Tidbits From God's Word

The Harvest Warriors

MY INTERVEIW
WITH SATAN

by Daniel Yoder

I have no respect for justice.
I maim without killing.
I break hearts and ruin lives.
I am cruel and malicious
And gather strength with age.
The more I am quoted,
the more I am believed.

I flourish at every level in God's church.
My victims are helpless.
They cannot protect themselves
against me because
I use many name's and several faces.
To stop me is impossible.
The harder you try,
the more elusive
and stronger I become.
I hide behind the names
of many ministries.
They become my servants,
and they grow in numbers daily.
I have servants around the World,
Eager to do my bidding.

I'm nobody's friend.
Once I tarnish a reputation,
It is never the same.
I topple governments and ruin marriages.
I have ruined many Christian Ministries.
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights,
heartache, indigestion.
I spawn suspicion and generate grief.
I make innocent people cry in their pillows.
I destroy the work of God,
using the so called Christians,
and also many churches,
to do so.

Even my name hisses.
Its called gossip...
Office gossip,
Shop gossip,
Party gossip.
Christian gossip.
Yes I'm in the church,
just listen you'll hear me.
You're probably one of them.
Whispering about other Christians.
My gossip makes headlines,
just take a close glance at the internet.
You'll see all the ministries I have seduced.
I create the worst type of heartache.
So go ahead repeat the story,
after all you have now
become my servant, not God's.
Don't worry about the hurt you'll cause another,
after all I don't.
Don't worry if its true or not,
just keep spreading my lies
and hate for other Christians.
If a Ministry comes against my work,
I'll use someone who is weak,
who claims to be a Christian,
to destroy it.

Signed “Satan,” the father of all lies and liars.

DEFILING GOD'S TEMPLE

As given to DANIEL YODER
4-10-13

God spoke to me this afternoon (4-10-13). He said he is tired of people trying to destroy the local assemblies that are preaching the true word of God, and that He is going to start destroying them. This is the message that He gave to me to give to such people and to tell the church to stand up for itself because He is standing with you.

“If any man defile the temple of God, God Himself will destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

In this verse, the temple of God refers to a local assembly. Paul is not speaking to individual Christians but to believers collectively when he says “which temple ye (plural) are.” The saints of Corinth comprised a temple of God.

It is also true, of course, that individual believers are a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle brings this out in 1^st Corinthians 6: 19 “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” The Holy Spirit of God dwells in the body of every child of God.

But in what I'm showing you from Scripture today is it is the assembly that is in view. Paul is saying that if any man destroys the assembly, God will destroy him. It is the same word that is translated “defile” and “destroy” in this verse. It is used of marring a local church by leading it away from that condition of holiness of life and purity of the word of God in which it should abide, and of God's retributive destruction of the offender who is guilty of this sin.

So our verse warns us that it is a serious thing to tamper with a local fellowship. In fact, it is a form of self-destruction. Yet how diffident people often are in this very area. Here is a man who doesn't get his own way in the assembly. Or he becomes involved in a violent personality crash with another brother. Rather than make things right in a Scriptural manner , he lines up people to take his side and form a faction in the church. Things go from bad to worse and soon there is an open split.

Or perhaps it is a carnal sister who carries on a campaign of gossip and back-biting against someone else. Her slanderous tongue lashes out until the church is filled with bitterness and strife. She will not stop until a once-prosperous assembly lies in ruins.

People like this are playing a perilous game. They cannot get away with it. The Great God of the universe is commited to wreck those who wreck His assembly. Let all who are inclined beware! GOD IS NOT MOCKED!

IS GOD ENOUGH?

By Daniel Yoder
4-2-13

"Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?' So Satan answered the Lord and said, 'Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" Job 1:8-11

We all know the story well. Job was a man that was perfect and upright, that loved God and avoided evil. He was wealthy and God had blessed his life and after a series of disasters he lost everything. There are too many descriptions of his losses and how he was affected by them to list here. He was a broken man.

What Satan was implying concerning Job was that Job was only serving God because God had blessed him. Satan was sure that without the wealth and land, without his family and his untarnished reputation that he would never continue to serve God.

We find in the scripture that Job had his times of questioning. He cursed the day he was born and didn't understand the reason for the things he faced. But through it all, he never charged God. He never got angry with God.

We are living in a world where everything that can be shaken is being shaken. Jobs are no longer secure. Families are falling prey to the enemy and his devices. The heart of the young man is failing him. Churches are being broken and ministries are breaking under the load. Good men that have supported the church and been right with the Lord, and their families, are struggling with losses and pressures of the day. No wonder the scripture warns us that in the last days the very elect would be deceived if it is possible.

Men of promise are being tempted by the things of this world and being swayed by the trappings thereof. The pull for bigger and better things have left many empty and wanting.

We are on the other side of an era of false security. We have lived in a world overcome with the need to have more, be more, want more and do whatever you need to do to have it.

Corporations have been built with smoke and mirrors. Gain and greed has all but destroyed the fabric of modern society. Respect for blessings that God poured out on man all but vanished as over time we watched man become his own god.

As society prospered, the church and God's people began to prosper. We built beautiful buildings and acted upon dreams that our forefathers of the gospel only imagined. Faith became easier when jobs were plentiful and the .com generation was telling us that ordinary men could dare to dream of wealth and privilege.

The Church, and as a result the ministry of the Church, felt the blessing of the age and churches were able to cultivate ministries within and for the first time in history evangelists were as blessed financially as their evangelism.

In the current uncertain times in which we live we find the men that in recent past wrote checks to pay their employees are now standing in the same unemployment lines as the men they once employed.

Churches need revival and can't afford it . . . the evangelists still feel the burden. Pastors feed their flocks and most importantly still feel the powerful call of God and yet struggle from week to week financially to supply the gospel to our churches and also to provide for their families. And yet, there is an underlying rumble of refreshing that is felt but not fully realized as of yet. The question of the hour has become: IS GOD ENOUGH?

It is in the nature of every man to worry and carry the weight of their world on their shoulders. It's hard for a man to truly surrender the control of his life to anyone, even God. This is one of the miracles of salvation that God breaks the will of a man to surrender control back to this unseen, often unreasonable, unexplainable high power, that is, God.

It is unreasonable to think that a man that is serving God faithfully and true would have to suffer loss. It is unexplainable how it often seems to our earthly eyes that the wicked experience gain while God's people suffer. It is simply unexplainable. It is difficult at best in some situations to hold onto faith when you look to the right and to the left, the front and behind and you cannot perceive God anywhere.

Paul, in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews speaks of men of great faith. He talks about their exploits with explosive phrases such as: "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, and obtained promises." He goes on to explain that they: "stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword. He even said that out of their weakness they were made strong. He let us know that these men were valiant in the fight and sent armies to flight! He said that through the faith of these men, "women received their dead raised to life again."

BUT, then he continues by saying: "Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented – of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. " Hebrews 11:36-40

These people of suffering were people of faith also. The separation between the two is simply this; some had faith to escape, but others had faith to endure. You see, some had faith to be healed, but others had faith to die.

Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15) His ways had been perfect and upright and blessed, but now it was to endure affliction, and to get stronger through the persecution and know that whether he lived or died he would see God.

You may have the faith to believe for your healing or you may have the faith to die, but God will be enough in either situation. You may have faith to escape or you may just have to have the faith to endure whatever trial you are facing, but you can rest assured that God will absolutely be enough.

We give a definitive answer to the pending personal question through our gains and through our losses whether or not we believe that God is enough for us. Either way, God will require that the question be answered in each of our lives.

You may consider yourself a man of God and still have to live with the thorn in your flesh just to remind you that you need Him. You may shun the very appearance of evil and live a holy and upright life and yet you struggle everyday with afflictions of your flesh just to perfect the prayer of faith in your life.

Remember that Job said he looked for God all around him and He could not find Him anywhere, but Job's point was powerful when he said, "But He knows the way that I take, and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."

Job continues to tell of how he has been true to the Lord. It is in this chapter that he says emphatically, "I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." His clear affirmation tells me that Job had surrendered to God in his affliction, saying, "for He performs the thing that is appointed for me." Job knew that this was not his chapter to write, God was in charge of the pen and Job was in it till it was finished one way or the other.

Paul said in Romans 8:17-18: " . . . and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Whether you can see it right now or not, the glory of God will be revealed. The resolve is in knowing that in any event the book is His to write. The comfort is in understanding that whatever character He casts you as, it is His perfect plan for your ultimate deliverance.

It is easy to shout and dance about the fact that your Father is the God of the universe who is rich and owns the world and all that is in it. It is easy to maintain your belief that your God is the Savior of the world, the healer of all disease, the author and finisher of faith. It is another thing entirely when He begins to write a story for you that requires having faith in a God that remains silent.

So in your struggle, your losses, your heartache and your trouble, there is a pending question that you alone can answer: IS GOD ENOUGH?

A Vision of Things To Come

Given to Daniel Yoder,
2-22-13

During the night of Feb. 22nd, an angel came to me and took me to heaven. He told me to be very quiet. First we went to look into hell. There I saw the demons making preparations for a huge party. Then we went to God's court room where I witnessed Satan talking to God the Father.

Satan said, “Enough is enough. I want the tribulation to start immediately. You have for years been giving birthing pains to the earth and it has not worked.”

I whispered to the angel and asked him what the birthing pains were. He told me that God had been granting Satan's petitions to bring all sorts of disasters on the world, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, multiple murders, shootings etc. These are the “birthing pains” of the end that is coming. Nothing can happen without God allowing it. This is why Satan has to stand before God and petition God to allow him to bring these things onto the earth. The angel told me that God Himself does not cause the various disasters, Satan does.

Satan continued, “During the disasters the people cry out to You to save them, then as soon as it is over, they immediately turn to my people to help them out of their troubles, to take care of them and to re-build. They never wait for You to show Your strength. Just look who they turn to after the disaster. Just look! Just look! In these last disasters, who have they finally turned to? It surely wasn't You. And you want to wait longer? Are You going to go against Your own writings? You said that if things happen men would repent. They call on you only with their mind, not their hearts. I will prove it to you, let me pour out my tribulation and watch the people run to me and my servants instead of to You.”

Note: If people called on God with their hearts as well as their minds they would be repenting for their sins and changing their lives.

God never said a word.

Then Satan said, “I have my rights. I stood before You years ago and I told you what would happen. Man will turn to man to save and help them and not to You. I now want my people in my kingdom to be with me. I want to reign in my kingdom.

Don't You see, every time You pour Your Spirit out man takes it over for fame and fortune. Your people call this revival. [Satan laughed.] “

Again, God was silent and did not reply to Satan.

Satan had one more try. He said, “The tribulation is written in Your book. It is time for you to keep your word and give me permission to bring it about now!”

At that point God raised His hand without saying anything, and Satan disappeared. I do not know if God granted permission to Satan or not because He never said anything.

I turned to the angel and said, “But most Christians do not believe they will be on earth for any part of the tribulation.

The angel said, “The Great Tribulation has two parts. The first part is Satan's war against God's people. He will bring great destruction on to the earth. The second part is from God as He pours out His wrath upon the sinful rebellious people for following Satan. God's people will be on earth for Satan's part not God's part. Satan believes that his tribulation will be a victory over God.”

Once again I spoke to the angel, “Doesn't the Bible indicate that there will be one last great revival with the pouring out of God's Spirit on all mankind?”

The angel said, “Yes, but it will not be like any revival ever before. No man can put his name to it or run with it or manipulate it. If man tries, God will strike him down. There will be a turning to God for every need, not just some of their needs. Man will have to rely on God for everything, housing, food, living essentials, and life itself. Revival will be in the streets, in the homes, at the work places. When God pours His Spirit out there will be no question as to what it is. At this point Satan will get angrier and try to interfere with the revival. Those who are not whole hearted in the revival will fall to Satan, but those on their knees with genuine hearts will be called Children of God. Many will be deceived during those days with fake revivals and fake anointings, but those who truly seek God will find Him. Those who seek fame and fortune will find and serve Satan. Yes, many will stand before God during that day and argue with God saying that they truly served God when they did not, they only served themselves.”

The angel turned to me and said, “Beware. This revival is the one Satan hates because it involves the youth of the world. God poured His Spirit out once before on the youth. It was called the Jesus Movement of the 60s and 70s. Man rejected and despised it in the churches. But God never starts anything that He does not finish. He will give the youth their chance. Worn the church not to despise the youth revival that God is going to pour out. Embrace them with love and understanding.”

“Satan has his church with all the TV and music programs that fill the air that is stealing the youth now. This is the church's fault. Very few church's have anything for the youth to do and do not teach them right from wrong. They are allowing their youth to be taught by servants of Satan, not by Godly people. Is your church prepared for this revival? It is time to prepare for this is the last day.”

Jesus Gives Us The Victory Over Temptation

DANIEL YODER
1-4-13

It's ironic that the first promise of a Savior was actually addressed to the devil. Now certainly, Adam and Eve were there to hear it, and God offered this promise for their benefit, but that first promise of a Savior was actually spoken to the devil. You see, Satan had just succeeded in leading Adam and Eve astray. He had tempted them to eat fruit from the three which God had declared off limits to them. As a result, Adam and Eve fell into sin. That first sin resulted in horrible consequences for Adam and Eve and for all of their descendants, including you and me today. Indeed, it corrupted our entire world.

And so the Lord confronted Satan with a declaration of war. The Lord God said, "Satan, you won a battle here today. But I am going to win the war. You achieved a victory, but I am going to overturn that decision. You succeeded in enslaving my people, but I am going to set them free. You led them astray, but I am going to redeem them from sin, and from death, and from your dreadful control over their lives. I am going to restore what you have broken. Yes, Satan, 'I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel.'" (Genesis 3:15)

Already back then the battle lines were drawn. God promised to send a deliverer, a champion, one of Eve's physical descendants, to come and conquer the devil, crush his head, and destroy his oppressive hold over us. This promise came true 4000 years later, when Jesus Christ, a direct descendant of Adam and Eve was born into this world to redeem us from the curse and the consequences of our sins.

In church we often walk with Jesus to the cross to see all that He endured to purchase our redemption. Usually we focus on the opposition Jesus faced from Caiaphas and the Jewish leaders, or from Pontius Pilate and the Roman soldiers, or from the angry mob. But this time I want us to focus on the key battle which was taking place behind the scenes, that crucial contest between Jesus and Satan himself.

In our Gospel reading Jesus engaged the devil in battle. He endured 40 days of intense temptation from the devil, but He never sinned, not even once. No, Jesus stood strong, firm and steadfast against Satan's attacks. In so doing, Jesus won a great victory over the devil, a victory which would reach its final climax upon the cross. Today, we are going to relive this intense battle and rejoice in the outcome. For you see, Jesus won this great victory over Satan, not just for himself, but for each and every one of us. Yes, Today through our study of God's Word the Holy Spirit leads us to rejoice that Jesus gives us the victory over the devil and his temptations.

We are focusing on the last week of Jesus' life leading up to His crucifixion. But our Gospel lesson today actually takes us all the way back to the beginning of Jesus' ministry, right after His baptism in the River Jordan. Now you might expect Jesus to kick off His public ministry with a bang, by going to Jerusalem and meeting with some important officials, or with a grand display of His divine power. But instead Jesus traveled very humbly and all alone, out into the desert to face 40 days of intense tempting from the devil. Why? Why begin His public ministry with this time of testing? Well it really takes us back to the Garden of Eden where the devil succeeded in leading Adam and Eve astray. At that time, Adam and Eve fell for Satan's temptation, and so now Jesus, our perfect substitute, needed to face Satan's temptation, and not fall. God had drawn the battle lines between Jesus and Satan with His first promise of a Savior. And so the very first thing Jesus did as He began His public ministry, was to engage the devil in battle, and overcome him.

When asked what Jesus did to redeem us from our sins, many people will answer – Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins. And that is a good answer. But that was just one day, Good Friday. What was Jesus doing for us the previous 33 years before that crucial day? Of course the answer is – Jesus was keeping the law perfectly for us. This too was vitally important. We refer to this as the active obedience of Christ. You see, our holy god demands perfect obedience to His law. However, all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore we are deserving of God's anger and eternal punishment. So, Jesus, our substitute, needed to keep God's law perfectly in our place, and now God credits Jesus' perfect life and obedience to our account. Jesus did all the work, but we receive the credit. That's one of the incredible benefits of our baptism, for the Apostle Paul declares, "All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:27 Yes, at our baptism we are actually clothed in the perfect rob e of Christ's righteousness, a glorious garment we are privileged to wear our entire lives.

Now please, understand that if Jesus had sinned even once, if He had succumbed to even one of Satan's temptations, He would have failed to serve as our perfect substitute, and we would be eternally lost. So you can be certain that the devil was working extremely hard trying to get Jesus to trip us, even one time. But the good news I am proclaiming to you today is that although Jesus was tempted in every way, throughout His entire life, just as we are, yet He remained without sin. Yes, Jesus won the victory over Satan and his temptations, and that great victory now belongs to us today as well!

Let's review then the three temptations which Jesus overcame for us in the wilderness. In his first temptation the devil said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Now at first glance this may appear to be a harmless request. What would be so wrong with Jesus making some bread for Himself to eat, especially after fasting for 40 days out in the wilderness? I am sure He was extremely hungry!

The problem was that Jesus would have been misusing His divine powers to serve Himself. Remember that His heavenly father had sent Jesus into the wilderness to endure this time of testing. Jesus needed to trust His Father in heaven to provide for His needs, and not take matters into His own hands. Remember how often the Children of Israel grumbled and complained about the Lord's care for them in the wilderness. Well, in a similar time of trial, Jesus needed to remain strong, firm and steadfast. And that is exactly what Jesus did. Faced with this tempting proposition Jesus said, "no." Instead, He replied, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone."

Yes, Jesus resisted Satan's temptation by entrusting Himself completely to the care of His heavenly Father. He refused to doubt or complain, or stray in any way from God's will for His life, but feared, loved and trusted in God above all things.

Notice also that Jesus refuted Satan's temptation each time by referring to a Bible passage. Yes, each time Jesus replied, "It is written," and then He used the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God to drive Satan away.

Next, the devil led Jesus up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And He said to Him, "I will give you all their authority and all their splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours."

Now come people wonder how Satan can claim to offer Jesus the riches of this world in the first place. After all, the Bible teaches, "The earth is the Lord's, and all who dwell in it." Psalm 24:1 But Jesus does also refer to the devil as the "prince of this world." All those who live only for earthly wealth and pleasure place themselves under his control. Basically Satan was offering Jesus earthly glory. Now Jesus was set to receive glory from His Father in heaven as well as His redeemed people, but this would come only after Jesus had first endured the shame of the cross to make satisfaction for our sins. According to God's plan, first would come the cross, then would come the glory. In essence, Satan offered Jesus a shortcut, an easy way out. He promised Jesus glory now, without the cross, without any suffering, without any sacrifice. Knowing the difficulties which lay ahead, Satan's alternative plan must have been very tempting. But once again, Jesus defeated Satan's alluring temptation, using God's Word to drive him away. Jesus replied, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only!'" Someone once said that in every temptation Satan seeks to turn us inward, unpon ourselves, seeking only our own personal benefit, regardless of the cost or the consequences. Certainly this was the case here. But Jesus refused to fall for Satan's trap. You see, Jesus didn't have a selfish bone in His body. He loved His heavenly Father and wanted to carry out His saving plan. And He loves you and me and was willing to do whatever was required to redeem us from our sin. The Bible tells us, "No greater love has a man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend." John 15:13 That is the amazing love which empowered Jesus to defeat Satan's temptation for our benefit.

With his third temptation the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem, and has Him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down from here. For it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

Again Satan's temptation must have been very appealing. Jesus was just starting out on His earthly ministry. What better way to make a big splash and attract all kinds of followers than to jump off the roof of the temple and land safely in the courtyard below, with a large crowd of adoring fans eager to greet His arrival.

But once again, Jesus saw right through Satan's crafty proposition. For Jesus to pull such a stunt would be gathering a crowd for the wrong reasons. Jesus wanted followers to repent of their sins and to trust in Him as the Messiah. He didn't want them to view Him as an earthly bread king or as an entertainer performing stunts.

What's more, Satan was taken Scripture out of context. Yes, God does promise to send His angels to watch over us and guard us in all our ways. But that does not give us the right to put the Lord to the test. God the Father had just publicly put His stamp of approval upon His beloved Son at His baptism. There was no need then for Jesus to put the Lord to the test, daring God to prove His love for Him in this foolish situation.

Once again, Jesus rejected Satan's temptation with a word of Scripture. Jesus replied, "It says, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Then the devil left Jesus until a more opportune time. This too is important to remember. Jesus' temptations did not begin or end with the three recorded for us in the Godpel of Luke. No, Jesus faced continual times of testing from the devil throughout His earthly life. But in absolutely every situation, Jesus rejected what was evil and chose to do what is good. Yes, Jesus won the victory over Satan and his temptations. And as our substitute, Jesus; victory is our victory today as well.

Try hard as we may, even as Christians, you and I are not able to overcome all of Satan's sttacks. Sadly, we fall for Satan's temptations all the time. To be honest, we all daily sin much and deserve to be punished by God now and for all eternity in hell. Now, Satan, who at first entices us to break God's Commandments, then turns on us after we sin to drive us to hopelessness and despair. He wants us to believe that our situation is beyond repair. He wants us to believe we are without hope and will die in our sins. He wants us to despair of God's love and to wallow in our guilt forever.

But this is where Jesus gives us the victory over Satan and his accusing temptations. Yes, we have sinned and we do deserve to be cursed by God forever because of them. But we are not without hope and we don't have to despair. You see, Jesus went to the cross to make atonement for all our sins. He redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. So when our sins condemn us we will bring them to Jesus, telling Him we are sorry, and taking hole of His forgiveness. In Him we find the peace and the hope and the forgiveness we so desperately need. Yes, by His wounds, we are healed.

And we also need to remember that the devil doesn't own us any longer. Yes, we were all born dead in and under his control. But Jesus Christ has set us free so that we might be free to serve our Savior with joy and gratitude. So the devil will continue to tempt us and try to take control of our lives. But we don't belong to him. We belong to Jesus. The devil doesn't call the shots in our lives. No, Jesus rules in our hearts by His Word. Always remember the devil is a beaten enemy. Jesus defeated him and when we rely on His strength, we can defeat him as well. In fact, the Apostle Paul assures us, "Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7

And Jesus has also provided us with a powerful weapon to resist Satan's attacks. What is our secret weapon? Well it is the same weapon Jesus relied on to defeat the devil – the powerful Word of God. God's Word encourages, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11 That's why we encourage our young people to learn their memory treasures as well. That's why a Christian education is definitely worth the investment. You see, God's Word can't help us defeat temptations if we aren't familiar with it, or if we don't rely on it when making choices in life.

The devil is a real spiritual enemy, intent on destroying our faith and leading us into false belief, despair and other great and shameful sins. On our own, we don't stand a chance against his attacks. But Jesus, our champion, took on the devil in battle and defeated him. When your sins condemn you and Satan accuses you, find hope and healing in Jesus, in the perfect life He offered as your substitute and the sacrificial death He offered to make atonement for your sins. When Satan tries to control you, ask Jesus for help. Rely on His strength to drive Satan away. And when Satan tries to confuse you and lead you in the wrong direction, follow God's Word as a lamp for your feet and as a light for your path. Yes, let us rejoice and move forward with confidence because Jesus Christ our Savior gives us the victory over Satan and his temptations. Amen.

A very important booklet to read is called Winning In The Battlefield of The Mind by Rebecca Brown. It will show you exactly how Satan and his demons seek to lead you into sin and error and how to have the victory over this. It is available through our web site bookstore.

