The story of the Prodigal Son captivates us so powerfully because of the interwoven themes of righteousness, sin, redemption and restoration, the same themes that have empowered art, literature, music and movies throughout the ages. The musical notes of sin and redemption are etched deeply on the human soul and resonate powerfully whenever these chords are played. It could be said that this theme is the “melody” of humanity.
We are often so captivated by these themes that we forget that there was another son in the story. In fact, Jesus’ purpose in presenting this parable had more to do with the second son than with the prodigal. The second son is a picture of the religious establishment of the day, called the Pharisees. They were the conservative evangelicals of their time, who knew the Book but sadly, had forgotten the Author of the Book. Their experience of the Father was driven by duty rather than delight and they gradually devolved into resentful religious ritualists who forgot why they were serving the Father in the first place. The older brother in our story, had lost sight of the Father’s love and became resentful and burnt out in his sacrificial service. When the younger son returned, he was filled with anger because of the Father’s mercy and grace.
RESENTMENT OR RESIGNATION?
If San Francisco is a Prodigal City then the Church has been cast in the role of the resentful older brother. Throughout the years, I have encountered the animosity of the Body of Christ toward our city in a myriad of ways. I have received scores of prophetic curses over this “God forsaken” region, warning us to flee from the wrath of God, saying things like, “If God doesn’t destroy San Francisco, He will have to apologize to Sodom.” Yet, how many have fasted, prayed and wept for the return of this prodigal city?
Some believers, on the other hand, not wishing to appear “religious” have adopted a posture of “resignation” rather than “resentment”. Unfortunately, when people resign themselves to a sub-standard status quo, they always abdicate their responsibility to make a difference in the world. Resignation leads to apathy and self-centeredness. Survival becomes the highest goal of life and we find ourselves just as lost as the Prodigal Son.
This parable is really the story of two sons and three fathers. The first father is the one perceived by the Younger son. The second father was the one perceived by the older son. The REAL FATHER is the one that is revealed in his mercy for the sinful son and his gracious love for the dutiful son. God wants to heal the Church of RESENTMENT on the one hand and RESIGNATION on the other and bring us into a season of REVIVAL. In order for this to happen we “older sons” must align ourselves fully with the Father’s heart and assume the Father’s role in pursuing the prodigals and welcoming them back into the Father’s House.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
THE PRODIGAL CITY - PART III: REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION
Although I have never experienced a major period of backsliding as a Christian, I have drifted in smaller ways from the Lord at times and have had to turn to Him in repentance for redemption and restoration. I know what it’s like to come to my senses and realize that the place I’ve ended up is not the place for which I was created. I know what it’s like to arise and begin a journey back toward Father’s house and the Father’s heart. I also know what it’s like to have experience the Father’s embrace in the swirling awareness of my unworthiness. I know what it’s like to feel his love begin to melt the hard places of my heart as he reminds me of my identity and destiny again.
In this third part of the story of the Prodigal Son, we find a turning heart restored to a burning heart of humility, repentance and redemption. The son rises up and returns to the Father, all the while rehearsing the words of repentance, “I am not worthy to be called your son but just receive me as one of your servants and it will be enough for me”. But as we know, Father will have none of that. His love, His hope, His longing eyes cast daily upon the horizon looking for the rising silhouette of his son, would never permit his son to return as a mere servant. After the Father receives him with loving affection, He calls for the Royal Robe of Identity, the Sacred Ring of Authority and the Sovereign Shoes of Destiny and places them upon His son.
God is a Redeemer, and His purpose for our Prodigal City is nothing less than full redemption and restoration of Identity, Authority and Destiny. As we look at these three dimensions of restoration, we need to remember that our city is really a city of many little cities: communities, ethnic groups, sub-cultures who live side by side in what we call San Francisco. It’s also important to remember that each of these sub-cities is composed of thousands of individuals for whom Jesus died. Redemption and restoration is both corporate as well as individual. It must happen simultaneously on all levels for true revival transformation to occur.
IDENTITY: The reason I am still in San Francisco after growing up here and returning for over thirty years of ministry is because I believe God is longing for the return of this Prodigal City and the restoration of it’s full identity, authority and destiny. Our city’s identity is reflective of the name sake of our city. Saint Francis, despite some doctrinal error, was the original Jesus Freak. He abandoned wealth and position to serve the Lord and build His broken down Church. He gathered young people to himself and mobilized them to travel around their region, preaching the Gospel, healing the sick and caring for the poor. His ministry was characterized by Mercy. Although it has been misunderstood and misapplied, mercy remains the redemptive gift of our city, imbedded deeply in the fabric of our city.
AUTHORITY: San Francisco’s authority is found in the authors design: An amazing natural harbor that provides refuge for the journey but also provides a place of export and influence to the rest of the world. Our city has remained in the top ten cities that people want to visit and live in throughout the world. What happens in our city often sets the trend for other key cities. Although the leadership we provide to the rest of the world has often been negative in a Kingdom sense, no one can deny the scope of our cities authority on a global scale.
DESTINY: San Francisco has a Kingdom Destiny which is found in the primary point of impact we have had on global culture. Our city is a People Movement Incubator. Many major movements that have swept the earth have begun in our city. The UN, labor movements, civil rights, the student movement, the Beatnik, Hippie and New Age movements, and many more have found a launching pad in our city before impacting the rest of the world. We believe this “anointing” is from God even if it has been used at times to promote ungodly things. We believe the Destiny of San Francisco is to launch a New Jesus Movement that will shake the earth with one of the biggest harvests of souls in history.
Let’s pray that our city and region, turns back to the Father to receive the Repentance, Redemption, and Restoration. Pray that the Father’s love will touch the most unloved and unlovely and restore the identity, authority and destiny of a generation. Merry Christmas!
