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Word for Today:  March 29

Inventory

When we take an inventory, we see what is lacking and discover what is needed.  Then we can place an order so that we will be prepared for the increase.

The wisdom of this world has become greater than the wisdom of the Body of Christ. They (the world) know just where they are and what they have to do in order to make progress.  To succeed.  To make a difference.  The merchants of the world system are wiser than the Children of the Kingdom when it comes to knowing and understanding exactly where they are.  They live in the Inventory Mode.  They have devised technology that instantly and precisely and without error reveals just what they have, what they lost and what they need.

Just what does our spiritual “bar code” tell us when we get scanned by the Holy Spirit?

What kind of record do we have in heaven?  Have we increased?  Have we decreased?  Are we lacking?  Are we depleted?  Do we need to restock? Maybe we need to

Take an Inventory

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

NOW… what does the Resurrection of Jesus mean?

• The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from is the fundamental Redemptive Force of the Gospel
• The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from is the foundation of for every believer’s future….  
• The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Reason for the Church
• If there is no Resurrection we are “of all men, the most miserable….”

1Cor 15:19 if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

I’m not miserable.  Never will be.    The fact that we are here in this place this morning attests to the FACT that Jesus Christ is Risen and Alive. 

 Unless we can “personalize” what Jesus did, then, what He did is of “none effect” for us.   

Our attempt is not to PROVE the FACT of the Resurrection.   I know He lives because:

• He answers Prayer•   He heals the sick•   He overpowers demonic forces•   He saves lost sinners•   His Word is Alive and Full of Power•   What He said would happen, has happened and is happening•   His Presence is with me and I am living, by His Grace, a Resurrection Life

Now, since we KNOW Jesus Rose from the Dead….What does It do for me?  How can It change my life? What does It mean for me?   

1.  The RESURRECTION Means My sins are forgiven and forgotten. 

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

God does not remember them.  They are forever gone.  They no longer exist.  If I am still carrying the burden of my sin I am guilty of discrediting the Redemptive Work of Jesus

Every human being ever born was born with a sentence of Death.  For the Bible also says that the wages of sin is death.  Unless this curse of death can be removed, there is no hope for the human race.   

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

We are now exonerated.  Pardoned.  The case against us has been thrown out.  There is no judgment against us and no punishment required.  It has all been paid for by Jesus.  My sins are forgiven.  My debt has been paid.  I am not guilty.  God is not displeased with me.  I have been reconciled to Him.  I am now a member of His Family.  I will never die.

2.  The RESURRECTION means I have been made Righteous.

Not only have I been Forgiven, but I have also been made righteous. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

I now have right standing with God.      I am no longer a “sinner” I am a Son.  I am no longer a “slave” I am a Son.  I am no longer in bondage to sin, I am free.  God has brought me into His Own Family.  He has made me an Heir of God and a Joint Heir of Jesus Christ.  God has imputed His Own Nature into me and now I am as Righteous as Jesus is.   

I have been REGENERATED (re-gened)…   He has made me   a partaker of the Divine Nature of God.

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

I am not made righteous by what I do.  I am made righteous by what I believe.     

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

3.  The RESURRECTION means I am no longer under Condemnation. 

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

This means I am not guilty.  I am under the Full Pardon afforded me by the Shed Blood of Jesus Christ.  Jesus took my Guilt and gave me His Innocence.

God is NEVER displeased with me…simply because He can never be displeased with Jesus… And Jesus is Who He sees when He looks on me.     

4. The RESURRECTION means I am Exempt from the Wrath and Judgment of God. 

Joh 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The Suffering and death of Jesus has delivered me from the wrath and judgment of God.    God is not mad with me. God is not mad at you.  God is not looking at my failures, my weaknesses, my sins…  God is not out to punish me for my wrongs.  God is no longer my Judge.  God is not going to cut me off.  I am fully “accepted” in the same Family with God.

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Jesus became my sin and as a result became the victim of God’s wrath… in my place. 

 5.  The RESURRECTION means I will  LIVE FOREVER.

1John 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

 Now, let’s get personal.  Where are you as far as God is concerned?    As far as you are concerned, did Jesus suffer and die and arise from the dead in vain?  What will you do with Jesus?  Now, having seen what He has done for you and me… What will you do with Him?   

The options we have: 

1.  Receive Him as Savior and Lord and LIVE

2.  Reject Him and DIE

 John 14:6   Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 16:31 …Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…

Word for Today:  March 28

Moses forsook Egypt.

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  Heb 11:27

Moses saw beyond the Natural and the Immediate and into the Spiritual and the Eternal.

He saw the Invisible and accomplished the Impossible.

He left what everybody thought was a “sure thing” because he saw beyond the facts and focused on the Promise of God.  Once He realized what God had in store, the world no longer held any attraction for him.  Money, power, rank, station, reputation, future…. all these were weighed against the “Invisible” things he saw by faith.

