As we take another look at the man with the withered hand in the third part of this message, let us look deeper into our own responses to what God has done in our lives and why.

Matt 12:10 & 13

10 And, behold, there was a man who had his hand withered...

13 Then saith he (Jesus) to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

This man, though suffering with a withered hand, was hungry for a touch from Jesus.  Why he obeyed the Lord’s command so readily is not really addressed in this portion of scripture…

• Had he witnessed others receiving their healing and deliverance, creating a longing to be set free?
• Had he looked on from the outer edges, with desire rising up in his heart for a touch from the Master’s hand? 
• Did his heart jump into his throat when Jesus actually looked upon him and called out to him to stretch out his hand?

Key #9

There are times when you are just so tired of the withered-low-level-of-living that when hope comes your way – you jump at the opportunity to be set free.

“Extreme Seekers”

The phrase that became “a cry of longing and a song of desire” years ago at the beginning of revival for “more,” or “there must be more,” was not coined by “a satisfied person.”

It came as a true cry from deep within the heart of a multitude who felt the wind blowing over the smoldering embers of their hearts.   How the hunger

began to gnaw at the spirits of many!  There were thousands, at the beginning of the move of God, who would have gone to the ends of the earth to find that drink of water – and many did.

• I “was and am and will yet be” among that number of hungry and thirsty people seeking hard after a God “who was and is and is to come!”   Jesus is my “Yesterday,” my “Today,” and my “Forever!”  Keep on coming Lord Jesus!

Many did not understand the stir, even criticizing those who “stretched out their hand,” for restoration.  While they sat it out, as if it would all blow over, there were those that rushed the altars for any “touch from the Master’s Hand.” 

People have always sought out the place where Jesus can be found – “the whole multitude – Matt. 13:1-2; The two blind men – Matt. 9:26-27; “the woman with the issue of blood – Mark 5:25-28; Zacchaeus – Luke 19:2-4; the Leper – Matt. 8:1-3; the Centurion - Matt. 8:5;

May I express myself on the issue of why people traveled to “a place”…

Why?  Because it was registered in heaven as a place where God released a mighty river of His presence!

Why wouldn’t I want to taste what God was doing “there”?  Folks, there were “dry churches” and “dry preachers” and “dry evangelists” and “dry church members” from all over the world that got a scent of water! 

Key #10

When you are in a desert, you find an oasis!

We all knew there were “hot spots” of God’s Glory, places where there was a resident anointing upon the whole house and its people. We went like people who had just crossed the driest of deserts, with our tongues cleaving to the roof of our mouths.  We dove in, without reserve, and felt the refreshing of God’s Spirit give us a much-needed long and pure drink of water.  We all were so thirsty and drank deeply of this tremendous river of God that fell like a might waterfall into the believers laps. 

That’s why some traveled long distances to find “more.”  And having found “more,” they took it home with them. That’s why hungry people still today gather together for times of personal refreshing. 

Revival calls us repeatedly to seasons of “refilling and refreshing” – just like the military troops taking a time of “R&R - rest and relaxation.” 

For  many saints of God, the warfare has been long and hard and the need to find each other around the same watering hole still calls us together, even after all this time.

• I still love the times as different groups or ministries and churches come together and blend their heart’s desire for “more of the Lord,” until the Glory of God washes over all. 
• I never get tired of and still love the times when our church gathers and stands together in united hunger for God to move among us…
• …And, I never get tired of seeing Holy Spirit manifest His presence – true to His nature towards hungry hearts.    

We need to find each other in these meeting places and see that the hunger and thirst for God is still alive and growing strong. 

Part of revival is the “meeting of hungry hearts,” as the clarion call of the Holy Spirit goes out across the land and invites to “whosoever,”

“Come and taste and see that the Lord is good!” Ps. 34:8

We need to be quick to answer.  We will not be disappointed!  I believe the man with the withered hand was quick to stretch his hand out and receive the healing. 

Key #11

He didn’t leave the place of his restoration with a withered hand – he left whole.

What Jesus had imparted to his life was real!  The touch of Jesus on this man’s life only began with his healing.  I have no doubt that he also became a true follower of Jesus, testifying of His Goodness and seeking to be near His presence whenever he could – wherever He was to be found.  Hungry people do this – they seek! 

Key #12

God has never rejected a hungry person – not a saint nor a sinner.

If you have found something “new,” “richer,” and “deeper” in Him – keep going – there’s more! 

There is an endless vein of His “Glory,” and to mine its depths takes all of us a lifetime of seeking.

Ps 105:3-4 - 3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.  4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

It is this “seeking” in hunger that has prepared us to be able to “stretch out our restored arm to others.  Without it, we would still be drawn into ourselves…

As I write the rest of this message, let me assure you - In no way do I intend to convey by anything I say, from this point on, that “you have had enough!”  Keep pressing forward for “More of the Lord,” seeking Him daily for your own lives.

