Lions of Christ

A Call For Humility

2009-08-13T14:24:00.001-04:00

After speaking to several men and women of God from different cities the last couple weeks, the Lord is sending a clear message to His church and that message is a call for humility! So let us come together in prayer and ask the Father of mercy to pour out a spirit of humility on ourselves, our friends & families, our churches, our ministries, our regions, and the body of Christ!

WHAT IS BIBLICAL HUMILITY?
Obedience
Recognizing your dependence on God
Recognizing it’s the Lord working for you and through you
Giving God all the glory
Lowliness of mind
Esteeming others higher than yourself
Making yourself of no reputation
Boasting only in the Lord
Recognizing the importance of others, especially ones that may seem lss important than you.
Opposite of pride and self-centeredness

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF HUMILITY?

Proverbs 3:34 - “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to You in the name of Jesus and thank You for Your abundant mercies. We praise You for choosing us to be Your blood brought children even before the foundations of the earth, according to your loving-kindness!

Father, we humble ourselves in your sight according to James 4:6&10 and we repent of any and all pride and self-centeredness. We repent for anytime we have tried to take your glory, exalt ourselves, or think that any fruit or success has come from our own hands. We ask You to forgive us and keep in the way of everlasting!

We ask You to expose and remove any root of pride, offense, unforgiveness, bitterness, and self-centeredness that we may have cultivated in our lives. We ask You to give us a servant’s heart and pour out a spirit of humility, love, peace, joy, unity, and holiness over Your church!

We pray that You make us like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let us do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each of us esteem others better than himself. Let each of us look out not only for our own interests, but also for the interests of others.

We pray that You let that mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

We pray that You give us the grace to do all things without complaining and disputing, that we may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that we may rejoice in the day of Christ that we and our fathers have not run in vain or labored in vain.

We thank You Father for hearing this prayer for Your word says You are faithful to answer that which we pray in Your will and not only have You told us through Your people but also through Your word it is Your will for us to be humble.

Now to You Most Holy Father, who is worthy of all praise and honor, all glory be unto You and Your kingdom through Christ Jesus forever and ever!
AMEN!

***Please forward this to friends & family so they may join us in prayer...

Lions of Christ in Cleveland on Sunday, July 26!

2009-07-14T11:55:00.002-04:00

The Lions of Christ will be at the Dolloff Road Church of God in Cleveland on July 26 at 11am. Come expecting God to move in a powerful way! Don’t miss it!

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Location: 5005 Dolloff Rd, Cleveland, OH 44127

Date: Sunday, July 26

Time: 11am

What to expect:
Come expecting a high energy service where all who are hungry & thirsty get set ablaze for the Kingdom of our Mighty God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Praise & Worship: Rick Thompson
Speakers: Rob Sheer, Mike Thompson, & Brian Baxter

About us:
By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we are a team-based and multi-faceted ministry with the vision to tear down strongholds and mobilize the church! Our team-based ministry model allows God to use us in a diversity of gifts including but not limited to revelation, healing, and prophecy.

Special request:
For our friends that can’t make the service, please keep us and the church in prayer so that lives will be transformed by Christ Jesus to the glory and praise of God!

The Consequence of Not Running with the Vision

2009-06-30T00:30:00.002-04:00

The time comes in every believer’s life when the Lord will cast the vision for the call He has placed on our lives. This is a very exciting time in most believers’ lives. The hours we have spent in scripture and prayer seeking which role He will chose for us is finally revealed. This excitement, however, doesn’t always last as the joy of the vision can be easily choked out by the cares of the affairs of this life or other obstacles we must overcome before the fulfillment of that vision.

Too often these obstacles become overbearing and we begin too lose sight of that vision. As we begin to lose sight of that vision we begin walking away from our call and the command the Lord has placed on our lives. Losing the vision has serious consequences not only for us but for others around us including family and others the Lord has entrusted in our ministries. King Solomon is a great example of this.

We often hear about the successful side of Solomon’s life, how he was blessed by God with great wisdom and riches but we don’t seem to hear the other side as often. 1 Kings 11 tells us that in his old age, Solomon’s heart turned away from the Lord and did not keep what the Lord had commanded him. As a result, the kingdom was torn away from Solomon and given to someone else.

“So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded. Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant (1 Kings 11:9-11).”

Some may try to argue that this was a consequence under the old covenant but Jesus warned us more than once in the New Testament:

“But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:62

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:44-46

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” – Luke 6:46

To further illustrate the consequence of not running with the vision let us take a look at an excerpt from an article by The 700 Club about world renowned evangelist Reinhard Bonnke:

“When Reinhard tells of God calling him to a life of evangelism, he speaks easily about a dialogue they had. It seems God laid out for him what would be expected. And Reinhard told God that he would obey and follow what God was asking of him. Before this extended conversation ended, however, God told him, “You weren’t my first choice.” Reinhard listened. “You weren’t my second choice either.” Later on there was a time when Reinhard hesitated to schedule a specific crusade. He says as he wavered, “God said, ‘You drop the vision and I drop you.” The evangelist attributes the tremendous responses he sees in ministry to simple obedience to what God requires (CBN.com).”

WOW! What a dreadful rebuke from the Lord but I’m sure Reinhard Bonnke was happy to receive it especially now, knowing the millions of souls that have been saved through his ministry. Could you imagine how the first two guys that didn’t run with the vision feel now? If nothing else this story proves that God is serious and if we don’t run with the vision He has given us, He will give to someone else!

As a minister, this terrifies me and keeps me continually praying to be in His will at all times. It also inspires me to read the revelation and experiences of other men and woman of God in order to see how they overcame the schemes of the enemy to keep us from fulfilling that vision. So to end this article I want to quote Rick Joyner from his book, Overcoming Witchcraft, in which he says that loss of vision is one of eight “stings” the enemy uses to overwhelm believers and that staying the course is crucial on that road to victory.

“When we begin to lose our vision, we must commit ourselves to strengthening our vision more than ever… Above all, we must hold our course! We should not change our direction until we can clearly see the new course… we need to just hold our course and keep going forward. We will soon break into the clear (Joyner, 1996, pp37-38).”

***May the Lord continually keep you in His perfect will and provide you with the strength, peace, and drive to continually pursue the fulfillment of the vision He has casts for your life in Jesus’ most precious name! AMEN!

God bless!

Mike Thompson

Praise Reports!

2009-06-12T02:03:00.002-04:00

For the last few weeks, Rick and Mike joined a small team of volunteers from the Freedom Prayer Room to share the love of Jesus in a local government housing area in Windham, OH, on Thursday nights. The Lord has been showing up in a powerful way! Here are some praise reports:

June 4, 2009

WOMAN HEALED OF BACK PAIN!
While praying for a young couple, we received a word of knowledge for back issues. The young lady revealed to us that she had a tail bone issue with her last pregnancy that caused her severe pain. After praying, the pain along with a small lump on her back went away! THANK YOU JESUS!

MAN HEALED OF INJURED FOOT!
John noticed a young man who had walked passed us had a limp. When we caught up to him he told us he injured his left foot with a pallet jack at work. We prayed for him twice, each time the pain was reduced. We then told him that we believed if he would walk across the street and back his foot would be 100% healed by the time he came back. He walked across the street and on the way back his limp mysteriously disappeared! Praise God!

June 11, 2009

MAN HEALED OF FOOT & ANKLE INJURY!
A young man walked by us with a limp. We asked what happened. He had a cast on his left foot and said he got hurt playing basketball. After we prayed for him we asked him to walk around on it and jump. He then sat down on the sidewalk and asked if he could take his brace off. He then took his shoe off and pulled down his sock. Rubbing his foot he was amazed. We asked if he had a lump on it prior to us praying and he told us it was swollen but the swelling was almost completely gone. Then he asked us how we did it, we laughed and said we didn’t do anything, Jesus did it! Praise God! All glory be to You our heavenly Father through Christ Jesus!

YOUNG MAN RECEIVES JOB!
At a local convenient store on the way out to share the love of Jesus, we ran into a young man we prayed for last week. He said the prayer worked because he just got a job. He didn’t need a healing but he needed a job and we praise God for delivering one!

THANK YOU FOR USING US IN SUCH A PROFOUND WAY JESUS! ALL GLORY AND HONOR BE UNTO YOU!!!

Flesh vs. Spirit: The Battle For Your Heart

2009-06-05T14:48:00.001-04:00

The terms “flesh” and “Spirit” are often used in the church today and I for one believe that there is a big misconception in regards to what this really means in a practical sense not only in our personal walk with the Lord but also in the corporate environment as well. To fully illustrate the point of this article I want to first define what the Bible tells us about the flesh and Spirit, show where the battle lies between the two, and then finally show this misconception in scripture so that we can be aware of it in our own lives.

WHAT IS THE FLESH?
Our flesh is our old, corrupt, sinful nature that came about due to the fall of man. The outcome or works of the flesh are listed below:

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

WHAT IS THE SPIRIT?
When the Bible talks about the Spirit in regards to our lives, it is talking about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Christ like nature we receive in the new birth. The outcome or fruit of the Spirit are listed below:

Galatians 5:22-23 says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT WAR AGAINST EACH OTHER!

Galatians 5:16-17 says “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

THE BATTLEFIELD IS THE HEART!

Mark 7:20-23 says “And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

What Jesus says here is really close to what Paul says in Galatians 5 regarding the works of the flesh (see above scripture).

WHAT’S THE POINT?

The point I am trying to make is that what determines whether you are in the flesh or in the Spirit is the intentions of your heart! Every decision we make is either out of the flesh or the Spirit! This point is clearly illustrated in scripture in several places but we will focus on two in order to explain the big misconception.

THE BIG MISCONCEPTION!

The big misconception is that actions always determine whether we are in flesh or in Spirit. Some actions such as murder, violence, substance abuse, etc. can obviously determine this but not all actions can. If this article, we don’t want to focus of those obvious one but rather, let us focus on the actions that have the appearance of good such as preaching, teaching, operating in spiritual gifts, charity, etc.

Just because someone is preaching the gospel, doesn’t mean their preaching it in Spirit. The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 1:15-16, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains.” Please keep in mind that Paul specifically names envy and selfish ambition as works of the flesh in Galatians 5 (see scripture above).

So therefore, if someone is doing a “good” thing such as preaching, it doesn’t mean they are bearing good fruit. What determines this, is the intentions of their heart. Are they preaching out of the Spirit (love, peace, joy, etc.) or out of the flesh (envy, jealousy, hatred, selfish ambition, etc.)

THE BIG MISCONCEPTION IN CHURCHES TODAY!

Is this section I want to list and briefly explain two common areas where the big misconception can typically be found:

MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT – Many times people will comment on how others manifest the Spirit and claim that they are in the flesh. Unless someone is “manifesting” in order to look spiritual this is likely not the case. Remember, what determines whether you are in the Spirit or in the flesh is your heart.