USING YOUR TALENTS

DANIEL YODER
11-26-12

“For the kingdom of heaven is a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to every man according to his several ability; then he that had received five talents went and with the same, and made five other talents. And likewise he that received two, he also had gained another two. But he that received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.” Matthew 25:14-18

I've often wondered why so many Christians who seem so able and gifted for ministry, never seem to get off the ground when it comes to winning souls; and yet others whom one would rarely consider for positions of responsibility seem to have fruitful lives. It could be an example of what Paul wrote in Corinthians that “God hath chosen the foolish things...the weak things ...” Although I am convinced that some how all men fit somewhere in these categories...Yet somehow I feel that it may indeed have something to do with how we see the work of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary, and His resurrection from the dead. It might be helpful to consider a few brief points concerning this dilemma in light of the scripture reference quoted above:

1. Many Christians are not satisfied with their lot in life. Like the three servants of their Lord in this parable it often seems as though others have gotten more to work with than we've been given He gives some five, some two, some only one. Regardless of what ability or talent you have been given by the Lord, you have all that you need to do that which He expects of you. God knows what our limitations and abilities are and He alone decides what we need to do what He has called us to do. ( 1st. Corinthians 12:11)

I once had a man say to me “Daniel if I could write or know the Bible like you I could have a ministry too” I think that this is one of the worst things that Christians can do: to compare ourselves among ourselves. Paul was very clear about this in (Second Corinthians 10:12), and its very obvious throughout the whole of scripture that envy and jealousy are not acceptable to God. Still I have seen many who don't consider themselves useful to God because they feel ill equipped for the job.

Often people complain because they don't have enough time or money or education to serve the Lord. How sad it is to hear such things when you know that these are only excuses. There's not enough money, or time, or learning that can make a man worthy to minister for the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Only His blood that was shed on Mount Calvary can do that and He gives you the talents free of charge to all His children.

2. Many are not willing to step out in faith for fear that they might fail. How often it is that we find this problem among God's children. Of these three men in the parable only two were willing to take a risk to invest their Lord's money. They all had something to invest but one lived in fear so instead he hid his Lord's money. It is very important that we build our lives on the love of God and not the fear of God only. The fear of God is certainly the beginning of wisdom, but the love of God is, I believe, is the fullness of wisdom. Like Peter when he saw the Lord walking on the water we must be willing to get out of the boat and get our feet wet. We must trust Him enough to know that He will not let us sink and drown. It's true that we might be laughed at or rejected, even lied about and betrayed by other Christians, we might not have very many friends who will stand by us. But Jesus did that for us, He was lied about, He was betrayed by His friends. Shouldn't we be willing to do the same for Him? In the end it doesn't really matter what the world thinks of us, only what God thinks.

3. Many do not think they are not good enough to serve God. I'm using this last, but it is probably the most predominant problem of all three. Far to many Christians rely on their own righteousness and abilities as a source of ministerial power, rather than trusting in the finishing work of Jesus Christ. Those who fit into this mold are a most miserable lot. When they are feeling low they blame it on their own unrighteousness and wouldn't dare think of themselves as able ministers, yet when they are feeling good they want to tell everybody about God, but always in the light of their own personal victories. This often leads us to judging others rather than ministering for Jesus Christ. This kind of ministry often brings condemnation rather than edification. I believe if you will take the blame when things go bad, its only because you plan on taking the credit when they go good! For instance, often when a person gets victory over a bad habit they begin to condemn others for the very same thing. In doing this they are ministering their own worthiness and not the worthiness of Christ. If we are worthy it is only because He makes us so by the shedding of His blood.

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to think anything as of ourselves; but or sufficiency is of God, who also hath made us ministers of the new testament... (2Corithians 3:5-6)

I believe that God is able and willing to use any person who will learn to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. If this world is going to be won for Jesus Christ it will be won by the Church and the testimony of God's people. “Ye are the light of the world,” Jesus said. Let God's love shine through you and all around you, and be that light for the world to see. It will not only change those around you, but it will make your life complete too. Things always go better when everyone is doing their part.

How to Forget The Past

By Daniel Yoder
11-11-12

Philippians 3:1-14

The apostle Paul like many of us was searching for what God had planned for him or laid out for him in his life. He knew and said, “I have not arrived yet!” But he did say, “This one thing I do . . . “ One thing I know, there is one thing God has shown me over and over again. There is one thing, one truth to get through our thick skulls! And that is that WE ARE TO FORGET THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND US, AND NEVER DWELL ON THEM AGAIN, EVER!

There are some things you are not to forget:

1. Which side of the street you are required to drive on.
2. Laws when driving your car: that red means stop and green means go, etc.
3. Your wife or girlfriend's birthday or special events and days like anniversaries, holidays, and the well laid out plans of that certain young lady in your life. These are her special days, remember them.
4. Paying your bills and taxes on time, being on time for church and work or anything you committed to.
5. That you are married, and that you gave your vows to that special person before God and man.
6. That we have duties and responsibilities that are expected of us.
7. That we owe it to God to respect what He asks and tells us to do.

There are some thing we ought to forget:

THE PAST: Or what we call the bad and terrible old days that haunt us each and every day. A Latin saying that goes like this “CARPE DIEM,” or seize the present time. We are to live for today not our yesterdays, we can't rerun our lives like a TV show such as Andy Griffith, or Leave it to Beaver. Those were classic jewels of the past, days gone by where life was great. We get a warm feeling when we think about shows that had family values. Our hurt feelings of the past are not to be reruns.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:6-9

The Apostle Paul wanted to forget that thorn in his flesh that had been bothering and haunting him. I don't know what the thorn was. It could have been false prophets, and the Pharisees of his day that kept hounding him to death. It could have been his poor eyesight that he had to deal with. He wrote in Galatians 6:11, “See what large letters I have written to you with my own hand..” The truth is, the books of Galatians is one of Paul's shortest books, written by him. At that time the physician Luke was traveling with Paul. Maybe with Luke being with him, it reminded him about his past and how he persecuted the Christians, so maybe his former life was that constant reminder in Paul's mind. The thorn in his flesh. I know my past has a lot of thorns in it and a great number of Christians along with the world won't let me lay them aside, so I have to give them to God, and press on. Acts 26:9-11 says: “Indeed I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even in foreign cities.”

Acts 22:4-5 says: “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.”

A devil, the messenger of Satan, the accuser of the brethren, caused him fits! So much so he wrote to Timothy saying: 1 Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” He was telling Timothy, “There was no one worse than I am!” He was the chief persecutor of the early church. He was Saul of Tarsus, the terror of Tarsus. (Acts 7:58 and 8:1) Even after Paul was saved, hardly a soul would trust him or even want to be near him or befriend him. And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

People have a hard time forgetting their past (failures, childhood, marital problems, disagreements, defeated lives, and their wounded hearts) because they rehearse them and live them over and over again and are constantly reminded of them. They still associate with those of their past who bring up old hurtful feelings and constantly remind them of that which they should forget.

Forget your failures:

“If you don't succeed then try, try again.”

There was a man in his twenties. During those years he drifted. When he turned thirty-one he thought, “I've got to get myself going and do something.” He formed a partnership and went into business. In one and a half years he lost everything and went bankrupt Then he decided that since he was broke anyway, he would go into politics. In his first election, he lost badly. Two years later, when he was thirty four, he decided to go back into business. He went bankrupt again. A year later he thought things were going better, and he fell in love with a beautiful woman. She died. So the next year, at age thirty-six, he had a nervous breakdown and was confined to bed for several months.

He finally shook that off, and two years later he decided to run for another local election. He lost. He went into another business, and he made a little money. Then at forty-three, he ran for Congress. He lost again. At forty-eight he ran for Senate. He lost that election as well.

When he was fifty-five years of age, he tried for the nomination of his party for Vice-President, and was defeated badly. At age fifty-eight, he ran for Senate again. Once again he lost. Finally, at the age of sixty, Abraham Lincoln was elected to his first office – The President of the United States.

He wouldn't quit! He was a fighter, a man of courage, a winner! He overcame countless private fears, his failures in life and endless public rejections to obtain the highest job in the country.

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

1 Thessalonians 5:24: “Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.”

There is a need to build a history of successes in our lives. So start with good HABITS:

1. Making a commitment to reading your Bible daily.
2. Be in church for every service, read Hebrews 10:22-25
3. 3. Setting aside family time.
4. 4. Peter had to forget his denial of the Lord. He denied Him three times! Maybe you have too. Has anyone accused you of being one of those “born-again, Bible thump-er, or Jesus freaks?” What is your record for denying our Lord?
5. 5. David had to forget his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and go on as the King of Israel.

SO, what is it you need to forget? God has a call on your life, don't waste it.

Forget your hurts:

When and where you have been offended, don't let others get the best of you. Don't even let yourself get the best of you, control your thoughts, your emotions, your attitude and your life.

Joseph was an excellent example of this. Would you be offended if your brothers sold you into slavery hoping to get rid of you from their lives forever? Read Genesis 50:16-21.

Forgive, Forget, and GO ON! Don't live this year or even this hour with old wounds! Reconcile right now in your heart, while you still have the opportunity. Remember, Jesus died to provide complete restitution for our hurts as well as forgiveness for our sins. Don't let yourself become a victim!

Psalm 119?165, “Great peace have they which love Your law: And nothing shall offend them.”

Isaiah 32:17, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance forever.”

Be bigger than your offenders. Matthew 5:44-45: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you; That you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven . . . “

Forget your past sins:

They were forgiven at the cross when Jesus shed His blood for sins. Don't give them a forwarding address. How often is it that those who commit a crime, and get in trouble with the law after serving their time, get out and go right back to their same “old friends” and sins or gets in trouble with the law all over again. Don't let sin get a foothold in your life as Lot's wife did. The word of God admonishes us to “Remember Lot's Wife.” (Luke 17:32) She had left home, ungodly family and friends. She was on her way to deliverance and freedom but stopped to take one long last look at the sin and turned into a pillar of salt.

Why forget? Because God Has!

Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Hebrews 10:16-17, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

Also read 1 John 1:7-9.

What a great, mighty, marvelous, and merciful God we serve!

Forget past achievements:

Don't worship at the shrine of self-importance.

I used to be very wealthy, a business man, a Sunday school teacher, I was a soul-winner, I was a handsome men, I was a pretty model. It doesn't matter what or who you used to be. What matters is, who you are now!

God says His grace is sufficient for you. Don't you think that you have arrived, because we haven't arrived yet, until we walk through those glorious gates of heaven and see Him face to face we have not arrived!

So what are you doing today? What will you do for our Heavenly Father this year?

It's time for you to make some real changes in your life, some life changing decisions and take the next step of faith that will encourage you to help advance His kingdom here on this earth. Self-pity will not help you become the one God has called you to be. You need to decide right now, are you a Christian or not. Will you accept the fact Jesus did it all, everything, just for you!

Read,
2 Corinthians 8:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 15:58

Remember our test:

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

GOD'S FIRE, HEALTH, AND OTHER MAJOR INSURANCE POLICY

By Daniel Yoder
8-4-12

The question is “Are You Fully Covered?” It's funny we have insurance for everything in our lives but do we have SPITITUAL COVERAGE? You might answer and say I'm saved that’s all the insurance that I need! I'll admit that is vital, but your standard of living here on Earth is dependent upon the types of coverage you carry. An example of some of your insurance you carry is on your car. You might only carry liability and not full coverage, so if your car gets wrecked or stolen your policy won't cover you. If you want your car fixed or if you still owe on it, you are out luck the money comes out of your pocket not the insurance companies. Now on the other hand if you carry full coverage and this happens you are fully covered. So you see you need fill coverage. Today I want you to look at “The Kingdom Insurance Policy” and see the various types of you need to survive in this life. But first before we look at this type policy I must introduce you to the CEO and owner of The Kingdom Insurance Company, JESUS CHRIST. Now in order to qualify for this spiritual insurance coverage, you must first repent from other worldly coverages and all worldly ways, you must confess Jesus Christ as Lord over all your life, and believe in your heart, that GOD raised him (JESUS)from the dead see (Romans 10:9). Now once you have done this, then you receive The Kingdom Insurance Policy coverage which full is coverage at no additional charge. But for many of us, unless we pay our premiums then our life will reflect lapses in the various types of coverage that this policy offers to the beholder.

God Can Use Your Prayers
7-26-12

By Daniel Yoder

Since God is sovereign, do my prayers really matter all that much? Isn't God going to do what He wants anyway? Most people believe just that, even without admitting it. They prove they believe this in their prayer life, or lack of prayer life.

Can my prayers actually change things? Can God's will on earth be frustrated and not accomplished if I don't pray? Does God need me to pray or does He just want me to pray? Some would argue an omnipotent God doesn't “need” anything, including our prayers. But these and other questions deserve answers.

I Need To Know.

When God says, “Pray,” I want to know it will matter. I'm not into religious exercises and my time is valuable. So is yours.

If God is going to do something regardless of whether or not I pray, than He doesn't need me to ask Him and I don't need to waste my time.

We could say: “If everything is just going to happen anyway, then let's take a nap and let is all just happen.

Scriptures Reveal 2 Facts:

1. God sets things in Motion when I pray.

The book of Acts tells us that in response to the prayers of the early church, prison doors were opened, chains fell off, people brought their possessions to share with the poor, lives were changed, miracles took place, the sick were healed.

John Wesley put it this way, “God does nothing on the earth save in answer to believing prayer.”

If that is true, I'll lose a little sleep for that. I'll change my lifestyle for that. I'll stop whatever I'm doing in order to pray. I'll even miss a meal or two.

Prayer sets in motion the things that our strength cannot. Nothing moves, until prayer is started. But when prayer is started, even Satan's strongholds can be knocked down by the force of it.

I agree with E.M. Bounds when he said: “God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil. The prayers of God's saints are the capital stock of heaven by which God carries on His great work upon earth.”

If you believe that, you'll pray more. In fact, you will most likely pray with greater faith too.

2. God sets up His purposes when I pray.

God uses your prayers to accomplish His will. In 1 Kings 18, we find the story of God using a person's prayers to accomplish His will. It is the account of Elijah praying for rain after three years of drought.

1 Kings 18:1 says, “After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 'Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.'”

James 5:17-18 also mentions this occasion: “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

We know from James' account that not only did Elijah's prayers bring rain, but his prayers also stopped the rain three years earlier.

In 1 Kings 18:1 God asked Elijah to see King Ahab, because “I will send rain on the face of the earth.” And in 18:42 we see Elijah climbing to the top of Mt. Carmel, bending down to the ground, putting his face between his knees, and PRAYING.

He asked the servant to “Go and look toward the sea . . . “ Elijah prays 7 times and finally the rain comes.

Whose idea was it to send rain? Whose will? Whose initiation ?

Answer: God's, not Elijah's. Then why if it was God's will, idea, and timing, did it take a humans prayers to “birth” the rain?

Why must Elijah persevere in prayer? Why did Elijah have to ask 7 times?

Seven is the biblical number of completion. I'm sure God was teaching us that we must pray until the task is accomplished.

But why would this or any other prayer effort require perseverance, when it was God's will, idea and timing?

And finally, did Elijah's prayers really produce the rain or was it simply coincidental that he happened to be praying when God sent it? James clarifies the answer to this last question.

Yes, the prayers of this man did stop and start the rain: “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the havens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” James 5:16-18

The only logical answer to the question of why Elijah needed to pray is simply this: God has chosen to work through people.

God has chosen you to spread the good news about Him. What if Jesus' disciples refused to go? What if they stopped after some persecution? Does God have a contingency plan, a plan “B”? No!

We are the instruments in His hands today – He is going to accomplish His will through you and me. Your prayer will “birth” the purpose of God. Prayers bring to fruition His will and plan.

Even when it is the Lord Himself initiating something, He still needs us to ask. Even when He desires to do something, He needs us to pray.

Andrew Murray writes of our need to ask: “God's giving is inseparably connected with our asking. Only by intercession can that power be brought down from heaven which will enable the Church to conquer the world.”

God wants us to pray.

God's existence and character are completely independent of any created thing (Acts 17:24-25). God already has all resources in His hands (Job 41:11; Psalms 50:10-12). Nevertheless, God needs our prayers:

“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.” Ezekiel 22:30-31

The deep meaning of these verses is strong enough to make us stagger: God's holiness prevents Him from simply excusing sin. It must be judged.

On the other hand, not only is He holy, but He is also love. His love always desires to redeem and restore. Scripture tells us that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 33:11)

In this passage, God is saying: “While My justice demanded judgment, My love wanted forgiveness. I wanted to find a human to ask Me to spare this people. If I could have found someone to pray, it would have allowed Me to show mercy. Because I found no one, however, I had to destroy the people I love.”

I don't like what this passage shows any more than you do. I don't want the responsibility it brings. I don't like to consider the thought of a God who has somehow limited Himself to us earthlings. But in light of these and other passages, I can come to no other conclusion – God will act in response to my prayers.

Either God wants the world to be in this condition or He doesn't. If He doesn't then we must assume one of two things. Either He is powerless to anything about it, or He needs and is waiting on something from us to bring about change.

This truth can cause us to feel intimidated, because of the responsibility it carries. Yet a responsibility can also be a privilege. We have this wonderful privilege of praying and seeing God's purposes fulfilled in our own lives, our families, our friends, our church and our community.

Jack Hayford said, “Prayer is essentially a partnership. In prayer, the redeemed child of God is working hand in hand with God. Because of prayer, they move together toward the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes on earth.”

Let's rise to the occasion and embrace the invitation to be co-laborers with God. Let us set things in motion and set up God's purposes and will in our world today.

God has chosen to work His will in the world through you. Let us offer our life for Him, PRAY His purposes to fruition, pray His promises into reality.

The Language of Our Tears
7-24-12

By Daniel Yoder

You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? (PS. 56:8)

He will swallow up death for all time' And the Lord God will wipe tears from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken

Isaiah 25:8

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelations 21:4

FIND IT HARD TO FORGIVE?
6-26-12

Wait Upon The Lord
By Daniel Yoder

Forgive him? Are you kidding? After what he has done to me? I can never forgive him!" Does that sound familiar? There is a great tragedy when we cannot forgive one another or even our own selves. People who do not forgive are in a bondage that stifles their ability to love and accept those who deserve their love most. It cripples marriages and is passed on from generation to generation, (family feuds), and finally it chokes out the abundant life Jesus promised.

Just what is forgiveness? It is the act of setting someone free from an obligation to you that is the result of a wrong done against you. For instance, a debt is forgiven when you free your debtor of his/her obligation to pay back what is owed you. Forgiveness involves injury, a debt resulting from that injury and it is a cancellation of that debt.

Most people with an unforgiving spirit do not know that UNFORGIVENESS is the root of most of their problems. They can't stand to be around certain people, they want to strike out when certain things are discussed, they feel uncomfortable around certain personality types and they lose their temper over little things. There is a constant struggle with guilt over past sins and they can't get over hating people they ought to love.

We don't like it when we read or see where organizations or countries take hostages, we are outraged, yet when one refuses to forgive another, a hostage is taken by the one unforgiving. Usually those holding hostage will want something in return for the hostage, a condition, like a ransom. When a person refuses to forgive he/she is saying the same thing. Instead of holding a person hostage, they withhold love, acceptance, respect, service, kindness, patience, etc. and say, "until I feel you have repaid me for the wrong done to me, you will never have my acceptance or cooperation." People who refuse to forgive, refuse to allow that debt to be paid and canceled.

THE REAL LOSER

1. The person who refuses to forgive is always the real loser more so than whom the grudge is held against. (In one Southern major city a racial group rioted but burned and looted their own neighborhoods a few years ago.)
– To refuse to forgive is disobedience to the Lord and is walking by the flesh rather than by the Spirit and no Christian can be unforgiving and live the abundant life.
2. If you have been really hurt or wronged, what did you feel like doing?
– Was it wanting to do something kind for that person who hurt you?
– Was it to retaliate? Was it letting loose some well chosen words?
-- Was it giving in and accepting the situation or did you want to fight for your "rights?"
3. Paul tells us how a Christian is to live in Galatians 5:22-25. All the things Paul lists are the very ones that an unforgiving spirit holds hostage.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25

– Do you want to love the one who hurt you? Is there joy and peace? Is there patience and kindness?
- Paul then lists what the flesh is like in Galatians 5:19-21. An unforgiving person cannot walk in the Spirit and therefore must walk in the flesh.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you beforehand just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

- Paul lists the consequences of walking in the flesh in Galatians 6:7-8. Corruption is the consequence during the earthly life and decisions are made in the flesh which ruins and wrecks that person's life.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:7-8

A CONSUMING CORRUPTION

1. Unforgiveness spills over into many other areas.
– The ability to get along with others.
– Unable to work out differences.
– They excuse their problem as part of their personality and expect people to "work" around them.
– They have a "take me or leave me, but don't try to change me" attitude.
– All the while hurting everyone around them, even those they do really love.

THE REJECTION CONNECTION

1. Whenever that person is wronged in some way, rejection occurs. "I'll never trust again."
2. One always feels "put down" when hurt by others and resentment turns into feelings of being rejected, unwanted or needed.
3. Almost without exception, one with an unforgiving spirit, any hurt is interpreted as rejection and not being wanted.
– That rejection feeling turns into unforgiveness and then into bitterness and a sense of emptiness which often drives a person into lifestyles not of the Christian life.

THE WAITING GAME

1. The unforgiving spirit almost always WAITS for the other person to make restitution in which a great deal of time can go by during which non-Christian patterns of behavior and incorrect attitudes develop.
2. By refusing to forgive and choosing to wait for restitution, one's lifestyle is changed to hinge on the decision of those who hurt them in the first place.
– This attitude causes the unforgiver to become a hostage to him/herself.
– Release comes only when that other person apologizes and makes the first move.
– The unforgiver's life and the lives of his/her loved ones are affected.
3. Sadly and unfortunately much of the waiting has been useless. The one who has done the hurt doesn't even know that he/she has hurt anyone.
– Often when one doesn't take the steps to reconcile a hurt, that person just doesn't know what he/she has hurt anyone. They are simply unknowing.

CONCLUSION:

1. It's a FACT! The person who refuses to forgive always loses. No matter how wrong the other person may have been. REFUSING TO FORGIVE means living a flesh-controlled life and the abundant life of Christ is impossible.
2. Refusing to forgive is like reaching down and grabbing a rattlesnake by it's tail . . . you are going to be bitten and the poison of unforgiveness will work it's way all through your life.
3. All of us have been hurt by others at one time or other and it will happen again many more times in our lifetime. We harbor the hurt, we can keep on resenting the hurt. We can let the bitterness keep growing. We can think of ways to "get back" and be hurt as badly as we were, can't we?
4. If we do not forgive then we are losers! Whose life is unhappy? The one who did the hurting? Whose life have we made unhappy by our unforgiving attitude?
5. To not forgive is to be disobedient to the Lord, out of fellowship with others, miserable around certain people with hate and bitterness welling up inside. Why does one want to stay that way? Jesus tells us to forgive, to go on as if it had never happened. Do not dwell on that hurt, AFTER ALL, ALL OF US HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN OF MUCH MORE.

By Daniel Yoder
6-14-12

Wait Upon The Lord
Harvest Warriors Publishing

If there's anything in this life that we need more of, it's patience. I don't think there is a single person on the earth today that would say that they have "plenty of patience." If you're standing in line at the convenience store, you can at least see how many people are ahead of you, how far you have to go, and then determine what measure of patience you need to muster up. In this situation, we can clearly see that there will be an end to the need for our patience. We can find ourselves stretching our patience just a little bit more when we see that we're "next." Or maybe as we're anticipating a trip or a family gathering that we're anxious about . . . we can find patience as we're able to mark off the days, seeing that each day brings us closer to the anticipated event.

