We’ve been busy.  I can hardly believe it’s already Sunday night but I’m so completely exhausted that my eyes are watering.  Or maybe that’s allergies.  Or the dateline episode I watched about a missing three year old – while filling my found baby full of formula.

Friday night we celebrated E, one of our best girls.  She graduated from the University after sixteen years since her first class.  I think that’s amazing.  And most of that was done in the last couple of years with very condensed classes, a scholarship and 4.0 grades.  Anyway, we love her and are so proud of her.  Now, off to law school!

Saturday was our first baby shower.  There were more people than our house can hold and more presents than I know what to do with.  It was perfect.  And then our friends came over this morning with a surprise video mantage of the whole thing - amazing.  If I can ever figure out how t0 upload it, you’ll see it and weep with me.  If not, I’ll try to post some of the photos in it.  And speaking of amazing, look at our cake!

Our friends started a cake business called Cake That!  If you’re in need of a cake, I highly suggest them.  We had a hard time cutting into it but once we did, it was worth it – delicious!

Here are some photos of the event as well as some of many members of Glory’s village:

Yegs opened all his sister’s presents for her – and put on quite a comedy show for everyone.

Auntie Jack…

And her great grandmother…

Thanks to all of you who were there to celebrate her!  We received so many things that we will cherish forever and ever. 

Every week I’ll put up one of these questions for you to think on for the rest of the week. At the end of the week I’ll put up my answer, but I think it’s good to have a topic to as the Lord about as you go about your day. If you think you have the answer, put your ideas here with verses to prove it.

Here’s the question: What is Glory? How do you glory in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 1: 31) Is the word “glory” used the same way throughout the Bible?

I DID IT!!!!!!

That's me just before crossing the finish.

My goal was to finish my first 10K having run the entire distance.  I have been building a pretty solid base of 3 and 4 mile runs, and had not run more than 4.25 miles to date, so I was very nervous about finishing 6.2 miles.  I think I learned today that I am ready to push past the 4 mile barrier in my regular training, because I DID IT!!!!!!!

The weather this morning gave us perfect conditions for running: overcast and cool.  Nick and I woke up at 5:30 so that I could have a little toast and coffee well ahead of race time, and get there in time to get a parking spot.  My nerves kept playing tricks on me and I spent the entire morning feeling like I had to go to the bathroom, even mere minutes after I had gone.  Thank you, bladder, for playing!  Yar.

We arrived at Montrose Harbor, and surprise surprise, the Indigo Girls were blasting on the loudspeakers.  Why do “women-only” events have to be so GD predictable?  I don’t know what I would have preferred….Edith Piaf or something?  No.  But for the love, Indigo Girls?!  Even Olive (our dog) was nonplussed.

Intrigued by the sand

Soon it was time to line up.  All the magnificent work-horse athletes in the front, and me, not so much in the front in the back.  I was feeling good.  Got “Blue” (my trusty iPod Shuffle), wearing super-cute running gear – black running skirt, black and white racerback top and grass green sports bra, and feeling sufficiently awake, stretched and hydrated.  And off we go!

Can you see me waving?! Where's Waldo!

And after 6.2 miles of push, push, pushin’ on (Alice Russell in my headphones), I was met by these two happy faces at the finish line.

Doesn't get much better than these two!

I had so much fun this morning.  I can’t believe I ran the whole thing – this was a real confidence booster and I can’t wait for the next one.  Results from today aren’t posted yet, so we’ll have to wait in baited breath to see if I finished sub-12:00 minute miles or not.  No snickering.  And last, but not least:

The gear

The Nike Technical Top is worth the price of admission.  I’ll be wearing that later this week when my legs give me permission to use them again.

Did you run the 10K this morning too?  Tell me about it in the comments!

Teach the Truth

And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;   (Luke 6.17)

People need to hear to be healed.  The most important thing you can do to help someone receive their healing is to let them hear the truth.

There are three truths that every person who wants to receive their healing immediately needs to know:

1. 1. Jesus Christ died on the cross taking their sicknesses and diseases
   1. Isaiah 53.4-6
   2. Matthew 8.16-17
   3. 1 Peter 2.24
   4. Galatians 3.13 and Deut. 28.61

1. That according to the Word of God they are already healed
   1. 1 Peter 2.24
   2. Luke 13.12
   3. Mark 11.24

1. That speaking faith-filled Words changes the physical realm
   1. Mark 11.23
   2. Acts 14.7-10
   3. Matthew 8.1-3

Now, if you are at a healing crusade, a good Bible teacher or preacher will have preached these three points and emphasised at least one of them.  If you are part of the ministry team, then your job will not necessarily be to teach these again or re-preach the sermon.  You may want to confirm the person has understood these points and heard them from the preaching and believes them.

