Archive for the ‘Words of Encouragement’ Category

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Sunday, December 4th, 2022

[12-4-2022]

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey” (Mat 25:14-15).

It seems that the Lord is talking a lot lately about the end of time; in pastoral sermons, prophetic podcasts, and writings. I believe He’s trying to get our attention and prepare us for the next ‘phase’ of existence (which, I believe to be eternity in Heaven). Reading through Scripture and the instructions the Lord has given throughout time, both in the Holy writ and through men and women used by God to speak on His behalf, the Lord has painted a picture of what the last of the last days would look like and the activity necessary to close this age, and usher in the next. The opening passage is one of them. I underlined “according to his own ability” because that is where the rest of this discussion is going.

This message began brewing in my heart earlier this year as I was reading through the book of Exodus. The Lord wanted the children of Israel to make a sanctuary “that I may dwell among them” (Ex. 25:8b). Being the God of order that He is He had specific designs for that sanctuary, every detail – the material for the walls and all of the equipment in it. Again, being the God of order that He is, He had specific individuals who were to perform the work of this creation – people who already had the capabilities to do each task. They were equipped for the jobs they were assigned to: “And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the LORD has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the LORD has commanded” (Ex. 36:1). Did you catch that?

Let’s break it down. God already had a plan, already had all the designs and intricacies of the entire project in His Heart – to the point of already having gifted the people who were to perform the tasks. This brings us back to the opening underlined statement: “according to his own ability.” The NIrV says it this way: “The man gave each servant the amount of money he knew the servant could take care of.” The Weymouth translation says: “each according to his individual capacity” (or, what each one was capable of – ML). In other words, the Master knows what each servant is equipped with and capable of taking care of. He’s not unjust to require a Chihuahua to perform the duties of a Pit Bull. I may stray from ‘political-correctness’ here, not to offend, but to illuminate a point that will help us all!

Alright, now we’ll make it plain. Paul, writing to the church at Corinth illustrates the church in this way: “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary” (1Co 12:12-22).

I’ll couple that thought with what Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus: “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Eph 4:15-16). He says a lot the same thing writing to the Colossian church: “holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God” (2:19). Are you seeing this? Every member of the Body of Christ has a deposit from God within them that contributes to one another’s success in life! That’s why God said through Paul “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Rom 14:7).

Earlier in the same letter to the Roman church, Paul wrote: “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom 12:4-8). The language used here is much the same as the other instances of Scripture we’ve been looking at. The subject-matter has been that of the Body of Christ, and that each of us has ‘endowments’ deposited within them by God Himself to accomplish certain tasks in the progression of the Church we’ll call ‘life.’

[Brief illustrative testimony here:] I have known my entire life I was a drummer. Even as a child I knew it. I would bug my parents to get me a set of drums – that gift (endowment) was looking for expression! Then, after I had grown and gotten married, the writing ability was ‘pressing’ to come out. I thought about obtaining a word-processor (before the personal computer had gained its popularity). Prompted by God I obtained my first desktop computer (but only used it to write – I wrote my first book using it). – Now for the ugly side, yet, actually, the purpose of this teaching. Many times during a church service I would sit there and ‘confer within myself’: “I can preach like that, maybe even better. Lord, why aren’t I up there?” A few times the Lord has allowed for me to speak publically. But, in all reality, the message(s) just flow right out of me when I’m writing them!

The point of bringing that up is I wasn’t content with what the Lord had deposited within me; I wanted to be/do something else. – That, my friend, is an existence of great hopelessness, lacking peace, and (truth be told) it’s pride! Always reaching for something other than what we’ve been equipped for. If you’re a baby toe, be the best baby toe you can be! Don’t ask God to make you the next Billy Graham. He’s already had one! It’s alright to study after someone else [there’s a saying: if you want what somebody else has, you gotta do what they did to get it!] but, don’t lust after their position! If you are to be an evangelist, then be the best at it you can be! In other words, seek God, press into Him and allow Him to make you what He needs you to be in these last days!

There’s a lot of work that needs to be done; and God needs for each of us to take our place in the Body of Christ and excel at what He’s called us to do! “Don’t look at your neighbor, look at Me! Seek First My Kingdom.” – God.

