Our Hope is in Jesus Christ!

Job 14:7, “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. 8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; 9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.”

Evil and sin come upon us as a mighty hurricane, moving slowly and methodically destroying everything in it's path. Destruction howls like the wind, undermining the very foundation of all that we admire and trust. Evil lurches out at the family devouring the cohesiveness of love, trust and communication creating walls of isolation, unbelief and contempt. Thereby neutralizing the principles upon which our very existence is founded. Evil strikes at the heart of the governing bodies of our societies. Beginning in our educational systems and infecting every level of governance reaching to the seat of our national and international government.

Apparently, leadership has forgotten that the education of our children will invariably affect our nation and ultimately the world. What we teach in our homes, churches, schools and universities will create the mindset for the succeeding generations. The guiding principles of our forefathers are strategic and indispensable elements to the continued survival of this nation as we have known it. The ideals of love of God and country have sustained us in all conflict through out our history. If we allow the name of God to be maligned and degraded, we are setting the example for the next generation. If we allow the principles of personal freedom and liberty that this nation was founded upon to be diluted and discarded, we will pay the price in defeat and ruin. A people that rejects God will be given over to their own devises and suffer the consequences. The structure of the family has disintegrated because we have not followed God. The health of our churches is diminished and some have expired because we have not followed God. Every institution, every governing body at every level has depreciated in value and relevance because we have not followed God.

Is that what we want as a nation? Do we want to be abandoned by our Creator and go it all alone? I think not. So then, what are we to do? Moral fortitude and intellectual rhetoric can not address the plague of sin that has consumed mankind. The problems of our civilization, the issues we face require supernatural intervention. The answers cannot be legislated, addressed by executive order or by a ruling by the highest court in the land. None of these actions can put us back on course as the human race. The basic problem of our world is a spiritual one. Yes, there is Hope. That Hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ! Let the Church call unto Him as never before. Our future depends on it!

What is the Answer?

During the celebration of this Christmas Season and the beginning of the New Year, I continue to ask myself this question, What is the answer? What is the answer to the atrocious, appalling, frightful, horrific conditions around the world? We have never lived in a time equal to the suffering, discord and mayhem we are seeing today. The whole of mankind has failed in his effort to govern and provide for the basic needs of humanity. What is the answer?

The Angels announced the answer over 2000 yrs. ago in a field just outside a little town in Judea called Bethlehem. Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Although the answer was given, He was rejected much like He is being rejected in our world. Many are in celebration of a holiday but they are not celebrating the gift of the holiday which is Jesus, the Messiah, our Savior. In the world's wholesale rejection of God's solution to our problem, the whole of humanity has plunged into a deep, impenetrable darkness from which only the Light of Lights can deliver us. John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

I must conclude that our current world climate must be similar to the time of Noah. Gen. 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Men had become so wicked in their manner of living and thought that God concluded that He would erase the slate and begin with a new canvas. I am convinced that is where we are now. God is preparing to erase mortal flesh as we know it and create a new heaven and new earth to begin new and fresh.

There will be one great difference between Noah's new beginning and the New World to come. In our new habitat the forces of sin and evil will be cast into the lake of fire and are eliminated forever. There will not be carnal, fleshly, sinful governance for all present in the New World will have been born of the Spirit and changed for eternity. All disobedience and rebellion will be cast into outer darkness. Jesus will sit on His Throne and govern His Kingdom with Truth and Righteousness. Matt. 6:13, “...For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,

do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,
do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

And so goes the lyrics of a classic version of a favorite Christmas carol. The inspired thought is that all creation herald the birth of God's greatest gift to mankind. The little lamb in the stable depicts the lowly birth of the King. The glorious news would not be concealed in the humble stable but has become a universal message of hope. The Good News, first proclaimed by the glorious host of heaven, embraced by the common shepherd in the field and spread abroad by them as they went, has become the message to all people. A song trumpeted “high above the trees” resounding to the throne of heaven, “with a voice as big as the sea.” The song goes forth with such a thunderous roar, “with a voice as big as the sea,” that all other songs cease to exist for His voice condemns them to silence.

This is the message of Christmas! The message has echoed across history for over 2000 years. The message of celebration for the gift of God's only begotten Son given for the salvation of man. We have been given an enormous, undeserved gift. Let us not spurn the grace of God by rejecting His mercy. That is the song that the angels sang. Do you hear what I hear?

May your Christmas be filled with a reverent awe and hear His “voice as big as the sea.”

In the Name of Jesus!

In the Name of Jesus!

John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

There is power in the name of Jesus! There is power to break every chain. Power to live for Christ and walk in unbridled victory. Free to flow in the Spirit and experience His presence from glory to glory. He leads us up, higher and higher into His Majesty. For having been exposed to His glorious Light we will never be the same. We are changed in His presence. We can never be the same once His glory has shown upon us. We are changed forever and He has planted such a desire to reach higher. His presence is so addictive that no sooner than you walk away, you have an unquenchable need to return. And we can return again and again. There is no limit as to the glory we can experience in His presence. Simply come to Him in obedience and submission and He will carry you to heights previously unknown. He will reveal to you truths you haven't understood and emotions you've never experienced. But most of all He will reveal Himself to you and in you so that the world around you can see Him and be touched by Him, “that the father may be glorified in the Son.”

