Supernatural Lifestyle Conference Summary
The theme for the Supernatural Lifestyle Conference was simple: risk. God used Kevin and Theresa Dedmon to activate our church to step over the chicken line, the apathy line, maybe even the spiritual Mason-Dixon line between freedom from and slavery to intimidation. Let’s be up front with ourselves, we either succumb to fear or we simply don’t care. The conference nailed both right between the eyeballs. We need to take the leap to reach the lost. It’s that simple.
Honestly, I’m in a Canada state of mind: it’s a cross between processing all the intense messages from David Demian from a week ago in ‘Hongcouver’, while absorbing the rapid fire teachings of Kevin Dedmon and the finesse bombs of Theresa. I have brain damage now in a good way, in a sanctified way, in a Christ-like way. You could call it an accelerated renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1-2). Whatever the case, God meant business and we needed to push ourselves in these last miles of 2011. “Just face the mountains and take a deep breath.” That’s what my football coach used to tell me when we were all dying at the tail end of practice. “Just face the mountain of God and take a deep draught of the Holy Spirit.” It works.
As I slurped on my S & S Saimin and watched the Philadelphia Eagles pound the Giants, I pondered over this week’s happenings. I realized we sat under two office evangelists. Yes, we had the high privilege of listening and absorbing teachings from people who carry the experience, wisdom, and anointing to effectively reach the lost with the tools of Holy Spirit creativity. Theresa brought her amazing prophetic painting gift and timely teachings. Kevin even shared he received the mantle of Lonnie Frisbee, the signs and wonders evangelist of the Jesus movement, Calvary Chapel, and even YWAM. We were privileged. We were blessed.
He exposed the Platonic/Gnostic influenced Augustinian theology that puts an emphasis on repentance and mourning rather than love, joy, and peace. The two former philosophies looked upon the flesh, creation, and this world as basically evil, something to separate from, entities requiring laborious cleansing on our part. The upshot of their influence resulted in a serious and joyless Christianity. Kevin’s exhortation to laugh over sickness and death brought a refreshing wind of freedom. Instead of praying with sagging brow, we need to smile and laugh. From his vast experience, all healings and breakthrough came through joy and laughter, not mourning and crying. How sobering. How awesome! How Biblical! (John 16:24)
This teaching, in my humble opinion, was worth the price of admission. Get the MP3 download on the Laulima website and be blessed. It will go into much more detail.
I could go on an on about the Ezekiel 37, 47; John 17; Luke 6-7; and other teachings, but the emphasis at this conference was activation and just getting out there and doing-the-stuff. About a 100 or more people in the greater Honolulu area were blessed by the treasure hunts and arts outreach – some were even saved. From doing hip hop and seeing God’s Spirit drop on Palolo Gym, releasing amazing healings and prophecy, to a fire tunnel at 7 Eleven, Kaimuki, everything was over the top.
The treasure hunting experiences of team Uyeda also blew our minds, along with all the other amazing testimonies. In our presence-filled meetings, we prophesied, worshipped, danced, received healings, sent healing across the Pacific, painted, wrote poetry, and saw a multitude of people blessed by the creative power of the Holy Spirit. I received four prophesies from four different people and they all said the same exact thing. Was God trying to tell me something? Joel 2:28-29 was in high gear during these four days with the Dedmons. I was on cloud nine and even shared my dreams with others.
Yes, that’s it! The Dedmons helped us all to dream again. For too long, we have wallowed in the mire of only left-brain Christianity. It’s time for the right side to be activated! It’s time for the artists to arise! It’s time to spread our wings! It’s time to take a leak for Jesus! It’s time to take multiple leaks for Jesus! (leak the Holy Spirit)
I believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that our church and community will never be the same. The strategic timing of this conference was nothing less than impeccable in the life of this church. We received so much over the last two years. Now it’s time to unleash the evangelistic beast in all of us. We have no excuse. As Kevin shared: witnessing, like prayer, is not a gift, but a responsibility all Christians need to take up.
The twelve o’clock hour fast approaches. There is no time to waste. The Dedmons did an amazing job in activating us all. They fulfilled Pastor Dean’s request: Drop a bomb on our church! The payload of bombs annihilated all of our ‘manini’ mind-sets and set us on a course toward victory. Bombs away!!!!
Again, I encourage all to get the MP3 download of the whole conference. Kevin and Theresa gave some very thought provoking teachings that will encourage and set you free.
