The David Woods ''E-Pulpit"

Lybian helps Jesus

2012-09-15T12:24:00.001-07:00

So there are several references to the Nation of Lybia in the Bible. In the Old Testament Hebrew it's referred to as Phut or PUT. Named after Noah's son from Ham. A Libyan connection has likewise been inferred from Nahum 3:9, where it is said that "Put and Lubim" were the helpers of Egypt. Other biblical verses consistently refer to the descendants of Put as warriors. In Jeremiah 46:9, they are again described as being supporters of Egypt. Ezekiel mentions them three times - in 27:10, as supporters of Tyre (Phoenicia), in 30:5 again as supporting Egypt, and in 38:5, as supporters of Gog. The Septuagint Greek (LXX) substitutes Libues in Ezekiel where the Hebrew Bible refers to Put. However, the LXX reads Put in Isaiah 66:19, in place of Pul in the Hebrew. In regards to New Testament Greek Lybia is called Cyrene. A Lybian carried Jesus' cross names Simeon(Mark 15:21 and parallels). See also Acts 2:10 where Jews from Cyrene heard the disciples speaking in their own language in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost; 6:9 where some Cyrenian Jews disputed with a disciple named Stephen; 11:20 tells of Jewish Christians originally from Cyrene who (along with believers from Cyprus) first preached the Gospel to non-Jews; 13:1 names Lucius of Cyrene as one of several to whom the Holy Spirit spoke, instructing them to appoint Barnabas and Saul (later Paul) for missionary service. Interesting study.

Drinking alcohol

2012-09-15T10:19:00.002-07:00

Despite the stiff penalties and public awareness campaigns, drunk driving remains a serious problem in the United States. In 2005, 16,885 people died in alcohol-related crashes and almost 1.4 million people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. On this day in 1897, a 25-year-old London taxi driver named George Smith becomes the first person ever arrested for drunk driving after slamming his cab into a building. Smith later pled guilty and was fined 25 shillings.In the United States, the first laws against operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol went into effect in New York in 1910. Since Hallmark says this is National Swap Idea Day, let me swap this idea with you. Nothing but heartache comes from drinking alcohol. It is unnecessary in a persons life. It does more to contribute sadness and loss then anything else. Whats worse is your government promotes the idea of your addiction. The government wants you addicted. To them it means your addiction=more revenue for your city. Go to jail pay fines, crash a car employee insurance companies. Get divorced pay into the judicial system. Pay, Pay, Pay and pay when you allow the vice of alcohol. God has an idea altogether different from a wicked government; "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." PROVERBS 23:31-32 "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken ..." HABAKKUK 2:15 Look at the tragedies of the Kennedy family. The family curse is often spoken of. After Prohibition ended in 1933, Kennedy consolidated an even larger fortune when he traveled to Scotland with FDR's son, James Roosevelt, to buy distribution rights for Scotch whiskey. His company, Somerset Importers, became the exclusive American agent for Gordon's Gin and Dewar's Scotch. In addition, Kennedy purchased spirits-importation rights from Schenley Industries, a firm in Canada. One tragic death after another in his lineage now known as the Kennedy Curse could have been avoided by not putting strong drink to so many poor misled Americans. I pray over America that the sales of Alcohol would come crashing down. That people would come to their senses both rich and poor and recognize it is so unnecessary in their life. Don't want to listen to the Bible? Listen to this doctor--Alcohol continuously destroys brain cells, even if taken in small quantities. Chronic alcoholics almost always have the following things in common: a disinterested good nature, often with a childlike personality, and a simple trust, which can suddenly turn into aggression, crying or erratic behaviour without provocation. This is not only due to the acute alcohol intake, but is almost always a result of the destruction of brain cells which is irreversible. The destruction of large parts of the brain eventually leads to complete stupefaction. Pharmaceutical drug poisoning and chronic drug abuse have similar effects on brain activity. A german doctor criticized a mother for allowing her 13 year old son to have a 'double' every now and again. He said alcohol consumed as a child leads to brain damage. The doctor is one hundred percent right. It is simply irresponsible of you, as a mother, to allow a 13 year old child to consume high amounts of alcohol. Young people's brains are especially at risk, because the bloodbrainbarrier (which only closes at 17 or 18 years old) is still open. In addition, here is a figure which clarifies just how dangerous such alcohol intake is for children: A drunken stupor permanently destroys up to seven million brain cells in an adult. It is even more dangerous for a child because, as mentioned earlier, the bloodbrainbarrier is still open. Be free from alcohol today. It is a snare to you. Life is better without it. And now you know my thoughts for today.

Betrayal

2010-08-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been betrayed? It hurts doesn't it? Maybe you experience pain from being the one who betrayed. In either case, the consequences are tremendous.

The most immediate effect of the betrayal of trust is in the emotional impact on the person betrayed. Generally speaking, the greater the trust that you had put in the other person and the greater the impact their betrayal has on you, then the greater the distress you will feel.

A number of different emotions may be felt upon realizing you have been betrayed. The most common is anger although, depending on the situation, you might even have fear about the loss of the relationship. You might feel repulsion at the lack of integrity of the other person.

"For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. My times are in Thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant: save me for Thy mercies' sake." Psalm 31:13,15,16

When you are betrayed by someone, it is highly likely that you will not easily trust them again. Trust is fragile and can be lost instantly or there is a hysteresis whereby a long-earned trust may be eroded and then suddenly lost.

When a person feels that they have been betrayed, they may well seek some form of justice, putting right (at least for them) what they feel has been wronged, including their sensibilities. It is important to remember that God will show mercy to you when you have someone betray you.

"Yea, mine own familiar friend, in who I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. BUT THOU, O Lord, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them."

So don't get into these situations!! If you betray someone, it is often best to come clean. Accept responsibility for personal failure and personally apologize. Demonstrate how you will fix your own failure, and offer compensation.

The alternatives to these recovery actions may cost you much more.

I heard a preacher once say, "Someone you are trusting is trusting someone you would not."

Believing

2010-08-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

To believe by definition is to accept as absolute truth or as real; to expect or suppose. Whoever you trust really does control your future. Who are you trusting in? At one time I had a hard time putting my trust in the Lord. I trusted relatives, government, employers, friends, church leadership, school authorities and so many other people. Many trust in what the doctor says and what the countries president says. But few trust in what God and HIS word says.

The scriptures say alot about believing:

"What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24

Are you believing for the better? Where you are and what you have may not be GOD'S best for your life right now and it may be that God wants you to believe HIM as your source. To believe HIM as your source means that you must trust HIM.

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22 When you ask God for something are you asking him in faith, believing that HE wants you to have it?

"Without faith it is impossible to please HIM: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a re-warder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

The doubt and unbelief in your life right now is a clue to who is controlling you or controlling your situation. Cut the doubt out of your life and increase GOD'S word in your eyes and ears and watch faith come. Watch yourself start believing again.

Faith stops at every question mark in your life. What question marks do you have right now that is keeping you out of believing for more from God.

Heavenly Father, I ask that you give my friend the GOD KIND OF FAITH. I rebuke doubt and unbelief and command your spirit, your human spirit to start receiving the GOD KIND of FAITH that moves mountains. In Jesus Name. AMEN!

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

2010-08-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

The anointing upon and the anointing within. When you get salvation the Holy Spirit comes to live with inside of you. Experiencing the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of Speaking in tongues is when HIS spirit comes on you and you have the anointing upon.

