Pastor Mickey

Hang A Lantern

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

On Black Friday, 1929, the stock market crashed and America was plunged into the Great Depression. During that same time, a drought turned the western portion of Oklahoma into what became known as the Dust Bowl.

Conditions were bleak for many, so families packed up in cars and trucks and traveled west on Route 66 in hopes of finding work in California. Thousands of men hopped freight trains bound for the west coast, where promises of jobs and mild climates lured many "okies" westward.

In Oklahoma City, the need was great. Jobs were scarce, and there were no government programs to assist the poor. Hospitals and soup kitchens were stretched to capacity. Many who had lost their jobs were forced into foreclosure on houses, farms and businesses. Against this backdrop, my paternal grandmother, Bessie Keith quietly began her ministry among the poor people who camped along the North Canadian River.

Many had lost jobs, many lost farms and homes..But worse of all, many lost hope! Shanty towns sprang up along the river bank as families searched for shelter and came to the big city for survival.

Bessie had lost 3 children, but the four living children were taught of God's love at the knee of their mother. They had an appreciation for music, prayer and for the power of God, which would serve them their whole lives. Grandma Keith taught Geneva, Valentine, June and my dad John to sing in four part harmony, play guitar, accordion and piano.

On summer mornings, the family would make their way to the shanty towns with a few meager provisions and a desire to minster the love of God to the hurting. Grandma quickly developed a reputation as a woman of faith, and many times she was called upon for prayer in homes and hovels. Doctors and hospitals were expensive for those with no money or health care, and their trust was directed to the God they heard Grandmother preach about.

In the evenings, the little family band would begin to play music and sing the old time Gospel songs of Heaven and Salvation. A crowd would soon gather, and someone would hang a lantern in the middle of the area where they were assembled.

Bessie would preach the Gospel and the whole family, including Grandpa Frank, would pray for the sick and lead many to salvation. Only Heaven will reveal what was accomplished in those days in OKC. How many were called into the ministry, and served in foreign lands as missionaries? How many went on to find hope, found a company and employ people using Christian principles...How many were healed? How many marriages were put back together...all because a family was faithful to share God's love. But someone had to hang a lantern! What about you? Will you hang a lantern so that others might see Jesus? Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5- "You are the light of the world...Let your light so shine before men, that they see your GOOD WORKS and glorify your Father in Heaven!"

Be encouraged today to Hang a Lantern so others can see Jesus!

Attitude determines Altitude in life!

2012-01-24T09:32:00.000-08:00

Norman Vincent Peale, while traveling through Asia, once visited a tattoo shop owned by a Chinese man. As he viewed the various tattoos on display, Peale noticed one which read, "Born To Lose". He asked the proprietor why someone would want to place that slogan permanently on their body. The Chinese tattoo artist simply replied---“Tattoo on heart before tattoo on skin”.

What's in your heart will determine your outlook in life. Your attitude affects every decision- Where you will work; who you will build relationships with; and will dictate the success or failure of your future.

Trials and struggles in life tend to get us down, and we then respond negatively in difficult times. But God’s Word tells us to do just the opposite…”Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” James 1:2 NKJV

That doesn’t make sense to our natural minds. How can we rejoice over trouble? Does the Bible say I am to be joyful in the middle of tough times?
Yes...Because if you lose your joy, you lose your strength!
“The joy of the Lord is my strength” Neh 8:10 NLT

We need God's strength more than ever during difficult times. Whether you are dealing with a rebellious child, the break-up of a relationship, or an illness in your life--- you need your strength.
If you go through your challenges bitter,negative and discouraged, you will not have the vitality to stand strong and fight the good fight of faith!

I will grow bitter or better! The choice is mine!
The cares of this life will either make you bitter or better, and your attitude determines which one it will be. The story is told of a wise, old Native American who once told his son, "Inside your mind, a good wolf is battling a bad wolf for control." "Which one will win?" asked the boy. "Which ever one you feed," came the reply.

You can keep your joy by knowing that on the other side of the test is a promotion. Any student in school will tell you that when you pass the test, you receive promotion.

There can be no testimony without a test! No promised land without a Wilderness experience…But while you’re in the Wilderness, be positive, don’t lose your joy,

Keep your head up and your confession full of faith…and you will see Victory!

This trial is not a Set-Back; But a Set- Up!

Keep the right attitude and know that this struggle is not setting me back, but rather setting me up for God to bring me through to the other side in an even better position.

Your difficulties are not there to defeat you, but to increase you!

If you complain, you will remain. You’ll stay right where you are.

Negative people who are sour on life don’t pass the test which leads to promotion. The opportunity for new growth is there, but if you don’t count it all joy, you’ll miss out.
Good News- God can still give you another opportunity to win! It’s never too late with the God of a second chance!

When someone offends us, our attitude should be…”I won’t be upset…I’ll count it all joy! This is simply a test, and on the other side of this challenge I’ll be promoted!”
When business is slow, or the job seems like it’s going no where, instead of griping, count it all joy!

Don’t curse the vineyard God has planted you in to provide for your future. Instead, bless the ground you are sowing into! “This company is blessed because I am here..I have a covenant with God almighty, and He will never leave me nor forsake me! “ He is Jehovah Jireh and He provides for my needs!!

A spirit of heaviness tries to overtake us in tough times…Don’t be surprised if you think thoughts telling you “It will never work out..you’ll never overcome…You’ll never get well…It’s over…” But the scripture says that God gives us a "garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness!"

Don’t believe the evil report! Believe God’s report!
Isa. 53:1-5 KJV “He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by his stripes we are healed..!
Don’t believe the lies from the enemy! You don’t have to be guided by your emotions, they’re not in charge- you are in charge!

When you wake up, and the negative thoughts come into your mind—“It’s a lousy day” – Don’t just agree and say, Yep, it’s a lousy day, I feel terrible...Instead, turn it around and talk to yourself with a faith declaration---“This is a great day…I will get well…God will restore my health and I will prosper today!” ***Joy comes in the morning!
Fear says- We will never make it! Faith says- We are over comers!
Fear says- I’ll always be sick! Faith says- By His stripes I am healed!
Fear says- Today is going to be a lousy day! Faith says- This is the day the Lord has made!

Disappointment will bring negative emotions that seem to overwhelm us…If we don’t deal with them, they will control us…But, when they come, encourage yourself- Get up…be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! You are more than a conqueror..a Champion on the inside!
Do what King David did- He encouraged himself in the Lord! When his enemy stole everything, took his family prisoner, and his own men wanted to kill him, the Bible says, "He encouraged himself in the Lord"! This event was perhaps the worst day of his life, but within seven days, God had restored everything, and he was crowned as king!

The Candy Cane

2011-12-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

Many years ago, an Indiana candymaker had a desire to create a symbol of the true meaning of Christmas. So he made the “Candy Cane”. As a Christian, he incorporated several symbols of Christ’s birth, ministry and death.

He began with a stock of pure, white hard candy. The white symbolized the Virgin Birth and sinless nature of Jesus. The hardness was for the foundation of the church, and the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a `J’ to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It also represents the staff of the ‘Good Shepherd’, with which He reaches down into ditches to lift out fallen lambs, which like all sheep have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small ones to show the stripes of scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Unfortunately, over time it became known as just the candy cane--a meaningless decoration at Christmas time-- but the meaning is still there for those who have “eyes to see and ears to hear”.

Christmas Miracle #4 Participation-

2011-12-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

2 Cor. 5: 19 "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation." NLT

–God trusts you!

Your fourth Christmas miracle is that God has a job for you to do- This is the wonder of participation. He has chosen us to share the wonderful message with others. Let’s share our faith…Let’s share the life, love and liberty that Jesus brings!

He did not commit the Great Commission to angels, but to us! Here is the message of Christmas that we are to tell everyone, everywhere- That God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them!

This is wonderful news! NLT - Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Here are some suggestions for telling others about Jesus during this Holiday Season-

First, look for the lonely- Family, friends and fun describe this Holiday for lots of folks, but for others, this season brings bad memories. Jesus came to an out-of the way stable in a small country town to poor, despised shepherds, and a poor Jewish couple to demonstrate His concern and love for the forgotten.

Second, get vocal about the Jesus of Christmas. One lady got on a crowded elevator with two cranky children in tow, and each arm filled with shopping bags. “Whoever started this Christmas stuff should be strung up”, she snapped as the elevator door closed. Then a voice from the back of the elevator said, “Don’t worry, Ma’am… He’s already been crucified.” The rest of the ride was very quiet...

Some would like to secularize the season, and push Christ out of Christmas, but He is too majestic to ignore! This is the best time of year to share your faith. Open up with people at work, and look for ways to point others to Christ this year!

Christmas Miracle #3 Salvation- God Forgives You!

2011-12-15T08:44:00.000-08:00

2 Cor. 5: 19 "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation." NLT

Your third Christmas wonder is that God will forgive you. The wonder of salvation. God is no longer counting man’s sins against him.
The sin that was ours was placed on Christ, and the righteousness which was His, is imputed to us. NIV -2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Now we have forgiveness of our sins, and we have been given right standing with God. What a glorious exchange! No wonder we rejoice at Christmas.

The curse of sin is broken off our lives through the new birth! Sin no longer has power over us. Isaac Watts wrote it this way in “Joy to the World”:

"No more let sin and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessing known, far as the curse is found.
Far as the curse is found. Far as, far as the curse is found!"

Thank God today for His wonderful gift of salvation to you!

Christmas Miracle #2 Reconciliation

2011-12-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

God is For You, not against you!

2 Cor.5:19 NLT "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."

Your second Christmas miracle is that God is for you. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Listen, God is not mad at you! The hostility that existed between God and sinful humanity ended at the Cross! NLT - Ephesians 2:13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

When two parties who were estranged are reconciled, they are brought in to a new relationship. The past is forgiven. Through the death of Christ, we are brought back in to right relationship with God our Father. His payment for sin has been fully satisfied by His blood. Son ship in the family of God is made possible when we receive His payment by faith. NIV - John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

Christmas Miracle- The Incarnation

2011-12-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

On a stormy night, a little girl was awakened by thunder, and ran to the safety of her parent's room. As she snuggled into the bed between her mommy and daddy, her father tried to reassure her saying, "There's no need to be afraid, God is with you..." "I know, Daddy", said the little girl, "but right now I need somebody with skin on!"

2 Cor. 5:19 NLT "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."

"For God was in Christ" speaks of the Christmas Miracle of---
"The Incarnation-God is with you!"

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

For the Christian, God is not in some far distant place; unapproachable and aloof. But because of the Incarnation, God has skin! He knows all about pain, rejection, suffering and even death, having tasted death for us all. He even knows about testing-
Hebrews 4:14-16 MSG "Now that we know what we have--Jesus this great high priest with ready access to God---let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a high priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, having experienced it all-- all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help."

Yes, God is with us! What a miracle. He is in our corner, fighting for us. What hope we have , knowing that our lives are not confined to the despair of this world!

Miracle of the Jews!

2011-09-15T08:19:00.001-07:00

Centuries ago an agnostic king of France was discussing philosophy and religion with his royal court counselor. After numerous arguments were presented by the Christian advisor in favor of the position that God had revealed Himself in the Holy Scriptures, the king finally demanded that his counselor prove to him that God existed in an argument using only two words. The counselor replied, "The Jews!" In those two words the counselor summed up one of the most miraculous demonstrations of God's supernatural intervention in human history. The survival and prospering of the Jewish people during thousands of years of brutal persecution, pogroms, and the tragedy of six million Jews massacred in Hitler's Holocaust is a mysterious miracle unparalleled in history.
Each of the mighty empires of the past - Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome - who conquered Israel and carried her Jewish citizens into slavery have themselves turned to dust.
Yet the Jewish people, the least among the ancient nations of the Middle East, have survived throughout centuries, despite the overwhelming persecution and opposition against them. No other people in history have ever lost their national homeland for thousands of years, survived dispersion in more than 70 different nations for 20 centuries, and then returned to their ancient homeland and rebuilt it.
What other nation lost its national language for 20 centuries, only to recover it and teach its ancient language to millions of its returning exiles? The Bible's declaration that God made an eternal, unbreakable covenant with the Jews, through their father Abraham, has remained the guiding principle and focus of the Jewish people's survival against overwhelming odds for the last 3,500 years. God's covenant with Israel was the motivating force behind the Jews remarkable survival as a distinct people, even when surrounded by Gentile cultures.
In addition to the miracle of Israel's survival in a cruel world, we must add the remarkable history of the astonishing Jewish contribution to the arts, philosophy, writing, science, and medicine. According to the writer Max I. Dimont, although less than one half of one per cent of the world's population are classified as Jews, "no less than 12 per cent of all the Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, and medicine have gone to Jews. The Jewish contribution to the world's list of great names in religion, science, literature, music, finance, and philosophy is staggering" (Max I. Dimont, Jews, God and History , New American Library, 1962. ).
However, the greatest Jewish influences on the history of mankind came from the lives, teachings, and actions of two Jews - Moses and Yeshua of Nazareth.
The Scriptures are a special revelation given to a distinct people, the Jews, who were chosen by God to be both the guardians of this precious treasure and the sharers of this divine revelation with the rest of humanity.
However, the Jewish people, by and large, chose to hold this revelation as their national possession. With very few exceptions, such as the prophet Jonah's reluctant mission of prophetic warning to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh, the Jews generally didn't preach the revealed message of God to the Gentile nations.
The Scriptures contain a written revelation of God's plan to redeem all who repent that was ultimately consummated in the unique person, life, and message of Yeshua the Messiah. Despite the fact that the Jewish race has never constituted more than a small fraction of 1 per cent of the world's population, the profound religious influence of the Jewish people upon the rest of mankind over the last 4,000 years is incalculable.
Today, almost one third of the six billion humans throughout the planet acknowledge that God revealed Himself in an astonishing and unique way to the prophets and patriarchs of the ancient Jews.
Almost two billion people, including Jews, Muslims, and Christians, have accepted that portions of the Jewish Bible are a sure guide through time to eternity. And today the Lord is raising up thousands upon thousands of Jewish people who acknowledge that Yeshua is the promised Messiah.

You Can Overcome!

2011-09-15T08:17:00.001-07:00

***A parable is told of a community of ducks waddling off to duck church one Sunday to hear their duck preacher. After they waddled into the duck sanctuary, the duck choir quacked a few lively tunes, and the duck preacher spoke eloquently of how God had given the ducks wings with which to fly.
He pounded the pulpit with his beak and said,
“With these wings, there is nowhere we ducks can not go!
There is no God-given task we ducks cannot accomplish!
With these wings we no longer need walk through life.
We can soar high in the sky!
Shouts of `Amen!’ were quacked throughout the duck congregation.
The duck preacher concluded his message by exclaiming,
With our wings we can fly through life! WE......CAN.....FLY!!!!”
More ducks quacked out loud AMENS! in response.
Every duck loved the service.
In fact all the ducks that were present commented on what a wonderfully convicting message they had heard from their duck preacher....and then they left the church and waddled all the way home.
Will we waddle home today?
Today, God wants you to know something---“Greater is He that is in you…” 1 John 4:4 NIV
*Don’t beat yourself up over past failures, defeats and times you yielded to temptation. You’re not perfect, and God knows you’re not perfect, and everyone else knows you’re not perfect…but you’re the one Jesus came to earth to die for!
Romans 5: 6-8 NIV “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The good news is that He paid the price we could never pay for our sins, and by God’s grace, we can receive what He did long before we ever knew Him !
Eph 2:8-10 AMP “For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
9Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]
10For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].”
Eph 2:7-10 MESSAGE “Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”
The enemy really enjoys condemning a Christian…(Judging guilty of wrong)- But he is not the judge. God alone has the power to judge right and wrong, because He alone is HOLY…Perfect and sinless!
This is what God says about those who have trusted Jesus Christ for salvation and been born again!
Romans 8:1-4 NLT “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b] from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.[c] So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”
John 3:16-18 NIV “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
Stop listening to the devil who says `you’re inadequate, inferior, not smart enough, too insignificant, etc.
The devil is the Father of lies and the truth is not in him! John 8:44 NLT “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
When he says you’re going under…you’re going over! If he says I am going to stay sick and broke, busted and disgusted, get up and dance, that means you’re going to live in health, blessings are mine!
Close with this story!
***Margaret was in her forties and suffered from bouts of depression and despair resulting mainly from an extremely poor self-image. She just couldn’t see herself as a person of worth. Over the years of her adult life, this image steadily grew worse. Finally reaching out in desperation, she sought the help of a counselor. It was here that she revealed what had happened long ago.
When she was a child, she was pretty average. She received decent grades in school. She was fairly happy. She was liked by her fellow students. That was until one soul-scarring day almost forty years ago. From the first day of class, Margaret and Ms. Garner, her bitter and harsh teacher, didn’t get along. They butted heads constantly. The conflict in this one-room schoolhouse escalated over the years until one fateful day when Margaret was nine-years-old.
That day Margaret frantically raced into class after recess, late again. Ms. Garner was furious. “Margaret!” she shouted, “we’ve been waiting for you! Get up here to the front of the class, right now!”
Margaret slowly walked to teacher’s desk and was told to face the class and then the nightmare began.
Ms. Garner ranted, “Boys and girls, Margaret has been a bad girl. I’ve tried to help her to be responsible but she doesn’t want to learn. We have to teach her a lesson. We will force her to see how selfish she is. I want each one of you to come to the board and write something bad about Margaret. May this will motivate her to be a better person!”
Margaret stood frozen as the students, one by one, began a silent procession to the blackboard. One by one they wrote life-smothering words, slowly extinguishing the light in Margaret’s soul. “Margaret is stupid! Margaret is selfish! Margaret is fat! Margaret is a dummy!” On and on they went, until twenty-five scribblings of Margaret’s “badness” screamed from the board.

It was the longest day of her life. The venomous sentences taunted Margaret as each caustic word was written on her soul. When she got home, she crawled into bed, claiming sickness, and tried to cry the pain away, but the pain never left, and forty years later, she was slumped in a chair in the psychologist’s office cringing in the shadow of those twenty-five sentences. Slowly, Margaret became exactly what the students had written.
After decades of depression and anxiety, she finally got help. It took two years but she was finally at her last session. It had been extremely difficult but she finally was able to extricate herself from her past and smile at her counselor (how long had it been since she smiled) and said that she was ready to move on.
“Well, Margaret,” the counselor said softly, “It’s graduation day. How are you?”
After a long silence, Margaret spoke, “I . . . I’m okay.”
The counselor hesitated. “Margaret, this will be difficult but I want you to do one more thing to make sure that you are ready to move on. I want you to go back to your schoolroom and the events of that day. Take your time. Described the details to me as each of the children approach the board. Remember what they wrote and how you felt—all twenty-five students.”
In a way this was easy because Margaret had remembered every detail for every day of the last forty years. Yet, to go through the nightmare one more time took all the strength she had. One by one, she described each of the students vividly, as though she was standing right there again, stopping periodically to regain her composure, forcing herself to face those students one more time.
Finally she was done, and the tears would not stop. Margaret cried for a very long time before she finally heard someone whispering, “Margaret. Margaret. Margaret.” She looked up to see her counselor staring into her eyes, saying her name over and over. Margaret stopped crying for a moment.
“Margaret. You… left out one person.”
“I did not! I have been living with this story for forty years. I know every student by heart.”
“No, Margaret, you forgot someone. See, he’s sitting in the back of the classroom. He’s standing up, walking toward your teacher, Ms. Garner. She’s handing him the piece of chalk and he’s taking it, Margaret, he’s taking it! Now he’s walking to the board and is picking up an eraser. He is erasing every one of the sentences the students wrote. They are gone! Margaret, they are gone! Now he’s turning and looking at you, Margaret. Do you know him yet? Yes, his name is Jesus. Look, he’s writing new sentences on the board. ‘Margaret is loved. Margaret is beautiful. Margaret is gentle and kind. Margaret is strong. Margaret is caring. Margaret has great courage.’”
Margaret began to weep. But very quickly, the weeping turned into a smile, and then into laughter, and then into tears of joy.
You can make it…You can overcome…You will enjoy God’s best in your life…You can be free from the guilt and condemnation of your past!