It’s time to defy the chicken line and become a super chicken of boldness. “Buck, buck, buck, buck.” For some reason, that doesn’t sound right, but you know what I mean.
Well, from breezy Hawaii Kai, it’s time to ‘moe moe’ (sleep). I enjoyed recollecting our journey while my wife was ‘snorking’ (a combination of snoring and soaking coined by Kevin) away. She can really snork! Love you folks. I’m so blessed that my family is on this adventure with all of you. Aloha kakou.
Revival School Awakenings
There is only one word to describe this past weekend’s School of Revival History: Awesome! Ray Hughes and Matt Higa took us on an awe-inspiring ride through the Cumberland Gap and the Kentucky Revivals to the beautiful land of Wales and the Welsh Revivals to the island of Kauai and its importance as a catalyst for revival; not to mention everything else in-between, around, and anything that remotely smelled like a revival. It was a rich, savory stew of God’s love poured out on humanity through a span of 400 years. We were all blessed.
Thursday night started with the life of David Brainerd and his sacrificial heart for the American Indians. When most clergy in the colonies looked upon the natives as soulless beasts, Brainerd took it upon himself to share the Gospel of Jesus with his fellow human beings. Many turned to the Savior. He died a young man, but his contribution to the Kingdom still sets hearts aflame for God.
From that night to Saturday, the messages covered people like Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, George Whitefield, William Cartwright, Francis Asbury, Evan Roberts, Lorenzo Dow, Charles Finney, Sam Jones, Hewahewa, Henry O, Maria Woodworth Etter, Aimee Semple McPherson, Gypsy Smith and a host of other names that changed the landscape of our world and eternity for the glory of God. As I heard all the names and their contributions, these themes stood out: passion for souls; love for God; no fear of man; love for the younger generation; the sovereignty of God.
They all possessed a passion for souls. It seemed like no obstacle would prevent them from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Asbury and Cartwright were Methodist circuit preachers to the new settlements beyond the original thirteen colonies. They followed in Wesley’s footsteps by covering thousands of miles on horseback, through wind and rain, hostile attacks and thievery, severe terrain and cold. They faithfully preached the Gospel and punched out a few hecklers in the process of evangelizing a wide swath of the population. They did it because they loved people. Their work blessed a nation. Their work populated heaven.
They loved God. Evan Roberts, of Welsh Revival fame, cried profusely from the pews and asked God to bend him, break him, use him to reach the lost. Years and years of developing a keen sensitivity to the Spirit of God while working and praying in the coal mines of Wales created a deep love for Him. I could only imagine what it was like to sit in the pitch dark for hours on end. Maybe he memorized Psalm 139 and contemplated David’s words, “Even in the darkness you are there….” Roberts’ life changed a whole generation. It still effects us today.
They did not fear man. From the eccentricity of Kathryn Kuhlman to the frozen states of Maria Woodworth Etter, they all exhibited a quirkiness shunned by the general religious population. Kuhlman would come out in these chiffon dresses and ask in a high shrill voice from the pulpit, “Are you waiting for me?” Lorenzo Dow wouldn’t take a bath. Whitefield would preach in the fields and moors. Hewahewa turned his back on his ancestral ways and court prestige for the love of God. Aimee brought the world into her Angeles Temple. The list goes on and on. They were their own persons. They could care less how other people felt or thought about them. They obeyed God. They were the foolish that confounded the wise (1 Cor 1).
I saw the sovereignty of God amidst all the different revivals. Yes, there were some common qualities among the revivalists like a hunger for God, humility of heart, radical obedience, and other characteristics. Whatever the case, God will do what He wants to do when he wants to do it. He will anoint a William Seymour after seven years of praying for hours on end, and will do the same for Charles Finney after only one day of crying out. He will pour out his Spirit on a little church on Azusa Street and pass by churches who prayed for years for revival. It’s His choice. He will have mercy upon whom he desires (Romans 9). He is sovereign.
Lastly, I saw and experienced God’s heart through Ray Hughes and Matt Higa. It’s true: it’s caught, not taught. They have a passion for the younger generation to rise up and take the mantle of reaching their generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I saw the love. I saw the heart yearnings for the people of God to get passionate again, to get a desire for souls, to get burning hot for God and revival.
A foundation has been set. The dry wood has been placed on the altar. All we need are the Elijahs to call down the flame. The school was awesome! That’s all I have to say. God bless all of you.
