Sacred Sypathy

.

Old Man prideful yet despairs;

knows Death will catch him unawares;

so lives he life to Sup and Play

with gods of fading earthen wares;

but all their passing joys dismay,

for none stay Death nor Fear’s display,

least of all the gods of empty earthen wares…

.

fool Old Man is condemned by sin,

but Living God wisely hemmed him in,

and planted in his heart of stone

the Seed of Hope which stemmed within,

now watered by His proceeding Throne

and Regal Blood with pow’r to atone;

he thinks it queer this Hope now stemmed within…

.

to make an end of his transgression,

the broken man makes good Confession;

Who cleansed his conscience of condemnation?

the Slain Lamb who Lives to make intercession;

and now a New Man stands a New Creation,

his Old Man judged made expiation

just as the Lamb who Died to make intercession…

.

twas by sympathy that Death was defeated,

and New Man in heavenly places is seated;

the Spirit Without Measure is to him afforded

as High Priest and Sacrifice declares, “Completed!”

born anew and inheritance awarded,

but outside His Family are the false and the sordid,

for as priest and as offering Communion is completed…

.

Writing a book worthy of remembrance

This spring I purposed in my heart to write a book over the summer break. Now that summer is here, I’m unsure of what exactly to write about! A children’s story? Or strictly ecclesiastical? I even have an amazing ghost story idea, of all things, that’s never been done before! I don’t really want to do anything with it, but the point is that it is not a lack of options that is hindering my starting, but rather too many. My dad would like to see me write a book of short stories from my year’s tour of duty in Iraq, and truth be told I already have favor in the market place with that from when I was a student at Iowa State University.

However, I told him that I would likely not pursue such an endeavor, for I know that God has skilled me with the pen, and therefore I live to glorify Him by my skill. It is only in that place that I could be without conviction. But again, should I use those collected short stories with the unveiling of my conversion and salvation as the pinnacle of such a novel, as covert evangelism, then I would still be using God’s free gift to honor His name. This is similar to what I would do with a children’s book, but the audience would obviously be radically different, and my method of preaching the gospel still disguised yet by allegory.

So, I am torn. For three years now I’ve been writing only either to God or about God to His maturing saints. Were I to write a book for the church, I would rather it be one of those skinny pamphlet sized books that sell for no more than five dollars – the ones that drip with revelation, they are so saturated with God’s glory; the ones that you just “happen” across, unaware that it was your spirit man drawn to its fragrant pages. Those are the books with substance and sustenance enough for an entire army of lovers after God’s heart, spanning with ease ages upon endless ages, yet never diminishing in potency. Whether I write this, that, or the other, it is a book worthy of even a seraphim’s remembrance that I desire to put my fingers to this summer, and I know that as a son My Father in heaven will bless it.

The Lord’s Christ be praised in all that you do! – Ben

If you see me today…

…wish me a blessed 25th birthday! This year I am exactly half my parents’ age, and I’m not sure yet if I feel weird about that or not. I was discussing with Kel that now’s the time to have a mid-life crisis if ever, because of the strong conviction I have about Jesus returning in this generation, probably before I can make it past 65 years of age. I may never be a grandfather – now that *is* weird to think about!

Our plans for today: sleep in (check), take our chocolate lab Macey and baby Z for a walk by the lake, go play putt-putt golf (both weather pending), and go to a movie tonight (we already got Z a sitter). I accidentally discovered the Red Bridge 4 movie theater the other day, and though it may be shady, it’s only $2 per person, and only $3 more for pop and popcorn. As financially strapped missionaries, this is great! Seven bucks for a movie? We’re in! The only thing that could possibly compare is McDonald’s redbox and their dollar menu.

School’s out until the fall today, but I’ll be taking a (free) class throughout the summer break to learn NT Greek which starts Monday the 12th, the day I begin breaking my four week water only fast. Pray for me! And for the APP program (Apostolic Prayer and Preaching) we’ll have an *intense* schedule, so over the summer Kel and I will be getting into the rhythm of it, that way when August comes our heads won’t be spinning. So again, pray for us! Well, that’s about it, and definitely more than I originally intended. You got me rambling, and I despise empty words. Shame on you! ;) Enjoy my birthday – I know we will be!

