The God Who Speaks - May 2007

God's grace and peace to you,

I'd like to share some new questions that I'm wrestling through re: listening to God. They are really two sides of one coin:

Question 1 (heads): Does God always and only share good news? Or is there still a place for exhortation, correction and rebuke?

Question 2 (tails): Is the conviction of sin always from the Holy Spirit, or does the Enemy sometimes slip in accusations under the guise of the Spirit?

These are questions of discernment that need our attention.

Part 1

On the first question, I am reminded of Jeremiah 28 where the prophet challenges the good news of peace and deliverance that Hananiah was predicting. It is no service to the people of God if we only hear affirmation of our own plans when a loving warning is in order.

Perhaps "loving" is the active ingredient. Too many alleged prophets forecast doom accompanied my threats, condemnation and fear-mongering. All too often I've seen a certain self-righteous glee attached to such words... a personality-type that seems to need to beat up the Bride.

Jesus model is far different. His most dire apocalyptic warnings were accompanied with the tears and love of a Father whose heart was breaking for his children... His warnings of judgment were invitations to escape from destruction into the Father's refuge rather than portraying the Father as the destroyer.

In short, God does issue words of warning... but in tones of love and invitation to a better place. And it will be attended by the fruit of the Spirit, which we must remember includes patience, long-suffering, gentleness and kindness. It will often come in the form of penetrating questions that disturb the comfortable but comfort the disturbed. Even the most severe critiques of the seven churches of Revelation end in powerful promises that make the good news VERY good.

Part 2 (sorry so long)

On the second question, I think the Lord has been pointing out that those who are truly open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit need to remember that the Spirit is our Advocate. This is the opposite word to Accuser. Remember, the Advocate defends, the Accuser condemns. I'm afraid that all too often, the Accuser is able to deliver a counterfeit conviction because we forget (a.) that where sin abounds, grace much more abounds, and (b.) there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is not to say that the Holy Spirit does not convict for the purpose of removing guilt and shame. Jesus himself sent him for that purpose (John 16). But what if... what if 80% of the conviction of sin preached in the church is simply the Accuser being given a green light? I'm not saying this is the case... I'm asking, "How would I know the difference?" This is something we ought to ask the Lord about. Part 1 above might give us some clues.

In addition, aside from the Accuser, we also deal with the conscience. Oddly, in Romans and 1 Corinthians, Paul treats a STRONG or robust conscience as LESS condemning, LESS restricted, MORE free. The conscience is to serve the Lord in directing us to a life of love and grace in this world, but our conscience might also be rather religious and seek to chain and condemn us when God has not. Remember 1 John, "Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts." Of course, others have killed or seared or twisted their conscience, ignoring it until it's on strike. But what I'm addressing here is the conscience that seeks to accuse under the guise of conviction of the Holy Spirit. Again, how would I know the difference?

We ask God, who, being a Good Shepherd, will take us on a journey from condemnation and accusation into the world of grace, mercy and true conviction that leads to freedom from both the lure of sin AND the law.

If you've stuck with me this far, can I recommend asking the Lord a few questions about this?

1. Lord, where am I experiencing condemnation right now? From where did it come? Would you show me the path to freedom? What needs to happen?

2. Lord, I will resist the Accuser and call the conscience to serve you (rather than displace you). Would you show me the Holy Spirit as Advocate? From which accusations would He like to defend me from?

3. Lord, is there someone who lives under condemnation that needs to read this today? (please consider forwarding it).

To conclude, as my friend Corinne says, "The conviction of the Advocate makes me seek restoration and forgiveness and the Accuser just makes me feel bad and want to withdraw."
blessings,

Brad Jersak

The God Who Speaks - April 2007

Grace and peace! (REALLY ... please receive it!),

I've been holding off for a few weeks, waiting for something to share that would truly be of help to those who are trying to listen to God. Here's what finally came:

First, I sense the call to listen to God more attentively while out in public... the goal would be to stay tuned in continually without necessarily needing to continually ask God questions about every step. Rather, could we at least be alert enough to notice when He taps us on the shoulder?

Second, I believe this comes with the challenge to step out and ACT on what He says. Truthfully, I find this intimidating at times... still a sign of "the fear of man". Oh dear. But when we listen AND obey, the Lord honors our faith.

For example, I attended conference on Saturday evening because my friend, Murray Dueck was one of the speakers. It was quite the party... all these Korean intercessors showed up and when they matched up with the folks from Samuel's Mantle (Murray's prophetic community), all heaven broke loose. It was wonderful, but the best part came later.

Murray and I went to Tim Hortons (coffee and donuts) to dial down for a bit. When we went to the counter, there was an East-Indian woman taking our order. Murray turned to me and said, "the Lord is telling me that he wants
to heal her. She has a problem with her neck and shoulders" (but nothing was apparent to the eyes).

After ordering, he asked her, "Do you ever have pain in your neck and shoulders?" She replied, "Oh yes. I was in a bus accident in India and I injured my leg. I can't bend it any more, and that has affected my shoulders and neck too." Murray asked if he could pray for her and she said yes. As he prayed (right at the counter), her eyes teared up. He asked, "How does it feel?" And she said with a smile, "Better!"

We went and sat down, but she came over and said, "It really IS better." And she said, "And I couldn't do this before," showing us how now she could bend her knee too ... totally healed.

She told us how she had been in so much pain and couldn't drive her car and that her children said, "You need to go to a doctor," but now she said, "Who would have thought that God would send someone here to heal me!"

She said that she loved God but didn't know Jesus, but recognized that now God was introducing Jesus to her and that she should learn more about him.

A wonderful testimony ... but take a moment to think about how easily Murray could have ignored his initial impression or let fear disuade him from asking her about her condition or simply promised to pray for her in a general kind of way.

So to review:
1. Stay tuned in to God in public.
2. Act on what you hear (allowing yourself grace for learning).

By the way, it needn't always be a stranger. Perhaps there's someone you know from beyond your church or family that could use a word of encouragement today from the Lord. We all know this, but if you've forgotten to actually live this way, consider this a guilt-free, friendly reminder. Don't miss out on the joy of it!

blessings,

Brad Jersak

p.s. We're noticing lately that a new wave of interest has arisen in "Can You Hear Me?" from those who haven't yet seen the book. If you know someone who might benefit, please consider lending them your copy or directing them to www.bradjersak.com for their own. Thanks.