James Maloney: It’s all about Jesus.
This truth echoed in our hearts throughout our time together. James Maloney came with apostolic authority to preach this one message: Jesus. It’s all about Him. It was a healthy reminder, but more than a reminder; it was a mandate to grow up and to stop living weak Christianity. It was a mandate to stop living in a spirit of stupidity and to claim our rightful positions as sons and daughters of The King.
Positional Christianity produces powerful Christianity. As we grow in our understanding of our position before God through the blood of Jesus, we will move in the greater things of God. It made total sense.
Who does the healing, deliverance, prophesying, word of knowledge, tongues, preaching of the word, word of wisdom, worship leading, signs and wonders, and all of the ministries of the church? Jesus. Yes, we physically carry out these functions, but it’s Jesus that carries the results (1 Cor 3:6). True ministry produces true results. Someone could say they are a leader, but if no one is following them, then they are just taking a walk in the park. Someone could say they have the gift of healing, but if no one is being healed, then they are walking in a spirit of delusion. The same goes for all the gifts.
It’s quite comical if you ask me. I look at my own life and the lives of many others, who at some time walked in this spirit of delusion (some of them still do), thought they were hot stuff for The Kingdom of God, but should have asked the question, “What stuff am I really moving in?” If Jesus is not evident in our character and ministries, then we are just playing church. When people walk away from spending time with us and say, “I met Jesus”, then true Kingdom authority has arrived. If people walk away and say they just met us, then it’s time to get real with God and acknowledge our brokenness before Him. It’s the path toward true wholeness and effectiveness in Christ. It’s the path.
James Maloney pointed us back to understanding this foundational truth: true authority comes from knowing our position before God and cultivating it by spending face to face time with God. It’s pretty simple. Know and dwell. If we want to see more healing, deliverance, prophesy, signs and wonders, then more of Jesus needs to shine through from our lives. The world is crying out for this, but we need to understand the favor we walk in.
He shared that we have the same favor on our lives as Jesus did when He walked this earth. Let me do a James Maloney and say this one more time. We have the same favor on our lives as Jesus did when He walked this earth. We can boldly approach the throne of grace and talk to our papa in heaven 24/7 because of Jesus’ work on the cross (Hebrews 4:16). Our lives are now hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3). God sees Jesus when we come into His Presence! He sees His Son! He sees favor! Now, that is true authority!
The scenario looks something like this: “Papa, please heal this person of cancer. I love you papa.” I think this is the type of child-like confidence we all need to move in. It’s pretty simple. It’s pretty powerful. It’s the truth. During this time of heavenly interaction, our faces and lives are transformed into Christ’s image because we dwelled in His presence. We grow in faith because we spent time with the Faithful One.
Authority and true power come from Christ’s authority and power taking over our lives. Galatians 2:20 states, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God. Who loved me and gave himself for me.” Through Paul’s weakness, Christ’s strength became a reality. Through our dying to self, Christ’s power shines through. In our weakness his strength is perfected (2 Cor 12:9).
The church is filled with powerless Christians because they are not filled with The Powerful One. If we are living in blatant rebellion and partaking in pornography, lying, stealing, gossip, and other sins, then to move in Kingdom authority is moot. It will not happen. However, if we are walking with God, dealing with our sins, speaking truth to our hearts, and resting in our rightful position before God, then we will move in greater peace, joy, love, and authority.
Acts 4:13 states, “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” I saw Jesus’ authority and love working through James Maloney. I saw the confidence that comes through spending time with Him. Many were healed, delivered, and touched by Jesus through James, but I agree with the speaker and the rest of the Unified… leadership, that greater fruit will be more evident in the days to come. It’s only the beginning. May we also move in the same confidence and boldness to the extent that people will say, “I recognize that you have been with Jesus.”
Foundational truths were set in place. Old decrepit lies, masquerading as truth, were smashed. Pride was revealed. Faith strengthened. Lives changed. The School of Supernatural Ministry caused us to soar high with God and to get grounded in the Truth. That’s not a bad combination if you ask me. How would I summarize this past school in one word: awesome!!!!
I encourage all to get the MP3 download of the whole time at the Laulima Ministries International website. It will be well worth the investment. There were many more powerful truths from our school that were not covered in this article.
May the Lord bless you with a deeper revelation of Him in these exciting and challenging days. Go for it church!!!!!!!
