Sunday, June 28, 2015

The Church is at War with a Spirit of Unrighteousness Not People



Christ Died to Set us FREE from our Old Life and
Calls us to be a NEW Creation IN HIM
 
 
Pastor Allan said he was standing in awe of God, but his heart was heavy over the recent Supreme Court decisions. 
 
Sin has become law for the nation and we find our country in a worse situation than it has ever been.

If the church fails to recognize what is now law, it may be in violation of civil rights. 
 
This is not easy, but Regardless of what others say, we will say, “Thus Says the Lord.” 
We as Christians are not at war with the homosexual community.  We are called to love them and point them to Jesus, but not to condone their lifestyle.”
We are at war with a Spirit of Unrighteousness, not people. 

David said in Psalms 69:15  Let not the flood waters sink me neither the mire swallow me, nor the pit shut its mouth upon me.  David went on to say those who hate me are out to destroy me.

It may feel like we are going under for the third time, for darkness does not like the light.  The body of Christ is upsetting the enemy.  The enemy hopes we will rise up to battle against the homosexual community, but we realize this is a ruse and subterfuge.
We are living in a country where the most important thing in life is to be entertained and to live for the moment. 
 
2 Tim 3:2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.

Our country has been deceived.

Those opposed to Jesus, think they have won by raising their voice, but the Bible tells us as believers to speak up and use our ability to speak and influence how ever God calls us.

The media models the Church as pathetic, with an attitude of “holier than thou.”

Lord forgive us, and let your light shine through us to draw people to you. 
 
Let us cry for Justice, and not Judgment.  There will be a time when Judgment is served.


We were not taken by surprise, as many have seen this coming by the attitudes of the political scene.

You may ask, “Pastor what should we do?” 

This is an attack against Godly homes, and it is up to us to teach our children right from wrong.  We must explain the why and what the Bible says. 
 
Remain faithful to Jesus and DO NOT BE MOVED.

The Bible tells us to pray for our leaders.  Pray that God will touch their lives and melt their hearts. 
 
It is time for Christians to enter Government local and other.

If we desire an open door and a portal into heaven, we must first open our hearts to those persons God sends to our Church.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and your focus on the prize of the High Calling.

Too long, the church has been living on the mountain, and it is time for us to come down into the valley where the battle is going on.

Our weapons are not carnal but mighty to the pulling down of strongholds.
 
 

Never Give Up by Guest Roy Lessin




Never Give Up
By Guest Roy Lessin

Moses was trapped on every side,
but then he saw the Red Sea divide—
never give up!

Abraham could not bring forth a son,
but Sarah gave birth to the promised one—
never give up!

Gideon was the least of Israel’s men,
but God used him to save them again—
never give up!

Many others received help from God, too,
and it is certain He won’t fail you—
never give up!

You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Hebrews 10:34-35 (NLT)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) 

 

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Why do People turn to Drugs, Alcohol or Homosexuality?



Jesus is Calling - Let me Help You !
There are many reasons, but usually it is because the person feels unloved, rejected, and are seeking to find a way to fill the void of loss and are not feeling worthy. 

What is their background and were they raised in a father-less home?  Or did they live in a home where the dad was not often there? 

Their father was suffering from the same feelings of abandonment and because he never heard the words “I love you,” he was not able to give loving support to his own children.  This creates a vacuum in the spirit and it continues to the next generation.

People do not realize that God is that loving Father they so desperately need to know.

 Did their mother repeatedly down grade the earthly father in their presence and also tell the child they would not amount to anything? 

Background is important, because feeling so forsaken, the person seeks to discover another way to find their miracle escape.   

The accepting of drugs, alcohol or a first experience with homosexuality is usually by invitation which leads to addiction and bondage. 

We were all born sinners, but we were NOT born druggies, or alcoholics, or homosexuals.  The sin nature was seeking to fill that void of not being accepted.

What actually happens with that first drug, pill, smoke, shot, drink, or homosexual experience? 

Don’t become offended, because Truth hurts.  This is the True fact; An unclean spirit attaches itself to the person, and eventually brings with them, other unclean spirits.