I cannot imagine anyone, after receiving a powerful touch of Jesus, returning to the withered state from which they were delivered, but...

…To not continue to stretch forth your hand is to wither and die.

Extreme Consumers

I am going to delve into something very problematic within the church.  It is that which rises out of “a consumer mentality,” and not out of true hunger for things of God. 

Listen carefully!

The “revived arm of the church” can only reach to “minister to saved people” for a limited period of time in the enclosed walls of the church without losing something very precious to us all.

In the early stages of revival so many people were actively being used by God in releasing a blessing in the altars of churches all over our nation.

Prayer teams sprouted up in big churches and in little places off the beaten path.  We all prayed for an anointing that could and would release an impartation of God’s Spirit to work in the body of Christ and God was faithful to do it – and that’s how it should have been in that awakening season of revival upon the church. 

It was days of God’s Glory and Fire!

I watched the electric power of God touch people, sending them crashing to the floor or shaking under the power as God cleansed them from pain and sin and delivered them from strongholds of all kinds.

People of the revived church have received a rich outpouring of heaven’s best.

The anointing was hot and heavy upon many people as crowds thronged the altars for “more of God.” I was one of those who prayed for others and was prayed for as well.  I was in line for all God had for me.  Those were

glorious days as God stirred us deeply, but this is no longer the “early days of revival.”  Those days accomplished their purpose in all of our lives (and continue to refresh us as we reach out to Jesus) and for that I am so thankful, but…

…If the anointing is not spent where God intended it to be poured out – it will wane and the fire will begin to die down.

Key #13

The withered arm is healed so that it may reach.

The “arm,” means the whole arm, from the shoulder’s connectedness to the body, to the elbow’s flexibility down to wrist and the hand and its ability to move, reach, grasp, touch, feel and release.

In regards to the typology of the arm, (Reference message 1 of this series) it has been well connected, but has lacked in flexibility and ability to do the work it was destined to do. 

• This is a picture of many churches today, with its members well-connected, but lacking the flexibility to reach outside of their range of motion.
• It is also a picture of many who are connected to a church or fellowship but are only moving in a tight circle of activity that relate directly to that group.   

Something to give thought to:

I believe one of the greatest frustrations that the revived arm of the church is facing right now is in reaching the point of releasing what God has poured into us.

We have experienced some moments of breakthrough as God has used His people to bring some souls into the Kingdom of God, see some healings manifested, and some deliverance – but…

Fact: We all know that we have not reached the full measure of release of Holy Spirit’s potential through His Church – yet. 

Key #14

“Spiritual depression” comes from inactivity.

I have watched it in people and I have watched it in churches – when people become introverted, they wither in their ability to reach out and touch others – even after having a powerful encounter with the Lord.

The church is designed to be a moving force, like a river.  She is to move on many fronts, but she must move – meaning, we must move.

Remember - apathy withers.

Fact:  Revival destroyed the “apathetic spirit” at work in many churches and thousands of individual lives. 

I don’t know about you, but I am not willing to go back to the same ol’, same ol’, week after week of endless services, all geared to ‘meet the needs of the people of the church.’” 

While I love the ministry to those of the household of faith, I know we have to take it further than ever before.

The church is not meant to be a container for the anointing, with the lid sealed tightly – meaning the doors are closed to the River of God crossing our threshold into the city – no more that God intended that we, as recipients of the Holy Spirit, bottle it up all for ourselves.  Jesus likened the Holy Spirit in us as “Rivers of Living Water.”  This does not speak of stagnancy but of a rushing forth.

• How marvelous it would be if the doors of millions of churches around the nations opened their doors to the Holy Spirit and gave Him free reign…
• How wonderful it would be if there were millions of reservoirs of God’s Glory…
• How glorious it would be if there were millions of thresholds from which this mighty river of anointing ran into the cities streets…

…because this would mean that revival had hit the church world-wide and we would be bringing in a mighty harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God...but, folks, there are still some serious days of intercession ahead of us for the church!

“Living Water” does not grow lily pads and frogs, but instead is teeming with life!

Many of you wonder where the anointing of the early days has gone.  You have felt so dry and worn out, battling. 

Something to Give Thought To:

I believe that some of what we have been facing is a combination of God’s hand pressing heavy upon us, compelling us forward and the enemy pressing in with his lies and attacks, trying to push us back.  This is a part of the warfare going on, right now!

Some haven’t been clear on whether it is God or the devil that is resisting them - the warfare season has been so intense and somewhat confusing at times. 

Oh, yes, the anointing is there – but you can’t feel it being released in the strength and power that you know is possible and desire to have happen…so you have questioned – not God – just yourself …

Key #15

Yes!  It is still there!  But you’re just not yet touching the right place – that which lies outside of yourself.

