The Believers Authority

This a very large topic, I want to limit this post to the Authority over sickness, and all manner of infirmity of the flesh. Also against the spirits of evil. First we have to establish the truth of this claim. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, THAT HE MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL". I John 3:8.

As Jesus ministred he taught the Kingdom of God, and healed, and delivered the people from tormenting spirits. This was part of the Kingdom of God. On one occasion John the Baptist sent disciples to Jesus to ask if he was the one to come, or should they look for another. Jesus's response was to observe the works that he did, the blind see, the lame walk, and those in bondage are set free. In this we see that ACTS as will as teaching accompany the Kingdom of God.

Two acts specifically are enumerated; healing, and deliverance from the oppression of devils. This is a part of the DESTRUCTION OF THE DEVIL'S WORK. To heal is to destroy the work of the devil. Jesus healed all the people that came to him, of all manner of sickness.I have heard some of the most stupid remarks about sickness and diseases. Some are so foolish as to think God has a use for sickness. God's only use for it is to destroy sickness. I've heard others say God is teaching them something. Let me be REAL CLEAR, GOD INSTRUCTS BY HIS WORD. Not by some devil or sickness.

I know that these arguments are popular in a lot of churchs, but popular is not truth. The majority is not the rule, God's word is the rule. God is able to get glory from "the stones". He is able to use all evil for good, that doesn't mean he needs evil. That is a testimony of His wisdom.

As with all the ways of the Lord's provision for us, this is also by faith. The same faith that saves also heals, and delivers. The Lord works in knowledge, not ignorance, we have to grasp the reality of this provision of God. In our hearts, and in our soul. We by faith accept that the Lord has purchased healing, and deliverance from oppression of the devil. Not a blind faith, but a faith of promises,and truth seen in the Word of God. A faith that confesses we have been healed, saved, and delivered by the cross of Jesus and our benefits because of His work. Listen as He cry's "it is finished". The WORKS OF THE DEVIL ARE DESTROYED. We overcome by the blood of the lamb, and the word of our testimony.

You have been given the name of Jesus, and His name has all authority. Of things in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth. Jesus said, in my name they shall cast out devils, they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. The Lord will work with us to confirm His word. This is the Authority of the Believer.

Take up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God in the mouths and hearts of his body. Jesus said to the Phoenician women who asked for healing, this is the childrens bread, it is not right to cast it to the dogs. Did you hear! It's our BREAD, healing!We are partakers of the Bread of Freedom, and the Cup of Victory!

I must go on, I get a Holy Ghost anger in me when I hear and see that christians are sick and oppressed. I get angry at the devil, we are not to put up with the devil. We have been commissioned to drive him out. To take our Authority and remove him; and all manner of sickness from our midst. We have the name of Jesus, and the angels of heaven, and the power of the Spirit, and the desire of the Father. All these and a great crowd of witnesses are cheering us on, to enter the fight, to overcome the adversary. To stand in the gap for the victims, and to plead on there behalf. The Lord will win the battle!!

The Life of Joy

I've been reading a lot of the christian blogs. There are some very interesting ideas about, what is your "Ideal Church". The point that I think is the most important is, "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty". If anyone has had a home fellowship they can relate to this liberty.

Taking the church out of a traditional setting, the people act in a more natural and joyous manner. Not having to be, or appear to be, anything other than themselves. This opens up a lot of discussion, and interaction. The members are free to question and to give opinion on whatever subject comes up.

This allows each person to be a fellow-minister, as each relates his experiences and wisdom. There, of coarse, is an elder or deacon or some one as the leader, who is responsible to correct error in a gentle spirit. As a hole this is great for growth to the body, as an opprotunity to pray one for another. We are told to bear each others burdens. It also is the heart of the gospel, to love one another.

If we have never talked to another, or hear there views. If we can't listen to the trails of there life, how then do we love them or pray for them effectively. Fellowship with the Father, is what Jesus died and resurrected to bring to man. As He said, if we have not love for the brothern that we can see, how can we love God whom we cannot see?

What then would my "Ideal Church" be, a body of believer who know and care and help each other. Who are aquainted with the problems and trails, and also who share in the Victory's. For the love of God working through a group of loving believer will result in the power of God to be sent forth to insure Victory in the lives of those who are doing His commands. So it is a house of prayer and worship, and a source of Great Joy to all the people.

This does not imply that a church has to be small. On the contrary, if it works in a small pilot program, then size is not the issue, but content. To make groups that can interact without being subjected to rejection, suspicion, or ridicudle. Regardless of the stage of growth, whether an infant in the Lord, or not even yet converted.

We need a less formal setting, a place where the body is comfortable to participate. Where we hold the moving of God amoung the body to be worth more than a hour of lecture. This is not a classroom, but a living, breathing, moving and growing body. Paul has given many directives to this in his letters. Let's follow the Bible.

Receive your Healing

This blog is to the body of Christ, to those who believe in the power of God to save and to heal His people. Also to anyone in search of the truth concerning the Gospel of Jesus. To those in need of a healing and the forgiveness of a compassionate God. The Lord wouldn't have us ignorant of the finished work of the Cross. God works through understanding. The truth is recorded in scripture to verify the plan of God. Faith is believing the report as truth, in spite of not having seen these things with our own eyes. Rather counting God as true, and honest in His dealing with man. And faithful to perform His word to us and in us.

