Habitations of God
by Nancy G. Daniel
by Nancy G. Daniel
There is no education that beats this school called life if you are teachable and willing to laugh at yourself. When we combine classroom studies with life situations; education takes on a whole new meaning, perhaps this transformation aids us in becoming habitations of God’s amazing glory.
At MSU College of Theology, we encourage students to study with Holy Spirit for deeper revelation so that the knowledge they gain in their heads will drop to their hearts and acted on in faith to become a reality. We also help them use what they are learning to find their answers to the challenges they face through discussion and relationships. We believe this helps to shape our God-habitations.
Some years back the Lord gave me some clarification on 1 Corinthians 14:3 as it says, “But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.” The cognate of the word edification means to do what it takes to make a dwelling place for God. What an awesome thought, people are God-dwellings and habitations as He increases His presence in our lives.
It has been said in the ancient Mesopotamian history, idols were built and their mouths cleansed in hopes that a god would come and dwell in the idol to be worshipped. This is why, when, Moses said we are made in the image of God, it was a powerful statement and an affront as Moses was saying that man was made perfect and that a god would dwell within him. Because of Christ we are cleansed and made perfect. God does dwell and tabernacle in us by Holy Spirit.
We have been taught gifting and training does not equal position. Ephesians 4 talks about ministry positions, yet the goal has never been the position. The goal is to see the body attaining maturity and the fullness of Christ, to say the least.
11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, do 12equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Yet, as God-containers we have the ability to do amazing things when we align with the Lord. God is no respecter of persons or age. We can do and be anything the Lord leads us to do. This is an empowering idea for young and old, it takes the religious notion or ‘performance Christianity’ out of the picture and offers deep relationship and opportunity for all believers in Christ.
Rick Joyner says, “we can be as close to the Lord as we want to be. If we are growing closer to the Lord, and abiding in Him, we will be in the right place doing the right things regardless of how much we understand them.” This is open to everyone walking with the Lord.
You can see the difference between individuals who just have the gifting and those who have cooperated with the dying process of the old man and self, along with the process of Christ being formed within. I have had the honor and privilege to meet incredible people, some who are hidden, whose “spiritual containers or vessels” were made ready to stand in powerful positions in which God had called them and yet they do not see the position as the goal it is only their vehicle to complete the Ephesians 4 goal.
It is evident they had pressed in for years digging their own wells and finding God in every battle with no complaint. They know how to war, they walk in peace and authority. Their gifting has risen to accommodate their need. No one can hold them down because when a person is filled with God they become a gusher of Holy Spirit. Man does not have to give his approval or position as their gift makes way for itself before the kings that are set before them. They compete against themselves to do their very best as they buffet themselves (1 Corinthians 9:27) and study to show themselves approved. They are caught in the vision that is ever before them, not a vision to please man but a true vision from God. They are single-minded.
They have written it down, made it plain and trust though it tarries, it will come to pass (Habakkuk 2:2), for our God who is faithful will complete what He started (Philippians 1:6). They inquire from heaven for daily bread and strategy and implement what has been given them by faith and perseverance.
When they find themselves in difficult places they look to God, they seem to celebrate the simplicity and humility of it all while giving Him the glory, remembering who and whose they are. I have seen some of them in their struggles and tears but quitting never seems to be an option. They know that God will give them a way out if they need it, but for now, thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph through our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14).
These strong faithful ones don’t care if it does not happen in their lifetime as they are true bondservants. They know they are a part of what God is doing in the earth and all glory belongs to Him they are just hands and feet at the moment. If God so chooses to allow them to shine they will if not they are content in all things.
They don’t worry about a paycheck, as when there is no food to eat that is probably a day to fast and when there is plenty there is often a plan to share what is given. When the source dries up there must be another river to go to or another revelation that is needed.
They are close to the heart of the Lord and follow the Lamb doing what the Father says and does, watching, waiting, and pressing in to know the next move of the Spirit of God.
Their lives do not depend on the promotion of men but on a deeper connection they need to meet for the completion of the work that is on the Lords’ heart. Their lives are an act of worship to bring glory to the Father.
When things in the natural are not aligning with the vision or Spirit of God, these faithful ones don’t force the situation with men or nature they get the strategy from God, knowing that there is often a distance between the vision and manifestation. They know their God and His ways, with the understanding that they are only partnering with Him to see Heaven manifest on the earth.
These sons of God are far from perfect yet they labor to enter into rest, full trust and reliance on God. They fall down and get back up, they take responsibility for their actions and failures and this is what makes them successful.
There are many sons that need to grow up into this maturity. They have gifts and speak eloquently and understand their Father’s heart, but when tested with life or ministry issues it is a big struggle and sometimes there seems to be a disconnect with the process of implementing the knowledge they have come to know.
These dear ones are learning the difference between digging their own wells vs drinking from the wells of others. When we dig our own well, we can be a source for others but when we only drink from the wells of others we will always be in need of water. To dig one’s well is to find a source to meet your need in any given situation. When you go after God in a desperate place and then when He meets you in that situation you will never forget it. It will be a part of your spiritual heritage and become the oil in your lamp. When you continually get your help and answers from others you will never understand the joy of God meeting you in your trial and struggle. Rick Joyner says, “Don’t waste your trials”.
Evans Powell, MSU Theology Master graduate says, “When you look for God, you will find your ram in the thicket”. In other words, when you look for God in a problem you will find your answer or at least a way out.
Impartation is vital, yet in all the impartation we must encourage students and those we are discipling, to find God in their trials and to get answers only He can give them, then, to see those answers as pure gold.
My prayer is that we encourage and cheer each other on in the school of life to the fullness of Christ with the ultimate goal of being formed into His image, becoming God-containers or habitations of His glory.