KNOWING GOD

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

“The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32b).

This declaration found in the Book of Daniel is nestled in proclamations concerning the end time complexion of the people of God – we’ll identify the Church (Born Again ones) as this group he’s talking about. Much has been declared over the centuries what the last days would look like (I believe we’re living in them now), but I don’t believe enough emphasis has been placed on the requirement needed for success through them! – KNOWING GOD!

Before we delve into what it is, let’s examine what it’s not. Somehow the things of God throughout the ages have found themselves boiled down to religion, or religious practices. The Ten Commandments have been reduced to fear-filled instructions that translate into: ‘you better not!’ while the character of God has clearly been depicted as merciful from Genesis to Revelation. So, this misrepresentation has distanced the people God so loves and left them trembling to the point of knowing they couldn’t possibly even think of coming near Him. Let me ask this question: how can anybody possibly get to know someone they won’t spend any time with?

My intent is to be brief and to the point, yet purposeful and inviting that the reader will consider developing a lifestyle resulting in knowing their God, and ultimately doing exploits with Him! Much of the New Testament was written to address the teachings that were circulating during the First Century called Gnosticism. This was an ideology that incorporated science into understanding the things of God. Gnostic means ‘to know’ which, unfortunately reduced relationship with God to a mental exercise. Something had to make sense in order to accept its validity. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal…For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor. 4:18 and 5:7). “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6).

Jesus spoke a parable in Matthew 25 about ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. They all lived their daily lives, but the wise ones maintained their oil (oil is a type of the Holy Spirit), the foolish ones did not. ‘Life’ has a way of draining our ‘oil’ – the Strength of the Holy Spirit [living successfully, free of sin and worldliness drains our reservoir of oil and needs to be replenished]. The foolish ones allowed their oil to be depleted. [I’m trembling inside as I write these things.]

Allow me to do a Mike Leach rendering of this scenario. Perhaps the foolish individuals received an initial deposit of oil when they called on the name of the Lord to be saved, but did nothing with it – never developed a relationship with their Heavenly Father. Their salvation was nothing more than ‘fire-insurance’ hoping to keep them from going to hell. [I said ‘perhaps’ – I’m not speaking these things as hard-core Gospel. You have to decide between you and the Holy Spirit.] The other individuals fell in love with Jesus, got filled with His Spirit and maintained an intimate walk with Him – their ‘oil’ remained full. The Lord’s response to the foolish ones was “I do not know you” (v.12) – wow!

The ‘know’ here isn’t speaking of ‘awareness’ – of course God is aware of every human being that has ever existed, but He only has intimacy with those who choose it! These are the individuals who will work-together with God and carry out His will on the earth. I said in the first paragraph there are individuals who conclude “to the point of knowing they couldn’t possibly even think of coming near Him” on purpose. In the same chapter of Matthew Jesus spoke another parable regarding servants and the talents given them of their Master (verses 14-29). The “wicked and lazy servant” did nothing with what the Lord had given him to do, saying “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed, and I was afraid” (vv. 24b-25a). Did you notice he said “I knew you to be a hard man”? This servant didn’t know his master at all! He judged him, perhaps by what others may have said about him, and conducted his ‘business’ for him by that misjudgment. – Head knowledge!

Beloved, we are looking to have a heart-knowledge of our Loving, Precious Heavenly Father, looking forward to the time we are gathered around His Table celebrating all He has done for and through us! The number one way to know God in the manner we are talking about is through His Word – The Bible (being taught by the Holy Spirit Himself, Who is the Author if it!)! Paul wrote to both the Ephesian church and the Colossian church about being full of God in this manner:

  • “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:17-21).
  • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col 3:16).

Fill up on the Word, and speak it out of your mouth – daily! This will enable you to be strong – in God – and carry out great exploits!

