill you
crucify your pride>E E=ill you crucify your aner>E E=ill you crucify
your ambitions>E E=ill you crucify your tendency to be a peopleJ
pleaser>E E=ill you crucify your fear of man>E Bach time I areed, the
scroll rew loner) Isn;t this what the 3postle ,aul referred to in
<alatians 151K> 2I ave been cruci,ie! wit ?rist an! I no longer
live, but ?rist lives in me72 3nd Colossians %5@> 2+ut to !eat,
tere,ore, watever belongs to your eartly nature72
8yin to self is not a popular theme in the twentyJfirst century, a
time when con+enience is lorified, wealth is idoliGed, and personal
pri+ilees are eFalted as if they were sacred rihts) 2he <ospel stands
in bold opposition to the standards of this world) 2wo thousand years
ao, 0esus confronted the +alues of our societyC+alues that may seem
modern but are really not so new) -e said,
-" :e +ower o, Im)artation
2I, anyone woul! come a,ter me, e must !eny imsel, an! ta/e
u) is cross an! ,ollow me7 Aor woever wants to save is li,e will
lose it, but woever loses is li,e ,or me will ,in! it7 1at goo! will it
be ,or a man i, e gains te wole worl!, yet ,or,eits is soulC2
3Batt7 1":$*=$"67
In 0esus; estimation, we find our true li+es only by losin them)
=e find oursel+es by losin oursel+es in -im) =e become wealthy by
i+in oursel+es away) =e climb to the top by humblin oursel+es)
In order for <od to use me, I had to die) 8yin to self is a lot
harder than it sounds) It isn;t a oneJtime decision) It starts with a
decision li.e the one I made on the niht <od a+e me my second
chance) 2hen, it is repeated o+er and o+er, at thousands of different
for.s in the road we tra+el as we o throuh life) Bach time we choose
<od;s will instead of our own, we die a little more to oursel+es)
T2e Se4$d Vi-i$+ M/ Ne0 Rle
3fter the crucifiFion of my flesh that niht, <od a+e me the
second +ision) It demonstrated how -e was plannin to use me) In
"##', as you may remember, -e had shown me a +ision of an oil
tan.er to illustrate how -e was fillin me with -is lory) 2his time,
howe+er, he demoted me)
Instead of an oil tan.er, I was to be a O")## oil funnelI 2he oil
would be -is, the lory would be -is, and I would ha+e the pri+ilee
of bein a simple conduit) -e was ma.in it fully clear that this was all
about -im) =as I willin to be a funnel for -is loryCtoo much lory
for e+en an oil tan.er to hold> 3 funnel can;t .eep that which is poured
into it) It is desined solely for con+eyin or passin a substance alon
to a +essel as that substance flows from the source) It reminds me of
the widow with the flas. of oil) 3ll she had to do was .eep pourin
and <od did the rest)
4lisa sai!, 2(o aroun! an! as/ all your neigbors ,or em)ty
@ars7 Don't as/ ,or @ust a ,ew7 :en go insi!e an! sut te !oor
bein! you an! your sons7 +our oil into all te @ars, an! as eac is
,ille!, )ut it to one si!e72
.e le,t im an! a,terwar! sut te !oor bein! er an! er
sons7 :ey brougt te @ars to er an! se /e)t )ouring7 1en all te
@ars were ,ull, se sai! to er son, 2Bring me anoter one72
But e re)lie!, 2:ere is not a @ar le,t72 :en te oil sto))e!
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is -%
,lowing7 3$ Kings *:'="6
It has been only about four years since that incredible niht) In
some ways it was painful, e+en eFcruciatin, but I wouldn;t trade it for
all the old in ?ort /noF) So much has happened since Claudio
imparted to me that which <od had imparted to him) 2his impartation
helped me throuh seasons of reat and eFhilaratin firsts in ministry
as well as times of deep sorrow and personal affliction)
In the years to follow, we would eFperience, amon other thins,
more ossip, more slander, and e+en death threats) 8urin the
construction of our new church buildin, a demonJpossessed personC
claimin Satan had sent herICtried to .ill our eneral contractor and
an associate pastor by hittin them with her pic.up truc.) She then
dro+e throuh the lass front doors of the church and came to a stop
only when, after rammin the eFterior wall, her truc. stalled) 2he
impact pushed the wall about three feet into the lobby) It too. four
police officers to restrain her and ta.e her into custody)
(etween the two of us, my wife and I would be in+ol+ed in three
car accidents and one snowmobile accident, the latter of which almost
.illed me) ?ollowin the snowmobile accident, there was the pain of
three years of physical therapy) I still am not entirely bac. to normal,
but Christ is healin me daily) -a+in always been athletic and acti+e,
I was used to my body doin anythin I wanted it to, and doin it
without pain) 2his accident a+e me a taste of what it is li.e to feel
helpless, to be se+erely limited in one;s acti+ities, and to strule with
constant pain) Now I can understand and empathiGe more with people
who ha+e li+ed in daily aony for years)
?inally, our dauhter Isabelle was dianosed with -od.in;s
disease (cancer of the lymph nodes)) 9f all the trials we eFperienced,
this one was by far the most painful) =e were informed of this
dianosis the day after we opened our new sanctuary that could seat
three thousand people) Somehow, because it came immediately after a
day of :oy and celebration, the shoc. of hearin such heartbrea.in
news was intensified) It was li.e climbin up to a lorious
mountaintop and then, riht after reachin the summit, bein hurled
into a dar. abyss)
2hat is :ust a small sample of what we ha+e been throuh recently)
2he only reason I mention these thins is to illustrate why I can
unequi+ocally say that I am embracin the fellowship of -is
-& :e +ower o, Im)artation
sufferins) 6y recent choice introduced me to a new le+el of
commitment and sacrifice) Ae+i+als do not come cheap) If we want to
.now Christ and the power of -is resurrection, we will ha+e to enter
new le+els of sufferin) =hy> (ecause we are in close fellowship with
0esus Christ, and -e came to destroy the wor.s of the enemy) 3ll those
who lon for a close union with 0esus and want to ser+e as conduit for
-is lory and power will find themsel+es fihtin the forces of e+il) In
1 Corinthians '5&J#, the 3postle ,aul summariGes his eFperience with
sufferin5 21e are ar! )resse! on every si!e, but not cruse!9
)er)le5e!, but not in !es)air9 )ersecute!, but not aban!one!9 struc/
!own, but not !estroye!72
No one is eFempt from these trials) 8enise and I were honored
recently with the opportunity to ha+e dinner with 9ral and B+elyn
Aoberts) =e were o+erwhelmed as we learned of the incredible
amount of sufferin they ha+e one throuh o+er the years) 2hese dear
saints ha+e seen <od mo+e in reat ways, but they ha+e the scars to
pro+e that they ha+e been in a fiht) If you are oin to han around
with 0esus, you had better et ready to wal. throuh some touh
neihborhoods)
Ou" Re-($-e ) Su,,e"i$5
2he price of .nowin -im in the fellowship of -is sufferins,
howe+er, is cheap compared to the paybac.) =hen ad+ersity has
threatened to crush me li.e rapes in a wine press, I ha+e as.ed that
the :uice flowin out of my life would be an acceptable offerin to the
4ord) =hen I ha+e felt that I was wal.in throuh the fire, I ha+e
prayed that the smo.e would be li.e frarant incense to -is nostrils)
=hen I ha+e felt hindered by fearH I ha+e reminded myself that no one
can .ill a dead man) 2I ave been cruci,ie! wit ?rist an! I no longer
live, but ?rist lives in me2 3(al7 $:$0a67
If you are oin throuh the fire, please i+e your pain to -im as a
sweetJsmellin offerin) 7ou will be amaGed how much emptyin of
yourself will be required alon the road of impartation) 6any of us
ha+e prayed, E4et there be less of me and more of 7ou, 4ord,E ne+er
imainin what <od will ha+e to ta.e us throuh in order to rant our
request) 9ften, I had prayed that way, but had not counted the cost
until recently)
I had preached sermons based on ,hilippians %5"KJ""5 2I want to
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is -#
/now ?rist an! te )ower o, is resurrection an! te ,ellowsi) o,
saring in is su,,erings, becoming li/e im in is !eat, an! so,
someow, to attain to te resurrection ,rom te !ea!72 ?or many years
I had .nown Christ as my personal Sa+ior) (ut it wasn;t until "##' that
I was introduced to -is resurrection powerH and it wasn;t until "##$
that the door of the fellowship of his sufferins was opened)
2he phrase ,ellowsi) o, is su,,erings is often misinterpreted) 2he
reality of these words has brouht reat comfort to me in these last few
years) 2he term translated as ,ellowsi) comes from the <ree. word
/oinonia, which means Epartnership)E
D
In any business partnership, the
partners all share the ris.s of their +enture) 2oether, they share in the
benefits, burdens, successes and failures) 2he same is true of .indom
business) =hen we suffer in Christ, we pay the price of our
partnership) 3s partners with the 4ord, we share with -im the ood,
the bad, the hihs, the lows, and the ris.s of ministry)
Paul E'."a4ed Su,,e"i$5
2he 3postle ,aul seems to ha+e had a tremendous rip on this
principle) -e .new that his sufferin had a purpose) B+ery time he
suffered, he saw it as an in+estment in the .indom of <od) ShortJterm
pain would lead to lonJterm ain) Aeardin what he was sufferin at
the time he wrote the letter to the ,hilippians, ,aul said, 2Now I want
you to /now, broters, tat wat as a))ene! to me as really serve!
to a!vance te gos)el2 (,hil) "5"1))
In ,aul;s letter to the Colossians, he says somethin reardin
sufferin that, up until recently, puGGled me5 2Now I re@oice in wat
was su,,ere! ,or you, an! I ,ill u) in my ,les wat is still lac/ing in
regar! to ?rist's a,,lictions, ,or te sa/e o, is bo!y, wic is te
curc2 (Col) "51'))
I ne+er understood what he meant when he said, 2an! I ,ill u) in
my ,les, wat is still lac/ing in regar! to ?rist's a,,lictions72 I
thouht that nothin was lac.in in Christ;s afflictions) 8idn;t -e die
once and for all> ?irst ,eter %5"&J"# says, 2Aor ?rist !ie! ,or sins
once an! ,or all, te rigteous ,or te unrigteous, to bring you to
(o!7 He was )ut to !eat in te bo!y but ma!e alive by te .)irit72
-ere;s the re+elation that the -oly Spirit a+e to me5 Nothin is
lac.in in terms of the debt paid for our sal+ation) It was paid in full)
=e don;t need any further sacrifice to atone for sin or to recei+e
"0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
eternal life in hea+en)
2he lost, on the other hand, still need the sufferins of the saints)
Aeachin the lost almost always requires some deree of sacrifice and
sufferin) =hat sacrifices are you prepared to ma.e> =hat sufferin
are you willin to eFperience in order to brin re+i+al> Some will pay
the price on their .neesH others, with their resourcesH and others, with
their strenth, but e+eryone who truly wants to reach the lost must pay)
9ur sufferins are ne+er wasted5 <od uses them to purify, refine
and mold us) (ut -e oes beyond that) =hile Christ;s sufferins paid
the debt for e+eryone;s sin, our sufferins will be used to lead others to
-im so that they may be sa+ed, healed, deli+ered, discipled, and
released into ministry) 9ur sacrifices are added to -is spotless
sacrifice with the end result bein the ad+ancement of the .indom of
<od) =e only add our sufferins to the sufferins of Christ because
we are partners with -im)
6y friends in India and China understand this truth more than us
North 3mericans) 6any of them ha+e lost e+erythin in order to ser+e
0esus) 2hey ha+e been re:ected by lo+ed onesH beaten by eFtremistsH
and se+erely persecuted by neihbors, employers, and others) 6any of
our brothers and sisters in certain parts of the 6iddle Bast ha+e been
martyred simply for con+ertin to Christianity)
?or now, much of what we o throuh is a mystery to us) =e only
.now and understand in partH but, in the end, the purpose of our
sufferins will be fully re+ealed to us) =e will see the rand scheme
and it will all ma.e perfect sense)
8enise and I ha+e .nown the fellowship of sharin in Christ;s
sufferins, but we ha+e also eFperienced the power of -is
resurrection) <od has poured -is power into us throuh anointed
leaders) -e lo+es to use people to demonstrate -is power, and to
distribute -is ifts throuh different +ehicles and methods)
(efore we can discuss the se+en .eys to unloc. the power of <od
in your life, family, church and city, we must lay a reater foundation
to build upon) I want you to clearly understand the power of <od, and
be open to what -e wants to do in and throuh your life) 8o you
belie+e that <od wants to impart throuh you> 8o you .now what -e
wants to pour throuh you> =hen the power of <od is unloc.ed in
your life you will be able to ma.e precious, lifeJtransformin deposits
in the li+es of others) <od will be able to use you in ways you ha+e
1##*H:e Year (o! .ur)rise! Is "1
ne+er e+en imained) 4et;s et ready for <od to pour throuh us)
N N N
Sela2
Can you thin. of anythin the 4ord miht as. you to do that you
would not be willin to do> Can you remember a time when you
tried to place limits on what <od could do in your life>
8o you .now Christ;s resurrection power> -a+e you eFperienced
the fellowship of sharin in -is sufferins> If so, how has this
chaned your life and the li+es of others>
C-3,2BA '
< GOD WANTS TO IMPART THROUGH YOU
2he question that needs to be answered before we can o any
further is5 =hat does <od want to impart throuh us> 2here are eiht
answers to this question)
#1 God wants to pour his power through us.
3s ,aul said, 2By message an! my )reacing were not wit wise
an! )ersuasive wor!s, but wit a !emonstration o, te .)irit's )ower2
(" Cor) 15'))
,aul was con+inced that the power of <od would flow throuh
him) -e pro+ed the truth of his messae with power) -a+e you reached
the point where you are con+inced <od;s power will flow throuh you>
#2 God wants to perform signs, wonders, miracles and healings
through us.
28n! tese signs will accom)any tose wo believe: In my name
tey will !rive out !emons9 tey will s)ea/ in new tongues9 tey will
)ic/ u) sna/es wit teir an!s9 an! wen tey !rin/ !ea!ly )oison,
it will not urt tem at all9 tey will )lace teir an!s on sic/ )eo)le,
an! tey will get well2 3Bar/ 1":1%=1&67
<od wants us to ta.e the miraculous into the streets where it
belons) 0esus performed most of his miracles in public, not in a
church ser+ice)
#3 God wants to proclaim the gospel through us.
2But you will receive )ower wen te Holy .)irit comes on you9
an! you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, an! in all Ju!ea an!
.amaria, an! to te en!s o, te eart2 38cts 1:&67
D%
"* :e +ower o, Im)artation
2How ten can tey call on te one tey ave not believe! inC
8n! ow can tey believe in te one o, wom tey ave not ear!C
8n! ow can tey ear witout someone )reacing to temC 8n!
ow can tey )reac unless tey are sentC 8s it is written, 'How
beauti,ul are te ,eet o, tose wo bring goo! newsJ'2 3;om7 10:1*=
1-67
<od wants to proclaim the mysteries of the ood news throuh us)
-e desires that none should perishH therefore, he is loo.in for willin
+essels to reach the lost)
# God wants to distri!ute "is gifts through us.
2I long to see you so tat I may im)art to you some s)iritual gi,t
to ma/e you strong2 3;om7 1:1167
,aul was sure that the belie+ers in Aome would recei+e ifts
(caris) throuh him) -e wasn;t claimin to be the author of the ifts,
:ust the +essel that <od would use) =e also can become holy +essels
or dispensers for the ifts of <od)
## God wants to impart wisdom and understanding through us.
2Aor tis reason, since te !ay we ear! about you, we ave not
sto))e! )raying ,or you an! as/ing (o! to ,ill you wit te
/nowle!ge o, is will troug all s)iritual wis!om an!
un!erstan!ing2 3?ol7 1:#67
,aul was eFtremely wellJeducated but he reconiGed that worldly
.nowlede is not enouhH we need to ha+e the wisdom and
understandin that only <od can i+e)
In the boo. of ,ro+erbs, we see that Solomon, whose wisdom was
a ift from <od, was con+inced that he could impart that wisdom to
his son and others) -e .new that if his son followed his counsel, it
would o well with him) <od is loo.in for moms, dads, teachers and
others to impart wisdom to the youn)
#$ God wants us to disciple other !elie%ers.
2':ere,ore go an! ma/e !isci)les o, all nations, ba)tiFing tem
in te name o, te Aater an! o, te .on an! o, te Holy .)irit'2
3Batt7 $&:1#67
2his commandment of 0esus was for all of -is followers) 2hat
means that the discipleship of new Christians is the responsibility of
e+ery belie+er) If we are not disciplin at least one belie+er each, we
(o! 1ants to Im)art :roug You "-
are not obeyin the <reat Commission) =e must not let insecurity or
feelins of inadequacy hinder us) <od will supply us with e+erythin
we need to help new con+erts de+elop Christian maturity and
character)
#& God wants to impart comfort and understanding through us.
2?arry eac oter's bur!ens, an! in tis way you will ,ul,ill te
law o, ?rist2 3(al7 ":$67
2;eligion tat (o! our Aater acce)ts as )ure an! ,aultless is
tis: to loo/ a,ter or)ans an! wi!ows in teir !istress an! to /ee)
onesel, ,rom being )ollute! by te worl!2 3James 1:$%67
If we all too. our role as our brother;s .eeper seriously, would
suicide, alcoholism and depression statistics be so hih> =arm
touches, .ind words, i+in or carin actions, are all tools of
impartation that, as simple as they may seem, can chane someone;s
life fore+er)
#' God wants to deli%er people from !ondage and possession
through us.
28n! tese signs will accom)any tose wo believe: In my name
tey will !rive out !emons9 tey will s)ea/ in new tongues2 3Bar/
1":1%67
I ha+e encountered so many people who are bound by addictions,
depression, lusts, bitterness, and aner) Some need healinH others
need deli+erance)
<od has so much to impart to this bro.en world) -e is loo.in for
willin +essels5 men, women and youn people who want to become
+essels of honor)
In a large ouse tere are articles not only o, gol! an! silver,
but also o, woo! an! clay9 some are ,or noble )ur)oses an! some ,or
ignoble7 I, a man cleanses imsel, ,rom te latter, e will be an
instrument ,or noble )ur)oses, ma!e oly, use,ul to te Baster an!
)re)are! to !o any goo! wor/7 3$ :im7 $:$0=$167
2he power of impartation is all about bein sure <od wants to do
these thins throuh you) It is so easy to aree that <od wants to do
these thins, but it is quite another to aree that -e wants to do the
impartin throuh us7 =e;+e made oursel+es comfortable with the
fable that <od wor.s throuh a select few) 2he superstars of
"" :e +ower o, Im)artation
e+anelism, healin, teachin and preachin are not the only ones who
are candidates) 2hey are simply the only ones who ha+e said yes) <od
didn;t limit his choice to the Ebiies)E 1e are the ones who limited
-is choice)
=e said we weren;t smart enouh or spiritual enouh) =e;+e
created a shoppin list of eFcuses based on our insecurities and fear)
=e need to repent for this cataclysmic cop out) =e need to as. <od to
help us to be open, willin and belie+in) It all boils down to -is wor.
anyway, doesn;t it> 2Aor it is (o! wo wor/s in you to will an! to act
accor!ing to is goo! )ur)oses2 3+il7 $:1'67 Shouldn;t we start cryin
out, 2<or!, I believe9 el) my unbelie,2C 3Bar/ #:$* NKJV67 Ise me,
(o!, in s)ite o, my wea/nesses an! ,railties7
G"adua)e ) )2e Ma"velu-
4et;s et ready for the amaGin, the astonishin, and the wonderful)
3lthouh, enerally, we must bein by ma.in oursel+es a+ailable for
the menial, we can raduate to the mar+elous) 8enise and I started our
ministry by cleanin toilets, washin dishes and mowin lawns) Not
+ery lamorous, but effecti+e nonetheless) It ta.es time, but <od uses
those seasons of life to teach us and mold us) It is a process of
successes and failures, but our 4ord, full of race and truth, leads us
throuh it all) 2:e 1or! became ,les an! ma!e is !welling among
us7 1e ave seen is glory, te glory o, te >ne an! >nly, wo came
,rom te Aater, ,ull o, grace an! trut2 3Jon 1:1*67
2he apostles belie+ed that <od wanted to unleash his power,
distribute his ifts and chane the world throuh them) =e ser+e the
same <od they did) =hy wouldn;t -e want to do those thins throuh
us as well> 2he (ible assures me that <od is the same 2yester!ay,
to!ay an! ,orever2 3Heb7 1':&67
-e is still searchinH still cryin out in a sacred celestial quest,
E;1om sall I sen!C 8n! wo will go ,or usC'2 3Isa7 ":&a67 9ur
answer must be li.e the prophet Isaiah;s5 2'Here am I7 .en! meJ'2 3Isa7
":&b67 If it isn;t, we will ha+e doomed oursel+es, at best, to the
mundane and irrele+antH at worst, to the demonic and destructi+e)
8r) Aichard 8obbins, a pioneer Christian psycholoist, author, and
my mentor, once said that e+ery day the de+il spea.s to our minds,
Estimulatin us to thin. thouhts and ma.e decisions that are
destructi+e for our li+es and others)E ,raise the 4ord that <od also
(o! 1ants to Im)art :roug You "%
spea.s to us, stimulatin us Eto thin. thouhts that are creati+e and
di+ineH thouhts that will brin more :oy and peace and purpose)E
2o whom will you choose to listen>
3s for me and my house, we ha+e decided to be powerful aents of
impartation) =e want <od to touch a bro.en world throuh us) =e
will ma.e choices that will facilitate this oal) In my boo. Jesus, I
1ant to Know Him, I spent a considerable amount of time eFplainin
the process of preparation for impartation) ,reparation to be used by
<od is crucial) -owe+er, it is important to understand that it all starts
with the con+iction that <od wants to use you and that -e will use
you)
8o you belie+e> If you do, the neFt step is to study the se+en .eys
to unloc. the power of <od in your life)
3re you ready to learn how to become an imparter> 2hen, let;s et
started)
N N N
Sela2
8o you ha+e a hard time belie+in that <od can use you to do reat
thins for -im> If so, can you thin. of some practical ways to
o+ercome this problem>
Name se+eral eFamples in the (ible of +ery ordinary people throuh
whom <od accomplished +ery eFtraordinary thins) If you find one
with whom you feel you ha+e much in common, you miht want to
ma.e a careful, prayerful study of his or her life)
C-3,2BA @
@ SEVEN KEYS TO UNLOCK THE POWER OF
GOD IN YOUR LIFE
Ke/ A%+ Yu 4a$>) 5ive 02a) /u d$>) 2ave
-a+e you e+er been as.ed for somethin you could not i+e> It
.ind of ma.es you feel uncomfortable, doesn;t it> It;s hard to .now
what to say at times li.e that) 7ou want to help, but can;t uarantee
results) In the past few years, this scenario has occurred many times at
altars around the world)
Scores of bro.en people come to our church see.in deli+erance,
healin, reconciliation, and sal+ation) Some ha+e e+en as.ed me to
heal them, fiF their marriae, help them et their .ids bac., or sol+e
seeminly impossible financial problems) 3s a pastor, I often feel
pretty helpless) Sil+er and old (or maical powersI) ha+e I none, but
what I ha+e, I i+e) 3nd the first thin I ha+e to i+e is the truth that I
am not the one who deli+ers, heals, reconciles, sa+es, and pro+idesC
0esus is) In ministry, it is crucial that we always point people to Christ,
the author and finisher of their faith)
4on ao, the prophet Bli:ah was confronted with a request that
was beyond his ability and eFperienceCperhaps e+en beyond his faith)
Bli:ah;s intern, Blisha, made this request on what was to be the older
prophet;s last day on earth) 2he story of that e+entful day is found in 1
D#
%0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
/ins5
:e com)any o, te )ro)ets at Jerico went u) to 4lisa an!
as/e! im, 2Do you /now tat te <>;D is going to ta/e your
master ,rom you to!ayC2
2Yes, I /now,2 e re)lie!, 2but !o not s)ea/ o, it72
:en 4li@a sai! to im, 2.tay ere9 te <>;D as sent me to
te Jor!an72
8n! e re)lie!, 28s surely as te <>;D lives an! as you live, I
will not leave you72 .o te two o, tem wal/e! on7 3$ Kings $: -="6
B+eryone was told to stay away) 3s Bli:ah wal.ed toward his final
meetin with <od on this earth, Blisha was the only one of his
disciples who persisted in followin him) -e would not ta.e no for an
answer) -e had faithfully ser+ed Bli:ah for years and would not be
denied his last opportunity to be close to the reat prophet)
2he fact that Bli:ah consented to Blisha;s wish, allowin only him
to share this most pri+ate of moments, tells us somethin about the
special relationship between the two) ?rom the instant Bli:ah, in
obedience to <od;s directi+e, anointed Blisha to succeed him as
prophet, the youner man ser+ed the older with total surrender and
deep humility5
.o 4li@a went ,rom tere an! ,oun! 4lisa son o, .a)at7 He
was )lowing wit twelve yo/e o, o5en, an! e imsel, was !riving te
twel,t )air7 4li@a went u) to im an! trew is cloa/ aroun! im7777
.o 4lisa le,t im an! went bac/7 He too/ is yo/e o, o5en an!