If you are in the supermarket or in your house, the person may or may not be willing to listen to you.  You need to learn how to best present these truths as quickly as possible, using personal illustrations to yourself so that people can understand the point you are making.

Minister Life

Find out what is wrong with someone by asking them.  You can ask a couple of questions to confirm what is wrong, but don’t spend too long listening to symptoms and ailments.  Just know what you need to speak against and what organs you need to minister life to.

1. Lay your hands on the person (Mark 16.17).  Touch is very powerful when it comes to healing as the life of God in you is transferred through physical touch (Matt. 8.1, 15)
2. Command all sickness and pain and any other symptoms to leave the person immediately (Mark 11.23, Romans 5.17)
3. Command every organ to function properly (James 3.2, John 5.8-9) in the name of Jesus (John 14.14)

Confirm Manifestation

Manifestation is just the word used for a healing or miracle moving from the spiritual realm to the physical realm.  After you have prayed with the person, ask them if there has been any change.  Remember though we are not asking to see if they are healed, they are healed (1 Pet. 2.24), we are asked to see if the healing has manifest (Mark 8.23-25).  Often I ask someone on a scale of 1 to 10, how much of the pain has gone.

If someone at this stage is completely healed, then rejoice with those that rejoice.  Be happy with the person and ensure they receive information on how to stay healed (either give them a teaching book such as God Wants You Well by Andrew Wommack or God’s Medicine Bottle by Derek Prince; arrange to meet them again at a set time – about a week; or take them to a good Bible believing church that knows how to teach faith).  Ensure YOU get THEIR contact details – a phone number or something – because you cannot rely on them to call you.

If the person is mostly healed, I would encourage them to thank the Lord for their healing and for them to continue to command the pain to be gone and their organs to function properly.  Again, ensure they receive information on how to stay healed.

If the person is about half healed, I would repeat step B myself, just like Jesus prayed again for the man in Mark 8.23-25.  Ask again how healed the person is – they should be mostly healed now.  If so, follow the guidelines above.

If the person is only a tiny bit healed, or feels no better at all, praying again at this stage may just discourage you and them.  At this stage, give them a good book on healing (as referenced above, or the mini-book Hear and Be Healed by Kenneth Hagin) or a list of Scriptures to meditate on for healing.  Ensure they get to hear more faith-filled messages on healing or study the Word more, then pray for them again at a later date.  In a crusade, if it is not the last night ensure they come back for another service and spend particular time paying attention to the healing message.  Again, get their details so you can see if they have spent time in the Word and meet them again to pray for them again.

We have all probably heard where did all the time go? It seems  the older we get the faster time goes. We are living in such a fast paced world that even the younger people are having a hard time keeping up. There seems to be so much to do. I know to many who have quit making time for God, family and church. It is just work, run, sports, play, everything except God. There is certainly nothing wrong with recreation, or work we all have to work, and a little play time is good for the soul. But we sure had better make time for God and family and church. Or we may wind up wondering where time went when Jesus comes back..Mark 13:26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory.:27 And then shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Who said we can’t win. We already have. It’s our job and vocation to every person on earth to walk in the freedom of Christ. We weren’t called to talk  about the sufferings that come with following Christ, we were called to fellowship in His sufferings. It is by Blood that you are called, it is by grace you are saved, and it is in His name that you are justified. Wherein we know that we, who are called to be sons of God, live for Glory, not for tomorrow…….
-Canaan Hackler

Sermon for Sunday, July 19, 2009

Text:  Ephesians 2:1-10

The Best But in the Bible

I wish to share with you the joy of discovery that happened to me this week in study and preparation for this sermon.    In this second chapter to the Ephesian church Paul tells a group of people (along with us today) who they are.  Now, that might be strange for you to hear.   We don’t like being told who we are, do we?   

Paul begins this chapter saying, “you were dead” through the sins in which we once lived.   Great way to open, huh?  Paul does not mince words.  You were dead.  At least he didn’t say you ARE dead.  Something must have happened that caused him to put this in the past tense.   We’ll see what that is in a moment.    The “you” is plural here, just as it is throughout his letters. He is speaking to an entire church, a number of people.   We were dead, he tells us.   We were once followers of a lie – following the world’s ways and the ruler of the air – the same spirit that is at work in those who are “disobedient.”

