It’s Happening-Chapter 5

It’s All About Capacity

Excerpts from Chapter 5 It’s Happening by William McDowell.

God Desires to Partner with Us

McDowell shares the story of Elisha in 2 Kings 4:3-6 about the widow and the jars of olive oil. He states that in Amos 3:7 it appears that though God is God He desires to partner with us. “Much of his movement in the earth happens as we submit ourselves as vessels through which he can flow. The Bible is a chronicle of the works of God extended through man and history shows that revival spreads by the teaching and preaching of men and women who’ve been lit on fire by the spirit of God.”

Being Used by God

McDowell says there most likely has been moments in intercession and worship we have felt a longing to be used by God. He asks “But do we?” Do we understand it will take us making room for the fullness of God in our lives. We must be intentional and deliberate to line up with God, make room for God.

McDowell states “Being used by God is not about how we feel, it’s about our capacity. We’re saying God fill me, use me. I want more of you. But do we have the capacity to handle more of God?”

Elisha and the Widow

The widow knew how bad her situation was, her awareness of what little she had gave her enormous capacity and desperation. There was expectancy in the widow when Elisha was on the scene.

“A little oil is better than no oil but a little is not enough. Like the woman we need to increase our capacity. How many times have we come before God saying that we want to be used by Him but we’re full of the cares of life, full of worry, pride, greed, envy, jealousy and all the works of the flesh. God wants to give us more of Himself, his anointing, power, miracles, provision, healing, blessing but sometimes we are already filled to the top with so many other things. You can’t be filled with the oil of God while still being full of yourself.”

Testimonials-Stories of the River

McDowell shares about Deeper Fellowship’s monthly presence nights. People gather from all over. “Presence nights are always marked by anticipation and expectation.” McDowell states there is no agenda other than to seek God, hear from God, and respond accordingly.

“On one particular night my friend Caleb had a word of knowledge that God wanted to heal paralysis. We’ve seen people come in using wheelchairs, walkers and canes and walk out healed. Interestingly that particular night we didn’t visibly see anyone who seemed paralyzed but we knew God had spoken. But they prayed in faith for the reversal of paralysis.” After the service a man who was a musician stated his hand had become locked and paralyzed, but the Lord healed him that night. McDowell states that he saw the man several months later and he was still healed. “It’s happening.”

Okay to Fill Empty

McDowell states that emptiness gives you capacity. Matthew 5:6 says blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Physically we know when we are thirsty and hungry, when we are not filled up. You will not recognize your spiritual needs if you are filled with other things.

“We may try to fill ourselves with everything else including the lust of the flesh and the pride of life and then we wonder why there’s no authority, power, miracles and presence manifesting in our lives. Filling ourselves with anything other than God says we don’t want his oil and we don’t want his anointing.”

McDowell speaks about all the things we do in our culture to rid us of the emptiness we feel.

“I’ve learned a few things over the years. First, those who are greatly used by God have become comfortable with emptiness. They know that God put emptiness there to help them recognize their need for him. Without emptiness they may never cry out God I need you. Second, people who are greatly used by God are sometimes lonely. The more people we have around us, the less opportunity we have to hear God. Third, I haven’t discovered anyone who has been greatly used by God who hasn’t also been hurt or betrayed. Mighty men and women of God get hurt just as everyone else. The difference is instead of going to God empty, most people take on the hurt themselves, piling fleshly things into their spirit, things such as offense, anger, and bitterness. Though these emotions feed the flesh, they also crowd the spirit.”

“The lame are not going to walk, and the dumb will not talk with a little bit of oil. You need to go before God as empty as you can so that you can be filled to the greatest capacity possible. Empty equals dead.”

Being Dead

McDowell shares about putting things to death that limit your capacity to be filled with God. One is to nail to the cross whatever is in your life that keeps you from experiencing God and walking in His ways. Number two is confess them to God. “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God. Surrender.”

“Being used by God is not just connected to desire, but it’s also connected to capacity. You can say, I want to be used by God all you want, but if you don’t surrender, your capacity to contain the oil of God is limited.”

Shut the Door Behind You

In 2 Kings 4:4 the widow is told gather as many jars as possible then shut the door behind her. Some people do things to look spiritual. They want an audience for their gifts, anointing, or blessing. McDowelll says the miracle realm flows out of surrender and humility. Sometimes God has to bruise our ego, our pride.

McDowell shares the story about the commander Naaman who had leprosy. Naaman wanted Elisha to heal him in a public manner but it was done in private. McDowell says “God worked in secret, and he does the same today. God will only begin to work through you publicly when he knows that he can trust you to obey what he tells you in private. Miracles are not born in public display, but in private devotion. The power of God begins flowing in private.”

McDowell says the oil stops flowing when empty vessels stop coming.
my comments

Respond

“So why aren’t you seeing the power of God in your life? Is it possible that the only reason you stopped seeing the oil flow in your life is because you stopped asking for it? Is it possible that the oil stopped flowing in your life because you don’t have an empty vessel to contain what God wants to do? Are you so full of yourself, your flesh, your desires, or your pride that there’s no room for His oil?”

“Revival flows through us. I challenge you to ask yourself, why is revival not happening in my life? The question is, are you full or are you empty? Is there room in your life for the anointing, the presence of God? Is there anything in your life that is crowding out His ability to use you?”

“It could be that God gave you a word for somebody one time and all of a sudden you want to be known as prophet of so and so. God uses you to pray for someone one time. She says her headache is gone and now you want to launch a healing ministry.”

Prayer

“God, I give you permission to go into every area of my life that does not line up with you. Examine my heart, thoughts, actions, deeds, relationships, interactions, addictions, pains, and struggles. Go in deep and if you find anything hindering me from being filled to overflowing, take it out of me.”

“I want your oil in my life. I did not want to be so full that I cannot receive your oil. So, God, I come.”

“Empty me of everything that is against your will and plans for my life. I come seeking to increase my capacity to house your spirit. God, fill me up.”

It’s Happening Chapter Five Podcast

It’s Happening Book Review Series Podcasts
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five

It’s Happening Book Review Blog Series
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five

To get a sense of the heart of William McDowell watch the attached video.

It’s Happening-Audible
It’s Happening Paperback

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