In this third part of the story of the Prodigal Son, we find a turning heart restored to a burning heart of humility, repentance and redemption. The son rises up and returns to the Father, all the while rehearsing the words of repentance, “I am not worthy to be called your son but just receive me as one of your servants and it will be enough for me”. But as we know, Father will have none of that. His love, His hope, His longing eyes cast daily upon the horizon looking for the rising silhouette of his son, would never permit his son to return as a mere servant. After the Father receives him with loving affection, He calls for the Royal Robe of Identity, the Sacred Ring of Authority and the Sovereign Shoes of Destiny and places them upon His son.
God is a Redeemer, and His purpose for our Prodigal City is nothing less than full redemption and restoration of Identity, Authority and Destiny. As we look at these three dimensions of restoration, we need to remember that our city is really a city of many little cities: communities, ethnic groups, sub-cultures who live side by side in what we call San Francisco. It’s also important to remember that each of these sub-cities is composed of thousands of individuals for whom Jesus died. Redemption and restoration is both corporate as well as individual. It must happen simultaneously on all levels for true revival transformation to occur.
IDENTITY: The reason I am still in San Francisco after growing up here and returning for over thirty years of ministry is because I believe God is longing for the return of this Prodigal City and the restoration of it’s full identity, authority and destiny. Our city’s identity is reflective of the name sake of our city. Saint Francis, despite some doctrinal error, was the original Jesus Freak. He abandoned wealth and position to serve the Lord and build His broken down Church. He gathered young people to himself and mobilized them to travel around their region, preaching the Gospel, healing the sick and caring for the poor. His ministry was characterized by Mercy. Although it has been misunderstood and misapplied, mercy remains the redemptive gift of our city, imbedded deeply in the fabric of our city.
AUTHORITY: San Francisco’s authority is found in the authors design: An amazing natural harbor that provides refuge for the journey but also provides a place of export and influence to the rest of the world. Our city has remained in the top ten cities that people want to visit and live in throughout the world. What happens in our city often sets the trend for other key cities. Although the leadership we provide to the rest of the world has often been negative in a Kingdom sense, no one can deny the scope of our cities authority on a global scale.
DESTINY: San Francisco has a Kingdom Destiny which is found in the primary point of impact we have had on global culture. Our city is a People Movement Incubator. Many major movements that have swept the earth have begun in our city. The UN, labor movements, civil rights, the student movement, the Beatnik, Hippie and New Age movements, and many more have found a launching pad in our city before impacting the rest of the world. We believe this “anointing” is from God even if it has been used at times to promote ungodly things. We believe the Destiny of San Francisco is to launch a New Jesus Movement that will shake the earth with one of the biggest harvests of souls in history.
Let’s pray that our city and region, turns back to the Father to receive the Repentance, Redemption, and Restoration. Pray that the Father’s love will touch the most unloved and unlovely and restore the identity, authority and destiny of a generation. Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
THE PRODIGAL CITY - PART II: ORPHANHOOD TO OPENNESS
In my first installment of The Prodigal City, we looked at the journey TO orphanhood by the Prodigal Son and how similar it is to the history of our city and so many of those who live here. We are a city of orphans, who have been alienated from the Father's love and are trying every way possible to substitute for the lack of connection with God. As we continue to explore the story of the Prodigal, my hope is that we will discover the keys of restoration and adoption for this orphaned generation of San Francisco.
The Prodigal Son was raised in the lap of luxury in the Father's house but failed to perceive the privilege that he had been born into. Instead, he became resentful and restless and demanded his inheritance, essentially telling his Father, "I wish you were dead." When we perceive our lives through the eyes of pain and deprivation, we eventually give place to blame. This "victim cycle" often gives birth to a series choices that only reinforce the victimization, pain, blame and shame. In this state, the isolation and alienation of the prodigal can become almost incurable.
In the second stage of the Prodigal story, the Son had spent all his inheritance on pleasures and parties and found himself homeless and hopeless, feeding the swine for a few morsels of slop. He was almost at this incurable moment when something strange happened. The scripture tells us that "he came to himself" and he began to remember the blessings of his Father's House. In this moment of clarity his spirit began to open to the possibility that he had misperceived and misjudged his Dad. He began to process his pain without blame and soon found himself yearning again for the Father's embrace. In response, he arose and began long journey back to the Father's house and was eventually greeting by the One who had been watching and waiting for His son's return.
San Francisco is a Prodigal City filled with people who have endured much pain. Broken homes, absent fathers, dead religion, and a thousand other problems have conspired to create an orphaned generation that have flocked to our city in hope of pleasure, promotion and anonymous acceptance. The cycle of pain, blame and shame that began somewhere in the past has become a self-indulgent pattern of self-destructive behavior crying out for the love of the Father.
I believe this story is a strategy for prayer and partnership for the restoration of our city. Let's enter into the Father's heart and the Father's role as we welcome the Prodigals back to the Father's house.
The Prodigal Son was raised in the lap of luxury in the Father's house but failed to perceive the privilege that he had been born into. Instead, he became resentful and restless and demanded his inheritance, essentially telling his Father, "I wish you were dead." When we perceive our lives through the eyes of pain and deprivation, we eventually give place to blame. This "victim cycle" often gives birth to a series choices that only reinforce the victimization, pain, blame and shame. In this state, the isolation and alienation of the prodigal can become almost incurable.
In the second stage of the Prodigal story, the Son had spent all his inheritance on pleasures and parties and found himself homeless and hopeless, feeding the swine for a few morsels of slop. He was almost at this incurable moment when something strange happened. The scripture tells us that "he came to himself" and he began to remember the blessings of his Father's House. In this moment of clarity his spirit began to open to the possibility that he had misperceived and misjudged his Dad. He began to process his pain without blame and soon found himself yearning again for the Father's embrace. In response, he arose and began long journey back to the Father's house and was eventually greeting by the One who had been watching and waiting for His son's return.
San Francisco is a Prodigal City filled with people who have endured much pain. Broken homes, absent fathers, dead religion, and a thousand other problems have conspired to create an orphaned generation that have flocked to our city in hope of pleasure, promotion and anonymous acceptance. The cycle of pain, blame and shame that began somewhere in the past has become a self-indulgent pattern of self-destructive behavior crying out for the love of the Father.