slaugtere! tem7 He burne! te )lowing eEui)ment to coo/ te
meat an! gave it to te )eo)le, an! tey ate7 :en e set out to
,ollow 4li@a an! became is atten!ant7 31 Kings 1#:1#,$16
1at a ra!ical res)onse to te callJ Blisha a+e up e+erythin) -e
e+en destroyed the source of his income) =ithout a moment;s
hesitation, he became a faithful armor bearer, ser+in the needs of his
leader for o+er ten years)
(-a+e you heard <od;s call> If so, did you answer with immediate
obedience and total surrender>)
Blisha;s humble attitude was e+ident to others) =hen /in
0ehoshaphat needed a man of <od to continue Bli:ah;s ministry, his
ad+isor pointed him to someone with the heart of a ser+ant5
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e %1
But Jeosa)at as/e!, 2Is tere no )ro)et o, te <>;D ere,
tat we may inEuire o, te <>;D troug imC2
8n o,,icer o, te /ing o, Israel answere!, 24lisa, son o,
.a)at is ere7 He use! to )our water on te an!s o, 4li@a72 3$
Kings ':116
-andJwasher) Not a position most of us would want to include in
our resumes) 7et, it was precisely this part of Blisha;s :ob history that
impressed the .in;s ad+isor) In addition to demonstratin Blisha;s
humility and willinness to ser+e, it attested to the close, confidential
nature of his relationship with Bli:ah)
It is my firm belief that deep impartations come from deep
relationships) 4onJlastin ministry also comes from lonJlastin
relationships) Blisha reaped a lifeJchanin intimate moment with his
mentor because of the time he had in+ested in Bli:ah;s ministry) I ha+e
had the pri+ilee of ser+in se+eral wonderful men of <od5 (ill
(owers, a ,resbyterian pastor who demonstrated reat discipline and a
true lo+e for peopleH =ayne Clar., an 3ssemblies of <od pastor with
an outstandin ability to moti+ate people and a tremendous heart for
missionsH and <len Cole, a statesman pastor who had a reat impact on
the 3ssemblies of <od and the state of California) Bach of these men
imparted into me as I carried out my commitment to ser+e their +ision
and their call durin my early years in ministry) =hene+er I reflect on
my eFperience as an associate pastor, I;m than.ful that <od placed me
under the leadership of these three ifted and racious men)
Some associate pastors ha+e not been as fortunate) I ha+e seen
se+eral youn associates row frustrated after years of unreconiGed
ser+ice) If only we could all de+elop the faith and perse+erance of
Blisha) <od;s promises are true and -e is faithfulH in -is time, -e will
see to it that our ser+ice is rewarded) 2Do not be !eceive!: (o! cannot
be moc/e!7 8 man rea)s wat e sows2 3(al7 ":%67 2he =ord also
promises, 2a man's gi,t ma/es room ,or im, an! brings im be,ore
great men2 3+rov7 1&:1" NKJV67
A Bld ReBue-)
3s the end of Bli:ah;s life on earth rew near, he must ha+e felt a
need to demonstrate his appreciation to his faithful apprentice) ,erhaps
he also wanted to ma.e sure that he had passed alon to Blisha
e+erythin the youn prophet would need in order to carry on the
%$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
ministry) So he as.ed Blisha a question one would only as. of loyal,
intimate friends or family5 2':ell me, wat can I !o ,or you be,ore I am
ta/en ,rom youC'2 (1 /ins 15#a)) Blisha;s response must ha+e
surprised him) 2'<et me inerit a !ouble )ortion o, your s)irit'2 (1
/ins 15#b))
2hese +erses warrant a closer loo.) Blisha wanted a double portion
of Bli:ah;s spiritH in other words, he wanted twice as much of Bli:ah;s
spirit as the prophet himself had) =hat a bold requestI In fact, it is the
only time in Scripture where we see someone ma.e such a request)
2here is an element of -ebrew tradition that can help us
understand more about what Blisha was as.in of his mentor) In a
-ebrew family, the eldest son was i+en a double portion of his
father;s inheritance) 2his meant he would recei+e twice as much as the
other sons, howe+er, not twice as much as his father possessed)
9b+iously, the father could not i+e more than he had)
(ut Blisha was not as.in for the rihts of a firstborn son) -e was
as.in for e+en more5 spiritually spea.in, he wanted e+erythin
Bli:ah hadCmultiplied by twoI 3 study of his words in the oriinal
-ebrew
"
allows for only one interpretation5 Blisha wanted twice as
much of the -oly Spirit as Bli:ah had) 2he concept of some ha+in
more of the -oly Spirit than others is supported throuhout both the
9ld and New 2estaments) ,eople were reconiGed by the Spirit they
had) (See, for eFample, 8euteronomy %'5#, which says that 2Josua
son o, Nun was ,ille! wit te s)irit o, wis!om because Boses a!
lai! is an!s on im29 3cts D5% where, for the tas. of distributin
food to widows, the 2wel+e tell the disciples to select men from
amon them 2wo are /nown to be ,ull o, te .)irit29 and 3cts D5@ and
$5@@ that describe Stephen as bein 2,ull o, te Holy .)irit726
Blisha;s request too. the -ebraic inheritance tradition into the
supernatural realm) -e was as.in to multiply his inheritance to an
impossible le+el) 9nly <od could rant a request li.e that, and <od
lo+es it when, in faith, we as. -im for the impossible) ?or eFample,
-e says, 2'8s/ o, me, an! I will ma/e te nations your ineritance, te
en!s o, te eart your )ossession'2 3+s7 $:&67
Bli:ah was a powerful prophet) -is eFploits stand as some of the
most darin and amaGin in the (ible) =ho else could ha+e confronted
the prophets of (aal in such an astonishin show of supernatural
power> =ho else would ha+e moc.ed their od as he did> 2'.out
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e %'
lou!erJ' e sai!, '.urely e is a go!J +era)s e is !ee) in tougt, or
busy, or traveling7 Baybe e is slee)ing an! must be awa/ene!'2 31
Kings 1&:$%=$&67
=as Blisha bein unrealistic when he as.ed for a double portion of
that .ind of spirit> =as he bein pretentious or did he .now there had
to be more, e+en more than Bli:ah had eFperienced> Blisha had set his
sihts beyond the hihJwater mar. left by his mentor, so he as.ed for
more) <od;s =ord ne+er discouraes us from as.in -im for reat
thinsH on the contrary, -e repeatedly demonstrates -is pleasure with
those who do so) 7ears later, 0esus -imself would teach on the
sub:ect5 2'8s/ an! it will be given to you9 see/ an! you will ,in!9 /noc/
an! te !oor will be o)ene! to you7 Aor everyone wo as/s receives9
e wo see/s ,in!s9 an! to im wo /noc/s, te !oor will be o)ene!'2
3Batt7 %:%=&67
2here was only one thin .eepin Bli:ah from rantin Blisha;s
request) =e ha+e :ust seen that there was nothin wron in Blisha
settin his sihts so hih) 2here was nothin wron with the concept
of impartation either) (oth Bli:ah and Blisha would ha+e .nown that
recei+in impartation from a leader was both biblical and practical
because, amon other thins, they would ha+e been familiar with
8euteronomy %'5# (which, as we ha+e seen, says that 6oses imparted
a spirit of wisdom to 0oshua throuh the layin on of hands))
2he obstacle to rantin Blisha;s request had nothin to do with
Bli:ah;s lac. of desire to do so) 2he old prophet ladly would ha+e
i+en a double portion of his spirit to his faithful protee) 3fter all,
this was the man who would soon face the challene of carryin on
Bli:ah;s ministry)
2he only problem, then, was that the prophet couldn;t impart that
which he didn;t ha+e) Bli:ah didn;t ha+e a double portion of his own
spirit to i+e awayH all he had was a sinle portion) Bli:ah admitted his
dilemma when he said, 2'You ave as/e! a !i,,icult ting777yet i, you
see me wen I am ta/en ,rom you, it will be yoursHoterwise not'2 3$
Kings $:1067 (2he ood news is that <od;s resources, unli.e man;s, are
unlimitedI)
W2a) Gi,) A"e Yu L6i$5 F"8
If I wanted a ift for multiplication, I would o see 2ommy
(arnett) If I wanted a ift of leadership, I would attend a 0ohn 6aFwell
%* :e +ower o, Im)artation
conference) If I were loo.in for an apostolic ift, I would +isit 8r) 0im
6arocco of 6aui, -awaii) If I wanted a ift for pastoral counselin, I
would see 8r) Aichard 8obbins of Bmere 6inistries) 2hese men
would be capable of impartin certain ifts to me, because they ha+e
those ifts themsel+es) 9f course, the con+erse would also be true5
2hey couldn;t impart a ift to me that they didn;t ha+e)
8o you need more ifts to achie+e your <odJi+en oals> 2hen,
find someone who has the type of ift you are see.in) Visit them,
attend their seminars, read their boo.s, listen to their tapes) 2hen, as.
them to lay hands on you) =hen they pray for you, recei+e by faith
whate+er <od wants to pour into you) 2Aollow te way o, love an!
eagerly !esire s)iritual gi,ts, es)ecially te gi,t o, )ro)ecy2 31 ?or7
1*:167
Iltimately, (o! is te one wo im)artsH howe+er, -e allows us to
be part of the process (praise -is holy nameI)) -e imparts to us
throuh mentors, coaches, teachers, pastors, and other sinificant
people) Choose these people carefully because they will be pourin
into you not only their ifts, but their philosophy, beliefs, +alues,
teachins and, ultimately, their spirit)
=hen you see. a ift, see. also the anointin of the -oly Spirit
that acti+ates that ift) 2he anointin can be poured into you as wellH
indeed, a ift without the anointin is out of balance and out of place)
-owe+er, do not foret that <odCnot manCis the source of the ift,
as well as the anointin that should accompany it)
B"i$5i$5 I) H'e
3fter <od used Ste+e -ill and Claudio ?reidGon to i+e me my
second chance, I was burstin with eFcitement) I couldn;t wait to find a
phone and share it with 8enise, but it wasn;t :ust the news I wanted to
share) I wanted to impart into her that which had :ust been imparted to
me)
7ou see, when <od first touched me with -is power in "##',
8enise had been +ery s.eptical) She had not eFperienced for herself
the resurrection power that ended up turnin both our li+es upside
down) (ut, by the time I recei+ed my second chance, she was tired of
neat, respectable, predictable church ser+ices) ?urthermore, she felt
that the 4ord was promptin her to pray for the ladies in the (ible
study roup she was leadin, which by now had about three hundred in
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e %-
attendance) -owe+er, she sensed that in order to pray for and minister
to them effecti+ely, she would ha+e to tap into the power of <od) 3s
she continued tryin to ser+e -im in her own power, she was
increasinly aware of her desperate need) She bean to lon for a
deeper eFperience with <od) She was becomin hunry for more of
-im, and there;s nothin that mo+es <od li.e our huner)
(y the time I ot a chance to call 8enise, I couldn;t dial fast
enouh) 3s soon as 8enise answered, I said, E-oney, I ot it aainIE
2hen, I proceeded to tell her about the incredible e+ents of that
e+enin that had led up to my bein filled with -im once more) 3fter
we tal.ed for a while, I felt mo+ed to pray for her) 3s I prayed, she
bean to eFperience a lifeJchanin infusion of <od;s Spirit) It didn;t
matter that I was not there in person) It didn;t matter that I could not
lay hands on her) <od is not limited by time or distance) -e touched
my wife powerfully) In :ust one incomparable e+enin, -e turned the
two of us into a mihty force for -is purpose and -is lory)
=hen I first returned to 4as Veas from that amaGin trip, I
in+ited our conreation to come on a Sunday niht so that we could
impart into them) 2he response was enthusiastic and the church was
pac.ed, but we were prepared to minister to a lare number of people)
=e had mar.ed the carpet with electrician;s tapeCthree DKJfoot lines,
@ feet apartCso that those see.in impartation would .now where to
line up) 3ll of our catchers and bathers were wellJtrained) (3 catcer
is someone who stands behind the person bein prayed for, in case the
power of the -oly Spirit causes a physical reaction li.e fallin, and the
person needs to be cauht or helped in any way) 3 bater is someone
who helps the pastoral staff by supportin them and prayinCi)e),
EbathinE them in prayer))
2he only problem was that our pastoral staff, althouh quite
willin to pray in faith, was not ready) -ow could they i+e what they
didn;t ha+e> 2heir prayers would ha+e been sincere but powerless)
2hey would ha+e felt terrible and the people would ha+e been
disappointed) Unfortunately, many Christian leaders li+e this way for
years on end) 2hey ha+e de+eloped a reliious form that is appropriate,
but their prayers lac. the power of the resurrection) 2hey pray for
people, but nothin happens) 6eanwhile, <od;s heart is bro.en
because -is people are not bein healed, filled, and equipped)
?or fi+e wee.s, 8enise and I laid hands on e+eryone who came,
%" :e +ower o, Im)artation
includin members of our staff, in order to impart to them what had
been imparted to us) 9ur altars would stay open until "K5%K or later
e+ery Sunday niht) 9ur staff :ust obser+ed and recei+ed for wee.s) 3s
we prayed, <od poured into thousands) It was loriousI
I felt li.e a father, the first niht our pastoral staff was released to
minister) It was so eFcitin to see the Spirit of <od flow throuh them
as -e did throuh us) 2his was a wonderful eFample of the power of
multiplication in action) Now, instead of :ust two anointed people
ready to impart to others, there were ten)
2he number of imparters has continued to row with the addition
of powerful lay leaders) I stronly belie+ed our church could not be
built on a few superJanointed pastorsH we needed an entire impartation
team o+erflowin with the Spirit) 9+er the past few years, we ha+e
continually as.ed <od to cause the ifts to flow throuh not only the
pastoral staff but also an e+erJincreasin number of lay leaders)
(Incidentally, the ministry of impartation is not restricted to adults)
9ur youths and children also ha+e been used mihtily by <od at our
altars))
3nother stratey has been to in+ite spea.ers who could impart
certain ifts and types of anointin that were lac.in in our body) ?or
eFample, prophecy was a ift I +ery much wanted to see released in
our church) =hy> (ecause the (ible says, 2e wo )ro)esies e!i,ies
te curc2 31 ?or7 1*:*67 I especially wanted e+ery one of our pastors
to function in this ift) Can you imaine the benefit to hundreds of
people who need a word from <od> So, we held a prophetic seminar,
and I as.ed our in+ited spea.ers, two ser+ants of <od who ha+e the
ift of prophecy, to pray for our staff) 9f course, I realiGed that not
e+ery staff member would hold the office of a prophet) 2here is a
difference between those who function in the ift and those who are
actually reconiGed as prophets) 2his ift must be tried and tested o+er
a lon period of time before a body of belie+ers can confirm that a
person holds the office of a prophet) (ut Scripture encouraes all
Christians to see. the ift of prophecy) 2:ere,ore, my broters, be
eager to )ro)esy, an! !o not ,orbi! s)ea/ing in tongues2 31 ?or7 1*:
'#67
<od has already strateically poured -is Spirit and ifts into men
and women who can become EBli:ahsE to you and your church) It is
-is desire to i+e the ift of prophecy and other ifts to all of -is
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e %%
people) I sincerely hope you will dare to pray for and see. them)
N Gua"a$)ee-
2he Bli:ahs in your life cannot uarantee what you will recei+e
when they pray) 3ll they can do is to pray in faith) 2hey are mere
+essels it pleases <od to use in order to accomplish -is purposes)
,eople cannot impart into you what they do not ha+e) Nor can you
impart what you ha+e not recei+ed) 0esus admonished his disciples,
E;Areely you ave receive!, ,reely give'2 3Batt7 &:106, but -e ne+er
as.ed them to i+e anythin they had not already recei+ed)
<od didn;t i+e a clear picture to Bli:ah reardin how -e would
answer Blisha;s request, but -e did i+e him a limmer of hope he
could pass alon to the youner prophet5 2'You ave as/e! ,or a
!i,,icult ting,' 4li@a sai!, 'Yet i, you see me wen I am ta/en ,rom
you, it will be yoursHoterwise not'2 3$ Kings $:1067
Sometimes <od doesn;t i+e us the whole picture either, but he
does i+e us a hint or a sin) =e are forced to continue wal.in by
faith) 2he release of iftedness in our li+es does not come with a
moneyJbac. uarantee) =hen you as. someone to pray for you, he or
she cannot promise specific results) <od is so+ereinC-e will do as
-e pleases) 2he person ministerin to you will pray in faith, and you
will recei+e in faith, but only time will tell what you recei+ed) <ifts do
not fall into your lap) 2hey are poured into you by <od throuh -is
ser+antsH then, you must wor. hard, pray harder, and fiht for their
fulfillment) 7ou must protect the ifts with personal holiness) 7ou
must eFercise them by faith)
3s. <od to pour into you) See. mentors and pastors who can pour
into your life that which <od has poured into them, thins li.e
wisdom, anointin, :oy, peace, and power) <od wants to i+e you
someting so that -e can use you to i+e it to others)
=hat ifts will you see. <od for> =hat ifts ha+e you recei+ed
since you accepted Christ into your life> =hat ifts has the -oly Spirit
imparted into you> =ho has <od used to impart into your life> 2hese
are questions that need to be answered) 8o not ta.e for ranted the
many sermons and (ible studies that <od has used to pour into you)
7ou probably ha+e more ifts than you .now) 6ost li.ely, you ha+e
some that ha+e ne+er been identified, culti+ated, or poured out) I
challene you to find +ery specific answers to the questions at the
%& :e +ower o, Im)artation
beinnin of this pararaph, so that you can be +ery specific and +ery
purposeful about what you pour out to others)
N N N
Sela2
Name a few occasions in your life when you dared to as. <od for
somethin so bi, it would ha+e been impossible for anyone but
-im) (If you can;t remember e+er ha+in done that, you miht want
to as. -im to plant some bi dreams in your heart))
=hat are some ifts you feel you need in order to achie+e your <odJ
i+en oals>
N N N
Ke/ A3+ Yu 'u-) de4ide 02a) /u 0a$)
2ommy 2enney, probably best .nown as the author of :e (o!
?asers, was recently a uest spea.er at our church) -e brouht his
wife, 0eannie, and se+eral of their friends) 3s we worshipped at the
beinnin of the ser+ice, the power and presence of <od fell in the
sanctuary) 2hen, after one family stood to share a mo+in testimony
about their "1JyearJold dauhter;s miraculous healin of cancer, the
church erupted with faith and anointin) =hile the power of <od was
flowin throuh me, one of ,astor 2enney;s friends rabbed my hand
and said, E,ray for me) I want what you ha+e) Impart into me)E -e then
bowed, placed my hand on his head and said somethin that thrilled
me5 EI am ta.in it)E -e .new eFactly what he wanted, so he reached
out and rabbed it in faith)
2hat man dramatically demonstrated the second principle of
impartation) In order to hihliht this (iblical truth, we will do a case
study of three heroes from the (ible) 2hey will demonstrate the need
to be specific, bold, desperate, determined and perse+erin) 2hese
people didn;t wait for their ship to come in) 2hey saw it, wanted it, and
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e %#
swam out to meet it)
Ha$$a2
In bitterness o, soul Hanna we)t muc an! )raye! to te
<>;D7 8n! se ma!e a vow, saying, 2> <>;D 8lmigty, i, you will
only loo/ u)on your servant's misery an! remember me, an! not
,orget your servant but give er a son, ten I will give im to te
<>;D ,or all te !ays o, is li,e, an! no raFor will ever be use! on
is ea!72 31 .am7 1:10=116
-annah had a tremendous need) She was desperate for a child, and
not only for the reasons that miht seem ob+ious to us) In her culture, a
woman unable to bear children was considered a failure) 2o ma.e
matters worse, her ri+al ,ininah was harassin her) 8ay after day, year
after year, she would face the same ridicule) She was the classic
+ictim) She seemed hopeless and helpless, until she too. a bold step of
faith) She went to the house of <od alone, to pray)
=e are not told if she e+er did this before) Could it be that her
husband;s support (see " Sam) "5@, &) a+e her the moti+ation she
needed> ?or whate+er reason, she decided to ta.e action) 2his spar.s a
question in my mind5 =hy do people remain in their misery year after
year> =hy don;t they try somethin different> -annah didI
3 contemporary -annah miht ha+e prayed somethin li.e this5
E9/ <od, I;m willin to do whate+er it ta.es to chane thins) I;m sic.
and tired of li+in li.e this) I mean business) ,lease, 4ord, i+e me a
son and I will i+e him bac. to 7ou for 7our ser+ice)E She was bold,
specific and desperate) -annah was a candidate for a powerful
impartation because she had the type of attitude that ets results)
=hat was Bli the priest;s response> 24li answere!, '(o in )eace,
an! may te (o! o, Israel grant you wat you ave as/e! o, im'2 31
.am7 1:1%67
3lthouh Bli was not a model dad or priest, and his prayer may
ha+e lac.ed a certain Geal, -annah immediately responded in faith)
8oesn;t her faith bear a stri.in resemblance to that of the woman
who, after touchin the hem of 0esus; arment, was healed of a twel+eJ
year issue of blood> -annah;s faith reached riht up to hea+en and
rabbed her miracleI
2.e sai!, 'Bay your servant ,in! ,avor in your eyes7' :en se
&0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
went er way an! ate someting, an! er ,ace was no longer
!owncast2 31 .am7 1:1&67 =hat chaned -annah> It was her faithJ
filled attitude that chaned her emotions) No more depression or
+ictim mentality) 2he circumstances had not chaned but -annah had
chaned) She was still childlessH still facin the harassment from
,ininah and the critical comments from the neihbors) (ut her attitude
was different) -er faith helped her eFperience hope aain) She could
dream about ha+in a son, not with desperate lonin but with happy
anticipation) She could e+en .nit little blue baby booties in faith) =e
need to face our challenes in the same way) (e specific with <od) 2ry
somethin different) <et someone to aree with you in prayer) 2hen let
your attitude help you reach new altitudes)
Eli-2a
1en tey a! crosse!, 4li@a sai! to 4lisa, 2:ell me, wat can
I !o ,or you be,ore I am ta/en ,rom youC2 2<et me inerit a !ouble
)ortion o, your s)irit,2 4lisa re)lie!7 3$ Kings $:#6
Blisha is another hero who was bold, specific, and determined) -e
had a oal, and he wasn;t afraid to o after it) So he, li.e -annah, was
an eFcellent candidate for a miracle) 9ut of the entire company of the
prophets, he was the only one who pressed in to the man of <od5
:en 4li@a sai! to im, K.tay ere, 4lisa9 te <>;D as sent
me to Jerico7L 8n! e re)lie!, K8s surely as te <>;D lives an! as
you live, I will not leave you7L .o tey went to Jerico7 3$ Kings $:*67
Blisha recei+ed a double portion of Bli:ah;s spirit because he
refused to accept less) 2he fifty prophets who ministered with Bli:ah
chose to stay on the wron side of the 0ordan) 2hey settled for the
cheap seats of life) Isn;t it a shame that eFperienced prophets of <od
watched and passi+ely waited from a reat distance, while a simple
ser+antCa handJwasherCpressed in for more> Blisha .new eFactly
what he wanted and what he didn;t want) -e wasn;t satisfied to watch
from the stands or to sit on the bench) -e wanted to et in the ame)
-e wanted to mo+e up to the bi leaues) -e as.ed, he pressed in, and
he recei+ed) 2hose three steps chaned his destiny and they can
chane yours)
-e could ha+e allowed the fear of re:ection to stop him, but he
didn;t) -e was willin to ris. re:ection and disappointment in order to
seiGe his blessin) 3re you hidin in the crowd because you are afraid
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e &1
of stic.in out> 3re you afraid of oin to the altar because you miht
be disappointed> Come on, saint) (e the first at the altar and be the last
to lea+e) 8on;t be satisfied with a tric.le from the ri+er, di+e in and
swim around) <et hold of <od and don;t let o until you recei+e your
ift) 8on;t lea+e that altar without a touch from <od) /eep see.in -is
face until you meet with -im)
?or o+er a year, I fasted and prayed one day a wee., cryin out to
the 4ord for re+i+al in 4as Veas) B+ery ?riday I would find a lonely
spot in the desert where I would spend hours see.in my <od) 4i.e
Blisha, I would not ta.e no for an answer) I really didn;t .now what
re+i+al would loo. li.e, but I .new that we desperately needed it)
!a4.
