by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

Sometimes we offend people and that’s a hard thing to resolve. However, in those moments where people are offended because we love so extravagantly and they misunderstand it, let’s thank Jesus for the opportunity stand with Him. Let’s celebrate taking a risk and following the leading of the Holy Spirit even into uncharted waters. It’s so much better to obey God than to remain stationary and immoveable because of the fear of someone getting offended.

I have been marked recently by the story of one who loved Jesus so lavishly that it offended even His closest friends. Mary of Bethany was compelled with such passion and gratitude that she courageously loved Jesus through the offense, anger, rage, and misunderstanding surrounding her. She stepped through the fear of man to pour out such an extravagant love that thousands of years later, her act of love is still being celebrated.

A Lavish Gift of Thanksgiving

Mary of Bethany had lost all hope. Her brother Lazarus was dead and Jesus came too late to help. Her brother was gone. Deeply moved in spirit and troubled when He saw the pain in Mary’s heart, Jesus also wept with her. Then He went on to raise Lazarus from the dead. After this miracle, nothing was too costly to lavish upon Jesus as an act of thanksgiving and worship (John 11). A life was saved and restored because He was moved by compassion. What can one offer in exchange for a life restored? Mary poured out all she had over Jesus.

“While He (Jesus) was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.” (Mark 14:3 NIV)

A Love that Burns through Offense

This intimate act of love for Jesus offended even His closest friends.

“Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.” (Mark 14:4-5 NIV)

We find out in Matthew 26:6-13, that it was Jesus’ disciples, who rebuked Mary. This act of lavish love apprehended them, offended them, and arrested them. This act of extravagant love pushed their buttons to the point of anger and indignation. They saw it as a waste and not as the best stewardship of the gift that she had. She wasted it all on Jesus. We find out in John 12:4-6 that Judas Iscariot was the forerunner in rebuking this woman of her lavish love. It was not long after this, that he went on to betray Jesus for a mere thirty silver coins (Mark 14:10; Matthew 26). Mary’s radical act of love was catalytic in bringing alignment, purity, and focus once again. Those who were for Jesus would remain while those against Him would be repelled by such intimate expressions of love towards Him.

Jesus Covers Us

Jesus received this beautiful gift from Mary and stood in the gap to protect her from the accusations, rebukes, and anger.

“‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.  I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:6-9 NIV)

Loving Excessively

What beautiful yet offensive acts of love are we going to pour out today? Sometimes the more intimate acts of love that Jesus sees as beautiful, the more offensive even to those closest to Jesus. Don’t be afraid to love Jesus extravagantly today even if others around you don’t understand or get offended. As long as you are led by the Spirit and led by love, He will be honored.

What kind of radical love will you pour out to Jesus simply because you are in love Him and grateful for all He’s done on your behalf? Who in your family has He brought back to life? How have you been impacted by His mercy? Where would you be right now without Jesus?

Today, may you throw aside every weight or distraction that entangles, may you run wholeheartedly into the arms of Jesus. Keep your eyes fixed on Him, the Author and Finisher of your faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame so that He could lavish His love upon you (Hebrews 12). May you be inspired to step through fear of offending others to love Him excessively today. May your extravagant love spark a revolution and set things in motion for people to be impacted generations from now. May the expressions of your intimate love for Jesus arrest people with a new kind of love and awaken a passion inside of them to fall in love with Jesus like never before.

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D. excerpt taken from Ignite Azusa: Positioning for a New Jesus Revolution (2016)

The Bonnie Brae House in Los Angeles is the place where the catalytic fire for the Azusa Street Revival was first ignited. In those early meetings at the Asberry house on Bonnie Brae Street, there were only about fifteen people including children, many of them coming from Julia Hutchins’ mission. Even though William J. Seymour had yet to receive the “evidence” of speaking in tongues, he continued to teach about it. On April 9, 1906, just before leaving for the prayer meeting, Seymour's friend Edward Lee began to speak in tongues after he laid hands on and prayed for him. After this, Lee, Seymour, and the others walked the couple blocks up the street to the Asberry home on Bonnie Brae Street for the 7:30 p.m. prayer meeting.

There, a handful of African-American saints gathered together because they wanted to encounter God in a greater measure. They had a song, a few prayers, and several testimonies released. Seymour shared the testimony of how Lee spoke in tongues less than two hours before. He then began to preach from Acts 2:4:

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)

Then something happened that they had all been waiting and longing for. God crashed into that meeting like never before and someone started to speak in tongues. Several others got baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues as well. Ruth Asberry’s cousin Jennie Evans Moore, who lived across the street, was resting on a stool, when she suddenly fell to the ground and began to speak in tongues. She is known as one of the first women in Los Angeles to speak in tongues during this time.

