ST. JOHN 3:16 "A SEASON OF GIVING"

• In a season of receiving gifts this is a time of the year that people feel the most alone and left out.  Around this holiday season people who feel left alone are more likely to commit suicide. Our society has forgotten the meaning of what this season is all about, not receiving but giving. St.John 3:16 " For God so loved the world that he gave" not received but gave, and thats what this season is all about" giving". Make sure to give of yourself this season.

2 TIMOTHY 1:16 "HELP- BRINGER"

The apostle Paul sits in his cell in prison in the twilight of his life alone and by himself. This awesome man of God who went around the known world 3 times preaching and starting churches, the bible says " so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus , both Jews and Greeks" ACTS 19:10.) In 2 Timothy chapters 1 & 4 the apostle Paul writes to Timothy a list of men who forsook him . In verse 10 Paul mentions a man named Demas and how he  had forsaken him for he loved the world. Demas is mentioned in Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24 as one of Paul's fellowlaborers, but forsook him to go back into the world " it literally means the now age". Doesn't that sound like the church of today? Then in chapter 1 verse 15 the apostle gives 2 more names of men who turned their back on him , PHYGELLUS and HERMOGENES are in the bible for being unfaithful what an indictment. Even though these men deserted Paul he had one who was faithful ONESIPHORUS stood by Paul and wasn't ashamed that he was in prison. ONESIPHORUS=HELP-BRINGER and when he showed up he refreshed the apostle, he was like a breathe of fresh air, relief,reviving and refreshing. Instead of bringing trouble pain and confusion he brought HELP in a time it was needed. For Paul was facing execution and needed the gift of helps= aid, an attendant, some one to carry the load, this man ONESIPHORUS was a help-bringer that refreshed Paul in a very trying time. Who have you refreshed in a time they really needed it? Or brought help to someone's in their hour of desperation!! Do something nice in this season and REFRESH SOMEONE!!!

JOSHUA 14:8 "FOLLOWING THE LORD"

Caleb stands before Joshua and revisits the past forty years how God spoke to them in Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land. The next phrase in verse 7 that Caleb uses is what took him through forty years of the wilderness,"and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart". This is one of the reasons Caleb made it through the wilderness the other was "he wholly followed the Lord". Following the Lord can be very difficult just ask Caleb, who wandered in the wilderness for forty years following a word from the Lord that was in his heart. It was that same word that enabled Caleb and Joshua to stand up against ten evil reports and say we can possess the land Num.13:30). The bible mentions five times Num. 32:12, Deut. 1:36, Josh. 14:8-9 and 14:14 that Caleb followed the Lord. In Numbers 14:24 it says about Caleb "But my servant Caleb, because he had "ANOTHER SPIRIT" with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it". This is the word that was in his heart, that took him through forty years in the wilderness. When family and friends died off even leaders MOSES, MIRIAM AND AARON Caleb continued to follow the Lord. There is one interesting point about Caleb his name means"DOG", have you ever had a dog follow you? Are they not relentless, incessant and resolute, they won't give up!! And this is the spirit Caleb had "ANOTHER SPIRIT "  that gave him the ability to follow the Lord. If you don't give up on following the Lord, he will take you through your wilderness and other people's faith will die off but you will remain , because you decided to "FOLLOW THE LORD". 

JOB 34:32 "TEACH ME LORD"

That which I see not teach thou me: JOB 34:32) In a world that is basically understood by what we see, touch and hear, Job in his state of suffering anguish and pain enquires of the Lord " That which I see not teach thou me". The lesson your trying to convey to me that's beyond my comprehension Lord that's what I need to know. The message that's beyond my grasp teach me that Lord, what I cannot see naturally and need spiritual ensight, teach me Lord. Elevate my faith to the point to believe even though I don't see no evidence of what I believe, that's where I need you Lord to teach me. I don't need to understood just believe, just take God at his word. My part is to believe, if I do my part God will do the rest. Jesus said "IF THOU WOULDEST BELIEVE, THOU SHOULDEST SEE THE GLORY OF GOD" ST. JOHN 11:40). Job didn't understand or even know why he was being tested. He didn't have a bible or books on faith, he just had his relationship with the Lord, and that's enough. So let me be taught by the invisible power of faith. "FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT" 2 COR.5:7).

GENESIS 26:12 "THE METHOD OF FAITH"

Hebrews 11:1" Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". The apostle Paul teaches us that if you have faith the evidence of it, your faith will bring things to you. James teaches that if you have faith you will have the work of your faith or the result of your faith demonstrated by the works of faith. Because James says " so faith without works is dead also"2:26.) These to views are both evident in the life of Isaac because God had to establish faith in Isaac after the death of his father Abraham.                                                                                                                                                                  So God's command to Isaac was not to leave Gerar in the time of famine, in this place of lack I will establish your faith. The word FAITH=pistis=conviction of the truth of anything, belief, fidelity, assurance, belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same: The word Gerar=lodging place) in the midst of a famine I will find you a place to relax. God renewed his promise to Isaac because of his obedience in not leaving and going down to Egypt. Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. GENESIS 26:12) God will bless you in a dry and empty place if you trust him and believe him, it's the method of faith that will keep you grounded through the tough times. In times of seemingly spiritual famine or dry places , God is still there, just allow the method , conviction, belief and assurance to be your guide. And you will see a reason to sow in a place where it seems there will be no return and receive an hundredfold blessing!!

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 " CONFIDENCE"

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you wiil perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Phil 1:6) What does it mean to be confident=peitho=persuade, to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe, to tranquillise.The definition I thought was unique was to tranquillise! God is saying  being "confident" in me will be like taking a tranquilliser, it will settle you down and cool you out when you're confident in him. So this could read " Being tranquillise of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good word in you will perforn it until the day of Jesus Christ. So let his word will settle you down and chill you out as you depend on him.