Conquering Giants in Lfe

2011-09-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

1 Samuel 17: 40-54 MESSAGE
“Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.
41-42 As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere youngster, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed.
43 The Philistine ridiculed David. "Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?" And he cursed him by his gods.
44 "Come on," said the Philistine. "I'll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I'll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice."
45-47 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day GOD is handing you over to me. I'm about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there's an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that GOD doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to GOD—he's handing you to us on a platter!"
48-49 That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. David reached into his pocket for a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine hard in the forehead, embedding the stone deeply. The Philistine crashed, facedown in the dirt.
50 That's how David beat the Philistine—with a sling and a stone. He hit him and killed him. No sword for David!
51 Then David ran up to the Philistine and stood over him, pulled the giant's sword from its sheath, and finished the job by cutting off his head. When the Philistines saw that their great champion was dead, they scattered, running for their lives.
52-54 The men of Israel and Judah were up on their feet, shouting! They chased the Philistines all the way to the outskirts of Gath and the gates of Ekron. Wounded Philistines were strewn along the Shaaraim road all the way to Gath and Ekron. After chasing the Philistines, the Israelites came back and looted their camp. David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem. But the giant's weapons he placed in his own tent. “

God gives us special grace to conquer our enemies while we are young.
Unfortunately, most of us never learn to win victories while we are young, and youth conflicts left unresolved carry over into our adult years. So many of us struggling with addictive behavior and sinful habits are only acting on what we experienced and never conquered while we were young!
Ecclesiastes 12:1 MESSAGE “Honor and enjoy your Creator while you're still young,
Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
Before your vision dims and the world blurs
And the winter years keep you close to the fire.”
1 John 2:13 KLV “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”
Unconquered giants will attack later in life, as we will see in the life of David. His encounter with Goliath wasn’t the only battle with a giant in his life!
Giant #1- Goliath- Name means “Gossip” or To reveal and advertise in a disgraceful sense! (Reviling, verbal abuse)
James 3:2 says, “: to conquer the tongue is to bridle the whole body” The tongue is a sword, sharp arrow, venom, poison, and a fire. Jesus said we will give an account for the things we have said with our tongue. We will either be justified by our words, or we will be condemned by our words. If your life ended today, and you were called to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account for the deeds done in your body, would your words justify you, and bring reward, or would you suffer loss?
Listen to David’s secret to victory—
1 Samuel 17:45, 47 KJV “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” Goliath wasn’t just reviling and cursing the army…He was coming against the God of Israel, Who made Heaven and Earth…The captain of the armies of Heaven…And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.
He learned to trust the Lord for victory in every battle! Meditation in the pasture led to strength on the battlefield! He conquered Goliath/Gossip after meditation!
Eph 6:12 “We wrestle not…” The battle is the Lord’s!
Giant #2- Ishbi-Benob- Name means- My dwelling is on the Heights=PRIDE
2 Samuel 21:15-22 NIV “Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels[a] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”
18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.
19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair[b] the Bethlehemite killed the brother of[c] Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.
20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him.
22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
** This giant attacked David after years of accomplishment…during times of distress and weariness…He used a huge spear and a NEW sword.(Ways we don’t expect)
David needed help, and the servant who helped him was Abishai (Gift of Grace)- Son of Zeruiah (leprous one)
God abases the proud Dan 4:37 “…those wthat walk in pride, He is able to abase…”
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble 1 Peter 5:5

Giant #3 – Saph (Sippai) – Name means double faced= Hyprocisy
Opposite of sincerity (without wax)- Pottery in the fire.
Root Cause – Moral impurity
Isa 32:6 NIV “For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil:
They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD;
the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water.”
Hypocrites are like opportunistic agents (germs) Like parasites, they “empty the soul” In the human body, a virus says to the healthy cell, “I’m just like you…I’ll take over…I don’t need you”
A bacterium infiltrates the body at a rate of 16 million units in 24 hours.
The giant was killed by the servant/warrior “Sibbechai, whose name means “Corpse-like (dead to self)
Giant #4 – Lahmi – Name means “Full of Food”= In a lustful, sensual sense.
He was also related to Goliath (brother)
1 Chron 20:5 “In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.”
Conquered by Elhanan = God is gracious
Again, the grace of God is needed – and gives us the desire and power to do His will.

Giant #5 --The six-fingered Monster= Greed, Covetousness
Things compete with Christ-
Phil 3:7-8 NIV “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ.”
Covetousness is Idolatry Col. 3:5 NIV “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
This is expecting from things what only God can give!
Jonathan --Name means “Jehovah Given” - He conquered this giant!
The key is gratefulness --
1 Cor. 4:7 NIV “ For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”
The more we grasp eternal treasures, the more we can release earthly possessions!
The more thankful I am for what I have, the less I crave what I don’t have!

Dare Greatly

2011-08-16T13:02:00.001-07:00

It is not the critic who counts; nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is
marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and
comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and
shortcomings; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who
spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end, the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

~ Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)

Why Don't you go to Church?

2011-08-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Before you answer, please read this-

TEN REASONS WHY I NEVER WASH!

1. I was forced to as a child.

2. People who wash are hypocrites - they think they are cleaner than everybody else.

3. There are so many different kinds of soap; I can't decide which one is best.

4. I used to wash, but I got bored and stopped.

5. I wash only on special occasions, like Christmas and Easter.

6. None of my friends wash.

7. I'll start washing when I get older and dirtier.

8. I can't spare the time.

9. The bathrooms are never warm enough in winter or cool enough in summer.

10. People who make soap are only after your money.

Speaking of the Church, Paul writes in 1 Cor. 12:25-27 NIV “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

You are a part of Christ’s body, the church, so you need to be actively participating…Ready to commit, to connect, and to communicate the love of Christ with others!

Watchman Nee says, “Alone I cannot serve the Lord effectively, and he will spare no pains to teach me this: He will bring things to an end, allowing doors to close and leaving me effectively knocking my head against a wall until I realize that I need the help of the Body as well as of the Lord.”

There are truths taught in God’s house that you will not hear anywhere else. There you will find a spiritual family to belong to, a faith to live by, and a focus that gets your eyes where they should be- on Christ!

So, see you in church on Sunday!

The Blessing

2011-06-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

Ernest Hemingway told a story about a father who, having become estranged from his son, reached the point of desperation in trying to reconcile with the wayward boy. Finally, he went to the newspaper office in Madrid and took out an ad that read: "Dear Paco, meet me in front of the newspaper office tomorrow at noon. All is forgiven. I love you, your Father."
The next day at noon in front of the newspaper office, 800 "Pacos" showed up!

This past Father's Day Sunday, I shared a message on "The Father's Blessing". I taught on four elements of THE BLESSING, taken from Gary Smalley's book by the same title.

Unconditional love and approval that comes from a healthy relationship with parents; this best describes what the "Blessing" is all about...Here are the ingredients of the Blessing for you- the message in it's entirety can be found at www.life623.com Check it out today and share it with a friend!

Biblical truths on how to instill self-worth and emotional well being into others based on four essential elements-

1 Meaningful Touch- Almost every time in scripture a blessing is bestowed in Hebrew culture, it involved touching- the laying on of hands, a kiss, an embrace- something that conveys acceptance and love. In Mark 10, Jesus called for little children, laid his hands on them and "blessed them". Consider Isaac when he gave the blessing to Jacob in Genesis 27:22,26 "Jacob went near his father, who touched him..."Come here my son, and kiss me."

2. Spoken Message of Affection & Love.- Words that communicate acceptance and love need to be spoken over and over again, even when children stumble and fall! Too often, parents are quick to criticize and remind children of their mistakes: "You're lazy...you're fat..."Dummy, why did you spill the milk?" How much more meaningful are words of encouragement and hope? "You're worth something...You're a good boy(or girl)...I'm glad you're in my family".

3. To Attribute High Value and Esteem.- In verse 28 of Genesis 27, Isaac continues the blessing- "May God give you of Heaven's dew and Earth's richness- an abundance of grain and new wine." He is saying ,"You're special, and God will give you the best He has to give."
We must teach high value and build positive self esteem with our actions, too. Often, taking the time to `be with your child' speaks volumes. Put down the paper, turn off the TV, listen, and communicate value!

4. Picture a Glorious Future- Verse 29, "May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed." This father was raising the sights of his son to a bright future!

According to Proverbs 22:6 "Training up a child in the way he should go means they will not depart form the training as they grow older. We're not only to help our children spiritually, but also to find their niche, and discover who they really are! They need to know why God made them special!

A girl named Sandra was raised in an adobe house with no electricity or running water in rural New Mexico. The nearest hospital was 200 miles away in El Paso. She was home schooled because of the long distance to the nearest school house. But her parents made sure she read and was exposed to outside influences. Her fondest memories of her family are the times when they went on vacation to visit state capitols. Visiting every capitol west of the Mississippi, they would study the history of each state and climb the stairs of each dome.

When Sandra graduated from high school, she was accepted into Stanford University, where she graduated with honors. Today, Sandra Day O'Connor is the first woman to be seated in the Supreme Court of the United States. All because her parents helped her discover her God given talent and she was encouraged to follow her dreams and reach her potential in life.

Missions For Today!

2011-05-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

You and I have just been given one of the greatest privileges anyone has enjoyed in the past 1,000 years. We have carried the torch of the light of Jesus Christ into a new millennium. Only one other generation of Christians was ever given that honor!

Although our society is in a moral free fall, and hangs only a thread away from cosmic chaos, in many ways the light is brighter than it was ten centuries ago.
The speed of church growth and world evangelization is unprecedented. Unreached people groups are being penetrated with the Gospel.

Truly, a global awakening has begun, and you and I are a part of it!

Today’s global uncertainties call for a fresh commitment to Christ and His honor worldwide. The world is in serious peril. Top secrets have fallen into the hands of terrorists and rogue governments creating the threat of nuclear war. Disease and tribal conflicts are ravaging Africa. Paul warned, “In the last days, perilous times will come…” Jesus said that signs of his coming would be wars, international conflict, famine, false messiahs, earthquakes, and strange signs in the skies…(weather patterns, etc)

So what should be our position as we attempt to bring closure of the Great Commission?
A Great Commitment to the Great Commission will make Great Christians and a Great Church!
According to the words of Paul in Ephesians 3:10, God the Father desires to destroy principalities and powers in heavenly places by His `manifold’ wisdom. Manifold means ‘variegated or multi-colored’!

The family of God is made up of every color, tongue and ethnicity. More than ever, the face of a Christian in the world is more likely to be brown or black than white. It is through this diversity that God has chosen to reveal His grace and conquer the forces of evil! 1 John 2:2 NIV “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

It is estimated now that there are over 650 million evangelical Christians worldwide, and for the first time in history, there are more Christians today in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere.
Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”

God’s promise to bless ‘all the families of the earth’ first given to Abraham 4,000 years ago, is becoming a reality at a pace ‘you would not believe’. Biblical faith is growing and spreading to the ends of the earth as never before in history!!
One out of every 8 people on the planet is a practicing Christian who is active in his or her faith.

More missionaries are now sent from non-Western churches than from the traditional mission sending bases in the West. The Protestant growth rate in Latin America is well over 3 times the biological growth rate. Protestants in China grew from about one million to over 80 million believers in less than 50 years, with most of that growth occurring in the last few decades. In the 1980s, Nepal was still a staunch Hindu kingdom with only a small persecuted church. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of believers, and churches have been started within each of its more than 100 distinct people groups.

Of the 11 largest mega-congregations in the world, 10 are in the city of Seoul, South Korea. Seoul hosts the largest Pentecostal, Presbyterian and Methodist congregations in the world and the second-largest Baptist. With over 15,000 missionaries, the Korean Church sends the second-highest number of cross-cultural workers to other parts of the world.

In 1991 only 5% of all Asian Americans were born again, but in 2001, the number had increased to 27%...That’s a 500% increase in one decade! It’s also estimated that in Korea, 30% of the population are born again…However, Korean Christians in the US number 75% of their population!!

Every Home For Christ has claimed 26 million decisions for Christ, and over 4 billion people have now seen the Jesus film with over 128 million recording conversions to Christ!

This is an hour of unprecedented hunger for God!—

There is a cry for spirituality that’s the greatest in 50 years!

What role has God called us to play in the end-time harvest? Has He brought us to the Kingdom for such a time as this?

America’s Gift to World Missions- Visionaries!

These are mission leaders who will train and equip the national pastor and apostolic leader to reach his region. (Of the 2 million national pastors in developing nations, only 5% have any formal training). This model of training nationals to reach nationals has been originated and used by the Holy Spirit for several decades with tremendous results worldwide. While many factors are involved in fulfilling Christ’s command to get the Gospel to every person and disciple all peoples, this seems to be the quickest, most cost efficient and culturally sensitive way to fulfill the great commission. One of the best and most strategic investments we can make is to equip and empower those best positioned to finish the job!

Pastors and Church leaders must lead the way---Make yours an apostolic/missions church! Joshua 3:15, 16 “Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing…” Leaders must get their feet wet!! Get out front and lead!!

God is supremely interested in the honor and exaltation of his son to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 9:6, 7 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

World Missions Predictions ---
1. The church is entering season of Spiritual Harvest. David Barrett says that 190 million people now see their ministry as intercession. No longer are self absorbed Christians pleading for cars, homes and material things, but are asking that Christ be exalted among the nations.
2. Increased Conflict for the Church. Don’t fear…persecution always causes church growth. Form the Day of Pentecost until now, it’s been true. Tertullian wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church”.
3. Young leaders will be mentored by fathers and seasoned leaders.
4. Lines between evangelicals and charismatics will blur. Church planting, worship and the power of the Spirit all work in harmony to transcend barriers of doctrine.
5. Matthew 24 will become more pronounced. Disasters, religious deception, ethnic uprisings, famine, disease. But the Gospel will progress at lightning speed!
6. More interconnection among the Body of Christ. Internet, text, travel, email, technology…

Today’s uncertainties call for a fresh commitment to Christ and His honor worldwide!! A Great Commitment to the Great Commission will make Great Churches and a Great Fellowship!

---With Thanks to Dr. David Shibley

Receiving the Blessing of Abraham

2011-05-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

Two of the most important verses in the New Testament--
Gal. 3:13, 14 “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Deut 21:23) 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” NLT

The Blessing of Abraham is so important that Jesus died to get it to us.
What is Abraham’s Blessing? Since it cost Jesus His life to get it to us, we should find out more, and appropriate it for our own lives, homes and ministries.

It is more than just the promise of a son; although God did promise that his seed would be as numerous as the sands of the sea, and the stars in the sky. A large portion of Abraham’s spiritual journey was spent carrying the promise of God, never seeing the `blessing’. But the Word of God says that we Gentiles are entitled to `the blessing of Abraham’ through faith in Christ Jesus…

If God has something for me, I want it!!

In Genesis 14:18-20 NIV, we read a story of five demonic kings (king of Sodom and king of Gomorrah)who raped, pillaged and took captives from the land, and kidnapped Lot, Abram’s nephew. Abram, a powerful king/family in the land took 318 servant/soldiers, tracked down the kings, defeated them and took their spoils…Animals, diamonds, wealth, servants…(Spoils of War) Rescued Lot, and his family,etc.. He returns with a caravan of animals and riches, along with the captives ..It is a day of great rejoicing and victory!
Abram (Exalted father), as he was known before his name was changed to Abraham(Father of many), (when he came into covenant with God), was returning from battle, and he was met in the road by Melchizedek, a mysterious priest, called the king of Salem. He had never met this ethereal character, but somehow he immediately knew He was God.

Hebrews 7: 1-7 NLT “This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” 3 There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.
4 Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. 5 Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel,[a] who are also descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. 7 And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.”

Some scholars teach and believe that this is a ‘theophany’- a temporary fleshly embodiment of Jesus before Bethlehem. Jesus had no fleshly body until He took the form of a little baby in the womb of the virgin Mary and became a little human. Throughout the Old Testament, God would need to meet with patriarchs for key, encounters, He took bodily form. (theophany). You could see and touch him.

Melchizedek is representative of the priesthood ministry of Jesus. His was an eternal priesthood, one without days; beginning or ending. Even without genealogy. Notice in Hebrews 7 we are told that the lesser gives tithe to the greater, and the great gives blessing to the lesser.

So, as Melchizedek gave a blessing to Abram , God has promised to bless those who return the tithe to Him, in acknowledgment of our covenant relationship. This is a type of God’s relationship with all of His children!

You see, every time my wife Glenda writes our tithe check, and we give 10% of our week’s earnings to God, she and I are expressing our faith in His covenant keeping ability to protect us and to provide for us. We are saying, “Lord we acknowledge that we are in covenant with you through the blood of the mediator between God and Man, Christ Jesus. And when we keep our part of the covenant through obedience, you keep your part of the Covenant as well."

Melchizedek, who is the representative of Jesus’ priesthood ministry, brings out wine and bread, the symbols of covenant meal, and says, “It’s time for us to make a covenant together…” It’s time for your blessing!

Genesis 14:18-20 KJV “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”

This is the language of the contract, the Blessing of Abraham…The reference from Gal 3:13,14

Now that we know what it is, we need to claim and lay hold of it!
You can live your whole lifetime and never derive the benefits of what is rightfully yours, simply because you don’t know what they are!
Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Illustration of man who bought passage on the ocean liner bound for America. He brought crackers and cheese and canned meat to eat. Every day at meal time he would go to his stateroom for a measly meal. Finally, a man who had befriended him asked why he disappeared at mealtime. When he explained the reason, the friend told him `your ticket includes a scrumptious meal three times a day in the dining room’. Come on and sit at the captain’s table!

How many of us are sailing on the ship of salvation, but eating crackers and cheese, because of a lack of knowledge? Your ticket includes God’s blessing at the banquet table!