She recalled that it felt like a vessel broke inside of her and water “surged” through her entire being. When this rush came to her lips, she spoke in six different languages that she had seen earlier in a vision. These tongues were each interpreted in English. Following this release, Jennie, who had never played the piano before, walked over to the piano and played it under the anointing while singing in tongues. She recounted the story in an article called “Music from Heaven” in the Azusa Mission’s newspaper called The Apostolic Faith:

For years before this wonderful experience came to us, we as a family, were seeking to know the fulnes of God, and He was filling us with His presence until we could hardly contain the power… On April 9, 1906, I was praising the Lord from the depths of my heart at home, and when the evening came and we attended the meeting the power of God fell and I was baptized in the Holy Ghost and fire, with the evidence of speaking in tongues…As I thought thereon and looked to God, it seemed as if a vessel broke within me and water surged up through my being, which when it reached my mouth came out in a torrent of speech in the languages which God had given me…I sang under the power of the Spirit in many languages, the interpretation both words and music which I had never before heard, and in the home where the meeting was being held, the Spirit led me to the piano, where I played and sang under inspiration, although I had not learned to play.

-Jennie Moore, The Apostolic Faith 1:8 (312 Azusa Street, Los Angeles, CA: May, 1907), 3.

A few days later on April 12, 1906, Seymour spoke in tongues for the first time after tarrying with a white brother and not giving up until he “came through” at nearly four o’clock in the morning.

Crowds of both black and white people from Smale’s First New Testament Church, Hutchins’ mission, and other Holiness groups in the area came to the house on Bonnie Brae Street to see and partake in what God was doing. At one point, the house swelled with people so much that the front porch caved in. No one was injured, but they realized that they had outgrown the house and it was time to get a larger place. Within a week, they moved to a vacant building at 312 Azusa Street, which used to be a Methodist Episcopal church before it had been damaged by a fire.

*The above is an excerpt from new book Ignite Azusa: Positioning for a New Jesus Revolution with the following authors, Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D. (Destiny House), Heidi Baker, Ph.D. (Iris Global), Lou Engle (TheCall), and Bill Johnson (Bethel Church in Redding, California) who partner together in Ignite Azusa to inspire courage to step into the momentum set before us today. They will also be in Los Angeles April 9, 2016 for the 110 anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival at the AzusaNow gathering. We are believing for a new Jesus Revolution in our day. Join us at The Call Azusa (thecall.com). Order your copies of Ignite Azusa HERE.  Also receive powerful impartation from the above authors on this video here: 

Ignite Azusa

Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

We are on the verge of one of the greatest awakenings of all time. Many have prophesied about a new move of God on the horizon that far surpasses any we have ever seen. Our generation is pregnant with birthing a new Jesus Revolution and we have been given the incredible opportunity to step into something truly special in our day.

The Azusa Street Revival is not just something that happened over a hundred years ago, it prophesies into our future of what God wants to pour out in an even greater measure today. There is great momentum for us to step into that was initiated in the Azusa Street Revival, a move of God that has brought more people to Jesus than in previous centuries combined. Lessons and keys for our destiny are embedded in their story. We can access these to unlock even greater realms of God’s glory in our day. The fire from Azusa is still burning and available today.

The Azusa Street Revival (1906-1909) was a significant spiritual awakening that played a crucial role in the emergence of Pentecostalism and the rapid growth of Christianity around the globe. On November 16, 1905, just months before the revival was sparked in California, an intercessor in Los Angeles named Frank Bartleman felt a stirring similar to what many of us might be feeling today. He said, 

The current of revival is sweeping by our door. Will we cast ourselves on its mighty bosom and ride to glorious victory? A year of life at this time, with its wonderful possibilities for God, is worth a hundred years of ordinary life. “Pentecost” is knocking at our doors. The revival for our country is no longer a question. Slowly but surely the tide has been rising until in the very near future we believe for a deluge of salvation that will sweep all before it. Wales will not long stand alone in this glorious triumph for our Christ. The spirit of reviving is coming upon us, driven by the breath of God, the Holy Ghost. The clouds are gathering rapidly, big with a mighty rain, whose precipitation lingers but a little.

Heroes will arise from the dust of obscure and despised circumstances, whose names will be emblazoned on Heaven’s eternal page of fame. The Spirit is brooding over our land again as at creation’s dawn, and the fiat of God goes forth. “Let there be light.” Brother, sister, if we all believed God can you realize what would happen? Many of us here are living for nothing else. A volume of believing prayer is ascending to the throne night and day. Los Angeles, Southern California, and the whole continent shall surely find itself ere long in the throes of a mighty revival, by the Spirit and power of God.[1]

Can you feel the stirring deep within your spirit? If we really believed God, can you realize what might happen? Many of us today are sensing the intensity and weight of what God is about to pour out in all the earth. We are indeed on the verge of the greatest revival we have ever seen. The momentum of those who have gone before us is great.