GENESIS 37:5 " DREAM SNATCHERS "

Have you ever been hated for your dreams, desire to excel, ambition , or just want more out of life. I'm not talking about trying to be better than everybody else but just wanting all that God has to offer. Something that God has made you aware of in a dream, vision, or just taking God at his word and believing you are who God said you are. This was the case with Joseph.  Joseph could not help himself when it came to feeling successful because his name means "JEHOVAH HAS ADDED" it is from the root "Yacaph"=increase ,do again, to do more:                                                                                                                                                                The bible reads "And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more." GENESIS 37:5) The first mistake Joseph made was he told his brothers. That's what some of us do we tell everything, some of the things God will share with us we need to keep to ourselves. Now the thing that puzzles me the most is how can you hate some one for dreaming? Dreams are free everyone has them and it doesn't cost you anything to be a dreamer, unless that's all you do is dream? Isn't it something that Joseph's brothers wanted to kill his dream so bad that they were willing to kill him, remember it was just a dream! The only thing that sparks hatred like this is that haters believe in your dream coming to pass as much as you do. And what they don't understand is that God will use their hatred "THE PROCESS" to allow your dream to come to pass. Everything that Joseph dreamed came to pass. I sense in my spirit that some of you have given up on your dreams because of "the process God has chosen."                                                                                                                                                                      Can I tell you this it is God that will kill a dream, and one of the reasons is to build your faith. The second reason is so he will get the GLORY, after you go through everything and finally have your God given dream come to pass you will known "if it had not been for the Lord on my side". God will "SNATCH YOUR DREAM" and bring it to pass in his own timing. The bible says "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abidith alone : but if it die , it bringth forth much fruit:" ST.JOHN12:24) Let God "snatch your dream" and kill it, because after he does that" HE WILL MULTPLY IT AND IT WILL BRING FORTH MUCH FRUIT. DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM, SO THIS TIME DO MORE, DO IT AGAIN, AND BELIEVE FOR THE INCREASE!!"

COLOSSIANS 1:17 "HELD TOGETHER"

There is an energy known as "CENTRIFUGAL FORCE"=from Latin centrum=center, and fugere,=to flee, force pulling away from center: an apparent force that seems to pull a rotating or spinning object away from the center. Everything in the universe is made up of  atoms. Scientist don't understand how the atom can stay together, how electrons and neutrons and protons  stay in orbit around the nuclues of the atom . The bible says in HEBREWS 1:3 "And upholding all things by the word of his power" . That's the reason , JESUS CHRIST holds all things together . Scientist can't explain it but the word of God can it's Jesus!! The apostle Paul writes to the COLOSSIANS " And he is before all things , and by him all things consist. The word CONSIST is from the root HISTEMI=to cause or make to stand ,to place , put , set, to bid to stand , be kept intact, stand unharmed: Since all things were created by him and for him then he JESUS can keep everything in tact, the whole universe, put , set , stand, unharmed by the word of his power!! And even in your crisis, your worst situation, your hardest trial HE WILL HOLD YOU TOGETHER, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HE DOES. HE HOLDS THINGS TOGETHER!! BE ENCOURAGED WITH THE FACT THAT HE WILL HOLD YOU TOGETHER , KNOW MATTER WHAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH HASN'T HE KEPT YOU TOGETHER?

PSALM 119:89 " SETTLE DOWN "

 It is hard to put your confidence in anything today, there is hardly anything you can depend on. Every kind of institution in this world is failing, what do we have to rely on? Is there anything we can SETTLE DOWN and believe in? I'm glad you asked that question , we can rely on God and his word! Everything will fade away but the word of God ,(Isaiah 40:8).  One of my favorite persons in the bible is David , the sweet Psalmist of Israel, the Shepherd boy, the main after God's own heart. David is the chief compiler of the book of Psalms. In David's writings he focuses on different theme's in each number=chapter. There are Psalms on Praise, Lamentation, Exaltation, Worship and some on more then one theme.  But in Psalms 119 David makes it clear what he's talking about and it's The Word !!                                                                                                                                                        Our srcipture says " FOR EVER , O LORD , THY WORD IS SETTLED IN HEAVEN " .  SETTLED=to stand , take one's stand , stand upright ,be set (over) , establish , erect, to fix, appointed ,be determined, . What God has said about you is SETTLED IN HEAVEN !! What He has spoken over your life before you were born will stand upright , be set (over) , appointed and determined. What God has communicated to the universe about you stands erect, fixed and established in the heavens and nothing can stop it!!  And this is something you can SETTLE DOWN ON !!                                                                                                                                                                 

PSALM 138:8 "PERFECT"

 I believe everyone has a desire to be perfect, to experience perfection in some type of way. The world we live creates images of perfection. Every movie star wants to appear flawless on screen. What does it mean it be perfect? It means without faults , errors, flaws, complete and whole, excellent or ideal. It's hard to live up to those type of expectations, who do you know without faults or flaws, know one but God. God doesn't even demand that we are perfect only that we live holy. The word perfect appears 99 times in the bible so there is a message God is trying to convey. 1 PETER 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his enternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen , settle you." Here the word perfect is "KATARTIZO"=to render, to fit , to be sound, complete: It's God's desire that we are complete and sound in every area of our lives.                                                                                                                                                                It's It's so important to know that "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:" PSALMS 138:8). That God will "perfect" fit, allow things to become sound and complete in him. The God that controls the cosmos will complete that that concerneth you. Lets deal with what God is concerned about "YOU". The word "CONCERN"= be on the mind of, that your on the mind of God , to bear on, cover, that God will cover you: PSALMS 91:4)" He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Itsn't that amazing that God will cover you!!  Concern also means to "deal with"God will deal with every situation that concerns you; Concern also means "go into" that HE will go into the deep things in you, things you haven't told anyone but God!! Our last definition of this word is " something that interests you because it is important or affects you". Because he is a loving and caring God things that affect us, affect him. How gracious is our God, his word will let us know how deep his love is for us. So stand up and cheer that God " will complete that which affects you"!!

