I’m posting about being the “John the Baptist Generation”. I believe we are the last generation before the return of Christ and we need to live it out.
In my last post I said that we need to be hearing a Word from God. This is essential for the end-time church.
But the key is that John didn’t just hear a Word. He walked in it. Our generation must walk out what we hear in God’s presence. Hearing from God is only half of the equation.
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
James 1:21
This is talking about the engrafted word of God. It’s not just reading the Bible or hearing a sermon, even thought it might start there. It’s when you know God has spoken to you.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
James 1:22-24
We’re told not to simply hear a word from God. We’re good at saying that God spoke to us.
“I know what I need to do.”
The problem is that years later there’s no change. God is looking for an obedient people. He wants someone who’ll not only speak for Him, but live for Him.
Sometimes I think that’s why we don’t listen – we don’t want to do what God might tell us.
I’ve been feeling more spiritual pressure on me lately to hear and obey the voice of God. When I look at John’s life I see the insight I need to do what’s required of me.
John was born at that time for a purpose. He could have said, “It’s not fair. Why can everyone else do what they want?” But by his obedience, he changed the course of history.
History Makers don’t get to just “do what they want.” That’s our calling because of the generation we were born into. Like it or not we were placed here to be a part of the greatest move of God the world has ever seen.
Instead of running from it, or hiding in the distractions of the world, we should embrace it. It’s time for the people of God to let the Word shine through us. I believe this will initiate the great end-time harvest of souls into the kingdom of God.
Question: What do you see as the greatest hindrance of us fulfilling this end-time call?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: Christ's return, end time, engrafted, God's presence, hearing, history maker, Jesus, John the Baptist, John the Baptist generation, last days, living for Christ, obedience, purpose, return of Christ, second coming, spiritual pressure, walking in the word, word of God
In my last post I started talking about the end-time generation. We looked at the Scripture which told us that if a man cleansed himself from wrong purposes, he would be ready and equipped for good works.
This is where we are in time. I believe that this is the final generation before the return of Christ. We are the “John the Baptist generation.”
He was one man sent to a nation. Now there’s a small group sent to a sleeping church. Either you’re the one calling, or the one needing to wake up.
We must respond to God’s call for equipping. God is now equipping a people for the end-time ministry.
But there was another part to John’s ministry.
During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:2-3
He heard and he went. Our generation must hear a Word from God. God is speaking the same message throughout the body of Christ today.
“Listen to Me!!!”
God is trying to get our attention. He wants to speak to a church that is largely enamored with what the world has to offer. We don’t want to take the time to hear from the Holy Spirit.
The enemy knows this. Never have there been more distractions.
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17
We seem to have lost sight of this truth. That verse literally says, “Faith comes out of hearing and hearing through the rhema of Christ.” Rhema is the Greek word that speaks of the word we hear in our spirit.
That’s one of our biggest failings. Not listening, and therefore not hearing God’s voice speaking to us.
We want to just go out and minister with the power of the spirit. We want to go to work, watch TV, play basketball, and heal the sick. We want formulas – quick, easy ways to walk in the spirit.
The spiritual authority that we’re looking for starts in hearing from God. John went out into the desert and didn’t minister until he heard a word from God. People actually flocked to him in the desert. Today, we find it hard getting people to our meetings in the middle of a city.
What’s wrong? I believe that the answer is clear – we have no word from God. If we want to be the end-time church, prepared for Christ’s return, then we need to be listening to the Holy Spirit.
Question: Are you willing to take the time to hear a word from God?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: are you listening, distractions, end time generation, equipped, equipped for good works, hearing from God, John the Baptist, last days, listening to God, ministry, return of Christ, rhema, second coming, spiritual authority, wake up, word of God
God is doing great things!
New Book Now Available on Amazon
I am pleased to announce that my book, Breaking Free from the Pack – Developing a Spirit of Excellence is now for sale on Amazon. This is a book I originally wrote a few years ago. I have now revised and expanded it. There is a Kindle version available as well.
The purpose of this book is to help all believers, especially those in leadership positions, to live a life of spiritual excellence. This requires certain mindsets and disciplines. The response to this book, and the Excellence Seminar that it comes from, is overwhelmingly positive. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this book will change your life.
Click here for Paperback Version
Click here for Kindle edition
More to Come!
With the re-launch of this book I’m starting a new Recommended Reading page where you can see some of the books that have had a positive impact on my life. They will be linked to Amazon so that you can get them if you so desire.
I’m also developing a Speaker Page. God has been calling me to become more public with my teaching ministry. This page will explain the seminars and my availability. I’m looking forward to more travel as the Lord opens doors to proclaim His Word. It’s my desire to help prepare God’s people for the revival that I believe is imminent in this nation.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will help my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Tags: calling, Christian growth, disciplines, excellence, leadership, newsletter, Quartermaster Ministries, revival, spirit of excellence, vision, word of God
As I was meditating on the life of John the Baptist in Scripture, it occurred to me that his calling was a lot like ours. He was positioned to minister before the coming of Christ. In the same way, we find ourselves very close to the return of the Lord.
