Art of Receiving

I am reflecting back to my daily journal entry of July 1997 in which I make the following observation. I had finished a revival somewhere in South Carolina.

I have noticed that most people who seek their deliverance, seek every area
except the word of God. They want the anointing to be released from a
person but they refuse to consistently sit under Bible teaching. The
Bible is what really what is anointed. It destroys yokes. I a person
really wants deliverance, let them come to a meeting. That's when God is
fully present. When you formally make an appointment with HIM. That
anointing from the word empowers to replace the bondage.

God's word is arresting. My need will be met when I am moving towards
God's men who are full of God's word. God's word is remarkable compared to
our own thoughts. God's word is not fantastic since fantastic means -
fantasy or not real. God's word is thrilling when the Holy Spirit is upon
it.

Those who have a hard time receiving God's word are reading or hearing without the anointing. Some time ago in Portland, Oregon the fall of 2002, a young lady said to me, "Pastor, I just can't seem to understand what I am reading. What am I doing wrong?" I told her by an unction of the Holy Spirit; "You should pray in the spirit for a while and then ask the Holy Spirit to bring understanding to your natural mind concerning what you are reading." She did. She prayed and what happened the following weeks was astonishing. She was growing in Christ. She learned to grow by the spirit.

The art of receiving is not so well mastered here in the United States like some countries. You know, I recently joked in a Hispanic church in Winatchee, Washington, that the Hispanics can celebrate at the drop of a sombrero. They laughed and I laughed because we all know Hispanics and south American people can celebrate and will find cause to celebrate over just about anything. Why? They have practiced it as an art. So with the art of celebration, we must also practice the art of receiving. North American's have not practiced it so much.

Did you know I once witnessed a woman who prayed in Anaheim, California for gas money to go to church? The lady was offered gas money and she refused it because, "I just don't feel right about taking someones money." Can you imagine that? Here is a person who prayed for gas money. God gives it to her and she refuses it!! Why? She had pride ruling in her heart. Pride of life will keep you from receiving. Weather it is your healing, your job, a car, a house or money. Pride keeps you from receiving.

The favor of the Lord is bringing many things to you. You must understand something here. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you you don't need it. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you don't want it and If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you can't keep it. If favor doesn't bring it to you, you will have to prop it up.

When you fail to receive, you frustrate God's plan in your life. The word frustrate means, "actions that keep you from attaining a goal or fulfilling a desire; to thwart."

I challenge you today. Tell God, "I am a receiver of your goodness. I practice receiving all you have for me today". Stay with it. When something good comes your way, CELEBRATE IT and don't forget, CELEBRATE THEM!

You can get good at receiving good things all the time. Just start saying, thank you Lord for giving me good gifts. You are my source of supply and you give me good gifts all the time. AMEN.