dickbraswell

Word for Today:  March 22

Meeting with God.

When Moses met God on Sinai, the meeting nearly blew the top of the mountain off.

When Elijah met God on Mt. Carmel, a Fire Storm fell from heaven, licked up trenches filled with water and announced that God answers by Fire.

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego met God in the fiery furnace they survived unscathed (through a seven-times-hotter furnace than ever) and Jesus came and celebrated with them.

When Solomon met God in the New Temple, the power of God was so great that every priest and every singer and every worshipper could not stand on their feet.

When Jesus the Man met God at Calvary, thunder came and darkness fell and a great earthquake shook all of Jerusalem… even the graves were opened and the dead walked among the living.

When the 120 met God in the upper room, tongues of fire fell, sounds like a howling hurricane blew through the house and they all began to speak in tongues.

When the church in Acts had a prayer meeting the Bible says the place was “shaken.”

They encountered God and the encounter was significant.  It was noticed.  Something happened.

When humanity has an Encounter with God…. Something happens.

Something significant.  Something supernatural.  Something life-changing.

Word for Today:  March 21

We are suffering loss because we have allowed loss to happen.

Every defeat and every spiritual set back is the result of our laziness, our ignorance, our stupidity or our rebellion.

satan moves in when he is not resisted.  satan stays when we draw back and let him stay.   satan sets up housekeeping when we give place to him.  satan builds strongholds when we do not fight back.  satan cannot do what he is not allowed to do.

Our spiritual condition is precisely what we have allowed it to become.  We can fuss and cuss about the government about world conditions about immorality and crime and ungodliness… we can criticize and complain but what IS is what we as the Body of Christ have allowed to be.

God has equipped us and supplied us with every effective and offensive weapon to stop the devil and drive out demons and take back what hell has stolen… the problem is we have grown fat and lazy and we have gone to sleep.

And while we slept the enemy came and invaded.  Now it is time to attack.  It is time to declare our independence from the powers of darkness… it is the hour to move into the territory of the devil… to charge the gates of hell and demand a refund.

Just go ahead and do it.

Word for Today:  March 20

People want to see Jesus.

But they cannot see Jesus and ignore the Truth.  Jesus and Truth are synonymous.  They want to see the Glory of God.  But they will never see the Glory of God by continuing in rebellion and sin.

The world is tired of seeing Church and Performance and Form and Custom.  They want to see Jesus.  I want to see Jesus.  Jesus has been buried under Religion and the traditions of men and doctrines that have sanitized God and left the miraculous out of the Bible.

People are tired of Professional Preachers and Social clubs called churches.     We have kept Jesus covered and hidden by our veneer of hypocrisy.  What we do speaks louder than what we say.  Who we really are overshadows what people see.

It s not great preaching that is needed or great preachers…not bigger churches or better facilities…. People need to see Jesus.  People want to see Jesus.  People must see Jesus.  When Jesus is welcomed in our churches… crowds will follow.  Because where Jesus is… God is.  And were God is… the devil isn’t.

And Jesus draws crowds…  not gimmicks, contests, covered dinners, homecomings, band concerts, or free pizza.  It is JESUS that people want to see and it is JESUS that people need.

Only Jesus can change your situation.  Only Jesus can bring you into Victory Living.  Only Jesus can deliver you and make you free.  Only Jesus can satisfy the hunger in your heart.  Only Jesus can give you LIFE.  (John 10:10)

Consider Him today  (Heb 12:3)

The Day the Angel Came

In the early days of the Charismatic Movement, which had such a powerful influence on our small Baptist church on Lott Road, it became evident that Pat and I would need a very special visitation from God in order to lead our congregation into the Grand Plan He had for us.  So many things were happening in such a powerful way and so quickly, it would be necessary for us to really know how to hear from God, believe Him and have some sort of special revelation regarding leading our Baptist Church into that of a full Gospel ministry.

There would be times of testing, scrutiny and examination by our Baptist peers so we needed to be able to lead our flock in the Truth of God’s Word in a way that it would dispel all arguments and all accusations.  So it was imperative that we learn How to Believe God.

Pat and I began to study and research the subject of New Testament Faith because we knew that “without faith” it would be “impossible to please God.”  (Heb 11:6)  And if we were to please God we would have to know everything we could find out about faith.  It was going to require supernatural faith to get us through the quagmire of denominational doctrine, embedded traditions and common practices that were going to oppose our neo-Pentecostal objective.   In this early stage of the Charismatic Movement, the Biblical truth regarding the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit was under scrutiny.  Especially the practice of speaking in tongues.  We were in desperate need of having faith to see us through.