If someone jumps up and down praising God on their own free will, not fully taken over by the Holy Spirit are they in the flesh? Most would say yes, I would say not necessarily. Why? It depends on their heart. If they are jumping up and down to be seen to be seen they are in the flesh because selfish ambition is a work of the flesh. If they are genuinely jumping up and down praising and thanking God they are in Spirit because joy is a fruit of the Spirit whether or not the Spirit completely took them over to do it or not.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS – Just because someone is operating in a spiritual gift does not mean they are walking in Spirit, it means they have been baptized in the Spirit have a spiritual gift. As illustrated in the section above, we can operate in spiritual gifts but not be in Spirit. This not more clearly shown than through the Corinthians.

The Corinthians operated in spiritual gifts. In fact 1 Corinthians 12-14 is where we learn the most about them in scripture yet Paul still called them carnal because they displayed works of the flesh. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 says “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men.”

This is confirmed in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 when the Apostle Paul says “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” Love is a fruit of the Spirit, charity and spiritual gifts are not (gifts are evidence of baptism of Spirit not fruit of the Spirit). They are however, vehicles for fruit to be shown.

You can lay hands on a 1,000 people and everyone be healed but it doesn’t mean you’re walking in Spirit. If while you are laying hands on those 1,000 people to be seen or to make money you are walking in the flesh but if you are doing it out of love and compassion then you are walking in the Spirit. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).”

“The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).” God did not take away the gifts from the church in Corinth even though there were not in His will and neither will He take away our gifts if we are not in His will. Therefore, we must be even more certain to pursue His will which is to walk “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3).”

CONCLUSION:

To end this article I want give you the same exhortation and pray for you as Paul did for the Philippians:

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:1-4).”

I pray for you and everyone that reads this article the same that Paul prayed for the Philippians, “that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” in name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

God bless!

Mike Thompson

Pray & Praise in Revival for 100 Mile Radius on Sunday, May 31 @ 7pm!

2009-05-19T13:41:00.004-04:00

Prayer & Praise Meeting Sunday May 31, 2009, at 7pm

Come join us at the Freedom Prayer Room on Sunaday May 31 to pray & praise in revival for Freedom Township and a 100 mile radius which includes cities as far north as Cleveland, as far South as Columbus, as far east as Pittsburgh, as far west as Sandusky!

Don't miss this exciting event!

Come and be a part of something bigger than you!

Key Bible Verse: "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose." - Acts 16:25-26

Date: May 31, 2009

Time: 7pm

Location: Freedom Township at 7845 State Route 303, Windham, inside the Freedom Floor Covering building, across from Valley Tire.

What to expect:
Format will include continuous praise & worship by Rick Thompson and have an open mic for opportunities to lead prayer. Audio for this event will be recorded and made available online for free downloads. For a closer look at this event, listen to our free podcast of our “Prayer for America” available on the Lions of Christ Blog.

***Prayer & laying on of hands will be available by our prayer team volunteers at the end of the meeting for those in need or those wanting to receive a touch from God.

About us:
By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we are a team-based and multi-faceted ministry with the vision to tear down strongholds and mobilize the church! Our team-based ministry model allows God to use us in a diversity of gifts including but not limited to revelation, healing, and prophecy.

Special request:
For our friends that can’t make the service, please keep us, the church, & the communities in prayer so that lives will be transformed by Christ Jesus to the glory and praise of God!

Supplemental scripture regarding intercession: http://www.dianedew.com/interces.htm

Contact us:
info@lionsofchrist.com or www.lionsofchrist.com

Free Prayer & Praise Podcasts

2009-05-07T03:09:00.002-04:00

Podcasts from our Apr 17 Community Prayer & Intercession meeting and our Feb 15 Prayer For America meeting are now available to listen or download for free! Includes worship by Rick Thompson & impromptu prayers by several believers!

Click here to listen or download>

Ohio Ablaze with Wes Geiger at the Freedom Prayer Room

2009-04-24T11:04:00.002-04:00

Join us for Ohio Ablaze with Wes Geiger May 3, 9, & 10!

The Lord has connected us with Wes for what we believe is going to spark revival in Ohio!

Come expecting a high energy service where all who are hungry & thirsty get set ablaze for the Kingdom of our Mighty God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Dates: May 3, May 9, May 10.

Time: 7pm

Location:
Freedom Prayer Room
7845 State Route 303
Windham, OH 44288
Located inside the Freedom Floor Covering building.
Look for Freedom Floor Covering sign.
www.freedomprayerroom.com

Speaker:
Revivalist Wes Geiger of Seekers International Ministries. For more information about Wes, please visit his site at www.islandrevivals.com.

Worship:
Rick Thompson
For more information about Rick, visit his site at www.rickthompson.us.

Information:

For more information please visit www.freedomprayerroom.com or watch our video ad on You Tube.

Special request:

For our friends that can’t make the service, please keep us, the church, & the communities in prayer so that lives will be transformed by Christ Jesus to the glory and praise of God!

Lions of Christ in Ravenna, OH, April 19, 2009, @ 11am!

2009-04-07T00:21:00.001-04:00

The Lions of Christ will be at “God’s Church” in Ravenna, OH, on April 19 at 11am. This service will be a Mobile Fire Breakthrough service. Come expecting God to move in a powerful way! Don’t miss it!

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Location: 6351 Bridge Street, Ravenna, OH 44266

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2009

Time: 11am

What to expect:
Come expecting a high energy service where all who are hungry & thirsty get set ablaze for the Kingdom of our Mighty God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Praise & Worship: Rick Thompson
Speakers: Mike Thompson, & Brian Baxter

About us:
By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we are a team-based and multi-faceted ministry with the vision to tear down strongholds and mobilize the church! Our team-based ministry model allows God to use us in a diversity of gifts including but not limited to revelation, healing, and prophecy.

Special request:
For our friends that can’t make the service, please keep us and the church in prayer so that lives will be transformed by Christ Jesus to the glory and praise of God!

Intercession Prayer Meeting Friday April 17, 2009, at 7pm

2009-04-02T10:33:00.000-04:00

Come join us to lift up our local communities of Garrettsville, Windham, Freedom, Hiram, Nelson, Parkman, Mantua, Braceville, & Shalersville in prayer and intercession! We will praying for our leaders, economy, residents, and the church as led by the Holy Spirit.

Key Bible Verse: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Date: April 17, 2009

Time: 7pm

Location: Freedom Township at 7845 State Route 303, Windham, inside the Freedom Floor Covering building, across from Valley Tire.

What to expect:
Format will follow the International House of Prayer (IHOP) Prayer Room model which will include continuous praise & worship by 2006 Garrettsville Idol winner Rick Thompson and have an open mic for opportunities to lead prayer. Audio for this event will be recorded and made available online for free downloads. For a closer look at this event, listen to our free podcast of our “Prayer for America” available on the Lions of Christ Blog.

About us:
By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we are a team-based and multi-faceted ministry with the vision to tear down strongholds and mobilize the church! Our team-based ministry model allows God to use us in a diversity of gifts including but not limited to revelation, healing, and prophecy.

Special request:
For our friends that can’t make the service, please keep us, the church, & the communities in prayer so that lives will be transformed by Christ Jesus to the glory and praise of God!

Supplemental scripture regarding intercession: http://www.dianedew.com/interces.htm

Contact us:
info@lionsofchrist.com or www.lionsofchrist.com

Lions of Christ at Dolloff Rd. Church of God in Cleveland, OH, on March 29!

2009-03-08T01:25:00.001-05:00

The Lions of Christ will be at the Dolloff Road Church of God in Cleveland on March 29 at 11am. This service will be a “Breakthrough” service. Come expecting God to move in a powerful way! Don’t miss it!

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Location: 5005 Dolloff Rd, Cleveland, OH 44127

Date: Sunday, March 29

Time: 11am

What to expect:
Come expecting a high energy service where all who are hungry & thirsty get set ablaze for the Kingdom of our Mighty God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Praise & Worship: Rick Thompson
Speakers: Rob Sheer, Mike Thompson, & Brian Baxter

About us:
By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we are a team-based and multi-faceted ministry with the vision to tear down strongholds and mobilize the church! Our team-based ministry model allows God to use us in a diversity of gifts including but not limited to revelation, healing, and prophecy.

Special request:
For our friends that can’t make the service, please keep us and the church in prayer so that lives will be transformed by Christ Jesus to the glory and praise of God!

Prayer for America (Live)

2009-02-17T00:40:00.003-05:00

This is a recording of live intercession for the USA at the Freedom Prayer Room, recorded 02/15/09. If you like this podcast please download it for free and join us in prayer and stand in the gap for our nation!

To listen or download this podcast for free, click here:

The Vision: It’s Time to Run

2009-02-14T15:24:00.003-05:00

Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. - Habakkuk 2:2

February 14, 2009

How the Word Came:

On Sunday night, a lady in the prayer room started prophesying, saying “it’s time to run! There’s not time to walk, it’s time to run, we have to run!” I wasn’t there but this lady is a relative of mine that typically doesn’t prophesy too often so my interest was peaked about what God was saying. The next night, on the way to church the Lord began to reveal more of His vision for me. After the service, the pastor made a chance for me to receive prayer from Prophet George Moss. I told George some new things were coming and all I keep hearing form the Lord is to step out in faith. I told him my concern was stepping out too far in front of God. He gave me a word saying the Lord is leading me out by His word and that I am not stepping out on my own but rather the Lord is leading me out. As excited as I was, this wasn’t the only word I would receive this week!

Through a couple of emails I kept reading Habakkuk 2:2 and while it got my attention I didn’t really put too much thought in it. Last night, a great man of God who the Lord is beginning to use in a mighty way (who I knew of but just got to talk to this week in regards to Jesus), gave me that same scripture and said he felt like it was for me. Now God had my attention! I starting thinking, Lord what are You trying to say with this scripture? What do you want me to do?

In the prayer closet today the Lord gave me the revelation! THANK YOU JESUS! It brought back into remembrance a series of visions He gave me around early spring 2008 and showed me it is now time to run with it.

ISAIAH 58 – The Blueprint

The Lord showed me a red banner with Isaiah 58 written in white letters being raised. To be honest I was afraid because every time I’ve read Isaiah 58 prior to this I felt the powerful fear of the lord but this time was different. The Lord started showing me a blueprint or roadmap in this chapter.

In Isaiah 58 the Lord tells His people that if they turn from their wicked ways and do good, their darkness will be as the noonday sun and He will make them like a watered garden. The Lord doesn’t say here I will make you like a watered garden and then you will do good, He says if you do good I will make you like a watered garden!

What the Lord is saying for the church now is turn from your wicked ways such as pointing fingers, speaking wickedness, bickering, & gossip (v. 9), its time to step out in faith and do the good we are called to do such as feed the hungry, satisfy the afflicted soul, loose the bonds of wickedness, and lead people to righteousness and He will show up!

The Lord is saying if you step out on faith I will show up! If you step out in faith I will make you like a water garden bearing much good fruit. Rivers of living water will flow from you and spring up into life not only for you but for those around you!

IT HAS ALREADY STARTED!!!

“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (Mark 16:20).”