COLOSSIANS1:16 "A COLOSSIAN PROBLEM"

Everything that happens in life there is a negative or positive reaction to it. The bible says " But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" ROMANS5:20) God will not allow the devil to out do him with sin, God said where there's sin I'll supply more grace! Grace does not give us a license to sin, it is "the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." ROMANS 2:4) Repentance is a change of thinking to go in another direction, not that I'm sorry but, I'm sorry enough to change the path that I'm on and go in the right direction.                                                                                                                                                                      The Colossian church had a problem and it was three fold a syncretistic heresy. The heresy had elements of paganism, judaism and christianity. Epaphras was believed to be the pastor of this church according to COLOSSIANS 7. Epaphras takes a trip to Rome to visit the apostle Paul in prison and gives him a heads up on the condtion of the church in Colossae. The Pagan heresy was an early form of Gnosticism=gnosticism asked about the personage of Jesus Christ" If he was God how could he die and if he died how could he be God". The second part of this heresy was an element of Judaism retained the law of Moses and was legalistic in nature . The third part of this heresy was elements of Christianity they didn't deny Christ they dethroned him and this took away his power to be the savior of the world. When Epaphras told Paul these problems the apostle started writing. The difficulty of this problem brought the greatness out of Paul and he began to reveal things through the Holy Spirit that we would have never known without the Colossian Problem? The apostle Paul wrote in verse 17 " And he is before all things, and by him all things cosist". Cosist= to hold things together , that Jesus Christ is holding you together. Your greatest problem will bring God's greatness out of you, don't allow circumstances to discourage you there is greatness on the inside of you and your problem will bring it out!!

JAMES 1:12 " THE BLESSED MAN "

A few years ago I asked my congregation the question what is the definition of a blessed man? Some responded and said to have a lot of money, to have a nice home and car, to have a good marriage and good health. The blessed man is a person that has everything, no wants or cares, he or she has everything. There are a few definitions for the word blessed in the bible , but we will just mention two. Blessed=EULOGETOS=from eulogeo=to bless-eu-good, well and logos=word. English=eulogize, eulogy=commendatory formal statement or set oration , high praise; to extol= means to be well spoken of or inherently worthy of praise. Now another meaning of the word blessed is=MAKARIOS, to be happy, but not in the usual sense of happiness based on positive circumstances. Makarios describes the person who is free from daily cares and worries because his every breath and circumstance is used to describe the kind of happiness that comes from receiving divine favor. When Jesus used this word MAKARIOS  blessed, Jesus knew what he was doing, he was bringing about a paradigm shift in the people's thinking.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The people of that day knew the meaning of this word, Makarios it was used to describe the life of the Greek God's and their lavish life style that they where above pain, poverty, sickness and death. Jesus was saying that the blessed man was happy inspite of his external circumstances because his trust is in his God. And this is the same word MAKARIOS that James uses in (JAMES 1:12 when he says "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life , which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."  In other words " HAPPY is the man that ENDURETH= remain, not recede or flee, TEMPTATION= trial, adversity, trouble, affliction for when he is TRIED= accepted, pleasing, proved, he shall receive a crown of life:"  According to James this is the BLESSED MAN!!

ACTS 19 " RELENTLESS FAITH IN THE FACE OF FEAR"

The apostle Paul was fearless in his quest to obey the Lord. Once he received his instructions from the Holy Spirit he could not be moved, discouraged or hindered in the purpose of spreading the gospel. What if the church today had the same commitment and fire that the apostle Paul had, we would be unstoppable! Paul was totally about doing the will of God , and whatever territory he went in he brought change. People's lives were changed by the power of God , and that came from a life of surrender. Nothing can stop a man that's not afraid of die, hence we have the apostle Paul.  That's why he wrote "For to me to live is Christ , and to die is gain." PHIL 1:21)                                                                                                                                                         How many people you know that will say they gain in death? Not to many, because everybody wants to live. Again the apostle writes in (ROMANS 14:8 " For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die , we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's". The apostle Paul hit Asia with a bang and preached against the main principality there the goddess Diana. The whole area was controlled by this stronghold called Diana. So in "ACTS 19" The apostle Paul goes in to Ephesus and begins to preach and dispute and persuade the people concerning the kingdom of God. Verse 10 says " so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." The people received the word and had a bond fire burned their arts and books worth fifty thousand pieces of silver.    In our money the estimated value of this bond fire was worth one million dollars. Because of the fearless pursuit of the apostle Paul the silversmiths that sold miniature statures of Diana were going out of business. The apostle Paul faced all odds and evangelised the whole continent of Asia because he was fearless! Imagine what you can do if you refuse to be stopped by fear? 

POURING WATER!!

The stories of the bible are so interesting and encouraging at times it's hard to even put the bible down. The word of God is a rich spiritual encounter with a SOVEREIGN GOD, Jesus said "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit , and they are life."( St John6:63)  I'm so glad God knows the end from the beginning. Isn't it great that we serve a God that will tell you the end of a thing before the beginning, before you start I'll tell you the finish . (Isaiah 46:10 )" Declaring the end from the beginning" , "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth" (Isaiah 40:22,)  that's why God can show you your future and I'm here to tell you no matter what happens your future looks bright!!  The word of God will breathe life and purpose into your life when you allow his empowering presence to witness through you . The story of Elijah and Elisha begins in (1 Kings 19: 19-21) where Elisha received his call to  minister. In (2 Kings chapter 2:1) the bible tells us that Elijah will be taken to heaven in a whirlwind . Elisha refuses to leave Elijah and watches his translation  and receives a double portion. Elisha was such a gifted prophet that the kings servant let the king know that Elisha the prophet was stealing his secrets in his bedchamber !! (2 Kings 6:12 ) What a powerful gift and anointing to hear what they were saying in there bedroom ! Here are some of the miracles Elisha did.  Elisha purified a spring (2 kings 2:19-22 ) , he raised the Shunammite's only son (2 kings 4:18-37),  he provided an antidote for poisonous stew (2 kings 4:38-41) , he healed Naaman's leprosy (2 kings 5:1-19 ) , he recovered a lost axe head (2 kings 6:1-7), he provided water to a thirsty army (2 kings 3:4-20).  There are other miracles Elisha did even when he was dead the double portion yet operated in his dead bones (2 kings 13:21) . What an awesome prophet of God who ministered for about fifty years in total  victory.                                                                                                                                                     What I thought was interesting was the way the kings servant describes Elisha  " But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord, that we may inquire of the Lord by him? AND ONE OF THE KING OF ISRAEL'S (SERVANTS) ANSWERED AND SAID , HERE IS ELISHA THE SON OF SHAPHAT, " WHICH POURED WATER ON THE HANDS OF ELISHA"( 2KINGS 3:11). Notice the servant didn't say , the miracle worker, the prophet, the leprosy healer, he said " which poured water on the hands of Elisha .What an awesome description of the man of God . How many men of God today want to be known  as a "Water Boy"?  This is how Elisha got his DOUBLE PORTION being the servant of Elijah, ARE THERE ANYMORE SERVANTS IN THE HOUSE OF GOD THAT ARE WILLING TO POUR WATER? IT SEEMS TO ME EVERYBODY WANTS WATER POURED ON THEM. If you are willing to pour water or be a servant because minister means (to serve) God will pour his SPIRIT on you!! Jesus said "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." (Mark 9:35) The kings servant reveals a secret here the source of Elisha's power came from him pouring water or being a servant to Elijah!! TRY POURING SOME WATER!!