Too many Christians today have the spirit within but not upon. He has anointed you with power to be witnesses, not for your personal entertainment. Too many people play with the anointing and become casual with it.

Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?

When the apostle Paul met the twelve believers in Ephesus (Acts 19:2) he asked
them a question - "Have you received the Holy Spirit?" They answered
"No, they hadn't even heard about receiving the Holy Spirit". Paul prayed
together with them and "the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke
with tongues and prophesied". The same thing happened to the 120 people
waiting on God's promise of His Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on the day we now
call Pentecost. They ALL (including Mother Mary, Jesus Mother) also spoke with tongues and prophesied (Acts 1 & 2 ). This was all spoke about by Jesus and should have been expected since Jesus was said to be the one who would baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire.

What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit for?
Jesus said that we would "receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you"
in Acts 1:8. Power to live holy lives, power to witness, power to pray, to
understand scripture, power to minister, and power deny ourselves. (Acts 9:17-20;
John 16:14; Luke 24:24; Rom . 8:26).

The Holy Spirit is to be received by all believers so that they can receive, with the power, certain "gifts" from God. There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit associated with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit they are all found in 2 Corinthians- These are God's gifts to today's church. There are nine of them but they can be divided up into three groups of three.

I. The relation gifts
1-Word of Wisdom 2-Word of Knowledge 3-The Discerning of spirits

II. The power gifts
1-The gift of Faith 2-The gifts of healing 3-The Working of Miracles

III. The Inspiration gifts
1-The gift of Prophecy 2-Various kinds of Tongues 3-The Interpretation of Tongues

The Holy Spirit is to be received in order to see any of these gifts to be the active "body of Christ" ministering in the earth today. The Apostle Paul said for us to "earnestly desire spiritual gifts"
(1 Cor. 12:31, 14:1)

Who is the baptism in the Holy Spirit for?
Jesus said that "the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven"
so the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not for the casual inquirer (Matt. 12:31).
It is for 'born again' Christians, it is not 'dead religion' it is a living relationship with God, it is not for the unbelieving (John 14:16-17). There are times when I see ministers try to pray for Holy Spirit baptisms upon people when they don't even ensure that the people are saved. You must pray for salvation with people BEFORE they even attempt to receive such a baptism.

When you are sure you are a believer and also are willing to obey God in your life, then ask for the Holy Spirit to enter your life and to fill you and cleanse you with His fire (Matt. 3:11); "Your heavenly father will give the Holy Spirit to them that
ask of Him" (Luke 11:13). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for now and has always been available for any believer bold enough to trust God and obey God. When the believers asked for advice of the apostles on the day of Pentecost "What should we do?" they were told to "repent", "be baptized" and "receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Jesus said in His sermon on the mount blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled (Matt . 5:6).

Who does the baptizing?
Jesus is the baptizer (Matt 3:11) He baptizes with fire not water. There are actually seven types of baptism spoken of in Scriptures. Fire either
purifies or destroys. You may want to have other Spirit Filled Christians lay
hands on you and pray but it is not necessary. This is between you and God,
just as your salvation is (Acts 2; 10:44-46; 19:6)

I really want to caution you. If you still have reservations about your Christian commitment or if you are secretly still practicing sin be careful. Fire purifies, but don't be afraid. The gift - the promise of our heavenly Father is not evil - he said if your earthly fathers know to give their children good gifts, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to a child who asks for Him? A loving God would not first send His Son to die for us and then turn around and trick us by leading us into something evil. If you have ever been involved in the occult
(Fortune Telling through tea leave, palm reading, fortune cookies, horoscopes, Satanism, Witchcraft, Black Magic, Ouija Boards, Spirit-ism, Horror Movies, Harry Potter Books, fantasy collection cards or non Christian religions) then renounce these things before you seek the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Once you begin to live in the power of God's Holy Spirit Baptism you may become a target for Satan and he may try to confuse you in the supernatural leading in your life. Silence his voice and renounce his right to your life by confessing yourself a child of God in Jesus' name.

The occult involvement in any way in your life is NOT innocent child's play.
To engage in this breaks the first commandment and gives the devil legal access to our lives (Deut. 18:10-12).

If you are now going to seek supernatural guidance from God by His Holy Spirit then you need to silence all other occult influences in Jesus name (Acts 19:19) destroy all objects in your home or life that have supernatural ties. God speaks through our hearts not through mediums or objects.

Don't be afraid - there is no need to fear, simply trust God but it is good to be alert to Satan's tricks and resist Him (in Jesus' name) and he must flee (Jam. 4:7). If you are filled with the Holy Spirit 1 John 4:1 tells us not to just believe every spirit that speaks but to try the spirits to see if they are from God or not. "Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks around
seeking who he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

Do not seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit if you do not want to be Holy and
obedient to God and are willing to have Him speak to you and guide your life.

Finally I do not want you to think that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the way
to "instant" sanctification and a source of personal power for your own use.
If this is your heart motivation for reading this tract, repent! You will have
neither part nor portion in this blessing of God. (Acts 8:14-24)

How can I receive the Holy Spirit?
With other Spirit filled Christians or privately, raise your hands up to God in
thankfulness and praise. You might close your eyes or leave them open. The
important thing is to "ask" - believing God's promise is for you - and then to
"receive" of your own free will the blessing of God, called the Baptism of the
Holy Spirit. Start to praise God with your voice, tongue and lips. He will not
force you to speak in tongues but you may if you wish.

The Scriptures tell us that when a man speaks in tongues, he does not speak to men but rather he speaks to God, mysteries. As the "Truth" of God's promised blessing fills you, let it set you free.

Step out in faith by moving your tongue or moving your lips or both. Don't try and mimic what someone else says. Your tongue will form words that are unintelligible to your intellect. Try to say something in a language that only God could understand speaking mysteries to God (1 Cor. 14:2).

Maybe you will only be bold enough to speak a few syllables but as you boldly repeat them God will bless you with more . Like a child, your new language of prayer to God will grow. Don't be afraid. This language is not for the benefit of other people it is between you and your Lord and Savior. You will probably not even understand what you are saying, but be assured that God says that as you use this prayer language you will be built up and become stronger in faith (Jude 20).

Your private worship of God will be blessed. You do not pray in tongues with your mind but with your spirit(1 Cor. 14:14-15) you are praying with y our spirit to God who is a spirit (John 4:24).

Even if you do not have the faith to speak in tongues at this time, its important
that you desire to (1 Cor. 14:1,5). One day you may just find yourself doing so.
Nevertheless because you invited the Holy Spirit to come into the "house" of
your life He has promised this gift to you. (Rev. 3:20).

You will therefore find a new intimacy with God as you worship and study God's ways. A new "fire" will burn in your life. A new fervency for God will be experienced and a new level of faith will be your. From time to time you may find the your fellowship with Christ is at a lower level. No need for alarm - just repent of your distraction and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you fresh. Depression will leave when you begin to exercise your spiritual prayer language.

Although there are seven baptisms mentioned in scripture, there will always be only one "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" but there can be many fillings of the Holy Spirit of God (Ep h. 3:14) God wants you to either be hot or cold - never ever be satisfied with a lukewarm Christian life (Rev 3:14-22). As you walk in the Spirit you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:16-25). Now its time for you to learn what the Gifts of the Spirit are and how they operate in your life.

