Bryans Nonsense

What are you After

2007-12-28T12:21:00.000-05:00

Imagine That

2007-10-30T21:28:00.000-05:00

I found a quote that should be on everyone's refrigerator.

"Faith is not believing God can; it's knowing God will" Ben Stein

I would venture to say most of the church is hesitant to move out of their comfort zone. To move out where only God can come to their rescue. Like laying on of hands for a healing. To speak out in prophesy. To share the fullness of the Holy Spirit, with signs, and wonders following.

What a sad state of affairs. There are vast numbers of christians who have never witnessed a miracle. Not the babes, but people who have been in the Lord for years and years. Even the ones who believe in the full gospel of healing, deliverance, and the gifts of the Spirit.

The TV programs that come from huge ministeries are watered down. And if you can find one that lets God be God, please let me know! Is the Lord not moving, or not healing, or not setting people free? Of course He is, but it's not in the public view.

Here is a racial faith. You be the one to bring in the miracles. You heal the sick, and deliverance to the captives. You start your own ministry of the impossible. Our Lord loves to do the impossible, then He get's the glory, and not the wisdom of man. It will require you to look the fool for Christ. To step out with nothing to hold you up but the Word of the Lord. This is faith: "knowing that God will". It's not a wish and a hope. It's a settled fact in your spirit. Pray till it is, and stay in the fight till you win.

Doesn't it say that we "always are triumphant in Christ". Do you believe it; do you know it! Then do it. It's nice that we have ministers to encourage us, to teach us, and to impart their gifts into our lives. But how about growing up and feeding ourselves. How about praying until you get ahold of God. Till you know the voice of the Spirit. Get the goods yourself and pass them out to all who will receive.

Isn't it Christ living in you hoping to reveal His glory through you to the whole world? Yes. Aren't you blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Then get into the spirit and bring, drag, pull, wrestle, and stir, the heavens with your prayers until you can be that mature christian who lacks nothing. And is ready to whip, destroy, pull down, and overcome all the devil has to throw at people.

It's Jesus who said to ask. It's the Lord who said to seek. It's the King of Glory who told you to knock. Obey Him you Man of War. "Those that know God shall be strong and DO exploits. "Faith is knowing the Lord will DO all that He said". "You may ask me for anything, and I will do it, that the Father be Glorified in the Son".

Faith is not Enough

2007-10-26T22:44:00.000-05:00

First we have been confessing the word of God. Forming a renewed mind that thinks in line with the Word. We have used our mind to cast down falsehood. We have understanding into the ways of God. And yet we have not gotten a full victory in every area of our lives. What's up with that?

Faith is not enough!!

Faith has to have accompaning Works. Faith is the action taken on the word. The action on the word is the proof of faith. And by it the manifestation. With-out the manifestation the word is not complete. Or to put it another way. Is dead!

You can love Jesus, go to church, pay tithes, and sing like a bird. That's all good but, to grow in faith you need the word to manifest in your life. I know of whole church's who do all these things, and don't know the moving of the Spirit from a pep rally at a football game! To them it looks the same.

We must become familiar with the Spirit. To do this you must pray in the spirit. Yes, to pray in "other tongues". Sound like foolishness, or like a emotional frenzy? Well, it's not a pep rally. It's a God given, God blessed, God energized, God moving, God revealing, God ordained gift from the Almighty, to all believers, everywhere, for all time, in all nations, in all ages, till Jesus comes.

If this makes you think that it's just a passing fad, an emotional error, or "these who know nothing of the law" and are being mislead. Then you are spiritually blind. Just who is man to tell God how to do things. God's ways are too wonderful for man. But the children, the babes, they will know God and his leading. In God not the greatest receive grace, but the humble, the least, the lowly, and the outcast. These will gladly obey God and be greatly used and blessed.

By praying in the spirit, they will understand the moving of God and do exploits. They will receive revelation about the times and seasons. The gifts of God will be open to them. The work and the word of God will prosper in their life. The blessing of the Lord will be upon them and all men shall see the goodness of God over their comings and going.

Be one of them! You are chosen in Christ. You are filled with his Spirit. You are the "royal prieshood". You are His body, His beloved, His chosen. Be what you are! All things are your's, and all Christ is, He is in you. You come behind in nothing. Be the vessel that God said you are, and show forth the Glory of God in your life!

How to Think

2006-10-06T11:41:00.000-05:00

"To be carnally minded is death, to be spiritually minded is life".

This is simple enough to understand. But to live this way is to train ourselves in all cases, and at all times, to walk in the truth as set forth in the word.

When we are weak; "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me".

When we are sick; "by His stripes we were healed".

When we are in lack; "My God shall supply all my need according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus".

When we don't see; "the Lord is a light unto my path".

When we would fear; "we have been given the Spirit of power, and love, and self discipline".

Years ago there were in the christian bookstores little "promise boxs", these had scripture for spirit, soul, and body. From your inner life to walking in the presence of God. From your concept of yourself to your concept of God.

These are great for helping to train your spirit to agree with God. I came across a valuable quote:

"faith is not opposed to knowledge, but to sight".

The knowledge of God's thought's toward us are to bring us to faith in the Word of God.

Jesus stated two errors to the scribes: not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

If we train ourselves to know what the Word says, then we will experience the power of God.

On the one error we will have greatly advanced. The "knowing of the power of God" will be a result of our worship of Him. The greatest thing in our lives is not to do or know or walk according to God. But to love and know and fellowship and worship our Father.

Then we will be mature and stable and complete.

I'm not who I was

2006-10-04T22:09:00.000-05:00

I'm tired of preachers, authors, sermonizers, and people who lack knowledge telling me who I am. The natural man doesn't know the things of the Spirit.

I am born of God, a being not of this world.

I have the nature, essence, spirit, character, and love of my Father.

I live, abide, and display the fullness of Christ who is my life.

My life is to do the will of my Father.

My inclination is to do good.

My joy is to love.

His words to me are live and powerful.

His thoughts to me are to do me good.

His heart is to bring me to complete maturity.

The way is by faith.

The life is by grace.

The blessings are Yes, and Amen.

Can someone believe.

Can someone learn.

Can someone know.

See that the way of God is higher than the way of man.

See that the salvation is complete.

See that the end is sure.

Call those things that be not as though they were.

Walk in the things of heaven.

Glory in God who has by His own will has accomplished so great a salvation.

The things I love

2006-08-16T22:11:00.000-05:00

The treasures of the kingdom of God are great. There are several things in God that are especially delightful to me. One, the presence of the Lord, both in my own soul and in the fellowship with other believers. I don't mean some vague thing, but the very power of His love and might. The deep stiring and great joy, the moving and bubbling forth of the Spirit in my intermost being. This salvation of being born of God is more than my mind or language could express. But I have the rejoicing and worship in my spirit. I love that I can feel God working in me by the Spirit. The sighs, the groaning, the welling up of love to tears. The joy springing up into laughter and songs. The power of His healing balm, the faith to believe all things are possible, and to rejoice in victory over all evil.

I would have been enough for me to be forgiven. To be assigned a place to work for God as a servant. I would have been gratful just to have been admitted to be allowed in His Kingdom. But Oh!, what a Great God we have. As the prodical son I have been made His son, His very own! He has lavished His love upon me and I am now His. How can the heart ever express the overwhelming joy? What act can I do to express my gratitude? My mind can't fathom the blessing that God has bestowed upon me. If I act a little emotional now don't think me strange. It would be stranger if I didn't! Besides, if you think I get carried away now, wait until you see me in Glory! As Paul said, "if I am beside myself it is unto God, if I am in my right mind it is for you".

Do whatever he tells you

2006-08-15T20:55:00.000-05:00

In John's gospel we have the account of the wedding at Cana in Galilee.

When the wine was gone, Jesus's mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." His mother said to the servints, "Do whatever he tells you." John 2:3

Here we have the disciples, mary, and Jesus, along with many guest at a wedding feast. An occasion of joy and celebration. This is a normal activity for all of us as the song says, "love and marriage go together as a horse and carriage".

In looking at this, I would say that the disciples, and Jesus himself were aware that there was no more wine. But that fact alone didn't involve Jesus. As we can see from His question, "why do you involve me?" This shows us that need in itself doesn't move the Lord. It takes a petition (prayer) of faith. Mary asked of Jesus, and expected his answer to provide. As she then told the servants to "do whatever he tells you".

There are many points to this short narrative, such as, the petition was not for herself, but on behalf of the wedding party. It was not a critical situation, nor a matter of life and death. One lesson we could draw from this is the willingness of the Lord to be involved in the hum-drum everyday activity of our lives. Another could be to remind us to talk with the Lord about situations we find ourselves in to see what he would say for us to do. A third could be to not focus on only those things that are for our own benefit, but for the needs of others. There are a number of other lessons as well. With this in mind I want to focus on another point.

"Do whatever he tells you". In the commission to the disciples we have the mandate to "make disciples, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you". Matthew 28:18-20. The clear lesson of "do whatever he tells you" is a willing, loving, trusting obedience to the whole of the word of God. It is the first place to start in our walk with the Lord. It is not a intellectual agreement, many of the things that the Lord commands go against our thoughts and mind set. We will not think that the word of the Lord is reasonable. I ask you, is it reasonable to fill jars with water and serve it as wine? Of course not. If the Lord spoke such things in the days of His flesh, do we think that He's more inclined to do things our way today? Of course not?

We operate with limited knowledge, his is limitless. Jesus was constantly challenging the thinking of the disciples. Expanding on there knowledge. It is the same for us. Also it was not just the thoughts, but the actions on His word that He desired. It is of no effect to have the right idea, with no action. For example "love your enemies, do good to those who abuse you". Or "do not worry, take no though for your life. Consider the lilly's of the valley". These and many more commands are contary to the natural mind. I ask you, have you been a blessing to those who oppose you. Do you bless the guy in the car that cut you off? What about your heathen neighbor? Are you worried about something, the bills, the children, the world? It is one thing to talk it, but be honest with yourself, do you walk it?

Well you can, if God said it, then he will perform it in you. That is the goal of the word, to transform us into the image of Christ. To make us living epistles. But it is not according to your thoughs, but as the word and the Spirit transform us. How many things in the word do you discount or ignore or change to suit our idea of what we think God said? Can you claim some knowledge of how God ought to do things? He has hid the eternal things for the humble and the lowly. For those who are "babes" he has ordained praise. He has chosen the foolish to confound the wise, the lowly, and the things that are not, to bring to naught the things that are.

Let's say you've examined yourself, and to your knowledge you are quick to obey all that you know the Lord has commanded to do. Good for you. But we need to be open to further instruction in the word. That is why there are the ministry gifts, the anointing for pastors, teachers, etc. If we have the "amen" in our spirit to do all that the Lord would command, then we are on our way to the deeper things of God.

This is the lesson that Peter learned; "never the less, at your word I will let down the net for a catch." The result was more fish than the vessels could hold. This is the lesson of Saul on the road with his encounter with Jesus; "Lord, what would you have me to do?" This then is to be our FIRST RESPONSE. "Lord, what would you have me to do?" Then; "Do whatever he tells you!"

Unlimited Power and Ability

2006-04-30T18:16:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the movie Aladdin? The Gene makes a comment about his awesome ability and then his tiny little home (the lamp). I want to use this as an allegory to God and His way of providing for the church. We all know the manifest power of God displayed through-out the universe. No one questions the amount of power and wisdom in use to light the heavens. It is evident to all, even heathens. This is a sampling of the awesome-ness of the Creator God. As far as man can see and beyond God has displayed His ability.

So at this point we all agree; God is capable of doing, making, or performing great and mighty works. These works all testify to His Majesty.

Now we come to a remarkable discovery. This Creator God has made a way for the least of His people to make a demand on His awesome power. This is more remarkable than a lamp with a Gene. This is the truth of God. And God Himself has made this way, and not man. But there is ONLY ONE WAY. The tiny little opening into the unlimited ability of God.

This way is Jesus the Christ; the resurrected Lord and savior of all men. Known to His chosen church. Revealed by the Holy Spirit. And living with-in the hearts of those who have put there faith and trust in Him. These are now children of God and accepted by the wisdom of God brought forth in His salvation by His dear Son, Jesus.

This is the way; by the faith of God that is in Christ. This faith is the product of the Spirit of God. The essence of God. This is the faith that Jesus spoke of in His declarations of the "Kingdom of God". By this living faith deposited with-in His body the church. The same Spirit that was in and with Jesus in manifesting the signs, wonders, and miracles through-out His ministry. This is the testimony that is the signature of God in verifing the Glorifcation of Jesus to the right hand of God. To the position of all things being made subject to Him. Investing in the name of Jesus all authority and power to us-ward who believe.

This is the good news; that God in grace through Jesus has extended to us all His resources by faith; and by faith alone. By this I mean the faith of Christ. Not a mental assent or a mind set, but an absolute certainty settled in the spirit of any man to the truth of God. For example; this is the way you were saved. Having begun in Christ this way, we are instructed to continue to walk in this way, the way of from faith to faith, and from glory to glory, and strength to strength.

We all agreed on the last point about the power of God. Can you also now believe that it's available to all of us with-in the body of Christ, the church. Can we grasp that God wants to display His grace and love and goodness to us and through us to destroy ALL the works of the devil. From the least to the greatest. From all the wiles and plagues of man. This is a God fact, and reported by all the Apostles in all the writtings of scripture. All things are possible, only believe. And to him that believeth all things are possible. It is Christ in you the hope of Glory.

What then do we need? Nothing, it is all provided in Christ Jesus. What we lack is understanding of what has already been provided for us in Christ. Men sell vitamins with the claim that; "It's in there". The truth is what-ever we could ever need from now until eternity has been given to us already in Christ. Of a truth in Christ; "It's in there". Forever, Amen.

I want to dedicate this post to my good friends that I've meet on the net. Thank you all for your encouragement and kind words. You are appreciated. Be Blessed. Be Filled with the Spirit. Be Strong in the Lord.

The Good Life

2006-01-12T12:36:00.000-05:00

In the world there are many man made religions. Then there are many who have taken a part of the revelation of Jesus. The ideas of man, incorporating the words of God, to come up with a mixed up knowledge. Even as the serpent did with Eve. But be assured of this, there is one true God. He's the one who backs up His own Word.

Allow me to discribe Him, though I have only seen a part of Him. He's the one with love that compels Him to move on behalf of the plight of man. He's the one with salvation and healing for all man. He's the one who causes the works of the enemy to turn out for my good. He's the one who walks with me, and talks with me. He directs my path, and leads me into pleasant places. His thoughts toward me are good, and He takes joy in blessing me. He places me in fruitful and meaningful life, His very own life.

He's my comfort, my joy, my peace, and love of my life. He keeps me day and night. I have no worries, no problems, no struggles that He that lives in me doesn't overcome. I have entered into His rest, and I am safe. My life has been one of peace, and joy, and victory for the last 30yrs.

These words may sound strange to many. But to me, any-thing other than this goodness of God, is strange indeed! Look and see who you are following. If it's Jesus then this report should be your's as well. As He said; "in this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer (rejoice, be happy, don't worry), for I have overcome the world." A lot of people stop at tribulation, don't, go on to the end of the text, and enter into victory. Get into the "overcoming" and see the salvation of the Lord. He has promised it, and He will perform it!

I Don't Get It

2006-01-08T21:03:00.000-05:00

This is a probing question to me. Has anyone ever read the Bible? It is cleary stated that the "Word of God is Truth". Is that right? Then why don't christians go by "the Word"? Do we have to follow in the steps of rebellious Israel? They had prophets speak forth the "word of God", and were chased about as liars, and false teachers. Today is no different.

If someone is sick, instead of the truth "with His stripes you were healed", people want me to pray that God gives the doctors wisdom, or the right medication. What happened to "the word of God is life, and health to all your flesh". My prayer would be that the eyes of there blind heart be enlighten, that they might know the exceeding greatness of the power of God to-ward them, to loose them from the viles of the devil. The "Word" is the right medicine. Not what some man put together in a laboratory. Do you realize that all man's medicine is "poison"? It's a poison that is supposed to kill some things (what ever is ailing you), and not at the same time end your life!

Then again we lament the lack of power to witness and be better disciples of the Lord. To have more success and influence in the affairs of our city's and world. But we won't accept the gift of the Spirit, because "what is this foolishness, are they drunk". It doesn't appear to have any purpose. It doesn't fit into "let all things we done decently and in order". First you have to "let all things be done"! Then worry about order.

First you have to have the power of the Spirit to get the witness of God with power. Then you'll have the success He brings. He added 5000 in His first message, can you do that? It says "they were pricked in there hearts". This is the work of God, not men. Man can't touch the heart, only God the Spirit.

Then there is the intimate relation we want with the Lord. This too is by the "gift of the Spirit". We are not capible of grasping the Awesomeness of God through the faculty's of the mind or body. But only as the Spirit reveals Him to us. Didn't Jesus say, "He will take of mine and make it known unto you"?

And another thing is the lack of faith. How can you recieve with-out faith? I was in a service where there was a good message. Sincere and with pure motives. But it was to no avail. Why. There was no faith that God was there to move and prove and do the word that came forth. If a preacher said to me; "the Lord bless you". I will stand there and praise and rejoice in God until that blessing comes. I will thank God for sending me His blessing, with my whole heart, I will magnify God until I see the manifestation, or until I have the witness in my spirit that it is NOW MINE.

This is the way to treat the "Word of God", either in the Bible or by the voice of one of His servants. "The word of God is alive, and powerful." God watches over His word to PERFORM it. What-ever is preached to me is to be food for me, to be life in me, to strengthen and equip me, for the work of the Lord. So if God said it, then I'll expect it, NOW.

The Beguiling Sepent

2006-01-06T11:33:00.000-05:00

In the conversation with Eve, the devil got her to look. To see with her eyes, to be led by the sight.

Then the devil got her to reason, after seeing it was good, then she reasoned indeed it would be good to be wise and know good from evil.

Then the devil added one word to what God had said; the word was "NOT". "You shall NOT die; but God had said, "You shall die". The devil hasn't changed; and neither has God.

To be led by God is to ignore what you can see. Faith looks at the unseen, that is promised in God's word. Faith looks at the word, and says, Amen. I see it in the word, and that settles it, it's truth, and it's God's promise to me! The Word is enough, it (the word) is the evidence that I recieve for the things yet unseen, and the proof that it is mine. You can't recieve any-other way. For "my just shall live by faith". The eyes and ears and ability of the body to perceive the physical realm can't be used in the realm of the spirit. The same senses that profit you in the earth, will stop your progress in the spirit. You can't use these or rely on them. They will decieve you, for they are contary to the spirit. As in Eve, they are misleading and cause for missing God's plan. Don't go by what you can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell.

To be led by God is to ignore what you can reason out or discover by thought. The word of God comes to us by "REVELATION". Only the Spirit can give you the understanding of His word. The Spirit gives us a "knowing" in us, then we can train the mind in truth. The spirit with-in is the candle of the Lord, and He lights our spirit with His truth, and then we see truth. Consider how you came to the Lord and it will be plain to you. This is how you started in Christ, and also how you are to life in Christ. By this method you were saved, and come to completion. Reason will not take you there, but will mislead you. If your relying on your mind, you will not find the "tree of life". Knowledge is not life, life will bring "true knowledge". In the garden God told the man about all the tree's including these two. Then He told him, "you mayest eat". So eat the word, meditate, chew, ingest, inhale, imagine, and by every way drink of the word. Place yourself in the stories and characters of the Old and New Testament. Use every-thing as a picture of yourself in these settings. Open your heart to deep and full experiences, involve all the things that you did as a child, and allow the word to become real and alive in you.

The last way to be misled is to "add to or take away" one word of God. The record of God's word stands as is. If you buy a car "as is", if something is wrong you are responsible to correct it. The word of God is "as is", if you have accepted salvation from God by the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole of His word to you is "as is", God Himself is responsible for His word. And He will be responsible to it, and to do and accomplish it. But if you "add or take away", then it is not His word but yours, and you are on your own to reap your own harvest.

So look at you life and see where you are, is life springing up all around you, with goodness and prosperity, and joy and peace? If not then we are being mislead. Go to the 23 Psalm and see your life. Then go to the 1st Psalm and see your life. Then go to the 91st Psalm and see some more of your life. Hold these and others in your heart, meditate and assimulate the word of God into you. And you will see what God will do.

Real Good News

2006-01-03T12:40:00.000-05:00

The Gospel's give the record of Jesus who is the word of God. His manner of life was in the preaching and demonstrating the truth of God. Who God accredited as his servant by signs, miracles, and wonders among the people. The same Jesus is exalted above the heavens in His resurrection from the dead. And given authority over all the works of God.

Of Him it is said; "Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever." This testifies to the on-going work of Christ Jesus through the vessel of His church. Not a different Jesus, but the same, now exalted. This is why He said; "those who believe in me, will do the same works that I do, and greater works than these shall they do, because I go to the Father".

In this we see two things; first, the Lord expects the work of destroying the works of the devil to continue to the end of this age; second, He has commissioned His church to carry out this work. What is this work? The same that Jesus was anointed for; "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, becuse he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Someone might say, "yes, but that was Him." Don't we realize that as many as recieve Him are one with Him. In other words, we two become one, in life, in purpose, and as He is "the anointed one", so is He in us to guarantee us his victory. He has not left it up to the wisdom of man, or mans devices or knowledge. He himself has come into us to ensure the victory. This is the Holy Spirit from God, the Spirit of Christ. To make it simple, it is Jesus own Spirit poured forth from the throne of grace.

In the preaching of the gospel I see a great error. Where knowledge is preached from the word, the children die. Where faith is preached from the word, the children live! There is this difference, one produces death, the other life! How can this be? The word is spirit and life, if it is believed, recieved, and acted upon. The letter of the word is death. Doesn't this agree with Paul? Yes, in the way you look at the word, either in faith, or in doubt and mental reasoning. Trying to make it fit into your present situation and pet doctrine.

Many people looked at the word of God, and called Him a devil, enchanter, and socerer. They were not looking for truth, but to justify there own selfs. Man could not then or now see what he is looking at, but by the Spirit. The only way to see is by faith. You have to trust that God is good and a rewarder of those who seek him. You have to believe His word regardless of what you think, or have been taught. Either His word is true, and all men liars, or He is a liar. We can't have it both ways. If you exalt your own thoughts over God's, then you are calling Him a liar. If you exalt His words over your own understanding, and ideas, even if you don't know what they mean, then you can be assured that God will bring that word to pass.

We who are called by the name of Jesus should be zealous for the word of God. If we say we love Jesus, then we love His words. If we say we will submit to Him, then we have to recieve His words. If we trust Him, then we trust He has told us the truth, and will demonstrate it in our lifes. For the "preaching of the gospel", not "the teaching", is with power and demonstration of the Spirit to the truth. By it we are saved, healed, and delivered. In Him we have recieved new life, the very life of God. How then could be swallow any teaching, idea, or limit on the complete and self-suffiency of the total revelation we have in God's word? What He has said is the truth. And it stands forever.

A New Identity

2005-12-28T13:04:00.000-05:00

It's true, you are not the person that you were. If you have been "born again" by the Spirit of God, through the person and work of Jesus. This is a God fact, witnessed in us by the Spirit. Everyone who is God's knows this, and those without the life do not understand the things of God. So what is now our Identity?

Let's start with our beginning of this "new life" in the death of Jesus. This is our roots. We were in Him (Jesus) in the cross. Just as we were "in Adam", in his loins. For by Adam we all have obtained our natural life as mankind.

Even so we were in Jesus, in "the loins of the Spirit", and now have recieved His life. We were placed there by God. Who calls things that are not as though they were. As Paul said; "I am crucified with Christ". This crucifixion has already taken place in the cross of Jesus. We have been crucified, it's over. This is the start of our "new life". "Except a grain of wheat fall to the ground and die, it abides alone. But if it die, it brings forth much fruit." This grain is Jesus, and we are the fruit.

So we have died to the old man, the natural man. And are now the "sons of God" through Christ resurrection. For just as we died with Him, so now we live by Him in His resurrection life. All things are new and all things are of God.

What does this Identity look like? Well, for starters let's re-read Isiah 53:5. And place our name in the word, this is right, for God Himself placed us in Christ.

"He was wounded for Pete's transgressions. He was bruised for Pete's iniquity, and with His stripes Pete was healed."

This is truth. The whole testimony of the Word of God is to be applied personally to our life. We are now the "children of God". Our Identity is not what we think it is; It is what God said it is according to His word.

God has declared that He changes not. And of Jesus; the same yesterday, today, and forever. This means that the word of God is the same in our day. The word is eternal it has neither beginning or end, as God has no beginning or end. The word is a stone that crushes all opposing ideas. The mind of God has declared His certainty, and it shall stand. When-ever we set our mind on an idea that is not God's, we are in error. And life only comes from God's word. The result of false teaching is weakness confusion, sickness, and every evil thing. But in Christ we have been given His victory. And if we will be taught and corrected we will see the truth, and the truth will set you free. If you want to know if you are following truth, see if you are free. A tree is known by it's fruit.

These are strong words, but we have a vicious enemy that is trying to steal, kill, and destroy. I am confident that the strong-holds in our minds will be torn down if we will recieve "the word with meekness", for we all are missing it in a measure. This is why Paul prayed that the inner man be strenghtened with might, and that the eyes of our understanding (mind) be enlightened. Then we will walk in victory, and share that with the "body of Christ" to which we are all joined.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free, let's walk in all that He purchased.

It is Finished

2005-12-19T12:44:00.000-05:00

The cry of the Spirit. It is finished. The work is all done. All that remains is for you to believe and recieve. God has sent His Word (Jesus) and healed them. He has removed all obstacles. He has conquered all foes. There is nothing left to be done. The way is open, and the way is faith. Just believe the report, and you will recieve.