The Lord is raising up people everywhere, from every age group, from every background, who are willing to step out on faith! Like the early church, He is confirming the word through accompanying signs!

It’s only February but so far this year has been filled with testimony after testimony about how He is using nameless faceless people you never heard of to witness, heal, and deliver! We are living in an amazing time!

DON’T MISS IT!!!

The Lord is moving, don’t miss it! Don’t let the enemy tell you or use others to tell you that you are being prideful, that you are not good enough, that you’re too young or old, or you didn’t go to Bible school, etc! They did the same thing to David before he was used by God to slay the giant (1 Samuel 17:28-53)!

“26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).”

Isaiah 61 – The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

After the banner of Isaiah 58 was raised and planted I saw another banner being raised. This banner looked like the first one except written on it was Isaiah 61. The Lord then told me after His people step out in faith for a time He will powerfully anoint them and send them out as in Isaiah 61.

“And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations (v. 4).”

“For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations (v.11).”

Torchbearers are being sent forth!

The Lord told us regarding the Lions of Christ, “the only two things you need to teach people is that it’s time to mobilize the church and that everything they need is found in My presence.”

The Lord is now showing me that He is sending out several torchbearers to mobilize the church, to spread the message, to preach His word in order to rally the troops so to speak. These torchbearers are like Paul Reveres being sent out proclaiming “the Lord is coming, the Lord is coming!” They are being sent to alert, impart, & commission hungry believers to His call! These are the ones the Lord is using to write the vision and make it plain so that those who read it will run with it!

Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. - Habakkuk 2:2

One foot in front of the other!

The Lord kept showing me legs walking, one foot in front of the other. What He was showing me was that the leg that was in front now moves to the back to hold and stabilize the weight of the body while the leg that was behind moves forward and steps into new territory!

As these torchbearers step out in front to commission believers, the leg that was out in front is moving to the back to hold the weight of the church. The Lord showed me this to will happen to the torchbearers. As believers are raised up through them, they will eventually be that back foot holding the weight of the Bride as the other foot moves another step closer to her King! This time will be a time of rest and stability for the initial torchbearers as they begin to take positions in church governments.

Humility is the key here! We must not be self-centered but kingdom minded. We must do what we can to support what the Lord is doing no matter who He uses!

Prayer:
I pray that this word be true to you, that it blesses you. I pray that the Lord keeps you in His will that you may full of the fruits of righteousness which are by Christ Jesus to the praise & glory of God the Father in Jesus’ precious name! AMEN!

God bless,

Mike Thompson,
Lions of Christ

Spirit Wars by Kris Vallotton

2009-02-11T23:16:00.002-05:00

This is a powerful must see video!

Surrender: The Key to Transformation

2009-02-11T13:19:00.001-05:00

A friend told me one time that the Lord spoke to him and said, “Victory is in surrender.” This revelation changed the way I started to look at things. I no longer needed to strive per se but rather I needed to position myself to what God was trying to do in my life.

I quickly learned how effective a simple prayer can be when I prayed: “Lord, I don’t know what You’re doing to me but I trust You and surrender to whatever Your doing in my life. My flesh may not like it but my spirit is more than willing, do with me as You will in Jesus’ name!”

Sometimes we don’t understand what the Lord is doing in our lives but we don’t have to, all we have to do is trust Him!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).”

Most of us seek the Lord for greater transformation, healing or deliverance in some area of our lives and understand this process is done through the Spirit of Lord.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord ( 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).”

What most of us seem to forget in the process of transformation is that how long the process takes usually depends on us. The more we surrender to Him and let go of ourselves, the more He will transform us. I will close this lesson with the words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).”

The Power of Culture

2009-02-11T12:41:00.002-05:00

Here are some of the definitions of culture from dictionary.com:

“The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought.”

“The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.”

“These patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population: Edwardian culture; Japanese culture; the culture of poverty.”
“These patterns, traits, and products considered with respect to a particular category, such as a field, subject, or mode of expression: religious culture in the Middle Ages; musical culture; oral culture.”

Here is a definition of subculture from dictionary.com:

“a group having social, economic, ethnic, or other traits distinctive enough to distinguish it from others within the same culture or society.”

How Cultures are formed:

Once we are born into a culture we are exposed to precepts that shape our thoughts, feelings, emotions, values, morals, and actions. Cultures are typically formed in two ways. First, culture is shaped by a few powerful people that have or had great influence over their society and that influence while it may be changed, typically in some form or another is passed down from generation to generation. We see this in governments, institutions, & societal traditions.

Secondly, culture is shaped by a subculture, a small group, or remnant of people that gain influence over others in society. We see this in many social movements such as the “hippie” movement in the 60’s. MTV started as a small cable music network playing music videos 24 hours a day to a media conglomerate which great social influence.

How the kingdom of heaven is formed on the earth:

“Another parable He spoke to them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33).”

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen (Matthew 28:18-20).”

It’s pretty clear that we are supposed to take what Jesus taught us into the world and to change until the day of His return but in order to do this accurately we must first learn what the kingdom of heaven is.

What is the culture of the kingdom of God?

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).”

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).”

We can say that kingdom culture is heaven’s culture. Anything you read in the Bible about the kingdom of heaven (with the exception of Lucifer’s fall of course), is what God wants on earth.

Walking in the Spirit at an individual level expands the kingdom!

We don’t walk in the Spirit only for ourselves but also for others!

What part do we play in changing lives?

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).”

People seek either what is missing in their lives or to be free from what is in their lives. Many in the church are right with God through the blood of Jesus but much fewer are in peace & joy in the Holy Spirit. How can the world be convinced through us if we are still in bondage through the works of the flesh?

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

If we want to be a light unto the world as He was, we must walk in love and His Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).”

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).”

If we walk in love and the fruit of the Spirit, we will go to people (led by the Spirit) or they will come to us (convicted by the Spirit) seeking how to fill an empty void or how to get free. We then lead them to Him and the Spirit does the rest. This is how the kingdom is spread through us individually.

Promoting kingdom culture corporately not only expands the kingdom but changes lives!

Just as any well run organization knows, corporate culture is the foundation in which actions, expectations, and behaviors are set. As our congregations are called to represent the kingdom, the corporate culture of our congregations should also accurately reflect kingdom culture.

As leaders we should evaluate our congregations to see if we are accurately representing kingdom culture, values, and principles. We should ask ourselves questions like are lives being changed? Are believers being transformed into the image of Christ? Are they walking in the works of flesh or fruit of the Spirit? Is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit found here? Are we fulfilling the call He has put on our ministry?

We must also remember that we must be led by the Holy Spirit at all times, making ourselves available and positioning ourselves to what God is doing.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (Romans 8:14).”

The bottom line is that if we want lives to change we must give the Spirit of the Lord freedom to do what He wants to do even if we don’t understand it. He is the one that truly changes lives and we should do whatever we can to preserves, promote, and facilitate His work through us.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).”

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord ( 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).”

Prayer:

I am blessed that you took the time to read this teaching. I pray that the Father of Glory will bless you will wisdom, understanding, peace, joy, and boldness in order to not only allow Him to transform your life but the lives of those around you in the name of His precious son, Lord Jesus Christ! AMEN!

Lions of Christ Free Podcast

2009-02-07T00:00:00.007-05:00

"Still Small Voice"

This was recorded live & impromptu in The Prayer Room. Rick and I wanted to experiment with prayer, scripture, and worship. Please let us know what you think, we are trying a few new things in regards to media, all feedback is welcome!

We pray that the Lord bless you and keep you strong in Him in Jesus' precious name!

(Click to Listen)

(Click to Download)

Changing the Corporate Atmosphere

2009-02-06T12:35:00.006-05:00

We are all aware of common ways to stir up the Spirit of God such as praise, worship, preaching, teaching, testimony, and prayer but in this teaching we want to focus on a tactic less talked about but equally as important as those listed above and that tactic is agreement.

Many of us read the book of Acts and yearn for that same anointing that was on the early church. Many of us ask why the modern church as a whole doesn’t walk in the same anointing and while there may be many reasons I believe the most important is unity or agreement.

POSITIONING YOURSELF “WITH ONE ACCORD”

After Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem and ascended to heaven, the disciples entered the upper room and “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication (Acts 1:14).” How important is it to come together “with one accord?” It’s so important that it is mentioned in the books of Acts 11 times for both good and bad (See link below). It’s so important that the disciples used it to position themselves to what God was doing.

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them (Acts 2:1-3).”

Look what happens in Acts 4 when the disciples came together “with one accord” in prayer:

“And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord… And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness(Acts 4:23-31).”

THE POWER OF AGREEMENT

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them (Matthew 18:18-20).”

WOW! This is a powerful scripture! Jesus didn’t say I might be there, I may be a little late, or I’ll think about it, He said, “where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Come on Lord! This scripture gets us excited! Why? Because it tells us that all we need is 2 or 3 in agreement and He is there! Do you want to hang out with Jesus? Simply get at 2 or 3 people in the same place to come into agreement in His name! It is clear that it is His will to be there with us! What an awesome God we have! AMEN!

“Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
And the LORD listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the LORD
And who meditate on His name.
“They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him (Malachi 3:16-17).”

UNITY BRINGS AN ATMOSPHERIC ANOINTING

“1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore (Psalm 133).”

This is another powerful scripture we need to examine closely! Verse 2 illustrates the anointing that comes from unity as oil being poured out all over us. We believe this verse is symbolic of Christ who is the head of the church which is His body and when we come together “with one accord” the oil (anointing) pours down from the head (Jesus) onto His body (The Church).

Verse 3 illustrates the anointing that comes from unity as dew descending upon a mountain, a cloud coming down. This verse sounds a lot like the day of Pentecost and the mount of transfiguration where the disciples were overshadowed by a cloud before entering it (Luke 9:34). Unity can bring down a cloud of God’s presence! Hallelujah!

CHANGING THE ATMOSPHERE OF YOUR CHURCH

If we are going to change the atmosphere of your church, you must position yourself with what God is going “with one accord.” Some churches may already be there, others it may take some time but we are going to give you a few keys in order to set yourself up for a powerful move of God in your church!

1. Cast a vision – Determine what direction the Lord wants your church to go then cast your vision repeatedly to the congregation. Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” You must continually preserve and promote the “with one accord” principle and when you come together in Spirit and in truth, you will begin to feel that sense of family we long for!

2. Get anointed – You can give out what you don’t have. You need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and to be continually filled (See our teaching on how to increase the anointing).

3. Strengthen your inner man - The outward power of God works according to the power of God that works in us (Ephesians 3:20, 1:19-20). In other words, you can only transfer the amount of God’s power your inner man can handle which is why Paul prayed that God would strengthen with might their inner man through the Holy Spirit (Keep in mind these were Christians). Think about your house. You may be connected to the power from Niagara Falls but your house can only exert the amount of electricity the wiring can handle. If you want more power, you need to strengthen your spiritual power lines.