We are to love the sinner and hate their sin.  We accept them as a person, but not their lifestyle.  When a Christian shows the sinner too much love, it is often taken as acceptance and the person thinks they are okay to stay where they are in their sin. 

Many times the person who is chained and in these kinds of traps, desires to be free and even can come into a salvation experience.  However this is only the first step into deliverance. 

There are various methods that some organizations use to set the captive free.  Casting out devils is one, To Confess and renounce the sin is another.  These bring some relief.

Dennis and his Wife Dr. Jen Clark have written several books on helping to “LIVE FREE,” and their method is simple and sure. 

I am attaching a simple guide the Clark’s use in their ministry, that should not offend the seeker, and is a wonderful final step in breaking emotional chains. 
 
 
 

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Pray Over Your City


Pray Over Your City

Each Wednesday a group of Christians, meet for a Prayer Walk at 9:00 am to pray over our city and the surrounding areas.   We invite you to  pray where you live for YOUR city.    

Our Focus for this week: 

We are called to be HOLY because God is HOLY.  In the Scriptures, a priest who entered the temple had to be HOLY and without Blemish as he came to plead his case before God. 
 
We also are to present ourselves HOLY as kings and priests washed in the Blood of Jesus.

I Peter 1: 15-16   But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

Revelations 1:5-6   And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood - - And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 

Revelations 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

We are coming with authority given to us as HOLY kings and priests to Enforce Dominion over our City.

As Kings and Priests we have the authority and right to break curses, and evict the enemy over our city.  We exercise our rights as Blood Bought Priests to declare the Light of the Gospel to expel the darkness and restore God’s will on Earth as God’s will is in Heaven.
 
Today we are using the DECREES in the link below to claim our city for God.

CLICK HERE   FOR Decrees for your City by Laura Gagnon
 
 

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Characteristics Of A Godly Man (or Woman)


 
 Characteristics Of A Godly Man (or Woman)

Pastor Allan began his message by saying; today he wanted to talk about Fathers not doing their job.  In this world there are so many sounds, and God has given many gifts to use.  We have a voice to use, and to share the Gospel.  We need to quit saying, “I am not worthy,” because God has made you worthy.

Yes at times, we all fall short, but we need to step up and get closer to Jesus and BE a person of integrity, today and tomorrow.

The Characteristics of a Godly Man or women require a personal relationship with Jesus.

#1  Step Up:  It is time to be willing to initiate and be men or women of action.  To be strong, courageous, and an example to our children and to others.

Society is trying to undermine all that God has founded as normal.  What can one person do?  It was one person who stopped prayer and the Bible in schools.  If one woman can change history, think what the Body of Christ can do?  God has given us a future and a plan for good.  Not just in the physical realm but in the Spiritual.  We must stand in the gap for our family and be committed to Christ and also to our community.


#2.  Speak out:  Teach your children truth now, and later they will make their own choices, hopefully on what you have taught them.  When they come home from school saying their teacher says this and that - - tell them that the Bible says sin is sin.  Silence is a sin.  Be ready to give a defense in gentleness and reverence.  Be bold and take a stand for we are in desperate times. 

#3.  Stand Strong:  Don’t give in if you are criticized.  The enemy will try to discourage you, but you can’t allow him to do that.  Sometimes we are smacked by a wave, but don’t slide back.  Discover the attack and Pray God to cover us with the Blood of Jesus.  God’s will isn’t always a piece of cake, but your toil is not in vain.  Be mature in God. 

I Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

The enemy attacks in a vulnerable spot; the family. The enemy wants to “take you out, but tighten up security with prayer and dedication.  Ask God for a Father’s heart who loves in purity.  Ask for a heart that hurts when other’s hurt, to have empathy with the broken the ugly and the smelly.  Be prepared to meet opposition, but see others not for what they are now, but what they are going to be.

It is God’s will for us to be like Jesus.

#4.  Stay humble:  Don’t try to take credit.  Pride has no place.  I Peter 5:5 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

#5.  Serve the King Jesus.  Seek the kingdom of His Righteousness and serve God.  It is Him who sanctifies us.  Don’t settle to be an average Christian, but serve the King by serving others.  Stand in the gap for your Pastor, that he may preach truth and not a watered down gospel.  We desire reality, and a genuine move of the Holy Spirit. 