Our limited knowledge and experiences of operating in faith and living by faith was going to have to change.  We needed someone or some book or some teacher to lead us in our quest to understand and move in faith.  So we prayed for help.

One evening, late, as we were preparing for the night, someone knocked on the front door of the parsonage, our home situated next to the church auditorium.  When I answered, a man dressed in a suit and carrying a small brief-case was standing on the steps.  He told me that he was a minister and teacher of the Gospel passing through Mobile, and needed a place to stay for the night.  He was very apologetic and stressed that he only needed a place to sleep… he asked if would we be able to accommodate him even though he was a complete stranger and was very clear stating that he would not, in any way, want to inconvenience us.   Needless to say, we were sort of “put on the spot.”  Pat and I exchanged glances and I could tell by her expression she thought it would be ok.   So, we moved our daughter out of her bedroom and gave it to him.

If I remember correctly, there was very little visiting time spent with him before we retired for the night.  We had an understanding with him that we would have breakfast together the next morning before he continued on his way.

The next day, when we got up to prepare breakfast, our friend was nowhere to be found.  He had gotten up early, made the bed up and left without so much as a “thank you.”   Then we noticed something strange.  On the table near the front door was a small package.  When we examined it, we discovered it was a group of cassette teaching tapes all bound together with a rubber band.  And the subject of the series of in-depth teachings was…. FAITH.

We had “entertained an angel…. unaware”

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  Heb 13:2

Word for Today:  March 19

satan is fighting.

But he is fighting the God in you.  So he is fighting a can’t-win battle.

he is defying the God Who lives in you.  This is the reason the devil hates you… you are where God is.  When he see you he sees God.  When he sees you coming he thinks God is coming.  He hates God and defies God and is terrified of God.

David realized this in his confrontation with Goliath.  He declared:  “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the Living God?”  He did not see a giant.  He saw an opportunity.  He did not say that Goliath was defying the armies of Saul or the armies of Israel… but instead, the armies of the LIVING GOD.

Now, Who is the Champion?  Who is the Stronger One?  Who is the Victorious One?   It is God Who lives in you.  If He wins, you win.  If He can’t lose, you can’t lose.  If He overcomes, you overcome.

If satan is defying the God in you he is also defying the Word of God in you.   The Word has always been the enemy of satan.  The Word kicked him out of heaven.   The Word “bruised” his head.  The Word keeps him at bay.  The Word continually destroys all his “works.”

Whatever the devil will ever do, can be undone by the Word of God.  Whatever is planned and programmed by the devil can be prevented by the Word of God.

It is the Word that defeats the devil.  satan cannot stand against the Word.  Jesus used the Word on the devil and the devil left Him “It is written…” is what Jesus declared to him on the mount of temptation.

And he left

Word for Today:  March 18

Be Thankful.

Be filled with Praise.  Because God has done, is doing and will continue to do Great Things.  He is worthy of our praise and He is worthy of our Worship.

The Word declares that we are to be Thankful unto Him and we are to Praise His Name.

Praise will perfect our faith.

Praise will under gird our faith.

Praise will activate our Faith.

Praise is a demonstration of our Faith.

When we Praise, we believe.  Praise rises out of believing with the heart and all that is within us.  Praise happens when we are confronted with the overwhelming greatness of God.

The rationale behind Praise comes from remembering.  Remembering God’s Intervention and Blessing in the Past….  from experiencing His constant and consistent Presence in the present and from believing and expecting His glorious Promises of things yet to come in the future.

Now, what are we to Praise God for?

Praise Him for what He has done for you….

• He has made you Righteous.
• You are continually being conformed to the Image of Jesus Christ.
• Sin has no control over you.
• The devil is defeated as far as you are concerned.
• You are blessed and prospering.
• Signs, wonders and miracles are for you and for today.
• You are healed, whole, well and not sick.
• The Best is yet to come…. His Glory is yet to be fully revealed in you.
• Heaven is real and Eternal Life is a fact.
• The Best yet to be.

Praise Him

The Miracle in Santiago

One of the greatest illustrations of God’s Power being released through a supernatural visitation of the Holy Spirit happened to me back in the 1970’s.   I was invited to join a group of pastors and teachers who were asked to travel to Santiago,Chile in South America for a nation-wide Bible Conference organized by the United Methodist Church in that country.  The purpose of the meetings was to encourage, teach and inspire Methodist Church officials and leaders regarding various doctrines including the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Conference was to take place in a large United Methodist seminary and we were offered their dormitories for our lodging and their classrooms for our teaching assignments.  Each of us was given specific subjects to teach.  My assignment was to teach on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  This was primarily because our ministry in the States had recently become actively involved in the Neo-Pentecostal Charismatic movement which was exploding across our country.