But patience with God is a whole different story; more often than not, we're not able to see where we're going when we're relying on God to lead and guide us through the details of our lives. It's called walking by faith and not by sight. In our "faith walk," we're taking steps; we're trusting and relying on God's supernatural power; we're trusting in things not seen. If we're not keeping our hearts and minds focused on His promises for our lives, our patience is only momentary. When we're faced with uncertainties in life, our human nature finds it virtually impossible to be patient when we're forced to trust in the supernatural over the natural . . . it's much easier to trust in those things we can see, rather than those we cannot.

More often than not, we will have to "wait on God." His ways are higher; the fullness of His works are much too difficult for us to even begin to understand. Waiting on God brings us to a place of having to completely rely in and trust in Him, even when we cannot see the very next step in front of us.

There is probably no greater virtue in your walk of faith, than to learn how to wait on God. And to learn how to wait in a way that is pleasing to Him. That means without doubting, without complaining, without questioning, without second guessing. Patience is learned, it isn't given and you can't buy it. You don't just pray for God to give you patience and then magically you're filled with patience. As with anything else in your faith walk, God is going to grow you by giving you opportunities to "walk out your faith."

So, as you struggle to have more patience with God; know that God has greater purposes: it is the testing of your faith that will bring you forth as gold. One vital thing we have to learn about God is that God does the impossible and He usually does it at the last minute . . . at least that's what we think. Our faith should always believe that our lives are lived best in the timing of God, not our own. We must trust that His ways are always best. Trying to figure out God and His plan will only bring about more doubt and despair because it is impossible to fully understand Him. He has given us glimpses of His ways through His Word, but His Divine plan goes beyond all human comprehension. If God revealed everything to us, we would have no need for Him, we wouldn't need to trust Him, and we would have no desire to have a relationship with Him. God wants us to know Him. And He wants us to know that at any given moment, He can move suddenly . . . and more likely than not, He's going to move in a way that you weren't expecting. Quite honestly, I think He likes to surprise us and often shock us by just how awesome He is.

In the meantime, while we're waiting on God to act in our circumstances, we're going to have to learn how to be patient. We're going to have to learn to enter into the rest of God, trusting in His Promises, being assured of His goodness and His greatness. When your back is against the wall, when there seems to be no hope, simply Trust God. Seek out those Promises in His Word that will encourage you in your faith as you wait on Him. Allow this waiting time to be a preparation for the blessing that God is arranging for you. Trust that He is diligently at work behind the scenes of your life. Trust that He can take whatever failures and disappointments you have in your life and bring beauty from your ashes.

Whatever failures and disappointments you've had in your life, trust in God's promise of Psalm 37:4, that He will give you the desires of your heart. He may not even give you a glimpse of what He's doing, but don't lose hope. Continue to seek Him, continue to develop your relationship with Him, ask Him for the grace you need to wait on Him; there is great purpose behind your season of waiting. Your greatest disappointment, your deepest valley, can develop the greatest faith and an abundance of patience that will carry you through to the victory God is preparing in your life.

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Like everything else in the Christian life, patience is learned. When we're waiting on God our patience will only come with a complete trust in His Promises for our lives. Patience is: the will or ability to wait. But what we must clearly understand is that it's not just about waiting to get what we want, it's ultimately about waiting for God to accomplish His purposes in our lives. We're not waiting on our will to be done, but His. C.S. Lewis said that there are two kinds of people, "Those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'Alright then, have it your way.'" We've got to get this straight in our faith – real faith trusts God and HIS ways, not our own. Patience is about how much we trust God. If we're doubting, frustrated, discontented, and angry about the situations in our lives, we're declaring that God is NOT in control. We must rest assured through His Word that what He is preparing for us, what He's working on behind the scenes of our lives, is worth waiting for. We must walk out our faith.

But waiting also includes expecting. If you're waiting in line, you're expecting that at some point, you're going to be in front. You're waiting your turn, AND you're ready to receive. If you've ever been in this situation, and I know you have, you know that your attitude while you're in the line can have an effect on the rest of your day, if not the rest of your week! It's not always about getting to the destination . . . it's about the journey. It has been said that "getting to the Red Seas is just as important as crossing it!" God wants to teach you some things along the way. In your times of waiting, God has the ability to capture your full attention. While He's at work in our circumstances, He's also trying to do a work in you. He's bringing it all together. So, you should be expecting Him.

But for most of us, not very often are we expecting God . . . and even if we are, we usually have expectations as to how, when and where He should show up. Even if we're waiting patiently for a period of time, we suddenly find ourselves losing our patience because "God is taking too long" OR He came through . . . just not how we thought He would. But what we must decide is . . . how long is too long to wait on God??? . . . we must trust that whatever He's got planned, whatever He's doing, He's working for our good, and it is WORTH waiting for! Psalm 22:5 tells us, "You heard their cries for help and saved them. They put their trust in You and were never disappointed." Trusting God doesn't mean trusting Him to do things according to YOUR will . . . it's trusting that WHATEVER He does, He does out of love, and although it may be beyond our understanding, He promises that if we will continue to trust Him, we will NEVER be disappointed.

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We can find ourselves disappointed in many ways along our journey, yet God instructs us NOT to allow it in our lives. John 14:27 SAYS, "Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled." God has given us a spirit of self control. If Jesus is truly living within us, then we are able to keep ourselves from being discontent. Contentment comes from fully trusting God. It comes from understanding that when you pray, God may answer "yes," and He may answer "no," but either way, God is never wrong. You can ask God for what you want, but you must trust that "if it is right" He will bring it to pass "AT THE RIGHT TIME," and if it isn't right, God will work His plans for what is the very best for you. We must learn to trust God completely if we ever want to experience peace in this life. As we learn to fully trust Him, we find ourselves living with greater patience than we ever thought imaginable. Listen, God wants you to not only trust Him in some things, but to trust Him in EVERYTHING. Your greatest trial or tragedy can grow your faith beyond all your comprehension . . . if you will continue to keep your eyes on God through it all.

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)

Whatever it is you're going through, whatever it is you're struggling with, know that God is with you. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus said, "I am with you always." God has not forgotten you, nor has He abandoned you. God is good, Jesus is real, and He gave you life on purpose. You were approved by Him and all of your circumstances are sifted through Him before they ever reach you. Whatever it is you're going through, you can know that God has found purpose and significance in it. Draw near to Him during this time of uncertainty . . . continue to wait, to trust, to hope and to lean on God.

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So, while we're in God's "waiting room," so to speak . . . what are we supposed to do? If we're not to get agitated or disturbed, God must want us to do something! And He does. In our times of waiting, along our journey, He wants us to trust that He has a purpose for His delay. Believing God is not just believing Him for the things that you want, in the way that you want them. It's believing that God knows what He's doing and that He'll do what's best in your life . . . in His perfect timing. God wants you to pour out your heart and soul to Him. He wants you to confess your frustration, anger, discouragement, and bitterness. If you refuse to honestly express yourself before God, you cannot fully embrace His love and comfort. Let it out . . . God can take it. Nothing that you're feeling or saying will shock or surprise Him. If you read Psalm 62:8 (AMP), you'll get clear direction as to what God wants you to do in your times of despair, in your times of impatience, it says: "Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). [pause and calmly think of that!]"

So, God wants you to get honest with Him . . . lay it all out, and then He wants you to serve Him. If you're hurting, find someone you can comfort; if you're lonely, go visit someone who is alone; if you're in need, find someone who needs your help. Give and it will be given unto you. God has promised to provide your every need. Listen, don't wait for God to fulfill your desire to answer your prayers before you serve Him. When you step out to meet the needs of others, you are allowing the love, mercy, and grace of God to flow in and through you and God will bless you for it.

While you wait on God, He wants you to prepare yourself for His answer, by seeking Him and finding contentment in your current circumstances. If you are enjoying your life "as is," then you're demonstrating your faith in Him regardless of what you see. You're showing Him you are ready to receive what He has for you; you're showing Him you know how to walk by faith.

When you walk by faith, you're showing God gratitude and thanks, declaring your faith in Him, living out your belief that He is sovereign. You know, there is no such thing as God being "almost" sovereign. So if we're truly trusting God, if we're believing that He is who He says He is, if we believe He is sovereign . . . then our Spirit and soul should be content. In Philippians 4:11-12, the Apostle Paul said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." Here's the secret, it's trusting God . . . it's relying on Him for your every need. It's walking by faith and not by sight. It is contentment that is firmly grounded in Christ.

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Listen, waiting on God is never wasted time . . . it doesn't mean doing nothing. God can use the "waiting times" in our lives for greater purposes than we can possibly imagine. Use your "waiting" times to draw nearer to Him and use them to gain strength for what lies ahead. While we wait upon God, He's getting us in step with Him, He's working behind the scenes, and He's preparing us for His answers to our prayers. Trust God, He won't let you down.

Although it can often times seem like time is being wasted, like nothing is happening, and possibly God has forgotten about us . . . We must get the facts straight, so that we do not live a lie. We must clearly understand that if we're declaring our faith in God, He never lets go. You see it's not that God has abandoned us; it's that many times, too often, we abandon Him.

There is nothing more important in your life than living a life of Truth . . . living a life that is grounded in God's Promises for your life; if you do not, you are sure to travel the road of destruction. If you're being patient with God, then you're fully trusting in Him, you're walking by faith and NOT by sight.

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While you're waiting on God to work His plans in your life, you can increase your faith by trusting in Romans 8:28. I says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." He didn't say that "some things" are useful to God and others are wasted. He's saying He will use it ALL. The good and the bad, the pain and the joy, the fullness and the emptiness . . . He will use it all. It's not just that God is working His good purposes, it's that He's working thing for YOUR good too.

Now, some might be tempted to believe that God can't be such a loving God when He allows tragedy and heartache, but the Truth is that we live in a fallen world, filled with sin; God's desire is to reconcile that world to Himself. As He works to open the hearts of His people, there are hearts that shut Him out, and there is darkness in the world in which we live. But if we are calling upon God, He promises that He is with us . . . and whatever we must go through . . . He is with us always. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. God is watching over your life.

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Here's a little story, I think you'll enjoy . . . and hopefully you'll take its message with you in your life.

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived . . . His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal, and on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flash in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he could show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."

We can relate in our lives as we reflect upon God's love for us. The enemy has been pulling on us, tugging on us, and we have scars. We have scars of a painful past, of sins that have left their mark. But what we must never forget is that some of those wounds are because God refused to let go. In the midst of all that you've been through, God has been holding on to you.

While you're "waiting" on God in your life, as you're struggling with the difficult circumstances in your life, God wants to increase your faith and draw you near to Him. He wants to better reveal Himself to you and bring you to a place of contentment and peace, knowing that He is holding on to you. He is in control, and He is overseeing and working in and through every detail of your life. You may not be able to understand His ways, you may not even get a glimpse of what He's up to, but if you're trusting in His Word, you can know with confident assurance that He is working all things for your good, He is with you always, and He will never leave you nor forsake you.

By Daniel Yoder
2-10-12

An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. Proverbs 19:28

The Lord is a God of truth (Deut. 32:4). He demands honesty and truthfulness in all your dealings. You must tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, especially when you speak about others. Those who deceive or lie when they are witnesses show their scorn of God and justice and a greedy appetite for sin. They will have their reward, for both God and men despise such wicked fools. (Proverbs 19:29, 22:10, 24:9 and Is 29:20-21)

When you are asked about another person, you make a choice that reveals your character. You either tell the careful truth about the situation, or you compromise the truth in order to protect yourself or a friend, secure an advantage, or exact revenge. If you answer falsely to those in authority or in need of information, you reveal yourself as a scorner of judgment - thinking it a thing of little worth, without respect or regard for it. God forbid!

The devil is a liar and the father of lying (Gen. 3:4, John 8:44). When you corrupt or misrepresent matters about another person, you are an ungodly witness obeying the devil (Ephg. 2:1-3, Acts 5:3). You must think justice and righteousness are jokes, for you scornfully treat them as nothing by your actions. But the LORD of truth declared in the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not bear false witness." (Ex. 20:'6)]

Perjury is no small matter to the LORD of heaven and earth. He hates false witnesses. Believe it! God condemned them often in the Bible(Prov. 10:18, 25:18, Ex. 23:1,7, Lev. 19:11, 16). False witnesses will pay, here and hereafter (Prov. 19:5,9, Prov. 21:28, Rev. 21:8,27). His fury against lying includes backbiting, slandering, tale-bearing, and whispering - crimes once called gossip euphemistically, but now nearly forgotten. How are these sins related to lying? They involve the use of the tongue to destroy others.

What happened to false witnesses under God's civil laws? The punishment at stake was executed on the perjurer. If we assume a capital trial for murder, a false witness would be executed (Deut 19:16-21)! If an eyeball was at stake, a perjurer had his eye gouged out. Perfect! Wise men quickly perceived that witnesses in god's legal system would learn to tell the whole truth. In fact, honesty in court and legal dealings would rise dramatically.

Those who lie about others have no regard for equity, fairness, justice, or righteousness, so God labels them scorners - a despicable type of perverse fool that is beyond help. He describes their mouths, which easily and quickly pour out wicked insinuations and false reports, as devouring iniquity. They are flagrant and greedy sinners without consciences, who will lie without remorse or worry whenever convenient, for gain or revenge.

Reader, do you despise false witnesses? Do you always tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Here is the proof: what do you do when you hear someone misrepresent another person? Do you get angry, warn them or their wickedness, and cut them off (Prov. 25:23, PS 101:5, Thessalonian 5:14)? If you do not, you are an accomplice in their sin, for listening or reading their lies or slander is a sin itself (Prov. 17:4).

Praise God for the FAITHFUL and THE TRUE WITNESS at the right hand of God (Rev. 3:12, 19:11). He will soon declare the true facts about all of our lives, remembering every good and bad thing we have done (Prov. 5:16, ECCL. 12:14, Matt. 25:31-46, II Corinthians. 5:10). But unless your name is in the LAMBS BOOK of LIFE, you will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Rev. 20: 11-15). Is your name there? If you gossip, backbite,spread rumors, and become a slander-monger I would beg Him for mercy (Luke 18:14, John 5-24).

Please look at the new book by Daniel titled "Talebearers - God's Answer to Investigative Reporting." It sells for $6.00, or a special of 3 books for $15.

We believe this book should be read by every Christian, pastors, Sunday School teachers, and be carried in every Christian book store.

By Rebecca Yoder
12-1-11

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness in the heavenly places . . . that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-13

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:6-7

The key that we want to talk about today is the command: "and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13) One of the most difficult problems each one of us will face at sometime in our life is the problem of someone spreading lies about us. We stand in amazement as we see people who have been our friends for years (or so we thought), accept the lies and gossip and turn against us. Most often, the lies and gossip comes from people who we have done much to help in the past. In fact, it seems that the more we do to help someone, the faster he/she will turn against us and spread gossip against us. As you read this and recognize that you yourself have had such a problem, it would be well for you to take a minute and examine your own life. When was the last time you engaged in the spreading of negative things about someone? Things that you have not witnessed yourself, or have exaggerated, or simply accepted gossip from someone else? All of us have fallen into this sin at some time in our life! Take a moment and confess this sin to God and receive forgiveness before you read any further.

When we find ourselves in this sort of trouble, it is time to refresh our memories of these two scriptures written above. Many times all we can do is simply stand. Stand humble before God, walking quietly in humility keeping our own mouths shut tight. Stand, and let God defend you. I first learned this lesson many years ago. I was just 20 years old and had just graduated from college with a degree and became a registered nurse. An older woman in my class had befriended me and highly recommended that I go to work at the local university medical center on the night shift. She extolled to me the advantages of working there because I would learn so much. I took her advice and got a job at that hospital and began to work as a night float nurse. That meant that each night I worked on a different unit, where ever more help was needed, or someone had called in sick. The woman who so strongly recommended that I work there took six weeks off after graduation before returning to work in the same hospital. She had worked there in a lesser position than a registered nurse for some years before returning to school. She returned to work to find me settled in and comfortable in the job. I don't know exactly what happened to her, but within a couple of weeks she began to spread all kinds of lies about me. Now, a hospital night shift is a tight community, and gossip spreads very quickly. Almost overnight, I found that I did not have a friend left in the whole hospital. I was shocked and dismayed.

Praise God, I had a very wise and godly father at the time. I went to my parents in tears and told them what was happening. I wanted to quit my job and go to work somewhere else. My father listened to all I had to say, then asked, "So, are you guilty of doing the things this woman is accusing you of doing?"

"No, I am not! I have never done any of those things!" I replied angrily.

"Then you will NOT quit your job. That is not acceptable to the Lord. You will stand according to Ephesians six, and trust the Lord to defend you. Humble yourself and trust God. If you quit, you are admitting to guilt."

I was not happy with my father's advice, but I followed it. Because of the attitude of the other employees who accepted the gossip, the supervisors assigned me to work in the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit, a unit that I hated because most of the cases were hopeless! I worked there for 6 months, very quietly I might add. It was not easy. At the end of the six months, the other woman who started the whole trouble did something, I don't remember what, and was fired. Shortly after that I returned to working the other units, and quickly the employees forgot the gossip and lies and became my friends again. In another year I was promoted to be one of the night supervisors. God had exalted me in due time.

When my first book was published, I was astounded at the number of people who not only disagreed with me, but seemed to then dedicate their lives to destroying me. The lies flew fast and furious. I found myself spending hours carefully answering many letters asking me question after question about all the various lies being spread about me. Finally, the brother who was sort of my spiritual mentor at the time took me in hand and said, "Rebecca, why are you spending hours writing all those letters defending yourself? Don't you know that the people asking the questions are not really interested in your defense? They simply want to take up your time. For every question you answer, they will have five more. You need to follow Nehemiah's example."

I realized that he was right! For every question I answered, the person always had at least three more, they were never satisfied. I studied the book of Nehemiah and learned an important lesson. Nehemiah was sent by God to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The enemies of the Jews did not want the wall rebuilt. They did everything they could to stop the work. When nothing worked, finally they contacted Nehemiah and said, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them saying, 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" (Nehemiah 6:2-3) The Lord spoke to me and said, "Why are you taking time away from the work I have given to you to do to answer all those questions about the lies against you? Simply stand and trust me to defend you." This is what I have done ever since. It is God's job to defend me!

"Yes," you may be saying, "but the gossip against me is continuing. It never seems to stop!"

The same is true in our lives. Daniel and I have experienced this ever since we got married. First people said our marriage would never last. Well, we have been married 22 years now. Then they accused us of everything else imaginable. As we simply stand quietly and humbly before the Lord, one set of gossip and lies dies down only to have someone else bring up something different. First one person and then another, first one thing, then another. Satan's kingdom never runs out of lies! Jesus told Satan that he is the father of all lies. The temptation is to quit and run. But the fact is that you cannot leave your troubles behind, they will surely follow you wherever you go. Daniel and I have lived for more than 20 years in the same area now. Time and again there have been waves of gossip and lies spread about us by different people. Always as we stand firm and walk quietly and humbly, that particular set of lies comes to an end, and the very people who started them sometimes come back and act friendly to us, some even telling us that they were wrong.

One example happened a little more than five years ago when the Lord gave Daniel a vision to build a drag strip as an outreach ministry to the unsaved who would never set foot into a church. We had no idea that Satan would fight so hard against us. We used all our finances plus borrowed money to build the project. When we were half way through construction, some of the people in the area rose up against us and took us to court and managed to stop the construction. We ended up in a three month very expensive court battle. During that time, one of the women of the group (all of whom claimed to be Christians) started writing letters to the editor in our local newspaper. Our nearest town is a town of only 2,500 people. In a rural setting such as this, everyone knows everyone, and gossip spreads throughout the community like lightening. The local newspaper comes out once per week, and everyone reads it. This woman wrote letters to the editor falsely accusing Daniel and me of everything imaginable. She accused us by name, and told people to go to certain web sites that publish vicious lies about us as proof of her accusations. Of course, many people who read her letters accepted them as being true and turned against us. A number of local businesses told us that they did not want us coming into their place of business any more.

Week after week, this woman sent in her letters, and the paper printed them. Week after week, Daniel and I simply stood and waited on the Lord. It was so very difficult! Finally, after several weeks, the Holy Spirit directed us to send in a response. We wrote a brief letter to the editor saying that we wished to respond to Mrs. So and So who had been accusing us of many things. We wrote: Mrs. So and So, we just want you to know that we fully and freely forgive you for all the false and negative things you have been writing about us. It is our prayer that our Lord Jesus Christ will richly bless you and bring you peace." That was the end of her letters to the editor! She never wrote another one! AND, we never heard another word from anyone in our area about the lies that she had written. Praise God! As we stood in forgiveness, fulfilling Luke 6:28, and prayed for God to bless her, the Lord defended us. We won the court case, finished the construction and opened up the drag strip. Many lives have been changed through this work.

One day as I stood against yet another set of lies against me on an Internet web site, I asked the Lord, "Lord, why don't you get these people off the Internet? They have managed to get many of my speaking engagements canceled! They have been spreading lies about me for over 25 years!"

The Lord answered me from Psalm 23:5-6, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, All the days of my life" Then the Lord said, "I will not remove your enemies, instead I will bless you in their presence!" And so He has.

Daniel and I will both testify to you that God is faithful! It takes time and is very difficult. Usually we lose people who we thought were our friends, but as we remind ourself of this important lesson, and simply stand humbly before the Lord, He defends and blesses us every time.

God What Am I Doing Here?
By Daniel Yoder
8-18-11

Have you ever asked yourself the question since becoming a Christian and going to work in His Kingdom: "Lord what am I doing here? What's the use? Did I make the right decision in becoming a Pastor, an Evangelist, a Teacher or even a Missionary?"

 After all everybody we minister to seems to be unresponsive. They are so taken up with their own lives, and become self-centered. Does it seem to you at times that you're on a mission that is hopeless?

 Do you question "God what are you doing?" Why have you sent me to try and minister to these people? After all God I don't seem to be able to get through to them. I'm not accomplishing anything. I'm useless; my little bit seems to just be a drop in a bucket. It's hardly worth my time!

 Are you starting to have doubts about the worth of your work? Or even about your own worth? Do you feel doubts about your own significance? Do you not feel like a small child who can hardly say or do anything? Do you have doubts about your own competence in doing the work that God expects you to do?

 Again you ask, "God what are you doing? WHY??? How can it all make sense? God what is your purpose in my life? God what is your purpose in my life when I feel so absolutely weak and insignificant all the time? What is  Your purpose for sending me out as a Pastor, an Evangelist, as a Teacher or a Missionary? Why have you placed me here? How does all this fit together with your plan in my life?"

 This is the way I'm feeling as I write this Tidbit. It's been a long hard two weeks. Let me try and explain what has happened in these last two weeks. As most of you know I'm a drag racer I have a car I race each Saturday trying to share the Gospel. There is one particular racer who does not like me; we got called out to race each other in a grudge match. I got my car ready, or I thought it was ready. I went to test and tune it for the race. I wasn't satisfied with it so I tried a few other tricks to make it run faster. I had several racers from our track; go with me to the grudge race. I lost by .1090 sec.  It was a very close race. Since then I've lost the friendship of those that I have been working with for 5 years. I've been asking God why I lost, why the friends I thought I had turned against me. WHY???

 That wasn't the end of it. I took the car down to a race car builder in Little Rock; I wanted to find out why some of my components didn't work. As I backed the car out of the trailer the carburetor linkage stuck on the car which made it speed up when I was trying to slow it down. I backed into a lot of equipment and another man's race car before I could get mine shut down. The damage I did was costly to say the least. No one was hurt, only my pride and my spirit.

Again, WHY GOD? Why did this happen? That's where this lesson starts.   

Back to the Basics

 I had to get back to the basics of why I'm here; I had to regain my perspective. To once again try and understand why I'm here. And to understand what God's purpose is for my life, and the lives around me. The bottom line, the truth of the matter is, God has a MISSION. He is a MISSIONARY GOD! He is out to have a family for Himself from all the people of the world. Your past doesn't matter. He is going to accomplish rising up a FAMILY just for HIM. And He will accomplish IT! And nothing or no one is going to stop Him. It is going to be done by His ZEAL. 

