The Greatest Thing You Can HAVE

Joe Brock's picture

In one of my previous blogs, I shared about an experience I had where in an open vision, I saw Jesus playing the card game Solitaire. You can read it here. I want to share 2 more experiences that carried the same theme and the absolute greatest thing you can possess as a Christian.
 

New Years Eve and a Lonely Savior

When we lived in Northern, IN we would spend every New Year's Eve with some very dear friends of ours. We would spend the evening laughing, eating and fellowshipping. As midnight approached, we would move into a time of prayer and worship bringing the New Year in seeking the Lord. One particular year as we were waiting on the Lord, I sensed an immediate and intense presence enter the room. I was lying down waiting on the Lord with my face resting in my hands.

 


“Joe, all over the world tonight My sons and daughters have gathered to celebrate the New Year, and very, very few have invited Me to be a part. I’m just lonely Joe.”


 

As I lay thereJesus Christ Himself walked in the room and stood right next to my right arm just inches away. I was very afraid; so much so I did not look up. I remained there not knowing what to do. After a moment or so, I announced to the room – “Jesus just walked in the room and is standing right next to me. There was no talk or banter, just silence. I then said aloud, “Jesus, what are doing here?” His response was heartbreaking and brought me to painful tears. He said to me, “Joe, all over the world tonight My sons and daughters have gathered to celebrate the New Year, and very, very few have invited Me to be a part. I’m just lonely Joe.”

 
What could I say to this? How was I supposed to respond? On a night filled with such joy and celebration, our King was left out. Jesus was left to be alone. The One who took on flesh to save us was left ignored. I was crushed and broken again, much like I was in the Solitaire experience. Jesus felt loneliness and to me that was absolutely unacceptable. Never again would Jesus be left out of something my family, my church or I was doing. Jesus does not need us, but loves and enjoys us more than we will ever know. The next experience along these lines broke me again, but also showed and widened my understanding of God’s love for us.


God's Unwillingness to Let us Go

One Sunday morning I was ministering at a church. I had shared the message and at the end, brought the congregation to a place of waiting on the Lord. We sat there in silence for a couple of minutes. I sensed there was no stirring in the spirit so I moved to dismiss. Immediately I felt an inner resistance preventing me from ending the service. I said nothing. I just continued to wait on the Lord. After a couple more minutes, again, there was nothing stirring in the spirit so I attempted to end the service. The minute I considered this in my mind, there was a resistance from the Holy Spirit again – I was not to dismiss. There was now a few minutes of silence that was moving into that ‘awkward’ stage. This happened once more which prompted me to ask the Lord in my heart why He would not allow me to dismiss the service. My heart ached because of His response.

 


“Joe, most people in this room will not speak to Me again until next Sunday and I love being with my kids. Once you dismiss the service, they will leave, and I will not get to be with them again until next week, and I’m just not ready to let them go just yet.”


 

“Joe, most people in this room will not speak to Me again until next Sunday and I love being with my kids. Once you dismiss the service, they will leave, and I will not get to be with them again until next week, and I’m just not ready to let them go just yet.”

You know even as I type this my heart breaks. Remembering these things is just as hard now as they were when they happened. As I scanned the congregation, I saw these people differently. I saw them unaware and blind to how much God loved and longed for them. I saw how easy the preoccupation of life holds us captive from the heart of our loving King. I also saw again just how much God enjoys being around us. So much so, He allowed a church service to continue just so He could hang out with His kids. He knew that the moment we dismissed, He would have no communication with these people for a full week. How great is the Father’s love for us.


The Greatest Thing You Can Have

One of the most quoted passages in the Bible is I Corinthians 13. In the first 3 verses Paul shares something, that without proper understanding, makes most of our spiritual labor in vain.
 


1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.



For years I thought what Paul meant in these three verses was that if I did not ‘do’ my spiritual gifts in a loving manner, the outcome would be me being a nuisance, me being nothing or me gaining nothing. The picture I had was me ministering in a loving way; and this is what qualified me. One day as I was looking through these verses in the Greek New Testament, I saw something that changed my entire view on the motivation behind ministering.

 

You will notice I highlighted and italicized the same three phrases…have not loveIt was from these three places I developed my idea of how I was supposed to minister. My ministering was to look and feel loving. This is true, but it is how we arrive at being loving that escaped me. The word -have- is the Greek word -echo- (pronounced just like our English word echo). Once I understood its meaning, it changed the way I saw God’s heart and what true ministry should look like.