Fate vs. Faith

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year as we celebrate the unspeakable gift of God in His only begotten Son, Jesus. 2 Cor. 9:15, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (NIV) It is truly indescribable how our creator could love such a careless and wicked world. We take comfort in the Word in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” We recognize that promise and celebrate it's beginning in the birth of, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:19. Our salvation took on earthly form just over 2000 years ago in a little town in Judea called Bethlehem.

Everything of this season should point us toward Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, the Christ. Our traditions should revolve around that theme and when it is over we should have been touched by the presence of God. Moved by the manifestation of His Deity in the same way that the shepherds, the wise men and all that witnessed the fulfillment of His revelation.

The Reason for our celebration is the gift that God has given to humanity. We have not earned this gift. It is a blessing handed to us despite our unworthiness. And because of God's grace and mercy, we can come before Him repenting, believing and receiving forgiveness by faith. It is that faith that saves us and that faith which will deliver us in this present hour. Faith is an indispensable element in our journey here. Heb. 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

The fact of our need and desire for faith was impressed upon me recently while listening to traditional Christmas music. One phrase really stood out to me and it is for that reason that I want to share my thoughts. The song was “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” and I have included it here.

Through the years we all will be together and
If the fates allow, oh yeah
But 'til then we'll have to muddle through somehow,

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

For the purpose of my discussion the entire stanza is relevant but the line that really impressed me was, “if the fates allow,” with particular emphasis on the word “fate.” I have included a definition of the term by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Fate

(noun)

a state or end that seemingly has been decided beforehand <the belief that it was this country's fate to extend from sea to sea>

Synonyms circumstance, destiny, doom, fortune, kismet, lot, portion

Related Words accident, casualty [archaic], chance, hap, happenchance, happenstance, hazard, luck; predestination; aftereffect, aftermath, conclusion, consequence, development, effect, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

What is the difference in our lives being directed by fate or faith? People who allow fate to be their compass in life will go with the flow. Their lives are driven by the events that surround them. Much like rivers and streams rise and fall with the ebb and flow of the seasons. In the summer months, when there is less rainfall, these bodies of water remain restricted within their banks and appear to move effortlessly because water will choose the path of least resistance. In the winter and spring, when there is typically more rainfall, the rivers and streams can escape their banks but still seek the path of least resistance. They escape their banks because of the sheer volume of water. The ebb and flow of the rivers and streams is determined by the events in weather and will respond accordingly always moving down stream with gravity.

Followers of fate live a reactionary life, simply responding to the events and conditions in their lives as they occur. We all react to the circumstances around us but circumstances cannot be our compass in life. As followers of Jesus Christ, faith is the driving force in our lives. We cannot seek the path of least resistance and most of the time we are called upon to move against the current. God's Word requires that we fight against the onslaught of public opinion and stand for the Truth. As Believer's in Jesus Christ, we must call attention to the moral depravity that is running rampant in this world. With faith as our compass we can move ahead with purpose, God's purpose. We will not be deterred by the negative events and conditions around us. Because of our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we can see beyond our immediate future to our promised end.

Jer. 29:10, “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

God's promise to Israel was “restoration.” After all they were to suffer because of disobedience, He promised to bring them back to their land with a renewed relationship with Him. God will fulfill His purpose in this world and in this age. Restoration has already begun and those people who will put their faith in Christ have an appointed end.

We can embrace our determined end because of the eternal nature of God's promises. His covenant is forever settled in heaven. What He has spoken will never change. We can put our faith in every word! 2 Cor. 1:20, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 21Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” As we walk in the Holy Spirit, we can discern the events of our time as pieces of a much larger picture of God's eternal plan. Faith rises up in us. Faith compels and propels us forward into a future we don't completely understand. But because of our faith in the infallibility of God's Promise, we move with purpose, assurance and confidence.

Faith places each person in charge of his own destiny. Our future is determined by our faith in God or lack thereof. Our faith in God will determine our obedience to Him and His plan for our lives. Subsequently, we determine our destiny by our submissiveness to His leading.

A ship adrift in calm seas is helpless. A ship adrift in stormy seas is catastrophic. We are facing the most tumultuous times of this age. We cannot risk our engines being dead in the water. Our survival is dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit to help us navigate the raging seas just ahead. My cry is, “God fill us again and again with the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Understand the Enemy!

The conflict of good and evil has been around since man's rebellion in the Garden of Eden. We have only to read our history to see the ebb and flow of this war. The world climate has not come to its present state overnight. Through a process of years of devaluing human life, indifference to Biblical morals and disrespect for Divine virtues, the enemy has brought us to where we are as a civilization. He has slowly penetrated every level of human life and had his way with little or no resistance. Consequently, he has destroyed empires, governments, states, churches and families. His goal is to control every facet of life on this earth.