EPHESIANS 4:8-13 " GIFTS TO THE BODY "

Everybody like to receive gifts and some of my warmest memories are around christmas, because that's the time we received the most gifts. I have fond memories of staying awake all night , in eager anticipation of that morning. I remember taking the wrapping paper off the gifts we would receive. It was exciting to receive something so special as a surpising gift.  The word GIFT= something given to somebody usually on order to provide pleasure or to show gratitude, is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return. The Greek meaning of GIFT= didomi= to supply, furnish, to reach out, to appoint to an office: When God thought about a gift he sent his son Jesus Christ to die and redeem man back to himself. But he did not stop there for in Ephesians (4:8) " Wherefore he saith, WHEN HE ASCENDED UP ON HIGH , HE LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE , AND GAVE GIFTS UNTO MEN: (verse 9) says; And (verse 11)Paul says "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evagelists; and some, pastors and teachers; When God thought about gifts he gave us the five fold ministry.                                                                                                                                                  The church cannot function properly without these ministry gifts and God would not give us these gifts and discontinue them? The reason for these gifts are told to us in (verse 12) " For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Why would God discontinue something that will  bring perfection? He hasn't , these gifts are alive and thriving in the church today! God calls them gifts= to supply,furnish , to reach out, to appoint to an office in the body of Christ. If the apostle Paul was right about everything else, than why was he not right about these five fold ministry gifts?
 For the perfecting of the saints, it is the error of man to change something that God has established. His gifts will bring us" in the unity of the faith (verse 13) unto a perfect man". Let's allow these ministry gifts to operate and do what they were created to do make us" a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ". Let's continue to honor and cherish the five fold ministry gifts God have given us!!

GENESIS 32:24 " LEFT ALONE "

The holiday's are a time of celebration I love the holiday's especially Thanksgiving and Christmas . It's a time you spend with family and friends enjoying fellowship with each other reminiscing about past holiday's and times shared together. Unfortunately the holiday's are a  time when people who don't have any family and are left alone. Christmas and New Year 's are holiday's when people commit suicide. With no one to share these times with people feel abandoned and end their life. Isn't it sad that some of the most joyous times are the saddest times for some people because they are left alone. Just about everybody desires companionship and the warm feeling we get when those we love are around us.  God said "it is not good that man should be alone" (GENESIS 2:18). Adam had fellowship with the creator of the universe and it wasn't enough, he needed someone on his level so God created  Eve. Is it possible to be surrounded by people and still feel alone?  You can be marrried have children, friends and family all around you and still feel alone and empty.                                                                                                                                                       Jacob had come to a cross roads in his life and was alone all by himself , is it possible to say that it was God orchestrating the events in his life and he was about to come head on with destiny. Jacob was left alone and alone he met God! There are times that God will bring us to a place of isolation, because it's hard to hear God in a crowd. At times we get so busy with the cares of life we won't even spend time with God, so God has to create an atmoshere so we can wrestle with ourselves alone. The benefit of Jacob being alone with God is that God changed his name from "Deceiver" to "May God Prevail" Thus , he was now recognized as " Prince with God ". Do you need a name change? The bible says "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold" (PROVERBS 22:1 NIV). A good reputation is more important than wealth! What's in a name, The bible says " And hath given him a name which is above every name ; That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow," PHIL:2:9-10). Don't you agree it's time to get alone with God!!

NEHEMIAH 8:1 "REVIVAL SPARKED BY THE WORD"

Nehemiah stands as one of the greatest builders in the word of God! In hearing the condition of the walls in Jerusalem Nehemiah was moved with compassion that work on the walls had not been completed. So he began to weep, fast and pray to bring about change in Jerusalem, he asked God for favor with the king to go back and work on the walls. In todays society it is very rare to see someone who is moved with tears with something that directly does not involve them, to be so passionate about God's purpose for his people that he is willing to risk his life to see the walls restored. Nehemiah worked against enemies , opposition on every side to finish the work and when it was completed " that there enemies would perceive that this work was wrought of our God. (Nehemiah 6:16).                                                                                                                                                            So in the 8th chapter of Nehemiah the people gather in the streets as one man gathereth to hear the word of God. It is believed that this gathering was sparked by the people's hunger to hear the word of the Lord. The word of the Lord is read from morning to midday and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. For about six hours the people stood and listened to the word of the Lord. Several things have to happen for true revival to take place 1.) The people thanked God (by saying Amen when Ezra blessed the Lord.)  2.) The people submitted to the Lord (by lifting their hands, which was a sign of submission)  3.) The people worshipped (by bowing down their heads to the ground)  4.) The people wepted ( when they understood the word)  5.) The people had joy ( they rejoyced)  6.)  The people had (understanding of the word)  7.) The people had (Great Gladness):  True revival  happens when people hear and understand the word of God and it brings true repentance. The first message Jesus ever preached was to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Nehemiah refused to let anything stop him, he was relentless in his pursuit of accomplishing the rebuilding of the walls. Are you relentless about the things of the Lord? Do you want to see God's purpose wrought in the earth? Get passionate about the fact that you want to see the kingdom of God worked in you first and then see it operate in the earth!!