First part of blessing- “Blessed be Abram of the most high God (El Elyon- God above all others; the elevated God;) This distinguishes who his God is..
A name is very interesting. Our given name comes from our forefathers. These names identify- Smith, Cooper(barrels)Fuller(Cleaning). Wherever your clan lives-
Keith is a Scottish clan of warriors..I’m not Mickey of the Smiths, Jones..
After the covenant - Abram wasn’t just any Abram. He was “Abraham of the most high God” AND- God became known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God took his name, and he took God’s name to identify the covenant they had entered into.
Now in Heaven, earth and Hell, the name Abraham of the Most High is distinguished from all other Abrahams. Identified as being in Covenant with El-Elyon…The Most High God.
Jesus of Nazareth identifies who you’re talking about…
1. Elevation ---When you come into covenant with this God, He elevates you!
There may not have been any Godliness in your family, but there is Destiny in your family because of you! You may be the only Christian in your whole heritage, but your covenant with El –Elyon, the most High God lifts you up and elevates you!
There are no losers in the Kingdom of God! When you hook up with Him, He elevates you!
2. Possession--- Ownership both in the Heavens and in the Earth! Our possessions begin in the Heavens and as we claim them, God gives us possession of them. There is property with a red x on it, designated for the Kingdom of God! When you begin to claim property and buildings for the Kingdom of God, this gets in the devil’s business. Spiritual warfare begins when you start talking about acquiring property. “The Earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof…” And the devil wants to buy it up and tie it up so the Kingdom of God cannot advance. The devil hates it when property is used for buildings, cabins, lodges, and tabernacles where teaching, preaching and prayer is happening.
Think about it…Does the devil want this building to be used as a computer store, and grocery store, or for the saints of God to worship Him?
Why not take this a step further, and realize that as a child of God He wants you to own a house and have some property…a yard with swings, and a pool, or pond. Why give your money to the landlord? - There is no Lord but Jesus, the Lord of Lords! The Lord most High!
Now is the time to get out of debt! Do it soon! Cash is King!
God is going to give us opportunities, but not if we are in debt…The earth is the Lord’s…Every where the struggle is the same. We need to be doing great things for God’s Kingdom, but we are in so much debt, we can’t buy!
There are buildings God has for LCC and property for camps, retreats, and unwed mothers homes, radio stations, etc…We need to get out of debt so we can acquire what God wants us to have!
Buildings are necessary for every church..Houses are necessary for every family. You are a child of God, and as part of your covenant rights you deserve to live in a nice home…Debt free!

3. Dominion – This is speaking of any enemy that has set itself against you, your family or your ministry. They must fall as part of this covenant! The third part of the Abrahamic Blessing is victory over your enemies!
Whether they are a hurt, habit, or hang-up…whether sickness, death or poverty.
“I will give you victory over your enemies and give them into your hands!”
Interesting that God says “INTO YOUR HANDS..” Most of the time, enemies are spoken of as being `under our feet’.
But this blessing is INTO YOUR HAND…

When David was a teenager, he defeated Goliath with a sling and a stone. He may have survived the rock to the forehead, but he didn’t survive the beheading with his own sword!
David ran to him, unsheathed his sword and cut off his own head. David had a `killer instinct’ that some of us don’t have. You cannot live with your habits and live in victory! You must go for the head…
When God gives you a little bit of victory, you must rush to finish the job.

Goliath was nine feet tall, so his head was huge. With stinking long hair, this man was part of a race of giant people. But God raised up David to kill them! When the devil raises up a giant, God raises up giant – killers!
In this country, we need giant-killers, and in our homes, schools, and business world, we need men like David who know their covenant rights. Men and women who will rise up with faith, and rush in without fear!

David cut the head off, but he wasn’t finished. He was a man of Destiny- Called to be a deliverer! He took the head of Goliath, and kept it in his tent until his mission was finished. The city of Zion was under the rule of the heathen people called Jebusites, called Jebus. On the walls of the city of demonized people, they set heads of their gods that they worshiped.

David took that head to the city of Jebus (Which would become Jerusalem)and stood outside the city walls. Remember, he is a 15 year old boy, holding the huge, gory head of the giant!

This young man of Destiny picked up that head by the hair, and held it up and shook it against the inhabitants of the city of Jebus and said, “I am declaring war against you”. This is the city of God! …The same thing that happened to this head is going to happen to you. You think you can set up heads and call them God? I’ll show you a head..this is the head of the giant that cursed God’s people..He is the one who mocked the most high God, but I cut him off!

It wasn’t by chance that David returned to that city as the King of Israel years later..He did so, because he took charge of the giant, and cut him off at the head! David won a spiritual battle over the demonic forces that tried to control and enslave God’s people, and years later returned in triumph as the king of Jerusalem (City of Peace).

That’s why the Abrahamic blessing gives our enemies into our hands… He is not just under our feet. This is more than a personal blessing. We need to take our enemy by the hair of the head and declare total dominion!!
We need to show the enemy that we are equipped to take him out! This is the first giant, but it will not be the last giant! I AM A GIANT KILLER!!
Col 2:15 CEV “There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory. “
Today, we need to see our enemies – not under our feet only…We need to see them in our hands as we parade with Christ showing the universe His total victory over our enemies!
Elevation- Possession- Dominion

The Oikos - Part Two

2011-02-21T14:46:00.000-08:00

Re-Evaluating Discipleship

A typical model for local church ministry reflects two distinct classifications of Christians: the mature and the immature. The New Testament describes the goal of the Christian experience as becoming "mature," but it also reminds us that we will never actually reach this ideal this side of eternity.

Certainly, some church leadership positions should not be available to a Christian novice; on the other hand, I'm not sure that developing fully devoted followers of Christ is even possible in this life.

A church's determination to relationally separate new believers from their pagan pasts and re-inculturate them into our "fellowships" can actually sabotage its ministry by short-circuiting the organic process of world-change.

The traditional paradigm for discipleship requires time, fellowship, and formal discipleship training to prepare Christians to begin their active role in evangelism. But after the required regimen is completed (usually lasting months, if not years) these now "mature" believers find they have not only wasted their best season of oikos potential, but often they find themselves disconnected from the group they would have most likely reached.

Dr. Walt White, a missiologist in Asia writes:
"Many of us feel that we have failed to take the principle of the oikos seriously. We have somehow applied a different process for evangelism and the establishment of the Church among tribal societies than we have among those from the major historic religions. Our individualistic Western thinking led us to a style of evangelism termed ‘extractionist.' That is, it disregarded the inquirer's oikos and even viewed it as a barrier rather than a gift from God! So we ripped a new believer from their oikos, often doing so even before the person had come to faith in Jesus, or certainly before they had the opportunity to come to any degree of maturity. Then we wondered why they were unable to reach their own oikos with the Good News. One obvious reason was that it sounded like horrible news to the believer's birth oikos, not good news. So we then had to provide him/her with a new oikos, almost always made up entirely of people who were already Christians. If there were non-Christians in their new oikos, those non-Christians had to ask themselves why they should trust this new believer when their birth oikos does not! And we wondered why it seemed they could reach almost no one, no matter how profound their salvation experience."

Many church leaders may ask, "What about discipleship?" Remember, the purpose of the Church- to change the world- is the reason that we engage a process of discipleship in the first place.

Actually, most churches wishing to adopt an oikos focus would not need to change many of the elements of their present efforts in discipleship; they would simply need to re-address its purpose: The eternal salvation of the lost.

Simply stated, Life Community Church and every other life giving, Bible teaching church exists so that people far from God will be filled with life in Christ.

As communities of world-changers, we also exist to prepare believers to change their ‘oikos’ for Christ:

• To encourage every believer to identify their evangelistic niche (their oikos)
• To motivate every believer to intentionally engage that relational "world"
• To prepare every believer to both defend and demonstrate their faith in Christ.

God has given us official (legal) influence among a specific small group of people--
Col. 1:25”I have become Christ's servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness."
The word commission (stewardship) is the Greek word oikonomia = oikos (house) + nomos (law)!

His mission must become our mission--A Great Co-Mission!

Reaching Your Oikos - Part One

2011-02-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

Jesus commissioned us to reach the lost, and He both modeled and taught a strategic formula that would facilitate that great endeavor.

Throughout the New Testament, when God's Spirit changed a life, a world-changer was born. Whether it was a demon-possessed man, a swindler named Zacchaeus, a royal official with a dying son, a tax collector named Matthew, a Centurion named Cornelius, a businesswoman named Lydia, or a recently unemployed Philippian jailor, they all were sent back home to their oikos.

Oikos, the Greek word for "extended family," encompasses our relational worlds. It will include anywhere from eight to fifteen people whom God has supernaturally and strategically placed in our spheres of influence. Those relationships not only frame our primary evangelistic targets, but in reality they must frame our primary ministry strategies for the church.

Our mission is simple--not easy, but simple. Christians who believe that it's their job to witness to everybody usually don't witness to anybody! But when believers, representing any generation or culture, come to understand their specific evangelistic assignment, oikos becomes the great equalizer in any church…the simplest, yet most important common denominator in any ministry.

It doesn't matter how you're good-looking or unattractive, tall or short you might be. You may have money or you may be broke. None of this matters when it comes to being used by God to evangelize and disciple your `oikos’. Your ethnicity, theological background, language, and age don't matter either.

We all have people whom God has supernaturally and strategically placed in our extended families, our relational worlds. We are all Christ's partners in world-change.

The Oikos is not an evangelism program. It is essentially a worldview, a paradigm through which a Christ-follower evaluates life, its purpose and events. Not only is the oikos formula not new to the Church, it's not new to yours. The overwhelming majority of the people in any local church came to Christ through an oikos relationship.

Ask yourself: "What was the primary vehicle that God used to draw me to Himself, was it someone in your oikos?"

The profound conclusion to draw from this simple exercise is that the oikos paradigm is already alive and well in every ministry. Embracing the oikos phenomenon is not about introducing a new idea to any local church; it's about accelerating it through intentionality.

The Church's purpose was settled before its birth; our job is to simply execute it.

Christ's Church is the only one He promised to build. His is the only one that will overcome the gates of Hades. His is the only one worth serving.

We can never afford to think so highly of ourselves that we believe the Church is ours, or we run the risk of fulfilling the Great No-mission.

The parameters of our mission objectives were clearly articulated by our Commander-in Chief: We are here "to seek and to save those who are lost." By definition, all Christ-followers have one thing in common; they actually follow Him!

Does God care for the poor?

2011-02-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

Jim Wallis took some scissors to his Bible. He was a seminary student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School when he and some classmates decided to eliminate a few verses. They performed surgery on all sixty-six books, beginning in Genesis and not stopping until Revelation. Each time a verse spoke to the topic of poverty, wealth, justice, or oppression, they cut it out. They wanted to see what a compassion-less Bible looked like. By the time they finished, nearly two thousand verses lay on the floor, and a book of tattered pages remained. Cut concern for the poor out of the Bible, and you cut the heart out of it. God makes the poor His priority. When the hungry pray, he listens. When orphans cry, he sees...(Max Lucado-Out Live Your Life)

Proverbs 19:17 AMP “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him.”
Proverbs 22:9 MESSAGE “Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor.”
Proverbs 29: 7 AMP “The [consistently] righteous man knows and cares for the rights of the poor, but the wicked man has no interest in such knowledge.”

Matthew 9:36 “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered , like sheep having no shepherd.”

He saw them…
In Africa, the Zulu people have a greeting, “I see you…” This line was used in the movie “AVATAR” when the US Marine named Sully, and the Navi woman Neytiri greet one another. It indicated seeing more than just one's outward appearance, but looking deeper into what needs were prevalent in one's life.

Do we really `see’ the needy, the poor, the oppressed?

When Jesus `saw them’…He was moved with compassion…(Which means to be moved deep to one’s bowels) The bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity. The word `compassion' shares a root system with `splanchnology', which is the study of visceral parts. (The intestines/bowels)

1 John 3:17 KJV “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

Let the Church act on behalf of the poor!

Acts 6:2 “So the twelve called a meeting of all the believers.”
They wanted to demonstrate the importance of caring for the poor to the whole assembly. “We take this problem seriously…”

Let the brightest among us direct us!
The first church meeting led to the first task force. The apostles unleashed their best people on their biggest problem. We need to do the same…The brightest and best among us need to be working on solutions to meet the needs of the poor, and oppressed!
Rich Stearnes, President of World Vision says, "Poverty is Rocket Science".
In other words, there are no easy answers…It is a complex world-wide problem, and can’t be solved over night!

Maybe it wouldn’t hurt if we Get Ticked Off!
Shouldn’t the inequities of poverty rile us up enough to respond? Righteous anger might do a world of good.
So often poverty exists not for a lack of charity, but for lack of justice—
Why do 1 billion go to bed hungry?
Why do 30,000 children die daily from hunger and preventable disease?
What can we do? How can we help?

Let's ask these questions, and believe God for solutions!

anniversary

2011-01-28T17:51:00.000-08:00

This week marked the 33rd Wedding Anniversary I share with Glenda, the love of my life...We have been so blessed to walk arm and arm through these past years. Perhaps the greatest thing about our life together, in addition to holding our children and grandchildren for the first time...is ministering to people! Our pastoral call has brought us in contact with some of the most awesome people on the planet. We have met brothers and sisters in Christ on three continents, as we worship our Lord and Savior with them!
Yes, there have been difficult times, when walking through tragedy, death or disease...but the good times far out-weigh the bad...

We love our call, and consider ourselves fortunate to bear the name of Jesus to the nations of the world! We are humbled to serve His people, and to walk through life together!!

New Year- New Hope!

2011-01-05T20:36:00.000-08:00

On Dec. 31st at 11:59 pm EST, over one billion people around the world watched as the “ball” dropped in New York City’s Times Square.
The 1st "time-ball" was installed on top of England’s Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833. After the success of that event, approximately 150 such time-balls were installed around the world. But few survive and still work.

The tradition is carried on today in places like the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, where a time-ball descends from a flagpole at noon each day - and of course, once a year in Times Square, where it marks the stroke of midnight.

New York City actually held a New Years celebration as early as 1904, but it wasn’t until 1907 that they “dropped” an iron and wood ball and adorned with a hundred 25-watt light bulbs. It was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds.
From that date until today, the ball has dropped every year except 1942 and 1943 during the City’s WWII “dim-outs”. Crowds still gathered in Times Square during those years and greeted the New Year with a moment of silence followed by chimes ringing out from One Times Square.

Over the years, the “time-ball” has undergone about 4 re-designs – the most recent one was created for the millennial celebration in the year 2000 by Waterford Crystal. It’s a geodesic sphere, six feet in diameter, and weighing approximately 1,070 pounds. It’s covered with a total of 504 crystal triangles that vary in size.

Each of those triangles has a special designation: Hope for Fellowship, Hope for Peace, Hope for Wisdom, Hope for Unity, Hope for Courage, Hope for Healing, etc.

The Name of the ball is The Star of Hope’…because Each New Year IS a time for hope! It’s a time for opportunity, and a time for us to lay hold of our destiny.

What a great time to `forget what is behind, and strain toward what is ahead, and press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us Heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:13,14 NIV

What a great time to learn from the past, reflect on the past, and let it go! It’s time to dream great dreams, set new goals and pursue the life God has called us to live!

1. Let Go of the Past-
A. Leave your resentment- Eph 4:29-32 NLT “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

B. Leave your worries-Phil. 4:6-8 NLT “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. “

C. Leave your failures behind- Let the past be just that---the past. No amount of worry can change what has already slipped into the pages of history. However, we can look forward, learn from the past and determine to not repeat our mistakes.

1 Corinthians 13:5-6 NIV “Love keeps no record of wrong done to it…”

Isaiah 43:19 NLT “For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

2. Lay Hold of the Future-
Let’s run into the New Year with our eyes wide open to God’s blessings; with our hearts attentive to His voice.
He deserves our very best! What you give God at the first of the year will help set the tone for the rest of the year!
Eph. 5:15-17 NIV “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”

A. Our time on earth is limited-
Psalm 90:12 “Teach us how short our lives really are
so that we may be wise.”
Eccl. 3:1-3 “There is a time for everything,
and everything on earth has its special season.
2 There is a time to be born
and a time to die.
There is a time to plant
and a time to pull up plants.
3 There is a time to kill
and a time to heal.
There is a time to destroy
and a time to build.”

3. Know what God’s Will is-
Isaiah 46:10 NIV “I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”

Since God’s will and purpose SHALL be established in the earth, we must align ourselves with that will. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done’!
Jesus said, “I only do what I see my father do.” Our hearts and desire should be to do what we see the Father doing in the life and ministry of Jesus.

In the filming of the 1959 Biblical epic’s called “Ben Hur,” one of the most famous scenes in that movie was the climatic chariot race. It required 5 weeks of filming, 15,000 extras, and 18 chariots – nine to be used by the stunt crew during practice.

In the spirit of authenticity, Charlton Heston actually learned to drive the 4 horse vehicles. But after weeks of practice, he expressed concern about the final shoot. He took the stunt coordinator aside and “I can drive the chariot,” he told stunt coordinator Yakima Canutt, who was directing the scene, “but I’m not sure I can win.” “Chuck, you just make sure you stay in the chariot,” Canutt replied, “and I’ll make sure you win the race.”

Likewise, God is saying to us: “Just stay in the chariot… and I’ll make sure you win the race.”

The Potter Works Only with Soft Clay !

2011-01-03T09:07:00.000-08:00

When I was a boy, growing up in India, I often went to a potter's house near my high school. I was fascinated to watch him make clay vessels. During those visits, I never saw the potter take a hardened lump of clay and put it on his wheel to make something out of it. He, just like every other potter in the world, used only soft and tender clay to work with. So does God!

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God is like a potter and His people are the clay He wants to form into a beautiful vessel. In order to accomplish this, God looks for soft and pliable hearts.

Man measures the quality and usefulness of a person by his education, ability and expertise. Yet God determines his true value by the condition of his heart: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

What Happens if the Clay Is Hard?
If the clay is hard, the potter will spend days pouring water on it and pounding it thoroughly until it becomes soft. It took God 20 long years of "pouring and pounding" until Jacob's heart became soft enough. Moses needed 40 years of desert life to become the meekest man on earth (Numbers 12:3) who could lead Israel out of Egypt.

The Bible warns us not to harden our hearts: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:15).
"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" - James 4:6

It is possible for us as believers to have a tender heart for a season, but then when God speaks to us about an issue, to choose not to humble ourselves but rather to harden our hearts. This is not a good place for us to be, because the Bible declares: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

The Lord will not just let us go. He will allow circumstances to pound us so our hearts will once again become soft and pliable. The people of Israel are the perfect example of this. Just think of how many times God allowed them to face famines, hardships, oppression, defeat and captivity in order to soften their hearts and help them return to Him!

What Causes Our Hearts to Become Hard?

1. Being poisoned by negative talk. One person in a church or ministry is dissatisfied, bitter, critical and unwilling to change. He starts to talk negatively and poisons others. Soon the atmosphere of love among the brothers and sisters is replaced by disunity, anger and hardness of heart toward each other and the Lord.

2. An elevated view of ourselves. We feel important because we do something significant for God's Kingdom, and we don't recognize that our heart is filled with pride, arrogance and an exalted view of ourselves. Often the symptoms don't show up until years later when our heart is no longer soft in the Potter's hand.

3. Rebellion. Any form of rebellion is like a tiny seed that, if not dealt with, will grow and eventually harden our heart and bring destruction. It begins with a tiny issue or a thought like this one: "Who does he think he is to tell me what to do? My life is none of his business!"—and it ultimately ends in death.

What Should We Do to Keep Our Hearts Soft?

1. Don't take God's grace for granted. Grace is given to those who are humble, not to those who are right or feel indispensable.

2. Watch over your heart (Proverbs 4:23).

3. Don't keep company with those who spread negative talk, sow disunity or have a rebellious spirit. Love them and pray for them, but have no part with them. Believe me, you and I are not strong enough to withstand the poison they spread. It's in the atmosphere, and we breathe it in whether we intend to or not.

4. Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21). Don't fight for your rights. Be willing to give up something. Learn to let it be.
Don't think of yourself more highly than you should (Romans 12:3). Remember that all the gifts, talents and ministry you have are given to you by the Lord. Nothing is of yourself. It's all God's grace.

5. Be careful from whom you receive your counsel. That's especially important when you are disappointed because your expectations are not met. Don't go to a brother or sister who is not mature in the Lord and who sympathizes and agrees with your complaints and tears. Instead, go to someone who is mature and who can help you see the hand of God and His purpose behind the things you face.

6. Repent and run to the cross. If need be, do this a thousand times a day to maintain the tenderness of your heart. Whenever you seek the limelight, want to take credit, get hurt or when your expectations are not fulfilled and your plans don't work out, don't fight; go to the cross.

God always seeks to do one thing with us on the Potter's wheel—not to make us more powerful and famous, but to make us more like His Son, the Lord Jesus.

K.P. Yohannan- Founder/President of Gospel for Asia www.gfa.org

Vision for Leadership!

2010-12-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled,
but those who obey what they have been taught are happy.” DARBY

“If people can't see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed.” MESSAGE

“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.
But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” NLT

“Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.” AMP

Without clear vision, (open revelation of God’s purposes in life), people run wild, with no restraint, direction, rules or parameters.
Vision can come in three ways-

1. The Word- Romans 10:17- Hosea 4:6 “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”. Proverbs 4:7 “Get wisdom…it is the principal thing…”

2. The Spirit- Romans 8:14 King David received instruction to build by spirit- Acts 2 “I will pour my spirit out…”Vision is the language of the Holy Spirit!

3. Exposure to another’s vision- Solomon/David; Elisha/Elijah; Disciples/Jesus Vision is better caught than taught-You know it’s a God-given dream when it’s TOO BIG for you without God. People will follow a BIG vision easier than a small one!
God has placed in our hearts a desire for greatness- to lead- to influence and add value to others. That is called Leadership!!

Leadership is simply defined as INFLUENCE-
In any given setting, one person is attempting to influence another.
Some think they will lead when they get the corner office, or the title, salary or recognition of others, but those are myths. The truth is-
You can lead right now…No matter where you are on the organization chart.
You can influence those around you for good, for God, in positive ways! Help them get ahead….Get under them, and help make them successful!

Zig Ziglar - “You can have any thing in this world you want, if you will help enough people get what they want”!

One of my favorite leadership proverbs is :
“He who thinks he leads but has no one following is only taking a walk!”

Who are you leading? Who is following your leadership? Where are you taking them?
Leadership can be learned. The skills necessary for great leadership can be acquired by anyone with a desire to learn and change.
Consider the areas of our society where the need for strong leadership exists: Family, Government, Business, and Church. These are all four of the areas of authority God has structured to guide, govern and guard our lives. Society is crying for strong leadership.

Everyone loves to be around a `visionary’…One of the elements attracting people to the campaigns of the top political candidates is their ability to “cast vision”. Crowds are thronging to hear them speak of a healthy economy, strong defense, secure borders, health care, etc…Whether they can or will deliver on their promises, people are drawn to a leader who can cast vision.

People buy into the leader FIRST, then into His vision!
Ronald Reagan became known as the “Great Communicator” because he spoke of victory over an `evil empire’, a strong military and financial prosperity to all.
People want to follow a leader who has the following characteristics-
1. Character-Speaks of integrity
2. Competence- Speaks of ability
3. Charisma-Speaks of attitude
4. Call- Speaks of Anointing
5. Connected to God & People- Speaks of accessibility

The greatest thing a leader can do for his followers is to cast vision-
The greatest thing followers can do for the leader is to help bring the vision to fulfillment.

Leaders will bond with people who desire to help them fulfill their vision, but are turned away from people who only criticize and complain.
Our Dream must be built out of motivation to help, build and love people.
It cannot be built purely on tradition, never on ego, or greed.
Let God paint a picture on the canvas of your heart today!
Feed the hungry- travel in missions- build great churches- strengthen families-help abused children-stop abortion- get a degree-run for office- take care of orphans- earn wealth for the Kingdom.

Feed your dream with faith-
Lee Roberts wrote- “If I’m on fire, my church will be on fire”
Your dream must be bigger than you; otherwise, you wouldn’t need God or others.
Learn to ponder the dream He places in your heart, like Mary; Don’t squander the dream like Joseph did before his brothers. (Learn who you can share your heart with…)
Your dream may be contrary to natural thinking- Josh 6:1-5 NIV
Often God will give you a vision-then a word- then provision, but YOU WILL face opposition to your vision!
Nehemiah 2:17 NIV “We cannot come off the wall; we are doing a good work!”
And as Joseph discovered, not everyone will love or follow your vision.

King David lost everything at Ziklag, but he encouraged himself in the Lord. He was only 6 days from destruction to the throne.

Steps to discover God’s plan and vision-
1. Let God redefine who you are.
2. Realize NOW is the time.
3. Don’t turn back or be afraid.
4. Clear Your Mind & Write down your heart’s desire.

New Year --Time to Let Go of the Past

2010-12-30T07:46:00.000-08:00

On Dec. 31st at 11:59 pm EST, over one billion people around the world watched as the “ball” dropped in New York City’s Times Square.
The 1st "time-ball" was installed on top of England’s Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833. After the success of that event, approximately 150 such time-balls were installed around the world. But few survive and still work.

The tradition is carried on today in places like the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, where a time-ball descends from a flagpole at noon each day - and of course, once a year in Times Square, where it marks the stroke of midnight.

New York City actually held a New Years celebration as early as 1904, but it wasn’t until 1907 that they “dropped” an iron and wood ball and adorned with a hundred 25-watt light bulbs. It was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds.
From that date until today, the ball has dropped every year except 1942 and 1943 during the City’s WWII “dim-outs”. Crowds still gathered in Times Square during those years and greeted the New Year with a moment of silence followed by chimes ringing out from One Times Square.

Over the years, the “time-ball” has undergone about 4 re-designs – the most recent one was created for the millennial celebration in the year 2000 by Waterford Crystal. It’s a geodesic sphere, six feet in diameter, and weighing approximately 1,070 pounds. It’s covered with a total of 504 crystal triangles that vary in size.

Each of those triangles has a special designation: Hope for Fellowship, Hope for Peace, Hope for Wisdom, Hope for Unity, Hope for Courage, Hope for Healing, etc.

The Name of the ball is The Star of Hope’…because Each New Year IS a time for hope! It’s a time for opportunity, and a time for us to lay hold of our destiny.
What a great time to `forget what is behind, and strain toward what is ahead, and press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us Heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:13,14 NIV
What a great time to learn from the past, reflect on the past, and let it go! It’s time to dream great dreams, set new goals and pursue the life God has called us to live!
1. Let Go of the Past-
A. Leave your resentment- Eph 4:29-32 NLT “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

B. Leave your worries-Phil. 4:6-8 NLT “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. “

C. Leave your failures behind- Let the past be just that---the past. No amount of worry can change what has already slipped into the pages of history. However, we can look forward, learn from the past and determine to not repeat our mistakes.
1 Corinthians 13:5-6 “Love keeps no record of wrong done to it…”
Isaiah 43:19 NLT “For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

2. Lay Hold of the Future-
Let’s run into the New Year with our eyes wide open to God’s blessings; with our hearts attentive to His voice.
He deserves our very best! What you give God at the first of the year will help set the tone for the rest of the year!
Eph. 5:15-17 NIV “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”
A. Our time on earth is limited-
Psalm 90:12 “Teach us how short our lives really are
so that we may be wise.”
Eccl. 3:1-3 “There is a time for everything,
and everything on earth has its special season.
2 There is a time to be born
and a time to die.
There is a time to plant
and a time to pull up plants.
3 There is a time to kill
and a time to heal.
There is a time to destroy
and a time to build.”

3. Know what God’s Will is-
Isaiah 46:10 NIV “I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”
Since God’s will and purpose SHALL be established in the earth, we must align ourselves with that will. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done’!
Jesus said, “I only do what I see my father do.” Our hearts and desire should be to do what we see the Father doing in the life and ministry of Jesus.

In the filming of the 1959 Biblical epic’s called “Ben Hur,” one of the most famous scenes in that movie was the climatic chariot race. It required 5 weeks of filming, 15,000 extras, and 18 chariots – nine to be used by the stunt crew during practice.

In the spirit of authenticity, Charlton Heston actually learned to drive the 4 horse vehicles. But after weeks of practice, he expressed concern about the final shoot. He took the stunt coordinator aside and “I can drive the chariot,” he told stunt coordinator Yakima Canutt, who was directing the scene, “but I’m not sure I can win.” “Chuck, you just make sure you stay in the chariot,” Canutt replied, “and I’ll make sure you win the race.”

Likewise, God is saying to us: “Just stay in the chariot… and I’ll make sure you win the race.”

New Year Brings Hope

2010-12-30T07:36:00.000-08:00

2011-- A Year of Unprecedented Opportunities-

Did you know that the Chinese symbol for `Crisis’ is a combination of two words- “Danger” and “Opportunity”? I believe God wants to move us forward even in the face of crisis, to seize today’s opportunities without fear.
Jesus said that a sign of the end times would be “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). Our Lord’s prophecy is being fulfilled in our days.

But as followers of Jesus Christ, we enter 2011 with great hope. We rise above all fear because we have some “inside information!” Let these truths from God’s Word assure you today as you face the New Year with its challenges and possibilities.
Throughout 2011, always remember . . .
• God is at work in the world. Paul said God “works all things according to the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11). He knows the end from the beginning and is fashioning all of history toward a great event – the enthroning of His Son over the entire earth!
“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10).
• God is at work in your life. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). As you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, He will take every experience in 2010 to help conform you into the very image of Christ (Romans 8:29).
• God brought you into the world at just the right time. God has work for you to do in the year ahead. He wants you to shine bright with His glory in a dark world. You’re not an accident – and you’re living at this juncture of history by God’s design. You have “come to the kingdom for such a time as this!” (Esther 4:14).

You can enter this New Year confident in God and confident in your calling and purpose to influence and impact the world for Jesus Christ.
We have been given a window of opportunity to obey God, be about His business and fulfill the Great Commission. You can walk in God’s favor in 2011 – by making His priorities your priorities. And priority number one for our heavenly Father is to see His Son known, loved and followed by people everywhere. (Thanks to Dr. David Shibley for this inspiring word.)

Blessing others in spite of an economic downturn

2009-10-27T09:30:00.001-07:00

What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. So what Ruth did for Naomi after the death of her husband and her sons, God made sure that Boaz did for Ruth. Never forget that God not only wants to bless the one being helped, but also the one helping, whom God will bless with more than enough to provide for those He has chosen to `redeem'. Economics was never a valid reason for refusing to `redeem' another person, and it's still not a valid reason for any church to not help its community today. The decision to help the poor, the hurting and the broken is the best economic decision any church can ever make. Paul Scanlon- "Crossing Over"
Every church leader should read this book!

Home Going for Mom

2009-04-27T03:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Just a post to let you know my dear mother, Loretta Keith went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 26th at 3:00 P.M. She was surrounded by her three children, Debbie, Mickey and David, as well as by many other family members.

She is now surrounded by a Heavenly host of angels, N.T. saints, O.T. patriarchs, her contemporaries and family members who have died ..in Christ, among whom are her parents, her sister and her loving husband, John Keith. As we said goodbye, they said hello and welcomed her into eternal rest and peace.

From this planet, we cannot imagine the joy, freedom and beauty of the home Jesus has been preparing for her for the past 2,000 years. "Beloved, it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him..."

Mom drew her last breath here Sunday afternoon, and the next breath she drew was in the presence of Jesus. You see, the Bible teaches us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

So, today, we do not weep as those who have no hope...but we rejoice in her home going...No more pain, tears or death! She is home at last!

Her life was characterized by over five decades of Christian service. Her dedication to the cause of Christ and to the local church are hallmarks well known to those who loved her. We would do well to pattern our lives after such a self-less model of grace and dignity.

Loving thanks is extended to our Life Community Church family for their continued prayers and support during her illness. Mother also had incredible prayer support from the Independent Assemblies fellowship members nation-wide. Her relationships with many friends in the ministry helped to mold her character and spirit.

Special thanks goes out to the management and staff of Sterling House of Ada, where mother lived since August of 2007. This incredible team of health care professionals went above and beyond the level of expected care, and loved my mom like their own family. May God's grace rest upon you all.

Also, my appreciation is expressed to Doctor JoAnn Carpenter, and to the employees of Victory Home Health, Encompass Home Health and McCortney's Hospice for the exceptional care given during this difficult time.
The Keith family will be forever grateful to you all!

You are invited to the home going celebration for Loretta Joyce Keith, Thursday, April 30 at 2:00PM in the chapel of Criswell Funeral Home, 815 Arlington in Ada.

May our memories be bright and may we live our lives in such a way as to bring honor to the life of this precious woman of God.

Blessings to you all,
Mickey

Annniversary Celebration

2009-02-03T22:22:00.000-08:00

Everyone loves a party!

Life Community Church of Ada, Oklahoma celebrates the 3rd Anniversary on March 1st, 2009! To God be the Glory, great things He has done...

God has been so good to bring so many wonderful people together, give them such love for one another, and pour His Spirit into their lives so that they impact not only their immediate surroundings with His love, but they touch the nations of the world as well.

"Lifers' will tell you, it's not about politics and programs, religion and rules...but we are experiencing authentic Christianity in a non threatening, warm environment. The culture of this church is different than what you find in most places called`church'..It's about Jesus! He is the main attraction!

Casual Environment; Serious Faith- that's Life Community Church

How To Get God's Attention

2009-02-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

The following are just a few ways to get Heaven’s attention-

1. Humility-
James 4:6-10 NLT “But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud
but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
I Peter 5:5-6 NIV “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

2. Unity-
Psalm 133:1-3 NIV “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore
Matthew 18:19 NIV “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18:19 AMP “Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

3. Persevering Prayer-
Luke 18:1-8 NIV “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "
And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Rev. 8:3-4 NLT “Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.

4. Faith-
Mark 7:24-28 NLT “Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret. Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter.
Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.”
Mark 11:22-24 NIV “"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.”I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen; it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 5:26-34 KJV “ And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”
She pressed through the crowd to get Jesus’ attention. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Desperation plus faith equals a breakthrough!
We have to `press through’ our unbelief...our negative thinking…our theology…the words of others.

5. Repentance-
Luke 15:8-10 NIV “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Luke 18:9-14 NIV “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

6. Worship-
John 4:23-24 KJV “But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
If you’re looking for God, stop looking, and start worshipping Him...He will come and find you!
Gideon created true worship when he destroyed his idols…Singing is not worship/technical ability is not worship/It is not about lights, music and performance.
Worship is a devoted lifestyle of a humble believer in recognition of his total dependence on a Living God who is worthy of all honor and glory!

7. Prayer/Giving – Acts 10:1-4 NIV “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.”

Who is This Jesus?

2008-12-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

In the New Testament book of Matthew, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They answered, “Some say Jeremiah, Elijah or some other prophet.” But then he asked the question for all ages- “Who do YOU say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Messiah, the son of the Living God.” Jesus told him that his correct answer came by Divine revelation! The Message Paraphrase says, “You didn’t get that answer out of books or from your teachers”.

John, the apostle of love, who leaned on the breast of Jesus at the last supper, wrote concerning his eye witness account of Jesus’ life and ministry-

1 John 1:1-3 NIV “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

History is full of men who have claimed to be God, or to have come with a message from God. But only One is the truly Divine Son of God!

John 1:1-3, 14 NIV “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Not only is Jesus the Son of God, but He is God the Son! As the Word (Greek-`logos’- thought and expression of God), He was pre-existent with God the Father at the Creation of the universe and beyond!

Col. 1:15-18 NIV “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

Col. 2:9-10 NIV “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”

In the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians, we see the totality of what Jesus Christ gave up as He divested Himself of equality with God to become one of us-

Phil. 2:5-11 NIV “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

If God sent someone or came Himself with a message so important that all of humanity needed to hear it, it seems reasonable that He would first let men know when the messenger would come, and where he would be born. He could also tell us what doctrine he would teach and how he would die. Prophecies such as this would certainly add to the authenticity of one claiming to be a supreme being with a supreme message for mankind.

Isaiah 9:6, 7 NIV “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 7:14 NIV “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

When an ambassador comes from a foreign country, the government requires documentation verifying his true identity. How much more should we ask of someone claiming to be God’s messenger.

No religious leader has ever had anyone foretell his birth, pre-announcing their arrival on earth. But with Jesus, everything was different! He was the “the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:9-12
Because of Old Testament prophecies, Christ’s coming was not unexpected. When you compare the 300+messianic prophecies to the 33 year life of Jesus of Nazareth, there can be no doubt that He is more than a man…But the Son of the Living God!

Not only did the prophets of old foretell the coming of Messiah, but angelic hosts announced, “Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth; good will toward men…”

Not only was Christ’s birth predicted and his coming heralded, but his life had such an impact that it divided history in to B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (anno Domini- Latin for `in the year of our Lord’)

Every atheist and sinner must acknowledge Christ with each check written, and the turning of each calendar page.

“Every person who ever came into this world came to live. He came to die.” To Christ, death was the fulfillment of His life. All of his words and actions revolve around the cross. Each of us had our life story begin with birth and end at death. But Jesus’ death preceded His birth. He is the “Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.” The cross cast a shadow back over His entire life.

Isaiah 9:2 NIV “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

John 1:4-5 NIV “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”

Christ was more than a mere man!

If He is what He claimed to be, Savior, redeemer, and King then we have a powerful Lord worth following in these terrible days! We need a Christ who is fearless and loving even to the death…One who is forgiving and willing to make the total sacrifice for us. Jesus has already proven His great love for you!
He was God’s plan to bring redemption, the new birth, peace and goodwill to the hearts of men! It was not enough to teach men how to be good; but Christ provided the power for men to live Godly lives.

Bishop Fulton Sheen wrote-
“In the filthiest place in the world, a stable, purity was born. He who later was to be slaughtered by men acting as beasts was born among beasts. He who would call Himself the “Living bread descended from Heaven” was laid in a manger (Literally, a place to eat). Centuries before, the Jews had worshipped the golden calf, and the Greeks worshipped a donkey. Men bowed before them as God. The ox and the donkey were now present to bow down before their God.
No worldly mind would have suspected that He, who clothed the fields, would someday be naked. That He, Whose hands spun the stars and planets into orbit, would one day have tiny arms not long enough to reach the huge heads of cattle; that the feet that trod the everlasting hills would one day be too weak to walk; that the Eternal Word would be unable to speak; that Omnipotence would be wrapped in swaddling clothes; that Salvation would lie in a manger.”
And that is exactly why they missed Him! Divinity is always where on least expects to find it.

Moving beyond Disappointments

2008-11-23T15:02:00.000-08:00

We all have been disappointed in our lives.

We focus our activities, our ministry and even our relationships through the filter of this disappointment
John 5:2-8 AMP “Now there is in Jerusalem a pool near the Sheep Gate. This pool in the Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porches (alcoves, colonnades, doorways). In these lay a great number of sick folk--some blind, some crippled, and some paralyzed (shriveled up)--waiting for the bubbling up of the water.
For an angel of the Lord went down at appointed seasons into the pool and moved and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was cured of whatever disease with which he was afflicted. There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years.
When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?]
The invalid answered, Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me. 8Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk!”