The doctrine of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is preached everywhere, and is rightfully the predominant teaching throughout the church of Jesus. After all, what good is healing, or any other of the benefits of Christ, if a persons soul is lost. Never the less, after beginning with the Lord, he would have us grow up and obtain all that has been richly provided.

Let's take a closer look at the cross in the area of healing. Starting in Moses, we see the first type of the cross. The people had rebelled against God, and were dying by venomous snakes sent among them. Moses was instructed to fashion a snake and hang it up on a pole. That whoever was bitten by a snake, could look at the bronze snake that Moses made and would live and not die.

By this act the poeple had to turn back to God and received forgiveness and healing. The alternative was to die. By this, God, in a symbol, was showing that Satan, the serpent, would be rendered powerless to afflict and kill the people of God. By the work of the cross that was yet to be accomplished. These were healed "on credit" looking forward to calvary. Healing was always provided for His people, "all on credit". Jesus taught this in the discussion of Naaman the leper. Chastizing the religious leaders of His day, for there lack of understanding and faith.

Now let's look at the minstry of Jesus. Without question we have an abundance of healing of all manner of infirmity. The blind, lame, deaf, palsy, those with deformities. The leporous and even those who had died. Jesus said of his own ministry; "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life". John 3:14. In modern language, He was here to pay the price.

The account of Mattew speakes of all the works of Jesus. "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases'." 8:17. So then we see that the healing of the people was also the work of the cross. Now let's look at Isaiah. The most preached account of the cross, before Jesus. Given in revelation to Isaiah who by the Spirit was shown the crucifixion, and in prophesying told of the meaning and the glory to follow.

The report in chapter 53:5. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brough us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed". The whole chapter deals with the unveiling of the plan of the Lord. The bringing of a people to God.

After the resurrection, and penecost when the disciples John and Peter were going to the temple the Acts gives us this account. A man crippled from birth asked an alms of them. "Then Peter said, 'Look at us!' So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk'. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk."

This astonished the people who came running to see this thing. Peter then said to them: "Men of Israel, why does the surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" After exhorting he states: "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. In his later writing we see the looking back to the cross for our inheritance of healing. "He (Jesus) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." I Peter 2:24.

In this we learn that healing is not by a special gift, nor for only a few. That it is through Jesus and the faith that he gives. We have recieved this faith, or we would still be lost. For by grace are you saved, through faith, it is the gift of God. What we see is to allow our faith to grasp the truth of healing, and grow in faith, and knowledge of the Lord. It is not our own power or position, not our godliness and good works. It is not by a demomination or office, but for all who will believe the report. There is no church of Jesus who will tell you faith has been "done away". Then if it hasn't, then healing is for you. As Peter said it is by, "by faith in the name of Jesus".

Throughout the New Testament we have several ways in which healing is administered. The above example of Peter was through the hand of a believer, imparting the Holy Spirit. There is also the prayer of faith, "that whatever you ask believing, and not doubt, you shall have whatsoever you ask". There is the anointing with oil, and the prayers of the elders, the prayer of agreement, "if two of you shall ask anything in my name I shall do it." There are also special gifts of healing, as Paul sent pieces of his garment, and they were healed. Then there is the word of God, which is alive and active, and full of power. There is also the praying one for another, and many other ways that the Lord will use to free us. The point of all these is Jesus paid a debt and we are free. He is eager to heal, and set us free to worship the Father. He is full of compassion, and the power to deliver.

Just as you studied the scripture to find out about your salvation, study the works of Jesus in the earthly ministry of his, and build into your spirit the healing of God. Grow in the knowledge of his compassion and care that result in manifestations of the goodness of God. Meditate on these until it is clear in your heart, and your faith matures. Start saying what God says, "by his wounds you have been healed". Hold fast to your confession of agreement with God. He will bring it to pass. He watchs over his word to perform it. Pray one for another. Speak to that mountain of sickness, and command it to be removed and cast into the sea. Take hold of the word of God, and tell him, no matter what, I believe. Have the faith of Abraham, who's children we are, who considered not his own body, but believed that what God had promised, he was able to bring it to pass.

How Dumb is That?

Surely in this modern time things are different than when Jesus walked the earth in the flesh. Today we must have gentle little devils, who aren't trying to kill you. Maybe just to have a little fun with you and confuse you with little white lies. The sicknesses also are probably slight diseases, take a couple pills and check in the morning. They couldn't be trying to snuff out your ability to function. Plagues and pestilence, surely they are weaker, and not a real threat. Those who are mained or broken just haven't learn to be joyful always.

This is the hog wash that higher education would have us to believe. They say that after the New Testament was writen there is no longer a need for the manifestations of power from God. That in his wisdom, that time has passed.

Well then someone forgot to tell the devils. Talk to a person who is being tormented by an addiction to, (fill in the blank), and they will tell you stories of real agony, and physical horror. Go to a blind person and ask what great things they have seen. Go to the broken and tell them how great life is, and you will get a cuss'en you deserve. Will you hold a conversation with a lunatic?The bound can't set themselves free! All men are bond slaves of sin, (apart from Christ), that sin causes problems that they are incapable of repairing.