Go ahead and pray with me now. Jesus, you are my baptizer in the Holy Spirit. I ask you now to forgive me of all sin and wash me in your redeeming blood. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and come into my life. I confess that JESUS IS LORD and I believe that God raised Jesus from the DEAD. Therefore, I am born again! Jesus baptism me with the Holy Spirit today...right now in JESUS NAME. AMEN

Now open your mouth and begin as the Holy Spirit gives you the utterance.

Someone once said that Peter spent 3 and 1/2 years walking side by side with Jesus and never became in one day what he became when the Holy Spirit came upon him. You too can become what Jesus wants you to be. Spend each day with the Holy Spirit and watch the power that comes through your life.

Bankruptcy

2010-08-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

First let me say, "I am NOT a financial consultant". Not every one should consider bankruptcy. It may not be right for everyone and like any other financial plan should be used with extreme caution and you should get financial advise from a certified financial consultant.

With that being said, if you are considering bankruptcy, you should first understand that losing is your first key to learning. If you lost something or someone you need to take a step back and ask yourself what can I learn from this?

We read in the second half of Nehemiah 10:31, "Every seven years we will let our fields rest, and we will cancel all debts." This is where we get today our moden day rules and laws and regulations for today's bankruptcy.

Most Christians feel an overwhelming duty to pay their debts, even if that means sacrificing basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. To go bankrupt and to be unable to repay what you promised still carries a stigma that has driven many during this current crisis to even commit suicide in an attempt to escape the shame and of course the burden of debt or bankruptcy. Despite our society's current beliefs, make no mistake, the Bible clearly states that although Christians are required to repay their debts, no one is obligated to repay debts if, through no fault of their own, they become bankrupt.

A matter of fact, according to Jewish law, in the Bible it is required that debts be forgiven every 7 years.

Deuteronomy 15:1-2, "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord's release."

As Christians, there is no shame in releasing debts through bankruptcy if you truly cannot repay them.

Remember, if you do go through such a process there are scriptures to hang onto:

Ecclesiastes 7:14 - In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him."

Is there life after Bankruptcy? Joel 2:25,26 - I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wonderously with you: and my peopl shall never be ashamed."

Backsliding

2010-08-11T23:04:00.000-07:00

I have taken a strong stand on this subject since 1980 when I first began to study the subject. I take a strong stand against the teaching that God’s sovereign will completely overrides man’s free will to accept and serve Him. In view of this, I believe it is possible for a person once saved to turn from God and be lost again. Also known as Backsliding. However, I do not go to the other extreme of teaching that mankind’s choice of receiving or rejecting Christ makes a person totally responsible for his own salvation apart from Christ’s atonement.

My position follows the Assemblies of God bylaws--Article VIII of the Assemblies of God Bylaws opposes unconditional security with the following statement:

In view of the biblical teaching that the security of the believer depends on a living relationship with Christ (John 15:6); in view of the Bible's call to a life of holiness (1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14); in view of the clear teaching that a man may have his part taken out of the Book of Life (Revelation 22:19); and in view of the fact that one who believes for a while can fall away (Luke 8:13); The General Council of the Assemblies of God disapproves of the unconditional security position which holds that it is impossible for a person once saved to be lost.

Now it seems complex I know, but it is so important to know that the Christian religious world divides basically into two schools of thought concerning the spiritual destiny of people. One is Calvinism, named after John Calvin (early 16th century); the other is Arminianism, traced back to James Arminius (late 16th century). The theological debate is thus centuries old.

Calvinism teaches (1) the total depravity of man, (2) God's unconditional election (or predestination) of those who will be saved, (3) that Christ died only for the elect, not for every person, (4) that God's saving grace toward the elect cannot be resisted, and (5) that once a person is saved, he can never lose his salvation.

Arminianism teaches something different on each of these points: (1) Though born a sinner, mankind is given a spark of divine grace that enables him to respond positively to God. (2) God does not arbitrarily consign some people to eternal damnation; their willful rejection of God’s salvation makes them responsible. (3) Christ died for every person, even though some refuse to accept the provision for their salvation (4) No person is forced against his or her will to become a Christian. (5) One’s salvation can be lost through willful disobedience. Rather than the unconditional predestination of Calvinism, Arminianism teaches conditional predestination. We are predestined to eternal life if we accept God’s provision of salvation.

Now the Assemblies of God leans toward Arminianism, though it accepts scriptural truth found in both positions. We agree with the Calvinist emphasis on God's sovereignty or supreme power and authority. But they also firmly believe the Arminian emphasis on mankind's free will and responsibility for his actions and choices. I believe the Bible teaches both truths.

"Eternal security," according to Calvinists, means "once saved, always saved." The key passage for this position is John 10:28,29— "No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand." There is great assurance in this passage and in Romans 8:35,39—"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." I also stand on these wonderful truths knowing we need not fear that something external will overpower us and take away our salvation. Only our willful choices can do that.

But because we are creatures with free wills, we must be vigilantly on guard because the enemy of our soul, the devil, "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith" (1 Peter 5:8,9). In my own life I have come to believe carelessness can lead to apathy, apathy to neglect, and neglect to a conscious decision to sin. This spiritual decline is known to me as backsliding. I believe one who backslides is in danger of losing his salvation if the individual persists in rejecting the Spirit's call to repentance and restoration.

Luke 8:13 makes clear the fact that believers can lose their salvation. It says some "believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away." Revelation 22:19 says "If anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life, and in the holy city."

Certainly there are true Christians who believe and teach Calvinism; there are also true Christians who believe and teach that men and women have free will. Unfortunately, both sides have spent more time arguing doctrinal terminology and interpretations of theology than reaching out to a lost world. The irony of the disagreement is that Calvinists, who believe in predestination, are sometimes more active in witnessing and evangelism than Arminians who believe that man has a free will and should be encouraged to accept Christ as Savior. God, of course, looks on the heart and the actions rather than on the eloquence with which one defends a position.

Although the Assemblies of God adheres basically to the Arminian position on the spiritual security of the believer, there are extremes and potential abuses which must be avoided. The Christian life is not a roller coaster of Sunday salvation and Monday through Saturday backsliding. On the other hand, no Christian, no matter how spiritual, can claim perfection and sinlessness (1 John 1:8-10; 2:1). Therefore as Christians we must continually come to God sincerely asking His forgiveness for living below the potential He makes possible through the gift of His Holy Spirit.

The truth of God's marvelous and free grace has sadly led some to imagine and indulge in a cheap grace, a grace that covers all sins with no need to live a holy life. Such an attitude is an insult to the great price Christ paid to purchase our salvation. Though we may fail and fall, and sometimes sin, the heart of the true believer always regrets, repents, asks forgiveness, and seeks never to sin that way again. To carelessly participate in sin, expecting to gain forgiveness later, is itself an act of backsliding that will lead ultimately to losing one's salvation. We therefore reject any "once saved, always saved" doctrine that excuses sinful lifestyles.

Once saved can mean forever saved–if one continues in faith, growing in sanctification and holiness day by day. But God will not arbitrarily usurp mankind's free will. Our sovereign God does not overrule free will just to prove He is sovereign. When its all said and done and if you got this far down to the bottom of this blog, it is worthy to note: The gift of choosing releases more ability then the gift of LOVE. For God so loved...but we must choose.

Authority

2010-08-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

The greatest teachers teach by example. Jesus did not just teach from a position of authority because he was the son of God. He wanted to teach you how to operate in brother authority. In other words, Jesus is our brother and we operate in the authority that our elder brother shows us. Matthew 7:29 says "For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." The scribes were so intent on getting every word correct that they left out authority.

