It has taken me forty-five years to get to this point. I have no doubt it can be done in far less time, even a fraction of what it took me. Much of what I share in my messages is how you can do what I’ve done a lot better, or in much less time. That is one of my main purposes as a friend of the Bridegroom — to help His bride become ready. As a friend of the Bridegroom, my success is measured by how much I help His people become what they are called to be. If you are able to advance faster and further than me because of the experiences I share, then I am a successful friend of God.
The Apostle Paul wrote that he learned to glory in his weaknesses because in our weakness the Lord can show His strength. I understood and believed it when I first read it, but it took me a long time to actually apply it to my life. Not that I presume to be doing this perfectly, but I really get it now. I am not my righteousness, and I am not my wisdom, strength, or adequacy.
I could never presume to be in the same league with the Apostle Paul, except in one area, and in this I think I may be exceeding him — how Paul referred to himself as “the greatest of sinners.” I think I may have eclipsed Paul in this. How?
First, Paul was writing canon Scripture, so we know his witness was true. He may have been the greatest sinner in the early church, but it was not just because he persecuted the church. It is my opinion that it was because he had received the greatest revelations, and he knew that because of them he should have been more Christ-like and less prone to (maybe) anger, impatience, etc.
We measure by appearance, but God weighs the heart. In one prophetic experience I had many years ago, I saw a great man of God who was accomplishing many things for the Lord. I was then shown what appeared to be a homeless man named Angelo. He was walking down the street when a little kitten got in his way. He roughly thrust it aside with his foot. The Lord then asked me which of these two men did I think was the most righteous. Of course, I thought it was the one who was doing such great things for Him. The Lord then said it was Angelo. How could that be?
I was shown that the one who was doing so much for Him, had the most wonderful family and upbringing, and had been entrusted with a large portion of the Lord’s love but was only using part of what he had been given. In contrast, Angelo had suffered unimaginable cruelty and hardship his whole life and only had a very small portion of love, but he used it all to just brush the kitten aside instead of kicking it. I have had a lot of powerful revelations and experiences, but this one may have impacted my life more than any other.
This is an important consideration as we appraise others and their actions, but it can also be a delusion if taken to an extreme, which we will address next week.
A Personal Note from Rick
Finding and fulfilling your purpose is the greatest adventure you can have in this life, and should be a top priority for every Christian. Helping Christians find and then be prepared for their purpose is the reason MorningStar University exists. Having been called a movement of “thinking prophets,” MSU is designed to equip and prepare the most powerful Christians in our times in every major sphere of influence, not just leaders of churches. If you are resolved to do what it takes to become a high-impact follower of the King in the greatest cause, MSU can help you get there.
We offer one and two-year programs that include personal mentoring by the MorningStar leadership team, as well as instruction from some of the most important teachers and prophetic ministers in our times. You may also earn accredited degrees from Associates through Doctorates.
MSU is based at our headquarters near Charlotte, North Carolina. Tuition is affordable, and housing and meal plans are available. Click here for more information about MSU or call 803-547-8494.
~ Pastor Rick Joyner
Rick JoynerPastor Rick Joyner is the founder and executive director of MorningStar Ministries and Heritage International Ministries and is the Senior Pastor of MorningStar Fellowship Church.
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