CHAPTER 04 - THE APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT - ARE YOU READY?
In Mexico, the houses are not built for rain. We discovered this in the first year that we moved there, when we had our first real thunderstorm. We sat without electricity for a couple of days.
We thought, "That happens sometimes. Next time, it will be better."
No, the Santa Ana winds started to blow, and power lines began to sway. There was a lot of flickering, and the lights went out again.
We discovered that this was just the way things were in Mexico.
We fought it for a while, blaming it on the devil and the weather. One day, we came to a conclusion that this was just the way it was. We just needed to buy a generator.
The next time that the winds blew, the rain fell, and the thunder began, we were the only house in the neighborhood still watching our movie.
There were some important things that we needed to get wired up. We needed a light, internet connection, and the television. What else can you do when all the electricity is out?
The point is that we learned to prepare. Sooner or later, the storm was going to come. We did not know when or how often it was going to come.
However, there was something about that generator in the backyard that made me feel secure. When the rain did come, I was fully prepared for what would happen.
THE RAIN - FORMER AND LATTER RAIN
Joel 2:23 Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you - the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
Joel 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days."
Rain is coming to the Church! The former and latter rain is coming, not just the latter rain. Are you prepared for it? Now, we have already spoken about preparing your marriage and family for your apostolic call. This enables you to be positioned correctly to be used of God as He moves forward in the Church.
However, now that your boots are on the ground, it is to get yourself focused on the prize of the upward call in God through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
God is moving in His Church. He began moving some years ago. Through generations, there have been prophets who have spent hours on their knees, interceding for the move of God that we see in this day and age.
They have interceded through The Middle Ages and through the various revivals. Do you think you are the first to come? What we see now is a generation of prophets that have been birthed on the knees of God's people.
Today's prophetic move was birthed through generations of people praying in their secret place, who would but dream to see what we freely walk in today.
Others were persecuted for what they believed in.
Apostle Paul said to the Church, "You get to experience the mystery." (Romans 16:25)
In Hebrews 11, it says that, although the fathers of our faith had obtained a good report, we see and walk in the promise they never had!
We, in our generation, get to see what generations before us never saw. God has a plan for His Church. The rain is coming. Are you prepared?
No, I do not care if you believe in the fivefold ministry or not. I do not care if you believe in apostles or prophets. Are you ready for the rain? Because it is coming, whether you believe in it or not.
PREPARE FOR RAIN
If you want to stick your head in the sand - knock yourself out. The fact remains... the rain is coming...