Now it is important for us to understand there is a difference between power and authority. Authority is the badge, power is the gun when we see a policeman. The gun is power but the badge on his or her uniform is enough authority of the whole state or county to stop a moving vehicle when their hand is raise out to say STOP!

Now.."Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18 Jesus has given us His power but He has release His authority to us as believers too.

Luke 9:1,2 says that He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." It did not just stop at 12 it went to 60 then 120 and now to us! His vision and release of power and authority is within us now.

God given authority is awesome to think about but it is important to know that if we cannot submit to earthly authority here in the now, how in the world can you submit to God's authority? And if you cannot submit to HIS authority, how can you operate or exercise in it? At a young age we should obey our parents. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." Ephesians 6:1

It is also important to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:" I Peter 2:12,15

Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. I Peter 5:5

Once someone said, "The proof of Legitimate Authority is provision, protection and promotion."

Now sometimes it will seem odd when God asks you to walk in authority. Even in Jesus day it seemed odd to some why he cursed the fig tree. Matthew 21:18,19. Some critical writers feel that Jesus' cursing the tree is out of character. Their rationale is: "Jesus went about doing good. Why does He now reverse course and start cursing instead of blessing?

The economics of God are different from the world's economics. All living organisms function to produce abundance and reproduce. That's why the DE-GENERATE behavior of homosexuality is not only a sin to God but an abomination to God. Everything God created was created to produce abundance and reproduce. This tree was occupying space in an already crowded world. It's roots were taking valuable nutrients out of the soil. Its branches were soaking up sunshine. Its leaves were drinking in the valuable rain water. The tree was TAKING and not giving! Sound familiar? It was serving no purpose, yet was draining resources. So the creator removed it with AUTHORITY by speaking to it harshly.

Whats taking up valuable space in your life because of a lack of authority in your own life? Fear, poverty, insecurity, bodily infirmities? Anything taking up your time, space or energy without producing positive results should be removed from our lives. It will only be removed when you learn to walk in God given authority.

Attitudes - expecting less from people more from God.

2010-08-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

Your attitude towards God and God's business directly effects your attitude towards people. Someone once said, Attitude determines our altitude. Although it would be correct to say that when flying and aircraft, it is also correct to say that in our personal lives.

Have you ever asked God to help you correct your attitude? I have. I have often been obedient but not willing. I have at times done things in obedience to God's word but my attitude was not willing. Is 1:19 says that the willing AND the obedient shall eat the good of the land. Just because you were obedient doesnt qualify you to enjoy the blessings. No, you have to be willing too.

I heard a motivational speaker once say, "The attitude of the servant controls the atmosphere of the Palace." I always thought that was a powerful statement.

In the book of Daniel we read (Daniel 6:3) "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set hiim over the whole realm." Promotion comes because and excellent spirit created an attitude that is worth promoting.

Someone is looking for a good attitude to promote. Could it be yours. Sometimes we get synical towards life and the let downs that occur. Watch your thoughts and your behaviors and your attitudes towards life and learn that by keeping a good attitude, you will be empowered to minister to GOD.

Hannah of the Bible had a very important prayer. Hannah was a barren woman in a time when not only the wife's worth, but the husband’s esteem was measured by how many sons they had. She was the wife of Elkanah, a man who had two wives.

Because Hannah was barren, he took a second wife, Peninnah, who bore four sons. Hannah was treated contemptuously by Penninah because of her barrenness. Penninah jeered and mocked Hannah relentlessly until Hannah could not even eat. It was not long before Hannah became, in her own words, bitter of soul. But she believed God answered fervent prayer! So in I Samuel 1:10-11 we read her prayer:

In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

Sure enough, that night God "remembered Hannah"! (1 Samuel 19-20)

Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.

So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, [literally "heard by God"] saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

Now Hannah had promised God that if He would give her a son, she would give the son back to God. By this she meant when the son was weaned at the age of three, she would make the long journey back to the Temple and leave her son with Eli, the Priest.

As one author had said, "why a mother who was so grateful for the one son she had would be willing to leave him with Eli the Priest"? As you dig deeper into the unhealthy family, we could say she was wise. She knew her son would be better off serving the Priest than he would be fighting off his half-brothers who would treat him as their own mother had treated Hannah.

The big day comes, and Hannah and three-year-old Samuel make the long walking journey to the Temple. She leaves her precious son with a the man of God (who had two evil sons who Hannah probably was unaware of). Really, Samuel was probably left in an even more sinful environment than the home into which he was born. And instead of crying, Hannah prayed a prayer of rejoicing. I want to show you a small part of her prayer, taken from 1 Samuel 2.

Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn [strength] is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
"There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God."

I'm wonder what your attitude and my attitude would be if we left our only son behind?

So determine to begin your prayer with praise. Who is God? Why is He worthy to be praised? Next comes gratitude. What are at least three things for which I am grateful today? Next comes my petition. What exactly was I asking God to do? And finally, thanks for God's faithfulness to His Word and to me.

Something begins to happen in your attitude when you pray like this. You will find yourself being more positive in your thoughts, actions, and words.

You will expect less of people and more of God.

It was similar to a reformatting of a computer's hard drive: negative out, positive in! An added bonus is that it makes you more hungry for God's word and all HIS attributes!

Atmosphere

2009-08-12T23:42:00.000-07:00

The churches which are making a mark on our culture war are those who know how to create an atmosphere. Many so called, "mega churches" are reaching only a few thousand people when they should be reaching THOUSANDS of people. The atmosphere that we create in people's lives will leave a mark for years to come. I am putting together my product table in our services and I have learned that the atmosphere I create in our services will always be the product I produce. The most valuable thing a person can take away from you as an individual is created by the atmosphere you produce. If everyday you nag and complain about something, people will feel as though they get nothing from the relationship. What sort of relationship are you breeding? An ugly one or a beautiful one?

"And it came to pas, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord." I Kings 8:10-11. Can you imagine that kind of glory...that kind of atmosphere? Where even the leadership could not stand. That is a service that you will never forget.

I remember in 1997 we had a service similar to that. The glory of the Lord was so strong that not one person was standing. They were either laying out prostrate or kneeling before the Lord. The only one that was left was our piano player. I went over and sat on the bench and he fell of the side of it. Moments latter, I fell off the other side. We were in that church till 2am! What a time.

The atmosphere created was soemthing that NONE of us will forget.

Evil spirits will depart when you have a right atmosphere. "and it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand, so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spriti departed from him." I Samuel 16:23 Can you imagine. The cloud of depression or oppression leaving you and sitting in your home completely refreshed? That is what the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit does to you.

Ask the Holy Spirit today to build an atmosphere in your life today. He will help. That is his job description. He is a helper and he is also a comforter. Hallelujah. He puts his children in comfort and he stands beside you as an aid to help you when you need help. You need HIM to make your atmosphere glorious.

Atheism

2009-08-10T23:29:00.000-07:00

Before I reprint Ray Comfort's masterpiece of, "Why the Atheist doesn't exist", let me state a few scriptures. Last week I was negotiating two pieces of much needed audio equipment that the ministry needed. After negotiating, the business man's wife (who was born again) explained to me that she had been twittering to an atheist man and was making progress with him. We were both very excited about the good news.

Someone once said, "The evidence of God's existence far supersedes the proof of his absence." Whoo.

Romans 1:28 says, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"

2 Corinthians 4:3,4 says, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In who the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, let the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God should shine unto them."

Psalms 14:1 says, "The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."

