dickbraswell

Word for Today: August 31

Attitude.

Notice the attitude of those gathered in the Upper Room in Acts chapter 2:

FIRST:  They were serious about God.  They were serious about Church.  They were serious about Spiritual Things.  They were not playing games or pretending.  They were committed.

SECOND:  They were praying.  They were believing.  They were expecting.

THIRD:  They loved each other, forgave one another and were together in unity.  Petty differences were forgotten.  The playing field was level.

FOURTH:  They wanted IT.  They wanted fire from heaven.  They wanted revival.  They wanted God and all that God had for them.

FIFTH:  They were “In one accord…”   They were not arguing doctrine or comparing spiritual gifts.  They were not competing for attention or envious of others.

SIXTH:  They were filled with praise and thanksgiving to God.  They were unashamed and bold.  They were not intimidated and they were not shy.  They were not embarrassed about the Holy Ghost.

FINALLY:  They were not going to quit until they got it and until the whole world was touched.

What we are content  with determines what God can do in us.

Dissatisfaction leads to greater possibilities

Word for Today:  August 29

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1Cor. 4:2

There are so many times pastors are tempted to quit or to compromise when they see so many of God’s Army who have defected or who have gone AWOL.   But when we see those who are Faithful… those who have remained steadfast and unmovable… our hearts are encouraged and we know that we must persevere… we must go on.

We cannot quit.  These are members of Gideon’s Three Hundred… they never stop to consider the opposition, the magnitude of the problem, or the impossible odds… they simply stand.  They stay.  They stick.

One individual has often done what a whole congregation was not able to do.  One family has often done what an entire nation could not do.  One church has often done what an entire denomination could not do.

Gideon’s three hundred easily did what the fearful twenty-two thousand who departed in a hurry for home, could not possibly have done.

Folks, hundreds of years have passed since Gideon’s time, but the Three Hundred still remain.  The brotherhood has been perpetuated and their spiritual posterity continues to live.  The tenth leper who returned to thank Jesus for his healing was a member of this band.

The 120 who took time to leave the stuff at home and the work at hand to head into Jerusalem and wait for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost belonged to this band.   Paul and Silas, singing and praising God with bloody backs, locked in stocks in a midnight prison, were members of this band.

Thank God for those who are “Found Faithful.”

Word for Today:  August 28

I was in a meeting one time and various pastors were testifying.  They were telling (bragging) of the growth and expansion of their respective churches.  They were sharing how many new members they had added over the past year.

One pastor stood and testified:   “We have just experienced the greatest revival in our history.  When I came to my church we had about 500 members.  But I began to work very hard.  I preached with all my heart.  God began to move.  Now, after a year of hard work we are greatly blessed with seventy-five members.

Started with 500 and lost 425.    But 75 are there for every meeting.  75 tithe.  75 pray and seek God.  75 are in Sunday School.  75 give to missions.  75 volunteer for all work that is necessary.  75 visit.  75 are soul winners.  75 are doing more than 500 ever did… Glory be to God.”

Jesus experienced such a sifting of His disciples.  The first mass exodus came when He began to go deeper into spiritual things.  He said that if they followed Him they would have to eat His body and drink His blood.  They would become partakers of His divine nature.  This was too much.  Many fell away and never followed Him again.

He asked His own inner circle of twelve, “Will you also go away?”

Then after His Resurrection, He met 500 of His followers in Galilee and told them to go into Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father… the mighty Baptism of the Holy Ghost…

And yet, when this Outpouring took place, only 120 of the 500 were present.  380 did not find it convenient to do what Jesus said do… and they missed the mightiest visitation of God in history.

Wonder where the 380 were?

Word for Today: August 27

We have no right to call ourselves something we are not.

If we are calling ourselves “Church” then let’s be the Church.  If we say we are “going to Church” then let’s have Church.    If we are not willing to be the church let’s close the doors and do something else.

If I understand what Church is, Real Church cannot and will not be ignored.

Church is too alive to go disregarded by the world.

