Pretty much every night it’s on (Wednesday – Saturday 7pm-1am EST), I find myself watching the Awakening service at IHOP-Kansas City. Since 11/11/09 it has been going on every week, several nights a week. Some nights are slow and quiet and others are wild and crazy, but the power of GOD is on the move. Every night, people are getting healed — from ears, to backs, to everything in between — as well as all kinds of issues like self hatred, eating disorders and identity.
Tonight it is so good… I can’t even explain it because it’s intangible, but real. The presence of the LORD is “thick” in the room, and it is coming across the internet as well. [By that I mean if it were visible, it would appear tangible — as if you could reach out and take hold of it.] I think I am so drawn to it because I desire to see and feel the tangible move of the LORD upon me and others around me. I have been satisfied with occasional encounters, and I have walked in some really dry times, but I seek the tangible presence of the LORD. The LORD desires me to draw close to Him and when I do, He will draw close to me. It’s intimacy; it’s depth; it’s vitality; it’s life.
Currently, I am reading The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Wow. I’m not even that far into it and there are so many thoughts and concepts that are just messing with my paradigms. He quotes Paul Tillich,
“Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness. It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of meaningless and empty life…. It strikes us when, year after year, the longed for perfection does not appear, when the old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying, ‘You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you…. Do not try to do anything now…. Do not seek for anything, do not perform anything, do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted.’ If that happens to us, we experience grace.”
That is just an amazing concept to get ahold of. GOD is showing me His grace again and again. I am so hard on myself when I fall, and I fail to understand the amazing grace and mercy of GOD. Manning says,
“Jesus comes bit for the super-spiritual but for the wobbly and weak kneed who know they don’t have it all together, and who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazin’ grace. As we glance up, we are astonished to find the eyes of Jesus open with wonder, deep with understanding, and gentle with compassion.”
Tonight as I watching, the LORD spoke to me and told me in a powerful way through Shelley Hundley. It was exactly what I needed to hear at the precise moment I needed to hear it, and I am continually amazed at how our Father uses his servants to speak the words of life to those who are listening, hoping and praying for something from the LORD.
If anyone reading this is seeking something more, something deeper, I would encourage you to check out what is going on in Kansas City. It might mess with your thoughts on spirituality, GOD, or cause you to ask some questions, but all of that is good! The reality is this… Jesus is very present and so wanting a deep relationship with you. He loves you because He loves you because He loves you… and nothing you can do will make Him love you less. Be blessed tonight and believe that in your heart.
Josh, you are right. Tonight was a really good night at the Awakening meeting. The Lord was moving in a powerful way – seeing the Lord rest on people in a mighty way – seeing the spirit move on people’s hearts and setting them free – having the Holy Spirit rest on us and being “baptized” with the fire, wine, and wind of the Lord. The fire is the tangible presence of the Lord that comes on your body with heat. The wine is the joy and gladness that fills you up. Then the wind is the breeze that shifts things in the spirit so that you often feel a chill. I am so glad to be a part of this and to see what the Lord does not just with IHOPU (International House of Prayer University) but all over the world. For the coming of the Lord will be in these last days. Joel 2:8 “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.”
David and I have spent a bit of time watching it and its always what we need. I love it so much and am blessed to have that available.
It is excellent stuff. Great encouragement.