TEXT ASK FOR RAIN
ZECHARIAH 10:1-10
Sometimes God speaks things to us that don't make any sense, sometimes they just seem to be out of order.
This text is an example of that: God says ask for rain in the time of the latter rain, now to my natural mind that doesn't make any sense.
Why would you need to ask for rain when it's raining? that doesn't make any sense at all. Thats like walking outside and standing in the pouring rain and looking up to the sky and saying: I sure wish it would rain.
But the truth is: This is spiritual and what God is saying is this; there are seasons of visitation, there are times of refreshing, there are times when God manifest his presence and his power and His glory to his people.
But the only ones that will benefit from that, and the only ones that will be blessed by the rain and blessed by the presence of God and the manifestation of his glory, are those who ask for the rain.
In a spiritual sense you don't get wet just because it's raining, (you have to ask for the rain). You have to put a demand on God. You have to let God know that you need the rain, and that you want the rain, and that you will not be satisfied without the rain.
You must position yourself to receive the rain: It doesn't matter what God is doing, if you are out of position you will miss it.
Attitude has a lot to do with positioning, because in a spiritual sense your attitude determines your position.
For example: God is manifesting his presence, his power is being manifested, glory is filling the atmosphere) but your attitude says (I don't like these songs, or i don't like that sermon, or i can't wait till service is over so i can go eat)
Well you may be physically in the right place, but if your attitude is wrong you are spiritually in the wrong place.
The bible says: Repent then times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord.
I want to tell you something: I love you with all my heart, and i want to be the best pastor I can be, but God didn't send me here to make freinds, and to eat chicken, and to pat everybody on the back and say: your ok i'm ok, we're all ok.
I am here in the divine plan of God and destiny over this church (to push you, to build you, to equip you, to train you, to empower you) to help you position yourself to receive all that God has for you and to walk in his anointing and power.
And that means sometimes you'll get uncomfortable, because growth means stretching, and growth means change, and if my preaching and teaching never challenges you, then I'm wasting my breath and your wasting your time.
But I believe in the power of the gospel, and i believe, when i line myself up with the word (the blessings of God come like rain)
We're not trying to get anything from you: We're trying to get Gods blessing to you. I don't talk about tithing because I'm trying to get your money) I talk about about it because if I don't God will hold me personally responsible for witholding his truth from you.
We're entering a season of divine prosperity: There has been a major shift in the Spiritual climate.
(a major part of the prophetic ministry is knowing where we are at in the spirit so we can position ourselves for what is coming next)
It's a spiritual radar system
In Oklahoma we would often hear the radio or tv telling us that radar had detected a major thunderstorm heading our way: with the potential of producing strong winds, large hail, dangerous lightning and heavy amounts of rain.
This was to help us prepare for what was coming: in otherwords (to get out of it's path, or to take shelter away from the storm.
But in this case: The advance notification is to prepare us for what is coming so we will be directly in the path and so nothing will get in the way of the rain soaking our lives.
That means you need to get rid of anything that would get between you and the rain:
Any resentment, self pity, unforgiveness, anger, jealousy, lust, deception, pride, stubborness, rebellion, gossiping.
I'm standing here today not just as your pastor but as a prophetic voice: just as sure as i have warned you prophetically to be spiritually alert, and to stay hidden in the secret place)
Now i'm telling you: Add to that ( The rain is coming) what we have witnessed in the natural (taking place around us! All this rain is a sign of what is happening in the spiritual.
But what i must say is this: This is just a window of time) and we have to seize the day) we must become more spiritually agressive than we have ever been.
We must be more committed to obedience to his word, we must pray more agressively, worship more agressively, give more agressively.
The world: does not understand what is happening: they are dumbfounded the liberal politically correct establishment is scratching their heads and foaming at the mouth. (but it's called mercy and grace) It is the God of heaven answering the prayers of his people and giving us one more chance to bring in the harvest before night falls.
Jesus said: We must work while it is day for the night cometh when no man can work.
In our text God does two things he reinforces his love and his commitment to his people: He says he will bless his people, He will restore them, He says they will become like Mighty Warriors who tread down their enemies in the street. He says Joy will be restored to them. He says this Joy will be so great and so impacting that their children will see it and be glad and rejoice in the Lord. And He says where they had suffered loss increase shall return. He says he will make his people like his Royal horse that he rides in battle.
This all comes under the category of the Rain, the refreshing the blessing the prosperity.
But the second thing God does is He rebukes the false prophets and the false Shepherds that lied and deceived his people. He says his anger is kindled against them and he will punish them.
So I'm going to prophesy to you that in this great season of the rain of God's blessings and divine prosperity, at the same time there is going to be some judgment coming on these false prophets and false Shepherds that preach and prophesy for money and only say what the people want to hear, those professional prophets and celebrity preachers.
And there's one more thing that God said in our text that he was going to deal with (the goats) goats are the rebellious, goats are those who cannot be led, they refuse to be led, they ignore instruction,
goats are those who refuse instruction and they oppose the truth.
(let me say something about the truth) when you oppose the truth or resist truth you are not opposing or resisting a message or a concept (truth is a person) Jesus is the truth and the Holy Spirit is the spirit of Truth.
Jesus said my sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow. So this rain is bringing blessing and judgment.
I don't know if you've recognized the polarization that's been happening in our nation but it's not all bad, because the Holy Spirit has been drawing a line through the body of Christ. (I mean that what we see in the natural is just mirroring what is taking place in the body of Christ) the Holy Spirit is drawing a line separating the good from the evil, the true from the false and the Holy from the profane.
Those who hold to the standard of Truth and righteousness and Holiness are going to be showered with unspeakable blessings and prosperity and abundance.
But those who forsake the truth are going to experience judgement
I'm standing here today as a prophetic voice to declare a new season of visitation for the body of Christ.
The atmosphere has shifted (the heavens are pregnant with rain)!
But I close with this word ( you have to ask for it).
This may be the last out pouring that you will ever have opportunity to see or more specifically (be a part of) Every generation is given an opportunity to take hold of God and experience genuine Revival (but it's up to us).
Are we going to ask for the rain or are we going to let it pass us by.
I need some people around the front of this church today who seriously want to get wet.
You seriously want to see the Spiritual drought broken in this nation! In your family! In your community.
Trump is not going to do it: Blood washed Holy Ghost filled Fire Baptized Believers who refuse to remain dry (are the ones who are going to make it happen).
Men and women who will climb the mountain and bow themselves before the God of heaven and groan and travail until heaven opens.
