7-26-2025           New Beginnings

Ecclesiastes tells us that all things have their season (Ecc.3:1).  Father has shared with me that we are in a season of Spiritual Explosion.  It is the second of three seven year periods.  The first seven year period in inclusive from January 2015 through Dec. 2021.  Father was selecting His army to ‘be ready’.   The second period is ‘concluded by the end of 2028.  This is the season we are currently in.  Father has spent seven years stirring hearts of His children and encouraging them into their ‘calling’.  Since Jan. 2022 He has been ‘arming’ His troops and has started sending those who were ready out for battle.  This is a calling in and sending out period. Have we been aware of what Father has been doing these past 3 ½ years? 

Look at the 2023 ‘revival’ at Asbury University in Wilmore Kentucky which caused quite a stir in Christian circles.  Some of the activity since then have included:

·         Campus Revivals:

The Asbury revival inspired similar events at Lee University, Cedarville University, Auburn University, and other institutions. 

·         HBCU Movement:

God was also reported to be moving powerfully among historically Black colleges and universities. 

·         Baptisms:

Some churches saw spontaneous baptisms, and one church in California organized a large-scale baptism event with over 4,000 participants, according to the Washington Times. 

·         Factors Contributing to the Revivals:

Experts suggest that the revivals may be fueled by a desire for deeper connection with God and others, potentially in response to social and political fragmentation, the pandemic, and feelings of isolation. 

·         Gen Z's Role:

Many of the participants in these revivals are members of Generation Z, who are seen as seeking authenticity and genuine connection. 

·         Impact:

These revivals have led to increased worship, confession, and dedication to faith, with some describing transformed lives and a renewed sense of purpose.  (google.com)

 

As the next three years grow, don’t be surprised to hear more about Spiritual growth – or maybe experience it yourself!

 

Have you heard the expression “Christians just ain’t actin’ like Christians no mo’”?  Those who have and/or are accepting Jesus onto their lives and hearts are discovering that there’s more than ‘just’ going to church, giving tithes, singing some songs and hearing a ‘great’ sermon’.  Look at the short list above. There’s more than ‘to just existing’ in a Christian environment.  People are wanting more! 

 

Father has always desired a relationship with man.  He created Adam.  Father visited with Adam and spoke with him (Gen. 3:8-9).  Yet, God is Spirit (John 4:23-24) communing with Adam, a physical body, man.  God also knows that man, being in a physical body, needs physical companionship as well (Gen. 2:18-24, Acts 2:41-42).  He created Eve for that physical, relational companionship.  But as man’s family expanded, Father also knew we needed to gather together in community as well.  There is greater strength in numbers (Ecc. 4:9-12).  We enjoy a relationship with our heavenly Father, but we also enjoy a relationship with others who are like ourselves (other people).  We are ‘communal’ creatures.  Father made us that way.  Jesus tells us that where two or three re gathered, He is in our midst (Matt. 18:20).  And even after Jesus’ ascension, the Holy Ghost came upon those gathered together in the upper room (120 of them - Acts 2:1-4).  In spite of disagreements, man has had little trouble ‘communing’ with other ‘people’, even though there always seemed to be something ‘lacking’. 

 

After the ‘fall’ and man was kicked out of the Garden of Eden, the family of man grew, yet communion’ with Father started slipping away – farther and farther.  Even to the point where the question rises up “What has happened to communion with Father?”   Man’s own wickedness (Gen. 6:5-8) and his refusal to abide according to God’s love (John 3:17-19) separates man from God.

 

This is what some people are ‘rediscovering’ today!  This movement in this season is not just about ‘getting saved’, that is coming into the kingdom of God, but reconnecting with our heavenly Father.  I mean ‘connecting’, not just having a casual acquaintance.  It is a time where our relationship with Father will be restored.  Many will discover that Father has always wanted that personal relationship with Him.  He will welcome us, not just back into His kingdom, but into His family!  The ‘prodigal son’ was in the family, decided to embark out on his own, but then coming to his senses, he came back into the family (Luke 15:11-21).

Yes, Father loves us.  Yes, Father will bless us.  Yes, Father will meet our every need and many of our hopes and desires (Matt. 6:8, Psalm 37:4).  But Father does ask us to do one thing – Love Him with all our heart, mind, spirit and strength (Mark 12:28-31).  That is with everything that we are and with all that who we are!  Yes, Father wants to be ‘Numero Uno’, But that doesn’t mean we can’t have relationships beyond Him (people around us).  It does mean that we include Him in our relationships as well as in all that we do.  We ask His advice – and follow it (John 14:13-15).  We recognize that no matter how much effort we’ve put into something, it is Father who has opened the door for us to walk through (Rev. 3:8).  Thank you Father!