Romans 1:20-21 says, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly sen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as Go, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

Why the Atheist doesn't exist

There can be no such things as an atheist. This is why: Let's imagine that you are a professing atheist. Here are two questions for you to answer: First, do you know the combined weight of all the sand on all the beaches of Hawaii? We can safely assume that you don't. This brings us to the second question: Do you know how many hairs are on the back of a fully-grown male Tibetan yak? Probably not. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that there are some things that you don't know. It is important to ask these questions because there are some people who think they know everything.

Let's say that you know an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. To know 100 percent, you would have to know everything. There wouldn't be a rock in the universe that you would not be intimately familiar with, or a grain of sand that you would not be aware of. You would know everything that has happened in history, from that which is common knowledge to the minor details of the secret love life of Napoleon's great-grandmother's black cat's fleas. You would know every hair of every head, and every thought of every heart. All history would be laid out before you, because you would be omniscient (all-knowing).

Bear in mind that one of the greatest scientists who ever lived, Thomas Edison, said, "We do not know a millionth of one percent about anything." Let me repeat: Let's say that you have an incredible one percent of all the knowledge in the universe. Would it be possible, in the ninety-nine percent of the knowledge that you haven't yet come across, that there might be ample evidence to prove the existence of God? If you are reasonable, you will be forced to admit that it is possible. Somewhere, in the knowledge you haven't yet discovered, there could be enough evidence to prove that God does exist.

Let's look at the same thought from another angle. If I were to make an absolute statement such as, "There is no gold in China," what is needed for that statement to be proven true? I need absolute or total knowledge. I need to have information that there is no gold in any rock, in any river, in the ground, in any store, in any ring, or in any mouth (gold filling) in China. If there is one speck of gold in China, then my statement is false and I have no basis for it. I need absolute knowledge before I can make an absolute statement of that nature. Conversely, for me to say, "There is gold in China," I don't need to have all knowledge. I just need to have seen a speck of gold in the country, and the statement is then true.

To say categorically, "There is no God," is to make an absolute statement. For the statement to be true, I must know for certain that there is no God in the entire universe. No human being has all knowledge. Therefore, none of us is able to truthfully make this assertion.

If you insist upon disbelief in God, what you must say is, "Having the limited knowledge I have at present, I believe that there is no God." Owing to a lack of knowledge on your part, you don't know if God exists. So, in the strict sense of the word, you cannot be an atheist. The only true qualifier for the title is the One who has absolute knowledge, and why on earth would God want to deny His own existence?

The professing atheist is what is commonly known as an “agnostic” - one who claims he “doesn't know” if God exists. It is interesting to note that the Latin equivalent for the Greek word is “ignoramus.” The Bible tells us that this ignorance is “willful” (Psalm 10:4). It's not that a person can't find God, but that he won't. It has been rightly said that the “atheist” can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman. He knows that if he admits that there is a God, he is admitting that he is ultimately responsible to Him. This is not a pleasant thought for some.

It is said that Mussolini (the Italian dictator), once stood on a pinnacle and cried, "God, if you are there, strike me dead!" When God didn't immediately bow to his dictates, Mussolini then concluded that there was no God. However, his prayer was answered some time later.

Excerpted from God Doesn't Believe in Atheists by Ray Comfort

Astrology

2009-08-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

During a deliverance session years ago near Tampa, Florida, a young lady had begin to manifest demon spirits through hear when we prayed over her. The demon spirit spoke through her and said, "I trapped her! She was so worried about her future and I trapped her!" Wow, what a day that was. I told the demon to hold her peace and loose her, to come out of her and let her go. Of course the demon obeyed me and she was delivered gloriously. I showed her how to pray and renounce the astrology that she was tricked into. With many tears she learned that she did not have to rely on "familiar spirits", but could receive 9 gifts of the spirit to aid in her walk with Christ. Satan has a counterfeit for everything.

The scripture is very clear about astrology or the "observing of times". "Ye shall not...use enchantment, nor observe times." Many people observe the moon, the sun, the stars and even silly fortune cookies to know what is going to happen the next day. This is grievous to the Holy Spirit in your life. "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set My face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people." Leviticus 20:6. That is strong. To be cut off from God is a personal disaster. We see the stong command here and those who play with the starts or phycis are dancing with disaster.

"But he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord...also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger." 2 Chronicles 33:22,6 When you dabble in these things you not only open the door to the devil to come live inside you but you also provoke God to anger. Beloved, please, whatever you do, provoke anyone, but please don't provoke GOD!

In days of old, I believe that there was a time that God spoke through his people through the heavens. Now we have the holy spirit and to go back to an old system allows the devil to get involved and mess with your mind. Look at Isaiah 44:24,25; "...I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;...That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad;"

Starts do not decide your life; God decides your life. Have confidence in God and let Him speak to you through the precious Holy Spirit.

Associations

2009-08-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

There are those who will not increase what God is doing through you. There are many who unknowingly decrease God's plan in your life.

Not everyone in your life is ordained of God. Not everyone on your face book enjoys what God wants to do in your life.

Years ago in my library, I pulled a 1965 Sunday School curriculum book from GPH and was astonished to see what it said. "Don't just sanctify your bodies but sanctify your friendships". I was taken back. We don't hear that type of preaching much anymore. We think that everyone is acceptable to be friends with. God gave us wisdom, we just have to use it.

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20

Take heed to thyself, let thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou go est, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee. Exodus 34:12

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3

"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one do not to eat." I Corinthians 5:11

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." I Corinthians 15:33

A dear precious lady once said to me while I was young, "You can be friendly with everyone, just learn not to be friends with everyone." At the time I thought that was rather harsh but later in my adult life I realized that everyone has a motive. Those motives may be pure or they may be polluted, it is up to you to discern what their motives are up too.

Watch and pray over your associations. Someone may be getting ready to drag your speed down. Someone may be getting ready to accelerate you into greatness. Don't live in fear but trust that God will reveal the right relationships to you today.

The purpose and message of Isaiah

2009-04-17T02:41:00.000-07:00

The purpose and message of Isaiah the prophet is arranged in such as way as for the reader to understand the trustworthiness of Yahweh; the covenant God. It is clearly seen in the contrast between two national leaders of Isaiah's day. Ahaz and Hezekiah. Many know the last name more than the former name. That is because Hezekiah won big time. Ahaz did not. Why? Ahaz refused to get his orders from God. Ahaz did not trust God but sent for the Assyrians to aid him in time of political crisis against the advise of the prophet Isaiah. I see the same thing happening today, our national leader is turning to 20 nations for advise and aid to bring peace. He may just succeed at bringing peace. The scriptures foretell of a man who brings peace. The people will shout peace and safety, peace and safety. Then SUDDEN DESTRUCTION will come.

The only thing that came under Ahaz's leadership style of not trusting God was one crisis after another. In fact we in America have been having one crisis after another. Why? That is what happens when you don't make God as the source.

Hezekiah, although he initially counted on Egyptian help, eventually came to fully depend on Yahweh and was delivered in a mighty way. Hezekiah is now know for how God can bring deliverance.

The purpose of a prophet is to say what God says to say. The words that are given are largely words of indictment and judgement (Chapters 1-39) In Chapters 40-60 they are more concerned with God's mercy, forgiveness, deliverance and restoration of Israel.

O God, give this nation the heart of Hezekiah and not the stiff necked heart of Ahaz.