As you dive into the Azusa story, I declare that the weak be made strong, the hidden unveiled, the broken-hearted restored and made whole, and the wounded healed. I call forth the heroes to arise from the dust of obscure and despised circumstances. As you read Ignite Azusa, I pray that the Holy Spirit will ignite you with the fire of God like never before.

God, do it again in our day and even more. Whatever it looks like, we don’t care, just as long as we have more of You. Release the keys of intimacy and destiny that You want to deposit into our generation. Overshadow us and cause us to burn for You with a flame that will never go out. We are Yours forever, Lord. Mark us for your glory. We say yes to You, no matter what the cost.

*The above is an excerpt from new book Ignite Azusa: Positioning for a New Jesus Revolution with the following authors:

Heidi Baker, Ph.D. (Iris Global), Lou Engle (TheCall), and Bill Johnson (Bethel Church in Redding, California) partner together in Ignite Azusa to inspire courage to step into the momentum set before us today. They will also be in Los Angeles April 9, 2016 for the 110 anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival at the AzusaNow gathering. We are believing for a new Jesus Revolution in our day. Join us at The Call Azusa (thecall.com).

Jennifer A. Miskov has a Ph.D. in Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies from the University of Birmingham, U.K. She is the founding director of Destiny House, a ministry that cultivates communities of worshippers who do life together and who launch people into their destinies from a place of intimacy with God and connection with family. She currently teaches revival history classes at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry and facilitates Writing in the Glory workshops at various places. Jen loves to lead people into life changing encounters with Jesus through her writing, teaching, and ministry. Order your copies of Ignite Azusa HERE

[1] Frank Bartleman, How Pentecost Came to Los Angeles: As it Was in the Beginning. 2nd edition (Los Angeles, CA: Frank Bartleman, originally April 1925), 39 and now printed by Christian Classic Ethereal Library (Grand Rapids, MI). This book is accessible for free: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/bartleman/los.pdf.  

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

I am so thankful for this man who said YES with his whole heart to the things of God in his generation so I decided to highlight him in two of my books. Enjoy the "I Have a Dream" speech above and the excerpts from the books below. May you be inspired by his courage to step into all that God has for you in this generation regardless of the costs.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired a reformation of society with his "I Have a Dream" speech. Quoting Isaiah 40, his words continue to ignite revolutionary faith around the world even to this day. He tapped into the power of the testimony by accessing Scripture written years earlier. He used those words to sow into the people of his time. He pulled from ancient paths to ignite a new generation toward freedom and justice (see Jeremiah 6:16). I am so thankful that Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke up to release what was on his heart. This world would be a different place if he never stepped through the fire to release the message inside of him.

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream and released it by reading a written speech. Just as it was important for him to speak out, it is imperative for us to step into and live our destinies. So many lives are depending upon us living, being, and releasing the words God has destined for us to impart.

Activation

1. What would this world look like if Martin Luther King, Jr. never spoke up to release the message inside of him?

2. What might it look like if you never release the message God is birthing inside of you?

©Jennifer A. Miskov, excerpt taken Writing in the Glory: Living from Your Heart to Release a Book that will Impact the World

"While we don't have to live anyone else's dream, we do have a responsibility to live our own. Each of us has a dream inside of us. Some of us more than one. A difference can be made in the live of others when we step out and fulfill our specific, and I believe our God-given dreams. Beauty comes as a result when we follow our hearts. Others are blessed, challenged, and empowered when we take hold of our lives and make decisions towards living our passions, towards following our deepest desires.

There are people around us who are waiting for us to come alive, people who need for us to live our dreams so that their lives will be better. It was Martin Luther King Jr. who once said, "I have a dream," and look what happened when he followed his heart. It's time for us to do the same.

So now, because other lives depend on it, including our own, may the True Revolutionaries please step forward and march toward your destinies."

©Jennifer A. Miskov, excerpt taken from Silver to Gold: A Journey of Young Revolutionaries

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

When I reflect on all that God has done in 2015 and I look around and see the incredible treasures of people He has surrounded me with, I feel so undone by His lavish love. Thank you for being a part of the Destiny House family's journey, it has made all the difference.

I want to share an activation below that has helped me process and find the gold from this past year as well as dream for the new year ahead. I pray that the Holy Spirit launches you into a greater measure of your destiny as you go along with me on this journey of giving thanks and of dreaming for the future.

Reflecting & Finding the Gold in 2015

What were some of your highlights of 2015 that you are most thankful for? Write out at least 5. 

