Power of People

The prophet Ezekiel tells of a city where God lives named "The Lord Is There". It has twelve gates, each one named after one of the twelve sons of Israel, each who became a tribal leader. So basically the gates are named after people who lead other groups of people.

Recently I wondered why the gates of the city were named after people? Its because people let God in, or let God out, keep God in, or keep God out! You may find that hard to believe but even Jesus is shown knocking on the door of his own church in Revelation 3:20. God rarely forces Himself in, even into His own church!

Just as each of Jacob's sons had opportunities to relate to God in a unique way, so do you. Just as each of his sons had influence with other people, so do you. You can learn how to both receive and release the power of God wherever you go. The most vital portal heaven has into the earth is the human heart, your human heart. You are the 'gate of the Lord'. Think of this: You may be head of the next tribe so empowered by the Lord that you change the world.

How will you change your world? How do you actually let God out? What happens when you do?

What do you think?

In Ezekiel 48:30-35 the prophet tells of the city named "The Lord Is There". He reveals that each of the 12 city gates are named after one of the 12 sons of Jacob. He calls the gates 'exits'. I thought they should be called entrances. No description in the Bible is accidental. Meaning is attached to each one. Why do you think he did that?

A Crab Mentaility

When you boil a pot of crabs they all try to get out of the boiling pot. Who can blame them. What actually happens is that each one tries to pull the one closest to escaping back into the pot. There has to be a more successful way to conduct a jail break.

People sometimes act like those crabs. If they aren't excelling they criticize the ones who are! Having this attitude greatly inhibits our ability to succeed. Their is a solution. When we are truly thankful for the blessings and successes others have, then we often begin to experience their level of favor. For this reason our enemy wants us to be critical, narrow, even jealous of those who succeed. He knows it will inhibit our progress, and our ability to help others.

Cultures that honor one another develop a corporate 'excelleration' rate. Everyone begins to excell at an ever increasing acceleration rate. I have seen this in action...even experienced it myself. Rejoice with him who rejoices and you will enter into the reality of their joy. Try it. You'll like it. Its much better than being boiled alive!

WAKING UP

In one episode in the life of Jesus a synagogue ruler named Jairus convinced Jesus to come heal his only daughter dangerously close to death. I am sure it was rare that Jesus made house calls then, although He does it a lot now. The popularity of His ministry, the pressure of many pulling on Him certainly limited the possibilities of Jairus getting Him to come. But Jesus agreed to go.

While the young girl lay dangerously close to death a woman with a serious 12 year long issue of blood interrupted Jesus on the way. Can you imagine the pressure Jairus must have felt to get Jesus their in time to save her? The woman got healed...and Jairus' daughter died.

When Jesus got to her house He met those who were mourning her death. They told Jairus not to bother Jesus any further, but Jesus said a strange thing. He pronounced, 'She is not dead, but sleeping'. The professional wailers began laughing and Jesus put them all out of the room. Of note is that Jairus' name means 'he will awaken', but from this sleep he was completely ineffective. Jesus wasn't. He can even wake the dead, just like he did Lazarus.

Our generation is asleep, maybe even dead, but Jesus can awaken them all! We just need to get ahold of Him in the right way and once again He will 'visit our house'.

TIME TO TUNE IN

No matter where you are, radio and television signals are moving through the air. If you have a way to tune them in, you can pick up channels or stations that provide unlimited subjects; anything from news to entertainment to music to education ...on and on, ad infinitum . Your television your radio, or even your satellite dish, do not create the waves. They are there. Your tuner simply lays hold of what is available.

The realm of the kingdom of heaven is much like what I describe. We don't produce the power from on high. We don't bring it, or create it, or even deserve to benefit from that realm. God, in His mercy and goodness, has provided more for us then we will ever need. To receive from Him, we simply tune in.

Paul's revelation has yet to fully take root in the hearts of our generation: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). This means that we were created, actually the text reveals 'recreated' to do good works, good works which God has already prepared for us! Upon closer scrutiny those good works are not just things we do for one another that are nice, but are like the miraculous works Jesus did when He was living among men.

How amazing is that. Right now, no matter where you are, moving through the air in the realm of the Spirit of God, are wonders, miracles, healings, and untold marvelous things. Each believer has the capacity to tune in. Start tuning in. You will be amazed at what God has for you and those you care about.