Attend a great church that preaches the uncompromised Word of God! Hang out with people who love God and talk of His ways. Read other articles in this website. Watch the Victory Channel® (govictory.com) and other God-inspired teaching/preaching. The ‘world’ is pulling at us all the time trying to drain our ‘oil’ (the Strength of God). Proverbs 24:10 says: “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” It also says: “The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?” (Pro 18:14). The word ‘sickness’ there could also represent any trial. The Amplified Bible, Classic edition says “The strong spirit of a man” (woman too – mankind). The point is, in order for any of us to live a successful, victorious life this day and hour, we have to be full of God – we have to KNOW GOD!

Election Word (2008)

Monday, June 11th, 2012
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The elections have past and many have become distraught over decisions that have been made—choices our nation ran with.  Questions regarding the fate that will follow those choices are flooding many hearts and minds.  While it is evident the Bible still proclaims “Those who sow to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption,” I like what our pastor constantly reminds us of: “This didn’t take God by surprise.”

In other words, God knew exactly what was going to happen!  The good news is He’s still on the Throne; the earth is (still) the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, and He is (still) able to make those who are His to stand strong!!

My question would be then: if the Word of God says that in the last days “darkness will cover the face of the earth” (and it does), and that the Lord Himself will arise over us (His people) and the peoples of the earth will come to the brightness of our shining (and they will), then why should we who are informed of these things be concerned as if somehow God Almighty (the Lord Jehovah) is suddenly no longer in control and His Word has lost its power?

Let’s look at this wonderful truth found in Isaiah 60: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (vv.1-3 italics added for emphasis).

It has come into my heart (stronger as the years go on) that our exodus from planet earth, what we’ve come to call the rapture of the Church, will be similar to that of the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt.  The Lord spoke to my heart some years ago: “Tell My people they are in the land of Goshen.”  I knew exactly what He meant: in these last days the Lord was going to show Himself strong on our behalf, making a difference between us and the world.

Now, if you look at our Scripture in Isaiah you see that difference.  Those in the world being in gross darkness and the Church being in the Light, or as Jesus put it we are “the Light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).  Paul said to the Church in Ephesus: “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” (Ephesians 5:14-18).

Two points I’d like to make here, 1) This address is to a group that have evidently fallen asleep, which further implies a form of death or darkness having creped in; the promise being “Christ shall give thee light” once awakened. 2) This giving of light is equated to being “filled with the Spirit.”  Notice in the book of Acts the disciples need for re-fillings of the Spirit after that of the day of Pentecost: “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.” (Act 4:31)  This prayer meeting took place after Peter and John were persecuted for preaching the Word of God!  Instead of quitting—they prayed!  God answered their prayer by filling them with His Spirit!!  The result of that re-filling was “they spoke the Word of God with boldness.”

The devil couldn’t shut them up!!  And he can’t shut us up!!  It’s time to pray; it’s time to speak boldly the Word of God; it’s time to awaken from the sleep-state the circumstances of this life have lulled us into!!!  God’s got a plan and the devil cannot stop it!  If you’re concerned with ungodly leadership—pray for them as we’ve been commanded by the Lord.  Don’t bother yourself about it though, read in the book of Daniel chapter four how God handled the ungodly Nebuchadnezzer (I’ll not recount it all here but highlight some things); He had a night vision:

“‘This is what I saw as I was stretched out on my bed. I saw a big towering tree at the center of the world.  As I watched, the tree grew huge and strong. Its top reached the sky and it could be seen from the four corners of the earth.  Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant—enough food for everyone!  Wild animals found shelter under it, birds nested in its branches, everything living was fed and sheltered by it. … You will learn that the High God rules over human kingdoms and that he arranges all kingdom affairs. …   Let him lose his mind and get an animal’s mind in exchange, and let this go on for seven seasons … At the end of the seven years, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked to heaven. I was given my mind back and I blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever. His sovereign rule lasts and lasts, his kingdom never declines and falls. And that’s why I’m singing—I, Nebuchadnezzar—singing and praising the King of Heaven: everything he does is right, and he does it the right way. He knows how to turn a proud person into a humble man or woman.”  (Daniel 4:10-12, 16, 25, 34 & 37 italics for emphasis; MSG Bible).

Be blessed and encouraged knowing that our God is Sovereign over all and we’ve already won, read the back of the Book!