The enemy has slipped in unaware. It has seemed to be little things but they have become great things. Little things like taking prayer and Bible reading out of schools because it offended a small minority. Little things like a failure to take a public stand for the right under the Constitution to express our faith in the public arena. But it is a great thing. Slowly but surely the enemy has sought to silence the cry for truth and justice. It is a great thing to take the life of an unborn child. Their innocent blood is crying out to each and every generation, “where is truth and justice.” How can the leadership of this country, those who are directly responsible for these heinous crimes, invoke the name of God? How can they look out over a public gathering and declare “God bless America?” They are heartless, cold and calculating men and women with no feeling for the loss of innocent lives. Do you think God is going to overlook such egregious behavior? He didn't give a pass to the Israelites when they offered their own children on the alter of sacrifice with the Canaanites. He will not give America a pass either!

Our struggles in the spirit realm have spilled over into the physical and invariable affect our lives. It is a great thing to exclude God from our schools, governments and public arenas. It is there that truth and justice should be promoted and encouraged. We have allowed our leaders to prohibit the mention of God in all our public places and then wonder why is our world in such a mess. We have excluded God and He has left us to our own devices and the consequences of governing in the flesh.

The devil has silently done his work. We did not recognize the evil he intended and unwittingly became a partaker of his evil scheme. But we cannot go silently into the night. Even at this late hour we must draw attention to the evil and avarice in this world. We must take a stand for truth and justice.

Matt. 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

What has happened to the light? Jude 1:3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Instead of being separated from the world to be a light to the world, the world has been assimilated into the churches. When we rely more on the planning and production models that we have observed in the world than on the revelation and anointing of the Holy Spirit, how can we expect people to be enlightened. Can we really expect lives to be convicted of sin and changed in repentance and regeneration?

Why do we fall back on the planning and production models of the world? Because it is the easy route. You can go buy a book or take a course in planning or preparation. For revelation and anointing of the Holy Ghost we have to go to the BOOK and bury our faces into the carpet on the floor and cry out to God with every thing that is within us and fervently petition God to send His fire among us to address the needs of His People. That requires much more of an investment. That investment is us, all of us, every fiber in our very being. Nothing can be held back because we know that God requires all if we are to have His approval.

The departure from the Faith, the Gospel, the Truth of God's Word has affected the fortification of God's protection around us. I visualize it this way. Suppose you are building a stone wall and the stones have mortar joints. You are almost finished but you are running out of mortar so with the last few bags you add a little extra sand to have enough to finish. What could that hurt? It still looks fine! The problem with that is that it weakens the mortar and under the right circumstances the mixture will fail and the stones will fall apart.

That is what has happened in the churches. In an effort to include and please the masses, churches have compromised the truth, the faith which was once delivered to the saints. Just as the extra sand weakened the mortar used to set the stone, assimilating worldly systems into our churches weakens the impact of ministry. The Holy Spirit is the driving force of the ministry of Christ. Satan has taken advantage of the powerlessness in the churches. He has attacked the weakness in their mortar and there is a breach in the wall. Now the evil forces come and go at will because there is no power to resist. Why? Because many are relying on man made theology and man's intellectual ability instead of the power and guidance of the Holy Ghost.

What are we to do? What can we do? We must have the wind of the Holy Spirit to rekindle His flame of fire in the churches. We must recognize where we have left the perfect path and correct our course. We must confess that we have missed the mark which Christ has established for us. We must come together in repentance and rebuild the wall, stand in the gap and close the breach of God's divine protection around His people. Disobedience must be purged from the Body. We struggle with our choices because we have chosen our way over God's way. God made provision in the Garden of Creation for every need imaginable in the life of man. Man chose his own way laying aside the provision of God. You can't have God's provision and walk in man's way. God's way brings God's provision. We must get back to “Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.” 1 Sam. 3:10

What is standing in our way? What do we need to correct to make things right with God. Do we want God's provision, blessing and protection? Then we must get rid of anything that separates us from His perfect plan for our lives. We must get rid of the trash or refuse. Refuse is what we throw away.

Trash – anything that doesn't have its beginning, blessing and completion in God. If it doesn't bring honor and glory to the works of God, we need to dispose of it. Beware of uncommanded work. The necessary work is the work God has commanded. All else is disposable and is a distraction.

We must identify the areas where we have fallen short, make the necessary adjustments and Jesus will give us the victory. Honesty and openness is the stone and mortar of the fortification of God around us. Honesty and openness turns the light on. It dispels the darkness and takes away the hiding place for unbelief. As long as unbelief can hide in darkness it is a powerful force. But once the light of truth is turned on, unbelief is exposed and dethroned. It falls powerless behind us, no longer preventing us from moving forward into the glory God has prepared for a victorious people. 2 Cor. 2:14, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,..”

Build up the Breach!

Repent and return to the Lord were absolutes in the salvation of Israel and it is the same today. My heart aches for the people in California and their loss this past week. I feel for the people of Paris and the nation of France. Leadership is to be commended for their resolve to seek out those responsible for these terrible acts and to attend to the loss and healing of their people. But they must not stop there. They must ask the difficult questions. How did this happen with such a tragic loss of life and with the perpetrators apparently moving about with impunity? Were there warning signs that were not taken seriously or missed altogether? Hopefully they will examine contingency plans for such a catastrophe and invoke any changes necessary.