Wednesday Celebration Service: Mama Jordan
Donna Jordan came last night and spoke to all of our hearts. She was like a mama bear speaking to her cubs about the things that matter – the things that matter to God. It was a mixture of parental wisdom and Christian manifesto for our church’s success in this up and coming season.
What is a manifesto? Webster’s Dictonary defines it this way: a statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer. Well, Mama Jordan publicly laid out the intentions, motives, and views of the Lord for our church. It had that stamp of loving authority on it.
She started off by saying God loves us and that he placed us at Unified… and in Hawaii for such a time as this. This then led to this exhortation: we need to take our roles seriously. Like Esther of old, God has strategically placed us in this local body, as well as in the wider body, to live lives worthy of His Name. We are called to effect positive change for the Kingdom of God. We are called to do something great!
What’s happened here at Unified… is very rare. Many have laid down their rights in order to see a miracle occur in these islands and in the world. God has seen our sacrifices and wants to bless it, but we need to believe in the importance of our role; we need to take up our mantle.
How will we effect change? By being a family. It’s our strength. It’s not about gifting, but about belonging to a loving family that cherishes one another, that has fun together, that eats together, that honors one another, that forgives one another. We are called to walk this out into a perfected whole. We will do this together, not as individuals. It’s our call.
This ohana vision (family) is unique to our islands. There is a strong emphasis on family that wells up from the aina (land). God wants to spiritually market this to the rest of the nations and make an impact. He wants to combine the three family chords that have come together at Unified… and make one family chord not easily broken. “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart (Ecc 4:12).” God wants to move us away from just resisting the enemy (the church strategy for ages), and into ruling, reigning, and squashing the enemy with a full-blown, kick butt, head turning, head transforming, world changing revival (Psalm 133). True, God-anointed unity can do this.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think this is very common, this three chord strand. That’s why it’s so special. Two chords have come together in other movements (even this is rare), not three. It’s like the Trinity. It’s the ultimate, divine form of unity. God wanted it between Shem, Ham, and Japheth; Saul, Jonathan, and David; Himself, Adam, and Eve; Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, the twelve tribes of Israel (four three chord strands-super unity); Lucifer, Gabriel, and Michael. It didn’t happen.
We have seen some success in God’s desire for unity like Peter, James, and John; Moses, Caleb, and Joshua; Adino, Eleazar, and Shammah (David’s three mighty men 2 Sam 23:8-17); Paul, Silas, and Timothy; Peter, Paul, and Mary (jus joking).
That’s why Mama Jordan came to speak to us last night. Come to think of it, that’s why all the speakers have come to Unified… . God wants unity! That’s why we are called Unified… . God is doing something very new and powerful with our family. He is not holding any resources back. We are an important investment to Him. His Word is going forth!
She highlighted I Peter 4:7-11, Galatians 5:16-26, Matthew 6:25, Isaiah 42:9, James 5:13-20, 1 Corinthhians 11. The verses talk about God’s heart on how we grow as a family, discern who speaks to the family, how to network with other families, and what should motivate us to be family. I encourage you to read and meditate on each of these passages. Your life will change. You will catch the heart of God.
As we focus our eyes on our Papa in Heaven and wait for his directions on each step of the way, he will show us the path to walk on. It will prevent us from aborting what’s on God’s heart for our church. Again, it’s all about being family with God and with one another.
We ended our time by singing along with the Lord’s Prayer. I encourage all to get the CD copy of last night’s message. It was powerful. It will clarify the heart and intent of God. It will encourage you.
Thank you Mama Jordan for blessing us with your life and message. Thank you Dean and Kerry for bringing in great fathers and mothers of the faith to sow into our lives. Thank you for sowing into our lives. Thank you church for persevering with one another in love and truth.
Let’s say the Lord’s Prayer together to seal this time. Mahalo everyone.
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. ‘Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’
The Gates
As we listened to Ray Hughes, we felt transported back into time. It was like we were hanging onto each word of the storyteller, his shadow casting images on the wild forest, campfire blazing in the chill of the Cumberland Gap, Daniel Boone country.
By the way, Cumberland Gap was named after Lord Cumberland who successfully led the government forces against the Scottish highlanders at the Battle of Culloden (Ray made reference to this battle). It was quick and bloody. It squashed for all time any Scottish uprisings. The lonesome sound found in the music of the Scottish immigrants to Kentucky came from this sad chapter in their ancestor’s lives.
