Tele-Seminar – Beverly Lewis and I will be discussing Kingdom impacts in an interview, “Have fun make money and love people.” Listen to the recorded version here.
One of my favorite places in worship is when the songs, musicians, and God’s people are swept up in the Spirit and carried on eagles’ wings to a much higher place. It feels like soaring into heavenly places where His presence is so real that, if not for the hush of holiness, everyone could prophesy. My heart longs to stay there and never return. I used to think such times of glory were reserved for great services and great worship leaders.
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Ex 19:4 NIV
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isa 40:31 NIV
Somewhat to my surprise, my heart is returning to that same feeling in the marketplace. We give ourselves to those desires in our own hearts that overlap with God’s heart… not out of sacrifice, but out of delight. We can co-labor with the Father and quietly receive the satisfaction of His approval. But more and more, the wind of His Spirit carries us and the fruit of our work goes far beyond anything we can accomplish in our own power or wisdom. In sports, we say you are “playing above your head” when we do much better than normal.
Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men. Judg 15:15 NIV
There is a zone where we seem to connect with genius and perform at amazing levels. It comes from two sources:
- We connect with our own hearts and start enjoying life.
- When we connect with the desires God wrote on our hearts, we also connect with His heart. He can then come and multiply our efforts and add His glory in the marketplace.
Prepared for exploits – There is a new sound being heard by Kings. Many who have labored in quiet places are being invited to have their names made great and impact their mountain. The false humility that comes from religion will turn it down. But those who see the Kingdom, will say “Yes Lord” and accept the visibility. They will do exploits that bring glory and acclaim to themselves. They will play far above their heads and do exploits that bless many. And each day these Kings will return to their own place of quiet before the Lord and offer Him the glory they have received. We are Stewards of His Glory and we rule and reign with Him. The responsibility for great wealth and fame is both delightful and dangerous. Abundance belongs to those whose hearts are prepared for it; those who know the purpose of a cup that overflows in every area.
…and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Rev 21:24-26 NIV
…out of His heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 NKJV
Coming back to earth – Doing exploits and experiencing great favor from God and men comes in seasons. When we do come back to earth, it’s easy to feel detached from the normal and the old. It literally feels like we are carrying a treasure in our hearts. It can even feel a bit lonely because it’s very personal and it separates us from our routines. Those emotions are really just God allowing us to catch a glimpse of how His own heart is feeling toward us. The greatest victories are always followed by even more precious times of quiet before the Lord. It’s time to rejoice with Him and return with thanksgiving the portion of the glory that is His and to compare notes on how to go forward with the increasing portion of glory that He leaves on us. Our hearts continue to grow in freedom and glory at the same time; freedom to choose the desires of our heart and glory when we see the results. It’s an AMAZING process and it is the anointing and the example that sets others free. Everyone is being invited.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:17-18 NIV
I don’t think it’s possible to understand freedom apart from the freedom we have in Christ. Once a man has tasted the freedom of heart that Jesus gives, he can never again by enslaved by tyranny of others or the mundane of working outside his own heart’s desires.
Backlash – There are times before the exploit, and sometimes after, where the enemy would like to attack. The retreat into the Father’s presence is also a place of safety. We are refreshed, rested, protected and emboldened by the Lord to overcome every obstacle and to go even higher… times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19). If I know it may come, I am not surprised or deterred by the toothless growl of a defeated foe.
The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. Rev 12:14 NIV
Favor of men – Like Jesus, we grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men (Lu 2:52). As Kings, we do not just survive the attacks of the enemy but we plunder his gates and put him to flight. People are drawn to us, love us, compliment us and show us great favor. There will be a few tares to deal with, but we are seeing a great harvest of wheat drawn out of our culture and into the kingdom by the light of our lives. We are the ones with the keys to the Kingdom with the power to bind and loose (Mt 16:18-19). We do not fear enemy tactics because we’re the ones with the power. As Kings we receive the receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise so we can pass it on to Jesus in terms of worship (Rev 5:12). Can you handle it?
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isa 60:1-3 NIV
When we are finished the whole earth is filled with His glory and we are utterly victorious. All of creation is waiting for these sons to be revealed and people rejoice when the righteous rule. The key to understanding spiritual warfare is knowing that we win… totally and completely. Even now, we are playing way above our heads because of Him. I’m not backing away from this party, It’s too much fun and our team is winning.
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Prov 29:2 NIV
So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the Lord drives. Isa 59:19 NASU
