Billy Graham's Passing has Opened Up a New Era in the Church by Pastor Brent Lokker

"America's Pastor" (2 minutes)

When I heard that Billy Graham had gone home to be with Jesus, I watched this 2 minute video and my spirit was deeply moved as I sensed the Holy Spirit highlighting several keys to me of how Billy Graham’s passing has opened the doors to a new era God is now ushering in:   I believe the spirit of evangelism that rested upon Billy Graham (the desire to share the exceptionally good news of Jesus coming as the Messiah to die for us and be raised to life to bring restoration, freedom and health to our lives and our society) has been released upon the earth. His graduation to glory has opened the door to a worldwide boldness in proclaiming the truth that Jesus is the One who everyone is ultimately searching for. Somehow the gigantic mantle that was upon Billy Graham has now been parceled out all over the world!   I believe the greatest harvest of souls the world has ever experienced (sons and daughters recognizing Jesus as their true Savior and running back to the Father’s embrace) is not just around the corner, but is upon us.   I believe the lifelong integrity of Billy Graham’s life that gave him unprecedented favor and access to presidents and kings of nations around the world—not to mention the fruit of millions of lives saved and set free by Jesus—is now causing within us a much greater desire to welcome the Lord’s purging fire in our lives. This is for the purpose of living with genuine integrity where the truth of our being matches the ways of our being. As I mentioned last Saturday, in answer to our cries for more intimacy with Him, our heavenly Father is revealing places of complacency and compromise that have caused a sense of boredom to replace the adventure of life with Him. He’s bringing these areas of our hearts to the surface because of His great love for us and so that we will experience the fullness of the freedom Jesus purchased for us. He fully intends for the Church—His family—to be ready to welcome in the sons and daughters who are coming back into His heart. This necessary purging isn’t something to fear, but to ask Him for and to embrace. If you are curious to read more about this, Suzanne and I found this prophetic word to be very helpful and inspiring:

God is Purifying the Prophetic Wells by Lana Vowser

Billy Graham once said, “When we reach the end of our earthly journey, we will have just begun.”  He is now experiencing that new beginning face to face with his Savior, Jesus—just as our journey will take each one of us one day. In our longing to be with Jesus in heaven one day, let’s embrace the joy of our journey with Him where we are right now on the earth and let’s willingly give him permission to bring the fire of His love to bring about His glorious purity. We’re heading into the greatest era the Church has ever encountered! With Love and Great Hope, Pastor Brent

The Journey of Surrender by Pastor Karena Lout

Todd and I felt God leading us to move to Missouri early in our marriage. It was a big decision and the first time I realized I needed Him to guide and lead me. I was 20 years old, Josiah was a newborn and I had only known Jesus for a few years. I knew Him as Savior because He rescued me from a really dark pit, but I wasn’t familiar with Him as Lord. I had taken care of myself for so long that putting my trust in someone who wanted to lead me was foreign. Control felt easier than trust because it had this false illusion of protection. It’s been a journey to learn to surrender my heart and my life to Jesus over the years. It’s been scary at times but also a huge relief to know I don’t have to do it all on my own.   David may have understood the importance of knowing God as Lord and King because he was a shepherd himself. I’ve been reading Psalm 139:23-24 in the Passion Translation almost every day lately:

“God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways- the path that brings me back to you.”

What kind of vulnerability and courage does it take to open your heart completely to God like that? In order to invite that kind of leadership in your life, it’s vital that we know the true nature and heart of God. If we don’t know His nature, we can’t be certain how He will use His power. Jesus never uses His power to control or injure us. He uses His power to heal, to love and to make all things work together for our good. We may not fully understand His ways, but when we know His heart for us, surrendering becomes much more inviting.   For a long time I felt like I never measured up so if I received correction, I’d crumble. But as Jesus began to heal me, I started to invite people to speak into my life. I knew I had blind spots and my pain wasn’t always allowing me to see myself or situations clearly. Self-sufficiency is an enemy to growth. We were never meant to live in isolation. When you’re part of a healthy family, you quickly find out that you’re no longer living just for yourself and that what you do matters and impacts those around you.   Give yourself grace. Trust takes time. Surrendering areas of your life and your heart that still feel “in process” doesn’t happen overnight. It’s okay to have questions. In fact, they can be just as important as the answers you’ve already gotten. I pray for courage as you grow in trusting God and those you’re in close relationship with. Even though there aren’t any short cuts to learning to surrender, the journey is going to be so worth it.                                                                                                                   Love, Karena

