IT AIN'T OVER UNTIL IT'S OVER!

Exodus 14:9-10 “But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid:”

So oftentimes, we put limits on the abilities and desires of our God. We liken His character and His attributes to those of mere mortals and as a result we fall short of seeing His Glory on display. Israel was about to be miraculously delivered from 400 years of bondage and slavery at the hands of the wicked Pharoahs. Israel had obeyed the Word of the Lord and they were marching exactly as He had directed them, until they encountered their first obstacle. They had come upon the waters of the Red Sea. Mountains to the right and mountains to the left; the sea lay straight ahead and behind them were Pharoah and his army bent upon their total annihilation! And because they could see no way out, they “were sore afraid.” They were terrified and lost their faith. They reduced God down to their own capabilities. Somehow He had lost His capability for the miraculous in their minds eye.

So often in life we behave much in the same manner. We are total giants of faith until we run into our first major obstacle. God is in control and we believe in His Immensity as long as we remain somewhat in control. However, when we reach the place where we are no longer able to make a move (just in case God doesn’t) then we begin to lose confidence in His Word and His Abilities. WE forget those things that He has done in the past. Remember when David faced his giant, he began to rehearse those things which the Lord had previously done in his life. 1 Samuel 17: 36 “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.”

Even though there appeared to be no way out for those Israelites, the Lord Who is our “WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY” made a way and miraculously opened a path into the sea. I would also remind you here that this same sea that was opened as a path of deliverance for the people of God, became the method of destruction for the enemies of those same people. Not one enemy remained! Exodus 14:28 “And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.”

Maybe you are currently facing an impossible situation; a situation of life and death; or something you’ve never encountered before. God wants you to know today that He is our POSSIBILITY! He becomes your possibility only in the midst of impossibility. The tougher the possibility, the greater He will shine on behalf of His people and the greater His Glory. Don’t give up on the brink of a miracle. Don’t ever quit! Refuse to agree with the world and those who are wavering in doubt and defeat.

I stated above that “It ain’t over until it’s over!” Now here’s the real awesome revelation about God’s Kingdom. Even when it appears to be over, it is only just beginning. Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died and been entombed for four days. John 11:14 “Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” All hope was lost. Everyone had lost hope in the face of the impossible. But God said “This ain’t over!” Jesus “…cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.” John 11:43 The God of Possibility stepped in when all hope was gone. The people had given up and had committed him to the grave. They stopped believing and chided Jesus for delaying his arrival.

Whatever way God had chosen to respond to their heart cries, He would have displayed His glory. With God’s divine direction and orchestration, there would be no wrong choice. Either way God had chosen would have been just the beginning! Risen from the dead, Lazarus was given a new lease on life and an opportunity to give Him glory in the earth. If God had chosen to leave his body in the grave, it still would have been the most incredible day of his life. I’m not so sure that Lazarus had not struggled somewhat having to return to his old life, knowing what lie ahead just a few short days later bursting forth in Resurrection Power! Face to Face with God the Father or back to the dirt bowl we call life.

Let me ask you one last question. “If you were Lazarus, and God had given you the decision, what choice would you have made?” The Glory of God OR back here? I don’t think that would be too hard to decide!

If today you are staring impossibility right in the face, then be encouraged because your POSSIBILITY is in control! EVEN IF IT IS OVER, IT IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING! We are Kingdom people and we live by different rules!
Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Joseph from the pit to the Palace.
Moses from a decree of death to leading Israel out of Bondage.
The widow of Nain receiving her only son raised to life.
Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
Joshua and the Walls of Jericho.
Gideon and his three hundred men.
Noah saving his entire household.
Abraham becoming a Father of many Nations.

Now what about you? What will be your testimony to His Glory?

SHAKEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!

Isaiah 19: 1 “…Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, And will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.”

In Old Testament symbolism, Egypt refers to those people of the world, who do not belong to the Kingdom of God and are lost without Him. This Scripture tells us that the Presence of God is the chief factor necessary to shake those things in the lives of unbelievers (believers too) that prevent them from entering into the Family of God. When the Lord begins to shake the worldly foundations around someone; their lives begin to teeter and the temporary things of this world commence to fail them. The Presence of the Lord will melt their hearts!

