Life-changing Encounters With Jesus

Posted on by pastordavidturner

For the church I am privileged to pastor, one key thing I sense for 2023 is God inviting us deeper in His presence to prepare us to be sent out.  God is wanting us to slow down and take time to enjoy Him because He is going to equip and empower us to go out and make disciples. Encounter always proceeds commissioning. We can only give what we have received; we can only pour out when we have been filled. This is what happened for prophet Isaiah and it is a prophetic picture for us in this season. 

Isaiah 6 “I Saw the Lord….”

Imagine standing in a room and suddenly you see a vast and majestic throne with God sitting upon it. His kingly robes are so expansive and wonderful they fill the whole room. Angels are singing. The room begins to tremble and you feel the vibrations throughout your body.  The atmosphere is filled with a fragrance and smoke you can see, feel, and smell. This is what Isaiah experienced.  

The encounter we witness in Chapter 6 of Isaiah is a “blending” of heaven and earth. Isaiah was seeking God in a physical temple in Jerusalem (notice he mentions a temple in v.1 and a house with doors in v.4) when the glory of God manifests in a profound and life changing way. God’s throne room, heaven itself, descended. Imagine an overlay – the pillars of the physical temple are overlayed with the pillars of heaven. The oxygen of earth is infused with the atmosphere of heaven. God’s heavenly throne room fills the physical space. 

When we praise, God’s throne descends and His glory manifests. This, according to a principle David taught in Psalm 22:3, is what happens when we praise God: “But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” God inhabits or dwells upon the praises of Israel, His covenant people (this includes us who are in Christ – see Galatians 3:29). The Hebrew word in Psalm 22:3 can be translated “dwell, inhabit or even marry” – as in two merging, blending, or becoming one. God Himself draws near when we draw near to Him (James 4:8).  

When Isaiah says he “saw the Lord sitting on a throne” (v.1), He is really seeing the real God on a real throne. He is seeing by the Holy Spirit in the spirit-realm. Isaiah is in the physical temple and yet in this encounter he enters the heavenly holy of holies as God’s glory is unveiled to Him. God is always present; heaven always open. This encounter is made possible because of a removing of a veil over our spiritual eyes that keeps us from walking in this reality constantly. When we give God our full attention, we discover He is there – was always there waiting for us. When we become fully present to Him, we encounter His presence. When we adore Him, we behold His glory and discover He has always been adoring us. This is what Paul taught in 2 Corinthians 3:16, “Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” This is a work of the Spirit who opens our spiritual eyes and ushers us into the presence of God. 

These manifestations of God’s presence are real and available to all of us. This is a regular occurrence in the bible. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jesus, Stephen, John, and so many more friends of God encountered the manifest presence of God. In fact, almost no friend of God called to partner with God was without some encounter and revelation. It is God’s way. He reveals Himself to those who seek Him, like He promised in Jeremiah 29:12, “If you seek Me, you will find Me.”  Many of us understand seeking, but there is a finding as well. If we are called to “enter in” to the holy of holies then there is also an enjoying of the holy of holies. 

You can enter into God’s presence and you can enjoy God’s presence. Simply pause now, turn your attention to the Lord, and begin to adore Him out loud with words of praise. Keep it simple. Offer loving adoration like, “Jesus, I love you. Thank you.”  Set aside every distraction and focus your mind on the Lord. See Him high and lifted up, seated on His throne. Join with heaven and tell Him He is holy, that there is no one like Him. Do this daily, maybe a few times a day.  Continually turning your attention to the Lord, setting the affections of your heart and the thoughts of your mind on Him.

As you do this, you will become aware of His presence. His Spirit will fill you with heaven’s glory – with joy, peace, calm, rest, strength. The atmosphere around you will change as heaven comes. Your perspective will shift in the light of God. Wisdom and clarity will come. In this place, called “secret”, you will encounter God’s presence and hear His voice. He will share His heart with you and transform you from the inside out to be just like Jesus. 

This is the slowing down, the diving deeper, the abiding that God is inviting us into because, just like Isaiah, God has some things He needs to change in us and speak to us (read Isaiah 6:7-8). He wants to share His heart with us and invite us to partner with Him. Will you, like Isaiah, say “Here I am” and become fully present to Him?  And when He shares His heart with you, will you, like Isaiah, say, “Send Me!” and partner with Him?   

A Friend of God: Collaboration

Posted on by pastordavidturner

“They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.”