This word disobedient is interesting.  In the original language it is apeitheias.   You might hear our word “apathy” in that.  In the Greek the word means obstinate, rebellious or disobedient and our word apathy generally means a lack of concern or interest.   You can see how the two are related.  All of us, Paul says, have fallen prey to the spirit of apathy – we have all been obstinate, rebellious, unconcerned and have shown little or no interest in the things that matter most.   But even worse than this we don’t even know what we should be showing interest in.   The word Paul uses for sin is “harmartia” which literally means “missing the mark.”  Without God, we are off target.  We are not online.  We are way off course of where we ought to be.  We keep thinking that what we are doing and what we show interest in and what concerns us are worthy of our concern and are good and just but the truth is we are dead and apathetic.  We are rebellious and uninterested in the things that truly matter.  We are apathetic to the things that matter to God.   Augustine, in the 4th century, summed up our problem well:  We have disordered loves.  Because of sin, because we miss the mark, we love the wrong things.   Part of salvation is a reordering of our loves to be in line with God.  

Paul’s world is not so different to our own.  Many of us are lured by the spirit of the air, the course of this world, and at times we follow like lost sheep.   Someone here today might be caught in this web – this web of lies and deceit – that tells you this is the path to wholeness, to happiness, to well-being, to peace.  A path to salvation.  Often they are quick fixes.    They seem like sure bets.  That if you just have more of this or less of that you will be happy.   That it doesn’t really matter how you live your life or what you believe just so long as you make yourself happy and don’t hurt anyone.   If you look a certain way or have the right boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife, kids or grandkids, then you will truly be living.   If you make more money, drive the right car, live in the right house, or retire on the beach than you have truly lived.   

In Paul’s day there would be a tendency to place hope and faith in the empire or in Rome or the many mystery gods that they worshipped.  In fact, Ephesus is known to hold a great temple to Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.   Towards the end of the book of Acts Paul goes to Ephesus and we learn this about Artemis:

Now after these things had been accomplished, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go through Macedonia and Achaia, and then to go on to Jerusalem. He said, ‘After I have gone there, I must also see Rome.’ So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself stayed for some time longer in Asia.

 About that time no little disturbance broke out concerning the Way. A man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the artisans. These he gathered together, with the workers of the same trade, and said, ‘Men, you know that we get our wealth from this business. You also see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost the whole of Asia this Paul has persuaded and drawn away a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be scorned, and she will be deprived of her majesty that brought all Asia and the world to worship her.’

When they heard this, they were enraged and shouted, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’  (Acts 19:23-28)

Did you catch what the fuss is about?  The people are hearing rumors of this “Way” that Paul is teaching, a teaching that claims all other ways are false ways and that there is only one true Way – one true Lord of heaven and earth.   His name is Jesus.  Not Artemis.  Not Caesar.  Not anything else we put our trust in.   The reason this caused a great disturbance in Ephesus is because much of their economy was tied to the worship of Artemis.   If people became Christians and began following the way of Jesus, what would happen to all the commerce in the city?  It is for reasons such as these that we find Paul in prison as he writes many of his letters, particularly this one to the Ephesians.  

And so it is that we all have our ways. We have all devised ways and means to get through life.  We don’t bow to the altar of Artemis but we bow to other altars.  Other things, other people, other ways have become our lords.   And so the gospel intrudes on our lives and calls us on this.  It tells us we are dead. It tells us we are following the spirit of the air.   It tells us that we are apathetic and that our desires and loves are out of sync.   And sometimes our natural inclination is to fight back like the Ephesians did in Acts and rage, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” as if saying it enough times will make it true.  We fight against this judgment on us because if we are honest, we fear what Jesus might call us to do.  We fear where following the Way might lead.   What if it overturned our economy like the Ephesians feared?  What if it meant following a different course in life than we had devised for ourselves?  What if it meant changing our priorities?  What if it meant living by faith instead of sight? What if it meant that as a church and individuals we would speak truth to power and not be apathetic about the injustices that occur daily all around us?  What if it meant that we could no longer go about doing things the way they are always done?  What if it meant that calling Jesus Lord would require us to live as he commanded, to forgive as we have been forgiven, to love as we wish to be loved, to pray for our enemies, to give of ourselves even if it meant our death?  

And so we gather around this letter written by a pastor from prison and we hear his judgment upon us.   We can’t deny the truth of his words.  At one time we knew no other way than to devise our own way.  We followed the spirit of the air – any whim or fancy that promised to get us through today.  And it could have stayed this way.

Had it not been for the best but in the Bible.   This is who you were, Paul says.  This is who all of us where – Jews and Gentiles.   We were like everyone else.  

BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were DEAD, made us alive together with Christ!   By grace you have been saved!  

Hear that again:   We were dead.   We were following any which way we could find to give us life.  They were all missing the mark.  We didn’t even know how to care or love the right things.   BUT God, out of his rich love and mercy, MADE US alive with Christ!   