For example, in Destiny House a few of our highlights were:

• Cultivating an atmosphere of worship during the birth of baby Fenna in Destiny House
• Starting our non-profit
• Times of extended worship where the glory was so thick that bodies were on the floor for hours
• Launching Elisha’s Room, a guys community house in conjunction with Destiny House
• Hosting and worshiping alongside the Destiny Kids (5th graders from Bethel Church)
• Powerful treasures from around the world coming to live at Destiny House
• Surf trips!

How have you grown in 2015?

What lessons, revelations, gold nuggets from making it through hard things has He taught you that you can carry with you into the future?

Before moving onto the next activation, I encourage you take some time thanking God for all He has done for you in 2015.

Testimony

We are soon going to write out some goals, but first let me share a testimony of what God did in my life when I did this activity 10 years ago as quoted in Writing in the Glory:

“In 2006, I was a manager and trainer for Starbucks Coffee, and I had the opportunity to go to a leadership training class. One of our activities was to write out a list of goals and dreams. One of the goals I wrote was that I wanted to “write a book about revolutionaries/revivals.” Years later during the summer of 2012, the Holy Spirit opened doors for me to work on a book project with Bill Johnson, the pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California. This started as a summer job to help him do research for a book about defining moments of revival leaders. It later developed into a two-year project where I actually got paid to help write a book with one of my heroes of the faith. It astonishes me how good God is. He had given me the desire to write the book six years before I actually started writing it. Then, when it was finally time to start it, He paired me with someone who carried the same heart for revival history. As we seek God first (see Matthew 6:33), He consistently goes above and beyond our wildest dreams.”

This book called Defining Moments that I supported Bill Johnson comes out January 14, 2016. Dreams come true but they begin somewhere. I am praying that when you do the activation below, that the Holy Spirit will overshadow you and open your eyes to see dreams that God has planted in your heart that are awaiting to emerge.

Dreaming with God for an Incredible 2016

Now, write out a list of 20 things that are you dreaming for in 2016. The bigger and more impossible the better. Be as specific as you can. These dreams and goals can be in various areas such as relationally, financially, physically, spiritually, adventure, destiny, etc. 

Positioning for Alignment

Who are a few of the people God is highlighting for you to run with more intentionally and deeply in 2016? What can you do invest in these relationships in the new year?

Living Fearlessly

If you knew that you couldn’t fail and that no matter how messy, embarrassing, shameful, awkward it got, you would always be loved, what risks would you take this year? What areas would you step out and try?

Surrender

Now, I encourage you to surrender and trust God with all the dreams, desires, relationships He has placed in your heart and ask Him to water these with the Holy Spirit and cause them to emerge and grow in His perfect timing. Cover these dreams and desires in prayer and in His presence.

Thanks for all your prayers and support for our Destiny House family. We are so thankful for you in our lives. Blessing each of you with an incredible ending to 2015 filled with His goodness, favor, and love. I declare that 2016 will be full of hope, promises fulfilled, and exceedingly abundantly above all you could ask, hope, dream, or imagine in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:20). 

With love from Jen and the Destiny House family

New release by Rolland Baker Keeping the Fire is sure to cause you to burn for the One Thing (Psalm 27). I remember reading his doctoral thesis a year ago and how much I burned for more of Jesus after. I am so excited that his book is now available to the world! I am also in awe at the Holy Spirit’s creative synergy in the midst of the family of God. When I look at the covers of these two new releases, I celebrate God’s goodness. 

That Writing in the Glory and Keeping the Fire came out only months apart and that these covers were done separately without the other knowing causes me to praise Jesus because of His goodness and the synergy that happens in family. I love that simply by being a part of the same Iris family, we are tapping into a similar current of the Holy Spirit without even needing to talk about the aesthetics of our projects. Not only in appearance and timing are these books similar but also in heart. Both of these books are rooted and grounded in intimacy with Jesus and focusing on the One Thing (Psalm 27).  

In Writing in the Glory, I talk about the importance of being rooted in Jesus as the source of all creativity and about writing from a place of intimacy to light a fire that will impact the world. I share a few excerpts below.

Works that are birthed from a place of intimacy with God can have ripple effects for eternity. As you feast on God and contend for the One Thing (see Psalm 27:4), your covenant love with Him will naturally birth life.

Now is the time to strip of offenses, let go of bitterness, unforgiveness, doubts, or anything that might hinder you and run fiercely into the arms of the One who love you more than you could imagine. Now is a time to have no other lovers but Him. Today is the day to be single minded; to press in so you can release what God is about to birth in and through you. The time of awakening and birthing has come. It is here. It is now. Step in. Rise up. Don’t look back. Arise and shine. You were born to release this book.

In Writing in the Glory, Heidi Baker also writes

Apart from Him we can do nothing. But as we abide in Him and as we remain connected to the vine, we bear fruit that remains. All lasting fruitfulness flows from the place of intimacy and deep connection with God.