Art of Receiving

2009-04-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

I am reflecting back to my daily journal entry of July 1997 in which I make the following observation. I had finished a revival somewhere in South Carolina.

I have noticed that most people who seek their deliverance, seek every area
except the word of God. They want the anointing to be released from a
person but they refuse to consistently sit under Bible teaching. The
Bible is what really what is anointed. It destroys yokes. I a person
really wants deliverance, let them come to a meeting. That's when God is
fully present. When you formally make an appointment with HIM. That
anointing from the word empowers to replace the bondage.

God's word is arresting. My need will be met when I am moving towards
God's men who are full of God's word. God's word is remarkable compared to
our own thoughts. God's word is not fantastic since fantastic means -
fantasy or not real. God's word is thrilling when the Holy Spirit is upon
it.

Those who have a hard time receiving God's word are reading or hearing without the anointing. Some time ago in Portland, Oregon the fall of 2002, a young lady said to me, "Pastor, I just can't seem to understand what I am reading. What am I doing wrong?" I told her by an unction of the Holy Spirit; "You should pray in the spirit for a while and then ask the Holy Spirit to bring understanding to your natural mind concerning what you are reading." She did. She prayed and what happened the following weeks was astonishing. She was growing in Christ. She learned to grow by the spirit.

The art of receiving is not so well mastered here in the United States like some countries. You know, I recently joked in a Hispanic church in Winatchee, Washington, that the Hispanics can celebrate at the drop of a sombrero. They laughed and I laughed because we all know Hispanics and south American people can celebrate and will find cause to celebrate over just about anything. Why? They have practiced it as an art. So with the art of celebration, we must also practice the art of receiving. North American's have not practiced it so much.

Did you know I once witnessed a woman who prayed in Anaheim, California for gas money to go to church? The lady was offered gas money and she refused it because, "I just don't feel right about taking someones money." Can you imagine that? Here is a person who prayed for gas money. God gives it to her and she refuses it!! Why? She had pride ruling in her heart. Pride of life will keep you from receiving. Weather it is your healing, your job, a car, a house or money. Pride keeps you from receiving.

The favor of the Lord is bringing many things to you. You must understand something here. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you you don't need it. If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you don't want it and If God's favor doesn't bring it to you, you can't keep it. If favor doesn't bring it to you, you will have to prop it up.

When you fail to receive, you frustrate God's plan in your life. The word frustrate means, "actions that keep you from attaining a goal or fulfilling a desire; to thwart."

I challenge you today. Tell God, "I am a receiver of your goodness. I practice receiving all you have for me today". Stay with it. When something good comes your way, CELEBRATE IT and don't forget, CELEBRATE THEM!

You can get good at receiving good things all the time. Just start saying, thank you Lord for giving me good gifts. You are my source of supply and you give me good gifts all the time. AMEN.

Art of Celebration

2009-04-16T00:12:00.000-07:00

You will remember who and what you celebrate. Those who celebrate me appreciate me. In Exodus 14:31, 51:1 says, "And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians:...Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea." Triumphing is a celebration of the Victory. You will only celebrate those who can bring triumph into your lives.

"And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet." 2 Samuel 6:14,15. Dancing and triumphing in the victory brings celebration.

The big question is can you dance and triumph and learn the art of celebrating when there seems to be nothing to celebrate about? Jesus did. In the triumphal entry so many shouted and celebrated and even tho Jesus foreknew as God, the cross, the pain, the suffering, the beatings, he rode through anyway, fully knowing that his day of resurrection was coming.

Today you may not see the victory. You may not hear the victory. You don't even feel close to the triumphant parade in your life. But dance anyway, go ahead, shout there in your home. Give it a hoop up, GLORY! That's it. Develop the art of Celebration before you see the battle won. As soon as you develop the art of Celebration the victory comes easy and the triumph comes naturally.

Armorbearer

2009-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

An armor bearer is assigned to someone. Their dreams become your dreams. There is so much to say about the subject of the Armor bearer and yet so few in the church world understand it's ministry and it's function within the church today. The preacher, pastor, teacher, prophet or man of God suffers greatly when the lack of the right armor bearer is present.

On this subject no one has written it as well as Terry Nance, "God's Armor Bearer Volumes 1 & 2, Serving God's leaders published by Focus on Harvest.

Elisha was raised up by God to serve Elijah. King David had his armor bearer. Everyone in the local church should carry out the spirit of the armor bearer. To be an armor bearer means you have the heart of the servant. The servant, Jesus said, is the greatest among you. They stand with the leader to help the leader fulfill God's vision.

David was at one time, Saul's armor bearer. Many times armor bearers have to withstand harsh treatment. David did and as a result, his own promotion came to a high place of respect and regard even to this day he is honored in Israel and even around the world.

An armor bearer serves their leaders well.

Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 says "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

An armor bearer covers the faults of those who they serve. The Glory of the Lord covereth a matter but the glory of kings reveal it. Those who are serving you the most make sure that you shine and never cause embarresment for the leader. They help in a time of need.

Appointments

2009-04-14T23:38:00.000-07:00

When speaking of appointments we speak of a respect for time. Time is an earthly thing (Ecc 3:1,2,6,7) but has it's appointments for heavenly events. Time is a unit of measure. 100 years from now, probability has it, that everyone reading this now will have passed on their earth suit and gone to heaven, if heaven doesn't come to us sooner, which is more than likely to happen than the former. (see James 4:14) For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanish away." Could it be that appointments on earth are small events squished into this "little time" spoken of in James?

Heaven has given appointments. God had scheduled times and seasons and still does. The Holy Spirit looks for an appointment with men and women. Men schedule, keep and even sometimes break appointments.

Walking with wise men causes one to be wiser; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20) Years ago I preached a message called, "How to spot a fool and keep him out". Foolish people are not wise with time. Foolish people don't know how to "cash in" the time God gave them. The scriptures call it "redeem". "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15,16

I believe that when Jesus asked his disciples, "could you not tarry with me for one hour?" he was talking about killing the flesh long enough to measure out heavenly communication. Prayer can be measured. Watch and pray could mean to measure out our prayer life.

Whats your most memorable appointment and how does it fit to what I just wrote?
Who is the greatest appointment with in your life?
When should you set appointments? Is there a time when you should not set an appointment?

Where is this appointment?
Is there a right and wrong way to establish appointments?

If you have the answers to these questions or can make a comment about how appointments fit into the word of God I would love to hear it.

Appearance

2009-03-14T23:58:00.001-07:00

I was young when my mother taught me that if I wanted favor I had to look like I was worth investing into. I was still yet young but now in my early teens when my spiritual mother had me in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and had taken me and some others to the mall and bought me several hundred dollars of new suits. I was so beside myself I was speechless. What was I to say. Everything looked so...so...perfect. It was that day that I woke up to the fact excellence in ministry means that your appearance causes you to look different from the world. I realized that Jesus looked different from the world and had a seamless robe that was so attractive that secular men gambled over it. What a robe.

I also learned that merry heart makes a cheerful countenance as one translation says in Proverbs 15:13.

Your appearance is important when you represent the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If Jesus gave us HIS best, I can certainly give him my best.

I have learned that I cannot dress myself for where I have been but I have to dress myself for where I am going. Do you know where you are going? It comes across in your appearance. People who are still bound in guilt, sin, shame and fear quickly communicate it to the rest of the world not just in their dress but in their countenance. I told one young man that he was not fooling the man of God when he is clubbing Friday night and at Church Sunday. Now don't get me wrong. I am certainly happy he is in church but his countenance, his appearance even the way he smelled said, "SIN". Ahh! This young man is suppose to be acting, walking and talking like the hand of the Lord is resting upon him.