I believe this story is a strategy for prayer and partnership for the restoration of our city. Let's enter into the Father's heart and the Father's role as we welcome the Prodigals back to the Father's house.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
THE PRODIGAL CITY - PART I
A few weeks ago, I was praying with a small group of pastors for our city when we received a strategic download from the Holy Spirit concerning the Father's Heart toward our city and the Orphan Wound that plagues so many who live here. As we prayed and shared our hearts we were struck with three clear points of understanding. First, Father loves our city and knows every single person by name. Second, the majority of the people of our city are alienated from the Heavenly Father's love due to rejection, abandonment and neglect of our natural fathers and mothers. Third, a significant key to bringing revival and transformation to our city is for God's leaders to assume responsibility to represent God's Father Heart and become spiritual "fathers and mothers" to the spiritual orphans, who live and work in the various spheres of our city.
This is the first of several articles designed to equip us to pray and position ourselves to father our city.
As we consider spiritual father and motherhood, there is perhaps no better place to start than Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son. In this parable, the father was a wealthy landowner with two sons and many servants. One son was dedicated and dutiful, religiously obeying the father's will but secretly resenting his life. The younger son was restless and demanded his share of the inheritance. He took his portion and went far away from the father to indulge himself in pleasure and prodigal pursuits.
San Francisco is a Prodigal City. We have been raised in the lap of luxury and blessed in so many ways. We are a low point along the beautiful coast of California where the rivers release their fresh waters into an extraordinary bay with a Golden Gate that welcomes the world. Our natural harbor has been a haven and refuge for wayfarers for over two hundred years demonstrating in the natural realm a spiritual gift of welcome that continues to characterize our city. We are blessed with wonderful natural resources like water, forests and farmland, not to mention the silver and gold that marbled, "them-there hills".
San Francisco also has many of the qualities of its namesake Saint Francis, who rejected the hypocrisy of religion (although not perfectly) and began a people movement that brought justice to the poor, mercy to the downtrodden and truth to hungry hearts. Our region seems to generate world-changing, people movements such as the Beatniks, Hippies, New Agers, and more recently the Homosexual movement. We have been blessed in so many ways, it's impossible to count but instead of giving thanks to the Father for letting us share His wealth, we have become proud, self-centered and demanding. We have taken our inheritance and rejected our Father and squandered our blessings in prodigal pursuits.
Yet, just like the Prodigal Son, we have soon discovered that there is no true satisfaction or fulfillment in serving and pleasuring ourselves. We were created by the Father with a great identity and a powerful destiny. We will never be truly happy until we discover and fulfill the reason for which we were created. Let's pray that the people of our city, like the prodigal son in the story would come to their senses and recognize the foolishness of their self-inflicted orphanhood and return to the Father's house and heart.
This is the first of several articles designed to equip us to pray and position ourselves to father our city.
As we consider spiritual father and motherhood, there is perhaps no better place to start than Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son. In this parable, the father was a wealthy landowner with two sons and many servants. One son was dedicated and dutiful, religiously obeying the father's will but secretly resenting his life. The younger son was restless and demanded his share of the inheritance. He took his portion and went far away from the father to indulge himself in pleasure and prodigal pursuits.
San Francisco is a Prodigal City. We have been raised in the lap of luxury and blessed in so many ways. We are a low point along the beautiful coast of California where the rivers release their fresh waters into an extraordinary bay with a Golden Gate that welcomes the world. Our natural harbor has been a haven and refuge for wayfarers for over two hundred years demonstrating in the natural realm a spiritual gift of welcome that continues to characterize our city. We are blessed with wonderful natural resources like water, forests and farmland, not to mention the silver and gold that marbled, "them-there hills".
San Francisco also has many of the qualities of its namesake Saint Francis, who rejected the hypocrisy of religion (although not perfectly) and began a people movement that brought justice to the poor, mercy to the downtrodden and truth to hungry hearts. Our region seems to generate world-changing, people movements such as the Beatniks, Hippies, New Agers, and more recently the Homosexual movement. We have been blessed in so many ways, it's impossible to count but instead of giving thanks to the Father for letting us share His wealth, we have become proud, self-centered and demanding. We have taken our inheritance and rejected our Father and squandered our blessings in prodigal pursuits.
Yet, just like the Prodigal Son, we have soon discovered that there is no true satisfaction or fulfillment in serving and pleasuring ourselves. We were created by the Father with a great identity and a powerful destiny. We will never be truly happy until we discover and fulfill the reason for which we were created. Let's pray that the people of our city, like the prodigal son in the story would come to their senses and recognize the foolishness of their self-inflicted orphanhood and return to the Father's house and heart.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
THE GGO 300!!!
When Gideon was challenged by the Angel of the Lord to come out from behind the winepress and lead a revolutionary movement, he was initially filled with doubt and insecurity. How could God use someone as weak and fearful as Gideon? It just didn't make sense. But the Angel wasn't looking at the outward man but on the hidden potential within him. He called Gideon a mighty man of valor and commanded him to go in the strength of the Lord and overthrow the enemy.
After testing the Lord a few times, Gideon sent out a call for help, and was joined by over 30,000 warriors who were committed to joining the movement to overthrow the Midianites. But, what seemed like a major success to Gideon was actually displeasing to the Lord. God wanted to defeat the enemy in a way that would maximize the Glory of the Lord, so he reduced the troops to a miniscule 300 warriors. Yet, at the same time God was reducing the troops, He was also building a mighty man of valor who rallied his tiny army to bring about one of the greatest victories in the history of Israel.
Golden Gate Outpouring has been privileged to host the presence and power of God for over a hundred nights, with great signs and wonders, healings and deliverance. We have been so blessed by the participation of a couple of thousand revivalists from dozens of churches around our region who have joined with us to bring about a revolutionary movement in the Church of the Bay Area. Yet, as GodTV has packed up its cameras and the guest speakers have moved on, we have experienced a thinning of the troops. We have gone hundreds of people a night to an average of 50 per night and yet God keeps showing up in a powerful way.