The Word declares that their hearts will “melt in its midst” referring to the presence of God. Now let’s get real for a moment. Where is the Presence God today? The Bible declares in Acts 2:17 that “…it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh…” Read it again! “..I will pour out of My Spirit…” Where is His Spirit? He lives within each Born Again Believer. 1Corinthians 3:16 “…you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwells in you…”

In the Bible we can clearly see the lives of men and women reflecting the Presence of God in their day to day decisions and lives.
Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife.
Moses abandoned the House of pharaoh to identify with the afflicted people of God.
Elijah boldly challenged the prophets of baal.
Paul and Silas sang praises in the dark dungeon and shook its foundations.

Each of these expressions of the Presence of the Lord came as a direct result of relationship with Him. Their claim to know Jesus made a difference in their lives. They knew Him because they spent time with Him. Does the claim to know Jesus make a difference in your every day living? Your time…your money…your energy…your values…in what happens Monday through Saturday?

Does the faith you proclaim make a difference with members of the opposite sex? What do they see when we experience pain or disappointment? When the chips are down, does the unbeliever see an attitude in our lives that he would like to possess? Does he want what you have?

What about your relationship with God? Do you respect Him and treat Him as a living vital person in your everyday living? Do you have that heart hunger and thirst that compels you into the presence of God everyday in order to get away with him and talk to Him? Does your heart yearn to feast on His Word? Forgive me if I’m stepping on your toes, but don’t you want to really experience the Presence of God and stop pretending? No one really enjoys faking it!

Many of us talk about the sweetness and power of the Presence of God, but we avoid it like the plague! Be honest…was it today…or yesterday…perhaps a week ago…or a month…a year?

If you want to walk in power and authority…to have your prayers answered from heaven..then those things which prevent the flow must be shaken and there is only one way… “…Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel, So that…all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.” Ezekiel 38:19-20

In His Presence, those things which hinder the release of the Presence of God into others lives will be shaken and “shall fall!”

YOU MAY DIE UNSAVED…
BUT YOU WILL NEVER DIE UNLOVED!

Encourage Yourself!

1 Samuel 30:6 “…David encouraged (strengthened) himself in the LORD his God.”

I like to sing (Make noise) in the shower and sometimes I have bad days! There, you now have two new personal revelations about me. King David had these same days and so do each of us. Listen to his words in Psalm 42:5 “Why art you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted in me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” It is a good thing to sing in the shower, especially if you are singing the song of the Lord.

1 Samuel 30 tells us a story about when David was having a particularly bad day. David and all of his fighting men had returned home from a brief excursion against the Philistines when they discovered that the Amalekites had come against their own hometown of Ziklag. They discovered that all of their women and children had been captured and taken away. The Bible tells us in verse 6 that “David was in serious trouble because his men were very bitter about losing their women and children.

Each of us in the very recent past has found ourselves in “serious trouble,” as well. Perhaps it’s your children, your spouse, finances, health, emotions, relationships, church, employment, etc.. No matter what the situation or circumstance, we would do well to see how David responded and found himself recovering all that had been taken from him, destroyed his enemies, and also took their herds and flocks as the spoils of war!

David did not sit on a log and cry out in despair, “Oh woe is me!” He did not call on his friends to have a group pity party. He did not run from his situation or drown his sorrows in the medication of the day. He did not allow himself to get depressed. 1 Samuel 30:6 “…David encouraged (strengthened) himself in the LORD his God.”

It doesn’t address in 1 Samuel what exactly David did, but we do have and entire Book of Psalms (Songs) that demonstrates quite clearly how David reacted when things went from bad to worse. David began to sing to himself and to the Lord. Feast on these words:

Psalm 103: 1-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all thy diseases; Who redeems thy life from destruction; who crowns thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.” David started singing to HIMSELF words inspired by the Spirit of God!

Anyway…back to me singing in the shower! I was having a bad day and headed downward. (Instead of looking upward) The Lord brought David’s experiences at Ziklag to my heart and I heard Him say to me, “…David encouraged (strengthened) himself in the LORD his God.” I’m smarter than I look, so I began to ask the Lord to give me not just any song, BUT a Song of the Lord! This is what He gave me…

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things His Strength has set me free!

When I get up in the morning
And I face a brand new day,
I lift my hands unto the sky,
These are the words I say

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things His Strength has set me free!

