dickbraswell

Word for Today:  February 22

New Ground.

My farmer grandfather always saved his New Ground for his watermelon crop.  He said if you want the biggest, the best and the sweetest watermelons, plant the watermelon seed in New Ground.

New Ground is the Best Place to plant the Word Seed.  We have been cleansed by the Blood.  We have had all the stumps removed and the rocks hauled away.  We have been leveled and cleaned and nurtured by the work of the Holy Ghost.  Our hearts are ready for the seed (Word) to be planted and for life to come forth.  Sometimes we produce a crop or two.  But, then, something happens.

• Neglect moves in.
• We become weary or tired or discouraged.
• Somebody hurt my feelings.
• No one spoke to me. The music is too loud.
• The preaching is too long.
• The worship is too radical.
• Nobody notices me.
• I don’t have a place.
• My gift is being ignored.
• I am being overlooked.
• God does not answer my prayers.
• This faith stuff is not for me.
• I tried but things got worse.

Are you in here somewhere?  Have you been thinking these things?

Unless we are constantly producing regular crops, our hearts be­come fallow ground.  Hard.  Crusty.  Dry.  Dead.  Lifeless.  In need of breaking up.  Until it is broken, the heart will remain cold, lifeless, dead and unfruitful.

… break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 10:12

Show me Jesus, ever always,

That I may broken, humble be,

And that you, O Loving Father

May show others Him…  through me

Word for Today:  February 18

The Glory of God.

When God created Adam his outstanding characteristic was the Glory of God.

Man was made in the Image (likeness, shadow) of God.  Man shared the Glory of God.  He became like God.  He received the Character and Nature of God.  He received the Mind of God.  He received the Power of God.

He literally took God’s Place on the earth as the One in Control.  He had the Glory.  He lived in the Glory.  He walked in the Glory.  He manifested the Glory of God.  All creation Knew.  Saw.  Witnessed.  Beheld.  Everything living and everything inanimate recognized the Glory of God in Adam.

The real problem began when man lost the Glory.  Adam sinned and when he did he lost the Glory.  The Glory departed.  And death entered.  Where Glory was now death is.   “Death entered…”  And death will stay until the Glory is restored.

When a person gets saved, he comes into the Glory of God.  He is crowned with the Glory that Adam lost.  Adam had the Glory and he lost it.

We are born without the Glory and at Salvation we get it.  When we get the Glory of God we get Life.

He that hath the Son hath life. 1 John 5:12

I am come that ye might have life…  John 10:10

Glory and Life are synonymous; Death and no Glory are synonymous.

The full manifestation of the Glory of God will be the last thing that takes place before Jesus comes back.  The Church, this age and this hour are destinations for the Glory of God.  We are purposed, created and brought into this narrow band of time in order that we might come into the full manifestation of the Glory of God.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.   Isa 60:1

“For we walk by Faith, not by sight…”  2 Cor 5:7

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen…”  2 Cor 4:18

“By Faith, he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he (Moses) endured as seeing Him Who is invisible…”  Heb 11:27

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven…” John 3:3

            God calls His People into realms beyond the natural.  We are birthed into a higher dimension when we get Born Again.  According to Paul, “if any man be in Christ, he is a New Creation, old things are passed away; behold all things are become new…”  2 Cor 5:17.  The New Creation is delivered from the “old things” and brought into the realm of “all things new”.   The Word says “we are in the world, but not of the world…”  We are citizens of “another country” and we have been raised up to sit with Jesus in “heavenly places…”   The New Testament is the Believer’s Instruction Manual.  It tells us how to Live in the realm of the Supernatural.  It gives instructions about how to live Heaven’s Life here on earth.  It provides Revelation regarding our Position in Christ and our Purpose on earth.

            In the New Creation provision, we are called to See the Invisible.  The Word says:  “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen…”  This is not some psychic phenomenon, or some fortune-teller foolishness, but a real Command to Look beyond what we see until we see what God sees.   Until we are able to “see the invisible” we will never be able to do the impossible!!  If we are living in the realm of the possible, we are just like all the other natural, “mere” men on the earth.  You know and I know that we are not called to be “mere men” but New Creation Men!!  We are Born with Heaven inside us!!  We are called and commissioned to take the world away from the devil and lay it again at the feet of Jesus.  We are a New Breed.  A New Species.  We are Aliens on earth because we are Born to Live in Heaven.  We are a generation of Jesus People, equipped with the Word and empowered by the Spirit.  We must See the Invisible!!