Once again the world is afforded another opportunity to evaluate where we are in the scope of eternity. We cannot allow these events to pass us by without serious introspection. In the wake of 9/11, the American resolve was to seek out those responsible and to attend to the loss and healing of the nation. The lesson that we all should have learned is that human tragedy cannot be resolved by physical strength and determination alone. When examined all together, we must conclude that this is a spiritual issue evolving from an erroneous religious ideology. The combination of carnal thought and religious ideology creates extremists views and activity. The only way to successfully curtail such a movement is through enlightenment. Truth dispels deception just as light dispels darkness. Success is incumbent upon those who are willing to embrace the truth, make the correct but difficult decisions and become the example for all to see.

The United States as a people had the opportunity after 9/11 to become a light to the world. And for a brief moment we thought that an awakening was in process, that we the people would be enlightened to serve our true place and purpose in the world. For a short time people went to their knees in prayer, church attendance increased and the name of Jesus and God were invoked in the public arena.

1/7/2002

George Barna himself said: "After the attack, millions of nominally churched or generally irreligious Americans were desperately seeking something that would restore stability and a sense of meaning to life. Fortunately, many of them turned to the church." Unfortunately, he said, "churches succeeded at putting on a friendly face but failed at motivating the vast majority of spiritual explorers to connect with Christ in a more intimate or intense manner."

So, within a few weeks, we went back to the way we were before this horrible and tragic event. There was no appreciable change in the life of the average U.S. citizen but the landscape of this country and the world was changed forever. We know now that this was only the beginning of horrific events that would continue to plague our world to this present day. And we can also know that it is not over. The recent attacks in Egypt, Lebanon, Paris and California are a statement to Europe, the Western nations and the world that there is no place that is immune to the affect of radical Islamic terrorism.

I am compelled by the Spirit to ponder what would have happened if we had stayed on our knees in prevailing prayer seeking for the divine intervention we so desperately needed? Would circumstances be any different than they are today? Only God knows for sure but the Word of God advocates for the idea that man controls his own destiny. Our obedience to God's leading determines the outcome. As individuals and governments we will determine our future. Yes, prophecies will be fulfilled as written and the end will come just as prophesied, but we will determine the role we play by our obedience to God or lack thereof.

The world is not only faced with a war of religious extremism but this is a spiritual war. We are fighting against the ruler of the darkness of this world. Satan is behind all this chaos. He is the enemy and his goal is to destroy the soul and body of all men. But the army of Jesus Christ must rise up against him. How you may ask? We must have the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has empowered His Body to fulfill His ministry in this world. We need the Holy Spirit to give us specific instructions to combat the enemy. Human resolve and determination alone cannot win this war. We must have the Holy Spirit to help us understand the enemy and develop a plan that will lead us to victory.

We need specific instructions from the Lord Jesus in these evil and uncertain times.

1 Samuel 3:1, “And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” There was not a prophet in Israel, no open communication with God. Ryrie states “Apostasy and prophetic inactivity characterized the days of Eli.” Eli was the High Priest of Israel. He had allowed his sons to pervert the worship of God and bring the worship of Baal into the temple. Ellicott states “Hophni and Phinehas, the grown men prostituted the holy work to their own vile worldly ends.” Eli's failure, which brought God's judgment upon his house, was the gross neglect and inability to bring his sons under control. We are accountable to God and as such determine our own destiny.

1 Samuel 3:10, “And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” Young Samuel ministered unto the Lord under the direction of Eli. Samuel's job was to insure that the lamp located just outside the veil stayed lite. The lamp burned from evening to morning. It was during this time that Samuel encountered God. Three times God called his name and three times Samuel went in to Eli to reply “Here I am.” The third time Eli, realizing that Samuel was hearing the voice of God, instructed him to answer, “Speak Lord for thy servant heareth.” Samuel followed Eli's instructions and God began to inform him of what was ahead for Israel, Eli and his sons.

1 Samuel 3:11, “And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. 12In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” Note: there was a time for repentance, 1 Sam. 2:27-36, but it was too late now. “ 14And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever. 15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 16Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee. 18And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.”

In chapter 4, Israel goes into battle against the Philistines. The battle does not go well for them. The Israelites sent for the Ark of the Covenant to be brought to the battle. All according to God's plan to bring Hophni and Phinehas to the battlefield. The Ark is captured, Eli's two sons are killed in battle. Eli, receiving the news of what had happened, fell backwards off his seat, broke his neck and died. Phinehas' wife, being with child, went into labor when she heard of her husband's death. She named the child Ichabod which means “the glory is departed from Israel.” God's warning was that He would cut off the house of Eli. 1 Sam. 2:31, “...there shall not be an old man in thine house.”

The death, devastation and destruction in Israel was because there was not a man who would hear the Word of the Lord. The glory was departed from Israel because there was not a man who would hear the Word of the Lord. The death, devastation and destruction in our world is because of man's failure to hear the Word of the Lord. 1 Samuel 7:3, we see the beginning of Samuel's revival ministry, “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 4Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only... 9And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.”

 

Our actions affect activity in the spiritual realm.

Romans 13:11, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

We live in the most self-absorbed society in my life time. And when we are so self-focused, we can miss the greater plan that God has for us. If we are always focused on I, me, and mine, it is difficult for us to understand the needs of those around us. Our role in God's plan is to affect our world for the cause of Christ. When I am focused on the here and now, the day to day issues in my life, it pushes my spiritual connection farther away. If my attention is given fully to the pain in my body, the issues of my relationships and the responsibilities of daily care and provision for my family, then there is little room for activity in the spirit realm. That is why the Lord invites us to cast all our concerns on Him.