Webster’s Dictionary—“Disappoint means…“To fail or meet the expectation of…To Frustrate”.
Have you had someone fail to meet your expectations, or frustrate you with their actions or words?
Now is the time to stop living and ministering out of the past…out of your hurt and wounds.

You see, our pain becomes our identity- This man at the pool was known as the `lame man’- The man with the deep-seated and lingering disorder…For 38 years, this was his identity. The same thing happens to us_ She is the divorced woman/He is the alcoholic/ She is the child of abuse/.

When you are labeled with your disorder, and look back to it as a reference point for everything you do and say, you miss the fulfillment of God’s blessing. Everything is seen through the paradigm of your pain.

Many people stopped growing and stopped developing at the point of their injury. Have you ever known of someone who `broke a growth plate’ in their arm or leg? When I was young, they warned us not to break that bone…Because everything stops growing at that point. Now with modern surgical and rehab procedures, recovery is a stronger possibility.

But how many people do you know who never got beyond the wound in their life? Maybe it was a divorce, a bankruptcy, or a death in the family. You can check back with some people years later, and they are at the same point emotionally and spiritually, because they never grew beyond the pain.
The pain has stunted their growth.

But my friend, we serve a God who desires to change us `from glory to glory’ “one level of grace and excellence to another”! Today, release your past…

Phil 3: 10-14 NIV “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus “
Let go of the disappointment, and Let God take you to another level of living!
Matthew 10:39 AMP “Whoever finds his [lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life].

No more low living for me- I serve a God of elevation and promotion…
When you hook up with El- Elyon (The Most High God) He elevates you!!
Don’t just hang around where God is…”Step into the water”... This is a season of troubled waters! You don’t have to wait for an angel to come and move something in the spirit, Your deliverance is available all the time!

But we make excuses and stop growing at the point of our pain…”Somebody didn’t open the door”…”I had no one to help me into the water”…”Nobody recognized my potential.”

We cannot use past hurts as an excuse to not do what God has called us to do.

Romans 11:29 AMP” For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]
God’s call is as significant and authentic today as the day He pronounced it over your life.

Don’t let the enemy steal your desire, your vision and destiny through disappointment!

Our assignment isn’t to make us comfortable. It is to be light in a world of darkness; surrounded by those who don’t understand us…aren’t impressed by God’s call…and don’t even know when they have wounded us…

But we are still called to reach them.
Let Jesus Heal your wounds!

The question is---Do You really want to be healed? Forgive them! Change the Channel! Lift up your eyes!

Challenges of Ministry in the Local Church

2008-10-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

Ministry in the local church can be challenging, but it also can be wonderful. In my opinion, pastors and their spouses have some of the most difficult jobs in the world. But we serve a God who strengthens and supports us, and the key to overcoming with victory is to stay connected to Christ Jesus!

Jesus said in John 15: 5 NIV “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
My encouragement to every pastor and church leader today is to FINISH STRONG-

Col. 4:17 NIV "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."
2 Cor. 6:3 NIV “We put no stumbling block in any one's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.”

The First Challenge is the Hunger for Revival- While God wants to move and restore His people in these days, we must not put our sail up for `every wind that blows.’ Pastors do great harm to their churches when they try to `import’ revival. Revival is a sovereign move of God! regardless of all the definitions of revival that are out there, the simplest definition of revival most of us can agree on is revive-re meaning "again" and vive meaning "to live"(to resuscitate)
What works in one church or region of the country, may not work in another place.

2. The Challenge to Change- In my travels, I visit churches, whose buildings, songs, decor and dress make me think I have stepped into a time warp. Everything seems to have gotten stuck in 1965. Now, there was nothing wrong with 1965, but at the time of this writing, today is---2008.
How can a young couple with children or a college student connect with these types of churches? They are saying, “Can I connect here, and fit in here? Will someone love me and relate to me?”

We face a challenge with musical styles. In fact, churches have divided and feuded over musical styles perhaps more so that any other issue in recent years. I might not like some of today's songs personally, but guess what?? Somebody likes them, and I want to reach that somebody! It’s not about me or what I like.
We have a mandate to reach the world. Society is changing. We must examine our traditions and see if they are of God or just of man. Traditions are fading. Families are changing.

The Gospel and God’s Word doesn’t change, but we must change to reach `all men’, as Paul said in 1 Cor. 9:22 NIV “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

The message is always sacred, but the methods are not.- Many of the methods which we consider unchangeable are in fact, out-dated. Pipe Organs and pews were very popular in churches in the 3 or 4 centuries ago. Altars and mourner's benches also have their place, but trace back to customs which are hundreds of years old.

3. We Face a Compromise in Doctrine-
A recent survey showed that over 50% of Evangelical Christians believe that one can go to Heaven some other way than through Jesus Christ. (That’s heresy!)
John 14:6 NIV "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He didn’t say, “I am one of many ways” or- "I am a Portion of Truth”. He didn’t say, “Choose the life you want to follow”…You see, Satan appears as an angel of light, deceiving even the very elect!

One of Satan's choice tools is `religious deception’.

Faith in the blood, the cross, and Christ's resurrection is what God accepts. We can only approach Him through this faith in the substitutionary work of Christ!

There is a compromise in doctrine among Christians- Some say, “People may leave you if you preach this doctrine”. People leave churches all the time; why not determine why they leave? If people leave a church because they were offended at the Word, they will be forced to deal with those issues by God; not man.

Multi-culturalism and a tolerance of all religions has `watered down’ the true message of salvation which is found in this verse---

Matt 7:13-14 KJV “For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Proverbs 14:12 KJV “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

4. Complexity of Worship-
In today’s church, we minister to 3 or 4 generations at one time. This requires that we hear from God and be directed by His Spirit.
We face the challenge of traditional and contemporary. There are generational preferences in 1. Music 2. Video 3.Fellowship 4. Preaching Styles.
But God always embraces the OLD & the NEW (Elizabeth/Mary) (Elijah/Elisha)(Moses/Joshua - Aaron and Hur)

Young soldiers need old horses!
Each generation needs the other!!!

God is eternal, seeing the end as well as the beginning of all things! In the Old Testament, He reveals Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and deals with man in this regard. Always `forward' thinking! As church leaders, we must also think generationally; looking forward and planning for the future...
The last verse of the Old Testament book of Malachi speaks of a day when God will send His Spirit to “Turn the hearts of Fathers to children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I smite the earth with a curse…” The opposite of a curse is blessing, signifying that there is blessing when we blend the generations in worship and the Word to advance the Kingdom of God!

5. Issue of Non-Biblical Preaching-
Testimonies, inspirational stories and motivational speaking all have their place, but we need the word of God! Hebrews 4:12 NIV “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”We need to hear about the blood, the cross, Heaven, Hell, the gifts of the Spirit.
2 Tim 3:16 NLT “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

6. How do we grow a Great Church?

How do we reach the lost? “Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers build in vain”. “I will build my church”…Good preaching and teaching alone won’t get it done. God will have to build His house! We must desire to build a family, not just a crowd…
There is a combination of principles necessary for church's to grow. A. The correct bait is necessary to catch different types of fish! B. Every member is a minister. The doctrine of `the priesthood of the believer' teaches that we all have a responsibility to be trained, equipped and sent out into the work of the Lord!

At the turn of the century, David Boyd, a newspaper editor came from the East coast to be the head of the state’s university. The University of Oklahoma. But when he arrived, there was nothing. This was still Indian Territory,and there were no buildings, no teachers, books or even students. In fact, there wasn't a single tree within 30 miles of the site of the university.

When Boyd arrived, he got off the train, and was taken to the site of the future university. He looked around at nothing, but as he stood there on the Oklahoma prairie, he exclaimed, “Oh, the possibilities!’

He had 50 books in his trunk from which the university library began. Today, there are over 6 million books in the University of Oklahoma library.

No matter how small your beginnings and humble your situation, you can stand up and say, “Oh the Possibilities!” What seems impossible to man is possible with our God! Do we face Great Challenges? Yes, but we serve a Great God? Absolutely!!
Oh, the Possibilities!!
He is the God of Increase…More than Enough…El Shaddai! The All- Sufficient One!
He framed the world out of nothing, and hanged it on nothing…So He can do something with your life and with His church!

One day soon, He will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of the Lord!”

What is True Revival ?

2008-06-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

(Taken from an article by Rev. George O. Wood)

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NIV “ Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

First, the church should above all be committed to the inspiration of Scripture, for the Bible provides the assessment tools needed for evaluating doctrine and experience. We should also be deeply hungry for the continued filling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Thomas F. Zimmerman once compared the Holy Spirit to a mighty river, and the Scriptures to the banks of that river. He said that great harm occurs when the river overruns the banks, but that the river does great good when it stays within the banks.

It is good for us to look at the safeguards the Bible provides in helping us "test everything." Here are the questions we should always ask concerning revivals.

1. Is Jesus Christ exalted?
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to testify about Christ; and to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come (John 15:26, 16:8). To the Corinthian church that had become overly enamored with charismatic manifestations, the Apostle Paul reminded them that "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified". 1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV
The focus for any lasting revival always must be on Jesus. The Holy Spirit has not come to glorify Himself, or any human or angelic personality.

2. Is the Word of God proclaimed?
Every revival with lasting effect has always been rooted in the preaching of God's Word. This is in keeping with the spread of the Gospel in the early Church as recorded in Acts.
• Following the first persecution, they "spoke the word of God boldly" Acts 4:31 NIV
• Following the second persecution and flogging, "day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped preaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ" Acts 5:42 NIV
• After the selection of deacons, "the word of God spread" Acts 6:7 NIV
• Resulting from Saul's persecution of the church, "those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went". Acts 8:4 NIV
• Samaria "accepted the word of God" (8:14).
• The Gentiles of Cornelius' household "received the word of God" Acts 11:1 NIV
• Paul and Barnabas preached "the word of God" on their first missionary journey and "the word of God spread through the whole region" Acts13:46, 49 NIV
• Before departing for their second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas and many others "taught and preached the word of the Lord" at Antioch. Acts15:35 NIV
• The Holy Spirit kept Paul and Barnabas from "preaching the word in the province of Asia" Acts 16:6 NIV
• The Bereans "received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true". Acts 17:11 NIV; Paul "was preaching the word of God at Berea". Acts 17:13 NIV
• At Corinth, "Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God". Acts 18:11 NIV
• Through Paul's ministry at Ephesus, "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord". Acts 19:10 NIV
• Paul's farewell words to the Ephesians elders are: "For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God". Acts 20:27
It is clear from the above references that great focus was given in the early Church to the preaching of the Word, sometimes also identified as `proclaiming the Gospel’. This is consistent with the first commitment of the early Church following the day of Pentecost - "they devoted themselves to the apostles' doctrine . . ."Acts 2:42 NIV

So we see that a doctrinal test for any revival is whether the content of the preaching is the same as Jesus and the apostles. The Word of God stands over personal viewpoints. Any Biblical revival must "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints". Jude 3 NIV

If so-called truth is being proclaimed that cannot be found in Scripture, then that proclamation violates the specific announcement of Scripture that the faith "was once for all entrusted".

Such a proclamation also deviates from the apostles' fidelity to preach the Word, and from the early Church's devotion to the apostles' doctrine.

The Azusa Revival (1906-1909) unabashedly proclaimed that the sure plumb line of truth was God's revealed and written Word. William Seymour and others were criticized sharply for their insistence on "checking everything out with the Word." But, they were unashamed. In fact, Seymour responded to these criticisms in the September, 1907, issue of The Apostolic Faith.
"We are measuring everything by the Word; every experience must measure up with the Bible. Some say that is going too far, but if we have lived too close to the Word, we will settle that with the Lord when we meet Him in the air.

Miraculous manifestations are never the test of a true revival - fidelity to God's Word is the test.

Jesus Himself said there would be many who would do miracles in His name and even cast out demons, but He does not know them (Matthew 7:15-23). Jesus warned that "many false prophets will appear and deceive many people" (Matthew 24:11). Paul warns, "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing" (1Timothy 6:3).

To the Galatians, Paul writes: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned.” Galatians 1:8 NIV
Paul also warns us: "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connections with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow". Colossians 2:18-19 NIV

Peter warns us that "there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies . . . Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up." 2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV

In summary, the message must always be examined. If the message and the messenger line up with God's Word, then the revival is on safe Biblical ground and it should and must be embraced. If not, then even though miracles and manifestations occur, it should be avoided.

This raises the question of how healings and miracles can occur if the message and/or messenger are not consistent with Scripture. The attribution for the healings and miracles is the grace of God and his mercy for hurting people.

3. Are persons repenting of sin and being baptized in water and the Holy Spirit?
Repentance has been called the first word of the Gospel because it is the initial response called for by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2), Jesus (Matthew 4:17), the Twelve (Mark 6:12), Jesus after His resurrection (Luke 24:47), Peter (Acts 2:36), and Paul (Acts 26:20). With repentance comes baptism in water and the overwhelming or baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39).

Unless these initiatory events of the Christian life occur, along with the sanctifying work of the Spirit that leads to a holy life - then the miracles, crowds, and enthusiasm will quickly wane.

Of course, there are additional questions that can be raised, but my purpose is to give some starter reflections for those who have honest hearts to "test all things" as Paul admonished. If the above three questions cannot be answered with a resounding yes, then perhaps other questions are unnecessary.

The modern Pentecostal revival is now over 100 years old. Within that revival, there have been some significant centers of activity. For example, the Azusa Street Revival generated a missionary movement whose effects we still see today. The Charismatic Renewal brought refreshing both to Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal believers. However, there have also been some tornadoes that have brought destruction. In other words - there have been good winds and ill winds.

It is our responsibility to maintain a deep hunger for God and to keep our focus on the mission He has given us: To bring glory to God, to evangelize the lost, and to make disciples. We cannot do this on our own. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit along with the signs that follow those who believe.

Someone has said that revivals are like child birth. They are messy, but you like the final result.

Certainly, every revival has been marked by some elements that would be regarded as extreme. Dr. J. Edwin Orr, who studied and wrote more on the history of revivals than any one else in Christian history, once said that, Revivals are like a cabin on the Maine coast that has been shuttered up for the winter. When the winds begin to blow, the first thing that begins to make noise is all the loose hinges and shutters. “

And, that may well be the case - so we must be cautious at the initial onset of a revival to let some "loose hinges and shutters" have their freedom - but, ultimately, if the revival is to have enduring fruitfulness, it must be pastored carefully with doctrinal soundness, moral and financial accountability, and care to give publicity to Christ rather than to the revival.

The Azusa Street revival had such enduring fruitfulness precisely because the three questions raised above can be well answered - both then and now: Christ was exalted, the Word of God was the plumb line, and people responded to the Gospel with repentance, and baptism in water and in the Spirit. And, like the early Church, they were full of the Holy Spirit and went everywhere to share the Good News!

Let us keep the prayer of Habakkuk 3:2 in our hearts and on our lips:

"LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds,
O LORD. Renew them in our day,
In our time make them known."

Life Community Church Belief Statement

2008-03-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

We believe that the Bible is God’s Word. It is accurate, authoritative, and applicable to our everyday lives. ( II Timothy 3:15-17)

We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things. He exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is totally loving and completely holy. (I John 5:7; John 1:14; Luke 1:26-38)

We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and his purpose for our lives. (Romans 5:12-21)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, as both God and man, is the only one who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life. He died on the cross in our place and rose again; to prove His Victory and empower us for life. (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:8-10; Psalm 103:1-3)

We believe that in order to receive forgiveness and the “new birth” we must: repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.

We believe God intends for us to live holy and fruitful lives; therefore we need to be baptized in water and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

We believe in the Baptism in The Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (languages). Spiritual gifts such as tongues, miracles, gifts of healings, word of wisdom, prophecy and more are also available to believer and are given as the Holy Spirit determines.(Acts 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11;)

We believe that God has individually equipped us so that we can successfully achieve His purpose for our lives, which is to worship God, fulfill our role in the Church and serve the community in which we live. (I Timothy 6:11-13; Philippians 4:13; John; John 4:20-23; I Corinthians 12; Ephesians 2:10)

We believe that God wants to heal and transform us so that we can live healthy and prosperous lives, in order to help others more effectively. (3 John 2; Romans 12:1-2)

We believe that our eternal destination of either Heaven or Hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ. (Revelations 19:20, 20:10-15; II Thessalonians 1:5-10)

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again, as He has promised. ( I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

The Triumph of the Cross

2008-03-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

To the Christian, the cross is a symbol of great victory and freedom! What a paradox, that we would find joy in an instrument of death. What could be fascinating about electric chairs, guillotines or a hangman’s noose?

But in dealing with mankind, our God specializes in using the weak things of this world to confound the strong-
1 Corinthians 1:26 “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 So that no one may boast before Him.”

Other examples of paradoxical thinking in the scripture are as follows:
`The first shall be last‘ - `To be great, you must be a servant‘ - `Bless those who persecute you‘ - `Pray for those that despitefully use you’- ‘To him who asks for your coat, give him your cloak, too’

At the Red Sea, with the armies of Pharaoh chasing them, the desert on either side and the ocean before them, the Israelites were told, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord”.
When they faced their first battle in the Promised Land, God told them to march once a day for seven days around Jericho, and on the 7th day, “shout, for I have given you the city”.
When three armies were coming against King Jehoshaphat, he was told by the Lord, “Send out your singers and musicians”, and the Lord conquered their enemies without a shot being fired!

Our God specializes in taking the painful things in our lives and turning them into triumphant victories! This is the ultimate story of the cross and of the resurrection!

There can be no victory without a battle… No Promised Land without a wilderness…No resurrection without a crucifixion…It may seem like Friday night to you, but Sunday’s on the way! “Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning!

Crucifixion probably began among the Persians. Alexander the Great introduced the practice to Egypt and Carthage, where the Romans learned it. It was a most painful and cruel method of execution reserved only for slaves, revolutionaries and the vilest of criminals. In the days of Jesus, over 250,000 men were condemned to die in this fashion because of rebellion and insurrection against Rome.

In its earliest forms, victims were tied to a tree or impaled on a pole in an upright position to keep their feet from touching holy ground.

Flogging was a legal preliminary to every Roman execution, and only women and Roman senators or soldiers were exempt.

The executioners would strip the victim naked, tie him to a pole, and beat him mercilessly with whips called a`cat of nine tails’. These short whips consisted of leather thongs with pieces of sheep bone and lead balls tied to the ends. The back, buttocks and legs were flogged and the severity of the scourging was determined by the disposition of the sadistic soldiers. It was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death.

As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck Jesus’ back with full force, the iron balls would cause deep contusions, and the leather thongs and sheep bones would cut into the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Then the lacerations would tear into skeletal muscles and produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh. Pain and blood loss generally set the stage for circulatory shock.

He was then forced to carry the patibulum, or crossbar (75 to 125 lbs.) to the place of crucifixion, where permanent poles (stipes) were implanted in the ground. He would be escorted by a Roman military guard, led by a centurion. One of these men would carry the sign(titleus) upon which was written the nature of the man’s crime.

The word `crucifixion’ is the source of the word, `excruciating’. In a Roman crucifixion, 6 inch spikes were driven into the hands and feet, and the victim was left to die of asphyxiation. If left long enough in the Palestinian heat and sun, insects would borrow into the wounds and body cavities, and often birds of prey would rip the man's flesh in search of insects.