How should we be living, knowing the age that God has placed us in? The calling of John the Baptist should speak to us about it.
“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous– to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1:17
I’ve come to the realization that he was a man ahead of his time. Scripture tells us that he spent a great amount of time in the wilderness seeking God. When God said go, John became a man on a mission.
As I studied his life and message I came to a startling conclusion. John saw forward not only to the first appearing of Christ, but to the second coming as well.
Do you believe that Jesus is coming soon? If so, then we are the “John the Baptist Generation.” I want to look at John for a few posts to get some insight into who we are and who we must become to fulfill our calling.
The above verse was told to Zechariah by the angel Gabriel. This message foretold who John was to be. His calling was to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. He was to provide a people thoroughly equipped for Christ’s coming.
Our generation must be equipped.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
2 Timothy 2:20-21
This verse literally says that we must be fully equipped to do any good work. If we want to do the work of God, then we must be equipped for it.
It’s important to realize that equipping relies upon purpose. How you’re equipped depends upon what your purpose is. So in the discussion about preparing us for the return of the Lord, we’re also talking about purpose.
What is your purpose? Why are you doing what you’re doing? John had a clear purpose; to prepare God’s people.
We have no choice in the matter. We’ve been born in the last-days before the coming of Christ. The question is; will we live up to that calling?
Question: Do you believe that Christ is coming soon? In what way does that affect how you live?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: calling, Christ, coming soon, endtime generation, equipped, Jesus, John the Baptist, mission, prepared, purpose, return, return of Christ, return of the Lord, second coming, second coming of Christ, seeking God, work of God
We call Satan “the enemy.” But in many cases, it looks like regular church people have accepted payment from him to ignore the work of God. Are you one of these individuals?
God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
Romans 1:9-10
In this verse, the word serve literally means to serve as a hired menial. So Paul is saying that he considers himself hired by God for a purpose. He understands that there’s a payment, a reward that he will receive from God for a job well done.
How do we handle this? In our modern American culture there’s not a lot of job loyalty anymore. People are constantly keeping their resumes tuned up in case a better position opens up in another company. It’s unfortunate, but this same mindset has spilled over into the church.
Satan tries to capitalize on this thinking.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Matthew 4:8-10
In this verse we see Satan trying to give Christ a better offer. It was promised that the Messiah would one day rule over all the kingdoms of the world. But by God’s way, the Lord would have to suffer and die in agony to receive it.
Satan is giving Christ the chance to bypass all the pain. By a simple act of devotion, He could receive the reward without the pain of the cross. I’m so glad that Jesus saw through the deception, and carried out God’s plan as it was meant to be done.
Satan tries to buy us off all the time. He holds out to us all the pleasures, entertainments, and activities of the world. He tells us to just play with these toys for a little while.
“They’re not sinful, and nobody will be hurt by them.”
But there’s a price that’s being paid. The work of the kingdom is being ignored by a large segment of believers. There are souls not being saved, prisoners not being set free, and lives not being healed. There’s a calling that only you can fulfill.
If you’re looking for a better offer, Satan will give it to you; he just won’t follow through with it. It’s time for the church of Christ to rise to its feet. We must throw off the distractions of the world and complete the assignments that we were call to do.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Hebrews 12:28
Our wages from the Lord are well worth what we are called to do. We are hired by God for a purpose. Let’s give all and do great things for God!
Questions: How has the enemy tried to buy your time? How have you answered his offer?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: better offer, better position, bought off, Christ, church people, deception, destiny, have you been bought off, hired by God, ignore, Jesus, loyalty, Messiah, payment, purpose, Satan, serve, serving God, the enemy, work of God
I’ve been talking about the connection between revival, repentance, and forgiveness. I believe that’s what’s necessary to usher in a revival in our nation.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
Is this verse true? Can evil be overcome with good? The answer is a resounding YES! The principles of forgiveness bring victory over evil. Look at the example of Scripture.
In the early church of Jerusalem thousands of people a month were being saved. Jesus was being preached. Also during this time the apostles were arrested and brought before the religious leaders for questioning.
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:18
This was the outcome of their meeting. Does it sound familiar to you? It should. This is the attitude of society in the United States today. They tell us that we can do whatever we want – just don’t mention Jesus.
What was the response of the church in Jerusalem to this kind of attitude? Did they go out and preach some more? Hold a Jesus concert? Put a referendum on the ballot? Absolutely not.
They called a prayer meeting. This is what they brought before the Lord at that time.