1 Peter 5:5, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” In verse 7, the word for “care” in the Greek is “mer'-im-nah” which mean “anxiety” and it comes from the word “mer-id'-zo” which means “to divide or separate into pieces (through the idea of distraction).” The word for “careth” in the Greek is “mel'-o” which means “to care about.” It is a verb which means it is an action word.

What the scriptures teach and what Jesus taught is that our physical world and our spiritual world are indisputably connected together. Activity in the physical realm affects activity in the spiritual and vis versa. Jesus understands our conflict and He wants to be part of our daily struggles. In the person of the Holy Ghost, He has become our provider, our comfort, our deliver, our healer and everything else that we need. Our walk with Christ is not a separate part of our journey in life. When we try to separate the two worlds we create difficulty for ourselves.

The world around us can be overwhelming at times, especially in the current state of world affairs. Many questions flood our minds as to what may happen next. If we focus on current events alone, we will become depressed, oppressed, discouraged and defeated. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how these events fit into prophecy and the end times, the uncertainty of our future is eliminated. We can move into a relationship with Christ where the spirit and physical realms connect in the prefect plan of God.

What has created such a disconnect from the spirit world. In the Garden of Eden, the spiritual and the physical were perfectly joined together. The disconnect came when man disobeyed and sinned. As a result of that disobedience Adam and Eve had to deal with issues of life that God never intended. God never intended that they concern themselves with anything relative to their living and provision (water, food, shelter, clothing). He had already made provision for all their needs and God presented Himself each day to walk with them in the cool of the evening. Anything they needed, God was right there in person to provide.

God's intention was that they dress the garden. We don't know exactly what that involved but we do know that the environment drastically changed after the sin of disobedience. They went from having everything they needed to providing for themselves through toil, sweat and tears. The earth itself became a vessel of discipline. They were driven from the perfect climate of the garden to the dry and thirsty land of rebellion where they had to battle the thorns and thistles for food to eat. God cursed the ground because of sin and in the sweat of his face man would have food to eat. And the pain of childbirth would be greatly multiplied.

God never intended it to be this way. His plan was for the spiritual and physical to be perfectly joined together. How can that be with the fallen state of mankind. Through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we can walk in the spirit though we are present in this physical body. Though we live in this physical world, we live and move and have our being in Jesus Christ (Acts 17:28). Through faith in Him, we are sanctified (set apart from the world) Heb. 10:10, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Through faith in Christ we are regenerated (restored to sinless state) Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” And through the saving grace of the cross we are justified (just as if we never sinned) Eph. 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ,..” Therefore, we can conclude that through Jesus' sacrifice we are restored to the relationship God had with man before the fall.

Why is that so important? God wants to walk with us in intimate relationship. His intention is that His Holy Spirit is our counselor, comfort, rock, strong tower, mighty fortress, deliverer, provider, healer and anything else we need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19

I want to note two very important factors in the relationship between God and Adam.

1)There was continued communication between them.

2)Obedience to God's instructions was absolute.

When these two principles are observed, the spiritual and physical are perfectly joined together.

The Message! Part 4/Build up the Breach/ Part 1B

The darkness is so intense in our world that evil runs remnant. Wickedness is out of control. We know by the Word that evil men will grow worse. 2 Tim. 3:10, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”

God's promise of victory and protection has always been to the obedient. This is a universal principle first received by the Jews and then the Church. In recent years through a gradual process of letting the Truth slip away the churches have opened the door for carnal ideals and man made theology. In a calculated effort to assimilate people into their congregations, compromise has been the rule of the day. The result has been growing the numbers of church participation at the cost of loosing God's favor and anointing. Many churches have become powerless and ineffective. Satan has taken advantage of this powerlessness replacing what should have been the anointing of the Holy Ghost with the power of the darkness of this world.

Have you ever thought seriously about why our world is in the condition that it is in? I have asked myself that question many times over the course of the past few months. This is what I believe has happened. In physics we are taught “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This is referred to as Newton's third law of motion. There is also a principle called the “principle of causation.” It is defined as the operation or relation of a cause and its effect. I want to use Newton's law of motion

to evaluate the cause and effect of the world's present crisis. Example: When United States military withdrew from Iraq, that action created a reaction. The withdrawal of the United States military created

a vacuum: a situation created when an important person or thing has gone and has not been replaced. The enemy rushed into that void. They increased their offensive thrust and over time their ranks grew and they captured resources which were supposed to be used by the Iraqi military forces. The Iraqi forces ran from the battlefield stripping their uniforms off as they ran and leaving behind the assets that the U.S. military had left for them to use to defend their country. Consequently, the world is experiencing the escalation and rise of the strongest, largest and most violent force of anti-Christian behavior in this modern age in the form of radical Islam. We call them ISIS but they are simply the most visible. They require our attention because they are so violent. But the spirit of anti-Christ (anti-Christian behavior) has invaded every nation, every state, every city and every community in the world.