1 SAMUEL 18:14-15 "THE REACTION TO FEAR"

One of the most intriguing persons in the bible is David. There are a lot of details surrounding the life of David, it's like the Holy Spirit opens his life and we walk right through it. I am enamored and encouraged by his loyalty and devotional to God. Although David commited adultry and murder, also taking a census when God told him not to . God said that David was a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will (Acts 13:22). How could a man who commited adultry and murder , be a man after God's heart? Notice that God never said that about anybody else but David. This shows the unique relationship that David had with God. The door was alway's open to David because he knew how to repent and never go back and commit the same sin. The bible says "And David behaved himself very wisely in all his ways and the Lord was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him" (1 Samuel 18:14-15).                                                                                                                                                            Why would you be afraid of someone who wanted to do what was right? This is the reason the world doesn't like the church, because we choose to behave ourselves, to be prudent, to act circumspectly. David did this in all his way's , not just some of his way's but all his way's and it made king Saul uncomfortable. King Saul was afraid of David not only because he behaved himself but also that God was with him .  Maybe this is the reason for some of the trouble in your life, people recognize that God is with you. People are alway's intimidated with those who want to do right, because it puts pressure on everybody else, but who cares "If God be for us who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

MARK 16:7 " TELL HIS DISCIPLES AND PETER"

I love the personalities of the scriptures how God gives us a peak into the lives of the men and women of God. He will show us their strengths and weaknesses basicially so we can relate to them . The bible says that Elijah " was a man subject to like passion as we are" (James5:17) Peter was very impulsive, we can safely say that Peter had a Choleric temperment which means=ambitious, aggressive, full of energy and passion. It's very noticeable that Peter is always talking and has something to say. Jesus asks the question "who do men say that I am" (Matthew 16:15) no one had an answer but Peter .  And he said "thou art the Christ the Son of the living God", and a few verses later Peter puts his foot in his mouth and rebukes Jesus. Then Jesus preaches about drinking his blood and eating his flesh and loses  2988 church members in one message in (St.John 6 )                                                                                                                                                                     Jesus again turns to his disciples and ask them a question "Will ye also go away?" Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ , the Son of the living God". What a profound statement to make, but that's Peter. Peter opens his mouth again and says he will lay down his life for Jesus, and Jesus tells him he will deny him three times. I almost named this lesson "EXTREME MAKEOVER"a message I preached years ago contrasting Peter's life before the day of Penecost and after he received the Holy Spirit. Peter did what Jesus said he would do he denied him and remembered what Jesus told him.                                                                                          Now Peter is left alone to deal with his pain of denying Jesus , Peter was one of his inner circle disciples and he turned is back on his savior . He feels terrible now because he's let Jesus down, have you ever let the Lord down? Disobeyed him or turned your back on him , or he called you and you didn't respond?  Even in all that he still loves you and wants a relationship with you!  So early resurrection morning the women went to the tomb to seek Jesus and find an angel there to tell them that Jesus has risen, and go tell my disciples and PETER that he goeth before you into Galilee:                                                                                                                                                           After Jesus layed in the grave for 3 days and God raised him from the dead,  Jesus takes time to tell the angel to tell his disciples and specifically "Peter" to let him know I have not forgetten him. WHAT A LOVE, Jesus had just gotten up from the grave and  remembered Peter, go get Peter!! Tell him I still love him and nothing has changed!! God will never turn his back on you, He said "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE , NOR FORSAKE THEE" (Hebrews 13:5) Even though you've make some mistakes he still has you in the palm of his hand, just come back to him.  Be encouraged with the fact that God loves you very deeply and will move heaven and earth for you, he already has in sending his Son "JESUS CHRIST"!!

Precious Things

What is precious to you?  There are a lot of things people claim to be precious to them.  Most people believe a newborn baby is to be a precious thing.  Fine jewelry is considered precious.  A man's beautiful wife is a precious thing.  She is something that he holds dear to his heart.  I guess there are a number of things I can name that people consider precious.  WHAT does the word precious mean?  Precious is a something of great value, or high price, something dear and greatly loved.  In Greek, precious means polytimos from the root polus.  Polus means much, great in time, price, and honor.  This literally means of great price as in very high on a monetary scale, extremely valuable, or much revered.
It is a word some might think would more likely be used by ladies, but Peter is very fond of 'precious' using it some 7 times (not all are "polytimos") in both his epistles.  Jesus used polytimos describing the "kingdom of heaven" which he declared is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46).
Jesus pictures salvation as something hidden from most people but so very precious that people who have it revealed to them all willing to give up all they have to possess it. 
How "precious" is genuine faith to the Refiner's Eye Peter first mentioned the word precious dealing with faith he says " that the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that persisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.  Peter is saying that our faith is more precious than gold or that the trial of that faith is more valuable than gold. 
WHY compare our faith to gold?  In the ancient world, gold was considered the most expensive and rarest of all metals.  It was used in the worship of the Gods and was very prominent in the temple of Jerusalem, where the true God was worshipped.  Emperors and heroes were known for their lavish use of gold.  Under Augustus and Nero (the prince of the Roman gold coin), the Aureus, was worth 45 denar.  A denarius was considered to be a day's wage.  All of this indicates that a tried, genuine faith is extremely valuable! The known quantity in this statement is the preciousness of gold-- a genuine faith is much more precious than that.  God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless he has a specific plan by which great blessings an come out of the difficulty.  According to Peter Marshall, "Fire is the test of gold, adversity  of strong men."  The word trial is the Greek worf for tested "dokimazo from dokimos means tested, proved or approved, tried as metals by fire and thus purified from techomai to accept or receive means to assay, to test, to prove,to verify, to discern, or to approve.  Dokimazo involves not only testing but determining the genuineness or value of an even or object.  That which has been tested is demonstrated to be genuine and trustworthy.  Peter mentions several different things that are precious things, the precious blood of Jesus (Peter 1:19).  Jesus is the cornerstone (Peter 2:4-6)  II Peter 4 talks about the exceeding great and precious promises that are given to us by His divine power these are the things that Peter look on as precious.  How precious are they to you?