Sensitivity to the land also weaved its way into the music and the psyche of those who dwell in the green hills of Appalachia. Ray Hughes brought the richness of this Scottish/Irish mountain heritage, mixed together with a deep understanding of revival history, worship, Scripture, and God’s Spirit, to all of our ears and hearts. It was spirit speaking to spirit, deep calling to deep.
It had that kind of feel: nuggets of wisdom being strewn into the atmosphere like some old time preacher preaching from the Wilderness Revivals of the early 1800’s. God laid down a challenge to all of us to get radically consumed by His awesomeness. It was nothing less than preparation for revival. We have to think this way. We have to prepare our hearts this way. Many from past revivals did not heed the exhortations from the prophets and missed their visitation from God. Let’s not make the same mistake.
On Wednesday night, our speaker had a specific word for our church. It was birthed in his spirit while ministering in Israel. He felt it was time for its release; he felt it was for our church. He talked about gates.
Gates in ancient times had many functions. It served as a place of assembly and commerce. Kings held audience and prophets proclaimed the Word of the Lord there (1 Kgs 22:10, Jer 17:19). Ezra read the Law in the gates to the people of Israel (Neh 8:1). Merchants sold their goods in this place; thus, the sheep gate was where they sold sheep; the fish gate was where they sold fish, and so on and so on.
The king and elders of a city also administered justice at the gate, even juridical transactions. Boaz secured his marriage to Ruth at a gate (Ruth 4:1).
A city’s security relied heavily on the strength of its main gate. Archaeological digs have found huge, ornate gates that once guarded places like Samaria and other Ancient Near Eastern Cities. It was the main point of attack by any invading force. To control the gate of a city is to control the city. It was that simple.
In the spiritual realm, the gates represented a place of authority and power over death and Hades (Ps 107:18, Isa, 38:10, Matt 16:18). It was also the narrow gate, rather than the main, that led people to eternal life (Matt 7:13).
As stated earlier, gates represented places of authority and power. 1 John 5:19 states, “We know we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:12 further states, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” What does all this mean?
We live in a world of light and darkness, good and evil, angels and demons, God and the Devil. The good and evil we see manifested in the physical world are sourced in this spiritual reality. HB 444 and other unrighteous legislation are sourced from the demonic realm, not our political leaders. Remember: we fight not against flesh and blood.
We, as Christians, are like the 101st airborne battalion being dropped into enemy occupied territory to transform our demonized earth into the righteousness of heaven. We are called to bring the reality of the not yet. We are called to bring the reality of the new heaven and the new earth before the bulk of the angelic forces and Jesus arrive. How do we do this? By coming against the spiritual places of authority or gates. These places of power hold the keys to breakthrough over Hawaii and other parts of the world.
The weapons of our warfare must be spiritual, not physical. 2 Cor 10:3 states, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” The spiritual weapons we possess can destroy fortresses, both physical and spiritual. What are they?
The Word, prayer, worship, the Holy Spirit, but more importantly, our relationship and access to our papa in heaven, the Lord of hosts. Hebrews 4:16 states, “Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We have direct access to God’s throne room. We have gone past the gates, but into the highest realm of spiritual authority.
What does this mean in regards to taking down the authority structures and power of the enemy? First, we carry the presence and the power of God wherever we go. How does this happen? We can come before God’s throne room whenever and wherever. We have direct access to the King of Kings. He will answer when we call upon Him. He will manifest his power when we worship him in Spirit and in truth. It's this power that brings down the enemy's power.
We also carry His Spirit within us. He dwells inside the temple of our body as a force greater than the demonic realm outside (1 John 4:4). We have power within and without to battle the enemy’s strongholds of this world. It’s a one-two punch against our adversary.
Whenever we worship Him, we proclaim him as King. We enthrone Him (Psalm 22:3). Jesus has already disarmed the power of the Devil (Col 1:15). He has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Wherever we go we carry the gate or the authority of God. When we come to an enemy stronghold and worship, The King of Kings manifests and stands at the demonic fortress and commands entrance. He is the Lord of Hosts (Psalm 24). The enemy must open the gate or God will tear off its hinges like Samson did to the Philistine gate (Judges 16:3). That is why the gates of hell cannot withstand the offensive onslaught of God’s church (Matthew 16:18). They cannot withstand God!