4. Operate out of the overflow – In Psalm 23:5, David said, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” As our cups overruns, the anointing pours out of us onto those around us, changing the atmosphere according to the amount of the overflow. If you are having trouble overflowing, be humble enough to get ministered to by those who are. The words “anoint” means to rub or smear into, like marinating a steak. The more we get into the presence of God, the more of His presence we carry!

This is a continually process, the more we allow the Lord to change us the more anointing we will carry. “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).”

5. Develop a small group – Develop a small group for the task of changing the atmosphere. Make sure you pick the right people. Many churches play safe picking who looks good for the position rather than the one the Lord has anointed for this task. If the people you pick are not anointed for these positions, their success may appear to be better at first but may be limited to their natural ability. The anointed one may seem to be reckless at first but it is the job of leaders and spiritual parents to mentor and develop these people into their calling. Jesus did this by picking 12 out of the multitude that would later establish the foundation of the church.

The Lord said to Moses in Numbers 11:16-17, “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.”

6. Use the group – Just the presence of these newly overflowing light-bearers in your congregation will begin to change those around them. I can see in a dark place with a flashlight but with 12 flashlights you will light up a room! We see this at the day of Pentecost when 3,000 were added to the church by 120 being filled with the power of God.

7. Sharpen the saw – After the first group is developed and sent out so to speak, develop another group. Also use first group to develop others. After Jesus sent out 12, He sent out 70, and then He sent them out to make disciples of nations. As we see in the book of Acts, the disciples continued to multiply this way. It works the same way with changing the atmosphere of your congregation!

PRAYER

We have met and known pastors who wanted a powerful move of God in their congregation but their people weren’t ready or didn’t want it. We believe everyone wants the power and presence of God whether they realize it or not. It seems many who do not want it are tied up in the physical manifestations of the Spirit but what we notice is that once they receive it for themselves and know in their heart (not in their head) that it is real, they almost always want it and yearn for it!

So this we pray, that this teaching with touch you and your church, small group, home, or organization and provide an effective strategy to changing the corporate atmosphere that will embrace the power and presence of God. We pray that God grants you each wisdom, understanding, perseverance, and boldness in order for Him to establish through you an atmosphere that diffuses the sweet fragrance of the love of Christ, to the praise and Glory of God in the name of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! AMEN!

Bible Gateway Search Link (Click Here)

To All Our Friends From "The Hem of His Garment" Conference

2009-02-03T23:10:00.003-05:00

We met many good people at "The Hem of His Garment" Bethel Healing School January 28-31, 2009. The atmosphere was electric and the sense of family was something special, something I never experienced before. I hope Lord brings us together again as I enjoyed every minute spent with each of you. We met many great people with different testimonies, stories, and ministries and we were blessed by each one.

F.Y.I. - We will be attending the Morningstar Healing Conference (Fort Mill, SC) in March, Bill Johnson will be speaking there. If any of you will be attending please email us and we will get in touch!

I pray that we stay in touch and continue to build relationships with one another. I pray that the love we shared we will continue to share to those around us and to the lost in this world, may we be the light He called us to be in the name of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Thank you for the love and experience!

God bless!

Mike

Meet Kim Walker

2009-02-03T22:59:00.003-05:00

Gospel Artist Rick Thompson Offers His Music FREE Online!

2009-01-24T01:30:00.003-05:00

Gospel artist and Lions of Christ praise & worship leader Rick Thompson is offering music from his 3 cd's for free through his website. Nothing required, including registration, click and you shall receive!

Visit his site today: www.rickthompson.us

Free Podcast From Bill Johnson & Bethel Ministries

2009-01-23T10:44:00.004-05:00

I believe offering the word free, although is rare in many cases in today's world is a vital part of building up the body. I also believe that it is important to hear the word from people who the Lord may use in different ways. This helps us to grow and may give us that one revelation that changes our lives and propels us into breakthrough whether it would be Word of Faith, prophetic, or denominational.

as far as Bill Johnson, the wisdom and revelation the Lord has blessed him with has really touched my life. I have read his book "Face to Face with God" and recommend it to anyone looking for a closer relationship with Jesus. I am also currently reading his devotional titled "A Life of Miracles" which included scripture and excerots from three of his most popular books. I am so intrigued by the excerpts from "The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind" I'm putting it on my "to read" list and already telling others about it.

With that all being said, Bethel Ministries offers free weekly podcasts that you can download on your pc and burn on your disc. I believe they will allow you to download past sermons as well (I think they're available for a couple of weeks at least, but not sure). I have been blessed by them and pray that you will be blessed also in Jesus' precious name!

AMEN!

http://www.ibethel.org/features/podcast/?page=75

Check Out "Stirring Waters Worship!"

2009-01-22T10:20:00.002-05:00

Visit their My Space page: www.myspace.com/stirringwatersworship

Visit their You Tube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/SWWorship

The 7 Mountain Mandate by Dr. Lance Wallnau

2009-01-19T15:08:00.002-05:00

In his teaching series titled “The 7 Mountain Mandate,” Dr. Lance Wallnau says in order to be more effective, Christians should infiltrate 7 mountains or pillars of society that shape culture. Wallnau claims the church has been successful at evangelism but has failed at changing nations. He says that only a few people in positions of authority at the top of each mountain (religion, family, education, government, media, arts/sports, business/technology) actually determines what happens on the mountain (or area of society), thus, shaping culture. Christians have made the mistake of merely focusing on getting people to the religion mountain rather than training and sending believers to infiltrate other mountains so that Kingdom principles can be applied and promoted there.

Some Christians believe this teaching is heresy, claiming Lance is a false prophet, and that it goes against scriptures that show the kingdom will be fulfilled at the return of Jesus Christ but I believe that history and the Bible would prove different.

In the Bible, David was anointed to be King, a secular position even though he was an incredible man of God. Daniel was promoted into a high ranking government position due to his spiritual gift of dream interpretation. Moses, Joseph, Cornelius, the list goes on and on.

In history, the anecdotes may be even clearer than the obvious Biblical examples mentioned above. One of the most profound examples I believe is Constantine and the conversion of the Roman Empire. In 312 at the Battle Milvian Bridge, it is said that Constantine saw a cross and light above the sun with words saying “by this, conquer!” A year later the Edict of Milain was instituted which decreed the tolerance of Christianity and removed penalties for professing Christianity. Constantine began to promote Christians in high-ranking government positions, supported the church financially, and built a number of extraordinary buildings for them. Many claim this was the beginning of Christendom. By the conversion of one man in authority on top of the government mountain, God spread Christianity throughout the world.

While it may not have been as successful as the opportunity could have been, we cannot forget the story of Marco Polo. His family spread Christianity along a trade route to Asia. Intrigued by their claims of Christianity, Kublai Khan said, "You send me a hundred men skilled in your religion and I shall be baptized and all my subjects will study Christianity too. There will then be more Christians in the East than in the West… The men remained in China for 17 years, during which time Marco carried out diplomatic missions throughout the empire. Marco claims that he held the position of governor over the large commercial city of Yangzhou. He also claimed to have visited hundreds of Christian churches. These would have been the result of Christianity that had arrived in 635 from Christian merchants along the Silk Road (Nostoro, 2008)."

While it is true the Kingdom will be fulfilled to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must accept that God in His mercy still wants to save as many people as possible. History proves that there is no greater way for nations to be converted than through leaders in high positions whether it would be through their conversion or through the Lord raising up leaders full of faith in Him. The bottom line is that we must fulfill that which God called us to fulfill. For some of us this may mean full-time ministry but for most of us it will mean fulfilling our secular roles in a holy and Godly manner, using our influence for Kingdom purposes. I will close with some food thought: which has more influence in the lives of others, being a pastor of a church of 120 believers (the average size of an American church) or managing a company of 5oo employees, etc.?

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I_and_Christianity

http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b3marcopolo_p1hj.htm

Don't think tracts are effective? Watch this amazing story!

2009-01-19T01:30:00.001-05:00

Paul's Prayer for the Philipians

2009-01-18T16:18:00.002-05:00

This powerful prayer Paul prayed for the Philippians is a great supplement to our daily devotionals.

Philippians 1:9-11

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Put in first person to pray for ourselves:

This I pray, that my love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that I may approve the things that are excellent, that I may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

"Fishermen"

2009-01-16T15:27:00.001-05:00

Posted by Nadine Mansour on the Pray4me Yahoo Group:

Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in the streams and lakes throughout the surrounding area.
Week after week, month after month, and year after year, those who called themselves fishermen met in meetings and talked about .

a.. The call to fish.
b.. The abundance of fish.
c.. How they might go about fishing as an occupation.
They declared that fishing is always to be the primary task of fishermen, but they never fished!

These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings for local fishing headquarters. The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn't do, however, was fish.

In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish. The board was formed by those who had great vision and courage to speak about fishing, to define fishing, to promote the idea of fishing in far-away streams and lakes where many other fish of different color lived. Also the board hired staffs and appointed committees and held many meetings to .

a.. Define fishing.
b.. Defend fishing
c.. Decide what new streams should be thought about.
But the staff and committee members did not fish.

A speaker bureau was provided to schedule special speakers on the subject of fishing. After one stirring meeting on "The Necessity of Fishing," one young fellow left the meeting and went fishing. The next day he reported that he had caught two outstanding fish. He was honored for his excellent catch, and he was scheduled to visit all the big meetings to tell how he did it. So he quit his fishing in order to have time to tell about the experience to the other fishermen. He was also placed on the Fisherman's General Board as a person having considerable experience.

Now it's true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish. They received ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen's clubs and the fact that they claimed to be fishermen, yet never fished.

They wondered about those who felt it was of little use to attend the talks about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master, who said, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fisher of men"? (Mark 1:17)

Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who didn't fish were not really fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did sound correct.

Is a person a fisherman if, year after year, he never catches a fish? Is one following if he isn't fishing?

3 Attacks on Your Faith in the Church & Strategy to Overcome Your Giant!

2009-01-16T11:52:00.003-05:00

When we develop our relationship with God and we know who He truly is and who we are in Him, our faith will likely be persecuted. As believers we expect this from the world (John 15:18-25) but where we miss it sometimes is that it comes from the church as well. This is dangerous, especially for new believers who filled with zeal have recently learned of the precious freedom we have in Christ. This lesson is most clearly illustrated by the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

All the men of Israel feared the Philistine giant because they saw the insurmountable circumstances before them while David had faith because he knew God was bigger than any giant (2 Corinthians 5:7). In verse 26 David shouts, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” This one statement of faith causes three attempts to keep David from his destiny (keep in mind David was already anointed to be king) through fellow men of Israel:

David was accused of evil: “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him (v. 28-31).”

We see this many times in church. When believers step-up full of faith they are many times misjudged as prideful and self-seeking when truly they are full of faith and vision, believing the word of God. To be aware of this attack is crucial to ever believer’s life.

From early on in my walk with Jesus, the Lord has blessed me with a prophetic calling which was the cause of much persecution from family, church members, etc. While I focused on Jesus I knew rumors and backbiting were going on but I never stopped to think or dwell on them. When I put my focus on them I started questioning myself and whether or not I really heard from God, after all I thought, if these Christians have been around much longer than I they must certainly know what they’re talking about. This became a short stumbling block for me until I turned my focus back of Jesus.

