an e-mail from Bill Johnson’s ministry

Dear Oaks,

 

This week I draw heavily on an e mail from Bill Johnson’s ministry.  It certainly got me thinking.

 

So often the high water mark of achievement is seen in the completion of a building project (certainly when 216 happens, as it will, I will celebrate it as a miracle) or money for a mission, care for the poor or some other good deeds.  These are all part of the gospel of the kingdom and rightly we should do them, but once the Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead made his residence within you the bar of expectation was certainly raised also.

 

At this point which happens for everyone who is really born again in the Spirit (the only way to become a Christian), powerlessness became inexcusable. “What the Spirit once did through Jesus he now wants to do through millions” –Bill Johnson.  It is amazing to think that when this happened God was drawing us in to a lifestyle of the impossible unless we were willing to be in a truly intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. At that point nothing is impossible with God!

 

Quoting BJ once more “every command of the Lord comes equipped with the grace necessary to enable you to obey it.”

 

“Truly, truly anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He (or she) will do what I have been doing. They will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

 

By the way the Greek word used for greater refers to quality and not to quantity in the 45 times it is used in the New Testament.  Please don’t ask me to explain!

 

In the next two verses Jesus goes on to underline the adventure we are called to in Him. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name (meaning consistent to my character) so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in my name and I will do it.”

 

All of this as I have already said demands intimacy with the Holy Spirit. On Wednesday evening at Church Central we shall be re-visiting prophecy as it is vital to intimacy, for it is to hear the Father’s voice.  I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there at Acton Green Church in Cunnington Street W4 at 8pm.

 

Every blessing,

 

Mark