The fruit that remains might just be a book that impacts generations with the love, healing, and power of God.

Ask to be a holy habitation, a resting place for Him to come and abide. Open yourself up now to the glorious presence of God. Invite Him to capture your heart again.

In Keeping the Fire, Rolland, a leader in this generation and has seen the lame walk, blind eyes opened, and even the dead raised, shares about the core values of Iris and how Jesus is the key to sustaining of revival. A few excerpts are below.

Iris is not about us. It is about Jesus. Revival is not about manifestations or miracles; it is about the Reviver, Jesus our Savior. We only have one destination, one home, one reality, one resting place, one source, one motivation, one reward, one possession, one point of contact with God, one source of real satisfaction – and that is Jesus. We cannot overemphasize Him in any way. He is all we have and everything we need.

Love is a gift of relationship, not just self-sacrifice. The secret place is not necessarily found in a prayer closet or a posture of soaking, or in battling for a just cause, or in a massive prayer and fasting effort. Even the most amazing miracles can leave us lonely and without relationship. We can run out of motivation advancing the noblest ideals and working at all levels to transform society. We can minister until we have no more strength, and still go home and lie in bed without the relationship for which our hearts are made.

Everything is okay with relationship. It is all that Jesus cares about, all that motivates Him. He could do many more amazing miracles and dazzle the world with His powers, but He is interested only in relationship.

I wonder what the Holy Spirit is trying to say by birthing these two works with creative synergy in family at the same time. Maybe it’s another Ephesians 3:20 exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think or imagine moment. Maybe there’s something about intimacy with Jesus and living for the One Thing that will cause us to burn in this generation like never before. Maybe there’s a powerful synergy when reading these two works together. Either way, I encourage you to explore and receive this piece of our hearts. These can both be ordered on irisglobal.org's bookstore HERE. May our words start a fire inside you and cause you burn for the One Thing like never before. May Jesus truly be what this season is all about. Happy Christmas and may the fire burn hotter than ever before.

To read another account of crazy synergy that happened within the context of the Destiny House family, go HERE.

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

What if our generation is pregnant with birthing the next Great Awakening and The Call Azusa on April 9, 2016 is a tipping point? If this might really be the case, what would it look like if this unified Body of Christ assembling in Los Angeles for the 110th anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival knew the depths of God’s history there to be able to draw from and tap into the power of the testimony? What kind of focused prayers and greater signs, wonders, miracles, and stewardship of the awakening might take place because of this investment?

Now is our time arise and shine. Today is the day to dive in and not look back, to remain focused on Jesus, to immediately respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and to lean into the Father’s heart. Now is our moment as a generation to shine.

As a generation, we have been given a great opportunity to shift the culture of what the next 100 years and more can look like. What if once this billion soul harvest is released, the new believers immediately get welcomed into the family of God, are discipled and activated in signs and wonders all coming from a place of intimacy with Jesus? What if people are knit together in covenant relationships with the family of God who will encourage and cover them as they follow the leading of the Spirit even into dangerous places? We have such an awesome opportunity to create a culture of family, love, intimacy, and power to welcome the new Christians into. What are we going to do with the responsibility God has entrusted us with?

We were born for such a time as this. God has called and equipped us to stand together with one another. He has promised to be with us always.

To position yourself to step into what God has for us in our day, I encourage you to receive impartation from the Welsh Revival (1904-1905) video above. This revival preceded and was an important catalyst for the Azusa Street Revival (1906). The ladies of Destiny House watched this video during one of our Monday night family times and after it ended, we waited on the Lord. The presence of God was thick in the room. After some silence, prayer broke out, then I could hear weeping. Bodies covered the floor. A couple of the ladies were so rocked by God's presence after watching this that they never made it back home that night but lay there encountering God deep into the night. I pray the same refining fire falls upon you as you watch.

Be also encouraged by an exhortation by Azusa Street Revival participant Frank Bartleman written in June 1906, just months after the the Azusa Street Revival broke out:

“Opportunity once passed, is lost forever. There is a time when the tide is sweeping by our door. We may then plunge in and be carried to glorious blessing, success and victory. To stand shivering on the bank, timid, or paralyzed with stupor, at such a time, is to miss all, and most miserably fail, both for time and for eternity. Oh, our responsibility! The mighty tide of God’s grace and favor is even now sweeping by us, in its prayer-directed course.

There is a river (of salvation) the streams whereof make glad the city of God. - Ps. 46:4. It is time to ‘get together,’ and plunge in, individually and collectively. We are baptized ‘in one Spirit, into one body,’ - I Cor. 12:13. Let us lay aside all carnal contentions and divisions, that separate us from each other and from God. If we are of His body, we are ‘one body.’ The opportunity of a lifetime, of centuries, is at our door, to be eternally gained or lost. There is no time to hesitate. Act quickly, lest another take thy crown. Oh, church of Christ, awake! Be baptized with power. Then fly to rescue others. And to meet your Lord.” 