Did you know that man is looking on your outward appearance? Even CNN knows it. I was invited not long ago to tour through CNN in Washington D.C. and I was so happy to do so. I noticed something. The writers and editors in the back rooms who were writing looked to me (in my opinion) bound. Overweight, not shaving or groomed. Filthy looking and slobish. I was overwhelmingly astonished. I could not believe what I saw. Was this for real? The people in front of the cameras. The beautiful people that the whole wide world was looking at were all reading from teleprompters written by miserable looking and disgusting type of people. Now maybe somethings have changed but it taught me another lesson.

I Samuel 16:7 Says, "...the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." What if you and I as Christians looked great both outside and inside? Even the high priests were required to wear above average clothing. In fact it was God's promise to bless them with the proper garments. It amuses me when I hear people say that their grubbiest will work in church. Yes they will, but don't you know that the grubbiest are not part of the blessing? I know this is not popular because any message that brings people up to a higher standard is awkward to many modern day Christians.

In Zech 3 we see Joshua was dressed in filthy garments and the was standing before the Angel of the Lord v4 And He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And He said to Joshua, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you and I will clothe you with rich apparel. When he was clothed with rich garments the Angel of the Lord stood by.

I heard a man of God once say that all evil spirits are unclean. It makes sense to me that the Angel of the Lord would stand by a man who's appearance was clean and rich.

I know not everyone will agree with this and I would like to hear from you on this.

Anger

2009-03-01T22:56:00.000-08:00

Emotional people don't prosper but Anger can sometimes be a clue and a hint towards what we are called too. Anger is a clue to the anointing upon your life. But too often Anger proves lack of control. When we cannot control certain issues or people, we sometimes demonstrate anger.

Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:26,31,32

A lady once came home from a revival meeting and was so happy to tell her atheist husband that she has been born again. The husband got angry and said that she lost her mind. She said, "you are right." I now have the mind of Christ.

Romans 12:2 says "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.." Her whole way of thinking had been changed.

The key issue here is transformed. In the Greek test it is metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o). It is the word that we get in the English of Metamorphosis. While in Hawaii recently, my girls saw Monarch butterflies hanging everywhere on a tree outside one of the churches. They were coming in and out of cocoons. Some were coming out butterflies and some were setting themselves up as ugly, green, multi-eyeballed worms.

Metamorphoo is the same word used to describe the change Jesus went through up on the mount of transfiguration. (Matthew 17:2)

When Jesus went up the mountain, His clothing became as white as light and His face shone with a dazzling glory as bright as the sun. He was transfigured (metmorphoo) transformed. What happened to Jesus was a drastic change from what he was before. Here in Romans Paul is urging us to have the same sort of transformation in our own lives.

In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul wrote: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (NKV).

The radiance Jesus demonstrated on the mount of transfiguration is resident within us by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

Working of Miracles

2009-02-27T03:09:00.000-08:00

In 1988, Princeton Religion Research Center's PRRC Emerging Trends reported that 82% of adults either mostly or completely agreed with the following statement: "Even today, miracles are performed by the power of God"

Now to many, the works of Jesus were truly miracles but to Jesus he was clearly doing the heavenly Father's will in the lives of people. Most people think a miracle is a miracle. Although in it's simplistic form of the word, that may be true, according to scriptures there are four types of Miracles described within the New Testament. The list I am about to give here could be used as a manual or checklist for the miracles that happen within our lives or within our churches.

There are nine gifts of the spirit and one of the nine is "the working of miracles." A miracle must be worked. It takes the recipient of the miracle work his or her faith. Not all miracles are healings and not all healings are miracles but a healing can be a miracle at times.

Miracle type 1- Notable Miracle. A notable miracle is spoken of in Acts 4:16. These are miracles that happen OUTSIDE the local church. It gets the attention of the media. These miracles make the evening news. Remember the healing of the lame man? Acts 3:6-10 attracted huge interest within the community. So much that it became like a real media event and a social conversation piece to say the least. Acts chapter 3 and chapter 4 both document the Notable miracle in detail.

Miracle type 2- Great Miracles. Acts 6:8 In Acts 8:13 Luke uses the greek words mega dunamis or could we say, "great miracles." This does not mean it is a once happening type of miracle, but rather a steady stream of signs, wonders and miracles. God knows how to give quantity as well as quality. I remember there have been many seasons in 28 years of ministry where there were heavy streams of astonishing miracles that were great. People walking from wheel chairs. Deaf ears opening and many more great things come in waves which is Great Miracles.

Miracle type 3- Special Miracles. Acts 19:11 What is typically highlighted regarding this type of miracle is the geographical location. The disciples were right in the heart of the wicked Greek goddess Diana town of Ephesus. The worship of this idol lead so many people to failure in so many places within people's lives. It took this type of miracle to set many people free. I have found in many places where there is idolatry like Hawaii or deception like Utah you will find Special Miracles. It is sometimes the only thing that will break the hard hearts of the people within a geographical area.

Miracle type 4- Diverse Miracles. Hebrews 2:4 This we could say VARIOUS miracles. Various miracles for various needs. Various miracles for various places. Various miracles for various people. A church may need a miracle. A family may need a marriage miracle. A sick body may need a miracle.

The good news is that we can claim and lay hold of all the different types of miracles for our own life.

What do you love?

2009-02-26T01:54:00.000-08:00

Recently my wife and family and I were all placed at a Casino Hotel which was the only hotel accommodations closely situated to the place of our ministry time and was usually complimentary from the Native Americans. We have been so thankful for their hospitality. Recently I got on the elevator to go to my room after an anointed service and overheard an older woman say to an older gentleman, "All my money went to slots tonight." Real depressed they exited the lift. Inside, I was content and joy filled my heart knowing for sure that I was NOT in love with the world.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... I John 2:15

It reminds me of the three Bible Characters all with names which start with D.

DEMAS, DIOTREPHES, and DEMETRIUS. Each of them had a love, but each one's love was for something different.

Demas: "...Demas has forsaken me [Paul], and has departed for Thessalonica [his home town]..." II Timothy 4:9,10 NKV Paul was facing trial in Rome. Realizing it was too dangerous to be connected with the Apostle whose fate and doom was in the hands of Nero, Demos forsook Paul. Why? His love for money and desire for self preservation led Demas to abandon the hardships and dangers of life of an apostle. In the next century, Chrysostom wrote of Demas: "He chose to live in luxury at home." Why? DEMAS LOVED THE WORLD. I have driven through so many cities and have seen the love of the world upon people's faces. Even within churches and many times sadly upon ministers faces. Thankfully, the world has no mare attraction to me. What once used to pull like a magnet now repels me. Thank God for deliverance from a worldly attraction.

Diotrephes: I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us (3 John 9 NKV). Demas is gone. Now Diotrephes assertive. He is a brother, but his primary motivation is not love of the brethern, but his own ego-drive. I can't begin to tell you the people who I associated with as a young adult. Those especially who were used by God in television. It saddened my heart many times how they were (not always) many times ego driven. Some had proved over time to be legends in their own minds. They thought of themselves more highly then they ought. So many pastors who I have written to had turned me down not because I wouldn't be effective in their church, but the Lord assured me on many occasions, it was their love for preeminence. Thank God for my freedom from preeminence. The need to be celebrated by someone is out of my life. I cannot deliver anyone, unless I am first delivered from everyone; including myself.

