VinceMcFarland.com

“Seemed like a good spirit at the meeting today. Most of the people didn’t abuse the open microphone, you guys are brave. Several things were going through my heart but they weren’t directly in line with the 21 day fast so I didn’t get up. I wanted to commend you pastors and your efforts to work together. It reminded me of the first Pastors and their Wives Retreat that Elaine and I headed up back in March of 2001 in Hungary. The main scripture was

Luke 5 ¹One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^a]”>[a]with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, ²he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. ⁴When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down^b]”>[b] the nets for a catch.”
⁵Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
⁶When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

They had to work together to haul the fish into the boats. If everyone would have pulled their own direction the nets would have been pulled taunt and the fish would have escaped. And a great catch would have been lost because of pride and disunity.

Today I felt unity like I have never felt in Terre Haute before. Feels good. Looks good.”

I don’t know whether there is a word in this for the masses, a small group, or just me, but I wanted to say that God continues to speak. A very crucial, foundational message was delivered tonight, so thanks for those words. When God starts bringing up themes or scriptures multiple times I usually take that as a sign he’s got something he really wants me to pay attention to. Well, he’s had me on the love theme for a good three+ years now I’d say (showing me over and over again how I have let my affection stray and how he wants it undividedly on him!), but Sat. night at IHOP one of the scriptures we prayed around was Jesus’ words in Revelation to the church of Ephesus about forsaking their first love. You addressed the love thing tonight, too. Also as a side note I was thinking about that passage in John 21, and how the first two times Jesus asks Peter with the word agapao, but Peter replies with phileo each time. The third time Jesus uses phileo. I’ve often wondered why Peter would use a different word than Jesus did to respond to the question (and why Jesus switched to another word the third time). The note at the bottom of the page describes agapao as “to love unselfishly to the point that you would be willing to sacrifice”, and phileo or philo means “to be a friend or to have the same interests with another person.” When you presented the connection to Deut. 6 about heart, soul, and strength it made me wonder whether the agape love somehow correlates with the heart and soul, and the phileo correlates to the strength. Kind of a stretch maybe, but it made a little bit of sense at the time it came to mind : )

Secondly, the Holy Spirit was a recurring element in my evening. I started reading Francis Chan’s book, Forgotten God: Reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit. I read the first chapter before coming to church tonight, and my spirit was quickened during the teaching when some of the talk about the Holy Spirit came from scriptures I had read just a couple hours earlier. In Jn 14:16 when Jesus said God would give another Counselor to the disciples, apparently the greek word another means another that is just like the first (as opposed to another that is of a different sort or kind). I thought that was interesting. I have thought or said many times how it would be nice to have Jesus with skin on, but the Holy Spirit is Jesus without skin on and Jesus himself said the HS is better!

After only reading one chapter I am pretty sure this is going to be a good book. The only reason followers of Christ will look any different from the world is as a result of the Holy Spirit, and if the Bride is going to prepare herself for the Lamb the Holy Spirit must be involved. Here are a couple more paragraphs from chapter 1 that really caught my attention:

“If we read and believed these [scriptural] accounts, we would expect a great deal of the Holy Spirit. He would not be a mostly forgotten member of the Godhead whom we occasionally give a nod of recognition to, which is what He has become in most American churches. We would expect our new life with the Holy Spirit to look radically different from our old life without Him.” (case in point: Peter denying or Peter fishing for fish versus Peter preaching 3000 souls into the kingdom in one day or Peter healing a lame beggar)
“Yet this is not the way it is for most people. We don’t live this way. For some reason, we don’t think we need the Holy Spirit. We don’t expect the Holy Spirit to act…
“Even our church growth can happen without Him. Let’s be honest: If you combine a charistmatic speaker, a talented worship band, and some hip, creative events, people will attend your church. Yet this does not mean that the Holy Spirit of God is actively working and moving in the lives of the people who are coming. It simply means that you have created a space that is appealing enough to draw people in for an hour or two on Sunday…
“The reality is that the early church knew less about the Holy Spirit than most of us in the church today, at least in the intellectual sense. But they came to know the Spirit intimately and powerfully as He worked in and through their lives…
“The goal of this book is not to completely explain the Spirit or to go back to the apostolic age. The goal is to learn to live faithfully today…”

So, more surfaces scratched, more inklings of things to come. Fortunately, the HS will guide us into all truth and disclose what is to come.

——————-

Those were some very solid whispers! You are right on with the deep stuff of the “love” conversation. It really goes to the “heart” of how much Peter would love Jesus. There is real grace here too. Peter had denied Jesus three times; now Jesus was in a sense helping him find grace in a triple act of repentance. All centering around the deeper love word.

Francis’ new book is awesome finished it a while back. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is so neglected, I know He has not always been a vital part of my growth. I am so “man driven” it isn’t even funny. I need to be Spirit driven and fully molded by His power and not my own.