.o Jacob was le,t alone, an! a man wrestle! wit im till
!aybrea/7 1en te man saw tat e coul! not over)ower im, e
touce! te soc/et o, Jacob's i) so tat is i) was wrence! as e
wrestle! wit te man7 :en te man sai!, 2<et me go, ,or it is
!aybrea/72 But Jacob re)lie!, 2I will not let you go unless you bless
me72 3(en7 '$:$*=$"6
0acob was so desperate for <od, he once wrestled all niht with
the 4ord, see.in -is blessin) =e need to pray for this type of
desperation)
2oo many Christians li+e in the land of disappointment and
rerets) It is time to aressi+ely see. the promises of <od) 0acob was
specific and tenacious) -e fouht for a blessin) =hen was the last
time you fouht until your blessin came> -a+e you prayed with such
fer+ency and abandon that an obser+er miht mista.enly belie+e you
were intoFicated, as happened in -annah;s case> -a+e you, li.e Blisha,
burned your brides behind you, ris.ed re:ection and disappointment,
and perse+ered in the pursuit of your dream e+en when e+eryone else
chose to stay safely behind> -a+e you dared to chase after <od,
wrestlin with -im for a blessin as 0acob did, continuin to press in,
in spite of weariness, doubt, fear and pain>
9ne of the most intense, lifeJtransformin impartations I ha+e e+er
recei+ed happened only after many hours of pursuin <od with
e+erythin I had in me) I was at a con+ention, and had already one to
the altar four or fi+e times for prayer) I was so hunry for more of
<od) It was the last niht of the e+ent, about "15%K a)m), and e+eryone
&$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
had left eFcept a few of us 0acobs, still wrestlin with the 4ord for a
blessin) I wal.ed up to a wor.er and as.ed him to pray for re+i+al in
4as Veas) -e insisted on prayin for me instead) I was a reat
candidate for impartationCspecific, tenacious, and desperateCand
<od touched me that niht in ways I will ne+er be able to eFplain) 2hat
was the beinnin of my impartation :ourney) =hat would ha+e
happened if I had left at "" p)m), or e+en at midniht> I would ha+e
missed my hour of +isitation)
=hat about you> 8o you lea+e church durin the altar call or do
you tarry in <od;s presence until you ha+e a brea.throuh> -ow
desperate are you for re+i+al in your life> 3re you willin to fiht for
it>
Su,,e"i$5+ A D" ) I'(a")a)i$
<reat sufferin is one thin many recipients of reat impartations
ha+e had in common) ,erhaps this is because their pain de+eloped in
them the other factors we ha+e already discussed5 desperation,
determination, perse+erance, focus on a specific need, and e+en
boldness) 2hose in deep pain often decide they can;t afford the luFury
of false pride or selfJconsciousness) 2he man at the pool of (ethesda is
a classic eFample of a dramatic impartation of healin that too. place
after years of sufferin)
>ne wo was tere a! been an invali! ,or tirty=eigt years7
1en Jesus saw im lying tere an! learne! tat e a! been in tis
con!ition ,or a long time, e as/e! im, 2Do you want to get wellC2
2.ir,2 te invali! re)lie!, 2I ave no one to el) me into te )ool
wen te water is stirre!7 1ile I am trying to get in, someone else
goes !own aea! o, me72
:en Jesus sai! to im, 2(et u)J +ic/ u) your mat an! wal/72 8t
once te man was cure!9 e )ic/e! u) is mat an! wal/e!7 3Jon
-:-=#6
2I ave no one to el) me77772 =hat a ri+etin statement) =hen you
are in the middle of reat sufferin, it feels as if there were no one who
could help you) Sometimes, it;s e+en difficult to find people who care)
=e li+e in such a busy society) -urtin people often fall throuh the
crac.s) 2hey want help but they can;t find it) I can truly understand
why some sufferers decide to i+e up) 2he (ible says, 2Ho)e !e,erre!
ma/es te eart sic/2 3+rov7 1':1$67 2his reality moti+ates me to ma.e
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e &'
a difference in my little world) 9ur entire church family is encouraed
to pour out where+er they find a need) 2ommy (arnett li+es by a
sloan that he repeats at his pastors; and leaders; school in ,hoeniF,
3riGona5 E?ind a need and fill it)E If you follow this eFample, your life,
family and community will chane)
0esus li+ed -is life by this motto) B+erywhere -e went, -e healed
the sic., fora+e sinners, deli+ered the possessed, and tauht those
see.in truth) In this scene, by as.in a strane question, 0esus re+eals
-imself as the one who can help5 E;Do you want to get wellC'2 Isn;t that
why e+erybody was at the pool> 3n anel would stir the waters) 2he
first one in would et healedH the others would only et wet) 2han.
<od the sic. man did not respond in a sarcastic tone) Instead he simply
spo.e the truth) -e told 0esus about his troubles)
Isn;t this the humble attitude <od lo+es to see in us> -e wants us
to come to -imH -e wants to hear where it hurts) E;?ome to me, all you
wo are weary an! bur!ene!, an! I will give you rest'2 3Batt7 11:$&67
0esus still has -is arms wide open today, in+itin each one of us to
come to -im) In the middle of our sufferin, -e is as.in us, E-ow
can I help you> 8o you want to et well>E
-ow many years had that man lain near those healin waters,
clinin to the hope that someday, somehow he would et in first> It
must ha+e been a traic siht) 8ay after day, year after year, there he
was, waitin near the pool, :ust one of many on a shore awash with
human sufferin)
2hen, one day the 6aster of Impartation stepped into the scene5
the one who later would breathe on -is disciples and say, 2';eceive
te Holy .)irit'2 3Jon $0:$$b67 2he 4ord 0esus loo.ed with
compassion upon this man who wasn;t fast enouh or ood enouh to
win his own healinH this man who had suffered for so lon) 3nd 0esus
decided to le+el the playin field) -e can do the same for you and I)
-e can come in when we are at our most desperate point) ,lease allow
the Imparter to hear the cry of your heart) (e bold and tell -im eFactly
what you need) 2hen, let -im touch you) -e is able to touch you, -e is
willin to touch youCall you ha+e to do is as.)
I can spea. from eFperience) 3s I mentioned earlier, after the 4ord
called us to 4as Veas, my family and I became more familiar with
sufferin than we would ha+e li.ed) I;m sure that our sufferin was
part of the de+il;s stratey to discourae us, weary us, and frihten usH
&* :e +ower o, Im)artation
he was hopin to dri+e us away or force us to throw in the towel)
-owe+er, the 4ord faithfully pro+ided us with e+erythin we needed
to et throuh each trialH -e brouht much ood out of themH and -e
e+en responded to our prayers with miraculous answers)
?or instance, when Christine bean eFperiencin seiGures, doctors
said there was a fiftyJpercent chance she would outrow them after a
few years) 8enise and I as.ed our Sa+ior to impro+e those odds, and
-e did) 3fter only a year and a half, <od totally healed our dauhter)
,raise -imI -e is 0eho+ah Aapha, the Supreme Imparter of -ealin,
the <reat ,hysician)
(3fter the snowmobile accident, I also eFperienced a miracle from
<od;s healin hand, but I;ll say more about that later on in this boo.))
=hen the doctors told us that Isabelle had -od.in;s lymphoma,
they a+e her up to a ninetyJpercent chance of sur+i+al) ,raise <od
that -e can e+en ta.e ood odds and ma.e them better) -e bean by
pourin faith, courae and strenth into her spirit, soul and body)
B+entually, she was completely healed by -is power)
She was transformed throuh this trial, as were we all) Isabelle
now has a call to fullJtime ministry and has returned to collee to study
the (ible and counselin) (ut durin her illness and treatment, the
anuishCboth physical and emotionalCwas o+erwhelmin) I will
ne+er foret how I would rub my dauhter;s feet, in an attempt to find
somethin to soothe her pain) 3s I held her feet in my hands, I would
sin to the 4ord and pray, claimin -is promise in Aomans &51&5 28n!
we /now tat in all tings (o! wor/s ,or te goo! o, tose wo love
im, wo ave been calle! accor!ing to is )ur)ose72 I would tell my
hea+enly ?ather about our troubles and as. -im to brin ood out of
this horrible situation) <od can and will ta.e the worst the de+il can
send our way and transform it for ood as we surrender it to -im)
0ust as the oal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancerous cells in
our bodies without destroyin healthy cells, sufferin has the ability to
destroy the spiritual cancers in our li+es without destroyin us) =hen
our dauhter was dianosed with cancer, our priorities crystalliGed)
9ur +ision became focused) 2he successes our ministry had en:oyed,
the new buildins that had been constructed, and the accolades we had
recei+ed didn;t mean much anymore) =e :ust wanted our dauhter to
be made well)
Isabelle;s battle with cancer was one of those periods of ad+ersity I
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e &-
wrote of earlier, when the best thin we can do is to humbly offer
oursel+es up on the altar of the 4ord) 8urin this trial, the biblical
phrases about bein 2ar! )resse! on every si!e2 3$ ?or7 *:&6 and
purified li.e old and sil+er in the 2re,iner's ,ire2 3Bal7 ':$6 became
+ery real to our family) 3s we underwent the pressure and pain of
bein squeeGed li.e rapes in a press, we prayed that the wine we
yielded would be sweet to -is taste) 3s we wal.ed throuh the fire,
sendin frarant smo.e toward hea+en li.e incense, we loned for it to
be pleasin to -im) 2hese words were not empty, pious platitudes)
2hey helped us et throuh a +ery painful eFperience and allowed us
to touch <od in unspea.able, indescribable ways)
3t times, of course, we felt a little li.e the man at the pool) =e
struled to hold onto faith and hope in spite of cruel disappointments
and setbac.s) 9ur ner+es and emotions were se+erely tested) In the
dar.est moments, we couldn;t do much but hold up a little candle of
faith, but <od sees and responds to e+en the faintest limmer)
2his difficult period of our li+es a+e us an opportunity to
eFperience firsthand the truth of <od;s promises and -is character as
re+ealed in -is =ord5
"e is compassionate and "e is merciful.
8 bruise! ree! e will not brea/ an! a smol!ering wic/ e will
not snu,, out7 3Isa7 *$:'67
"e (nows how much you can ta(e,
an! (o! is ,ait,ul9 e will not let you be tem)te! beyon! wat
you can bear7 But wen you are tem)te!, e will also )rovi!e a way
out so tat you can stan! u) un!er it7 31 ?or7 10:1'67
God cares deeply for you.
-e lo+es you with a pure and unselfish lo+e, and is especially near
to -is children when they suffer5
:e <or! is close to te bro/enearte! an! saves tose wo are
cruse! in s)irit7 3+s7 '*:1&67
"e will ne%er lea%e you to suffer alone)
-e will i+e you what you need to ma.e it throuh each situation5
&" :e +ower o, Im)artation
:e <>;D imsel, goes be,ore you an! will be wit you9 e will
never leave you nor ,orsa/e you7 Do not be a,rai!9 !o not be
!iscourage!7 3Deut '1:&67
.o !o not ,ear, ,or I am wit you9 !o not be !ismaye!, ,or I am
your (o!7 I will strengten you an! el) you9 I will u)ol! you wit
my rigteous rigt an!7 3Isa7 *1:1067
*o matter how fierce the fiery trial you may !e going through,
"e will !e the fourth man in the fire:
:en King Nebuca!neFFar lea)e! to is ,eet in amaFement an!
as/e! is a!visers, K1eren't tere tree men tat we tie! u) an!
trew into te ,ireCL :ey re)lie!, K?ertainly, > /ing7L He sai!,
K<oo/J I see ,our men wal/ing aroun! in te ,ire, unboun! an!
unarme!, an! te ,ourt loo/s li/e a son o, te go!s7L 3Dan ':$*=
$-67
So, I encourae you to be bold, to be specific, and to perse+ere)
3nd remember that sufferin is a secret door to reat and intimate
impartations) 3s ,aul said, 2I consi!er tat our )resent su,,erings are
not wort com)aring wit te glory tat will be reveale! in us2 3;om7
&:1&67
Now that we ha+e discussed some of the uidelines for see.in
and recei+in impartation, we will loo. at /ey P%, which re+eals to us
the )ur)ose of impartation)
N N N
Sela2
=hy do you thin. people sometimes tend to lac. boldness,
specificity, and determination when see.in <od for somethin they
need or desire>
Name some of the ways <od uses our sufferin for our own ood)
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e &%
N N N
Ke/ A:+ Gd i'(a")- ) u- - )2a) 0e 'a/
i'(a") ) )2e"-
K8s you go, )reac tis message: 'te /ing!om o, eaven
is near7' Heal te sic/, raise te !ea!, cleanse tose wo ave
le)rosy, !rive out !emons7 Areely you ave receive!, ,reely
give7L 3Batt7 10:%=&67
0esus Christ poured into his disciples so they could pour into
others) 2hey had not paid for what they had recei+ed from -im) It was
a ift) 9f course, the decision to follow the master cost them
e+erythinCcareers, homes, plans for the futureCbut that which -e
had poured into them was free) 2he impartations they had recei+ed,
howe+er, li.e all impartations, had a purpose) =e are not poured into
so that we miht become selfish consumers of the presence of <od)
=e are eFpected to i+e it away, to pass the blessin on to others)
2he reatest illustration of this principle is found in 1 /ins '5"J$5
:e wi,e o, a man ,rom te com)any o, te )ro)ets crie! out to
4lisa, 2Your servant my usban! is !ea!, an! you /now tat e
revere! te <>;D7 But now is cre!itor is coming to ta/e my two
boys as is slaves72
4lisa re)lie! to er, 2How can I el) youC :ell me, wat !o
you ave in your ouseC2
2Your servant as noting tere at all,2 se sai!, 2e5ce)t a little
oil72
4lisa sai!, 2(o aroun! an! as/ all your neigbors ,or em)ty
@ars7 Don't as/ ,or @ust a ,ew7 :en go insi!e an! sut te !oor
bein! you an! your sons7 +our oil into all te @ars, an! as eac is
,ille!, )ut it to one si!e72
.e le,t im an! a,terwar! sut te !oor bein! er an! er
sons7 :ey brougt te @ars to er an! se /e)t )ouring7 1en all te
@ars were ,ull, se sai! to er son, 2Bring me anoter one72
But e re)lie!, 2:ere is not a @ar le,t72 :en te oil sto))e!
&& :e +ower o, Im)artation
,lowing7
.e went an! tol! te man o, (o!, an! e sai!, 2(o, sell te oil
an! )ay your !ebts7 You an! your sons can live on wat is le,t72
2he woman was in a terrible emotional and financial condition)
-er husband was 9badiah, a priest who had spent his entire life
ser+in in the care of the prophets) 28ab a! summone! >ba!ia,
wo was in carge o, is )alace7 3>ba!ia was a !evout believer in
te <>;D762 31 Kings 1&:'=*67
B+en thouh he ser+ed 3hab the wic.ed .in, 9badiah ris.ed his
life and the welfare of his family to protect the men of <od) Bli:ah also
enlisted him as a liaison to the .in5
8s >ba!ia was wal/ing along, 4li@a met im7 >ba!ia
recogniFe! im, bowe! !own to te groun!, an! sai!, KIs it really
you, my lor! 4li@aCL KYes,L e re)lie!7 K(o tell your master,
'4li@a is ere7'L 31 Kingsl&:%=&67
(y the time Bli:ah was ta.en up to hea+en, 9badiah must ha+e
ris.ed his life many times) In 1 /ins '5" we disco+er that his ser+ant
attitude continued under Blisha;s ministry5 2:e wi,e o, a man ,rom te
com)any o, te )ro)ets crie! out to 4lisa, 'Your servant my
usban! is !ea!, an! you /now tat e revere! te <>;D7'2
2his transition spea.s hihly of 9badiah;s character) 3lthouh he
was a hihJran.in official, he ser+ed the men of <od) B+en when
there was a chane in leadership, he remained faithful) 2his is as it
should be, for we are not to ser+e personalities, but <od) 2he cult of
the personality has always been a problem) B+en ,aul the 3postle
faced it in Corinth5
You are still worl!ly7 Aor since tere is @ealousy an! Euarreling
among you, are you not worl!lyC 8re you not acting li/e mere menC
Aor wen one says, 2I ,ollow +aul,2 an! anoter, 2I ,ollow 8)ollos,2
are you not mere menC 1at, a,ter all, is 8)ollosC 8n! wat is
+aulC >nly servants, troug wom you came to believeHas te
<or! as assigne! to eac is tas/7 I )lante! te see!, 8)ollos
watere! it, but (o! ma!e it grow7 .o neiter e wo )lants nor e
wo waters is anyting, but only (o!, wo ma/es tings grow7 31
?or7 ':'=%6
6ature Christians will ser+e <od faithfully reardless of who the
pastor is) =e don;t ser+e the pastor and leaders of a church because we
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e &#
are in lo+e with them) =e ser+e the leaders because we are called to
ser+e <od) Immature Christians will run after the most popular
spea.ers instead of the man of <od called to lead the floc.) 9badiah
apparently did not suffer from this .ind of immaturity)
=e aren;t told how 9badiah passed away, but we do .now that his
wife was left without finances, and in more debt than she could e+er
hope to pay) 9ne commentary proposes that 9badiah had one into
debt to protect and pro+ide food for the prophets)
1
,erhaps he used up
his own money to assist the prophets and then felt that he had to
borrow in order to continue his mission) 3fter his death, the creditor
demanded 9badiah;s sons as payment for the debt, a practice common
to many cultures in those days)
3fter years of counselin, I ha+e seen time and aain that pain and
misery are no respecter of persons) ?rom my perspecti+e, life is often
unfair) 8oesn;t it seem odd that after her husband ser+ed <od so
faithfully, his widow would be forced to undero such hardship>
,erhaps she was thin.in the same thin) ,erhaps she was beinnin to
wonder if <od had forotten her) In her desperation, she went to the
best source of help she could thin. of5 a man of <od)
4i+in in 4as Veas, I ha+e seen se+eral people loose e+erythin
because of alcohol, drus, amblin or seF) ,awnshops are a bi
business here because some people are willin to do anythin to et
money) Some ha+e e+en sold their children into prostitution) 9thers
ha+e sold their own bodies) In desperation, many ha+e done desperate
thins)
-owe+er, the woman who went to Blisha for help was not a user
or an abuser) She was an innocent +ictim of hard times, strulin to
sur+i+e in spite of o+erwhelmin circumstances) 3pparently, by the
time she found Blisha, he was already somewhat aware of what had
happened) 2he widow spo.e only two brief sentencesCsentences
filled more with unspo.en questions than with informationCbut the
prophet didn;t need to .now anythin else about her predicament, and
he didn;t seem surprised) -is response to her was immediate5 E;How
can I el) youC :ell me, wat !o you ave in your ouseC'2 3$ Kings
*:$67
Blisha answered the woman by as.in her two thins) (8on;t you
:ust hate it when someone answers your question with a question> 6y
seminary professors used this as a teachin technique) BFasperatin
#0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
thouh it was, it forced me to thin. throuh the touh issues and find
some of the answers on my own))
2he first part of her answer reflected her seeminly hopeless
condition) 2Your servant as noting tere at all,E she said) (ut then
she added the words Ee5ce)t a little oil72 I;m lad she tac.ed on the
2e5ce)t,2 but I wonder if it spran from a little sure of faith, or if it
was simply an afterthouht)
-a+e you e+er otten to the point where you felt as if you had
nothin left> 2hat may not ha+e been the truth, but you felt that way) It
often ta.es a friend or the -oly Spirit to re+eal your miracle) 2ommy
(arnett;s boo., :ere's a Biracle in Your House, has been a reat
inspiration to me, especially throuh se+eral of our church;s buildin
prorams) It seems that <od often waits until I am at the end of my
resources before -e steps in) B+en thouh my flesh is cryin out,
2(o!, tere's noting le,t,2 my spirit turns on the flashliht of hope)
I;+e told -im many times, 2I can't see were te miracle is going to
come ,rom, but I /now it is somewere in tis ouse72
I will ne+er foret when <od told me to build a sanctuary that
seated %,KKK people) I shared the +ision with our leadership team and
they cauht it) 3fter we had the plans drawn up, we faced a seeminly
insurmountable obstacle) No one would lend us the money) 2hey didn;t
thin. we were a ood ris.) =e souht <od desperately for an answer)
In spite of the fact that we had an insinificant amount of money and
no loan, we belie+ed <od was tellin us to o ahead and et started) So
we scraped up as much money as we could and bean to build) =ell,
")& million dollars laterCthat;s how much we paid the contractor o+er
a "DJmonth periodCthe lenders were fallin all o+er themsel+es,
almost bein to loan us money) =e startin pourin out the little
that we had, and the money :ust .ept flowin) ,raise <odI
Hu'.le Yu"-el,
9ne of the first steps toward recei+in a miracle is to humble
yourself) 2o borrow e+ery empty :ar in town was a hue act of faithH it
also must ha+e been +ery humblin for someone who had lost
e+erythin) 6aybe that;s why she sent her .ids to et them) -a+e you
e+er as.ed your children to do somethin that you were too
embarrassed to do> Aemember that this was not a bi city) B+erybody
.new her story) 6aybe they had e+en purchased some of her
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e #1
belonins at a yard sale)
I can :ust imaine what the neihbors were sayin5
E-arriet, who was that>E
E9h it was Auth;s .ids)E
E=ere they bein for food or somethin>E
ENo my little bael, they were borrowin empty :ars)E
E=hatI -a+e they one nuts>E
E=ell dear, I didn;t ha+e the heart to as. them why) I;m sure we;ll
et them bac. soon)E
EI hope so, :ars don;t row on trees, you .now)E
Neihbors may not ha+e reser+ed their comments for ossip
sessions) 6iddle Bastern culture seems to facilitate fran.
communication) In other words, they probably told her to her face that
she was nuts)
3fter her house was filled with :ars, she had to pour the little she
had left into the empty :ars) =hen you are desperate, your faith needs
to start leadin the way) Now it was time for her to ta.e another bi
step of faith) 8o you thin. she closed her eyes when she started
pourin> I .now that I would ha+e)
S2u) )2e D"
=e do .now that she closed the door) 2.e le,t im an! a,terwar!
sut te !oor bein! er an! er sons7 :ey brougt te @ars to er
an! se /e)t )ouringE (1 /ins '5@)) =hy did she close the door> I
belie+e it was to .eep out the doubters) She had to close the door to
protect her family, her faith and her miracle) 2he moment of truth had
arri+ed) 3s she started pourin, one :ar was filled, and then two, three,
four, fi+eCand the oil still .ept flowinI 21en all te @ars were ,ull,
se sai! to er son, 'Bring me anoter one7' But e re)lie!, ':ere is
not a @ar le,t7' :en te oil sto))e! ,lowing2 (1 /ins '5D))
In one day, she had eFchaned hopelessness for hope, po+erty for
abundance, and misery for :oy) 2he miracle of the oil continued as
lon as there were empty :ars)
#$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
He Will Neve" S)( Pu"i$5
2his powerful illustration teaches us that as lon as we .eep
pourin into others, <od will .eep pourin into us) 3s lon as there
are empty +essels in the world, -e will be loo.in for people to fill
them)
=hen you are offered the opportunity to recei+e an impartation,
you are not bein in+ited to :oin a Ebless meE club) B+ery ift is meant
to be i+en away, e+ery blessin is to be shared, and e+ery fillin is to
be spilled out)
8o you see empty people in the world> If you do, are you willin
to ma.e a difference> 2hen shout out li.e Isaiah did, 2Here am I7 .en!
meJ2 3Isa7 ":&67
(e blessed to become a blessin) ,rosper to share with others)
Aecei+e the anointin to minister life to the hurtin) If you will pass
alon to others that which <od i+es to you, -e will i+e you more)
T2e Yea" , Li,)i$5
In 0anuary of 1KK", a special uest spea.er, (enny ,ereG,
prophesied into my life5 -e said that this year would be a year of
liftin for the church and for me) I recei+ed that word in faith) 2he
year 1KKK had been a year of siftin) I really needed a word of hope) In
the wee.s that followed, I announced to the church the theme for the
comin year) 2he season had chaned, so we needed to prepare
oursel+es for liftin)
3s I write these paes in 6ay 1KK", I can truly testify that <od has
lifted us in incredible ways) 9ur church hosted the (enny -inn
crusade in 4as Veas, where thousands were sa+ed and healed) I led a
team to Northern India to hold classes for pastors and a crusade, and
<od mo+ed in unbelie+able ways) =e ha+e had the pri+ilee of
sharin our church;s miracles on (enny -inn;s tele+ision proram and
on the 2rinity (roadcastin Networ. (2(N)) ?arisma maaGine
recently did a wonderful story on our church and the renewal in 4as
Veas) 2he doors of ministry are openin so wide, it is o+erwhelmin)
<od is so ood)
(ruce =il.inson;s boo., :e +rayer o, JabeF, has cauht the
attention of belie+ers all o+er the country, and we are no eFception) 3s
soon as someone introduced this little boo. to 8enise and me, it found
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e #'
a center role in our church) =e ha+e prayed the prayer of 0abeG with
the conreation se+eral times, and I ha+e been stopped in the church
hallways more than once by people eFclaimin, EIt wor.sI 2he prayer
of 0abeG wor.sIE 7es, prayer does wor.) 2he prayer of 0abeG, recorded
in " Chronicles '5"K, wor.s for us because the <od of 0abeG is our
<od) -e is the same yesterday, today and fore+er) -e ranted the
requests of 0abeG and -e will rant ours) (ut remember, you will be
blessed in order to be a blessin to others) 7ou will continue to be
filled only as lon as you pour) 4et;s pray the prayer of 0abeG toether
and see what our <od will do5
>, tat You woul! bless me in!ee!, an! enlarge my territory,
tat Your an! woul! be wit me, an! tat You woul! /ee) me ,rom
evil, tat I may not cause )ainJ 31 ?ron7 *:10 NKJV67
Understandin this third principle is critical) If nothin is pourin
out of you, you will become a stanant swamp) B+entually you will
dry up altoether) If you want the ri+er to .eep flowin throuh you,
you must i+e it away)
-ow much can <od trust you with> 2he more you i+e away, the
more -e will i+e to you) 2here is a direct relationship between the
le+el of your blessin and the le+el of your i+in) =hether it is
money or mercy, <od is no man;s debtor) -e will press it down, sha.e
it toether and pour it bac. to you)
9ur church;s fourth annual -oly Spirit Conference this year was a
prime eFample of this principle) Aepresentati+es of se+eral different
countries and denominations were in attendance) 2here were twentyJ
nine from India, se+en from the ,hilippines, one from 6eFico, and
hundreds hailin from at least eiht different U)S) states, includin a
roup of almost fifty from Vermont) 2his di+erse atherin of pastors
and lay leaders filled our sanctuary for a wee., see.in <od day and
niht for re+i+al and powerful impartation that they hoped to ta.e bac.
to their own cities and churches) In almost e+ery case, their presence at
the conference was a fruit produced by sharin <od;s blessins with
others) In the past, we had poured into their li+es by faith, and now
they were comin for more)
7ou won;t ha+e anythin to har+est unless you sow your seed) 3nd
<od won;t i+e you more oil until you are willin to pour, pour, pour)
#* :e +ower o, Im)artation
N N N
Sela2
-as <od blessed you with talents, ifts or resources you ha+e ne+er
shared with anyone>
=ith <od;s help, thin. of new ways you can pour yourself into
others)
N N N
Ke/ A<+ P-i)i$ /u"-el, ," i'(a")a)i$
2he fourth principle deals with the crucial aspect of bein in the
riht spot at the riht time with the riht heart) I call it positionin)
=hen you are in need of a miracle, it is a perfect time to position
yourself for impartation) =e recently li+ed out this truth when, o+er a
span of twel+e months, my dauhter was dianosed with cancerH our
li+es were threatenedH we finished a siFJmillion dollar buildinH started
another buildin proramH one of our church counselors fell into
immoralityH and my father died of cancer) It seemed that a new crisis
lur.ed around e+ery corner)
In order to sur+i+e and to lead my family, staff, and conreation
throuh these crises, I was forced to apply the principles discussed in
this boo. to my own life and help them to do the same) 3s a result,
instead of allowin our trials and challenes to plune us into a pool of
discouraement and defeat, our church eFploded in numerical rowth
and spiritual depth) 6any people told 8enise and me that they were
inspired as they watched us confront stress, heartache, and ad+ersity
with a spirit of perse+erance)
=hen most of us hear the word crisis, we thin. of trouble or
danerH howe+er, accordin to the dictionary, a crisis can also be a
Eturnin point)))for better or worse, a decisi+e or crucial time)E
%
Ine+itably, all of us will face many of these decisi+e or crucial times,
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e #-
but when we trust in the 4ord and obey -im, we can count on -im to
turn each one into a turnin point for the better) 2he dictionary also
tells us that the word crisis comes from <ree., 4atin, IndoJBuropean
and <ermanic words meanin Eto separate, discern, sift, cut, shear and
purify)E
'
3s this word e+ol+ed into its current meanin, it sounds as
thouh people down throuh the aes ha+e concluded that the crises
we o throuh can ser+e to sift us, purify us, and separate us (i)e),
consecrate us, set us apart, sanctify us, ma.e us holy)) 3nd, of course,
that would be riht, especially if we ta.e our crises and lay them at the
feet of 0esus)
9ur constant prayer throuh our pain was, E<od, we .now 7ou
can ta.e these trials and tribulations and brin ood out of them) =e
don;t .now how, but in faith, we belie+e 7ou will)E Some days, we
could only cry out for help and strenth) B+ery day we as.ed <od for
wisdom, mercy and race to wal. throuh the land mines of this war)
=e needed miracles desperately) It felt li.e Satan was amusin himself
by usin us for taret practice) I couldn;t understand why all these
battles were occurrin at the same time) =e were forced to reconsider
our position, habits, prayer life, commitment and faith) 2he =ord was
a constant source of strenth and direction) It was in 1 Chronicles
1K5"@J"# that I disco+ered the importance of position5
He sai!: 2<isten, King Jeosa)at an! all wo live in Ju!a
an! JerusalemJ :is is wat te <>;D says to you: 'Do not be a,rai!
or !iscourage! because o, tis vast army7 Aor te battle is not yours,
but (o!'s7 :omorrow marc !own against tem7 :ey will be
climbing u) by te +ass o, MiF, an! you will ,in! tem at te en! o,
te gorge in te Desert o, Jeruel7 You will not ave to ,igt tis
battle7 :a/e u) your )ositions9 stan! ,irm an! see te !eliverance te
<>;D will give you, > Ju!a an! Jerusalem7 Do not be a,rai!9 !o
not be !iscourage!7 (o out to ,ace tem tomorrow, an! te <>;D
will be wit you7'2 Jeosa)at bowe! wit is ,ace to te groun!,
an! all te )eo)le o, Ju!a an! Jerusalem ,ell !own in worsi)
be,ore te <>;D7 :en some <evites ,rom te Koatites an!