As I was praying this week about this process, the Lord reminded me of the story of Gideon. God had given him a promise of deliverance and God fulfilled His promise in a mighty way. God can save by many or by few. While I was reflecting on this, I felt like the Lord told me He wants to raise up a GGO 300, who will bring about the revival the Lord has promised our region.
We are looking for 300 revivalists who will commit to carry this revolutionary movement forward to victory. Are you one of the 300?
We are asking God to raise up 75 people who will commit to coming one night per week to host God's presence in anticipation of a great outpouring of revival in our region. 75 people times 4 nights a week would give us 300 revivalists. We encourage every person who has attended GGO to prayerfully consider making this commitment and sending us an email to let us know what is your primary night of choice. Also, let us know if you are interested in serving on the ministry team for that night. We will provide all the training and mentoring needed for you to grow in your spiritual gifts and bring blessing to the lives of others. Join the GGO 300!
If you can commit to one night, e-mail us with the day or days at: goldengateoutpouring@gmail.com
After testing the Lord a few times, Gideon sent out a call for help, and was joined by over 30,000 warriors who were committed to joining the movement to overthrow the Midianites. But, what seemed like a major success to Gideon was actually displeasing to the Lord. God wanted to defeat the enemy in a way that would maximize the Glory of the Lord, so he reduced the troops to a miniscule 300 warriors. Yet, at the same time God was reducing the troops, He was also building a mighty man of valor who rallied his tiny army to bring about one of the greatest victories in the history of Israel.
Golden Gate Outpouring has been privileged to host the presence and power of God for over a hundred nights, with great signs and wonders, healings and deliverance. We have been so blessed by the participation of a couple of thousand revivalists from dozens of churches around our region who have joined with us to bring about a revolutionary movement in the Church of the Bay Area. Yet, as GodTV has packed up its cameras and the guest speakers have moved on, we have experienced a thinning of the troops. We have gone hundreds of people a night to an average of 50 per night and yet God keeps showing up in a powerful way.
As I was praying this week about this process, the Lord reminded me of the story of Gideon. God had given him a promise of deliverance and God fulfilled His promise in a mighty way. God can save by many or by few. While I was reflecting on this, I felt like the Lord told me He wants to raise up a GGO 300, who will bring about the revival the Lord has promised our region.
We are looking for 300 revivalists who will commit to carry this revolutionary movement forward to victory. Are you one of the 300?
We are asking God to raise up 75 people who will commit to coming one night per week to host God's presence in anticipation of a great outpouring of revival in our region. 75 people times 4 nights a week would give us 300 revivalists. We encourage every person who has attended GGO to prayerfully consider making this commitment and sending us an email to let us know what is your primary night of choice. Also, let us know if you are interested in serving on the ministry team for that night. We will provide all the training and mentoring needed for you to grow in your spiritual gifts and bring blessing to the lives of others. Join the GGO 300!
If you can commit to one night, e-mail us with the day or days at: goldengateoutpouring@gmail.com
Thursday, October 9, 2008
THE NEHEMIAH MANDATE: RESTORATION
After over 70 years of Babylonian captivity, God called His people back to the Promised Land to restore Israel to its former glory. His plan for restoration stood in the face of overwhelming destruction and demoraliza- tion. The first step was to restore the ALTAR and reinstitute the priestly sacrifices. The next step was to rebuild the TEMPLE, from the foundations to the capstone. The final step was to rebuild the WALLS and gates of protection around the city.
Nehemiah was a Hebrew of high rank in the Persian king's court and had been following the news of Israel's restoration with great interest. When he learned that the city and its gates were still destroyed and burned, his grief overflowed in the king's presence. Nehemiah found favor with the king, who commis-sioned him to go and rebuild Jerusalem. Upon arrival, Nehemiah rallied the people to sacrificial service in rebuilding the city's destiny. Although they faced accusation and opposition from local enemies, they completed the city walls in just 52 days.
Like Nehemiah, we believe God has ordained a great purpose for the San Francisco Bay Area. We are called to give birth to a new Jesus Movement that transforms and blesses cities worldwide. Just as in ancient Jerusalem, the enemy has attacked our city and hijacked God's purpose for his own evil intent. Yet even now, God is raising up a Nehemiah Movement to restore and reclaim our God-given calling to bless the nations.
For almost 100 nights, an army of passionate revivalists from dozens of churches have met to renew the ALTAR of worship and intercession, restore the TEMPLE of unity and community, and rebuild the WALLS of purpose and destiny for our region. Each night, God has met us in marvelous ways: reviving the saints, healing the sick, and setting captives free. The enemy does not want us to succeed and is working overtime to hinder us from pressing in for revival. Yet opposition itself is a sign of the victory God has in store for us as we continue to obey in this season.
Nehemiah was a Hebrew of high rank in the Persian king's court and had been following the news of Israel's restoration with great interest. When he learned that the city and its gates were still destroyed and burned, his grief overflowed in the king's presence. Nehemiah found favor with the king, who commis-sioned him to go and rebuild Jerusalem. Upon arrival, Nehemiah rallied the people to sacrificial service in rebuilding the city's destiny. Although they faced accusation and opposition from local enemies, they completed the city walls in just 52 days.
Like Nehemiah, we believe God has ordained a great purpose for the San Francisco Bay Area. We are called to give birth to a new Jesus Movement that transforms and blesses cities worldwide. Just as in ancient Jerusalem, the enemy has attacked our city and hijacked God's purpose for his own evil intent. Yet even now, God is raising up a Nehemiah Movement to restore and reclaim our God-given calling to bless the nations.
For almost 100 nights, an army of passionate revivalists from dozens of churches have met to renew the ALTAR of worship and intercession, restore the TEMPLE of unity and community, and rebuild the WALLS of purpose and destiny for our region. Each night, God has met us in marvelous ways: reviving the saints, healing the sick, and setting captives free. The enemy does not want us to succeed and is working overtime to hinder us from pressing in for revival. Yet opposition itself is a sign of the victory God has in store for us as we continue to obey in this season.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE...
