From the desk of Steve Shultz:
"Radical" and "expectation" are two words that have invaded my spirit as of late. I just think the Church simply MUST begin to believe God for the impossible, even as Moses and Abraham did. They are my heroes. Far from perfect, yet they would say things like, "Far be it from YOU Lord to destroy the righteous with the wicked"; or "If You don't go with us, we won't go"; or (in a demanding way) "Now, SHOW ME YOUR GLORY."
I see few New Testament figures being demanding of God. Recently, I got dramatically healed when I got angry at God and reminded Him, "But You said..." The next morning I woke up healed.
I think surely we should end our prayers with, "Nevertheless, not my will but Yours." But God LOVES it, I believe, when we get in His face and say, "YOU SAID…" I truly believe the Godhead loves that, yet, we tend to fear doing just that.
I prayed for healing for months until I finally got angry at God and got in His Face, as it were. I think we should all do more of that. We can "cover it" by ending with "Nevertheless, not my will but Yours, Lord!"—as long as we mean it.
I too believe that we are about to see things we never thought we'd see in our lifetimes. Let it be, Lord.
Here are some great resources along that line.
Theresa Phillips:
"I Saw an Awakening of a Nation of Radical Believers"
In this hour, in this day of awakening, a radical believing Church is emerging. I saw it...I was among them, and it is fantastic!
I was recently in a conference when, during the session I was in, somehow an invasion of praise came in the room. It was radical, more radical than I had heard in a long time! I knew at that moment and time we were on the verge of seeing something come alive. Yes, the giant that sleeps is awake!
I knew instantly in my spirit that a generation of militant praises were coming forth! I just knew it! You know when you just know it? Then I remembered the Scripture:
And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the Kingdom of Heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force (as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly Kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion).—Matthew 11:12 (Amplified Bible)
Yes, that praise was radical and violent. I felt the atmosphere in the room SHIFT. Shift happens, you know!
"I Saw Great Expectation"
Then I noticed something else. The faces of the people were shining, they were in GREAT Expectation! Yes, Great Expectation.
At one point I saw in the Spirit a radical angel over the top of the crowd. He was not a warrior, he was a praiser armed with the instruments of praise all around him. He was in full color of the Heavens; he was, in fact, dressed in colors yet to be released in the earth. "They will be released," says the Lord.
I then recalled when I had seen in the past a garrison of angelic beings which had entered a meeting and surrounded the room. These angels were warriors of the nations dressed in their attire of origin. I then saw they all had notebooks; they were actually taking down dictation of the words being said, and they took them back to their nations to release what was being said in that meeting. During this current meeting, I saw the same thing start to happen.
I went back to my room after the session and realized I had been on the threshold of something invasive, intimate and persuasive. I had stepped into a realm of undefiled love and unbridled praise, and looked into the faces of unashamed souls.
GOD IS LOVE...—1 John 4:8
I was so wrapped up in that thought, that at this very moment it gives me sway—to the love of our fellow man and His enduring grace. O how He loves us to praise Him, O how He desires more praise, and O how awesome it is to be alive in this time!
Take it Back!
But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.—Malachi 4:2, 3
It is the greatest time for the Church to arise with healings in its wings. It is in the time of famine and discourse and trouble that praise is worthy to be noticed.
I saw those faces; I shall never forget the look of joy and expectation when they were praising Him with radical, unashamed praise, and that room was engulfed in GREAT POWER! The multitude of praise will ultimately enthrone our Lord (Psalm 22 below). Read these words and see where you are in them; and remember, it is praise that will shift the atmosphere, enthrone a King and give you opportunity to be in HIS Presence.
Have you lost your praise? Take it back! Have you noticed when praise enters you how awesome you feel? Take it back! How about this: Praise Him till you feel like praising HIM!
"The Church will Again Praise Me"
Here are a few verses from Psalm 22 that will encourage you, but please take the time to read all of Psalm 22 on your own...it will strengthen you in the Lord!
To the Chief Musician; set to (the tune of) Aijeleth Hashshahar (the hind of the morning dawn). A Psalm of David.
MY GOD, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You answer not; and by night I am not silent or find no rest.
But You are holy, O You Who dwell in (the holy place where) the praises of Israel (are offered). Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted (leaned on, relied on You, and were confident) and You delivered them. They cried to You and were delivered; they trusted in, leaned on, and confidently relied on You, and were not ashamed or confounded or disappointed.
Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is none to help. Many (foes like) bulls have surrounded me; strong bulls of Bashan have hedged me in. Against me they opened their mouths wide, like a ravening and roaring lion.
But be not far from me, O Lord; O my Help, hasten to aid me! Deliver my life from the sword, my dear life (my only one) from the power of the dog (the agent of execution).
Save me from the lion's mouth; for You have answered me (kindly) from the horns of the wild oxen. I will declare Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise You. (Amplified Bible)
"The Church will again praise ME...BUT, like never before," says the Lord. I know all of this, dear ones, is because of praise—radical praise. That a nation of Believers will change the world; yes, it will. I saw it in a small place—a desperate, hungry, willing place. I shall end with this Scripture, asking the Lord to make it a way of life:
I have surely built You a house of habitation, a settled place for You to dwell in forever.—1 Kings 8:13
Let's Pray: O God, rend the heavens with our praise! Help us to praise the name of Jesus and to proclaim liberty with joy to captives everywhere, to praise with Holy Spirit the gift of life and abundance. Allow us, O Lord, to offer up the praise as the ultimate sacrifice of our unfailing love. O Lord, engulf us with instruments of praise and help us make ready a place for You to sit and abide among us. I cry to You, Lord...I shall praise You all the days of my life and dwell in the House of the Lord forever!
Take us in, O Lord,
Theresa Phillips
Senior Pastor, PMI Glory Institute
Email: Info@ChicagoPropheticVoice.net