To learn more about the Azusa Street Revival check out Spirit Flood: Rebirth of Spirit Baptism for the 21st Century (In light of the Azusa Street Revival) and to be catalyzed to write literature that will set this world aflame with the love and fire of God check out Writing in the Glory. Join us at Destiny House Redding Friday mornings 8-10am for worship, prayer, and testimonies. Many blessings and fire!

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

The Azusa Street Revival was catalytic and played a significant part in the expansion of the Pentecostal movement around the world. This revival was marked by a hunger to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. People from around the world flocked to Los Angeles to be a part of this great move of God and to receive impartation to take back to their nations. They, like many in the early church in Acts (see Acts 2), waited on the Lord until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and also spoke in tongues. This all-consuming encounter with God drew people into a revival that swept across the world.

I have been struck lately by Matthew 3:11-12 where John the Baptist said,

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and He will clear the threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

While Azusa Street was marked with a Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I believe that the next great move of God will be marked with a BAPTISM OF FIRE. Fire purifies, refines, sanctifies, and makes holy. It causes all the dross to dissipate and only the gold to emerge. Asking for the baptism of fire strips off any enemy of the cross of Christ, even good things that are distractions. There’s no greater way to be surrendered than when we are willing to ask God to send His fire over every detail of our lives, relationships, dreams, thoughts, and ask Him to burn away anything that is not from Him for this season. When we realize the price He has paid for us (see Romans 8:32), we will be willing to become living sacrifices (see Romans 12:1) and we will continue to lay our lives on the altar to burn for Him continually. It says in Leviticus 6:8-13,

The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.

What would happen if we lived in a baptism of fire daily? What does it look like to be a burning one in this generation?

There is more for each one of us today. I believe God is asking us to call out for the fire of God to come and consume anything that might get in the way of all He wants to do in our lives. I encourage you right now to ask for the fire of God to fall upon you and for this fire to burn away any bitterness, unforgiveness, double-mindedness, offense, fear, shame, insecurity, disappointment, hopeless, or discouragement. Ask God to search your heart to see if there is anything holding you back from all that He has. Wait on Him for a few minutes.

As the Holy Spirit brings up people and situations, today go and be reconciled. If someone has an offense against you, go and make amends quickly. Give no foothold for the devil in this time of great awakening that’s coming. Always remember that our battle is never against flesh and blood (see Ephesians 6:10-18) and that you have authority in Christ to tear down every stronghold or enemy of God that tries to oppose you (see Romans 8:31). Stay deeply connected and knit together with the Body of Christ in this season, for they will also be your armor bearers. When the fire falls and the pruning begins and you feel the pain of things leaving in your life that you were once comfortable with, ask for even more fire. He wants to purify us so we are prepared to carry what He is about to pour out across the earth. He is looking for pure and holy vessels that He can possess and fill with His Holy Spirit and with fire. I encourage you to pray the following prayer outloud:

God, I ask right now for a fresh baptism of fire over my life. Let your fire fall on every single detail of my life. Burn away anything and everything that is not in line with You in Jesus’ name. Purify with fire all of my relationships, thoughts, dreams, desires, and situations. Burn away anything that is contrary to your nature or that will hold me back from all that You want to do in and through my life in this season. I surrender all and ask for the fire of consecration to come and set me apart as a burning one for You. Let my love for You be marked by purity, holiness, and a burning passion. Fill and possess me with Your Holy Spirit and with fire. I am all Yours. My life is in Your hands. Have Your way in my life today whatever it looks like and no matter the cost, all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

*I encourage you to get involved in The Call Azusa to take part in re-digging this well of revival at Azusa Street to bring American back to God in our day.

*To learn more about the Azusa Street Revival and Baptism of the Holy Spirit for today see Spirit Flood: Rebirth of Spirit Baptism for the 21st Century in Light of the Azusa Street Revival and the Life of Carrie Judd Montgomery)

*To read about an encounter when fire fell on the sacrifice in a ministry school totally consecrated to God, see A Time of New Birth: Consecration with Rees Howells and the Welsh Revival

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ 

Matthew 14:27 (NIV)

Do you feel like giving up? Are you in a storm right now where you feel close to drowning? Do you feel stuck in an area that you can’t seem to move forward in? Do you feel that something keeps trying to hold you back from your destiny? Are you in a relational conflict that seems hopeless, a financial pit, a struggle at work, or are things just not lining up the way you imagined?