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:29-30
Considering that they were told not to use the name of Jesus, here’s their request. First, they asked for boldness. Then they asked for healings, miraculous signs and wonders. But the important point was that they wanted them accomplished in the name of Jesus.
They didn’t just want to preach in His name, they wanted the world to see the power of the name of Jesus. This is the forgiveness principle at work – it’s the power to arrest and destroy sin. It’s all done by the power of the Spirit.
That brings me back to the verse I first started with at the beginning of this series.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Do we want our land healed? Then sin must be forgiven – removed – arrested and destroyed. The only way this will happen is for the church to get on our knees. There needs to be intercession made for our nation.
Not praying for a better president or leaders. Not praying for new laws. We must cry out God to give us the boldness to speak His Word. We must intercede for the Lord to send miracles, healings, signs and wonders. All of this so that the name of Jesus can break sin.
After all, it’s so much easier to win the lost if the battle is won first in the heavens.
Questions: Why is it so hard to get people to intercede for our nation? Are you willing to pay the price for revival?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: boldness, Christ, forgiveness, healing, Holy Spirit, intercession, Jesus, miracles, name of Jesus, overcome evil with good, power, power of God, power of the spirit, pray for revival, repentance, revival, revival in America, victory
I’ve been posting about the link between forgiveness and revival. I think that it’s clear from Scripture that the spiritual battle is not only fought on the ground. There’s a higher aspect to it.
In my last post, I talked about Daniel’s prayer while in Babylon. As he was praying and interceding on earth, the angels were warring in the sky. If we want a breakthrough in our nation, then there must be a spiritual battle.
As in any war, it requires strategy. It’s not just about politics. It’s not even about me sharing the Gospel with someone. We’re in a spiritual war.
Another lesson that we need to learn is that it’s not just up to individuals. In an army, soldiers don’t just wake up and say, “I’m going to go out and fight today.”
“I’m going to do warfare today.”
That doesn’t work in the natural, so why do we think that it has a lasting effect in the spiritual?
Understanding forgiveness will give us a view of the whole war. We are so intent on our individual fight. When that happens, we get self-absorbed and that’s the exact opposite of being humble.
In warfare it’s imperative that I know what the enemy’s objective is in attacking us. What’s our objective in the spiritual war, as the body of Christ?
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
John 20:21
Jesus said this to His disciples after the resurrection. “In the same way that the Father sent me…” Jesus’ objective was to destroy the works of the evil one. How can we do that? There’s only one way – the same as He did.
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:22-23
The victory comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, there needs to be forgiveness – the picking up and removal of sin. Sin is that which misses the mark. We are to heal society by forgiveness principles. The principles of sin removal.
In actuality, the word, forgive, is not in second half of the above verse. The word used is seize, take hold, dominate, or arrest.
When we deal with society, sin and people in sin, there are two objectives. The first is to remove sin. This means getting someone saved and/or healed. It might even be getting a godly law passed.
The other objective, if people refuse the Good News, is to arrest sin. We can take dominion over it in the Name of Christ.
“This far and no further.”
Then, we can push it back in the spirit. In my next post I’ll wrap up this subject showing what I believe is God’s way to overcome evil and bring about revival in our nation.
Question: What are the evils that need to be arrested and pushed back in our nation?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: angels, destroy the works of the evil one, forgiveness, good news, Holy Spirit, missing the mark, politics, power of the Holy Spirit, revival, Scripture, sharing the Gospel, sin, society, spiritual battle, spiritual warfare, strategy, war in heaven
I’m posting about the link between revival and forgiveness. In my last post we looked at II Chronicles 7:14, which said that God’s people have the responsibility to pray and seek the face of God. Then God would hear, forgive, and send healing and revival to our land.
Yes, revival really is up to us. The Bible says, “If my people, called by My Name will do what’s necessary.” Then we would see the healing of God on our land. This is an important concept for us to learn.
The land and God’s people are linked. This has always been true. When Israel was going into captivity, God told them pray for Babylon to prosper. If things go well for the nation that we live in, then they’ll go well for us.
It’s a very selfish thing for us to only seek God’s blessing for ourselves. We need to care about the people around us. We are the only ones who can intercede for our nation. That’s where revival starts.
We need to understand the principles of how forgiveness relates to revival. Daniel understood the concept.
“Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
Daniel 9:18-19
This kind of repentance takes humility. Daniel was righteous. He wouldn’t eat the king’s meat and he kept himself pure. Of all Israelites, Daniel had the least to repent of. Yet he is crying out for forgiveness. We have to understand that he wasn’t asking for people to be forgiven, but for the nation.
Nations need forgiveness. I’m not talking about the people, but the nation itself. Throughout the Bible we see that God treats nations like people.
Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
Romans 14:22b
Nations are judged by what they allow or don’t allow. Just because a nation says something is legal, doesn’t make it right. So if my nation is allowing things to be done that are evil, then God’s people need to intercede for forgiveness. This is where true revival is birthed. It comes to pass when we take responsibility for our nation.