Jesus took every sin, every sickeness and disease, and all the hordes of hell upon His own body, so that in His death He would bring liberty to life, by the resurrection from the grave. You that are saved. You died with Jesus in his death, that the powers of sin and the consequences of that such as oppression or sickness are robbed of any hold on you. You are dead, just as surely as Jesus died. And you are now alive in a new life, the resurrection life of Jesus. All old things are passed away. The things pertaining to the old man of Adam. Now all things to you are new and are of God.

Life, liberty, freedom, joy, power, mercy, and grace. God has no sickness, no confusion, no evil, no lack. Complete victory. Do you realize this? You are healed, you are free, you are a son of God, you have the victory. This is a God fact shown forth in the new testament of the blood of Jesus. We enter into this "good land" by faith. By simply believing the report. It's finished, recieve the good new and be healed. Spiritually, physically, and in the redeeming of the soul.For Jesus obtained victory for us. Nothing is with-held from you, it is all yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. All His answers are Yes! Yes! Yes!, and Amen.

Don't wait until you get to heaven to enjoy and partake of the Lord's victory. It is for now as well as for-ever. You are saved, you are healed, you are free from the efforts of the devil. You are to reign in life by Christ. Don't be bull-headed, believe in the work and power of God to produce his word in you, and go free.

Set of the Mind

2005-12-16T12:16:00.000-05:00

In the past before coming to Christ we had only the natural life of a man. The life of a natural man consists of the things that he hopes will bring him joy and peace and a good life. In all of his efforts there is the dream that he will find the satisfaction of life. To an extent, depending on his labor and persistence to the goal, he gains a degree of fulfillment. He has learned how to cope with the set-backs and trials and misfortunes of his existence. This could be sumed up with; "I did the best I could with what I had". And men say, bravo!

This shows a dream, a vision, an inward knowing that life is supposed to be grand and fulfilling. This is the spirit of man crying out for freedom, and expression, and purpose. All men have this for God has "placed eternity in the heart". So all men are in a dilemma, they can see what is good, but how to obtain it is not in them. So men go on striving, and working, and laboring. Redoubling their efforts and altering the plans, and trying new ways. All of this is in the past experiences of those who have now come to Christ.

This becomes the "set of the mind". The experiences of life form our out-look on the things that have not yet happened, by what has already happened. Example; going for a job interview. If in the past you have been turned down for a similiar job, you will not have much hope or enthusiasm for this interview, this will show in the upcoming dialog and you will again be rejected. Why? Because of a preconcieved "set of your mind".

So in Christ we have to break the previous "set of the mind" to see the truth of God. Is this so? Yes, those who in the past were prone to sickness will easily accept the suffering of Job, the affilictions of the Hall of Faith, and so forth. Because in their minds they can idenify with this. In other words, they are reading "their mind" into the scripture. And so they say, Amen.

Like-wise a person who was healed by the touch of the virtue of the Lord will relate to the woman with the issue of blood, or one of the many others healed that are recorded in scripture. The point is to see the truth clearly; we have to drop all of our preconceived ideas. Whether or not we can relate to truth, does not change that it is the truth. This is always the challenge. To come to the Lord with an open spirit of the mind. To consider that we need to look at old things (things we think we understand) in new ways.

This is not possible with out the help of the Spirit. To give up our thoughts is to become vulnerable. We become subject to change, and open to blame. The fact is we have all missed it in many areas. There is error taught to us from the time we are born. We now hold these errors as the gospel truth. If a lie is told often enough it is reinforced in our minds, until we think that it's truth. Then we will defend it as though our very existence depended on the error.

In the world we learned failure, defeat, and weakness. These are not found in the "new creature" that is in Christ. God knows no defeat, no lack, no weakness, no limit, no failure, no flustration. There is no deficiency, in thought, in strength, or in deed. No defect, no shortage, no end. This is the "set of the mind" that we are to have. "The mind set on the spirit is life and peace". Let us learn our lesson well.

The Joy Full Life

2005-11-30T11:05:00.000-05:00

Some think it's a hard life being a believer! Some have only gone far enough to be bothered, and not far enough to be blessed, and happy. Thinking that if we go on with God that in some way we will "miss out" on the pleasure of being alive. No one could possibly think that they know more about the future of the world than God. We don't have that kind of knowledge. Have we been brainwashed into thinking that God is out to destroy us or has a evil plan for our life? I would hope not.

Then we can joyfully accept our daily walk with gladness. We have committed our way unto the Lord. Surely He will lead us every day in the way of His chosing. He will be pleased to give us His presence and joy. Why would we chose any other way? So then we are to be a thankful people, and delight in our life in the Lord, no matter where He leads us. Or to stay put where He places us. The love of the Father is seeking to bless us, and those around us, through us. What could be better? "The kingdom of God is righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit." This is a life of joy, and fruitfulness, abounding in the good things of God.

Having addressed a wrong attitude, I would like to address a limited faith. It's recorded in Heb 4:2

"For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest,"

Why would we limit God's work in us and for us by our stubborn wills? Here we have God's promise of rest by believing the fulness of the gospel. Look at Israel, God provided deliverance, then food and water, there were no sick or infirm, their cloths didn't wear out, they lived in His glory. Then they conquered the promise land, and gained houses and lands that they didn't build. And became the greatest nation on the face of the earth, and all kingdoms brought there treasures into her. Doesn't this sound like a good God. Well He not also prosper everthing that He causes us to put our hand to? Of course!

Israel is a shadow of the church, a type. We have the reality in Christ that Israel fore-shadowed. We have the greater glory of the Son of God by the Spirit in us. What we can see of the blessings to Israel is also the will of God to the Church. To bring her to reflect and show-forth the glory of the Son. This is the rest of God, that God Himself supplies our every need. And causes us to walk in the victory that was obtained for us in Christ Jesus. No worries, no trouble that God in us can't conquer. While we enjoy His presence.

Consider Jesus; he was full of wisdom, and he chose the Father's will in the crucifixion. Why? He knew that the Father's plan would develope him to his highest achievement, the Savior of all men. What a lofty goal! And for this God has exalted him to the highest place. Don't we like to be around those who bring out the very best in us? Such is the nature of God. To cause us to live life to our fullest potential, and God knows what our limit's are, and what is a realistic goal for each of us.

And how is this done exactly. By the word. And through those who take the word and combine it with faith, and bring forth fruit. "The word of God is alive and active and powerful." All that is needed is the word of faith in our hearts and in our mouths to bring to pass the things that God has given in the Son. God in us uses our mouth and hands, and feet to accomplish His purposes in the earth. But we must be yielded and willing to believe that nothing is impossible with God. And that God is pleased to show Himself strong on our behalf. "To them that believe all things are possible." So let's put aside all our reservations about the good plans of God toward us, and with faith embrace the walk into the things that God uses to develope and change us into the image of His Son. Anything else is a waste of the life that God has for us.

Credibility

2005-11-23T12:28:00.000-05:00

In our life we make decisions based on the evidence of reliability. If we hire a electrician or plumber we look at his other works, or credientals that show us the qualifications of the person. In this way we eliminate the headaches of lost time and money. It would be foolish to hire anyone with-out checking to see what kind of work they are capable of doing. We wouldn't be so dumb as to hire someone only on there word. Seeing that it is necessary with the temporal things of life, how much more with the eternal things. Think about that with regard to the gospel.

Paul said the Gospel is not in word, but in power. Do we have a example of this? In a discussion with Jesus, he made this statement;

"The Father has sent me, and if I do not the works of God, then believe me not. But if I do the works, and you can't believe me, believe the works that you might be saved."

Wow! If I say, "the Spirit of Christ is in me, then I must do the works of Christ." Do you see that? It's not enough to speak the words, they must be accompanied by the works. Do we have the same Spirit? Do we have the same Jesus? Do we have the same gospel? Then we also must have the same manifestations! It is not an option. It is the word of God, and the work of God, being testified to by the power of God. Other-wise they have no works to judge whether or not we are from God.

What an invitation to our faith. This is to open our eyes to see the willingness and power and favor we have with our Father. That He is eager to prove that we are indeed His children. And even more, that He will glorify the name of Jesus, by who we stand in this grace. Also that the world might see the goodness of God through our preaching and testimony and Works. "If I do not the works of God, then believe me not." If Jesus said no works, no faith. Then we can see that our gospel has to be in the power of the Spirit. How can the lost be saved with-out seeing the works? They cannot, and according to this, neither should they!

This is not a word to diligent study, or to more striving. But a word to draw us into a deeper faith in God. To pray, to yield, to wait, and to earnestly seek His presence and power in our every-day lives. Would God tell us one thing that He cannot enable us for? No, a thousand times no. Every word of God is empowered by God. To those who believe. Are we not believers, yes.

Then the works that Jesus did, we shall also do, and greater works, because He ever liveth to intercede on our behalf. He is the high-priest of our confession. If we confess "the Spirit of Christ is in me, and I do the works of Christ." Then God will delight in giving us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to cause others to know that God is with us. In what ever way and form that is the chosing of the Spirit, God will be manifest before the eyes of those to whom we minister. "But if I do the works, and you can't believe me, believe the works that you might be saved." All this is the will of God. Even as Jesus pleased the Father.

So let's take off the shackles of our thinking, and allow our spirits to soar like the eagle. To go to new heights, to see things by the spirit. To bring to the earth the wonders of the power of the love that God has toward man. To exalt Christ Jesus in the working of the Spirit. "To them that believe, all things are possible."

The Word of God

2005-11-20T19:02:00.000-05:00

A lot of activity and teaching and works of men are just a bunch of chasing after the tail. So I'm writing this to show the fallacy of all this effort. I want to eliminate all the stress and headache and discouragement. I have good news for you.

It's impossible for you to do the word of God! Jesus said; "of myself I can do nothing." Again "what is IMPOSSIBLE with man, is possible with God." From these and others we learn one lesson. There is nothing with-in the nature of man that can produce one word of God. Not one promise, not one jot or tittle. Nothing. If Jesus said he couldn't then rest assured that you cannot either!

What then does this mean. Abraham is called the father of faith, not of works, not of effort, not of understanding, but of faith. What is this faith? Only this; that what God has said He is also able to perform. Not that we can perform, or can do anything to accomplish one word of God's will. But God Himself will perform it and bring it to pass. This is what God commended Abraham for; he believed God's word and gave glory to God that He was also faithful and able to perform it.

We can read from Genesis to the last word of Revelation. In the whole record, there is not one word that we can do. It has to be God doing all His word. It doesn't matter if you are a new born, or a veteran of many years, every thing is the outcome of the working of God. Yes, we have gained victories, but those by God. Yes, we have grown in understanding and wisdom of God, but that also is by God. Yes, we have obtained calling and gifts, and everyone in these can tell you they are the working of God.

Even more we have begun in the Spirit of God, and now are we trying to perfect this in the flesh. Paul wrote about the foolishness of this. But in our age the efforts of man are placed on a pedestal, and we honor those who strive with great effort of mind and strength after the flesh. This has no place in the work of the word of God.

But there is a striving after the Spirit. A renewing of the believer by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in us in Christ. To make it simple; by honoring God and giving Him the praise and glory for working in us His word by His good pleasure. Not by works we have done or not done, but by His grace and gifts bestowed on us in Christ, for Jesus sake.

So this is the whole duty of the believer; to hear the word of God, and to believe that what He has promised and said; He also will bring it to pass in our life, and in the world, and in the ages to come. That nothing can be added to it or taken from it; and that God will not share His glory.

So let us draw near to God and praise His mighty works that He has accomplish in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us give Him the glory for the great things He has done, and continues to work in His children and in the earth. Let us acknowledge that He alone is our bread of life and we watch and listen for His every word, and yield to His Spirit as He works and moves and accomplishes the Fathers commands in us. With grateful hearts and sincere faith in the goodness and willingness and generousness of our loving Father. He said it; He'll do it. And all will give Him the glory!

The Charismatic Church

2005-11-10T19:17:00.000-05:00

The Lord gives gifts that are freely accepted by those who are poor in sprit. The poor in spirit is the one who has come to know that there in nothing good in himself, with out any value, and so he depends on God. Men want to reason out what there minds cannot understand. God's gifts do not and will not enhance the soul of man. The soul consists of the will, mind, and emotions.

The Lord takes the spirit of man as the vessel of his choice and use. The purpose is so that man will always and forever have to draw from the life in God. "Apart from me you can do nothing." Yes man can do many things, but they have "nothing of eternal value or life". They are as nothing. There is no reasoning in the spirit, only intitution, conscience, and perception (knowing). Neither can the soul produce the life of God.

The mind may understand the meaning of the words, but lacks the ability to produce the effect. Consider; "You shall love the Lord your God". The reason understands, but only by the spirit can you do this with truth. For it is born of the spirit within and not the will of man to obey. The Lord lives in man by the spirit. "a new spirit will I give you,.. and will put my Spirit within you." God is spirit. Not mind or thought or reason; these are of the soul. When we are saved we are conscience of the Lord in our spirit.

We have our beginning in this realm, not the mental realm, or the emotional, or even in the realm of our will. It is senseless to think that we could now change directions. We will not find God in our mind. Or in the flesh. The way of God is by the spirit, only. If we want to find more revelation of Him, we will have to learn to follow the spirit. We will have to put off the soul with it's reasonings. We'll have to subdue all our strivings, and efforts, and good works. The soul must be put into subjection to the spirit where the Lord alone is the source of everything. As it says, "you shall have no other gods before me".

This simply means the way of faith, hope, and love. The invisible is not seen then believed, it is believed and then seen. God is invisible with-in us, we have not seen Him, but we can fellowship in the darkness with Him. For to Him darkness is the same as light and by our spirit we will receive the inspiration and illumination that we need in our walk.

All of the things of God will be recieved in this same way. In our darkness we will see light, and know the way that the Lord in our spirit is directing us. The gifts and calling of our life is with-in us. In God who rules and reigns in the hearts of His people. Learn to follow the still small voice with-in, and walk there-in. Cease from all our own enterprises, wheather good or bad, and be still, "and know that I am God".

So away with you scholars, and you learned and highly educated. The wise and the prudent. Do you not know, and have you not seen that the Lord has made the wisdom of this world foolishness. Will you now explain God to the ignorant? Are you so wise as to understand how one can be raised from the dead. By what theory? By what power? Explain to me the virgin birth, surely you know. Do the laws of your science and knowledge have this answer? If not, then be quiet. Learn from God. And then you will have something to say.

You despise prophesy, and tongues, and the gifts of healing, and of power. You would discourage those who through humble hearts are walking and hearing from God. You point out faults, and errors, as though you would do better! Come then and take upon you this servant yoke and see how you fare, or are you to wise for this, God knows. But these you distain will exceed you. These will grow in grace and the knowledge of God. There hearts will be the prized possession of the Lord of Glory. And if you touch them you will be rebuked by the Lord, for they are the delight of His heart. So become a fool for Christ, so that you may become wise in God.

God's Solution

2005-10-31T11:13:00.000-05:00

This world has many ideas of what is needed. Men think if we learn enough, or work enough. If we take the best of everything that is with-in the realm of man. Then put it to good use then we will have improved and eliminate all the things that plague man. Sorry, it won't work. By the efforts of man we have come to this place in which we are now living. It doesn't appear to me that it works at all. There is more distress now than ever. More plagues, more fears, more threats, more chaos.

There is a solution and only one and it's of God. The answer to every question, the answer to every need. The triumph over every plague, and fear, and threat, and perplexity. The only answer is; Jesus. And Jesus is always the answer. There is no other answer period. Sickness; the answer is Jesus. Not doctors, nor medical research. God said; "I am the Lord that healeth thee." There is no other healer. Doctors are used of God as his hands of mercy does the healing. Ask any doctor if he can heal! If he's an honest man, he'll say definately not.

In Jesus, God has deposited the fullness of the God-head. With all authority in heaven and in the earth. He is the answer to all things, for by Him they were created and have there substance. He does not give the answeres, He is the answer. His own being becomes our answer. For He will not share His glory, He is the glory.

Take healing for example. When a person is healed, it's the person of Jesus coming into the flesh of man to remove the sickness. It is the virtue of His person. Isn't He called the quickening Spirit? He doesn't give healing, He is healing. The same in all of life. As it says, "in Him we live and move and have our being." Not apart from Him, but "in Him, and Him in us."

So here is the verdict from God; "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear you Him." God is not pleased to do or say or act apart from His Son. Only in Him, and always by Him. God has given us all things pertaining to life and Godlyness in His Son. "IN" His Son. Only, always, forever. Jesus is the way. The very person, presence, and power of Him whom we have recieved.

If we ask anything of God, He will say, have you considered my Son? Then the Lord will open to us the revelation of the Son and show us how that need (what-ever-it-be) is met in Christ. All wisdom, all knowledge, all power, all honor and glory, belong to Him. They are in Him, and He is in us.

The Nature of the Father

2005-10-26T19:46:00.000-05:00

"The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin."

This is the record that God gave of himself. In the heart of believers God wants this truth to be the anchor for the soul. We can't come to God in confidence if we have not this revelation. There are those who have painted a very different picture of God. When we were in the world we were God haters. Being lawless, and lost. Now that we are in Christ, we need to look at the true nature of God. We see that the world hates Him with-out a cause or reason. But we have to renew our minds to the truth.

"thou Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee."

Those who have this in there soul are awake to the blessing of the love of their Father. The ones who are instant in prayer, who are confident in troubles, and are not moved from the truth by the wiles of the devil. These have put their trust and hopes in the living God. The light of the world dwells in them to display His goodness, and to show them His life and glory. They are taught of the Lord and in him is their strength. They worship God in spirit and truth, and delight in His presence, and put no confidence in the flesh.

"in this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him; herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Different ones at times have majored on minors. The justice of God is only for the unbelievers, who refuse the love of God in the face of Jesus. It's the goodness of God that leads to repentance. We cannot rewrite the truth. The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy. God's delight is to be merciful, and that all would come to repentance. The gospel is good news. Today is the day of God's favor. The love of God is the motive and the reason. The church is the vehicle for His words and works. The message is "who-so-ever will may come and drink of the living waters." Let us make this the mark of our service and life. That we would manifest the love of God so that men may be saved. And above all know that God who spared not His own Son, will with Him freely give us all things.

God is not mad at man, He loves them and desires to help, to heal, and to save. Let's tell them the truth.

"the gospel of the grace of God."

The Measure of Your Life

2005-10-21T19:57:00.000-05:00

The Lord said, "according to your faith be it unto you." I was considering this fact. Your whole life will be always the result of your faith. Why some grow in the Lord and others don't can not be some arbitary reason. It's that those who have great experience and blessing are those who believed in the rewards of God. Some may disagree, but I ask you, what do you expect? The expectation of your life is the amount of faith you have in God.

Not that your way will be easy or trouble free, but that you will be victorious through it all because God is with you. There is no other standard. We know that God is good and impartial in bestowing his blessings. Of course we all will have different gifts and callings. But we can have God's fulness in our walk even if we are the least of the least.

My walk can have the same blessing of His presence as the Apostles. The same as Paul, or any of the great men of God, past or present. The difference is; what do I expect? According to my faith be it unto me. We know that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. Do we believe that we can know and walk in them? Of course, God's word is truth. So then the problem is with-in ourselves, or rather that we are depending on ourselves, when we ought to be looking to God. For it is God at work in us both to will, and to do His will.

By faith we can say that what-ever Jesus is, can be true of me. What-ever is His becomes ours. With His infinite resources at our disposal, more than that, His very presence in us to do His will. This is the gospel. "Not I but Christ who liveth in me." Can we doubt it, No. "My word shall never pass away." "My word shall accomplish that for which I sent it".

"My just shall life by faith". This takes on the whole of our life. It's by faith from start to finish. "From faith, to faith, and from glory to glory." Jesus asked a man; "believe that I am able to do this." Today He by the word and Spirit is asking us the same thing. His answer is the same; "according to your faith be it unto you." So let us rise up in this new life and say, Yes Lord, I know that you are able, and even more I know that you have answered. And I rest in you knowing by faith that the work is complete and you will manifest it in my life. Because this is your plan, and you have given me faith to know for a certainty you will finish it. "Your word is truth."

Show us the Father

2005-10-17T10:19:00.000-05:00

In my last post I pointed out the powerlessness of the religions of the world to prove there teachings. This is not to say they have no power, but limited and not of any help to man. As there were magicians in Pharaoh's court, and in Peter's day with Simeon. Even so today that spirit is still in the earth. This only exaltes the man, not of help to man, even though it may amaze some. These are counterfiets of the power of God. Who's gave of Himself to lift man back to sonship and fulfillment of God's original plan and purpose.

God has established a pattern for his work. He works by his word. Man is the only creature on the earth who can speak. The only one who can hear and comprehend what has been said. Man is the instrument of God's chosing to work through. That is the purpose for which he was made.

This is nothing new, and yet it is new. The bible was written by man! It was God at work in man. The story's of Enoch, or Noah. These were men to who God make Himself known. Abraham was a man to whom God made Himself known. All the people of the Old and New Testament, were real people like you and I. To whom God made Himself known. The thing that sets these apart from the others is, to whom God made Himself known.

Jesus said, "of myself I can do nothing". And; "what I see of the Father that I do, and what I hear I speak." Jesus followed the pattern. This is a great comfort and encouragement to me. Jesus was a man; to whom God made Himself known. Yes, He was and is the only begotten of God, but his ministry was that of a MAN. It had to be, it was the pattern of God. The word and works of God administered by a man. Didn't He call Himself, "the Son of Man?" Yes, so then the result is any man to whom God makes Himself known, has the right to speak and to do the works of God. Even more, for this purpose YOU WERE MADE. Isn't that right, "Christ in you, the hope of Glory".

So man is the instrument in the hands of God to speak forth what God has done, and will do according to His word. According to the pattern of God, Yes! It's the word of God in our hearts and in our speech and in our actions. The same as Jesus. "As He is, so are we in this world."

A lot of us have hang-ups about our qualifications. We suppose that God has better or more gifted or elouquent men. We think that the saints of old or the disciples were in some way more usefull. Wrong, God can't use human talent, or knowledge, or charisma. He uses the weak, the lowly, the foolish, and the humble. And reveals Himself to them, and they become spokesmen for the word of God, and hands through which He can do His work. Those who will become fools for Christ!

What then does this mean. We should be alive to God. We should be looking for God to speak to us, and to show us dreams and visions. Looking for God to reveal great and wonderous things that we know not of. We should walk knowing that we are God's instrument in the earth to bring in the lost, and to help those in need. We should know that the word of God will bring forth fruit.

Will He speak to us? Yes, you are in Christ. Will He work through us? Yes, you are in Christ. All the promises are yes, and amen. What-ever you have need of is already given in Christ. Jesus at the well in Samaria knew the womans history. And she believed. Jesus saw Nathaniel, and knew him to be with-out falsehood, and he believed. Jesus saw Simon and knew him and his father Jonas, and also knew his purpose and changed his name to Peter, and he believed. Jesus knew were the gold coin was, where the upper room was, where the donkey and fold were, that water would be wine, that five loafs of bread was enough. Besides all the healings, resurrections, deliverances, and teachings.

Don't you think we can show the Father, just like Jesus. Yes, the same Spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead is living in you and me. Doing the same works, testifing to the resurrection of Jesus. For this purpose you were made. How? By faith, trust in the Lord to give you what-ever you need to complete your task. To Peter the healing of the lame man at the gate. To Paul cloths taken from his body. To Phillip the casting out of devils. All these by the one and same Spirit that we have received. This is only the tip of the iceberg that we may believe. And believing we also may do the works of God by the Spirit.

Now What?

2005-10-13T22:01:00.000-05:00

I want to suppose a typical problem. Let's say you have a good friend. You have known this person for a couple years, either thought work or some social organization. This person knows your family, knows you're a christian. You have witnessed to this person the gospel as best as you can. You've been sincere and honest and open about the word of God. About the way of faith. And the goodness of God.

He/she has discussed all of these things with you, and has tried to grasp the truth. They understand your position on all of the benifits of being a christian. But they are not sure of the reality.

Now he/she has come to you and asked you "is there some way that you can show me that this is the truth, and not just a really good ideology, can I know it's real?

At this point the person's entire existence is in your hands. They have come to you for help. They have some confidence in you. And they are hoping that you can bring them to faith, the same faith that you have. If you can't then they may never look to the Lord again, this is the burden of the believer.

What do you do?

There is an answer, do you have it?

I might add. Other religions offer there followers joy and peace, and even a resurrection. Can you prove yours is the truth.

If not, don't try to be a missionary, or a minister.

And if you know, leave your answer in the comments so all can learn and be effective witnesses.

I will give my own answer in a couple of days if no-one else answers.

You ask what is this about? There are thousands of ministers, and thousands of missionairies. Millions of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. But as a whole we are not effective witnesses. If we were then the world would have already repented, and we would be on our way to glory with the Lord.

We have allowed deceiving religions to copy the truth. To the point that even promises are made that are only possible with God. And we haven't shown them to be false, by showing the true way of the living Lord.

This is my effort to put the truth to work and show that there is a difference. The Lord has made a way. He has never been taken by suprise, he knew from the beginning.

The Big Picture

2005-10-08T11:01:00.000-05:00

There are two kinds of people in this world. Only two, no more no less. Those who are born again of God through Jesus by the Holy Spirit, and those who are not. The one is dead to the world, and alive unto God. The other is dead to God, and is of this world which is passing away through the coruption that is in it by sin.

An interesting thing; those in Christ may think that they are a mixture of both. You are not. Your old life died, and you were given a new life. The life of Christ. This life is the nature, the spirit, and the inclinations of God. A holy life with the desires of pleasing God. Just like Jesus. In thought, in word, and in deed.