• We have been crippled by “organized religion.”
• We have been entertained and educated, fed and socialized.
• We have been patronized and petted.
• We have been disgraced by thieves who call themselves spiritual leaders.
• We have been nice and sweet and wimpy in matters concerning hell, the devil and demons as well as Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Manifestations.

Many have been so intent on preserving “order” until every service is controlled and computerized and God is not even given a chance.

Many services have become stereotyped.  Preaching has become professional.  Service time has become show time.  Where is God?  Where is His Power? Where are those who will not let up until they touch the Hem of His Garment?

Selfishness, pride, the lust for power, the love of money and the desire to be seen of men have poisoned good preachers and turned them into false prophets.

Because the church has not been the church, the masses have continually been deceived.   We need some “Ananias and Saphirra meetings.”  We need some “sons of Sceva” services.  We need to shake and quake at the awesomeness of God and fear lest we offend Him.

As I look at the Book of Acts and consider the birth, development and growth of the New Testament Church, I have had to re-evaluate what we are, what we are doing and how and why we are doing it.

“Church” is not church if it falls short of the Acts 2 pattern…

Word for Today:  August 26

Paying the price.

Elisha paid the price.  He met the condition.  He did what he had to do in order to receive his Double Portion.  (2Kings 2:9)  I believe you want to do this, too.  Because this is the one most important thing in your life.  Whatever it takes, you will be willing to do.  Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth to those things that are before… you will pay the price.

It may require some purging.  So, get rid of sin.  Get rid of wrong attitudes.  Get rid slothfulness.  Get rid of criticism.  Get rid of jealousy.  Get rid of greed.  Get rid of lust and loose morals.  Get rid of connections and relationships that pull you down.  Get rid of doubt and unbelief.

When you pay the price you will move into a New Place in God.  There are more than likely only one or two main obstacles that stand between you and your Double Portion.  Identify them.  Deal with them.

You know what you must do.  Resolve to do it.  Take the initiative.  Put it behind you.  Put it under your feet.  Put it out of the way.

Nothing is worth missing the Double Portion.  And the best time to start is

NOW

Word for Today:  August 25

Jesus Paid it All.

The devil and all demon powers are forever dethroned and defeated.  At the fall of Adam, satan gained control and dominion over all the earth.  At the Resurrection of Jesus,  satan was factually and actually dethroned and defeated.   he is stripped of all his power and authority.  Relegated to the role as the mother of all losers.

The Resurrection of Jesus was and is the final proof of satan’s downfall and defeat.  Because Jesus lives… sickness, sin, defeat, sorrow, death, sadness are all forever conquered.  We (Believers) have been redeemed from satan’s dominion and we have legally become the masters and rulers of satan and all his demons.  We have power over the devil because Jesus rose from the dead.  We can cast out devils. We can heal the sick.  We can call things that “be not” not as though they were.  We can overcome poverty and distress and pain and need.  Because Jesus is alive… we are filled with Resurrection Life.

There will be no judgment for us like it was for Jesus.  God will not forsake us.   For us there will be no Cross… no crown of thorns… no separation from God… no suffering in hell… no guilt and no condemnation.

Jesus paid it all… All to Him I owe…Sin had left a crimson stain… He washed it white as snow

Elvina M. Hall  1865

Word for Today:  August 24

More.

The reason for our existence is coming into focus.  In this time of His Visitation, it is purposed that the Body of Christ Glorify God.  The Church is being drawn into His Very Glory.

There is a new intensity in the Body of Christ.  A new determination.  A new diligence.  A new resolve.  I have never seen so many with such a sharp focus and such a determined objective.  To Know Him.  To come into His Glory.   There is a quest in the Body of Christ to come into The Glory and accomplish the purpose of our Redemption.

The powers of darkness are screaming to distract us.  The forces around us are vying for our attention.  The noise is loud.  The sights are glittering.  The temptations are real.  And strong.  But we will not turn aside.  We will not be distracted.  We will not be lured away from what and where God is calling us.

