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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 20

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

An older man came one day to our Sunday morning service.  He wept through it all.  At the conclusion of the message he came and knelt on the floor in front of me and with a broken and contrite heart asked Jesus to forgive him and come into his life.  He was wonderfully saved by the power of God.  He became one of our most faithful members.   He was so broken and humble. 

He told me he had left His wife and they had been separated for many years.  His children had grown up and he was sort of an outcast.  He longed for his family to be together again, but, he said, it will take a miracle.  He got involved in the church.  He visited the lost.  His witnessing technique was unorthodox, but very effective.  Many Saturdays I would see him walking down the street from where he parked his car and knocking on the door of each house on the block.  When the man or woman of the house answered his knock, he would take off his hat, hold it in his hand and say “Ma’am, could I please tell you what Jesus did for me? “Then he would share his testimony.  I don’t know how many people were saved as a result of his compassion.  But many were. 

He became the driver of our bus and brought loads of children to church each Sunday.  He would visit their homes on Saturday and line them up for the ride to church the next day.  One home on his route had a drinking father who was mean and abusive.  But this did not deter Bro. John from giving his testimony and inviting him and his children to come to church.   That man came one Sunday and got Born Again because of Bro. John.  And the once drunken daddy later became a leader in our church and was ultimately called to Preach.  He ended up as a fired up Pentecostal preacher and pastor. 

Then one special Lord’s Day, Bro. John experienced another miracle.  His wife of years past looked him up, got together with him and they came to church together.  A few days later, they stood in front of me and renewed their marriage vows.  John’s Miracle had come to pass. And then… his children came back and began attending church with mother and daddy.   

Jesus, the Living Lord, healed another broken home and home had become heaven.  I preached John’s funeral a few years back and told his story to those present. 

His witness still lives and this happens to be

Just another Infallible Proof that Jesus is Alive

Word for Today:  February 19

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:  April 17

In the fullness of time.

When it is time, it is time.  What God has said will happen.  The plan, project and purpose of God will come to pass.  His will is going to be done.  His purpose is going to be accomplished.  Nothing can stop or hinder or prevent that which God has ordained from taking place.

Moses died (Jos 1:2).  His ministry ended.  His purpose was fulfilled.  His calling was completed.  With his death, an era came to a close.  A season passed.  “Moses, My servant is dead…”   It was time for something new.  It was time for change.  It was time for transition.  It was time to move on to higher and better things.

Right now, it is time for something new.  It is time for change.  It is time for the next stage.  The old season has passed and a new season has come.  New and different things are going to take place.   Transition time has arrived.

Things are going to change.  It going to be different.  God is the same, but His dealings and designs are going to change.  It is not going to be like it used to be.  The old patterns and plans are no longer in effect.  This is a new time.  This is a new place.  This is a new season.  “We have not passed this way before…”  (Jos 3:4).

Get ready for your New Season

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 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

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.

Word for Today:  January 12

God’s heart has never changed.

His heart has always been inclined toward man.  It is now and it always has been.  Man was originally created in order that God might have a family.  God wanted companionship.  God wanted fellowship.  God wanted relationship.  God wants to love and He wants to be loved.    God wanted to have a family to love and to bless and to keep unto Himself.

This is the Heart of God.

God wants to have children that will reciprocate His love.  God is Love, God loves and God wants to be loved.  Do you realize that God made the heavens solely for the benefit of earth? Do you know that God made the earth solely for the benefit of man?  Can you believe that God created all animal life and plant life solely for the benefit of man?  Everything and all things that God created by His power, were and are created for the benefit of man.

And God made man for Himself.

All of creation is designed to sustain human life.  Scientists are now beginning to recognize that the entire universe has been created and calibrated to support and sustain human life right here on earth.   The original Plan God had is still the same.   Even though satan entered and Adam sinned and death was brought into the earth, God has Eternally Purposed for Man to be His Own.

You belong

Word for Today:  February 11

If any man be in Christ he is a new creature (creation); old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new…  II Cor 5:17

Adam lived in the realm of the Spirit in the Garden of Eden.  He was created in Perfection and he lived in Perfection until the entrance of sin.

• Adam had perfect fellowship with God. He was totally righteous and free from any and all condemnation.   He did not sin before he met the enemy.
• Adam lived in Perfect and Perpetual health. He was never sick and he was never weak.  He lived in state of continual well-being.
• Adam was prosperous. He had no needs that were not met and he experienced no lack and no want.  He had food, shelter, protection, fellowship and companionship.  He was totally without lack or need.
• Adam never suffered. He never had an accident or lived under any circumstance.  He was free from fear and anxiety.  He lived by faith.
• Adam was Perfect. He was perfect in Mind, Body and Spirit.  He was strong and mentally alert.  He was perfect in every way.
• Adam orchestrated Nature and enjoyed its cooperation. The earth worked with Adam in providing an abundant supply for his every need.  The animal and plant kingdom were blessed because of Adam.
• Adam operated in and exercised Authority and Dominion over the World God had created for him. God was “number One” and Adam was “number two.”

When Adam died spiritually, that spiritual death was passed down to all his posterity… the whole human race.

Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men… Rom 5:12.

Adam’s sin resulted in the whole human race dying spiritually.  Therefore every person is born with a dead spirit.  That is why Jesus told Nicodemus:  “Ye must be Born Again…”

Our dead spirit is “Quickened” or made alive at the time we are Born Again.  This means “re-created” or “restored” (Eph 2:1).

What God did in Christ is greater than what satan did in Adam.

What God has done in us is greater than what satan can do to us.   (1 John 4:4)

We are God’s New Creation