• How I long to release the anointing upon fresh hearts that have never felt God’s Holy Spirit rush over them like a river of refreshing, saving, healing, delivering power, transforming them and filling them. Is. 61

I know many of you are also hungry for this. Though we have seen some things – we know there is a release that is yet to come – outside of ourselves – outside the doors.

Something to Give Thought To:

I believe there is a supernatural, powerful anointing that is being held in reserve, waiting and ready, that will not be released upon the body of Christ  but upon the lost – upon those who have never known, felt or met Jesus!  This is where the anointing moves into an exponential release of power, with signs and wonders following those who believe! Mark 16:20

I am not saying that the saints will not experience a powerful and continuing anointing among ourselves as we worship and minister in the House of  God – but I am saying that we are going to experience the anointing on a level that can only be experienced by pouring it out on the harvest field. 

The mysterious ways of God is this - The anointing for the harvest is able to be expended and still grow in strength.  It does not become depleted, wane or go away. 

Key #16

The release of the anointing is like putting wood on the fire and stoking it to a high flame from which many will be warmed.

If you are “feeling cool,” in your spirit – release the anointing and watch flames burst forth with the new wind of God’s Breath!  The flames of passionate faith dies down when God’s Breath is not released – and folks, it is released through your mouth as Living Word – Rhema – Breath!

Oh, the anointing is great in God’s House in the early days of revival to the current time – but just think how magnificent it will be in these latter days of the Harvest!

I feel a lot of movement in my spirit in this part of the message – more than I can express, because I too have a need to move outside of myself and “see what God can do through me in some new fields of labor.” 

I believe this is really what we all are so hungry for, so, the questions I now ask are as much for me as for you.

• How many times can we line up to receive prayer before we begin to release what we have received?
• Is God going to keep pouring “more” into a vessel already spilling over when there is a multitude that hasn’t yet had a drink of the water we have drank so deeply of? 
• What are we to do with all that He has “filled us with? 

Yes, I know this is a part of preparation and a great privilege of the child of God to receive His touch on our lives… and I am just as hungry as ever for that to happen, but…

There has to be a reason, beyond myself, for my arm to be revived…

This is a major key I am sharing. 

Key #17

The frustration that many are feeling is “the arm is ready,” but we’ve not yet opened the doors of the church and let “the anointing of the Holy Spirit River” flow over the threshold into the city.

Something to Give Thought To:

I believe that part of the frustration and agitation and even dry spells some are experiencing is God’s way of making us either “get going” or “dry up.”

“Use it and keep it” or “Keep it and lose it.”

There has been nothing wrong with the tributary of God’s River flowing into the revived church, but there has been some things wrong with us containing and holding within ourselves what He has poured in.

• There comes a time when the church has had more than their share while others have had nothing.
• There comes a time when it becomes a shameful act to keep pouring it all into the church. 
• There comes a time when God will not allow His glory to rest upon “apathetic revivalists,” who have become sleepy in their response to the Holy Spirit urging to get moving.
• There comes a time when God will not allow His anointing to be used solely for the people of faith.

If we are not careful, as the revived arm of the church, we will be the next generation of revivalist that will become the “extreme consumers” as the church that tolerates an “inside the walls revival.”

Consider the Eagle!

My husband, Loren Dummer, upon hearing this message, reminded me of an example he used some time back:

The Eagle’s nest is a rough nest, made of sticks, which, without the lining would be very uncomfortable for the babies.  The mother eagle puts a part of herself into the nest to make the babies comfortable, pulling her soft feathers to make a downy quilt, so to speak.  There they nestle in the nest, perched high on a rocky ledge, relying solely on the mother eagle to feed them and watching over them as they mature. 

But, the day comes when a transition begins to happen that leads to transformation.

It is not going to be an easy or comfortable time for the babies. A change begins to take place in the nest.  The mother Eagle begins to remove the center of the nest to slowly push the babies to the edge of the nest, making them more and more uncomfortable.  Eventually, they are sitting on sticks, as the last of the downy feathers are cast out by the mother.  And then the mother pushes them from the nest, confident that they will fly.  How frightening it must be for the little eagles as they are thrust over the edge of their haven into the unknown.  The solid nest under them now gives way to air.

This is where the church is right now.  God softened the nest by putting Himself in it.  He allowed us to nestle into the downy center of the church and receive His rich food.  But eventually He begins to remove the center of the nest, pushing us further and further to the edge, which is according to His will and in His unique timing.  

Yes, it is very uncomfortable and unknown territory, but, Church,

“Get Ready to Fly!”

God has shoved us right to the very edge and is ready to push us over the edge.  If you have survived revival this long – you will get shoved, so prepare for it!  

But also, “Get Ready,” for this is when you will catch the anointed upper air currents of God’s Holy Spirit and soar like the Eagle to heights unknown!