From Rhonda Hughey in Kansas City:

“Ran into Ed Hackett today and mentioned what the Lord was doing in Terre Haute and he got a word for you guys. Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25 – the key to healing is the prayer and fasting. He didn’t elaborate, just gave me those two scriptures for you as a city! “

Even if you don’t receive prophetic words well, receive this Word:

Isaiah 58:7         Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

                  and bring the homeless poor into your house;

         when you see the naked, to cover him,

                  and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Isaiah 58:8         Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

                  and your healing shall spring up speedily;

         your righteousness shall go before you;

                  the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:9         Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;

                  you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

         If you take away the yoke from your midst,

                  the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

Isaiah 58:10         if you pour yourself out for the hungry

                  and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

         then shall your light rise in the darkness

                  and your gloom be as the noonday.

Isaiah 58:11         And the LORD will guide you continually

                  and satisfy your desire in scorched places

                  and make your bones strong;

         and you shall be like a watered garden,

                  like a spring of water,

                  whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:12         And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;

                  you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

         you shall be called the repairer of the breach,

                  the restorer of streets to dwell in.

When you compare this spiritual word with the word of Mt. 25 it is quite compelling.

Jesus challenged his followers not to miss the Groom by inattention to details of what is important. Here is the heart of Mt. 25, I think; preparation, investment in the Kingdom and caring for people whom God created in his image.

Hear that challenge followers of Jesus who live in Terre Haute! All the food fasting or fasting from anything will not insure the favor of God! Only our obedience to God’s eternal mission will do that.

Let this Word seep into your heart and soul as we continue to leave Egypt and press on to the promised-land! As always it is about faith marching in obedience to what we know God wants us to accomplish.  

Don’t miss the great celebration service at Maryland Community Church, 4700 S. St. Rd. 46 this Sunday Feb. 14 at 2 pm.

Looking forward to packing out the place as we conclude the 21 days of the Divine Experiment.

See you there!

I have heard some amazing accounts of the prayer gathering of pastors this morning at Salt of the Earth. It seems like there was a great move of God to bring a deep awareness of “we have only just begun!”. Lots of sharing around, “I know I could have done more” or “I know I have quite a ways yet to go.” So true so true!

If there is one thing I learn in an experiment like this is that I have much more to learn! Or should I say, much more yet to become! An intense time of humility, repentance, fasting, etc. always makes us aware of home much further we need to go.

“There is a story of an Eastern Orthodox monk who was revered by his brothers for his extraordinarily holy life. On his deathbed, he had a vision of God, angels, heaven—the whole works! After this vision, his brothers, who had been standing around his bed, pleaded with him for a word of wisdom. All he could say was, ‘I have only begun to repent.’” (CT)

Isn’t it true that real honest people who are on a journey of being more like Christ find so much more they can be!

If nothing else, that is what this 21 days has done for a lot of people. WE WANT AND KNOW WE NEED MORE!

“Anything that competes with our love for Jesus can become a substitute for our affections and worship. In His letter to the Church at Ephesus in Rev. 2, Jesus wasn’t rebuking them for simply diminished passion. He told them if they didn’t return to their “first works” (intimacy, prayer), He would remove their “lampstand” or place of influence.

Most believers spend more time watching television in one day than in all spiritual pursuits combined for an entire week! “

One of the real challenges of this 21 day experiment is working on my “spiritual focus.” Getting my eyes and heart off things that don’t matter and on things that do matter. A re-orientation to spiritual intimacy and not an intimacy with the world. It is hard to be in the world but not “of it.”

I do believe we can all for a short length of time focus hard and well! All of us struggle with doing this on a regular basis. It is the old mater of “sustainability.” Whether it is a good project or a good work. Can it continue to be done over a long period of time. A habit if you choose or a routine or a discipline.

I certainly agree with the author of this devotion that I spend way too much time on TV and other kinds of things normally and not enough time with feeding my mind and heart on the things of God. If that is true for me, wow, it must really be ugly with some “non-professional religious” people. I hate the whole concept, but you know what I mean. I get paid to be spiritual!

I really believe it is always necessary to take time to “realign” some things in our lives. This has always been a challenge of congregations. How do we get our people to take some time to realign their time. My Time, My Mind, My Relationships and My Experiences are all critical in my growing spiritually (John Ortberg).

First works are an interesting thing in this text. Basically there are two main takes and both are probably true! First as the author of our devotion states it is a matter of spiritual disciplines (intimacy and prayer). It is those Mary kind of things. But quite honestly the second take is also important. That is, the actions of our love; works. You can’t miss that in James or in the teachings of Jesus on love. Love means some good work for people; our neighbors. Love God, Love People.