We have tasted and discovered that the Lord is Good.  We want what He has to offer.  We know what it is.  It is a double portion.  It has been good but we want more.  It has been wonderful but it is not enough.  More.  We want more.  More of God.  More of Jesus.  More of the Holy Ghost.  More Word.  More anointing.  More Revelation.  More Power.  More Love.   To be more like Jesus.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.   2Co 3:18

“I want more of Jesus, more and more and more, I want more of Jesus than I’ve ever had before…I want more of Jesus, full and fresh and free, I want more of Jesus, so I’ll give Him more of me.”     The Cameron Singers

Word for Today:  August 22

It’s up to you.

You are Born Again to release God’s power into the earth.  It is up to you and up to me.  It is up to the church.  The Power of God will not prevail in the earth until and unless we release it.  And it will not happen unless we make it happen.   It will not come out of the Church until it comes out of you.   All of creation is waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God.

For the earnest expectation of the creature (creation) waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Rom. 8:19

Nothing is too hard for God and God lives in you.   The Bible says that with God all things are possible.  Paul wrote that:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me… 

The Word declares that if “You can believe (have the God-kind of faith) all things are possible to him that believeth…”  Mark 9.

When we got saved, God made a Divine Deposit in us.  Our body became the Temple of the Holy Ghost.  We are no longer our own because we were bought with a price…  We are to glorify God with our bodies.  We are Born Again to release the Power of God into the earth.

God is calling us to be channels of His Power.  We are the only restraining force holding back all the relentless powers of darkness that are poised to overthrow every kingdom and nation.

Why is it that atrocities such as those that are widespread in other parts of the world are not happening here in America?  Because we are called to be the nation from which God will demonstrate His power on earth.

God has sovereignly raised up this nation to release His Power into the Human Race.  And

It starts with you and with me

Word for Today:  August 22

Rivers.

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38

We should come together at ministry time with the Stream Flowing.   Most come to Church to get filled.  They are already dry and empty.  They have been drained by the demands of the unbelieving world and the constant constraints of the enemy.  They come in need.

This is not bad, but it is not the Best.  To come filled up is better.  Filled up and running over.  Can you imagine what kind of a service we would have if everybody came filled up and running over?  No need to get “worked up.”  No need to get “pumped up.”  Coming in as a Mighty Stream.  A Rushing River.  Men and women and young people and children with Rivers of Living water gushing out of their inner beings.  What a gathering!

The Stream is the Anointing.  The Anointing is the continual pouring forth of the Holy Ghost.   It is the One Thing Needed most.  In the Church.  In the Pulpit.  In the Choir loft.  In the Musician.   In the Body of Christ.

I must tell you, the Anointing in my life is essential.  Without the anointing, I have nothing, I can do nothing, I am nothing and I have no desire to live.  The Anointing… the Stream of Living Water… is the most important thing in my Life.  It is Jesus flowing out of me in Power and Compassion.

My prayer is that I might see with the Eyes of God.  Feel with the Heart of Jesus.   Minister with the Mind of Christ.  Flow with the Power of the Holy Ghost.

Without this, I am nothing.  The ministry is nothing.  And I will accomplish nothing.

Neither will you

Word for Today:  August 19

The approaching Renaissance.

I believe we are on a collision course for a Moral and Spiritual Renaissance.  And this is good.  There is a deadly sickness among us.  An infectious disease that will ultimately bring about the destruction of our nation…. if it is not treated and cured. And it’s not COVID. It’s deeper than that. And more disastrous.

Many are ready to do something.  Many are coming to the conclusion that our ONLY hope is a Spiritual Awakening.  I believe that this is you and me.  Us.  The Church.  The believers in our city.  In our Nation.

However, we must never be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem.  This sickness is “not unto death” but I believe an excellent opportunity for God to be Glorified.  This was the case when Lazarus died (John 11).  He did die, but Jesus turned the tragedy into triumph.  I am confident the same Jesus can and will turn our moral downward spiral into a great Triumph.

Never underestimate the power of the minority.  Martin Luther King, Jr. proved this point.  (“I have a dream…”)   Gideon and his 300 proved this.  The Nation of Israel continues to prove this.

We may be in the minority, but we have God.  And God has us.

That turns the table and changes the equation