Claim holiness, which is not the most popular thing, but allow God to flow through you as a clean vessel.  Don’t get too comfortable because we are going to go into deeper levels with God.

Pray for boldness and for these Godly Characteristics’ to show up in your life.

 

Deepen your Intimacy in God’s Love – by Guest Mike Bickle

 
 
Deepen your Intimacy in God’s Love – by Guest Mike Bickle
 

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. —Ephesians 2:6-7
 

Do you ever imagine standing in heaven's throne room as you worship and intercede? Picture a mighty throne, immersed in flames, standing in heaven. Imagine an indescribably glorious person with hair and garments as white as snow, seated upon that throne.
 

Picture twenty-four lesser thrones surrounding the great thrones on the right and the left and twenty-four elders clothed in white and wearing golden crowns sitting upon those thrones.
 

Listen to the mighty roar of praise ascending from the myriads and myriads of angels on every side of the throne.
 

Jesus is there at the right hand of His Father. His loveliness and His splendor are beyond description. He is welcoming you to the throne of grace, smiling and bidding you to come.
 

As we come there, day after day, year after year, our spiritual lives will surely be enriched. Our spirits will be invigorated, and our minds will be renewed.
 

{ PRAYER STARTER } Lord, the thought of standing with You before the Father's throne is more than I can comprehend. Yet You welcome me to the throne of grace and renew my being as I stand in that holy place. Over the course of time we are changed—transformed—from glory to glory. -

 

Saturday, June 20, 2015

"The Coming Turn" By Guest Garris Elkins, Medford, OR


"The Coming Turn"
By Guest Rev. Garris Elkins, Medford, OR
Sharing from the ElijahList.com/
 
 
Where I live in southern Oregon, we have something called the Bear Creek Greenway. The Greenway is a nature corridor that follows Bear Creek as it winds its way through the beautiful Rogue Valley. Part of the Greenway is a paved bike path that travels 20 miles along the creek edge.

This past week, as I pedaled my bicycle along a familiar section of the Greenway, I noticed a sign along the path. It warned me to slow down and proceed with caution because I was entering a blind corner. As I passed the sign, I felt impressed to stop, turn around and go back. I found myself standing in front of the sign and listening. I knew this was a God-moment. As the other cyclists whizzed by the Lord began to speak.

"A Sharp and Unexpected Turn... A New Level of Trust Required"

"You are approaching a sharp and unexpected turn. This turn will be what is called a 'blind turn' because what lies ahead cannot be seen. I want you to know I see the full arc of this turn and all that will be involved as you change course and head in a new direction. I see the beginning and the end and because of this, I want you to move forward with confidence.
"In your approach to the turn, you will slow down to adjust your position and speed in an attempt to safely navigate the pathway. These are not the adjustments I want you to make. I am changing your status quo.
"Human reasoning will not help you navigate through the inertia of the coming turn. This turn can only be navigated in response to the immediate, in-the-moment instructions I will provide by My Spirit. Don't simply rely on past experience or how successfully you were able to predict and navigate through the previous turns of your life.
"I want to take you to a new level of trust required to deliver you to a new destination. This new level of trust will require that you ignore the warning signs of fear erected by others on the pathway of your faith.
"As you approach this turn, speed up by increasing your trust in Me. Press forward beyond the limits of your past failures and the fears of an unexplored future. I invite you to make this turn with shouts of joy and the exhilaration that comes from a ride saturated with trust.
"The wheels of your faith will hold because My hand will be your point of traction. I will reveal the way forward as the turn deepens. I will accelerate you through this moment and deliver you safely to the good place I have planned for you."

When the Lord finished speaking, I got back on my bike and continued to ride ahead making the turn the sign had warned me about. I knew this word was for me and for others who will read these words.
 
Our God is a Deliver. He not only delivers us out of situations, but He also faithfully delivers us through the turns and twists that exist along the path of faith.
 
As I finally pedaled out of the turn and onto the straightaway of the bike path, I knew God was extending an invitation to me and others to experience a supernatural change of direction that will require the power of His love to complete.