I must say, “who couldn’t make progress” by focusing on those two things? Daily time of intimate worship and a daily effort to love people as Jesus would. Making this sustainable in my life has been and will continue to be not just an experiment but a real life action plan!

Although day 14 has come and gone, we cannot afford to miss its message re:covenant prayer.

In 2 Chronicles 29, young King Hezekiah is identified as a king in Israel who “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord”, measured “according to all that David, his father had done”. surely there have been men and women of our God in Terre Haute and this valley that have done as Hezekiah did. However, we know that most of Israel’s kings were not lauded in the Scriptures. In fact, many of its kings were “did evil in the sight of the Lord”.

Now, those of us who have been anointed and appointed to serve the Jesus (Y’shua), the King of Israel are right now being asked to do what King Hezekiah did. We are being asked to open the doors of the House of the Lord and to repair them. In fact, 2 Chronicles 29:5 asks the Levites as it is asking us to carry forth the filthiness out of the Holy place. Verse 6 declares that “our fathers have trespassed……….and turned their backs.” Should it be a surprise to us that he hath delivered US to trouble, astonishment and hissing”. Until now, we have been in captivity for who we have been.

As yesterday’s prayer highlighted 2 Chronicles 29:10, we are being encouraged to acknowledge our covenant with our Lord and Savior. Now, we are seeing the mercy of the Almighty. Every man or woman chosen by God to participate in the Divine Experiment, pastors, church leaders and others are being called according to 2 Chronicles 29:11, “be now not negligent: for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him and that you should minister to Him, and burn incense (making our prayers and supplication a fragrant aroma to our God).

We have been chosen to repair the breach in the walls of our faith right here, right now. Let us all arise, sanctify ourselves through the Blood of Christ, clean out the inner parts of God’s house (1 Corinthians 3:16) and make it ready for His visit. May the Lord bless us and keep us; may He make His face to shine upon us and may the Lord lift up His countenance upon us and give us His peace.

Abandoning all to pursue Christ
We all have our favorite hobbies and things to do in life. For one elder at a participating Church, the Lord is changing his desires. He would normally be busy during these cold winter months out on a frozen lake ice fishing, or spending his time with one of his other hobbies. During the Divine Experiment, he is abandoning all of his favorite things to pursue Christ with all his heart, all his mind, and all his strength. Nothing else seems to matter near as much, as the pursuit of his relationship with Christ.

How exciting that so many are coming into a new understanding of “Taste and See”. We are walking into that time of “taste and see that the Lord is good”. We have always known that He is, but there is a dramatic change in experiencing it.

From Day 12 of The Divine Experiment

“When David became Israel’s king, He gave his heart and attention to bringing back the Ark of the Covenant, i.e., the presence of God. In the midst of rejoicing when the ark returned, David made this passionate plea: “Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually” (1 Chron. 16:11). David knew the principle of seeking the Lord with all his heart.”

The phrase “presence of God” has always caused me some discomfort. The disconnect as my good Evangelicals would know is in the “weird” stuff of some Pentecostal teaching on experiences. The common come back for a lot of us is that “God is always present!”

As I have been Life Journaling through Genesis and Exodus it has become very clear to me that God is indeed always present, but He is always “really present” sometimes in ways that are very uncomfortable!

Take this for example:

Exodus 40:34 ¶ Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus 40:35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

The distinction here is what some teachers call the “manifest presence” of God. It is when He shows up in a visible tangible way. I am sure this is one of those!

As I sit by the fire this morning watching big wet snow flakes fall I am reminded of just what it takes for “snow to fall.” It isn’t just moisture in the air. It is a combination of temperature and moisture. Moisture is “always to some degree present.” I know, there probably is a place where there is none in the air somewhere! Like maybe some particular desert place. But that is a whole other subject!

But here in Terre Haute right now the temperature and moisture levels are such that I “see snow flakes”. It is a manifest presence of moisture in the air.

Now, just in case you think I am getting a bit “flakey” here goes. I need those snow flake moments. Its okay Southern Californians, I really am ok. Those snow flake moments give me a visible sighting of the presence of a pretty amazing fact of life.

God is like that. He is alway there, and yes, I suppose there are moments in which He is not, kind of like when Jesus cried out on the cross. BUT for the most part, He is always around.

Then there are those times when “the cloud” shows up. We know it is God, He is real and we have to step back and stay away!

This Divine pursuit is like that. I need God moments of both kinds. I love knowing He is always there! I also need to see Him show up at times to remind me of His power and His Holiness!

Some weird stuff isn’t all bad! In fact, maybe it might help some of us to truly “see His face” and be moved to understand His Holiness a lot better. He is God, I am not.

I wanted to give a testimony of what I have seen God doing in our connexion group. God has really been at work and it has been awesome to see some of the fruit even in the last two weeks.