A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day Feb.20, 2019
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11)
What makes you full of joy? Is it something simple or something extravagant? I can remember a time in my youth when there were no televisions. We had not even heard of a cell phone. You were blessed to have one rotary phone that hung on the wall and it was usually on a party-line. You youngsters probably don’t even know what a party-line was. It was a telephone line you shared with all your neighbors and if you had a neighbor that liked to talk a lot you were in trouble if you wanted to use the phone.
We did not have fancy toys to play with back then. Joy came from playing hide and seek with a neighbor, going fishing with your dad, or playing cards with family members. Sunday church was another joyful time where all the neighborhood families gathered together to worship God and fellowship with each other.
It is amazing to see what has happened over the last 73 years of my life. Experiencing joy today has taken on a totally different meaning to most people. They need cutting edge technology and extravagance. Music has to be accompanied by lights and smoke and digital screens. It’s almost like everything is being taken to a higher and higher level to seek for more and
more joy and pleasure.
Let me ask you this. Have you ever been in a Holy Ghost meeting where the anointing of God was so strong that you could not stand up? Have you ever been in a Holy Ghost meeting where people were healed just by being present in the meeting (no one even prayed for them)? Have you ever been in a Holy Ghost meeting where all you could do was cry or get on your face? If you have, you will understand it when I say no amount of anything this world can manufacture or invent can even come close to the fullness of joy that God can give you by His presence. You cannot copy it. The Holy Ghost has all the rights to it and the only way you can experience it is to surrender to God and walk with Him.
We live in a time where even the church has adopted the ways of the world to try the best they can to create an atmosphere with lights, smoke, and digital equipment. Our young people need to experience the real deal!!! We need the real deal!!! No amount of flashy shows or great preaching will ever be able to replace or replicate the anointing of the Holy Ghost. We need the demonstration of His power and not just enticing words. We need the anointing of God and not a standard order of service.
An old famous preacher was once asked how he prepared for one of his great sermons. This old preacher responded like this. He said he prepared his sermon like God was not going to show up. He studied diligently and made detailed plans and copious notes. But then he said this. But, if God shows up, I discard all my plans and throw away all my notes. Now, that is a wise old preacher.
God, we need your Holy Ghost in our services. Our young people need to see the real thing and not some theatrical performance. We need to see that same thing ourselves. Help us to understand that it is the traditions of man that make the Word of God of no effect. Help us all to understand that we are in a war and the enemy is constantly trying to steal our attention and draw us away into man-made appearances of anointing.
We need you Lord!!! We need your presence in our churches!!!
