ZANE SPRINGER
Zane spent a couple of days at the Ranch with us. He shared a powerful message about a thirst for more of God and intimacy with Him. I am amazed by how the insights from these speakers resonated so deeply with our hearts. Reflecting on my old journals, I now recognize how their words became my own. They fell like seeds on fertile ground. They were ready to grow into healthy plants, hungry for the Lord. He stressed that we should not crave God's "things." Instead, we should long for a deep intimacy with God Himself.
Matthew 13:44 (NIV) speaks to this beautifully:
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
I have come to understand better what I felt that Sunday with the guest speaker Larry Randolph at church. Larry Randolph is a preacher with a strong prophetic gift and has been involved in various renewal outpourings. It is incredible to see God's power among His people. But, we should not constantly crave those experiences. Instead, they should inspire a greater hunger for intimacy with God. This should be for all Christians, not just oneself. There is so much more that God has in store for us.
Psalm 63:1-8
“A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips, my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”
I have felt throughout my life that I had no place in His kingdom. I never thought I could be an active member of His church. I was meant to be just a pew warmer. However, God touched my heart through intimacy and did something great for me—He renewed my mind.
When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He said, “That all of them may be one, Father, as you are in me, and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.”
Jesus was praying for us, that we could be one with our Father just as He was. Being one with God is the foundation of everything. It affects every relationship, including those with our siblings, spouses, and friends. Being in Him is everything. Without Him, we are nothing; we can never aspire to be great preachers, teachers, or leaders. We desperately need Him.
No wonder the devil's focus is on The Church—to rob us of intimacy, in every sense! It includes our relationship with God, and our marriages and friendships.
Overall, the teaching we received from Zane was impactful. He then spent time ministering to us, I wasn’t prepared for what awaited me. This is what he prophesied over me, presented in a shortened version.
“I saw in you a dump truck backing up to you, and the Lord is dumping ‘compassion’ on you. The Lord has endowed you with a profound sense of compassion, but I sense you haven’t received it from anyone else. If anything, you might have learned NOT to be compassionate, as no man has trained you in that way. I believe the Lord has intervened. He has called you to care deeply for His church and those in need.”
Zane continued: “As I was talking to you yesterday, you shared that you do not so much want God’s gifts, but simply want Him. Isaiah 30:18 says, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore, He will rise to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!”
The Lord has given you that longing for Him. He is pouring out His grace and compassion on you. I believe He has brought you to a true place of surrender in your life. The next part of that scripture talks about Israel seeking Egypt for help. It shows how the Lord brought them to a total place of surrender. In verse 17, it mentions them waving the white flag on top of the hill, saying, ‘God, I give up. I can find security in nothing but You. The Lord has led you to surrender. He is pouring His compassion on you and releasing you. "I believe the Lord has a healing ministry in you. Your words, along with your compassion, will heal people's spirits."
He then anointed me with oil and prayed for me. I was so blessed.