He knew the promises of God were much better than the wealth of the world.

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 heart” it is believing with a determination to do the Word.

Faith without works is dead… James 2:26

The “forsaking” precedes the “taking”

Word for Today: March 27

Hindrances to Faith

          Remember that Satan comes “immediately” to take away the Word-Seed before it has time to take root. 

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.  Mark 4:15   

          It is easier for Satan to steal a seed or dig up a seed than it is for him to pull up a tree.  Satan is a thief and a robber.   Here are some real hindrances to great faith:

• Seeing no evidence.
• Having no feeling.
• Considering facts and turning to human rea­soning.
• Failures we have experienced in the past.
• Dead religion, cold churches, denomina­tional doc­trine,
• unbelieving preachers and teachers.
• Our fear of man, relatives, influential friends, and what people may say.
• Refusing the Gifts of the Spirit
• Ignorance.
• Unrenewed mind.
• Negative mouth.
• Doubt and wavering.
• Love of the world. 
• Impatience

          Strife, bitterness, unforgiveness, sarcasm, gossip, jealousy, envy, unkindness, anger, griping, self-pity, pride, hypocrisy, uncaring, no compassion, no love, greed, stinginess, egotism, no disci­pline, sense-ruled, appetite-ruled,  sight-ruled;   any of  the above will prevent our faith from developing.  They are hindrances to faith and they can only be dealt with and overcome by our deter­mination and prayerful effort. 

          The Revelation of Faith and the continual opera­tion of this revelation in the life of the Believer is essential if one is to Reign in Life. 

Word for Today:  March 26

We are made out of dirt.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Ps 103:14

We are all created from (out of) the dust of the earth.  Dirt is necessary for the mass production of any harvest.  Seeds are put into the dirt.  Seeds that are alive and that have full and complete potential for maturing and producing a harvest are planted (put into) in Dirt.  Soil.  Ground.

Jesus gave a parable about how our heart is like ground.  He said the condition of the ground determines the success of the crop.  When the condition is “good” there will be a bountiful harvest.  “Some 30, some 60 and some 100 fold…”

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it;  (puts it together)  which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Mt 13:23

The heart condition must be characterized by (1) hearing the Word (2) understanding the Word and (3) doing the Word.   Hearing is more than listening.  It is hearing with the heart.  Understanding is more than knowing.  It is revelation.  Revelation is powerless unless it is acted on.

What God has planted in you He has destined to come out of you.  It may be in seed form now, but the seed has the power to grow into its fullest manifestation.

In the parable of the Sower (Mark 4), there is an interesting word that is translated “sow.”  It is spi’ ro  and it is derived from a primitive Greek verb which means “to draw out.”

The Bible concept of sowing is DRAWING OUT or PULLING OUT what God has PUT IN.

It does not necessarily mean to scatter or throw out or to cast out it means to “draw out” or “pull out.”  In order for the Seed of God to produce, the ground must PULL OUT of it what GOD has PUT IN IT.

Paul tells the Philippians to “work out your own salvation.” (2:12b)  And this is the idea of “working out” or “pulling out” what God has put in.

In order for sown seed to produce the GROUND has an important responsibility. It must PULL OUT what God has put in.

Work out (pull out) your harvest

Word for Today:  March 25

You can change things.

We are the only limitation God has.   It’s up to us.  Many are sitting around waiting for God to do something and God is waiting for us to do something.  God does not have to do anything else.  He has already done everything for you.

The only limitation in the life of any believer is the believer himself.    Some are praying and believing and fasting and seeking and worrying and weeping and repenting and trying to get what God has already given them.  He has made everything we will ever need available.  He has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  (Eph 1:3)

Not many people are really satisfied with the way things are.  The good news is you can change those things you don’t like.  Most people who are in undesirable situations are saying “I can’t help it.”  But the “I can’t help it” excuse is really a cop out.  And it flies in the Face of God and slanders every promise in the Word.

This kind of information processing results in the “I can’t help it” mind set.  And it is really a MIND SET it is not a WORD SET.  You can change things.  The Word says you can.     When we find ourselves in situations and circumstances that contradict the Word and do not glorify God and enhance His Kingdom, we can change them.

The main reason some cannot change things is because they do not know how to change them.   If they do not know how, then they are among those the Bible speaks about when it says:

My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge…   Hos 4:6

And the Apostle Paul admonishes us to:

Not be ignorant, brethren…   1Thes 4:13

Word for Today:  March 22

What God has sown

What God has planted in you is destined to come out of you.  It may be in seed form now, but it is time for the seed to grow into its fullest manifestation.

It’s in there.  It’s time for it to come forth.  It’s up to you.   Who will you be?  A King or a Kid?  A Seed or a Tree?

Name your dream.  Declare your intentions.  Speak with your mouth words that make things happen.  Faith words.  Word words.  God Words.  Heaven Words.