Revelation 15:3

The Book of Revelation

There is a lot going on in the book of Revelation because there is a lot going on in heaven. The book, which details the coming of Jesus and the events leading to His return and eternal reign, is centered around visions of heaven. In Revelation 4-5 the Apostle John is taken to heaven. He has the awesome privilege of seeing the glory of God and hearing worship around His throne.  He is also invited to see and hear specific plans for the future of the world. He may be the first and only real time traveler! (more on that later). 

After John enters the throne room of God, He is shown a series of visions about the future of the world.  Everything is happening primarily in the spirit-realm and then manifesting secondarily on the earth. Scrolls and trumpets in the heavenly realm; famines, earthquakes, and such in the natural realm. We won’t comment now about the timing and fulfillment of these things. Some have happened, some are happening, and some will happen soon (see Revelation 1:19). It is all real—though the nature of the spiritual realm can seem strange to us. 

Revelation 15 – Song of Moses & the Song of the Lamb

Then we get to Revelation 15. The final judgements are about to be poured out on the earth. But first, a song! John is observing a moment after much judgement on the earth and before Jesus’ return. It is an “in-between pause. As human history draws near its conclusion, heaven takes a breathe. It is an intensely beautiful moment in heaven–and we get a glimpse!   In this moment, worship begins again and this time it’s the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the [b]saints!
4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”

Here is what strikes me as odd: why is it called the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb?  Clearly, the text is saying they wrote this song: It is Moses’ song and it is the Lamb’s song. So, I looked back in the Old Testament to find songs Moses wrote. There is a song in Exodus 14 after the Red Sea drowned the Egyptian army and became the highway of deliverance for Israel. But the words of Revelation 15 are not found in that song. Then there is a song he wrote in Psalm 90. Again, not in any way related to the song of Revelation 15.  

Revelation 15 has to be a new song written by Moses. But He is not the only one who wrote it. It is also written by Jesus. Brace yourself. They collaborated! It’s their song which they co-wrote together. It is a masterpiece of their friendship. Can you see it?  Jesus and Moses hanging out in eternity, collaborating on a new song.  A special song to be song in honor of God before the conclusion of human history and Jesus’ return to restore the world. All of heaven starts singing their song. John witnesses the debut, the single release of this song. 

Theological side note. Did you know Jesus loves His Father more than anyone and is the chief worshipper leader of all of heaven? Check out Hebrews 2:11-12 referencing Psalm 22.  Jesus is God. We need a much deeper, dynamic understanding of the triune relationship of God. Father loves and honors His Son more than anyone else and wants us all to do the same (John 5:20-23). It should not surprise us that Jesus is worshipping His Father and writing a worship song with Moses. Rather, this is likely the most magnificent realization I have had in a long time; this truth has drawn me deeper into my friendship with Jesus and it can do the same for you. 

Collaboration with Jesus

Jesus wants friendship with you. He wants to collaborate with you. This is the deep yearning of His heart: a friend, a partner, a bride. For Jesus, ministry is not something we do for Him but with Him. The various gifts He has given to you, the creative potential resident within you, was deposited by His choice. He gave you something that you might make something with Him for others. What masterpiece of your friendship will you make with Jesus? What does Jesus want to do with you? Lean into your friendship with God, seek Him, and ask. When you get intimately close to God, you can’t help but become confident in your calling and full of courage to walk it out in love.  What if that song you are called to create, or that business you are called to start, or that bible study you are called to write is something Jesus wants to collaborate with on you as an overflow of your intimate friendship with Him? Exit burn out; enter rest. Exit fear; enter confidence. Exit striving; enter joy.

The truth is that ministry is primarily worship to Him and friendship with Him. We serve others and share our gifts to be a blessing. But we also hide, compare, covet, judge. We are so caught up seeking applause or fearing rejection that we have forgotten why we were created. You were made for Jesus, designed for His presence, and fashioned for His glory. You will be free when you collaborate with Jesus. Only then will others truly be blessed because the masterpiece will be pure. How beautiful is that song of Moses and the Lamb, because it is their masterpiece of friendship offered in worship to God. Neither vying for control, ownership, or royalties. Our Master and Savior is a servant. He shares. He includes. He is the Vine and we are the branches. And Moses, God’s friend, wrote this song with Jesus and for His Father. He wasn’t looking for glory, but offering Himself as a servant of God. Let’s do the same.

Key to Abraham

Posted on by pastordavidturner

As we continue in our series out of Genesis, the book of beginnings, we journey with Abraham to see see how God transformed him and how God can restart our faith and transform us too.