You need to learn this word, partly because it’s fun to say but more because of it’s significance to your life.   The word Paul uses to say God “made us alive” is συνεζωοποίησεν (sunezōopoiēsen).  Fun to say, isn’t it?    But it’s significant to the people in Ephesus and to us because Paul wrote this word in such a way that it declares a past action done and accomplished.   Paul is saying that an event occurred in the past that has changed everything.  We have been made alive with Christ.   Paul puts the exclamation on this by inserting, “by grace you have been saved.”    Again, the phrase “you have been saved” is written by Paul in a way that makes it very clear that our present state is the result of a past action and that it had nothing to do with us – we were passive in this whole affair.     God, because of his love for us, has saved us.   We don’t have to keep chasing the wind.  There is another Way.   

Paul tells us the truth about what we were – we were dead and we were apathetic – and then tells us the truth about what we are because of what Christ has done.   He tells the Ephesians and he tells us here today that we have been raised up with Christ and seated in the heavenly places so that in ages to come God can show us his immeasurable riches and kindness.   By grace you have been saved through faith, he says, and all this is not your doing but God’s gift.   As we look back again to the first chapter and the doxology that Paul begins this letter with we discover an amazing thing – God’s gift to the world is Jesus Christ.   I think it is fair to say that the grace and the faith that saves us is not our own but is Christ’s.  Jesus is the one  who is faithful.  Jesus is the one who is bringing God’s plan for the world to pass, by “gathering up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (1:10).    

In a time and place in history, nearly 2000 years ago, God took decisive action to save us.  In some mysterious way all things have been gathered up in Christ and because Christ was faithful we have all been made alive with him.    The faith of Jesus saved you and I.  His life, death and resurrection changed the entire universe.   You were dead, you are now alive.

Last week we also talked about Paul’s prayer finishing out chapter one.  He prays that we might come to know this truth about us.  He prays that the eyes of our heart be enlightened so that we may know the hope to which we have been called (1:17-18).  Just as it was true that we were dead and did not know it until we were told, so it is true that we are alive in Jesus Christ and do not know it until we hear the good news.   We need to have our eyes opened to the truth about us so that we can live into God’s reality for us.  We need to put our faith, our trust, in the one who is faithful. There are “good works” prepared for us by God to be our “way of life” (2:10).   God has taken the initiative to save us, to offer us a way that does not lead to death, and has given us a new Way.  One that leads to life and truth.   Why would we insist on following the spirit of the air when we know who and what God has done on our behalf?   Why would we shout, “Long live Artemis!” when we have been told who the true lord of heaven and earth really is?  

Yes, God’s gospel intrudes upon our lives.   It is unsettling to be told our ways will only lead to death.  It is disruptive to learn that Artemis is not going to pull through for us and that our entire lives will have to change.   This is why I find it so comforting to know that it is Jesus’ faith that saves.    Sometimes I admit I lack faith.  Perhaps you do as well.   I am reminded of a time John Wesley shared with a friend his own lack of faith and the advice given him was “Preach faith till you have it!”   Sometimes I need to name what is true and right and good even when I don’t at the time feel it.   The Gospel is true and right and good.  It tells us the truth about us despite our feelings which can be deceptive.   Perhaps you need to hear from time to time like I need to hear from time to time that you have been gathered up by Christ.  You, whether you feel it or not, are in Christ.   Jesus Christ has enough faith for all of us.   We can move forward as a church in confidence and boldness knowing that as we make Jesus more and more the Lord of our lives we can withstand any challenges the fall of Artemis might cause for us.    We can go forward praying together that all the world might have the eyes of their hearts opened so that they too will know the hope to which we have all been called.   And we can go forward to do the good works God has prepared for us as our way of life.   You were dead.   BUT God, who is rich in mercy and love, made us alive with Christ.    Glory to God, Amen.

I wake each morning in a daze
too rushed to even notice
that in my haste to get out the door
I’ve lost my eternal focus

What was it that I forgot to remember
this once again morning?
Was it that I am not my own, but was
made to give God Glory?

Or did I wake up in such a fuss
with not direction and no future?
hope none at all, just an aimless
wandering creature?

God forbid that in my life
I would become such a fool
to begin to believe there is no God
Oh how terribly cruel!

Cruelty to my eternal soul
and to my fertile mind,
that in my evil imaginings
I would deny my eternal being,
and only dead end to find

You see, each day that goes by
I do have hope and reason
God has a plan for my life
He reveals in perfect season

Do not deny your heart

You have to go to the One who spilt the earth’s atmosphere with all its sin; an earth that has been hijacked by Satan.  Christ came and split the world apart with His birth.  Oh yeah, not in a mansion but in an animal feeding trough.  He never wrote any books, he hardly traveled outside of Palestine, and comes into the world to accomplish one thing – the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins (1:7).  This function of grace is God’s gift through faith; faith lays hold of the grace.  Faith is the medium God uses to lay hold of his work.  Now when believer’s meet together there should be the absence of pride as salvation is not of works.  Paul says no one is to boast (v. 9).  Since it is a gift everyone comes humble; when the congregation gets together no one is boasting, and this levels the playing field.  “Understanding the deep truths of God’s word does not give a man a big head; it gives him a broken and contrite heart (Wiersbe).”  This is how grace is seen, as Barnabas says in Acts 11:23. 

