Sylvan Lake – This weekend we finished up a Releasing Kings conference at Sunnyside Christian retreat Center. Some drove 10 hours for the conference. It’s been a few months since our last event and I had forgotten how much fun it is to see God release His people into their dream. Sunday morning we ministered in Sylvan Lake at Gospel Chapel (pastor David Frey). We asked for a few testimonies from folks that had been to the conference and had an outbreak of laughter. God was digging deeply into hearts to break mindsets and free us to be who we really are. The episode brought back fond memories of Toronto and what happened in our own church in the years that followed. Laughter is a manifestation often evident when God is healing a wounded heart… God’s way of getting us to lighten up.
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Prov 17:22 NKJV
We had time for some personal ministry between sessions and after the church service. Here are some of the things Kings we saw God doing at the conference.
Religious Expectations – Christians commonly live under a belief that they should behave in a way that actually opposes what they really want to do. Living outside of your real heart’s desires is an incubator for sin. Churches are moving from a swamp of performance expectations to an equipping, releasing body that majors on love and fun in a “safe” environment where we’re not afraid to try new things or tell others about our dreams. Our hearts are usually a better indicator of the will of God than our traditions.
When the board has expectations for the pastor; the pastor has expectations for the church, and all the people all have expectations for one another… that adds up to three layers of bondage that have to be broken before a King feels permission to function.
God is using Women – Women of all ages have a great heart for ministry. They have been longing for opportunities and expecting to find them in the church instead of the marketplace. Some needed to see their own identity distinct from their husbands. They were afraid to look into their hearts for fear it would be too distinct from their husband and family. These women don’t have oppressive husbands… they were just missing some permission slips to pursue their calling and the sense of where to find it (in the marketplace).
Youth in the marketplace – We found one group without much tradition – young people from teens through 30’s. They just needed a simple permission slip from the Father and a little prophetic push and they were willing to pursue their dream. Their responsiveness to God is amazing. They are not afraid of wealth or ministry.
Retirement – The Lord spoke to some seniors this amazing message, “If you will embrace your dream I will add years to your life to see it come to pass.” The Lord added 15 years to Hezekiah (2Kings 20:6).
Lighten up – We had a great time helping people get in touch with their emotions on the way to confessing the desires dreams of their heart. Both men and women were taking their spiritual life way to seriously. We all face trials and loss, but the vast majority of the time, we’re having so much fun it shows up on our faces.
Revival – We found a general hunger for revival among Kings. Our tradition has been to pray for it and hope that it shows up sovereignly and supernaturally. Here’s the reality. We’ve been given the authority to bring revival to our work and cities. The Kingdom is already here. There really nothing to wait for; nothing is missing.
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matt 12:28 NIV
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe Heb 12:28
Reformation – I was taken back by the depth of what God was doing in His people. Luther gave us a reformation. Justification by faith was the key that gave us the “priest hood of the believer” – Everyone has priestly access to the presence of God.
In this hour a second reformation is occurring. Jesus is inviting us to move from servant to friend (John 15:15). We’re being invited to do what the Father is doing – and everyone has Kingly access to the ministry of God.
Life is an adventure. People are a blessing. God is amazing. We’re winning.