 

 


God places a higher premium on your own personal knowledge and revelation of His love than He does your giftedness. 



Echo means by definition – ownership, owner, to be in possession of something, grasping or having a hold of something. When you understand what this word means, it shows God’s desire for how true ministry should happen. Paul is saying – If I have spiritual gifts, prophetic power, understanding of great mysteries, and a faith that can move mountains, if I have all of these but do not possess for myself, within myself, the true knowledge and experience of God’s perfect love, I am nothing. God places a higher premium on your own personal knowledge and revelation of His love than He does your giftedness.

God wants you loved before you step out to serve. This is what is most important to Him. God does not care if you can quote John 3:16 – He cares if the revelation of that verse is alive and active in your heart. He does not want slaves; He wants sons and daughters smitten by His love. Do you possess God’s love? You can, and it’s worth giving up everything in the world to possess.

In the two experiences I shared, God showed me He how deeply He loves His children. He enjoys us and enjoys us enjoying His enjoyment of us. He wants to be around us doing whatever we are doing. He also wants us to be with Him doing whatever He is doing. This is called relationship, and from this relationship true flows ministry. Before you seek what your gifts are, seek out His love and do not stop until you are in possession of it. When you know and are aware of God’s love, you will never leave Him lonely and will spend time with Him doing more ministry than you have ever done before. May you be blessed in all things. 

 

                                                                                            Your Brother Joe

Add new comment

Comments

Anonymous's picture

As they say in the House of Commons, Hear! Hear!.

Since I learned to speak to Jesus last year, my life has been so improved by friendship with him. Actual conversation, not religious duty which we so often think we need to do as a christian. I have loved going beyond quiet times (sorry they were nice but a pain) and actually have time with him. I enjoy my walks with god at night.

I have found it so useful talking to Jesus at work. There are quite a few occasions where his advice on those little things at work have been useful - like when he told me not test some samples (Ok if you insist) - then I found I had not included some older samples in my testing.
Or in my daily life getting told you are going to church tomorrow (Odd god was wanting me to do something else), then cousin cancels, and I end up visiting another church to listen to Mark Holloway (another blogger on this site).

So please Mr Joe, keep on telling people to go beyond 'regular' Christianity - to actually have the relationship we so often talk about at church.

And if you are reading this:

I have found talking to god so nice. He is really a nice fellow. He says nice things about me (a lot), he gives me advice on my a daily life. And about my issues, he tells me that I have them, we will work on them, in his order, at his time. So please talk to God - he really likes you.

Anonymous's picture

This is very exciting to hear. It is so true God is there all day, all the time. As much as you enjoy this, He does even more-so. He loves being with us. I bless your relationship with God and pray it just keeps getting better.

Anonymous's picture

I was a little skeptical but decided to try a trip to heaven anyway. So yesterday after listening to your video I decided to step into my pink and silver roller coaster car and see what would happen! I did not ascend straight up but did many lazy loops in my car. Up, down, easy figure eights. I have never liked roller coasters. I am 70 years old. But this was nice no fear at all. At last I ascended and entered heaven.
I stepped out of my car and stood in front of it. I WAS ALONE. I knew I was in Heaven but all I could see was a vast horizon filled with moving, swirling color. I thought that I was surveying the beauty of Heaven. But there were no details and the colors were murky. I kept turning my head from right to left gazing intently and wondering why I was alone. I continued to say "Jesus I know you are here. Holy Spirit please give me revelation of Him." I continued looking for Him and gazing at the vista of color before me. Nothing changed. Finally I stepped back into my car and returned to earth. All the while pondering what had transpired. After my trip I said again "Lord,why could I not see you? Why am I so alone?" Then the picture in Joe's blog of a person sitting on a bench gazing at the sky came to my mind. I found that picture. The sky shown is exactly what I saw in heaven! Only what I saw was not so brilliant. The caption under that picture answered my question perfectly. It states. GOD HAS SENT EVERYBODY AWAY SO THAT HE CAN BE ALONE WITH YOU AND TO HIM ALONE YOU LEARN TO
HOLD ON. I read that caption at least five times before I understood. Then I grabbed His hand, repented and began to let go of each thing the Holy Spirit brought to my mind.

I have been isolated and very lonely for a number of years. God had been letting me know that it was so I would seek Him. He has taught me much but many times I was overcome with loneliness. My trip to heaven confirmed what the Spirit was telling me. I
Am Not Alone. He is with me and I can hardly wait for my next roller coaster ride to Heaven!