To speed up death, the legs would be broken so that the condemned man could not raise himself to breathe. A spear would then be thrust into the side just below the heart to puncture the heart cavity to further hasten death.

After death, if no family appealed to the judge for removal, the body was left to decay on the cross. It was a humiliating form of cruel torture and death.

So why the fascination with the cross? Why do we wear it around our necks, and use it as an ornament in our homes?

Because of what took place on a cross 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, the Royal City. Our Savior died in this fashion so that you and I could go free from the death our sin nature dictated.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Colossians 2:15[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]. AMP

At the cross:

1. Jesus conquered the powers of sin, sickness, death, hell and the grave.
But he did so as a perfect man, one who kept every word of God’s Law.

2. As a sinless man, He became the perfect sacrifice for all of man’s sin.
The holy died for the unholy, the sinless died for the sinful, the innocent died for the guilty. For you see, Jesus did not die for His sins, but for ours.

3. He was received by God as a substitute for us.

2 Cor. 5:21 “He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Holman

4. Through the cross, Jesus destroyed the work of the devil.

Hebrews 2:14 “Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, He also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the Devil”.

5. He purchased us back by becoming the ransom for us.

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

A ransom is paid when someone is considered worthy of the price. Satan held all of mankind captive, but God valued you so much He was willing to give His own Son Jesus to buy you back.

How much do you mean to Him? How much does He love you? How should this make you feel? How should we approach life, marriage, ministry and our future?

God dictated the terms of the exchange…The location? The ransom drop would be made in Palestine…
The time? “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.” Gal. 4:4

Jesus then left Heaven, entered time and space, and walked among us for 33 years. At God’s appointed time, He paid the ransom price demanded by His own law…death. So that His beloved children could go free. We have been `redeemed`, or “bought back’ from the hand of the enemy!

This is the triumph of the cross! What the world labeled as a cruel and unusual form of punishment for criminals, became the tool God would use to redeem mankind back to Himself!

Read what Paul the Apostle said about the preaching of the cross!

1 Cor. 1:17-19 Message-
17God didn't send me out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him. And he didn't send me to do it with a lot of fancy rhetoric of my own, lest the powerful action at the center—Christ on the Cross—be trivialized into mere words.
18-21 The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It's written,
I'll turn conventional wisdom on its head,
I'll expose so-called experts as crackpots.
So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn't God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—preaching, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation.

Consider what also has been accomplished at the cross-

Col.2:13 “You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed] the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” NLT

Who's Your Daddy?

2007-11-30T07:21:00.000-08:00

God revealed Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and has called us to think strategically for at least three generations in everything that we do.

A common mistake in leadership is to build as though God is just the God of Abraham by planning concentrically around only our present lifetime. Our highest purpose and potential must not be reached only while we are alive, but must be realized in the next generations.

The scripture teaches that those who follow our footsteps should do greater works than us -John 14:12; Psalm 145:4

Fathering is never doing anything to hurt your children. Your true children know that you will not only die for them, but you will also `live’ for them! In other words, you come running when they are in trouble.
Do you remember when your children were little, and wandered near the street? The moment you saw them in trouble, you did whatever was necessary to keep them from danger.

This is what a true spiritual shepherd does when he sees a member of his flock getting too close to the edge- when impending doom or disaster is evident, the shepherd intervenes- He uses his rod and his staff to protect the sheep. David wrote in the 23rd Psalm- “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Many times sheep don’t know how much danger they are in, and will resent the shepherd’s intervention. But the shepherd knows best…He must give an account for their soul. That’s why he sometimes preaches a hard word, or gives a rebuke in love. Leaders have a command from scripture to “speak the truth in love.” He will attempt to rescue them from falling into danger, which the sheep is sometimes unable to even see.

Our responsibility as church leaders is not to just develop faithful members of local churches, but sons and daughters in the faith. A church or ministry will only be effective to the extent it has developed the army of God out of the family of God!

Developing laborers without a spirit of son ship will produce a house of slaves or servants. Sons are more loyal than servants because sons are assured of their father’s love, their placement and role in the house, and their share of the inheritance. Servants receive wages, but sons receive an inheritance.
Galatians 4:1-8 “ Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.
But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” NLT

Ephesians 1:3-6 “How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” MESSAGE

Romans 8:14-19 “ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.” NLT

So we have established that those who we are being led by God’s Spirit are sons of God! We have not received a spirit which makes us fearful slaves, but rather the Spirit of God, which through adoption, makes us Sons of God!

Real love from a father corrects you when you stray, and welcomes you when you come back! Consider the story of the prodigal son and his father in Luke 15:11-31 NLT

“Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.[b]’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

This incredible story of a father's love is intended to speak to us of God's love- Love that corrects us when we stray and welcomes us back when we return.

Who is your Father? We all have an earthly, biological father…But God wants to be your Heavenly Father. In addition, He has provided for us all a spiritual father to guide and guard us.

Who loves you enough to correct you when you stray and welcome you when come back?
We all need a father..Discover who your spiritual parents are, and don’t go through life fatherless...Be a son or daughter.

It is the son’s responsibility to seek out his spiritual father, and ask for the blessing…Seek His wisdom…Ask for direction and counsel…

The father’s job is to:
1. Identify who his children are-
2. To be bold and initiate fatherhood-
3. Encourage them to succeed-
4. Impart what God has given you-
5. Realize they are hungry because of rejection and pain.
6. Minister out of a pure heart- Fathers, don’t manipulate, but motivate.

Notice the spiritual mentoring in this story of Elijah and Elisha-

1 Kings 19:19- 21 “So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"
21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.” NIV
• Elijah threw his mantle over Elisha, and Elisha recognized him as his spiritual father….
2 Kings 2:6-14 “ Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.
7 Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."
11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart.
13 He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. “ NIV
• Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit…not because he was greedy for earthly gain, but the double portion was reserved for the first born son. He was saying, “I acknowledge you are my father, and I want to be in relationship with you as a son with his father.”
• When it was time for the mantle to be transferred, the fifty sons of the prophets stayed on the other side of the Jordan River, but Elisha refused to be denied of his `father’s’ blessing!
• Notice, when Elisha saw the chariot of fire which separated he and Elijah, and the whirlwind which carried his mentor away, he cried, “My Father, My Father”.

The evidence of spiritual fathering in the Apostle Paul's life is found in this passage-
1 Cor. 4:14-16 “I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me.”

May the Lord help you to identify both your spiritual parents and children to which He has called you.

The Planting of the Lord Part 2

2007-11-11T06:03:00.000-08:00

Psalm 92:12-14 “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.” KJV

An integral part of the` Planted Life’ is Christian Service. We were not saved merely to go to Heaven, but we have been “saved to serve”.

The word `serve’ comes from the Greek word `latreuo’, which means to `minister’. True ministry is to serve others…The greatest in the Kingdom shall be one who serves others. The first shall be last, and the last first. The way `up’ in God’s Kingdom is `down’, humbling yourself to esteem others higher than one’s self. Of course, this is contrary to the ways of the world. The world’s system says, `the way up is to climb on others…it’s all about me… me, myself and I.”

Psalm 116:12 “What will I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me.” KJV

Joshua 24:14 NIV 14 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.”

Psalm 100:2 KJV 2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing

We must choose whom we will serve-

Matt 6:24 NIV 24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

If I don’t choose to serve God, I choose by default to serve the world’s system. No man can serve two masters…

We serve God by serving others-

Gal.5:13 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." NIV

Rewards are promised for faithful service-

Matt. 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." NIV

Matt. 10:42 "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."NIV

When others wrong us, it is God’s duty to repay them according to His justice and Mercy.

2 Tim. 4:14 "Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done." NIV

• Good Works will not save us, but are a vital part of the committed Christian’s life. Good works cannot purchase you entrance in to the Kingdom, but once we are saved, we are expected to live a lifestyle of good works!!

Matt. 5:16 NLT 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Eph. 2:10 AMP 10For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Heb. 10:24 NIV 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

• Tithing & Giving are welcomed by God and He takes delight in our obedience. Generosity is a character trait that speaks directly out of the heart of God. Yes, God was indeed so generous that He gave the best He had - because He loved so much! (John 3:16)

• At the end of the day, the only proof (Selah - think about it) of one's detachment from "earthly" things and attachment to "heavenly" things is found in the act of giving. Everything else is a masquerade for religious piety, not Christianity.

Be it expressed by time, talent or treasure, love was not given for it to stay, love is not love 'till you give it away!

Phil. 4:18,19 AMP But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights. 19And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Luke 6:38 NIV “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

2 Cor. 9:6,7 NIV “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

• Love one another-This is one of the greatest acts of Christian service we can perform! The Planted life is one of love and respect-

1 John 4:20 NIV ”If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”

Col.3:12-14 NLT “ Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. “

Col. 3:12-14 MESSAGE “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

John 13:34,35 NLT “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

• Prayer is also an integral part of the Planted Life-

• Jesus had a tremendous ministry of prayer. It is recorded 25 times that He prayed. In fact, His high priestly ministry of intercession is an ongoing one as He sits at the Father’s right hand.

Hebrews 7:25 KJV “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 7:25 AMP “ Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.”

• The Apostle Paul believed strongly in the power of prayer.
• James, the brother of Christ taught the ministry of prayer.
• In fact, the apostles of the New Testament as well as the patriarchs and prophets of old were men who had given themselves to the ministry of prayer that is available to us all.
• It has been said there is no greater Christian service than prayer.
•
• Prayer produces power for warfare!

When Paul teaches us on the armor of God in Ephesians chapter 6, he concludes his discourse by saying, Eph. 6:18 MESSAGE…”prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”

Eph. 6:18, 19 NIV “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…”
Who should we pray for? How should we pray ?

1Timothy 2:1-3 NIV “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior…”

James 5:16 AMP “Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”

• The greatest model for Prayer was given by our Lord Himself---
Matthew 6:9-15 AMP “Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.”

The Planting of the Lord

2007-11-10T13:31:00.000-08:00

Psalm 92: 12-14 “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”
• God expects our lives to be planted.. He places us in a local church for the purpose of planting us…establishing us and making us produce fruit. “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
• This is one way we become fruitful, and abundant in His love, grace and provision. 3 John v.2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.” Amplified
• The prophet Isaiah spoke of the work of Christ, the anointed One…who would plant us as “oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”
• God is glorified by mature Christians living stable lives; by healthy marriages; by our finances in order, and when we are fulfilling His plan for our lives.

He has called us the `salt of the earth’, and we need to get out of the saltshaker, and influence society for God.

`Tumbleweeds’ never plant roots, and never produce fruit.

Isaiah 61: 1-3 “ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor. NIV

Psalm 1: 1-6
“Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.”

Walk, stand sit…There is a progression of backsliding, and God says you are `blessed’ if you don’t do this--
1. Walk in the Counsel of the wicked- Listening to Dr. Phil, Oprah, and every friend you’ve got who is negative, instead of following the counsel of your pastor, and other spiritual leaders. What does God’s Word say about your situation? Have you bothered to pray? Or are you just walking in Jerry Springer’s counsel?
2. Stand in the way of sinners-What fellowship does darkness have with light? When you stop listening to Godly counsel , and lock in on ungodly advice, you will start hanging around with unbelievers, and get out of church. Men love darkness because their deeds are evil! They shun fellowship because it shines light on their darkness…

But this is the Biblical response ---1 John 1: 7 “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” NLT Not only are you `standing with sinners’ at this point, but you are also standing in their way---Keeping them from reaching true deliverance in Christ!
3. Sit in the seat of the scornful- Did you ever notice how critical you get when out of fellowship with God? No one can please us, and we become irritable, mean-spirited, crude, self-centered. If any of these phrases fits you, you are out of step with God!

But verse 2 of Psalm 1 tells us how to be free-“His delight is in the law of the Lord and he meditates in it DAY and NIGHT!” He shall be like a tree! Planted…Secure…Stable…At Peace..If these things fit you, then you are well on your way to being planted in God! “Whatever He does Prospers”!

***Tithing and Giving are a part of the planted life- No such thing as a free lunch! Some one has to pay for it- Everyone of us have a part to play in supporting the work of God. Giving to God’s work is proof that HE has my heart---That I am walking in obedience to Him.

2 Cor 9:6-14 “ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. “

Gal. 6:6-10 “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

***Obedience to Pastoral Authority is also proof of the Planted Life---God places us in a local church for accountability and to learn submission to authority.

Hebrews 10:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” NIV

Heb. 10: 17 “Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either].” Amplified

Heb. 10:17 “Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?” Message

Eph. 4: 11-14 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

Gal. 3: 26-29 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise
Gal. 4: 1-7 “What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba,Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
A slave receives wages, a son receives inheritance.

Be planted…Put down roots in the local church. Renew your mind to see the importance of the local church in the mind of God the Father, and receive the son’s inheritance!

Picture Your Desired Future

2007-11-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” KJV
The Message paraphrase says, “ If people can't see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed."

God gave Abraham a picture of a blessed, prosperous future. When he was 75 years old, and his wife Sarah was 65, God promised that they would have a child. In fact, He said,
"I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you Gen. 12:2,3 NIV

Abraham got a faith image of God’s blessings in his life. A vision was painted on the canvas of his heart by the Holy Spirit that would carry him through difficulty and build his faith in God. When the son of promise was born 25 years later, they named him `Isaac’ which means `laughter’.

This is what Paul the N.T. writer says about Abraham’s faith-
Romans 4: 18- 22 NIV “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."

Galatians 3:6-9, 13, 29 NIV “Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
God saw the `potential’ that was in Abraham. “Dormant ability” That is what He sees in us as well!

1 Cor. 2:9-10 NIV "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.”

God’s Word is full of resources. You can never exhaust His word. Each day, you will discover new gems…nuggets of truth…daily inspiration. “His mercies are made new every morning.” Joy, truth and blessing are yours as you explore His Word… like Indiana Jones searching for the ark and the Holy Grail, we should go on daily quests to uncover the power of the word for our lives.

Just as Nicolas Cage in “National Treasure”, we can go from one room to another room of God’s treasures. James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

“He has revealed them to us by His Spirit…” So each day, as we dig, search and expect, He will bring new discoveries concerning His nature, His ways and His plans.
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

And you Know, God is the same as His Word! As we continue to serve Him and develop our relationship with Him, He constantly reveals new facets of His beauty, creativity and love! You can’t put Him in a box…His ways are higher than ours! We can only hope to discover the gold mine of His love and presence.

Isaiah 55: 6-9 NIV “Seek the LORD while he may be found;call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “

Since we are created in God’s image, what is true of Him, is true of us to a certain extent. We have great uncharted potential for greatness, wisdom, love, and abundance. A goldmine of wealth is hidden within us all.

Helping others discover, discern and develop their untapped gifts and abilities is a joyful experience. To realize the potential in another person is to unfold vistas of opportunity for them. Examine and celebrate the handiwork of God in your neighbor. God made the greatest artist who ever picked up a brush. He formed the voice of the greatest singer, and the most talented musician owes his creativity to our Creator God.

You and I were created for Greatness…Designed to bring Glory to God through our lifestyle, studies, vocation, gifting, etc.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Elton Trueblood – “To make a life small, when it could be great, is sin and heresy”.

What is the greatest sin? Murder, lying, rape? Perhaps the greatest sin was committed by Adam in the garden of Eden when he failed to become ALL that God created him to become!

Adam and Eve had authority over animals, and ll of creation. But they disobeyed, and sin entered into the world, robbing them of their potential (as it has so many people) and costing them fellowship with God.

Gen 3:24 NIV “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side [a] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Another illustration of people missing their potential is found in Numbers 13. The Jewish people have been delivered by God from Egypt through a list of miracles- hail, flies, frogs, locusts, bloody rivers, death of first-born. Moses leads them to the border of their inheritance- Canaan land- The land flowing with milk and honey!
He then sends 12 spies across the Jordan River to check out the land. Joshua and Caleb brought back this report- “We can take the land…sure there are giants, but you should see the size of the grapes.” But the 10 spies said, There are giants, walled cities, etc…Ex.13:33 KLV ”And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, but couldn’t get Egypt out of them! They had a servant mentality from 400 years of bondage! How many Christians are the same way? They don’t see the grapes hanging in clusters from a pole, they see giants.

Friend, you were born to taste the grapes, and kill the giants!

When Moses told the people that they wouldn’t be allowed to cross over, due to their unbelief, they cried day and night. The promise was just across the river. They could see into their inheritance, but would never get to touch it. They listened and believed an evil report! Now whose report will you hear and believe?

Will you fulfill God’s plan and live up to your potential?

Samson, the powerful leader, was called to judge God’s people. But he never lived up to the call and potential of God on His life. Lost his consecration by enjoying the pleasures of sin. Judges 16:18 KJV “And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand.
He showed her all that was in his heart. It was evil. He failed to be all that God created Him for.

Matthew 25: 14-18 NIV "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.”

The moral of the story---Fail to use what God has given you and you stand to lose it all.

God will lift His glory from a church that doesn’t take souls seriously, or from an organization that becomes so self-absorbed that it no longer preaches the cross, and salvation through the blood of Jesus.

In each of these stories, the people who lost out were saddened and weeping, etc…The saddest people around are those whom God has given an opportunity- dream- privilege-vision..but they stopped short. Don’t settle for second best!

Don’t stop in Haran like Terah, the father of Abraham. Haran means `dry, barren place’. Keep moving; keep growing, keep pressing into all that God has for you. Desire to cross over from `just enough’ to `more than enough’…to a land `flowing with milk and honey’.

Bobby Knight, the championship basketball coach says- “I can win and be unhappy. I can lose and be a happy man, if my team plays up to their potential”

Christian writer Philip Brooks says, “Sad is the day for any man when he becomes absolutely satisfied with the thoughts he is thinking, the deeds he is doing, the life he is living, until there ceases to be forever beating at the very door of his soul a desire to do something greater for the glory of God!”

Are you satisfied with the thoughts you are thinking? The life you’re living for God?

Let Him give you plans…Let Him paint His dream on the canvas of your heart. We all have great potential, but some of us are wasting our lives. Some of you have lost children…Maybe your marriage is not all it could be. We all have so much to offer,and there are great opportunities for ministry every day- Whether on a mission field, working in a nursing home, teaching in jails, visiting hospitals, or witnessing in your neighborhood.

If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we will have the same results we’ve always had. If you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do some things you‘ve never done before!

Today, picture your desired future, work hard, place your trust in God, and see great things happen in your life!

Anyway

2007-11-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them
anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

4. The good you do today will he forgotten tomorrow. Do good
anyway.

5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank
anyway.

6. The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the
smallest people with the smallest ideas... Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few
underdogs anyway.

8. What you spend years building may he destroyed overnight. Build
anyway.

9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help them anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world be best you have anyway.

Love for God and Others

2007-11-08T14:12:00.000-08:00

Any relationship worth having is worth working for---Marriages, friendships, family units…
Without effort, these connections will come apart, grow weak and die. Paul, the Apostle gives wisdom concerning relationships in his writings-

Romans 14:19 "So then let us pursue the things which tend to peace, and things whereby one shall build up another. “ Darby

Romans 14:19 “So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another.” Amplified

Romans 14:19 “So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault.” Message

Listen to his instructions for the Colossian Christians-
Col. 3:12-15 “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” NLT

Col. 3: 12-14 “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” Message

Where does this love come from? How am I supposed to love others?

Gal. 5:22,23 “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[a]that can bring a charge]. AMP
Jesus is our model and mentor of love!