1 CHRONICLES 12:32 "UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES"

Wouldn't it be great to travel in time to go into the future or even go back into the past. I'm quite sure if we could go back into the past we wouldn't make as many mistakes, or try to correct the mistakes we make. I'm sure we would eliminate some people and relationships out of our lives, and even some choices we would correct. It would be exciting to correct the past and control the future. Our time is very valuable today and everybody's in a hurry, its  hard even spending time with your family.                                                                                                                                                       The bible says in ( Romans 13:11) "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" The apostle Paul wanted to let the readers of this letter understand how insensitive they were to the season they were living in. With everything that's going on around us as a believer in Christ, do you understand the times ? The word Time=kairos=due time, fixed, appointed , due measure opportune or seasonable time, the right time, and the state of the times . The timing of the Lord is most important to the body of Christ, so we can experience his fulness.                                                                                                                                                     This is what the children of Issachar had understanding of the times , to instruct Israel what to do. How much more should we that have the Holy Spirit understand or discern the day in which we live in. Not only understand or discern what's going in our personal life, but understand world affairs also. LORD GIVE US THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DISCERN WHAT COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE!!

ROMANS 8:31 " WHAT CAN WE SAY "

There are times in our lives when things get out of control and it is like we cannot do a thing about it. There are forces out there that will war against are faith, confidence and our will to survive. The devil wants to threaten our very existence, but the word of God says "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"  (Matthew 16:18") . The church is indestructable, not the  structure but the church. Because you are the church the "EKKLESIA"= called out ones who Jesus shed his blood on Calvary . The bible teaches us that we can control our lives by what we say. (Proverbs 18:21) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof," Jesus says "he shall have whatsoever he saith" (Mark 11:23) .                                                                                                                                                        The Apostle Paul coming to an end of one of the greatest chapters in the bible Romans 8, Paul askes the question "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? What shall we say to these things, WHAT THINGS?  Everything that oppose us, so to sickness I'm healed, to proverty I will prosper, through all opposition "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13) .  If God be for us, what more do we need to say!! God the creator of the universe, who else do you need on your side? The one who created everything,  if he's on your side you don't need anybody else.

PSALM 78:41 " LIMITING GOD "

Is it possible to limit God the creator of the universe, who by the word of his mouth spoke the worlds into existence. Who in Jesus " upholding all things by the word of his power"  (Hebrews 1:3). When God makes up his mind to do something who can stop him? The thing that can hinder or limit God is unbelief!! Remember in ( Mark chapter 6 )  Jesus went home to Nazareth and the people were astonished at his teaching and the mighty works wrought by his hands. But they went on to say "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, calling him the son of Mary meant something to , BUT THAT'S FOR ANOTHER LESSON? Mark goes on to say that Jesus did no mighty works there only healed a few sick folk. And even Jesus "MARVELED" at their unbelief?                                                                                                                                                                              This is God in the flesh and the lack of faith limited the son of God , is unbelief just as powerful as Faith?  (PSALM 78:41) says " Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel" . In (Numbers 13) the children of Israel sent out twelve spies to spy out the land, 10 came back with an evil report, and 2 came back with a good report. The children of Israel went into a state of panic and unbelief and refused to act in faith and LIMITED GOD through there unbelief. What have you did to tie the hands of God and limited his blessings on your life? Don't limit God with your lack of faith in him because things hasn 't come to pass in your life yet? In other words don't let God's processing you hinder the faith in you and limit God's potential in you?  Allow God's faith to operate through you like Abraham "HE STAGGERED NOT AT THE PROMISE OF GOD THROUGH UNBELIEF; BUT WAS STRONG IN FAITH , GIVING GLORY TO GOD. Make up in your mind, that I will not LIMIT THE GOD OF ISRAEL'S POWER IN MY LIFE!!

PHIL: 2:5-8 " KENONSIS "

Today we live in a fast paced society, everybody busy about doing there own thing. People are selfish, self-centered, self willed, and they only think about themselves.  What is in it for me, what am I going to get out of it, and how am I going to benefit from what's going on. This is the world we live in today, self-gratifying it's all about me. What makes this so pitiful is that this attitude has crept into the church!  Joyce Meyer does a funny skit of acting like a robot and saying "What about me?" "What about me?",  she even tells the story how she would wake up in the morning and lay in the bed and think of how her husband and children could wait on her to make her live better. We should be willing to esteem our brother higher than ourselves and go the extra mile for each other. Phil. 2:7  says that Jesus "MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION", this phrase is known as "the KENONSIS OF CHRIST."  This means that HE EMPTIED HIMSELF of  (1.) by veiling His glory  (2.) taking on Himself a true but sinless nature (3.) Voluntarily submitting to the will of the Father. At all times, Christ remained God, retaining the nature and attributes of God but taking a human nature in order to have a ministry among men. Jesus Christ, GOD became a man to redeem man back to the Father. He payed the ultimate price and gave his life. Shouldn't we sacrifice to help each other?

2 PETER 1:3 " YOU HAVE EVERYTHING"

There are so many different people that come across our lives and shape us in different ways . Especially in our youth we are so impressionable, we are influenced by others around us. I had a friend growing up that in my mind at the time had everything. He had good parents and they gave him just about everything he wanted. Every holiday he got a new outfit, I mean shirts, sweaters, slacks, shoes, socks the works. It was like he had everything.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Have you ever met people that seemed to have it all, the perfect marriage, children, home, job, ministry, "everything". So do you, you have it all if you have Jesus!! The Apostle Peter says "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue " (2 Peter 1:3)  Peter says his Divine Power = it was a name or the title for God the Jews called Him who revered Him so much they would not pronunce His name, that's the God hath given us all things that pertain unto life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            LIFE=ZOE=This is life real and genuine , a life active and vigorous , devoted to God and includes the present as well as the future. Zoe denotes in the Greek the physical vitality of organic beings, animals, men, and plants.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Life is understood , not as a thing , but as vitality, as the nature or manner which characterizes all living creatures.                                                                                                                                           This is the life you experience in Jesus Christ, real , genuine and vigorous, that's everything. Not things , possesions , people, but Christ He is the some total of everything . Life and godliness, that is GOD=LIKENESS itsn't that what we want to be like GOD?  The Life =Zoe= that gives us the ability to act like God and this should be the heart beat of every believer.