T’was the night before Pentecost and all through God’s House
All the people were praying, they were all crying out.
Expectancy hung in the heavenly air,
With assurance God’s Power soon would be there.
Have you ever asked yourself what the saints were thinking the night before Pentecost? They had just been through a major roller coaster ride with Jesus betrayed, beaten crucified and buried. Then on the third day rumors began to circulate that he was ALIVE. He then appeared over forty days to hundreds of people and then He ascended to heaven after telling them to wait in Jerusalem for Power.
They had no timeline and no specifics of how this would look. As far as they knew they could be waiting in Jerusalem for 10 days or 10 months. All they had was a PROMISE and that promise was enough.
Yet, I sometimes wonder, what would have happened if they had stopped praying on the night before Pentecost?
Golden Gate Outpouring began over fourteen weeks ago with a PROMISE. God spoke to me that if we would dedicate ourselves to seeking His Face and hosting His presence, that He would pour out His Spirit in our city and our region and give birth to a Revival Movement that would impact the nations. Throughout this time of waiting we have experienced a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit than I have seen in over thirty years of ministry in San Francisco. We have been joined by over a thousand different people and hundreds have experienced a sense of personal revival. We have witnessed scores of healings and deliverances. We have had many people give their lives to Jesus in our meetings and on the streets.
We are so grateful for all these wonderful blessings, yet the full promise remains unfulfilled. So we continue to wait in San Francisco for power and the FULLfillment of God’s promise to us. We encourage you to continue to stand with us for this outcome.
Consider making a commitment to come ONE NIGHT A WEEK for the next few months. We could use more participation on Thursday and Saturday nights. Let’s go for it!
All the people were praying, they were all crying out.
Expectancy hung in the heavenly air,
With assurance God’s Power soon would be there.
Have you ever asked yourself what the saints were thinking the night before Pentecost? They had just been through a major roller coaster ride with Jesus betrayed, beaten crucified and buried. Then on the third day rumors began to circulate that he was ALIVE. He then appeared over forty days to hundreds of people and then He ascended to heaven after telling them to wait in Jerusalem for Power.
They had no timeline and no specifics of how this would look. As far as they knew they could be waiting in Jerusalem for 10 days or 10 months. All they had was a PROMISE and that promise was enough.
Yet, I sometimes wonder, what would have happened if they had stopped praying on the night before Pentecost?
Golden Gate Outpouring began over fourteen weeks ago with a PROMISE. God spoke to me that if we would dedicate ourselves to seeking His Face and hosting His presence, that He would pour out His Spirit in our city and our region and give birth to a Revival Movement that would impact the nations. Throughout this time of waiting we have experienced a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit than I have seen in over thirty years of ministry in San Francisco. We have been joined by over a thousand different people and hundreds have experienced a sense of personal revival. We have witnessed scores of healings and deliverances. We have had many people give their lives to Jesus in our meetings and on the streets.
We are so grateful for all these wonderful blessings, yet the full promise remains unfulfilled. So we continue to wait in San Francisco for power and the FULLfillment of God’s promise to us. We encourage you to continue to stand with us for this outcome.
Consider making a commitment to come ONE NIGHT A WEEK for the next few months. We could use more participation on Thursday and Saturday nights. Let’s go for it!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
THE FAST OF AGREEMENT
Fasting is perhaps one of the most misunderstood practices of our faith. The primary reason for this misunderstanding is rooted in the many ways in which we misunderstand God.
Many see fasting as:
Many see fasting as:
- Our pathetic appeasement of a frustrated and angry God
- Our aggressive arm-twisting of a reluctant and unwilling God
- Our amplified demands to a remote and unresponsive God
Whereas, in reality, true fasting is our humble and sacrificial agreement with a good and loving God who faithfully fulfills His promises and desires His Kingdom to prevail on earth more than we ever possibly could. God is looking for partners with whom he can collaborate, sons and daughters who have taken ownership of the family business and are willing to put father’s purposes above all things. The foundation of this kind of relationship is AGREEMENT.
When Jesus was baptized by John, the Heavens were opened and Father affirmed His love for Jesus and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. Immediately, Jesus was led into the wilderness for 40 days, to fast, pray and be tested by the wicked one. This was a testing of agreement. Would Jesus budge at all in His absolute agreement with the Father? Would he ever so slightly compromise the Word of God? Would he yield to the seduction of the enemy and drift from full agreement?
Fortunately for us, in spite of the enemy’s best efforts, Jesus passed the test with flying colors and the frustrated enemy departed from Him. It was in this agreement that Jesus launched His ministry to bring all things back into agreement with the Father.
When we engage a season of CONTENDING PRAYER AND FASTING, we are not contending AGAINST God. Rather we are contending with God against the forces of complacency, compromise and evil that exist within us and within the world around us. We are standing in prayerful and sacrificial agreement with a loving and willing God and in partnership with the perfect prayer, “Let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
I invite you to join with tens of thousands of believers around the globe who will be dedicating the next forty days to fasting and prayer. Some will be fasting completely from food. Others will be doing a partial fast or fasting other pleasures of life. As we fast, let’s AGREE with God for Revival in the Church, Righteousness in our Land and a Great Awakening throughout the World.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
PUZZLES AND PIECES: CELEBRATING KINGDOM DIVERSITY
One of my favorite holiday pastimes is doing jigsaw puzzles with my family. Every year, we average a half-dozen 1000 piece puzzles depicting everything from nature scenes to fantasy illustrations. Very few things are as rewarding to us than to fit the last few pieces into their places and see the full picture.
This reminds me of our journey over these last 12 weeks of outpouring. For over 80 nights now, we’ve been laying down different kinds of pieces into a massive puzzle. Some of these pieces have been put in place by everyone who’s been a part of GGO as the Holy Spirit leads us. Other pieces have been brought in by guest ministries from around the Body of Christ.
It’s a lot like a jigsaw puzzle. No one piece shows the whole picture. In fact, some pieces don’t look like they belong in the puzzle at all. Some seem to be the wrong shape or the wrong color, while others seem so fuzzy, you’d think they belonged in a different picture entirely. It’s only after they’re all fit together that you can see the unique contribution they made to the overall piece.