When Jesus was about to be crucified, he told his disciples; it is better for you that I go away, that you may recieve the Holy Spirit. After the resurection he said to the disciples wait to be impowered with the Spirit. Also that the promise was for all who would believe. As preached by Peter at penecost.

This is still the age of grace, is it not. This is still the age of the Spirit, or else how can you be born again? If this is so, then it's still the age of healings, and miracles, and gifts, and manifestations of the power of the Spirit. How can it not be? Are people sick? Are people in torment? Are there still the lost? If so that is the field of the Lord of the Harvest. Not mans wisdom, but the power of God.

Snow Day

Michigan weather is fickle, today it's snowing and with thunderstorms. So I've been catching up on the great post's in the blogisphere. I have added a few of my favorites, with more to come. There are really sharp minds and wity comments out there. I would love to be able to transfer the things in my mind to them, to see what they would have to say. Maybe a Volcan mind meld or something.

But, then I got to thinking. Isn't that what God is trying to do with his church. Replace our faulty thinking for his infinite understanding. That it seems, is the goal of the writing of the new testament. This is no easy task, instead of the mind meld, we have the Holy Spirit. The word we can read and reason out the validity of these statements in part. Everyone though at some point has to throw up his hands and ask, what is he talking about.

I suppose it depends on the mental capability to some extent. It may also be hindered by experience. I remember one time after reading; Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, etc. , think on these things. Phil 4:8. I sat there for twenty minutes and couldn't think of one thing. Now this passage is not hard to understand, but at that time I couldn't relate to it at all. I had no idea what to think that fit in any of these categories. It takes more than the reading to come to realization.

This and other reasons is why the Spirit is so nessasary. He has the ability to not just inform, but to transform. The mental assent, or lack thereof, is not the same as the impartation of truth into our lives. If it was we could just read till we get it, as it stands, it may be the parts that we think we do understand are wrong, and the domino effect gives us ever increasing error.

Back to our helper the Holy Spirit. I am sure he speaks english, but it doesn't appear to be his main tool for helping us out of darkness. He works by the spirit of man, that is the natural order of things. Spirit to spirit. This puts our exalted intellect on hold, subservient to the spirit of man. The revelation of truths are first realized in our spirit, and then we confirm that truth to our mind. In other words, we tell our minds what to think, and not the mind telling us what to think.

We first know on the inside, the spirit, of any truths. Back to the sad state of my mind. I had put this question to the Lord; what are you talking about? I don't see any good, nobel, pure, right, or lovely things. This was the truth as I saw it.

Somewhere deep inside me, weeks or months later, I'm not sure when. I gained understanding and illumination. It was my thought process itself that was wrong. To think the thoughts of God was to view circumstances in a different way. Where I was seeing ugly in the present, God was seeing purity in future. Where I would see dispare, God was seeing good posibility's. My view was from the earth and temporal, His view is eternal and from the heavens.

So I cast aside all the discontent, all the disapointment, all the disbelief, all the dispair, I dis'ed the dis's. I start looking through the eyes of faith at the posibilities, and I saw the good that God wanted for these circumstances, and for the people. This is the road to travel.


Look at Jesus, the people who came to him saw sickness, he saw healing. Anyone who tells you God uses sickness, has never seen Jesus. They were thinking death, Jesus saw life; ask the disciples. Lord carest thou not that we perish? When all they could see was the waves, Jesus saw the work yet to be done, and repuked the storm, and the disciples for there lack of faith.
Jairus with the girl unto death; then the report she was dead. Did it change what Jesus saw, he already said he would heal her. Did death make any difference, it's not over until God says it over, and Jesus raised her from the dead.

What about those bound by the devil, the lunatic, the possesed, the tormented, he set them all free. Jesus never let the devil stop the redeeming of man, or the love of God. What of the blind, the lame, the halt, and the deaf? He was the power of God to heal them all. This is the way to think the thoughts of God after Him. Here is where it has it finest hour, this mind of God. Jesus hung on a cross and became sin, to redeem man by life from the grave; because in the thinking of God it was honorable, and noble, pure and lovely. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul.

What are you Doing?

I love the story of Jonathan. Saul and six hundred of the men of Israel were resting under a pomegranate tree. Jonathan and his armor bearer went out and showed themselves to the Philistine army. Jonathan had said," the Lord will save by few or many. If they say to us, stay there till we come down to you, we will stay here. If they say, come up to us, we will go up, for the Lord has delivered them into our hands".

Now here is a man who found a sword in his hand, and God in his heart. He was eager to see the victory of the Lord. Any way the enemy choose, God would win the battle. They taunted and said, "come up and we'll teach you a lesson". Jonathan and his armor-bearer went up and slew 30 men, and the Lord sent a panic throughout the camp. When Saul and the other men finally arrived, the Philistines were in panic and confusion, slaying each other! I Samuel 14

I to had found a sword in my hand, the Word of God. I also went out to start a battle, against the devises of the devil against the church of the living God. The Lord was with me also, and healed and delivered His people from the snares of the devil. Upon reflection I was not an evangelist in the bible sense of the word. My focus was upon the church, not the lost. Although I worked with the lost at every opprotunity, and that was quite a few.