Anti-Christian behavior

As a result of the terror created by these violent jehad's, tens of thousands of people have left their country. There is a lot being said about the refugees streaming out of Syria and Iraq. There is much controversy about allowing them to come to the United States. This country accepts thousands of immigrants every year. The U.S. government contracts agencies through the UN to do the vetting, place and settle these people. These agencies are discriminating against Christians. Their excuse is that they are more difficult to place and since they get about $4000 for each person the Muslims are easy money. Go to my Facebook page and read article: Scandal, US Christian Groups are prioritizing Muslim refugees over Christian ones.

Getting back to Newton's “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” When Christian churches all over the world began to let the Truth slip away, it created a void, a vacuum. This vacuum was not only created in the churches spiritual structure but also in the lives of individuals. And that void screams out to be filled. Why? Because an important person or thing has gone and has not been replaced. The Person gone is the Holy Spirit and the thing gone is Truth. Satan rushes in to replace Truth and Righteousness with Deception and Sin. Over a period of time Satan has gradually slipped into the churches and undermined the power and authority that belongs to the Body of Christ. Just as the Iraqi army fled in the onslaught of ISIS many churches and individuals have given in to the pressures of society and embraced unholy alliances with the forces of darkness in our world. The Iraqi military stripped their uniforms from their body as they ran from the enemy. Their uniforms identified them. They ran from the battlefield leaving behind valuable assets given to them by the U.S. to assist them in defeating that very enemy.

Many people who once stood for Bible principles and righteous behavior, run when confronting the societal pressures of our day. The most pressing issue is the doctrine of inclusion which demands embracing all people, all lifestyles and manner of behavior. In so doing they are removing their covering of Holiness, Divine protection and Divine intervention. They no longer wear the whole armor of God. Eph. 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

In many ways these fallen souls are like the Iraqi soldier as he stands in his underwear before his countrymen. These so called Christians stand naked before God and in this present spiritual battle. The assets that Jesus gave for the victory of the Body of Christ are no longer available to them. Why? Because they have stripped off their uniform, no longer desiring to be identified with Christ's army. Therefore, they stand powerless in face of overwhelming darkness.

The more men depend on the carnal man for guidance, the less room there is for the Holy Spirit. Many churches have forced the Spirit of God out of their affairs creating a vacuum that Satan cheerfully fills. Lack of the Spirit means a lack of light. Lack of light means increased darkness. (black hole)

But not all churches have given up their role in the Body of Christ. There is a remnant of true believers who are seeking for God's intervention into the affairs of men. God is answering their prayers. God is moving where believers are submissive and obedient. They access and God delivers the “dunamis” of Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This is the promise!

This is the fulfillment! Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Strong's Concordance

one accord – Homothumadon

Definition

with one mind, with one accord, with one passion A unique Greek word, used 10 of its 12 New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community. Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison". The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.

Let the Church be the Church of the Bible. Let us stand up in the power of the Holy Spirit and finish the assignment Christ has given us! 

The Message! Part 4/Build up the Breach/ Part 1A

Explanation: For the purpose of my sharing today, I will refer to the secular church as churches. I will refer to the Church of Jesus Christ as the Body of Christ. When I am addressing churches, I am referring to the physical churches we see. When I am addressing the Body of Christ, I am referring to the invisible church made up of all believers.

Beginning of Sorrows

Matt. 24:5, “5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Mark 13:, “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”

First we must look at the context of these verses in relation to the immediate application. Christ was probably alluding to the immediate future when many of the circumstances would occur and also at the end of the coming age. We can conclude that these scriptures were partially fulfilled when the Romans destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem in AD 70. The Jews were scattered to every corner of the world and only began to return to their homeland in 1948. Since that time, God has been bringing them home. Since the events of last weekend, the French Jews are going back to Israel.

“The tribulations and calamities which preceded and accompanied the overthrow of Jewish polity are a sign and warning of the great and universal woes which shall hearld the day of judgment...” Pulpit Comm. The reference here is to the Day of the Lord.

There appears to be a consensus among the sources that I consulted that this phrase “beginning of sorrows” is referring to the first half of the 70^th week of Daniel's 70 weeks of years (Daniel 9). Then, we must conclude that the reference is to the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) The beginning of sorrows.—The words mean strictly, the beginning of travail pangs...St. Paul speaks of the whole creation as “travailing in pain together” (Romans 8:22). So a time of national suffering and perplexity is one in which “the children are come to the birth...”

Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

At one point in my encounter with the Lord, He said to me that “this judgment is as natural a breathing.” My impression was that it will happen whether we think about it or not. In light of these scriptures in Matthew and Mark, I am convinced that the Holy Spirit is connecting the “natural as breathing” to the birthing process. The term “beginning of sorrows” is associated with child birth and literally means the beginning of travail pangs. If that is correct, we can conclude that the judgment we are seeing (which is the result of sowing sinful seeds) and will see in the immediate future is a prelude to the birthing process which will bring forth a new Israel reborn, a new kingdom (the implementation of the literal Kingdom of God) and a new world (new heaven and earth).

The Rapture will be a sudden event.

Rev. 3:3, “3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Jesus was speaking to the Church at Sardis, the Body of Christ at Sardis. (read Rev. 3:1-6).