            The Church is living far below the full potential God has birthed in it.  Most who make up the Church do not know the hidden forces that are in them.  The very Forces that make God God are inside every Believer!!  There is great and awesome potential inside every New Creation in Christ.  Why do you think the Word tells us that we “can do all things through Christ…”?  Why do you think God tells us that “nothing shall be impossible to you…”?  Why do you think God promises us that “if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven…” We are called to be “more than conquerors…” and we have been equipped with mighty weapons of warfare that are “not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds…”  God is calling LIFE CHURCH to SEE THE INVISIBLE and DO THE IMPOSSIBLE!! 

            Look at Moses.  He FORSOOK Egypt.  He saw beyond the Natural and the Immediate and into the Spirit and the Future.  He left what everybody thought was a “sure thing” because he saw the Invisible.  The world held no attraction for him.  Money, power, rank, station, reputation, future…. all these were weighed against the “Invisible” things he saw by faith and the promises of God were much better than the wealth of the world.  Hallelujah!!   He left the world, the world system, and the things of flesh behind and he “endured” (kartereo: to be strong, steadfast, patient) because he saw the invisible.  Seeing the invisible is preceded by Forsaking and Enduring!!  Faith has a flip-side!!  It is not all just “believing with the head and heart” it is believing with a DETERMINATION to Do the Word and Obey God!!  “Faith without works is dead…”

            How do we “see the invisible”?  How can we penetrate the Dimension of the Supernatural?  How do we get “raised up” so that we can sit together with Christ in Heavenly places?

I.  OPEN YOUR EYES.

            “Except a man be Born Again, he cannot see…”  John 3:3

Get saved.  Stay saved.  Resist the attractions of the world and live for God.  Get Baptized in the Holy Ghost and submit to the Spirit of God.  Walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. 

            You may not be able to “see” because you are not right with God.  You can never see the Invisible until you are Born of the Spirit.  The natural man cannot discern the things of God because they are Spiritually discerned.  You cannot walk by faith and not by sight unless you are Born Again.  The natural world burdens your heart and the problems load your soul.  You can only see things as they are and you cannot look beyond the natural and see the invisible.

Nicodemus was religious.  Nicodemus was educated.  Nicodemus was righteous.  Nicodemus was seeking God.  Nicodemus was moral.  Nicodemus was LOST, he was BLIND, and he could not SEE the INVISIBLE.  He would have made a GOOD CHARISMATIC, but he was limited by lack of sight.  Jesus said, except a man be BORN AGAIN he cannot see…

            If Jesus said it, it must be important.  He wants you to be able to SEE the INVISIBLE and DO the IMPOSSIBLE.  Without the NEW BIRTH this is will never happen. 

            Many who are saved have difficulty “seeing” and “forsaking” and “enduring”.  They are continually knocked down and drug through by the enemy.  They are overcome more often than they overcome.  They are subject to worry, fears, doubts, and discouragement.  They are depressed and done in.  They are unhappy and continually victims of violent mood swings.  One day is good.  Then 10 are bad.  One victory is won, then 15 are lost.  Ground that has been gained is constantly being lost and retreat is the only way out.  You need to receive Power from on High.  You need an encounter with the Holy Ghost that gives you the ability to resist the devil and win the battle!!  You need to be Filled with the Spirit and Baptized in the Fire of God!! 

            Seeing the invisible and doing the impossible.  The first priority is to GET BORN AGAIN and BAPTIZED with the HOLY GHOST!!

II.  REALLY BELIEVE

            “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth…” Mark 9:23

            Faith Vision is seeing THINGS AS THEY CAN BE instead of seeing things the way they are!!  Faith vision is seeing THINGS as GOD SAYS they can be instead of seeing things as the WORLD SAYS they will be.  To believe is to abandon all REASON.  To believe is to hold to TRUTH instead of being moved by FACTS.  To believe is to hook up to the WORD and to plug into GOD.  To believe is to resist all doubt, negativism, and pessimism.  To believe is to TRUST IN and RELY ON and DEPEND ON and ADHERE TO God and His Promises.

            Faith believes when there is NO HOPE.  Faith trusts when there is NO FEELING.  Faith relies on when there is no ENCOURAGEMENT.  Faith adheres to when ALL ELSE FAILS.  Faith holds on when everybody gives up and everything falls apart.  You can see the INVISIBLE when you look beyond the NATURAL.  When you resist every symptom and rebuke everything that contradicts the Word of God.  Faith sees.  Even in the dark.  Faith sees over the horizon and beyond the natural.  Faith is really believing.