Our first team meeting was held in a large conference hall where we were each assigned the specific classroom our class would meet in and also where our English to Spanish translator would join us.

When I arrived at the room I had been assigned, there was a group of approximately 25-30 men and women there.  These were the elite leaders of various Methodist Churches in Chile. Some were professional educators, lawyers and doctors as well others who were non-professional but influential individuals in denominational leadership.

Everything seemed to be in order, but my translator was nowhere to be found.  He failed to show up.  It was quite embarrassing as I stood in front of the class and they waited for me to speak.  It was impossible for me to communicate with them and they were in the same predicament.  I tried to explain the situation through gestures and body language, but that didn’t work and the waiting (and the silence) created a very tense atmosphere.

Then I got mad.

Mad at the devil who was causing such an impossible situation.  I was convinced that God had led me there and that He had a job for me to do.  But the enemy was  attempting to destroy what God had in mind for these hungry Methodists.

In utter frustration, I began to forcefully and audibly speak to them in Tongues.  I did this for several minutes.  The room was suddenly filled with the Power of God.

Their reaction was one I will never forget.  At first it was confusion.  And shock.  Then it subtly changed into expressions of understanding and comprehension.    Then it erupted in praise and rejoicing.  They all stood to their feet and with uplifted hands and tears of gratitude, began worshipping God in Tongues.

The interpretation that God gave them was supernatural.  Those hungry-hearted Methodists heard and understood what I was speaking in my Prayer Language in Spanish, their native language.

They later told me (through the interpreter who finally arrived) that God gave them instruction on how to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

And they all did.

It was a Miracle of the First Order

Word for Today:  March 17

The world is in for a shaking.

It is beginning now and it will grow in intensity.  It will be good for those who know how to stand and it will be disastrous for those who are weak, uncommitted and backslidden.

It will help the church… the True Church.  It will reveal the shallowness and the superficiality of the religious bunch.  Heroes are on the way back…

History will be a great stage for the “standers” and the “doers” and the believers.   Change is coming.   Change is happening.  And more change is on the way.

History is convulsing.  Nature is in cataclysmic change.  Governments have failed.  Leaders have fallen.  Nations have collapsed.  Kings have been de-throned.  But the Church is here and the Church has prevailed…  Just as Jesus said it would!  (Mat 16)

The devil is gearing up for a last-ditch effort to deceive the masses before the Grand and Glorious appearance of Jesus on earth!  Satan, the arch-enemy of every Believer,  is destined to defeat, humiliation and failure.

Maranatha!

Word for Today:  March 16

Knowing is important.

Jesus wants you to know some things.  That is what Preachers and Churches are here for… to tell you things you need to know.  That is why God has given us His Word.

Many today feel that they know enough.  However, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.  No knowledge is a deadly thing.  I have heard it said that “what you don’t know won’t hurt you…”  That’s right, it won’t hurt you, it will KILL YOU.   

My people are destroyed (to perish) for lack of knowledge….  (Hosea 4:6)

Limited knowledge will keep you in trouble all the time.  Full knowledge (revelation that is received and acted on) will guide you into truth and keep you out of trouble.   Wisdom is knowledge properly applied.

Jesus told us that we could know the truth and that the truth would make us free (John 8:32).  Do you want to be free?

“Free” is more than a political or human rights issue.   “Free” is more than a constitutional guarantee.  This is a free nation, but millions are still in great bondage. Multitudes are struggling with and being held captive by demonic forces.

“Free” is knowing the truth.

“Free” is acting on the Truth.

“Free” is receiving and living in what Truth promises and provides.

Free is doing the Word and living in Word Promises

Word for Today:  March 15

Jesus wants you blessed and free.

He does not want you bound, enslaved or held captive.   Are you free?  You may look free but not be free.  You may talk free but still be bound.  You may act free but still be held captive.

You are the only one (other than God) who really knows if you are free.  Your pastor does not know.  Your neighbors do not know.  Your relatives do not know.  But you know.

• Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
• Are you tired of being weary and frustrated and defeated?
• Are you ready to be completely released from worry? From anxiety?  From fear?  From depression?
• Do you sincerely want to be delivered and set free from any and all addictions?
• Do you want a break-through? Do you want it today?  In your Finances?  In your Family? In your Job?  In your Marriage.  In your Business?

Do you believe you can trust Jesus to tell you the truth?

Will you trust the Word of God to speak Truth to your heart today?

Will you believe it now?

Will you act on it now?

Will you risk everything you have to gain everything you need now?

Will you?  Today?