You and I are supposed to be part of His vital plan, a vital part, of accomplishing His mission. 

While God sees the world as full of rebels, He has another and very different perspective: He is accomplishing a task. He is at work and He will not nor cannot fail at what He is doing.o:p> 

We need to desperately find a way to see life through God's eyes. To see that we live among rebels, among spiritual apathy, among a majority who do not know the truth, and we need to see through the eyes of faith as to what God will accomplish. Then we need to see our part in God's overall plan. This is the only way we will be able to have value or worth in what we are doing, to have a genuine sense of significance in the seemingly little that we do, and to believe that through us something of eternal value will take place. This will then keep us going strong even when we are tempted to give up and quit, or feel discouraged with ourselves and everyone around us. 

All of this is happening because of who God is. Without a shadow of doubt God's very nature is LOVE. And true love cannot remain passive or silent. We see the world in a huge mess, with people doing their own thing, without the fear of God, going their own way, totally without the true knowledge of what life is all about, or about where they are headed in their indifference and rebellion. These are the very same people who will love you and be your friend one day, and turn against you the next. They will look only at your mistakes, not at what you can and have done. They look at your mistakes so that they can hide and not consider their own. 

But God knows that among all these rebellious people, He is calling out a people upon whom He can lavish His LOVE. 

It is so important that we base all that we are doing here upon this one foundation: We are here to do God's mission, not our mission, BUT GOD'S MISSION. We are, so that through us, He might be able to show His love to a great multitude of people, whether it be local at a ball park, in a store, in church, even at a drag strip, you can even be in the military deployed somewhere. It can be where ever you are at work and even what you like to do for a pass time. Through YOU, GOD shows HIS LOVE. He shows HIS LOVE wherever He has placed you. He does it through our faithful sharing, through our helping hands, through our ear, listening to one who is wounded in spirit. Through YOU He will have the pleasure of showing His INCREDIBLE LOVE for all eternity to these people.  

GOD'S MISSION

 God's mission is to have a people He can lavish His love to.

 "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.  The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."  Deuteronomy 7:6-8

 This is the truth that I believe God wants us to lay hold of today.

  The Bible declares very clearly that God is by very nature LOVE.

"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."  1 John 4:8

 The Bible sums it up in John 3:16:

 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

Again God proclaims Himself over and over again in such words as those found in the following scriptures:

 "And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generations.'  So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped."  Exodus 34:6-8

 "The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy."   Psalm 103:8

 "The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,

Slow to anger and great in mercy.

The LORD is good to all,

And His tender mercies are over all His works."  Psalm 145:8-9

 "Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens;

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the great mountains;

Your judgments are a great deep;

O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!

Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,

And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.

For with You is the fountain of life;

In Your light we see light."  Psalm 36:5-9

 One of the primary biblical pictures of God is as a LOVER.  This is a profound and important revelation of God which we need to keep meditating upon for the rest of our lives - though not seeing "love" in the worldly sense but in the purest sense as taught us in the Scriptures and revealed to us in the Person of Jesus.

 I invite you to meditate with me on two simple truths and realities:

 Firstly, I want us to meditate on the truth that GOD'S LOVE IS ALWAYS SEEKING TO FIND AND EXPRESS ITSELF TOWARDS THE OBJECTS OF ITS LOVE.

 So why does God want a people for Himself?  Because He MUST have a people like Himself whom He can love.  He made man "in His image" - not because He wasn't pleased with the animals that He had made, but rather so that He might have this most intimate relationship with a being like Himself.  David in Psalm 8 writes:  "He made us a little lower than God, and crowned us with glory and majesty."

 God shows His very beautiful and perfect loving nature in so many different ways.  His love is mixed with all His other graces.  For example, He is also a generous Lover, who longs to give His gifts generously to the objects of His love.  "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."  (Titus 3"4-7)  So His people taste His love in the form or shape of His abundant goodness and kindness.

 He is also a merciful and gracious Lover.  He can't help Himself.  He cannot but show His mercy and grace to the objects of His love.  He must find ways to ahow them how gracious He is when they are totally undeserving of His kindness.  Even to the point of allowing them to fall in order to show them His grace in restoring them and lifting them up once again.  What an awesome God!

 AND YOU AND ME ARE AMONG THE PEOPLE UPON WHOM HE HAS ALREADY BEEN POURING HIS LOVE. 

 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved."  Ephesians 1:3-6

 IIt's too wonderful for words.  Just think of why He chose you and set us apart for Himself:

 ·         He wanted to show His incredible kindness towards a people who did not deserve anything, only rejection from a holy God.

·         He wanted to show His power to people who were weak.

·         He wanted to show the greatness of His love to a people who were ugly and without hope.

 How can we hold back out praise?  Our worship of God flows from His love and faithfulness for us, His chosen people.

 "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.   Psalm 100:4-5

 The more we realize the awesomeness of God's love for us, the more we fall down in awe, wonder, love and praise before Him.  And this part of our lives is as important to God as all we want to do for Him.

 f ever we feel that God doesn't love us, this is NOT because God has temporarily withdrawn His love, but rather because our understanding and appreciation of how God loves is so shallow and weak, infected by our own self-love.

 During this past week, I was meditating upon the words of Christ to His disciples just before He was taken to be crucified.  He told them:  "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you."  (John 15:9)  I realized that His disciples knew that He was speaking the absolute truth - that not even for one split second did Jesus lessen His love for them, even when their responses to Him were so "human" and foolish.

 But then I thought to myself:  "What about those times when Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief?  When He called them ‘O you of little faith?'  Couldn't such words from the lips of Jesus be construed as His being really impatient with them?  Was this a moment when Jesus was not loving towards them?

 But then I realized that I am thinking this way because I in my human way of loving feel a conflict between true love and speaking such strong words with someone.  To be loving is to be nice!  To be sugary sweet!  But this isn't true love.  No, Jesus was in reality rebuking His disciples so that they would believe in Him and in His Father, so that they could then enter into the fullness of the pleasures of that divine relationship.

 How we need to let go of our human way of understanding God's love so that we won't misinterpret some of God's actions as being "against us" or "unkind."  ALL His actions towards His called-out ones are totally loving and kind.

 How we need to believe that God loves us ALL THE TIME.  To believe it no matter what our feelings might tell us.  To give up our evil, unbelieving heart that says:  "God cannot love such a poor, weak failure as I am!  I am so imperfect."  Or, "why is He doing this to me?  I must have done something (I don't know what!) so that He is angry towards me!"

 How sad it is when we act towards God like a wife who disbelieves the affirming, loving words of her lover-husband, and so cuts off from herself the flow of love that he is wanting to pour out upon her.  "I'm not worthy of this love!  It can't be real!"  And so the much loved wife can miss experiencing the wonderful love of her husband through her unbelief.

 YOU, WE, are His people upon whom God is lavishing His love day and night, unceasingly, 100% love, 100% of the time.  If we feel ourselves to be "unloved," It's not because God's love has dried up.  Rather it's because we have stopped believing, or become consumed with our own selfish desires and interests, and have closed our hert in some way to His love.

 HALLELUJAH!  WHAT AN INCREDIBLE TREUTH!  WHAT A MARVEL THAT GOD SHOULD CHOSE ME/US FROM AMONG ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE EARTH TO BE AMONG THOSE WHO MAY TASTE OF HIS ETERNAL PLEASURES AND RICHES.

 How does all of this link up with GOD'S MISSION AND OUR MISSION?  God as the great LOVER seeks and pursues and finds a people to love from all the peoples on earth - and this is what God is doing.  And this is what we are to be about.

 And this is what He has already accomplished so powerfully all over the world.  We might see "just a little," like a few grains of sand on the vast SEASHORE, BUT IN REALITY, ALL OVER THE WORLD God has already been doing great things in bringing many to Himself.  His mission is being accomplished and it will be completed, perhaps even in our life-time.

 The work that He has for us to do isn't primarily just going out there to preach the Gospel, to witness to others, to "do," to "work" for Him.  We are out there so that through us,. People might hear of His love for them, and then become like us, RECIPIENTS OF HIS INTENSE AND IMMENSE LOVE.

 We are a small but significant part of what God is doing all over the world.  And knowing this will give us a strong sense of the importance of what we are doing, and motivates us to press on even when we feel so small and weak.

 Our task, therefore, is to proclaim the true nature of God's love to the people to whom God has sent us.  To declare His heart to the nations - His heart of love, mercy, kindness, grace, generosity et al.  To call the peoples of every nation to welcome His kindness to them, that He is still showing His great patience to the peoples, that instead of pouring out His wrath upon them, He is still giving them time to repent.

 He is faithful in His calling people to Himself.  We don't have to worry about the "success" of our Mission - how many people He draws to Himself through our preaching, teaching and witnessing.  That's HIS business.

 This reminds us again that our mission to the world cannot fail.

 For that very reason, God calls us, His workers, to remember how kind He has been to us, how faithful He has been despite our faithlessness, how powerfully He rescued us form a life of hopelessness and misery.  And to believe that He is able to accomplish the same work in others, and He is - and He will - and through us, weak and ordinary people.

 For is this way, He manifests His power and draws forth praise from among us - as we realize the great things that He is doing through weak vessels, all we can say in response is:  THIS MUST BE OF GOD.  PRAISE BE TO HIS NAME!

 Remember, doubt is sin, and we are responsible to control our thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5).  When you allow doubts to fill your mind, then you live your life in a vicious circle of defeat.  (James 1:6-8)  So if today you are here with questions and doubts, let's admit openly to God that we've had these, but then let the Word of God renew our faith and trust in God - our LOVER, and the God who is at work all over the world in order to have a people upon whom He can lavish His love - and who will then love Him in return.

Wanting To Be Understood
By Daniel Yoder
7-6-11

Every person alive craves to be understood. When we feel understood, we feel secure; we feel safe. We particularly want to be understood at times when we've done something that other people might see as out of bounds, or even against the law. That's why someone whose car has been stopped by a state trooper will often immediately roll down the window and start explaining just why he was driving too fast. "Officer, I guess I must have been speeding, but my speedometer doesn't work! It started acting crazy yesterday, and I can't get it fixed until day after tomorrow. You're not going to give me a ticket are you?"

Who understands you the best? Your spouse? Your children? Most of all, we want God to understand us. We believe that Jesus understands us perfectly because He went through everything we go through. He experienced temptations of the kind that aren't limited by history or culture, but have been common to people in every age. Jesus confronted more temptations in His life than just the three we hear about -- but we're going to look at these well-known three because I think we'll see elements in each that are not unique to Jesus. They apply to us too.

Before we talk about the three temptations though, we need to recognize that God sent His Son Jesus into the world to blaze a trail for us to follow. That's a simple way of describing the ministry of Jesus. He has gone ahead of us to create a path we can follow to find our way home to God. It's essential for us to learn from Jesus' face-off with Satan in the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry, because when anybody gets serious about following Jesus, we're going to encounter just what He did: a forced choice between good and evil in circumstances where the real evil appears totally harmless - even logical and desirable (as in the first temptation -- while the good looks uninteresting or even repugnant.

After He had been baptized, the Spirit of God led Jesus into the Judean desert, where He fasted for a very long time - forty days. Fasting, then and now, is a discipline meant to direct the fasting person's attention to the truth that we human beings are body and spirit, "spiritual animals" you might say, who need intangible nourishment for the spirit just as much as we need physical food for the body. In His severe hunger, the Tempter came to Jesus and said, "If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." Why is there a problem here? Jesus had been fasting forty days. Wasn't that enough? There's nothing wrong with eating food when you're hungry, is there?

No. Food is good, not bad. But there's something else going on here, something hidden by the obvious rightness of a hungry person being permitted to eat: there's a temptation to ignore God's will. The Son of God had been sent into the world to share our human condition - in every way - in order to guide us to the Father. No personal privileges. No special treatment. He's fully human, and therefore had to obey human limitations. Jesus never used His power as God to benefit Himself. In this episode we see Jesus tempted to use His special relationship with God as a kind of magic wand to supply His merely private needs: to assuage His physical hunger. He was tempted to sidestep the normal discomforts of bodily human life - which was one of the conditions His Father had set for Him. But since Jesus' mission from God was to blaze a trail that we could follow, He had to do it with all of our mortal limitations in place. He had to be our brother, share our life. And we can't turn stones into bread.

We're often enticed to ignore God's will, but the greatest similarity between Jesus' first temptation and ours is this: to focus whatever powers we have at our disposal on simply satisfying our appetite for the desirable things of this world, to settle for the comfort they can give us, rather than endure the dis-comfort and dis-ease that always go along with waiting (and waiting and waiting) for God to fill the hollow places in our soul and provide us with the things we have been asking for. Jesus replied to Satan with the words of Moses, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." The temptation for people of every age has been "to live by bread alone." That is, to always do everything we can to satisfy our personal desires.

Because Jesus used scripture to respond to Satan's first temptation, the Tempter used the Bible to launch the second. He took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and said, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for the scripture says, 'He will command His angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" We could re-phrase the temptation this way, "So you think you're 'the Son of God,' do you? How do you know? Can you prove it? Jump off the temple! If you're God's Son He'll surely send angels to catch you, since He promised He would - right in the same Bible where it says people can live on God's words just as well as they can on bread."

Again Jesus is tempted to bypass His Father's plan, to violate the terms of His mission to lead humanity home to God while sharing all human limitations. But this second temptation is also much like one that comes to every believer, since we always must deal with doubt: "Maybe I'm deluded. Maybe the atheists are right, and there is no God. How can I know for sure?"

The Tempter asks us, "How do you know God answers prayers? Here's a test that should settle the question. You're a diabetic ( . . . or you have cancer, or have had a stroke, or some other health issue), so just very sincerely ask God to heal you. If you're healed, then God is real, beyond doubt. If you're not healed, well then you've been deceived about God. Or maybe God is real but He doesn't care that much about you." Jesus answered Satan by saying, "The scripture says, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" We might no know the Bible well enough to give that answer, but we should know enough to give this one: "God calls us to live by faith, and the opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty." Requiring God to prove Himself by healing me puts me in charge of the conditions under which I encounter the reality of God. That makes God a means to an end dictated by me! But God will not let Himself become my "magic tool." He requires me to live this life of faith without any earthly security, and Jesus shows me that I can grow spiritually through facing the reality of suffering. Christ did not promise to deliver us from every pain, but He DID promise to be with us in everything we suffer. The experience of His presence is a joy, a good greater than any other.

With the third temptation Satan stops trying to sow doubt in Jesus, and tries instead to persuade Him that He could accomplish His life's goals much more easily by using the power of what you and I might call "the Dark Side." He shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and says, "If you will just worship me, I will give you all of this." This temptation must have presented itself to Jesus again and again! Jesus was a naturally charismatic man. He could have created a revolutionary movement and played a political power game. He could have manipulated Herod, or Pilate, or the Sanhedrin. He could have been a Machiavellian realist and has "real" power - soldiers and secret police. He could have made people behave!

Seduction like this "from the Dark Side" comes even to well-meaning Christian parents, pastors, and politicians. And it has come repeatedly to the Church. The medieval papacy yielded to the temptation to wield political power, to compel people to practice what the Church regarded as "the only way." Too many religious leaders in America these days seem to be suffering from a similar temptation. Satan's rule is "always maximize your power," use all the power you have to get your way, no matter how you apply it. You're justified is what you're doing is God's work. Satan tempts the pastors by saying, "If you only preach about the 'good' things in the Bible, the happy things, then more people will come to the church and look for God. If you preach about sin and negative things, your church won't grow and people won't come to God"

Jesus' third answer to the Tempter was again from the Bible and its simple: "You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him." Jesus was tempted to value only the "ends" and disregard the "means" used to attain them. We're tempted in precisely the same way. But for Christ and for us, the highest goal and ultimate good is GOD alone. And we reach God by following the path that Jesus created for us by His life, death, and resurrection - a path which entails the very opposite of maximizing our power. He says, "If any of you want to become my followers, then deny yourselves, take up your cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lost it, but those who love their life for my sake will find it."

Be encouraged; KNOW that Jesus understands your struggles and temptations. Safely and security comes to you when you follow the examples that Jesus set for us when He lived and walked here on earth as a man.

IS YOUR GOD ABLE?
6-29-11

"Oh Daniel, is your GOD, whom ye serve, ABLE to deliver you out of the mouth of the LIONS?"

This is the question for each one of us today to consider - Is our God ABLE to save us, "because your adversary the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

King Darius, the foolish king who passed the law to force all to worship him, didn't realize that his foolish pride would lead to having the best man in his court thrown to the lions.

"And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?'" Daniel 6:20

What was Daniel's answer? "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him: and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." Daniel 6:22

Daniel's God is able to deliver!

Our question, "is OUR GOD ABLE?" is so pertinent to each one of us and it is a question that each one of us has to decide for himself. God has given much evidence for us to look at and we can hear the testimony of others who have experienced God's faithfulness.

Down in our hearts we each know that we cannot deliver ourselves from the lions of sin and death - our good intentions and resolutions are "as ropes of sand." It is a fact that even "self improvement" teachers with their "pick yourself up by your own bootstraps" theories, are unable to bring the desired improvement into their own life and often have more troubles than their students! ". . . they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." (Matthew 15:14)

We are going to look at what God tells us He is ABLE to do for each one of us as well as the way to receive that deliverance, and listen to testimony from those who have experienced His faithfulness and hear them affirm - "Our God IS able!"

Wolves Into Sheep

Suppose a wolf should one day, after watching peaceful sheep, decide that this is how an animal should live. So he goes down to the pasture and pulling a wooly sweater over his shaggy body, he climbs over the fence and begins to try to eat grass with the flock.

He tries as hard as he can, but the grass sticks in his teeth and he gets restless lying quietly in the sun. At night as he hears other wolves howling, he twitches and it is so hard for him to sleep peacefully like the rest of the flock. He struggles to push down his aggressiveness but every time a fat lamb grazes close to him, he catches himself drooling.

One day a pack of his old buddies race past and before he knows it, he leaps the fence and races to join them. Later he returns to the flock, head down and dejected and so sorry to have failed in his resolve. As he is lying under a bush, so dejected at his failure and wishing to die, he hears a loving voice, and lifting his shaggy head with the tatters of the wooly sweater dangling around his neck, gazes into the face of the lovely Creator.

"Wolf," He says kindly, "If you truly want to be one of My sheep, you must be born again, recreated as a sheep, for "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil?" (Jeremiah 13:23)

The wolf approaches the Creator, head down and repentant. "I can do nothing to change myself, I know, I have tried, and I get nowhere. Please, dear Creator, recreate me as one of your sheep."

When the wolf was recreated he found a wonderful joy in being a sheep and doing sheep things. The grass was delicious; he enjoyed the company of the other sheep and no longer desired any part of his old ways.

"Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'." John 3:3

The Bible Answers Your Questions

What's the big deal about sin anyway? Aren't most people basically good?

"Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God." Matthew 19:17

"Then the lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5

"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!" Job 14:4

All I really need to do is follow my conscience and my heart will guide me, right?

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12

God expects us to 'use our own heads' and be smart, right?

"But He answered and said, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word." Psalm 119:9

"Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11

Well, if that is the case, how can I be saved?

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them,. 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

"Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22

" . . . if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

But I have done wrong things and what is worse, a lot of the time; I don't even feel like obeying God. It seems unreal to me."

". . . but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness." 1 Corinthians 1:23

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14

That's just it, it doesn't make sense to me - what can I do?

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

But that is impossible for me.

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: 'I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,' then He adds, 'Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.'" Hebrews 10:16-17

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:25-27

How do I get this new heart?

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

"And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive." Matthew 21:22

"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24

If it is so easy, how come everybody isn't saved from sin?

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:5-7

O.K., and where do I get this faith?

" . . . God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Romans 12:3

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'" Mark 9:24

"If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed," said Jesus, "you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.'" (Matthew 17:20) Even though the grain of mustard seed is so small, it contains that same mysterious life principle which produces growth in the loftiest tree. When the mustard seed is planted into the ground, the tiny germ lays hold of every element that God has provided for its nutriment, and it speedily develops a sturdy growth. If you have faith like this, you will lay hold of God's word, and upon all the helpful agencies He has appointed. Thus your faith will strengthen and will bring to your aid the power of heaven. The obstacles that are piled by Satan across your path though apparently as insurmountable as the eternal hills shall disappear before the demand of faith. "Nothing shall be impossible for you." (Matt. 17:20)

Is there anything that could stop me from receiving what God wants to give me?

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear." Psalm 66:18

". . . and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

But I feel so rebellious sometimes - what can I do?

God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the powers and faculties given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to bring our purposes and desires and inclinations into harmony with the will of God: but if we are "willing to be made willing," the Savior will accomplish this for us. We must ask Him for His help, and then obey His command that tells us to "cast down arguments and every high thing [thought] that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

I am willing to be made willing! Tell me more.

"And when He had come into the house the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to Him, 'Yes Lord.' Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'According to your faith let it be to you.'" Matthew 9:28-29

There is no limit with God to save and to set us free from sin and recreate us. If we are willing to have sin removed from us - even if we can't see how we can give up our darling sins, if we ask God to take from us the love for sin and put enmity in our hearts for it, we will be freed from its power! ("And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." Genesis 3:15)

". . . that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:17-21

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

So what is the secret of having a living relationship with God?

". . . by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . " 2 Peter 1:4

"To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life." Luke 1:74-75

"Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." 1 Samuel 17:45-46

"Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.'" Mark 9:23

THERE IS NO GIANT OF SIN OR TROUBLE IN YOUR LIFE THAT CAN STAND AGAINST THE POWER OF GOD CLAIMED BY FAITH IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST!

The great secret of how to do it.

1. How do I stretch forth the withered hand?
Mark 3:5 " . . . stretch forth your hand . . ."

2. How do I become clean?
Mark 1:41 " . . . Be thou clean."

3. How am I supposed to keep from sinning?
John 8:11 " . . . Go and sin no more."

4. How am I supposed to get off my sick bed?
Matthew 9:6 " . . . Arise, take up thy bed . . ."

5. How am I supposed to be perfect?
Matthew 5:48 " . . . Be ye therefore perfect . . . "

6. How am I supposed to have faith in God if I can't see Him?
Mark 11:22 " . . . Have faith in God."

7. How am I supposed to believe?
Mark 5:36 " . . . Only believe."

You make the CHOICE, God gives the POWER!

As the will of man co-operates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings."

If our God - is not able, then we are doomed to perish miserably, and eternally in outer darkness -

But PRAISE HIS NAME!

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25

OUR GOD IS ABLE!

A Soldier's Duty For Christ
6-2-11

"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3

"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:4

The image that these verses place in our mind is that of a "good soldier." A good soldier has been trained to do one thing, perform his duty!

The word duty means "obligatory task."

1. The duty of a soldier is to submit to authority.

1. All soldiers have a number, uniform, and hair cut. This is to take away individuality. To make a man they must strip him of his own identity to take on the one they want to give him. He is given commands that push his self- will - such as, clean the commodes with a toothbrush, dig a hole and then fill it up again, etc.
2. His mind is changed for him. He has to learn to think right.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

Everything that God allows inside the protective hedge of our life is to bring our will into conformity with His.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." Romans 8:29

1. John the Baptist - "I must decrease that He may increase"
2. Jesus told Peter - "follow me and I will make you a fisher of men:
3. Jesus said of Himself - "I must do the will of Him who sent me"

The soldier has his will broken so that he will perform his duty according to the authority that will be over him.