Demetrius: Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself...(3 John 12 NKJ) Some Bible professors and scholars believed that Demetrius was the silversmith in Acts 19:24 whose business was threatened by Paul's preaching of the Gospel. Upon his conversion, Demetrius had great credibility; 1) with the Christian Community, 2) from the truth itself, and 3) with John. Demetrius loved the truth.

Three loves of three types of ministers. The World, the preeminence, and the truth. What do you love?

Angels

2009-02-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

Angels throughout the Bible bring birth announcments and warnings from the Lord. They also are very present in the lives of believers today. Demon spirits pose as angels of light to unbelievers and will sometimes cause the unbeliever to take special notice of their light.

The scriptures warn us that the devil can appear as an angel of light deceiving many. Just because someone says that an angel appeared to them with such warmth, love and light does not make it an angel from heaven working for the Lord Jesus. There are many angels who's entire assignment is to deceive many and to get a person's attention and focus from off God.

God sent the Angel of the Lord to shut the mouths of the Lions for Daniel while he was thrown in the lion's den. Daniel 6:21,22

Angels could possibly appear in human form and you could be entertaining an angel thinking they were a human stranger. The scriptures tell us to beware of this. "be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews1 13:2

I remember a meeting back in the summer of 1992. I was asked to preach at a church in Goodyear, Arizona. I don't remember the pastor but I do remember that the church had a long dusty driveway that was impossible to come down without being noticed for several minutes after. I needed a miracle from the Lord financially. I prayed before service and knowing that the pastor would give our ministry a check after the revival I was in need of $100. cash for gas and other incedentals. I told not one person my need but I told my heavenly father which is in heaven. After everyone had left the service and the Pastor was busy locking the back doors a distinguished gentelman came in who was not in any of the services. He was dressed in a blue pin strip three piece suit with his hair groom emaculantly. He stood rather tall and came directly up to me. He stuffed money into my shirt pocket and said, "the Lord has sent me to you to bless you for all your efforts." I said, "thank you...I want you to meet the pastor here." As I went to get the pastor, the man had left out the front door. Running with the pastor thinking we could catch the first time, belated visitor, he was gone. The pastor even questioned if I really even saw anyone as there was no dust floating around from the long dusty church driveway. All I know is that God supplied the need and I never saw his agent again.

Who knows who you entertained last week or last year. It might have been an angel on a God assignment just for you to get the job done.

I often remind myself everytime I am tempted to tell people my need. God is our source of supply and telling HIM about our need pleases HIM.

"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about him them that fear Him and deliverth them." Psalms 34:7

Tell me about a time when you had an angelic encounter.

Anointing

2009-02-01T21:29:00.000-08:00

What you respect you will attract. When you respect the Anointing you will attract the anointing.

The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and the recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.

Anointing, as described in the Bible, can be defined as "God on flesh doing those things that flesh cannot do." It is God doing those things only He can do, and doing them through a flesh-and-blood, earthly vessel (see 2 Corinthians 4:7).

The basic meaning of the Bible word "anoint" is "to pour on, smear all over or rub into." In the Old Testament, someone who was anointed by God for special service to God had oil poured or smeared on him. For instance, Saul, and later David, was anointed with oil by the prophet Samuel when God revealed He had chosen him to be king of Israel. When King Saul rebelled against God and tried to kill David, David refused to harm him because Saul was "the Lord's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6).

To be anointed by God is not only to be picked, but also to be empowered by Him for the task or position to which He has called you. The Hebrew word "Messiah" and the Greek word "Christ" both mean "the Anointed."

Anointing was a sign of Israel's coming Redeemer. The prophet Isaiah, looking forward in time by the Spirit of God, saw One through Whom "the yoke [of Satan's oppression] shall be destroyed because of the anointing" (Isaiah 10:27). The word destroyed means absolutely corrupted beyond use, destroyed, no good for (the devil's) use.

Jesus, reading from another Messianic prophecy in Isaiah, said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me...." What had the Spirit anointed Him to do? "To preach the gospel to the poor...heal the brokenhearted...preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind...set at liberty them that are bruised..." (see Luke 4:18-19). Jesus had the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of Almighty God all over Him.

News of the Anointed and His Anointing was the "good news" or "gospel" the early Church ministered. When Peter was asked to preach the basic, gospel message to the gentiles for the very first time, the first thing he told them was "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (see Acts 10:38-39). When Philip preached Christ (the Anointed One and His Anointing) in Samaria, "the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed" (see Acts 8:6-8). They received and heard the good news that the Anointed One and His Anointing had come to destroy the yokes from their backs. From the moment they received it, God confirmed it, just as He did in Jesus' ministry.

The anointing is God's presence by the Holy Spirit. The anointing on Jesus was by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). The anointing we have received from Jesus is by the Holy Spirit. (Compare 1 John 2:20, 26-27; John 14:26.) The anointing is God's Spirit and power for service in this earth. Jesus has provided the same presence of the Holy Spirit for us in our earthly ministries that He had in His earthly ministry!

The word "Christ" is not just another name for Jesus, but a reference to the Anointed and the Anointing that was on Him and in Him. In the same way, the word "Christians" means more than just followers of Jesus. It means "the anointeds." The same yoke-destroying Anointing that was on Jesus is available to you.

Look again at 1 John 2: "the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (verse 27). Those last two words could also be translated "in it." In other words, the phrase could either be exhorting believers to abide in the Anointed One, Jesus, or to abide in the anointing itself. Both interpretations are correct because you can't separate the Anointed and the anointing. If you're in the Anointed One, then you're in the anointing.

I encourage you, find every reference that uses the word Christ in the New Testament. Each time Christ is used translate it into "the Anointed and His Anointing." Then meditate on the new revelation of this meaning in each scripture. Start with the verses that say "in Christ" or "through Christ" and translate them "in (through) the Anointed and (through) His Anointing." It will change your life.

If you're "in Christ," there's an anointing for everything you're called to do, no matter how small or how great the task. That's what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "I can do all things through Christ (the Anointed and His Anointing) which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Notice that he didn't say "who strengtheneth me" but "which strengtheneth me." He was talking about the anointing. The same anointing that enabled you to be born again will heal your body, help you succeed in business, and empower you to prosper spirit, soul, body and in every aspect of your life. (See Luke 5:20-24.)

Alcoholism

2009-01-30T23:32:00.000-08:00

What you permit is what you become. When you permit yourself to indulge in any amount of alcohol you will eventually become hooked on it.

There is a popular saying. The man took the drink, the drink took the drink, and then the drink took the man. Drinking casually leads to a lifestyle of drinking.

There are certain things we do not allow in our house. Ice Cream is one of those things. If it comes in our house refrigerator, then we will most likely eat it. Eating eat causes habits to be established. So it is with wine or beer. Bringing it into our house is something we don't do. We don't go down the isle of it at the grocery store and we don't look at it when they try and set it on our table at the restaurant. You may say, "Why?" First off the Bible is clear about some things regarding strong drink. Don't even look into the red of the wine. Woe to the man who puts strong drink to another man's lips.

But you may say, "I just drink a little for my stomach's sake." Have you heard of those small round pills called TUMS or Rolaids? They will do the job.

When you bring any alcohol into your life you support an industry that promotes loss.

Proverbs 23:29-32 says some pretty pointed things regarding Alcoholism.

"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" Ephesians 5:18

There is hope however, "He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions." Psalms 107:20