Prophetic Word

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

(Originally titled “Word of Encouragement”)

January 10th, 1990

There is coming a darkness on the Church like never before. Deceivers, and those being deceived. Walk in the Light and the darkness will not overtake you as one who was unprepared. The accuser of the brethren is seeking to be called the devourer of the brethren. So encourage one another while it is still called today, ministering grace that will help in time of need one to another.

Remain steadfast in the Word of My righteousness, immovable so that the wicked one touches you not. Giving him no place in your life, private or professional. And the Son of righteousness will arise bringing you with Him to the table that is set before Me, cleansed in His blood, whole in His purpose bearing His name in your foreheads that proclaims you as My possessions — belonging solely to Me.

So resist all temptation to veer to the right or the left. Keep your eyes fixed on My ways, which will always be in line with My revelation, which is My Word. Don’t be afraid of sudden destruction that may appear close to your doorstep, the name of the Lord is a strong tower — run into it and you’ll remain safe from harm. Maintain your own relationship with Me and I’ll lead you in the paths of righteousness for My name sake.

Confusion is an enemy that will take the lives of many, but if the Lamp of My Presence is ablaze in your heart you’ll walk right through all entrapments meant for destruction, victoriously, unscarred, without even the very smell of smoke alighting your garment.

Praise will lift you above much of the enemy’s workings. Confessing My Word will give it thrust, but heartfelt worship will cause you to soar high above even the highest peaks of the devil’s mountainous endeavors.

Ah, but I seek those who will worship Me in Spirit and Truth. Unfortunately there are only a few who make the life commitment to pay that kind of price, though it be not really a price once you taste and see that I am really good!

The desires of the flesh has nothing on Me, but you’ve got to come, you’ve got to come and see!

Ha, ha, ha says the Spirit of Grace, I’ll take you there, into the Most Holy Place. Just touch Me with your faith and by Jesus’ blood We’ll go to the Throne of Grace.

Come on, I’m here to see you through. Just believe My Word and watch what We can do. I formed the Worlds at the Master’s command, surely all you could ever need is held in My hand. Call for it, desire it and it’ll be yours. Ask anything according to His will and it’ll be yours.

I’m sent to comfort you, to teach you and to show you things to come. Now rise up and take your place in God’s Son. He’s called you by His grace and anointed you with power to demonstrate His love to those who live this hour.

Time will pass and many will fall, but those who triumph will answer His call.

Be strong and of good courage, I’ll help you in every way, to be the man or woman of God you need to be in this day.

Taken form: “Prophecies and Poems Volume One”

Word of the Lord

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

Our God is an awesome God! Here’s an interpretation of other tongues:

“I am God Almighty and I will show Myself strong on behalf of ANYONE who’ll have the nerve enough to believe Me!” (then, He continued) “I will put on display the impossible; in front of the unbelieving gainsayers who mock My existence. Whose only explanation for what just happened is divine intervention (though they still will not believe).  Mark My words, the horrors of My Revelation are about to unfold.” (I almost don’t have the nerve to type these things…but I sense such an urgency.)

“I cannot wait any longer.  I’ll use those who are ready to speak MY Words and work MY works, without regarding the ‘judgments’ passed on them by religious leaders who are into themselves and have left ME out of their equation for understanding Spiritual matters.

“Herald: THE KING IS COMING!  THE KING IS COMING!  That’s the message of the hour!  All else MUST come FROM that perspective!

“Tell every dog, hog and frog…every nanny, granny and Sammy.  Tell every clerk, jerk and quirk.  The message of the gospel is for ALL—EVERYBODY!!!  GOT THAT?”

I know these words are stout, but it’s not up to us to judge whether someone is worthy of the Kingdom by whether we tell them of it or not! Yes we must live a life of being ‘led’ by the Holy Spirit…but let’s err on the side of just expecting that we’re to share Jesus with everybody…believe for the sensitivity to know that if it’s not the time to talk with them, then we’ll know and leave them to the Lord of the harvest (He knows what to do…the timing and words and who it needs to come through).