ACTS 3:4 " NOT A ONE MAN SHOW "

Our society is filled with the attitude of make it on your own and do it yourself, make it to the top no matter who you step on , on the way. It doesn't matter who helps you get where your trying to go as long as you succeed,  and take no prisoners. This is not the attitude of a believer, matter of fact it's the total opposite. The bible teaches us that" Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor, For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). The bible also says: : " How should one chase a thousand , and two put ten thousand to flight; " ( Deuteronomy 32:30).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Have you noticed that  a lot of  large corporations are merging together, for the good of the company. Corporations you never thought would get together have united for a common goal to succeed. Our lesson tells us that Peter and John are on there way to the temple to pray, and there is a lamed man placed at "the gate Beautiful" everyday begging for alms. This man has been lame from birth, and this is the only thing he can do is beg for money.                                                                                                                                                          But this is his day of blessing , Peter says to him "look on us" not just on me but us. I know I'm doing the talking but I have someone with me that's just as anointed as I am and were united together to see you get your miracle, and it doesn't matter who gets the credit, the glory belongs to God!!  The man looked on them both and received his healing .There is power in working together for his kingdom. This should be the attitude of the church , church lets work together so we can see His Glory!! This is the season of coming together, united with passion for one purpose, to see God's manifested Glory!!

JEREMIAH 29:11 " POWER THOUGHTS "

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."( Jeremiah 29:11) . It is believed that on average a person has 50,000 to 60,000 thoughts a day, and that 70 to 80 percent of those thoughts are negative. I was watching television the other night and saw neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf discussing her study on the brain and negative thoughts. What she was saying was so amazing, she said that they measure thoughts like trees, good thoughts are green trees and bad thoughts are black trees. What they would do is hook a person up to a machine and study his or her brain waves. Dr. Leaf said when a person has a negative thought that the body would release a protein that causes stress , and stops the body from functioning properly.                                                                                                                                              Dr. Leaf was asked the question what was the worst thought a person can think "I CAN'T", that had the worst affect on any person. Dr. Leaf said "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:" (Proverbs 23:7)  Whatever you think that's what you are or you become?  That's why the bible says " Casting down imaginations, and every high thing exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." ( 2 Cor.10:5 ) . The word  "imaginations"= arguments, that the devil will argue in your mind against the word of God.                                                                                                                                                                The devil wants to diminish the power of God's word in your life and have you thinking "I can't"accomplish God's purpose in my life. He wants you upset with God, that God hasn't fulfilled his promise to me and that He is a liar. He wants you to believe that God is a destroyer of hopes and dreams , but you fight the devil with the word of God, that's our defence. One thing I thought was amazing  Dr. Leaf said you can change your thought life from negative to positive in  just 21 days with the help of God's word. Isn't that amazing it doesn't take long at all!!  God said I know the plans I have for you, can't nobody plan things like God!    Plans to prosper you says the" NIV VERSION". CAN'T NO ONE STOP THE POWER OF GOD'S PLANS , THE DEVIL, ENEMIES, HATERS, NOBODY CAN STOP GOD WHEN HIS THOUGHTS ARE TO PROSPER YOU!!

EXODUS 3:8 " GIANTS IN THE PROMISE"

The Lord promised the children of Israel that they would go into a land that  flowed with milk and honey .  "And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians , and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land flowing with milk and honey; " (EXODUS 3:8)  The promised land, I believe should be a perfect place , a place God described that flows with milk and honey. Milk can be described as nourishment and honey describes the sweetness of the land. And God said a good land and large, it sounds like the perfect place! But God went on to say that the Canaanites , Hittites, Amorites, that the Perizzites, Hivites and the Jebusites were there.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       In the land of perfection, that flowed with milk nourishment and honey sweetness, in the promised place, there are GIANTS there. How could the enemy be in the perfect place? How could  opposition be in the perfect place? How could God promise blessings and a curse be there as well? How could there be good and bad existing together? If this is what God promised them , why would they have to fight giants for there promise?  When we receive a word or a promise from the Lord there is always opposition that comes. In one way or another there will be some type of opposition to what God has said. The devil wouldn't be the devil if he didn't oppose God's word, he's done it from the beginning to Adam and Eve.       The important thing to remember is that although the children of Israel were going into the promised land against Giants God was with them, to drive out the inhabitants of that land. When we come into our place of promise , our land that flows with milk and honey , that's the time to elevate our faith for the trials ahead . Even though there were Giants in the promise that did not diminish what God had promised. Israel fought a physical battle, but we fight a spiritual battle, a battle of the mind.                                                                                                                                                        Giants of doubt, failure, discouragement , giants of worry , insecurity and not belonging these are the Giants that we war against today. But we have to do as the children of Israel were commanded , we have to drive them out. So my advice to you is, as you embark upon your promise land whatever it is, to expect problems in your promise. But know God is there to help you drive out the Giants.                                                                                                                                           Maybe we have to drive out Giants , but the problems are part of the promise, except it all and watch God fulfill his purpose in your life. " For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (2Cor. 1:20).

How bad do you want it?

Bartimaeus - Son of Honor


Mark 10:46-52


He was changed from his past to future, from beggar to believer, from poverty to prosperity, from pain to power, from darkness to light and from blindness to receiving his sight, from uncertainty to expectancy, from no hope to hope against hope. 

Bartimaeus knew he was not a blind beggar.  He believed he was living beneath his means and destiny.  Even though he was a blind beggar, his name meant son of honor.  He lived with the expectation of receiving his sight.  When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was coming, he called Jesus Son of David.  Bartimaeus knew he was the Messiah that would come.  And this was the opportunity for him to go from a beggar to a believer.

This is why no matter what situation you are in believe that Jesus Christ can bring you out of your circumstances.  It does not matter whether you are blind physically or spiritually or whatever situation you are dealing with in your life.  Once you meet Jesus, he will transform your life from darkness to light. I'm quite sure Bartimaeus had the expectation that I 'm not going to stay this way. Everyday going to the gate with the mind set that today is the day I get my miracle. So when the crowd that followed Jesus told Bartimaeus to SHUT UP he payed  no attention to them, the more they told him to SHUT UP the louder he got.                 Notice Bartimaeus did not call him Jesus of Nazereth , he called him" Jesus the Son of David". Bartimaeus knew the messianic call on the life of Jesus and that he was the SON OF GOD! What the bible says about the Messiah "And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book , and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity , and out of darkness"( Isaiah 29:18)   " Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped" (Isaiah 35:5) . Bartimaeus somehow knew the word, that's why he called Jesus the son of David, DO YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS?                                                                                                                                                           DO YOU KNOW THE WORD? HOW BAD DO YOU WANT WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU? THE BIBLE SAYS" AND FROM THE DAYS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST UNTIL NOW THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SUFFERETH VIOLENCE, AND THE VIOLET TAKE IT BY FORCE"!! (Matthew 11:12) TAKE WHAT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS TO YOU!! YOU ARE A SON OF HONOR!!