The weapon of worship unleashes the presence of God on the enemies of God’s people. Paul and Silas utilized this powerful weapon (Acts 16:25-30); Jehoshaphat placed singers in front of his army and God routed the enemies of Israel (1 Chron 20:21-22); David played his harp and the evil spirit oppressing Saul left (1 Sam 16:23). True worship of God has power.
What allows us access to God as Christians? We draw near to him from the heart (James 4:7-8); we call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18); we walk in obedience (Jn 14:23); we walk by faith (Heb 10:38). These things incorporated into our praise (tahila) will get us through the gate and release the favor of God on our lives. These things will smash down strongholds.
Today, we do not have physical gates around our cities, but we do have spiritual ones. These are places of authority that control the spiritual life of a city or region. Ray Hughes, through his message on Wednesday night, told us God was giving Unified… an authoritative sound over various spiritual gates in Hawaii and in the world. As we praise (tahila) the living God at these various gates (Psalm 24), God’s presence will take control and usher in a revival of great magnitude on this land. The Lord of Hosts will come to inhabit and control the gates again. He will flood into the city with his presence. He will answer the call of true worshippers.
These were the specific gates gleaned from Nehemiah 3:
1. The sheep gate: God will birth worship that will minister a new, prophetic song into the hearts of God’s people, his sheep – especially lost sheep. These are songs for the wounded and hurt. These are songs of green meadows and quiet waters. It will call the hurt ones from east and west, north and south, into a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Him.
2. The fish gate: Some will birth worship that will specifically touch the hearts of the lost. It will bring in the fish. It will float into bars, open markets, the stages of this world, and bring in a gigantic harvest of soles (No pun intended. Actually, this was intended).
3. The old gate: Old familiar songs of remembrance will be released in this season to bless many. For instance, Here is Love is being resurrected at this time. Many more will be poured out.
4. The valley gate: These are songs that will reach people who dwell in the deep valleys of sorrow. It will lift them out and set them on their feet again.
5. The dung gate: Songs that will influence the dung of our society, the outcasts, the homeless, the dirty, the rejects. They will be touched and reached by these songs.
6. The fountain gate: Songs of joy and living water bubbling out into the world.
7. The water gate: This gate represents songs filled with reams of revelations from God to refresh and heal God’s people. These are Holy Spirit songs of refreshment. It will bubble out and burst forth.
8. The horse gate: This is the music of war. It will release the warhorses of God onto the land.
9. The east gate: This symbolizes the music of his glory.
10. The inspection gate: It’s the song of command and correction. These songs will search the hearts and minds of people. It will inspect our lives and get us ready to meet God.
These are just brief summaries of each gate. I encourage all to download the MP3 recordings from Wednesday night and the rest of the conference to get the full teaching.
Church, God is up to something very big. Ray Hughes exhorted us not to just sing songs of worship, but to be the song.
As I worshipped and danced before the Lord, I realized that my worship was wanting. Maybe some of you feel the same way about yourself. I am not raving mad for God like King David. He danced before the Ark in the position of a slave. Only the slaves marched in front of a procession, the kings stayed in the back. It was their rightful place of authority.
David took the position of a slave as a prophetic statement to his Kingdom that he was a servant of God first, the king of Israel second. He was so overjoyed about God’s presence entering the gates of Jerusalem that he danced for nine miles (the distance from Obed Edom's house to Jerusalem)! Life, joy, security, peace, love, Jehovah were making their home with David’s kingship. He rejoiced in this understanding.
Michal despised him because he took this humiliating position before his people. Little did she know that the king was dancing before The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Her criticalness left her barren. Her insensitivity to God’s ways aborted her destiny.
The religious and the irreligious will mock your worship of God. You may be humiliated before the people. You may be judged. Who cares? That’s their problem. Just dance before Abba and get lost in His love! You dance before the King. There is nothing dishonorable in this.
By the end of the conference, I felt more free and alive. Many felt the same way. Saturday night was mind blowing! I felt totally free to be undignified. Many flapped around, jumped up and down, skipped around the church, danced uncontrollably, spun with joy, and did the David thing. It was simply crazy. It was simply great!
I know I am just skimming the surface, but who can call themselves a pro when it comes to grasping the awesomeness of God? No one. We will always be learning and growing.
It’s time to get undignified for God in the streets of this world. It’s time to storm the gates! Love you folks!