The Lord gave me the message of His compassion for the church, and the victory that is theirs. He has put in me a desire to see His work, and to know His ways. Above all to be in His presence, not just in faith, but in His Manifestation by the Spirit.

The Lord has moved on me to set his people free to worship him. To call on Him, to desire Him. I ask you, if you were a drinking man, would you go to a non-alcohol, fruit-punch bar? If you were starved would you eat one or two hordures. If you couldn't think because of hunger, would you just pass it off. The church of Jesus is starving for the meat of the word, and thristing for the refreshing of the Spirit.

Why then do I Blog? To make someone thristy, to make someone hungry. To make someone desire the presence of the Lord. To make you and me unsatisfied with what we have done, with what we know. To know God like I know myself. To hear his voice, to see his acts, to know his thoughts. To fathom his love. Why wait, this is the time, this is the day, tell the leaders. We want more of God. Leave our comfort zone and press in beyond where we've been.

Not more teaching, more of His power. Now I'm going to go beyond the "normal experience". There is in this day a move of God. A move of unusual manifestations, laughter, great joy, running, people falling under the power, mute preaching, and other manifestations. I'm sure you have heard of these. In places like Toronto, Pensacola, London, andMinneapolis just to name a few.

These are the foolish things that God has used to confound the wise. Let's take a closer look. The manifestations are within a local body of believers. There is relative safety and little scrunity by the world at large. They edify the body of Christ, no one that has been hit by the joy of the Lord will have a hard time living for God. Once you are slain by the power of God, you have no fear of man.

These are training and teaching tools of the Spirit. The purpose is "to be led by the Spirit". God is using the simple things to teach us the way the Spirit speaks to us, in these demonstrations. Once we are yielded to Him and understand how to respond, the Lord can use us in other circumstances, perhaps someones salvation, or healing, of deliverance. When the whole church is yielded with understanding, there will be "great joy in the city's". And all people will glorify God.

Run to the Battle

At a time in the late 70's I was vacationing in Sacramento, Ca. I was staying with some catholic friends. We were invited to a home fellowship and prayer meeting. This was around the time of the charismatic movement in the catholic church. The gifts of the Spirit, and praying in the spirit were accepted and practiced. At this meeting the Lord revealed by his gifts the condition of ten or twelve people, and healed each one.

There was a broken bone in one's neck. Another had been born in pain and was to that day still in pain. The Lord gave an explanation of what had happened, and instantly healed her. She had always though it to be her fault, she was in her 60's at the time. You cannot imagine the joy she had, knowing it wasn't her fault, and that she would never have that pain again. Relieved of false guilt, and pain, the Lord does thorough work. These are just two examples.

This display of love and power of the grace of God changed my course. I would no longer be content with any thing other than be a willing vessel for the Lord to work through. I then went back home to Michigan and put everything I had need of in the car. Gave away, or sold everything else and went back to California. If God saw fit to use me, then I would see that I was available.

There is a saying around christian seminary circles; some are called, some are sent, others just up and went. I am in the last bunch, I just up and went. The disciples ran into a bunch like me. They told Jesus that others were preaching the kindom, and healing the sick in his name, and the disciples told them to stop. Jesus told them not to stop them, they were working with them.

No one asked me to come, no church sent me, no one called for me, but the Lord proved himself more than enough to keep me. I love the scripture of Paul: "I resovled to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified". And, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power".

I put that on my card. For the next few years, I traveled up and down, and side to side, throughout northern California, Oregon, and Nevada. There ended up being 7 different denominations of churchs that had opened the doors for me to minister. There was never a time when I didn't have a open door to minister. The Lord would give me favor in whatever city I ended up in, and He always honored his word, with healing, and gift's of the Spirit, and provision.

I was abundantly supplied, and never sleep on the street, nor missed a meal. His favor would often be on the pastor, and I stayed with them. At times it was hard to leave them, and I would return as often as I could. There were several of these special people of God. One brother, who was a pastor and good friend is a funny story.

While I was staying with him at his house, at night a demon came walking into my room. I rebuked him, and commanded him to leave this house and not return in the name of Jesus. The next day at breakfast I asked if he knew anything of this. He said yes he had seen this demon walking around in the house before. I told him it would not be back, I had commanded it to leave and not come back, in the name of Jesus. At this he said, so that's why the babysitter has left. His babysitter was from India, and had a demon, her room was across the hallway. I had to ask why he never had it leave. His reply was, "The first church I had was in the swamps, and usually no one ever showed up, except for evil spirits and wild animals. So I would preach to them".

There is authority in the name of Jesus, of things in the heavens, in the earth, and under the earth!! He has disarmed them though the resurrection from the dead. He has given us, the church, authority to use His name.

After traveling and ministring for a couple of years, I was in Oreagon. I came upon a meeting of different church's and ministers. They invited me to stay a few days, it was a sort of camp meeting. These people were the result of an organization for ordaining ministers, and this was the organizations annual meeting. They were all pentecostal preachers that the founder had ordained. After a couple days the founder asked me if I would join and be ordained. He said sense you are doing the work of the Lord, it is to benefit you, a support of the spirit and not to constrain your works. I was honored and was ordained.