      The last solid rock of a grace ministry is this mystery that Paul speaks of in Ephesians 3. God’s accepts us when by faith you lay hold of the gift of God, grace, and that changes you from pride to humility as we are being conformed to His image.  In verse 2 Paul speaks of this dispensation of grace that was given to him for us.  God dispenses and man manages.  The mystery was given to Paul to make known the mystery of the grace of God.  The whole mystery of grace is an understanding of Jesus Christ.  Paul says in (v. 8) that this grace is given for him to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.  This had not been known to man (v. 5) as it is revealed today.  Then verses 9-10 and Hebrews 1 elaborates more on this.  Paul said in Acts 13 speaking to the Jews that every Sabbath the prophets were read to them, and it was the prophets who testified of Christ.  They just couldn’t get it, and in accord with the Old Testament prophesies they crucified Jesus Christ.  Even the disciples didn’t get it, for after Christ was crucified they all went back to their old jobs.

      But then Christ resurrected and spent 40 days putting the disciples through a crash seminary course.  He opened their understanding so they can now grasp the demands.  Then just a few days later some 3,000 were saved in Jerusalem on the first day of Pentecost (Acts 2).  Then in chapter 4 some 5,000 are saved, then chapter 16 the Philippians jailer and Lydia are saved and right on the heels of that the wonderful church at Philippi is started.  How do you explain it?

      The core of who we are is not Baptist or any other term.  If the reason someone goes to church is to just show up, they need to go home, because it is not about an institution to come and give an hour to God once a week.  It is an understanding that everything that is happening rests on the solid rock of grace, initiated by Christ.  The glory of God is not in a temple anymore or in the tabernacle, but the Shekinah glory of God is now the church.  As we see the main theme in Acts is evangelism, the glory of God can now be seen all over the globe; in Africa, India, among converted cannibals and even in North Carolina.

      We can see the grace of God now in the pagan society of Antioch; a city which is fully endowed by Herod the great to be an incredible commercial city on the Orondes River, where they love their immorality, wealth, position, and comfort.  They are the third most powerful city in the Roman Empire, and in Acts 11:19-20 we see people from Cyprus and Cyrene coming from hundreds of miles to proclaim the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This absolutely renovated people’s lives, and when Barnabas comes he sees – WOW – the grace of God.  The glory of heaven had fallen on this pagan immoral city and lives are absolutely changed.  So much so that at the end of chapter 11 they are taking up a special offering to send to their brothers back in Jerusalem, some 300 miles south.  All this happened in just a few verses!  There is not another doctrine in the entire bible that should move the church like the doctrine of grace.

Thanks for reading, I hope it has belssed you!

I think my good ‘ol pedometer has really bit the dust this time.  I dug it out of the drawer a few months ago when I got back into running, and it wasn’t starting so I replaced the battery.  I actually stole a battery from the TV remote and used that, which is why I wasn’t surprised when the pedometer went dead 2 months later.  This time, I splurged on a new battery, and now it’s dead again.  I can’t say I’m totally disappointed.  This thing is Old School.  It looks like I’m running with a cell phone attached to my shoe.  Onto better things.

Any suggestions for a replacement?  Anyone using the Nike+ chip?  I run in Saucony shoes, so I don’t know if I can “be compatible” but it would be fun to have the stats automatically calculated.

For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen. (Rom 11:36)

God is the originator of all spiritual work. His will must govern all beginnings. All is to end with God, so that the ultimate result is that God may be all in all. (Our free will is the barrier to God having His place in our lives, yet even this will not thwart God’s purpose).

Paul presents God as the ORIGINATOR and the CONSUMMATOR, but he also says it is THROUGH Him! In ALL spiritual works, God must be the WORKER too! When we allow God to work, He reveals His POWER, and in His working is His GLORY.

Most people will agree that the beginning and the end must be of God, but we have a problem with all the “in between” being “THROUGH HIM”.

If God is to have GLORY at the last, we must not be in a position to claim any glory. ALL must “of Him, through Him, and unto Him!” God’s Will governs the beginning, His Glory the end, but His Power must permeate the whole operation between!

If you desire to give Glory to God with your life, you must submit your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength to HIS WILL, HIS DIRECTION, HIS CONTROL! The question of GLORY is settled at the middle, not the end.