We find numerous other references advocating for a sudden Rapture. Matt. 24:42, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Matt. 24:40, “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

The Body of Christ will be ready. (the Bride of Christ will be looking for and anxiously awaiting the Bride Groom)

The Body of Christ is made up of all believers. Therefore the Body of Christ is composed of individuals across denominational divides and from different local churches. For example: When the Rapture occurs all true believers from everywhere (even the heavenlies) will be caught away regardless of church affiliation. The Body of Christ will be ready. The Holy Spirit will make sure of that.

The purging prior to the appearance of the Bride Groom will insure that the Bride has made Herself ready. Eph. 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Through the Word and the Spirit, the Bride of Christ will be ready.

The unbeliever will not be ready. (Parable of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins Matt. 25:1-13)

Having had the opportunity to receive the truth and subsequently rejecting the truth, the unbeliever walks in darkness. This includes secular churches. I am talking about those groups and individuals who

fail to embrace Biblical Truth. Those who generate their own carnal doctrine to appease their followers and bring in the money. The sad thing about these groups is that they provide a centralized government and structure for deception. Paul describes the perilous times of the last days in a litany of ills in 2 Tim. 3:1-5. He especially addresses religious apostasy. Give special attention to v. 5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” He is addressing those professing Christianity but describing them as resembling Christian service but without the spiritual dynamic of the Holy Ghost.

What is Paul's solution to Timothy's challenge? 2 Tim. 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” If they turn away from the Truth, they are unbelievers. The unbelievers, who are without the discernment of the Word or the Spirit, will walk in carnality and will not be ready. They will not be able to discern the times. The conditions in the world prior to the Rapture will so closely mirror the conditions immediately after the Rapture IE the beginning of the Tribulation, the carnal mind will not realize when it takes places except to know that a lot of people are missing. The transition for the saints will be seamless but for those left behind conditions will grow progressive worse until the consummation of all things at the second Advent of Christ. Christ will return with the saints, set His feet upon the Mount of Olives and set up His Millennial Kingdom. Revelation is so important in our walk with God. He is giving us a preview of what is to come!

(continued to part 1B)

The Message! part 3/Harvest/Dressed for Battle part 3

This is war, a spiritual war. Eph. 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” We are not fighting flesh and blood but against spirits and against the very ruler of the darkness of this world. But there is hope. His name is Jesus. God will give the victory to those who are willing to go with Him. The Devil is already defeated. When Jesus embraced the role of His sacrifice, He declared in a deafening shout on the cross at Calvary. Luke 23:34, “...Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” The battle is won because we are forgiven and the enemy has nothing to hold over our heads. We are redeemed by the blood of the precious Lamb of God.

There is power is the blood of His sacrifice. Power to march into the enemy's domain, the places he has hidden the souls of the lost, hopeless, lifeless, imprisoned bodies of human kind. The power and light of Jesus Christ will reach into these deep dark crevices of life and set the captive free.

However, somebody must deliver the message. Someone has to invade this realm of darkness in the power of Christ and declare freedom to these imprisoned souls. Are you ready to be used of God in such a mighty endeavor? Let us go together! My prayer is that God will ignite a fire in the Body of Christ. A fire that will become a raging, consuming fire of God so that we burn so hot and so bright that the darkness cannot stay where we go.

The demoniac recognized Jesus when He encountered them. His presence demands the reverence and fear of Almighty God. Mark 5:6, “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”

There is coming a time in the future when all creation will bow at the feet of Christ. All creation will declare true reverence to Him as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But I am convinced that Christ Jesus wants to use the Body of Christ to attain the fulfillment of His miraculous power.

Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

I am convinced that the Lord Jesus wants to use the Body of Christ to march into Satan's house, the very seat and throne of his rule and rescue perishing souls.

Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

These are the words that Jesus read in the Temple and declared “...This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Luke 4:21. That was the scope of Jesus' ministry as prophesied by Isaiah. That was the authority of His mantel. He gave that authority to the Church as He commissioned Her to complete His ministry. He passed His mantel of authority to His Body. Let us embrace His command and go in the power and the authority of His Spirit.

The Message! part 3/Harvest/Dressed for Battle part 2

We are free but free for what purpose? We are free so that we can lead others free. Jesus came to set the captives free. As His Holy Spirit indwells us, we are free to be the visible evidence of the delivering power of God. We are free to be a God living, God breathing, miraculous working possession of God. We belong to Him. There is no power of hell that can defeat an obedient child of God. We are free in God to restore what the enemy has stolen.

The army of Christ is rising up. Rising up in the mantel of Jesus Christ. That mantel being the manifest presence of Christ in the Holy Ghost. If you have received since you believed, you carry the mantel of Christ. I feel the urging of the Spirit calling upon the Body of Christ to rise up in the power of that mantel and do His work. What is that work? To preach the gospel for the salvation of souls. If we will accept the commission, then we have a promise. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the Body of Christ. Why because we are covered in Christ's mantel. We are filled with His Holy Spirit!