David’s ability was questioned: “Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth (v. 32-33).”

Once our faith is accepted the next thing which is questioned is our ability. What Bible school did you go to? Who did you sit under? What denomination are you from? The problem is that Saul, like David’s brother was walking by sight. He was looking at David’s schooling, experiences, etc. while David wasn’t walking in faith in his own abilities but rather he was walking in faith of God and His ability to use David and to come through for him as He has done in the past.

“Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (v. 36-37).”

Saul clothed David with his armor and weapons: “So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine (v. 38-40).”

Once we pass the “ability” test and are accepted for the task, many times others will try to get us to use their gifts, weapons, or the way they have always done things. David however, had to use the tools that he knew, the ones God gave him not Saul. If David would have decided to face Goliath with Saul’s armory, the results could have been devastating but we know the rest of the story! Hallelujah!

A Closer Look at David’s Strategy:
As we take a closer look at one of David’s most profound victories recorded in the Bible we can recognize a few key steps David took to overcome this giant:

David recognized that the Lord was with him and His ability to overcome: Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (v. 45).”

David expected the Lord to move of his behalf: “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand (v. 46).”

David declared the word: “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (v. 46).”

David glorified God & gives Him the battle: “Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands (v. 47).”

When the giant came at him, he hurried to meet him: “So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine (v. 48).”

This is a crucial step that should be noted by all believers. David did not run from Goliath, an army in retreat always opens itself to attack from behind (Joyner). David did not hesitate, by confronting the giant the rest of the enemy fled. “And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled (v. 51).” James 4:7 says “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

When David overcame the rest of God’s people had faith to overcome: “And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. Now the men of Israel and Judah arose and shouted, and pursued the Philistines as far as the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell along the road to Shaaraim, even as far as Gath and Ekron. Then the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their tents (v. 51-53).”

Our testimony of victory builds the faith of others to overcome in their own lives!

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death (Revelations 12:11).”

“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelations 19:10).”

My Prayer:
I pray that the Lord will use this teaching to show you how to overcome trials and battles in your own life and that He would pour His wisdom into you and strengthen you with His right arm in the name of our most precious and powerful Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!

AMEN!

Vision of the Multi-Headed Dragon

2009-01-13T12:06:00.000-05:00

After a couple of days of being busy and not taking a specific time to pray and be available for God, I hit the Prayer Room and began plowing again. The first two days were like digging a dry well but I made sure I pressed in for a significant amount of time. When I went to pray on the third day, as soon as I kneeled down I heard the Lord say, “write this down (I only told this part to encourage people to press in, breakthrough can be one more prayer away).”

As I grabbed my notebook I saw a red multi-headed dragon being ridden by a woman. The Lord then warned me that after my next breakthrough I would have to fight the biggest battle I have had to fight yet in my spiritual walk. I then saw a man in full armor representing me resisting this huge dragon and I thought as I saw this “how am I supposed to fight this thing? Lord, I need strategy!”

The Lord then told me each head of the dragon represents a different attack. At first I saw only two heads. The Lord told me to resist the weaker head with my shield (faith) and to attack the stronger head with my sword (Word) so I watched as I raised my shield to resist the weaker headed and I attacked the stronger head with my sword ( appeared as though I was attacking it’s mouth). As I watched on I can remember successfully resisting the dragon but it took much focus and endurance, it was a long and constant battle and I knew that I needed perseverance to overcome.

As I started to knock the enemy back I noticed a few more heads coming from the background in the forefront on each side. I remember thinking something along the lines of, “I only have two hands, I need back-up, Lord what do You want me to do?” The Lord then told me to ask others for help. As I asked for help I saw other believers interceding for me and as they prayed light would shoot from their mouths to a specific head of the dragon keeping it from attacking my while I continued to thwart off the first two heads before the dragon fled in frustration.

After the battle, I noticed I was wounded and exhausted but in good spirit. I had chinks in my armor from the battle but I knew it was time to rest and that the Lord would heal me. The Lord then told me after this battle He would send me a prophet, a mentor who made sense of the battle and taught me as I rested and recovered.

I believe the Lord wanted me to share this with others so that they could implement this strategy in their own battles.

I believe the Lord was showing me that enemy comes to devour us he will come on different fronts. For example, one head may be finances and another head may be a relationship problem, etc. We should use our faith to resist the weaker one and the word to attack the other stronger one. When the enemy brings more things that we can handle we need to ask the brethren for help. One thing I should note is that in my vision each person that interceded for me were praying against different heads coming against me (i.e. one might pray for finances one might pray for relationships, etc.).

I also believe the Lord was saying it’s OK to rest, refresh, and heal after a battle. To evaluate what happened so that we can learn and be empowered by our trials and to learn from the trials of others. Also the Lord told me that the woman riding the dragon was the source of the attack. I believe He was saying that what comes at us is not the cause but there is usually something behind it, a root so to speak. I believe that He would have us ask for His wisdom in these things and have Him reveal to us any cause or root of attack so we can be much more effective in overcoming it.

I pray that the Lord will use my experience to show you how to overcome trials and battles in your own live and that He would pour His wisdom into you and strengthen you with His right arm in the name of our most precious and powerful Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!

AMEN!

Powerful and anointed dramas reach a new generation!

2009-01-10T21:29:00.002-05:00

Basement Drama "Breathe into Me" by Red

3 Keys to move into 2009 and Beyond

2009-01-10T14:36:00.002-05:00

God spoke on New Year’s Eve and said, “tell my bride it’s time to make herself ready. Behold, I come quickly!” Afterward I thought to myself, “what do I tell” and “who do I tell?”

In the prayer closet today He had me read James 1:5-7 and to pray for wisdom. As I prayed with the scripture I prayed for wisdom, not have any doubt, not to be moved like the waves of the sea being carried by the wind, and not to be double-minded but to be full of faith, wisdom, and discernment and to know where to move throughout 2009 and beyond.

He responded by giving me 3 keys, 3 “to do’s” for this year and the coming years. When I questioned whether or not I should share this word publicly, I heard the Lord say prophesy according to your faith. Romans 12:6 says, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.” I felt like if I didn’t give this word I would be blowing a huge opportunity for growth so I quickly grabbed my pen and notebook.

The Lord told me there are 3 keys we need to focus on privately and corporately. Those three keys are praise, intercession, and intimacy. He then began to show me the effects of putting these 3 keys into practice; we will look at them individually.

Praise: Praise is where we serve God, minister to Him, and Glorify Him. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God is enthroned in the praises of His people. When His Spirit comes as a result of our praise, heaven opens, barriers in the atmosphere are broken, our hearts get plowed, and we experience breakthrough.

Intercession: Intercession is a way we can serve others through prayer. The Lord showed me when we take the time to pray for others we not only help them but we help ourselves. Intercession is one form of love in action which is why I believe Paul told us to “pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17).” As we recognize the needs of others we gain perspective and are more thankful for things that He has given us, especially here in the U.S. As we pray for others, our own heart gets plowed. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Intimacy: When we set time apart for God and make ourselves available, He will minister to us by revealing Himself, restoring us, giving us rest, and empowering us to overcome. John 14:21 says, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Mark 14:38 says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Private vs. Public: I believe the Lord is really speaking to His people to get in the prayer closet. I know this is the case for me personally and many believers are saying the same around the globe. While we must come together and practice these 3 keys corporately, the Lord is looking for people to set time apart, close the door, and plow the heavens with prayer. I believe our public ministry and breakthrough can be only as big as our personal prayer life (relationship) and the difference between those who do and don’t practice these 3 keys privately will begin to be drastically shown. Matthew 6:6 says, “when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

I thank you for taking the time to read this word the Lord shared with me and I pray that it will speak to your heart and kindle an even closer relationship with Him in Jesus’ precious name!

Amen!

Matt Gilman Singing a Prophetic Song

2009-01-07T10:53:00.001-05:00

Quote of the Week

2009-01-07T00:11:00.003-05:00

Victory over depression

"Depression is usually the results of allowing discouragement & confusion to cause us to drift from our basic spiritual disciplines, such as reading the Word, praying, fellowshipping, etc. Picking them up again with resolve will almost always start to reverse the downward spiral." - Rick Joyner

Do Not Be Deceived by Your Own Spiritual Gift

2008-12-22T13:25:00.001-05:00

As we are blessed with the grace of God through spiritual gifts we must be careful not to let ourselves be deceived by them. Many times we attempt to legitimize ourselves by our spiritual gift rather than allowing God to legitimize us in due season. This creates a breeding ground for offense, bitterness, envy, strife, and division, none of which may be more apparent than through the church in Corinth who was abundantly blessed with spiritual gifts but was also torn apart by envy, strive, and division.

Paul taught the Corinthians that “the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).” Yet two verses later he writes, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)?” This problem is still very prevalent in the church today.

Like the Corinthians, many of us fall into the trap of believing we are spiritual because we operate in spiritual gifts while Paul illustrates that our actions truly show how spiritual we are ( See also Galatians 5:17-26). This deceptive trap ultimately stems from pride and lack of understanding which I believe is why the Bible continually emphasizes the importance of humility, love, knowledge, wisdom, and truth.

Paul said in Galatians 6:3, “For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” and in 1 Corinthians 3:18 he said “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” We must keep in mind that we only know in part (1 Corinthians 13:9).

We must also keep in mind that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” God did not take away the gifts from the church in Corinth even though there were not in His will and neither will He take away our gifts if we are not in His will. Therefore, we must be even more certain to pursue His will which is to walk “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3).”

So what then? Do we neglect our gifts to protect ourselves from this trap? Of course not! Paul said to “pursue love and desire spiritual gifts” and once we understand why the Lord has given us spiritual gifts we will recognize that they’re for unity in love and truth (1 Corinthians 14:1).

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:

“ When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”

(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:7-16).”

The Importance of Pursuing Perfect Love

2008-12-22T03:04:00.002-05:00

My spiritual walk has been highly blessed. Very shortly after receiving Jesus into my heart the Lord blessed me with grace to operate in spiritual gifts and have a personal relationship with Him. This relationship and gifts stirred in me a profound hunger to know and serve God. I was so hungry I couldn’t be satisfied no matter how many books I read, no matter how many pod casts I listen to, or no matter how many DVD teaching sets I saw. Each one seemed to stir me even more and more.

Then one night a few of us stayed late after a prayer meeting. As I sat their surrounded by the love and peace of Christ, I cried out to Jesus asking “what can I do to pay you back for all this love you have given me.” Then I clearly heard His voice, “love others as I have loved you,” before I began weeping in His Holy Presence.

Since then, I have always put loving others as a key priority just under loving and serving Him. Well, at least I thought I did…

As time went on I realized how difficult it was to love. Sometimes I think I actually mistook being kind and polite as love and I had no problem being kind and polite to those who were kind and polite to me but as soon I would encounter someone who wasn’t willing to reciprocate, love became less and less of a priority.