It’s up to God’s people to pray for forgiveness for their nation. This is where the battle for the USA will take place. It’s in the place of prayer. We need to be interceding for our nation. Then we’ll see the hand of God moving on the hearts and lives of those around us.
Question: What do we need to repent of for our nation?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: America, America needs forgiveness, blessing, blessing of God, forgiveness, God's people, intercede, intercede for our nation, intercession, our land, pray for forgiveness, pray for revival, prayer, responsibility, revival, take responibility, true revival
America needs a spiritual revival. That’s beyond question. I believe that it’s coming. But we as God’s people need to prepare ourselves for it. I want to take a few posts to deal with an issue that I think is important for us to understand in this generation.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
The outcome of this verse is to forgive their sin and heal their land. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that these two concepts are linked with each other. If we want to be positioned for revival, then we must grasp how the forgiveness of God figures into it. In this post I want to talk about some principles of forgiveness.
Forgiveness was God’s idea. Human beings would have never come up with this concept. It was God who first approached us and told us that forgiveness was possible. Only after seeing His example, could we try and forgive others in the same way He forgave us.
True forgiveness is freedom. When we sin against God or another person, we place ourselves under the curse of divine judgment. My sin has a penalty that must be paid.
We have watered down the scope of forgiveness. Forgiveness ends the demand for the penalty. Then it goes even further and frees us from the payment of that penalty. Then, because of what Christ did on the cross, that sin is totally and permanently removed from my record! Now that’s freedom!
Forgiveness is a process. There’s a definite flow of events in order for forgiveness to take place. First there is the sin that brings the need for forgiveness. Then, forgiveness itself must be purchased. In our case God purchased it by the precious blood of Christ.
The next steps are on my part. First, I have to humble myself, admit what I have done, and turn from my sin. That’s what true repentance it.
Next, I have to receive the forgiveness that was purchased for me. This is probably the most overlooked step of the whole process. Only when all of these things are accomplished can I step into the freedom of forgiveness.
There’s a link between revival and forgiveness. Sometimes we miss the blessing because we don’t see the big picture. America is in need of a great change. We need revival.
We think the problem is that when we tell others about Christ, they don’t want to listen. We need to see the scope of revival. In the verse above we’re told that it comes when God’s people pray.
Revival comes when the church humbles itself. Literally this Scripture says we need to search out, seek, and strive after the presence of God. Only then will forgiveness and revival break out.
In the next posts I’ll deal with how and why forgiveness and revival work together.
Question: How often do you specifically pray for revival in our nation?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: America, America needs revival, coming revival, forgive, forgive their sin, forgiveness, freedom, heal their land, humble, penalty of sin, positioned for revival, pray for revival, receiving forgiveness, repentance, revival, revival forgiveness connection, USA
We use the term disciple very casually these days. Many are of the opinion that just being a Christian automatically makes you a disciple. It that the truth? Let’s see how it worked for the first disciples who came to Christ.
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
John 1:35-39
There are some things that this passage can teach us about what it means to be a disciple. We see two men who were following John the Baptist. Then they were pointed to the Messiah. That’s when their lives were changed.
A disciple follows Christ. There’s no way around that. The word follow implies that they took the same road as Christ. Many teach that a disciple is a student. I’ve attended enough classes to know that not all students aspire to be like their teachers. A student wants to learn what’s being taught. A disciple wants to become what the teacher is.
A disciple comes near to Christ. Jesus asked these men, “What are you seeking?” Their response, in the original Greek, was amazing. They replied, “Where is your dwelling place?” Being a disciple is all about what you’re seeking. Many say that they’re pursuing God. But in reality they’re only after the things God can give them. A disciple simply wants to be near Christ.
A disciple wants to experience Christ. These men went to the Lord’s house and spent time with Him. Hearing about Him isn’t enough. What are you seeking? Facts and figures about what God has done? Or do you want to meet with Him and experience His home?
A disciple lives in Christ. This is what truly defines a disciple. Do you want to live in Him? Jesus made this point very clear. When most Christians are asked about it, they usually reply, “Of course I’m a disciple.” The real issue is; what are you seeking? Anything other than His dwelling place and you’re not a disciple.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32 NKJV
Abide in Him. Let His word abide in you.
Question: What steps are you taking to be a disciple of Christ?
© Nick Zaccardi 2013
Tags: abide, abide in Christ, become like Christ, Christ, Christian, disciple, disciple of Christ, dwelling place, experience Christ, follow Christ, His dwelling, Jesus, live in Christ, Messiah, near Christ, same road, seeking, word, word of God
I’m posting about being the “John the Baptist Generation”. I believe we are the last generation before the return of Christ and we need to live it out.
The Spirit and the Word 