            David BELIEVED.

            Joshua BELIEVED.

            Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego BELIEVED.

            Moses BELIEVED.

            Abraham BELIEVED.

            Paul BELIEVED.

            Jesus BELIEVED.

            Because they BELIEVED, they SAW THE INVISIBLE and ACCOMPLISHED THE IMPOSSIBLE. 

Jesus Christ is the SAME, yesterday, today, and forever!!  God is no respecter of persons.  What God did for others, He will do for you and me.  And he will do it NOW!!

III. DO IT NOW.

            “Today is the day of salvation…”

            “Now is the accepted time…”

            Some here today will continue to live and look and see only in the realm of the natural.  Some will leave here and fall right back into the same trap and same bondage and same defeat.  Some will stay sick and stay whipped and stay depressed and stay lost.  Some will continue to be harassed and vexed and tormented by the devil and demons.  Some will say “next time” or “later” or “not today”.  Some may slip away and never be so touched by the Holy Ghost as you are today.  “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near…”  He is Here.  He can be found right where you are.  He is near.  He is calling you and prompting you to DO IT TODAY. 

You have intended to.  You have planned to.  You want to.  DO IT NOW.  You need healing.  You need forgiving.  You need peace.  You need to know that you are loved.  You need power over the devil and habits and weaknesses.  You need to SEE THE INVISIBLE so that you can DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.   

Word for Today:  February 17

Sow the seed that meets the need

Every need has a matching seed.  Find the seed that matches the need and sow it.  One unfailing principle of God’s Word is the principle of Sowing and Reaping.  You will never have a need if you practice sowing according to God’s Word.  You do not have a “need” problem… you have a sowing problem.  Seed does no good as long as you hold it.  It must be sown… put in circulation.

If you need joy… sow joy.  If you need healing… go pray for someone who is sick.  If you need encouragement, go to some discouraged individual and speak encouragement to them.  If you need finances… give into the Kingdom.  And be sure that the soil you choose to sow in is good ground.

Finally, prepare for the increase.  Plan Big.  Think Big.  Talk Big.  Expect Big.  Believe Big.  You are the key.  God allows you to set your own limits and fix your own boundaries.  You initiate and heaven shouts Amen!  You begin and Heaven confirms.  You loose on earth and God looses in Heaven.  You bind on earth and God binds in heaven.

You begin and God finishes

Word for Today:  February 16

Doing the Word.

We are not to be “hearers only” but doers of the Word.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  Jas 1:22

Acting on what you know in faith releases the power of God.

• When you do the Word, you make the Word become flesh.
• When you do the Word you literally bring God and all of His Power to the scene of your need.
• When you do the Word, you demonstrate the devil’s defeat.
• When you do the Word, you please God because without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb 11:6)

So… Burn your bridges; leave yourself no “way of escape.”  Forget about “what if” or “just in case” or “plan B.” Get past the “point of no return.”  Get radical… be radical… stay radical.  Break out of your box, push the envelope and go for the Gold!

Reckless, bold and daring FAITH pleases God. Without faith you cannot please Him.   If it is not of faith (this kind of faith) it is sin. (Rom 14:23)

Stand on the Word.  Grab hold of God and refuse to turn loose.  Believe the Word. Act on the Word.

Just do it

Word for Today:  February 15

God is Bigger

God is bigger, greater, more awesome and more powerful than we can even think or imagine.

What He can do far exceeds our ability to understand and comprehend.  He is greater than the greatest, stronger than the strongest and more powerful than anything or anybody.

Do you have a need?  Any need.  Big need.  Small need.  Few needs.  Great needs.  Many needs.  If your answer is “yes” then name your need.  Give it a name.   What is it?  Call it out.  Tell yourself what it is.  Tell the devil what it is.  Tell God what it is (even though He already knows.)  Is it a health need?  Is it a financial need?  Is it a marriage or family need?  Is it a spiritual need?  Is it an emotional need?  If you have a need, then God has the supply… and God is Able to get His supply to your need.  Phil 4:19

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, (Jesus) and given him a name which is above every name:  Phil 2:9 

Therefore, the Name of Jesus is above the name of your need.  And it is subject to that Name.  It must obey any command given to it.