I didn’t have time for loving others. Lessons weren’t going to write themselves and prayers weren’t going to pray themselves so someone had to do them. Besides, I love Jesus and sitting in His love and presence is all I needed to know of love, right? Wrong!

The more I sat in the His presence the more I understood love and the more I tried to love. Until of course, someone was too difficult to love, then my attention would again turn back to the machine. Seeking more, and more and more until He finally hit the brakes by throwing me into the biggest dry season I have had to date.

I soon realized that there was no more pressing in to get closer to God, the season of doing and striving had changed. No more was He going to allow me to be distracted by the gifts that He blessed me with until I understood the big picture. All the goose bumps, the visions, the revelations, they all stopped. Now it was a time to surrender, to rest, to hear His still small voice that was calling me to holiness and calling me to be rooted and grounded in love.

Before the dry season, He told me I was to study Peter. With all the hustle and bustle I began to put it off and with outside influence I eventually assumed that it wasn’t God speaking to me. I came to the conclusion that it must have been me trying to comfort myself somehow in the flesh until a lady at a prayer meeting asked me if I was supposed to be studying something. Humbled and ashamed I look up at her and shook my head yes, disappointed that I didn’t have enough faith to believe it was God who spoke to me in the first place.

Needless to say, I again began to study Peter but this time at a much faster rate as you can imagine. As I studied Peter I began to see myself. Like me Peter was impulsive, filled with love and hunger for God yet he always seemed to miss the bigger picture Jesus was trying to portray to them. As I slowly studied the scriptures the Lord started revealing to me the bigger picture. That bigger picture was love and as I started pursuing love, God started reviving those spiritual gifts. In first Corinthians 14:1 Paul didn’t say to pursue spiritual gifts and desire love he said to “pursue love and desire spiritual gifts.” As my understanding began to be enlightened I realized that this is where I missed it.

Desiring spiritual gifts aren’t a bad thing but pursuing love should be the most important thing in our walk with Jesus besides knowing Him and having an on-gong relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit started to rebuild my foundation in the faith by revealing this truth through the most profound sermon in history, the sermon on the mound.

As I continued through the sermon on the mound the big picture became clearer and clearer. Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, don’t repay evil with evil, don’t judge or condemn but do good, give, and pray for everyone. As this big picture continued to develop I started to understand what God wanted from us so I decided that my life will change and that I would begin to strive for a sermon on the mound lifestyle. That is, until I encountered more difficult people.

As I cried out to God to give me a heart to live the sermon on the mound lifestyle in order to please Him, I soon found out some of the repercussions of not doing so.

One night at work a group of employees were discussing issues with a problem coworker. While I agreed with them I tried not to get involved with their conversation. Eventually I justified it to myself by saying it isn’t judgment if I’m merely stating the facts. Unfortunately, God didn’t agree with me. That night I woke up three times with terrible nightmares. In the morning, desperate for some good sleep, I cried out to God asking what I did to open this door.

Without delay He revealed to me that my part in the conversation opened the door for the enemy to disturb my sleep. Soon after I read Proverbs 6: 2, “You are snared by the words of your mouth;You are taken by the words of your mouth” and He also reminded me Luke 6:38, “For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you (See also Parable of unforgiving servant, Matthew 18:21-35, especially verse 34).”

I repented, was very sorrowful and began to pray for her to overcome any issues that would cause her behavior. I was ashamed of my behavior and keeping my mouth shut was my new number project. That is, until a similar situations came.

Situations just seem to present themselves in the wrong times. The enemy has a way of bringing them when we’re most vulnerable and if it’s not him, it is most certainly our own flesh. Some of these situations I sort of crept into, even if I didn’t justify it, I would start out having good intentions and wanting to help a brother or sister in Christ when I slowly crossed that fine line into gossip. For instance, one time I discovered a fellow believer I was praying for was harshly insulting me behind my back to fellow church members less than a week after calling me to see how I was doing. In an attempt to spiritually help this person overcome their issues I evaluated myself back into a situation described above, not realizing right away that I had taken offense to the behind the scenes insults. As I found myself in each situation I thought “how could anyone possibly avoid getting caught up in these situations and not have to hide somewhere in a cave?”

An easy answer would be to walk in the Spirit but as I described above, many times we can slip back into our flesh without realizing it. So what then? How do we prevent snaring ourselves with our tongue? How do we continue to walk in and pursue love in difficult situations? Before we act or speak we must be able to understand and quickly recognize what is and what isn’t love.

Fortunately, Paul tells us this in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 that “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Let’s break this down and simplify it…

Love:
Suffers long
Is kind
Rejoices in truth
Bears all things
Believes all things
Hopes all things
Endures all things
Never Fails (v. 8)

Love does NOT:
Envy
Parade itself
Puff up
Behave rudely
Seek it’s own
Get provoked
Thinks no evil
Rejoice in iniquity

As we evaluate ourselves we should ask ourselves is what I am about to say or do out of love as we see it here in scripture. An even simpler way is to ask “what would Jesus do” or “will Jesus be glorified by what I am about to say or do (1 Peter 4:7-11)?” While this concept may be more difficult to perform rather than understand, its fruit is still very important.

As we continue to grow in the faith we will begin to recognize that we are the cause of most of the problems we deal with. James 1:14-15 says “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Paul also confirms this in Ephesians 4:27 by saying, “neither give place to the devil.” So what then? How do we avoid snaring ourselves by our own words or actions? Peter said in 1 Peter 4:8, “above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

So is there any doubt why Paul told the Corinthians to pursue love?

For when we love we protect ourselves. For when we love we store up treasures in heaven. For when we love we remain clean in His sight. For when we love we bear good fruit. For when we love we accurately reflect the image of Jesus Christ. For when we love we please the Father Who is Love!

Don't Be Distracted By The Good Things He Gives You

2008-12-08T15:23:00.001-05:00

This is a good lesson I learn that I am reminded of all the time. It is easy to get distracted by the good things He has put in our lives such as ministries, spiritual gifts, etc.

While getting involved with different ministries I soon realized that my focus had switched from relationship to task. This is a big issue for most Christians, while many of us know better this switch seems to sneak up when we least expect it or I should say when we're more distracted.

Let us not go forth in striving but rather let us go forth in surrender.

It's funny how the enemy throws things our way to slow us down and we think if we just make this our focus and strive a little harder I will have a breakthrough. Later we find ourselves striving harder before the enemy adds another distraction.

It's also funny that nearly all accidents are caused by distractions when we drive. Sometimes the distractions that causes the accidents are a good thing such as a beautiful landscape but when we are focused on the road we can see the potholes & orange barrells ahead of time to avoid them, we don't miss the signs and directions we are given, we don't waste time by getting off the wrong exit...

Keep your heart on Him and make your personal quality time with Him a priority even before ministry. Even if it seems like your not going anywhere be patient, for He may be waiting for traffic to be clear ahead of you.

God bless you!

Indescribable by Louie Giglio

2008-11-19T11:03:00.002-05:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Vision of a River in the Wilderness

2008-11-07T00:30:00.002-05:00

Here is a vision that may help those going through a wilderness season:

During a prayer meeting I saw desert place or wilderness. There was a darkened dry river bed which had a wooden dam holding back a large river of oil. When I got to the dam I noticed it had a swinging dooring to it with 2 padlocks, one above the other. The I nocticed 2 keys to unlock them. The top had the name "surrender" written on it, the secong key had the name "holiness" written on it. When both keys were used the river of fresh oil powerfully and abundently flowed through the dry riverbed.

Looking for a way out of a dry season myself, I believe the Lord was saying these two keys are the way out of desert places and into fresh anointings. I strongly believe that it wasn't simply for me but for others in dry places seeking more of Him.

I pray this word gives light and truth to those who meant to receive it in Jesus name may you all be blessed!

Hearing His Voice in the Wilderness

2008-11-06T17:14:00.001-05:00

Hearing His Voice in the Wilderness

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (NKJ) - And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

There will be times in our spiritual walk with the Lord when He will take us into the wilderness. The wilderness is a place of surrendering, humility, testing, and perseverance. It is a dry and desolate place to break us and make us dependent on the voice of the Lord.

God allowed the Jews to hunger so that He could feed them through supernatural provision. This wasn’t to get them to depend on manna but rather to get them to depend on the Voice that told them He would supply them bread supernatural from heaven.

When we enter the wilderness we might not feel goose bumps, we might not have an easy road, we might not be the one making declarations from the pulpit but if we surrender and allow Him to break us and become dependent on His voice, He will soon lead us to the promised land. How long before He takes us to the promised land? It depends on us, 40 days or 40 years?

Deuteronomy 8:6-10 (NKJ) - “Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.”

Prayer for the Salvation of Loved Ones

2008-10-29T15:32:00.001-04:00

Prayer for the Salvation of Loved Ones

Dear heavenly Father,

We thank You and Praise You for choosing us to be Your blood bought children even before the foundation of the world.

Father, Your word says that You desire all to be saved, therefore in the name of Jesus we lift up _____________________________________ to you for mercy. We pray Father that You will make dark things in [his/her/their] life come to light. We pray that You expose any deception in [his/her/their] [life/lives] to them and reveal Your truth to [him/her/them] so that [he/she/they] may know Your plan for salvation through Your son Christ Jesus!

We pray that You soften [his/her/their] heart(s) and remove any walls or yokes of bondage that separate [him/her/them] from You. We pray that You bless [him/her/them] with Your peace, joy, faith, hope, love, and spiritual understanding and kindle an ever-increasing fire and passion to know and serve You within [him/her/them]!

Father, we pray in the name of Jesus that You send Your Holy Spirit to make a way where the enemy has brought spiritual blindness and hindrance. I pray that You come with a powerful breakthrough for Your namesake. I ask You Lord to “stop the devil’s plan to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).” I cry out to You my God for mercy and grace on behalf of [him/her/them] for Your word tells us that “mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).”

We thank You Father for the salvation of [his/her/their] soul(s)! Your word says that if we ask for anything according to Your will, You are faithful to answer and according to Your word, You desire all to be saved.

Now to the You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to You be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Prayer for the Salvation of "A LIst" of Loved Ones

2008-10-29T15:30:00.000-04:00

Prayer for the Salvation of Loved Ones

Dear heavenly Father,

We thank You and Praise You for choosing us to be Your blood bought children even before the foundation of the world.

Father, Your word says that You desire all to be saved, therefore in the name of Jesus we lift up the following people up to you for mercy:

1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
3. __________________________________________
4. __________________________________________
5. __________________________________________
6. __________________________________________
7. __________________________________________
8. __________________________________________
9. __________________________________________
10. __________________________________________
11. __________________________________________
12. __________________________________________

We pray Father that You will make dark things in [his/her/their] life come to light. We pray that You expose any deception in [his/her/their] [life/lives] to them and reveal Your truth to [him/her/them] so that [he/she/they] may know Your plan for salvation through Your son Christ Jesus!