The story of this man is amazing. When he was young he was in a logging accident, and was drowned and was under water for 45 minutes. When he was brought up a christian old lady prayed fervently, and would not be stopped in intercession for his life. The Lord answered and brough him back to life. He could no longer work, for the awe of his fellow workers. They wanted to hear about his story. And so he became a preacher, and later he was directed to start this fellowship for ordaining those the Lord provided. When I meet him he was in his 70's, and when you mentioned Jesus, and told of his works, this man would light up and go to shouting. That's the Jesus I know!

The Faith Healer

In this piece I am asking for a clearer look into the division of the church over the doctrine of healing. I have already stated that I have been used of the Lord to minister healing. As a further example, I give you this:

While living in Arlington, Texas, a lady sought me out. I never found out how she knew I believed in a healing Jesus. I had no position with any church, although I did attend a certain church. She told me of her 4yr old son, Rocky. He was at the air force hospital in Fort Worth. They ran tests and had diagnosed a brain tumor, and toxics in his blood system. She ask me if I would pray for him. The doctor's couldn't do anything for him.

I told her I will not only pray for him, but that the Lord would heal him. She and I went immediately to the hospital. She took me to his room and introduced me to him. I simply told him that I was there to pray to God for him, and he would be healed and feel better and get will.

This was just a 4yr old boy, I don't know if he understood anything I said. The only reason I said anything to him was to make him comfortable with my prayer, and not cause fear or confusion. I didn't know what tests the doctors had put him through. I am sure to a small boy they were frightening and uncomfortable, and probably painful. His mother was there to assure him it was okay. I placed my hand upon him and I simply asked the Lord to heal him, and I thanked him for the name of Jesus, in whom is all goodness and mercy.

The week after this the lady sought me out again, and thanked me for going. Her son Rocky was at home and had been released from the hospital. There was no longer any trace of either the tumor or toxics. What a great God!


Now I ask you, in which did God get glory, in his sickness, or in his healing. Do you think that lady rejoiced more in sickness, or in healing. To this day she will boast in the healing mercy of God, and the power of the name of Jesus! Is he partial, or have favorites, isn't it true he is good to all. What then, was I gifted, no I have need of the grace of God also. How then can it be.

God answers faith, this lady sought me out because she thought me a man of God. The same as the people in Jesus day. Of him it is said, he healed all who came to him. It is still the same Jesus, only now he lives in me. You see, there is a healer living in me, he still answers faith, and he is the one that does the work by the Holy Spirit.

As I posted earlier, the sacrifice that brings life also brings healing. You received life by faith, and everything else is also by faith. If you are a christian, healing belongs to you, and it's recieved by faith, this is verified in scripture. What does it mean God answers faith?

Those who come to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. If you come on his terms, he will answer. Jesus is the author and finisher of all faith, including healing. If you have a problem with that, ask the Lord for his wisdom to see where you missed it, for we all stumble in many ways. Whatever you can believe, God can achieve!!

A Step in the Right Direction

In my previous posts I've told of my beginnings in God. The purpose is not to make something of myself. I know the things I have been shown, and the things I have done. There is a cry of the spirit of most christians to know, and to do the will of God. To be the vessels of His glory that God desires. The recording of my walk is to encourage others to step out in faith. To give encouragement to others that we are all ministers of the grace of God. Ambassadors for Christ.

I received great encouragement this morning. The pastor, Dr. Brian Wingenroth, at http://www.fhbaptist.org was speaking of when Jesus went out to the disciples on the water. There reaction was one of fear, thinking they were seeing a ghost. Jesus called to them "fear not, it is I". Insightfully he asked us; what do you see in the dark! Do you see Ghosts? When you are in the dark, and in a conflict, that is not a ghost to fear that you see. It is the Lord.

This puts a new light on situations. The Lord has promised to be with us even to the end of the age. We are never in a place were the Lord will fail us. Didn't Paul say we are more than conquerors through Chist?

I remember as I started to read and grasp the salvation I had received. The Lord would direct people across my path that were in need of the very thing I had read. If I would read of testimonies of drug addicts who were set free. I would run into people with that problem. Armed with the knowledge of how the Lord had worked in others. I was able to help them to see salvation and deliverance in the Lord.

The angels of the Lord will cause people to come in contact with you. God is working to save all who are in bondage to sin. If God can count on you to minister the gospel in love and in truth, he will surely send them to you. It was to the point of if I picked up a testimony of God's grace, I would ask myself if I could handle people with this problem!

Not all will be from God. There is also those who oppose you. The Lord will prosper you in your ministry, and you will bear fruit. We also in time past were in bondage to sin and death. Remember the weigh of it being lifted off of you? We have been in confusion, and defeat, and dispair. Was there any comfort or help, could broken dreams, and broken hearts be mended? Thank God for his grace in Christ.

This is our calling and work, to reach the few or many. To give them life for death, healing for sickness, hope for dispair. Purpose for confusion, and above all, the love of God, for the guilt of sin. What a glorious task and joy. To see people reconciled (united) to God. At the same time feeling and knowing the love and joy in our hearts of the Lord.

We don't need a special calling, I can assure you I have none. All we need is in there, in Christ, who we have received. Let the love of God for the lost and dying well up in you, and put your hand to the plow. Working with God is addicting, your joy will overflow and your heart will rejoice. And God will be Glorified.