The trouble is we don't see who we are. We look at things from a reasoning stand-point. God declares us from an eternal stand-point. He knows what has been accomplished, and calls it done. We are to take His word for it, and by faith also to reckon it done. To take God's word for it and accept it by faith, and declare what God has said is so, the Amen in our heart. Not according to our reason, but by His word.

To obtain to the life we now have in Christ, we have to agree with God. We have to re-think ourselves to be what God says. It is not reasonable to think that a man can be one with the Father and Jesus by the Holy Spirit. But it is scriptual. To say anything else is a lie. Jesus said; "I and the Father are one." Again; "that you may be one with me". Not two, one in life, one in thought, and one in deeds. As in marriage, the two are one. You have your own identity and mind, but your thoughts and words and actions are submitted through your partner to see and be sure that he or she is in agreement.

In the churchs case, the will to be of service and pleasing to God is the formost thought in the minds of the people. All of our thoughts and words and action are submitted to the Father to see if they are approved and will bring forth fruit. Always with the willingness to change direction or stop. And to receive better instruction from God.

To walk in the fulness of the Lord we have to lose our view of things and look to the word to find out who we are and stop short-circuiting the work of God in our lives. In other words, get rid of our unbelief. Every-thing we could ever need for life and godliness has already been given. Hasn't God said; "I will walk in them, and be their God, and they shall be my people." Aren't we the temple of God? What does that mean? The all knowing, all powerful, every-where present God, is alive and living in me! In His fulness and wisdom and power.

The mind of man can not grasp the significance of this. But by faith I can confess that it is so. And by faith I can walk in the reality of this. And watch and look and listen to the promting of God with-in me. To give me direction, and wisdom, and power to defeat all my enemies. And to show me the wonder of this reality. That God is in me to reckoncile the world unto Himself. To carry forth the work that Jesus began in his body of flesh, and now in my body of flesh. That the world may see the manifestations of God, with signs, wonders, and miracles. These are the proofs that it is Jesus in me and that He has risen from the dead. And been exalted by God who has placed all things under His feet. So that men might seek Him and be saved.

The Sense of Faith

2005-10-03T10:25:00.000-05:00

The body of man has five senses with which to contact the physical realm. And two within him to contact the unseen realm, doubt and faith. The things of the world are all subject to the invisible realm. The reason is the things unseen are eternal. And by them the things that do appear were made.

The power of faith is that it allows us to grasp what is not yet seen and know that it is so. Just as by your eyes you can see a man in a red shirt. By faith you can see what is or will be even though your eyes would say "I see nothing".

As Paul said; "looking not at what is seen, but what is unseen". This faith is what "moves mountains". "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." If your eyes tell you that's a red shirt on a man, then the best arguer in the world could not convince you that wasn't so. You have the evidence of that sight in your mind and that's it, it's final. So with faith, when you get the evidence of the things hoped for in the picture of your soul, then you see it and know that you have it, it's final, and nobody can talk you out of it. And what is the substance that provided that? Your faith. The sense that knows and can see and understand the unseen.

Why this discussion on faith? You believe in Jesus, isn't that enought? Yes and No. God is a faith being, and produces after his kind, faith beings. "According to your faith be it unto you." This releases all the wisdom and power and life of God into your life. And; "without faith it is impossible to please God". I want to be pleasing to God, to develope in the faith.

"To them that believeth, all things are possible." We have been living far below what God intended. We have been tricked into believing that we are powerless and subject to the dictates of the world, and the circumstances of life. I've got news for you, THAT'S A LIE. If you were stranded on a mountain in a snow storm, if you have faith you'll be fine. If not you'll die, why? Spiritual law, fear or faith. As with Job; "what I had feared has come upon me". Fear is a magnet. Faith is a magnet. "The Lord will make a way". One is life one is death. We have the power to chose.

In the new birth into the kingdom of God, we were born again by faith. This faith is a gift of God, the very essence of God given to our spirit so that we may know the certainty of the things of God. Think of this; by faith we can obtain all the promises and the wisdom and blessing of God.

To show the practical use of faith let's consider this. Your life as it is now is the direct result of the things that you believed would be. Wheather for the good or for the bad. To change this you only need to change what you believe. We do this by the word of God, to conform to the will of God. The will of God for us is only good. "That we may know what is that pleasing, acceptable, and perfect will of God". In this we have a progression from the least to the greatest. When we are born of God we are pleasing to him. When we grow in the word, we are becoming more into His likeness and that is good and acceptable. When we mature and our will is molded into the will of the Father, then we are walking in the perfect will of God.

The spirit of man can be trained, just as we have schools to train the mind. The training of the spirit is the word of God. As we accept and drink from the word the power of that word will produce in our hearts the Amen. (the God said it, it is so). Then faith is of the heart and not the mind, it trancendes the mind, your mind might even disagree, but faith will hold to the truth of the word in your spirit. After we have come to this faith the Amen in our heart, then we can speak it forth and it will accomplish it's work, always. The Lord said; "if you believe, and not doubt, you shall have what-so-ever you sayeth".

Our problem is we have taken the word of men, and not the word of God. God said; "I am the Lord that healeth thee." Men say; your coming down with a disease. Who do you believe? Men say; "my father died of cancer, my sister died of cancer, so I'll have to watch for signs of cancer". The Lord says; "if you keep my word I will keep these diseases from you". Again, "they shall lay hands on the sick and the prayer of faith shall save them."

In the beginning of the church age all they had was the scripture. After a couple hundred years the church joined with the government of that day. Men were placed in the leadership and added false doctrines that put the church into darkness. These denied the power of God. Say all manner of falsehood to appease the nation, and make a man lead religion.

But God the Spirit is still the leader of the church to this day. And to this day all the scripture is the word of God, and not one word of it has failed, nor will ever fail. Neither can any take one word out of it, nor add one word to it. The same Holy Spirit that came at Penecost is still in charge and at work to show forth the finished work of Jesus. In the same great power and signs and wonders that always accompany Jesus's ministry. Any other, and it's not God's gospel. But the mere teachings of men, and the traditions of men who deny the power of God.

Looking unto Jesus

2005-09-24T20:32:00.000-05:00

In Psalms 71:1-4 we read;

In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

We are all aware of the Scripture; "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith". But have we really settled this into our spirit? This says that all the work that is necessary to give us victory over our enemies is already done. The work is complete in Christ. Every victory has been accomplished in Jesus. The same Jesus who now lives in us to be the power to enforce his victories in our life. A life with power over sin, the flesh, and the works of the devil.

The Lord has provided us with a life that knows no defeat, only constant victory. To be His vessels. To put the devil to flight. Let me make this a little plainer. Jesus is know to be the "Word of God". We know that the Word will never fail, nor pass away. And that it can't be added to or anything taken from it. So if Jesus is the finisher of our faith, then everything necessary has already been done. He is now seated awaiting for His enemies to be put down.

The gospel is the declaration of the complete ruin of the enemies of man, by the one man Jesus Christ. There are mysteries of God. I don't know the end of these things. But I am sure that there is total freedom in Christ. Freedom not as with men, but freedom from sin, the flesh, and the works of the devil. Real freedom. We aren't here to be a door mat for the world, but to be a brilliant light of true victory over all the things that plague the world. So that all men will be drawn to the light.

If this is so, then what is the problem? That we have taken our eyes off of Jesus. We have look to ourselves for the answers. We have a little of Jesus, but we want to figure all these other things out ourselves. If you don't believe that, let me ask you. Why are there christian doctors? As christians we know that it is God that heals not man, or their devices, or their knowledge and learning. Don't we know that the arm of flesh, the trust in man is worthless, of course.

So then we need to return to the Lord, the word. To seek after His commands, to walk in His ways, to rely only upon Him. This is radical christianity, to "have faith in God". Not in the wisdom of man, not in his strenght, or knowledge and learning. But to rely only on the Lord, this is a step that the leaders of Jesus day missed, and they were turned away for a season, so the Gentiles could be brought in. Today the churchs need to return to the Lord. And to seek His face, to look unto Jesus, and walk in his power by making Him the source of our every need, and giving Him the honor due Him. Then He will show us his victory in the word so that we by His Spirit may see (understand), and that our nakedness (helplessness) be covered with his righteousness (the Spirit working mightily in us).

Did you make a mistake?

2005-09-20T11:16:00.000-05:00

Lord, did you make a mistake in saving me? I am greatful that you have given me the life in Christ. I well remember the taking away of my burden of sin and guilt. The infilling of your sweet spirit, and the consciousness of you presence. I was removed from the vain way of life without you and placed into your kingdom.

But, I have seen your power to heal and deliver and save. I have moved in your compassion to help those in any affliction. You word has been my source of motivation. And this I have found; I am not able to do your will in my own strength. You have taught me faith, and by this I hold to your word.

This I have learned; my enemies are to strong for me. My own desires and natural mind and the interests that I have are deceiving me. The things I have seen in you, and the wisdom that you have are far from a reality in me. Yet, I know that this is what you have called me to. To view all the wonders of your love and then to look at my own life is a disapointment to me. The good that I would do, I don't, and the evil that I don't like I keep doing. Lord, deliver me out of all my own ways. The strenght to do this is only in you. The things that plauge me are of my own making, and I in myself have not the power to change.

I long for the days of your glory in me and the life you have given me. The plans and the purposes that you have for me are my hope. Yet, I in my impatience run off ahead of you. In my own devices and thoughts to try to work out my life in the "arm of the flesh". By my own power and knowledge, to fail again. How useless is the wisdom of man. And the heights of his strenght is folly. The councel of man is foolishness, and his plans a waste. When will I learn to lean on God. To wait for His direction and timing. To follow his plans, and not my own.

This only I know; what the Lord does is eternal, and nothing can be added to it. Lord show me the way that you have chosen for me, open my eyes to see, and my ear to hear. Inspire and direct me with the joy of your presence. And let me bring you glory and pleasure in chosing to save me. Turn all my mistakes into good, and let me live out the life that you have for me with joy and hope and cause me to be faithful to finish my course.

A New Day a New Way

2005-09-10T10:50:00.000-05:00

In our example of Paul, we have a mandate to both witness of the Lord's grace, and to manifest the witness of the Spirit. Paul in his defence of his gospel said;

"Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done- by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ." Romans 15:17

The proclaiming of this gospel is to be in power not just words. There are many who can preach, with years of study and the finest of education. Many have a good heart for God. They are well trained for ministry duties. Others have a gift for turning a catchy phrase, or speaking skills. For the most part they love God and are glad to preach and to teach and lead the people of God.

The problem is there's no power. The Spirit never shows up. Except in a quiet way where He is not allowed to express the great love and joy and power of God through his people. If indeed one was to move into the Spirit realm and start to co-operate with the Spirit, he would be removed or told that is out of order. Such is the state of most of the present day church. Order is rule of the day, but there is no; "let all things be done."

With out the testimony of the Spirit only half of the work is done. The result is that it's ineffective and comes short of what God intended. So most preacher look for ways to spice up their sermons. Or programs of other men that seemed to have some value for one thing or another. Or search for obscure meanings in little ways of saying the same things. How pitiful.

The Spirit is available to all the Lord's saints, preacher or minister or to the pew filler. The least as will as the greatest. Both for the body and the leaders. Here is the way that the Lord will accomplish His work in the earth. He will have a people who will yield and listen to the Spirit. A church that will hear from God, and speak those things into the world of unbelievers. A church that knows the power of God to heal, deliver, and prosper His people. There is a day coming and now is when the Lord's Spirit will rule in our midst. And lives will be changed, bodies will be healed, and the people will say; "we have seen great things today, and they will all be astonished."

God is Involved

2005-09-04T19:55:00.000-05:00

This is to set the record straight. When I was growing up we all went to church, every week, all year round. In all this time God was represented as a loving creator. The truth of the word, as they knew it, was preached. But the realities of any benifit of God was always; "in the here-after". Never was He expected to do or answer prayer for anything in this life, but for the here-after. This was my preception of the life with God; "for use in the future".

As any young man, I was alive now, and wanted to find joy in this life. I also wanted to have romance and love and a wife and family. Good employment, good home, and a happy life. Meaningful existence, plenty of friends, and the joys of being alive. Happy in my work, life, and family.

Since I wasn't taught that God was involved with any of this I persued all these in my own way. The interests that I had were my motivation. The method for there attainment was happenstance. There was no wisdom or understanding. The only requirement was that I thought this the best way to go in what-ever I was after. Whether a girlfriend, or a job, or a career. All of this effort, and all of my attainments, fell way short of my expectations. And all attempts ended in failure.

In short I wasted the first 30 years of my life. Then I found God. I was amazed at what I found. That God really intended to live with me "IN THIS LIFE". That He wanted to help me and direct me in all the areas of life. What a wonder! He would prosper me, He would bring me friends and loved ones. He would give me health and vitality. He would cause me to live in joy, and assurance, and peace, "NOW", not only in the sweet bye an bye. And if I made mistakes, He was with me to help straighten them out, and set me back on a sure course.

So now the record is right. If anyone wants a good life, with the things that have been provided by this loving God. Go directly to Him. Don't pass on the one who knows how it all is supposed to work. He alone knows what you need, what you want, and what you were made for. For this is the mystery that I have found. God cares, and "WANTS TO BE INVOLVED" with you in the life He has given you. He can take you to greater heights, to the best place, to where no-one but you can occupy. And you will Be Blessed!

Your Will Be Done

2005-08-25T11:47:00.000-05:00

This is the heart of the issue of "trust in the Lord." To come to the place of "knowing the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." We can't know this until we have come to the place of surrending our will to His. It's not a simple decision, but a vital one.

All through our lives we have based our decisions about life on the information we have received from the world. Mostly through our five senses, and our mind. Some through experience. And others by association with others. The most critical to our choices has always been "self-preservation". For if we couldn't keep ourselves alive, then the rest is immaterial.

The ability to give ourselves to the will of some-one else can only be done one way. In love. Love is the only thing stronger than survival. Where there is love there is self-sacrifice, to the object of that love. This love comes from the knowing of the person who is loved. Not in a theory, but in a fact. By introduction and experience. With understanding and full acceptance of the worthiness of the person.

This is to be our walk. So that as we come to know God, we are changed into willing vessels of His love. To be so secure in His love that we no longer count our lives dear to us. But rather to be spent on the will of God. We are called to "die to self", and live for the glory of God. Such was the walk of Jesus. This is done by the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. As Jesus said; "that the world may know that I love the Father, and always do what pleases Him." Even unto death, and that on a cross.

This is totally different from the natural man. A whole different mind set. To spend our live for the will of another. Even to be willing to die, if it's expedient to the will of God. This is the fruit of the Spirit, the supernatural endowement of love. It is not in man, but in God. That one would lay down his life for "his enemies". Neither is this a trial after the flesh, but a high calling, to "share in Christ's suffering." To glorify the Son of God, by following in his example.

This is not a work of happenstance or the wiles of the devil, but of the love of God. Ask Peter; three times Jesus asked, Peter do you love me? Then after commissioning Peter, Jesus told him how he would bring glory to God in his death. This after the love was confirmed in Peter. This is a work in the mature, those who have gone to great heights in their walk with God. Those who by experience have come to grasp the love that God has, and the perfection of His will. Counting anything else rubbish, to abtain to the high calling of God for their life. To be counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake.

Being Fruitful

2005-08-19T11:05:00.000-05:00

In Proverbs it talks about a man who would look to the skies before planting seed in his field. The conclusion was that he'd never plant, and never reap a harvest. The point is there will never be a perfect situation or time. But to the man who sows freely regardless of the circumstances, he will have an abundant crop. We can take this to show the trap of waiting for the right time to sow the gospel.

As we walk through this life the Lord will give us many opprotunities to sow seed of the kingdom. But it will never "feel comfortable to the flesh". There will always be distractions, there will always be a dissenter. The results will never be known, weither the word will be recieved or rejected. If you will be appreciated or laughed off. But this is the way. In the parable the sower; sowed. It's always the right time to sow. The word in our hearts must come forth in words and deeds that show that we are from God. We must be involved, we are God's hands and feet and voice in the world.

This doesn't mean we are to give a whole bible presentation every time we see someone. But it is the word of encouragement or hope and love. It's the giving of the knowledge of the life of God with-in us freely. To tell others of the grace that we have recieved from the Lord. Many people will never darken the doors of our churchs. The proclaiming of the gospel is the work of the body in general, not for only the teachers and preachers.

If we will throw off the "feel right" attitude, and our pride or shyness. Or maybe we don't think we are worthy or smart enough. What-ever it is, get over it and do the work that is with-in your realm of influence. We are the hope of the world, and we are to tell of this great hope. It will never be the right time, it will never be the right place. It will never be the right situation. Just do it. Again, JUST DO IT.

The Lord has said; "open wide your mouth, and I will fill it". Again, "when you are brought before men, take no thought of what you should say, for words will be given you of my Father". So be bold, the Lord is with us to prosper us and to witness to the truth of his gospel. We are His vessels. This is a way to crucify the flesh, and walk after the spirit in love and grace.

When ever a new direction is taken, there is a time of timidity. After it becomes a practice, the confidence grows and the footing is sure. Then we will have the certainity of the experiences of the power of the Lord with us to hold us to our course. The gospel will be presented, the people will be drawn to the truth, and the Lord will be glorified.

I can tell you from experence that the Lord will use us to fulfill his work in the earth. I've prayed for people in gas-stations, and seen the Lord heal! The place or manner in which we witness is not the issue. It's will we allow the Lord to use us in all situations. And at all times. Not waiting for a "leading" other than the love of God that already lives in us. Not waiting for some-one to tell us it's okay. But to know that Jesus has already told us to "Go, and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The Balance

2005-08-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

With out a doubt the greatest thing that can happen in life is to recieve Jesus!! This is the hope of the gospel. To come into a living fellowship of life with the creator. To share in His eternal life and goodness and love. A person can't know God apart from Jesus. All the discussion and arguements and questions are only answered in the love of God the Father through Jesus his Son by the Spirit of God.

Paul gave this instruction; we know God by the word and the Spirit. So here is a two part glue; the word and the mixing with the Spirit. This is the way we grow in the knowledge and love of God.

There has been to this point in the church history an imbalance in this growth. The majority of growth has been by diligent study of the word. This is good, and the Spirit of God enlightens us as we search the word. We have gained great knowledge in our minds of the word. Not all study is profitable, as some try to use the word for their own purpose, or to prove things that it doesn't give a clear answer on. But for the most part we have benifited.

The gape of growth in the Spirit is large. We have not kept pace with the growth in the Spirit. This is the experiences of the manifestations of the presence of God. Both with-in us, and to those we minister. Wheather in the work place, or in social settings, or as we happen to come in contact with people who are not believers. We are always the ambassadors of the kingdom of God. As such we should be equipped daily with fresh oil, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

This lack of spiritual growth is evident in the lack of support and ferver for prayer. The place of pray is where we come into the presence of God for equipping and the joy of knowing God. Prayer is misunderstood. To understand prayer as a communication between us and God, is a truth we know in our minds. We also need to know it as fact. By prayer we can know this. I suppose that there are many books on prayer, and examples of others who had a practice or method for praying. We can only be ourselves, and what worked for them is not always going to benifit us.

For myself I find the fellowship of God by praying in the spirit (tongues). The life of God in me is refreshed and I am concious of His presence with-in me. I've started my life of prayer with talking and rejoicing in the Lord. Waiting in worship upon Him as the goodness of the Lord has filled my soul. To this day I would rather worship the Lord and stand in His presence than hear the greatest preacher in the world.

This is the place the church needs to come to. Where the whole church comes to minister to the Lord. So no matter which way will work for you, find a way. Either weeping, or joy, or tears, or petitions, quoting the word, reading prayers. In all ways and at all times to be concious of His presence with you is the goal for the church, and for all believers. To be as Mary and just sit at His feet. And take in His love and grace. Not to ask for something, but to rejoice in Him alone. To spend our time with Him, and be changed by the Spirit.

Friends, let me make this a clear as I can. I love the word of God. I'm instructed by it, and taught how to live by it. The wisdom of God is revealed in it. All the counsel of His word is good and right. By the word I learn the will and ways of God. But, the Spirit of God takes this word and works it in me. He take the words and enlarges the meanings. He causes this word to be alive in me, and I become a partaker of the word. The word is life, and the Spirit brings it alive in me, and I am changed into His image. I have been given many manifestations of His power and love, and am enlarged by them. I would like all believer to know by experience the personal work of the Father through His Spirit. That we all come to the true knowledge of the love and power of God working through the finished work of Jesus.

Deliverance to the Captives

2005-08-12T11:35:00.000-05:00

I would like to start this post with an excerpt from a Prophet of the Lord's. His web-site shows his work and calling. His name is Roberts Liardon.

What is preaching deliverance to captives? The Lord showed me a vision once of people in a cage. All of them had weird smiles. The Lord said, "Go up there and look at them. This is what many of my churches are like."

So I went and saw there also were people walking by outside the cage. I looked more closely and realized that the people in the cage thought they were free and thought the people outside were in captivity! They were deceived into thinking
that captivity was freedom!

Preaching deliverance to captives is boldly speaking the truth in love and breaking the bondage of deception. That takes strength and anointing. The Church needs this kind of preaching, because so many are captives of sickness, captives of the flesh, captives of soulish theology, captives of the past, captives of bitterness, and so forth. Many are deceived and ignorant of the enemy's devices. The anointing blasts through those deceptions and brings the liberty of the truth. (John 8;32.)

The whole of his message is real meat of the word, more than I could say, definitly a great read, and instruction.

I have no problem with any of this, my problem is I can't see where I'm in error. Like everyone else, it's the things that I can't see that trip me up. To go from a life of darkness into the liberty of the Lord, is a huge step. I know that it's for freedom that I have been set free. But freedom is foriegn to my mind and soul, and my mind has to be trained to see truth with understanding. My soul needs to be restored. Those and other areas being transformed is what we call santification. This has to be a work of the word and the Spirit.

So then I find I'm at a loss with-in myself to help me. That is in my our strength and understanding. Thank God for the Spirit. He is with me and in me to teach and enable. This requires submission, and earnest diligence. Although His ability is given to live in me I have to develope in our relationship. As I've said I'm the weak link in this arrangement.

So here is my solution: I will fake it, till I make it. I will pretend to be what I ought it be. I'll use my child-like faith, and imagine myself to be as my example Jesus. I'll play that I'm as He is. Devoted to the Father. Full of the Spirit. Full of compassion and love. Bold in asking. Expectant in receiving. Joyfull in life, and live with great confidence. Master of all situations, overcoming all obstacles. Able for any task, and power for helping all who come to me. Some one has said; "if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull". So this is my stand. And you know what? In this I'm closer to the truth of the freedom of the gospel of God. As Paul said; "be imitators of me, as I imitate Christ."

Is this folly? No, by faith. Calling forth those things which do not appear, as though they do. God is pleased. And Jesus is exalted. And the work that my Father has for me will be done. You see; "it's Christ in you, the hope of glory". And as I walk the Holy Spirit will teach me and instruct me in the things I need to hear. And show me things I need to see. And give me wisdom and understanding of those things I need to know.

The Advantage of the Church Age

2005-08-09T10:44:00.000-05:00

Jesus said before his crucifion:

"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth...He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." John 16:14,15

"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:25

Imagine with me for a moment, if we could be one of the disciples. Whenever there was a situation we didn't understand we would go to Jesus and ask, "What does this mean". In our daily life we would be amazed at the grace wisdom and goodness manifest in this man Jesus. Our eyes would be filled with wonders that the world had never seen. Our ears would hear words expressing thoughts that were beyond the minds of natural man. We would see authority with power to heal, deliver, and set free. The lame to walk the blind to see and the dead raised to life.

By this time we would know his voice, know his nature, see his love and be overwhelmed by the acts, even the elements are subject to him. Truly we would know that we are in the presence of God. Yet Jesus says; "it's good that I go away." What could be better? That he desires to live IN US! In his body the glory of the Son was veiled by the flesh. The eternal God the Son in the earth suit of man. Three disciples saw his glory on the mount of transfiguration, and were awed by him.

This same Jesus now resides in his people, with the same nature and wisdom and power. This is the result of the new birth into God. As Paul said; "in Him we live and have our being". There is a fellowship in spirit with the Lord. In this manner it is better for us. We are partakers of his very life. He is always with us to instruct, to comfort, to teach and share his joy.

In my opinion the first thing we should concern ourselves with is to develope a intimate relation with the Lord. In every way and in all prayers, to be sensitive to the Spirit. Jesus first work was to seperate himself unto God, with prayer and fasting. We need to do the same, to seperate ourselve unto God, to learn his voice, to learn his leading, to find his wisdom, and to be quick to obey. I'm sure that this is available for us, as to think that we can't know God with this intimateness would not be better. But Jesus said it was, so then he wants us to persue him in this. We should do what ever it takes to discover this personal God who lives in us. To grow in the knowledge of him, and the exceding greatness of his love. This was Paul's prayer for those to whom he had brought the gospel of Christ.

Living Inside Out

2005-08-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

What grace we have recieved, that we should be called sons of God, and that is what we are. The eternal all-powerful life of God has become our life. The nature of the Lord is now become our nature. The Spirit of God to do the works of God has taken up his residence in us. We are the very body of Christ. We are the very sons of God. We now bear the image of the eternal God, as we have been born again after His kind, the God kind. It does not yet appear what we shall be, but when Jesus appears, we shall be like Him.

This calls for a radical change in the way we live. In the past we all lived according to our own thoughts and desires. But now we are called to live after the Spirit, where we are in communion and joined with God. We are not two, but one. Just as the Father is in Jesus, so Jesus is in me. The old life has died, and the life of God has started. We are to walk in this new life. It's not a mixture of the old and new, but a new creation.