We pray that You soften [his/her/their] heart(s) and remove any walls or yokes of bondage that separate [him/her/them] from You. We pray that You bless [him/her/them] with Your peace, joy, faith, hope, love, and spiritual understanding and kindle an ever-increasing fire and passion to know and serve You within [him/her/them]!

Father, we pray in the name of Jesus that You send Your Holy Spirit to make a way where the enemy has brought spiritual blindness and hindrance. I pray that You come with a powerful breakthrough for Your namesake. I ask You Lord to “stop the devil’s plan to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).” I cry out to You my God for mercy and grace on behalf of [him/her/them] for Your word tells us that “mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).”

We thank You Father for the salvation of [his/her/their] soul(s)! Your word says that if we ask for anything according to Your will, You are faithful to answer and according to Your word, You desire all to be saved.

Now to the You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to You be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

A Neuroscientific Look at Speaking in Tongues

2008-10-16T16:18:00.002-04:00

A New York Times article covering a study done by the University of Pennsylvania taking a lcosr look at speaking in tongues.

Click here for the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/07/health/07brain.html

Here are some blurbs from the article:

[“The amazing thing was how the images supported people’s interpretation of what was happening,” said Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, leader of the study team, which included Donna Morgan, Nancy Wintering and Mark Waldman. “The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them,” he said.]

[In the study, the researchers used imaging techniques to track changes in blood flow in each woman’s brain in two conditions, once as she sang a gospel song and again while speaking in tongues. By comparing the patterns created by these two emotional, devotional activities, the researchers could pinpoint blood-flow peaks and valleys unique to speaking in tongues]

[Contrary to what may be a common perception, studies suggest that people who speak in tongues rarely suffer from mental problems. A recent study of nearly 1,000 evangelical Christians in England found that those who engaged in the practice were more emotionally stable than those who did not.]

A PRAYER FOR AMERICA

2008-10-16T15:19:00.001-04:00

A PRAYER FOR AMERICA

Please forward this to all your family & friends so that we may come with one mind and accord in Christ to lift up our nation to our heavenly Father for mercy…

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to You in the name of Your precious son Jesus. We enter Your gates with thanksgiving and we enter Your courts with Praise! We exalt Your Holy name on the earth!

Father, Your word says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Father, Your word also says in James 2:13 that “mercy triumphs over judgment,” therefore, we humble ourselves and lift up the United States to You for mercy.

On behalf of ourselves, our leaders, and our nation, we repent for idolatry, violence, corruption, covetousness, addiction, gluttony, sexual immorality, envy, strife, division, rebellion, defiance, witchcraft, selfishness, lying, cheating, stealing, gossip, poor stewardship, lack of honor, not helping the poor, for any sin we have committed not mentioned here, for putting anything before You, or exalting anything above the knowledge of our God!

We seek Your face Father and turn from our wicked ways and pray that You will heal our land. We pray Father that You will safely return America back to You, that You again make America “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” because Your word tells us these things please You!

Father, we pray that Your word will again be heard in our schools and government. We pray that our currency will keep Your name. We pray that the leaders You want will be hired, appointed, and elected! We pray that that the United States will fully please the Lord, being fruitful in every good work, using its resources to preach the gospel and to help those around the world in need including Your beloved nation of Israel!

Father, we pray that You sweep our nation with a powerful move of Your Spirit. We pray that You move up the next generation of Paul’s, Peter’s, Stephen’s, Abraham’s, Moses’, and Elijah’s! We pray that You soften the hearts of our leaders and citizens, that people in their own hearts will hunger for You and Your righteousness!

Father, we pray You send Your Holy Spirit to make a way where the enemy has brought spiritual blindness and hindrance. I pray that You come with a powerful breakthrough for Your namesake. I ask You Lord to “stop the devil’s plan to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).” We give America back to You, the Lord our God, so that Your will be done here as it is in heaven!

Now to You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

www.globalprayerday.blogspot.com

Does Ohio Hold the Keys to the Election? A Prophetic Word...

2008-10-16T13:29:00.001-04:00

Three Prayers that Will Change Your Life!

2008-09-25T12:50:00.000-04:00

Three Prayers that Will Change Your Life!

These three prayers, Paul prayed in His letters to the early church, anointed and inspired by the Holy Spirit, will change your life. Use them as a devotional to increase your walk with the Lord! I find reading first thing in the morning and last thing before bed will really open the Bible up for you. Please note: In this brochure, we have changed the word “you” to “I” & “me” so the prayers are directed toward us personally and not others.

Remember, “…man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord (Duet 8:3, NKJ).”

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Empowering (Eph 3:14-21) - 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant me, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith; that I, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that I may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom (Eph 1:17-23) - I give thanks and pray “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to me the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of my understanding being enlightened; that I may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Paul’s Prayer for Knowledge of His Will (Col 1:9-14) - I pray in the name of Jesus and “ask that I may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that I may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

I WIll Run... A Powerful Song By Misty Edwards

2008-09-18T10:03:00.002-04:00

I Will Run-Misty Edwards

Worried about the next Christian generation? Check this out!

2008-09-06T15:14:00.001-04:00

Verse of the week: Romans 1:16

2008-08-24T02:31:00.001-04:00

Romans 1:16

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes... (NKJ)"

We Must Know His Severity and Goodness

2008-08-21T17:40:00.000-04:00

We Must Know His Severity and Goodness

Romans 11:22 (NKJ) - Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

Fearing His severity too much can prevent us from doing what we are supposed to be doing:

This point is clearly illustrated through the evil servant in the parable of the talents. He so feared his master that he buried his talents instead of using them as the master has commanded (Matthew 25:14-30). As shown here, too much fear of His severity can prevent us from moving and the Lord considers it evil.

Properly fearing His severity will prevent us from making great mistakes.

King Saul did not fear the severity of God and His commandments when He decided not to wait on Samuel but to offer burnt offerings to the Lord himself. This mistake costs Saul his kingdom (1 Samuel 13:8-14). As shown here, a lack of fear of the severity of the Lord carried a great consequence.

Taking advantage of His goodness is dangerous:

Under the banner of grace, many people dangerously roll the dice and fail to observe the principles and commandments of God. Romans 11:22 (see above) clearly warns us to continue in His goodness or we will be cut off.

He honors those who love Him for His love and goodness.

Embracing the love and goodness of God and allowing it change us will bring us closer to Him. Psalm 91:14-16 (NKJ) Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him. And show him My salvation.”

The conclusion:

Fear prevents us from doing something but love causes us to do something. When you were a child, fear prevented you from doing things you shouldn’t such as hurting a sibling but love made you do things to please your parents such as making them a handmade Christmas card in school. Knowing His severity keeps us safe and respects His authority and dominion over us, knowing His goodness allows us to love Him with all our heart, mind, and soul while loving our neighbors as ourselves.

New Age Has Crept Into Pop Culture

2008-08-15T14:13:00.001-04:00

Let me start this off by saying I'm not a doom and gloom believer nor am I a self-appointed watchman. Those who know me know that's the furthest from the truth but I feel I should post this as a warning of some things I have observed in pop culture:

1. I went to McDonald's a few weeks ago and bought a fruit n’ yogurt parfait. When eating I noticed the print on the cup. It was a woman in a new age meditative posture with her palms up, thumbs and index finger touching. For those of you who don't know, this hand position is what is called a mudra. The purpose of mudras are to position your hands in order to channel or manipulate energy in a specific way.

2. Months ago I saw a commercial with cows saying "OM." For those of you who don't know this is called a mantra. A Mantra is a repetitive chant to channel or manipulate energy for a specific purpose. These are typically vowels of the Sanskrit language, definitively not tongues, definitely not God.

3. Oprah promoted the Secret ant A Course in Miracles. These are not of God, and definitely do not recognize Jesus as Lord.

4. Yoga was invented as a Hindu method to combine physical with spiritual. The positions were invented to open energy channels called chakras in order to manipulate the energy in these so called energy centers. A yoga master is called a yogi. Now some people say it’s for exercises but if you do, make sure you run from teachers who promote meditative or chanting type practicing, you're practicing Hinduism and not realizing it.

5. Relaxation methods are cover-up for new age practices such as reiki which a Buddhist healing modality that uses chanting and meditation and manipulation of energy channeling. Beware, these things many times are advertised wrongly without the person knowing what they are really getting into. At a relay for Life charity event there was a "relax with reiki" tent. Yeah, it everywhere! Even the Cleveland Clinic was running experiments on the medical benefits of this new age practice.

Take this for what it worth but take it as a fair warning...

I pray to our Abba Father that He blessing us all with wisdom, understanding, and discerning of spirits in Jesus' name!

Please repost this for your friends to spread awareness!

Your brother in Christ!

Are you still being transformed by the Spirit of the Lord?

2008-07-28T16:46:00.000-04:00

Are you still being transformed by the Spirit of the Lord?

The prayer of salvation is merely a starting point. It is the beginning of a process that continues throughout our lives until we’re transformed into the very image of Jesus. The lives of many people have been changed by faith in Jesus but many of us fail to continue to change. It seems nearly every stage of development has its own plateau or obstacle to overcome and if we don’t face that obstacle we increase our chance to fall back to what we have already overcome.

This most clearly illustrated through the plight of Israel through the exodus. Once the Lord had freed them they were forced to make a decision; depend on the Lord to help them overcome a seemingly impossible obstacle of crossing the Red Sea or face the Egyptian Army and once again become bound in slavery. If Israel would have decided to not cross and remain stagnant between the Red Sea and the Egyptian Army they would have fallen back into bondage because they decided no to move forward.

This was merely one of many obstacles Israel would have to face before entering the promised land and like Israel each of us are in danger in falling back into our old lives by simply not moving forward. Remember when Israel complained that God has pulled them out of Egypt to let them die in the wilderness? They simply didn’t recognize the next obstacle to their journey and many of them wanted to return to Egypt because they failed to remember what obstacles the Lord has already moved for them.

With all this in mind, the Lord impressed on me to create an exercise to help believers remember what obstacles the Lord has helped them overcome and to keep them moving forward in Christ. This exercise comes in four easy steps that will help us overcome the new obstacle in our lives by reminding us what the Lord has already done for us individually:

Step 1: Make a list and write down the way you used to live before you were saved, the old you, obstacle you once had to face, etc.

Step 2: Make a list of the way you live now. This list will help you see what the Lord has already done in your life by comparing it to List 1.

Step 3: Make a list of things you want to overcome in your life, things that you need to work on, or goals you feel the Lord is leading you to accomplish. This list will proved direction for you moving forward in Christ. If you can’t think of anything simply take some quiet time in prayer and ask the Lord to reveal anything you need to remove or improve in your life.

Step 4: Read each of these lists daily, most preferably first thing in the morning and last thing before bed. Thank God for everything on List 2 that He has helped you to overcome. Pray that He will help you overcome or complete the things on List 3, remembering if He helped you to overcome List 1, He will definitely help you to overcome List 3.

Recommended reading: Face to Face With God by Bill Johnson.