ACTS 26:2 " I THINK MYSELF HAPPY!!"

Once again we are in the book of Acts, so much was happening in the early years of the church. The church was filled with excitment, vitality, enthusiasm , and with the power of God! The bible says in Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me:" POWER= DYNAMIS= inherent power capable of reproducing itself like a dynamo. DYNAMITE that's the calling of the church, capable of reproducing it's self over and over again. Chapter after chapter the early church kept reproducing itself througth strength, power and ability. Another meaning of DYNAMIS=INFLUENCE, the church has the ability to influence the world.                                                                                                                                                    By this time the apostle Paul has completed three missionary journeys around the world preaching and establishing churches, the bible says "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So tha t from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and diseases departed from them , and the evil spirits went out of them." (ACTS 19:11-12). The apostle Paul has seen and experienced some things by the time we get to chapter 26 , in chapter 14 : 19-20 at Lystra the apostle is stoned and drew outside of the city supposing he is dead and the disciples stand around and he rose up. In chapter 16:23-25 Paul is beaten  and put in stocks and thrown in the inner jail, but at midnight Paul and Silas sang praises to God  they praised God until an earthquake came and shook the jail. So we see the apostle Paul had already been through some things . Now he is accussed of starting trouble by the jewish leaders so they put him in prison to execute him.                                                                                                                                                     The apostle Paul probably spent 25% of his ministry in prison. The prisons of that day , the cells were dark, especially the inner cells of the prison like the one Paul and Silas inhabited in Phillipi. Unbearably cold , lack of water, cramp quarters and sickening stench from few toilets made sleeping difficult and waking hours miserable. Male and female prisoners were sometimes incarcerated together , which led to sexual immorality and abuse . Prison food when available was poor . Most prisoners had to provide for their own food from outside sources. Because of the miserable conditions, many prisoners begged for a speedy death, others simple committed suicide. From this premise I want you to see what Paul was dealing with, brought up from conditions like that to stand before king Agrippa and plead his case , and the first words out of his mouth is " I THINK MYSELF HAPPY". What an indictment against the church of today, when we complain about everything. This man could lose his life , living in deplorable conditions and thinks himself happy!!                                                 The bible says " For as he thinketh in his heart , so is he: "( Proverbs 23:7)  The apostle Paul's purpose was to please God no matter what the condition , adversity it didn't matter he was relentless in doing the will of God! Paul writes in Phil: 4:8 " Finally, brethren , whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,  whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report; if ther be any virtue ; and if there be any praise, think on these things." You can conquer every situation by " I THINK MYSELF HAPPY"!!

THE BLESSING OF HINDRANCE

I stated in one of the other writings that we had just finished our study on the book of Acts. The book of Acts is the acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. Luke the physician is the writer of the book of Acts.  Luke through the guidance of the Holy Spirit puts his focus on two main personalities, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul. The first part of the book of Acts centers around Peter, Acts 1:1-12:25, and the second part of the book central theme is Paul Acts 13: 1,28:31.                                                                                                                                            Have you ever felt like something was hindering you, impeding your progress, standing in the way of your destiny. We all know that there is an enemy out there who will plot , scheme  dig ditches to stop us from reaching our goal.  The Bible says " And he shall speak great words against the most High , and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:" Daniel 7:25 . That's the job of the enemy to try to wear us down by his hindering influence. He also wants to frustrate us and get us out of character, but the word of God says " Behold ,  I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19.   
I felt this was an very important passage in scripture because it's shows us another side of something blocking our way or hindering us!!  So is it safe to say that it is not the devil stopping us at times, that sometimes it could be GOD?  In our scripture Acts 16:6-10 the apostle Paul is trying to go into Asia to preach the gospel, "but" the Holy Spirit( FORBIDDEN HIM.) Why would the Spirit do such a thing, stop someone from spreading the GOSPEL? It was Paul's mission to take the gospel to the gentile nations.  Let's look at the word Forbidden=to hinder, prevent forbid, to withhold a thing from anyone, to deny or refuse one a thing:  Is there a chance that God will hinder, forbid us from doing a thing or reaching a goal, is it possible to do a good thing at the wrong time? There are times God will stop or hinder a thing for different reasons. There are times we have " haters" I mean people around us that will share in a blessing that they haven't suffered for ,or paid the price for.                                                                                                                                                       And God in His SOVEREIGNTY,and OMNISCIENCE knows what's best for us. I thought this was interesting  the root word for FORBIDDEN one of the definitions means to " LOP OR PRUNE could it be that God is pruning away some things off of you before you get the blessing?   What God is going to do with you is going to be so awesome he was to cut or prune away things and people out of your life. And that's some of the reason for the delay .                                                                                                                                                  The apostle Paul was attempting to go into Asia and spread the gospel" the good news and glad tidings of Jesus Christ, but the Holy Spirit forbid ,blocked. stopped hindered his progress . Until Paul had a vision of a man telling him to come into Macedonia to preach, the door was wide open. Right now I sense the Holy Spirit opening some doors for some of you that the time is now for your blessing ,some things you've been waiting for God to do,  AND HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU!!!! You will  have a testimony of being BLESSED BY HINDRANCE!!  This is so awesome to me WHEN the apostle Paul finally went into Asia God didn't just give Paul a few cities he gave him the whole CONTINENT!!!  It was worth the wait, God just doesn't want to give you  A BLESSING , he wants to OPEN THE FLOOD GATES, give you a DOWN POUR, a TSUNAMI OF BLESSINGS. SO STAY PRAYERFUL AS YOU WAIT ON "THE BLESSING OF HINDERANCE".