To walk in this life we have to live from "the inside out" where all the treasures of Christ are hidden. These are not hidden from us, but for us. We are to draw out these treasures from the well of salvation. We are to draw on the communion of the Spirit and receive the blessings of God. Both for us and to minister life to the world. We are to train ourselves to hear and obey the promptings of the Spirit. To live in companionship with him. To walk with God.

Let's look at the work of the Spirit. In Acts 2:17

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

The Spirit of God will empower us to speak new things, the things that the Lord has layed up for this time. He will show us things to come. Things that we have not yet understood, and that we have not seen. The Spirit gives revelation and knowledge and wisdom from God. So that we might walk in the paths that have been prepared for us. Who then is the visionary, where is the dreamer? Is it not us! Have we neglected our higher calling by substituting knowledge and intellectual study for revelation and wisdom from the Spirit? What of the wonders and signs, and miracles. We all have received the same Spirit. Then we are the people to whom this work has been given by the Spirit. We should therefore make every effort to enter into this work of God.

The Lord has said; "not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." The time has come for us to put away our own thoughts, and ways. The work can only be accomplished through and by the Spirit. We have to get in step with Him. We have to seek the plans and purpose and will of God. I look around and see a lot of discussion of different areas of God. But see little of the prophetic word and revelation of the Spirit. I want to hear of the manifestations of His power. I want to hear prophesies of His plans for the people's of the nations, and other things that I haven't even considered. Of the signs, wonders, and mighty acts. This is what sets the church apart from the world; the power of God. As Paul said; "the kingdom of God is not a matter of speech, but of power".

This is our heritage, and our inheritance, to walk in the power of God. To proclaim the mind of God. To demonstrate the life that is within us, in signs, wonders, and mighty acts. Anything less is settling for the traditions of men. The presence of God should be obvious to those around us. It should be said of us, as it was of Jesus; "Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know."

Do You Like a Challenge

2005-08-04T11:38:00.000-05:00

Here is my answer to those who think I'm all wet. I want to dare you to do what you think you can't do. I want to challenge you all to lay your hands on sick people and command healing to their body's. To take the Name of Jesus as your weapon against the illnesses and diseases and works of the devil. To allow the anointing of the Holy Spirit to flow through you into these body's to affect a cure and a healing and a deliverance to those who come to you. If you need to, find another believer to be with you for support. "If two of you agree, it will be done for you". Try this and see what the Lord will do. If you have a church, do it in the services. "Pray one for another so that you may be healed."

If your conscience won't allow you to because your faith is not really active, then to you I have and alternative that will allow you to do this. Mary told the servants; "whatever he (Jesus) says, do it. To Peter, Jesus said launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch". So here we see that obedience to the word pleases God. It doesn't have to make sense. In all these the glory of the Lord was revealed, and God will alway honor anyone who will obey Him. The word of Jesus as the authority to do this; "In my name they will lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover". You have no reason to disobey, so obey and do this, as Jesus said to. So then there is no reason why you can't do this, all you can lose is your pride. But I know that if you will expand you faith for healing, God will show himself strong.

Finally, if you leave comments they are appreciated; if you will do this and then leave comments, we will have testimonies of the goodness of the Lord. And much more interesting discussions. You see I know a secret; when-ever anyone asks in the name of Jesus for healing, the Anointing of the Holy Spirit is released to bring glory to God through the Son, every time!

Where is the Kingdom

2005-08-02T20:05:00.000-05:00

The Kingdom of God does not come visibly. That is to say, it's not in the physical realm. The Kingdom of God shall be within you. The hidden man of the heart is the place of residence for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This transformation is called "being born again". And is the life of God imparted into us making us new creatures in Christ (alive in God). At conversion we are introduced to the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. We are now "sons of God" through Jesus Christ our Lord. As such we are given His commission to reconcile the world to God. Who offers this grace to all who believe in the atoning work of Jesus and his resurrection.

Seeing that this is a spiritual beginning, it only makes sense that the work continues in the same fashion. By the Spirit. Through revelation, and insight or preception of the knowledge and wisdom of God. The words of Jesus are spirit and they are life. The natural mind can't grasp the things of the Spirit, they are spiritually discerned. A man without the Spirit can't know them. But they are revealed to us who have the Spirit. So that we may know the things freely given to us by God. Each believer can testify to this truth by the word of God and the witness of the Spirit in our hearts. As we were all once blind to God's truth, but now we see.

So now the Kingdom of God is with-in, as well as the heavens are the abode of God. This admonition to; "seek you first the Kingdom of God" now has a double meaning. There is the heavenly realm, where God lives, and the earthly realm where God lives in the lives of His people. The deposit of the Spirit brings to us indivually the gifts and calling and equiping for the work that we were ordained to do. "For we are His workmanship, created onto good works."

All these things are hidden in Christ for us, and revealed to us by the Spirit. The call to pray is now more imparitive. We are also told to stir up the gifts and calling in us. How? By prayer and supplication. With the spirit, and with the understanding. At all times having the attitude of communion with God. Being always ready to pray and intercede. By fellowshiping with the Lord in our daily lives.

"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. Col 2:9. Here we have the cruz of the matter. If your life is not measuring up to this standard, it's your fault. God has already given us every thing we will ever need for life and godlyness. No one else to blame, just ourselves.

Relative Truth?

2005-08-01T20:28:00.000-05:00

This is a real great danger in society, that "what's true for you is not true for me." This is a teaching that invades every aspect of man's understanding. A source of deception. If everything is relative, then nothing is truth. In this senario no absolute can exist.

In my last post I stated; "the will of God can be known". This is an absolute. This is quite a different stance from that of the world. Even the christian mentality of a lot of believers. This is opposed to the thinking of men. And is seen as a threat, or error, or presumption. It's okay to have gifts, or visions, or revelations, or faith. But don't say you know the will of God!

In the old Testament God warned about calling good evil, and evil good. Jesus said; "either make the tree good and the fruit good; or make the tree bad and the fruit bad". This sounds to me like an absolute! As another absolute; "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever." Or, "I am the Lord and I change not".

I wonder why the Lord bothered to write and preserve His word, if there no way to know His will. Hasn't He stated his will in His word? I think so, the Holy Spirit thinks so, and Jesus also thought so. Isn't Jesus; "the word made flesh"? Doesn't He uphold all things by the "word of His power"?

I have been accused of presuming to know without proper guidance and understanding. Well then, so be it, leave me to my folly. I will go on believing the words of Jesus. I'll go on beleiving that God is impartial, and eager to do good things, and not evil. I'll go on believing "that it's the goodness of God that leads to repentance".

The Cart Before the Horse

2005-07-25T10:55:00.000-05:00

This present world is in darkness. What is wrong is obvious to all men. In the kingoms of this world evil rules in places of authority, in the systems of every thing that is of man. The days are evil. Malice, murder, and every evil work are seen through out the world. Because of the darkness, men fashion their lives on what they can see, hear, and reason about the world in which they are a participant. Such knowledge is grounded in blindness. No one can see in the dark, where there is no light.

This basis is the cause of believing in lies. If a lie is thought to be truth and rehearsed in their thinking, the end results in wrong actions. Then the law of sowing and reaping in it's affect causes all sorts of calamities. Man is a creature of his beliefs. What ever he believes is what he speaks. And what ever he speaks he will do. And what ever he does will produce after it's own kind. This is the way of all men.

Along came Jesus; he preached "the kingdom of God". This is not what we have seen in the earth, but a heavenly kingdom. Jesus declared it to be eternal, never ending. This is news, not as the earthly where all men die. Jesus declared it to be unchanging ruled by God the creator of all things. Not as with men who are subject to the flow of power and authority. Jesus declared it to be without evil or darkness, but in righteousness. Now this is news! The order of "the kingdom of God" is just to all with-out any of the things that corrupt. This is a place where there is no lack, no sickness, no trouble, nothing unpure will ever enter this kingdom. Every need is supplied, every desire is pure, and God is enjoyed forever.

Jesus provided the way to enter this kingdom, through His sacrifice and resurrection. We who have believed are now the citizens of this "heavenly kingdom". The prayer of Jesus was; "thy kingdom come, THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven". This is very instructive. We see that the will of God is done in heaven. We see exactly what kind of kingdom it is, "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost". Where there is no lack, no sickness, no sorrow, no poverty, but abundance of life in all avenues. Even the streets are pure gold, there is no limit to our joy.

So here we see THE WILL OF GOD. He has given us this picture of heaven to know what is established by His good will. Any thing that doesn't belong in heaven, is not God's will. His kingdom is already established, as the example of the life we are now to live. Your life should be a reflection of the heavenly kingdom, here, now in this earthly realm. "ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN". This is God's will.

This brings us to our issue; "the Cart before the Horse". In our ignorance of the will of God, we as all men, have believed lies. Now that we see the truth of God, we will have to dispose of all the fables of the past. There is no mixture with God. The old and the new will not work together. The Lord alone is to be our life. And His word stands alone.

Where the will of God is known, faith is born. Where faith is born the mind and the speech will think right thoughts, and say right words. Where these are at work the person will act in accordance with there words. Where these words and actions are working in a life; the good and the blessing of the will of God will be manifest. And the world will see the glory of the Lord rest upon you, and will be drawn to Him.

This is the news; "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that 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." IICor5:17-19

So take a look around at your life, if anything is there that is not the goodness of God, get rid of it. Sickness, illness, confusion, sorrow or pain. Or any thing that is not in heaven. God didn't give any one any of those things. He has given us His name to use against them, to heal, to cast out devils, to set free, to preach His good news of the gospel.

The ministry of reconciliation in the "SUFFERING" that we are to endure, to be open to the injury of rejection by the world. This is our "SUFFERING", and to endure the temptation to sin, by the grace of God. That's the only Godly suffering. To suffer with Christ in reconciling the world to God.

A Leap of Faith

2005-07-20T10:49:00.000-05:00

I have been found out, I'm not am educated man. I've been having a discussion with Gayla, a dear sister in the Lord. The issue's are the gifts of the Spirit, and tongues in particular. Well the questions are over my knowledge, I find I can't answer all the details. So I'll have to show how I've come to know about these things.

After my conversion I was very zealous for the Lord. From the start I would pray for anyone to be healed. My reason for this was that the Lord had given me his overwhelming love in my heart, and I just knew that this love would refuse no request to help any fellow man. And I found out time and time again that I was right. I could pray for healing of saint and sinner alike, either know to me or total strangers, and God would honor my prayer and heal. Do I have a gift of healing, No. How could I do this, I had no knowledge of word or scripture to lead me, no one else who was doing this, or even believed it was possible? How, A Leap of Faith.

Then we come to the "Gifts of the Spirit". I remember a fellow christian and I having a discussion. I asked, "do you know anything about these", he answered, "out church doesn't believe in them, but I know there are churchs who do". So I said, "then why don't we go and find out if this is from God?", he replied, "not me, if you go I'm not going". That was rediculous, if it was God, I wanted it, and I couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't trust God to give them good gifts. So I went to where the "gifts of the spirit" were taught and practiced. If you want to understand how to bake a cake, you go to a baker don't you. If you want to understand how something works, you go were it is working, simple isn't it.

I also went to a christian book-store and found authors who had experience and teaching on the "Gifts of the Spirit". My logic was, if I discribe home-made ice cream, like grandma made, if you had never had any, no matter how well I could discribe it, you couldn't know how good it was. So in my thinking anyone without this experience couldn't help on this issue. The Lord also at this time witnessed to me that it was from Him in a dream.

I sat with the pastor of this penecostal church, after some discussion I had him lay hands on me to impart the Gift of the Holy Spirit. I saw in the scripture that the Spirit was imparted by the apostle's hand's. I had also gained this understanding, "when you pray, believe that you recieve, and you shall have what you ask for". This is faith, know that it is given, and act on it. So when he layed his hand on me, I started to speak what ever sound that would come out of my mouth. The articulation eventually got clearer, as with a baby, the sounds have meaning and are formed by the Holy Spirit. Our part is to speak and give voice. As the scripture says, "THEY ALL SPOKE as the Spirit gave them utterance". The Spirit will not speak for you, you speak and He gives the voice meaning.

There is also the issue of "cleaness or santification". I found out later that there were people who had sought this experience for years. And were waiting for some kind of "Divine Approval" so they could recieve. This is like telling a sinner, "when you clean up your mess and live right God will save you," if that was the case NO-ONE could ever be saved! The Holy Spirit will enpower you to live right, you can't do it on your own! Another issue is those who at one time or another spoke in tongues and were now waiting for the Spirit to move on them to do it again. This is wrong, the gift of the Spirit has been given, not loaned, not dished out as the need arises, given, you have Him, exercise your faith and SPEAK, He is there to take a-hold together with you and pray the will of God into your life.

This is my defence. I haven't yet been to a university, I have cheated, I've used the wisdom of other men of God. For this short coming, the Lord has used me to minister healings and other manifestations of the Lord, in a total of seven different denominations of churchs, have been ordained into a fellowship of ministers, have seen people saved healed and deliverer in resturants, parking lots, gas stations, 7-11, and in parks. So I have tricked you, I was not after your intellect, I'm not trying to make you smart, I'm wanting to make you hungery and thristy for the reality of the power and presence of the Lord. To hear His voice, to know His love, to be moved with His compassion, and to bring Him Glory!

Walk by Faith

2005-07-19T10:09:00.000-05:00

In my life before Christ I was a typical person. Hated school, loved girls, would do almost anything, and could party for days. Every thing I did I would go after whole-hearted. The sad thing was nothing good came out of any of this. There was no fulfillment in any of it. I either got hurt, or hurt someone else. The whole thing was a total mess. Bad plans, bad ideas, bad results.

But I count myself fortunate. Some seem to have a little success in life. Either through education, or hard work, or perserverance to a goal. I pity these, they have a false sense of well being, and as such may never reach out for help from a higher power, the Almighty. I hope they do, the practices that are employed by the successful are ordained by God. And He has blessed them, even though they might think it was by their own effort. These would make fine fellow christians, and we could learn from them.

The reason I count myself fortunate is that I came to Jesus as a blank slate. I knew I didn't have a clue. I took the word of God as the final authority. I read to find out what to think, what to do, and how to do it. What-ever it said that is what I would do, with all of my heart. This gives me a great peace, I don't have to figure out anything, just do what it says. Someone has said; God said it, I believe it, and that settles it, I would like to add, so I'll do it.

Whatever is in there I want it, whatever is promised is for me, whatever it takes to receive it I'll do. And for all this I found that if I can believe, I can receive. The way God has ordained for His word to work in us and for us is BY FAITH. This is what that means to me. To rely on the intergity of God. That what He has said is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And nothing or any other discussion will or can void it. If Jesus said I am one with Him and the Father, so be it. If Jesus said I am healed, so be it. If Jesus said I can recieve power of the Holy Spirit, so be it. If Jesus said I can lay hands on the sick and they will recover, so be it. As Paul said, all things are your, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. So I say, Amen, so be it.

This is the first step of faith, to believe the report, that is the word of God. The second step of faith is to speak it, to call it forth. We are now a God class of being. We are to operate on the same principals as God. Who spoke and all things came into being. Our voice is to give utterance to the word of God so that it may be established in our life and situation and time. It is our voice speaking on behalf of God to bring His will to pass for our life. As Jesus said, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". So we are to speak the will of God into the earth. This may be new to you, there are many other references to this step of faith. Consider this prayerfully asking for enlightenment to see it.

The next step is the fun part; to do it. To act on it. After boldly speaking the words of God, you will find a new zeal and a greater anticipation of the reality of the things and power of God. Truely His word is alive and powerful and active. Keep speaking the word till you find your level of faith has grown to the point of expecting results when you speak. Just like Jesus, awesome. Doing the word, knowing that it will come to pass, even though you have not yet seen it, THAT'S FAITH. To lay hands on the sick expecting them to be healed. Or to witness about Jesus, expecting conversions.

To do what ever the word says. If it says, "what ever is pure, of good report, lovely, noble, think on these things". Then if any thought doesn't qualify, it gets thrown out. I refuse it. If it says share with the poor, then I'll gladly share, and pray for more to give away. The doing of His word will work both for us and in the world around us.

Let me ask you, when you speak do you expect to recieve what you said? You should. If we don't, how can we expect the lost to believe us, if we don't believe ourselves? What-ever you can believe you can recieve. And whoever believes you will receive from you. If you can help the lost to believe you, then you will have good success.

Some of this may be news to a few, take and search the word, give yourself time to reflect on these things. And ask the Lord for clarity. The bottom line is to always act, think, and do as it's written, with confidence that the Father has heard us and will honor us because we are speaking forth His word. And will manifest those things that we ask to bring glory to the Son that the world may know that we are in the Father.

Offended by Truth

2005-07-16T11:12:00.000-05:00

Jesus's reply to the disciples of John the Baptist.

"Go and tell him what you have seen and heard; The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who is not offended on account of me."

On this blog I have endeavored to set forth the things that I also have seen and heard. Mind you my walk is no-where near what Jesus did in His life.I have seen healings in the name of Jesus, and the good news of the gospel work wonders in the lives of people. I have received the gift of the Spirit with evidence of tongues. The Lord has given us many teachers and ministers of his word, with the wisdom of God to show us how to walk in truth. One would think that everyone would like to know and join with God in the out-working of His good will. That we would endeavor to lay-ahold of all the ministries with the "present truth". The greater revealing of the continuing work of God.

Unfortunately that is not the case. The gospel is offensive to the carnal mind. The ways of God are foolish to man's understanding. The working of the Spirit is contrary to the fleshly desires. In short, we fight and resist God! Even though we have received His life! As Paul said "the flesh wars against the spirit".

So the truth will offend us, will threaten us, will anger us, will upset us, will test our faith, and if we allow it to work in us will heal and help us and set us free. Jesus's works and life was the exact display of God's will. If we model our lives to do these same works in speech and deeds then we are showing forth the life of God in us. If not, then a very weak and watered down gospel. This is the truth.

God's sires God beings, just as a man sires man. The gospel is the good news that makes us "the sons of God, and that is what we are in fact." This is God's plan. The fulness of this plan is our walking and working in the same way as Jesus. We have been born into this class of being by the Father who called us. So the Father has already provided everything that we need to reveal the life of God within us to the lost, and needy.

Rather than be threatened by this news; we should make every effort to enter into this life, seeing that we have not yet obtained to all this, as with Paul. So I don't have all faith, I can learn. So not all are healed, I can still believe. So I don't hear the Spirit's leading all the time, I can trust. I am not waiting to be qualified by how much I pray. Or how much I believe. Or how much of the word I understand. No matter if it's more than some or less. I am qualified by God by the life that He has placed in me. I don't need any-ones or even my own approval, I already have it from God.

So then the church is to be a training ground, to equip me with the knowledge of God. To be a place for the impartation of the anointing of God. The gathering of like "sons of God", where we are encouraged, and filled with joy, and the love of the Lord. The body where He is exalted and the word that proceeds from God is heard and believed and acted upon. To go forth in one accord, and one heart, and the good news. Jesus, saves, heals, and delivers.

The Big Picture

2005-07-06T11:37:00.000-05:00

Some times we are to close to the problems to see there solution. Join me as I go to one of my favorite places to reflect and to see the Big Picture. Here on the moon I've found a nice spot in a valley. With a clear view of the earth as we lay back and rest our heads on these rocks. Things seem more peaceful here, and time slows down. We can watch the earth slowly spin in it's rotation, and the sun shine warm the lands of the continents. It's really quite a spectical! Then we can gaze at the multitude of the stars of the heavenly host, this is really impressive!! Who made all these? What is there purpose? Why are they here?

The heavens declare the glory of God, they show his invisible qualities. They show forth his eternal power and divine nature. They reveal that there is a God. And he does what pleases him. There is no power greater, and none can stay his hand.

We the church have received this eternal God into our lifes, the very life of God, through Jesus. This Jesus is described by John as,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

In heaven he's known as the Word. As such we need to review our faith to see that it measures up. When a people go to war, do they just charge ahead, or do they consider; if they are strong enough; trained; have superior weapons; are their number enough, and etc.

From up here on the moon, we can see that God was not rushed in creation. He doesn't act in haste he's had forever to plan and to create. If we look at the sun we can observe the power of it's energy. If we now look at the stars and galaxy's and milky way, we see that God is not limited in his power. But in every place we look we see his power manifest in all these. His wisdom is also displayed in all the configurations and diverse designs, each different and unique.

This then is what we need to grasp. God is supreme, his Word is his creative power, and anything that we could ever need has already been planed and provided for. This means that His church; has power enough (the power of the Creator), has the best weapons (the Word of God), is the best trained (the Holy Spirit, who leads and guides us into all truth). The church is Jesus in the earth, having received His fulness.

Let's reconsider this war we are in with evil and the host of Satan. Is evil to trimph? No, we know God is supreme. Is there any situation that can surprise God. No, God saw the end from the beginning. Is there anything to hard for God. No, with God all things are possible. So then we are to be more than conquerors through Christ. We have been given the authority of Jesus. Who said, "all authority is given unto me, go you therefore." Can any sickness resist God. No. Can any devil resist God. No. Can any principality, or power, or ruler of darkness be stronger or more powerful than God. No. Can anything that can be named be stronger than God. No.

Well now, from our view on the moon these things are more obvious. We see the evidence of God before our eyes. Let's remind ourselves when we are back on earth that the view may be distorted. But in our minds go back and see, the stars still burn in His glory. The hosts of heaven are all there with none missing. And God reigns and rules and there is none to oppose Him.

I enjoyed our trip together, maybe next time we'll be in the gates of the celestial city, the place where God's glory rest. And we can listen with awe to the elders tell of the wonders of God seen in their life and time. Until then, be blessed.

A Change of Mind

2005-06-30T11:57:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of areas where we flat missed it. The problem with finding truth is being able to take what we think we know, and re-examine why we think it is so. A great thinker would then streach it and take it to the exstreme appling it to every possible situation. In other words; truth will always work, and error will always fail. We can use the truth, and it will always be true, for everyone regardless of the situation. This is the comfort of the scriptures. What God has done for the one, he will do for anyone. He is impartial, and freely gives to all men who come to Him. I will address this post to those who are believers in the work and resurrection of Jesus. Just for convience, not to exclude.

Let's look at "deliver us from evil". The mind set of the church is sad, most believe that God is able, but it's hit or miss on wheather or not he will. This is typical of a lot of issues, such as healing, and prosperity. The Lord is not a divine "dart board", or the luck of the draw, not seeing if you've been good, or trying. He works by and through and honors faith in His word, and in trust of His goodness and mercy. Everytime, without exception. And only by faith. Not need, not pleading, not according to your standing, your education, your degrees, or the urgency.

But "do you believe I am able" and do you believe "I will"? As Jesus said, "ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH BE IT UNTO YOU". There is no other way. Believe the word of God, only. The blessings of the Lord don't just fall on our heads like ripe fruit from a tree. They are received by our faith in the word of God. Is salvation available? Then why isn't everyone saved, they don't believe the word. Is healing available? Then why isn't everyone healed, they don't believe the word. Is prosperity availabe? Then why isn't everyone prosperious, they don't believe the word.

How then do we recieve? There are a few steps. First, hear the word. Second, believe the word. Third, say the word (faith speaks). Fourth, act on the word (faith without works is dead). That's it. This is how we receive from God, from beginning to end, from the greatest to the least promise. It always works, without fail, without any other consideration, period. We can have all the blessings of God active in our life by the way of faith alone, and only by faith.

So then we see the promise of "deliver us from evil" has to be activated in our lifes by faith, just as salvation. Everyone has a horror story to tell me of why we can't have this victory over death (the evil one is trying to kill you!). Don't bother; I have my own story, of victory!

I would like to add my mother to the list of the heroes of faith. I was in the army infantry in Vietnam. I was a heathen. There were dozens of days when I knew that there was no possible way to come out alive. I've been surrounded by enemy armies for days and weeks. And yet I'm alive. A rumor started back home that I was dead. My friends at home went to my mother's and gave her their condolences. My mother is a faithful follower of the Lord. She had not heard from me, yet she told them that the news was false, that I was alive and well and not to be concerned. She then wrote me with their addresses and asked me to write them so they would know.

How could she know; the WORD OF GOD. She was standing on the promise of God. She had a firm faith that God would not fail her. That was enough. And that's enough for me, my God shall deliver me from every evil.

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

I will Make you Great

2005-06-27T10:23:00.000-05:00

This is not a declaration of a "motivational speaker". It's not the idea of man, not the latest trend in the affairs of leaders. The idea of Greatness has it's beginning in the mind of God.

The Lord had said to Abram; 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. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all people on earth will be blessed through you."

Abraham is our "father of faith". We are his children in the Lord. The children share in his inheritance, it's their birthright. Then the promise is to us as well, "I will make you Great". This is right, but it's a hard thing to grasp if we've been taught, "we're hanging on till the end." Nothing could be farther from the truth. We are told to occupy till He comes. This word "occupy" is a military stance of invading and conquering the lands and force of the enemy. To set ourselves against the evil doers of this world. And to rule in the affairs of this world.

Here is something that we need to see crystal clear. God is not in a pact with the devil. He didn't concede any losses. He's not made a treaty, "if you don't bother me, I won't bother you". God is set against the devil, He's not tired. He's not going to give up or give in or give over. He arrayed his host of angels against him. He arrayed his Spirit against him. He's arrayed his Church against him, with this promise, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against you". There is no weapon, no counsel, no plan that can stop you!

Our mind set is so distorted that we don't see truth as clearly as the Word of God states. Has anyone ever told you that God will make you Great? I doubt it, we have been told the greatness of the world is immaterial. Let me ask you, who is the better witness. The man with the authority to affect a lot of people by his position, or the man who works for him? Our motivation is not to boast in our riches, but to be a rich blessing to a lot of people.