Then I dive into my Bible
And I feast on Words of Life.
No matter what the day may bring,
My strength comes from on High!

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!
I can do all things His Strength has set me free!

As I began to sing, the words came alive in my spirit and Victory for the day and following week burst forth! Just like David, I recovered all that had been taken from me, I saw my enemies destroyed right in front of my face, and I was given some spoils of war, as well!

Maybe you ought to try singing the Song of the Lord in the face of your enemy. Encourage yourself in the Lord right now! When you praise, He shows up on the scene! Psalm 22:3 “But YOU are holy, O You Who inhabits the praises of Israel.”

When he shows up…your enemies scatter!

It's Not Just Fancy Talkin!

“For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Co4 4:20 The New Living Testament states it this way. “The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk, it’s living by God’s power!”

The question of the day is this! Are you just a big talker OR do you walk the walk in the Power of God? Paul was returning to the City of Corinth in order to address a bunch of “religious” Christians. He identified those people as the big mouthed ones who said all the right words, and made an open show of their “faith”, and went to Church on Sundays.

He warned them in advance of his arrival, telling them what he was going to be looking for. He was not going to be looking for a group who simply talked about the yesterdays and what happened in the past, or perhaps, even the “I remember when’s…” He claimed to be able to identify the true Believers by the evidence of the Power of God flowing in and through their lives.

In Matthew 22:29 Jesus exposed the same grouping of “religious” peoples. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”

There are those whose lives do not back up their declaration of faith in Jesus. The power of God must be flowing in and through our own lives to witness to the fact that we belong to Christ! Acts 1:8 states that when “…the Holy Ghost comes upon you, you shall receive power to witness…”

1) The Power must flow in our own life. When the power of God comes “upon” you, there is a subsequent change in the kind of lifestyle we live. Our lifestyle declares that the flesh is no longer exercising lordship over us. Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

We live lifestyles that stand out from the average everyday life. Others can see the difference and the changes made as a result of His Lordship. The harsh or coarse words cease to be spoken. The smoking, drinking and overeating fall by the wayside, because they no longer have dominion over us! We go to Church on Sundays not because we have to, but because we honor God and we need His refreshment!

We pull on His Power within to live a righteous lifestyle. We begin to encourage instead of criticizing others and the “love of God within us” begins to flow out toward others! WE DO NOT JUST TALK LIKE CHRISTIANS…WE LIVE LIKE ONE!

Do you know how many people are watching and measuring the “Jesus Effect” in our lives? They are judging the reality of His existence, based on the change factor modeled in our lives. What does your lifestyle show about Jesus?

Finally, Jesus commands us in 1 Corinthians 6:17 “…come out…and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things and…you will be my sons and daughters.” We are not meant to be or to even look like the world. We are called to be differnent!

2) The Power must flow through your life! John 7:38 “He who believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” There is a river within you that exists to flow out of you and into the lives of other people.

The Holy Spirit tells us that “The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk, it’s living by God’s power!”

Jesus commissioned the twelve to let the river flow out from within. Matthew 10:1 “…He had called unto him his twelve disciples, and he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

He commissioned the seventy to let the river flow… Luke 10:9 “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”

Finally He commissions all Believers to let the river flow…Jesus said that “…these signs shall follow them who believe; In my name they will cast out devils; …they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18.

Perhaps it’s time for each of us to pause for some reflection. Does my life truly reflect the Christian (Christlike) lifestyle? What modifications need to be made? What needs to be changed? Do those who do not know Him, really see the Power of God resident in my life? Am I distinguishable from those who live in the world? Can they really see the difference?

1 Corinthians 4:20 “The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk, it’s living by God’s power!”

DO IT!

"...why are you standing here staring at the sky? " Acts 1:11

Most Christians are very content simply playing the role of observers as we stand and gaze at the handiwork of God. In the Book of Acts when Jesus was taken up into heaven, the angels appeared to those who were left behind and posed this question. I believe the unspoken truth was to "get into the upper room and wait for the enduement of power from on high" that Jesus had promised, and then "DO IT!". Lu 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but wait in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high."

I sense that its time to ask the same question of today's believers. We are all beginning to focus on the return of Jesus so He can get us out of this mess the world is in. Yes, He is coming back soon, however there is much work to be done before He returns. There are many souls to save and lives to be impacted. Holiness is to be obtained, and the glory of God is to be revealed in and through our lives. Isaiah 60 says that in the midst of "gross darkness" that "the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light..." Isaiah 60:2-3.