That at the name of Jesus every knee (thing) should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  Phil 2:10

Place your need under the authority of your command

Word for Today:  February 14

Valentine’s Day Love Facts

• Love is not impatient but, instead, longsuffering.
• Love is not envious of others.
• Love is not self-centered, proud, haughty or puffed up.
• Love is not conceited.
• Love is not rude or crude.
• Love is not touchy or fretful or resentful.
• Love takes no account of the evil done to it.
• Love does not rejoice at the failures of others.
• Love believes the best of every person.
• Love bears up under anything that comes.
• Love endures every hardship without weakening (I Cor 13 Amp.)

1. LOVE encourages, builds up and edifies.
2. LOVE roots out all fear Perfect love casteth out fear… I John 4:8
3. LOVE makes your FAITH work Faith worketh by love…
4. LOVE heals sickness and keeps bodies well.
5. LOVE conquers selfishness and self-will.
6. LOVE makes marriages work and stops divorces.
7. LOVE makes your children obedient and respectful.
8. LOVE builds and bonds human relationships.
9. LOVE covers a multitude of sin. I Pet 4:8
10. LOVE forgives and forgets.
11. LOVE overlooks faults and weaknesses.
12. LOVE endures long… is patient and kind.
13. LOVE sees the best and believes the best of every person.
14. LOVE will not criticize.
15. LOVE will not wound or hurt or hinder.
16. LOVE will not find fault.
17. LOVE will not create strife and division.
18. LOVE will not gossip.
19. LOVE will not destroy or tear down.
20. LOVE suffers in silence.
21. LOVE gives expecting nothing in return.
22. LOVE speaks the truth.
23. LOVE is honest and full of integrity.
24. LOVE never fails
25. LOVE is GOD

God is Love

…God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.  1Jo 4:16

Word for Today:  February 13

We are all faced with “Lazarus” attacks” (John 11).

What we do, how we act in the midst of such death situations will demonstrate just how deep we are in God.

• We can say what others are saying.
• We can assume the worst.
• We can agree with what the facts are.
• We can accept the “inevitable”

Or we can Prophesy Life to the situation.   Like Jesus did.

God has called you into His Kingdom and given you the power to create with your mouth the things that are in the will of God.  Boldly prophesy the Word!

Our fiery trial… our grave-yard tribulation… our Red Sea and our Furnace heated seven times its capacity… our den of Lions and our Goliath…  all these are opportunities for God to get Glory and for us to experience a miracle.

Jesus knew that impossibilities are opportunities… opportunities for God to Show Himself Strong in behalf of those who would

DARE to BELIEVE

Word for Today:  February 12

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?  Mark 4:40

Are you afraid?

What is it that you have to fear?  If God be for us who can be against us?  Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

• We have the Word.
• We have the Holy Ghost.
• We have the Unfailing Promises of our Great God.
• We have the constant and continual Presence of the Living Christ.

Why do we fret?  Why do we worry?  Why do we fear?

God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of love and power and a sound mind.  2Tim 1:7

Jesus will always remind us to “Fear Not.”  He knows that fear will cancel our faith.  Where there is no faith, the attacks of the enemy are successful.  The only place the devil can work is the very place where fear is present.

Fear is to the devil what Faith is to God.  The gentle rebuke of Jesus came as a result of the disciples’ fear.  Fear always negates faith.

You will never be successful in your Faith Walk if fear is present.

Where fear is, faith isn’t

Word for Today:  February 11

Pentecost.

The Day of Pentecost marked a pivotal point in the history of the Christian Church.  (Acts 2)

It was the Birth and the Beginning of the New Testament Church.  The Book of Acts records this event as well as the subsequent development and growth of what we know as the “Church.”

Today, we need to go beyond Pentecost.  Pentecost was the beginning, but that was nearly 2000 years ago.  If we are to fulfill the Great Commission and prepare the earth for the Coming of Jesus, we must progress beyond Pentecost.

As we enter into a fresh new season of change, I believe God is raising up an Army…. an Army of Believers who will Believe God and who will believe the Word.  A People who are not moved by circumstance or situation but who are committed to follow Jesus to the death if necessary.  A generation of turned-on and tuned-in Believers who are not content to stay stuck, but who are determined to move on Beyond Pentecost.

It is this Body of Believers, I believe,  that will comprise the Last Days Church… The End-Time Church… the Vibrant, Powerful, Miracle-working Body of Christ… the literal, visible, tangible, living, breathing extension of God on earth today.

Moving time is here