Some people have asked me why we’ve invited such a wide variety of guests from around the Body. We’ve had intercessors come such as Lou Engle and Cindy Jacobs, theologians like Jim Garlow, evangelistic strategists like Ed Silvoso and Chris Overstreet from Bethel Church. We’ve also enjoyed a wide range of prophetic ministers like Georgian Banov, Jill Austin and the Firestorm Teams. In fact, we’ve been blessed by over a dozen leaders with different backgrounds and emphases as they’ve joined us for the Golden Gate Outpouring. I don’t necessarily agree 100% with their theologies or methodologies, but I do agree fully with the Jesus they’re seeking to serve. More than this, I believe that each one of them has a piece of the GGO puzzle and when the final pieces are laid, the picture of Jesus will be complete.
As a holiday puzzle-doer, I would be remiss to allow my initial impression of any one piece to cause me to reject it entirely. In the same way, I encourage everyone involved with GGO to celebrate the diversity of the Kingdom of God. If you aren’t sure about the ideas or practices of any one minister, don’t let it bug you too much. Eat the meat and spit out the bones. Embrace each piece of the puzzle, even if you’re not quite sure how it fits. God has promised us that He’s building a Revival Movement that will shake our region and bless the nations. Let’s continue to work together until each piece has found its place in the puzzle so the picture of Jesus can be fully revealed in the Bay Area.
This reminds me of our journey over these last 12 weeks of outpouring. For over 80 nights now, we’ve been laying down different kinds of pieces into a massive puzzle. Some of these pieces have been put in place by everyone who’s been a part of GGO as the Holy Spirit leads us. Other pieces have been brought in by guest ministries from around the Body of Christ.
It’s a lot like a jigsaw puzzle. No one piece shows the whole picture. In fact, some pieces don’t look like they belong in the puzzle at all. Some seem to be the wrong shape or the wrong color, while others seem so fuzzy, you’d think they belonged in a different picture entirely. It’s only after they’re all fit together that you can see the unique contribution they made to the overall piece.
Some people have asked me why we’ve invited such a wide variety of guests from around the Body. We’ve had intercessors come such as Lou Engle and Cindy Jacobs, theologians like Jim Garlow, evangelistic strategists like Ed Silvoso and Chris Overstreet from Bethel Church. We’ve also enjoyed a wide range of prophetic ministers like Georgian Banov, Jill Austin and the Firestorm Teams. In fact, we’ve been blessed by over a dozen leaders with different backgrounds and emphases as they’ve joined us for the Golden Gate Outpouring. I don’t necessarily agree 100% with their theologies or methodologies, but I do agree fully with the Jesus they’re seeking to serve. More than this, I believe that each one of them has a piece of the GGO puzzle and when the final pieces are laid, the picture of Jesus will be complete.
As a holiday puzzle-doer, I would be remiss to allow my initial impression of any one piece to cause me to reject it entirely. In the same way, I encourage everyone involved with GGO to celebrate the diversity of the Kingdom of God. If you aren’t sure about the ideas or practices of any one minister, don’t let it bug you too much. Eat the meat and spit out the bones. Embrace each piece of the puzzle, even if you’re not quite sure how it fits. God has promised us that He’s building a Revival Movement that will shake our region and bless the nations. Let’s continue to work together until each piece has found its place in the puzzle so the picture of Jesus can be fully revealed in the Bay Area.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
WHY WE FIGHT
Many of you have heard of a television series called the “Band Of Brothers”, about courageous men of the 101st Airborne Division who has experienced tremendous victories and extreme challenges while fighting the Nazi forces during World War II. In one of the later episodes entitled, “Why We Fight”, a group of soldiers on patrol discovered the first Nazi Concentration Camp ever viewed by the Allied Forces. The Nazi’s had retreated and left hundreds of prisoners caged without food and supplies. The US Army was horrified by the death and devastation of this camp. It was this revelation of the evil of the enemy and the suffering of the captives that they remembered why they were fighting.
In the same sense, after 73 days of pressing into revival in the San Francisco Bay Area, it could be easy for us lose perspective and forget why we are doing this. Yet all it takes is Kingdom eyes to see beyond the façade of our city to remember why we fight. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are wasting away in this spiritual concentration camp called San Francisco. The liberation has begun and the enemy forces are in retreat, but unless we come and break the chains and bring the bread of life, these captives will perish without hope.
This last Saturday, three members of our outreach team received three specific pictures of a woman in the nearby Safeway, in a purple shirt with dark hair. When they went to the back isle of the store, they found her just as the Lord had directed. After sharing the gospel with her, she received the Lord and told them that she had prayed that very morning for a breakthrough or she would be forced to take her own life. The next day, she joined us at church and was touched deeply by the Holy Spirit.
We are so grateful for all the healings, deliverances and salvations that we have been enjoying throughout the Golden Gate Outpouring. But we know there’s more. As long as one captive remains bound by sin; as long as one person remains ill, as long as one person is tormented and oppressed, we must fight. Jesus is the great liberator and we are his liberation army, anointed by God to set the captives free. Let’s continue to seek Him for the sake of those who are still bound.
In the same sense, after 73 days of pressing into revival in the San Francisco Bay Area, it could be easy for us lose perspective and forget why we are doing this. Yet all it takes is Kingdom eyes to see beyond the façade of our city to remember why we fight. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are wasting away in this spiritual concentration camp called San Francisco. The liberation has begun and the enemy forces are in retreat, but unless we come and break the chains and bring the bread of life, these captives will perish without hope.
This last Saturday, three members of our outreach team received three specific pictures of a woman in the nearby Safeway, in a purple shirt with dark hair. When they went to the back isle of the store, they found her just as the Lord had directed. After sharing the gospel with her, she received the Lord and told them that she had prayed that very morning for a breakthrough or she would be forced to take her own life. The next day, she joined us at church and was touched deeply by the Holy Spirit.