This is where I want to place my trust and I invite you to do the same.

Garris Elkins, Author and Prophetic Minister
Prophetic Horizons

Website: garriselkins.com/

Garris Elkins' ministry, Prophetic Horizons, is a ministry of teaching, writing, and prophecy committed to raising up a prophetic generation to speak to the cultures of our world with the empowered voice of Heaven. Garris and his wife, Jan, are a spiritual father and mother to many, both in the United States and abroad. They live in Medford, Oregon, where they just completed 33 years of pastoral ministry.

 

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Living Free by Dennis and Dr Jen Clark


Living Free by Dennis and Dr Jen Clark

This is an important book, for your own personal emotional healing and also as a “How to” manual to teach and minister to others.
Review my recent Post Real Help and finding Deep Relief Now 

Presented here are the simple Keys, although much is missing if you haven’t studied the entire book for yourself.   

1. FIRST This is where we invite the Lord to bring to mind some circumstance or relationship where there is a need of healing. Focus on the first person or situation that comes to mind. You may see a picture in your mind’s eye or a short “movie clip” of a moment in the present or past. 

Don’t dismiss or overlook any picture or memory that seems insignificant or random. God knows what is important— and also knows the best order in which to proceed in the process of healing. 

Most often, the issues that seem small to us have tremendous significance in our lives. God always knows best. Trust Him to bring to mind whatever He feels is most important to heal first.  

It may help to think of yourself as a child who needs help. So go to your heavenly Father with childlike faith, simply trusting that the first person or situation that comes to mind is truly from an all-knowing, all-loving God, who is powerful enough to communicate with you clearly and directly.  

2. FEEL Next, we get in touch with the feelings that are taking place in our gut. “What do I feel when I think of or imagine this person or situation that just came to mind?” Every thought has a corresponding emotion.

All thoughts are feeling-thoughts or emo-cognitions. (forgiveness, to be complete, must be done on an emotional level, not the thinking level.) 

Pay attention to the negative emotions you feel in your belly area. Don’t think at this point, but simply feel what is taking place in your gut.  

When you think of that person or situation that God brings to mind, what is going on inside your belly?  

We don’t even have to name the emotion we are currently experiencing. It may be very subtle or extremely strong, from a vague, nameless discomfort to a more obvious rage or sorrow. We only have to feel the negative emotion momentarily.  

God does not require us to feel the full extent of our emotions in order to receive healing. There is no reason for us to dwell on the feeling or plumb its depths. Just experiencing “the tip of the iceberg” of an enormous feeling is sufficient— no more.

What if feeling a particularly painful emotion seems more than you can handle at the moment? Just remind yourself that feeling a moment of discomfort is a small price to pay for a lifetime of peace and freedom in that area.  

Give in and allow the feelings to arise. Christ can work with whatever area of brokenness you offer Him, no matter how small, confused, painful, or undefined. All you need is a mustard seed of faith. As we think of the person or situation God brings to mind, what does it feel like inside of us?  

That emotion has been in us all along, even if it was hidden. But it has been lurking beneath our conscious awareness. Unresolved emotions are stored in the brain’s long-term memory, in the cellular memories of the body, and the emotional memory of the heart but God will bring to the surface what He wants to heal, and He’ll do it in the best order possible. He has our best interests at heart.  

3. FORGIVE It is important to always start with the emotion that we’re feeling. While we continue to feel that particular emotion, drop down to focus on our spirit and yield our will to God, opening the door of our heart to the presence of God.  

Yield to Christ within, and allow a river of forgiveness to flow toward the person who provoked the negative emotion (or we receive forgiveness for ourselves). 

Forgiveness is complete when the negative emotion changes to perfect peace. Christ Himself will bring healing to the wound in our heart— and to our cellular memories and neural pathways— with His very presence, giving us peace that transcends understanding.

Forgiveness flowing from our innermost being actually feels like a gentle river of love rushing from inside our belly out toward the person needing forgiveness or the situation the Lord wants to heal. Let His river flow until the pain, fear, or anger changes to peace.  

