The meeting at Bishop Ermine Stewart�s "Church Of The Firstborn" in Brooklyn New York was nearing its end and I was extremely tired after two months of preaching. A friend of mine who is a overseer of a West Indian Denomination came to the meeting and asked if I would go to their 50th year Anniversary Saturday at noon. It was to be a fancy banquet at the Hyatt Hotel and I'd heard that the tickets was going to be $175.00 per plate. I suddenly started thinking that was way to high for my blood, isn't this crazy? I know that some of you don't think like me, but surely there must be some. That's a lot of money for me to go eat, fellowship and partake in a celebration where I personally hardly knew anyone. Still, there were a couple thousand other people who wasn't thinking like me.
By now you should know that I wasn't looking forward to going but then my friend said those "magically persuasive words," "Pastor Pass, I have a paid ticket, and I would like for you to be my guest". Suddenly I felt relief and joy at the same time. So I said yes, I'll be there, thinking quietly to myself, thank you for the blessing Lord.
Saturday morning I forced myself to wake up at 10:00am, shower, dress and go out the door. When I arrived at the Hotel I went to the room where the appetizers were being served and told the greeter at the door I was invited by Bro. Hyatt. He took me to him, and after we greeted and hug each other he asked that I sit down at his table and that he would be back in a few minutes. I was early, so only two other people were presently at his table.
Shortly thereafter the Bishop hurriedly came back and brought another man to the table. He introduced us to each other, sitting him beside me and then left again. The gentleman and I began talking a little but then after recognizing my southern accent he asked where I from was and what I was doing in New York. Exhausted and not into the conversation much, I told him I had been holding a meetings for the last month or so and I hadn't had a day off in a while. Then without much thought I said, "Brother, I am so tired". "I sure hope today's speaker is anointed and that he's been seeking God". "I would hate to get dressed, burn gas, put on my cologne, and come all the here this morning without hearing from God." Then I looked over at him and said: "Don�t you feel the same way?" He looked away from me and didn�t say another word. I was so embarrassed and wondered why I had said that. I know I must've offended him in some way. Basically, I was just expressing my tiredness and hoping that I would be genuinely and spiritually fed because I was needing it myself.
Foot Loose and Speaking free
I looked up and the Overseer was taking his last two steps and standing beside me saying, "Pastor Pass, Now that I have some time, it's my privilege to properly introduce you two. Bro So and So, this is Bro Pass, and Brother Pass, this is Bro So and So, the guest speaker of our Anniversary today. You're right! It was the man who I had been talking to all this time. I thought I was going to spit my mouth full of sweet tea all the way across the room. Have you ever said, "My God help me" and it was already to late, well I have. It took me a good five to ten minutes to be able to look this man in the face again. I was so ashamed of what I had said that I lost my appetite. How is that for timing? Now that�s not funny God! I mean, no appetizers, my hunger was gone. This is the first time in my life I was fixing to sit down and eat a $175 dinner and then I went and stuck my foot in my mouth. Now I was just sick to my stomach wishing I had never come, Wow! I would never pay for a meal like that in the first place and now that it was bought for me I couldn�t eat. We are not even talking about disrespecting my friend yet. I was afraid this man was going to tell the overseer what I had said and my mind thought of nothing but that.
When everyone else started going into the banquet room I purposely walked very slowly and stayed way back behind the overseer and the speaker of the day. I was hoping they would forget about me in all the celebratory atmosphere going on but usually miracles like that doesn't happen to me. If no one else saw me for the rest of the day it would be way too soon. I finally brought up the rear, slipping in the doors of the banquet hall and looked for a place to sit down away from everyone and all by myself. Wouldn't you know it; every table was set for 8, with peoples name cards assigned to each seat. That's not funny either God!
There I stood, in the very back of the hall, thinking that when no one was looking I�d get out of here, surely he wouldn't miss me in this crowd. Not a minute had passed before a usher came up to me and said: �The Bishop is waiting for you�. I said waiting for me where? Then he pointed up to the platform in front of thousands of people at the big table right beside the Overseer and My New Best Friend, Guest Speaker, Brother So & So. Yeah, Again I said: Help Me God! I just couldn't believe this day was starting out like this.
When I got to the platform I just assumed the speaker hadn't said anything to the overseer yet because he was still smiling at me and I felt his love. Still not feeling one hunger pain we were served dinner,,, arghhh! Afterward this preacher got up to speak. He started off like a ball of fire as many would do in an energetic setting like this. He was preaching with all of his strength but there was nothing, zilch, not a drop of anointing. The people were looking around and getting up and down, sleeping and going to the bathroom. If there is something I've noticed through the years is that when the anointing is in a place or is on someone, people are not stirring. Babies quit crying, no one sleeps, folks are on the edge of their seats and they're all digging and entering in. To my knowledge, that�s the way it's always been in anointed services. But when there is no anointing in a place you can catch people doing everything in the world. We've all seen them swatting flies and making eyes, writing notes and going for smokes, counting sheep and falling asleep, and can hardly wait for the service to end. You and I have been in a few services like that before. I'm starting to feel as if I've been set up, by a set up God.
No one to blame but ourselves
While this man was preaching he would look out at the crowd then make eye contact with everyone on the platform. But when he got to me he would instantly look away, or to the floor, hummm, I thought? He knew there was no anointing! I knew there was no anointing! He knew, I knew, there was no anointing! And I knew, he knew, I knew! And we we're both seasoned enough to know that if the presence of God isn't there, there's no one to blame but ourselves.