Lists of People who actually claim to be Jesus

2008-07-16T10:51:00.002-04:00

Is this what Jesus was referring to when He said false prophets would come and say they are Him?

Check out these links and you may be amazed how many are actually there are...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_have_claimed_to_be_Jesus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_messiah_claimants

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Luis_de_Jesus_Miranda

Become a Lions of Christ Prayer Warrior!!!

2008-07-15T11:22:00.002-04:00

The Lions of Christ Prayer Warriors Group was created to connect Christian prayer warriors to those in need! If you love Jesus and want to see the earth filled with His love and glory then this is the place for you! Please join and become a Lions of Christ Prayer Warrior today!

To join please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lionsofchrist/ or email lionsofchrist-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to subscribe.

I hope to see all there!

God bless!

2008-06-20T13:47:00.001-04:00

What happened to the anointing in Acts?

Why does the modern church fail to operate in the anointing as in the book of Acts?

Is it because in the last days people will be lovers of themselves and deny the power of God?

2 Timothy 3:1-9(NKJ) – 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Is it because we don't truly know Jesus or spend time with Him?

Acts 4:13(NKJ) – “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Psalm 103:7(NKJ) – “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” Israel witnessed His acts & works and continued to rebel against Him but Moses knew Him and never left Him.

Is it because we don't truly believe with our hearts?

Mark 16:17-18 (NKJ) - "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; theywill take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Is it because we don't need the power of God?

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NKJ) - "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Mark 16:20 (NKJ) - "And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."

Is it because it was only for the early church?

Joel 2:28 (NKJ) - "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days."

Is it because we have not stirred up the gift we were given?

2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJ) - Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Is it because we didn't use well what we were given?

Matthew 25:29-30 (NLT) - “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.”

Is it because of fear?

2 Timothy 7 (NKJ) - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”So why does the church fail to operate in the anointing we see in Acts, especially after Jesus said in the Book of John that we would do greater works because is going to the Father?

7 Keys to Fulfilling Your Prophecy

2008-06-19T03:41:00.001-04:00

7 Keys to Fulfilling Your Prophecy

All things that came to pass in the Bible did so first according to what was spoken (Romans 4:18). Like our spiritual mothers and fathers did in numerous Biblical accounts, many Christians today have received prophetic words through prophets, angels, or even the Lord Himself but are not sure of their role in the fulfilling of that prophetic word. The objective of this lesson is to take a look at a few of these accounts in order to illustrate the following keys to fulfilling your prophecy:

Believe what was spoken – Romans 4:18 says “who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be (NKJ).” We can do nothing if we first do not have faith in what the Lord has said. Bill Johnson teaches one of two main strategies the enemy commonly uses is to question what the Lord has said. We must not question but have faith in what the Lord has spoken to us.

Proclaim the word – After Gabriel gave Mary the prophetic word that the savior would be conceived through her she replied and proclaimed, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word (Luke 1:38 NKJ).” Once we are given a word from the Lord we need to proclaim it according to what was spoken and pray for the Lord to make it happen.

Walk by faith not by sight – Romans 4:19 says, “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb (NKJ).” The second main strategy used by the enemy taught by Bill Johnson is that he will question who you are in Christ. Many times we limit God by our own limitations or inadequacies, Abraham, however, had such great faith that he did not consider his old age nor the barrenness of his wife Sarah.

Give glory to God - Speaking again of Abraham, Romans 4:20 says “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God (NKJ).”

Be fully convinced – “And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness (Romans 4:21-22 NKJ).”

Ask the Lord to answer any questions or concerns – In Judges 6:15-16 Gideon asks the Lord for assurance, “So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man (NKJ).”
Don’t let any questions or concerns turn into doubt or disbelief.

Be obedient – Noah was given specific instructions on how to build the arc and Hebrews 11:7 says “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith (NKJ).”

Cleaning Your Soul Closet - Part 1

2008-06-12T13:11:00.000-04:00

Cleaning Your Soul Closet - Part 1

As we continue to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ, we must continually lose more of ourselves. We can’t continually go glory to glory without making room. This process can be compared to a drink. The more of our drink we want in our cup, the more ice we have to remove, the same goes for His glory. The more glory we want to reflect, the more darkness has to come out.

This is simple enough and most of us would agree but we seem to miss a crucial step in this cleansing process. Many times during my spiritual walk I was surprised to find that at times I had to deal with issues I thought I have already dealt with. It was during one of these times I thought I did something wrong or committed a sin I wasn’t aware of when I cried out to Jesus and the Holy Spirit gave me this revelation in which I am about to share.

When we are born again we are made a new creature by receiving the Holy Spirit but our souls are still corrupt. The battleground is the mind, this is where our daily battles are either won or lost. Paul said our minds are transformed day by day which is why we must take up our cross and crucify our flesh everyday.

Everyday, the Holy Spirit works with us to remove darkness we may not even realize we have. It’s a continual process until we are perfected in Christ. Once we overcome one aspect in our lives the Holy Spirit will convicts us or work with us in another aspect, allowing us to be transformed one step at a time. It was this process deep in our souls that the Holy Spirit revealed to me using the illustration of a closet.

Our souls are like messy closets that we threw a bunch of junk in. When we are saved, the cleaning process begins. We open the closet door and start in the front because it is so cluttered we can’t even get to the back if we wanted to. As we go through the junk we decide what to keep and what to throw away. Once one section is done, we start cleaning in another part of the closet. Each piece we take a look at and decide what we are going to do with it. Are we going to let it go and throw it away? Are we going to keep it or are we going to shove it in the back and hope it will go away on its own?

Each time we grab something in our closet, we look to see what it is before we decide what to do with it. Each time we pick up an item we once again experience and relive that part of our past. This may be a good experience such as picking up an old baseball glove and relive that moment we won the varsity championship. This could also be a painful experience such as picking up a picture of an ex from a bad breakup and reliving the heartache of being betrayed. This part of the process is often overlooked but is inevitable if we want to overcome. The key here isn’t if the experience is either good or bad but rather understanding the process and what to do when the experience comes.

To illustrate this further, the example of finding the picture of the ex from a bad breakup may be best. When we pick up this picture we have three options: 1. We can let it go and throw the picture away (get over it). 2. We can do nothing and leave it where it is at (Let it stay on our minds). 3. We can put off dealing with it by burying it behind all the other junk we need cleaned out (storing it deep down to deal with later). It is obvious that option 1 is the best option. Option 2 and 3 are equally bad but if I had to pick the worst I would have to say it would have to be option 3.

When we choose to bury the issue we will still have to deal with it later. This is a huge roadblock to spiritual development that many Christians seem to struggle with. We think we have properly dealt with an issue in our life but then it comes back to the surface and we experience it all over again and will continue to do so until we overcome it and let it go. Jesus taught us that these corrupt things come up from within, it is crucial that we overcome them through the power of the Holy Spirit.

While we cannot escape dealing with them, we can prevent them from putting us back into bondage according to the power that works in us through Christ Jesus! Whenever you face an issue during this cleansing process, nail it to the cross and plead the blood of Jesus, because He overcame we to can overcome through Him!

Jesus saves church from fire in Africa

2008-06-12T01:35:00.001-04:00

Muslims come to burn down church and school operated by missionary Chris Okumu in Kenya. When they came, they saw it burning so they left but it was not burning, the Holy Spirit made it look like it so it would not be harmed.

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGxdrUxM1Nc

For more Lions of Christ videos on You tube check out http://www.youtube.com/lionsofchrist Take care and God bless!!!

Religion is Not Recognizing Jesus

2008-05-31T14:36:00.002-04:00

Religion is Not Recognizing Jesus

By Lions of Christ.com

In The Bible, the Pharisees, the teachers of religious law failed to recognize Jesus. Jesus said that they were more concerned about man-made laws rather than truth and pleasing men more than pleasing God. The ironic thing here is that they were Jews, sons of Abraham, and God’s chosen people and while they knew traditions and scriptures of old they failed at the most important thing, recognizing Jesus when He came. Much of the church has seemed to follow in the footsteps of the Pharisees. While they believe in Jesus, they seem to follow tradition, rituals, and routines more than seeking and following Him. How many churches have you attended that limit worship to 20 minutes or make sure their services end absolutely no later than noon on Sunday? This is not recognizing and following Jesus, this is trying to fit Jesus into our mold.

Did not Jesus tell us to take up our cross and to follow Him? How can we follow Jesus if we don’t know how to or fail to recognize Him? The only way we can truly follow Jesus is to know Him and be able to recognize His voice.

So where have we gone wrong?

The story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 provides much insight into this matter. The Bible says that “Martha was distracted with much serving” but Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and heard His Word. When Martha complained to Jesus that she was doing all the work Jesus said to her, “you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

It is clearly shown here how many of us have been distracted with serving like Martha did. We get caught up in the machine and our focus turns to operating and maintaining it rather than staying on the one who gave us the machine.

So how do we turn our focus back on Him so that we can recognize and follow Him?

We need to diligently seek Him and when we find Him we need to constrain Him before He passes us by. The solution is clearly illustrated throughout the Bible. In Luke 24:13-31 Jesus drew near to two men walking to a village called Emmaus but their eyes were restrained so they would not know Him. Verse 28 & 29 says “Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, ‘Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent’ And He went in to stay with them.”

In Song of Solomon 3:1-4, seeking and constraining Him is also illustrated. Verse 4 says “When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go.” When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water in Mark 6:47-50, He would have passed them by but they cried out.

The only way we can truly take up our cross and follow Jesus is not to just simply know about Him but to know Him. Our job as believers are to continually seek Him, cry out to Him, hang on to Him, and follow Him and if we learn to continually hear the voice of the Good Shepherd we won’t fail to recognize Him, therefore, He will not pass us by.

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How to Know a Man of God?

2008-05-30T12:29:00.001-04:00

How to Know a Man of God?

They will be persecuted; are they being publicly persecuted?
JOHN 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

You will know them by their fruit; are they saving souls? Display love? Faith, etc?
MATTHEW 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

A kingdom divided cannot stand; are people delivered in their ministry?
MATTHEW 12:25-30 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

By the demonstration of the Spirit and power; are people being healed, etc.?
1 CORINTHIANS 2:4-5 “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

By the testing of spirits; do they confess Jesus is the Son of God?
1 JOHN 4:1-5 & 15 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” Verse 15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”

Made Perfect Through Love

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1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

How to test spirits according to the Bible

2008-05-30T02:01:00.000-04:00

Again, with all the mudslinging on Todd Bentley with people calling him a false prophet, I thought I post how to test spirits for those who are unsure...

There are three good ways to test or discren spirits:

1. Does the spirit confess Jesus Christ was made flesh, died, and was raised, and is Lord. (see scripture below).

2. Does it align with the Bible? Not what you where taught but what the Bible actually says.

3. A spiritual gift of discerning of Spirits. (see 1 Corinth 12).

1 John 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

In regards to Todd, does he confess Jesus and glorify Him?

So, according to 1 John 4, is Todd a true or false prophet?

I hope this helps to clarify things for some!

God bless!