As an extremeist consider; if every CEO was a christian. If every elected official were a follower of Christ. If every leader of every country trusted in the Lord. Would this be a better world? Would the products be improved? Would peace rule? Would all disputes be settled in a fair and timely manner? Couldn't we then fulfill the word, "to live quiet and peaceable lives"? I think so. I think the world needs to see the rule of Christians in the workplace, in the government, in the leader of the corporations of the world. And you know what, SO DOES GOD. To fulfill the last statement in the declaration to Abram; "and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

We as the church have "spiritualized" the purposes of God. We say we are fulfilling this word. Yes, and No. James said that the physical is proof of the spiritual. Then the authority we have in the spirit should manifest in the natural. The blessings of the Lord are to promote us in the affairs of this world. To bring us to places of power and authority physically as well as spiritually. Consider: who is better equipped to lead than the church, who has the Spirit of the Lord? If the church isn't reigning, then the leaders are in the dark, leading others in the dark, and their end is in a fall for both. Doesn't the present world prove the inablity for man to lead man?

"The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him (Jesus, who is now the church) the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord - and he will delight in the fear of the Lord."

This is our equipment. The knowledge and wisdom of God. To break off the blindness of unbelief, to loose our minds to the ways of God. To see the fullness of the Lord's provision to bring righteousness to the earth. To establish the kingdom of God on the earth. To make His name a praise in the earth. And to be glorified in the great things He has done.

How To Preach and Draw on the Anointing

2005-06-22T20:02:00.000-05:00

I've seen a few God-blogs grapling with how to preach and present the Gospel. It's really quite simple. It's easy to get God's approval and Anointing to work through your presentation of the gospel. A babe in Christ can do it, you don't need to go to theology school. Any one who has been born of God through Jesus's sacrifice understands all they need to be an Anointed Preacher.

The Anointing of the Holy Spirit always accompanies the cross and resurrection of Jesus. If you want the Lord to move in your midst, then, as Paul, preach Jesus and him crucified. In this alone is the focus of all God's dealings with man. By this the love of God is manifest to the world. By this sin is put away. In the cross is healing of all sickness and infirmity. Through the resurrection is all authority over all the works of the devil. And by Jesus death we have access to the presence of the Almighty. And in the ascension of Jesus we have received the Holy Spirit.

Every thing the Father now does is in view of the cross. Wheather salvation, healing or deliverance. The whole of the wisdom of God, and the power of God is in Jesus Christ and him crucified. I stated that the Anointing will accompany this preaching.

Let's look what Paul had to say about that;

"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 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."

First he states the reason for his coming, the testimony about God. Then he tells that he was not relying on his ability as an orator, nor on being a dynamic personality, nor with excellent wisdom and persuasion. What then did he count on? The demonstration of the Spirit's power! He had faith that God would accompany his word, the declaring of the Son. Paul mixed his faith with the word of God, and counted on the Spirit to prove, and approve the message. Just like the Spirit did when Peter preached at Cornelius's. It was the same message, and they both got the same results.

If you haven't been getting these results, check you message. And then check to make sure that you believe in the Spirit's power. Then check to see that you are yielding to the Spirit, and not quenching his work. Then you to can expect the Spirit to demonstrate in power, and the Lord be Glorified.

I saved the best till last. "That their faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." This is the best part. Their are many christians who have a very limited experience of the power of the Spirit. This is not God's intention. He is a God of abundance, not a little dap will do you. He want's us to be full of the Spirit. To know the certainty of our salvation. To know the greatness of his power that is at work in us. If we as preachers will allow and encourage the people to grap for the full measure of Christ, then we will have strong christians. Who will be full of love, full of faith, and of works of righteousness. And their faith will not be subject to the wisdom, or teachings of man. But will rest in God's power. This is why Paul preached, to bring people to the fulness of Christ. Let's do it his way.

Addendum: I have to link to this site, Karen gives us a great testimony of what the Lord will do when we preach and yeild to the Spirit at, In the Presence of the Almighty.

Can They Believe You

2005-06-21T10:45:00.000-05:00

This is the crux of the matter. Where the "rubber meets the road". Jesus could not do any miracles in his home town, Nazareth, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Jesus was God in the flesh, with the words of God. With the unlimited power of God. With the knowledge of God, and the nature of God. Yet because the people didn't believe what he said, he could not work miracles. God can't work for us unless we trust what he's said to be the truth.

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. With these instructions; "preach the kingdom of heaven. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."

This is the beginning of the work of the church; now that we are the church we are to carry on this work. As Luke said, "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus BEGAN to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen." Acts 1:1.

Jesus BEGAN this work through his chosen, and to this day works through his chosen, the church. We also have been given this authority, Jesus said, "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

All that's required is that they believe our testimony, our word. The same as it was for Jesus. We have received the authority to do the works, but the people have to believe. To illustrate; a man of God received a gift of healing from Jesus in a vision. Jesus placed his finger in the palm of his hand and a tangible anointing was imparted. Jesus instructed him that the anointing would heal every sickness, and drive out all demons. Jesus then told him to tell the people he ministred to about this anointing, and what Jesus said about it so they could believe. As the man preached and told the people of this anointing, it would start to burn in his hand. The obedience brought faith to the people, and an active tangible anointing to heal and deliver.

We don't need to have a special anointing, we have the word and the Spirit, and we can ministrer by faith. But we do need the people to believe that we are the vessels of the Lord and have this authority. Jesus first sermon was, "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me..". The proclaiming of the anointing for works of the kingdom is the starting point to a ministry in the power of the Spirit. If we don't tell the people what the Lord in us wants to do on their behalf, we are shorting them of His blessings. It was first in Jesus mind, and preaching, and it should be first with us so we can accomplish the same works, and fulfill the will of God.

This then is our testimony; "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclam the year of the Lord's favor."

The Wishing Well

2005-06-20T11:36:00.000-05:00

Their was a man at the pool of Bethesda a great number of disabled people gathered to wait for the angel of the Lord to stir the water and be healed of their disease. This man had been a invalid for 38 yrs. Jesus asked him, "do you want to get well?" Jesus's ministry was to the Jews. They were in covenant with God.

In our day God is in covenant with the body of Christ, we the believer's of the gospel of Jesus. We also have a great company of believer who are disabled. And again Jesus is asking, "do you want to get well?".

This invalid at Bethesda replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

Here we see a couple things. One, he was looking for a sign, a physical manifestation of God's grace. This is similar to, if I can see it, then I'll believe it. The amazing part is that God would honor this and send an angel to stir the water. Much like Gideon's fleese. The Lord is full of mercy.

Second we see that he was all alone, all his friends and family had given up on him. Or he never had any, or they wore out with his daily care, either way a pity. The amount of time, and the disabled life had surely caused a monumental amount of suffering. He was of no use to anyone.

Then the fatal blow, when the water is moving and healing available, he is to invalid to be the one to receive. What a pitiful picture of the human experience. This is an extreme illustration of the plight of man.

Yet to all this the question remained; "Do you want to get well?". Listen if your a believer and have a covenant with God and you have a sickness, he has this same question to you, he wants to know "do you want to get well." It doesn't matter what the circumstance. It doesn't matter what the disablity. It doesn't matter how long you've been in this condition. It doesn't matter what the doctor said, what your family history is, or what stage of illness your going through. It don't matter what your theology, what church to belong to or what the doctrine of your assemble happens to be. What is on God's mind is "do you want to get well?"

To all this Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." Get up! This man is an invalid, he just said he needed help. What is Jesus saying? He's teaching faith. He's telling him to do what he can't do, by faith we receive the promises! Get up, and God will honor your faith, and you will receive. Get up and do what you can't and God will strengthen you. Don't look to the physical don't wait till you feel stronger, or see a little improvement, look to the realm of faith, and do the impossible. Take my word for it and do it, "Get up". God is on your side to bless you. This is what Jesus taught him, and what he is teaching us.

Jesus didn't pray for him, he didn't lay his hand on him and impart healing. He didn't even speak a healing for him. Jesus didn't wait until the power of the Lord was present to heal. He helped the man in a greater way, he taught him to help himself by his faith, and there he would find God. "For without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God." But faith in God is greatly pleasing to Him. The one thing this man had in his favor was that he was looking to God for his healing. Jesus showed him how to move God for that healing, by faith.

The ways of God are eternal, what he does for the one he will do for everyone. If we will look to God and do what is impossible to do in the physical, we too shall move God on our behalf and find we are healed. What does it take, FAITH. Faith sees what is unseen, faith grasps what is not-yet, faith is assured that it has received the promise, because God is not a liar. As written, "by his wounds you have been healed." I Peter 2:24

Is He in You

2005-06-17T11:48:00.000-05:00

I love what Gatorade has done with advertising. By drinking it you can win the prize, go the extra mile, jump ten feet in the air, and outlast all your opponents! All explained by, "is it in you". Jesus said, "if you knew who was speaking to you, you would ask for living water." With this living water we will never thirst, we will never run dry, we can't exhaust it's supply. We can win the prize, go the extra mile, jeap from the earth into the heavenlies, and finish our course, and leave our opponents in the dust. This is the promise of the Spirit. This is the inheritance of the church. This is the well of salvation, the river that flows out of our bellies. This is real water, life giving, refreshing the soul, and empowering the saint.

Is He in you? Then draw out of the well of salvation and drink of His Spirit. Open you heart and mouth and let the river of life come forth to cause the plain to spring forth like a garden. And the desert to bloom like a forrest. This is in us, by our faith we are to bring forth the plans for the goodness of the Lord. To bring life where there was death, to bring plenty where there was lack. To bring hope to dispare, love to the unloved, mercy to the lost, grace to the sinner, and children to God. Purpose to the confused, goodness to those in distress, what a wonderful gospel. And we are it's advertising agents!

The other thing Gatorade has emphasized is passion, and great joy. Well excuse me, but I am a believer who can shout for joy, who can shout praises and magnify the Lord. Who is eager to tell of His love. Who is eager to heal the sick, and takes joy in casting out devils, and freeing the captives. I'm one who stirs himself up to take hold of God, and call on His name. To see His power working mightily in me. To see His healing flow from my hand. You think I don't get excited? That's the passion to see God Glorified, and to show His wonderful works, and love, and grace. Do you think I have some special gift or anointing, No. I have Jesus, He is the "anointed one", and He lives His life in me. And also in you if you are a believer, you have recieved Him and the anointing.

So I will go forth in my passion and in the knowledge "he is in me". And walk in His love and do those "works that He foreordained for me". "For we are His workmanship". And if you see me and think "their's a wild and crazy guy" remember, I'm not high on Gatorade, but on the Holy Spirit who is the power of God in the earth. And if you don't think that will make you a passionate and joyfull person, you may already be dead. Pray that God revive you! You see I'm not winning something like a ballgame, where everyone shouts for joy, I'm winning soul's to God for eternity in the presence of the Almighty. I really have something to shout and be glad about, even the angel's join in with me and magnify God.

It's a War Out There

2005-06-15T19:40:00.000-05:00

I've been busy reading lately on the present movement of God. The Lord is establishing the apostle and prophet back into the church. The work and ministry are to help complete the training of the saints into the fullness of Christ. The end is that the body of believers be effective in their service for the Lord. The same as a tree is know for it's fruit, the body will be the fruit of these ministries, able to reproduce after it's own kind (bring sons to God). Luther had the revelation that each person could know salvation. Also each person could know God. This move is so each person can minister in the power and anointing with understanding. The fullness of Christ.

This is good news, that the church should grow to maturity. But there is some bad news. This is not going to be uncontested. By the devil, the threat of fear and terror is his effort to counter what the Lord is doing in the earth. By the devils of religion, to cast lies and accusations on the new men of the Lord. To slander things that have not been received into the main stream of Christianity, to try to divide the body even futher.

This brings us to the main issue, "will I find faith when I return". Faith is the issue. Fear is the lie that would cause men to stop short of there completing the calling of Christ. The word of the Lord, as it is written has to be trusted as the only truth. This word also includes all the promises to the church. As God is true and the word is sure, then the promises will come to pass. The question is on which side of the blessing will you be? Will you believe and receive, and walk in the fullness of Christ. Or will you doubt and fear, and walk on in your ignorance? Yes the Lord will still love you, we are all saved by His unfailing love and grace. But will you please Him, and give Him pleasure in your faith as Abraham?

Paul explained that even though the Jews had the scriptures it didn't profit them because of unbelief. So He sent them prophets, yet they killed them, rather than be corrected. This is historical fact. Let's be sure to keep a humble and teachable spirit, lest we do the same, by our unbelief and words and murmuring. The Lord is doing a shaking in the earth and in the church. So that He may present it as glorious and without spot or blemish or wrinkle. I don't know what it will look like in it's glory. I don't know how the Lord will accomplish all His good pleasure in the earth. But I do know He is faithful and will do it. I want to be on the Lord's side. No matter what He does.

My concern is two fold, for the congregation and for the ministers. Are we ready for the power of God to be manifest in our midst? Can we receive a prophet of the Lord and hear what is said and do it? Will we yield to the Spirit and heal the sick, and set the captives free? Can we worship and praise God in adversity? And only ask Him to streach forth His hand that wonders and mighty works be done in the name of Jesus? As the congregation we must shake off a spectator stance, and become the hands, and feet of this gospel, in the power of the Spirit. As ministers we must loose the knowledge of the Lord, and empower and encourage the people to be faithful to the leading of the Spirit, and how to discern His will.

There is much more to be said on these things. This is a bulletin, a notice, these things are surely coming. The glory of the Lord WILL cover the earth. Let's reexamine our hearts and settle our minds. The ways of the Lord are beyond our understanding. Prepare ourselves to be usefull instruments in the work of the Lord. Learn the voice of God, learn the teaching of those the Lord sends, be of good cheer, the Lord our God reigns.

Tag'ed Books

2005-06-14T23:16:00.000-05:00

I've had a funny relation with books. My first day of school, I went back home and told my mother, "I don't need that". So I never was interested in books, until I was saved. The bible was my inspiration. After that all of the christian authors I could find that I agreed with, or that knew something that I didn't, their were a lot! I've never bought a fiction book, although some I've read seem like fiction. The only other subjects have been art and music. On occasion I read a lot, I may reread the same book a hundred times, then I don't read for quite a while, perhaps a year or so. If I am interested in a subject then I read until I grasp a working knowledge, and then work with that and discontinue reading. I view books as a tool to DO OTHER THINGS.

Total number of books owned; a thousand.

Last book I bought: Holding to the Word of the Lord; Roberts Liardon

Last book I read: The Best of Life; T. L. Osborn

Five books that mean a lot to me; this is hard, I've read many great authors, I can only single out one as the most outstanding I've ever read (apart from the bible) I doubt that anyone has ever hear of it. To Fight With Angels; Roland J. Lewis.

This is my list, and answer to your tag, thanks for the chance to express myself. And thanks to you J. A. Gillmartin.

Do We Get It?

2005-06-08T21:56:00.000-05:00

This is the gospel of Jesus. That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That who-so-ever believeth on Him shall not perish but receive eternal life. This is the simple over view of the words and works of God. We can reduce it to this; God loves us, and has made a way for us to live with Him. In harmony, without fear, full of confidence in His love for us.

What is so bad about this? Why is this message of God's love so hard to understand? "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us." How much more will He freely give us all things now that we are reconciled to God through Jesus. All of scripture is the word of God's faithfulness to His dream and plan for man, "to become the sons of God."

We don't have to beg or plead. He's not withholding anything from us. He is willing to give us all things pertaining to life, and our relationship with Him. There is an adversary, one who would try to stop the blessing of God to us, the devil. He can't stop God from sending the blessing, so the devil will attact us and try to stop us from receiving. He will try to cause us to doubt, to waiver in our faith. To convince us that we are on our own. That God is to busy, or not involved, or doesn't do those things any more. Or that it's for an other time, or place, and we'll have to do without. He is a liar.

Let go back and look at how love acts. God is love, so by seeing how love acts, we know how God will act. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, is is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." I Cor 13:4. This is the fruit of love.

I said that love acts, it's not an attitude but an action. As written in James 2:15 "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it."

Let look at the life of Jesus. He was moved with compassion toward the people. This caused Him to heal the sick, loose the bound, preach the good news of the salvation of God. Heal the brokenhearted, mend the broken in spirit, and set the captives free. This is our example of LOVE IN ACTION. We who are born of God, by the work and word of Jesus have received this love. It first has it's work in us to align us to the way of God, and the way of love. Then as it is assimulated and become a living part of our being it works through us to help those in darkness around us in ever increasing strength. All according to the power of the Lord at work in us.

There are many admonitions to love. Paul, "Follow the way of love". John, "Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble." And the words of Jesus, "by this shall all men know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another". I can't think of a more important or better way to live than to obey this command. It is not grievious, it's a joy. It's not hard, if we will remember all that the Lord has forgiven us. This is a light burden, and an easy yoke. To bring the good news of salvation for man, and the eternal life of love from God. Let's remember that to love and not act is not a living love, but a living love will cause us to act in love. Bringing real help and relief to those in need of the love of God.

The Integrity of the Word

2005-06-07T18:28:00.000-05:00

The devil tempted Eve by representing himself as someone who possesed knowledge. He cast doubt on the word of God. Faith in God is believing what he has said. By man's betrayal of this trust, they broke faith with God. Even so God has remained faithful to his word, and to his purpose for man. That man should become "sons of God". The way is by faith, believing what God has said. This is what Jesus preached and lived. All was the fulfillment of the word of God on behalf of man, and God's plan for us. As it is written, "my just shall live by faith". Believe on the Son and you shall be saved. To them gave He power to become the sons of God.

The Lord made man as a vessel for His life, to be a partaker of himself. As these vessels we are made conscious of His nature, His life, and love in us. He is the source of everything good is us, to us, and through us. Think for a moment. Is there any reason to fear? Is there any thing to fear, either now or in the future? Is there any council, or weapon, or devise that can prevail against God? And He lives in us! Indeed we are more than conquerors, through Christ in us. This truth is liberating. We can live in confidence. We can live in victory. We can have all our needs supplied. We can overcome any and all obstacles. We can live just like Jesus.

This is all according to what God has written. And we can live according to His word, just like Jesus did. In God's plan man is a vital and desired helper. We are loved, and wanted, and accepted. We are His crowning glory. "To bring many sons to God". God has valued us worth the life of His own Son! We are valuable to God. We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. "By His own will be begot us", God will is that we become his sons! Not only so, but He desires companionship, and friendship, and fellowship with us today, tomorrow, and forever. He desires to make known unto us the fulness of His blessing to us who believe. The greatness of His love and power on our behalf. And the goodness of His plans and purposes for us.

As it's written, "eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard, nor hath entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him". But the Spirit will reveal them unto us as we continue to grow in the knowing of our Father. And in His love, and hold fast to the truth of God as He has written in His word.

Ministry of the Spirit

2005-06-02T11:33:00.000-05:00

The nation of Israel has left us with this understanding. We can't figure out what God has said. The teachers of the law in Jesus day were perplexed and amazed at the words that he spoke. They were ready to stone him, they accused him, they said he was possessed of a devil. This much is sure; of all their teaching and study it left them totally clueless! They had the "word of God", but no understanding.

The walk and life and work of Jesus was a mystery to the people of his day. There was no one on the earth who knew what he was doing. The scripture says, "if they had know, they would not have cruified the Lord of Glory." It was sealed up, and known only to God. The words of Jesus are beyond the minds of men. If not, why didn't they know. As Paul said, "the natural mind is at emity with God." "The natural man doesn't understand the things of God, they are spiritually discerned."

How then can we understand? In ourselves we can't. But Jesus has provided the way. The Holy Spirit of God. When the word of God is proclaimed, the Spirit works in our hearts convincing us of it's truth. As Jesus said, "when the Spirit is come He will convict the world of sin, righteouness, and judgement." Therefore we see to be born of God, we accept the testimony of the Spirit, and receive the word, and the word and the Spirit produce the life in us. As Jesus said, "unless you are born of the Spirit, you can not see the kingdom of God."

This is of major importance when dealing with the unsaved, and also why we are instructed to speak with grace. They will not understand the words so much, but they will understand the spirit by which the testimony is given. All natural men are in darkness, the light of the Spirit will illuminate the word of God. So we conclude that indeed it is all by grace, the unmerited favor of God.

Seeing then that we started with the Spirit, we should also walk with the Spirit. To learn to "stop, look, and listen", and be instructed by the Spirit. We have all received the Spirit that we may know the things freely given to us, that is we who have been born of God. Through the testimony concerning His Son. As the Spirit instructed us into this salvation, he will also lead us into all truth. Our natural mind will not, our own understanding will not, only the revelation and quickening and witness of the Spirit within us can teach us.

The word of God is food, not an intellectual jig-saw puzzle. As recorded, the meat, and the milk of the word. Paul said he wrote with words taught by the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual words. If Paul had to be taught what to write, then surly we have to be taught what they mean. If we where to presume to "know the mind of God", to "be sure I know the doctrines", or any other such boast, we can be sure it's the speech of a fool. Let's not go beyond what we do know and boast of things we know not. The Spirit will lead the humble, but oppose the arrogant.

Consider the works of the Spirit; the stars in the heavens are the result of His power. The names and numbers their size and weight. The orbits and configurations are all known. There eternal purpose and end glory, the whole of their realm and reason for exsistence. This the Spirit worked, all accourding to the mind of God and the Word of God. Understanding all these and producing them by His power. Not only, but of all the planets, and folage, and animals, and everthing that was or is in the mind of God, that was spoken, He has produced all this. Of things of the heavens, or of the things on the earth, and that which regards man and his purposes. Such knowledge is to wonderful for the mind of man.

Back to our case, the Spirit within is to create the realitys of the word, not only to us, but to produce it in us. As written, "we are living epistles". This is food, not a mental exercise. It to grow us into the likeness and people where God dwells. In reality not in theory. There is discussion on two experiences of the Spirit. I myself have had not only two, but twenty. And if I have two hundred I still will need more to become the person that the Lord has made me in the "new creation". Not that any thing is lacking in me, but the understanding of what "the Lord has done" is not complete. The gifts of the Spirit are unlimited, can God be limited? These are listed to encourage us to "seek, ask, and knock" to know the power and the love of God, to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. Let's set aside all our differences and press in to know the Father, and to bring Him glory, and honor, and praises.

A Better Way

2005-05-28T11:36:00.000-05:00

Jesus said, "the Comforter will come, and lead you into all truth". The infilling Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues has brought up this question;

is there an advantage to speaking to God when you don't know what you are saying? ..what is it that you get through the experience of praying in tongues that I do not get through silence in prayer?

There is a inward stiring, the voice is yours (read it carefully; "THEY all spoke with tongues,), and an inward listening and drawing or pulling forth of flow of the Spirit within. Speaking forth the sounds preceived in the inner man. The sounds, or language, is the Spirits, giving utterance for you to speak. I'll insert a previous post here.

Next, I know one of the main purposes man was created is to worship God. The gift of tongues is always associated with worship and praise of God. The Lord inhabit's the praises of his people. So if your looking for the presence of the Lord in your midst, or in your own life, this is definately the way. As for silent prayer. Why would I be silent when I can boldly speak forth his praise, and enter his presence? The only time is around those who have not this knowledge. Then I pray (under my breath) not to offend. I'd like you to review another short post, here.

This experience has lead me to believe that we have underestimated the Lord's involvement in our lives. I grew up in a church where God seemed far away. There were no gifts, or manifestations of God. He was represented as someone who you will have to deal with in the sweet by and by. My God is here, and active, and loving, and involved and eager to teach, heal, deliver, and to bless with joy, love, right thinking, and the power to live right and free from all fear and all harm, and over anything that can be named. Through the power of His name, that is above all names.

Yielding part 2

2005-05-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

The response from my last post has brought an issue I feel needs to be addressed. This is a portion of the comment;

rev-ed said, ..you've put me in an interesting situation as you seem to be saying that if I do not speak in tongues then I am not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. If that is the case, then how biblically can you prove such a thing?

I will be glad to answer this. I also would ask a question. As a believer in Jesus who has been born again, and baptized into one Spirit with him; who told you that you could not speak in tongues? I submit that all who have received the Spirit may speak with tongues. By what authority? The words of Jesus;

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach he good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." Mark 16:15

Here is the word that not only can they, but they will. Your doctrine may not believe it, your head may not agree with it, but the Spirit in you can't deny himself. I see a phenomenon in churchs every week. The pastors have labored with prayer and study. They seek the Lord's direction and blessing on the flock. They go over their outline looking diligently for ways to improve the delievery, to find some way to make it memorable. Then they pour there hearts into the preaching. In the preaching the Lord will stir deeply in their hearts and touch them, you can see the eyes moisten, you can here the voice quiver, you can see there posture change, and you know something deep is in the works.

Then what happen? They stop, they choke it back, they get a drink of water, or wipe their brow. Any thing to distract until they can regain composure, and control. Why? They didn't understand that the Spirit of God showed up to answer their prayer. To bring forth that blessing of the Lord in their midst. They haven't learned to yeild to the Spirit. Preacher if crying comes out of your mouth in this situation, then cry with all your might. If some unarticulate language comes out then shout it. You can give yourself over to God the Spirit. He will bring God's will to pass, yeild. Get beyond yourself and let God take over. You can't get beyond Him. And you will speak in tongues, and prophecy. The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of phophesy.

I know from my own experience that yeilding to the leading of the Spirit results in blessing. And from history, there were two in England who would yield to God. With crying, and tears, and great humility, with groaning, and suplication to God. These two brought a revival to the whole nation. So my brothers we are more gifted than we at first believed. And the Lord will be glorified.

Yield

2005-05-23T10:34:00.000-05:00

This is the requirement for growth. You can be in an oasis of the out-pouring of God's blessing and not get a thing. Or you can be filled with wonder and awe at the power and goodness of God. The difference is to yeild, to leave off your ability to understand with your mind. To enter into something you've never seen or experienced. Jesus was always doing something that the people couldn't understand, your mind is not your guide, it's your servant. Tell it to hold it's peace, and learn something. The Lord will not work according to your head.

