Pastor Issues Urgent Challenge to Church for the 10 Days Leading to Pentecost by DOUG STRINGER for Charisma News
What if we would commit to a corporate focus on the Lord, as they did in Jerusalem the 10 days from ascension to Pentecost?
What if the Lord came upon us in a suddenly moment as He did then, 2,000 years ago?
Gathering at the Appointed Mountain
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We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
Whenever I read Matthew 28:16-20, I am reminded of the importance of worship without any personal agenda except simply worshipping the Lord. Verses 16-17 tell us that, after the resurrection, the 11 disciples went to the mountain that Jesus had appointed to them, and when they saw Him, they worshipped Him.
Jesus spoke to them in that place and said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18b). He then imparts that authority to them in what we call the Great Commission.
2 Chronicles 5:11-14 and Isaiah 6 are also reminders of what happens when we are in the presence of the Lord. There is something about the authenticity of worship without personal agenda or preference that equalizes us in the presence of our holy, holy, holy God. And in the place of true worship, He is able to impart to us His manifest presence, wisdom, commissioning, and authority.
It Begins With an Invitation
After the crucifixion and Resurrection, Jesus appeared to two disciples who were walking on the road to Emmaus and talking about what had just transpired. These disciples had spent over three years with Jesus, yet they did not recognize Him when he walked by their side. The betrayal, beating and crucifixion of Him was so far from their conception and expectation that they could not see clearly. They did not have an understanding or revelation of what Jesus had told them during their communion together at the Last Supper. Disappointed, distracted and confused, they were going back to business as usual.
As they walked along, Jesus began to expound the Scriptures to them. Though they still did not know it was Him, their hearts burned within them and they begged Him to stay. “”Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent'” (Luke 24:29b, NKJV).
That is the invitation!
When we’re disappointed and in despair, when we don’t recognize what He’s doing in our very midst, we still long for Him and seek His presence. Like the Shulamite in Song of Solomon, we may be sleeping, but our hearts are still awake. We roam the streets and tell all we see, “When you see Him, tell Him I am faint with love! Tell Him I’m lovesick!”
