atlyouth|blog // Corey GibsonIn order to Transparent to the Lost… We must Live in Abandonment to Christ

I am literally sitting here listening to music that shaped my foundation as a young Christian and leader almost 14 years ago. This song “America Again” is the pinnacle of our hope for this world. The hope is not in our government, its not in the school systems, its not in our finances or even our jobs… IT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

We are standing in the moment where we are in a slumber and desperately need to WAKE UP. For the simple promise of security and financial improvement, we have forsaken and compromised ourselves. We have to take a stand and draw a line in the sand – WE ARE NOT FOR SALE AND WILL NOT COMPROMISE. We need God in America again… not just as the hope of the world, but to be our very breathe. Simply put, this song says it all.

if you just want to hear or download the song please go hear… America Again

Every so often the Lord begins to throw phases at me during my time of intercession and worship… this time was no different. I was in worship and here comes “God is bringing reconciliation between the generations.” This hit me hard, as it was something that churches have been trying to cope with – the idea to bridge the gap between young people and adults.

In comes this statement of God reconciling the generational gap. This gap is not a gap solely based on style of music, fashion/clothes, or even viewpoints… it also includes a merging or convergence through love. God is in a desperate pursuit to get everyone on the same page and in order for him to do this, HE MUST RECONCILE US TO ONE ANOTHER.

I felt a leaning on my heart from the Holy Spirit to look at two portions of scriptures – Malachi 4:5-6 and Luke 1:13-17

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” Malachi 4:5-6

“But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:13-17

John the Baptist was the forerunner for Christ and even walked in the Spirit of Elijah… It was him who prepared the way for the Lord. His messages – “repent for the Kingdom is near.” In both portions of text, it is clear that the hearts of the Father will be turn towards the child, and that the child’s heart will be given unto the father. Luke goes on to add “to make ready for the Lord a people (bride) prepared”

Oh God, if we can just get the birthing of Zechariahs and Johns in this nation… where the Zechariahs [fathers] are prophesying over the Johns [sons/child]. That they will be sealed with the Nazarite calling and marked as a forerunner for the return of Christ Jesus…

Even as I write this and in the same token, God is preparing and birthing people to walk in this forerunner mentality and spirit as their main vocation and lifestyle. Where we will begin to mend the generational gaps and bring alignment to the young and the old… Too long have we just pushed this issue aside… and I believe God is desiring to deal with this NOW… so that he may have a readied bride for Jesus

I also believe God has given me a mandate to be apart of this reconciliation at the young people level. That’s one of the reasons why I am in student ministry, to help bridge the gap with teens to adults and vise-versa.

Welcome to 2009…

As I am sitting here, I am overwhelmed with the Love of God and His unfailing grace. We as a youth ministry finished the year out talking about God’s Grace. We know without any doubt it was God’s Grace that kept us in 2008. All the issues and problems we faced as individuals and as a generation alike, all the economical changes, and history making things of 2008 is now washed away. God has positioned us as his people to rise from the ashes and be victorious. God’s Vision flows naturally. And from a church/ministry standpoint – His vision must start and end with the Senior Leadership. I want to briefly cast vision for 2009 and what I believe God is saying in this moment of time.

For the past 7 months God has constantly reminded me of a portion of scripture, that I believe he has place on my heart for the ministry and for me personally. I call it the “greater things” scripture… It is found in Ephesians 3:20 as one of Paul’s apostolic prayers…

Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us. ~ Ephesians 3:20

God has great things in stored for his people and I for one want to align myself and my ministries with what God has planned. Greater things are yet to come and be done in our lives and in this nation. I am praying for a citywide revival to breakout here in Atlanta. It is my heart to position my life and ministry to what I know God has called for us to do. I wholeheartedly believe that 2009 will be the year where we will see supernatural breakthroughs and blessings. God wants to pour out his grace and favor over his people. There are greater things, far above all we can ever dream, imagine, speak and wish for… all we need to do is allow that power [Holy Spirit] to work in us.

So will you partner with me???

** for more info, please visit this blog post – Greater Things|’09 Vision