Prayer: Father, may I learn to rely upon you in every area of my life, that the Power and Glory would be of Your Work in and through my life.

A business advert I saw somewhere on the web says “Excellence and expansion — our guides in the past — remain our goals for the future…..” Our past may be full of sweet refreshing memories,  vaguely recognisable memories, becoming less clearly defined, seizing control of our future, full of too many unforgiving episodes, having a blanket power over our present, disturbing and extended nightmare. Whatever it was, get ready to abandon it and embark on a more inspiring and fulfilling future.

1. Is your future rooted in your past?
2. Do you still feel smeared by the salient components and snippets of your past?
3. Are you afraid of your past?
4. Do you feel snared by your past?
5. Is it right for Christians to use their past to explore their future?

When you invite God into your life, He cancels the liabilities, the burden, the drawbacks, the hindrances and the handicaps of your past and rewrites your future with the leverage, the authority, the supernatural clout and the strength that is in Christ Jesus. Jesus said “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (Amplified Bible).

The devil is very sneaky; he sometimes uses our past as a smokescreen to try to ensnare us back to the wilderness of our Egypt haven reached our promised land. If this is the same with you or someone you know. Then deliverance is at hand.

You may have invested all you have in the past of your marriage, your relationships, your businesses, your children, your family, your friends and business associates without a commensurate result or with a bizarre ending, because things went wrong, you may also have taken it personally, thinking you have failed or thinking that others have failed you, being human there is no way you would have anticipated the twist and turns or other unpredictable results you got. That is understandable!

 However, when you  come to Christ and you seek to fulfill God’s purpose in spite of your flaws, He will give you a new direction and a new roadmap for the future- Romans 8:28 says “……… God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose…..” He will give you the leverage to carry on and He will strengthen both the courage of your convictions and your ability to carry out great exploits.   

Ordinarily, you have no problem trusting God for a miracle, don’t go for a miracle; go for a relationship. A relationship is full of the same pleasure but with a never ending provision of His extravagant love, protection in His pavilion and blessings with lasting joy and happiness. You will be glad you opted for a relationship ushering in the newness of life promised by Christ Jesus-“Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” 2 Corinthians

  The tragedy of our past may sometimes distort the clarity of our future, but if any man be in Christ engrafted in Christ, our past becomes less clearly defined; because we now glory in the extended dream of a resurrected future with Christ. The pains of our untidy, sloppy, chaotic and uninspiring past are nudged into extinction and overshadowed by His loving kindness.

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever…..

As breathed through Paul

Romans 11:36 (NIV)

      The world at its worst needs the church at its best.  A church can only be at its best by the grace of God.  On the first official day of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ there was a hand full of rag tag country bumpkins for disciples, and a preacher who just a few weeks earlier had denied he even knew the Lord.  On that glorious day the bible tells us that some 3,000 souls were saved, and the infant church at Jerusalem had begun in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Not long after that persecution had come very heavy to the church; so much so that we read in Acts 8:1 that after the death of Stephen “they were scattered abroad.”  It wasn’t too much later that in the city of Antioch a church came up and God was doing great things there.  The church at Jerusalem wanted to check it out, so they sent Barnabas to check them out.  Of that account Longnecker comments:

“News of the situation at Antioch was a definite concern to believer’s in Jerusalem…with the report of a mixed congregation in Syrian Antioch, many in Jerusalem were fearful that the Christian mission was moving ahead so rapidly as to be out of control.  The Jerusalem church, therefore, as in the case of the Samaritan conversions, decided to send a delegate to Antioch, to regularize whatever had gone awry and report back to the mother church (Longenecker).”

When Barnabas arrived at Antioch we are told that (Acts 11:23) he saw the grace of God.  In other words the church at Antioch manifested the grace and the glory of God.  So what does a grace church look like?

      First off, a grace church is not a perfect church.  Someone came to Charles Spurgeon one day and said to him that he was looking for a perfect church.  Mr. Spurgeon replied to him that if he were to find one for him to please not join it because he would ruin it.  The problem with church is that it is made up of people – hopefully saved people who are growing in grace.  Another thing is that a grace church doesn’t revolve around the pastor or any of the leadership in the local fellowship.  But more importantly, a grace church doesn’t fit neatly in its culture.  Grace is always going to be an antithesis to the culture.  When this is evident and displayed it is going to be like a diamond on top of black velvet. 

