Growing in Perspective

As the years go by I continue to grow in the perspective of life. Now in the 23rd year of 24/7 prayer and worship, the International House of Prayer here in Kansas City is a greenhouse to grow in the knowledge of God, and in that a fertile season is produced to see from. An individual is invited to make time to evaluate what he is given to in life. Not all the questions are answered but a confidence arises more and more that our hearts are set in the right place.

Over and over Jesus said, "he who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Rev. 2-3; Matt. 11 and 13; Mark 4; Luke 8 and 14; Isa. 6 to mention and few) This is a question I ask myself often in these days. Am I really hearing what is right and true in life or am I gripped with the rhetoric of a lost culture? We have been given such an amazing gift in the Holy Spirit to be lead by! He leads us into all truth! (John 16) Often He gives us enough to follow with confident faith yet not answering the deep question that would explain from our human perspective. I ask; do I have my eyes and ears fixed on His beauty and kingdom or on the lack in my perspective? Am I more concerned that life is explained in how I see from my vision of this hour of history or in my agreement that leans into the God Who has eternity in His hand?

I have come to look at life like a puzzle. We are given our piece of the big picture to see and understand both its limits and its value. My small piece of the puzzle can never define the entire picture being painted yet without my tiny part, the picture will never be complete. We begin to see the amazing purpose of what God has designed when we look for and embrace all the parts that have been called to be in His masterpiece.

The world that surrounds all of us is a broad way. So many things to capture our attentions and draw us into compromise. Luke 13 says; Strive, force yourself through and enter the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Matt 7 also says; broad is the way that leads to destruction and many go in by it. Setting our gaze in this massive expanse of the broad way on the narrow gate or door (John 10), and we will be saved. Amos 5 God says "seek Me and live!" The broad way that swirls around us is full of complications, temptations and a roaring lion, but we can focus our journey of life on that Blessed narrow gate!

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (discern)...the perfect will of God. Rom.12:2

But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings. Jer.23:22

From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Matt.11:12

It is a violent reality in life to not be conformed to this world but stand in His counsel and hear His Words! So I ask again, do we have ears that are hearing? Hearing Truth is not the perspective of this world we live in. The world argues the points of life in the moment that make us feel good about our carnal nature that we are being sanctified out of.

We are given to the Truth of the Gospel announcing the reign of the God of Israel through the Person of Christ confirmed and established by Jesus death, resurrection, ascension, and His glorious return to the world! We wrestle with how this plays out and is defined in a world that rebels and wars against the God of our faith and life!

The wrestle may leave us with a limp but we will have a new name together in a Master plan set before the foundation of the world, beyond all our imaginations can produce! Lets wrestle together!!

Katie and I with two of our graduated students. We have such a diverse population of students at IHOPU, that have such a hunger and reach for Jesus!

Outside my office where I get to rub shoulders with some of the most amazing young men in the world!

Katie and I with our dear friend Kiersten who is a recent grad from IHOPU. She now gives leadership to our connect team. She helps potential new students navigate their journey to see if IHOPU would be a part of God's plan for this season of life for them.