Let’s just be honest, storms are horrible. I don’t like them any better than anyone else. However, I believe there is a hidden treasure somewhere in the midst of the eye of the storm if we just have eyes to see (Isaiah 45:2-4). Somewhere in the center of the storms we are in, Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him and walk on water (Matthew 14:24-33). Somewhere hidden beneath the relational conflict is a gem. Somewhere buried beneath the mountain of debt we are facing, is a pearl of great price. Somewhere in the midst of confusion is a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:4-7). Somewhere in depths of uncertainty stands Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus is the way through the storm you are facing. He is all-powerful. He is the always the answer.

Peter was in a boat in the middle of a storm and feared for his life (Matthew 14:24-33). When he saw Jesus, he and his friends didn’t recognize Him; they thought He was a ghost. Sometimes it might be easy to miss Jesus or even mistake Him as a ghost when we are in a storm. Our vision gets clouded when things comes against us. We don’t see clearly. However, when we hear Him say, “It is I, do not be afraid,” it gives us peace, assurance, and courage.

What if Jesus is right in the midst of your storm, ready to deliver you but you can’t recognize Him? Ask Jesus what He looks like in the midst of the conflict or struggle you are in right now.

If He truly is the way, the truth, and the life, then stepping outside the boat into even greater danger to cling to Him is the only answer really. We must be where He is. Peter had to be closer to Jesus in the storm. It didn’t make any sense at all. He never set out to “surf” in the storm. He didn’t want to do the impossible so he could brag to all his friends. No, he just had to be near his friend Jesus. He knew that no matter what storms might come his way, being near to Jesus was always the safest place to be. What a beautiful friendship.

What would that look like in our lives? What does that look like for us today in the midst of the present storm we are facing? Can we really see God do the impossible by simply keeping our eyes on Jesus and moving towards Him? It worked for Peter. 

When Peter kept his eyes locked on Jesus, he did the impossible and drew nearer to Jesus. It was only when he took his eyes off of Jesus and “saw” the wind that fear crept in. Do you realize that it’s impossible to “see’” the wind. We can see the effects of wind, but we can’t see wind itself. Peter saw and believed a lie rather than keeping his gaze on Jesus.

When we throw off every distraction, every obligation, and every lie that comes against us and run with everything inside of us to Jesus, the impossible happens.

What would happen today if our only agenda was Jesus?

What if we were so moved by Him, that we could do nothing but throw ourselves at His feet and just worship Him because He is worthy? What if we weren’t trying to see any breakthroughs or miracles, but we just wanted to see and to be close to Him?

Peter didn’t walk on water to say he surfed or to do the impossible. He just wanted to be closer to Jesus in the storm. He didn’t know where else to go so he put himself in greater danger to be with the one he loved. May we do the same today. No matter what it looks like, may we go out to meet Jesus in the deeper places still.

May the eyes of our hearts be opened today in a new way to recognize Jesus even in the midst of the storms. May we lock eyes with the One who loves us more than we know. May everything else fade away in the light of His glorious presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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7 Practical Tips for seeing Jesus in the midst of storms:

• Regardless of the surrounding circumstances, worship Him because He is worthy (2 Chronicles 20).

• Praise Him for His character and nature, focusing on the opposite of what you are facing. (For example, if you are struggling with lack, praise Him for being your Provider. If you are hopeless, praise Him for being a God of hope, etc.)

• Practice thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Reflect on moments in the past when God came through in a similar situation. Thank Him for His faithfulness in those situations and also thank Him ahead of time that He is also going to get you through this storm.

• Trust that God is good, is for you, and is working behind the scenes on your behalf to bring you into a greater measure of abundance as you press into Him (Romans 8).

• Realize that you are on the verge of a great breakthrough and that on the other side of this storm is something special. Let your worship, dance, and prayers be even more fierce. Gather friends to worship and press in together. Allow the storm cause your roots to go even deeper today.

• Don’t be afraid to go even deeper into the storm if Jesus is there. Be courageous and step outside of the boat.

• Cling to Jesus and never let go!

Further Resources

To listen to the very first time I ever released this message which later turned into me writing a book about it, listen to the podcast session below. I believe you will be encouraged and experience the fire of God.

To read a book that this blog post influenced, check out Walking on Water.

To take a journey with me more in depth through my Encounter Ecourse which includes a whole session on this theme of Peace in the Storms check out the Walking on Water Ecourse below.

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

Upon reflecting on our 3-year anniversary at Destiny House this Valentine’s Day, I have been struck lately by the synergy of 3s. We have received 3 floors and the alignment of the whole house at Destiny House in just under 3 years. In the next few months we are going to expand and inhabit the duplex next door that was only an empty dirt lot when I moved in February 2012.