2. The duty of a soldier is to maintain his character.

1. Loyal - he takes an oath to honor the constitution and to serve his commander in chief.
2. Obedient - carries out his orders.
3. Faithful - "sempher phidelis" -- always faithful - is the motto of the marines
4. Denies himself - "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."' Matthew 16:24

3. The duty of a soldier is to bear arms. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4

1. Sword of the Spirit - The Word of God " . . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" Ephesians 6:17 "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
2. Praying in the Spirit "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit . . ." Ephesians 6:18
3. Releasing of our faith

   "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon nd Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:" Hebrews 11:32

   "who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions," Hebrews 11:33

   "quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." Hebrews 11:34

   "Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection." Hebrews 11:35

4. The use of the name of Jesus - "in my name you shall cast out . . ."

4. The duty of a soldier is to lay down his life if necessary.

1. Paul said, "to live is Christ to die is gain."
2. Other "unknown soldiers" suffered for the cause. "Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment." Hebrews 11:36

   "They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented" Hebrews 11:37

   "of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth." Hebrews 11:38

3. We are included:

   "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 1 John 3:16

   Why give your life? You perceive the love of God.
   "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us . . ." 1 John 3:1

   Therefore we count it not only duty but joy to fulfill . . . .

   "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

   The Anointing
   5-9-11
   

   Each book of the Bible has its own anointing from God. I've had some people ask me why every book of the Bible is important, and why they should read them all. Each book is something special. The Bible as a whole is important! The following is an outline of some of the anointings in each book. In my up coming book Behold I Stand At The Door And Knock, I wrote:

   "The Bible is not just one big book, but actually a collection of 66 smaller books written over a period of at least 1600 years by about 40 different authors. Everything they wrote was inspired by God. In the front of your Bible is a Table of Contents which lists the names of the books of the bible. The Bible is divided into two sections: the first section which contains three-fourths of the Bible is called the Old Testament; the second section is called the New Testament.

   The New Testament reveals to us Jesus and the plan of salvation. The Old Testament reveals to us how God dealt with the nation of Israel. It looks forward to the coming Savior of the world, Jesus. The New Testament starts with the book of Matthew and ends with the book of Revelation. It is divided into four general areas: The first four books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell us the story of Jesus when He was on earth.

   The book of Acts tells us the history of the early church after Jesus' death and resurrection.

   The letters (from Romans to Jude) are correspondence from the early Christian leaders to other churches or individuals.

   The book of Revelations tells us the future story of the end time when Jesus will come back to this world and reign on earth.

   A new believer should always start reading the Bible in the first four books of the New Testament, called the gospels. The book of John is especially easy to understand. Some short letters in the New Testament (also called the epistles) which are helpful to new believers are the books of Philippians, James and 1st John.

   The Old Testament begins with the book of Genesis and ends with Malachi. It is also divided into four general areas:

   The first five books (Genesis to Deuteronomy) tell us the beginning of man and the establishment of the nation of Israel with the promise of the Savior of the world coming from this chosen people. It not only contains the early history of Israel, but also the Law of God as revealed through Moses. For example, Exodus chapter 20 records the Ten Commandments.

   The next twelve books (Joshua to Ester) are the historical books of the nation of Israel after it became a kingdom of Canaan. Two short books in this section which reveal God's hand on the life of the believers, which new Christians will enjoy, are the books of Ruth and Esther.

   The next five books (Job to Song of Solomon) are the books of poetry and wisdom in the Bible. Especially helpful to new believers are the book of Psalms, which was the hymnal or songbook of the nation of Israel;' and Proverbs, which contains the sayings and advice of the wisest king Israel ever had.

   The last seven books (Isaiah to Malachi) are the books of the prophets of Israel who God sent to warn, admonish, and encourage His people toward the end of history of Israel as a nation. A short book in this section which is good for new believers is the book of Jonah.

   I pray this will help you get started on the road to a fellow believer and/or brings you back home from backsliding."

   The Anointing In Every Book Of The Bible

   In Genesis, the Anointing is Abraham's Visitations, Jacobs' ladder, and Joseph's Dreams. * In Exodus, The a Anointing is Moses' Rod that split the Red Sea, the Pillar of Fire by night, and the Glory Cloud by day. * In Leviticus, the Anointing is the Consecration Oil poured on the Priests. * In Numbers, the Anointing is Aarons' Rod that Budded. * In Deuteronomy, the Anointing is Manna raining down from Heaven. * In Joshua, the Anointing is the Steps that Parted the Jordan River and the Trumpet Blast that toppled Jericho's Walls. * In Judges' the Anointing is Samson's Hair, Samson's Jawbone of a Donkey, and Gideon's Fleece. * In Ruth, the Anointing is Boaz's Favor. * In 1 Samuel, the Anointing is Samuel's Horn of Oil, David's Sweet Psalms, and David's Fine Smooth Stone's. * In 2 Samuel, the Anointing is the Touch of God transferred from Mentor to Protege. * In 1 Kings the Anointing is Elijah's Mantle. * In 2 Kings, the Anointing is the Double Portion and the Power that Floated the Axe Head. * In 1 Chronicles, the Anointing is a release of Tons and Tons of Gold and Silver for the work of God. * In 2 Chronicles, is the Glory of the Lord filling God's House at its Completion. * In Ezra, the Anointing is the Prompting to Rebuild God's Temple and City. * In Nehemiah, the Anointing is the Courage to Finish the Work. * In Esther, the Anointing is the Scepter of Favor extended to her by the King. * In Job, the Anointing is Twice as much as he had before. * In Psalms, the Anointing is the Oil of Joy to Praise the Lord. * In Proverbs, the Anointing is Transferred down from Parents, and Transferred between Friends. * In Ecclesiastes, the Anointing makes Everything Beautiful in its Time. * In the Songs of Solomon, the Anointing is Love that cannot be quenched. * In Isaiah, the Anointing is the Coal of Fire that touched his lips. * In Jeremiah, the Anointing is the Fire shut up in my Bones. * In Lamentations, the Anointing is New Every Morning. * In Ezekiel, the Anointing is Visions from God. * In Daniel, the Anointing is Dreams from God. * In Hosea, the Anointing is the Drawing of Backsliders Back Home to the Lord. * In Joel, the Anointing is the Spirit of God Poured upon All Flesh, both Servants and Handmaidens. * In Amos, the Anointing is the Power of Agreement to Walk Together. * In Obadiah, the Anointing is the Fire and the Flame that Burns in the House of God. * In Jonah, the Anointing is the Grace to Repent. * In Micah, the Anointing is "But as for me, I am filled with Power, with the Spirit of The Lord. * In Nahum, the Anointing is The Book of Visions. * In Habakkuk, the Anointing is the Defining and Writing of the Vision. * In Zephaniah, the Anointing is the Restoration of the Fortunes of God's People.* In Haggai, the Anointing is the Urgency to Build God's House. * In Zechariah, the Anointing is the Oil Flowing from the Golden Lamp Stand into God's Leaders. * In Malachi, the Anointing is Correcting Divorce, and the Failure to Tithe. * In Matthew, the Anointing is the Star that hovered over the Wise Men and led them to Christ. * In Mark, the Anointing is the Power to go Ye, as well as the laying on of Hands to Heal the Sick and cast out devils. * In Luke, the Anointing is the Spirit of The Lord that is upon me to Preach, Heal, Deliver, Open, Comfort, and Gladden. * In John, the Anointing is Jesus' unveiling of the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter. * In Acts, the Anointing is the Tongues of Fire, Trances, Peter's Shadow, and Paul's Aprons that Heal. * In Romans, the Anointing is the Power that Grafts us into the Vine and the Grace beyond our fondest Imaginations. * In 1 Corinthians, the Anointing is the Nine Manifestation Gifts of the Spirit. * In 2 Corinthians the Anointing is the Ability to Endure Hardships for the cause of Christ.* In Galatians, the Anointing is the Working of Miracles through faith alone. * In Ephesians, the Anointing is the Five Fold Ministry of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. * In Philippians, the Anointing is the Exaltation of the Name that is above Every Name. * In Colossians, the Anointing is what made All Things and Holds All Things Together. * In 1 Thessalonians, the Anointing Gets the Church Ready to meet Our Savior. * In 2 Thessalonians, the Anointing is God's Control over the End Times. * In1 Timothy, the Anointing is the Gifts given to You through Prophesy, and the Laying on of Hands of the Leaders. * In 2 Timothy, the Anointing is the Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind. * In Titus, the Anointing is the Blessed Hope of His Glorious Appearing. * In Philemon, the Anointing is Sharing Your Faith. * In Hebrews, The Anointing is what made Jesus the Great High Priest, the Intercessor, the Mediator, and the Head. * In James, the Anointing is the Prayer of Faith that Heals the Sick. * In 1 Peter, the Anointing is the Skill to Feed and Lead the Flock of God. * In 2 Peter, the Anointing is Patience until the Lord Comes Back. * In 1 John, the Anointing is the Fervor inside the Believer to Know All Things. * In 3 John, the Anointing is Prosperity and Health. * In Jude, the Anointing is the Power that showed Enoch the Lord's second coming Millenniums in Advance. * In Revelations, the Anointing is what brings JESUS BACK AGAIN.

   An Hour in Heaven, By Daniel Yoder
   5-4-11
   

   Last night an Angel asked if I would be willing to spend an hour in Heaven. I politely said, "Yes." As the Angel was showing me around we walked into a large room filled with Angels.

   The Angel stopped in front of the first group of other Angels and said, "This is the receiving area. Here, all prayers and petitions to God are received."

   As I looked around this area, it was very busy, with Angels gliding to and fro about the room; they were sorting out the prayers and petitions from all the Christians on earth. The volumes were so large and numerous that I could never imagine God hearing them let alone answering all of them.

   From there we moved down a long hallway until we finally reached another room.

   The Angel spoke to me saying, "This is the packaging and Delivery room. Here, the graces and blessings asked for by Christians are processed and delivered to the Children of God who asked and deserved them."

   Once again I noticed how busy these Angels were. They were working hard and singing praise unto God. I saw that God was answering blessing after blessing and the Angels were flying to and fro from Heaven to the earth and back again by the millions.

   We finally reached the farthest part of the long hallway. When we stopped we were at a very small station. To my great surprise, only one Angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledgement area," the Angel admitted to me. He seemed quite embarrassed when I asked him, "Why is there is no work going on here?"

   "This is a sad situation for us Angels," the Angel answered. "You see, after the Christians receive their blessings that they have prayed for, very few send back a thank you and hardly ever acknowledge that God has answered their prayers or petitions."

   I asked the Angel, "How does one go about acknowledging God's blessings?"

   "Simple," replied the Angel, "YOU THANK HIM. YOU JUST THANK GOD."

   "What blessings should we acknowledge?" I asked.

   The Angel stared at me for a moment the spoke, "If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 80% of the world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthiest."

   "If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... you are more blessed then those who will not even survive this day, and will spend eternity in hell."

   "If you have never experienced the fear of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 700 million people in the world."

   "If you can attend a prayer meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world."

   "If your parents are still alive and still married... you are very rare."

   "If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm; you're unique from those in doubt and despair."

   As the Angel lead me back to earth one last word was spoken. "The lost and dying world has given more and has shown more love than all the churches put together. The Christians and the Churches only want to be blessed, and they never pay or repay a blessing to other Christians. They fight amongst themselves, backbite, gossip, slander and lie about each other. They only want to take and receive. They cry out, "Give to me, and give to build a new sanctuary, a new dinner hall, a monument to honor one of them, a plaque saying how giving they are. So how can they pay God a Blessing, if they can't pay each other one without receiving pat on the back?"

   "Why won't they pay an evangelist to work the streets of the world? Instead evangelists have to go and beg at different Churches just to survive and fulfill their calling."

   "A lot of Angels don't even want to take the blessings to earth anymore. We only do it to obey God. The Christians keep telling each other The Lord is returning soon, and still live a worldly life. All of us Angels have asked God why the Christian continue to build large sanctuaries, putting the members in more debt if Jesus is coming soon? Again if the Christians would help the street evangelists more humans would be saved and not spend eternity in hell. Why aren't Christians each one more concerned to share the gospel with those around them so that these people won't go to hell?"

   This has left me with a lot to think about. I can say for myself I'm guilty of not THANKING GOD enough. How about you? I don't want to leave a legacy to myself; I want GOD to have THE GLORY... not me.

   Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?
   4-18-11
   

   "After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition for a long time, He said to him, 'Do you want to be made well [whole]?'

   The sick man answered Him, 'Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.'

   Jesus said to him, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk.'

   And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, 'It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.'

   He answered them, 'He who made me well said to me, 'Take up your bed and walk.'

   Then they asked him, 'Who is the Man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk?'

   But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, 'See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.'

   The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath."

   Let's face it - this is the side of Jesus that we love the most - the gentle healer who speaks a word of power to us and to our loved ones in the midst of our pain and suffering. We love to sing about our Good Shepherd who leads us into green pastures and beside still waters. And I suppose the longer we live, the more we recognize our need of His healing touch, His guiding and protecting hand.

   So, why would Jesus ask this sick man if he wants to be made whole? It's obvious that he is desperately ill. In fact, he's been basically helpless for 38 years. And although this man's encounter with Christ happened almost 2000 years ago, his experience is not so foreign to our own. Many of us have lived with chronic pain or illness in ourselves or in our loved ones, and we know all too well that such suffering can last as long as or even longer than this sick man's helplessness. "Do you want to be made whole?" Surely Jesus doesn't need to ask such a ridiculous question.

   But maybe this question isn't as silly as it sounds. Have you ever known someone of whom it could be said, "He enjoys poor health?" Don't we all know people who, while they certainly don't enjoy pain, at lest seem to take advantage of ill health to avoid some of the demands that life places on them? For some people, illness provides a convenient excuse to avoid work, or to escape from difficult social situations. For these people, helplessness has become a part of who they are. They wouldn't know what to do without it.

   Of course, that doesn't seem to be the case for this sick man. After all, he has come to a place where miracles happen, a place in which, when the waters were stirred by an angel, other people had been healed if they were the first ones to step into the pool. He certainly seems to be doing all he can to get well.

   But none of his efforts are enough, are they? How many times did he try to be the first one into the moving waters? How many times did he fail? We don't know. But after 38 years of illness, after countless attempts to heal himself, he is willing to admit to Jesus that he needs help. Now, the man certainly doesn't ask Jesus to perform a healing miracle. In fact, the text doesn't give us any reason to believe that he expects Jesus to be able to do anything but pick him up and place him into the water the next time it moves. But the fact is that Jesus' question prompts him to confess his need for help.

   This is so hard for so many of us, isn't it? In our American spirit of self-reliance, none of us likes to admit physical weakness, even to ourselves, let alone to anyone else. None of us wants to be a burden on others - we hate being dependent. It often takes a lot of suffering before we face our helplessness. But admitting that we have a problem, admitting that we need help is often the first step toward physical health.

   So, maybe Jesus isn't asking a silly question after all. Maybe Jesus was trying to confront this man not only with his need to be healed, but with his helplessness to tap into God's healing power by himself.

   But notice that Jesus' question includes much more than just physical healing. He asks the man if he wants to be made whole. In the Hebrew mind, wholeness included, well, the whole of the human being - spiritual as well as physical. So whether this sick man realized it or not, Jesus' question probes much deeper than his inability to move himself into the water. Jesus is not only inquiring about the state of his body, but of his soul.

   Now, believe it or not, there are people who, if they understood Jesus' question in such a spiritual way, would say that they don't in fact desire that sort of healing. Some people are honest enough to admit that they like the sin in their lives. They like their separation from God and they don't really want to let go of it. If Jesus were to ask them, "Do you want to be made whole," they would respond, "No, I don't want to be healed spiritually. I'm just fine the way I am."

   Others who have read and believed the truth of the Scriptures may still be trying their hardest to cleanse themselves by doing all sorts of good works. Tough they call themselves Christians; they are, in their pride, still trying to make themselves acceptable to God. If Jesus were to ask them, "Do you want to be made whole," they would say, "Yes, but that's not going to happen, is it?"

   "Do you want to be made whole?" No, it's not a silly question at all. It's a question that comes to all of us. It's a question that demands an answer.

   But just how important is this question to us? After all, even if we are willing to admit that we are helpless sinners in need of a Savior, is spiritual healing anywhere near the top of our priority list?

   Jesus certainly implies that it should be. For what does He say to the sick man after he is healed? "Don't sin so that nothing worse befalls you." What could that mean? What could possibly be worse than being physically incapacitated for 38 years? What could possibly be more important than bringing 38 years of pain and suffering to an end?

   Well, think about it. Where is that sick man now? Sure, Jesus made him physically whole, but eventually his body wore out from something. Eventually he died. The physical healing that Jesus gave him, no matter how profound, was only temporary.

   So, what could be worse than experiencing 38 years of physical pain? Being separated from God for an eternity. It's no wonder that spiritual healing is of primary importance to Jesus. It should be first on our priority list, too.

   But in the real world, in our world, on what do we spend more of our regular prayer time - begging God to give us and our loved ones physical healing or to make us spiritually clean? Or think about it this way: what if you had to choose one or the other? Which would you choose - spiritual holiness or physical health?

   For what if sickness in our lives or the lives of our loved ones is one of the ways that God was using to bring us greater holiness? What if God were to use suffering to bring us closer to Him, to encourage us to trust Him more? What if we knew that ending our suffering would make it less likely that we would draw closer to God? Would we still pray for relief?

   Yes, we love to sing about our Good Shepherd, who leads us into green pastures and beside still waters. But what if He leads us instead through the valley of the shadow of death? Will we follow Him there: Would we rather have comfort, or would we rather have Jesus? It turns out that Jesus the healer is more challenging than we thought at first, isn't He?

   Of course, Jesus was just as great a challenge to the people of His day, although for different reasons. After all, they thought they had everything all figured out. The Law of Moses clearly said that everyone was to take a day off on the Sabbath, and yet there could be no doubt that Jesus was healing people on the Sabbath. Jesus was even telling a man to carry away his unneeded sick bed as a trophy of his healing. The people of Jesus' day thought all this proved He was a sinner. Because Jesus didn't fit into all the expectations they had of their Messiah, they rejected Him, no matter how great His healing power was.

   Of course, we don't have such a distorted view of Jesus, and not just because we have long since forgotten the blessing the Sabbath was intended to bestow. We've read the end of the story, and we know very well Who Jesus is - not a demon, but the very Son of God. We know Jesus was right to make Himself equal with God, because He is fully man and fully God. We may not understand that, but we know it to be true.

   Okay, so are we any more comfortable with the Jesus we say we know so much about? Are we ready to embrace what Jesus' identity means for us? For if Jesus is God, then isn't His glory more important than our comfort? If Jesus is God, wouldn't our holiness be more important to us than our physical health? If Jesus is God, don't we have to do everything He says, instead of picking and choosing the parts of the Bible we agree with? If Jesus is God, don't we have to submit our understanding of the Scriptures to His, admitting that He knows more than we do?

   Come to think of it, if Jesus is God, doesn't that mean we have to submit to His will for our lives and the lives of our loved ones? Don't we have to trust that He knows best, in spite of the sickness and the suffering that come our way? The people of Jesus' time sought to kill Him because He wasn't the kind of Messiah they expected. Are our expectations of Jesus any more realistic? Are we any more inclined to bow the knee to His authority? Or will we reject Jesus if He doesn't give us what we want?

   But no matter how challenging Jesus is for us, we still find wonderful news in this passage. For look again at how this sick man answered Jesus' question. He didn't really answer it, did he? He didn't explicitly ask for help, did he? He didn't ask Jesus to make him physically well, and he certainly didn't ask Jesus to take away his sins.

   In the same way, John tells us that the Jews, the people of God who studied the Scriptures and who tried to keep the Law of Moses, never really understood Jesus. When He didn't do the sorts of things they expected their Messiah to do, they rejected Jesus. They tried to kill Him.

   But the good news is that Jesus brought healing into the sick man's life anyway. The good news is that Jesus gave this sick man what he really needed. The good news is that Jesus challenged this man to greater holiness, even though he didn't ask for it. The good news is that Jesus died to save, not people who recognized Him and who celebrated His coming, but to save people who despised Him and rejected Him, to save sinners like us.

   The good news, therefore, isn't about anything we do or leave undone. The good news is what Jesus does for us and in us. The good news is that it is Jesus and the Father Who is working in us and through us, and yes, in spite of us. The good news is that Jesus is still working to bring healing into a sin-sick world.

   So of course we want Jesus to be at work. Of course we want Jesus to bring physical healing to us and to our loved ones. But do we really want Him to bring spiritual healing into the lives of helpless sinners? Do we want Jesus to be working on us, remaking us into His own image? Do we really want to be made whole?

   Refresh Your Prayer Life
   3-8-11
   By Rebecca

   Is your prayer life in the doldrums? Do you find it difficult to pray, and have little enthusiasm for prayer? I have also had the same problem. Many times I find prayer difficult, and simply cannot find the words to pray. Then the Lord led me in a different direction which has changed everything. Please let me share it with you.

   Get yourself a bound book with blank lined pages. It is better to have a bound book so the pages cannot come out. This will be your journal. You need one for your quiet times, and one for your prayer life. (In your quiet time journal you will write down those things that the Lord shows you or promises He gives to you, so that you can go back and review and not forget them. This is very important!)

   The most effective prayers we can pray are when we pray God's word back to Him. So now I have a Prayer Scripture Journal. During my daily quiet times, when the Lord quickens a particular scripture to me to pray, I write it down in my journal. Each day, in addition to whatever book I happen to be reading for my quiet time, I also read some in the Psalms. I have found the Psalms to be rich in "prayer scriptures." At least once a week, sometimes more often, I take my Prayer Scripture Journal and sit down and go through every scripture in it and pray those scriptures back to the Lord, applying them to whatever situations I need to pray about at the time. This makes my prayer time effective, meaningful and fun. Let me give you some examples:

   In the midst of the trials and struggles of everyday life, I frequently quote the following to myself:

   "Why are you cast down, O my soul?
   And why are you disquieted within me?
   Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
   For the help of His countenance." Psalm 45:5

   Then I pray the following scripture to the Lord, asking Him to fulfill it in my life:

   "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

   As I admonish myself with the scripture in Psalm 45:5, and then pray asking the Lord to guard my heart and mind with His peace that surpasses all understanding, I find great help. This is a most effective weapon of warfare against the anxieties and fears the demons throw into us so frequently.

   Here is another example. One of the angels once told Daniel that they have little to do here on earth because the Christians so rarely ask the Lord for their help, especially in battle. Instead, Christians just assume God will automatically protect them. I use the following almost daily:

   "Bless the Lord, you His angels,
   Who excel in strength, who do His word,
   Heeding the voice of His word.
   Bless the Lord all you His hosts,
   You ministers of His, who do His pleasure." Psalm 103:20-21

   I combine this scripture with the following:

   "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
   And delivers them." Psalm 34:7

   Scripture tells us that if we pray according to God's will, we KNOW for sure that our prayers are answered. So here we have proof. Psalm 103 tells us that the angels not only excel in strength, but they do God's word. Now God's word says that "The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them." I pray this with confidence, asking the Lord to send His angels to surround our property and protect us and all our animals and everything on our property. I fear the Lord, God knows I do, and the angels DO God's word, so this is a prayer that I can be assured of having answered every time. Are you getting the idea? I also apply this scripture in Psalm 103 to many other things promised in God's word.

   Have you lost a loved one? Are you in a deep grief process? This is a particularly hard time, because most often during a grief process we do not hear from the Lord nor feel near to Him. In fact, most often it feels like God is very far away from us. However, we can pray with confidence the following scripture KNOWING it will be fulfilled because it IS God's word!

   "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
   And saves such as have a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18

   It doesn't matter how far you FEEL you are from God in your grief, God's word promises that He IS near to you in a special way. Be confident in God's word as you pray it and ask Him to alter your emotions.

   As you spend time with the Lord in His word on a daily basis, you will find that your prayer scripture journal will fill and become a very important part of your prayer life.

