Desiring Generation

Gone are the days when only the educated few could release the word of the Lord. Now, the saints are being radically equipped “for the work of the ministry”.

A new generation has responded to the call in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” Are you part of the Desiring Generation?

I believe that the Holy Spirit is raising up this Desiring Generation to move powerfully in Love through the working of miracles. And the tools heaven has released to earth are an important aspect. (See 1 Cor. 12) Recently the Barna group reported that over 50 percent of the people who stopped going to church in America after having attended for 1 year or more, did so because they had not experienced God. People are hungry for the supernatural. Our nations are starving for an encounter with the Risen Christ. And we, the followers of Messiah Jesus, are the carriers of an encounter with divinity that can literally change the course of our nations. But we must first receive the call that went out two thousand years ago to:

1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.  1 Corinthians 12:1-5

Do you see how much emphasis Paul places on the primary task of building up the church? Do you see how prophecy can build up, encourage and strengthen the church? Hopefully we know that the “church” being referred to is not the huge governmental, bureaucratic machine that some today envision it to be. The church is the people of God. And the people of God are all those who hunger for and follow after the LORD. So the task of the Desiring Generation is to take from heaven the life and power of the Kingdom of God, and make it manifest on earth, so that the people who hunger after God are built up.

Our social justice initiatives and personal salvation narratives are only a part of the gospel. We need to carry the tangible, manifest presence of the Holy Spirit into every environment. When we are rooted in love through a revelation of the Father’s heart for us, empowered by the fullness of the Holy Spirit and released to walk in that power, our acts of earthly charity now have heavenly weight. We don’t just have food and clothes, but spiritual authority and signs and wonders that follow.

We are all now like the Apostle Peter in Acts 3:6 “But Peter said,  ”I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” ” This beggar thought he needed money, but what he really needed was a touch from Heaven. He had no clue that he needed it, or perhaps that it was even possible. When he got it, the very situations that forced him into a beggars position and mentality were instantly removed.

When the children of God learn to use the power of God to meet the real needs of the world, everything changes. This learning process is deeply challenging and messy. It requires a passionate, sold out faith in the goodness of God and a personal commitment to try, fail and try again. You can not wield the power of God without the love of God. So get ready to have your pride and ego broken at the foot of the cross. But also get ready to pick up your armor and your kingly anointing at the door of the empty tomb. The Holy Spirit didn’t resurrect Jesus (Rom. 8:11) so that we would have the Bible. He resurrected Jesus so that we would all have the power of God in us to do the same things Jesus did on earth.

Do you desire to live empowered by the God of heaven; filled with the power of heaven; equipped with the tools from heaven and rooted in love from heaven? If so then you are part of the Desiring Generation. And I believe this generation, comprised of both young and old, male and female, is going to reshape the landscape of the church forever. We will watch Gods church blossom and bloom into the beautiful bride she’s been made to be. “Then comes the end, when [Jesus] delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.” 1 Cor. 15:24 

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” ” Rev. 11:15

Until then: “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”