If there is so much to be done then the question remains of why Christians are not doing what we're suppose to be doing to prepare the way for His return?

1) We lack the vision... Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish." We are so self absorbed in ourselves and the lives of our own families that we fail to catch the vision for revival and worldwide evangelism. At least we could be concerned with our own communities and workplaces. Ask yourself..."How many people have I proclaimed the Good news to lately, either by my words or my life?"

2) We lack the power...I don't mean the indwelling presence as described in John 4:14 "...the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." I mean the river of water flowing out of our lives through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." John 7:37-38 Its sad to say...THE RIVER HAS RUN DRY!

3) We walk in fear...of the cost of paying the price to see the miraculous...of what people will say about us...of giving up the simple pleasures of the flesh...of having to spend more time with Him...or what IF God doesn't back me up? Psalm 118:6 " The LORD is on my side; I will not fear..." Notice that your WILL is involved with the refusal to fear! When you comprehend that God is on our side..then we refuse to fear!

4) We walk in ignorance..."It's the Pastor's job or the leadership!" Hogwash, our job is to train and equip the saints to do battle. The Bible says that signs and wonders will follow the BELIEVER as we go into the world proclaiming the good news! "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature...And these signs shall follow them that believe..." Mark 16: 15-17

5) We have become disconnected from the Body of Christ... "Now all of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. " 1 Corinthians 12:27 You are designed to function as part of the Body. YOU WILL NEVER MAKE IT ALONE! You are not designed to function on your own! You are not the "Lone Ranger" or "An Army of One." Until you discover your function in the local member(Church) of the Body of Christ and begin to flow in that purpose, we the Church will be handicapped! One of my Spiritual mentors taught me that "a hand cut off from the Body, becomes a pile of dead meat." Have you gradually become a pile of dead meat? You are not designed to be so!

When the Patriarch David stopped staring at the night sky, he caught hold of the Heart of God, and discovered that there wasn't anything that could stop him from doing what God had called him to do!

LORD, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. Psalm 18:28-29.

David knew that God was "a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6 In other words, God blessed those who worked at establishing relationship with himself. David refused to be a "do nothing" for his God.

He discovered that when he walked out of his time in the presence of God that he had a renewed vision; power and ability that enabled him to do anything; faith that would not fail; that Truth had been revealed to his heart; and a desire to walk knit together with other believers had been deposited within! "...it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Phillipians 2:13

Someone out there is waiting for you to respond with the Power and Authority of God that has been deposited within you! Please don't let them down! We don't want to leave anyone behind to experience what's going to happen when it all comes crashing down. Get in the presence of God...go after the "enduement of power" and when you get it; let it flow onto others!

THE WORLD IS WAITING ON YOU!

“But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16

Where are the Davids, Elijahs, the Jonahs and Josephs in the world of today? We are in obvious distress and the world is a total mess. If the Scripture is true, then we should be the ones who are able to do it better than anyone else. We should come up with creative solutions inspired by the Sprit of God, as we wait in His Presence. We have a Godly advantage. The greater One lives inside us! “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

WE are the giant killers! You were born to slay giants! If there is a situation which causes pain or pressure in the world, we can go to the source of all Wisdom and Knowledge; obtain His will and release His power in this sick, sad, depraved world. “If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” James 1:5

When the wicked city of Ninevah wallowed in the muck and mire of sin and self destruction, God chose and empowered a man named Jonah and sent him in clothed only in the power of God and speaking His Word. The city turned and repented under exposure to the anointing of the Sprit of God. Where are the Jonahs of today?

Think of what that same Spirit that rested upon Jonah could do in our communities, neighborhoods and cities, through one single yielded man or woman. What would become of the drug dealers and the violence that rules in our society. What love could flow in our divided households? See with your spirit eyes all of your children returning to the presence of the Lord. Do you really believe that through our wishy washy brand of Christianity and casual lifestyles that your entire household will be won to Christ?

Where are the Greater Works that Jesus promised? Jesus said “The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”John 14:12 As we raised our children, we told them that the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and Jesus were all real. As they grew up they soon discovered that two of the three were frauds and have never really seen anything except a few faith “accidents” which may or may not testify to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

The power of God demonstrates the Divinity of Jesus Christ. Have you ever noticed that true “disciples” of Christ have encountered the miraculous in their lives? I am talking disciples, not just believers! Disciples are advancing the Kingdom of God, not just talking about it and wallowing in vain attempts to obtain the blessings of God for themselves.

Romans 8:19 tells us that all of creation is eagerly awaiting “for the manifestation of the sons of God.” We have the solutions! We can point them to the true Way! We know the answer! We are the great Physicians Assistants. We can diagnose (with the Mind of Christ) and heal (With the greater works) those who are sick! We have the power, if we’re willing to pay the price. It has been said that if you want to see something you’ve never seen before; you must be willing to do something you’ve never done before!

David slew the giant who held all of God's people in bondage and fear! The prayers of Elijah ended a severe drought in the land and reversed the course of the entire food supply for the land. Joseph, in the same manner and under the influence of the same Spirit, would amass such Godly wisdom that he rose to the most powerful and influential position in the land. He too, would preserve an entire nation! Look what Jesus says to His Disciples. “for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply!” Luke 21:15

Stop believing you are a nobody! “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 You are a son or daughter of God. You have access to the mind, wisdom and knowledge of Jesus Christ. You have the power of God available to you. Acts 1:8 The Spirit of God lives in you and wishes to move through you life to impact others! Get into the Presence of God. Many of you have not been there for a long time! Tell Him you are not going to leave until you are reconnected with Him…His Mind and His Power!

When you leave His presence, full of Wisdom and Power....RUN TOWARD THE GIANT AND CUT HIS UGLY HEAD OFF! IT'S TIME SOMEONE IN YOUR CHURCH STOOD UP TO FIGHT!

BITE YOUR TONGUE!

James 3: 2-5 “…If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life. A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!” The Message

James tells us that our lives can be filled with accomplishments or destructions, depending on the words we choose to speak. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he compares the words we speak to the rudder of a ship, steering us resolutely toward our destination, either positive or negative.

Think of the many times in your life when you said that you could not, and the moment you said it you were defeated. You said that you didn’t have any faith and doubt, doom, gloom and fear arose like a giant and bound you up. You constantly spoke of failure, insecurity and inadequacy and they entombed you in utter helplessness. Proverbs 6:2 confirms this fact. “You are snared with the words of your mouth, you are taken (captive) with the words of your mouth.”

Very few people realize that our words dominate us. If you’re one that always speaks your “mind” and that mind is not renewed with the Mind of Christ, then you are steering your life in the wrong direction. A Christian should never talk defeat or failure; never for one moment acknowledge that God’s ability can’t put you over your situation or circumstance.

When you become “God lives inside me conscious,” remembering that “You are of God, little children, and have overcome…because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world,” 1John 4:4 then you can overcome anything that comes against you! Remember that God created this world with WORDS. Your words are more powerful then guns or bombs. Your words can make you a pauper or a millionaire; loved or despised; victor or victim.

When your thoughts begin to run amuck, begin to speak what God says about your situation or circumstance. Remember His Word of truth always trumps fact! Your thoughts may come and attempt to stay lodged in your mind, but if you will refuse to put them into words, they will die unborn.

Hebrews 14:14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…”

Don’t ever confess that you are a “miserable sinner saved by grace.” The fact is that maybe you were a miserable sinner, but the TRUTH is that you are “the righteousness of God in Christ.” Maybe the doctor’s report says that you have cancer, but the TRUTH states “by His stripes you were healed.” Don’t steer your life in the wrong direction, use your tongue and speak the words of life. “My words are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20 Say about your life, your situation, your circumstances, what God says about them. Romans 4:17 states that God “calls those things that are not as though they are.”

You don’t have any problems talking to your car when it won’t start, or your washing machine when it breaks down. Begin today to call the things in your life that are all in a huge mess, the way that God sees them. Don’t agree with the naysayers…agree with God. He says that there isn’t anything you can’t do “through Christ who strengthens you,” and He means it! Phillipians 4:13 Joel 3:10 “…let the weak say, I am strong.”

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 “…I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” An idle word is any word that does not line up with God's Word.

Correct your words and change your life!

I am a new Creation… all things are of God
I am living Eternal Life right now…
I am full of the Divine nature of God Almighty…
I am the Righteousness of God…as though sin has never touched my life…
I can do anything through Christ..
When I pray, my prayers are answered…

Pr 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue ..."

Get a firm grip on the rudder of your life ship!

THE POWER SOURCE

2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (discipline, self control)

Everyone knows that appliances work better when they’re plugged in. They may look like they can perform, but unless they are connected, they will not function as they were designed. Neither will we! The Bible tells us that we “..can do all things through Christ who strengthens…” us. Phillipians 4:13 But unless we stay connected with God through obedience, prayer, fellowship, worship and living righteous, we suffer a case of disconnection and must endure the consequences of voluntarily separating ourselves from Him and His Power! Jesus stated in John 15:5 “…apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

God has provided us with a threefold power source and in 2 Timothy 1:7 He identifies them as the Spirit of Power, the Spirit of Love, and the Spirit of a sound mind or “self control.”

1) Spirit of Power…Everyone has attempted to live life by our own abilities and strength, and we’ve failed to break the habits that consume us, and to live free from the hurts and the memories of our past. We need His power, His Divine Ability, in order to live the right way, and to make changes we know are essential. This power is from Almighty God and is available, if we remain connected with Him.

2) Spirit of Love…We want to be able to love others and to have them love us in return, like we’ve always dreamed of, but never achieved. We want to let go of the fear of being hurt by the people we love. As one author stated, “We want the ability to establish deep, meaningful, authentic relationships rather than superficial, hurtful, selfish relationships.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to love freely? The reality of this power is only available in and from the Spirit of Love, and by the way, He is available to live within you! Romans 5:5 declares that “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.”

3) Spirit of Sound Mind (Self Control)…The fact remains, that it is impossible for us to get it all together in this crazy world without Divine Intervention. You are not designed to operate on your own ability. You may wish to run your car on water instead of gasoline, but that’s not the way it was designed. In the same manner, you were created to run on His Divine Ability, not your own. When we give up playing God in our own little world, He will intervene and surge into our situations and circumstances and deliver us from evil, and all of its complications.

You can access this power Source as long as you choose to remain connected to Him, as your exclusive power source! What have you got to lose? Put Him first in all that you do, and He will take care of the rest! Matthew 6:33.

WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?

The disciples were in a tizzy. The storm was raging and the waves were crashing over the sides of the boat. Sometimes life seems that way. Things are happening all around and it seems like we’re about to go under. At least the disciples knew that Jesus needed to be involved in their crisis and they awakened Him. Then He came to their rescue! (By the way, HE IS NOT SLEEPING NOW!) If you come to Jesus in the midst of your storm, you will not go under!

There is a better way than coming to Jesus for help in the middle of your trials and tribulations. That is STAYING with Jesus. If you’re already with Him, you won’t need to come to Him in order to use HIS faith. If you are connected with Jesus and have been in intimate Fellowship with Him, your Faith will be sufficient. He asked the disciples and He asks us today the same question. “Where is your faith?” Luke 8:25

HIGH LEVEL FAITH IS A DIRECT RESULT OF HIGH LEVEL FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM! He said in John 15:7 “If you stay joined to Me, and My words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted.” In verse 5 He also stated that “apart from Me you can do nothing.”

After Jesus had calmed the storm and He turned to the disciples and asked them the question that implied that the Faith that they had, should have been sufficient to rebuke the storm and cause them to pass safely through the storm. Remember Shadrach, Mishak and Abednigo, that all the time they were in danger of being consumed by the fiery furnace (trials in your life), Jesus was right there with them. These boys spoke out in simple Faith and Jesus showed up in the middle of the fire. “…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.” Daniel 3:25 They spoke directly to the source of the storm and the result …“I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” When Jesus goes through the fire with you, you will come out on the other side without a “hair of your head being singed…and not even the smell of smoke upon your garments.” Verse 27

“Where is your Faith?” The Bible says that “Faith comes by hearing…the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 This kind of “hearing” requires intimacy and fellowship with God. It requires time and effort in developing our relationship with Him. In James 4:8 the Word declares “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God rewards those who work on developing Relationship with Him. “…He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” When you allow “…the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts (Putting other things first-idols..Matthew 6:33) of other things, to enter in, they choke the word (Faith building Word of God), and it becomes unfruitful.” Mark 4:19 Where are you spending your time? What things are you pondering; the worries of the world or the Promises and Power of God?

Remember Great faith stills the Greatest Storms! “…Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is your faith: be it done to you, even as you desire. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” Mt 15:28

Your Faith will be developed and Increased only in the Presence of God. Spend time today in Fellowship with Him, so that when the next storm arises in your life, you are already connected to Jesus. You will then be given the exact words to speak and they will come forth out of your mouth filled with Great Faith and Great Power, and watch the Storms be stilled!

Plugged In!

“…you cannot be fruitful apart from me. ….For apart from me you can do nothing…But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.” John 15:4,5,7,10 NLT

A toaster will function properly as long as it remains connected to the power source. The most expensive stereo system can not play beautiful music unless it’s connected to a source of power. Your automobile can be stalled in your driveway by a single disconnected, broken or corroded wire.

Initial connectivity with God comes through faith in His promises of eternal life as “whoever believes in him (Jesus) would not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Continued connectivity with God and entering into the fullness of His desired provision comes through our love for Him, as evidenced by our obedience. In John 15, Jesus tells us that as long as we remain connected to Him we continue to be fruitful and His provision is manifested in our lives. He also tells us that to remain connected to Him, we need to walk in obedience.

The Provisions of God are not automatic to everyone who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior. They come with a price attached to them. Eternal Life is a free gift, but Covenant benefits are obtained through relationship with Him.
That relationship with God is established by faith and maintained by obedience!

Psalm 91:1 states that “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

It’s those people who stay connected or “plugged in” who are able to live (dwell, remain, stay) in His shelter, and therefore are able to declare and lay hold of the multi faceted Provisions of God. (His protection, prosperity, provision, healing, power to minister, power to heal the sick or cast out devils, etc.) Sadly to say most of us who are Christians never really enter into, or remain connected with God, but through our disobedience, choose to walk away from that which He desires to impart in and through our lives. As a result of our powerless, fruitless lives, we then commence to make excuses for God, as if He was responsible for the lack of His Provision and Power in our lives.

This is not a Unilateral (One sided) Covenant we have entered into through the mercies of the shed blood of Jesus. It is a bilateral covenant in which we also have covenant responsibilities. “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” Deuteronomy 28:1-2

All of His promises are contingent on our hearts responding in love with total submission and obedience to His written Word and His spoken Word when the Holy Spirit gives us directions throughout the day. In this manner we stay connected!

Being connected to God is what life is all about! Your body’s organs, muscles, and bones all work because they are connected. Disconnected, they would wither and die. None of them could live independently. Without connective tissue, you would fall apart! What is true of your body is true of everything else. Life is all about connecting. A life disconnected from God through a Believer’s continued disobedience to His will and His way is merely existing and not living the God kind of life as described in John 10:10 “I came that you may have life (Zoe:The God kind of Life,) and have it more abundantly!

If we truly understood the consequences of a disobedient life style and how it effects our living in, and for Him, we would cast away those little sins that so easily beset us! Remember that Jesus is coming back for a “glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph 5:27

Lets stop playing church and let’s become the CHURCH! Let’s walk in obedience, Get Holy and watch God’s provisions pour out of our lives like the Bible says they should. What area of your life is God dealing with today? Obey Him! Become one of those who “live in the shelter of the Most High” AND then you will “find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1-2

Believe me, The More You Know Him; the More You Will Love Him!



PLEASE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. IT'S ABSOLUTLEY NECESSARY TO SPREAD THE TRUTH OF GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY BY AS MANY MEANS AS POSSIBLE! TELL THEM TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS AND SIGN UP FOR AUTO DELIVERY: http://heart2heartblog.blogspot.com/

HEALING & THE SENNACHERIBIAN SYNDROME!

2 Kings 18:35 "What God of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? Name just one! So what makes you think that the Lord can rescue Jerusalem?"

King Hezekiah and the entire Nation of Jerusalem was facing insurmountable odds and the probability of total annihilation, as Sennacherib and the vast hordes of Assyria descended upon their walls. Assyrian ambassadors issued verbal taunts and threats against the people of Israel predicting their total devastation.

Perhaps you just received a devastating doctor's report, and you, a member of your family, or a close friend are facing insurmountable odds. Maybe your children have gone astray, or your mate is expressing dissatisfaction with your relationship. Perhaps you're facing financial hardship and to make matters worse, you've lost your job. It appears that all is lost. What are we to do?

Your family has a history of heart disease, cancer or diabetes. You live in the sate of Maryland with one of the highest cancer rates in the world. Worldly odds suggest that sometime in your lifespan, you are going to hear the voice of our enemy shouting the words of impending doom, destruction and defeat! Hezekiah and his people were facing the same odds as 185000 enemy combatants lay in wait at the very gates to the city, just awaiting the word to destroy the city.

Here is the "rest of the story!" 2 Kings 19: 32 "...thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there...he...shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh."

Now let's take a look at the Divine Strategies that Hezekiah employed to assure the complete and total Victory of the Lord in the face of insurmountable odds.

1) Obey God; live righteous; trust Him & get rid of anything in your life that comes before relationship with Him! 2 Kings 18: 1-5 "...Hezekiah...began to reign. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD...He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves,(Got rid of all the idols)and...He trusted in the LORD God of Israel."
The same New Testament Promise is found in Matthew 6:33! For further study on this Strategy, go back and review the recent posting on "When Kings Live Well!"

2) Shut your mouth and discover the TRUTH.
2 Kings 18:36 "...the people were silent and did not answer..." There is power in the words we speak. Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit." Proverbs 18:21 " Death and life are in the power of the tongue." A weed seed is planted in your heart when you begin to speak out what you believe whenever it is not in agreement with the Word of God. Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man believes ...and with the mouth confession is made..."

I am not saying to deny the facts. Just don't get your mouth and heart in agreement with the facts. Let your heart and mouth line up with the TRUTH. TRUTH ALWAYS TRIUMPHS OVER FACT. 2Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ..." Jesus "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Matthew 8:17 THAT'S THE TRUTH!

You may laugh at that faith stuff; that's okay! They laughed at Jesus too! When the rulers daughter had died, He spoke these words in Matthew 9:24. "He said to them, Get out: for the maid is not dead, but sleeping. And they laughed him to scorn." Verse 25 seals the final deal and lends credence to this Strategy! "But when the people were put out, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose." Also check out Romans 4:17.


3) Get into the Presence of God.
2 Kings 19:1 "When Hezekiah heard their report, he...went into the Temple of the Lord to pray..." You are a child of the Most High God and because of Jesus, you are in Covenant with God. You can "...come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16 Because of what Jesus has done for us "we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear..." Hebrews 13:6

When we walk in loving obedience to God and uphold our part of the Covenant, we position ourselves to receive of all that He offers us as we stand "in Christ," including His Healing virtue. These we receive by faith or childlike belief that God is able and willing to keep His Promises.

4) Know this: The Issue is Not Your sickness, disease, situation or whatever your Sennacherib might be; it is Gods Name, His Glory and the reproach your Sennacherib has brought against Him personally! The issue was never about us. Its all about Jesus; Who He is; What He's done and where He's seated today!

Read the following exerts from Hezekiah's prayer that brought Him total Victory!
1 Kings 19...
16..." Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God.
19..."Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.”

Listen to the Lord's response as He addresses Sennacherib. (This is exactly the way He feels concerning your own impossible situation or your personal Sennacherib.)
God says in verse 22 & 23 the following... Your Sennacherib has reproached and blasphemed Him, the Holy One of Israel.

Make these Scriptures personal. he feels the same way about you individually and personally as He does about Israel. Anything or anybody who attacks you is a personal attack and affront against HIM! He says in verse 28 that the rage of your Sennacherib is directed against Himself, and He has heard the voice of your situation in His own ears. His response is found in verse 28. "...I will put my hook in your (Your Sennacherib, sickness, disease, situation, relationship, finances) nose and my bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back by the way which you came.

In verse 34 He adds..."I will defend this city (You and the attack of Sennacherib against you), to save it, for my own sake.

In response to Hezekiah's prayer this is what happened and if you'll follow the same Divine Strategy, you will have the same result on your own attack!

"That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian troops. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and returned to his own land." 2 Kings 19:33-34.


I know, this has been lengthy, but this is some heavy stuff here. You need to read and re-read this over and over again until revelation breaks through. I'll be reading it with you! Pass it on to someone who needs a touch from the Living God!