I remember one time in a service when the Lord was just starting to use me in prophecy and revelation:  He said that we need to be the answer to someone else’s prayer to the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers across their loved-ones path, then we can expect Him to answer our prayers for our loved-ones.

We all work together as ONE BODY doing the work of ministry (which is portraying Jesus to this lost and dying world IN ALL WAYS [word – power – actions, etc.] not in perfected doctrine!!!).

A “Word” After Prayer

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

May 4th, 2006

Today we celebrated the National Day of Prayer. It was a glorious time in the Lord and much was accomplished in the spirit. At the end of my pastor praying, this word from the Lord came to me:

“I will do all you have asked, for it is in line with My will.  But, know this, the demon forces that have been pushed back are just waiting to get right back to where they were before you prayed!  Without your continued pressure against them they’ll be able to resume their activity.  I need My people daily to pray and KEEP the realm of darkness pushed back from the areas of government, families, finances and lives in need.”  (I’m being opposed right now trying to type this out)

“My people have gotten into a pattern of forgetting the needs around them (including My need of their involvement) and once they have been stirred up to pray, they get excited for a time, but then slip right back into their day after day routine.  The realm of darkness knows this, so they wait for the pressure to subside that they may return to their destructive activity.  I’m looking for a people who will lay down their comfortable lives and take up their assigned crosses (what I’ve given them to do in My Kingdom, which will include prayer) every day and prepare the way for the return of My Son.”

As for this ministry, I’m looking every day for the return of the Lord.  Am I predicting when that will be?  Absolutely not!  No one knows the answer to that question!  But I believe we’ve been instructed by the One we call ‘our Lord’ to do the work of ministry to those around us in our everyday lives until He does come back.  Being led by His Spirit IN everything (which is the means by which we’ll prepare the way for the return of the Lord), pushing back the realm of darkness through prayer and obedience to our Commander-in-Chief.

We often quote: “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1a).  In other words, if the Lord isn’t directing a thing, He won’t be in it and His blessing won’t be on it.  So why don’t we just start out our day asking Him to direct our steps, direct our thoughts and direct our words (including our prayer life).  Then when the direction comes—DO IT!!  Simple eh?  We have His grace (ability), we have His Word and we have His Spirit.  No wonder Paul told the Philippian church: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (4:13).

Let’s go for it!  Let’s push back the forces of darkness around us and this nation!  If you’re finished with the devil running things around here, then let’s join together, cast him out and prepare the way of the Lord’s return!!

Where’ve You Been

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

Growing up there were tell-tale signs that would give away what you had been doing. Your mother would ask, “Just where have you been?”  Maybe your pants were muddied.  Perhaps your face had chocolate on it, or the like.

Then having grown and married your spouse may have asked on occasion, “Where’ve you been?”  Perhaps you were running late for an appointment.  Yet another occasion for this query might be because you’ve come home with a certain smell about you.  Or maybe you had gotten an attitude that wasn’t typically yours; someone else had influenced you negatively and you carried it home with you.

Scripture teaches: “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1Corinthians 15:33)  “He who walks with wise men shall be wise” (Proverbs 13:20a). Why? Because mankind was created to imitate. Ever notice how two close friends, or a married couple who had been together for awhile, act and talk alike? They pick up on each others mannerisms. But it doesn’t happen casually. These folk spend some quality time with each other. They know intimate details about each other that nobody else knows.

Moses was that way with Jehovah.  The Bible says: “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11a).  When he returned with the Ten Commandments written in tablets, his face glowed with the glory of God: “Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone” (Exodus 34:29b-30a).

We, too, shine with the love of Jesus when we spend time with Him.  Ephesians 5:1-2a says: “Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us” (AMP).

In the past few years I’ve been talking with the Lord a lot regarding the end-time move of God.  It’s promised that “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former” (Haggai 2:9a).  Joel even prophesied: “He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, and the latter rain” (2:23b).  That’s Holy Ghost anointing, moves of God.  We could say it this way: the anointing of the Holy Ghost experienced by the first believers combined with the anointing intended for the end-time believers!  WOW!  Just think of what we can accomplish with that much Holy Ghost power!!