Then and only then has that unforgiveness been cleansed by Christ Himself. In fact, that’s the sign of forgiveness: pain has changed to His peace. The most important question is whether or not we feel peace inside when we think of the person or situation again. We never have to guess if we did it right if we focus on the peace.  

We can just close our eyes, drop down focusing on our spirit, picture the exact situation or person again, and we should now feel peace— a permanent and lasting peace. If we can see that person who offended us or return to the memory and feel peace instead of pain or bitterness, then forgiveness is complete.  

If, on the other hand, we picture the person or situation and feel even a twinge of negative emotion, then we need to return to the process of dropping down, yielding our will, and releasing Christ the forgiver once again. It’s imperative we keep releasing love until the emotion turns to peace.  

Christ the forgiver is the One who does the forgiving. There is nothing for us to do but yield to Him and let His river of love flow through us. It should only take seconds.

It is extremely important that we pray through only one situation at a time, and pray through each emotion associated with that memory, releasing Christ the forgiver until we feel His peace displace the negative emotion. We must be patient with whatever God presents to us, in whatever order, no matter how “random” it seems. Sequence is important, so we always go in God’s order, according to His leading.  

He is aware of the larger structures of our soul and understands how to dismantle strongholds, wound by wound, in the most effective sequence.  

Forgive in Three Directions.  Often we have to forgive in more than one direction. Forgiveness may be directed toward another person or situation, but it can also be directed toward God or ourselves.  

Why? Perhaps we’ve held onto regrets from the past or held judgments against others. We need to let Christ cleanse us of those regrets and accusations. When we hold onto unforgiveness; it is a sin.  

Maybe we feel guilt and shame about things we’ve done or haven’t done, sins of omission or commission. We simply open our heart, yield our will, and let Christ the forgiver flow toward us, cleansing us of sin.

We need to forgive ourselves for judging ourselves too harshly. People are frequently much harder on themselves than on other people.  

But sometimes we need to forgive God— not that He has done anything wrong, but we blame Him for things done to us. Even though He has never done anything wrong or sinned in any way, people often get mad at Him anyway. He’s accused of withholding blessings from us, or maybe we’ve grown bitter and disappointed by hopes that were deferred.

Once again, we open our heart and yield our will to Christ. We allow forgiveness to flow out, toward God Himself. We also receive forgiveness for holding a grudge against the Lord. Forgiving God gets our heart right toward Him. At other times we need to forgive others for what has been done to us. A person who was abused, for example, might be angry with the perpetrator, blame themselves for not stopping it somehow, and feel hurt by God because it was allowed to happen.  

That person can open their heart, yield their will, and let the forgiveness of Christ flow in all three directions— first to the perpetrator, then to themselves, and then to God. If in doubt, we should forgive in all three directions because we can’t forgive too much or love too much.  

REVIEW

Once again, just follow these easy steps to experience supernatural forgiveness:

First
First person or situation. What is the first person or situation God brings to mind in an image or memory? "Feel" the feeling. What is the emotion you feel in your gut?
 
Forgive
Forgive. Yield your will and let Christ the forgiver flow out toward the person or situation, yourself, or to God. 

Fact
Fact. After forgiving and getting peace, if there is a lie, renounce it out loud. Next, ask the Lord for the truth (scriptural fact) and receive it.  

Fill
Fill. Forgive first, then release the demands on people to give you what you needed. Then receive filling from Christ within.

 Taken from the Book “Live Free: Discover the Keys to Living in God's Presence 24/7”  by Clark, Dennis; Clark, Jen (2013-12-17

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Real Help with Hurting Emotions


Simple Keys to Heal Long Standing Emotional Pain
 
The book Deep Relief Now, by Dennis and Dr  Jen Clark, reveals how to quickly receive healing from past hurts.

So many Christians suffer from depression and other emotional hurts and cannot seem to experience help through counseling or even Christian Counselors.  The retelling of their pain only causes more intense suffering.

There are many inner healing techniques available, and I have studied some of them, but this is the only one I have found with lasting help.
  Simply the Clarks share how to abide in the presence of the Lord 24/7.   
  Abiding in Christ is as easy as opening the door of your heart to receive Jesus. 