      With a grace church being in contrast to society and culture around it, what was this place called Antioch like?  It will help to understand just how magnificent this whole scenario is.  The Church at Antioch was predominately a gentile church.  At first glance Antioch seems somewhat insignificant; however in close study one can see a city that was robust.  Herod the Great took great interest in this city.  Antioch was very immoral and it was affecting everything around it.  This was a filthy ungodly city with no Christianity prior to the church.  Antioch had a population of about 500,000 and included in that number were about 50,000 Jews who were unsaved and just kept to themselves.  Antioch was located on the Orontes River and was about 300 miles directly north from Jerusalem.  It was the third largest city in the Roman Empire with only Rome and Alexandria being larger.  Antioch was a major commerce and cosmopolitan center, which allowed all kinds of philosophical thinking to bring their ideas through that city.  In this city there was immorality, false religion, and a significant amount of wealth.

      With all that said we find in the book of the Acts that Antioch was also the location of the missionary activity of the early church.  This city replaced Jerusalem as the headquarters of Christianity.  So right the midst of this wealthy godless culture we find a local fellowship (a local church) that displays the grace of God.  Grace is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.  John 1:16 says “And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.”  Grace replaces what was before.  Not to say that grace didn’t exist prior to the incarnation of Christ, but rather the fullness and manifestation of grace came when Jesus came.  John says (1 John 1:1-2) that they saw grace and that he is bearing witness that it has been made manifest right before their very eyes – the inception of grace!  “Christ so identified with His church that the accusing question he put to Paul was “why persecutest thou me?”  The Church was clearly in God’s eternal plan, in His sacrifice, and continuing concern (Dever).”

I pray you will follow along with this series of articles.  I will post two or three more on the “glory of the church.”  Love to hear from you and read your comments.  There are so many trying to “fix” the church.  Folks what is important is that the Word of God is being preached in the power of the Holy Spirit and our people are living lives that is pleasing to Christ in our world.

A Husbands love is a powerful tool for marriages in a dying world. Love by materialism never quenches discontentment. Passionate love may fade from time to time. Provisional love is conditional. But, the unconditional love for a wife cannot be duplicated by any other means than by Christ. For he unveils the mystery of his love for the church through a finite man to a woman. Disarming all vain philosophy and thought.

She began with….”I just returned home from a mission trip to Moldova and have had nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for the past 2 days.”  She was looking pretty ill, dehydrated for sure, so I began doing things for her to help diagnose and treat what was going on (IV access, IV fluids, blood draw, warm blankets).  When I left her room to send her bloods to the lab, I began to get tearful. My thoughts were on praying with her/for her.  It (crying) is my usual response.  I wonder why?

I wiped my tears and returned to her room to gather a more in depth history.  She said her trip was so amazing and wonderful, going into details of what they did.  She explained the camp was disguised as a sports camp “because if the guards knew there were any Christian relation to this camp, we would all be kicked out of the country and sent home.” I sat and listened to her story, her experience….and what I saw was God’s grace.  She would tell me “It was unbelievable how we had our (devotional) time with the kids and the guards were all around us, but they acted like they didn’t even notice what was going on….as if they were blind”  She also went on to say phrases like “it seemed like doors were opening to us, like we were being protected”  I was thankful to see God’s grace in what she was telling me and took a few moments to share with her what I saw (God’s grace).

As I drive to work I listen to Christian music,  one in particular lately.  The CD is titled “History” and  was written by Matthew West.  The song ”Next thing you know” is so close to my experience with this patient.   The lyrics to the last part of the song goes as follows:

“Got a picture in my head today
Of how heaven might look someday
I see the people there, so I pull up a chair
And their stories, they blow me away
‘Cause I can see it on every face
The evidence of grace
And as I listen it occurs to me
Everybody’s got their own thirteen
So what’s your story
About His glory?
You gotta find your place
In the history of grace
Yeah, what’s your story
About His glory?
Come and find you place”

I was blessed to “see it on her face, the evidence of grace” 

So, what’s your story?  take time to share it with others, take time to listen to other peoples’ stories….you will be amazed at God’s grace and glory!

In the book of Malachi 1, God ask the question “where is my honor” a closer study of the word honor reveals that this is the same word for glory. So this question could be translated “where is my glory”. God ask a simple question where is my praise, where is my worship.
I want to ask the question of the church, have we become an Icabod generation. have we become a generation where the glory has departed, where we have become so sophisticated that we can not glorify God.

I volunteered to write some devotionals for the “Maximum Living” fall series for my church. (This is where my inspiration for this blog is coming from)

Key Scripture: “Then the Lord answered and said to me, ‘Write down the vision I give to you so those on the path of life can read and understand it. The vision may be for the future, but eventually you will see the completion of the vision.” (Hab 2:2-3)

We all have dreams and the Lord places those dreams on our hearts. God has a dream for your life. Find it! He wants us to move mountains in his name. In order for us to move mountains we must have faith. In order to have faith, we must be walking in faith.