Learning from Politicians

The president has embarked on a mission. By setting forth a plan and following up with a campaign trip he has effectively captured the attention of the USA. His plan involves the populace as a whole, and parts of it specifically. The 50's and younger adults. The part I find fascinating is that there appears to be a deadline of sorts, that comes to the front in 2018, and comes to a head in 2042.

My point of view, as a believer, is that one or both of these dates may be after the Lord's return for his church. If this is so, then we can expect a dramatic change in the consiousness of the church. The church will have to be equiped and mobilized to bring the Gospel message to the masses of people still unreached. It would seem that the Spirit will bring this about in His season.

It looks like that season is fast approaching. It is a great display of politics and a good model for the evangelization of the world. We can see the model in action. If our message is, "the Lord may return before Social Security runs out", would we have the same interest in our agenda? However we view the Pesidents plan, we know the Lord's plan to have a glorious church. I think we are real close to the unveiling of His agenda and equiping!

They Will Speak With New Tongues

I love this gift. I call it my inspirational channel. At anytime I can switch from natural thinking to the realm of the Spirit, and the things of God. By simply voicing the flow of utterance of the Spirit within me, not knowing the meaning, but speaking the sound thereof.

You say no way; I tell you God is always speaking in me, for He said: out of your belly (your intermost being) shall flow rivers of living waters. Again; with joy shall they draw out of the well of salvation. I know when this flow is opened the joy of the Lord swells up within me.

I have gotten drunk on the Spirit of God. I know that I get higher on God, than anyone can on alcohol.
I have seen people totally passout. I've seen others take off running, and more spin around like a top. There have been hoots, and holloring, laughter, and singing, and yelling. I tell you when God lit's you up, you will know it is Him.

Why would he do that, does it suprise you that God enjoys us, and loves to show his pleasure to us for simply obeying and believing Him? What father doesn't enjoy playing with his children? The gift is for all believers, speak forth the sounds you percieve in you spirit, God will help and encourage you.

You must initiate your voice, God will not make you speak. As it says in scripture;" they" all spoke in tongues and glorified God. Speak forth in faith that God will catch your words and translate then into the desires He has for you. Make a joyful noise, unto the Lord. Yes it is foolishness to your mind, tell your mind not to listen, this is between you and God. Then you will be conscious of the Spirit within you. He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. If you pray in the spirit driving down the road, be sure not to speed, it seems the foot and spirit connect!

There are many manifestations of God through this gift. I have received enlightenment in puzzling situations, received revelation. Ministered healing, recieved words of encouragement, perceived the directions of God. Above all I have sweet fellowship, and an intimate relationship! Doesn't that sound good to you? Is it, and Paul said; I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all! He knew what he was talking about!

It's All In There, part 2

Another issue of confusion is the gifts of the Spirit. Paul in the letter to the Corinthians gives us this message. "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength". God chose to use a gift that totally confounds the wise, one of a list of nine manifestations of the Spirit. The gift of Tongues.

The Lord has entreated us to call upon Him with the promise to; show us great and wondrous things that we know not.

In my new walk with the Lord I would ask for wisdom and revelation into the scripture. One night while sleeping I had a dream. In this dream I and a friend were walking down a street in a small town, talking as we went. He was talking of the things in the store windows, and I was talking of the awesome heavens. It was at night and I could see the stars clearly, and a large number. Suddenly the stars started swirling and as I looked I saw stars form a cross. They started to decend and I could sense the Lords presence. I started to praise and give thanks to the Lord, for it seemed that I was witnessing the Lord's return. As I was rejoicing with all my heart, my ears fell upon my words. Thou I was speaking I was no longer speaking english, but a language that I didn't know, nor had ever heard. Yet it was flowing from within me to glorify God, and to give him praise.

I then awoke and could still feel the presence of the Lord, and the joy in expressing my praise in that foreign language. The memory was achored in my mind. I had no understanding of what I said, but I knew what it was, it was thankgiving and praise. It was not a deception, it was not an illusion, it was not just me, it was me giving voice to the utterance of the Spirit who lives in me.

At this time in my life I had no teaching on these things. I didn't know anyone who had any idea of any gifts. I am not the smartest guy, but I know if you want to bake a cake, you go to a baker, not a butcher. So I searched for a church were this was understood, and encouraged, and practiced. It wasn't all that common, I found a church that included it in there doctrine. I visited with the pastor, and he received me, and encouraged me to attend the church.

So that wednesday I did, there was a young man who had seen me with the pastor the day before and had heard our conversation. He came to me and asked if I would join him and others in a prayer meeting before church started. So I went with him to a room that was for small children. I've never seen chairs that small.

There were around twenty young people, we all knelt on the floor, and began praying. I hadn't been to a lot of prayer meetings. It was very quiet, everyone in private conversation with the Lord. I knelt and listened for a minute or two. Then I decided the reason I was there was to praise the Lord. I threw my hands up, my head back, and with all my heart let out the loudest noises and incoherent language I had ever heard. I prayed in this manner for a full half-hour. I never heard a peep out of any one else, I think I put them in shock.

It was a large church and I had to traverse several hallways back to the auditorium. As I went everyone that I passed started rejoicing in heavenly languages as they came in contact with me. Talk about power transfer, I was lit up.