This all comes back to relationship.  We have to discover who He (God) is.  We do that, not just by reading the bible, but asking Father to explain things to us as we read it.  Should we still not quite understand a passage – ask Father for clarity. He will show us by confirming it with other scriptures in the bible or by our asking our pastor or others who have been walking with the Lord longer than we, or even through public Christian resources, etc.  Remember that Father created all things by speaking (His Word) it into existence.  Paul tell us we have the mind of Christ Jesus (1 Corinth. 2:16) and the Spirit (Holy Ghost) intercedes for us (Rom. 8:26-28), so why don’t we access our resources?

Remember, as Christians, we should have the Holy Ghost living within us and He is not an ‘it’.  The Holy Ghost is the literal breath of God living in us.  The breath of God (Hebrew ruwach – spirit or breath) passed over the face of the waters (Gen, 1:2).  When He was baptized in water, by John, the breath (Greek Pneuma breath or spirit) of God came upon Jesus like a dove (Matt. 3:16).  Jesus breathed upon His disciples and said ”Receive he Holy Ghost” (John 20:22), Thus telling us that we needed to receive the Holy Ghost.  Jesus emphasizes this just before His ascension, “You shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you …” (Acts 1:8)   Jesus briefly explained ‘why’ we need the Holy Ghost (John 14:16-17, Acts 1:8).  Of course, the apostles and disciples received the Holy Ghost as they were gathered in the upper room in one accord and praying.  Notice the unity and the activity for that’s when there was like a rushing of wind and what seemed like tongues of fire coming upon each of disciples (Acts 2:1-21) and they praised God and spoke in other tongues.  Tongues! A sticking point for many Christians today, even with the “Full Gospel and Pentecostal’ movements.  Tongues is the Greek word glossa, a language, not naturally acquired, God’s gift to believers for a direct communication with Him.  On August 30, 1963, John F. Kennedy becomes the first U.S. president to have a direct phone line to the Kremlin in Moscow. The “hotline” was designed to facilitate communication between the president and Soviet premier.  The establishment of the hotline to the Kremlin came in the wake of the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, in which the U.S. and U.S.S.R had come dangerously close to all-out nuclear war.  In days of old, the people had to have the high priest speak to God for them (Heb. 9:7-28). Instead of having to wait to see a priest, pastor or other intercessor, we might consider this in likeness to our ‘hotline’ with Father, direct line of communication, through the Holt Ghosy  – in Jesus name of course (Col. 3-17).

 We know that Jesus is the WORD of GOD and that  Word was with God from the beginning (John1:1-4).  God created all things by ‘speaking them into existence (Gen. 1:1-31 – vs 3,6,9,14,20, 24,26 & 29 ‘God ‘said’).  Who carried God’s Word into action?  God breathed life into Adam (Gen. 2:7), as well as all creation and God’s breath is whom?  The Holy Ghost!

Jesus expects us to receive the Holy Ghost because we will need Him to be active in our lives if we desire to be fully effective for God, through our lives.

This is what this season is all about, so we can walk in the same power through which Jesus operated, here on earth, so we can do what He has called us to do (John 14:12-14),  that is do the same things He did, and more!  What did Jesus do?  Preached God’s kingdom, caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, to mute to speak, the lame to walk, raised the dead as well as cast out devils (read the gospels)!  Oh, and through our faith, He insures us our eternal existence (Rom. 8:16, Eph. 1:1-14) with the Father so we can help others find and do the same.

Watch it.  As this season progresses, we shall see more and more of God’s true love rising up among His brothers and sisters. That means all of us who abide in God’s love and will (Matt. 12:46-50).  Not only will souls be coming into the kingdom, but they will also come to understand that we are to live our lives for, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ – and we can do so through the Holy Ghost operating in us!

The Holy Ghost helps us to live for Jesus so our lives can continue to grow and be fruitful (John 15:8). 

So our ‘New Beginning’ starts with accepting Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.  Another new beginning is allowing the Holy Ghost to enter our hearts and operate in us and through us. And every time Father increases our knowledge is an opportunity for more ‘New Beginnings’.

Looking for a ‘new beginning’?  Looking for a ‘true’ breakthru?  Welcome Holy Spirit!

Amen