So much has happened in the past 3 years at an accelerated rate. Even now, Bethany who lives upstairs at Destiny House is very pregnant and about to have her 3rd baby. She is going to have a home birth. God has put it on our hearts as a community to create an environment of worship on the floor below her while she is giving birth so that the baby’s first introduction to this world is in God’s glory. Quite prophetic of our mandate at Destiny House to help launch and birth destinies from a place of God’s glory.

There are lots of trios that are arising in our community lately as well. We have 3 people from Destiny House who are passionate about cooking and have aligned to do prophetic catering together. The worship team for our 3 year anniversary was comprised of 3 special people coming together bringing a beautiful synergy of giftings. There are also many other unions and partnerships coming together both in and outside the house that are bearing fruit. Identifying ourselves as a Levite tribe of worshippers at Destiny House, we also recently discovered that Levi was the 3rd son. Jesus also arose on the 3rd day.

3 of the dancers who live here created a beautiful tapestry while dancing on a white sheet with paint. By the time the dance was over, they were wonderfully decorated with different colors, as was the cloth. It produced a powerful expression of the beauty that is created when 3 align together for one purpose. Kind of like the Trinity.

The incredible Katharina, Elisa, and Carmella!

There is something about the number 3 for this season. I have heard that one person can pull 100 pounds but 2 together can pull 300 pounds. There’s something about synergizing that multiplies the impact. I wonder what would happen if 3 people came together. Could they pull 500 pounds? Jesus talks about how if 2 or more met to pray, He would hear them. What would happen if 3 people aligned to pray?

“When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of Me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” (Matthew 18:18-20 MSG)

Going even beyond that, what would happen if we built upon the disciples being sent out 2 by 2 and sent people out 3 by 3? What more might be released?

In the midst of the development of the revival history class I am co-teaching at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry with an incredible leader for our generation named Mark Brookes, the theme of the Trinity has been highlighted to me lately. In the 1800s there was an awakening of people discovering how good Jesus really is. They began to see Him as a friend and even a lover rather than a distant far off King. In the early 1900s, our world was infused with fire from heaven and a powerful impartation of the Holy Spirit. There were outbreaks of the Holy Spirit revival fire around the world including Azusa Street, which was a catalytic center of revival at that time. The power of the Holy Spirit was reintroduced to the church. Then in the 1990s we began to see a wave of the Father’s love poured out. The Toronto Blessing was also referred to as the Father’s Blessing. People began to receive the love of the Father in a new and powerful way.

Through the ages, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and more recently aspects of the Father have been highlighted and emphasized in the church in at different times. This is a very general overview and not meant to be a concrete representation of the church, only my reflection over the ages from some of what I have seen as I have been a student of revival history.

That brings us to our present age in the 2000s. I feel that rather than picking one theme or highlighting only one part of the godhead, there is a momentum of what has been built through the ages coming into alignment and synergy in the union of the Trinity. In light of all that God has been doing within our community with 3s and what He has been highlighting to me lately, I believe we are entering into the Age of the Trinity. This is not 3 in One; these 3 are One. This is perfect union and alignment where boundary lines are blurred because the union is so complete.

There is a new synergy available to us in this new age of the Trinity. Now, rather than just focusing on one Person of the godhead, we get access to the synergy of 3. The momentum of the revelation of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father is building to burst into the synergetic power and anointing as we understand the union these share. What would a church look like that didn’t emphasize one or the other but had a view of the whole? What kind of momentum and acceleration could come as we fused our understanding of these 3 into perfect alignment? What might happen as we dive into what the significance of the Trinity means for us today?

It is time to enter in and partake of the beautiful, creative, synergy shared between Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father. I feel that this Age of the Trinity we are entering into will also be an Age of Creativity. Creative expressions are naturally birthed when people are aligned for One purpose under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

I feel that something special will happen when we choose to build covenants and alignments with 3s in this season. There might even be more than one trio people will be a part of in different seasons. Those involved in a worship team synergy might also be linked in covenant relationships in another trio as well. Dancers might have a synergetic dance trio as well as another set of trios for other passions in their lives.

In this new Age of Synergetic Unity, Creativity, and Trinity, I encourage you to find your tribe and go as deep as possible with God and with them no matter the sacrifice. Once the Holy Spirit has highlighted your potential covenant partnerships in this season, I encourage you to pursue them with vulnerability to discover the hidden treasures that might be awaiting you within each other. As you step out, I believe you will then flourish in a destiny even greater than you could ever hope, dream, or imagine.

Don’t be afraid to invest, plant, and build. Look what happened in only 3 years here at Destiny House. In this day and age of needing to be entertained every 5 minutes with something new, I encourage you to dive beyond the surface and into the depths of God’s heart and those in your community no matter how hard you have to fight or what the cost. Synergy and depth takes time and commitment. Take courage and dive in. Beautiful things are awaiting you today.