After this I found teachers anointed by God to instruct me and to help me work with the Spirit, with understanding. One was Kenneth Hagin, who is now with the Lord, but has left a collection of teaching, and wisdom in print. The majority on faith and healing, and gifts of the Spirit.

The Lord has shown me many things, and manifested His purpose by this gift. It is to build up the believer as Paul said; I would that you all spoke in tongues. It is available to all who believe, that you may recieve from God. You do not know what to pray for, nor how to pray for it, but by the gift of tongues, the Spirit makes intersession according to the will of God.

It's All In There

This is my start of walking with God. I went with a childhood friend to a Billy Graham meeting at the Silverdome, the then home of the Detroit Lions. My friend had joined the Army as I had, and was a gunner on a helicopter. He had commited himself to a mental institution for recurring nightmares, and was staying with me for the weekend.

Back to the crusade, I had read Jesus say; If you confess me before men, I will confess you before the father. So to make sure I covered that I made a public confession in the presence, and with, several thousand other people. My friend did as well. As a side note, he never had another nightmare, and was released from the Sanitarium the next week fully recovered.

Now I've a mystery to declare: a secret that was hidden by God in ages past.

It's Christ in you, the hope of glory!

There is a new life living in me, this life is full of power and love and wisdom. I hardly recognize myself. I am full of love for people I don't even know. I understand thing about life that used to puzzle me. I have power with God for healings and miracles, and wonders.

The fear of life and death had been replaced with confidence and hope. The injurys of wounds of the soul were replaced with compassion and understanding. All questions of purpose and meaning were resolved in my place with God. All burdens of guilt and wrong, were absolved forever. I was full of joy, peace, and hope; and this was the gift of this new life.

I now have the power of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit living in me. I am more than conqueror in all situations. The wisdom, power, and love of God lives in me. I only realize in part what that means. As it is said; line upon line, precept upon precept. That it's from faith to faith, from glory to glory. We grow in the knowledge and love of God.

From the start I would pray for people to be healed, as my friend was, and God would always honor my prayer and heal. See, I was full of the love of God and there was no questioning if He loved others enough to heal, of COURSE He does. I had no religious training to stop God.

As I've noted elsewhere I question Higher Learning for that and other issues. I have the Holy Spirit to lead me and guide me into all truth. What do I need to check with man for? I'm to "be led by the Spirit". No one can tell me God won't heal, I already know better. No one can tell me God only heals when it fits His purpose, it is His purpose!

It's to late to straighten me out with Theology, I've had God heal the ignorant, the heathen, and even strangers in gas stations. I have shaken peoples hands and immediately known of pains and injurys, deaf ears, emotional truma, and other things, by the Spirit within me, and God healed them all. At other times He would reveal things in other ways.

He is a compassionate God, and delights in mercy. Have we never read; it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance.

Here is something for believers to consider; if you can find a professor of medical data and diseases, he can verify that there are exactly 39 classifications of infirmity to man. How many stripes did Jesus recieve, 40-1, exactly 39. Just as the cross put away sin, it put away infirmity and sickness of all man.

As recorded in Isaiah, and put in the past tense in Peter; by His wounds you have been healed. You may not have been taught this, but the same sacrifice that purchased your life, purchased your healing. It doesn't matter who believes or doesn't, it is the eternal word of God, and on that alone will I stake my life. Let God be true, and all man liars.

All the promises in Jesus are, yes and amen (so be it). They are recieved by faith, first you believe, then you receive. As it says, as you received Christ, so walk in Him. Show you believe Him. For example, the issue of healing; start saying, by His wounds I have been healed. In God the spoken word brings the evidence. If you don't know that consider Abram; God taught him to call himself Abraham (father of nations), and see that God honors words. How can two walk together except they be agreed! Start saying about yourself what God says.

Consider your own salvation; Romans 10:8. "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord": and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says,"Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

Here I Go

It has taken me some time to consider why this Blog. In my first post I relayed that the leaders of the Church had in ignorance ran ahead of God's best. In their zeal to be of service to God, they in large numbers turned to Insitutions of Theology. This was an honest attempt to help man by gaining the best education that they could. Thereby being able to answer all inquirers, by intelligent reasoning.

This blog is to be a record of the way I learned, and what I've learned. I was raised as the youngest of three children, by a godly mother, and grandmother. My father was a hard working provider, who didn't accept the Lord until latter in life. Gratefully I was allow to play a small part in his conversion.

My most vivid early memory is the first day of school. My mother, brother, and sister, and I walked to the school together. I was then placed in a classroom, after looking around for awhile, I walked out and returned home. My mother asked what I was doing home, I said: "I don't need that". I lost the argument and had to return. I never lost that reasoning, that if I wanted to learn something I could. Not by rote but by experience and selected study, and experiment.

I had only slight interest in God, more questions than answers. In my teens I joined the Army, and was Honorably discharged. Found the right girl, got married. Found it was the wrong girl, got divorced. Ouch, that hurt! So much for being smart and discerning. At this point in my life I had become disillusioned with relationships, schools, careers ( definitely not the Army ). In other words, what's the point.

It appeared to be working for some people, at least it looked that way, why not for me. I reasoned there had to be something I had missed, some class I didn't take. I didn't read the instructions right, and where were the instructions? So I decided to do a search for instructions. Surely there had to be something to God, and there I started my search.

