by Chuck Pierce
We have had several people write with great concerns about the current move of God that has been stirring in Lakeland, Atlanta, Dallas and other areas of our nation. Let me share some things with you.
Advancing the Body of Christ
We at Glory of Zion International have chosen to number ourselves in intercession with what is happening in Lakeland and other places throughout the world. Some have written asking me to reject Todd Bentley. Glory of Zion International does not have a philosophy or mindset to reject anyone. We watch, pray, and then try to communicate what the Lord is saying to help the overall Body of Christ advance.
I have seen others get offended because key leaders commissioned Todd as a modern day evangelist. We at Glory of Zion have no problems with this new commissioning. Please know that we are living in an age where the apostolic gift in the Body has come into a new position and era of authority. I was very excited to read Peter Wagner's report on the commissioning service in Lakeland. I admire Ché Ahn, Bill Johnson, and John Arnott. I can now rest in the LORD, knowing that if things get out of sync, this team can help Todd make adjustments so the Spirit can keep moving.
We will continue to pray that the Lord raises up even more evangelists all over the world who can reach the harvest fields today. Yes, they may look different than Billy Graham, and they may have experienced some unusual happenings that perhaps will be more easily communicated as time goes on and we all grow in the Lord. But, overall, they are stirring the Body of Christ, leading people to the Lord, and doing the works of Jesus!
Eat the Meat and Spit Out the Bones
Let me share with you a personal experience. When Pam and I were in the Baptist Church in the early '80s, we were in a "move of God." The Fullness Movement had touched the Baptist Church in the late '70s, led by Jim Hylton, Ras Robinson, Jack Taylor and others. We had had some incredible meetings at our church. Many had gotten saved, gotten right with the Lord and filled with the Spirit of God. I loved this time. Pam and I both reminisce over it and call it "the Glory Days."
Then James Robison had his annual meeting and invited John Wimber to minister. Many of you remember our story of Pam's barrenness. You can read about it in two or three of the books that we have written. We were told by all of our leadership how this "move" had gotten way out of hand, and now that John Wimber (who had no Baptist roots), was invading James Robison's meeting, we should all stay away from these gatherings. (You should know that John Wimber and Peter Wagner helped revive signs and wonders in the '80s.) Well, I heard God very clearly tell Pam and me to go in January, 1984, to the James Robison meeting where John Wimber was speaking. While we were there, the Spirit of God fell on my wife and sovereignly filled her. His power knocked the clots out of her uterus and He dramatically healed her. When the Spirit of God fell on Pam she said, "You were right! There are demons everywhere, but I AM HEALED!"
This was not about John Wimber. This was not about Baptists. This was not about controversy. This test was ours! The situation was about us following God without fear so He could reward us with an incredible blessing. Pam became pregnant two weeks later and continued to be pregnant for the next 10 years of our lives. We had six wonderful children. I'm so thankful I listened to the Spirit of God and did not let religious fear rule us. There were others with us that were not touched at all by the meetings. As a matter of fact, they did not appreciate at all the way John Wimber ministered. However, in the midst of his ministry, the Spirit of God ministered to us and changed the course of our lives.
I am honored that God brought me into alignment with Peter and Doris Wagner after I embraced the move of God that had been stirred by he and John Wimber. We have now been together for 17 years. During that time, I have continued to get the best God has to offer from the revivals in Argentina, Toronto, the "Laughter Movement," Brownsville, and any other fresh breath of wind that blows. I have many friends who have great cautions over experiential manifestations and extra-Biblical, sensational happenings. I heed those friends' voices and listen carefully. This does not keep me from experiencing what God is doing. I love what Bishop Bill Hamon says, "Eat the meat and spit out the bones and you will find yourself nourished."
From Chaos to Order
Recently, I have been pondering the first several verses of Genesis. In the midst of a wreck and ruined, chaotic, without-form earth, the Spirit of God began to hover. Once the Spirit began to hover, God could speak into the earth realm and pull forth creativity. He did this for six straight days. But notice God's order: He didn't try and set in order the sixth day before the first day. He didn't try to place the fourth day before the second day. Little by little, as the Spirit hovered, order came and man was offered a new position as a result. That is how I view every move of God.
What I would encourage you to do is to keep discerning by the Word and the Spirit, but to be open to see the Lord move in a new way. The disciples could not understand why the Lord would go to Samaria and visit with the woman at the well. However, because of His love and boldness to break a religious standard, a whole city was saved (John 4). The Lord is preparing to save entire cities today.
Blessings,
Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion Ministries
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