Bill Yount: 2007--"A YEAR FOR PASTORS TO UNWRAP THE GIFTS I HAVE GIVEN TO THEM...IN MY PEOPLE!"

December 21, 2006

Bill Yount: 2007--"A YEAR FOR PASTORS TO UNWRAP THE GIFTS I HAVE GIVEN TO THEM...IN MY PEOPLE!"

A VISION OF UNWRAPPED GIFTS

"My greatest gift to earth came wrapped in 'swaddling' clothes."

In the Spirit, I saw many gifts laying at the feet of many Pastors. These gifts inside of God's House had been hand delivered by the Lord Himself, but were never unwrapped. Many of these unwrapped gifts had dust covering them due to the fact that the gifts had been sitting there for years.

Many priceless gifts were stamped "special delivery" long ago to bless the pastors, but still were never opened. It seemed many pastors never got past what the gift was wrapped in. The unusual and sometimes controversial wrapping of many of these gifts, led them to believe the gift was not that important or needed.

But oh, how I heard Heaven proclaim, "My greatest gift to earth came wrapped in 'swaddling' clothes. Don't let what gifts are wrapped in stop you from opening them. The best gifts to bless you and advance My Church may often come in wrappings that you would never have chosen. But inside are many gifts that will build My Kingdom, and strengthen you as you lay hands on them, affirming and acknowledging them, and releasing them to do the work of the ministry."

SHEPHERDS WILL AGAIN DISCOVER THAT SOME SPECIAL GIFTS STILL COME WRAPPED IN 'SWADDLING' CLOTHES...Luke 2:12

Luke 2:12 "And this shall be a sign unto you shepherds. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

The angel of the Lord was specific in describing to the shepherds what the Christ-child would be wrapped in. The common wrapping in those days seemed so uncommon for a babe who was born a King. It was as though the angel of the Lord was cautioning the shepherds, even back then, to be careful and to not let the wrapping around the gift fool you.

The word "swaddling" means "Strips of cloth wrapped around a new born infant to hold its legs and arms still." Another meaning is "Rigid restrictions imposed on the immature."

Many times, as a shepherd or elder in my own church, I am tempted to "swaddle" instead of "coddle" those who seem to be immature in Christ. It's just easier to put restrictions on them and hand them off to someone who has a gift of mercy and patience. I have discovered later as the wrapping began to come off of their gift, that the person needed tender loving care from the very start.

Isaiah 40:11, "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young." I wonder if Jesus, the Lamb of God, felt something different when He felt the first shepherd on this earth hold Him. Little lambs so desperately need the shepherd's love and embrace.

A YEAR OF AFFIRMING AND EQUIPPING THROUGH PASTORS...

"You will not always understand them in their gifting, for their gifting may be far different from yours."

The Lord says, "Through affirming the gifts, I have given you in My people, My Spirit will activate them, and you will see their gifts and calling rise as you trust Me to use My gifts in My people. Be careful not to analyze away their gifts and callings. Trust Me and My Spirit to guide them. I am calling you to equip the saints!

See them as saints as I do. Don't see them as they are, but see them through My eyes as I see them. You will not always understand them in their gifting, for their gifting may be far different from yours. Don't judge what their maturity level should be, or you will miss much needed support to fulfill your vision that is impossible without the stirring-up of these gifts.

Call forth their gifting, and speak to their spirit man, and you will see mighty men and women emerge out of nowhere to support the cause I have called you to. Many do not see what you see right now, for they have not been activated in their gifts and callings. As you affirm them, they will affirm you."

THE CALL OF GOD WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH THE ROUGH TIMES!

It's the call of God that will take us through the roughest of times. There are times when I get tired and weary in ministry. I have one thing going for me in my favor when all of hell is screaming for me to stop--it's the unction "I know I was born to do this; I was born to minister my gift and calling to others!" Just as your call in leadership has kept you going, know that there are many waiting to be acknowledged in their calling. Their calling will take them through just as it has taken you through.

WHAT YOU CALL THE PEOPLE, THEY WILL BECOME!

The other day my wife and I went to an ice cream shop. Across the street, there were several men working on a van that wouldn't start. We sat outside eating ice cream and couldn't help hearing the endless grinding of the ignition unable to start the van. As we went to our car, I cut across the street and asked them if it was the starter. They said they were not sure. One said he was a mechanic, so I knew that he knew more than me.

Feeling inadequate, I said to them before walking away, "I hope it starts for you." I took two steps away towards my car and that engine roared like a lion!!! I got in the car with my wife who was also surprised, and I said to her, "If only I would have laid hands on that van and prayed, they would have known it was the Lord touching it." But the Lord whispered to me that the greater miracle was when I said to them, "I hope." My hope was enough to start that engine! It was God in me giving them hope!

TELL MY PEOPLE THEY ARE BEING USED MORE THAN THEY REALIZE

I sense the Lord saying to us as leaders, "Tell My people they are being used more than they realize! They can't help being used, for I am in them when they are not even praying or doing 'spiritual' things."

I didn't feel "spiritual" after eating two scoops of ice cream, and yet, God was in me, and was ready for an occasion to start the engine when it couldn't start!

Bill Yount
Blowing the Shofar Ministries
www.billyount.com
Email: theshofarhasblown@juno.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bill Yount's Upcoming Itinerary:

January 2, 2007
Glen Burnie Aglow Lighthouse
19 Crain Hwy S.; Glen Burnie, MD
Contact: 412-437-2315

January 8, 2007
Valley Assembly of God
17544 York Rd.; Hagerstown, MD
Contact: 301-790-0826

January 12-13, 2007
Beyond the Walls Conference
Port Salerno Community Campus
4890 SE Jack Ave.; Port Salerno, FL
Contact: 772-219-4955

 

 

SUBSCRIBE TONEWSLETTER

or unsubscribe
(please allow 2-3 business days to process, you only need to submit an unsubscribe once)