Koraites stoo! u) an! )raise! te <>;D, te (o! o, Israel, wit
very lou! voice7
0ehoshaphat and the Israelite army were o+erwhelmed by their
enemies) 2he odds were aainst them) 2hey needed a miracle) 2hey
were commanded to position themsel+es for a miracle) 8o you belie+e
that blessins or ifts come more frequently to those who are in the
riht position> 9f course they do)
#" :e +ower o, Im)artation
In football, the wide recei+er who is in the riht position will
recei+e more passes) 2he baseball player who is in the riht position
will catch more balls) 2he 9lympic di+er who holds his position will
recei+e more points) I could i+e a hundred more eFamples of this
truth, but I thin. you et the point)
<et's get into te rigt )osition to receive a !ivine gi,t7
2here are steps we can ta.e as Christians, pastors, teachers and
e+en churches to position oursel+es for +ictory) =e all ha+e a choice5
=e can li+e in the land of selfJpity, acceptin oppression and defeatH
or we can bein to position oursel+es for a brea.throuh)
0ehoshaphat and his army too. four steps to et in position for
+ictory) 4et;s ta.e the same steps and see what <od will do)
%. T2e/ 2u'.led )2e'-elve- .e,"e Gd
-umility before our <od is a bi .ey) 2Jeosa)at bowe! wit
is ,ace to te groun!, an! all te )eo)le o, Ju!a an! Jerusalem ,ell
!own in worsi) be,ore te <>;D7 :en some <evites ,rom te
Koatites an! Koraites stoo! u) an! )raise! te <>;D, te (o! o,
Israel, wit very lou! voice2 (1 Chron) 1K5"&J"#))
<od delihts in our humility) 2Aor te <>;D ta/es !eligt in is
)eo)le9 e crowns te umble wit salvation 2 (,s) "'#5'))
9ur pride sets <od aainst us) 9n the other hand, when we humble
oursel+es, we position oursel+es to recei+e <od;s unmerited fa+or)
2(o! o))oses te )rou! but gives grace to te umble2 (0ames '5D))
3re you humble before <od and man> Aepent of any pride or selfJ
sufficient attitude you may ha+e)
3. T2e/ 0"-2i((ed Gd
=hen the people of 0udah worshiped <od, he set ambushes
aainst their enemies) 28s tey began to sing an! )raise, te <>;D set
ambuses against te men o, 8mmon an! Boab an! Bount .eir wo
were inva!ing Ju!a, an! tey were !e,eate!2 (1 Chron) 1K511J1%))
2he principle behind 0udah;s +ictory is still +alid for <od;s people
today)
<od is loo.in for worshippers5 men, women, teens and children
who will worship in spirit and truth) 3re you a worshipper in spirit and
in truth> 8o you worship reardless of the circumstances> 28,ter
consulting te )eo)le, Jeosa)at a))ointe! men to sing to te
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e #%
<>;D an! to )raise im ,or te s)len!or o, is oliness as tey went
out at te ea! o, te army, saying: '(ive tan/s to te <>;D, ,or is
love en!ures ,orever'2 (1 Chron) 1K51"))
=orship is a .ey to the re+i+al we are eFperiencin in 4as Veas)
9ur conreation lo+es to worship <od) 2he senior pastor sets the tone
for a worshippin church) 2he church will ne+er rise abo+e his le+el of
worship) 3nd your own relationship with our Sa+ior will ne+er rise
beyond your le+el of praise and adoration for -im)
:. T2e/ .e/ed Gd>- di"e4)i$
24arly in te morning tey le,t ,or te Desert o, :e/oa7 8s tey set
out, Jeosa)at stoo! an! sai!, '<isten to me, Ju!a an! )eo)le o,
JerusalemJ Have ,ait in te <>;D your (o! an! you will be u)el!9
ave ,ait in is )ro)ets an! you will be success,ul'2 (1 Chron)
1K51K)) In this entire account, we do not find one moment of
hesitation) 2he people of 0udah rendered immediate obedience to <od,
as should we all) =hen -e says, E0umpIE we should say, E-ow hih>E
=ouldn;t it be incredible if all of us yielded to <od;s promptins li.e
this>
6any of us ha+e become eFperts at ma.in up eFcuses) =e ha+e
learned to rationaliGe away our disobedience) -ow many opportunities
ha+e we missed because we con+inced oursel+es that the nude we felt
miht not ha+e been <od> It didn;t ma.e sense to us, we reasoned,
therefore it couldn;t ha+e been <od) 8on;t we realiGe that our wisdom
is foolishness to <od> =ill we be uilty of disobeyin <od>
0ehoshaphat obeyed <od;s directions) 2hey must ha+e seemed so
simple, so unsophisticated, but they obeyed nonetheless) 2Aor te
wis!om o, tis worl! is ,oolisness in (o!'s sigt7 8s it is written: 'He
catces te wise in teir cra,tiness'2 31 ?or7 ':1#67
<. He 4$-ul)ed 0i)2 )2e (e(le
28,ter consulting te )eo)le7772 3$ ?ron7 $0:$167 <od has
pro+ided you with safeuards to help you in ma.in decisions) Some
of them come in the form of mature Christians whose opinions you can
trustCthey may be your pastor, your spouse, your parents, a
counselor, an elder, a deacon, or other friends and family members)
3re you in the habit of runnin your ideas past trusted counselors>
I belie+e <od wants you to prepare yourself for a holy +isitation,
and I don;t belie+e you can do it alone) <od wants to use odly men
#& :e +ower o, Im)artation
and women as safeuards, moti+ation and inspiration) 3re you ready
for what <od wants to do in you and throuh you>
-a+e you surrounded yourself with onJfire Christians who lo+e
<od;s presence, his =ord and his people> If you want to run with the
bi dos you ha+e to et off the porch) ?ind a pac. of hus.ies who are
headed to a reat destination and who are bein dri+en by the 6aster)
If you want to soar li.e an eale, you must lea+e the chic.en yard and
start hanin around other eales) (8on;t you lo+e those analoies>)
2he four steps we :ust discussed will position you for a reat
brea.throuh) -ere are a few other hints that will help you5
8on;t ma.e eFcuses and don;t wallow in selfJpity)
Spend time in prayer and fastin)
Aepent of stubborn attitudes, pride, resentment, and bitterness)
3s. the -oly Spirit to re+eal any wic.edness in you) 2hen, et riht
with <od and man)
Commit yourself to learnin how to worship) I ha+e spent the past
twentyJtwo years learnin how to worship <od in spirit and in truth)
It will ta.e time, but it must be a priority) ?ind a church that places
the worship of <od in a hih place) =orship is not three fast sons
and two slow sons) 2rue worship is fallin in lo+e with -im) It is
eFpressin passion and huner for -is presence)
,osition yourself by obeyin <od in ser+ice, i+in and holy li+in)
?aithfully attend a reat church) Submit to a leadership team who
lo+es <od and wants to touch your city and the world)
3 simple step of obedience can unleash <od;s blessins on you) In
my life, there ha+e been many occasions when one decision to obey
set off a chain reaction of opportunities) 9ral Aoberts recently
preached at our church a powerful messae on acquirin E2he
(lessin)E -e tied 2he (lessin to 3braham;s obedience in i+in a
tithe to 6elchiGide.) 9ne instance of i+in unleashed <od;s fa+or
on -im) 2he (lessin can be trac.ed e+en further bac. to 3braham;s
obedience in lea+in Ur) 2He also sai! to im, 'I am te <>;D, wo
brougt you out o, Ir o, te ?al!eans to give you tis lan! to ta/e
)ossession o, it'2 3(en7 1-:%67
2here is an old adae that as.s5 E-ow do you eat an elephant>E
E9ne bite at a timeE is the answer) -ow do you position yourself for
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e ##
impartations> 9ne step at a time) 2a.e your steps one at a time) <od
will i+e you strenth alon the way)
C2a"a4)e" Reall/ De- Cu$)
2he prayer of 0abeG also i+es us clear direction about positionin
oursel+es for a blessin) =hen we read " Chronicles ', we will
disco+er that in a +ery lon enealoical list, only one name stands
out, and that is, of course, 0abeG) =hy would the author interrupt this
list of names with a short bioraphy> =hy did the author of Chronicles
ta.e a special interest in 0abeG> 6ore importantly, why did the <od of
the uni+erse ta.e a special interest in 0abeG>
2he answer can be found in " Chronicles '5#5 2Now JabeF was
more onorable tan is broters72 2hat one sentence lihts up the
pae so that all can see the secret of 0abeG;s life) -e was more
honorable than his brothers) =hen <od sur+eyed the landscape of -is
creation, -e saw one man who stood out) It was the character of 0abeG
that made him stand out) -e was more honorable than his coJwor.ers,
his society, his leaders, and e+en his family) -e was a man of interity)
-e was worthy of honor because his life was clean)
3s I ha+e pondered this statement o+er the past few wee.s, I ha+e
been con+icted of certain attitudes and actions that were not +ery
honorable) 6y olf ame has e+en chaned as the -oly Spirit
reminded me of this phrase) =as it honorable to blame a bad shot on
noise from another player> It miht ha+e been :ustifiable in my
competiti+e mind, but it was not honorable) 2o position oursel+es for a
miracle, we need to e+aluate our words, actions and moti+es to see if
they are honorable) Certainly, <od, from whom we can hide nothin,
.nows if we are in the riht position) 2he bi question is whether -e
can trust us with a blessin) =ill we be more honorable than the rest of
our society>
In 3cts "$5"", we are reminded that <od reconiGes honorable
character5 2Now te Bereans were o, more noble caracter tan te
:essalonians, ,or tey receive! te message wit great eagerness an!
e5amine! te .cri)tures every !ay to see i, wat +aul sai! was true72
2hey were more noble because they listened, learned, researched and
recei+ed the truth) =hat a reat eFample for you and me)
=ill you commit to bein more honorable than others> 9r will you
use the sins of others as an eFcuse for yours> It is quite simple to
100 :e +ower o, Im)artation
rationaliGe away our dishonor) =e easily fall into step with the pac.,
hopin to blend in and snea. by the watchful eye of <od) 3re you
afraid to stand out in the crowd by bein honorable>
I can uarantee you that, in our society, it is not popular to possess
qualities li.e honor, holiness, fori+eness, interity, humility, faith and
obedience) -owe+er, if you do allow <od to de+elop these qualities in
your life, you will be able to pray the prayer of 0abeG with reat
eFpectations)
<od will bless you indeed, -e will enlare your territory, -is hand
will be with you, and -e will .eep you from e+il so that you will not
cause pain)
N N N
Sela2
It has been said that the qualities of honor and interity are so rare
in our current society, most people ha+e a hard time e+en definin
them) 2hin. about the sinificance of honor and interity in your
own lifeH then, compare your thouhts to the dictionary definition of
these two qualities) If you ha+e children, discuss these qualities with
them)
Aeflect on any recent trial or challene you ha+e eFperienced) 8id
you handle it the way /in 0ehoshaphat and his sub:ects did> If not,
what would you li.e to do differently the neFt time you are
confronted with a crisis>
N N N
Ke/ A@+ See6 'ul)i(le i'(a")a)i$-
2Do not get !run/ on wine, wic lea!s to !ebaucery7 Instea!, be
,ille! wit te .)irit2 34)7 -:1&67 2here is an erroneous belief that
once you;+e been filled with the -oly Spirit, you ha+e finished) 7ou
ha+e achie+ed some .ind of spiritual plateau) 2his could not be further
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 101
from the truth) <od does not want us to settle for stale bread) -e has
an infinite supply of fresh bread for all of -is saints) It is important to
than. <od for what he has done in the past, but it is also +ery
important to see. <od for our daily bread) 2he words 2give us to!ay
our !aily brea!2 3Batt7 ":116 refer to more than :ust food for our
bodies)
=hen you wa.e up in the mornin, do you reet the -oly Spirit>
8o you as. -im to fill you afresh and to uide you throuhout the
day> I hope so, because it is <od;s plan for you)
0esus made the followin promise to you, as a child of <od5 2:e
?ounselor, te Holy .)irit, wom te Aater will sen! in my name,
will teac you all tings an! will remin! you o, everyting I ave sai!
to you2 3Jon 1*:$"=$%67 Aemember that the -oly Spirit is a person)
-e has stron feelins for you) -e wants to fill you) -e wants to uide
you) =hen -e fills you, your life will chane) 7ou will wal. with a
new confidence and authority)
=hen you are full of the -oly Spirit, -e leads you into -is perfect
will) B+en our 4ord was filled with the -oly Spirit) 2Jesus, ,ull o, te
Holy .)irit, returne! ,rom te Jor!an an! was le! by te .)irit in te
!esert2 3<u/e *:1=$67
3s was mentioned earlier, Stephen, who was one of the first se+en
deacons, is a notable eFample of one who was full of the -oly Spirit)
9n se+eral different occasions, the author of the boo. of 3cts
hihlihts this truth5
:is )ro)osal )lease! te wole grou)7 :ey cose .te)en, a
man ,ull o, ,ait an! o, te Holy .)irit7 38cts ":-67
But .te)en, ,ull o, te Holy .)irit, loo/e! u) to eaven an! saw
te glory o, (o!, an! Jesus stan!ing at te rigt an! o, (o!7 38cts
%:--67
3re you full of the -oly SpiritCnot only halfJfull, but full>
=hen the -oly Spirit fills you, -e always deposits -is ifts in
you) -e decides which ones you need in any i+en circumstance) In
4u.e "K51", 0esus was filled with :oy in the -oly Spirit5 28t tat time
Jesus, ,ull o, @oy troug te Holy .)irit, sai!, 'I )raise you, Aater,
<or! o, eaven an! eart, because you ave i!!en tese tings ,rom
te wise an! learne!, an! reveale! tem to little cil!ren7 Yes, Aater,
,or tis was your goo! )leasure7'2 0esus wasn;t filled onceH -e was
10$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
filled continually) Stephen wasn;t satisfied with a oneJtime eFperienceH
bein full of the -oly Spirit became part of his reputation, his +ery
identity) -e recei+ed what he needed) If we are filled with the -oly
Spirit, we will become internallyCrather then eFternallyCcontrolled)
Circumstances won;t be able to sway us) If we are filled and controlled
by the -oly Spirit, -is ifts will freely flow throuh us) =hen we are
functionin in our own strenth and determination, the -oly Spirit is
limited and supernatural ifts don;t flow) 2he only ifts that come out
of us then are natural talents, .nowlede and s.ills)
2here is a tremendous opportunity for you and I to wal. in the
supernatural) 8on;t miss it) (e filled with the -oly Spirit e+ery day
and unleash the flow of -is ifts) 2(o! also testi,ie! to it by signs,
won!ers an! various miracles, an! gi,ts o, te Holy .)irit !istribute!
accor!ing to is will2 3Heb7 $:*67
Impartation: A Lifelong Process
0esus spent three years impartin into his disciples in many
different ways) 2hen, -e breathed the Spirit into them) 28n! wit tat
e breate! on tem an! sai!, ';eceive te Holy .)irit'2 3Jon $0:$$67
%. He )au52) )2e'.
3. He ."6e ."ead 0i)2 )2e'.
:. He ("a/ed ," )2e'.
<. He ("ea42ed ) )2e'.
@. He 4""e4)ed )2e'.
C. He de'$-)"a)ed ,ai)2 ) )2e'.
D. He ."ea)2ed i$) )2e'.
=hat an incredible pattern of discipleshipI
Can you imaine what it must ha+e been li.e to wal. with the
6aster> =hen -e breathed on those first disciples and told them to
recei+e the -oly Spirit, what do you thin. happened> 8on;t you thin.
they recei+ed the -oly Spirit> 9f course they did) -e was the
resurrected 4ord) -e had conquered death and the ra+e) 2he natural
question that arises here is, why then did -e later tell them to stay in
0erusalem until they were baptiGed with the -oly Spirit>
2he answer to this question is found in a study of the words 0esus
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 10'
used in each case) In 0ohn 1K511, he told them to receive (<ree.5
la/ete: to et a hold of, to ta.e
@
) the -oly Spirit) In contrast, 0esus tells
them in 3cts "5@ that they will be ba)tiFe! (<ree.5 baptiGo5 to
immerse, submereH to ma.e o+erwhelmed
D
) in the -oly Spirit) 2Aor
Jon ba)tiFe! wit water, but in a ,ew !ays you will be ba)tiFe! wit
te Holy .)irit2 38cts 1:-67
=hen it tells us, in 0ohn 1K511, that 0esus breathed on the
disciples, I am reminded of <enesis 15$, when <od breathed into
3dam and a+e him life5 2:e <>;D (o! ,orme! te man ,rom te
!ust o, te groun! an! breate! into is nostrils te breat o, li,e, an!
te man became a living being72
2he moment 0esus breathed on the disciples and told them to
recei+e the -oly Spirit, I belie+e the -oly Spirit entered them) -e did
not :ust rest upon them, but they recei+ed -im into themsel+es) 2his
act a+e new life to each one of them) Up until that moment, the
disciples had only an intellectual belief in Christ) (ut after they
recei+ed the -oly Spirit into themsel+es, they became new creations,
born of the Spirit (or Eborn aain,E which is the same thin)) 2his is
what 0esus was referrin to when he told Nicodemus that no one could
see the .indom of <od and recei+e eternal life unless he or she were
born aain5 K'I tell you te trut, no one can enter te /ing!om o, (o!
unless e is born o, water an! te .)irit'2 3Jon ':-67
9f course, 0esus; words are still true for us today) ,eople can be in
mental areement that 0esus is the ChristH howe+er, they must recei+e
-im as Sa+ior and 4ord in order to be born aain) 0ohn "5"1 indicates
that in order to become a true child of <od, one;s belief in Christ must
be more than intellectualH it must be the .ind of belief that includes
acceptin -im, welcomin -im, and recei+in -im into one;s life5
2Yet to all wo receive! im, to tose wo believe! in is name, e
gave te rigt to become cil!ren o, (o!72 =hen someone accepts
0esus Christ into his or her life, -e immediately enters that person by
the -oly Spirit) 0esus is seated at the riht hand of our hea+enly
?ather, but -e li+es in our hearts by the power and presence of the
-oly Spirit) 9f course, this means that the -oly Spirit dwells within
each and e+ery true belie+er) 2his is ood news, but there is much
more)
3fter we ha+e been born aain (i)e), born of the Spirit), we are
candidates for the baptism of the -oly Spirit) 2his is a separate
10* :e +ower o, Im)artation
eFperience from bein born aain and ta.es us to a whole new
dimension of our Christian wal.) =hen we are baptiGed in the -oly
Spirit, we become ,ille! wit te Holy .)irit7 <ifts, power and
anointin can flow throuh and out of a SpiritJfilled belie+er) -a+e
you been baptiGed in the -oly Spirit yet> If you ha+en;t, you are
missin one of the 4ord;s reat promises)
=hile rowin up in 6ontreal, Quebec, Canada, I attended the
Catholic Church) 8ue to the influence of Campus Crusade for Christ, I
accepted Christ into my heart at eihteen) 3s I started to read and
study the (ible for myself, the boo. of 3cts made me belie+e there
was, after con+ersion, a second and distinct wor. of the -oly Spirit
that I should see.) I recei+ed the baptism of the -oly Spirit alone, in
my room, simply by as.in for it) I told my -ea+enly ?ather that I was
as.in for bread and I .new, accordin to -is =ord, that -e would not
i+e me a roc.5
21ic o, you, i, is son as/s ,or brea!, will give im a stoneC
>r i, e as/s ,or a ,is, will give im a sna/eC I, you, ten, toug
you are evil, /now ow to give goo! gi,ts to your cil!ren, ow muc
more will your Aater in eaven give goo! gi,ts to tose wo as/
imJ2 3Batt7 %:#=1167
21ic o, you ,aters, i, your son as/s ,or a ,is, will give im a
sna/e instea!C >r i, e as/s ,or an egg, will give im a scor)ionC I,
you ten toug you are evil, /now ow to give goo! gi,ts to your
cil!ren, ow muc more will your Aater in eaven give te Holy
.)irit to tose wo as/ imJ2 3<u/e 11:11=1'67
I wanted e+erythin <od had for me) ,eople told me it was not
oin to happen) 2hey claimed these thins only happened in the first
century) 2han. <od I didn;t belie+e themH I held on to <od;s =ord
instead)
Since I recei+ed the baptism in "#$#, I ha+e recei+ed multi)le
,illings7 6any ,entecostals ha+e failed to reconiGe that the baptism of
the -oly Spirit is not the second and last eFperience but an open door
to the steady flow of the power of <od)
=e are not to li+e on the fumes of past fillins) =e are sa+ed once
and for all, but we must be filled continually) 2here is new wine that
<od wants to pour into both the youn and the old) (ein a candidate
for new wine has nothin to do with the ae of the saint, but it has
e+erythin to do with the condition of the heart) 9ur hearts need to be
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 10-
fleFible and clean li.e new wines.ins) 28n! no one )ours new wine
into ol! wines/ins7 I, e !oes, te wine will burst te s/ins, an! bot
te wine an! te wines/ins will be ruine!7 No, e )ours new wine into
new wines/ins2 3Bar/ $:$$67 (o!, we nee! new wine to!ay7
2?reate in me a )ure eart, > (o!, an! renew a stea!,ast s)irit
witin me2 3+s7 -1:1067 2a.e a moment and repeat this ,salm as a
prayer) 9ur spirits and bodies will become worn out if our hearts are
not reularly cleansed and made new by the -oly Spirit)
T2e A(-)le Paul a$d )2e P"i$4i(le , Mul)i(le
I'(a")a)i$-
,aul belie+ed in and li+ed a life of multiple impartations)
2I long to see you so tat I may im)art to you some s)iritual gi,t to
ma/e you strongHtat is, tat you an! I may be mutually encourage!