 To daily experience the presence of Jesus, we must again open our heart and invite Jesus  to sup with us in our spirit.

Most of us think of our spirit man as being located in our chest.  We often consider the voice of God speaking to our mind, when in fact God’s voice comes from deep within. 

Actually the scriptures refer to our spirit being located in our “belly” and this is where our emotions are also to be found.  Jesus said, out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water. 

The scriptures also speak of “Bowels of mercy.” (Our deep interior.)  We all understand that “Gut” feeling and the upset stomach when we are depressed, sad or troubled. 

When we open the door of our heart to invite Jesus to dwell with His presence, we are ready to understand that Jesus is the Forgiver and the Lover of all those who persecute or have hurt you.

While of ourselves may find it difficult to love and forgive, we can allow Jesus who we invited to come into our heart; to forgive through us.

This book gives a simple formula to find healing from past emotional hurts and pains.

I have copied the simplified Keys to Pray from the book;  Deep Relief Now by Dennis and Dr. Jen Clark.

Make yourself a copy and use it for yourself and to minister to others.
~ ~ ~

Prayer: to receive; “Deep Relief Now” 

KEY:  First, Feel, Forgive, Fact, Replace, Fill.

Minister to yourself and others under the Umbrella of Prayer 
Close Your Eyes and Pray - - 

First: What is the first person or situation that comes to mind?

Feel: Allow yourself to feel the emotion.

Forgive: Let Christ the forgiver; forgive through you.

Allow a river of forgiveness to flow through the negative emotion until it changes to peace. (Forgiveness may be toward God, self, or others.)

Fact: Most emotional wounds do not have a lie attached.

But occasionally a lie may be believed at the time of an emotional wounding and become a mental stronghold. Let forgiveness flow first until you have peace, then: Renounce: Renounce the lie out loud.

Replace: ask the Holy Spirit to tell you the truth (fact).

Receive: allow it to be written on your heart.  

Fill: Then, if there was an emotional need that wasn’t met, such as love or attention, forgive first, then release  (use the God-tool of releasing) demands on people, and receive filling from the Holy Spirit.
 
 
 

Sunday, June 14, 2015

God’s Plan and Purpose


In His Presence
 
Today at Open Door Church, we enjoyed a large group from Jordan’s Crossing as our guests.  Many were new to a Pentecostal Church, but they entered in with their praise.

Pastor Allan was excited as he had spent time in God’s presence and expected God to show up today.  In fact he said, “God is here.”  The thing is; we need to begin to trust Him and to act upon our faith.

A lot of churches have been short sighted about the end times, and some have said, “What is the point to build, to enlarge, to win the lost, because Jesus may return at any minute.”  They just gave up and went up to a mountain to wait. 

They forgot that Jesus said;  Mark 13:32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

We are to be prepared in our hearts for His coming, but we are to live with a good plan for the future.  As Christians we are not in competition with one another.  We are in unity.

Jeremiah prophesied, “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.”  29:11 

We must continue to spend time in His presence and then be led of The Holy Spirit.

When we see God moving it is time to get into the flow.

John 5:19 Jesus told them, "Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, the Son can do nothing on his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing, What the Father does, the Son does likewise.

We watch Jesus and see what He is doing and He is our example to follow. 

Jesus said, “Let me show you how it is done.”  He taught, healed and delivered and then rested in the presence of His Father God. 

We are at the head waters and revival is here.  Lives are being changed.  Nothing is too hard for God.  Let us build a relationship with the Father and learn of Him.

Pastor said that he believed in divine appointments according to God’s will.  He has a plan, an agenda.  You are the church without walls.  We are walking in His purpose, His plan.

That makes you and me a stranger to this world and its system.  We are in a sense immigrants living on this earth to perform His will.

We must take off the rose colored glasses, and take the Bible at face value. 

Some have the mentality that Pentecost is not for today, but I have good news for you.  Understand what is going on here and open your hearts to receive.  God desires to move but He needs willing and tender hearts.

We walk in a power base and you are going to find the boldness and instruction.  It may be in the form of family members, the internet, just listen and obey.

