The Lord woke me up to this prophetic vision. I was with my family of five at a local restaurant where payment for your meal was made at the counter. Our family ordered and afterwards I paid the cashier for our meal in cash.
He then gave me my change, and said, “Please pay for the rest of the meal.”
I politely said, “I gave you enough money to cover the meal.”
But once again he said, “Please pay for the rest of the meal.”
The vision continued. After the meal our children wanted to go to their favorite ice cream shop, so we did. The same thing happened! We ordered, I paid in cash for our treats. We received our change but the cashier asked us to pay the remainder of the balance.
Of course, no night is complete unless you stop by the coffee shop. In the vision we went to a coffee shop and the same events took place. We ordered, we paid, we received change, and once again the cashier asked me to finishing paying the bill. Again, I explained that I gave him more than enough the first time.
But this time the cashier looked at me and said, “I’m sorry we hardly ever see anyone who is willing to fully pay for what they want.”
I started praying for the Lord to make this vision so very clear to me. God spoke to me and said, “Most everyone wants to walk in their purpose and destiny, but not many will pay the full price. The world needs to see My children walking in full obedience to my written Word and spoken word.”
Many people want to give partial payments for the order that God has for them. Luke 9:23 says, “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me'” (emphasis added). The cross is a place of death, we should die to the flesh daily and pursue God and the purpose He has on our life.
In the vision I felt like the cashiers heard people saying what they wanted but time after time the people were unwilling to pay the full price of the order. God needs people who will live a consecrated life for Him. The Lord wants His children to be obedient to His plan for them, no matter the price.
The church of today has been lulled to sleep by the enemy. The devil has made the American church lose some of its power by bringing in complacency, compromise, apathy and counterfeits. We have seen so many men and women of God who come and go, where are the consecrated ones who will stand the test of time?
When I read the Book of Acts I see and feel a huge passion for souls; much of that is unseen in today’s culture. The Book of Acts is full of salvations, miracles and encounters with the Holy Spirit. It was intended for today’s church to be a continuation of the power and Spirit of God.
Samson, the Nazarite, was called to do great things for God, but time and time again he fell short. Samson made a covenant with his hair but not his eyes. He would not cut his hair where his strength lied, but neither would he deal with his roaming lustful eyes. Samson eventually had to lose his eyes to see his destiny. Your strengths and gifts will get you to your destination in life but your character is what will keep you there.
In the Bible I love the story of restoration in the life of the Apostle Peter. Here is a man who walked with Jesus for years, he saw signs, wonders and miracles and knew Jesus personally. We know he loved Jesus because he was the one who swung the sword that cut the soldier’s ear off when the mob came to arrest Jesus. Peter denied Christ three times. After the resurrection the disciples were praying in the upper room and the Holy Spirit came upon them. Peter’s life was restored and he was the man who preached the Day of Pentecost!
God is looking for people who will walk out the life he has called them to live. 1 Kings 8:61 says, “And may you be completely faithful to the Lord our God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today.” And Galatians 6:4-5 admonishes us to “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life” (MSG).
Are you paying the full price for the calling you are called to, or are you discounting the work of God in your life? If you need restoration, He will restore! Get in the place of consecration and prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to empower you for His work. Jesus paid the full price for your freedom, now walk in His victory.
Joe Joe Dawson is the president of Burn Texarkana Revival center and House of Prayer. Pastor Dawson also serves as staff evangelist for First Assembly of God in Texarkana, Texas, where he also is now the Tribe College/young adult pastor. Burn Texarkana has one revival/awakening service a month at First Assembly and also has Burn on the Road meetings in neighboring cites monthly. There are four Burn Texarkana prayer meetings each week! Joe is married to the love of his life, Autumn, and together they have three kids: Malachi, Judah and Ezra. He also serves on the leadership team of New Breed Revivalists Network.
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