by eac oter's ,ait2 3;om7 1:11=1$67 =as ,aul pretentious> 8id he
ha+e somethin no one else had> I belie+e ,aul simply reconiGed that
<od had i+en him many special ifts he could pass on to others
throuh the power of the -oly Spirit)
Aor I resolve! to /now noting wile I was wit you e5ce)t
Jesus ?rist an! im cruci,ie!7 I came to you in wea/ness an! ,ear,
an! wit muc trembling7 By message an! my )reacing were not
wit wise an! )ersuasive wor!s, but wit a !emonstration o, te
.)irit's )ower, so tat your ,ait migt not rest on men's wis!om, but
on (o!'s )ower7 31 ?or7 $:$=-67
,aul;s preachin was not fancy or eloquent) B+en if we had no other
e+idence, the followin account could ma.e us suspect that he miht
not ha+e been the world;s most electrifyin preacher5
.eate! in a win!ow was a young man name! 4utycus, wo was
sin/ing into a !ee) slee) as +aul tal/e! on an! on7 1en e was
soun! aslee), e ,ell to te groun! ,rom te tir! story an! was
)ic/e! u) !ea!7 +aul went !own, trew imsel, on te young man
an! )ut is arms aroun! im7 2Don't be alarme!,2 e sai!7 2He's
aliveJ2 :en e went u)stairs again an! bro/e brea! an! ate7 8,ter
tal/ing until !ayligt, e le,t7 :e )eo)le too/ te young man ome
alive an! were greatly com,orte!7 38cts $0:#=1$6
3lthouh we miht be tempted to lauh at this anecdote, no one
underestimated this apostle as a man of <od) -ow many other
10" :e +ower o, Im)artation
preachers could put one of his listeners to sleep, ha+e him fall out of a
window and die, and then, raise him from the dead> Bloquent or not,
we .now his spea.in was pac.ed with the power of <odCwhene+er
he came to a city there was either a re+i+al or a riot) =owI 9ur
churches need more of ,aul;s type of spirit)
Dear (o!, )lease give us all a !ouble )ortion o, te .)irit tat
,ille! +aul7
Ti')2/+ A Cla--i4 E9a'(le , I'(a")a)i$
In ,aul;s letters to 2imothy, we find that 2imothy had eFperienced
at least three different impartations)
#1 +imothy recei%ed faith
I ave been remin!e! o, your sincere ,ait, wic ,irst live! in
your gran!moter <ois an! in your moter 4unice an!, I am
)ersua!e!, now lives in you also7 3$ :im7 1:-67
-is randmother and mother imparted a +ibrant, mature faith) =e
are not told how that happened, but we can imaine that the teachin
sessions, the prayer meetins, the life eFamples, and the commitment
to the body of Christ all imparted faith into 2imothy;s life) 8o you see
the enerations of impartation that too. place> ?irst, his randmother
4ois poured into his mother Bunice, and then both the randmother
and the mother poured into 2imothy) =e;+e often heard of
enerational curses, but how about teachin and preachin the concept
of enerational blessins> Can a blessin be passed on for
enerations> 3bsolutely) =ill you establish enerational blessins or
curses in your family>
#2 +imothy recei%ed a gift
2he second recorded impartation of 2imothy;s life came at the
hands of the elders5
Intil I come, !evote yoursel, to te )ublic rea!ing o, .cri)ture,
to )reacing an! to teacing7 Do not neglect your gi,t, wic was
given you troug a )ro)etic message wen te bo!y o, el!ers lai!
teir an!s on you7 Be !iligent in tese matters9 give yoursel, wolly
to tem, so tat everyone may see your )rogress7 31 :im7 *:1'=1-67
Can you imaine this memorable day in 2imothy;s life> 2he elders
of the church laid their hands on him and one of them started to
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 10%
prophesy) 2hen, suddenly, 2imothy recei+ed a ift) Isn;t this eFcitin>
Can you put yourself in his place and imaine the emotions> I belie+e
<od wants to impart into our li+es in the same way)
,astors, elders and deacons, when was the last time that you
athered around a youn person in order to impart a ift> I can
remember such a time in my life) I was at a pastor;s conference in
6aui) (aby boomer pastors with lare churches were as.ed to share
ideas, eFperiences and +isions for the future) 9n the last day of the
meetins, we athered at a prayer center on a mountain) 3fter a brief
lunch, we started to pray) 9ne by one, the pastors and their mates
would sit on a chair surrounded by reat leaders who prayed and
prophesied o+er them) 3s I stood on the outside of the circle, I
wondered if these people were really hearin from <od) 2he whole
scene seemed +ery forein to me)
3lthouh I was ,entecostal, I had ne+er been to a prayer meetin
li.e this) I tended to be a bit s.eptical of this .ind of stuff) I told <od I
needed some .ind of proof) I as.ed -im to re+eal to them a +ery
specific secret desire of my heart) =ithin minutes they called me o+er
to sit in the hot seat) 6y questions disappeared in a moment when one
of the leaders prophesied o+er me the +ery deepest desire of my heart)
I remember weepin li.e a baby)
I belie+e that each of us lons for the supernatural in our li+es) =e
need to see. <od;s face in order to tap into -is re+elations and ifts)
2he body of Christ needs to function in the ifts)
Unfortunately, due to poor teachins, abuses and fear, we tend to
shy away from them) I admit that the larin disappointments of the
past ha+e clouded our hearts) I belie+e the 4ord is raisin up a whole
new cateory of men and women of <od who will function in the
supernatural) 3postles, prophets, e+anelists, pastors, and teachers will
equip the saints for the wor. of the ministry) <od ne+er did away with
these offices) -e is still waitin for men and women who are full of
the -oly Spirit to assume these and other roles)
8n! in te curc (o! as a))ointe! ,irst o, all a)ostles,
secon! )ro)ets, tir! teacers, ten wor/ers o, miracles, also tose
aving gi,ts o, ealing, tose able to el) oters, tose wit gi,ts o,
a!ministration, an! tose s)ea/ing in !i,,erent /in!s o, tongues7 31
?or7 1$:$&67
,aul encouraed 2imothy not to nelect the ift that was in him) It
10& :e +ower o, Im)artation
was i+en to him by prophecy and by the layin on of hands) If it
happened in 2imothy;s life, it can happen in yours) If it happened in
his church, it should happen in yours)
I find it interestin to read " 2imothy '5"'J"@ in the New /in
0ames Version5 2Do not neglect te gi,t tat is in you, wic was given
to you by )ro)ecy wit te laying on o, te an!s o, te el!ersi)7
Be!itate on tese tings9 give yoursel, entirely to tem, tat your
)rogress may be evi!ent to all72 ,aul encouraed 2imothy to
2me!itate on tese tings,2 to i+e himself 2entirely to tem,2 so that
his 2)rogress may be evi!ent to all72
Impartations will be unsuccessful unless prayer, study, de+otion
and obedience nurture them) ,aul did not ad+ise 2imothy to inore
these eFperiences) -e encouraed him to water and nourish them) <od
wants to deposit ifts in you that will impact your world)
I'(a")a)i$- Ta6e W"6
B+ery impartation I ha+e recei+ed has ta.en a lot of wor. on my
part) I wasn;t a passi+e recipient of them) I was an acti+e participant)
6y will, mind, emotions and efforts all played a role in a successful
use of impartation) I had to ta.e siF steps to see each ift row5
%. ,ecei%e it. <ifts can be offered and prayers sent your way, but
they are acti+ated when you recei+e them) =hether by word or
deed, your faith has to reach out and rab that which is bein
imparted to you) No one can force you to recei+e an imparted
ift or blessin) I ha+e often encouraed people to wal. to an
altar to recei+e somethin or to +erbally ac.nowlede the
reception by sayin, EI recei+e it)E 9n the other hand, when a
person is bein deli+ered from a neati+e spiritual influence, it
is crucial that he or she +erbally renounces the spirit(s) or
stronhold(s)) 9ur words can either open doors or close them)
2his truth wor.s both ways)
3. -elie%e it. -ow many times has someone prayed for you, but
deep in your heart, you didn;t belie+e anythin chaned>
=hether because of doubt, fear, insecurity, or a feelin of
unworthiness, many blessins and ifts ha+e been lost due to
unbelief) 2he old son E9nly (elie+eE eFhorts us to do :ust
thatCbelie+eCand promises us that all thins are possible if
we will only belie+e)
$
2his reat chorus says it so well, and no
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 10#
wonder, because the lyrics are ta.en from Scripture)
9n the same sub:ect, the (ible also says5
But wen e as/s, e must believe an! not !oubt, because e
wo !oubts is li/e a wave o, te sea, blown an! tosse! by te win!7
:at man soul! not tin/ e will receive anyting ,rom te <or!9 e
is a !ouble=min!e! man, unstable in all e !oes7 3James 1:"=&6
and,
Aor (o! as not given us a s)irit o, ,ear, but o, )ower an! o,
love an! o, a soun! min!7 3$ :im 1:% NKJV67
Aemember that faith pleases <od,
an! witout ,ait it is im)ossible to )lease (o!, because anyone
wo comes to im must believe tat e e5ists an! tat e rewar!s
tose wo earnestly see/ im7 3Heb 11:"67
3lso remember that faith itself is a ift from <od5 2Aor it is by
grace you ave been save!, troug ,aitHan! tis not ,rom
yourselves, it is te gi,t o, (o!Hnot by wor/s, so tat no one can
boast2 (Bph 15&J#)) So, we may as. -im to help us belie+e5
2I, you canC2 sai! Jesus7 K4veryting is )ossible ,or im wo
believes7L Imme!iately te boy's ,ater e5claime!, KI !o believe9
el) me overcome my unbelie,J2 3Bar/ #:$'=$*67
:. .editate and pray it into reality. 8a+id, the .in and psalmist,
often used this tool to firmly plant his future in the hands of
<od, and <od;s plans in the depths of his heart) Nourishin an
impartation with prayer and meditation will i+e you and it
time to mature) 3lthouh we may eFperience intense emotions
when <od deposits somethin in us, a true ift from <od is not
a mere emotional hih that ends when we descend from the
mountaintop) Some of the reatest ifts and prophecies I ha+e
recei+ed ha+e ta.en wee.s, months or e+en years to bear fruit)
It is better to wait for <od;s timin and not rush into a call
with lots of Geal but inadequate .nowlede and wisdom)
<. /acrifice until it !ears fruit. Not only will it ta.e time to see
ifts and impartations bear fruitH it will ta.e sacrifice) 7ou
must water seeds that ha+e been planted with your own tears,
sweat and blood) 2here are no shortcuts to an anointin that
lasts or a ministry that will stand the test of time)
110 :e +ower o, Im)artation
@. 0se the gift e%en if it1s ris(y. 2he operational word here is
ris/7 ?lowin in the ifts of <od or -is anointin is scary) If
<od doesn;t come throuh, the sic. will lea+e the altars sic.,
the bound will lea+e bound, and the hurtin will lea+e
discouraed) =e .now, howe+er, that there is at least one of
<od;s faithful ser+ants who ne+er had to face that type of
scenario) Aeardin the life of the prophet Samuel, Scripture
proclaims, 2:e <or! was wit .amuel as e grew u), an! e
let none o, is wor!s ,all to te groun!2 31 .am7 ':1#67 9h,
that this could be said of our prayersI (ut we will ne+er .now
unless we are willin to ta.e ris.s)
C. 2or( alongside others who ha%e similar gifts. 2here is no
reater learnin de+ice than modelinCnot Edo as I say,E but
Edo as I do)E 3pprentices, internships, mentorin prorams and
buddy systems are all eFamples of this truth) ?ind someone
who is successfully bein used by <odH then, ser+e the
anointin) =atch and pray) /eep the ood meat and spit out
the bones) 7ou won;t aree with or li.e e+erythin you see, but
that;s fine) <i+e your best and o for <odI
Gua"d Yu" Seed
6any times, immature belie+ers become impatient when they are
not instantly chaned by powerful altar eFperiences) 2hey fail to
understand the need to feed the seed) B+ery impartation is a seed)
Unless it is cared for, protected and cherished it will not ta.e root) 9ur
enemy the de+il lo+es to snatch these seeds before they ta.e root)
-ow many times ha+e you allowed an impartation to be .illed by
fear, selfJdoubt, compromise, disobedience, apathy or lac. of
perse+erance> 2he enemy also lo+es to intimidate us) 2Be sel,=
controlle! an! alert7 Your enemy te !evil )rowls aroun! li/e a
roaring lion loo/ing ,or someone to !evour7 ,esist him, standing firm
in the faith, because you /now tat your broters trougout te
worl! are un!ergoing te same /in! o, su,,erings2 (" ,eter @5&J#,
emphasis added))
8on;t let Satan de+our your seed) 9nce, I heard a moti+ational
spea.er say that if you held onto a dream for fi+e years it would
happen) 2his statement is only partially true) =e need to ol! onto it
for fi+e years, ol! onto Him !aily, and then, wor/ ar!7 =e must
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 111
water it with prayer, and nourish it with the =ord, courae and faith)
In order to see our ifts row, we must see them in the conteFt of
the body of Christ) =e are not islands unto oursel+es) =e are
connected, e+en interconnected) =e are not independentH we are
interdependent) 9ur ifts are i+en to edify (i)e), build up) the body
(i)e), the local church)) In this en+ironment, our ifts will row)
#3 +imothy recei%ed a gift when 3aul laid hands on him.
2he third incident of impartation to 2imothy is recorded in 1
2imothy "5DJ$5 2Aor tis reason I remin! you to ,an into ,lame te gi,t
o, (o!, wic is in you troug te laying on o, my an!s7 Aor (o!
!i! not give us a s)irit o, timi!ity, but a s)irit o, )ower, o, love an! o,
sel,=!isci)line72
2imothy was encouraed to stir up the ift of <od that he recei+ed
when ,aul laid hands on him) 3lthouh no one can be sure what he
recei+ed, I belie+e the ift may ha+e been that +ery spirit of power,
lo+e and a sound mind) 2he other plausible interpretation is that the
ift he recei+ed needed to be accompanied by a spirit of power, lo+e
and a sound mind) In my personal eFperience, I ha+e found that this
type of spirit is a requirement for the use of many of the ifts) In order
to flow in the ifts, I need confidence, lo+e and a sound mind)
I ha+e often felt tremendously +ulnerable when I stepped out in the
ifts of the Spirit) 3s I mentioned earlier, whether it;s preachin,
prayin, worship or prophecy, it is ris.y to flow in -is ifts) ?ear can
stop you from prayin for the sic., belie+in for the baptism of the
-oly Spirit, and as.in for other miracles) 2he fear of public opinion,
the fear of man, and the fear of failure are :ust a few of the most
common faith cripplers)
,aul didn;t ha+e a spirit of fear, praise <odI I ha+e obser+ed,
howe+er, that too many belie+ers (includin pastors, deacons, and
leaders), far from bein filled with the same Spirit that filled ,aul, are
filled with and controlled by fear) 2hey are afraid of finances, their
mates, their .ids, the de+il and a host of other thins) 6any are more
concerned with pleasin people then pleasin <od)
2he altars in our churches should be the most eFcitin, lifeJ
chanin places on the planet) 2he spirit of fear should be bro.en and
cast out of people) Unfortunately, since many pastors are full of fear,
their floc.s are full of fear) 9ur homes also should be amon the most
11$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
eFcitin and :oyful of places) (ut many parents are full of fearH
therefore, their children ha+e a spirit of fear) ?ear is not :ust an
emotionH it often has a stron tie to demonic acti+ity) B+en in cases
where there is no demonic acti+ity, we .now that fear is the opposite
of faith) 3nd Ewitout ,ait it is im)ossible to )lease (o!, because
anyone wo comes to im must believe tat e e5ists an! tat e
rewar!s tose wo earnestly see/ im2 3Heb7 11:"67
,astors, deacons, elders, parents and leaders, stir up the ift of the
-oly Spirit in you) ?an it into flame aain)
See. a new impartation of power, lo+e and a sound mind) If a
spirit of fear has crippled you, re:ect it) 8on;t recei+e it anymore) Shut
the door on that thin and don;t let it snea. bac. in) Aenounce its hold
o+er you and your family and repent for yieldin to it) If fear of man
has been a problem, eFchane it for a healthy fear of <od) 3s. -im to
fill you with a spirit of power, lo+e and a sound mind)
I encourae you to apply the principle of multiple impartations to
your own life) See. them, nourish them, and pass them on to others)
9pen your heart, mind and spirit to new ideas, +isions and the power
of <od) 2hey will lead you to a life of +ictory and fulfillment as you
are better able to ser+e <od and other people) 3nd please don;t let fear
stop you from recei+in your neFt lifeJchanin impartation)
I'(a")a)i$ C2a$5e- Live-
:en +eter sai!, 2.ilver or gol! I !o not ave, but wat I ave I
give you7 In te name o, Jesus ?rist o, NaFaret, wal/72 :a/ing im
by te rigt an!, e el)e! im u), an! instantly te man's ,eet an!
an/les became strong7 He @um)e! to is ,eet an! began to wal/7 :en
e went wit tem into te tem)le courts, wal/ing an! @um)ing, an!
)raising (o!7 1en all te )eo)le saw im wal/ing an! )raising
(o!, tey recogniFe! im as te same man wo use! to sit begging
at te tem)le gate calle! Beauti,ul, an! tey were ,ille! wit won!er
an! amaFement at wat a! a))ene! to im7 38cts ':"=106
,eter and 0ohn reconiGed what they had and what they didn;t
ha+e) In this particular case they saw a man with a spo.en need) 2he
bear wanted money to sur+i+e) 8ay after day, friends or family
would place him at the ate, and he would spend lon hours bein
for money from those enterin and lea+in the temple) =hat irony5 a
poor, hopeless bear at a ate called (eautiful)
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 11'
,eter and 0ohn had no sil+er or old to help with the spo.en need,
but they had somethin for the unspo.en need) =hen someone see.s
prayer at the altar, I ha+e found that they enerally ha+e a particular
need in mind) 2hey often will tell the person who is ministerin to
them what they thin. they need to recei+e from <od) It is so
comfortin to .now that the -oly Spirit also .nows the unspo.en need)
In fact, -is reatest concerns are the deep needs and issues of the
heart)
=hen I was a youn child I lo+ed peanut butter and honey
sandwiches) I also lo+ed eatin pure butter and spoonfuls of suar)
2han.fully, my mother insisted on feedin me a balanced diet instead
of what I was as.in for) It may be a simple metaphor for a compleF
sub:ect, but I thin. it hits the point home)
=hen men and women o to the altar they often et somethin
different then what they eFpected) =hy> (ecause <od is the imparter)
-e .nows what we want, but -e also .nows what we need)
8o you remember the story of the Gealous friends who lowered
their crippled friend throuh a roof to reach 0esus> 2.ome men came,
bringing to im a )aralytic, carrie! by ,our o, tem7 .ince tey coul!
not get im to Jesus because o, te crow!, tey ma!e an o)ening in
te roo, above Jesus an!, a,ter !igging troug it, lowere! te mat te
)aralyFe! man was lying on7 1en Jesus saw teir ,ait, e sai! to te
)aralytic, '.on, your sins are ,orgiven'2 (6ar. 151J@))
2hey too. incredible steps to et their friend healed) Can you
imaine their frustration and surprise when -e said, 2Your sins are
,orgiven2J
No one in that buildin eFpected the healer to become the fori+er)
2Now some teacers o, te law were sitting tere, tin/ing to
temselves, '1y !oes tis ,ellow tal/ li/e tatC He's blas)emingJ
1o can ,orgive sins but (o! aloneC'2 (6ar. 15DJ$))
2he lame man didn;t as. for fori+eness) -e didn;t e+en .now it
was a+ailableI -e didn;t realiGe to whom his friends had brouht him)
=hen you see. <od with all your heart, et ready to be surprised
by -im) 0esus doesn;t want to i+e us :ust an attracti+e little snac.)
7es, those appetiGersChealth and prosperity, for eFampleCmay loo.
appealin) (ut the 4ord wants you to feast at -is banquetin table)
0esus Christ wants to meet your deepest needs) -e wants to chane
11* :e +ower o, Im)artation
you from the inside out, and -e .nows :ust how to do it) -e wants to
i+e us ood ifts that will chane us as well as others)
2he beauty of this story is that Christ imparted both fori+eness of
sin and healin to the man) -e healed him for two reasons5 first,
because he lo+ed him, and secondly, to pro+e he had the authority to
fori+e sins) 2'1ic is easier: to say to te )aralytic, 2Your sins are
,orgiven, 2 or to say, 2(et u), ta/e your mat an! wal/2C But tat you
may /now tat te .on o, Ban as autority on eart to ,orgive sins7777
'He sai! to te )aralytic, 'I tell you, get u), ta/e your mat an! go
ome'2 (6ar. 15#J""))
In the past fi+e years, we ha+e spent hundreds of hours at altars
prayin for people to recei+e impartations) 6any .now what to eFpect)
9thers ha+e a predetermined aenda) (ut, of course, no one can force
or manipulate <od to do anythin) -e imparts throuh willin ser+ants
into recepti+e people) 2he faith of the imparter and the faith of the
see.er combine to tap into the promises of <od)
,eter had reat faith) 2.ilver an! gol! I !o not ave, but wat I
ave I give you,2 he said) =hat did he ha+e> -e may ha+e had a ift of
healin, a ift of faith, a ift of miracles, or all three) =hate+er it was,
he seemed to .now eFactly what 0esus had poured into his life) 8id the
lame person also ha+e faith> 7es, he did) It ta.es faith to reach out
your hand and be lifted up) If he hadn;t been healed, he would ha+e
fallen flat on his face) Biracles o,ten reEuire tremen!ous ris/s7
=hen ,eter said, 2In te name o, Jesus ?rist o, NaFaret, wal/,2
he meant it) =here did he et that .ind of confidence> 6aybe he was
drawin on the authority Christ had i+en to the disciples) 2I ave
given you autority G to overcome all te )ower o, te enemy2 3<u/e
10:1#67
,erhaps it was because he had been used in di+ine healin before)
,eter had learned that when he was full of the -oly Spirit, reat thins
happened) -e had confidence that he had e+erythin he needed to see a
miracle) 8o you ha+e this same .ind of confidence>
T"e'e$du- Fai)2
I recently had a wonderful illustration of this type of faith) I set up
a luncheon with a pastor from Northern California) I had heard that he
was a man of faith, flowin in the -oly Spirit)
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 11-
=ee.s before this meetin, a doctor and physical therapist had
i+en me some bad news) 8ue to the snowmobile accident I mentioned
earlier, and the ensuin surery, my left le was "" millimeters too
lon) 2here was no way they could correct the disparity, and it was
already causin se+ere hip problems)
3s we sat in a restaurant, I as.ed the pastor if he had e+er prayed
for the lenthenin of a le) -e told me he had) 3fter sharin my story,
he immediately as.ed me to sit up straiht and stretch my les) 2he
difference in lenth was clear to the na.ed eye) 2his pastor reminded
me of ,eterH he was so full of the -oly Spirit and so confident) -e
started to pray that my left le would shrin. to its normal lenth, and,
to my :oy, it didI Aiht there in that piGGa parlor, my left le was
returned to its oriinal lenthI (I should ha+e as.ed him to pray for my
riht le to lenthen instead) 8eep down, I always wanted to be siF
feet tall) 0ust .iddinI)
6y neFt appointment with the physical therapist became an
occasion for celebration and confirmation of this incredible miracle)
Upon measurin my les, the therapist shouted, E2hey;re the same
lenthI =hat happened>E
2his was :ust one of many opportunities I would ha+e to testify for
the 4ord because of -is amaGin answer to prayer) 6y physical
therapist;s faith was strenthened, as was that of a youn man who was
in the physical therapy proram) I also had the opportunity to
demonstrate the healin to our entire church) 9ur church body has
shared our trials and triumphs with us, and we ha+e found that it is
important to our rowth and our faith to celebrate these +ictories
toether, i+in <od all the lory due -im)
In summary, see. <od;s face continually and be ready for -is ifts
to flow into and throuh you) In 0ohn $5%&J%#, 0esus uses an
illustration to eFplain this process5 '21oever believes in me, as te
.cri)ture as sai!, streams o, living water will ,low ,rom witin im7'
By tis e meant te .)irit, wom tose wo believe! in im were
later to receive7 I) to tat time te .)irit a! not been given, since
Jesus a! not yet been glori,ie!72
Ai+ers of li+in water can flow throuh you daily) 7ou will not be
li.e a stanant swamp) 7ou will be a continual recipient of race,
mercy, ifts and strenth, and you will pour these out to others)
=hen will your neFt impartation come> -ow about riht now>
11" :e +ower o, Im)artation
3s. -im to fill you once aain)
N N N
Sela2
=hat are some specific ways that we, as parents andRor church
leaders, can help our families and conreations become free from a
spirit of fear>
=hat are some steps you will ta.e in order to ensure that you are
continually filled with the -oly Spirit>
N N N
Ke/ AC+ W2e$ /u 5e) i)& 5ua"d i)
Bihteen years ao, my father a+e me a old watch he had
recei+ed from his brother) It was a SwissJmade beauty) I will ne+er
foret the day our dauhter Isabelle, :ust a toddler at the time, ot her
tiny hands on the watch and somehow manaed to close the car door
on it) In a split second, my little treasure had transformed a cherished
ift into a shattered mess) I was heartsic.) 3part from its monetary
+alue, that watch had become a symbol of the reconciliation between
my father and me) 4i.e the watch, our relationship was +aluable but
fraile)
3s a youn couple, 8enise and I did not ha+e the money to et the
watch repaired) Instead, I slipped it into my top drawer for
safe.eepin) 2here the watch silently awaited the day of its
resurrection) (ecause it was a ift from my father, I continued to
+alue, protect and cherish it, e+en thouh it didn;t wor.) ?ifteen years,
three states and a few houses laterCand :ust two years before my
father diedCI was finally able to ha+e the belo+ed ift repaired) It was
worth e+ery nic.el I paid, because it meant so much to me)
=hen somethin or someone is +aluable to us, we naturally care
for it) =e protect it, impro+e it and in+est in it) 2his same principle
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 11%
should be applied to the spiritual ifts and the anointin i+en to us by
our hea+enly ?ather)
T2e/ Did$>) D I) A5ai$
In Numbers ""51'J1@, we are introduced to $K elders who recei+ed
a lifeJchanin impartation from <od throuh 6oses) 2.o Boses went
out an! tol! te )eo)le wat te <>;D a! sai!7 He brougt togeter
seventy o, teir el!ers an! a! tem stan! aroun! te :ent7 :en te
<>;D came !own in te clou! an! s)o/e wit im, an! e too/ o, te
.)irit tat was on im an! )ut te .)irit on te seventy el!ers7 1en
te .)irit reste! on tem, tey )ro)esie!, but tey !i! not !o so
again72
2he last siF words of that portion of Scripture are amon the
saddest I ha+e e+er read) 2But tey !i! not !o so again72
=hy> =hat happened> 2he (ible clearly states that <od too. of
the same Spirit that was on 6oses and put that Spirit on the elders,
enablin them to prophesy) (ut why did they prophesy only once>
=hy didn;t they .eep their new ift> 2hey should ha+e been able to
continue wal.in in it, but they didn;t)
6oses, on the other hand, ne+er missed a beat) -e .ept riht on
leadin) 2his brins up two other important points5
?irst of all, when <od imparted throuh 6oses, 6oses didn;t lose
any of his iftsH he didn;t ha+e any less of the Spirit) =hen <od
imparts throuh you, you still ha+e plenty of anointin left) In fact, the
more you pour out, the more <od will i+e you) (-a+e you noticed that
<od;s ways are diametrically opposed to the ways of the world> <od;s
wonderfully paradoFical system ordains that it is by i+in that we
recei+eH by ris.in that we find true securityH by humblin oursel+es
that we are lifted upH and by dyin that we ha+e life))
Secondly, for those of us who are learnin to impart into others, it
is a relief to realiGe that the failure of the elders to continue to wal. in
their new anointin did not reflect poorly on 6oses) It wasn;t 6oses;
faultH nor, of course, was it <od;s) Nothin was wron with the
impartation)
2here are many who see. anointin from reat re+i+alists, pastors,
prophets or apostles) In and of itself, it is not wron to desire the
anointin of a Claudio ?reidGon, a Carlos 3nnacondia or a (illy
11& :e +ower o, Im)artation
<raham) (ut it is wronCand danerousCto see. the anointin
without countin the cost) It is wron to ta.e the anointin lihtly, to
ris. wastin a di+ine ift) =e must as. oursel+es, are we ready for that
le+el of anointin> -a+e we prepared oursel+es for the ifts we are
see.inCthrouh prayer, repentance, study, discipline, fastin and
sacrifice> 3ll the ifts of our hea+enly ?ather are precious) Bach one
must be +alued, protected and cherished)
8urin the renewal and re+i+al that we ha+e been eFperiencin at
our church o+er the last few years, I ha+e disco+ered four truths that
will help you to .eep mo+in forward with <od;s anointin5
#1 +he "oly /pirit is the +hird 3erson of the +rinity.