John 15: 9-17 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.” NIV
1. Love for Jesus is demonstrated by our love for others…
John 13:34,35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." NIV
2.We can only love because He first loved us. He is the source of LOVE-
1 John 4:7-12 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[b] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” NIV
3.Love for others is determined by loving ourselves…

Mark 12:28-31 “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c]There is no commandment greater than these." NIV

4.Loving our self is impossible until we see who we are through a revelation of grace, righteousness and identity –

Eph. 2: 8-10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” NIV

Romans 8:1,2 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b] from the power of sin that leads to death.” NLT

1 Cor. 1:30 “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” NIV

2 Cor. 5:17-21 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” NIV

Romans 8:17 “Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of son ship.[g] And by him we cry, "Abba,[h] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” NIV
Forgive yourself and be released from guilt of the past, and walk in God’s love for others.

Why Do We Go ?

2007-03-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth”.

John 20:21 “As my Father hath sent me, so send I you.”

Luke 10:19 “Behold I give you power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

WHY DO WE GO into all the world with the message of Jesus Christ?

1. Jesus is worthy “They went out for the sake of the name!” The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Whether I live or die, it’s to the Lord” “For me to live is Christ, but to die is gain”. Joseph Zinzendorf led a group of Moravians in what became known as a 100 year prayer meeting. These young fervent believers prayed around the clock for souls and the nations.
This group was made of up mainly of 20-somethings, and many of them even sold themselves into slavery that they might go into repressed nations and preach the gospel to unbelievers. It was said of them, "They went out for the sake of the name". In Romans 15:16, Paul the Apostle says that he is called to `present the nations (make an offering of the Gentiles ) that will be acceptable to God…'

Rev. 5:9 and 7:9 both reveal Heavenly worship as this- every tribe and people group represented around the throne of God. They are singing, "You are worthy...because you were slain, and with your blodd you purchased men for God."

Rev. 4:11 “For thou art worthy O Lord..for thou has created all things…”

2. The Father is Longing 2 Peter 3:9 “God is not willing that any should perish..”

John 3:16 AMP “God so dearly loved and prized the world”.

Romans 5:8 God proved his love…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

3. The Spirit is Moving
Acts 2:17,18 “In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh."
The forces of darkness are not threatend if missionaries are all 70 years old, but the face of missions today is on a 20 year old. Each year, there are more teens and young adults going on short term missions trips from the U.S. than at any time in our history.

Around the world: In 1990- 70,000 people were being saved daily.
but in the year 2000-178,000 people were being saved daily.

In a recent youth conference in India, over 11,000 Indian youth attended. When the altar call was given over 7,000 committed to go to north India to win the lost, plant churches and build the Kingdom of God.

4.The Harvest is ripe!

John 4:35 “Lift up your eyes…the fields are white to harvest”.
On the farm, we drop everything when it is Harvest time! God is looking for someone who will spend and be spent for the sake of the Gospel. Some will give their lives, and become martyrs like Steven, Peter, John Baptist, Jim Eliot, Nate Saint,etc…
Tertullian, the early church father said: "The Blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Gospel!"

5.People are lost-

There is no hope without Christ, and only two choices are found in John 3:16 Men either perish or have eternal life-

The founder of the Salvation Army was William Booth. He once said, "I would rather send my workers to hell for 5 minutes than to Bible School for 5 years." He knew that if we could see the masses of people perishing in hell, it would change our perspective concerning evamgelism.

6.Nations are deserving-

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ---

Oswald Smith once wrote, "Why should anyone hear the Gospel twice until everyone has heard it once?”

In the midst of a horrible storm at sea, a ship was perishing, when the older man working in the lighthouse turned to his younger worker and said, "we must go out to sea to rescue this ship." The young man said, "But sir, The storm is too bad, we might not come back. To which the old man replied, ‘we must go, we don’t have to come back’.

7.We are commissioned

Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16"15-17 describe our commission from God.
Jim Eliot, the Assemblies of God missionary who was martyed in Central America wrote in his diary: “I don’t care for a long life, just a full one’

8.We must give account for deeds done in the body-

According to 2 Cor 5:10, all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, to give an account for the things done in this life, whether good or bad.

9.This is the Hour -

Proverbs 28:19 declares that where there is no Vision (unfolding revelation of God's Word) people perish..
Hudson Taylor was the first missionary to adapt the customs of the Chinese people he was trying to reach. His cross cultural diet and dress brought great results, but were met with criticism by other missionaries with which he worked. We must be men and women of vision, willing to seize the hour in which we live!

God especially wants to call and use young people, because of their empathy for the hurting, their abandonment to follow fervently, and because of their pure faith.

What are you passionate about? What do you have vision for?

10.Destiny-

1 Peter 2:9 says that we are a 'Royal priesthood,and a holy nation.."

Live for what matters…Live the abundant life that's promised to you, don’t just go through the motions… God's children are a people of destiny, blessed to be a blessing to the nations of the earth!

Unity in Christ's Body

2007-02-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

The church of Jesus Christ is to be a unified church if we are to see His Glory and Power among us!

Psalm 133:1-3
“How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It's like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, Flowing down Aaron's beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It's like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that's where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life. “ Message

It’s His church, we just get to participate in it!
Matthew 16:13-17 NLT -“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”[a]
14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[b] the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John,[c] because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’),[d] and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell[e] will not conquer it”.

His desire is that we be characterized by agreement, harmony and unity. These set us apart from all other organizations, clubs and groups. Notice what Jesus said concerning agreement- Matthew 18:19 “Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

The Place of Agreement is the Place of Power!!

Jesus taught us to pray, setting ourselves in agreement with the Father-- Matthew 6:10 “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Our first place of agreement must be with God’s will. Learn to establish His will in your life, your home, your marriage…We cannot afford to think that somehow we can get the Creator of the Universe to align Himself with our petty will and selfish desires. Total surrender to God’s will is necessary for success in all areas of life.

When Jesus prayed, “Not my will but yours…He was saying, “Not my decisions or purposes, but yours…Not my plans or designs, but yours.
This must be the cry of our hearts--to walk in unity and agreement with our Heavenly Father.

Amos 3:3 “How can two walk together except they be agreed?

There must be unity in the church and in our personal relationships, and it begins when we are willing to line our lives up with the will of God and put Him first. In true unity, we maintain our individuality, personality, expression and variety of function, yet we come into a corporate identification that says we are His!

Unity does not mean uniformity…This would be boring and dangerous. This is how cults and false religions are formed; when people are stripped of their individuality for the sake of the `cause’.

But a true believer who has found forgiveness through the Lord Jesus has also found his true identity in Christ! “Christ in you the hope of Glory!”

As a tea bag diffuses into hot water making what we call tea, so the new life in Christ by the Holy Spirit flows into us. That brown water we drink is not really tea, the tea is still in the bag. We don’t become Christ, but we are infused with His nature, character and with a desire to follow His will.

The New Testament pictures of unity are seen in these analogies: One body, many members…One flock, many sheep…One temple, many stones…One nation, many citizens…One vine, many branches… one army, many soldiers.

This unity exists no where else in the world, and is meant to be a tremendous witness-
John 13:34,35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, that you have love one to another.”
It is also a source of power in the church.
Acts 2:1-4
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Our unity is foundational to all that God desires to do among His people. Five times in His high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, as He and the Father are one- John 17:20-24

Unity in -
Doctrine: John 7:16
Purpose: John 4:34
Love: John 5:20
Work: John 5:19

The enemy knows that to destroy the church’s witness, power and effectiveness, he must only destroy their unity. Mark 3:25 and Psalm 127:1 “A house divided against itself cannot stand” and “Unless the Lord build the house, we labor in vain who build it.”

Satan never bothered Adam until Eve appeared on the scene. He fears the multiplication of strength as two join in committed relationships-

The mathematics of the Kingdom- “One can set a thousand to flight, but two shall set ten thousand to flight.”

Unity is one of our greatest weapons of spiritual warfare- too often overlooked and unrecognized.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Successful relationships can only be maintained as we work toward a spirit of unity. Families, friendships and churches must have a similar, kindred spirit and vision. To reach our goals and achieve harmony requires effort.

Romans 14:19 “Follow after those things which make for peace and things that edify the other.”

Bible examples:
David and Jonathan--- 1 Samuel 18:13 says that their souls were knit in a covenant bond, so deep and lasting that Jonathan preserved David’s life, and was willing to give up his throne for his friend.
Ruth and Naomi ---Ruth 1:16 “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay I
will stay; Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

Picture the Body of Christ as God sees it---
To be effective, we must be unified- One mind and one heart-
Gossip will have to go!
Backbiting will have to go
Jealousy and petty squabbles will have to go!!

Col. 3:8-17
“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” NIV

Leaders Who Cross Over

2007-01-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

This study is designed to help leaders fulfill their dreams and maximize their potential through inspiration and direction.

The book of Joshua records the consummation of the redemption of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, where they had labored for over 400 years. The redemption of Israel had two parts- OUT and IN. God brought them out of Egyptian bondage and into their land of promise.
Deut. 6:23 “… He brought us out, that He might bring us in, to give us the land He swore unto our fathers.”

In a spiritual sense, the book of Joshua is the Ephesians of the Old Testament. Eph. 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” The word `places’ is misleading, and the rendering should be `heavenlies’, which may be defined as the `sphere of the believer’s spiritual experience as identified with Christ in nature, life, relationships service and suffering.’

The `heavenlies’ is to the Christian what `Canaan Land’ was to the Jews. The Promised Land was a place of conflict, and often failure, therefore it is not a type of Heaven as some might teach. Yet it was also a place of victory, rest, possession and blessing through Divine Power.
Joshua 21:43-45 “And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he swore to give unto their fathers: and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that He swore unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel: all came to pass.”

The parallel is obvious with New Covenant believers today-
Sometimes, God has to take us out of something, before He can bring us in to something else He has planned for our lives.

Remember, what you and I have been redeemed from is not nearly as important as what we have been redeemed for. With every adversity there comes an opportunity!

The Old Testament Jews were brought out of:
430 years of bondage into Freedom
Egypt (failure zone) into Canaan (success zone)
Pharaoh’s tyranny into Joshua’s leadership
The dry wilderness into a land flowing with milk and honey

The word translated `church’ over 100 times in the New Testament from the Greek word “Ecclesia”, means “called out ones”. It always refers to people, not buildings or organizations.
The New Testament Church is called out of :
Sickness and into Divine health
Poverty and into Divine wealth
Spiritual bondage into liberty
Insecurity into Assurance
Turmoil into Peace

The key phrase of this great book of strategy and warfare is found in chapter 1 verse 2,3. “Moses, my servant is dead. Now arise and GO OVER this Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give unto them. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread, that I have given you , as I did unto Moses.” KJV

Notice the command is to Rise Up -Take Action- Don’t be static, but move forward! God is ready to fulfill His promise to give Canaan Land to His people.

Joshua’s name is taken from the same root as Jesus, and means ‘Jehovah is Savior’. Joshua is a type of Christ, chosen to take God’s people into their abundant inheritance. Pharaoh in the scriptures is a type of Satan, and Egypt is a type of the world.

`Moses, my servant is dead.’ Moses was the representative of the law, which could never give a sinful people total victory.
Hebrews 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. NIV
Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace.” KJV
Romans 8:2-4 “The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death. The Law of Moses cannot do this, because our selfish desires make the Law weak. But God set you free when he sent his own Son to be like us sinners and to be a sacrifice for our sin. God used Christ's body to condemn sin. He did this, so that we would do what the Law commands by obeying the Spirit instead of our own desires.” CEV

Moses’ death also speaks of separation from the past; from a previous generation and way of doing things, in order to grasp the future.

The Law of Sacrifice as taught by John Maxwell reads like this:
“To go up, you’ve got to give up”.

You can’t have the Promised Land and hold unto Moses’ way of doing things.

Moses was a great man, perhaps the number one personality in the Old Testament. He wrote the first five books of the Pentateuch. God gave him incredible revelation of the Creation of all things.

He demonstrated great courage by starting over in life at age 80, confronting Pharaoh, and leading over 3 million people out of bondage. He climbed Mount Sinai, where he met with God and received the 10 commandments. From Divine directives, Moses also established the priesthood, sacrifices and tabernacle order of worship. But one of his greatest qualities was the mercy which enabled him to intercede for God’s people, time and again when they would disobey.
YET - Moses never entered into the Promised Land because of his disobedience. He died on the border of his inheritance along with the generation of people who believed the evil report of the ten spies in Numbers chapter13.

In essence, God was saying to Joshua, “Moses is gone. You can’t rely on the traditions of the past. It is a new day…You are a new breed; a new generation that will move on into the land, take the walled cities and live in their inheritance! I will go with you…Be strong and very courageous! Defeat the giants, see the miraculous and walk in to my provision.”

Today, the Lord is revealing leaders who are able to go forward and lead His people into new dimensions of His Glory and Grace. Not everyone can go where we are going. Some have already `died in the wilderness‘ stopping on the border of their inheritance.

Genesis 11 ends with these words; “and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.”
Terah, whose name means `delay’ was the father of Abraham, who of course, is the father of our faith. Somewhere along the way, Terah decided he would stop in Haran, which means “desert place”, rather than pressing on to Canaan Land with the others. He wasted many years and died in a `dry place’ never seeing God’s fulfillment to Abraham.

Unbelief and sin kept an entire generation out of the Promised Land. But what was it that kept them out, and can we learn from their mistakes today?

It has been said that the `New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, and that the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed’.
With that in mind, read the words of Paul to the Corinthians -
1 Corinthians 10:1-11 “For I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, that our forefathers were all under and protected by the cloud [in which God's Presence went before them], and every one of them passed safely through the [Red] Sea,
And each one of them [allowed himself also] to be baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea [they were thus brought under obligation to the Law, to Moses, and to the covenant, consecrated and set apart to the service of God];
And all [of them] ate the same spiritual (supernaturally given) food,
And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ.
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them, for they were overthrown and strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness.
Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did.
Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written, `The people sat down to eat and drink [the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb] and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity).’
We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did--and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day!
We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did--and were killed by poisonous serpents;
Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did--and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).” AMP.
Here we see many types for the New Testament believer to observe. In fact, Paul says in verse 6, “These things happened as examples to us.”

Let‘s heed the warnings of their sinful example.
First, the Cloud and Sea into which they were baptized are symbolic of both water and Holy Spirit baptism. The manna and water from the rock are also types of the communion elements. So it’s easy to see how these stories could apply to us who follow Christ today.

Here are the Five Sins that kept the Jewish people out of their Promised Land, and that are keeping many form reaching their full potential in Christ and the Kingdom of God.

1. Lusting after evil things. Lust always desires to satisfy self at the expense of God and others. On the other hand, Love always seeks the good of others at the expense of one’s self.

2. Idolatry. To esteem anyone or anything more valuable on our list of priorities than God alone. Idolatry always led God’s people into bondage in the Old Testament. Satan is interested in turning our trust and affection away from the living God. Anything that takes God’s place serves well as an idol of our devotion and attention.

3. Immorality. Some have said that sex sins have become the `scourge of the church.’ God still reserves sexual expression and fulfillment for the marriage relationship.

4. Tempting Christ. God’s people grew impatient and began to speak against God and His leader Moses. They tried God’s patience by complaining about His provision and not being satisfied. So He sent poisonous snakes which killed many of them. A brass snake was put on a pole. A serpent is a symbol of sin judged, and brass speaks of Divine judgment also. The brass serpent then was a type of Christ “made sin for us” in bearing our judgment. John 3:14,15 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

5. Murmuring. In Numbers 16, we read the story of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, men who led a rebellion against God and Moses, His chosen leader. 250 of the leaders were consumed by an earthquake for their actions. Then the Bible says the people murmured against God again, and a plague swept through the camp, killing a total of 14,700 people.

The following are a few commands God gave His people as they were to cross over into their `Promise Land’. These can be applied to our leadership today.

1.“Follow the ark, for you have not passed this way before.” This means to always stay in the presence of God. Pursue His presence, because He will lead in ways that are new and different to us. Be willing to expand, to stretch your ministry, or career. Take your business to the next level. Believe God for finances and for the fulfillment of your dreams. Cross over from `just enough’ into the place of `more than enough’.

2. Get your feet wet. The Levites were to carry the ark on their shoulders, and step into the flooded Jordan River. When their feet touched the water, the river rolled back, allowing them to stand on dry ground. But first, they had to get their feet wet. So, if you get cold feet when you are planning to lead, you’re not alone.

3. These leaders also had to walk out in front. The command was at least 1,000 feet ahead of everyone else, so that the people could see the ark. Leaders always face opposition that no one else faces. They are at the `point of the spear’, establishing a `beach-head’ for those who followed.

4. They built a memorial. In Joshua chapter 4, God commanded them to take 12 `memorial stones’ from the dry river bed, one for each of the tribes of Israel and build an altar at Gilgal. Also in verse 9 Joshua was commanded to place 12 stones in the riverbed where the feet of the priest stood. These were to remind the people for generations to come of God’s faithfulness and provision. When God answers prayer, we should always respond with thanksgiving and praise.

Be willing to make the effort to `cross over ‘ into your land of abundant living!

What To Do When Everything Seems to Fall Apart

2007-01-15T09:57:00.000-08:00

1. Refuse to Panic-
Nothing is ever as bad as it first appears.Take hope from the words of Psalm 91:1,2 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him will I trust."

The promise of abiding under the shadow of the Almighty is given to those who `dwell in the secret place'. Not to those who occasionally 'visit', or only run to God in time of trouble. The Psalmist is declaring that if you will make it a habit of dwelling in the secret place with God, then you will have His protection, covering and grace.
Unfortunately, many Christians panic when troubles come. They run from God's providence in to a dry place, and find themselves away from His holy mountain of security and rest.

Don't listen to the roar of the enemy who says, `You're going under', and 'You're going to fail" He's only trying to intimidate you. He wants to scare you into doing something contrary to God's will. Stand strong. Don't Panic. Our biggest mistakes usually happen during the first few minutes of a satanic attack."Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still'.
These are the words of Moses in Exodus 14, when the Israelites were facing the Red Sea with Pharaoh's armies closing in behind them.
Be still. Stop and listen carefully to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit. Time is your friend, so wait for the answer. Patience is the weapon that forces deception to reveal itself.

"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you." These are the words of 2 Chronicles 20.
The Lord gave instructions to his people as they faced an army bent on their destruction. He told Jehoshaphat to put musicians and singers in front of the army, and they sang,
"Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever."
The enemies of God's people turned on themselves, and killed each other. Trust Him for this kind of deliverance today! Sing and praise the Lord, believing Him for your breakthrough!

2. Remember That Pain Passes-
Pain is discomfort caused by disorder. When something is out of order in the physical body, pain will result. It's the body's way of communicating that things aren't right. Every champion has discovered that pain is seasonal...It's temporary, and it will pass. They consider it an avenue to victory. Midnight is almost over...Don't be discouraged...A new day is about to dawn over your life.
Psalm 30:5 "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

3. See Your battle as a gateway to promotion -
Warfare may appear as an obstacle to you, but God can use it as your next passageway to promotion. Daniel was promoted AFTER the lions den...Job received a double portion blessing AFTER his suffering...Joseph reached the palace AFTER the pit, the prison, and betrayal in Potiphar's house. Don't run from your battle. Stay around for the crown !