I read large portions of scripture, of both the new and old testament. It appeared to me that nobody had ever explained what it meant. This man Jesus was amazing. He healed, he taught, he had command of all situations. He outsmarted his opponents with wisdom. He knew what he was doing, knew who he was, and knew where he was going. His words had power and heaven itself proved him true in manifesting what he said. Wheather a streached out arm, a blind man to see, those with different diseases, healed, even the dead brought back to life.

No one had ever told me this was the true manifestation of God. Could it be that God cared! Could it be that Jesus is God in the flesh doing the eternal will (read works) of God? So I considered, what reason would God have to lie to me. It seems to me that He could just ignore mankind if we displease Him. Given His power to light the heavens, He could just wipe us all away with a breath if He wanted. Instead He gave a record, a heavenly blog, of His love in allowing man to kill the Son of God, to overcome death, by raising him from the dead, so man may have life in God. So that by Him, the Son, we could be reconciled (read joined) to God!

At this time in my life I was very aware of empty promises, so I did more indepth searchs looking in as many areas as I could think up. I saw the issue of faith as the final transaction to seal the deal as provided by God. Meaning if I would commit to the testimony God gave concerning his Son. That He is the Savior of man and the eternal Son of God. Then upon my confession I would be saved (read united to God). I wouldn't know until I commited, only after, that is the faith agreement God honors.

So I did, and God proved Himself alive in me. When you get right down to it God committed first in supplying His Son, so that who so ever will may come. This is the start of the adventures of walking with the Lord. More next time.

A New Way

In my younger days I remember a social dogma whenever debates were started: we don't discuss Politics or Religion. It's evident that this has gone by the wayside in politics. With the past election, and all the contradictory statements, I for one am glad for the widespread interest and documentation and discussion.

We have a much better understanding by the sheer size of information available. We also have many excellent analyst and insightful journalist online to give a variety of opinions and advise. The web, with the interaction and ability to amass huge documentation has made information more reliable. The large numbers of people who can give their experience and wit is to the benifit of us all.

This is important to inable us to make wise decisions and to support important ideas. To know the difference between folly and fact. The politicical arena is in the forefront now, and will probably be even more so in the days to come. There are weighty proposals to be considered, and great debates to be made to enlighten the populace to these issues.

As a result of these things God has been in focus, either blamed or credited by man depending on there position on several issues. The War on Terror, the Election, the Agenda, the Mandate, the Cause of Liberty, and so on. This is good for understanding the differences between people of mixed beliefs.

This is a quote from: JohnStuart Mill, On Liberty; complete work at, http://www.bartleby.com/25/2/2.html

Complete liberty of contradicting and disproving our opinion, is the very condition which justifies us in assuming its truth for purposes of action; and on no other terms can a being with human faculties have any rational assurance of being right.

This is an appropriate time to delve into understanding the truth about God. So we may be able to view with assurance the meaning and problems that confront man. Being made to look in a more eternal and heavenly view. Not filtered through our own prejudices and bias and plans.

The Prosperity Gospel

It is about time that we learned that God is not stingy! We have given credit to servanthood, humility, selflessness (what ever that is ) and a row of other virtues. Which is all good and well.
Now we have preachers telling us that God actually want's to reward us, what next, the Rapture? Why are we so slow to believe in the goodness of God? We have songs about God owning the silver and gold, and all the earth being His. What is wrong with a Father giving gifts to His children, even Gates does that!

Can we learn at all from history? In the history of God's chosen, the Israel nation came to power thru King David, and had rest from there enemy's. The next Kingship was Solomon. Who's kingdom surpassed in wisdom and prosperity all the nations of the World. From the beginning of time, to the end of time. As was supplied by God. The Chistian God is the Same God. He still want's to prosper His people.

Yet we can hardly believe that a preacher would tell us that; his theology is wrong, he's not one of us, we're suffering for the Lord. No, your suffering a brain disorder! Think straight! If God is for us, why would he give money to the heathen? Do you think He has a brain disorder?

I have seen a little discussion on Joel Osteen, and I looked at some reports. There is a lot of people who would be better off listening, instead of criticizing! You might even learn something. Does God have to be hard, or have our preachers made it so. He said my yoke is easy! Does it have to be a deep, hard, involved and difficult process? Thus the saying, a little child shall lead them. Then my prayer is Lord help me to be like a child!

Congrations on the New Birth Iraq

I have always been amazed at the reception a New Born gets from everyone. Total strangers and everyone around takes their turn to look and to laugh and to make indiscernable sounds. The joy of a New Born Nation is this day the joy of the world. It is a time for celebrating in the hope of what this Child well become. I think also of the hopes of the people of this nation, and those of all reasonable nations of the earth. It will take tender care and nourishment. A child needs a protector, and tutor, and encouragement. That is the responsibility of the kinsmen, of whom is all of mankind. It can take many years, and many tears, but the end will be worth it when it reaches maturity, and can stand on it own.

I have never seen a New Born rejected, laughed at, ridiculed or denied attention. The affection and care are it's necessary diet. Understanding and Patience are it staples, to grow, to learn, and to grasp wisdom. This is the duty and delight of the Nations to supply.

There is a great article and reminder at this site: title, An Accounting,
Matt May , hope you enjoy it as I have.