We are so grateful for all the healings, deliverances and salvations that we have been enjoying throughout the Golden Gate Outpouring. But we know there’s more. As long as one captive remains bound by sin; as long as one person remains ill, as long as one person is tormented and oppressed, we must fight. Jesus is the great liberator and we are his liberation army, anointed by God to set the captives free. Let’s continue to seek Him for the sake of those who are still bound.
Friday, August 29, 2008
FIRESTORM WEEKEND
Greetings! We continue to rejoice in the wonderful things that God is doing at the Golden Gate Outpouring.
Last Tuesday, we hosted Paul and Sue Manwarring, who gave an awesome message on the Power of Hope. This week we experienced more healings and blessings as we continue to worship, pray and press into revival for the SF Bay Area.
When we began the Outpouring I originally heard that we were supposed to go for 21 nights coinciding with the days of Daniels famous fast (Daniel 10) . After sharing this vision with our team the group counsel was to do 10 days to begin with and then to extend if we felt God's leading. After a few days of gathering it was obvious that God was indeed leading us to continue.
Daniel sought the Lord for 21 days with a specific agenda: When was God going to restore His people to the Promised Land. At the end of the "obedience" of 21 days, an angel appeared and declared that God heard Daniel's prayer the day he began. God sent the angel immediately but the angel was hindered through warfare with the Prince of Persia. Finally, after 21 days, the angel broke through and the word was delivered. The passage implies that Daniel's obedience was instrumental in the angelic breakthrough that he enjoyed.
In the same way, we have been meeting nightly for over 70 days to fulfill our part of a larger purpose. We don't see everything that is happening in the heavenlies but that's not really our concern. We know that as we fulfill our end, that God will fulfill His Promise of sending revival to our city and our region.
Now that summer is over, we are adjusting our schedule to a four-day Outpouring week in order to allow for other important things to take place in the off nights and to empower us to redouble our focus for the four nights of Ministry. WE ARE NOT BACKING DOWN, in fact we are intensifying our cry for God to pour out His Spirit upon us to transform the city for Jesus. We encourage you to join our transformation team.
Last Tuesday, we hosted Paul and Sue Manwarring, who gave an awesome message on the Power of Hope. This week we experienced more healings and blessings as we continue to worship, pray and press into revival for the SF Bay Area.
When we began the Outpouring I originally heard that we were supposed to go for 21 nights coinciding with the days of Daniels famous fast (Daniel 10) . After sharing this vision with our team the group counsel was to do 10 days to begin with and then to extend if we felt God's leading. After a few days of gathering it was obvious that God was indeed leading us to continue.
Daniel sought the Lord for 21 days with a specific agenda: When was God going to restore His people to the Promised Land. At the end of the "obedience" of 21 days, an angel appeared and declared that God heard Daniel's prayer the day he began. God sent the angel immediately but the angel was hindered through warfare with the Prince of Persia. Finally, after 21 days, the angel broke through and the word was delivered. The passage implies that Daniel's obedience was instrumental in the angelic breakthrough that he enjoyed.
In the same way, we have been meeting nightly for over 70 days to fulfill our part of a larger purpose. We don't see everything that is happening in the heavenlies but that's not really our concern. We know that as we fulfill our end, that God will fulfill His Promise of sending revival to our city and our region.
Now that summer is over, we are adjusting our schedule to a four-day Outpouring week in order to allow for other important things to take place in the off nights and to empower us to redouble our focus for the four nights of Ministry. WE ARE NOT BACKING DOWN, in fact we are intensifying our cry for God to pour out His Spirit upon us to transform the city for Jesus. We encourage you to join our transformation team.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
URGENT PRAYER NEEDED - FACILITY TROUBLE
As a result of the Golden Gate Outpouring meetings, there has been a growing complaint about the sound volume of our meetings from our neighbors. The massage therapy school that rents the lower portion of the building moved in without providing necessary sound insulation that did not seem to be needed before the Outpouring began. Now, despite our best efforts to keep the volume down in our meetings, our neighbors have become increasingly frustrated and have finally threatened to withhold rent until this problem is resolved. In our desire to be a good neighbor and a good witness, we have offered to pay for a major portion of the construction that will insulate them from the crazy worshippers upstairs. This treatment is estimated to be around $30,000, including carpeting and sound absorbing treatment in our upper unit. We must accomplish this immediately in order to resolve this problem. Would you please pray with us for this urgent need? If you feel led to contribute, you can donate on www.plfsf.com and designate the gift to "Facility Improvement".
God Keeps On Doing It!!! God TV, Engle, Bolz, Goodell and Georgian Banov. s most of you are aware this has been an overwhelming season at Golden Gate Outpouring. Two weeks ago we were pinching ourselves as God TV landed in the City and began to set up to televise a special 12-hour Solemn Assembly led by Lou Engle and the Justice House of Prayer in conjunction with GGO. Over 600 people came to this historic event and we were joined by intercessors from 214 nations around the world as we prayed for God's Kingdom to come in our City and in the State of California. You can still watch parts of it if you login to GodTV's website.
Last weekend, we enjoyed the ministry of Gary Goodell, the leader of Third Day Churches who brought a team of leaders from San Diego who came to fan the flames of Revival while Pastor Michael was away at THE CALL in Washington DC. Gary is an amazing speaker and there was a high level of prophetic ministry that blessed those who attended.
This week we were blessed to have Georgian Banov, from Global Celebration for a few nights of supernatural partying. Georgian has a unique ability to bring people into the joy of the Lord through worship, teaching, and powerful personal ministry. Thanks Georgian!!!
God Keeps On Doing It!!! God TV, Engle, Bolz, Goodell and Georgian Banov. s most of you are aware this has been an overwhelming season at Golden Gate Outpouring. Two weeks ago we were pinching ourselves as God TV landed in the City and began to set up to televise a special 12-hour Solemn Assembly led by Lou Engle and the Justice House of Prayer in conjunction with GGO. Over 600 people came to this historic event and we were joined by intercessors from 214 nations around the world as we prayed for God's Kingdom to come in our City and in the State of California. You can still watch parts of it if you login to GodTV's website.