2he -oly Spirit is not only a power or a force) -e is <od) -e has
character and feelins) AeconiGin and belie+in this is one of the
thins that separate Christians from cults li.e the 0eho+ah;s =itnesses
or the 6ormons)
3fter we are born aain, our li+es bein to produce ood fruit
because the -oly Spirit is at wor. in us) 2But te ,ruit o, te .)irit is
love, @oy, )eace, )atience, /in!ness, goo!ness, ,ait,ulness, gentleness
an! sel,=control2 (<al) @511J1%))
3s Christians, we also bein to recei+e supernatural abilities or
ifts because the -oly Spirit is manifestin -imself in us)
But te mani,estation o, te .)irit is given to eac one ,or te
)ro,it o, all: ,or to one is given te wor! o, wis!om troug te
.)irit, to anoter te wor! o, /nowle!ge troug te same .)irit, to
anoter ,ait by te same .)irit, to anoter gi,ts o, ealings by te
same .)irit, to anoter te wor/ing o, miracles, to anoter )ro)ecy,
to anoter !iscerning o, s)irits, to anoter !i,,erent /in!s o, tongues,
to anoter te inter)retation o, tongues7 31 ?or7 1$:%=10 NKJV67
=hen we recei+e an impartation of ifts or anointin, we recei+e it
from the -oly Spirit +ia an instrument) If we want to uard the
impartation, we must reconiGe the imparter) =e must not fiFate on
the man or woman throuh whom the -oly Spirit is impartinH he or
she is only a conduit) Instead, we must in+est in the -oly Spirit) 9ur
eyes and our hearts must remain focused on -im, and our de+otion
must be directed toward -im) <od will not share -is lory with any
other)
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 11#
#2 +he relationship we ha%e with the "oly /pirit is crucial to
wal(ing in an impartation.
=e can ha+e fellowship with the -oly Spirit) 2Bay te grace o,
te <or! Jesus ?rist, an! te love o, (o!, an! te ,ellowsi) o, te
Holy .)irit be wit you all2 3$ ?or7 1':1*67 If we want to increase in
our anointin, we must cherish our relationship with the -oly Spirit)
=e must as. oursel+es if, based on our beha+ior, thouhts and
attitudes, -e would want to ha+e fellowship with us)
=e must as. oursel+es whether we truly desire to be close to -im)
3re we willin to do whate+er it ta.es to culti+ate a deeper le+el of
fellowship with -im>
2o fellowship with -im is to partner with -im) 3 partnership with
the -oly Spirit has its pri+ilees, but it also has its demands) ?or
eFample, we must beware of thins we can do which can damae or
e+en destroy our relationship with -im5
"e can !e grie%ed. 28n! !o not grieve te Holy .)irit o, (o!,
wit wom you were seale! ,or te !ay o, re!em)tion2 34)7 *:'067
-a+e you e+er rie+ed a dear friend with your words or actions> 2o
rie+e someone is to cause them to feel deep sorrow and distress) 3s
incredible as it may seen, we can actually cause these emotions in the
-oly Spirit, :ust as we can cause them in anyone else who lo+es us)
2e can re!el against "im. 2Yet tey rebelle! an! grieve! is
Holy .)irit7 .o e turne! an! became teir enemy an! e imsel,
,ougt against tem2 (Isa) D%5"K)) =e rebel aainst the -oly Spirit
when we disobey -is leadin and direction)
"e can !e resisted. 2You sti,,=nec/e! )eo)le, wit uncircumcise!
earts an! earsJ You are @ust li/e your ,aters: You always resist te
Holy .)irit2 38cts %:-167 2he -oly Spirit is our counselor and uide)
-e spea.s to us in a still, small +oice) -e will not shout o+er our noise
and busynessH -e will not force -is counsel upon us) -e waits for us
to listen, to follow, and to yield)
"e can !e !lasphemed. 28n! everyone wo s)ea/s a wor! against
te .on o, Ban will be ,orgiven, but anyone wo blas)emes against
te Holy .)irit will not be ,orgiven2 3<u/e 1$:1067 (lasphemy aainst
the -oly Spirit occurs whenCthrouh continual and deliberate
re:ection of the +oice and the witness of the -oly SpiritCone hardens
one;s heart to the eFtent that he or she will ne+er repent) 9nly <od is
1$0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
able to determine when this has happened)
2e can lie to "im. 2:en +eter sai!, '8nanias, ow is it tat
.atan as so ,ille! your eart tat you ave lie! to te Holy .)irit an!
ave /e)t ,or yoursel, some o, te money you receive! ,or te lan!C'2
(3cts @5%))
2e can test "im. 2+eter sai! to er, 'How coul! you agree to test
te .)irit o, te <or!C <oo/J :e ,eet o, te men wo burie! your
usban! are at te !oor, an! tey will carry you out also'2 (3cts @5#))
#3 +he depth of our intimacy with "im will !e the greatest
determining factor in flowing in the gifts of the "oly /pirit.
2hrouhout the (ible, the men and women reatly used of <od
were full of the -oly Spirit) 9ne eFample is (arnabas, of whom it says
in 3cts ""51', 2He was a goo! man, ,ull o, te Holy .)irit an! ,ait,
an! a great number o, )eo)le were brougt to te <or!72 3fter Saul;s
con+ersion, (arnabas was the first of the disciples to trust Saul and
embrace him as a brother) /nown for his enerosity, faithfulness and
positi+e attitude, (arnabas was used mihtily by <od)
2he more we see. the -oly Spirit and are filled with -im, the
more -is ifts will manifest themsel+es throuh us) 6ore importantly,
there is a deep, intimate lo+e we can only eFperience as we are filled
with and led by the -oly Spirit) 2he aga)e lo+e of <od is poured into
our hearts as we spend time in fellowship with the -oly Spirit)
# +he 4uantity of "is presence in our li%es will determine the
4uantity of fruit and gifts.
Bay te (o! o, o)e ,ill you wit all @oy an! )eace as you trust
in Him, so tat you may over,low wit o)e by te )ower o, te Holy
.)irit7 3;om7 1-:1'67
It sounds strane to tal. about the quantity of -is presence but it is
such a reality to me) ?or many of us, a frequent and fer+ent prayer is,
2<or!, I want tere to be less o, me an! more o, You in my li,e72 I
.now I want more and more of the -oly Spirit) I want to be as filled as
Stephen, ,hilip or ,aul) If we, <od;s +essels, are o+erflowin with -is
presence, sins and wonders will spill out of us) 2(o! also testi,ie! to
it by signs, won!ers an! various miracles, an! gi,ts o, te Holy .)irit
!istribute! accor!ing to His will2 3Heb7 $:*67 -e chooses how to
distribute the ifts, but it is -is will to fill all of us to o+erflowin) It is
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 1$1
-is will to touch a bro.en world throuh willin +essels)
It is important to learn from the se+enty elders who prophesied
only once) If we do not de+elop an intimate relationship with the -oly
Spirit, we will become li.e them) =e are responsible for the
de+elopment of our ifts and anointin) <od will hold us responsible
for the ifts we ha+e recei+edH howe+er, -e will not hold us
responsible for the ifts -e has i+en to others throuh us) 3s I noted
earlier, 6oses was not held responsible for the failures of the se+enty
elders)
2he enemy of our souls would li.e to discourae us from pourin
into others) -e would li.e us to feel li.e failures) -e is the accuser of
the saints) -e wants to weih us down with condemnation and uilt)
8on;t allow him to decei+e you) 7ou are not responsible if others fail
to cherish the lo+e, care and ifts you pour into them) 7ou are only
responsible to pour freely, in faith, and lea+e the rest to <od)
H0 Ou" Rela)i$-2i( Wi)2 )2e Hl/ S(i"i) Ca$ Be
Hi$de"ed
Bphesians '51@J%" i+es us a clear list5
:ere,ore eac o, you must )ut o,, ,alseoo! an! s)ea/
trut,ully to is neigbor ,or we are all members o, one bo!y7 2In
your anger !o not sin2: Do not let te sun go !own wile you are
still angry an! !o not give te !evil a ,ootol!7 He wo as been
stealing must steal no longer, but must wor/, !oing someting use,ul
wit is own an!s, tat e may ave someting to sare wit tose
in nee!7 Do not let any unwolesome tal/ come out o, your mouts,
but only wat is el),ul ,or buil!ing oters u) accor!ing to teir
nee!s, tat it may bene,it tose wo listen7 8n! !o not grieve te
Holy .)irit o, (o!, wit wom you were seale! ,or te !ay o,
re!em)tion7 (et ri! o, all bitterness, rage an! anger, brawling an!
slan!er, along wit every ,orm o, malice7
2hose are some of the beha+iors, types of speech, thouhts,
feelins and attitudes of the heart that can rie+e the -oly Spirit or
hinder -is wor. in our li+es) If we are ha+in difficulty recei+in an
impartation, sensin <od;s presence, or feelin -is touch, the first step
we should ta.e is to repent) =e need to as. the 4ord to cleanse usH to
remo+e anythin that is ettin in the way of what -e wants to do in
our li+es) 2he clutter in our hearts must be cleared away to ma.e room
1$$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
for -im)
<alatians @5"#J1" introduces us to another list of obstacles to the
leadin of the -oly Spirit5
:e acts o, te sin,ul nature are obvious: se5ual immorality,
im)urity an! !ebaucery9 i!olatry an! witccra,t9 atre!, !iscor!,
@ealousy, ,its o, rage, sel,is ambition, !issensions, ,actions an!
envy9 !run/enness, orgies, an! te li/e7 I warn you, as I !i! be,ore,
tat tose wo live li/e tis will not inerit te /ing!om o, (o!7
2he wor.s of the sinful nature are contrary to life in the Spirit)
=hen the -oly Spirit fills a person, some thins ha+e to o) In the old
=esterns, the classic line, Ethis town ain;t bi enouh for the both of
us,E soon would be followed by a unfiht and one of the two cowboys
would die) 2he -oly Spirit has the same attitude when -e comes to fill
us5 ESinful nature, this temple ain;t bi enouh for the both of us)E 3s
,aul wrote to the church at Corinth, 2Do you not /now tat your bo!y
is a tem)le o, te Holy .)irit, wo is in you, wom you ave receive!
,rom (o!C You are not your own9 you were bougt at a )rice7
:ere,ore onor (o! wit your bo!y2 31 ?or7 ":1#=$067
Sin is eFposed by the -oly SpiritH the old nature is unmas.ed) =e
ha+e to decide who we are oin to let control us5 the old nature or the
new Spirit) =ho will rule our hearts and minds> No one can ma.e this
decision for us) <od has left the choice entirely up to us)
S20 Me )2e F"ui)
3 true outpourin of the -oly Spirit will produce +isible chanes)
Unfortunately, s.eptics and immature belie+ers ha+e concentrated on
the manifestations instead of the fruit) 8idn;t 0esus teach us that the
only measurin stic. of true re+i+al is the fruit>
2;emain in me, an! I will remain in you7 No branc can bear
,ruit by itsel,9 it must remain in te vine7 Neiter can you bear ,ruit
unless you remain in me7 I am te vine9 you are te brances7 I, a
man remains in me an! I in im, e will bear muc ,ruit9 a)art ,rom
me you can !o noting72 3Jon 1-:*=-6
If you want to see eFamples of some true mo+es of <od, consider
those in 3rentina, Canada, Bnland, /orea, the United States and
many other nations) 2hey are producin tremendous chanes) 6any
thousands of people are bein sa+ed, healed and deli+eredH and
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 1$'
churches are bein planted in record numbers)
Bntire cities are bein chaned by prayer and unity) 3 recent
+iewin of the +ideo E2ransformation,E which documents the mihty
mo+es of <od in se+eral cities around the world, has inspired our
church to belie+e for a similar mo+e in 4as Veas) 2he quality and
quantity of our prayer thrusts is increasin) In our Saturday niht
prayer meetins, our people are specific in their prayers) 2oether we
taret obstacles and tear down stronholds) =e belie+e <od for needs
and -e answers with miracles) 2he hurtin are bein helped) ,eople
are bein healed, deli+ered and filled with the fire of <od) Aacial
barriers are fallin) (elie+ers ha+e become unwillin to settle for less
than li+es of obedience, holiness, and total surrender to <od)
=hen 0ohn the (aptist sent his disciples to as. 0esus if -e was the
9ne they had been waitin forCthe 6essiahC0esus responded, 2'(o
bac/ an! re)ort to Jon wat you ear an! see: te blin! receive
sigt, te lame wal/, tose wo ave le)rosy are cure!, te !ea, ear,
te !ea! are raise! an! te goo! news is )reace! to te )oor'2 (6att)
""5'J@)) So 0esus; way of answerin a question about the +alidity of a
particular mo+e of <od (in this case, the comin of the 6essiah) was
to list the fruits that it was producin) <odly results are always the best
e+idence for a true mo+e of <od)
,ersonally, I can testify that since the power of <od .noc.ed me to
the round, my life has chaned) -oliness is a priority in my home,
marriae and heart) ?or instance, we ha+e set hiher standards for 2V
and mo+ie +iewin) Some consider us too strict, but we do not want to
brin impurity into our familyH we want to .eep our hearts and minds
clean) 2he -oly Spirit has also shown us emotions and attitudes of the
heartCresentment, aner, pride, hurt feelins, and certain passionsC
that had to o if we were to continue to wal. in the anointin)
2he fruit of re+i+al has become e+ident in the li+es of our three
children)
3s I mentioned, our 1KJyearJold dauhter, Isabelle, has a powerful
call to fullJtime ministry) B+en when she was dianosed with cancer,
her spirit was unbeatable) =e are so rateful to <od for healin her,
for -is faithfulness as -e uided all of us throuh the storm, and for
the ood -e has brouhtCand is continuin to brinCout of a
particularly painful ordeal) =e are also rateful for the lo+e and
support of the many people who prayed for her)
1$* :e +ower o, Im)artation
9ur "DJyearJold dauhter, Christine, who was also miraculously
healed by the <reat ,hysician, is acti+e in +arious ministries of our
church) She uses her lo+ely sinin +oice to lorify <od, and feels
particularly drawn to participate in our worship ministry and
discipleship proram)
9ur "%JyearJold son, Samuel, recently told me that instead of
playin durin our church;s altar timeCwhich, at some of the ser+ices,
oes on for quite a whileChe wants to stay in the sanctuary and
worship <od or follow me as I minister to people in need of prayer)
In fact, all three children ha+e started prayin for and layin hands
on people who come to the altar for prayer) 3ll three truly form part of
our ministry team) 3nd all three ha+e been baptiGed in and filled with
the -oly Spirit) I belie+e the fruit in my children;s li+es is larely due
to impartation)
No one can tell me that impartation is not real) It is the spar. that,
if properly nurtured, not only .eeps the fire burnin, but also causes it
to spread)
=hat effect has impartation had on our church>
?irst of all, there has been incredible rowth in e+ery area)
Sal+ations, healins, deli+erances and other miracles are wee.ly
e+ents) In nine years, Sunday mornin attendance has rown from 1$K
to o+er three thousand, and our church;s income has multiplied o+er
fifteen times) 9ur missions and bene+olence i+in has rown
eFponentially, and we ha+e a +ision to start two thousand churches by
the year 1K1K) <od has i+en us a "@Jacre campus with $D,KKK square
feet of facilities, a (ible institute with o+er "@K students, a lare
school offerin instruction for rades from .inderarten to eihth, a
preschoolRday care center, a wee.ly proram for feedin the homeless,
a number of support roups, a home for troubled women, and many
other tools with which to touch a hurtin world) New ministries and
outreaches are bein planted all the time) 3lmost on a wee.ly basis,
we send out a minimum of three ministry teams who reach out to our
own community as well as to towns and cities throuhout the United
States and abroad)
Gua"di$5 )2e A$i$)i$5
2he impartation we recei+ed from men and women of <od has
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 1$-
loriously chaned us) =e;+e ot it and we will uard it) <uardin our
anointin is not passi+eH we ha+e to fiht for it) 8aily we fori+e,
repent, worship, study and pray) 2he anointin is +aluable) =e cherish
the ifts i+en to us by the -oly Spirit) =e don;t ta.e them or -im for
ranted) =e are rowin in our sensiti+ity to -im and we lo+e it)
=e also ha+e to do intense battle aainst the de+ourer) =e must
protect the seed so that it will not be snatched up) =e fiht
discouraement and the lies of the enemy) =e fiht to win souls and
.eep them) =e wor. hard and pray hard) B+ery inch of proress has to
be won at a cost) 3 re+i+al doesn;t fall into your lap) It is built on the
blood of Christ and of -is saints)
N N N
Sela2
Can you thin. of a few thins you could do to impro+e your
relationship with the -oly Spirit> (-int5 If you;re ha+in trouble
comin up with ideas, try thin.in of thins you would do in order
to become closer to your spouse, your children or your friends))
3s. <od to show you any chanes you miht ha+e to ma.e in your
life in order to create a better atmosphere for intimate fellowship
with the -oly Spirit) (=arnin5 8on;t as. unless you;re willin to do
whate+er -e says))
N N N
Ke/ AD+ W2e$ /u 5e) i)& ,eed i)
0esus used this analoy to teach -is disciples an important lesson
about the +ulnerability of the spiritual EseedsE <od plants in us5
28 ,armer went out to sow is see!7 8s e was scattering te
see!, some ,ell along te )at9 it was tram)le! on, an! te bir!s o,
te air ate it u)7 .ome ,ell on roc/, an! wen it came u), te )lants
witere! because tey a! no moisture7 >ter see! ,ell among
1$" :e +ower o, Im)artation
torns, wic grew u) wit it an! co/e! te )lants7 .till oter see!
,ell on goo! soil7 It came u) an! yiel!e! a cro), a un!re! times
more tan wat was sown7777:is is te meaning o, te )arable: :e
see! is te wor! o, (o!7 :ose along te )at are te ones wo ear,
an! ten te !evil comes an! ta/es away te wor! ,rom teir earts,
so tat tey may not believe an! be save!7 :ose on te roc/ are te
ones wo receive te wor! wit @oy wen tey ear it, but tey ave
no root7 :ey believe ,or a wile, but in te time o, testing tey ,all
away7 :e see! tat ,ell among te torns stan!s ,or tose wo ear,
but as tey go on teir way tey are co/e! by li,e's worries, rices
an! )leasures, an! tey !o not mature7 -ut the seed on good soil
stands for those with a no!le and good heart, who hear the word,
retain it, and !y perse%ering produce a crop.2 3<u/e &:-=&, 11= 1-7
4m)asis a!!e!76
2his analoy clearly demonstrates how important it is for us to5
P"e(a"e our hearts for the seedH
Gua"d it aainst the de+ilH
S2ield it aainst the en+ironmental daners of worries and passionsH
Nu"i-2 it with faith)
3lthouh, here, 0esus was tal.in about <od;s word and the
messae of the <ospel, a ift of the -oly Spirit or an anointin i+en
by <od is also li.e a seed) 2he possibility of losin this .ind of seed is
always a danerous reality) 2o row, it too must be protected, fed and
nurtured) 2he process of rowth from seedlin to fruitJproducin tree
is as important as the oriinal deposit) 2he ift and the relationship
with the i+er must be carefully culti+ated in order to produce fruit)
2he seed will row only in an en+ironment of intimate union with the
-oly Spirit) =e are called to li+e by the Spirit and be led by -im)
<alatians @511J1@ i+es us a limpse of what this relationship will loo.
li.e5
:e ,ruit o, te .)irit is love, @oy, )eace, )atience, /in!ness,
goo!ness, ,ait,ulness, gentleness an! sel,=control7 8gainst suc
tings tere is no law7 :ose wo belong to ?rist Jesus ave
cruci,ie! te sin,ul nature wit its )assions an! !esires7 .ince we live
by te .)irit, let us /ee) in ste) wit te .)irit7
=e li+e in the Spirit by learnin to yield to -im momentJbyJ
moment, dayJbyJday) =e .eep in step with the Spirit by learnin to
li+e a life of prayer) 2he 3postle ,aul, in " 2hessalonians @5"$,
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 1$%
admonishes us to 2)ray continually72 3lthouh this sounds incredible
or e+en impossible, it is not)
2hrouhout the day, I often call my wife) =hy would I do this>
0ust to connect with her, to tell her I lo+e and appreciate her, or to o
o+er our plans for the day) =e ha+e an intimate relationship that
requires communication, tenderness, carin, concern, comfort,
directions, and touch)
Isn;t that a beautiful illustration of our relationship with the -oly
Spirit> I ha+e learned to tal. to -im throuhout the day, and to be
sensiti+e to -im when -e touches me or spea.s to me) I often feel -is
presence and -is appro+al or disappro+al of my thouhts or actions) I
.now when I please -im and when I rie+e -im) I .now when my
heart is hard or tender towards -im) I must admit, at times, I ha+e
nelected -im or e+en inored -im) 3nd I .now others who ha+e far
surpassed my le+el of intimacy with -im) B+ery day I ha+e to wor. on
this relationship, but I .eep at it because I am hunry for more)
Communion with the -oly Spirit is possible for anyone who is
hunry for it) If we lac. huner for the -oly Spirit, we must as. <od
for it) =e can;t wor. to achie+e itH it is a ift from <od) -ere are four
ways to nurture our impartations and feed our huner for <od5
1. ,ead !oo(s !y and listen to tapes of men and women who
are running after God. /ome e5amples:
2ommy 2enney;s boo. :e (o! ?asers is a classic account of
huner for <od) 2enney was uest pastor at a church in -ouston when
<od;s presence filled the sanctuary in such a powerful way people
could barely breathe, and, at one point, the pulpit split in two almost as
if lihtenin had hit) Since that dramatic encounter with the Spirit of
<od, 2enney has ne+er been the same) -e says, ENow I;m a <od
chaser) Nothin else matters anymore))))=hen you pursue <od with all
your heart, soul, and body, -e will turn to meet you and you will come
out of it ruine! for the world)E
&
;ees Howells: Intercessor by Norman <rubb is the bioraphy of a
man who was so desperate for close communion with the -oly Spirit
that he was willin to do whate+er it too. to de+elop and nurture it)
B+entually, his intimate relationship with <od throuh prayer became
a pattern for a radical eneration of worldJsha.ers) B+erythin -owell
did was based on total dependence on the -oly Spirit) ?ollowin is
1$& :e +ower o, Im)artation
-owell;s description of the initial act of unconditional surrender <od
required of him before the -oly Spirit could bein to wor. throuh
him5
I saw -im as a ,erson apart from flesh and blood, and -e said to
me, E)))I am come to as. you to i+e your body to 6e that I may wor.
