2003-12-06 Rex Burgher - God chooses intimacy over ministry

Mel Gibson made a pilgrimage last month to show his new film, "The Passion of the Christ," to Rev. Billy Graham and to discuss the actor's decade-long spiritual journey that inspired him. "I have often wondered what it must have been like to be a bystander during those last hours before Jesus' death," Rev. Graham says. "After watching 'The Passion of the Christ,' I feel as if I have actually been there. I was moved to tears. I doubt if there has ever been a more graphic and moving presentation of Jesus' death and resurrection, which Christians believe are the most important events in human history." Gibson came to see Graham twice, before and after he had opportunity to screen the film. In both meetings, the evangelist became convinced of Gibson's deep sincerity and great desire that this motion picture be used to bring a new emphasis on those events 2,000 years ago, and their relevance to us today.

From: rex@globalawakening.com
God chooses intimacy over ministry
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Food for thought:

Since 1995 I have had the privilege of living in an incredible experience of
God's manifest presence. When we were touched by God so powerfully at that
time we literally shook under the anointing for months and months. Visions
and dreams along with amazing opportunities to pray for people came to us
one right after the other filling our lives with a bounty of experiences. We
were and still are very much living with a 'book of Acts' experience. Later
when many were experiencing a decrease in experiences the Lord gave us the
privilege of traveling with Randy Clark and Global Awakening propelling us
around the world. For three years it became a daily experience to pray for
many people living in an anointing that very few people get to experience on
a daily basis. Now that Lois and I are out on our own ministering we have
continually felt the river of His presence in our lives.

Because of this I wanted to share with you some insights into living under
the anointing while fighting to have a personal relationship with our
Father. I really want you to realize that there is a difference in being in
a continual anointing while ministering and being in personal relationship.
They are really two different things altogether. When you operate in your
gifting God puts an anointing on His work that He is doing through you.
That anointing is not a substitute for a relationship with the Father.
There is a similarity between the two, both can be a physical experience
that can be felt but that is as close as they come in comparison.

When I was touched so powerfully in May of 1995 two things happened to me.
One was that I received a personal revelation of the Father's love for me.
I did fall in love with Him all over again, to tell you the truth it may
have been that I saw Him for the first time because I cannot remember ever
loving Him so much. It was truly a restoration of my 'first love'. The
second thing that occurred was an incredible anointing came on the gifting
that God had so blessed me with during the first 14 years of my walk with
Him. It seemed like I was raised from grade 3 to college level prayer when
it came time to praying for the sick. The depth of revelation in dreams and
visions also increased as if I passed from looking through a glass darkly to
seeing with incredible clarity. From that day forward I enjoyed an
incredible feeling of swimming in liquid love every time I ministered in His
name.

Sadly though, as I think many of us do, we find the anointing of gifting
easier to maintain than the anointing that comes from friendship. After all
isn't it the same? The answer is really quite simple. No it isn't the
same. The cries from those standing off to the side saying, "When are you
going to get up off the floor and do something?" really did mess with our
heads. After all isn't this what we were waiting for all along? To go and
heal the sick, raise the dead and do the 'stuff' as John Wimber used to say.
When the 72 came back an exclaimed about the anointing they were under Jesus
put it in perspective when he said "Do not rejoice that the spirits submit
to you, but rejoice that your names are in heaven!" Luke 10:17-20

Probably the easiest way of saying it is this way, even if you had the
anointing of a gifted story teller as TD Jakes or the anointed prophetic
gifting of a Cindy Jacobs or the blessing of being know as one who fans the
flames of revival like Randy Clark it still comes down to the basics, can
you climb into the lap of the one who loves you, look into His eyes and find
your perfect rest. It doesn't really matter if you are used greatly or not,
falling into love and abiding continually in that love is what is great,
neglecting your love is heartbreaking.

I have heard it exclaimed from those around the world who are used mightily
by God that they are dry and in need of another infilling from God. Why is
it that we are so surprised when we hear them say this? From the greatest
to the smallest the challenge has always been the same, God chooses intimacy
over ministry every time. That is why Jesus said to the people in Matthew
7:23 concerning those who chose anointing over relationship, (And do you
know what I am going to say? "You missed the boat. All you did was use me to
make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of
here.') (The Message)

There is an yearning in our hearts for 'papa' to hold us. My desire and my
prayer are as one, God if you should ever visit me powerfully again I will
choose you over all else. Intimacy and relationship first and foremost,
love for my wife which is pure and honoring comes out of intimacy with my
Father, followed by love for my children. Then Lord may I not forget to
minister to those you send me to and not to think that the ministry should
be put before all else. Help me to keep it in perspective otherwise I will
choose the anointing of doing the 'stuff' for God over the anointing of
being with my God.

If I never do another thing may I be know as one who loves the Lord my God
with all his heart, soul and mind.

Daddy I love you so much.

Rex

To find out more about Lois and Rex go to our web site at www.rexburgher.com

http://globalawakening.com

Zum Abschluss noch - wer war eigentlich der Nikolaus ?