Summary:

So many Christians today are focused more on what they know conceptually, rather than what they have actually experienced in a real relationship with God, the Father. That’s why God puts us through trials and testing (if we allow Him to), to form us, shape us and perfect us into our true identity in Him. The big questions are, how badly do we want this relationship with Him? And, how deeply are we going to allow Him to work this within us? If the answer is “YES”, start paying attention to where you are spiritually and start submitting to the process.

Show Notes:

• There are many indicators concerning the Awakening happening, if you are aware of them, such as many people coming to the Lord, and many salvation's in our house, our neighborhood, this region and in the world. Things are happening in third world countries, even at a greater rate than in America. That is embarrassing, because America is founded on Christian values.

• God is after our heart. He won’t take it. It must be given to Him willingly. So, the safest and most productive thing you can do right now is to open the door of your heart and say, “Lord, have at it”.

• We are being conformed into the image of Jesus, both individually and corporately as the Body of Christ is shaping up, which is this Awakening.

• Everything is being shaken; the financial system, political system, school system, education, business and commerce, but it’s not a thing to be discouraged about. Start looking with kingdom eyes, because God is causing a lot of this to happen.

• Christians are so used to letting others do their thinking for them, and just taking things as they come. That’s why we have to shake ourselves of our passivity and go to the Father for His understanding of what is happening. Jesus is standing at our door and knocking, but we have to get up and let Him in.

• God is very serious about perfecting His bride, which we are becoming. Judgment, change and repentance all start at the house of God, and that starts with its leaders.

• As we grow in God, it is easy for an element of pride to creep into our spirits. That’s why spending true time with the Father becomes such a safeguard for us.You never have to stand in line with Him. He always has the time for you. It’s not what He tells you or shows you. The prize is actually HIM.

Quotes:

• Since 1984, I have believed that there was a time coming where the church would be as powerful and as full of agape, unconditional love as what I have seen depicted in the Bible. Now, I’m starting to see the Kingdom of God emerge at a level like I’ve never seen before.

• If the true church doesn’t rise up, and rise up quickly, the human race is in for some dark times.

• Four years ago, I wasn’t hearing about the Awakening from anybody. Now we’re hearing it and it’s happening all over, and you don’t have to be extremely spiritual to pick up on it.

• The Awakening is here, but the church is asleep, so it’s time to wake up and pay attention to what God is doing and saying to your own heart.

• There is a trend where a lot of people are going through some of the hardest things they’ve ever been through in their life. God is dealing with our imperfections and our inconsistencies to mature us in Him. If we submit to the process, it shortens the duration of the test. “Count it all joy, when you fall into various trials”.

• These hard things that we go through in life are designed by God to perfect us by revealing our strengths and weaknesses.

References:

Hebrews 12:27      1 Peter 4:17      John 1416

Philippians 2:5       James 1:2         Philippians 3:13

Revelation 3:20     John 3:20         Romans 8:28

Takeaways:

God wants to shape us and form us into the image of His Son. He uses trials and tests to make this happen, if we are willing to open our hearts to His perfecting process. The actual prize in all in this is not what He shows us or what He speaks to us. The actual prize is Him, and the enjoyment of just being with Him.