I have often said "When a man is walking after the spirit and not after the flesh, he will not have to worry about the anointing showing up. When we are a spirit led vessel who is seeking, knocking and thirsting after God, he will fill us. If God doesn't show up we don't have no one to blame but ourselves. If we seek Him, we will find Him; If we pray, He will hear; If we call upon the name of the Lord, He will answer. Today it�s become very easy for Ministers to get away from having Gods presence in their lives. Just keep the pace of the service fast, distract the people by serving up modern programs and emotional music as a substitute for the time you should be seeking God . Instead of serving fresh manna, ministers have become complacent and are accepting the ways of mediocracy and exchanging the power of God for good messages and political correctness. We must seek the Father in prayer, to be able to minister to those who are bound and needing freedom. It will not come any other way. If I've ever learned anything from God in almost 30 yrs of ministry it is this. If you seek God beforehand you will find yourself right in the middle of His will, even if you think you have embarrassed yourself.
An Appointment Set
God brought me to that anniversary because he cared for that man and the people and was trying to shake him and his calling. God was trying to provoke a cry of hunger in him and let him know that he was not where he was supposed to be. His anointing had been clouded and far removed from personal embodiment. God also brought me there so I could unknowingly preach to my new "BFF".
So the next time you know you've been seeking God and it feels like you've put a foot in your mouth just hang around for awhile and things could get very interesting. That day we both had a God moment. We both were his servants. One vessel was being poured out of and one was being poured into. A divine dinner appointment at the master's Table, being served a plate full of intervention by the Holy Ghost. Some people will understand this next statement and other's might not. "I didn�t get to eat what my belly wanted, but I left full".
Brother So and So's divine appointment had come. God chose to talk to him in the very service he was the speaker at. He was ready to speak, but he hadn't heard. Did he hear God today? Will he do something about it? I don't know, but I believe in appointments and today could be yours. Maybe that's why you're reading this message. I am urged to tell you, that He wants to flow in your life like a mighty river. He wants to bring you hope. He wants to shine his eternal light into darkness. He wants to give you fresh manna from the fathers table, that you might break His Bread and serve His people the multitudes. A Christian has no time to lie fallow in life, even in life's most reduced state, I know that. Many are simply waiting for their change, but we must keep moving till we are face to face encountering the Holy One. We must keep moving if for no other reason than we are the enemies of Satan. He hates us, and he will do everything he can to stop us from getting to our destination. Being that we're born in iniquity, we will sin to mortify this body, or we will walk in grace to edify, living out through others, our hope and calling of eternity. Our lives will soon be past, gone and forgotten, and regrets are but empty words. Living with eternity in view, simply and needfully crucifies the intemperate heat of our carnal affections; busily overcoming all enjoyment of them which is so short lived with no reward. Spiritual dejection follows all who devour, only to be surpassed by the torment that's in waiting.
I'm Sorry for saying that. I wish it wasn't true. But if Gods words are correct, and I'm sure they are, then there is still a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. For when a day is once past, you can never call that day back again. Worldly comforts will not to be with us long, and even though their day brightens yours for the moment, it too is but a moment in our shortened day. Why then, should we be too much taken up with them? Most people�s life at its best, being so transient, is made up of a few flying minutes abated in temporal affections for all things under the sun. But we only have true rest in the hope of knowing that we're only citizens of this world, being pilgrims traveling through. You and I totally belong to God and the City that's awaiting.
Suddenly my hunger pains were alive and well, but food was no where to be found.
WOW, Love, Love, Loved the posting... and was so blessed by reading this posting, through this article.... What a powerful anointing of God that is on your life!
Although I began in laughter, and joyful responses, by the time I reached the end, I was moved to tears, even yet finding comfort, encouragement, strength, and a renewed decision to keep standing and appreciation for this fragile breath called life that I am so thankful for each and every moment. Because I get to share with someone else that Jesus Loves you, hears your cries and God has not forgotten, nor will forsake you.
Thank you for the reminder & confirmation, that actually, I'm right on schedule....and for obeying God and sharing this.
Keep on allowing Him to Flow thru You, man of God!
Blessings, & T Y. Now days, I struggle to write. But when I see replies like this, all the time it takes makes it worth it. Whoever said, "A penny for your thoughts," never talked to believers like you. Reading your comments here, has been the best part of my day.
Woman of God, Please place me in your spirit, as I will you too. And may the Holy Ghost draw us into intercession for each other as needed. I say that only because I read your profile and felt a kindred spirit.
Maybe the Life of God continue to flow through you.
Man of God, co laborer for Christ, God is so Amazingly creative in how He does things, yet so smooth, gracious, tender and caring if the people are not sensitive....On "Spirit Alert" they would miss His blessings and how he IS loving on & thru us 24/7/365.
Yes, Kindred Spirit? Amen, truly. I'm still shaking my head and thanking him for gifts to the body, such as yours. AND the fact that you Trusted, then Obeyed him to write the post that you did. The gifting so apparent in your life.
Struggle? Not so, as I'm writing a response, felt it strong in my Spirit to say to you....do not make it so, but ALLOW Him to flow thru you! Whether pen, keyboard on computer, or standing before the people, you are simply a mouthpiece, a servant, deliveryman, vessel for Him to pour out to and upon the people who are so hungry & so desperately needs to drink of it's refreshing, healing, life-transforming, satisfying flow.
Intercession? Done, since that moment! Yes, even then, as I read the post and was almost transported into the moments you shared.
I encourage you again sir, to take any restrictions, brakes, hesitancy, all off and WATCH God show himself and demonstrate his Glory; His Mighty POWER in ways you only dreamed of and even dared to believe he'd do through a man named Woodrow Bruce Pass...sometimes known as "Hedgedweller" but whom He calls, friend!