Let The King of Your Heart Be the King of Your Trials by Pastor Todd Lout

There is a King of your heart Who not only desires you, but He desires to be in the trenches with you, in your mess with you, in your victories with you and down there in the deepest, secret thought with you.  Jesus is, indeed, the solid rock on which we can stake everything.  Is there a better King? No way!  If Jesus is truly the King of our heart then we should let Him rule.  He’s got the best way of conducting business, responding to situations and people, dealing with our emotions…and on and on.  Isaiah 55: 8 & 9 He tells us, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Let’s put our trust completely in Him, taking all of our cues from this kindest of kings. Yes, we definitely need community, but the ultimate "go to" for us can be / should be Jesus.  He’s the only one who will never leave us or loosen His grip on our lives. (Hebrews 13:5)  He’s not immature, unhealthy or acting out of a victim mentality so we can trust that He will see our hearts rightly.  He’s our oasis. (Matthew 11:28)  He’s got the answers we need. (Colossians 2:3)  And like a certain song lyric says, “What kind of King tells you He loves you?”   Friends, Jesus has been through the worst that other humans can do to someone.  He was severely misunderstood, misrepresented in the most vile way, made fun of and tortured beyond description.  He did this to save us.  He is absolutely the best one to help us out in trials. Praise Jesus!  He has committed to be our King, brother and friend, through thick and thin! LOVE,          Todd

I Need You In The Game by Pastor Suzanne Lokker

Back in October 2016, I worshipped during the opening worship set of the Open Heavens Conference (Oct 4-6, Bethel Church).  This is the first time I had heard Kristene DiMarco's song "Take Courage".  I sobbed singing the chorus, "Take courage my heart, stay steadfast my soul! He's in the waiting." At the time I wasn't entirely sure why this declaration over myself was gripping my heart and spirit.  But as I reflect on this past year, little did I know that even back in October 2016, the Lord was lovingly giving me a heads-up that for this leg of my journey with Hi, my heart would need courage and my spirit would need to stay firm.  He was preparing me for "the waiting".  I wish I could say that at that very moment, I stopped whining and began to listen to Him and to be at peace and rest "in the waiting". To my chagrin, I confess that I proceeded to spend the next year vacillating through my journey with the Lord, often feeling faith-less rather than faith-filled. Having tantrums, pouting during my "time-outs", continuing to ask Him, "To what end is this all for?" Then, suddenly (okay, so fast forward through most of 2017), (a reference to many prophetic words about “Suddenlies of the Lord”), through prophetic words and dreams, the Lord Himself is inviting me to dance with Him, care for His sheep, bring Peace.  He wants me to partner with Him! Then, to make sure that I don’t miss His invitation, He tells me (in a dream) that I’m a great cheerleader, but now He needs me in the game. And I’m blown away at what’s implied here:  He thinks that I have the skills, the savvy, the know-how to be a player on the court!  What???  After I spent most of the year whining and pouting?  Really??? God you are SO GOOD! After the service this past Saturday, I was so encouraged by the many friends who shared with me that they, too, are stepping into their “suddenlies” with the Lord in recent days.  Many are seeing the fruition of prophetic words they received a decade or more ago!  MORE LORD! There is a quickening in my spirit that many more of you will step into your moment with the Lord, and you will know it. The Lord is so gentle and wise and loving and He knows what you need to hear and even how you need to hear it.  He’s coaxing you even now--see and listen!  I love the verse that Eric Johnson shared at the end of the worship set at Open Heavens.  He read from The Passion Translation this declaration from King David:   "You keep every promise you've ever made to me! Since your love for me is so constant and endless, I as you, Lord, to finish every good thing that you've begun in me!" Psalm 138:8 The Lord is the FAITHFUL ONE and He will do what He declares over your life! YAY, GOD! Love, Suzanne