   A Word of Encouragement
   1/24/11

   The problem with persecution is that it always comes as criticism and lies about us, and various problems. It never comes in a way that we can see it is a direct result of our being servants of Jesus Christ. In fact, Satan never accuses you of being a servant of Jesus, he always has others accuse you of serving Satan, or being a thief, or a liar, or many other things. Too often we allow such slander by others to engulf us in guilt because there is often a small grain of truth mixed in, especially if we have made a mistake of some sort, or an unwise decision. We must not allow the demons to fill our minds with thoughts of guilt, worthlessness and defeat. Just look at what God' word has to say about such persecution:

   "Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know."

   1 Thessalonians 3:1-4

   When someone lies about you and spreads slander about you, don't get all upset! Understand that as a servant of Jesus Christ you are appointed to endure such trials. Just be careful that you don't fall into the trap of sinful retaliation.

   "See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all." 1 Thessalonians 3:15

   Here is the encouraging part:

   " . . . so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be accounted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer." 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5

   To put this in terms easy to understand, when you are going through such trials and problems, recognize it for what it is - persecution for being a servant of Jesus Christ. And know this - the very fact that you are facing such trials is "manifest evidence" that God has judged you to be worthy to enter into His kingdom! Isn't that wonderful? This why Paul could write with such confidence:

   "This is a faithful saying:

   For if we died with Him,
   We shall also live with Him.
   If we endure,
   We shall also reign with Him. 2 Timothy 2:11-12

   Guidance From God
   1-24-11

   From Daniel:

   "The Lord is my shepherd;
   I shall not want.
   He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
   He leads me beside the still waters.
   He restores my soul;
   He leads me in the paths of righteousness
   For His name's sake.
   
   Yea, though I walk through the valley
   Of the shadow of death,
   I will fear no evil;
   For you are with me;
   Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
   You prepare a table before me in the
   Presence of my enemies;
   You anoint my head with oil;
   My cup runs over.
   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   All the days of my life;
   And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
   Forever. Psalm 23

   Life is a series of choices, of decisions. Success is basically a matter of making wise decisions. You make dumb decisions you fail in life. We make our decisions and then our decisions make us. Because every decision has a consequence, because we're human beings (which means we're prone to make mistakes) decision making can be very stressful because you don't know what's going to happen. Have you ever been afraid of making the wrong decision? Some of you right now are facing the stress of indecision. Just this week you've been facing a major issue. Should I hold on or should I let go? Should I get in or should I get out? Should I get married? Should I get a new job? Move? The stress of indecision begins to get to you.

   The Bible says in James 1, that a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. The Greek word for unstable literally means "stagger like a drunk." When you can't make up your mind in life you're going to stagger through life, bouncing off walls like a pinball in a pinball machine. Sometimes even after we make a decision we start second guessing ourselves - "Did I do the right thing?" We waver back and forth and that causes stress.

   Where do we find the guidance we need? Is there an answer to the stress that comes from decision making? Yes. In the fourth phrase of Psalm 23:3b: "He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." The answer to the stress of decision making is to let God guide you. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." The good Shepherd not only feeds us, He leads us. He not only provides, He also guides. The good Shepherd not only protects, He also directs.

   God has said, "I will guide you through this life if you trust Me."

   He says, "I will guide you on the paths of righteousness." This just means the right path. Literally. Today, David would say, "He keeps me on track." It's easy to get off track in life. It's easy to become preoccupied with trivia, majoring on the minors. God is the one who can keep you on track in life.

   Some of you say you've tried this. You've asked God to guide you, to lead and direct you. But it's more confusing than before. You can't figure it out. Why is knowing God's will so difficult? Is God playing games with us? Is He playing hide and go seek? No. Does He get some kind of perverse pleasure watching me struggle through the maze of life wondering what I'm supposed to do? Of course not. God wants to guide you. He wants to guide you more than you want to be guided. God wants you to know His will more than you want to know it.

   One problem is we often look for the wrong thing when we're trying to find God's will.

   Some people go for the mystical approach. They are looking for a feeling. They want to be swept off their feet by some emotion. They are looking for some emotional release so they can say, "That's how I know what God's will is!"

   Others of you are more logical. You want a methodical approach to God's will, a mechanical approach. You want somebody to give you a recipe, a formula - nine ways to always know God's will for your life. Apply the recipe. God's will is not a recipe. Some people take a magical approach to God's will. They're looking for God to do some fantastic sign, He'll write it in the sky, call them on the phone, send them a telegram, etc. All of these ways lead to frustration and cause us to miss God's will. God's will is not a feeling, or a formula, or something He wants you to be frustrated or fearful about.

   So how do I know it? How do I let God guide me in the right path?

   I would like to share with you four things that the Bible teaches us about finding guidance from God.

   1. I NEED TO ADMIT I NEED A GUIDE

   This is tough. We're stubborn. The fact is that most of the time we don't want to follow God or anybody else whether we're a Christian or not. We want to go our own way. We don't want to admit we need direction, a guide. So we stumble and get confused.

   Sheep, by nature, tend to wander, to get off the path. They need a good Shepherd and so do we. Isaiah 53:6 (LB) says it like this, "Everyone of us have strayed away like sheep! We have left God's paths to follow our own."

   Sheep have poor vision. They can't see very far. That's why, on a path, they don't know if that path is going to go off a cliff, or lead them into a fire, they will fall right into the terrible situation. They need a shepherd, some to guide them. Likewise, you're like a sheep. You can't see the future. You don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, much less next year or ten years from now. You don't even know what's going to happen this afternoon. God made you so that you don't see into the future no matter how much you try. Why did God do this? So that you would depend on Him. So He could be your guide.

   The problem is because sheep don't see very well into the future we don't either. We tend to stumble. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV), "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." We've all made a decision that at the time seemed right but later on turned out to be wrong. Some paths lead to dead ends. They lead nowhere.

   That's why we need the Good Shepherd who promises to lead us and guide us. But the first step is to just admit, "God, I need help."

   Psalm 25:9 (NIV), "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." Humble means I admit I need a guide.

   2. ASK IN FAITH FOR DIRECTIONS

   Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 (NIV), "Ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be opened." God wants you to learn to ask.

   James 1:5-6 (LB) tells us how to get wisdom, "If you want to know what God really wants you to do, ask Him, and He will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; but . . . if you don't ask in faith, don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer."

   God is willing to give wisdom, He's anxious to give wisdom, He's waiting to give you wisdom, He wants to direct you in life, but you've got to have two things lined up; You've got to ask the right person - God. You ask with the right attitude - in faith, expecting an answer.

   So many times we say, "God please guide me!" and we walk away not even waiting for guidance. We just immediately start to work. We say, "God, I want you to give me wisdom, help me make the right decision." But we don't really expect Him to do that. We think it all depends on us.

   God has promised wisdom. He says if we trust Him and listen to Him, He will guide us. But we must ask in faith.

   3. LISTEN FOR GOD'S RESPONSE

   Right now, in this room, radio waves, television waves and cell phone signals bounce around in the air. There are messages going across this room right now. You can't see them but if you had a proper reception you could tune in and hear it. A radio can pick up the reception. Why? Because a radio was created by its creator to pick up radio waves. God designed you to hear His voice . There is a receiver in you to get guidance from God. He wouldn't have made you without it. If you are having trouble hearing God's voice, please get Rebecca's booklet shown on the home page of this web site titled Learning How to Hear God's Voice.

   If you don't hear God, then one of three things is true:
   a) You have the receptor tuned off - you've never established a relationship with God.
   b) You're away from it all the time; you're not listening to it.
   c) You're on the wrong channel - if God's on channel 13 and you're on channel 4 you're not going to pick it up.

   God speaks all the time; we're just not tuned in. Job 33:14 (NIV), "God does speak - sometimes one way and sometimes another - even though people may not understand it." Why wouldn't we understand it? Because we're not tuned in. What cannels does God use? There are many that He uses to speak to us. He doesn't always speak in the same way.

   The primary way that God speaks is through the Bible. A lot of direction you need for life is already right here. God says life is a journey and He's given us a road map. The Bible is God's guide book, a road map, and if you don't read it you're going to get lost. It will help you negotiate the mazes and gives the directions you need in life. You need to read this book everyday. If you don't, it's like having the phone off the hook. God can't get through to you.

   God also speaks to us through prayer. Prayer is our connection to God. We need to stay in daily contact with God. It's real easy to get off track. If you're out of fellowship with God for a day, two days, three days or longer you can really get your trajectory off. You're going to end up in a whole different place than God intended for you to end up in life. You need to stay in touch so He can make constant corrections to our course.

   God speaks through teachers, godly Bible teachers. Have you even been in a crowd like at church and you feel the teacher is speaking directly to you? In that moment God is speaking directly to you. He's speaking through teachers. Am I saying that God speaks through me? Yes, I have no doubt that sometimes God uses words I say to speak to other people. But God does that through every Christian. God speaks through you. If you'll stay in tune with Him and learn His word, sometimes God will use you to say things to people that He wants to say to them.

   God uses circumstances to speak. He uses pain. God whispers to us in our pleasure, but He shouts to us in our pain. God gets your attention when you're in pain. Proverbs 20:30 (GN), "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways."

   God is speaking all the time. Do you have your ears on? Are you listening? If you listen, tune in, He will lead you on the right path. If you don't get in tune with God on a regular daily, moment by moment basis, you're going to miss God's path for your life - the right path, the path He made you for.

   4. TRUST GOD WHEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND

   In the Old Testament when the children of Israel were finally set free from Egypt after 400 years of slavery, Moses had gone to Pharaoh and said, "Let my people go." Finally, Pharaoh said he had had enough, "get out!" They left. The whole nation started marching out to freedom and the first thing they came to was the Red Sea. On one side of them was a mountain range that is uncrossable. On the other side was another mountain range that was uncrossable. In front of them was the Red Sea. Behind them, in hot pursuit, was the Egyptian army that had changed its mind and decided to come and slaughter them all. What was God going to do now? The path looked like a dead end. But God knew exactly what He wanted to do. He was preparing them for a miracle. He was preparing them for deliverance. He had not made a mistake because He could see what they could not see. He opened the Red Sea and they walked through. Years later the Israelites looked back and in Psalm 77:19 (LB) they said, "Your road led by a pathway through the sea - a pathway no one knew was there!"

   Some of you are facing some dead ends right now - financial, emotional, and relational - but it's not really a wall; it's a door. God can see a path that you don't know about. The path you're on right now may be one that is dark, despairing, discouraging, and you feel depressed about it and you think there is no way it will work out. It is impossible. If you will keep on moving in faith, trust God even when you don't see a way, He can make a way. When you think it's not going to happen, if you'll keep on walking on that path God has put you on, it will become clearer and clearer, brighter and brighter, and more understandable the longer you go, the longer you grow, the more you mature and the more you learn to be like Christ.

   Life's a journey. Proverbs 4:18 (NIV), "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter till the full light of day." When dawn comes up, is it fully light? No. But as you go on in your life it will become clearer and clearer. One day you will stand in the full light of eternity and see why God chose that path particularly for you.

   What do I do in the meantime? You do what Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

   Friends God knows what He's doing. God knows what's best for you. You cannot see what He sees. He sees the future. He can see the end result. You can't. all those problems, heartaches, difficulties and delays, thorns in the flesh, physical ailments, all the things you ask "why" about, one day it's going to be clear in the light of God's love. But in the meantime, lean not on your own understanding, Trust in God.

   Psalm 37:23 (NLT), "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."

   The ultimate question is this: whose path are you going to follow in life? Your career track or God's plan for your life? I want to warn you and be honest with you. If you say, "God, I want to get back on the path that You plan for me and I want to live the way You want me to live," the path of righteousness is not necessarily the convenient path.

   It is not necessarily the easy path. It is not necessarily the most popular path. It won't be. God will want you to go differently from the crowd. It is not necessarily the path in life that is going to make you the most money. It is not the path that is going to be the least risky.

   So why should you follow God's path?

   "In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality." Proverbs 12:28 (NIV). God says, you go My way, you get the good life on earth and eternal life in heaven. You go your way, the way that seems right unto man, but it ends in death.

   Some of you have sensed God speaking to you today. What does God have to say to you today? Hebrews 3:15 (NIV) "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart." The good news is that no matter how long you've ignored God and His voice, He still loves you, He still wants to guide you and He still wants to have a relationship with you. It's your choice.

   Let Us Walk With God in This New Year, 2011
   1/16/11

   What does it mean to walk with God? What does walking with God involve? How does walking with God benefit me? Does it put food on my table, clothe me, protect me and bring me favor and good things? Is there any benefit in walking with God? What if I do my own thing and never walk with God's instructions? These and many more questions will be addressed in this teaching.

   God is the author of life and the creator of all humans. He made the first man and made the woman out of his ribs and gave her to him to be his wife. He blessed and empowered them to be fruitful and fill the Earth. Billions have walked on this earth from Adam and Eve. The Bible also reveals that God created man for a purpose - for God's pleasure.

   "Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for they pleasure they are and were created."

   Revelation 4:11, KJV

   The Bible also teaches us that there is a destiny for every man on earth. God has plans and purposes for all He has made. To fulfill purpose, one has to walk in partnership with God to get to his God given destiny.

   "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'" Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV

   "This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"

   Isaiah 14:26-27, NIV

   "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets."

   Amos 3:7, NIV

   God created man for His own pleasure and has made plans for each person on the earth leading to the total fulfillment of all His purpose for each person and His general purpose for the whole earth. For a man to succeed, he has to get close to God and identify His plan and purpose for his life and make sure that he plugs into the plan and purpose of God for his life and fulfill it.

   What It Means To Walk With God

   • Walking with God is partnering with God to become what God had originally planned for your life.
   • Walking with God is acknowledgement that one cannot live life successfully without the help of God.
   • Walking with God is connecting to the source of power, wisdom and inspiration to live life to the fullest.
   • Walking with God is believing in and living by the words of God.
   • Walking with God is cherishing and giving attention to learning the ways of God and walking in them diligently
   • Walking with God is living in and walking by faith in God and His word.
   • Walking with God is loving and revering God with the whole of your heart, soul, and strength.
   • Walking with God is trusting God and not leaning on your own understanding and abilities.

   "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV

   • Walking with God is not being wise in your own eyes, shunning evil and fearing God.

   "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Proverbs 3:7-8, NIV

   Requirements For Walking With God

   Consecration

   Any man who wishes to walk with God must consecrate, that is, dedicate, himself to living and pleasing God with his life. Consecration is an act of appreciation of the love and mercy of God shown us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.

   Consecration is a resolution, determination and diligent pursuit of a close and intimate walk with God and faithfulness in following God and His principles in every area of life. This is very essential to a successful walk with God on a daily basis.

   "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-3, NIV

   Daily fellowship with God through reading, meditating on the word of God and fervent prayers.

   Strength is drawn daily in the presence of God through constant and vibrant fellowship with God. In the presence of God, our fears die. In the presence of God our weaknesses are exposed and dealt with by God. In God's presence, sin gives way for righteousness to reign. In God's presence greatness is built into us so we can manifest it to the world. In His presence we receive instruction and direction for our life purpose. In His presence we become stronger and tougher than the challenges of life. In His presence confusion gives way to light and clarity of plan and purpose. In His presence ideas that will make us great and get us out of a tight corner are received. Great men are not made in the open but in the presence of God.

   Elijah was made in the presence of God. In the presence of God he received the mandate and boldness to close the heavens refusing rain to fall for three and a half years, and to confront Ahab and the prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth at the expiration of the three and a half years period.

   "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, 'As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.'" 1 Kings 17:1, KJV

   Joshua who took over from Moses was given the secret of successful living by God. It is reading, meditating and acting on God's word.

   "This book of the law shall not depart out of they mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make they way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8

   After Jesus spent a whole night alone with God, he chose his Apostles from His disciples. He got direction and clearance on whom to choose from spending time in God's presence.

   "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." Luke 6:12-16, NIV

   Diligent application of the word of God in every area of life.

   Walking with God involves a diligent application of the word of God in every area of life. We are not to be hearers only, but doers of the word of God. It is in the application of the word of God that we activate the power of God to make good His word in our lives. No application, no fulfillment of the word.

   "My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body." Proverbs 4:20-22, NIV

   "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22, KJV

   Humility and a contrite spirit.

   Humility is the pathway to greatness. Humility goes before honor. Anyone who wants to make it with God, must be humble. Humility speaks of you accepting that you are who God's word says you are, and never claiming you are not. If God's word says you are a sinner, you accept it, go on to make correction. If it condemns your thoughts and actions, you don't deny it, but repent immediately. You don't argue with God. You just believe Him and repent when it is required.

   A contrite heart is a repentant heart. A heart that is always willing to turn away from an evil behavior and correct a wrong in his life. A contrite heart does not drag his feet in making amends and correcting his ways.

   "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word."

   Isaiah 66:2, NIV

   Prompt response and obedience to the instructions of God.

   God wants His people to always obey Him and promptly too. If you are to walk with God, you need to have a listening ear to whatever He will be saying to you, and be quick to obey. He loves and will esteem those who tremble at His word - those who are quick to obey Him.

   "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word."

   Isaiah 66:2, NIV

   Self-discipline and holy living.

   Self-discipline is all about self-control in manifestation. Self-discipline is the ability to bring your thoughts, emotions and life under control so the Holy Spirit can dominate and fully manifest the life of God that is inside you already. Never submit to any negative emotion or habit. Break all evil habits and live holy and you will experience the power and love of God in full. Train yourself to say "no" to what God condemns and say "yes" to what God wants.

   "Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." 1 Timothy 1:18-19, NIV

   "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12, NIV

   Benefits of Walking With God

   1. Walking with God secures God's support and partnership in the journey of life and fulfillment of purpose.
   2. Walking with God guarantees guidance and accurate direction in life.
   3. Walking with God procures God's favor and abundant blessings upon a man and his pursuits.
   4. Walking with God keeps the heaven over a man's head open for life, for wisdom, inspiration and blessings to keep flowing.
   5. Walking with God keeps a man's life clean and free from sin, and all that angers and puts God off from a man, and causes the prosperity power of God to keep working in a man's life.
   6. Walking with God brings joy, happiness and fulfillment.
   7. Walking with God makes a success out of every man who practices it.

   Scriptures on Prosperity and Walking With God

   "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.

   Proverbs 28:13-14, NIV

   "A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper."

   Proverbs 28:25, NIV

   "For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:10-12, NIV

   "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

   Joshua 1:8, NIV

   "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."

   3 John 2, NKJV

   Conclusion

   Walking with God is a necessity if joy and fulfillment is on your mind. Love the Lord enough to walk with Him. It takes love to walk with God. It takes understanding to have love for God. It takes reading, studying and meditating on God to love Him. Let love well up in your heart so much that you cannot but walk with Him with the whole of your heart, soul, and body. Walk with Him every day and do it with joy and dedication.

   Struggling Against Fear
   1/1/11

   I (Rebecca) have had a struggle with fear my whole life. I was born to parents who were ruled by fear. I was raised in a legalistic church where every member was controlled by fear. Fear of the terrible consequences if we did not obey our leaders in everything.

   After I finally pulled out of that church and was later called by God into the area of spiritual warfare, fear was once again my worst enemy. I only began to have some victory after I learned that demon spirits can directly inject fear into us, and began to rebuke them in the name of Jesus Christ. Years later the Lord dealt with me once again and showed me that the final cure for fear is TRUST. Trust that God has a reason good enough for whatever He allows to come into our life, and that He WILL work all things together for good for His servants.

   A major break through came when I learned to go into God's court room as the absolute and final Judge of the universe. I then asked Him to break the yoke of fear off of my life at once and forever. The Lord did so, and I was marvelously free from fear for several years. I wrote about this in Unbroken Curses and Standing On The Rock.

   However, slowly, as the years have passed, Satan has again very slowly, insidiously, placed that yoke of fear back onto my life. Once again it has become a daily struggle.

   This should not be so because God's Word says:

   "But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

   Do you struggle with fear? Do you wake up in the night hours and worry about a multitude of things? Do you fear for the future - how are you going to find a job, how are you going to find the money to meet bills, what is happening with your children, etc.? Recently, in my quite time, the Lord showed me another key to dealing with fear. Not only did I have to go back into God's court room and ask Him to once again force Satan and his demons into obedience to make them stop tormenting me with fear, but I came across a scriptures in Philippians.

   "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

   Peace is the opposite of fear. Life here on earth is uncertain and full of difficulties. Paul told the Philippians:

   "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29

   " . . . and not in anyway terrified by your adversaries, which is to them proof of perdition, but to you of salvation and that from God." Philippians 1:28

   Suffering is painful! I hurts! Satan and the demons want to keep us in bondage to the fear of suffering. But you can stand on the promise that "the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Stand on this promise and ask God to fulfill it in your life. He will be faithful to do so.

   Then, stand and proclaim:

   "Why are you cast down, O my soul?
   And why are you disquieted within me?
   Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.
   For the help of His countenance." Psalm 42:5

   All Agreed . . . Power Needed!
   12/27/2010

   The disciples had already been saved before the day or Pentecost.

   "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20

   The resurrected Christ had breathed on them imparting the Holy Spirit into them, and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." The words translated "receive ye" mean words spoken by one in authority, a command that is obeyed immediately.

   "So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.' And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:21-22

   They had already utterly renounced any idea of living for themselves and devoted their lives to the reaching of the world. The Lord Jesus had commissioned them to "make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19) But they still lacked the promised power to fulfill their task! The Lord's last promise to them was "You shall receive POWER after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you . . . and you shall be witnesses unto Me." (Acts 1:8) They were told to wait until they were endued with power "from on high" before commencing their work. (Luke 24:29) They had met the Lord; they knew Him as Savior; but they did not have the power of the Holy Spirit to do His work. Just as the disciples needed the additional infilling of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit, so we have the same need today.

   Even a cursory reading of revival history is convincing. Among all God's servants that have deeply affected their generations there is a harmony of deeper experience with Him. Terms used to describe this power have been as different as their denominations, conversion experiences and education; but the experience itself has always been essentially the same. As there is practical agreement among evangelical Christians with regard to the way of salvation, so there is a practical agreement among those who believe in a deeper Christian experience than conversion. In a court of law, testimonials are rejected if all those testifying give the same evidence in the exact same words and manner; it would prove there had been collusion among the witnesses. But if each witness uses his own words and way of presentation, yet their testimony agrees in essential facts, the evidence is convincing. And the evidence of history is this; no man or woman has ever been used of God until they had first discovered the secret of power with God.

   Christians have called this experience by many different names. Men like D.L. Moody, R.A. Torry, C.G. Finney, William Booth, Andrew Murray, George Witfield, A.B. Simpson and others have called it "the baptism of the Holy Spirit;" others, like G. Cambell Morgan, Robert Murray McCheynes, Praying Hyde and C.H. Spurgeon have preferred "the filling with the Holy Spirit." Some have called it "empowering" others "the anointing of God;" but the question is not "Can you name it?" but - "Do you HAVE it?"

   Billy Graham, in his message "How to be Filled with the Spirit" Put it this way:

   "The very fact that we believe one thing and some of us another does not do away with the fact that GOD says - 'Be filled with the Spirit.' I believe that is the greatest need of the church of Jesus Christ today. Everywhere I go, I find God's people lack something; God's people are hungry for something. Many of us say that our Christian experience is not all that we expected. We have oft-recurring defeat in our lives, and as a result across the country from coast to coast there are hundreds of Christian people hungry for something we do not have . . . I am persuaded that our desperate need tonight is not a new organization, a new movement - or even a new method. We have enough of these. I believe the greatest need tonight is that men and women who profess the Name of Jesus Christ be filled with the Spirit! We are trying to do the work of God without supernatural power. It cannot be done! When God told us to go and preach the Gospel to 'every creature' and to evangelize the world, He provided supernatural power for us. That power is given to us by the Holy Spirit. It is more powerful than atomic power . . . It is more potent than any explosive made by man. Do you know anything of the power of the Holy Spirit?" (Greater L.A. Crusade, 1949)

   This enduement of power is NOT the receiving of the Holy Spirit in salvation. When a man is truly born again his conversion is dependent on and effected by the Holy Spirit in response to his repentance and committal to Christ. (John 3:5-6, 7:37-39, 14:16-17, 20:21-22, Romans 5:5, 8:9-16, I Corinthians 2:10-12, 3:16, 6:19, 12:3, II Corinthians 1:21-22, 5:5, 6:16, Galatians 3:2, 4:6, 5:25, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 1:14, I John 2:27, 3:24, 4:13) But this conversion To Christ is not to be confused with a consecration to the great work of world evangelism and the enduement of power to carry out this task.