Do you want to grow? I mean do you really want God? Are you willing to believe that He knows better than you. Then yield. There are a whole lot of God's people who don't believe that God still works wonders by the Spirit. That the gifts have been done away. I ask where is that in the word? It's not. These are babe's, they can not grow to maturity, they lack spiritual discernment. God loves them, but they have to be cared for, they can't perceive the greater works of God. Yes, they have intellectual knowledge, but little experience with the working of God.

Are you angry with me, is this my plan, or God's. Did God say he chooses the foolish to confound the wise? Will you be foolish enough to believe Him? I am. The first evidence of the indwelling spirit is "tongues". If you can't accept that then how will you accept the greater gifts? This gift will teach you not to rely on your mind. Your mind will not understand, and will fight you, saying, "this is foolish". Yes it is foolish to the mind, but the wisdom of God to speak his will into your life. Learn to yeild to this gift, and to make your mind submit to the word of God. And to exercise your spirit, and grow thereby. To strengthen your faith in God. And build your self up in the spirit. To who is this gift, to everyone who believes.

Let's get past this, ask the Lord to help you with this, and grow to maturity. The gift of prophesy, or the gift of tongues with interpetation, is vital to the work of the Lord. We are all aware of how the Lord works, He speaks, and it comes into being. He speaks and it stands fast. The word of the Lord is the enabling of what is spoken, and his way of working. By this gift we are co-laborers in the work of the kingdom. God has tied himself to man to do his work, he will not act independent of us the church. "The Lord God does nothing without first revealing His secret to His servants the prophets" Amos 3:7. The prophet is the voice, the word is the Lord's.

There is also gifts of healings, working of miracles, the gift of faith, the descerning of spirits, word of knowledge, and the word of wisdom. The Lord would have us to grow where we are comfortable with His gifts. And able to understand what He would have us doing. I know His ways are right, and powerful, enabling us to work in His kingdom. The Lord said, "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, sayeth the Lord".

Tug on Superman's Cape

2005-05-21T11:44:00.000-05:00

While I admit there is no superman, the concept of "tugging on His (Jesus) cape" is very valid. One time in Texas I was in need of a "word in season" from the Lord. There were a lot of confusing issues I had to face, and naturally I was clueless. So I went to a church that believed in the prophetic gifts. Now this is how amazing the Lord is, they were being taught how to flow in the spirit. And the topic for the night was prophesy.

I was the only one who was unknown to this body. So they asked if I could be the target of the words of the Spirit. So instead of getting one word from the Lord, I got a word from everyone! They were all wrote down and prayerfully done. Then there was a couple who were traveling ministers that had a prophetic gift, with song. As they were singing I started to ernestly seek God, to draw on Him. How? Desire, with faith, that He would use this couple to bless this body. By "pulling" on the anointing that was operating.

The couple started to speak great mystery's of the fullness of the plans of God. Their words were like fire in my belly. I mean a burning, and energizing, and alive with fire. They spoke and I continued to draw on God's anointing, it went on for some time, perhaps twenty minutes. I was on fire inside, a great swelling, life giving, energizing flow of the power of God, in my belly. I can't tell you want they said, it was all to wonderful for my mind to grasp, but my spirit understood!

Jesus said, "where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in their midst". If we will take this truth and apply it, one person can "tug on Jesus cape (the anointing)" and he can bring the manifest presence of God on the scene. I know it works. I have a lady friend in Texas who draws on God in meetings with a cute little squeal. God hears her squeal and comes in to bless her, she can draw Him in the dryest places. If you and another will team up and desire God, and pull on His anointing in your services, you will be blessed, and amazed, and filled with the fire and presence of the Lord. And your church will say "we don't know what happened, but the Lord was here".

Is it My Turn

2005-05-18T11:47:00.000-05:00

I went to a ministers meeting a few years ago, while going the Lord spoke to me a teaching to give at the service. Now I didn't ask for it, I wasn't looking for a pulpit. I was simply a member of this body, and was going for the fellowship. The vice-president was the speaker. He's a Godly man, of authority in an organization of penecostal churchs and ministers.

The "gift of prophesy" was manifest during his sermon. He spoke of something that he was unaware of and had no knowledge of in the natural. Speaking of something yet to come. Which did happen. When I asked him about it months later, he replied, "I never said any of that or know anything about it." In other words, he spoke and was not aware of what he said. The statement was quite extensive and referred to other places. In whole it would fill a paragraph. And yet, he didn't know he said any of it!

His sermon lasted over three hours. Finally, he gave a call to the altar for any with needs. And he open the floor for anyone who had a witness. I then told the congregation what the Lord had spoken to me, it took two or three minutes. After that he was going to pray for the people at the alter, but all the people had there answer, and there weren't any who now needed prayer. They all already had their answer. Why, because of the anointing of the Spirit on that word.

So here are leaders of the church. Doing the will of God. And yet, to receive from the Lord the word in season that he had for them, I had to wait over three hours! Now I've been in services where the Lord starts moving and no one leaves. As a matter of fact, time seems to stand still, and hours mean nothing. At these meeting with the Lord, there is no preaching, but a lot of prophesy of the Glory of the Lord. And songs of the wonders of the Fathers love. With great awareness of the Lord's presence, and love, and power.

This brings me to my focus. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God". This means the church assembly as well as the indivual. Paul in his letter spoke of the corporate body, each with a teaching, prophesy, song, or revelation. To be led by the Spirit and to do all orderly. It is clear to me that these are seeking God. Or how can we account for these things? It is presumption to speak for God, if God has not said. Even if it is the word of God, in that case there is not an anointing, or the authority of the Spirit.

I understand not all services are the same. The Sunday morning may be for the proclaiming of the Gospel to the unsaved. But there needs to be services that minister "to the Lord". To draw closer to him, to seek him, to follow his plans and purpose for that body. A service as Paul said where all are used of the Lord, and all may be encouraged. A time for growth of the members, and exercise of the spiritual gifts in the body. For revelations of the Spirit. And wisdom to know the time and season of God.

To know the Lord, this is the greatest need! To see him as he is, to see his glory. This was the prayer of Jesus. The prophets saw Him, and were overwhelmed for days. John saw Him, and fell as dead. The Israel nation saw his cloud, and the noise was heard for miles. The apostles saw his fire and were heard in the streets. I know of others who saw Him and evangelized the nations. Saul saw his light, and became Paul who "turned the world upside down". We also can see Him. And this is the goal in the mind of God. That we may know Him, not about Him, but to see Him as he is in His Glory. To astonish the world with His word, and His presence. So here is the verdict; God says now it is my turn, "I will come myself and the church will see my glory."

Majoring on Minors

2005-05-15T18:18:00.000-05:00

The majority of preaching that I here and see in our pulpits has forced me to write this as a protest. I ask you, when you leave church, do you feel more loved and accepted? Do you leave knowing that God is pleased with you? Has your confidence in your relationship with the Father filled your heart with joy? Are you more aware of the love of the Father? Do you leave knowing that the goodness and mercy of God will follow you? From the form of preaching I hear, I would say not.

I sometimes wonder if the preachers really know God. Not do they know about him, but have fellowship with him. I would hope so, but my Lord doesn't treat me like they preach. Is preaching something foreign to life? Or is it supposed to deal with life? With the reality of God with us, and in us, and for us. I for one think it should.

The vast amount of preaching deals with sin. By this the people can be subdued, and contained. Because no one is perfect, just ask your preacher, then your put in you place. To sit, to hear, to pay, to obey. To drive the bus, and whatever-else the church needs from you. After all you are committed to the church, aren't YOU? This is using the Holiness of God. Yes, God is Holy, and perfect.

God uses three words to describe Himself, light, life, and love. God is love. This is His nature, love. Not Holy. Although he is holy. Love is of God, it is God. Love is acceptance, and joy, and fellowship, encouragement. Preachers have majored on a minor, and ignored the very essence of God, love. We have been begot by the will of God. Not so he can whip us into shape. But so we can love him back. So we can share in his goodness, and walk with him in our life.

If you went to a relatives house and all they did was point out your faults, you would not look forward to returning. You may never darken their door again. How WRONG this is for the house that bears the name of the Lord! We are accepted in Jesus, and you preacher had better learn that and get over it. We are all made to stand by the same grace. And loved period.

I can hear the arguments, these things are necessary. Okay, then listen to my argument. Remember the joy and love you had at your salvation, when you accepted Jesus as Lord? What happened to that. I'll tell you what happened, it got preached out of you. You hear you weren't good enough. You hear you didn't know enough. You hear you had a lot of growing up to do. A lot of cleaning up and straightening up, and endless other things that God was holding against you, repent!

Hog-wash. The joy of your salavation was just the beginning, the sweet fellowship of belonging to God was just the tip of the iceberg. The whole of the mountain of God is yours to climb. And God wants that joy and fellowship to be that mountain, to be enlarged, to know him better, to contain the fullness of joy. To be sweeter and sweeter day by day. To grow closer hour by hour. To know him personally in ever increasing ways. This is the job of the preacher. To encourage the people into deeper walks with their Lord. To encourage the people to grow in trust in the love of their Father. To be the example of an intimate relationship with the Lord. So if you don't know him, seek him, and if you do, then tell the truth about His LOVE!

Reason for Faith

2005-05-12T10:31:00.000-05:00

God is a faith being. To help let's define faith as; total confidence and ability. God revealed himself to Moses as; "I am that I am". We can state it; "I am ____ I am", and fill in the blank with what ever and everything that is in the creation by the will of God. He is all, and in all, and by him they have there existence. He was telling Moses, that I am all you need. I am your life, your nourishment, your supply for all things. God being a faith being, he sires children of faith. As it says, "my just shall walk by faith". The children also know God as the source of all, and have the same "total confidence in His ability."

This promise was to Moses; that God would be with him. As the writer of Hebrews states, we have a better convenant. We have not only the promise of His presence, but of His indwelling life. This is a world of difference. Now He himself is our ability and life, and all things to us and for us. His is our strenght, his is our love, his is our joy. His is our faith, our hope, our confidence. He is all things in us and to us. No matter what is needed or necessasary, he is the supply in us.

As it says, "let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich". The life that Jesus is now living is ours. The glorified, exalted, life of the Lord of Lords. Doesn't scripture bear this testimony? Yes, Paul spoke; Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Who Can You Trust

2005-05-11T20:58:00.000-05:00

The first man and woman were tested in this; to believe what God said, or to believe a lie. Not by God, but by his enemy, Satan. They failed, and man died (was separated from the life of God), and death in the flesh became his portion (separation from his body). The lie was that God was with-holding something, it was an attack on the character of God.

In our present day it is still the same. The way to God is by faith (trust) in what God has said. The same test that Adam and Eve had, to either believe God, or perish. The lie is still the same, that God can't be trusted. It is an attack on the character of God.

The life of God that was forfieted by Adams fall has always been available by trust. Adam was provided a covering by God. The lion skin for his body was for the redemtion of the flesh, and the life of the lion as a sacrifice of the innocent for the guilty, in a type of God's own redemtion for the soul that sins. That was yet to be accomplished in Jesus the Lion of Judah. Spoken to them by God, "the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent, and he shall bruise his heel".

So even though man failed, God did not fail man. The bible is God's record of his unfailing faithfulness toward man. And the record of man's failure totally and completely. In it we see, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."

This is the present reality, the love and faithfulness of God, through the life he offers to those who believe in his Son, or perish in your refusal to trust God, and instead believe in lies. Let me tell you this, no one, not even yourself wants the best for you more than God. And no one is more able to satisfy you than the Father who loves you, and earnestly desires you to trust in Him. He is not with holding any thing from us, he even gave his Son to die in our place, to bear away our sins, and will freely give us the resurection life in Jesus in our lives. Then we are his sons, and heirs to his glorious kingdom.

Follow Me

2005-05-10T11:13:00.000-05:00

The walk of the disciples started when they followed Jesus. Then for the next three or more years they waited on him for direction. The leader was always Jesus. He didn't ask them what they thought needed to be done. Except to test their understanding, as with feeding the five thousand. Here we have a principal of submission. He leads, we follow. He directs, we do. He speaks, and we gain understanding.

Throughout this time the disciples learned that his ways were not their ways. He always knew where to go, what to do, and how to do it. They were amazed at his wisdom, power, and love. Of one thing they were sure, he was in charge, not them. After the cross and resurrection, he told them to wait for the Holy Spirit to be with them and to empower them.

In our day it is popular to have power. But I think that the disciples were not so much looking for the power as they were looking for a leader! I think we have it wrong, and the apostles had it right. We need leading more than power. Not that we don't need the power, but we desperately need leading. The power is the Lord's anyway, not ours.

Of what use is unbridled power, would you hold a live electric wire to have power? The power has to be harnessed for a purpose to be used. The Spirit will not go around blowing things up, he will not give his power to use as we see fit, we are not that smart. He uses his power for his purpose and will, as he wants, not as we want. Yes, the power is available, but so is the leading.

I can only imagine, but I think I am right. The disciples were awaiting to be lead, to have the Spirit teach as Jesus said. To look for the Spirit, as they looked to Jesus. And get direction, and know what to do, when to do it, and understanding of how to do it. Just like Jesus. They waited on Him. Other wise they were disconnected, and didn't know the way to go.

I would be natural for them by this time. After three years of waking up and looking around to see if Jesus was up, or if he had gone off somewhere. There were many times they had to go look for him, as he never did what they expected. So too, they would look to the Spirit, to see what he said, to get direction for the present time. I don't think they would have moved, until the Spirit said to. Their day was spent in communion with the Lord. Wheather with Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. Their walk was one of fellowship. To fellowship with God was the whole purpose.

Jesus could have came and did the work, and fulfilled the will of God all by himself. He didn't need any help to do the work. Why then the disciples? God desires fellowship, he wants and likes our company. And loves to share who he is with us, so that we may desire him as well. So that we walk with him. So that we talk with him. So that we know him, even as he knows us. So that we share our lives and receive his life. To exchange our limited views, for his unlimited glory.

Deliever us from Fear

2005-05-09T19:52:00.000-05:00

I havn't seen this but I hear it is accurate. A snake can kill a bird. It happens that if a bird lands on a branch of a bush. And a snake see's it he slithers over to where the bird is purched. Then when the bird see's the snakes eyes staring at him, the bird is accually paralyzed with fear, until he falls to his death as a prey to the snake.

This a how the devil works. Jesus has defeated him. Yet the church world is full of fear. He has no power just threats. The Lord said we would have tribulation, but to be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. I would paraphrase it this way; there will be those who will come against you, but I will scatter them, and you will continue in my joy and victory. Again, you will eat of my table in the presence of you enemies, and goodness and mercy will be your portion.

In our beginning of life we were slave to the fear of death. Now we are free in the eternal life of God. Give no place to fear, it will paralyze your life. God wants us to grow in confidence of His delievering and keeping power. To be far from fear, trusting in the goodness and mercy of God. Fear was the result of sin in Adam who hid from the presence of God. Jesus has removed that fear, and we now have fellowship with the Father.

So let us keep our eyes on Jesus. The world will be in dispare, and confusion, and fear, but we have the victory in Christ. Even our faith. Force yourself to live free from fear. The violent take it by force. Jesus asked, "will I find faith when I return?" He will if we refuse to fear. Faith and fear are like magnets, they have attracting power. Job said, "what I feared came upon me". And Jesus said, "according to your faith be it unto you."

See that your faith is not turned to fear. Such was the faith of Peter when walking on the water. He took his eyes off the word to "come", and seeing the waves and the storm began to sink. Determine to walk by the word, and refuse to look around, and finish your course with JOY!

Make Disciples

2005-05-09T11:01:00.000-05:00

This is the final command recorded in Matthew. The starting point of the church.

Then Jesus came to them and said. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

First Jesus explains that He has authority over all. The foundation of asking and receiving, binding and loosing. We have not yet grasped the scope of this truth.

The baptizing is not only of water to be seen of men as an act of acceptance of the rule of God, but also immersion into the body of Christ by the Spirit. Hebrews speaks of these baptizisms.

The teaching can then be friutful having recieved the Holy Spirit. This is the area of the church that needs our attention. We are to teach the whole council of Jesus, and to obey (do) them. This study and application of the word to our lives will produce fruit of the kingdom of God. The word produces faith in God. Faith in God in our actions produces the acts of God. The acts of God will produce fruit, more disciples, for the increase of the kindgom.

This is the super-natural result of being disciples. The Lord saying this, "surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Jesus is not here to take a break from His work, but to continue His work through us. So if we are not now fruitful we need to check our teaching to be sure we have not left out what Jesus put in. And to be sure our fellowship with the Lord is secure, and vibrant and alive.

Happy Mother's Day

2005-05-08T18:44:00.000-05:00

The most wonderful people in the world, our's mother's. Pray that God would fill your hearts and lives with His blessings, even as you have filled our lives with your love and lives.

Jeannie from Angel wiv Attitude has tagged me to pick four of these accupations and tell what I would do if I could be these things. Here's the list;

If I could be a scientist... a farmer... a musician... a doctor... a painter... a gardener... a missionary... a chef... an architect... a linguist... a psychologist... a librarian... an athlete... a lawyer... an inn-keeper... a professor... a writer... a llama-rider... a bonnie pirate... an astronaut... a world famous blogger... a justice on any one court in the world... married to any current famous political figure.

My answers; an astronaut, not a present day one though, a futureistic one. One who could travel in a personal suit, no ship necessary. One who traveled at the speed of desire, not limited to natural law. The be able to see the milky way, and be there, to take a white water raft ride down the swirls and waves and twists and turns. To spin like a top on the rings of Saturn. To be shot from the Archer's bow into the far-out galaxy's, and roam the forests of distant planets. To reach the outer frontier, and watch God form new suns and planets and mega-galaxy's. It's a good life to be an astronaut.

A musician and to that add the writer; to make the most moving of play's and opera's and story's of aventure and of love. To spell bind the audience to the wonderful tales of heroics, and peril and danger. To captivate the people with the sounds of fear and of overcoming victory. To cause Mozart to turn green with envy, and say "I wish I'd wrote that".

An architect; to build palace's and castle's and fill the country side with villas and grand mansions. To make vast spacious rooms and abundant closets, with stairways reaching from one end to the other.

Testimony of the Spirit

2005-05-06T11:32:00.000-05:00

There appears to be more interest in Holy Spirit experiences and discussion on teaching. To place more posts for inspection I have two previous post in the Archives, for anyone interested. If I knew how I would link them. Anyway; February the 8th, "It's all in There, part 2". And February the 9th, "They will Speak with New Tongues". Feel free to comment.

Who Will Be Greatest

2005-05-06T00:41:00.000-05:00

In several discussions on the .net. This has come up in a different form. The question of a two or more tier system of being, "better, closer, or more connected". While it may be true we are all equally loved, we are not all equally gifted. We each have our own place in the body, and that is where we fit, and not in another place. I'm sure that each of us has this same desire, to find and fulfill our place in the body.

The Lord has placed Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teachers in the body to bring it to maturity. So we can all know and fulfill our place. So we can all know the fulness of the love of God, and each share in His presence, pleasure, and goodness. But we are not there yet.

I personally am glad to find a person who has a more intimate relationship with God. I can learn more from them. If I were content with my own little revelation and knowledge, then I would stop growing. I'm not yet satisfied with my stature, I need to grow. I need people to show me the way. I need people who understand the mysteries of God. Let me find a man who has climbed the mountain of God. Then I will gain understanding, then I will know as I am known.

Then I conclude that there is a two or more tier system. Is it God's fault? No, God is impartial, there is no shadow of turning with Him. What then is it? Fear! Consider Moses. All Isreal was at the foot of the mountain of God. God desired all the people to know Him. He desired all the people to come up the mountain. For all to hear Him. To be their God in intimacy. But the people would not. Fear. Fear stopped them. Why didn't it stop Moses? Moses also feared, and shook. But it didn't stop him. It couldn't stop him because he "knew God". He knew that God was there to deliever, not to harm. He knew that God would bless them and make them His people.

This is what Moses learned of God in the "burning bush", he learned the nature of God. He learned the mercy of God. He learned the love of God. It's the love of God that drives out all fear. When we get a revealation of the love of God, then we are free of fear. Then we will climb the mountain of God. Then when we speak He will answer. Then when He speaks, we will hear. Then we will have His presence with us in power. Then our enemies will be scattered. And we will be blessed above all the people's of the earth. Fear not, trust in the Lord, and lean not to your own understanding.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

2005-05-03T23:29:00.000-05:00

There is some discussion on the blog-us-sphere around this experience. I have been a recepient of the infilling, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. I will not address the issue on the intellectual level. That of agruing or answering questions. I will simply tell you of the results in my life to this point.

While in these discussions the role of the emotions has been one of question. I submitt that Jesus also displayed intense emotion. He weep, he lept for joy, he was deeply griefed, and so on. For myself when in communion with the Spirit, I also have experienced weeping, great joy, and the power of His might in the inner man. And many other ways. This is all according to the will of the Father, revealed in scripture, "he restoreth my soul". The emotions belong in the realm of the soul.

The greatest blessing of this is the deep awareness of the Lord in me, and the love that He brings to bear upon my heart. In times of prayer (praying in other tongues) the Spirit will move on and in me to directions of His choosing, and enlighten my mind to what He is doing. For the mind doesn't understand the language, but the Spirit gives knowledge to my spirit so I may understand. Not always then, nor every time I pray, but as I have need of encouragement or knowledge and direction.

This is an attempt to use an analogy: suppose you wanted to find something on the inter-net. But didn't know the address, you would submit it to a search engine. God is the same, praying in other tongues is God's search engine. To find the will of God and speak it forth into your life. Without this gift, you are greatly hindered in fulfilling God's will for your life, or to help those to whom you are sent. You will have to search it all out on your own. If you can find it!

Scripture bears this out, "you know not how to pray, nor what you ought. But the Spirit maketh intercessions on your behalf". For me the beauty is that by the Holy Spirit I am a partaker of the life that Christ gives. Also Paul said it is the giving of thanks, and I love to worship God. His presence affects every area of my being and life. It quickens, and give life to all my members. He takes the things of God and shows them to and in me. And I become a living epistle.

Sibling Rivalry

2005-04-30T13:39:00.000-05:00

Every family has it. There's no getting around it. Well I'll admit it, I'm green with envy, I'm purple with jealousy. Why am I jealous? Am I envious of your churches, no. Or your degrees, no. How about the number of people that flock to you, no. Is it that you are honored by men, or have big houses, or the finest cars, no. These are nice things, and blessing from God. What then is my problem?

I am jealous of all the children who know God better than I. Has God shown you a vision? Then I am jealous. Have you been to heaven, or been shown a mystery of God? Then I am jealous. When you pray, does the Spirit move and the presence of the Lord come in power? Then I am jealous. Have you felt the power of the Fathers love, or the power to heal and deliver? Do you know His voice, and hold conversations with Him? Does He show you things to come? Then I am jealous.

You see, I want to steal His heart. I want His attention. I want to be the apple of His eye. The favorite son, the one to who He can visit, and talk and explain the mysterys of the universe. Or just to have me sit in His presence. To soak in His goodness and love. When He wants something done, or wants to speak to His people, I want to be His messenger. I want to be the boy He wants me to be. "Send me" is my hearts desire. What then shall I do? Will I throw up my hands in defeat, are there to many sons for Him to single me out? Not for a moment! I know a secret! I have found a way! I know how to stop God in His tracks, to have Him hear my voice above all the others!

I will worship Him! This is the secret, this will cause Him to stop all activity's, to hush the angel's, to take a brake in the meetings. I will worship Him! He will cancel His appointments, and leave His work, and will come to see and hear my cry for the heart of my Father. I will worship Him! He will answer me with His presence. He will fill my heart with goodness and His joy. I will worship Him! He will supply all my needs and show Himself strong on my behalf. And I will worship Him again!

So if you are ever in a service and the presence of the Lord comes, consider. Before you credit the preaching. Or the saintly people, or the beautiful music and wonderful choir. It may not be the number of people or their fine cloths. Look around and see, their may be a stranger in your midst. Or it may be one of your own number. One who also found my secret. Church be very aware. Their is a WORSHIPER THERE!!

The Peculiar People

2005-04-27T21:58:00.000-05:00

There is a people in the earth that are not citizens of this world. They are from another place. They are born from above. They are filled with the Spirit of the Almighty. They walk in victory in all situations. The Lord is with them to strengthen them and to guide them into all truth and wisdom. They know no defeat, they are not weary, but are renewed day by day, hour by hour, and moment to moment.

The Father's love flows through them, and the joy of the Lord wells up in them. They speak with other tongues and get revelation concerning the will and purposes of God. The Holy Spirit is manifest in power to reveal the secrets of mens hearts. To show the things of God, to give understanding to their minds. To transform them into the image of Jesus.

They lay hands on the sick and they recover. They cast out devils in the name of Jesus, and God is glorified. These are the worshipers of the Lord. And God leads them out in peace, and fullness of joy. The word of their God is in there mouth and in their mind and in their heart. They count it a joy to bring the lost to the living God, and savoir of their souls. The redeemer of men the Lord Jesus Christ.

These walk in newness of life, the very life of God. They fear neither men nor demons nor plagues or any thing present or yet to come. They are safe in the love of God through Jesus the Lord. The Lord is their sheppard and they have no lack. Their's is the love of the Father, that hastens to do His will. Their's is the trust to follow where ever He leads. With out questions or explaination. Only rejoicing to hear His voice, and do His bidding.

These are the sons of the Most High God. Born of the Spirit, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is their heritage, to do the works prepared for them before the world came into being, by the Father. To show forth His glorious riches to those who believe in His Son.