Last weekend, we enjoyed the ministry of Gary Goodell, the leader of Third Day Churches who brought a team of leaders from San Diego who came to fan the flames of Revival while Pastor Michael was away at THE CALL in Washington DC. Gary is an amazing speaker and there was a high level of prophetic ministry that blessed those who attended.
This week we were blessed to have Georgian Banov, from Global Celebration for a few nights of supernatural partying. Georgian has a unique ability to bring people into the joy of the Lord through worship, teaching, and powerful personal ministry. Thanks Georgian!!!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
SOLEMN ASSEMBLY REPORT
Last weekend was one power-packed weekend! For those of you who were unable to make it, Justice House of Prayer (JHOP) San Francisco's Consecrate the State California partnered with Lou Engle (International House of Prayer) and the Golden Gate Outpouring in twelve hours of powerful worship and intercession for California and San Francisco.
Through GodTV's broadcast, 480 million people from 214 nations were able to join with us in declaring God's good intentions and destiny for the region and cry out for mercy in light of the sin birthed and practiced here. Highlights include Beni Johnson's release of the Bay Area Church into a lifestyle of signs and wonders; Missy Huff's (JHOP) brilliant overview of the Bible's perspective on abortion; corporate prophecy over the coming freedom of San Francisco; and the personal testimony of a post-abortive mom calling for an army of post-abortive parents to lead in the fight for the lives of unborn babies.
There was a corporate sense of freedom and unity in worship as we laid our lives before Jesus and cried out for His heart regarding the leadership going out from California into the world. A major spiritual shift took place, driving God's purity deeper into the heart of San Francisco and uniting the Church worldwide in intercession for the region. For the first time in history, the name of Jesus was lifted up and proclaimed to the world from San Francisco!
The momentum was carried into Saturday and Sunday as Shawn Bolz, a prophetic voice in the Church and into the creative arts and media, spoke at the Outpouring. He offered an honest, fresh, and often times funny perspective on identity, what love in the Church can and will look like, following Jesus boldly, and pursuing long-buried dreams. He left us with a challenge to rest in our true identities as sons and daughters of God, stepping into the dreams the Lord placed in us in an abandoned dependence on Him.
Through GodTV's broadcast, 480 million people from 214 nations were able to join with us in declaring God's good intentions and destiny for the region and cry out for mercy in light of the sin birthed and practiced here. Highlights include Beni Johnson's release of the Bay Area Church into a lifestyle of signs and wonders; Missy Huff's (JHOP) brilliant overview of the Bible's perspective on abortion; corporate prophecy over the coming freedom of San Francisco; and the personal testimony of a post-abortive mom calling for an army of post-abortive parents to lead in the fight for the lives of unborn babies.
There was a corporate sense of freedom and unity in worship as we laid our lives before Jesus and cried out for His heart regarding the leadership going out from California into the world. A major spiritual shift took place, driving God's purity deeper into the heart of San Francisco and uniting the Church worldwide in intercession for the region. For the first time in history, the name of Jesus was lifted up and proclaimed to the world from San Francisco!
The momentum was carried into Saturday and Sunday as Shawn Bolz, a prophetic voice in the Church and into the creative arts and media, spoke at the Outpouring. He offered an honest, fresh, and often times funny perspective on identity, what love in the Church can and will look like, following Jesus boldly, and pursuing long-buried dreams. He left us with a challenge to rest in our true identities as sons and daughters of God, stepping into the dreams the Lord placed in us in an abandoned dependence on Him.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
TESTING AND GRADUATION
The Golden Gate Outpouring just turned 40. During these forty nights of glory we have experienced a wonderful move of the Holy Spirit. Every night God has met us in worship, celebration, rejoicing and intimate communion. Every night we have ministered to those who are sick in body and soul and have witnessed the power of God in physical and emotional healing. Every night, God is meeting with His children and speaking to them about their true identities and their full inheritance. GOD IS SO GOOD.
Forty is the number of testing. Moses led Israel through the wilderness for forty years while God was at work to raise up a generation that would be worthy of the Promised Land. God led them through the Red Sea and around a vast wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night. He provided fresh manna for His people and water from a rock.
Jesus, after His baptism was led into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting. He faced 3 temptations by the enemy and overcame them all. He chose to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He chose to align himself with God’s ways rather than to presume upon the Lord. He chose to receive His Kingdom in God’s timing rather than to bow down to the wicked one. After the enemy fled, angels came and ministered to Him.
Night after night, God has been meeting with us and measuring our hearts cry. He is searching the earth to find those who’s hearts are fully His so he can show Himself strong on their behalf. I believe he has found a people like this and you are part of it. Some have only come once in forty days, others have been here almost every night. We believe that God has tested us as a community of revivalists and is pleased with our offering. We believe that we are about to graduate into a whole new level of anointing.
We encourage you to continue to press in with us throughout the summer as we seek the Lord and see His wonders. God is moving in the Bay Area – Lets move with Him.
Forty is the number of testing. Moses led Israel through the wilderness for forty years while God was at work to raise up a generation that would be worthy of the Promised Land. God led them through the Red Sea and around a vast wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night. He provided fresh manna for His people and water from a rock.
Jesus, after His baptism was led into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting. He faced 3 temptations by the enemy and overcame them all. He chose to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He chose to align himself with God’s ways rather than to presume upon the Lord. He chose to receive His Kingdom in God’s timing rather than to bow down to the wicked one. After the enemy fled, angels came and ministered to Him.
Night after night, God has been meeting with us and measuring our hearts cry. He is searching the earth to find those who’s hearts are fully His so he can show Himself strong on their behalf. I believe he has found a people like this and you are part of it. Some have only come once in forty days, others have been here almost every night. We believe that God has tested us as a community of revivalists and is pleased with our offering. We believe that we are about to graduate into a whole new level of anointing.
We encourage you to continue to press in with us throughout the summer as we seek the Lord and see His wonders. God is moving in the Bay Area – Lets move with Him.
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