A crafty deceiving spirit

What I’m about to share here happened while on the Peoria trip, but with whom and in which church I’ve decided to leave purposefully vague for everyone’s sake. I was not present at this deliverance session, but I heard this straight from the one who ran it, so know that this account is trustworthy and that you ought to take heed from it. When I was told this, revelation washed over me, practically drenching me with a deeper understanding of Jesus’ warning on the Mount of Olives that those living in the last generation must guard themselves first of all from deception (Matt. 24:4; Mark 13:5). This story should cause you to press in for the gift of discerning of spirits like you never have before, because this is something I personally have never heard of until this trip.

A middle aged person was meandering around the church foyer, and this person was clearly recovering from a recent major surgery. Some eager young students approached this person, asking if they could pray for Jesus to bring healing. The older person agreed, and so they gathered together in an upper room. When the door shut, and the students began interceding – having given the person a quick explanation of what they were going to do, of how to receive prayer, and of what to possibly expect – it was then that the unexpected happened.

The recuperating person, who downstairs could barely move without pain, and then very slowly, began manifesting a demon. With erratic movements and another’s voice, this person was clearly under the authority of the kingdom of darkness. When the well trained students tried all they knew to do, they went to one who has been practicing deliverance and healing for over a decade.

Upon entering the room, the demoniac was seated and presently settled down, seemingly in the “right” state of mind and character. However, it was nothing but a show. Together, the students with the leader began to rebuke the demon and plead the blood of Jesus, and after much difficulty, the demonized person broke down into tears and praising God! Hallelujah! The young students were aglow, rejoicing with dancing, and preparing themselves to now address and believe for the person’s physical healing. The leader, though, kept seated and did not join them all in their excitement, but instead authoritatively rebuked: “You foul, deceptive spirit!” And the person, who the students thought to be free, again roared and raged with the voice and power of a demon! They were deceived! And not only that, but this demon deceived them in the same way once more in that very same deliverance session!

How terrifying! Are we abiding in the light such that we can instantly know whether one is in fellowship with Jesus or not? Do we honestly rely on the Holy Spirit to give us eyes to see beneath the surface and to search the heart, or are we merely external and suspicious? Have we laid hold of the heavenly gifts already given us, or have we remained impoverished because we have not yet entered through the open door set before us? How seriously do we take Paul when he wrote, “Now the Spirit *expressly* says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1)? O God, let it not be said of us who are of the last Adam that a crafty serpent deceived us! Make us burning and shining lamps, and cleanse our eyes from all wickedness, that we may rightly discern the foul from the holy. Give us grace to pursue righteousness all of our days, for we long to see the day of Your Son’s return! Jesus, we desire that You receive Your full inheritance, and will not rest until the kingdom of God is restored here on earth. Maranatha!

Flowing rivers of living water

This weekend I ministered at Bradley Epworth Methodist Church in Peoria, IL with a team of about 30 first and second year FSM students. In the months leading up to our trip, the Spirit informed us that we were hired specifically for two tasks: to watch over Bradley’s garden of encountering God, releasing angels to remove all that would harm their place of intimacy, and to pour out upon their altar everything poured into us, keeping nothing for ourselves. We also knew that this church was experiencing revival, but a revival which had not yet exploded out into the city; they needed a cataclysmic element before their burning coals could be dispersed throughout Peoria. Upon arriving, the leadership of Bradley were in full agreement – we were that element they had been praying and waiting for, even for the last fifteen years.