You might find some resistance perhaps from someone who will say you are crazy, and not being realistic.  They may say, “This is not traditional.”  Remember that Jesus was mocked and criticized by the religious leaders of His day.  They disapproved of His boldness and authority.

Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and do not grieve Him.  You will know His voice and He speaks to us each in various ways.  At times it is loud and clear, and at other times only a soft whisper.  Be open and keep a teachable spirit and remain in His purpose. 

Pastor began to call out certain individuals and he laid hands on them and they collapsed onto the floor.  Members gathered around them and prayed with them.  This happened time and time again as the service drew to a close. 
 
Pastor said, it is time to step out into the water and swim in the flow of the Holy Ghost. 

It is time to receive His plan for your future as you pray, "Not my will but thy will be done."  Lift up your hands and receive His plan and His purpose.
 
 

CALM by Guest Roy Lessin



CALM
 by Guest Roy Lessin

Roy Lessin writes:   I recently read this…

Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as He brought them safely into harbor! Psalm 107:26-30 (NLT)

Which led me to read this…

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
 Mark 4:37-39 (NKJV)

Which led me to this…

Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking He was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw Him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage! I am here!” Then He climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, Mark 6:47-51 (NLT)

Which brought me to this…

How are we doing in our little boat of life—as we sail upon the sea of culture’s changing tide, upon the strong winds of adversity that batter against our sides, upon the coming and going of people’s views and opinions that seek to redirect our course, upon the highs and lows of the world’s pressures and demands that put stress upon our sails, upon the churning waters of rebellion and discontentment that seek to overturn us, upon the undercurrents of opposition and persecution that want to push us back, upon the riptides of the devil’s schemes that want to keep us from advancing, and upon the choppy onslaughts of misunderstanding, misrepresentation and false accusation that want to sink us before arriving on the other shore?

Let’s pray for one another and encourage one another to stay in the boat…and always remember that it is not our boat…it belongs to our Captain. His hands are on the wheel, He has set the course, He has trimmed the sail and knows how to use the winds for good. His compass is true, His bearings are right. The boat won’t sink! He will never abandon His post, and He will safely bring us to the other shore.

Do you find yourself battling against a storm of emotions or opposition that is beating against your soul? Ask your Captain, Jesus, to speak to the storm…He still has the power to quiet the winds and bring calm the storm.

 

Thursday, June 11, 2015

True Sabbath



True Sabbath  (Bible Study Continues at my church)

Isaiah 58:6-14  If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the Lord honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;

The Sabbath is a gift:

Ezekiel 20:12 Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.

Jesus and the Sabbath.  His Sabbath routine was to go to the temple, teach that Scripture has been fulfilled and He proclaimed His authority.

Remember:  Exodus 20:8-11  Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Sabbath is a Covenant: Exodus 31:13-16  Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. -- Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.

The Religious people of the day, criticized Jesus when He taught, healed, delivered and visited friends on the Sabbath.

Think about this, (Sabbath Day)  How much is about redemption and saving power.

Numbers 15:32-36 A man gathered sticks on the Sabbath, and the penalty was death.  His sin was rebellion and a heart of insurgence, “I will do as I want.”

Mark 2:27  And Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

The true Sabbath is for willing worship, to be with Him not out of duty or rules.  Make a proclamation of your Faith.  You can’t separate it.  It is a heart condition, not a tradition or ritual of elegance, with a formal and beautiful ceremony that is void of life.

Romans: 14:5-6, without mentioning Sabbath, Paul emphasizes being fully convinced of one's practice, whether esteeming one day above another, or esteeming every day alike.

Each interpretative framework regards this passage as demonstrating that ritual observance of others' Sabbaths is not required, but is optional according to the conscience of each individual Christian. 
 
It is Day to love God and Worship Him, and not a day of contention and controversy.

Colossians 2:9-11 The rule is laid down that no one should pass judgment on anyone else in regard to High Sabbaths, new moon, and Sabbath. Paul states that these yet remain as a shadow of Messianic events that are still coming as of his writing. 

On the Sabbath, Jesus Taught, healed and delivered.  Jesus fulfilled the law and then He rested.  The Sabbath is a symbol of Salvation where we find Spiritual rest.  It is a shadow of the Rest to come.