Eternal View

2005-04-25T00:32:00.000-05:00

I was reading a book that was trying to explain how if we travel at the speed of light time is reduced to the eternal moment. This stuff is way over my head at this time. (I guess I need to speed up!) Anyway, we know that God lives in eternity, or timelessness, the eternal moment. Which brings up this question. If God from his perspective sees the end as well as there beginning, why don't we ask for his leading? Are we confident that God knows what he's doing and how to get it done? If we are, then it's a question of why don't we see that anything else is futile?

We must agree that if we know the outcome of any event, we have a huge advantage over the people who don't have this information. Like a tape of some horse race that ran last week. It is obvious foreknowledge is worth a great deal. This forknowledge is available to us through the Holy Spirit, God in us. He also knows the end from the beginning, being God. In whatever situation we find ourselves, at any time or place, God has already seen it and has provided for his plan for his purpose.

Jesus gave the admonishion to "follow me", I believe the Spirit also says, "follow me". The ways of God are consistent. It appears to me that the best work we can apply ourselves to is to learn the voice, and the urging of the Spirit. We are severely handicaped with out the skill to dissern the work and word of the Spirit. I would venture to say, we could do excedingly great and marvious things, if we will take the time and effort to lean on the Spirit.

The down side is if we won't "follow me", the Spirit, just like Jesus, will go and find someone else who will. The harlots, and sinners, and the heathen, will enter before the righteous. Just like in the walk of Jesus, he didn't strive with the blind guides to the blind. He left them, and went "his way". The Spirit also, will leave, and go "his way". We will not convince God to do it our way, it will be "his way", or no way. Yes, you will be saved, but you will lose your reward.

There is a lot of talk on "what is good preaching". I will have my say. Good preaching is when a man of God opens his mouth and says "Father, and the whole place is filled with the glory of the Lord, and the people are slain under His power. And the people are weeping for mercy, or shouting for joy. And the Lord is worshiped, and the awe of the Lord fills the hearts". That's good preaching!

Stop, Look, and Listen

2005-04-21T23:42:00.000-05:00

This is a questioning post. I'm not at all sure where it leads, it's just something that has been rolling around in my spirit. The bible speaks of Christ and the Church, in the same relationship as a husband and wife. The women seem to grasp this easier than men. That they have a partner who is better equiped to handle a lot of the problems that come up in living. It appears to me that this attitude of Deferring to Another is a grace that men need in their walk and work in the Lord.

Beyond all dispute the women of God have had a great impact for Christ. They learn early in life to make a conscious decision to "let him handle it". This is a vital part of the christian walk. In our manly life this is contary to "being the man". Of Moses it was said he was the humblest of men. To me that translates into, "the least self-assertive". Or "always willing to be seen and not heard". Prefering to let another "handle it".

The role of the Holy Spirit in our lifes is to be "the helper", but if we are already running ahead of him, then his work is voided, and we are left to our own devices. We all as christians possess knowledge, but knowledge puffs up, love builds up. Jesus didn't preach the sermon on the mound in the temple! In other words, there is a time and a place for every truth. And a truth for every place. But they are not the same, and are not for the same people.

The whole point is to "be led by the spirit". Then our work will be effective, and the kingdom will be established, both for us and for others. The starting place is to be "committed" to following the leading, and waiting for the leading of the Spirit. If we aren't committed, then when we are led we will not recognize his leading. The conscious decision to stop and listen, waiting for an uction to speak, or to do what we're led. In becoming familiar with the "still small voice" of the Spirit, we will grow to mature obedience, and instant response.

The Lord gives us many opprotunities in our lives, in small things, in ordinary everyday life. We need to turn our attention to him, and wait for him, and hear and do what we're told or perceive in our hearts. To fail is not the issue, to learn is the goal. So that we will be of more use to the Lord. Not to try is the worst thing. Our trust in the Lord's leading will grow. So as we live in Him, let's be conscious of His presence in us. And look inward, to hear, and to see what, if any thing we should say or do. Making it a habit to "stop, look, and listen", before we run off ahead.

What You Looking At

2005-04-19T21:59:00.000-05:00

This is the problem with us, we're looking at ourselves. Why look at us? We have been told to look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. If we only see us, then we will see lack, confusion, and mission impossible! The word is a mirror of us, the image is that of Jesus and the work of the Spirit and the word.

Philemon 6, "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus".

We want our faith to be effectual and change us into the image of Christ. We want the blessing in the word to become manifest in the world. This is the way; to speak and believe the word. To say, I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. I am more than a conqueror, I have peace with God. I am a son of the Almighty. And as many promises as there are, they are Yes, and Amen in Jesus.

We are the God class of being, speak those things that are not, as though they were, and you shall have what-so-ever you say, according to the word and will of God. The Father delights to hear his word on our lips and in our mouth, and in our hearts.

What right do we have? The Holy Spirit! He lives in us. We need to learn to live from the "inside out". To draw from the well of salvation with joy. And to bring forth the gifts and calling of God that has been placed in us in our spirit by God. To sing spiritual songs, to prophesy forth the purposes of God. And to acknowledge every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

Don't look at your lack, look at Christ's sufficient supply. Wisdom? It's in Him. Health, it's in Him. Strength, it's in Him. What ever you need, it's in Him. Your life is in Him. And all the promises to you will be fulfilled, in Him who lives in you. Focus on Him, he is the force and the power and the life that is in us. If God be for us, who can be against us?

How Far To Go

2005-04-19T10:17:00.000-05:00

We all know the history of Abraham, how he became the father of faith. He believed that what God had promised him, God was able to perform, and gave glory to God. He didn't consider that even though his body and Sarah's were as good as dead, that the promise would fail.

I read a testimony of a brother; he had asked the Lord for a healing in his body. He told the Lord that he was resting on the promise and not considering his body. He was standing on Romans 4:19 (Abraham)"and not being weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb".

When after a time nothing had changed, but was in the same condition, he inquired of the Lord. "I'm lying here and not considering anything and nothing is happening". The Lord spoke, "that's your problem. You are not considering anything. Why don't you consider me?" He did and was healed. His problem is like our's, we don't go far enough. Turning our thoughts off of the natural and focusing on God.

A New Way

2005-04-14T14:25:00.000-05:00

Maybe I'm slow or dull, but I've seen something a little clearer today. It's not new or anything, and yet it is new in my understanding. I've tried to take the Word of God and apply it to all areas of my life. Not dividing it into secular, and spiritual, but a total view. Last night the admonition of "bringing the body into subjection", "casting down strongholds", "putting off the old man", and other scriptures of "works of the flesh", were brought to my mind.

In the past I would always make a resolution, or commit to working on different areas of struggle, and to some how walk more circumspectly. This would be an act of my will, and would only bring either temporary relief, or total disgust. This I think is an area of much sorrow and confusion in the body of christ.

As I was thinking something was dropped into my mind. The Lord has called us overcomers by, "the blood of the lamb, and the word of our testimony". "This is the victory, even our faith". This is "a new way". Generally we applaud those who have made great strides in God. And hold them in honor, and esteem them as something beyond our ability. And in a sense we are right, but it was also beyond there ability too.

God has made the way, and it's "the way of grace through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, so that no man may boast on the day of the Lord". Paul in his letters plainly says that it was the Spirit of grace that was given to him that does the work. So then if there is no boasting of man, then it's all the work of Grace!

For some reason (confusion) I thought that the works of the flesh were some kind of test, to see how much we loved God. Or how committed we were, or how strong we were, or a number of other lies. I don't remember ever thinking, that if I can do it, then who is getting the glory? Is it by my striving, strenght, or will power? Even if I could, then it's become a "work of the flesh"!

I just never "got it" when the flesh was mentioned I thought that was my job. The rest was the Lord's job. Wrong. It's always my job to believe, and to ask for the grace to overcome my flesh, and it's always the Lord's job to acomplish the work by the Spirit! It's no different than asking the Lord to heal a brother. We ask according to his will, the word, and the Lord answers in his love and grace. He's the one who set up this system, and He's the one who gets the Glory!

The weapons of our warfare are "mighty through God", to remove all obstacles. It's the "through God" that I was not seeing, amazing! Just because it said "flesh" I would switch out of the realm of the spirit and faith, and strive in the flesh, dumb, no more of that. Christ is my victory and the captain of my flesh, He will give, and has provided me the victory.

Can't Touch It

2005-04-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

The way God made a blood covenant with Abraham is quite instructive to us as christians. There are a lot of firsts, which reveal the plan of God. I want to look at the way each participated in the ceremony. God told Abraham to get the animals and to prepare them. After he did he watched over them awaiting God.

Before God showed up He caused Abraham to go into a deep sleep. As the sun was setting the Lord showed up and walked through the sacrifice alone. By this He was showing Abraham that God himself would both make the promise, and by Himself fulfill the promise. Abraham's only participation was to hear and understand, and Believe. He was not allowed to touch it, to try to help God, or to have any part in bringing the blessings and will of God to pass. Only to believe!

In the beginning of Abram's walk with God, he was told to leave his people, and land, and follow God to a place that God would show him. Abram did as he was told. But in this case he was not told to do anything. The lesson here is for us to do what we know God has spoke for us to do, and to leave to God those things that God alone can do. We sometimes assume that unless we are busy about the things of God nothing will get done. But usually it is us trying to do God's work, in our own strength. We can't do God's job.

The promises of God can only be fulfilled by God. So believe the word, and hold to your confession, and then rest in the Lord. For He alone can and will bring it to pass. Give yourself a brake and take a nap, so we're not in God's way when He shows up.

The Words of Eternal Life

2005-04-05T23:26:00.000-05:00

When Jesus was teaching in Capernaum on his flesh being the bread that came from heaven, and his blood drink to eternal life, his disciples said, "this is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Jesus explained that, "The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life". At this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Jesus asked the Twelve. "You do not want to leave too, do you"? Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

The words of life are only found in the word of God. We also are believers, and know this is true. As we are about our lives we will hear a lot of words. Some from every source, the educator, the medical practice (who gave then the right to practice on live people?). Our friends, and the work place, TV, the radio. The news channel and the movies. In all of these there is no life. Confusion and death, lies, doubts and fears, or fantasy. There is also the voice of our own reasoning, and experiences. Or those we preceive to be an authority of some sort, congress man, judge, or some public office. Those who spout there own wisdom and etc. Enough already. Everyone has there own opinion. But there is only one truth and one source, and one author of eternal life, God.

The things that we think are true will affect our speaking. And our speaking will affect our actions. And our actions will affect our outcome in our life. If we want the blessings of God to abound abundantly in our lives, then our thinking, speaking, and acting will have to line up with what he has said. Again, only God's word brings life. Not what you think about what he said, not the experiences you had, not what your neighbor said about it, or your grandma, or even the pastor. Only and exactly what God has said. Any thing else can't produce life. Everything else is useless at best, and death at the worst.

Do you know of any thing that needs life? Ezekiel was shown a valley of dead bones. And God told him to speak words of life to them, and they lived. Do your children need life, then as Ezekiel, speak life to them, and in your prayers. Speak life to your body if it's sick or weak. Speak the words of life to your job, your dreams, your hopes. Put the word of faith to whatever you need. And all that the Lord has promised to you. Search the scriptures and prophesy to yourself that these promises will surely come to pass in your life. Claim your inheritance, God has told us to put him in rememerance of his word. He delights in our faith in his word, and will answer to show himself strong on our behalf. The words of God can revive a valley of dry bones, and they can surely resurrect any dead thing in our lifetime.

Shall I find faith when I Return

2005-04-04T23:48:00.000-05:00

Have faith in God. What a declaration. I know that we as christians are determined to see that Jesus does. Yet I want to take it out of our narrow view. Do we believe that the church is all that it was designed to be. I would say if we poled a 100 not 10 would say that it is. Is this a problem? Or are we anxious that we're missing it? How many of the programs in our churchs are there to relieve the stress of spiritual impotence? In other words, do we busy ourselves to convince ourselves that we are "doing all we can"?

Will I think we can find a better way. The world evaluates there products by sales and popularity. If something sells, they make more. If not it gets scraped and another takes it's place. A lot of busyness to find something that works. We have an unchangeable product (faith in God). The times and seasons of man were ordained by God. There is nothing that has taken God by suprise. These times were known to Him in ages past. Do we trust that he has provided all that is necessary for us to go forth in the victory and power of the gospel.

We are instructed to "be carefull and anxious in nothing". Why, because we "have faith in God". These days have not slipped up and caught God by suprise. The days of distress are the days of the glory of the Lord. Think about Joseph, in a prison, and taken to the throne. Or Israel in slavery to egypt, and taken to a land flowing with milk and honey. Look at Jesus, who was born after 400 yrs. of silence from heaven. Then the disciples who watched him die. All hope appeared lost. Wrong, the worst times are the times for the Glory of God to be manifest!

So this I say, don't fear the things that appear and come on the earth. Rather lift up your praise to God and thank him for his faithfulness to deliever, and to heal, and to save. Thank him for his mighty acts and wonderous deeds in the midst of this present darkness. Give glory to him for his power to cause all things to work for his purposes, the redeeming of all things into one authority, even Jesus. "There is no plan or councel that can prevent the will and purposes of God". Let us hold fast our faith, and see the salvation of the Lord!

The Confidence of God

2005-04-03T19:40:00.000-05:00

What does the Creator of the universe, and all that is in it, place His confidence in? According to Jesus, and the scriptures, it's the word of God. The Word of His power. God is quite confident that the stars will shine in the sky. That all the constellations are present and accounted for. That their planets and moons are in their orbits. That everything is working just as He told them to in their creation. All of this He accomplished by the word of His power.

Let's bring this to our level. That which concerns us, the word and work of God in salvation and redemption of man. As christians we sometime forget that all of creation was by His word. We get so focused on His word to us we look at the heavens, and may not realize that they are a witness to, the word of God. I am glad the Lord reminded me, are you standing on the word of God? Then the heavens are telling you, rest assured, it shall come to pass. On what grounds? The word of God.

No wonder Jesus often had to rebuke his disciples for their lack of faith. Jesus is the Word of God, made manifest in the flesh. He for ages past had spoken, stars, and planets, moons and untold numbers of galaxies into being by His word, and was amazed at their unbelief. Their problem, and ours, is that they didn't know that; whatever He said would come to pass.

The church at large is still slow to believe, I know I have been. Even the advancements I have made is as nothing compared to the unshakeable, infallible, and unfailing words of the power of God. Our minds can't fathom the fact that every word of God will accomplish that for which it was sent, and will not return void. Our hearts get a glimps of it, because the Holy Ghost lives in us, and shows us the things of Jesus.

I ask you, what could be better than knowledge of the Word of God? Jesus said, "it's better for you that I go away, that the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will come to you, and will be with you and live in you". The Spirit of God, that is who is better for us! The Spirit of God is the one who works to bring to pass the Word of the Lord. His job discription is; the Word of God Manifestor! He brings to pass the word, Jesus said; "unless you are born of the Spirit, you can't enter the kingdom of God". The Spirit births in us the life of God. That is only the beginning of our life in God.

Paul in Romans wrote; "I am not ashamed (confident) of the gospel of Christ, it is the power of God unto salvation". The gospel of Jesus sacrifice for our sin, and the resurection from the dead, for our being made alive unto God. This word of the Lord is accomplished in us by the Holy Spirit. As we started in Him, let's walk in Him. Man cannot work the word of God, God the Spirit does the work. We would fail, the Spirit never fails, and will bring it to pass. We are to obey the word, and to act on it, but the Spirit brings it to pass.

It is written; "He that began a good work in you will surely bring it to completion". This is the Confidence of God, that the Spirit will bring that word of promise to pass. Paul said; "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagaine, according to HIS POWER that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen".

Have Love one for Another

2005-04-01T12:05:00.001-05:00

Jesus said by having love one for another, the world would know we are His disciples. I have not found that walking in love towards first the brethern, and then the world to be a hard thing. On the contary it's when we are blindsided and get out of love that we have problems. The way of love will cause us to believe the best of people, and for people that we deal with in our everyday life. The beauty of love is it always hopes, always trusts, always propects, and always perseveres. Love never fails. Love is patient, love is kind.

This is the goal of the mature christian, to love as Christ loves. This is a love that is moved with compassion toward the hurting, sick, blind, and bound. A love that is compelled to find a way, to meet the needs of man. To turn the world to God, the world will have to see His love in us. Then it will be said of us, "I what what you have". We are to show forth the beauty of the love of God.

The love of God will remove all fear, it is a powerful force, by it Jesus was made our sacrifice. And by it we will become like Him. Without love we are a clanging noise. If we will yield to the moving of the Spirit (moved by compassion) we will see the manifestations of the love of God in our midst. The world is watching in hope, to see if we have something that will make a difference for good in life. They are awaiting the sons of God to show the power of His love. Indeed the people of the world will come and join our number when they see the love of God manifest in our lives.

Do you want to do great things for your King? Then follow after love, grow in the love of God. Do good to all men, and speak kindly as you proclaim the word of life. But above all love the Lord your God fervently. And be filled with the Spirit (the love). God is love, not has love, if you have love, you have God. God gives us of Himself, the love is Him!

Living Large

2005-04-01T12:05:00.000-05:00

For we as christians to live, "life's of quiet desperation", is not an option! The way to full-hearted life starts with God. This is the first place to go, "thou shalt love the Lord with all thine heart, all thine soul, and all thy mind, and all thy strength". If we will obey this command with a zeal and a fervent spirit, then we will have the confidence to Large Living in every area of Life. This inspires, and energises, and gives us boldness in our everyday walk. To know that God watches over us affectionately. And is working on our behalf, because we have made Him the reason for the rest of our labor.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kindom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force". When we are hole-heartedly in love with God, then we can wrestle in life to drive back the darkness, and show forth the true light. There is much talk about,"leaving it up to God". You can't leave up to the Lord what he has left up to you. You want victory, it's yours, but you have to wrestle it from the devil. Have you been told to do something, then you have to become violent and see that it gets done.

When you committ your life to the love of God, you will receive a boldness, and authority in the name of Jesus that will work the works of God in your life. There will be no doubt, no questions, no wondering, just simple and undeniable and unstopable faith. And the victory's will be manifest in your life. You cannot worship God and be weak, or fearful, or unbelieving. You will know the way to go, and you will walk in victory all the time.

Did you know that God's desire is for you to always have victory? It is, the Holy Spirit of God knows no defeat, and He lives in us to give us the victory. Jesus purchased our total redemption. There is nothing lacking. The whole of heaven is waiting for us to wake up and walk in the fulness of the sons of God. It's "Christ in you, the hope of Glory". Let Christ arise in us and put away the works of the devil in our generation.

Do you Give Up?

2005-03-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

The best day of my life was the day I gave up! I mean the day I understood that I could have a new life, a life in Jesus. It was the day I reached the end of myself, and the beginning of an adventure in God. Do you know that God's call will always lead you into, "not knowing"? I had no idea what the life of God would be like. But I took the step of faith, "not knowing" what my life would become. At some point to be a follower of Jesus you have to "lose your mind" and do what is not reasonable, but what you know to be God. This is the way of faith. Consider Abraham, he was told to leave his country, and he obeyed and went "not knowing", but looking for a city whose builder and maker was God.

Or Paul, "compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there". Act 20:22 All the leadings of God will be the same way. "Not knowing". The Lord will give you direction for the first step, then He expects us to walk by faith "not knowing" the outcome. It's the way we started in Him, and the way we are to walk in Him.

God will not show us more than one step at a time, we don't need to know the outcome, we are only to obey His leading. It's the same for all His commands. To those who don't know Jesus it's the same. First you give Him your life, then you will know Him. Knowledge is on the backside of faith. You can't know Him first. You may know a great deal about Him. You may even have had a experience with His power to keep you alive. But you don't know Him until you come to Him and give Him your life, and then He gives you the Life of God. Faith is followed by knowledge, not the other way around.

Jesus taught only believe, and you will see the glory of God. If you can believe, all things are possible. As you believe, be it unto you. See how the believing is followed by the manifestation of God? In the commission to the church, go... and the Lord worked with them, with signs following. If you want God to move on your behalf, believe and take the first step, if healing, have hands layed on you in Jesus name, and the healing will follow.

Here is the divine plan, if you give, you will receive. God gave His Son, to receive many sons through Him. What ever you need give. You need prayer, then pray for someone else. You need love, then love someone else. Give, and it shall be given unto you pressed down, shaken together, and running over. This is the principle that God used to establish his work of redemption on the world. Are you a witness to the life of God, then witness. Do the works of the Lord, preach to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, release the oppressed, and proclaim the time of the Lord's favor. Do what you can and know to do, and the signs will follow. We take the step of faith, ''not knowing" what the Lord will accomplish, but knowing He is good.

Mister President

2005-03-24T23:38:00.000-05:00

Through out history all men of great destiny have has their moment of decision. From the authors of the constution and the Generals of the Armys. These moments brought either the blessing or the curses of the people who entrusted them with there authority.

Are you the man of war. Will you stop murder, and tryanny and terror? Your enemys are at your door. The ones you call brother, the judicial branch of our own government. They have set themselves up against the very wishs and laws and even the spirit that we stand on.

Lincoln also faced these forces, and fulfilled his place in history. The war is upon you, they are set against you, will you fear to do what you in oath promised to do. Enforce the constution as you said you would?

The whole of the nation will not be with you, but a major part, and even the Lord. To put away evil and a murdering spirit from our land. The people stand with you, this is your greatest opportunity. There is more unity for saving the life of Terry, and for removing this diseased system of judges than for any other war.

What say you, are you the one to fight with us, or do we wander in this wilderness another generation?

Remove any fear, and gain for us this victory, and heaven itself will fight for you. Is it yet to late, does Terry still have breath?

The Backward View

2005-03-23T11:27:00.000-05:00

I'm simply amazed at the teaching that premeates the church. The backwardness of it all. It seems that we are living in an age that is parallel with the time Isreal lived by "everyone did what was right in his own eyes". We have taken the word of God and chosen the portions of scripture that agree with our view. Then we discounted, argued away, or changed the meaning of those parts that either we don't understand, or haven't experienced.

Is it to hard to believe that God meant exactly what He said? Are we sure we speak the same language as our bibles? Does, "I change not", mean that, or a variation of that for our time? Are we all lawyers, and judges, that have been given authority to interpret the words of God? Has higher learning made us unable to comprehend the simple truth?

In other posts I have already addressed a lot of issues where we assume to know better than God. This is primarily about the availability of the Lord. For some reason we think that it is hard to get the Lord's attention, and even harder to get an answer to prayer. And next to impossible to be able to know Him personally! I have read countless accounts of the people whose lives and love and ministries have impacted the world for God. The recurring theme in these men was there unyielding commentment to know the Lord better, and to remain in His presence. This is the focus of the greatest men of God.

Paul was blessed with muliple revelations of the Lord. But his stance was," that I may know Him". Obviously paul did know him in part, it seems that the more that is revealed, the more revelations are desired. God is to awesome to fully know in this life time. But we are told to seek His face. It is apparent to me that, "those who know God, shall do exploits". On the other side those who don't, can't. We can start this at conversion, for we are born of the Spirit, and have the witness (life) of God. The Holy Spirit will lead and quide us into all truth. He will take the things of God and show them unto us. These are the facts.

In our experience I feel we short-circuit the work of the Spirit. We take spiritual things and try to understand them in our natural mind. Cutting off the waiting on God for revelation. Thinking we know, the spirit is quenched. Regarding the waiting on God. God is not playing a game. The Lord instructs "line upon line, precept on precept". In other words, He teaches things in order of importance to each of us individually. From where we are to where we should be. According to our ability to comprehend and assimilate. He does a through and perfect work. It won't be by our design, we're not perfect, and don't know the way. I have a lady friend who the Spirit spoke to and said, "of the top 10 things on your list, not one of them is in my top ten"!

I'm certain that our progress is slowed due to our lack of understanding of the spiritual. We are so naturally, and physically minded that we haven't learned how to walk and live by the spirit. The scripture says we are the temple of the Holy Ghost. Yet in our daily life it doesn't make the impact that it should. Having the power of God the Spirit alive in us should make a dramatic difference in our lives, and He does. We are not yet full grown. The realm of the unseen is still a mystery. The angels are a mystery, and yet they are vital to the work. The presence of the Lord is not fully manifest, and the watchfulness over us by God is hardly reconized. He has quaranteed that "the Lord is a present help".

Regarding answers to our prayers, "while they are yet speaking, I will answer them". If we are praying for something in the will of the Lord. While we are still praying, God answers Yes, and Amen (so be it). For in Christ is the yes, and amen. "will He not with him (Jesus) freely give us all things". "What things soever you ask for in prayer, believing you have received, you shall have what you ask for". We are to know that our prayer is answered yes, while still praying, and receive that God given yes, and know we have it. We aren't talking God into anything, we are agreeing with what God has already told us. "Ask, seek, and knock, for everyone that ask shall receive, and everyone who seeks shall fine, and to him that knocks, the door shall be opened".

Confident Living

2005-03-20T18:56:00.000-05:00

In my life I have noticed that, the best of the best, have an air of extreme confidence about them. Some may say it's even a little arrogant. I am convinced that this is the biggest difference between the also rans, and the champions. This is the single evident trait of sport stars, music stars, and movie stars. We as christians know the world is deluded and decieved, in bondage to sin. There self-confidence is a mirage, but that doesn't make the principal of faith void. Faith in themselves is misplaced, but still has a powerful effect in their life. I content that it's also the way God wants his people to live. Not to be arrogant, but to be extremely confident in Christ.

If we study the scriptures we have to come to this conclusion. Every thing, for any situation that we can face, has been provided by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. We are now children of God, the temple of the Lord. Given the authority in Jesus name over all the power of the enemy. We have the Holy Spirit of God. We are even flesh of his flesh. There are numerious scriptures of what we have, that begin with; in Chist, in Whom, by Him, and through Him. Over and over we are told of the victory we have, and the life of God in us. This is an overwhelming declaration of this principal. Being Confident in Life.