You will never exceed your declarations.  Your declarations determine your direction. Your declarations determine our destiny.  What you speak out of your heart will create or destroy.  Words are instruments of creation or destruction.  Words make things.

There are Life Producing Forces (seeds) inside every believer.  These forces are put in us by the Work of the Holy Spirit at the time we are Born Again.  They are seeds destined to grow and produce.  They are forces that need to be released into the world.  Into our families.  Into our relationships.  Into the total experience of our lives.

They are in me.  They are in every Believer.  However, seeds are worthless unless they produce.  One seed is not sufficient to sustain life by itself.  It takes many seeds which are planted in good ground to bring forth a crop that is sufficient to sustain victorious living.

The real challenge is to grow these seeds into maturity.  As God plants these Seeds in us, the enemy plants weeds. The purpose of the weeds is to choke out the seeds.

These seeds are the building blocks of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus prayed for the Kingdom to come and for the Will of God to be done ON EARTH just as it is presently being done in Heaven.  These Seeds will produce God’s Kingdom on earth when and if they are planted in good ground and if proper conditions for growth are present.

There is Something great in you

Word for Today:  March 21

What are Storms?

Storms are circumstances and situations.   Storms are problems.  Storms are crises.  Storms are hindrances and delays and disappointments.  Storms are situations that plague us and harass us and attempt to destroy us.  Storms are sicknesses and physical attacks. Storms are Family conflicts and marriage troubles.  Storms are difficulties and impossibilities in the work place. Storms are addictions and habits that keep us in bondage.  Storms are demonic.

Where do Storms come from?  What causes them?

Storms are caused by the devil.  They are demonic attacks.  They are designed to do what the devil wants to do to you… to kill you, to steal your goods, and to completely destroy you.  Storms are planned and birthed in hell.  They are crafted for you personally by the devil and his demons.  They are intended to keep you as far away from God and God’s Purpose as possible.

What is the Purpose of Storms?

The purpose and intent of storms is to stop you before you get where God wants you to be.  Storms arise and winds blow in the process of ministry and spiritual growth.  When you determine to obey God and be a blessing to others is when you will find yourself in a storm with the devil attempt­ing to sink your boat.

The moment you decide to go to the Other Side with Jesus, satan will send a storm to stop you and capsize your boat.  You hear the voice of God… the challenge… the command… (This is point A) and you start out toward point B which is the place where God wants you.  And on the way…. You run into a STORM.

How do we Calm the Storm?

The Word spoken in faith and prayed in faith always creates a calm and produces peace.  When Jesus found Himself in a great storm, He “rebuked” the wind and “said” to the sea… (Mark 4:39)  There is a time to pray and there is a time to arise and speak the Word.

Faith-filled words will make the Natural submit to the Spiritual.  If “no-faith” which is what the dis­ciples had (“how is it that ye have no faith…?”) yields to the destructive power of storms then Faith (which is what Jesus had) makes the de­structive power of storms submit to the Power of God.

Talk to your storm

True Story

March 19, 2023

Over a half century ago, because of the Great Charismatic Controversy (the Baptism of the Holy Spirit), which I received and preached, my heart was troubled, because it seemed my Calling was going to fail, the church which I pastored was going to split, and I would be unable to continue in the ministry.  During this critical period, God gave to me a VERY SPECIAL PROMISE. 

This promise came from His Word, and this promise has KEPT our MINISTRY ALIVE through many years of attacks and satanic conflicts.  Every time it seemed that we are beyond recovery, every time it looked like the end, every time discouragement set in, every time we sank lower, programs failed, finances dried up, every time our dreams were dashed and hope was all but lost… GOD REMINDS ME of this Promise…  Listen:

 “Behold (second person, singular: “you behold…” the word means: look, see, know, be aware, understand, be sure) I have set before thee an open door (“a door standing open…” a continuing fact) and no man can shut it…” (Rev 3:8).

This OPEN DOOR has remained open, and it stands open today.  It is a door of opportunity.  It is a door of continual Word Ministry.  It is a door to our city, our state, this nation, to the islands of the sea and to the nations of this world. 

It is OPEN and God is keeping it that way.  In many years of trials, tests, afflictions and attacks NO MAN has been able to close it.  A major denomination could not.  Lawyers could not.  Crooks and con men could not.  Banks and bankers could not.  Angry and violent men could not.  Personal pain and vicious attacks on my family could not.  NO MAN has been able to shut the door and NO MAN will ever be able to shut the door.

Because of this OPEN DOOR, and because of the Promises of God in the past, and because of His Performance in our behalf and because of His Faithfulness over 55 years, God has challenged my heart to expect the remaining years of my life to see the further fulfillment of the Call and Commission He has given to me…  Because

God Keeps His Word

Word for Today:  March 16

People want to see Jesus.

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 ripped 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 is often not what people see.

It is 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)