I love how real and how raw Abraham was.  I love how God worked through his imperfections.  And despite Abraham’s flaws, there was something that set him apart; something that moved the heart of God, attracted favor, and released the miraculous.

What was it!?  What is the key to Abraham’s life?  As you listen to this message may you see how you can imitate Abraham and position yourself for deeper friendship with God and supernatural intervention from Him in your life.

Enjoy!

The Praise Breakthrough

Posted on by pastordavidturner

Often just when we start making some progress, resistance comes.  Often after revival, comes backlash.  We can be tempted to be discouraged, but the Lord is reminding us that our victory is on our lips, that praise is the way to breakthrough.  So don’t worry; worship.  Don’t back down; Bless the Lord.  Don’t give up; give Him glory!

Be reminded through some powerful testimonies that as you worship, God is moving.  He is going before you, fighting for you, giving you victory.  Praise Him!

Enjoy!

 

Costly Worship

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There is no worship without sacrifice.  Think about it!  It is all over the Bible.  God is honored when we worship Him in a costly manner.  Even David knew this and said, “I will not give to God that which costs me nothing!”

In these messages we continue to learn that we are called to minister to God and discover what blesses God.  Let God draw you deeper.

Enjoy!

Ministering to the Lord

Posted on by pastordavidturner

We are not only called to minister for the Lord but to the Lord. Our primary calling is to know and love God.  In fact, we find our identity and purpose when we put Him first and honor Him.

In these messages, the Lord is teaching us what blesses Him.  We often think of our own needs and wants; but do we really consider what God wants?  Let God draw you deeper.

Enjoy!

The Gift of Joy

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The joy of the Lord is not the joy of circumstance or the joy of emotions.  The joy of the Lord, the joy of our salvation, is a gift from God beyond this world.  It is resurrection joy that defies circumstances.  It is joy before you see the results.  It is the victory before the victory.  Receive the joy of the Lord in this inspiring, prophetic message.  Let Jesus give you joy by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Enjoy!

Breaking The Yoke of Debt Part 6

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In this series of messages, God has been preparing our heart to receive His promised blessings.  The breakthrough God is working in us is for our financial life as well as every  other area of our lives.  In order to prepare us, God has been breaking “yokes” in our hearts: greed, lust, complacency, and unbelief.

In this message, God is calling us to SING OUR WAY TO VICTORY!  I believe the Lord is calling us to rise up and sing, rejoice, shout in faith before we see the breakthrough.  The victory always begins on the inside.  Faith sees and sings before the answer comes, before the breakthrough happens.

Enjoy and sing your way to victory!

Return To Where You Began

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Have you received a promise and rejoiced?  and then after the promise came hardship and delay?  Did you struggled in faith?  Well, you are not alone.   And just like Abraham, the father of our faith, you can return to where you began.

Abraham was called by God to leave his family, his comfort zone, and his financial safety net. He left everything because he heard God and trusted in His promises (Check out Genesis 12 and Hebrews 11 for more of the story).

When Abraham arrived in the land of Canaan he heard God say, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar as an act of worship to God. This altar was a symbol of his faith—of his joy, his gratitude, his confidence, his resolve to follow God.

This altar was a symbol of his faith—of his joy, his gratitude, his confidence, his resolve to follow God.

But then Abraham was confronted with an economic crisis, a drought and famine. After the promise came hardships and delay.  Abraham struggled in his faith. His character was tested. Abraham went down to Egypt where it was safe. He lied, putting his wife in danger, to save his own skin.  Hint: don’t follow that example. 

But after his failure came restoration. Genesis 13 describes Abraham’s return: he came out of Egypt and returned “to the place where his tent had been at the BEGINNING, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at FIRST. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord (Genesis 13:3-4).”

“…to the place of the altar which he had made there at FIRST.” -Genesis 13:4

Did you see that!? He returned to where he BEGAN. He returned to the place he had FIRST built an altar. He went back to the place God had spoken, to the place he believed God, to the place of joy, of confidence, of resolve, of thankfulness. He returned to faith.

Do you need to return to faith? Do you need to remember what God has promised you? Do you need to remember joy, confidence and thankfulness? Do you need to return, rebuild an altar of faith, worship and call on God’s name?  Well, you can. Just like Abraham you can return to where you began.  God’s mercy is new today. He is waiting for you to turn to Him, and cry out for His help.

And here is a good place to begin: like Abraham, be “strengthened in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20).” Worship.  Boast about God.  Praise Him.  Find His promises in the bible and shout, “Thank you!”