I will tell you of an experience I had in God. I generally pray walking around, sometimes with my understanding, and sometimes in tongues. I am very vocal, not a quiet prayer. I want to be heard by God, and I want to put my enemies on notice. The noise doesn't bother God, and I build up myself in faith by moving and being loud. If we are going to be led by the Spirit, then we have to be willing to move when He says move, and to speak boldly when He says to speak.

Anyway on one occasion I was praying in the spirit (tongues) for a while. When you pray in the spirit, ask for the interpetation. The Lord will enlighten your understanding sometimes. Sometimes words will flow out of your heart, not your head. Or you will get a witness to something, or a number of various ways in which you know the mind of God. Praying in the spirit is not just beating the air, it's a gift of the Spirit to bring about the will of God in your life!

On this occasion my spirit rose up with what I can only discribe as a body of energizing power. I felt like I had just put on a body that would have been perfect for superman, or some other super-hero. The man of the spirit is the same form as your body, but a little bigger, and a whole lot stronger. That is the real you, the spirit man. You are a spirit, that posesses a soul, and wears a body of flesh. This feeling of power and might was awesome. I know I could have whipped any man, devil, or animal with out working up a sweat! I'm not a physically big or strong man, but with this life in me, I was more than a match for anything!

This is the way the Lord wants us to view ourselves in Christ. More than conquerors. We are more than a match for any sickness of disease. We have power over all the power of the enemy. The life of the spirit is to dominate our thinking, our walk, and our conversation. When we meet with God, and his church, we should leave with the confidence that we are able to make the difference in the world. We have the equipment, we have the knowledge, and we are hooked up with the life. We can get the answers, and the solutions to any problem.

The church has been preached down to the floor, the spirits of the saints have been trampled, to where they think they are powerless to do anything. That is a lie from hell. If we will shake off the teaching of soulish sermons, and stand on the word and power of God. If we will walk as the sons and heirs of the Almighty. Then we will see the demons tremble, and flee in terror, and all hell and the evil one will be put to flight. Stand therefore in the strength of the Lord. For the Lord is the strength of your life, be bold, and couragious, for the Lord will fight for us. LIVE IN CONFIDENCE.

Consider this; "the righteous are bold as a lion". A lion roars when ever he wants, he doesn't care who hears him, he just is free to be as loud as he pleases. Is there anyone who will try to stop him? When he's hungry he chooses what he wants and goes and gets it. There is no match for him in all the animal kingdom. He rules on opposed by his great strength. As christians God would have us view ourselves the same way. Speak the word boldly, who will stop you. Get God's plan for your life and go after it in the same way as the lion, in the great strength of the Lord. You are to rule, there is no one who can stand against you. You are more than a match for anything. Your are more than a conqueror in Christ. "Of his fullness have I received"!

Standing Firm

2005-03-17T10:28:00.000-05:00

In the fall of man the devil tempted Eve by causing doubt on the Word of God. As someone said; "the principle sin of all fallen men, is to exchange the truth of God for a lie". The work of faith is the reverse, it says the Word of God is true, regardless of what the evidence of the natural appears. This is where the war has it's beginning. The devil will cast thoughts of doubt and try to confuse or dissuade us from affirming, and agreeing with the Word of God. If he is successful them the Word of promise is forfeited by our unbelief.

Let no man or power from hell tell you that God lied. "Let all men be liars, and God be true". After we have dispelled all doubt and fears and questionings we believe and receive the Word of Promise into our heart. This is the seed that will grow and produce the harvest. Concerning the promises of God. Paul said no matter how many, "they are all Yes, and Amen (so be it) in Christ". God wants and delights in us taking our inheritance in Christ. It always is by faith. God has in Jesus provided a HOUSE of blessings for us the children of God.

Whatever promise you are standing for in faith you have only the Word of God, and the witness of the spirit, to withstand the natural evidence. That is more than enough. Hold fast to the Word. Don't allow condemnation to sway you. The manifestation may be swift or seem slow in appearing, just let that seed grow and you will see the fruit. Join with other believers, who are of like faith, and pray one for another.

You can also speak to these things, "speak to this mountain, be removed, and it will obey you". In all ways, and by all means, let that promise live and come to pass. Persevere in faith, and let nothing move you. And be thankful, that is the voice of faith. To bless God for the victory, before the victory is manifest.

Husbands, you are in the position of authority in the family. Let you faith overcome the obstacles of doubts. Put down everything that would rise up against you and your family. You are the authority in that place. And God will honor your position, and your faith. When I was married, my wife had allergies. For the most part there was just small sniffels and some running noses. One day I came home and my wife was a mess. Her eyes were red, her throat was clogged and I'd never seen such a runny nose. She was on the bathroom floor over the bowl, and didn't look like she would be able to move from there for some time.

I got Holy Ghost hot, I mean something inside me rose up with anger. I grabed her head, and with all the authority in me, I commanded that thing to leave in the Name of Jesus. It left, it had to, I wasn't going to let it stay. I was feed up and the war was on, I won. Through the Name of Jesus. She was well immediately, and there was never any more allergies. Rise up men and take you place of authority, and do the works of God.

Beyond what's Natural

2005-03-16T20:16:00.000-05:00

I have got to do this, I've been blessed with to much curiosity. Every thing that I see coming down the road has it's end in mans understanding. I want to change our mind set to the realm of the unseen. To pursue the things that relate to us through a heavenly view. Books such as "The purpose driven life" may be useful to a degree. Even a divinally inspired book such as the late Kenneth Hagin's has a limit on it's service.

Let's get right down to where we live. Even the Bible has a limit. No that is not blasphmeny. Consider this; Jesus is, and always had been, and ever will be the Word of God. Yet we have no words or works until his baptism in water and the Holy Ghost. The problem I see is we tend to think that if we have Jesus in our hearts. And have the Holy Spirit living in us. We think we have arrived. Well yes, and no. Yes our being children of God is complete, and needs nothing else. No, that is not the end of the journey, it's the beginning.

In Jesus ministry he said; "what I see the Father doing, that I do. And what I hear of the Father that I speak. I am not alone, the Father is with Me". To Nathaniel he said; "you shall see the angel's of God assending and descending on the Son of Man."

Sense we know we have the word, and the Spirit, we act like now the heavens can go on vacation. We can figure it out from here, thanks for the start. What utter nonsense! Not even Jesus did anything apart from the Spirit, and the Father, who are we! What about the angel's to assure the victory's of God? Joshua encountered them after crossing the Jordan. Asking, "are you for us or for our enemies? Neither, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come". This messenger then gave instruction to Joshua on taking Jericho.

If our hope and prayers and plans and works never leave the earth. How are we going to gain any spiritual, or real earthly victory's? God has the plans. Sure we can claim scripture, but which ones are important at this time, and this season? The scripture is complete, but it's exactly one-third of the God- head. Can we operate at one-third power? Or even two-thirds? Why not operate on one hundred percent power. With the right plan, at the right time. And have the backing of the hosts of angels from the Father.

What we need is the presence of God, the plan of the Spirit, and the Word of the Lord all together. This is the way the work of the Lord will get done, JUST LIKE JESUS STARTED IT! We need divine encounters. Angelic messengers. And manifestations of the Spirits power. We've got enough books, tapes, training tools, good ideas, teaching, confessions and the like. We have to seek God. Then when we speak he will answer and show us what to do, how to do it, and where and when. Then we'll have good success.

What did you Expect

2005-03-15T00:41:00.000-05:00

The power of the cross of Christ is a double edged sword. Jesus said he came to divide, a truth seen in the Acts. In Peter's first sermon, 3000 were added unto the Lord. In his second, the healing of the lame man, again the Lord added to the church. The next thing that happens is they get arrested, and beaten. There release resulted in more manifestations of the power of God, to testify of the risen Christ.

Our work and witness will likewise be a double edged sword. You will be received with great joy, and you will be hated. Arm yourself with this knowledge! Are you ready to be cursed? Can you handle rejection? Do you care if your despised? What if you are laughed at, and made a mockery of and ridiculed? Jesus didn't let that stop him. Paul gave his testimony to these things. His response was; "none of these things move me".

We are instructed to be loving, and to speak the truth with grace. That does not mean we will be treated in the same manner. We are always to be reconsilers, never to give up on love, faith, and hope for all men. The preaching of the truth will not always bring about our desires.

Let's look at Stephen, "a man full of God's grace and power, who did great wonders and miraculous signs amoung the people". I don't know about you, but I would love for God to give this report about my life, and ministry! What a great testimony! He pleased God! The same things that blessed the Lord, also infuriated his enemies. It placed a target on his life.

His first sermon was his last! His enemies plotted against him and stired up false accusations against him. Even with the glory of the Lord on his face, at the end of his testimony, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. They covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they rushed him, and dragged him out to stone him.

The wisdom of God is evident in this admonition, "wait till you receive power from the Holy Spirit". No man without the Spirit will be enabled to stand up to the power of darkness in his own strength, and remain in love. Stephen prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them". What a prayer! God help us to be of this spirit in our efforts!

I felt it nesesarry to refresh this in our minds. To see clearly our calling. To be forwarned so not to be easily discouraged. Our work in the Lord is not in vain. He will enable us to be faithful witnesses and to complete our tasks. With joy holding out the Word of Life. Leaving the results and purposes in the hand of God. Only be strong in the Lord, and the power of his might. Be of good courage, for the Lord is with us. Be bold and we will see the salvation of the Lord.

Attitude of the Almighty

2005-03-14T22:13:00.000-05:00

We need to look at things from a heavenly perspective. God who is the eternal all wise and all powerful creator of all things. For by him and through him all things have been created and have their being. His word is the rule and authority, and power over all. He knows no defeat, he knows no lack, he knows of no other authority. There is no other. He spoke and all things created came into being. This word has been given unto us, the redeemed of the Lamb. He is the word, manifest in the flesh to put away sin. And raised unto glory by the Father. Who has sent us into the world to preach the gospel to every nation of the earth.

This is the time, this is the place, and we are the people. The commission of the Lord to make disciples of all nations and all people needs our futher examination. Let me put it in modern terms. "Arise; and go forth and conquer in my name, and nothing will be able to stand against you. I shall deliever all (people, lands, and nations) into your hand, and nothing can stop you. We haven't yet realized what we have been given to complete our task.

The Word of God. The assurance of the Father. The Angel's of heaven. The Holy Spirit. All the resources of heaven. The promises of the scripture. We are abundantly supplied. Equiped with the truth, and filled with his joy. Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel". I like to rephrase that; "I am CONFIDENT of the gospel, it is the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

We should not cower in the darkness, we walk in the light. We have the words of life. We have knowledge of the Most High. We are the hope of the nations. I'm not telling you to go anywhere. I say we are to be the witness in our own world of interest and influence. To those we see and know. If we don't shine here why go anywhere else? Shake off the thinking of the world. We're not lost, we're found. We're not confused, we know God. We're not fearful, or doubting, or unbelieving. The world is lost and in bondage. They are confused and blind. Let's go forth and set them free. With the freedom that we have received.

As the scripture says, we are more than conqueror through Chirst. Let's grab the Attitude of the Almighty. Refuse to doubt, or fear, go forth believing and recieving the truth. Let's show them the love and wisdom and power of God. To save, to heal, and to deliever, and to fill with a new life, the Life of God. Arise and shine, for the glory of the Lord is arisen upon you.

What you Reject you Lose

2005-03-13T20:53:00.000-05:00

There was a powerful truth brought out in church this morning by the pastor, Dr. Wingenroth. The text was Matthew 16:1-12. The Pharisees and Saducees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven to test him. He told them they were able to interpret the appearance of the sky. But couldn't interpret the signs of the times. He told them the only sign would be the sign of Jonah.

Jesus then left them and went away.

That is powerfull. What could be worse than having the Lord of Heaven and Earth walk away from you. To who would you turn? Who could help you then? That is a hopeless situation!

This was pastors point, the following are my thoughts in light of this passage.

If we don't allow Jesus to have his way, He will go somewhere else. He will not perform and jump through hoops! He doesn't have to answer to us. He didn't grant a special introduction. They weren't shown the mysteries of heaven. If we don't believe him, he will go to another! How sad it must have been to him. These were supposed to be the leaders of the people that God chose. They were the men that ministered unto God. The ones who were privileged to have the finest teachers. The ones that the common people looked for to judge there affairs.

They totally misunderstood the plan of God. They couldn't see the love of the Father, even though he had worked many miracles on behalf of the people. The blind to see, the lame to walk and the dead raised. They were looking for something else, and so Jesus left. Truly the saddest words in the whole of scripture. "Jesus then left them and went away".

Are we causing Jesus to leave? Before we say anything, consider they also had the word of God. The problem was they didn't understand what it meant. So they made there own standard. A tough standard, but not God's. The mind of men is no substitute for the revelation of God. The Word of God stood in there midst, to give them understanding. It was contary to them and they rejected him. The yeast of the Pharisees is still around. You don't think so? Okay, how about a test?

Do you ever say your weak? Have you ever said your catching a flu? What about, I can't, or I'm afraid? Do you say, I'm worried? Weak? "The Lord is the strength of my life"! Flu, "Himself took my infirmities, and bear my sicknesses"! I can't, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me"! Fear, "God hath not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"! Worry, "Casting all my cares upon him who careth for me"! You see by any of these statement we are contradicting God, and what he has said. Rejecting truth.

These are simple truths. Yet we see how easy it is to greive God by our rejecting his truth. There are weightier issues. The healing of the sick, the faith healers. God is the only one who is interested in healing the sick. Does anyone really think it's of the devil? The devil is a murderer, a liar, and a thief. There is no good in him. Jesus said if the devil casts out the devil, his house is divided, and cannot stand. I believe Jesus. He's the original and still only faith healer. He now uses his body (the church) to carry on his work. I don't care if he anoints Ronald McDonald to heal the sick. I'll pray and support Ronald!

The weightest issue of all is the Holy Spirit. The speaking in tongues has half the church divided. Listen to the scriptures, it's a gift of the Holy Spirit. If God has me bray like a donkey, or crow like a rooster, or scream like a wild bird, I don't care. I'll do it! The Lord is a rewarder of those who obey him. If it doesn't suit you, pray for God to change your mind! Because the alternative is, "Jesus left them, and went away".

The simple truth of the matter is you get the Jesus you preach. If you preach salvation, Jesus will honor his word and save. If you preach a saving, healing Jesus, he will surely save and heal. If you preach a saving, healing, baptising in the Holy Ghost and fire Jesus, he will accomplish that as well. If you preach that all things are possible with God, THEN JESUS WILL LIVE THERE!

More than Before

2005-03-11T20:09:00.000-05:00

In my previous posts I have upset a lot of religious ideas. I evangelized without a covering (church). I prayed for the sick, and they recovered. I've taken authority over devils, and they fled. I started my own church, because no church would recieve the help from the Lord. I've decided to relate one more story to make a clean sweep of the rest of the ideas of religion.

When I was an evangelist in Califorina, I was staying at a pastors home. I had ministered in his church in Medesto on several occasions. At this time I was looking into buying a motorhome. That way I could save on expenses. I could have meals, bed, and a place to be alone. In this way I wouldn't be any burden to anyone. And would be able to go to small, or remote churchs.

So he and I went to see some dealers that he knew. There is a wide variety of layouts and sizes. From the very plush to the bare necessities. There were a couple that I was interested in that would fill all my needs. We talked to the sales-person and came to a good price for a couple that I especially liked. As we got into the details we ran into a snag. As an evangelist I had no address. That in itself was not the problem. The problem was that it would require a large amount of down payment to work the deal. To large of an amount! I didn't have that much money!

We went back to the pastors home. While talking to him, he was a good friend and brother in Christ, I made a decision. The money I had was not enough, and was doing me no good. So I gave his church a check for 1200 dollars. That was all the money I had except for $50. He tried to change my mind, as a friend. But I insisted that I'd rather give it to the Lord, than have it serve no purpose. He accepted.

When I had ministered in his church the people were always generous and took "love offerings". On this trip I was not ministering, but resting. Before the week was over, I had 5 different people search me out and place in my hand a check for 1,000 dollars!! I was overwhelmed. The Lord knows I gave to honor Him. And He honored me with a show of love that translated into the abundance of His blessing!

When people ask me what I think of tithing I am reminded of this abundance of the Lord. There is no better financial advisor than God! If you ever give any money to anyone other than God, and His work, you are cheating yourself of His rich reward. He will prosper you, if He knows you will honor Him. That is the last of the sacred idols that I can think of at this time. We have this; Christ redeemed us from the curse. "He became poor, so that through His poverty, we might become rich".

Cure for the Common Cold

2005-03-09T19:50:00.000-05:00

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with the symptoms of a very sore throat and flu. I told this thing that it had no authority to attach itself to my body. I spoke to it and commanded it to leave, in the name of Jesus. I said, no I'm not accepting this and you'll have to leave. Then I went back to sleep.

Now at 4 in the morning I'm no spiritual giant. I didn't feel like my words had a lot of weight. I have learned that if I will stand on the word of God, the Lord will perform the work. He has told us to resist the devil, and he will flee from us. Devil or flu, same difference. It's a work of the devil, not God.

This morning when I woke up I was completely well. No sore throat, no cough, no stiffness in my breathing, no sign at all of any ailment period. Thank you Lord. It was not my great faith, it is my great Lord. There is always victory in God!

I will tell you of an experience I had in Dallas about 10yrs ago. I woke up with the worst cold I had ever seen. My nose was continual running, my eyes were running, and my throat was full of junk. I was a mess. I was still the same believer as I am now. I walked around and rebuked that thing. I told it to leave in the name of Jesus. I quoted scripture to it, and remimded God of his promises to perform his word. And still this thing persisted. It acted like it was deaf or something. None of this had any effect.

Now I'm not anyone special, but when I know I'm the winner, I'm not going to give up my victory. I won't be denied. So this is what I did, I called two of my best christian friends. We all went to the same church. This was a church that always had the gifts of the Spirit in manifestations of healing, and revelation. When I called I simply ask them to meet me for a meal and we chose a resturant close to the three of us, I didn't tell them anything about this bout with this cold.

It took an other hour to meet them, I'd already put up with this for several hours. When I finally got to the table, I started recounting the wonders of the works and healings of the Lord that we all had seen. These friends were a lot like me, and they jumped right in and started to relate other works of God. In there lives and in others they knew. We had a joyful meal, with the wonders of the love of God, (we also ate). From the time I got to the table and I opened my mouth and started rejoicing in the works of God. THE COLD WAS COMPETLY GONE. I never even sniffed. My eyes were clear, my nose was clear, and my throat was clear. It never returned. This cold was history, it was out of there, gone. That's the gospel truth. And the truth of the power of the gospel.

Casting our Cares

2005-03-08T12:02:00.000-05:00

This is a beautiful truth. That we can go to the Father with all the cares and leave them there. Knowing that He has the wisdom and power to bring about the right solutions at the right time. Jesus said, "come unto me and I will give you rest". This passage includes the temperal; cloths, food, and lodging. This includes everything that is necessary in life. It is a different way of living. The example of by our own thought or effort we cannot change the color of our hair.

As christians our life should be care-free. We are not to be as those who don't know the Lord. They are anxious about everything. The world is a perplexing place for anyone who doesn't know God. There is no rest for the world apart from Christ. This is evident in the news of today. It is what wars and unrest in the affairs of men demonstrates. The confusion of men blinded to the truth, leads to all manner of evil. These things should cause us to be sure to live according to the scripture.

What does the scripture tell us to do? "This is the work of God, that you believe on the Son". Believe! That is the work of God. To believe that God is able to provide, enable, and motivate. To show us the way to walk in all situations. To instruct us to truths. To deliver us from snares. To set us in our high places in Him. How? By Faith! Only Believe. Our believing God gives Him opportunity to move on our behalf. Stand in Faith. And see the salvation of the Lord.

What then is our priority? "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you". Pray! Believe that God is a REWARDER of those who seek Him. Simply pray and obey. There is no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey! It's that simple. Not strive to earn spiritual brownie points. Not work to impress God. Not to join every meeting that is available. Not even to spend all your time in study.

It is way to simple. The foolish to confound the wise. Pray and obey. Spend your time with God. Let Him show you what to do, how to do it, and when. Then you'll have good success. You won't be wearing yourself out for nothing. You labor will be fruitful, and joy will be your portion. The Spirit of the Lord is the fountain of life. The Spirit will enable, empower, and supply whatever is needed. Five words in your own understanding,"be led by the Spirit". Man is not capable of doing the work of God.

Our work is to believe that God is capable!

Believe the report. God is able. I AM, what ever you need. I AM you life. I AM going to complete that which I began in You. Only Believe! It's the way you began, "for by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God". It is all a work of grace, from beginning to end. Let that gift of faith work, and pray, talk to the Father, and tell him you are confident in His ability to work in you that which is pleasing in His sight. And then enter into the rest of the Lord. Go as He directs, be led, not pushed by the system of the world. Wait on Him, let Him speak to you; this is the way walk in it!

Having Begun in the Spirit

2005-03-03T21:23:00.000-05:00

It's amazing to me how we who are born-again by the Spirit seems inclined to fall for the working of the flesh as a substitute for what only the Spirit can accomplish. The word of God can only be a work of the Spirit. We are called partakers of the life of God. Did we partake mentally or spiritually? For myself I recieved the life, then by the word, the explaination of what had already transpired. The understanding to this day is not complete, but the life is complete.

As an example I'll take a page out of T.L. Osborns book. T.L. Osborn was an evangelist to the nations of the world through the middle of the 20th century. He preached to mulitudes of primitive people of the interiors of dark nations. The power of God to heal and deliever was always present in his meetings. The meetings were in open fields, with a platform, and wires were strung on poles to speakers. He spoke, and then his interperter would speak. His meetings drew at times over 100 thousand people. He would pray en mass for the people. Hundreds and thousands recieved all manner of manifestations of the power of God. The deaf heard, the blind saw, the broken were healed, and the oppressed were delivered! I would recommend anyone to find his books, and see what God hath wrought.

Here is the story of a lady; when she was born her family took her to the tribual elder. They are in authority to determine the destiny of the people. This person told her family that she was to be a beggar. So they broke her bones and deformed her to make her pitiful. Years later at T.L.'s service the Lord totally healed and straightened her body. She came to the platform and gave her testimony, with other witnesses who knew her. After her praise and thanks she made this remarkable comment. I WILL BE THE BEST BEGGAR JESUS EVER HAD. Think about that, we may smile at such a comment, but she had no bible or other teaching. Consider this, are we much farther ahead? She knew who straightened and healed and saved her. She felt the hand of God move on her behalf. Can we say we know the power of God to the degree as she? Do we really know the ways of the Lord much better? Does the power of God minister in our services?

Doesn't the warning to the Laodicean apply today as well. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shamefull nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent".

Consider Paul's prayers for the Ephesians. "Asking the Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparable great power for us who believe.

In all of this prayer of the Spirit, there is only one work to do, BELIEVE. The fellowship I have with the Lord is not a dry or intellectual pursuit, it's my heart to His and His heart to mine. There is of course time for study, and for meditation. They are much richer when in the atmosphere of heaven. The Lord in prayer will make things clear, and my knowledge is increased. But I don't talk to the Lord to be smart, I want to know Him.

In the church I had in Florida, there was a season of about 6 months where I never preached a sermon. We started the praising when we came in the door, and all the time was taken up with worship and drawing into the presence of God. What can you say when God shows up. You'll be to occupied with worship to say anything. There is no need, from the least to the greatest knew they were in the presence of the Lord. The needs of the body were all meet, and all were blessed and filled with the wonder of His love. And I never had to say a thing, that's what I call Church. The only speaking was encouragement to draw nearer to the Lord. Some may doubt that this is possible, call on the Lord, and see for yourself. If you look in Acts, it's called "ministring unto the Lord". Why would anyone go to a church were God doesn't show up?

The presence of the Lord is what is needed. Wheather in the heart of the preacher, the body of believers, or in our daily life. The way to His presence is in praise and worship in talking (prayer) one on one to Him. That's why I love the gift of tongues, I can plug into magnifying the Lord at all times, that is one of the ways according to scripture.

Once while driving I got so full of God, that fire started rising up from the souls of my feet, and went all the way through me to the top of my head. It wasn't a burning as in pain, but a fire of energy and warmth and life. I couldn't hold still, my legs were bouncing and I was full of energy. So I stopped and drank a couple cups of coffee until the fire supsided. The Lord also gave me understanding about a situation I had been facing. There are many ways the Lord would move on our behalf, if we will let God be God, and we just believe.

I get upset with people who through ignorance of the spiritual reduce God to logic and reason. Yes God is logical, but He is Spirit, and works by the spirit. The anointing for office, pastor, teacher, prophet, evangelist, and apostle are spiritual gifts. They don't come from an institiution, they only come from God. They are spiritual, not carnal, not a gift of a mind. Not an eloquent speaker, but a fire from God. It makes more sense to take a shower with your clothes on, than to stand clothed in a pulpit naked of an anointing!

There is a weath of gifts and wonders of God yet to be given and revealed to his body. The arm of the Lord is not shortened. If we will seek Him and worship and place Him first of importance in our lives we will see the glory of God in our midst. The more we know of God, the more we will want of Him. The way is prayer and faith that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. The work is the Lord's. He will be faithful to complete the work in us. And we will know Him! Of this much I am sure, the experiences and fellowship I've had with the Lord are worth more than all the wealth of the nations. I want more with Him!

The Believers Authority

2005-02-28T23:13:00.000-05:00

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

2005-02-27T21:44:00.000-05:00

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

2005-02-25T23:35:00.000-05:00

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?

2005-02-21T21:55:00.000-05:00

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.