The next event on God's agenda is an awards ceremony - "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

Remember these words from the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13 -"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

4. Feed Your Faith -
Faith is simply confidence in God and His ability. Faith brings energy, movement, and hope. It is your link to the power of God. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb.11:1 NIV "It's our handle on what we can't see !" MESSAGE
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God being read, spoken and sang. The Bible refers to little faith, great faith and enduring faith.
--- Faith is like a spiritual muscle that can grow when properly exercised. When used properly, it is unstoppable !

One reason that faith grows by hearing God's Word is because the Word is alive ! "His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubts or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it -no matter what." Hebrews 4:12,13 MESSAGE

5. Inform An Intercessor -
Most of us want to fight our battles alone, but this is a big mistake. Isolation is the first step toward devastation.The scriptures says that "Two are better than one because they have a better return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one be overpowered, two can defend themselves." Ecclesiastes 4:9,10,12 NIV

You and I were made for connection...Just as the eye was made for sight, and the ear for sound, we were created for relationship. We all need a prayer partner! Dare to reach out to someone to pray and stand with you. The place of agreement is the place of POWER.
"When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there." Matthew 18:18,19 MESSAGE.

You can stand strong in the day of trouble if you'll reach out to Jesus in faith ! !

Fasting Tips

2007-01-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Definition: A Biblical Fast is to abstain from food for a period of time to devote oneself to prayer and consecration to God.

How To Begin: Start with a clear goal- Direction, healing, restoration of marriage or family issues, financial answers. Pray daily, read the Bible, listen only to Christian music (preferably worship) and ask the Holy Spirit for direction.

Preparing Spiritually: Confess your sins to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of weakness in your life. Forgive all who have offended you and ask forgiveness from those you may have offended. Surrender your life fully to Jesus and reject worldly desires that may hinder you. Romans 12:1 "...offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."

Fasting was an expected discipline in both the Old and New Testament eras. For example, Moses fasted at least two recorded forty-day periods. Jesus fasted 40 days and reminded His followers to fast, "when you fast," not if you fast.

Fasting and prayer can restore the loss of the "first love" for your Lord and result in a more intimate relationship with Christ.

Humility: Fasting is a biblical way to truly humble yourself in the sight of God (Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21). King David said, "I humble myself through fasting."

Fasting enables the Holy Spirit to reveal your true spiritual condition, resulting in brokenness, repentance, and a transformed life.
The Holy Spirit will quicken the Word of God in your heart and His truth will become more meaningful to you!

Prayer : Fasting can transform your prayer life into a richer and more personal experience.
Fasting can result in a dynamic personal revival in your own life-and make you a channel of revival to others.

If you have never fasted before, I applaud your present interest! Fasting has been a major emphasis in the lives of many of the great spiritual leaders throughout history. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist denomination, fasted every Wednesday and Friday and required all of his clergy to do the same. Effective ministers of God from the apostle Paul to Martin Luther to John Calvin made it a continual part of their walks with God.

None of those men had a "formula fast" that was the only "right" way.

Fasting is about the condition of the heart, not the number of days.
So, start slowly. Fast for one meal a day, or one day a week, or one week a month. Build up your spiritual muscles so that you will be prepared in a period of several months to fast for an extended 40 day period.

Biblical Types of fasts: The Bible recounts primarily two types of fasts. A partial fast is described in the book of Daniel. Although the water fast seemed to be the custom of the prophet, there was a three-week period in which he only abstained from "delicacies," meat, and wine (Daniel 10:3). I have listed the ingredients in a Daniel fast for you in this article.

The two primary types mentioned in the Bible are the "absolute" and "supernatural absolute" fasts. These are total fasts-no food (solid or liquid) and no water. Paul went on an absolute fast for three days following his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:9). Moses and Elijah engaged in what must be considered a supernatural absolute fast of forty days (Deuteronomy 9:9; I Kings 19:8).

I personally advocate drinking an abundance of fluids during your fast, preferably water and juices. Fruit juice ( a cleanser) in the morning and vegetable juice ( a builder) in the afternoon or evening.

GUIDELINES FOR DANIEL FAST
(Foods We May Eat)
Whole Grains:
Brown Rice, Oats, Barley Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas

Fruits:
Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon

Vegetables:
Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger root, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

Liquids:
Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices

(Foods to Avoid)
Meat ,White Rice, Fried Foods, Caffeine, Carbonated Beverages, Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives, Refined Sugar, Sugar Substitutes, White Flour and All Products Using It, Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

How To End: Most experts agree that breaking a fast with vegetables, either steamed or raw, is best. Your stomach is smaller now, so eat lightly. Stop before you feel full. Stay away from starches like pastas, potatoes, rice, or bread (except for "Melba toast") for at least a week. Also avoid meats, dairy products, and any fats or oils for a week or more. Introduce them very slowly and in small amounts.

Extended fasts are not the only fasts which need to be ended with caution. Even a 3-day fast requires reasonable precautions. It is wise to start with a little soup - something thin and nourishing such as vegetable broth made from onion, celery, potatoes, and carrots - and fresh fruits such as watermelon and cantaloupe.

In terms of resuming any sort of exercise routine, the advice is the same. Start out slowly, allowing time for your body to re-adjust to its usual regime.

What to Expect: When you fast, your body detoxifies, eliminating toxins from your system. This can cause mild discomfort such as headaches and irritability during withdrawal from caffeine and sugars. Limit your activity. Exercise moderately. Take time to rest. Get away from normal distractions as much as possible, and keep your heart and mind set on seeking God's face. Read the Word and pray during meal times.

For more information- www.billbright.com/howtofast

One Last Word: Most healthy people can abstain from food for a number of days, however, please consult your doctor is you are pregnant, nursing a child, on prescription drugs or under a doctor's supervision.

May the Lord reveal Himself to you as you practice this age-old spiritual discipline !

Know-Grow-Sow

2007-01-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

What is your definition of success? Is it Money ? Relationships? Position on the job or in the community?

A recent Gallup poll asked for a definition of success and the answers were placed in 12 categories. The number one answer was `good health’ according to 58% of those surveyed.
May I suggest that success is not a destination, but a journey? It’s not something we can always put out finger on , and say we have arrived. An ongoing, continual growth process toward maximizing our potential in life, and blessing others along the way!

Joshua 1:6-8 (New International Version)
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

Here are three points to embrace on your success journey-
1. Know your purpose in Life-
2. Grow to reach your maximum Potential-
3. Sow seeds that benefit others

1. Know your purpose in life -

We were planned for God’s pleasure, so your first purpose is to offer real worship. 'A lifestyle of enjoying God, loving Him, and giving ourselves to be used for His purposes.'
When you do this, everything you do becomes an act of worship.
C.S. Lewis - “In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.”

We were formed for God’s family, so your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship. 'Learning to love other people in God’s family.' The life God intends for you to enjoy is more than just believing, it is belonging.
1 John 3:14 CEV Romans 15:7 NLT
He made us to need each other. You cannot fulfill the second purpose on your own.

We were created to become like Christ, so your third purpose is to learn real discipleship. 'Becoming like Jesus is the way we feel, act, and think.' This is an on-going process called Spiritual Maturity.

We were shaped for serving God, so your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry. The way we serve God (Whom we can’t see) is by serving others(whom we have seen).
God wired us all to have a ministry. Your abilities were given to you not for self-fulfilling reasons, but to benefit others. 1Peter 4:10,11 NLT

We were made for a mission, so your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism.
'Telling others about Him, helping them discover their purpose and preparing them for their eternal destiny.'
Live for His Glory, fulfilling the purposes He made you for. Everything else is just existing. Real Life begins by committing yourself completely to Jesus Christ.

2. Grow to reach your maximum potential -

To make this point a reality, please allow me to use an acronym of the word SUCCESS -

S - Seek God with renewed passion for His power and provision. Pray the prayer of Jabez - 1 Chron. 4:10 NIV “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” Also, pray the prayer of Jesus in Matthew 6:9 KJV“our Father..”

U- Understand what the will of the Lord is. Eph. 5:15-17 AMP “look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise-sensible, intelligent people…” God left nothing to chance. He had men write down His will---His word is His will! 1 Peter 1:19-21 NIV 2 Tim. 3:16,17 NIV

C- Cultivate Inner Strength.
Time in the private place produces power in the public place! Luke 19:10 KJV Eph. 6:10 NIV
Fasting should always accompany prayer. Spoken of more than baptism in the Bible (77 to 75), few disciplines go against our flesh and the mainstream of our culture as this one. We live in a super-size world, where immediate gratification of our appetites is taught and modeled as normative. When you fast according to the scripture however, God promises to bless you just as surely as when you obey any command in the Word.

Fasting should always be done for a purpose, otherwise it becomes a weight-loss plan. None of the purposes is to earn God’s favor. We cannot use fasting as a way to impress God and earn His acceptance. We must come to Him through repentance and faith for fasting to have any eternal merit.
Here are 10 Purpose for Fasting from the scriptures:

1. To strengthen prayer.
2. Seek God’s guidance
3. Express grief.
4. Seek Deliverance or protection.
5. To express repentance and a return to God.
6. Humble self before God.
7. Express concern for the work of God.
8. Express love and worship to God.
9. Overcome temptation and dedicate self to God.
10. Minister to the needs of others.

C-Confess New Creation Realities.
Prov. 18:21 “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.’
Prov. 12:18, 19
Matthew 12:36,37
Our confession must line up with God’s Word- To confess means “To agree with..”

E- Effect positive changes through a renewed mind.
Romans 12:1,2 NIV We will never enter the success zone until we learn to renew our minds by His Word. Phil 4:7,8 KJV

S- See the finish line.
World class race car drivers visualize the finish line. Golfers see the line the ball must travel when they putt. Basketball players see the ball go over the rim before they shoot. We need to see our situation from God’s perspective… He is the God who calls things which are not as though they were… We are more than conquerors…On the winning team…not grasshoppers, but grape tasters and giant-killers.

S- Search for ways to develop dynamic Faith.
Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” In prayer, confess His majesty and greatness over your life and circumstances. Take the limits off of God and don’t limit the Holy One of Israel!

Growth is not a one time event, but rather a lifelong process. Success in life is not a destination, but a journey. So keep learning along the way. We never outgrow our need to learn.

3. Sow seeds that benefit others -

Karl Menninger, the psychiatrist once said, “generous people are rarely mentally ill people.” And I will add they are rarely negative people. When you focus your time and energy on what you can give to others rather than what they can get from them, the better your attitude will be.

Giving is the highest level of living!
Most unsuccessful people don’t understand this concept. They believe that how much people give and their attitude about giving are based on how much they have, and that’s just not true. Some tremendous givers have very little. They have discovered the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

Cullen Hightower said, “A true measure of your worth includes all the benefits others have gained from your success.”

Jesus Christ was the example of servant hood as seen in this passage-
Phil. 2:5-8 NLT
“ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

He came to `get under’ as many people as possible and lift them up! He didn’t come to those who are well, but those who needed a physician…
He said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save those who are lost.” Consider these words…“I’ve not come to be ministered to, but to minister and give my life a ransom for many!” “I am among you as one who serves…“ He came to serve us, by fulfilling God’s law, and dying a sinless death to redeem us from the sin code!

When sowing into others, remind yourself of these truths…

1. Everyone wants to feel worthwhile- When a person doesn’t feel good about themselves they will never believe they are successful, no matter what they accomplish, but a person who feels worthwhile is ripe for success.
2. Everyone needs and responds to encouragement- If you desire to raise people up, become one of their strongest supporters. People can tell if you believe in them or not.
3. People are naturally motivated. They often just need someone to remove the pain, stress, or frustration that has slowed them down, so that they can `motivate’ themselves again.

Leading the Church in Times of Transition

2007-01-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

Leading the Church in Times of Transition-

The Church is mentioned 115 times in the New Testament.
15 times= global
100 times=local.

God has His eye on the Church and is as passionate about her as a Bridegroom is his bride! Zechariah 2:8...he who touches you, touches the apple of his eye.”
These biblical names for the church give us an indication of God's affection for the church: Body of Christ-Family-Flock-Chosen generation-Royal Priesthood-Holy Nation

“ He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before him in love.” Eph. 1:4 NASB

Of the 115 times the word church is mentioned in the New Testament, most of them come from the Greek word “Ecclesia” which means `called out ones’.

We are `called out' of :

Darkness into Light
Sickness into Health
Poverty into Wealth
Bondage into Liberty
Depression into Joy

The word `church’ never refers to a building, in fact the early church didn’t have access to buildings- Budgets, buses, bank accounts…
All of these things enter our thinking when we speak of `church’ however, the church is a BODY of related believers!

God desires to establish for Himself a family- He is the Father, and Jesus is the elder brother. John 1:11-13 “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God”
That makes us brothers and sister in Christ.

God is so passionate about building for Himself a family that He was willing to give His son, His only Son Jesus as a sacrifice for all of mankind. He planted His best seed in to the soil of the earth , and He is receiving a harvest of many sons and daughters.

John 3:16,17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

John 12:24The truth is, a kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil. Unless it dies it will be alone--a single seed. But its death will produce many new kernels--a plentiful harvest of new lives NLT

God loves the church- Jesus died for the church, and He said, ”Upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18

The church is in a period of transition- How do we lead effectively in transition?
Fossil= “A piece of organic matter that couldn't make the transition.”

Israel struggled because they couldn't make the transition from slavery to a theocracy- They saw that other neighboring nations had a king, so they demanded a king… God gave them a king, but His plan was to be their king and rule through the prophets and priests.

Transitions in the scripture that were managed well- Moses to Joshua/Elijah to Elisha.

“After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” Joshua 1:1-3 NIV

“…anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah”. I Kings 19 NIV

Jesus told a parable about transition in Luke 5:37-39 “And no one puts new wine into old wine skins: otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wine skins. And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, The old is good enough”. (The old ways are better)

It is in transition that gains are won or lost. Every relay runner will tell you that the race is won or lost in the changing of the baton.

In times of transition, people’s hearts are tender toward God…divorce, death in family, loss of job, financial reversal, etc.. These are great times to penetrate otherwise `hard hearts’ with the love of God and truth of the Gospel!

Lee Iaccoca took over Chrysler motors during the most difficult of transitions. They were facing bankruptcy, but because of his strong leadership, Chrysler became a world leader and still remains at the top of the automotive industry.

Churches advance or decline in times of transition…We lose or gain based on how we handle change. But so many churches refuse to change.. Our mindset is `speak to the north , south , east and west, “ and God will send them in…“

When He has told us to pray the Lord of the Harvest that He send forth laborers into the harvest field! He taught us when you give a feast, go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in! “Go ye into all the world! Most Christians don’t understand the GO YE part!

Many times attending a church service seems like stepping into a `time warp ‘. Songs, customs, clothing, decorations, and media all are still behind the times, because someone refuses to change with the current culture. Don’t misunderstand me- The message must always remain the same, but the methods must be relevant to keep pace with the culture. In case you haven’t noticed, the culture is different than when we were children.

We must not put our `heads in the sand’ and hope things will go back to the way they were in the days of `Leave it to Beaver’. Today, there is no June Cleaver at home when many kids come home from school. Instead,, she is forced to work all day to make ends meet, because she is the sole bread winner in the family. 24.7 million children (36.3%) live absent their biological father. About 40% of children who live in fatherless households haven’t seen their fathers in at least a year.

MTV, Disney, and Nickelodeon are spending millions to preach their messages to our kids to influence the way they think, shop, dress and relate to the world. We must seize the moment- “Carpe Diem” and become a church that relates to today’s youth culture.

For a missionary to cross cultures without studying the language and customs of the people he is trying to reach is futile. Hudson Taylor was barely in his twenties when he arrived in China as a cross cultural missionary. When he chose to adopt the Chinese habits of diet and dress, he met with opposition…. from the veteran missionaries. But Taylor captured the hearts of the Chinese because he was willing to go beyond the ordinary. This revolutionary way of thinking opened doors for his ministry, and set the pace for decades of other missionaries.

Let’s reinforce the identity of children who are not hearing it from their fathers…Matthew 3:16,17 NIV “This is my son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.” Our blessing and affirmation of our children means everything to their success and their future. But what about the kids who are not getting the blessing from a nurturing, affirming environment at home? This is where the church must rise up and care, love, nurture, teach and reach a generation!

The battle lines are drawn, and the message is clear- will we let the world shape the values of this generation?
We must reach this generation of 20-somethings, and build `cutting edge’ harvesting churches!

The following chart shows the percentage of each generation of Americans who are Bible-believing Christians according to the latest George Barna survey:

Builders-1927-1945 - 65% born again
Boomers - 1946-1964 - 37% born again
Busters- 1964-1982 - 17% born again
Bridger's/ millennials - 1982-today - 4% born again

America has gone from a Christian nation to an unreached people group in three generations. How will this group of Americans shape our culture in the next 5 to 10 years?
Currently 4.5 million teens turn 20 each year. Once a child reaches that milestone, the odds of reaching them for Christ are 10 to 1. Barna research - “What you believe at 13, you’ll die believing”. The average age of conversion in America today is 15 years old, and 80 % takes place before age 24.

But we have reason to hope! Jesus is too large to ever be silenced. His name will be great among the nations(Mal.1:1) This young generation of Americans are more missions conscious than any group before. Each year, more American teens take missions trips than ever before in history. As a result, many of them have a great, encompassing,broadened world-view.

GenXers and Millennials are also very spiritually hungry, not for religion or even church, but for the reality of the Christ living in them. We must respond to the challenge, pray for strategies and be open to the Spirit.

God has not overlooked this generation. They have been chosen for great things! They will be history makers!

Remember, the water is turbulent where oceans meet. We must respond to the challenge of transition, pray for God's strategies, and be open to His Spirit. The world has a great stronghold on this generation, but `Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."

Facing 2007 with confidence and hope

2007-01-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

Facing 2007 with confidence and hope

Did you know that the Chinese symbol for `Crisis’ is a combination of two words- “Danger” and “Opportunity” ? I believe God wants to move us forward in the face of crisis, seizing today’s opportunities, and not fearing the danger of this hour.
Jesus said that a sign of the end times would be “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). Our Lord’s prophecy is being fulfilled in our days.

But as followers of Jesus Christ, we enter 2007 with great hope. We rise above all fear because we have some “inside information!” Let these truths from God’s Word assure you today as you face the New Year with its challenges and possibilities.

Throughout 2007, always remember . . .

· God is at work in the world. Paul said God “works all things according to the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11). He knows the end from the beginning and is fashioning all of history toward a great event – the enthroning of His Son over the entire earth!

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

· God is at work in your life. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). As you cooperate with the Holy Spirit, He will take every experience in 2007 to help conform you into the very image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

· God brought you into the world at just the right time. God has work for you to do in the year ahead. He wants you to shine bright with His glory in a dark world. You’re not an accident – and you’re living at this juncture of history by God’s design. You have “come to the kingdom for such a time as this!” (Esther 4:14).

You can enter this New Year confident in God and confident in your calling and purpose to influence and impact the world for Jesus Christ. Every day of freedom to preach the Gospel in our post-911 world is a great gift from God. Today cannot be wasted!
We have been given a window of opportunity to obey God, be about His business and fulfill the Great Commission. You can walk in God’s favor in 2007 – by making His priorities your priorities. And priority number one for our heavenly Father is to see His Son known, loved and followed by people everywhere.