throuh it) I need a body for 6y temple (" Cor) D5"#), but it must
belon to 6e without reser+e, for two persons with different wills can
ne+er li+e in the same body) =ill you i+e me yours> (Aom) "15"))
(ut if I come in, I come as <od, and you must o out (Col) %51,%)) I
shall not miF 6yself with yourself)E
#
2hrouh faith, -owell established the (ible Collee of =ales, an
institution that has i+en birth to se+eral famous leaders) 9ne raduate
of that collee who is touchin the world for Christ in our day is
Aeinhard (onn.e) In his boo. 4vangelism by Aire, he points out that
the Spirit that empowered Bli:ah and Blisha has been passed down
(i)e), imparted) throuh the aes5
2he same endowment that Blisha recei+ed from Bli:ah was also
i+en to 0ohn the (aptist many years later))))2he same Spirit that
made Bli:ahCand BlishaCreat prophets, was passed on)))to
0ohn))))2he Spirit of Bli:ah, Blisha, 0ohn, the apostles, and the early
church leaders has ne+er left) 2hat Spirit is our inheritance) =e were
born to belon to -is company) =e are on <od;s re+i+al team, riht
alonside =hitfield, =esley, ?inney, B+ans, =ilesworth, 6oody,
,rice, and 0effreys))))2hey brouht the flame of ,entecost to us riht
from the upper room in 0erusalem) Now we carry it further))))
"K
Aeadin this and other boo.s by (onn.e is a ood way to catch the
fire of e+anelism that burns in the heart of this reat man)
2. Find people who ha%e what you want.
3llow them to impart to you throuh prayer, teachin, preachin,
and the written word) <o to their seminarsH learn from their
eFperiencesH et a limpse of their hearts and catch their spirits)
If you want your church to row, you can +isit 2ommy (arnett;s
church) If you want to learn from someone to whom <od has i+en
tremendous authority o+er principalities and powers, you can follow
the ministry of Carlos 3nnacondia) 8o you want to de+elop your ifts
for leadership> 2ry 0ohn 6aFwell) 8o you feel you are called to
intercession> 4et ,eter =aner impart into you) If you want to learn
about the transformin power of citywide prayer, see what Bd Sil+oso
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 1$#
has to say about it) If you are interested in counselin, try Aichard
8obbins or 0ames 8obson) In other words, if we want meat, we o to a
butcherH if we want bread, we o to a ba.erH fish, a fishermanH water, a
well)
In Numbers 1$5"&J"#, we are told that 0oshua already had the
Spirit of <od) -owe+er, there was a hihJwater mar. that <od
intended for him to reach) 2herefore, -e sent 6oses to ta.e him
hiher5 2.o te <>;D sai! to Boses, ':a/e Josua son o, Nun, a man
in wom is te s)irit, an! lay your an! on im7 Have im stan!
be,ore 4leaFar te )riest an! te entire assembly an! commission im
in teir )resence7'2
2here are a few people who ha+e helped feed and de+elop the ifts
and anointin in my life) I ha+e a relationship with them because <od
has placed them in my life, personally, and the life of our church,
corporately) =e need reular doses of their anointin, teachins, and
impartations to continue to row) 3s. <od to help you find people
who will encourae and nourish your rowth)
Gd Wa$)- ) Ta6e Yu Hi52e"
0oshua had the Spirit already but he was ser+in a man who had
more) It was <od;s will for him to et more wisdom) <od could ha+e
:ust dropped it into him but, in most cases, <od imparts throuh
people) <od is loo.in for sprins who will water thirsty multitudes)
0esus said, E;1oever believes in me, as te .cri)ture as sai!,
streams o, living water will ,low ,rom witin im'2 3Jon %:'&67
I lo+e the old son ESprin Up 9 =ellE that describes a ri+er of
life flowin out of us, a ri+er that can heal the lame, restore siht to the
blind and set the capti+es free) 9h, that these words would be true for
e+ery ChristianI Unfortunately, too many Christians ha+e failed to
yield to the -oly Spirit) -e is the ri+er that sprins up out of us)
-owe+er, -e can be stopped by disobedience and hardJheartedness)
It is, after all, <od;s will that e+eryone become a fountain of -is
healin, anointin and power) 2here are many powerful fountains
flourishin all o+er the world, some of whom ha+e become dear
friends and mentors) I am +ery than.ful to them and pray that the
impartations I ha+e recei+ed throuh them will continue to row) (ut I
am quite aware that they are not the source of the impartationsC<od
is) 2hey are simply obedient +essels used by <od to pour into me)
1'0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
2hose who pour into us could also be compared to the arden
hoses in our bac.yards) 2he -oly Spirit is the water) -e is the one we
see., the one on whom we depend for our +ery sur+i+al as Christians)
=e appreciate the hoses and are than.ful that the water flows throuh
them, but we don;t lorify them)
It is my prayer that this boo. will ser+e as a hose brinin fresh
water to you from the lifeJtransformin ri+er of <od) 2hen, if you
aren;t one already, perhaps you too will become a hose for <od,
waterin thirsty souls in order to help them sur+i+e, row and bear
much fruit)
3. Feed your impartations !y fasting, studying the 2ord, and
su!mitting yourself to a local church !ody.
0esus said, 2'8n! I tell you tat you are +eter, an! on tis roc/ I
will buil! my curc, an! te gates o, Ha!es will not overcome it'2
(6att) "D5"&)) =e all need to be acti+e parts of this di+ine oranism
that 0esus -imself is buildin)
In fact, in order for our ifts to flow and row, we must find our
place in the body and remain part of it) 2Just as eac o, us as one
bo!y wit many members, an! tese members !o not all ave te same
,unction, so in ?rist we wo are many ,orm one bo!y, an! eac
member belongs to all te oters2 (Aom) "15'J@))
Submission to the leadership of a church, and sacrificial i+in of
time, talents and resources are crucial elements in the process of
nurturin the seeds <od has planted in us) Under the proper
conditions, those seeds can row into fruitJproducin trees) 2he local
church is the ideal reenhouse for belie+ers who want to bear much
fruit) 2>bey your lea!ers an! submit to teir autority7 :ey /ee)
watc over you as men wo must give an account7 >bey tem so tat
teir wor/ will be a @oy, not a bur!en, ,or tat woul! be o, no
a!vantage to you2 3Heb7 1':1%67
. -e sensiti%e and responsi%e to the preaching of the 2ord.
In+est a lot of time at the altar) (ecome li.e a 0acob who would
not let o of <od until he recei+ed a blessin) 7ou will ne+er reret
the time you spend waitin on <od and humblin yourself at -is altar)
2.o, as te Holy .)irit says: ':o!ay, i, you ear is voice, !o not
ar!en your earts as you !i! in te rebellion, !uring te time o,
testing in te !esert'2 3Heb7 ':%=&67
.even Keys to Inloc/ te +ower o, (o! in Your <i,e 1'1
I ha+e noticed a frihtenin trend in church leadership) 6any
church leaders spend a reat deal of time i+in, but little time
recei+in) 2hey spend a lot of time leadin, but not much time bein
led) It is a danerous phenomenon that successful leaders ha+e fallen
into)
Bach one of us must be poured into on a continual basis) =e must
be fed spiritually) 8o you ha+e a plan to respond to this need>
9ur church ma.es reular in+estments in the pastoral staff) <uest
spea.ers come to our church to pour into our team) I encourae our
leaders to be prayed for, and to attend seminars and conferences) =e
.eep each other accountable throuh a buddy system) =e all read
boo.s that brin us to new le+els)
,ersonally, I am fed durin my daily de+otionals) 4i.e the staff, I
benefit from the uest spea.ers who come to pour into usH and I attend
seminars and conferences to recei+e anointin and direction) I ha+e a
close circle of friends who o out to dinner with me once a month) I
meet with a few other pastors of lare churches so we can pray
toether and eFchane ideas)
,uttin this se+enth .ey into practice is +ital to your success) 2he
anointin is not an eFcuse for laGy, undisciplined people) It is a ift
that must be fed in order to be effecti+e) It is, in fact, a permanent
relationship that ta.es time, enery and sensiti+ity to de+elop) In many
ways, it is a marriaeCa marriae between the -oly Spirit, who is the
<i+er of <ifts, and us) 2he more you foster your relationship with the
-oly Spirit, the more the ifts will flow)
2here are some who criticiGe those of us who ta.e this approach to
impartation) 2hey say, E=hy do you ha+e to o somewhere to recei+e
a touch from <od> I can be touched in my own city) I can e+en be
touched in my own prayer closetIE 7es, we can be touched in our own
prayer closet) I aree that it is important to de+elop our pri+ate
communion with <od) -owe+er, we are not independent of the rest of
the body of Christ) =e need each other) =e need each other;s ifts and
anointins)
Sometimes, in our pursuit of <od, we may find we need to ta.e a
physical step before we can ma.e a spiritual leap) Blisha is a prime
eFample of someone who had to literally cross the 0ordan in order to
recei+e his impartation) -e persisted in his relationship with Bli:ah
riht up to the +ery endCwal.in with him, clinin to him, refusin
1'$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
to lea+e himCbecause he wanted more of that spirit that he saw in his
mentor)
I can testify that tra+elin around the world for seminars, teachins
and tools has paid off for our church, for my family, and for me) 3s a
result of the relentless huner for <od that -e has placed in me, and a
willinness to o anywhere and do anythin to et more of -im, I ha+e
been blessed with incredible impartations that are now bearin
wonderful fruit)
3 wholehearted pursuit of <od requires true humility, reat huner
and a realiGation of our interdependence within the body of Christ)
4eaders and pastors, if you are not hunry enouh and humble enouh
to say, EI need more and I am willin to do anythin to et it,E then you
should either et down on your .nees and pray for a chane of heart or
find a new occupation) <od resists the proud but i+es race to the
humble)
None of us is ettin any youner and the return of Christ is
drawin nearer) It;s time for all of us to et hunry and humble)
N N N
Sela2
=hat .inds of spiritual nutrition are most lac.in in your life> =hat
are some ways you can start riht now to achie+e a more balanced
EdietE>
3s. the 4ord if -e is satisfied with the le+el of intimacy between
the two of you) =hat would -e chane about your relationship>
N N N
C-3,2BA D
C GUIDELINES FOR THE MINISTRY OF
IMPARTATION
3s far as I am concerned, recei+in the power and the ifts of <od
is easy) -e has ta.en care of e+erythin) -e has all the resources) 2he
tric.y part comes in the wee.s, months and years that follow) I ha+e
heard of many churches di+ided by people who, sadly, could not
properly handle the blessins of <od) 2his chapter will present a
model that comes from what may seem to some an unli.ely source5
(enny -inn) 2his healin e+anelist has been the ob:ect of a
considerable amount of contro+ersy and debate) ,ersonally, for o+er
twenty years, I did not care for him) -owe+er, the healin of my
dauhter;s cancer at one of his crusades, and the relationship that
de+eloped as a result, caused me to ree+aluate my opinion) I hope that
this model will help you a+oid errors that many of us ha+e made
throuhout the years)
I recently had the pri+ilee of participatin in a (enny -inn
crusade) 8urin a teachin session, (enny said somethin that
re+ealed one of the secrets of his success) 2he principles that direct
and control his ministry, he eFplained, can be found in three chapters
of Scripture5 " Corinthians "1, "% and "') 3s soon as he said that, I
could see one of the reasons <od uses him as -e does)
8urin the wee.s that followed, I studied these familiar chapters
from a new perspecti+e) 3s I studied, I started to apply them as
uidelines for the re+i+al our church is eFperiencin) I realiGed that
e+en the power of impartation can be used most effecti+ely if it is
o+erned by these three chapters)
"%%
1'* :e +ower o, Im)artation
" Corinthians "1 beins with the words, 2Now concerning
s)iritual gi,ts, bretren, I !o not want you to be ignorant2 31 ?or7 1$:1
NKJV67 2he church at Corinth had its problems, but a lac. of the
power of the -oly Spirit was not one of them) 2hey were aboundin in
the spiritual ifts)
2he word s)iritual in this +erse is translated from the <ree.
)neumati/os, which can also mean EnonJcarnal, ethereal, hea+enly,
celestial, supernatural or reenerate)E 2he word gi,t in the <ree. is
caris, and can also be translated as Erace, fa+or, endowment, free
ift, di+ine ratuity, or miraculous faculty)E
"
Now, based on that
etymoloy, what would a church aboundin in spiritual ifts loo. li.e>
=ell, can you picture a church where miracles, prophecy, tonues,
the interpretation of tonues, healins, words of wisdom, and words of
.nowlede were common occurrences> I hope you can because that
was the first century church) 8n! it will be te en!=times curc7
2he church in Corinth had the power and it had the ifts, but it
needed the boundaries and direction found in " Corinthians "1, "% and
"') ?or us, I see these chapters as ri+erban.s for the mihty ri+er of
re+i+al) If there are no ban.s to a ri+er, it becomes a flood) 3 flood
damaes e+erythin in its path) If a church is full of power but lac.s
uidelines, it will damae li+es) -ere are some .ey o+ernin truths I
disco+ered5
%. Sa'e S(i"i) .u) di,,e"e$) 5i,)-.
2he Spirit of <od wor.s in and throuh people in different ways)
=e do not all ha+e the same ifts) 2he -oly Spirit deposits ifts into
each belie+er as -e chooses) E:ere are !i,,erent /in!s o, gi,ts, but te
same .)irit2 31 ?or7 1$:*67
3. T2e 'a$i,e-)a)i$- , )2e S(i"i) i$ )2e 42u"42 a"e de-i5$ed
) .uild u( )2e .d/ , C2"i-).
2Now to eac one te mani,estation o, te .)irit is given ,or te
common goo!2 31 ?or7 1$:%67 2he word mani,estation comes from the
<ree. word )anerosis, meanin Esomethin open to siht, +isible,
clear, shinin, appearin openly and outwardly, unco+ered, laid bare,
re+ealed)E
1
So, when ,aul writes about the manifestation of the Spirit,
he refers to the open and outward appearance of the -oly Spirit
throuh -is people)
Isn;t it incredible that the -oly Spirit would clearly and +isibly
(ui!elines ,or te Binistry o, Im)artation 1'-
re+eal -imself throuh us in such a manner, so that the whole body
miht be built up> 2he ifts and the power of the -oly Spirit are i+en
to profit all) 2his is an important statement because it directs us to do
away with public manifestations of the Spirit that are selfJratifyin)
2here ha+e been se+eral occasions in our church when I had to correct
people whose beha+ior was not edifyin to the body) I did not question
whether the Spirit of <od was mo+in on these peopleH howe+er, I
concluded that the way in which they were manifestin was not of
benefit to others)
,astors, do not be afraid to pastor your church throuh an
outpourin of the -oly Spirit) 2each and uide in the proper use of the
ifts and the appropriate response to the -oly Spirit) It is possible to
uide people without quenchin the -oly Spirit)
:. U$i)/ i$ )2e 42u"42.
:e bo!y is a unit, toug it is ma!e u) o, many )arts9 an!
toug all its )arts are many, tey ,orm one bo!y7 .o it is wit
?rist7777so tat tere soul! be no !ivision in te bo!y, but tat its
)arts soul! ave eEual concern ,or eac oter7 31 ?or 1$:1$, $-67
Unity must be ta.en into consideration in the ministration of the ifts)
2he enemy of our souls would lo+e to brin di+ision in -oly SpiritJ
filled churches) -e .nows that di+ision will cripple a reat mo+e of
<odH he also .nows there is power in unity)
2he 3postle ,aul said we must wrestle for the unity of the
brethren) -e said we should 2ma/e every e,,ort to /ee) te unity o, te
.)irit troug te bon! o, )eace2 34)7 *:'67 Unity will not be easy)
=e will ha+e to wor. at it) 2he power of <od will flow throuh us in
tremendous waysH howe+er, we must use this same power and enery
to build unity)
I am not ad+ocatin that we do away with the ifts and
manifestations of the -oly Spirit in order to placate the squeamish, the
fearful, or the s.eptical) =e must be committed to fully ,entecostal
ser+ices, but we need to be considerate of those who may be
uncomfortable with and bewildered by what is for them a strane new
phenomenon) I ha+e disco+ered that a simple biblical eFplanation
calms fears and clears up a lot of confusion) 8o not assume that e+ery
member of the floc. already .nows the =ord or understands it) Bach
church needs a shepherd who is willin to ta.e the time to patiently
eFplain it) =e cannot eFpect e+eryone to be at the same le+el of
1'" :e +ower o, Im)artation
maturity or eFperience)
I will ne+er foret the woman who came up to me after a ser+ice,
and, immediately after introducin herself, declared, EI am a (aptist) I
will not respond to your altar calls nor will I come forward for prayer)
Nor will I lift my hands durin worship) Is that 9/>E I assured her she
was welcome in our church :ust as she was) I told her I lo+ed my
(aptist brothers and sisters and confessed that I owed them a debt of
ratitude, because it was members of that denomination who discipled
me)
2hat con+ersation too. place in "##@) Since then, she has become
a wonderful leader in our women;s ministry) She e+en tra+eled with
our team to India) I wish I could send you a +ideo clip of her EbeforeE
and Eafter)E She now feels free to be at the altar, and ministers to the
needs of women and children with reat sensiti+ity)
=e must learn to build unity in the midst of di+ersity)
<. T2e 5i,) )2a) 6ee(- eve"/)2i$5 )5e)2e"+ Lve
I don;t thin. it is any accident that the E4o+e Chapter,E "
Corinthians "%, is sandwiched between a chapter on spiritual ifts and
one on tonues and prophecy) -ow many times ha+e aruments
erupted between ,entecostals and nonJ,entecostalsH the EtonueJ
tal.ersE and those who belie+e this ift died in the first century) It;s a
shame that many Christians foret ,aul;s words5
8n! now I will sow you te most e5cellent way7 I, I s)ea/ in te
tongues o, men an! o, angels, but ave not love, I am only a
resoun!ing gong or a clanging cymbal7 31 ?or 1':167
In my personal eFperience, I ha+e seen +ery little lo+e enter into
discussions on the ifts and their usae) 2he lines di+idin the camps
ha+e been clearly drawn5 charismatics and nonJcharismaticsH the ri+er
people and the nonJri+er peopleH the 2oronto ri+er and the ,ensacola
ri+er) It seems that people loo. for eFcuses to disareeH howe+er, the
problem does not lie in the fact that they disaree) It lies in the lac. of
lo+e they demonstrate toward those with whom they disaree) It is
possible, after all, to disaree areeably) I ha+e de+eloped a respect for
people li.e 0ac. -ayford, (illy <raham and (ill (riht who ha+e
manaed to demonstrate a lo+in spirit in spite of bein surrounded by
critics and contro+ersy) (o!, )lease el) us to res)ect te o)inions
an! belie,s o, oters7
(ui!elines ,or te Binistry o, Im)artation 1'%
2he second crucial thin we can learn from " Corinthians "% is
that we must administer the ifts in lo+e) Some people see. the ifts
because of the eFcitin or satisfyin emotions associated with them)
Some see. them for prestie or powerH others, because of the potential
for a lare ministry) (ut our desire for and use of the ifts must not be
based on pride, ambition, selfJratification, pre:udice, or preference)
2he ifts of the Spirit function best when they are moti+ated and
o+erned by lo+e) Since, 2(o! is love2 31 Jon *:&6, -is ifts must
flow from a heart of lo+e and compassionH and the lo+e 3aga)e6 that
we are called to eFhibit is unconditional) =hen we use the ifts of the
Spirit with <od;s lo+e, li+es are chaned fore+er)
0esus was mo+ed with compassion for the hurtin multitudes) -e
truly lo+ed the thousands who came to -im) E1en e saw te
crow!s, e a! com)assion on tem, because tey were arasse! an!
el)less, li/e see) witout a se)er!2 3Batt7 #:'#67 4o+e and
compassion should o+ern our desire for and use of the ifts) It is all
about moti+es, isn;t it> If we see. <od with a pure heart, -e will use us
in worldJchanin ways)
(enny -inn has had a dramatic impact on the world) I now ha+e
rown to respect his anointin and ministry e+en thouh, for many
years, I was s.eptical not only of him, but of all tele+ision e+anelists)
It is easy to criticiGe those we do not .now) ?or one thin, the +iew
from a distance is often distorted)
2he o+ernin principles that (enny eFtracted from " Corinthians
"1J"' ha+e i+en me a new understandin of how we can better a+ail
oursel+es to <od, becomin the type of +essels throuh whom -e can
pour) 2hey are helpin us continue to row from lory to lory)
A Mdel ," Lve1.a-ed Gi,)-
3s I lay in bed one niht in "#&D, I started weepin for hurtin
people) B+ery day, they would call our church and fledlin
counselin center) 2heir bro.en li+es, bondae, pain, and fear mo+ed
me) I .new that somehow <od would help me help these people) 2here
had to be a way to touch more of them) I didn;t ha+e enouh hours in
my day nor could I find enouh quality Christian counselors to meet
the many needs)
3s I earnestly prayed for direction, <od spo.e to my mind, i+in
me a passae of Scripture to read) I turned on the liht neFt to the bed
1'& :e +ower o, Im)artation
and reached for the (ible) 6y wife sleepily inquired what I was doin
and I told her I thouht <od wanted me to read 1 Corinthians @5"'J1")
E=hat does that Scripture say>E she as.ed) I had to admit that I didn;t
.now) 9nce I located the passae, I read5
Aor ?rist's love com)els us, because we are convince! tat one
!ie! ,or all, an! tere,ore all !ie!7 8n! e !ie! ,or all, tat tose
wo live soul! no longer live ,or temselves but ,or im wo !ie!