Anonymous's picture

I am so glad to hear what happened to you. I can tell you from experience that God is even more excited than you are! Continue to trust Him in this trips and they will go beyond what you can imagine. God's blessings on you and if you have anymore trips and you feel you can, please share them.

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 1 - 10 of 479

Pages

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 305 Pages | Retail: $16.99

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond?


Price: $14.95

Dialogue with God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 296 Pages

This top seller for 30 years from Bridge Logos provides a narrative, right-brain presentation of the principles of how to hear God's voice. Especially enjoyable for personal use, it makes a great gift for introducing a loved one to the voice of God. This book teaches the four keys to hearing God's voice in readable style, and also devotes two entire chapters to moving samples of people's journaling (i.e. their two-way dialogue with God).

Price: $17.95
Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

Hear God's Voice Guaranteed Package

9 Books | 10 CDs | 10 DVDs | Save Over 20%

Have you ever wished you could just sit down and have a long talk with the Lord? Wouldn't it be wonderful to move beyond having a theology that states that God loves you to actually hearing Him whisper words of love into your heart? When you're worried or confused, wouldn't you love to see the situation from His perspective and hear how He wants you to respond? When things don't seem to be going your way and your prayers aren't answered the way you had hoped, wouldn't it be great to hear Him tell you where He is in the midst of it, and what He is working out in your life? Are you ever just a little bit jealous of others who say with such confidence, "The Lord said...."?

Price: $175.00

How to Hear God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 317 Pages

We recommend that you order the newest revision of this book titled 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice. It includes 95% of the content of How to Hear God's Voice but is reorganized so it fits perfectly with the 10 DVDs on this subject by Mark Virkler. In addition, it gets you started using the four keys earlier in the book and gives you more journaling samples and exercises. Since we have removed the large margins, it is a smaller and less expensive book.

Price: $24.95

Prayers That Heal the Heart - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 320 Pages

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit.

Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith. 

Price: $19.95

Twelve Weeks to Spiritual Mastery - Group Coaching

A group coaching experience with Mark Virkler

Because I could not find a Spirit-anointed teacher/coach, I spent ten extremely frustrating years seeking to hear God’s voice!!! Suggestions offered did not help me, things like: “You just know that you know. It is a still small voice. He speaks from your heart.” No one could give me the answer I needed which was: Hearing God’s voice is as simple as quieting yourself down, fixing your eyes on Jesus, recognizing His voice as spontaneous, flowing thoughts and writing down His flow as it is coming. Test what you have written after the flow is done, NOT while it is occurring.

Price: $1,200.00

Counseled by God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 146 Pages

Have you ever been defeated by negative emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, inferiority, condemnation or depression? Have you tried to fight them off unsuccessfully? Is there an answer that is deeper than simply trying to mentally reason yourself out of these emotions? Is there a way that Jesus can speak a word of life into the depths of your emotional despair and bring healing on a deep level? Is there a form of Christian counseling that begins and ends with the movement of Christ within your heart, rather than simply with the words of man?

Price: $10.95
Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook Cover

Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 92 Pages

A newer book has been released that accompanies this workbook: Click here for Hearing God Through Your Dreams by Charity Kayembe and Mark Virkler (featured on Sid Roth's "It's Supernatural", with almost a million views just on YouTube).


Do you often wake up feeling there was a significant message in your dream, but you’re just not sure what it is? Like Daniel and Joseph, do you long to be able to help others understand their own dreams and win them to Christ as you explain His night messages to them? Wouldn't it be nice if you could receive mid-course corrections from the Lord while you sleep? Do you wish you could be receiving divine inspiration, creative solutions to problems, and direction from the Lord during that third of your life that you’re “just” sleeping?

Price: $11.95

Hearing God Through Your Dreams

by Mark Virkler and Charity Virkler Kayembe | 292 Pages

Learn How to Hear God’s Voice, Even When You Are Sleeping

It is always fun to be on the winning team. Well look what God has done with Charity's new dreams teaching. It has taken off like a rocket with a live TV interview on Cornerstone Network and her Sid Roth interview which has almost a million views on YouTube!

Price: $16.99

Everyday Angels

by Charity Virkler Kayembe and Joe Brock 289 Pages

You can partner with Heaven’s angelic hosts!

Do you have guardian angels? Does God want you to know them? Find out what Scripture reveals and how YOU can interact with the company of Heaven!

The supernatural realm permeates our natural world! Therefore, experiencing angels should be an everyday occurrence–we simply need to open our spiritual eyes to their reality and role in our lives.

Price: $16.99

Pages