SHILOH MESSENGER - July 2012
















 

Rain Makers

" In the light of the King's face is life, And His favor is like a cloud of the latter rain
(Proverbs 16:15).


After a couple of weeks at Shiloh, Students begin for the first time, or perhaps the first time in a long time, to enjoy the presence of The Lord. They experience peace in their spirit that is priceless. It is a sweet, beautiful exchange between The Creator and Sustainer of The Universe and them. They rest; their spirits are nourished as well as their bodies. They get outside and enjoy God’s Creation. Truly their senses are awakened to enjoy Life. It is during this time that their heads become clear, their hearts become tender and pliable, their countenance changes and SHOUTS SHALOM! They become thankful for God and HIS mercy upon them. They validate that God had indeed rescued them from the bowels of death. They experience intimate fellowship with their Creator, and redeemer. They become thankful. What many would deem as small pleasures of this life are noticed and appreciated. And then sometimes, after being at Shiloh for a few months, some students will express to us, “I feel like I have hit a “Dry Spot”. They suddenly do not feel The Lord’s nearness as they did their first few weeks and months of being at Shiloh. It seems like HE is not communicating to them. They get concerned and ask, “Do you ever experience DRY SPOTS in your relationship with God? Do you ever not hear HIS Still Quiet Voice? Am I doing anything wrong? What should I do?” Actually all True Believers experience dry spells at various times in their Christian Walk. In fact it is a part of our growth and development. The Lord God is training us to walk by Faith and not by feelings, or sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7. God in HIS great Love for us is developing our Spiritual muscles. Moments of Spiritual Delight do not require great exercising of our Faith. If we never came down from The Mountain of blessing we might easily come to trust in our own delights rather than in the unshakable character of God. It is comforting to know that this experience is not unique. The sweetest and holiest saints whose feet have graced this earth have at some time found themselves in this position. Even though it is not unique, we still must examine ourselves to see if there is any sin that has caused this seemingly staleness in our spirit. God knows full well, and we must ask HIM to search us and try us to see if there is anything in us that grieves HIS SPIRIT. If sin is identified, we must repent so that times of refreshing may come. However, if sin is not the reason for this dryness, and we know our Faith is intact and our love for Jesus is strong; If There is no desire in us to taste the things of this world, It is just we cannot seem to touch God, We must be steadfast persevering in our relationship with HIM. How do we do this when there seems to be no sweet fellowship and it feels like HE has withdrawn HIMSELF? There must be more! There must be the nearness of THE LORD., for we have tasted of HIM and we know that HE is good! May we suggest some rain makers? Why do we term these rain makers? Rain is a symbol of refreshment, a move of HIS SPIRIT. Rain Makers are disciplines that we can yoke up with our faith. Spiritual Rain will come; time of refreshment is on the way! Thank God for Faith that HE has given to you to believe that HE is and HE rewards those who diligently seek HIM. *Hebrews 11:6
  1. Even though you are in a time of seemingly not seeing, or perhaps not hearing spiritually, YOU CAN STILL REMEMBER. So when you see not, and or hear not, REMEMBER THE LORD YOUR GOD AND HIS GOODNESS. The keeping of covenant is based upon remembrance. The taking of COMMUNION is a Holy ordinance designed by The Lord to help us in our Spiritual walk to indeed remember HIS BODY and BLOOD given for our redemption. (Some precious Saints took communion every day.)
  2. We must maintain a life of prayer. Nothing dispels dryness and emptiness quicker than an hour or two shut in with God. Nothing can take the place of that secret closet with the door shut praying to The Father in seclusion. * We tell the students at Shiloh that it is sweet and it is good for them to fellowship with one another, but there also needs to be time to draw away from their brothers’ fellowship and go meet with The Lord. Also in times of prayer and fasting.
  3. We must acknowledge our need to God. Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is The Kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3
  4. Words are spirit and life. We need to confess, “I know YOU are with me Lord and I give YOU Praise.”
  5. God’s Word is vital. HE IS ALWAYS SPEAKING THROUGH HIS WORD. In fact, THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY BOOK THAT WHEN READ, THE AUTHOR IS PRESENT AT THE READING.
  6. Meditate on the Psalms. They are a treasure house of intimate love letters. The majority of Psalms was written by David, a man after God’s own heart.
  7. Listen to worship music. * Show me YOUR FACE LORD, by Don Potter
  8. Think upon HIS attributes, name them, list them, and look for them.
  9. Do not harbor envy, jealousy or any un- forgiveness. They are sure road blocks in fellowship with God. Rejoice with those that are getting blessed by God, even though you may think your needs are far greater.
  10. Pray for others to have deep intimacy with God. Pray for spiritual hunger to rise up in those in The Body of Christ. Make Intercession for those who are lost right around us, and Intercede on behalf of those who are least evangelized GLOBALLY. You reciprocate what you give. This is the law of reciprocity.
  11. Be Faithful to attend Church. Do not forsake assembling with other believers (Heb. 10:25).
  12. Pay your tithes and give offerings (Mal. 3:10,11).* Name your offering to usher in THE RAIN.
  13. Hold ON! DO NOT LET GO UNTIL HE BLESSES YOU WITH HIMSELF! * Jacob (Gen. 32:24-30)
  14. EXPECT AS YOU CULTIVATE. Expecting a sure suddenly. Exercise your Faith. An encounter with The Most High is coming soon! There is a sound of the abundance of Rain!
  15. Ask God to fill you a fresh and a new every day with perseverance and desire to love HIM rightly and serve HIM uncompromisingly.
Father God, we thank You for your love towards us & that You desire intimacy with us.; that You gave your Son Jesus to redeem us. We are needy people, Oh God. We long for Your presence. We are thankful for times past and remember with gladness of heart, but we long for more Lord. Yes we have tasted of You and know that you are good. Lord God nothing or no one replaces You. Bring the Rain Lord, the Spiritual Rain! Bless us with Your countenance on our faces, to bless others with the favor of Your presence, in Jesus name. Amen!


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