June 13, 2025

The Importance of Hearing Clearly

In a time of prayer a few years back, the Lord asked me a question. Now, when the Lord asks a question, it’s probably not because He needs help with the answer! He asks us a question because He wants us to think about it, so HE can give US the answer. The question was, “Who will shape the next great awakening in America?” I knew that “shaping” it meant determining its values and emphases.

He steered my thinking to the last great revival that impacted all of America, the Charismatic and Jesus People movements. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit had a profound impact, not only in America, but throughout much of the earth. As I pondered this revival, I realized that only ten or twelve ministry organizations (sometimes individuals) shaped the entire movement. The Lord used them in significant ways, and much of what they did was good: millions of people were born again, worship went to wonderful new expressions and levels, the teaching gift was restored to the church, a love for God‘s Word exploded, Bible schools sprang up, thousands of churches were planted, and more.

However, not all of the fruit was good. As is true with all of us, weaknesses and flaws existed in these influencers and shapers. Every movement or organization led by humans, which would be all of them, has weaknesses and deficiencies. We are all in the process of being conformed into Christ’s image from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18); no one has reached perfection. And unfortunately, we all pass on some of these weaknesses and deficiencies.

Also, the Ephesians 4:11 gifts of apostle and prophet had not yet been fully restored to the church. This obviously meant that the strengths provided by these two ministry gifts were not significant parts of the revival. Only the anointings, motivations, and strengths of evangelists, pastors, and teachers were shaping it. Consequently, the body of Christ focused on the Great Commission of Mark 16:15-20 (getting people saved, baptized, delivered, healed, etc.) but had very little understanding of Matthew 28:18-20 (discipling nations).

Churches functioned as houses of worship, fellowships, teaching centers, and pastoral care centers, but there were very few Ekklesias – congregations using their God-given authority to impact cities and nations for the Kingdom of God. Caring for people, the sheep, was prioritized over training them for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). The primary goals were to have happy sheep and grow the local churches, rather than extending the Kingdom of God.

Also, grace and love were often prioritized over truth. The teaching gift was restored, but was primarily geared toward aiding individuals in their personal lives. Sound doctrine was often ignored. This led to Christians being “blown about by every wind of doctrine, the trickery of men, and the cunning craftiness” of satan (Ephesians 4:14). The ultimate result? Heresy, deception, and unbiblical beliefs now permeate the body of Christ.

Numerous other weaknesses could be mentioned, but that is not my purpose for today’s post. I mention them only to give context for thinking about “shaping” the coming outpouring of Holy Spirit. If we, the church, have truly grown in our understanding of God‘s Word and ways, and hopefully we have, we should be able to steward this coming revival more effectively than the previous one, producing greater fruit.

Yesterday, I was in another city meeting with several apostolic and prophetic leaders to discuss these matters. We had open and honest dialogue about where we stand as a movement, how we can maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses, and what the next steps should be. Those of us who met together are not members of an organization. We are all autonomous leaders with mutual respect for one another, and who want to steward well what God is doing. We were NOT trying to create or organize what He is doing - that is a great way to end it - but were seeking wisdom from the Lord and one another regarding how to wisely steward what is coming. We looked back with honesty, in order to look forward with greater accuracy and wisdom.

Please pray for leaders in the church. Ask God to give them wisdom and revelation. Pray that those God has entrusted with influence in the body of Christ hear from Him clearly at this time. Pray that they operate with pure hearts and motives to further God’s Kingdom purposes, not build their own ministries, churches, and organizations. If ever the body of Christ needed wise, selfless, and discerning leaders, this is certainly one of those times. The following verses come to mind:

“Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility, put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.” ‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

What an amazing injunction! Thank you in advance for your prayers that leaders in our day will rise to this. And let’s also pray together now.

Pray with me:

Father, it must be acknowledged that most of the deficiencies in the body of Christ are the fault of her leaders, not the members in general. We leaders teach, cast vision, and lead by example. Through these actions, we mold and shape Your people. Please forgive us for the weaknesses we have passed on, and for not maturing Your people as we should have.

We ask that You raise up and promote leaders who will walk in humility, promoting You, Father, rather than themselves. Give us leaders who are Kingdom-minded, not those bent on building their own ministries and names. We ask that they be men and women who hear Your voice, know Your ways, and are wise. Give us fathers and mothers with Your heart for sons and daughters, leaders who will give of themselves to the generation being raised up.

Please give those who consult together deep insight and clear words from You. Provide understanding of what is needed to facilitate, steward, and shape the growing revival well. Give a level of wisdom that will truly be able to harvest and disciple nations, according to Your command in Matthew 28. We ask for these things in Yeshua’s name. Amen.

Our decree:

We declare that the harvest of the ages is upon us, and will be reaped and stewarded well by the body of Christ.

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