Recently, in our ‘talks’ the Lord has impressed on my heart the following passage: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).  God used Peter and John to work a miracle for a man who had been crippled for forty years.  The result was five thousand men came to the Lord that day!  Now that’s a move of God!!  The simple point was these men had been with Jesus—He got off on them!  Yes, His Presence and Power!  His attitude toward sickness, being crippled or lack of any kind for that matter.

We were originally intended to be carriers of the glory of God (His Presence and Person, all that He is and has), man was clothed with it before sin entered in.  The choice to be carnally controlled caused the glory to depart from man.  We became leaky vessels; “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). The King James Version says: “lest at any time we should let them slip.”  Paul explains that Moses put a veil over his face so the children of Israel couldn’t see the glory fade (see 2 Corinthians. 3:13).  Even the early Apostles needed re-fillings of the Holy Spirit to continue in the work of the Lord.

Paul admonished the church at Ephesus to “be being filled with the Spirit” (original Greek of Eph. 5:18).  That’s a state of infillings of the Holy Spirit.  We do leak, the glory does fade and we need to get tanked-up with the Presence of God that we may walk as children of Light.

Paul also talked of being a fragrance of Christ (see 2Corin. 2:15).  Having been with Him one gives off a fragrance that’s sweet smelling to the Father (and to others).  The opposite would be the stench of the world, what one ‘gives-off’ spending too much time with the world (you can fill-in the blanks).  So the question at this point would be: Where have you been?  What ‘fragrance’ are you giving off?  Go ahead—wash in the water of the Word, under the Blood and go sweeten somebody’s life!!

The Two Sides of Faith

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

“Have the faith of God. (margin rendering)  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11:22-23

The first aspect of faith I want to look at is the side we’ve all been made aware of for some time now—believing.  We all believe (or have faith in) things we’ve been told.  For instance: we believe the word of our employer that if we perform our job we’ll be paid so much at the end of the week, right?  So, day after day we labor believing the day is coming we’ll receive the reward of a pay check.  That’s faith.

Most of us will get into a car, start the engine, and put it in drive expecting the brakes to work when we press on the peddle; that’s another way to view faith, expectation: to believe in something.

To have the faith of God you have to hear His Word on a matter: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).  Another way to say it is: Faith begins where the will of God is known.  It’s impossible to have faith where someone’s will is unclear, God’s or anyone else’s.

On a side note, I believe that’s the biggest problem we have in the church today!  There’s been so much watering down of the pure Word of God, the Body of Christ isn’t sure if God is willing to do anything for them anymore or not!  Prosperity, healing, provision and protection have all been relegated to the sweet by and by.  Bunk!  If one would just soberly look into the perfect law of liberty (the pure Word of God) and read for themselves they would clearly see the Father’s heart and great desire to bless His children!  That’s a whole other subject, though.

The other side of faith is the action side.  To act on what you believe.  Notice, our foundational verse says the believing one will say something.  That’s action.  I’m not talking about confession here.  The initial role of confession is to school the heart to believe: “The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart” (Romans 10:8a).  The human heart (spirit, inner-man) is designed to believe, and it will believe first what you say, that’s why it’s so important to not be frivolous with your words.  If you’re always joking around and saying things you don’t really mean, your heart won’t know what to believe and your faith will be hindered.   “And shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”  The desired result will only come from a heart (inner-man) that truly believes.

There’s more to this action thing than just saying something though.  Let’s look at what James has to say about faith: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can faith save him?  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

The Amplified New Testament puts verse seventeen this way: “So also faith if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power—inoperative, dead.” James goes on to say: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’  Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (v. 18).  What’s he saying?  Mike Leach translation: You got a lot of nice talk, but you ain’t doin’ anything (i.e.: put up or shut up)!  Someone said it this way once: I can’t hear what you’re saying, ‘cause your actions are speaking so loudly.

It’s time we as the Church stop talking about how powerful and loving God is and start showing it!  The world doesn’t need any more preaching on how filthy they are, but God loves them!  We need to show them His love by taking care of their needs; healing their sick, freeing them of demonic oppression, binding up their broken hearts!  Freely we’ve received—freely we must give!