As a team, we saw several significant healings take place, from severe back pain to asthma to a broken ankle. In the prophecy rooms, which we ministered in for over five straight hours, the level of accuracy and unity was phenomenal, and the greatest skeptics were brought to weeping and to awe of a personal God who spoke to individuals out of the overflow of His heart. There were even some deliverance sessions, and people were set free from long years of demonic oppression. In the prayer room we set up, the spirit of impartation was placed upon our hands, and many received their prayer language, travail, and Holy Spirit laughter. The grace to pray for hours on end with ease was present in the sanctuary, and when teaching, preaching, and prophesying there, the Spirit went forth triumphantly.

Though we were actively involved in ministry for over eighteen hours each of those days, and though I myself was entering into week four of a water only fast, I found that in the midst of this as-of-yet small scale revival, I was supernaturally energized all throughout the four days, and I slept those three nights soundly. Truly, my own testimony this weekend was simply that I continually said “yes” to the Spirit of Jesus, and He did the rest – through me, the team I was a part of, and through the members of Bradley Epworth. I walked away with this invaluable experience: how to keep my heart alive in the midst of revival.

Here’s how. Though I am a major introvert – which means it expounds much of my energy to be a part of large group dynamics, and to fuel myself I need to be alone for long hours (which I thoroughly enjoy; I am the exact definition of a recluse) – my desire was to remain fully energized, and yet fully immersed in ministry. I prayed for Divine guidance, and Jesus spoke clearly to me of how to be wise in my preparation and in my watching (Matt. 25:1-13) – of how to redeem the time given me (Eph. 5:13-17), and to number my days (Ps. 90:12). And, because He’s fun, He used fractals to teach this to me.

In essence, a fractal is a picture that when viewed as a whole is identical to the parts that make it up, which continue infinitely. They’re quite interesting to me, and have been for some years now. What Jesus was giving me by bringing to remembrance these mathematical works of art was my method to be *being* filled with the Spirit, as a habitual drunkard would with wine, obvious to all who might hear and look upon him (Eph. 5:18). Revival is coming here to IHOP-KC, and soon. We must prepare ourselves and our families, that we do not burn out, fall apart, or fall away.

He led me to walk out my day faithfully like this: I would wake up early, and spend my first hour alone in prayer. Then, after my morning preparations, when I arrived at the church, I’d come into the group of people, yet remain alone before the Lord for an hour to an hour and a half. And from that place, of having something of eternal substance to give to them, I would minister to the people. I would minister to one person at a time without distraction for maybe ten minutes to a half hour, but then immediately again retreat to the secret place for five minutes or even thirty seconds before moving on to the next person. After four or five hours, dictated by meal times, I would then spend an hour alone debriefing with the Spirit. Then I’d start the process again. I would end my day just as I had began it; an hour among the people but alone in prayer, and then another hour completely alone in my bedroom before sleeping. I imagine that when revival comes and remains here that I would continue the fractal method, extending it ever outward, having Sabbath days, weeks, and months, and even Sabbath years.

A very good friend of mine had a powerful dream from God for our community here at IHOP-KC. The dream, in short, was that Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals, would place a mantle of healing on many where no disease known to man would be able to stand, and that He’d be with us in our coming in and in our going out. Then the dream transitioned and my friend, having the mantle, was standing before a line of people miles long, all having such serious conditions that if they did not receive healing that day, they would die. After eighteen straight hours of healing every single one who approached, my friend was told by the Holy Spirit (who came in the form of a Faceless Man) to immediately leave the line and stop healing. When asked why, He replied, “Because you are out of oil.” And because my friend had to leave the line, people died.

This dream has been shared numerous times publicly, and it has completely upturned the way in which I’ve been thinking about the coming revival. Are we truly ready? How do we spend our time? I learned by experience something priceless this weekend, yet my wife and baby daughter were not there – how will I respond in revival when my family is with me and needs me everyday? This is very real, very serious, and very close. Because family life *is* full time ministry, my wife and I have already discussed and implemented much of this “fractal method”, and hope to continually perfect it over the years ahead of us. When I shared this with my friend, the one who had the dream, he told me that he was very blessed by it. I trust that this will bless you and yours as well.