I have often made mention of the masterpiece that is God’s Generals by Roberts Liardon, a book that dives deep into the stories of the pentecostal movements, their pioneers and their lifelong impact from the dawn of the twentieth century. Some of these individuals have often featured on this platform and allow me to draw from one of these wonderful men of God’s experiences to drive this message home.
Charles F. Parham, otherwise known as the father of pentecost, was an American gentleman born in the summer of 1873. He grew up in a believing family and lost his mother at the tender age of seven, which later became the driving force to his radical conversion. He was a sickly young boy plagued with so many different diseases that stole many early years of his childhood and stunted his growth. On her deathbed, his mother Anna spoke these words to young Parham “Charlie, be good”and it was at that moment that he made a vow that he would meet her in heaven.
In his quest to find out how to meet his mother in heaven someday, young Parham labored tirelessly to find some books about faith and a Bible, which he devoted the majority of his primary teenage years studying in simplicity, without man made doctrines and an open spirit to what God would do. It was during this hearty study that the young man came across the words of Paul: For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 1
Active Participation in the Works of God
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God..
The New Testament believer has the sacred privilege of access to God through the person of Jesus Christ, who by means of taking on human flesh and dwelling among men has made it possible for us to relate with the Father. Our priest, Jesus Christ, walked the face of the earth like we do, was tested and tried in all possible ways as we are, experienced pain, betrayal, scorn and the evil man’s heart can conceive – yet did not sin. These credentials of his are what enable us to achieve what Paul has shared with us in our theme scripture: to be transformed by the renewing of our mind by beholding this man who was just like us, but lived perfectly.
It may sound hard, even impossible to imagine the prospects of living perfectly and it is in a sense, true. But God knew this and He, through Christ, did for us what we could not do by any means: defeated the power of sin over us. What then is our part if the work was done, and finished? It is to yield wholly and allow to be taught by the spirit that makes just men perfect ().
In the story I began with, we see a devotion of a young teenage boy to learn the word of God by all means regardless of the scarcity of preachers or resources in his hometown at that point in time and he proved the exactitude of scriptures () by being a living proof that what men need is The Word of God and a willing heart. Upon reading the words ‘woe unto me if I preach not the Gospel’, young Parham was convinced this was beyond just words but a call to ministry. As he read the few books he had collected, in conjunction with scripture, he would preach to the cattle he was watching in the field as a means to exercise himself in the call he sensed upon His life.
Child of God, you notice that not only was this young man available but he had a bendable will, a hunger to be taught of God and to learn and he wanted nothing to stand as a hindrance. The Word is living and active, it is sharper than any double edged sword and does not return to who sends it, void. If you are willing and available, the word shall be made whole in you.
He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.
The word disclose in our theme scripture simply means divulging or making known secret information. The more we make ourselves available to God, the more we are willing to seek Him for who He is and not just what He does, we receive divine intel that is kept secret from those who refuse to yield to Him.. Our Master draws a clear distinction through our theme scripture and the bottom line is your love for God.
If you read through Charles Parham’s story and many other generals mentioned in this book, you will realize that most were ordinary men with no fancy education or man-made credentials, nothing to cause a second look but they all had one thing in common: ‘they were available to God, with a bendable will’. God will use you to the degree to which you are willing to be broken before Him, for what He pours in us is a treasure too great to be contained in a self-governed, strong willed vessel. Our broken will is God’s ground for mighty exploits. Hallelujah!
If you have never given your life to Jesus Christ, and you feel that this is the perfect time, pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I thank you because you died for my sins and you were raised for my glory. Today, I receive you as my Lord and Savior. I am born again. Amen.”