 

 

 

 

Psalm 23

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Psalm 23 was not written on a green hillside on a peaceful day; it was written in a dark cave on a frightening day.

1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters.3He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over.6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Often, because of the wonderfully comforting words David sings to God in Psalm 23, we imagine he wrote it on a green hillside, on a sunny, peaceful day while watching sheep feast on grass. Descriptions like “green pastures” and “still waters” and statements like “restore my soul” cause us to see this picture David is painting with his song and release inside of us the same comfort he was experiencing while he sang.  

We image these words were penned during his boyhood years as a shepherd of his father’s sheep, as he spent many days and nights alone, contemplating and singing. We believe the song flowed from a heart full of youthful innocence and optimism.

But by doing this we miss the power of Psalm 23. By looking closely at Psalm 23 we observe that David was not on a green hill side but inside a dark cave. He was not a youth but a fugitive. He was not inexperienced at the crises of life. He had been betrayed, lied about, and attacked. He had lost everything. He was afraid for his life. Psalm 23 is a manifesto of patient faith sung during a dark time in David’s life. It is an anthem of hope. When we place this bright Psalm in its dark context it shines even brighter–the words more comforting, the example more compelling. 

David describes himself as walking through the valley of the shadow of death–a clear allusion to the physical desert he was hiding in, the threat to his life, and the emotional weight bearing on his soul. He says that he is the presence of his enemies.  He did not have enemies before King Saul tried to kill him.  When he says, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life” he is using a play on words. “Follow” is best translated “pursue”.  It is a word used of hunting someone or something to destroy it. It is a word used to describe persecution. This declaration, like the rest of the Psalm, is a faith-filled defiance of his circumstances. David is experiencing lack, but he declares that God is his shepherd and lacks nothing. David is emotionally raw, but he declares God makes him lie down, gives him rest and restores his soul. He doesn’t know what to do or where to go, but he declares God will guide him. His life is being threatened, but he declares God is with him and comforts him. His enemies–an angry, jealous, crazy King Saul and his army–are pursing David in the desert, but he declares that God delights in him. Can you imagine someone hating you, lying about you, attacking you and trying to end your life? David was innocent; he had done nothing to warrant this attack. In the midst of rejection and loss, he declares God loves him and enjoys him. Though a crazy man is trying to kill him, David declares God’s promise and plan for his life will win. He is implying, “This man might be chasing me, but God is chasing me too. And God, not this man, will catch me. His goodness and mercy, his love, his blessings, his promises, his plan, his commitment to me will catch me, consume me, and characterize my life!”

Psalm 23 is powerful because David is declaring the exact opposite of what he is experiencing. Without denying his precarious state, he boasts about his God, defying his circumstances with the declaration of God’s promises for his life. He is not a green hillside, but a dark cave. 

  • He declares he has no lack because he was hungry and alone.
  • He declares God is with him because he is scared for his life.  
  • He declares God’s delightful fellowship because he is being rejected and attacked by his King and father-in-law.
  • He declares the goodness and mercy of God pursues him because he is being pursued by a man who wants to end his life, terminate his calling, and rob his blessings. 

He is assuring himself that God is with him and for him; that, even if others reject him, God delights in him; that, in the end, God’s good promises will win out in his life. Whether financially or relationally, physically or spiritually, emotionally or practically, David is placing his trust and hope firmly in the Faithful One’s hands.  

We have, in many of David’s Psalms (and especially Psalm 23), a perfect example of how faith responds to trials, delays, setbacks, disappointments, and life threatening situations. This is what it means in 1 Samuel 30 that David “strengthened himself in the Lord” in response to tragedy. This is costly worship. Faith boasts about God. Faith does not deny circumstances but it sure does defy them. Circumstances have a way of preaching to us, of boasting that they will defeat us. David knew how to overcome. He models for us that we need to preach to our hearts and to our circumstances by boasting about our God. We need to declare that our God is bigger than our circumstances. This is how to be people of faith, of worship, who overcome and see the fulfillment of God’s promises and plan in our lives.  

So boast about your God. Declare what God will do for you.

I do not lack; because I have God, I have everything I need. If I have nothing, but I have God, I lack no good thing.  God is my comfort, peace, and rest. I will not fear.  Though I am emotionally raw, God restores me. He is the strength of my soul, the strength of my emotions, my confidence, my rock and refuge. God is with me; I am not alone. He will guide me.  God delights in me. Even if others reject me, God loves me and enjoys me. God will bless me. His plan for my life will win. His goodness and mercy, his blessing and promises, his love and faithfulness will characterize my life. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever!