2 Corinthians 5:7
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
"DON'T BE RELIGIOUS!" "INSTEAD, BE DEVOTED!"
Christ came to accomplish something that no one ever could;
"THE PERFECT LAW OF GOD!"
Christ fulfilled every requirement concerning the law with one purpose in mind;
"SO THAT THOSE WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM COULD ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENT!"
Therefore, your life should not revolve around some set of rules to make you holy because in Christ, YOU ARE ALREADY MADE HOLY!
How are you made holy?
"THROUGH YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST!"
Now, let's make something VERY CLEAR!
"FAITH COMMANDS A WALK & A WALK DEMANDS COMMITTMENT!"
This is where "DEVOTION" comes into play.
The heart must be devoted in order to remain committed to Christ!
WITHOUT DEVOTION, THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP!
WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP, THERE IS NO LORDSHIP!
WITHOUT LORDSHIP, THERE IS NO SALVATION!
WITHOUT SALVATION, THERE ARE NO BENEFITS TO ENJOY!
I will say it again:
The heart must be devoted in order to remain committed to Christ!
"DON'T BE RELIGIOUS!" "INSTEAD, BE DEVOTED!"
God does not concern Himself so much with your external gestures, as much as He does with your inward motives!
"THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW WAS TO EXPOSE MAN'S FLAWS!"
"THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST IS TO RECONCILE MAN TO GOD!"

"DIG DEEPER & FIND TRUE MEANING!"
"YOUR PERCEPTION OF THIS WORLD'S REJECTION OF CHRIST WILL ENHANCE YOUR APPRECIATION OF GOD'S DEEP LOVE & SACRIFICE!"
"OUR SALVATION CAME AT A VERY HIGH & COSTLY PRICE TO GOD!"
"THEREFORE, DON'T TAKE FOR GRANTED THE GIFT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN ON ACCOUNT OF CHRIST' SUFFERING!"
PRAISE THE LORD FOR OUR SALVATION!!!

Mark 8:34-38
“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
"REST ASSURED, CHRIST' RETURN IS CERTAIN!"
Since the beginning, Christ' Words have held True until this day!
"JESUS WILL RETURN!"
The question is:
"WHAT WILL HE FIND YOU DOING FOR HIS KINGDOM?"
Or sadly, what won't He find you doing?
To desire Christ, is to deny oneself with the purpose of gaining everyone else back to God!
This was Jesus' Mission & as His Disciples, it must be ours also!
"DESIRE, DENY, PURPOSELY GAIN PEOPLE FOR CHRIST!"
The Gospel contains all the knowledge & tools we need!
Therefore, pick up your Bible & use it!
"REST ASSURED, CHRIST' RETURN IS CERTAIN!"
Since the beginning, Christ' Words have held True until this day!
"JESUS WILL RETURN!"
Let's not just stand around awaiting His return,
Instead, let's make it our mission to win as many souls as possible for the Glory of God!
Then, if it be that He return in our lifetime, be it so that He would bless us to hear His Words:
"WELL DONE, MY GOOD & FAITHFUL SERVANT!"
To desire Christ, is to deny oneself with the purpose of gaining everyone else back to God!

Exodus 14:21-22, 15:1a,b
"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left."
"Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
I WILL SING TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS HIGHLY EXALTED!!!"
There are songs that we sing & there are songs that we devote!
You can hear a catchy tune, which can stick with you.
You sing it day in, day out, but it has no depth or meaning.
But once in a while, you come across a song that uplifts you!
The words have depth & meaning!
In fact, you make up your own words from excitement & passion!
WHY? You may be wondering!
It's quite simple!
"DEVOTION DUE TO GENUINE GRATITUDE!"
If you take a close look at these verses, you will soon notice that God brought about a great deliverance for the people of Israel by the hand of Moses & due to their overwhelming sense of gratitude, they orchestrated one of Israel's most genuinely heartfelt songs to God ever recorded in His Word!
ASK YOURSELF, when you sing to the Lord;
ARE YOUR WORDS EMPTY OR PASSIONATE?
ARE YOUR SONGS JUST CATCHY OR FULL OF WORSHIP?
ARE YOUR SINGING TO GOD OR TO SOMEONE ELSE?
"God does not want your song, but your heart!!!"
"Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:
I WILL SING TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS HIGHLY EXALTED!!!"
There are songs that we sing & there are songs that we devote!

Mark 6:39, 8:6
"Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass." (Feeding of 5,000).
"He told the crowd to sit down on the ground." (Feeding of 4,000).
"MIRACLES OCCUR WHEN JESUS DIRECTS & WE RESPOND!
"Jesus directed them..." & "He told the crowd..."
When the Lord speaks, LISTEN & OBEY HIS DIRECTIONS!
"THIS USHERS IN GOD'S DIVINE PRESENCE & AUTHORITY!"
Without which there can be no supernatural outflow!
Next was His choice of positioning for the people.
"Jesus had them sit down..."
There is only one thing the Lord requires of us for a miracle & that is OBEDIENCE!
"IT TAKES FAITH TO RESPOND TO A GODLY REQUEST!"
Obedience is the demonstration of your faith!
Lastly, Jesus used a humbling method.
"Sit down in groups..." & "Sit down on the ground..."
What is intriguing is the fact that: Jesus did not offer any options!
He simply commanded them to follow instructions, be it in groups of 50's or groups of100's.
HE EVEN TOLD THEM TO SIT ON THE GROUND!
They weren't even given the option to find shade under some nice tree after such an exhausting day!
"IT TAKES HUMILITY TO REMAIN SEATED IN THE MIST OF NECESSITY!"
At the end though, THEY ALL ATE & WERE FILLED!!!
WHY, you may ask? Because:
"MIRACLES OCCUR WHEN JESUS DIRECTS & WE RESPOND!
God does not perform miracles in our life's to UUHH! & AAHH! us, but instead with the intention of "TAKING US TO ANOTHER LEVEL OF FAITH & CONFIDENCE IN HIS PROVISION!"

Brand New!!! The BIBLE..Airs 3.3.2013 - 7pm central time on the History channel

This is a 5 week (2 hours each) program that airs on Sunday nights through March. Let's get a bunch of host's throughout the city to have people over and watch this in groups. Great opportunity to invite unsaved people over!!! 

Proverbs 20:27
"The LORD's Light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive."
Eyes that look within you, but see through you!
Eyes that see beyond you & behold you!
Eyes that never cease to watch over you!
Eyes meant to be vigilant!
Eyes meant to instruct you!
The Holy Spirit watches over you in more ways than you know!
When you look in a mirror, you may think that you are seeing yourself, but in actuality;
"The Holy Spirit is sizing you up for your heavenly garments!"
"BEING CLOTHED WITH CHRIST IS A CUSTOM JOB!"
"THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE TAILOR & RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SUIT YOU MUST PUT ON!"
"HE WILL DRESS YOU IN HEAVEN'S FINEST!"
"AFTER ALL, YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO CHRIST' WEDDING!"
The Holy Spirit watches over you in more ways than you know!
Don't take Him for granted!
The more you embrace Him, the further you'll go in life!

If God is Holy and we are to be Holy...is it OK to allow God's and/or Jesus name to be mis-used or used in vain for the sake of entertainment?

Came across a popular CHRISTIAN movie review sight that listed their choice of the top ten movies for 2012. Sounds good right? Well, I also crossed checked this with several other well known and respected sights and compared notes. Below is some of the content of the top 10 movies for 2012.

Note that it is never OK to compromise our Christian values and what we allow ourselves to hear and see. Just read the scriptures. Movies are not being exposed to sin by going out into the world to witness, that is different. Movies are a choice, movies are entertainment. Period! Before we begin let me re-emphasize these are Christian reviews and in fact this is the slogan or catch phrase used...

"Movie reviews from a Christian perspective for family friendly entertainment" 

"Movie reviews looking through the lens of our Christian faith" 

Compromising Christian doctrine because a movie might have a good story or lesson in it...well, it's simply compromise and deception. Here we go...

Remember these are the TOP TEN RECOMMENDED MOVIES for your family

Gotcha! I m not going to name the movies...Nope, just going to give you the content...

Only 1 was PG

7 were PG-13 (this was stated "family friendly" entertainment. 

2 were rated R

Of the ten movies only 3 had no cursing or nudity. 

Of the remaining 7 movies here is some of the combined content. 

 209 multiple curse words which I will not repeat.

119 F words (60 in one movie alone and 22 in another)

69 x God & Jesus name mis-used &/or combined with curse words 

Acts of torture

A lot of real life violence

 Nudity & partial nudity - Quotes from reviews below

(Realistic sexual movements - prostitutes expose as much skin as possible on screen - 12 year old children fondle each other's sexually shown step by step) 

Drug & alcohol abuse 

And More...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me conclude with this...He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. - Titus 1:9.

Do not be deceived by entertainment! 

There are a lot of good movies that honor God...unfortunately none of them made this list. Only movies that were entertaining with a supposedly good message. 

My opinion...if God or Jesus name is misused even once...I will not allow it when I have a choice. He is my Savior and Lord, He is my rock, He is grace when I deserved death...

How can I allow His name to be slandered for any reason, let alone the sake of entertainment!

Romans 12:9-13
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
"WHILE DESIRING TO DO THESE THINGS IS GOOD,
DOING THEM IS EVEN BETTER!"
I have learned that there is a fine line between:
COMPLACENCY & COMFORT.
Many times we will settle for the nice warm feeling we get when we think about helping, but I promise you that it will never compare to the satisfaction you will enjoy when you actually do it!
An accomplished heart, far outweighs a complacent one any day!
Don't believe it?
THEN, TRY IT FOR YOURSELF!
Next time, you see someone in need, go that extra mile & beyond your normal pattern, THEN WAIT!
Soon enough, you will realize that:
"YOU WERE THE ONE IN NEED!"
What many people fail to realize is that:
"WE WERE CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS!"
So when we fall into complacency or get too comfortable, we begin to stray from God's intended purpose for us!
"WHILE DESIRING TO DO THESE THINGS IS GOOD,
DOING THEM IS EVEN BETTER!"
If we were created for good works, then good works we must do!

Matthew 13:44
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field."
'THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A TREASURE...'
To the man that discovered God's Kingdom,
Excitement filled his life!
Why?
"PERCEPTION! PERCEPTION! PERCEPTION!"
In this man's mind, he had made a discovery which was worth more than all he had ever accumulated before or ever would!
Therefore, everything became as nothing in order to gain the one thing that would make him something!
Basically, he understood the value of the gift!
Now, back to you!
Are you filled with excitement concerning God's Kingdom?
Have you become sold out for the Cause of Christ?
Is your perception of the Gospel like a Hidden Treasure that you are willing to invest your life into discovering?
Or have you not yet truly understood the Value of the Gift?
These are questions that require honest answers.
There is no shame in any answer you may have at this moment, because God desires for you to come to Him as your are, but just know that He loves you too much to allow you to remain unchanged!
'THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A TREASURE...'
"Excitement fills the life of the one who discovers God's Kingdom!"

Men & Women Invited!!!

Friday and Saturday – March 1st & 2nd – Common Grounds Café (room 116) Evangel

So what exactly is going to happen at the Verge 2013 Conference Webcast? Good question.

During the webcast, Francis Chan, David Platt, Dr. John Perkins, Dave Gibbons, Matt Carter, Jo Saxton, Mike Breen, Propaganda, Alan Hirsch, Michael Frost, Jeff Vanderstelt, Hugh Halter, Neil Cole and many, many others will encourage and challenge us to make and multiply disciples of Jesus.

Come to one session or all of the Sessions

Friday March 1st

9am - 11am The priority of discipleship making.  

1:30pm - 3:30pm Patterns & practices of discipleship making

 

 

 

 

7pm - 9pm The content of discipleship making (getting to the heart of it all)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday March 2nd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1:30pm – 3:30pm The process of discipleship making   

 

 

           (8 non negotiable steps to making and multiplying disciples)

 

 

 

 

6pm-8pm Living the future church (the context of discipleship making)

 

 

1 Kings 8:61
"But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by His decrees and obey His commands, as at this time."
"AS AT THIS TIME..."
Another version states:
"And may you be completely faithful to the Lord our God. May you always obey His decrees and commands, just as you are doing today."
"JUST AS YOU ARE DOING TODAY..."
Yesterday's obedience is exactly what it sounds like;
PAST ACTIONS!
The Lord requires Faithfulness, Commitment & Devotion that far exceeds our circumstances on any given day!
If things went well in your life yesterday & you were faithful, YAY!
But if things go downhill today, God still requires the same!
"OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS NOT BASED ON CIRCUMSTANCES!"
"INSTEAD, OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS ROOTED IN LOVE!"
The Anointing of God flows through the avenues of obedience which belong to the present, not the past!
"GOD DOES NOT FLOW THROUGH YOUR LIFE BECAUSE OF YOUR PAST OBEDIENCE, BUT BECAUSE OF YOUR PRESENT DESIRE!"
God's Presence is exactly what it sounds like;
IT IS PRESENT, NOT PAST!
"An unhealthy confidence in your past accomplishments can endanger your future goals!"
"LORD, HELP US TO BE FULLY COMMITTED TO YOU!"
"NOT JUST TODAY, BUT TOMORROW TOO!"
God bless you all! Enjoy your day with the Lord!

Romans 6:1-3
"Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? OF COURSE NOT! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death?"
"SINCE WE HAVE DIED TO SIN, HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO LIVE IN IT!"
Do you truly understand what transpired on the Cross of Calvary?
It is perfectly fine if you don't!
Just ask God to give you revelation concerning the events of that horrid day!
GOD ALLOWED HIS SON TO DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH IN YOUR PLACE AT CALVARY!
THE GRACE OF GOD WAS SPREAD ARMS OPEN!
Some 2,000+ years later, His promise of a better life is still offered as a free gift!
You can reap the benefits of His labor!
"BUT IT IS A TRAGEDY FOR A PERSON TO PRETEND TO KNOW THE BENEFITS OF CHRIST & CONTINUE SUFFERING THE PENALTIES OF SIN!"
There is a huge difference between LIVING IN SIN & STRUGGLING WITH SIN!
To live in sin is to enjoy the presence of darkness in your life!
But to struggle with sin is to hate its presence in your new-found life through Christ because you no longer have any common ground with darkness due to the Light that Christ has shed in your heart!
"CHRIST' DEATH WAS SIN'S ATTONEMENT!"
"CHRIST' RESSURRECTION IS OUR ASSURRANCE!"
Not a license to keep doing wrong!

1 Kings 6:37-38
"The foundation of the Lord’s Temple was laid in mid-spring, in the month of Ziv, during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign. The entire building was completed in every detail by mid-autumn, in the month of Bul, during the eleventh year of his reign. So it took seven years to build the Temple."
"When dealing with Ministry, Foundation is Key, but Time also has its Role!"
The key to successful ministry is laying a Godly Foundation!
After all, in order to show God's Love, God must be involved!
If a ministry is not birthed by God, it will eventually die!
"MINISTRY IS A PRIVILEDGE, BUT IT MUST BE EMBEDDED IN OUR HEARTS, OR IT WILL SOON BECOME A BURDEN!"
Therefore, if God has placed a desire for ministry upon your heart, become intentional in building a foundation for that ministry through Prayer & Fasting or your desire will soon become a memory!
"MINISTRY IS INTENTIONAL!"
"STANDING ON GOD'S FOUNDATION!"
"DRIVEN BY GOD'S DESIRE FOR THE NATIONS!"
"UPHELD BY YOUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S CALLING!"
"SUCCESSFUL BY YOUR FAITH TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS!"
God must be your solid foundation, if you plan shake the nations!
In Ministry;
Your fear, doubts, lack, shortcomings & even other people's perception of you will only be subdued with Time!
"DON'T EXPECT EVERYTHING TO FALL INTO PLACE AT ONCE!"
They usually don't! The reason is GROWTH, MATURITY & CONFIDENCE IN GOD!
IN MINISTRY, PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IS YOUR BEST TEACHER!
"When dealing with Ministry, Foundation is Key, but Time also has its Role!"

Isaiah 49:25b,26b
"For I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children.
All the world will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel."
"GOD HAS A JEALOUSY FOR YOU & HE WILL DECLARE IT TO THE NATIONS!"
Therefore, no matter what your present circumstance may be!
No matter how hard it may seem! No matter who may be currently standing in your way!
GOD IS DECLARING THAT HE IS YOUR SAVIOR!
GOD IS DECLARING THAT HE IS YOUR REDEEMER!
GOD IS DECLARING THAT HE IS THE MIGHTY ONE!
Your circumstance, whatever it may be, must bow before the Almighty Presence of God!
Therefore,
DON'T LOOSE HEART, DON'T GIVE UP & DEFINITELY DON'T GIVE IN TO YOUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE!
BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, THE LORD WILL DECLARE HIS SOVREIGNTY OVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE & IT WILL HAVE TO BOW BEFORE HIS MAJESTY!
Have a blessed & wonderful day!

God is our healer!!

If you need a healing touch in your life today. God wants to meet your needs. We live in a world that tells us there are no such things as miracles. I am here to encourage you that God is still sitting on the throne. God is still the God of miracles! God wants us to trust in Him, to have faith! I know that God can heal, as he has healed me in so many ways. He has healed me emotionally, He has healed me physically, and He has healed me spiritually. God wants to heal you today!

Isaiah 53:4
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.

1 Peter 2:24
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.


Psalm 103:1-3
103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,

 

A Tribute to My Father & Teacher!
This is an excerpt from a book I am in the process of writing.
“I HAVE FAITH IN YOU!”
“DO YOU?”

As a child, I would listen to my father play his music on the stereo. He had a taste for music that in my mind was embarrassing and out dated, but nevertheless he openly indulged in his music.
Having only one stereo system in the house, I had no choice but to listen to whatever was being played. “My father took so much pleasure in that old record player!” He would sing from the top of his voice, he poured his heart into those songs. It was as if he were singing those songs to a particular person.
With complete abandonment, he always seemed to be removed from his present surroundings, giving off the impression of some nostalgic state of being. I never saw my father in such a peaceful mindset as when he would sing.
I know that these memories may have little to no impact in your hearts, due to the lack of information provided in these few paragraphs. Please allow me to enlighten your minds with a brief description of who my father was, and in what circumstances he always found himself in.
My father was a very quiet man, (probably the most humble man I ever had the honor of knowing). He was a hard working individual, who never missed a day of work, nor ever made any excuses as to why he couldn’t go to work. When he was given a task, he did it to the best of his ability. If he would make a mistake on a job, he would take it very seriously. He was his toughest critic.
As a husband, he never denied my mother any of the luxuries of life. Of course, they had their struggles as any other marriage would, but he stuck by her side until the day she died. My mother suffered a lifelong struggle with Cancer that eventually claimed her physical and emotional life. My father watched his wife be devoured by Cancer for a long period of time. You could see the effects this struggle had upon my father.
For the final years of my mother’s life, she was bed-ridden, which made it necessary for her to have a Medical Bed (like the ones in hospitals). My father chose to remove their bedroom set, and get her the bed she required. He slept by the side of her bed with a blanket on a Stone Tile Floor for the remainder of her life. Can you imagine how achy his body must have been? I’ve slept on a few floors in my lifetime, and I know that after only one night I would wake up feeling as if I had been the victim of a brutal beating. This speaks very loudly about his Devotion and Love for his wife.
As a father, he tried the best he could to provide for his children. I will also add that we never lacked in any area concerning physical or spiritual needs. He raised us in the teachings of Christ and was very strict concerning Church attendance.
I will never forget my most embarrassing moment in life. On one occasion, when we had just moved to Puerto Rico, we were at a Church Service that my grandparents held. I was 15, and I had just met my puppy love. I thought I could do whatever I chose to, so I left the service and went across the street to hang out with my girlfriend and her other friends. There were about 10 -12 of us sitting around.
When my father saw that I was not in the service, he calmly crossed the street and in the presence of all my new-found friends, slapped me right across my face. Then he ordered me to return to the service. I began to walk across the street with my head down and tears running down my face, not because it hurt, but because I had been embarrassed in front of all my new friends and girlfriend.
Concerning education, we were sent to the best of schools. My father knew the importance of education. Not because he was well-educated, but on the contrary, he had to drop out from eighth grade in order to help feed his family. His family was very poor, to the extent that they would walk to school bare-foot many a times.
He had a lot of circumstances working against him. He suffered from a nerve disorder, which caused him to shy away from people. He seemed to fall in and out of depression, which included mood swings and anxiety attacks. Similarly, as my mother, he also struggled with Cancer which eventually overpowered him and was the cause of his death.
Right before my mother’s death, I became involved in drug dealing which eventually led to joining a notorious gang, then inevitably, drug addiction. Now my father found himself in a position where he felt obligated to ask me to leave our house. I will never forget his words, “Jesus Loves You” he cried, gushing in tears as he begged me to stop doing the things I was doing. As he stood in front of the gates of the house, he said,
“I BELIEVE YOU ARE BETTER THAN THIS, BUT YOU DON’T!”
I continued in rebellion for many years.
The last time I saw my father was March 6th, 1994. I was never granted the privilege to come in physical contact with my father ever again. Five days before his death in 2005, God granted him his desire to speak with me. I must admit that God truly granted me favor on that day. I desperately desired to ask my father for forgiveness.
After an emotionally exhausting and liberating conversation, his words became passionate. He testified about his own life saying, “God believed that I would make it through all my struggles, He was just waiting for me to do the same! When I did, things became easier to deal with!”
After these words, we began to cry with one another and to tell each other how much we meant to the other.
His last words to me were: “I LOVE YOU & I BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THE POWER TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR GOD-GIVEN ABILITIES MY SON. ALWAYS REMEMBER, JESUS LOVES YOU!

Now I know to whom my father sang those songs with so much Passion!
He sang them to CHRIST!
As I Do!

Have you ever witnessed a reduction in a Ministry or Church that you knew was ordained of God?

They brought the sacred stone out of the temple of Baal and burned it. They demolished the sacred stone of Baal and tore down the temple of Baal, and people have used it for a latrine to this day.

So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel. However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. The Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.” Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit. In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel, Hazael overpowered the Israelites throughout their territory.  ~ 2 kings 10:26-32

 

At first glance it appears to be contradiction in this passage of text. How cn God be please with Jehu and displeased with Him at the same time? What's really going on is that God moved Jehu to rid Israel of Baal worship, which he faithfully did. However, as Jehu carried out God's direction in demolishing idol worship...Jehu cared more about accomplishing the tsk God gave him than his own personl walk with the Lord. Jehu neglected his own sin, continuing in a lifestyle in other areas that the Lord detested. So how can God reward this beahviour? Because God is faithful to Himself even when we are not faithful to Him. So because God had promised Jehu's descendants to sit on the throne to the fourth generation if Jehu did as he was instructed, and Jehu accomplished the task at hand, God kept His promise! But because of Jehu's personal lifestyle of sin, God started reducing the size of Israel and eventually Israel after the promise was fulfilled, Israel was overtaken.

 

How we often see this today in modern ministry. God gives direction to a Ministry Leader, Worship Leader, Pastor, or Evangelist, then the person carries it out, and with a zeal for God leads others in the way of the Lord, but all the while their own life is still unclean. The Lord fulfills His promise but then we start to see a reduction in the ministry and sometimes it is completely destroyed in the end. We must all, especially as leaders, be very careful to examine our own hearts first, and make sure we are aligned with the Word of God, then we can lead and have lasting godly changes in the hearts and lives of others as we complete God's assignments. Be diligent in carrying out the task given of the Lord, but do not make the task more important than the Lord Himself!     

1 Kings 3:3a
"Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David..."
"SOLOMON SHOWED HIS LOVE BY HIS WALK!"
Today, as we celebrate Valentine's Day, let us remember that:
"LOVE IS A SERIES OF ACTIONS, NOT A LIST OF WORDS!"
Jesus said; "The world will know that you are My Disciples by your love for one another."
HOW WE HELP ONE ANOTHER!
HOW WE EMBRACE ONE ANOTHER!
But most importantly,
HOW WE RESPECT ONE ANOTHER!
Solomon demonstrated to his father how much he loved him by respecting his father's instructions even after his father's death.
This demonstration of respect ultimately revealed Solomon's Love for God!
WE MUST DO THE SAME!
Today, as you tell someone that you love them, pray that God would purpose it in your heart to change your words into actions.
LET YOUR LOVE BE EXPRESSED,
NOT BY WORDS NOR BY GIFTS,
BUT BY YOUR RESPECT & BY YOUR WALK!
Ultimately, our Goal as Christians is to Radiate the Love of Christ!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! from Jesus (The Lover of Your Soul!)

FRIDAY - MENS MOVIE NIGHT @ EVANGEL 7-10PM



Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
You might recognize these verses.
You may even have quoted them to someone.
Maybe, you memorized them.
Let's take it a step further;
Maybe, you're the one preaching a sermon on these verses!
But the burden that fell on my heart as I was communing this morning with the Lord was the fact that God wants to give us rest, but many of us choose to reject His invitation!
LET'S MAKE IT VERY CLEAR, THIS MESSAGE IS GEARED TOWARD THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY!
Those who have not heard the Gospel, nor accepted Christ as Lord & Savior can not experience the benefits of Spiritual Peace & Rest!
But we who have the King of Glory as our Shepherd are called to a different lifestyle that exemplifies the benefits of Godly Living!
Christ said, "COME TO ME..."
Have you gone to Him, or are you still trying to figure out your problems on your own?
Christ also said, "LEARN FROM ME..."
Are you applying His teachings to your circumstances, or are you still responding the way this world taught you?
"YOU WERE NEVER DESIGNED TO CARRY THE WEIGHT THAT THIS WORLD LAYS ON YOU!"
"YOUR CREATOR DESIGNED YOU TO ENJOY HIS PRESENCE, NOT SUFFER IN HIS ABSENCE!"

Serving God by Serving Others...

 I was going to write a blog tonight, but as I read what the Lord put on brother Abner's heart from earlier today, I had to copy and re-post part of it.

 It is so important we understand what Abner is sharing here...

"A PERSON LIVES ACCORDING TO THEIR BELIEFS!"

If you believe that Christ has set you free...
 THEN YOU WILL LIVE A FREE LIFE!
 

If you believe that Christ commissioned you...
THEN YOU WILL PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART TO COMPLETE YOUR MISSION!
 

Worshipping God means Serving God!
"SERVING GOD ENTAILS SERVING OTHERS!"

 

 

"Praise God for Wisdom and thank you Brother Abner for sharing and teaching"

 

 

John 4:23-24
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”"
Have you ever been asked the question;
"HOW'S IT GOING?"
Today, this question is being directed toward your worship life?
No, you are not being asked if you sing hymns at Church!
Or if you lift your hands Sunday morning during service!
Not even, if you yell out the name of Jesus!
What is being addressed today is your daily service to God!
WORSHIP, IN ITS PUREST FORM, IS DEFINED TO SERVE GOD!
This, then entails doing the work God has placed you here on this earth to do!
So, the question is posed again!
"HOW'S IT GOING?"
Are you worshipping God in spirit & in truth or merely as a superficial gesture?
Reality is that:
"A PERSON LIVES ACCORDING TO THEIR BELIEFS!"
If you believe that Christ has set you free,
THEN YOU WILL LIVE A FREE LIFE!
If you believe that Christ commissioned you,
THEN YOU WILL PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART TO COMPLETE YOUR MISSION!
Worshipping God means Serving God!
"SERVING GOD ENTAILS SERVING OTHERS!"

2 Corinthians 2:14-15a
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ..."
Have you ever sprayed a can of air-freshener?
Did you ever notice its effects?
They resemble the attributes of a Christian!
As you spray the can through the room, you can see a burst of chemicals. So it is with Christ:
"CHRIST ALWAYS LEADS US IN TRIUMPH!"
Then, as the chemicals mix, a pleasant aroma begins to fill the room & remove the stale odor. So it is with Christ' Disciples:
"DISCIPLES FILL THE ROOM WITH A FRESH PERSPECTIVE THROUGH GOD'S WORD!"
God wants us to be a breath of fresh air to a world that is decaying rapidly & to young Christians that need to be raised up in the "THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD" & not the world's faulty, corrupted, disgruntled view of God!
"WE ARE TO GOD THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST!"
This means your Godly Aroma should be eliminating this world's Decaying Stench!

IS THAT REALLY IN THE BIBLE?

Drunkeness, Bars, Nightclubs, Disc Jockeys, & Bands

Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks (working for the weekend so they can go to the bar) who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine (drunk) They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes, and wine, (Disc Jockeys, Bands, & Alcohol at their bars & clubs) but they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord,, no respect for the work of His hands. (harps were made for godly celebrations & to worship God - music was designed to honor & worship God, most of today's secular music does not honor God & is often used in perverted ways, especially in bars and nightclubs) Therefore the grave enlarges it's appetite and opens it's mouth without limit; and into it will descend nobles and masses with all the brawlers and revelers. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil (don't fool yourself or anyone else by thinking this is acceptable) Woe to those who are hero's at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks (bartenders, power drinkers, people referred to being able to "drink people under the table", people who "hold their own" excessive drinkers) Therefore the Lord's anger burns against His people: His hand is raised and He strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Any Questions?

~ Isaiah 6:11,12,14,22,25 ~
 

FREE CONFERENCE...March 1st & 2nd at Evangel...David Platt, Francis Chan & Many More... Discipleship Making

 

 

 

What To Expect

 

What To Expect

So what exactly is going to happen at the Verge 2013 Conference Webcast? Good question.

During the webcast, Francis Chan, David Platt, Dr. John Perkins, Dave Gibbons, Matt Carter, Jo Saxton, Mike Breen, Propaganda, Alan Hirsch, Michael Frost, Jeff Vanderstelt, Hugh Halter, Neil Cole and many, many others will encourage and challenge us to make and multiply disciples of Jesus.

 

 

Schedule & Topics

 

Schedule & Topics

Friday, March 1

 

9:00am-11:00am – Main Session 1 

 The Priority of Disciple Making: There Is No Plan B

11:00 - 12:00pm - Group Discussion

Lunch Break
 

1:30pm-3:30pm – Main Session 2 

 Patterns & Practices of Discipleship Making: Missional People & Missional Communities

3:30 - 5:00 Group Discussion

Dinner Break
 

7:00pm-9:00pm – Main Session 3 

 The Content of Disciple Making: Getting To The Heart Of It All

 

Saturday, March 2

 

9:00am-11:00am – Main Session 4 

 Culture And Disciple Making: Building Bridges and Removing Barriers

11:00 - 12:00pm - Group Discussion

Lunch Break
 

1:30pm-3:30pm – Main Session 5 

 The Process of Disciple Making: 8 Non-Negotiable Steps To Making and Multiplying Disciples

3:30 - 5:00 Group Discussion

Dinner Break
 

6:00pm-8:00pm – Main Session 6 

 Living The Future Church: The Context of Disciple Making

  Free Snacks & Beverages will be provided throughout the day.
All Lunch and Dinner Breaks will be on own.

2 Samuel 15:21
But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.”
"WHERE EVER!"
"WHETHER IT MEANS LIFE OR DEATH!"
"YOUR SERVANT WILL BE THERE!"
There are 3 defining characteristics of a Servant of God:
1- OBEDIENCE: (Where Ever!)
Obedience enables the Servant of God to reach the ends of the world with the Gospel.
2- BOLDNESS: (Whether it means Life or Death!)
Boldness enables the Servant of God to enter Satan's territory fully confident of God's Ability to Overcome Satan's Power.
3- COMMITMENT:
Commitment enables the Servant of God to remain focused on accomplishing God's Perfect Will despite of any obstacles.

"OBEDIENCE + BOLDNESS + COMMITMENT = SERVANT OF GOD"

In order to be a POWERHOUSE, you must have POWER!
Lack of any one of these 3 characteristics creates an imbalance & demands a time of re-evaluation in order to establish discipline.

How to Woo your Wife

The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments
all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD. ...Isaiah 38:20

We are the temple of the Lord and according to Romans 12:1 we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is our spiritual act of worship. What does this have to do with wooing my wife you might ask? Everything! Let me explain, if a man trys to serenade a woman with a guitar it can be a beautiful thing but no matter how good the man plays if the guitar is out of tune the end result is not pleasing, it is an unpleasant sound, and turns the woman away. However, if the guitar is in tune and the man plays the notes according to how they were written there is nothing more beautiful as it draws the woman in, is pleasing to her senses, and speaks to her heart. Men, God wants to use you as the instrument of His choice to serenade your wife, He wants to woo her, and speak to her heart. But no matter how good the song choice if you are out of tune the notes are not pleasing. To be in tune means to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God, it means never speaking harshly to your wife, it means being patient, kind, forgiving, it means listening, it means having the heart of a servant, it means making every effort to keep the bonds of peace though the unity of the Spirit, being led by the Spirit. When we as God's instruments are in tune a beautiful melody will result, wooing our wives, drawing them near, and speaking to their hearts as they see and feel the love of God. When we are in tune we might still play a wrong note occasionally but they won't even notice as they are being enticed by the overall melody, when we are out of tune however, even the right notes are sour. Even our best efforts are like filthy rags when we are out of tune with God's will. Let's humble ourselves before the Lord, get in tune, and allow God to use use us to serenade our wives as we sing with stringed instruments in the Temple of the Lord, all the days of our lives.

 

Revelation 4:8-11
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,

WHO WAS, AND IS, AND IS TO COME.”

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty‑four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“YOU ARE WORTHY, OUR LORD AND GOD,

TO RECEIVE GLORY, HONOR, AND POWER,

FOR YOU CREATED ALL THINGS,

AND BY YOUR WILL THEY WERE CREATED

AND HAVE THEIR BEING.”
Question of the day:
"WILL YOU LAY YOUR CROWN BEFORE THE THRONE?"

Come Holy Spirit!

Acts 2: 1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

As believers, when we look back in history, the day of Pentecost stands out as an historical day. The prophets of old, could only dream of this day coming and us of the current can only look back and imagine what a scene it must have been. This day in history goes down as one that would change the course of mankind. It was a day that believers would receive empowerment to be witnesses into the utter ends of the earth. It was also a day that would deepen believers worship to God.   

These earlier believers and disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Think of it this way. In order for an object to be filled, first it must be emptied. These earlier believers realized that in order to be filled with Holy Spirit, that they would need to empty themselves. In other words, we must die to the things of this world, in order for us to come alive to the things of God!

This experience that the early disciples encountered 2,000 years ago was not only for them but for us today. It is an an experience that you can  have in your life. It is God's desire to fill you with His presence and with His power. Will you yield yourself to Him today?

Prayer: God I yield myself to you! I die to the things that I want to accomplish in this life and give all my dreams to you! I pray that you fill me with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I pray that you would lead me, guide me, and direct my steps. In Jesus Name!

Praise the Lord!!!!!

2 Samuel 10:12
"Be strong and let us fight bravely for Our People and the Cities of Our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight."
"OUR PEOPLE & THE CITIES OF OUR GOD!"
Pay attention, or you might miss it!
"God has strategically placed us in SPECIFIC LOCATIONS with INTENDED PURPOSES!"
You don't live in your city, state, country or neighborhood by your choosing, or because of some odd circumstance!
GOD PLACED YOU THERE INTENTIONALLY!
YES, God may have used your prior circumstances to get you into His Intended Position!
But the fact still remains that:
"GOD HAS YOU, EXACTLY WHERE HE NEEDS YOU!"
Therefore, stop trying to shimmy your way out of your current position & Let God Fulfill His Intended Purpose for you where He currently has you!
THEN, when God deems that your time in that position has ran it's course, HE WILL TAKE YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL!
"THE LORD WILL DO WHAT IS GOOD IN HIS SIGHT!"
Remember, "God has a better view of your future than you do!"
Therefore, if He steers you toward the left, THEN GO LEFT!
If He steers you toward the right, THEN GO RIGHT!
Lastly, when He brings you to a complete stop;
"JUST STOP & AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!"
God Bless You & Enjoy Your Day!