Matt. 16:17, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Matt. 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The Devil is a roaring lion (a wild animal) seeking to devour and destroy everything and everyone that would proclaim salvation and freedom in Jesus Christ. The power of God Almighty will break the chains of sin, disobedience and rebellion. We are His servants. We stand where He stands by His power. We will do His work and break through the enemy's fortresses. We will go into the enemy's domain and rescue the perishing in the NAME of JESUS, the CHRIST, the SON of the LIVING GOD! Let us go together. Does the Devil hold any of your precious treasures? Let us mount up with renewed strength, renewed inspiration and restored victory.

Isaiah 40:28, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (continued on part 3)

The Message! part 3/Harvest/Dressed for Battle part 1

We live in a fallen world, broken by sin and disobedience. What the world is experiencing now and will experience in the immediate future is the result of sowing the seeds of sin. We are reaping and will reap according to our obedience to God or the lack thereof. Consequently the upheaval and chaos is the judgment of God. God's judgment is perfect. If we sow seeds of sin, we will reap a reward for sin. If we sow righteous seed, we will reap a righteous reward.

There is a second element to this judgment. It is harvest. My impression is that as the Body of Christ our focus should be on the coming judgment as it relates to the Harvest. God is pressing us into the harvest. We can allow the events taking place in our world to cause us to shrink back into a defensive posture or through prayer mount up to launch an offensive thrust into the harvest. We can utilize the impending sentence of judgment as a tool to motivate believers and nonbelievers alike. This judgment can motivate believers to enter into intercessory prayer, be empowered by the ever abiding presence of the Holy Ghost and to become actively engaged in the harvest. This judgment can motivate nonbelievers to make the decision about their eternal destiny. It is repent and come to Jesus Christ or suffer the consequences.

God has given us another day. We must walk with Him today just as we did yesterday. He wants us to continue in His awesome presence. We must stay the course and push forward. I feel the Holy Spirit calling for a new spiritual offensive. The Body of Christ is being attacked as never before in our lifetime. It is time to take the fight to the enemy. I have always heard “the best defense is a good offense.” Will we dare to enter the enemy's camp. Will we dare to take back what the enemy has stolen. We must! I feel compelled to do that very thing.

As Spirit filled believers we stand in the power of God. Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The word “power” in the Greek is dunamis and is defined as strength, power, ability, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature. The power Jesus promised is the inherent power of the Holy Ghost. His very nature is power. 

 

Satan has invaded our house and has stolen precious treasures that belong to us. He has taken our health, our relationships, our time, our talents and abilities, our finances, our family members both physical and spiritual and most anything that he wants. We must stop him! We must take back what he has stolen!

By the power (dunamis-ability/can) of the Holy Spirit (pneuma-breath of God) We are loosed. Acts 2:2, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” With the power and might of a great wind, the Holy Spirit filled the house. By the power of Almighty God the door of Satan's prison springs open and we are free. I am reminded of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:26, “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed” KJV. Several of the other translations read that the earthquake was so violent that the doors flew open and the chains were loosed and fell off. The Spirit of God that possesses our mortal body has broken the chains and opened the barred doors. Thank God we are free! (continued to part 2)

Transgender Jesus? by Myra Boozer

After Bill preached Sunday I asked a question , just as most Ministers wives probably do...Did you have to say, that some are calling God a "her"? Just makes one to shiver...His answer was a strong Yes, I did...In his message about the End Time Harvest, Bill spoke of being dressed for battle, having the covering, the mantel that Christ left for believers, which is the Holy Spirit... As he was explaining about Acts 1:8, " But he shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you..," he spoke of the word dunamis-strength power, ability...Also pneuma-spirit, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son...never referred to as a depersonalized force... In other words never called IT...God the Father is always Him, Christ, Messiah, Son of God, always Him, and the Holy Spirit, called Him.. AND NOT HER !! as some are now referring to God, as a" Her".. Now I understand why Bill said Yes! as he did... JUST READ THIS POST...transgender is a word that is so foreign to me... hard for my mind to accept...But my mind and spirit could not believe how far that people would go to think and do such blasphemous (profane speech, writing, or action concerning God or sacred things)...Get ready for Battle! The battle for your MIND, Soul, Spirit, and your body...THE GREAT FALLING AWAY HAS BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE BUT MANY ARE BEING DECEIVED BY SUCH THING AS THIS...1 Thess. 2:3, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"...1 Tim. 4:1, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"... never have we lived in a day such as this...a day of Great Perversion...TIME TO PRAY....See article at charismanews.com/opinion/watchman-on-the-wall/53159-blasphemous-transgender-jesus-pushes-gospel-according-to-jezebel

Can We Pray? Can We Go?

James 5:16, "... The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Father God, Lord Jesus Christ, today we do here and now accept your challenge to pray in travailing prayer for a world that is lost and broken. We desire the Spirit of prayer to intercede. Open our spiritual eyes and ears so we can see and hear the cries of the lost, beaten and infirmed. Teach us to understand what they are facing. Guide us to see and hear them as you do. Give us the compassion and love that you have for them so that we are inspired to join in their redemption. Lift us up in the power of Your Word being fully dressed in faith to lead the captives free. Anoint us with your power that we may speak to the mountains before us and they will be moved into the sea. Let us see the prison doors spring open at the mighty thrust of Your Presence. Help us to run into the battle with such passion that others are seized with the same fervor. I can hear the sound of mighty armies engaged on the battlefield. Can we pray? Can we go?