,or tem an! was raise! again7 .o ,rom now on we regar! no one
,rom a worl!ly )oint o, view7 :oug we once regar!e! ?rist in tis
way, we !o so no longer7 :ere,ore, i, anyone is in ?rist, e is a
new creation9 te ol! as gone, te new as comeJ 8ll tis is ,rom
(o!, wo reconcile! us to imsel, troug ?rist an! gave us te
ministry o, reconciliation: tat (o! was reconciling te worl! to
imsel, in ?rist, not counting men's sins against tem7 8n! e as
committe! to us te message o, reconciliation7 1e are tere,ore
?rist's ambassa!ors, as toug (o! were ma/ing is a))eal
troug us7 1e im)lore you on ?rist's beal,: Be reconcile! to
(o!7 (o! ma!e im wo a! no sin to be sin ,or us, so tat in im
we migt become te rigteousness o, (o!7 3$ ?or7 -:1*=$16
I was confused by two terms used by the 3postle ,aul5 the
ministry o, reconciliation and the message o, reconciliation (called the
wor! o, reconciliation in some translations))
8urin my year of (ible collee, two years of seminary and eiht
years of personal study, I had ne+er heard these terms) 2hat niht <od
a+e me a +ision of a biblical model to help hurtin people) 2hrouh a
little research, I disco+ered that one meanin of the word
reconciliation means brinin peace to two parties that are at war with
one another) =owI 2he liht of re+elation filled my mind that niht)
<od had i+en all of us a ministry) =ith -is messaeC-is =ordCwe
were called to brin peace into people;s li+es)
T2"ee A"ea- i$ Need , Re4$4ilia)i$
2here are three areas of a belie+er;s life that need reconciliation)
=e all need peace with <od, peace within oursel+es and peace with
others) Can you imaine bein at perfect peace in these three areas of
your life> 8oesn;t the (ible promise that this is possible for you> 2You
will /ee) im in )er,ect )eace, wose min! is staye! on You2 (Isa) 1D5%
N/0V)) ,erfect peaceCwhat a tremendous promiseI
B+ery man, woman, teen and child needs more peace) If anyone
(ui!elines ,or te Binistry o, Im)artation 1'#
doubts that, all they need do is loo. at the millions of desperate people
who sedate themsel+es daily throuh the abuse of alcohol and drus)
2he need for peace is so intense, many will settle for any +ersion of it
they can find, e+en if, ultimately, it will destroy them) If we who .now
the Source of true peace, learn to minister reconciliation to others,
countless people will find deli+erance from addictions and abuses of
all .inds)
2he world is full of hurtin and anry people) 6illions of children
are seFually, physically or +erbally abused) 6illions of adults ha+e
been damaed by di+orce, family +iolence, pre:udice and other
hardships) -ow many marriaes and homes lac. peace today> 9nly the
,rince of ,eace really .nows, and only -e can empower us to help
people find the reconciliation they so urently need)
9+er the past se+enteen years of pastoral and counselin ministry,
<od has re+ealed to me a plan for touchin and healin bro.en li+es)
4o+eJbased power and ifts will totally chane the nature of our
ministries)
T2e Old Mdel , Mi$i-)"/
2he
-urtin
6ultitudes
Aeached by
2he <ospel (ecome
2he Sa+ed -urtin 6ultitudes
2he 2rained -urtin 6ultitudes
2he (usy -urtin 6ultitudes
2he 6oti+ated -urtin 6ultitudes
2he Bmpowered -urtin 6ultitudes
In the old model, we see that the hurtin multitudes were reached
for 0esus Christ) 4ater, many of them were trained and bean to ser+e
in +arious ministries) Unfortunately, few of them were e+er healed or
deli+ered from their past) 2heir pain and bondaes were hidden under
a reliious cloa.) Some of the hihJprofile 2V e+anelists who ha+e
fallen in recent years probably fit into this cateory)
-ow about you> 8id you continue to suffer from past hurts and
fears after your con+ersion to Christ> -as anyone ta.en the time to
1*0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
help you deal with these issues> I hope you attend a church that
pro+ides care for your soul instead of inorin it)
(elie+ers need to ha+e a healthy spirit, body and soul (i)e), mind
and emotions)) 3chie+in this is not instantaneousH it requires a
process, and oin throuh that process ta.es time and effort) I li.e to
use a military analoy to demonstrate this truth) 3s soon as new
recruits arri+e at their assined military base, they bein to be
sub:ected to a proram of transformation, commonly .nown as boot
camp) =hen they first et off the bus, they are not handed renades,
assault rifles, roc.et launchers or the .eys to a tan.) 2hey are first
stripped of ci+ilian clothin, :ewelry and other belonins) B+en the
hairstyle is chaned) 2he oal of the drill sereant is to transform their
character, their minds and their bodiesH to turn ci+ilians into soldiers)
9nly after they ha+e endured the transformation process are they i+en
the weapons of warfare) 3 new Christian, in order to become effecti+e,
also must undero a process of transformation, demonstrated in the
followin reconciliation model5
T2e Mdel , Re4$4ilia)i$
2he
-urtin
6ultitudes
T2e C2u"42>- Mi--i$+
Rea42& Re4$4ile& Rai-e E Relea-e
2he Sa+ed -urtin 6ultitudes (Rea42ed)
2he Sa+ed -ealed 6ultitudes
2he Sa+ed -ealed 8eli+ered 6ultitudes (Re4$4iled)
2he Sa+ed -ealed 8eli+ered Bquipped 6ultitudes
2he Sa+ed -ealed 8eli+ered Bquipped 6oti+ated 6ultitudes
2he Sa+ed -ealed 8eli+ered Bquipped 6oti+ated In+ol+ed 6ultitudes
2he Sa+ed -ealed 8eli+ered Bquipped 6oti+ated In+ol+ed
Bmpowered 6ultitudes (Rai-ed)
2he Sa+ed -ealed 8eli+ered Bquipped 6oti+ated In+ol+ed
Bmpowered Commissioned 6ultitudes (Relea-ed)
Can you see the influence of lo+e throuh this +ersion of the
discipleship process> 4o+e causes us to help people throuh a deep
process of healin and renewal) It is not a Emicrowa+e o+en approachE
to discipleship) 7ou miht say that it is a EslowJba.e process)E 3re we
(ui!elines ,or te Binistry o, Im)artation 1*1
loo.in for a few warm bodies to fill our pews or a few transformed
people to chane our world> ?irst Corinthians "%5' proclaims that
2love is )atient72 It ta.es patience to wor. with the hurtin multitudes)
9nly the lo+e of <od that flows throuh you will heal and deli+er the
multitudes)
3re you mo+ed by lo+e to meet the needs of friends and family>
-a+e you disco+ered the spiritual ifts <od has i+en you so that you
may help to equip and moti+ate the body of Christ> 9ur spiritual ifts
ha+e been strateically i+en to us by <od) If we use them with lo+e,
healin and wholeness will flourish)
4o+eJbased ifts and power will brin healin to the body of
Christ) -ealthy belie+ers will bear much fruit) 2:is is to my Aater's
glory, tat you bear muc ,ruit, sowing yourselves to be my
!isci)les2 3Jon 1-:&67
-ealthy belie+ers breed health in a church) -urtin belie+ers breed
hurt in the body) =e cannot afford to inore the pain and bondae of
Christians) 2hey need fellow belie+ers who are equipped and full of
lo+e) 8iscipleship is a lo+eJbased equippin and healin process) In
my opinion, true discipleship is +ery rare in North 3merican churches)
=e ha+e become too busy or too slic. to offer deep healin)
2he reconciled belie+er has attained peace with <od, himself and
others) -e is then able to help others eFperience this peace) -e uses
his ifts to brin healin to the people who need it and want it) Can
you imaine an army of reconcilers in your church> ,eople;s needs
would be met by lay leaders) 7our church would row because health
encouraes rowth) 7our ministry will not remain infertile) <odJ
breathed health always bears fruit)
2his approach to ministry will help bride the ap between the
ifts and the fruits, the charisma and the character) 2hrouh the past
fifty years of North 3merican Christianity, we ha+e often placed more
+alue on ifts or personal charisma than on character) 2he =ord
confirms this tendency5 2:e <>;D !oes not loo/ at te tings man
loo/s at7 Ban loo/s at te outwar! a))earance, but te <>;D loo/s at
te eart2 31 .am 1":%67 If we want true re+i+al, we must chane) 9ur
+alues and processes must chane) 9ur hearts and characters must be
transformed by <od)
Revival Will B"i$5 G"0)2
1*$ :e +ower o, Im)artation
3 re+i+al will brin church rowth) =hen <od touches li+es with
-is power, -e does it for a purpose, and -is purposes always come to
pass) 2he =ord of <od will ne+er return +oid) E;.o sall By wor! be
tat goes ,ort ,rom By mout9 It sall not return to Be voi!, But it
sall accom)lis wat I )lease, 8n! it sall )ros)er in te ting ,or
wic I sent it'2 3Isa7 --:11 NKJV67 0esus Christ is the =ord become
flesh (0ohn "5"') and -e is the one who baptiGes in the -oly Spirit
(0ohn "51#J%')) =hen -e sends the -oly Spirit to baptiGe you, fill you,
or impart somethin to you, you can be sure -is purpose for doin so
will be accomplished)
3n impartation is ne+er complete until it bears fruit) 7ou can
count on this truth) In time, it will become clear to you as the fruit of
each impartation beins to show) Aemember, howe+er, that you ha+e a
responsibility to feed, protect and eFercise the impartation) 3s healin,
deli+erance, power, re+elation, anointin, ministry, +isions and dreams
are seeded into your life, realiGe that they may ta.e days, wee.s,
months or e+en years to manifest) (ut you must hold on in faith) 8on;t
abort these ifts before their manifestation) Aemember that 2love
always o)es, always )erseveres2 31 ?or 1':%67
4o+e is the reatest moti+ator of all) 2he Bphesian church was
.nown for its lo+e) 2Aor tis reason, ever since I ear! about your
,ait in te <or! Jesus an! your love ,or all te saints, I ave not
sto))e! giving tan/s ,or you2 34)7 1:1-=1"67 I li.e that word all7
2hey lo+ed e+ery person, no matter what nationality, color, ae or
ender) Isn;t this what our churches should be .nown for> I belie+e our
churches should be multicultural, multilinual, multinational and
multiJethnic) 2rue lo+e causes us to embrace e+eryone) =e ha+e been
called to use our ifts to reach e+ery color, race and people roup in
the world) 2hat is the heart of a <od who is lo+e) Is this your heart>
,aul was so than.ful for these belie+ers that he prayed for them to
recei+e more of the -oly Spirit) 2I /ee) as/ing tat te (o! o, our
<or! Jesus ?rist, te glorious Aater, may give you te .)irit o,
wis!om an! revelation, so tat you may /now im better2 34)7 1:1%67
2he impartation of wisdom and re+elation is poured into the rich souls
of lo+eJfilled Christians)
Lve1("(elled P0e"
=hy do we pray for the sic.> (ecause we lo+e them) =e hurt for
(ui!elines ,or te Binistry o, Im)artation 1*'
them) =hy do we pray for deli+erance> (ecause we hate to see family
members in bondae) =hy do we +isit the sic. or elderly> (ecause we
are mo+ed by <od;s lo+e for them) =hy do we feed hunry children>
(ecause our hearts are bro.en by their misery) =hy do we spread the
<ospel> (ecause, li.e our ?ather, we lo+e e+ery soul) 2Aor (o! so
love! te worl! tat e gave is one an! only .on, tat woever
believes in im sall not )eris but ave eternal li,e2 3Jon ':1"67
8on;t be enamored by the power) (e mo+ed by <od;s lo+e) 28s a
)risoner ,or te <or!, ten, I urge you to live a li,e worty o, te
calling you ave receive!7 Be com)letely umble an! gentle9 be
)atient, bearing wit one anoter in love2 (Bph) '5"J1))
@. O"de" a$d .u$da"ie-
NonJ,entecostals ha+e been accused by some of ha+in order, but
no power) 6any ,entecostals ha+e been accused of ha+in power, but
no order) ,erhaps this is why we ha+e been called EcharismaniacsEI It
is important to understand that re+i+al does not produce a lac. of
order, only a lac. of human control) In fact, order will direct the power
of <od, helpin to .eep it within the borders of -is perfect will)
=ithout order, -is power can be diluted and abused)
<od places reat importance on order, a fact that is clearly
re+ealed in all creation) -e desined the uni+erse to function in perfect
order) ?or eFample, -e placed e+ery planet in our solar system in a
+ery specific orbit) 3 fraction of a deree of de+iation could cause the
destruction of our planet)
In the 9ld 2estament, <od also demonstrated -is sense of order
when -e a+e -is people detailed instructions about the tent of
meetin, the articles to be used for worship and sacrifice, the methods
of cleansin, and e+en the type of dress required for the priests) If <od
were not a <od of order, -e would ha+e said to -is people, E-ey
dudes, there are no rules) 8o whate+er you want to do, whene+er you
want to do it) =hen you worshipCthat is, if you should happen to et
an urge to worshipCdo what feels ood to you) 0ust o for it)E 2hat
doesn;t sound li.e the <od of the (ible) <od lo+es us so much that -e
i+es us clear direction for our li+es and our relationship with -im)
In " Corinthians "', ,aul brouht the church at Corinth into odly
order) -e showed these belie+ers the secret of ma.in their church into
a holy habitation) In the first +erse, he points them in the riht
direction5 2+ursue love, an! !esire s)iritual gi,ts, but es)ecially tat
1** :e +ower o, Im)artation
you may )ro)esy2 3NKJV67 2he remainder of this chapter deals with
the proper use of tonues, prophecy, interpretation of tonues and the
role of the participants)
1at ten sall we say, brotersC 1en you come togeter,
everyone as a ymn, or a wor! o, instruction, a revelation, a tongue
or an inter)retation7 8ll o, tese must be !one ,or te strengtening
o, te curc7 31 ?or7 1*: $"67
9rder is established for the purpose of edifyin (i)e), buildin up,
encourain, and upliftin) the church) 3nd the moti+ation behind all
the instructions, the establishment of order, and e+en the desire to
edify the church, is lo+e)
8r) 8a+id 4im, a wonderful pastor, theoloian, educator, friend,
and the author of .)iritual (i,ts, builds a stron case for this truth) In
his analysis of " Corinthians "1J"', 8r) 4im concludes that the
3postle ,aul was not cateoriGin the +alue of each iftH rather, he was
usin the principles of lo+e and order to direct the worship and ser+ice
of our reat <od) 2:ere,ore, my broters, be eager to )ro)esy, an!
!o not ,orbi! s)ea/ing in tongues7 But everyting soul! be !one in a
,itting an! or!erly way2 31 ?or7 1*:'#=*067 In other words, he was not
sayin that prophecy had more +alue than tonues) -e was sayin that
it brouht more benefits to the body of belie+ers because people could
understand what was bein said) If, howe+er, someone so ifted were
a+ailable to interpret the messae i+en in tonues, the ift of tonues
could equally ser+e to build up the body)
2he New 2estament ne+er abolished the need for order in the
worship of our <od) Nor did it recommend restriction of the power in
an attempt to maintain order) =e ha+e eFperienced the lorious power
of the -oly Spirit in our church for many years) I ha+e disco+ered that
the presence of -is power requires me, as a pastor, to .eep biblical
order) ,ower without lo+e is a clanin cymbal) 4o+e without
boundaries leads to lust) 9rder without lo+e leads to lealism) 9rder
without power leads to a dead church) 4o+e without power leads to
sentimentalism) =e desperately need a balance of all three qualities5
2he power of <od) (" Cor) "1)
2he lo+e of <od) (" Cor) "%)
2he order of <od) (" Cor) "')
4et us pray for these three inredients to be in our li+es and
(ui!elines ,or te Binistry o, Im)artation 1*-
churches) <od will answer the prayer of a hunry heart) If these three
are resident in your church, re+i+al will continue for many years) I, for
one, do not want a wee.end re+i+al) I want our church to eFperience a
re+i+al that lasts until 0esus Christ returns for a spotless, faithJfilled
churchH 2a ra!iant curc, witout stain or wrin/le or any oter
blemis, but oly an! blameless2 (Bph) @51$))
N N N
Sela2
3re you at peace with <od, with others and with yourself> If not,
what are some steps you will ta.e to achie+e that peace>
-ow can you yield to the -oly Spirit more>
N N N
CONCLUSION+ FTAKING IT TO THE
STREETSF
(ible truths cannot remain hidden behind stainedJlass windows)
2hey are not abstract concepts with which to entertain our minds) 2he
=ord of <od is li+in and acti+e) (ible truths, by their +ery nature,
must produce somethin) So, whene+er we learn new ones, such as the
se+en principles of impartation, we must as. oursel+es how we can
apply them to our daily li+es) -ow can we use them to reach the world
outside our home> It is my hope and prayer that you will use the se+en
.eys of this boo. to unloc. a whole new world, a world of
opportunities, challenes and +ictories)
I can testify that these .eys ha+e unloc.ed doors of ministry and
relationships for me) So far, we ha+e started four churches and adopted
two others) =e also ha+e started three (ible collees, a home for
women in crisis, a school and other new +entures)
3s I write these paes, I am re+iewin a whole new series of doors
that <od has opened for us) 9ur ministry in India has eFploded with
opportunities) Aecently, we conducted our first international pastors;
school and held se+eral lare e+enin crusades there) =hile in India, I
had the opportunity to spea. to thousands of students and their
teachers) 2housands were sa+ed) 9thers were filled with the -oly
Spirit, and pastors were anointed with the fire of <od)
<od has i+en us a stratey consistin in the worldwide
establishment of twoJyear (ible collees that will prepare men and
women to brin in the endJtimes har+est) In each country where they
are set up, these international trainin centers will equip the
indienous people and impart into them the tools, ifts, and anointin
to plant churches and schools in their nati+e lands)
"'$
1*& :e +ower o, Im)artation
=e will soon start at least three more collees in forein countries)
=e ha+e been in+ited to conduct additional pastors; schools and
healin crusades in <uatemala, ?rench ,olynesia, and India) <od is
spreadin re+i+al around the world and we are blessed to be part of it)
=here+er we o, the se+en .eys discussed in this boo. are bein
tauht and implemented with reat results) 3s for us, we .now that,
althouh these .eys were instrumental in unloc.in many doors, our
endea+ors would ha+e been futile and our dreams, meaninless, if <od
had not led the way) -is power, lo+e, wisdom and uidance made it all
possible, and I i+e -im all the lory)
3s I mentioned earlier, <od also has i+en us a +ision to start two
thousand churches by the year 1K1K) =e call this our E1KR1K Vision)E
In order to achie+e this oal, our collees, trainin centers and (ible
institutes will raise up church planters, e+anelists, teachers, and
leaders who will be commissioned by the International Networ. of
Commissioned =or.ers) =e will also networ. with men and women,
from +arious denominations and oraniGations, who ha+e the same
heart we do) =e are loo.in for people who ha+e Espiritual 8N3E
similar to ours, so that they may partner with us in this reat +ision)
9ur +ision has become +ery defined) =hat about yours> =hat is
<od oin to do throuh you> =hat do you ha+e in your house> =hat
do you ha+e in your hands and your heart> <od can use them, if you
are willin to lose them)
I;m sure you ha+e at least one little flas. of oil in your house) Use
these se+en .eys to unloc. the power of <od in you) -e can multiply
anythin you ha+e) -e may ha+e plans for you to become the neFt5
6illian +hrasher, a sinle woman who left her fiance to respond to
<od;s call to start an orphanae in ByptH
.ar( and "uldah -untain, missionaries to Calcutta who touched
the hurtin, the hunry and the sic. with the ospel, feedin
prorams, schools, clinics and a hospitalH
,on and Felicia /haw, team members with the (untains) ?elicia,
who recently passed away, started a hospital with only a shoeboF
full of medical supplies) It is now a se+enJstory, stateJofJtheJart
facilityH
7laudio and -etty Freid8on, a couple who ha+e roc.ed 3rentina
with re+i+al fire) 2hey ha+e eFpanded their +ision to touch the
?onclusion: 2:a/ing It to :e .treets2 1*#
world throuh hue crusades)
2he most important aspect of learnin is applyin your new
.nowlede and turnin the theory into practice) 8on;t be afraid to fail)
?ear will paralyGe the wor. of <od in and throuh you) 4ay hands on
the sic., pray until you et an answer, belie+e for miracles and
impartations where+er you o) ?ind a roup of belie+ers who will
aree with you for re+i+al) <et in+ol+ed in a church where you can be
discipled and use your ifts)
,lease remember that <od wants to wor. throuh you in unique
ways) Not e+eryone will ha+e the ministry that <od has i+en us, e+en
if Claudio ?reidGon prays for him or her) 2he anointin will impact
people in different ways) =hy> (ecause <od .nows you better than
you .now yourself) -e will not disreard your personality) -e will
wor. with you)
-e wants to use you for the benefit of the whole body) =e are not
clones) =e are created as unique beins) 2he needs of the body are
also unique) 2hese differences are eFplained so well in " Corinthians
"15'$5
:ere are !i,,erent /in!s o, gi,ts, but te same .)irit7 :ere are
!i,,erent /in!s o, service, but te same <or!7 :ere are !i,,erent
/in!s o, wor/ing, but te same (o! wor/s all o, tem in all men7
Now to eac one te mani,estation o, te .)irit is given ,or te
common goo!7
8ifferent ifts and differently ifted people ha+e been prepared for
+arious needs) 2his truth is also discussed in Bphesians '5""J"%5
It was e wo gave some to be a)ostles, some to be )ro)ets,
some to be evangelists, an! some to be )astors an! teacers, to
)re)are (o!'s )eo)le ,or wor/s o, service, so tat te bo!y o, ?rist
may be built u) until we all reac unity in te ,ait an! in te
/nowle!ge o, te .on o, (o! an! become mature, attaining to te
wole measure o, te ,ullness o, ?rist7
=owI =hen anointed belie+ers are released to eFercise their unique
ifts, the body rows and matures)
3s this boo. comes to an end, I hope you will aree with me in the
followin prayer5
> (o!, )lease use tese /eys to unloc/ your )ower in an!
troug every )erson wo rea!s tis boo/7 (ive tem an insatiable
1-0 :e +ower o, Im)artation
unger ,or more o, You7 4m)ower tem to live sacri,icial an!
su)ernatural lives7
Now it;s time to start puttin these principles into practice5 -ow
can you start impartin this wee.>
2each a Sunday school class) B+ery word will be a seed in someone;s
heart and soul)
4ay hands on the sic.)
,ray for people who huner for the -oly Spirit)
3noint someone with oil)
8esire spiritual ifts and step out in faith as <od leads)
Comfort and lo+e an elderly person who needs a touch)
Bncourae your family with .ind words and lo+in touches)
Coach a 4ittle 4eaue team)
2utor a student with challenes)
,ray with your children and your spouse)
?eed the homeless)
<i+e a helpful or inspirational boo. to someone)
Send a card or letter to a friend)
Aeward faithful ser+ice)
2hese are all practical ways of impartin) If <od can ta.e e+en a
little sac. lunch and feed fi+e thousand) -e can ta.e these small acts
and spar. a re+i+al) 2here are so many ways <od can impart throuh
you) (e creati+e) (e bold) (e a +essel)
Now, do you belie+e <od can use you> I do) If you would li.e to
be trained for this endJtimes re+i+al, the followin options are
a+ailable throuh IC4V5
Ma-)e">- C''i--i$ La- Ve5a- is a powerful twoJyear
discipleship and (ible institute proram that, throuh classes and
handsJon trainin, will prepare you for re+i+al ministries all o+er the
world)
T2e I$)e"$a)i$al Bi.le Clle5e , La- Ve5a- will prepare you
theoloically and practically for fullJtime ministry) ,erhaps it will
inspire you to become part of the 1KR1K Vision)
?onclusion: 2:a/ing It to :e .treets2 1-1
Completion of IC4V;s online proram of (ible courses and re+i+al
trainin is slated for early 1KK1) If you are interested in our prorams
but are unable to mo+e to 4as Veas, education +ia the Internet
could pro+e to be a helpful option)
OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW
IN LEADERSHIP& COUNSELING& AND THE
POWER OF GOD
B/ Paul M. Gule)
:e ;econcilers .eries was desined to equip pastors and church
leaders to brin healin to bro.en people) 2his (iblical counselin and
helps model will transform your team and help them become more
fruitful)
:e Baturity .eries is a Sunday school curriculum and small
roup study tool) 2he small boo.let format will help participants row
in spiritual, emotional, and relational health)
Jesus I 1ant to Know Him is a dynamic boo. that will help you
.now 0esus more intimately, eFperience -is power more eFplosi+ely,
and partner with -im e+en throuh seasons of sufferin and trials)
3 full rane of ,astor <oulet;s sermons and teachins are a+ailable
on +ideotapes and audiocassettes) ?or a list of resources, please +isit
our web pae at5 www)icl+)com or send for our catalo by writin to
us at the followin address5
I$)e"$a)i$al C2u"42 , La- Ve5a-
&"KK =estcliff 8ri+e
4as Veas, NV &#"'@
"@%
NOTES
I$)"du4)i$
") Bibleso,t's New 45austive .trong's Numbers an! ?oncor!ance wit 45)an!e!
(ree/=Hebrew Dictionary ((iblesoft and International (ible 2ranslators, Inc), "##'))
C2a()e" O$e
") (iblesoft;s New BFhausti+e Stron;s Numbers and Concordance with BFpanded
<ree.J-ebrew 8ictionary ((iblesoft and International (ible 2ranslators, Inc), "##'))
1) Ibid)
%) Ibid)
') (rolier 4ncyclo)e!ia o, Knowle!ge (8anbury, Conn)5 <rolier Inc), "##"), +ol) "")
'K'J'K@) E4uther, 6artinE and E4utheranism)E
@) Bicroso,tN 4ncartaN >nline 4ncyclo)e!ia $001 (6icrosoft Corp), 1KKK),
EAeformationE, http5RRencarta)msn)com
D) BliGabeth Scott, 8naba)tists: .e)arate by ?oice, 6arinal by ?orce ("##@),
http5RRanabaptists)orRuide)html)
$) 1ebster's New 1orl!O ?ollege Dictionary, Aourt 4!ition (New 7or.5 6acmillan
US3, "###))
&) Bibleso,t's New 45austive .trong's Numbers an! ?oncor!ance wit 45)an!e!
(ree/=Hebrew Dictionary ((iblesoft and International (ible 2ranslators, Inc), "##'))
C2a()e" T0
") Bibleso,t's New 45austive .trong's Numbers an! ?oncor!ance wit 45)an!e!
(ree/=Hebrew Dictionary) ((iblesoft and International (ible 2ranslators, Inc), "##'))
1) Ibid)
C2a()e" T2"ee
") 4van ;oberts: .electe! .tories an! :eacings Arom te ;evival 8rcives, 3 6inistry
of -ar+estNow)or (Shambauh, Iowa5 -ar+est ?ellowship),
http5RRmembers)truepath)comRhfRroberts)htm)
1) Charles 7rioyen 0r), Jon 1esley: Holiness o, Heart an! <i,e ("##D),
http5RRbmumc)orRwesleyRfoFwesley)stm)
"@@
1-" :e +ower o, Im)artation
%) Aobert 4onman 0r), 8Fusa .treet :imeline ("##$, 1KK"), 2he Spirithome)com =eb
Site5 3 =eb Aesource for Spirituality and ?aith,
http5RRwww)spirithome)comRhistpenl)html)
') Bibleso,t's New 45austive .trong's Numbers an! ?oncor!ance wit 45)an!e!
(ree/=Hebrew Dictionary ((iblesoft and International (ible 2ranslators) Inc)) "##'))
@) ,aul 6) <oulet, ;econcilers (4as Veas, Ne+)5 Aeconciliation 2rainin 6inistries,
Inc), "#&&)) Aeconcilers is a biblical counselin and disciplin series used to equip
carin church leaders) ?or more information or to order the series, call the
International Church of 4as Veas (IC4V), ($K1) 1'1J11$%) Aeconcilers may also be
ordered throuh the IC4V website at www)icl+)com)
D) Bibleso,t's New 45austive .trong's Numbers an! ?oncor!ance wit 45)an!e!
(ree/=Hebrew Dictionary ((iblesoft and International (ible 2ranslators, Inc), "##'))
C2a()e" Five
") 2he -ebrew word translated as double is sanayim meanin Etwo, both, a couple of,
twain, or double)E 2he word translated to Bnlish as portion is the -ebrew )iyJ (from
another -ebrew word, )e, one of the meanins of which is Epart or portionE)) ?inally,
the sinle -ebrew word translated to Bnlish as the three words of your spirit is
baruwca/aa) In the middle of this word we find the base word ruwc (also
transliterated as ruwac), meanin Ewind, breath or spirit)E (2he information for this
word study was pro+ided by Bibleso,t's New 45austive .trong's Numbers an!
?oncor!ance wit 45)an!e! (ree/=Hebrew Dictionary ((iblesoft and International
(ible 2ranslators, Inc)) "##')))
1) ?lar/e's ?ommentary ((iblesoft, "##D))
%) 1ebster's New 1orl!O ?ollege Dictionary, Aourt 4!ition (New 7or.5 6acmillan
US3, "###))
') Ibid)
@) Bibleso,t's New 45austive .trong's Numbers an! ?oncor!ance wit 45)an!e!
(ree/=Hebrew Dictionary ((iblesoft and International (ible 2ranslators, Inc), "##'))
D) Ibid)
$) ,aul Aader, >nly Believe (2he Aodehea+er Co), "#1"))
&) 2ommy 2enney, :e (o! ?asers (Shippensbur) ,35 8estiny Imae ,ublishers,
"##&), "')
#) Norman <rubb) ;ees Howells: Intercessor (?ort =ashinton, ,35 Christian 4iterature
Crusade, "#@1), %@)
"K) Aeinhard (onn.e, 4vangelism by Aire (8allas5 =ord ,ublishin, "##K), @&J@#)
C2a()e" Si9
") Bibleso,t's New 45austive .trong's Numbers an! ?oncor!ance wit 45)an!e!
(ree/=Hebrew Dictionary ((iblesoft and International (ible 2ranslators, Inc), "##'))
1) Vine's 45)ository Dictionary o, Biblical 1or!s (2homas Nelson ,ublishers, "#&@))