Jesus made an interesting statement in Luke’s account of the Gospel: “…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8b).  I don’t think He was talking about the faith that comes by hearing God’s Word here, I believe He’s looking for people who’ll be acting on it!  “But, be doers of the Word, and not hearers only!”  (James 1:22).

True Worship

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

“..the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John 4:23)

Before I talk about worship, I want to bring out that the Father — Almighty God — is seeking (looking) for something! His eyes “run to and fro throughout the whole earth!” Why? Looking “to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

You see, God is a good God and He wants to bless people. He wants to show Himself strong on their behalf. If ever mankind needed for God to show-up in their lives and manifest His strength, it’s right now! When fear is on every front; knocking on every door; trying to steal, kill and destroy; God will be a refuge and fortress, a strong-tower, a present help in time of trouble! The qualifier is: He does it for those whose heart’s are loyal toward Him.

So, what is true worship?

Worship comes from the English words “worth ship.”  It speaks of value and honor for a magistrate or deity.  True worship is of the heart (rather, comes from the heart, one that’s loyal toward God; He knows if someone is faking or not).  The heart, in most cases, speaks of the spirit-man; the inner man or “the hidden man of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4); the real you.  Jesus said: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth” (John 4:24 KJV).

Man is created in the image and likeness of God; meaning, God is a Spirit being and man is a spirit being. The only acceptable worship for God must come from a loyal heart full of truth!

What is truth?

In praying to the Father, Jesus defines truth; He said: “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17).  So one could say a true worshiper will be born of truth (a product or child of truth): “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).  The conclusion would be that unless someone is born again (has called on the name of the Lord to be saved [Romans 10:13]) they don’t even qualify to worship God!  But we need to further instruct: TRUE WORSHIP not only comes from the loyal heart of a born-again child of God, but it will fall within the instructions outlined in the Word of God:  “Come before His presence with singing.  Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and    not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:2b-4).

Singing / Thanksgiving / Praise

TRUE WORSHIP will include any one or all of these.  This is not a formula.  God is not a robot that has buttons you can push to get the desired result!  Look at these as guidelines to understand the protocol for the worship God the Father is seeking.  “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).  This verse indicates that when we’re filled with the Word of God and we teach and admonish one another by the grace in our hearts it is being done to the Lord!

Now let’s couple that thought with Romans twelve verse one from the Amplified Bible: “make a decisive dedication of your bodies—presenting all your members and faculties—as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.”

In-a-nutshell; what we do day in and day out; how we treat others; the quality of work we provide our employers will greatly affect our worship! We cannot drink from the cup of darkness (act like the world) then minister before the Lord!

It’s time to wash our hands of the filth of this world and become true worshipers that Almighty God can look to bless with His Presence…for in His Presence is the fullness of joy!  In His Presence there comes times of refreshing!    Hallelujah!!

Three Words

Sunday, December 16th, 2007

Beloved: Just this morning I came across possibly the most anointed three words one could ever use in prayer. You’ve probably heard them, even said them yourself. I’m sure I’ve heard teaching on them…even taught of them myself; but something happened inside me when I said them this morning to the Father.

No, it wasn’t: “I believe I receive” (that’s four words anyway). As powerful as they are. The words I’m talking about aren’t for the purpose of getting something…or removing a mountain. They’re actually so simple one would easily overlook them. After all isn’t the Holy God of Heaven and earth looking to hear something flowery or pious filled with Elizabethan English? He doesn’t have time for simplicity, right? Well, I’d like to set you free in this area of your relationship with YOUR Heavenly Father (yes, He’s your Father if Jesus has been made your Lord). Furthermore, He desires us to come to Him — anytime for any reason!

OK, are you ready for them? Are you sure you can handle the profoundness of these three simple words? They’re: I TRUST YOU. Yea, I trust you. Try it. Check your innermost being when you say them. Do you feel the calm? Do you feel the joy? Do you feel empowered? It’s OK to “feel” spiritual things…your spirit-man can “feel” spiritual things just like your physical man can feel natural things. It’s staggering, isn’t it? I got the ball rolling…I’ll let the Holy Ghost finish from here. Have a great life — trusting God!