New Zealand.
Bruce Mason Center.
Acts Conference.
I was lifting my hands together with the people in the hall worshipping and declaring the promises of God in our lives. Bruce Monk was leading the people to act as if lifting the ceiling to signify lifting off any lid or anything which restricts the breakthroughs in our lives. Tears were flowing, my heart was pounding, my words of prayers were these - "it has been a long time which I have allowed fears and doubt restrict the blessings and potentials which God has given me. Though I have done a lot of things worthwhile but I know deep in my heart this is not just it. I may flourished in many areas of my life but actually I have realized that it is possible that you can hide one potential by another potential. This potential is being an artist, and somehow it covered my other potential which is being a messenger/preacher of God. I have realized that it could be because I got tired of religion, the mock and condemnation of "righteous" people, and of course, maybe I got tired with myself of this certain aspect of my life. And what I did was just set it aside, and just put it in oblivion. But tonight, the Spirit convicted me that this is more than just a potential set aside, it was a call which I deferred. Somehow, self-condemnation and other things have restricted me. As Glen Berteau's words thundered in my ears, "Your blessings depend on what you settle" so the more the inspiration of God's words gripped my heart. I know I have to lift all of these, and I know it is the Spirit which is the only One who can do this." So I prayed and I declared all things which restricted me all these times. I will not settle. I will go for what the Lord has called to be, and to do. It doesn't matter what the world says, what matters is what the Lord says.
Just to be in New Zealand is already a miracle for me. My Visa application has been turned down in 5 grounds but the Consul granted my visa only on the basis of "my good purpose and good intention." Actually it is not just a good purpose, but God's purpose. I travelled alone from Manila to Thailand and on to New Zealand. It was a great time of solitude with my DaddyGod. Every minute was a breath of thanksgiving and somehow there are answers God is revealing me.
And here I am, standing here, lifting my hands and embracing God's call again. I declared "No more restrictions, no more holding back." The more I was surprised when Glen Berteau, the main speaker, quoted my life verse in John 12: 24 which says, "Truly, truly, except the seed fall into the ground, and die, it abides alone, but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit." Suddenly, my life verse flashed to me in a new light. I suddenly realized God is saying to me, "Son, your qualification to serve me is not that you are good, nor that you are talented, or you graduated in a Bible college, or you are good in preaching and in leading, or you are educated. None of all those things qualify you to me." I answered, "Yes, Lord, the truth was, I may not even qualify because once in my life, I have failed you greatly." God answered me, "Failed? The truth is, Son, that is what I need you to be. The seed must fall to the ground and die. Can't you see it? Failing is your qualification. Now, you no longer depend on anything good about you. You depend on me now. And that qualifies you. The thing you thought destroyed you is actually the thing which qualifies you. Why? because it is through this my grace abounds. From now on, when you serve me, people will never see your talent. They will see me. They will not see your accomplishment, but they will see me. They will not see your goodness, but they will see me. Some may even mock you but they can never deny that it is my grace which makes you stand until now, and because of that they will still see me. And in this way, it is my Name which is only glorified. Rise up, Son, embrace this new zeal."
Right there, I embraced God's mighty grace for me. Right there was deliverance and freedom day for me. Right there, I have this new zeal. Yes, it is not reviving the old, but a revolution of the new.
I felt this new zeal revving inside my soul.
And the Spirit somehow is challenging me the more -
"Thank you Lord for this new zeal!" I exclaimed.
"New zeal and,..?"the Spirit was moving me.
"Yes, what will be your answer and your choice?"
I answered, "Lord, new zeal and the new me."
I have realized right there and there that God, our God as a consuming fire of passion, will always grant us a new zeal when we ask for it. But just like the name of this country, it somehow asks, "New zeal, and...what?"
Will I add fear?
Will I add doubts?
Will I add negative thoughts?
Will I add pride?
Will I add selfishness?
I have realized that what we add to our new zeal is up to us, but what we add to it can strengthen or vanish it. If we add faith, love, humility and love for people to it, it will accomplish its purpose. But if we add fear, doubt, negativism, pride and selfishness to it, the new zeal can never be a part of any these things and for sure it will vanish. So, I made a decision.
God encouraged me -
Why will you add fear when I am with you, and I am always for you?
Why will you add doubts when I can even make the impossible, possible?
Why will you add negative things when I promised you that I will bless and prosper you?
Why will you add pride when I am the One empowering you?
Why will you add selfishness when I designed you to help and save others?
I lifted my hands.
I cried to God in declaration, hope and love.
I was so awesomely touched by Him.
This new zeal showed me that no failure can fully disqualify us from serving Him, in contrary, Grace qualifies!
All these things were just kept in my heart through out the travel, and now I have written about this to testify what God did to me in New Zealand. As one dear person approached me and with a revelation from the Spirit and with great compassion told me, "John, you don't have to stay in the shadows. Rise up!" When she said that, I was overwhelmed that I was pondering about it with tears even when I was already in the plane going back home. I was amazed because it connects to the verse which I claimed before going to New Zealand which says, "Arise, and see the brightness of your shining." I was so overwhelmed.
This is what I experienced in New Zealand.
New Zeal.
New Zeal, and...
...history is in the making.
( :check my haka awesomeness experience in NZ)