   RA. Torrey, world-renowned evangelist and Bible teacher of the last century, explained it this way: "The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a definite experience of which one may and ought to know whether he has received it or not . . . the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an operation of the Holy Spirit distinct from, subsequent and additional to His regenerating work. In regeneration there is an impartation of life, and the one who received it is saved; in the baptism of the Holy Spirit there is an impartation of power and the one who received it is fitted for service." (What the Bible Teaches)

   The word "baptism" used by Torrey here is a symbolic term in scripture that signifies (1) complete exposure and cleansing from all sin and (2) an overwhelming sense of God's presence and power to energize for Christian service. By following the example of the Lord Jesus in water baptism, many Christians understand this symbol in the first sense but have never known it experimentally in the second sense - a clothing of energy for Christian service. Without this sense of covering, surrounding and energizing of the Holy Spirit, Christian work and witness is fruitless, joyless and practically impossible.

   In CONVERSION, the soul is drawn by the Holy Spirit, God's own agency of salvation. (Proverbs 1:23, John 16:7-11) The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit, Himself God, is a Divine Person Who carries out the executive work of the Godhead. (Matthew 28:19, Isaiah 11:2, John 14:26, 15:26, Acts 8:29 & 39, 10:19, 13:2, 15:28, 16:7, Romans 8:9, I Corinthians 12:11, 2 Corinthians 13:14) This conversion experience is a personal transaction between the soul and the Lord Jesus relating to its own salvation. To accomplish this, the Holy Spirit first convicts of sin, then points the convicted sinner to Jesus, magnifying Him and making His sacrificial death real to the penitent. (Gen. 6:3, Psalm 51:12-13, Mic. 3:8, Zech 12:10, John 16:8-11, Acts 2:37) In salvation, the soul yields up its doubts, rebellion, self-righteousness and its pride; it accepts Christ as Lord and Savior, trusts Him and supremely loves Him. The sinner's pride is humbled; his selfish purpose of life is finished; he is cleansed and all his guilty past is forgiven. The Holy Spirit enters his life there to abide in settled union and baptizes him into the Body of Christ, the Church.

   The Purpose of Power

   The 120 gathered expectantly in the Upper room on the day of Pentecost knew what they were waiting for. This energizing experience was to be an overwhelming sense of God's Presence. It was to mean even more to them in terms of intimate, loving communion with God than the physical Presence of Jesus had meant on earth. When Jesus was here on earth physically He had been WITH them; now by this anointing of the Holy Spirit He would not only be back with them, but also welling up inside them and all around them! They were to be utterly flooded in the sense of His closeness and power. They had already been given one "power" - that of legal right or authority, to become the sons of God (John 1:12). Now they were to have "dunamis" (Greek for power, strength, might, energy, explosive enabling power) - to act, think and LIVE like their Lord with the outpouring energy of Heaven! (Luke 24:49, Romans 15:13, I Corinthians 2:4, I Thessalonians 1:5)

   In this empowering, the soul is introduced BY the Lord Jesus TO the Holy Spirit. The role of Christ and the Spirit are thus reversed from that of salvation. The Holy Spirit has introduced the soul to Christ; now Christ makes the indwelling Presence of His Spirit real to the believer. The climax of this energizing process is the flooding up of God's reality in the soul like a fountain, until the believer is utterly immersed in His power and love. Once initially understood and experienced, this is to be the continuous experience of each believer - deeper and deeper baptisms or fillings with the Holy Spirit as we look to Him in faith for delivering and transforming power. (Acts 2:4, 4:8 & 31, 6:3, 7:55, 90:17, 11:24, 13:9, 13:52, Ephesians 3:18, 5:18, I John 1:4)

   SYMBOLS and emblems of the Holy Spirit used in Scripture describe the results of a Spirit-filled life. WATER is an emblem; (Exodus 17:6, John 7:38-39) it cleanses, fertilizes and refreshes; it is abundant and freely given. So the Holy Spirit cleanses, brings life, revives and refreshes the soul - He too, was fully and freely given when the risen Christ was glorified. FIRE is an emblem. (Acts 2:3, Luke 3:16) Fire purifies, illumines and searches. The Holy Spirit accomplishes what we cannot do ourselves. He searches our hearts, reveals our sins and purifies us. The WIND is a third emblem. (John 3:8, Acts 2:2) it is independent, felt in its effect, powerful and reviving. God the Holy Spirit is independent in His operation - He is not controlled by anyone! He moves with power, His presence is felt and how He revives the work of Christ when He comes to the drooping members of the church! The DOVE (John 1:32) teaches us the work of the Sprit in making us gentle, innocent and loving; the VOICE of the Spirit is in His teaching, guiding and warning ministry. The SEAL is His work to impress, secure and make us Christ's own.

   Receiving Power

   The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Risen Christ. His anointing filling, empowering work is a baptism of love that gives power to make Jesus real to you and known to others. The most impressive evidence of this power is the ability to make the things of God real; a man filled with the Spirit of God becomes deeply, intensely believable. The Holy Spirit works to impress the heart and seal the preached word of God with conviction. When an empowered man speaks or prays, his words strike fire. His words stick in the heart like darts of love. Now, how is it with you, beloved? Have you obeyed God's command to be filled with the Spirit? His gift is offered to every child of God who is willing to simply meet these conditions:

   HONESTY - Do you really WANT God's power? God will not give His gifts for self glory (to make you a "great" man or woman or to "build up your church" etc.) He will not grant His power so that selfish pride may be exalted. (Acts 8:18-24, James 4:3) He does not empower to free from trouble, to make you happy or even to make you holy, although of course these often follow a Spirit filled life. He fills only for His glory, and that must be your motive.

   CLEANLINESS - Are you in dead earnest to be used of God? William booth, founder of the Salvation Army and man of God said: "Before we go on our knees to receive the baptism of fire, let me beg of you to see to it that your souls are in harmony with the will and the purpose of the Holy Spirit. See to it that the channel of communication by which the Holy Spirit must be received is kept open. It is no use praying, singing, or even believing if there still is some sin you are holding or even refusing to give up. Out with it; give it not rest; give it up. Destroy your idols and stoppages with an everlasting destruction. Let there be free communication between you and God. Let all go and you shall be flooded before you rise from your knees . . . the world shall feel the power of it, and God shall have all the glory." (Salvation Soldiery)

   The GIFT of the Holy Spirit is neither earned nor deserved. The gift of the power of the Holy Spirit cannot be bought or sold. (Acts 8:9-22) Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the power to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit. He was wanting to buy a ministry. You cannot buy your way into a ministry! It is a call and gift from God. He is not given on the basis of "special attainment": in holiness with God. The gift of the Holy Spirit is primarily for POWER; a man who receives this empowering has no more Christian character immediately after his experience than he had before. The fullness of the Spirit is a SOURCE of help to BUILD a Christian character, and is certainly not given BECAUSE of a high degree of consecration to Christ. Therefore, He is to be invited to energize only on basis of the clear promises of God, and with the condition that all obvious sin is forsaken. (Galatians 3:2) Scripture shows that God is more than willing to give the Holy Spirit to His children and longs to do so. You do not have to beg and plead with your heavenly Father to obtain this promised power, the very fact that He not only promises but commands us to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) is the highest possible evidence that we can receive it. For God to command is equivalent to a certainty that we can obtain, for He does not command unless we have power to obey. Once the dams of conscious hindrances are swept away, you may not even have to ask God to fill you. In fact, you will probably not be able to keep Him from doing so!

   OBEDIENCE - When you have dealt with all obstacles, you must receive by faith from the hand of God. There is nothing to be afraid of in receiving God's power. The Lord Jesus said: "If you, being evil know how to give GOOD gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:13) If you come as a little child in love to your Father, do you think He will give you something to harm or frighten you? (Luke 11:11-12) Don't you think you can trust God to keep you from excess and extravagance? The Holy Spirit's power is a LOVE gift for every child of God. You need not be afraid to fully open your life to His love. If there is something you are not willing to have happen, some personal point of pride you hold, or some right you don't think God need ask you to surrender, be sure that VERY THING will be the reason why you still have no power with God or man. Obedience is better than sacrifice. (I Samuel 15:22)

   DON'T LIMIT the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Unfortunately, so much emphasis has been put on the gift of speaking in tongues, that too many Christians stop seeking the power of the Holy Spirit once they have received this gift. Therefore they never receive the full endowment of the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This is the reason so many so-called "Spirit-filled Christians," are actually lukewarm Christians. Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit, it is NOT the essence of His power. The baptism of the Holy Spirit will bring CHANGE into our lives. We will no longer desire sinful things like we once did. We will hunger and thirst for God's Word. Our desire and delight will be to read and study and meditate on the scriptures. Our desire will be to know and experience God. We will UNDERSTAND the scriptures as we read them because the Holy Spirit will be teaching us directly. Others will LISTEN to us when we tell them about God because of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Don't settle for anything less!

   Now dare you do it? If you are willing and obedient, God will meet you! Don't try to copy another experience; get yours from God and you will know it is real. Accept His gift and trust Him NOW for power. Let the sense of His love well up in your heart until it floods and fills you with praise. He may come quietly as a river or mightily like a flood; but you shall know it has happened and you will never be the same again. Go now, as a little child, simply ASK God for power from on high, and let Him make your life a miracle! Don't seek the power of the Holy Spirit from a man or a ministry, seek it directly from God.

   A Way of Escape
   12/20/2010

   I (Rebecca) get so many letters and requests for prayer from Christians who are struggling with repeated temptations. They find they fall over and over again. This is especially true with such things as sexual sin and pornography. The key to dealing with repeated sins is found in two scriptures:

   "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God;' for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." James 1:13-15

   "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to beat it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

   The first step is to recognize and acknowledge before God that you desire to do those things! Then ask the Lord to help you to find a way avoid the things which bring up the desires in you to sin.

   Secondly, recognize that God has given you a promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13. God makes a way of escape. Ask the Lord to show you the specific way of escape He has made for you and use it! The way of escape will be different for each person, and each type of sin, but it is there. The problem is we don't see it. You must seek the Lord to show you the way of escape He has made just for you. You won't want to use it, but do it anyway.

   Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?
   John 5:1-18
   12/20/2010

   Let's face it - this is the side of Jesus that we love the most - the gentle healer who speaks a word of power to us and to our loved ones in the midst of our pain and suffering. We love to sing about our Good Shepherd Who leads us into green pastures and beside still waters. And I suppose the longer we live, the more we recognize our need of His healing touch, His guiding and protecting hand.

   So, why would Jesus ask the sick man if he wants to be made whole? It's obvious that he was desperately ill. In fact, he had been basically helpless for 38 years. And although this man's encounter with Christ happened almost 2000 years ago, his experience is not so foreign to our helplessness. "Do you want to be made whole?" Surely Jesus doesn't need to ask such a ridiculous question.

   But maybe this question isn't as silly as it sounds. Have you ever known someone of whom it could be said, "He enjoys poor health?" Don't we all know people who, while they certainly don't enjoy pain, at least seem to take advantage of ill health to avoid some of the demands that life places on them? For some people, illness provides a convenient excuse to avoid work, or to escape from difficult social situations. For these people, helplessness has become a part of who they are. They wouldn't know what to do without it.

   Of course, that doesn't seem to be the case for this sick man. After all, he had come to a place where miracles happen, a place in which, when the waters were stirred by an angel, other people had been healed if they were the first ones to step into the pool. He certainly seems to be doing all he can to get well.

   But none of his efforts are enough, are they? How many times did he try to be the first one into the moving waters? How many times did he fail? We don't know. But after 38 years of illness, after countless attempts to heal himself, he is willing to admit to Jesus that he needs help. Now, the man certainly doesn't ask Jesus to perform a healing miracle. In fact, the text doesn't give us any reason to believe that he expects Jesus to be

   able to do anything but pick him up and place him into the water the next time it moves. But the fact is that Jesus' question prompts him to confess he need for help.

   This is so hard for so many of us, isn't it? In our American spirit of self-reliance, none of us likes to admit physical weakness, even to ourselves, let alone to anyone else. None of us wants to be a burden on others - we hate being dependent. It often takes a lot of suffering before we face our helplessness. But admitting that we have a problem, admitting that we need help is often the first step toward physical health.

   So, maybe Jesus isn't asking a silly question after all. Maybe Jesus was trying to confront this man not only with his need to be healed, but with his helplessness to tap into God's healing power by himself.

   But notice that Jesus' question includes much more than just physical healing. He asks the man if he wants to be made whole. In the Hebrew mind, wholeness included, well, the whole of the human being - spiritual as well as physical. So whether this sick man realized it or not, Jesus' question probes much deeper than his inability to move himself into the water. Jesus is not only inquiring about the state of his body, but of his soul.

   Now, believe it or not, there are people who, if they understood Jesus' question in such a spiritual way, would say that they don't in fact desire that sort of healing. Some people are honest enough to admit that they like the sin in their lives. They like their separation from God and they don't really want to let go of it. If Jesus were to ask them, "Do you want to be made whole," they would respond, "No, I don't want to be healed spiritually. I'm fine just the way I am."

   Others who have read and believed the truth of the Scriptures may still be trying their hardest to cleanse themselves by doing all sorts of good works. Though they call themselves Christians, they are, in their pride, still trying to make themselves acceptable to God. If Jesus were to ask them, "Do you want to be made whole," they would say, "Yes, but I'm trying as hard as I can to do it myself."

   Others have come to the point in their spiritual lives that this sick man reached in his physical life - the point of realizing their helplessness. But instead of experiencing the victory of surrender to Christ, these people remain miserable in their sin, unable to rid themselves of habits and personality traits that they despise. Instead of confidently trusting Christ, they have given themselves over to despair. If Jesus were to ask them, "Do you want to be made whole," they would say, "Yes, but that's not going to happen, is it?"

   "Do you want to be made whole?" No, it's not a silly question at all. It's a question that comes to all of us. It's a question that demands an answer.

   But just how important is this question to us? After all, even if we are willing to admit that we are helpless sinners in need of a savior, is spiritual healing anywhere near the top of our priority list?

   Jesus certainly implies that it should be. For what does He say to the sick man after he is healed? Don't sin so that nothing worse befalls you. What could that mean? What could possibly be worse than being physically incapacitated for 38 years? What could possibly be more important than bringing 38 years of pain and suffering to an end?

   Well, think about it. Where is that sick man now? Sure, Jesus made him physically whole, but eventually his body wore out from something. Eventually he died. The physical healing that Jesus gave him, no matter how profound, was only temporary.

   So, what could be worse than experiencing 38 years of physical pain? Being separated from God for an eternity. It's no wonder that spiritual healing is of primary importance to Jesus. It should be first on our priority list, too.

   But in the real world, in our world, on what do we spend more of our regular prayer time - begging God to give us and our loved ones physical healing or to make us spiritually clean? Or think about it this way: what if you had to choose one or the other? Which would you choose - spiritual holiness or physical health?

   For what if sickness in our lives or the lives of our loved ones is one of the ways that God was using to bring us greater holiness? What if God were to use suffering to bring us closer to Him, to encourage us to trust Him more? What if we knew that ending our suffering would make it less likely that we would draw closer to God? Would we still pray for relief?

   Yes, we love to sing about our Good Shepherd, who leads us into green pastures and beside still waters. But what if He leads us instead through the valley of the shadow of death? Will we follow Him there? Would we rather have comfort, or would we rather have Jesus? It turns out that Jesus the healer is more challenging than we thought at first, isn't He?

   Of course, Jesus was just as great a challenge to the people of His day, although for different reasons. After all, they thought they had everything all figured out. The Law of Moses clearly said that everyone was to take a day off on the Sabbath, and yet there could be no doubt that Jesus was healing people on the Sabbath. Jesus was even telling a man to carry away his unneeded sick bed as a trophy of his healing. The people of Jesus' day thought all this proved He was a sinner. Because Jesus didn't fit into all the expectations they had of their Messiah, they rejected Him, no matter how great His healing power was.

   Of course, we don't have such a distorted view of Jesus, and not just because we have long since forgotten the blessing the Sabbath was intended to bestow. We've read the end of the story, and we know very well who Jesus is - not a demon, but the very Son of God. We know Jesus was right to make Himself equal with God, because He is fully man and fully God. We may not understand that, but we know it to be true.

   Okay, so are we any more comfortable with the Jesus we say we know so much about? Are we ready to embrace what Jesus' identity means for us? For if Jesus is God, then isn't His glory more important than our comfort? If Jesus is God, shouldn't our holiness be more important to us than our physical health? If Jesus is God, don't we have to do everything He says, instead of picking and choosing the parts of the Bible we agree with? If Jesus is God, don't we have to submit our understanding of the Scriptures to His, admitting that He knows more than we do?

   Come to think of it, if Jesus is God, doesn't that mean we have to submit to His will for our lives and the lives of our loved ones? Don't we have to trust that He knows best, in spite of the sickness and the suffering that come our way? The people of Jesus' time sought to kill Him because He wasn't the kind of Messiah they expected. Are our expectations of Jesus any more realistic? Are we any more inclined to bow the knee to His authority? Or will we reject Jesus if He doesn't give us what we want?

   But no matter how challenging Jesus is for us, we still find wonderful news in this passage. For look again at how this sick man answered Jesus' question. He didn't really answer it, did he? He didn't explicitly ask for help, did he? He didn't ask Jesus to make him physically well, and he certainly didn't ask Jesus to take away his sins.

   In the same way, John tells us that the Jews, the people of God who studied the Scriptures and who tried to keep the Law of Moses, never really understood Jesus. When He didn't do the sorts of things they expected their Messiah to do, they rejected Jesus. They tried to kill Him.

   But the good news is that Jesus brought healing into the sick man's life anyway. The good news is that Jesus gave this sick man what he really needed. The good news is that Jesus challenged this man to greater holiness, even though he didn't ask for it. The good

   news is that Jesus died to save, not people who recognized Him and who celebrated His coming, but to save people who despised Him and rejected Him, to save sinners like us.

   The good news, therefore, isn't about anything we do or leave undone. The good news is what Jesus does for us and in us. The good news is that it is Jesus and the Father who are working in us and through us, and yes, in spite of us. The good news is that Jesus is still working to bring healing into a sin-sick world.

   So of course we want Jesus to be at work. Of course we want Jesus to bring physical healing to us and to our loved ones. But do we really want Him to bring spiritual healing into the lives of helpless sinners? Do we want Jesus to be working on us, remaking us into His own image? Do we really want to be made whole?

   Stepping Over the Line
   12/06/2010

   Do you ever feel like life is nothing but a roller coaster ride and everything within you just wants to get off? Your joy and peace can be stolen, within moments, by discouragement and despair. We find ourselves with fleeting faith, when the troubles of life come crashing in on us like relentless waves in a stormy sea.

   Though we claim to trust in a Shepherd who leads us through valleys . . . we find ourselves "wanting" . . . "fearing evil" . . . wondering if He's really with us. With each step we take, it seems unlikely that there are any "green pastures" . . . much less "still waters." We're not so sure we like His rod or His staff . . . they don't seem to be so "comforting." Instead of our "souls being restored," we're convinced, with each passing moment, our valley may lead us into a canyon.

   It can be difficult to believe that God's plans are for "good," when life seems to be unraveling. Yet, without doubt and difficulties, there would be no need for faith. (God uses ALL things for good . . . even our doubt and disbelief.) And faith is where God draws the line. It's the place where you must make a decision to step over the line. In the words of missionary Helen Roseveare, God's voice shouts to us in our pain . . . "Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?" God's questions cuts to the heart of our faith. He calls us out, and His question begs an answer. He asks us to trust Him, even if He never answers our questions. It's His way of making us completely dependent upon Him. He's taking us on a journey, and He's asking us to make a decision to trust Him at every step.

   When we find ourselves in difficult and sometimes seemingly insurmountable situations . . . God draws a line. We stand on the side of questioning His ways, giving into doubt, unsure that we can take even one more step. But, there is Jesus. He stands on the other side of the line and His outreached hand beckons us like a child learning how to walk. There's the strength in His eyes that assures us He is there to help us, and He will not let us fall . . . if we will take that step.

   You see, the truth is . . . God has blessed you with the very trials you're in. Though you can't understand it or make sense of it all, God has trusted you with the tribulations that threaten to overcome you. He is increasing and strengthening y our faith by threatening to destroy it. Never forget: there is no victory without a battle. The Apostle Paul didn't call it a "fight of faith" for nothing. This life is an intense battle between the spirit and the flesh and God is asking us, in this life, while we are still in our flesh, to step over the line of faith and live through the Spirit that leads us into victory. He is asking us to step out of this world, and step over the line of faith into His kingdom.

   Our difficulties, our troubles, are not the circumstances that we face, but our internal battle . . . it is our struggle to believe . . . it is our conflict between what we "see" and the Spirit that urges us to trust in God in the midst of everything that contradicts our faith.

   It comes down to an act of the will . . . it comes down to a decision. Everything you're facing in life comes down to ONE question, "Do you trust God?" In times of greatest doubt, when you struggle to simply "carry on," will you make the decision to step over the line? Every obstacle you're facing is an opportunity given to you by God, in order to increase your faith. By trusting Him, you are declaring that your God is bigger than anything you face. Without the resistance to your faith . . . your faith would never grow. God knows what He is doing. He is always up to something. It's always something good. And it's always something worth cherishing hope for.

   By stepping over the line, you are looking into the face of fear, the dangers that threaten to destroy you, the giant issues you face, the encroaching walls of affliction, the principalities and powers that are out to destroy you . . . and completely cast yourself into the arms of God. You must stand up, open your mouth, speak out loud and make a declaration into both the physical and spiritual realms, that no matter what God allows to come into your life, you TRUST Him! God has a reason good enough for whatever He allows to come into my life! By stepping over the line, you are refusing to rely on your feelings and walk by sight . . . you are choosing to be led by faith in God alone. By stepping over the line, you're declaring to God, "I'm tired of being up and down, tossed about, and questioning Your ways . . . You've drawn a line, and I'm stepping over the line, by faith. By stepping over the line, you're ultimately telling God, "I trust you." And there's a promise for those who step over the line:

   Those who trust in, lean on, and confidently hope in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides and stands fast forever. (Psalm 125:1 AMP)

   A Shelter In Times of Need
   11/22/2010

   Pain is a large part of everyone's life. It comes in many forms - grief, depression, stress, anxiety, loss, trauma, sexual molestation, abuse (both physical and emotional), physical pain . . . the list goes on and on. Pain became a part of our world as soon as sin entered in. The question is how do we as Christians deal with it? This is an issue I (Rebecca) struggled with early in my walk with the Lord. In fact, almost immediately after I made the decision to make Jesus Christ the total Master over every area of my life. Psalm 91 was quickly pointed out to me as the solution.

   "He who dwells in the secret places of the Most High
   Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
   I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress;
   My God, in Him I will trust.'

   Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
   And from the perilous pestilence.
   He shall cover you with His feathers,
   And under His wings you shall take refuge . . ." Psalm 91:1-4

   This particular Psalm used to be a source of great frustration and even anger for me. I mean, come on, have you ever seen any feathers? I certainly haven't! How can we "shelter under His wings" when we can't even see any wings? I used to cry out, "Lord, this doesn't help me at all. How can I shelter under your wings when I can't even see them, and I most certainly don't see any feathers! I need a pair of strong arms to hold me that I can feel and see!" Absolute silence was the only answer I ever received to my cries. Have you felt this way? I think most people have.

   In His perfect timing, the Lord taught me an important lesson about sheltering under His wings. It was during my third year in medical school. I suffered a devastating loss of someone whom I loved deeply. I was overwhelmed with grief! Suddenly my whole future was black. Depression, the twin of grief, swept in and I was hurting so badly that I could barely function. I was at that time, in the midst of a very strenuous schedule, working at the hospital and studying. Sleep was impossible. As soon as I closed my eyes the pain and loss swamped me. The weeks dragged by, and suddenly, one day I realized that I couldn't wait to get home from the hospital because the first thing I did was run to my Bible and immerse myself in it. When I couldn't sleep, I went to my Bible. To be honest, I wasn't praying much, because I could not understand why God had allowed this disaster to come into my life. I felt estranged from the Lord. But one day, as I was reading my Bible the Lord broke through and spoke to me very clearly: "Tell me, child, why are you spending so much time reading My Word? Why is that the first thing you run to as soon as you get home?"

   I was startled by the question, and had to stop and think about it. Suddenly I realized that the reason why I couldn't wait to get home to bury myself in the Bible was because during the time I was reading God's Word I didn't hurt! In fact, that was the only time that I didn't hurt so badly with grief that I could hardly cope with it. Hesitantly I responded to God's question. "I just realized Lord that the only time I have any relief from the pain and loss is while I am reading Your Word."

   "Exactly!" He said. "As you read and think about My Word, you are sheltering under my wings, even though you don't see any feathers!" This is what the Apostle Paul was talking about when He wrote:

   "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:5

   We receive God's comfort through His Word. David learned this lesson:

   "Remember the word to Your servant,
   Upon which You have caused me to hope.
   This is my comfort in my affliction.
   For Your word has given me life." Psalm 119:49-50

   We receive God's grace through His word. It is the pouring of God's grace into our lives that gives us the strength and comfort to keep going in the middle of the most terrible trials of our lives.

   "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." Acts 20:32

   I cannot begin to count the times I have run to God's Word for comfort and help during times of unbearable pain and grief. Always, it has given me a brief break from the pain, and somehow strengthened me and enabled me to keep going.

   Nightmares and Flashbacks

   When someone suffers a traumatic event or great grief, such as the death of a loved one, many times they are tortured afterwards with nightmares and flashbacks of the event. Often they re-live the death, or trauma over and over again in their sleep in nightmares, or see the event in their mind like watching a video. This is one of the most difficult things to deal with.

   Those of you who have read Unbroken Curses or Standing On The Rock, know that Daniel was forced to watch the murder of his first wife. In the first four years of our marriage he was tormented with nightmares of that terrible event. He would wake up screaming and be in so much stress that he would be soaked in sweat. Sleep was nearly impossible. For four years I sought the Lord for the solution to this terrible problem. The solution came only as I learned about going before God's throne as Judge of the universe.

   Are you being tormented with nightmares and flashbacks? Do you find that every time you close your eyes to try to go to sleep, the tape starts playing of the terrible event in your life? You don't have to put up with this sort of torment! These nightmares and flashbacks are coming from demons. Satan uses them as a source of great torment in people's lives. Get down on your knees and go before God's throne as Judge of the universe. Ask Him to render judgment between you and Satan's kingdom. Does Satan have the legal right to continue to torment you in this way? The answer is "No, he does not!" Then ask God to put a restraining order on Satan and all of his demons and bring an immediate and complete halt to all such nightmares and flashbacks. Pray something like this:

   Father, in the name of Jesus I humbly ask to come before your throne as Judge of the universe. I come only under the covering of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Lord, I am asking you to judge between me and Satan and his kingdom. Does Satan have the legal right to torment me with nightmares and flash backs of _______________________? If you render judgment that he does not, then I am asking that You put a restraining order on Satan and all of his demons and force them to stop giving me these nightmares and flashbacks immediately and forever! Please put a guard over my mind to stop all such demonic thoughts from tormenting me. I thank you for it in the name of Jesus.

   As tormenting thoughts and memories come into your mind, immediately command the demons putting those thoughts into you to be gone at once in the name of Jesus! Then turn your mind onto scripture.

   Sometimes Satan will rebel and break through and start putting the nightmares and flashbacks into your mind again at some future date. If this happens, immediately go before God's throne and ask Him to discipline Satan for violating His command and put a halt to all such activities. God is always faithful to do so. This provided the solution to the terrible torment in Daniel's life, and it has also been a great help to me during periods of great grief and loss.

   God Will Resurrect Your Dream

   Some of you are so discouraged by unfulfilled dreams that you actually wish you were dead. I want to share with you a message the Holy Spirit gave to me early this morning when I thought my dreams had died, too.

   Some have dreams that are barely still alive but appear to be at the point of death. Some have dreams that recently died. Some others believe that their dreams are not only dead but they are prepared for burial and on the way to the cemetery. Then there are those who say, "My dream is so dead that it's already been buried and is decayed and stinking."

   No matter what stage of dying or death your dream may be in, Jesus wants to touch that dream with His resurrection power. Raising the dead is a light thing for the Creator of all things. I would like to show you from God's word THE BIBLE that Jesus is experienced in resurrecting dreams in every stage of dying or death.

   The Apostle Peter

   The Apostle Peter messed up so badly by betraying Jesus, his best friend;"…he went out and wept bitterly." (Matt. 26:75)

   In the Greek language those words "wept bitterly" mean "lamentation, hard crying, wailing aloud, to violently bewail, sharp and piercing". Peter's heart was so broken by what he had done, he believed with all of his existence that his dream had ended. He thought for sure Jesus was through with him.

   After he cried his eyes dry, he decided to go back to catching smelly fish and cuss like a longshoreman. That is until Jesus rose from the dead and sent Peter a message via Angelic delivery service that said, "But go and tell his disciples…AND PETER…that He is going before you into Galilee…" (Mark 16:7) Jesus told that Angel, in essence, "Mention Peter by name. I want him to know I forgive him and that his dream is not dead. Make sure he's at the meeting. And in the front row. It's RESURRECTION TIME."

   Jesus would tell you today if you're wishing you were dead, too," Hold your horses. Don't throw in the towel. It's not over 'til it's over."

   A Nobleman

   In the Bible there is a Nobleman whose son is not actually dead yet, but he was close to death indeed. This man went to Jesus with great anxiety, imploring Him to "…come down and heal my son for he is at THE POINT OF DEATH." (John 4:47) Jesus honored the man's release of faith by simply telling him, "Go your way. Your son lives."

   Possibly your dream hasn't quite died but it's all you can do to hang on it today. Your dream is at THE POINT OF DEATH. Cry out to Jesus the way the Nobleman did, expecting His intervention.

   Jesus will say to you in essence, "That's all I was looking for. I wanted you to ask for my help by faith. Go your way. Your dream lives." Call out to Him now. And He'll do it in a New York minute.

   Jairus, the Synagogue Ruler

   Elsewhere in the Bible there is a man whose name was Jairus. His daughter had recently died while he was in the process of finding Jesus. His little girl was not at the point of death. The Bible says his little girl was actually "dead". As soon as Jesus heard that the little girl was dead, He immediately told the man," Do not be afraid only believe." (Mark 5:36)

   Difficult as it was, Jairus refused to let fear get a hold of him knowing he could trust the words of Jesus. Within moments, Jesus was leaning over the child, speaking the words, "Little girl, I say to you arise." Immediately the girl arose from the dead and walked. (Mark 5:42)

   So you say your dream just recently died? Jesus would say to you, "Do not be afraid. Only believe. Speak you dream in My Name. Tell that dream to come forth and to be perfected in the Earth and it will obey you."

   Your dream will rise from the dead even as Jairus' daughter was raised from the dead. All you have to do is believe like Jairus believed. This narrative is in the Bible to give us hope. So get your hopes up. As a matter of fact, get them up as high as they will go. Change is on the horizon. This is your Time of Resurrection.

   The Widow of Nain

   A widow lady in the Bible was in even worse shape than Jairus. Her only son was well beyond just "recently dead". His body was prepared for burial when Jesus showed up,

   interrupting the funeral procession.

   When Jesus saw how broken-hearted the widow woman was that her dream of her only son taking care of her through her old age was dead and almost buried, He had great compassion on her. To the amazement of the entire funeral procession, Jesus reached out touching the coffin, saying," Young man, I say to you arise." (Luke 7:14)

   The young man who was dead suddenly sat up and Jesus presented him to his mother. The whole crowd burst into praise even as you will when you ask the Father to resurrect your dead and practically buried dream, in Jesus' Name. He's just waiting for you to ask. Just DO IT, ask right now in the Name of Jesus.

   Lazarus, the Close Friend of Jesus

   Finally, anther family in the Bible had a situation where their loved one not only dead but buried, and the Bible said he was stinking. This man's name was Lazarus and he was a personal friend of Jesus. His family had completely given up hope. Their dreams for Lazarus were dead, buried and stinking. That is until Jesus came along and said," Roll away the stone."

   Everybody panicked at that instruction. Martha, Lazarus' sister, said, in essence," Lord, you've got to be kidding. He's been dead for four long hot days and stinks to high heaven." Unmoved Jesus responded," Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"

   Suddenly Jesus shouted at the top of His lungs," LAZARUS COME FORTH," To the amazement of everyone, old dead stinking Lazarus did just that. He returned from the dead at the spoken words of JESUS, he was back in the land of the living. I believe a lot of folks got saved that day at a cemetery revival service. (John 11:39-44)

   You and Your Dreams

   Your dream may be so dried up that all you do is wish you were dead like Peter. Maybe your dream is at the point of death like the Nobleman's son. Possibly your dream has died like Jairus' daughter. Or your dream could be dead, prepared for burial and on the way to cemetery like the widow of Nain's. Perhaps you're as bad off as Lazarus and your dream is dead, buried and nothing more than a stinking memory.

   You need to understand this. Jesus told Lazarus' sister, Martha, "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE." There is no pit so deep that Jesus isn't deeper still. The resurrection of your dream is a simple thing for Him, if only you'll believe. Stay away from fear. Don't believe the devil's lies that it is over.

   If you have not yet asked Jesus, the Redeemer, to be the Lord of your life, you can do that right now. Say, "Jesus, I choose you as the Lord of my life. I ask you to come into my heart right now. Be my Lord and be my Savior, be my Master, be my Dream resurrector."

   By praying this Prayer, you became a member of God's Eternal Family. You are now entitled to call God "FATHER" (Matt. 6:1, 4, 6)

   Father, I thought it was over until now. I see now it's never to late. I believe you can raise my hopes and my dreams from the dead. I believe you can resurrect my life to be what you called me to be. With Your resurrection power I know I can be restored to life in its fullest I ask this in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST my SAVIOR AND RESTORER. AMEN

   Running On Empty
   11/17/2010

   Drained. Sapped. Empty. Whatever adjective you'd like to use . . . the message is the same: we're running on empty. We find ourselves depleted of hope because life just isn't meeting our expectations. We've exhausted ourselves seemingly to the point of no return. In our efforts to "press in" and "press on," we seek God, yet we find our faith is debilitated because we simply haven't been filling our time with His presence. When we cry out, "Where is God?" we find that He is there . . . He's been there all along . . . it's where we've been that's the big question.

   Life is able to turn in an instant. We can be filled with joy and peace one moment, only to be consumed with deep sorrow and despair in the next. We can find ourselves in a position before God where we're too discouraged to kneel in prayer, much less lift our hands in praise. (Psalm 38:13-14 NIV) Our spirit becomes so vacant that we simply have nothing to say. We're desperate to be filled; to have the joy that comes from unwavering faith, the peace that comes from trusting in a loving sovereign God, and the rest that comes from knowing that God is with us always. In the darkest valleys of life, we cling to our faith with little hope.

   But see, we walk by faith . . . which means our faith moves, it requires action. It is the Spirit of God that meets us in the darkest places in life and who will "fill up" our spirits and revive our souls. But, as He helps us, there are four ways in which He will invite our faith to work. God invites you to:

   1. Examine your heart. (2 Corinthians 3:5) We think of "sin" in terms of what we call the "big ones." Those sins such as murder and adultery; the "fleshly" sins. These sins are easy to point the finger at because they're easy to see. But the sins we don't see are the ones that can go unnoticed and will seriously hinder our fellowship with God. The Spirit of God wants to uncover and reveal to you those areas where there is bitterness, unforgiveness, or pride. As those dark struggles are brought to light, ask God to work in and through you to bring your heart into His will.

   2. Renew your mind. (Romans 12:1) As the Spirit of God begins to reveal the areas in your heart that are in desperate need of repair, He will move you to renew your mind. Our mind holds incredible power and where our mind is, there our heart is also. So, we have to begin thinking about what we're thinking about. Are they thoughts that are aligned with God's will? How much time are we spending filling our mind with God's Truth? If we do not focus on what is true, there are a million and one lies in any given day that will cast us relentlessly into despair. As we renew our mind in God's Word, hope overflows. This requires time - time spent reading and thinking about God's Word.

   3. Check your motives. (1 John 5:14-15) At times when we're calling out to God, we feel as though our prayers are simply falling on deaf ears. But through our knowledge of Truth, we know for certain that He hears us. (Jeremiah 33:3, Isaiah 59:1) Yet, we're also told to pray according to His will. Although we may not know God's will in a particular situation, we can rely on the Spirit to go to the Father for us . . . if we come to Him with a humble heart and ready to accept that His way is always best. If our intentions are selfish, we end up back at STEP 1 because God still has work to do in us. God is always at work. Thank heavens He never slumbers!

   4. Focus on Him. (Psalm 25:15) Too often, as we come before God in prayer, in our most hopeless situations, we're focused on our wants and desires and we lose focus of God and His purposes for our trials. If we're not focused on God, we're allowing our emotions to take precedence over our faith in God. The secret to victorious faith is to dwell on God's ability to handle our problems. We will only find true peace and joy if we completely surrender to His will . . . trusting that His way is always the best way.

   Lord God, when all my strength is gone, it is You that I will run to. As I throw myself helplessly before Your throne of grace, I ask You to fill me with Your love, mercy, grace, and Truth. Do a work in me that will lift me from the pit of despair and raise me up to give You glory through my trials of life. When all hope is gone, I will refocus my heart and place all of my hope in You. I will cling to the hope that comes through trusting in You alone, for I know that the true hope I have in You will never disappoint me. Heavenly Father, You are all I need whenever I am in need. It is Your joy that is my strength. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

   Beyond a Doubt
   10/18/2010

   Like an uninvited guest, Doubt shows up at the most inopportune times - usually it's when life is "messy . . . we haven't had time to get things in order and it appears that everything is falling apart at the seams. Just when we begin to grasp onto whatever is left of hope, Doubt comes knocking at the door. But, when we find doubt knocking, we should be sure and let Faith answer.

   Life is difficult at best; although our human instinct is to believe that our faith in God should make life "better" . . . nothing could be further from the Truth. We're promised that in this world we will have trouble - we should count on it. (John 16:33) Yet, we should also trust in God's sovereignty, supernatural power, love, mercy, and grace. But, it's in our times of despair that Doubt takes over and begins to wreak havoc in our souls. We find ourselves between the walls of the Red Sea . . . assured that God has rescued us in the past, but filled with doubt, as we see the treacherous waters ready to come crashing in on us and an encroaching army ready to attack. The situation seems "doubtful." It seems unlikely that God will show up this time. The anxiety within us builds to such a point that it's not the waters of the Red Sea that are drowning us . . . it's the waves of Doubt that have flooded our soul and our spirit cries out, "Is God with us or isn't He?"

   You might think that you're the only one who gets regular unwanted visits from Doubt, but you can rest assured that Doubt shows up at the door of every believer time and time again. Doubt will walk right in when the door has been left unlocked. When Faith has left, Doubt decides to visit and, at times, we decide to welcome Doubt in to sit down and chat for a while. The result of that time with Doubt leads us deeper into despair . . . we so easily forget about Faith, as we spend endless hours visiting with Doubt.

   What we must remember in our darkest moments of life is that God has often led us to the very place in which we now stand . . . in the midst of a parted Red Sea. And He has done so to teach us a much needed lesson in our walk of faith - we cannot deliver ourselves from a crisis that God Himself has orchestrated. Often, it is by His design that we are in the midst of our overwhelming situation. We so quickly become focused upon the seemingly insurmountable circumstances, instead of our supernatural God. The outcome of our trial depends upon one thing: our faith in God. The question is: "Will your faith stand this test . . . and the next one . . . and the next one?" God brings you through test after test in order to build a testimony in you that says, "My God is faithful."

   When we're put to the ultimate test of faith, and we will encounter it at one time or another, we find overwhelming circumstances . . . giant issues facing us, high seas of affliction, and the evil of principalities and powers seeking to destroy us. It is then that we must totally cast ourselves on God's Promises and slam the door on Doubt. Many times we must speak out loud and directly command Doubt to leave at once in the name of Jesus! We must decide to confidently walk forward, as the walls of the Sea seem eager to take us down, and believe that God is bigger than any problem or enemy that might come against us. It's this kind of faith that brings a calm and rest to our soul, no matter what our situation. When we settle, once and for all, that "God is bigger," we can find the peace that surpasses all understanding reigning within us.

   Whatever you're going through, God is in it. He has allowed the circumstances that have brought Doubt to your door, and He is increasing your faith by threatening to destroy it. If you are walking in faith, God has ordered your steps - He has put you where you are. He has good reason for it - you are being tested. When you are consumed with Doubt . . . when everything appears hopeless . . . when there seems no way of escape . . . when you are overcome with fear because everything is crumbling down around you . . . when there is nowhere to turn and no answers to be found, God says one thing:

   "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today." Exodus 14:13 (NLT)

   It's beyond a doubt, as you stand still, holding your peace, and staying focused upon your sovereign God, that you will find that God's deliverance doesn't come through something you do, say, or pray . . . but through your Faith.

    

   Sowing Seeds of God's Word

   Did you realize that the harvest of your tomorrow depends on the seed you sow today? What you will be doing in the future depends on the type of seed you sow now.
   
   In fact, what you are experiencing now is due to the kind of seed you sowed in the past. If you do not like your present harvest, and do not want more of the same this year, you will have to change your seed.
   
   Your words are like seeds. They have the ability to create death or life. Proverbs 18:20-21 says, "A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
   
   In other words, you shall eat the fruit and be filled by the very words that come out of your own mouth. Whether it is life or death. That is what you will get.
   
   Some Christians think that because God is sovereign that it makes no difference what they speak out of their mouths. They believe that God will just do what He wants. But, God qualifies His sovereignty. He tells us what He will and what He will not do. He has set up principles in the Kingdome of God. If we violate His principles, we suffer the consequences.
   
   The Word of God is to govern our thoughts, actions and conversations. The Kingdom of God operates on seeds and harvests. We know from the parable of the Sower that the Word of God is the seed that the sower is to plant. (Luke 8:11, Mark 4:20)
   
   There is ability in every seed to produce once it is planted. If you plant the seeds of God's Word in your heart and speak it out of your mouth, it will produce life for you. On the other hand, if you plants seeds of murmuring, complaining, griping, backbiting, fear, doubt, unbelief, gossip, disease, poverty, lack, and weakness, then it will also produce. It will produce death. Neutral speaking or speaking nothing is the same as speaking negatively. Only God's Word produces life.
   
   Jesus said as much in Mark 11:23, " . . . but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith." You shall have exactly what you speak. You will literally "eat" the fruit of your lips. You will reap a harvest of the seeds you have been planting.
   
   We see examples of this in Joshua 1:7-8. "This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night . . . for then thou shalt make your way prosperous and then you shall have good success." In Numbers 14:28 God tells the murmuring Israelites, "I will do to you the very things I heard you say."
   
   God and Satan are listening to your words and are waiting to move on what they hear from you. God will only agree with His words. When we speak His Word out of our mouth, He is ready to move on it and bring it to pass.
   
   Jeremiah 1:12 "I will hasten My Word to perform it."
   Isaiah 43:26 "Put Me in remembrance . . . "
   
   The devil is also listening. He is eager to accommodate us when we speak words of fear, doubt and unbelief. James 3:2 tells us that a very large ship is actually steered by a very small rudder. He compares the rudder to the human tongue. Though it be a small member of the physical body, it actually steers us into the direction of the words we speak. Your future depends on what you speak today.
   
   In Matthew 12:36, Jesus said we will have to give an account of every idle words. That word "idle" means useless. Useless conversation does not build up; it doesn't edify anyone. It doesn't produce anything good in your life.
   
   You may have to ask God to forgive you for speaking things that are wrong. You may need to apply the name of Jesus to destroy any potential harvests coming you way from useless and unbelieving words that you have sown in the past.
   
   You will then need to begin to plant words of faith and discipline yourself to only speak Godly, faith-building words. Begin to sow toward your future the harvests you desire.
   
   Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the profession [confession] of our faith." Begin today sowing for your future of abundance, health, wealth, and fulfillment of God's purposes in your life.
    

   Have You Stabbed Anyone Lately?

   
   The language we use to communicate with another is like a knife. In the hands of a
   careful and skilled surgeon, a knife can work to do great good. But in the hands of a
   careless and ignorant person, a knife can cause great harm, cutting into ribbons instead of providing for healing. Exactly as with our words.
   
   The Bible echoes this truth. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." So, have you stabbed anyone lately? I have to admit, words are powerful like aknife. I've been cut, and I've done some stabbing myself.

   Quick to strike

   The world around us tells us to speak our mind. After all, we have the right to say what we are thinking, right? If people don't like it, they don't have to listen. We say what's on our mind without hesitation (slash!), and the result can be a deep wound.
   
   Sometimes we try to pull back and retreat from our attacks, but even after you pull a
   knife out, there is still pain. So our words can have lasting effects on our victims.
   
   In contrast, words of healing and health are a rare prize. Compliment others on a job well done or encourage them to try again when they make a mistake. "What, are you kidding me - and miss the perfect opportunity for self-promotion?!"

   But Why?

   Why is it that people are so cautious in complimenting and building up, yet so quick to
   criticize and bring down?
   
   One word . . . pride. Whether we realize it or not, verbal stabs are an attempt to make someone else look bad, so that by comparison we look better.
   
   It's selfish, inconsiderate, and people won't think you are cooler when you do it. If you
   hang out with those who constantly "bad mouth" others, what makes you think they don't do the same about you when you're not around?
   
   There is little risk in words of encouragement. When was the last time someone snapped back at you with a sharp comment for saying something uplifting to him or her? We like genuine compliments and encouraging words.

   God's Take

   The Bible says much about words and the power of the tongue. It calls the tongue "an
   unruly evil" that is impossible to tame, but admonishes us to seek perfection in
   controlling our words. (James 3:8)

   But how do we control our words if God Himself says it is impossible to tame the
   tongue? The key is that it's impossible to tame it by yourself. But with God all things are possible.

   A Challenge

   Here is your personal challenge. I dare you to do it! It can ehlp change you from a
   verbal assassin to a delicate surgeon.

   • For one day, keep a record of your words

   • Every time you say something negative, mark it down.

   • Every time you say something positive, jot that down.

   • At the end of the day, take a look. Any room for improvement? How many lives did you improve with uplifting words? How many did you diminish
     with destructive words?

   Think more about how we speak and treat each other
   
   You and I control the sharpest object of all - the tongue. The question is: For what
   purpose will we use it? Will we strike a piercing blow to the inward parts? Or will we use our tongues for friendship, encouragement and a life-saving infusion of genuine love?
   
   The knife is in your hands . . . or truly, in your mouth.