As Christians, the key is knowing that it is not about us. It is about bringing Glory and honor to our Father in heaven and fulfilling his will for our lives. I know when I first became saved I didn’t know where to begin. I had so many dreams and gifts that the Lord blessed me with, that I didn’t know which direction to go in. It wasn’t until I really learned how to step out in faith and surrender everything unto him, that I started to see glimpses of his will for my life. It is the act of surrendering EVERYTHING unto him. Laying all our burdens, emotional baggage, past regrets and sin at the foot of the cross. All of these can hinder us from having a successful relationship with the Lord. We must learn how to face obstacles in life head on boldly with faith, for Christ is in us and the victory has already been won.

I used to have that mentality of Superwoman – that I could accomplish anything. I worked full time and attended school at the time and I would do all these things without acknowledging the Lord or going to him in counsel nor prayer. When I did not go to him in prayer nor had one-on-one time with him, my life was out of place. I had no peace, nor true happiness in my life. My life was stressful and empty. There was no true meaning.

Once I layed everything at the foot of the cross, all my dreams and goals – it was then that I began to hear from the Lord. He kept reminding me of that scripture, “Be still and know that I am God.” I was so used to doing things on my own, that I wasn’t used to depending upon anyone. The Lord’s ways for our lives are so much better than our own. He knows what we need in life and will supply our every need. We just have to trust and have faith in him on our part. A good scripture that sums this up, is found in, Proverbs in 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Notice that the scripture says, IN ALL YOUR WAYS acknowledge him. As Christians, we are to converse with the Lord just as we do with our friends. I know when I get up each morning, I thank the Lord for his mercies are new each day. I thank him for each person in my life who has inspired me and who has brought me closer to him. I converse with the Lord in my car on my way to work. I pray without ceasing for his word tells me to do so.

The Lord is not only my Father in heaven, but I consider him my friend. He knows everything about me, from every hair on my head to every freckle on my nose. He created me in my mother’s womb. He is the creator of the Universe. I look forward to having fellowship with him. It is an essential part of my day. he has answered my prayers and I shall worship him , honor him and serve him all of my days.

As I prayed more and had quiet time with the Lord every day by reading his word, my life became more meaningful and I started to learn the Lord’s purpose for my life, gradually.

When the Lord places a dream on your heart, you will know it is from him because it will motivate you and you will sacrifice your life for it. It will not be of selfish ambition. Your life dream gives you energy and purpose. Continue to use the gifts that he has blessed you with. Read his word, pray for his will to be done and have faith. These are all key elements in determining God’s will for your life.

When you realize that it is God’s dream you are fulfilling in life, it gives you motivation to get up every morning to fulfill that purpose in any way that you can throughout the day.

Suggested Reading: Habakkuk 2

something tells me that Jesus wouldn’t appreciate this…
photo credit: chad hicks

Taken from the John Macarthur Study Bible

One of the great tenets of Scripture is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness! He is sufficient for creation,salvation, and glorification. So pure is He that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, lying, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection.So complete is He that there is no other God besides Him; He is the only begotten Son; all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him; the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him; he is heir of all things; He created all things and all things were made by Him, through Him, and for Him; He upholds all things by the word of His Power; He is the firstborn of all creation; He is the exact representation of God.

He is the only Mediator between God and man; He is the Sun that enlightens; the Physician that heals; the Wall of Fire that defends; the Friend that comforts; the Pearl that enriches; the Ark that supports; and the Rock to sustain under the heaviest of pressures; His is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high; He is better than the angels; better than Moses; better than Aaron, better than Joshua; better than Melchizedek; better than all the prophets; greater than Satan; and stronger than death.

He has no beginning and no end; He is the spotless Lamb of God; He is our Peace; He is our Hope; He is our Life; He is the living and true Way; He is the Strength of Israel; He is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star; He is Faithful and True; He is the Author and Finisher of our faith; he is the Captain of our salvation; he is the Champion; He is the Elect One; He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession; He is the Righteous Servant.

He is the Lord of Hosts, the Redeemer – the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth; He is the Man of Sorrows; He is the Light; He is the Son of Man; He is the Vine; He is the Bread of Life; he is the Door; He is Lord; He is Prophet, Priest, and King; He is our Sabbath rest; He is our Righteousness; He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace; He is the Chief Shepherd; His is Lord God of hosts; He is Lord of the nations; He is the Lion of Judah; the Living Word; the Rock of Salvation; the Eternal Spirit; He is the Ancient of Days; Creator and Comforter; Messiah; and He is the great I AM!

It might have been more educational if Richard Dawkins –or that over-simplified museum chart– had explained that paleontologists aren’t so much concerned with complete transitional fossils –or intermediates– but the transitional characteristics displayed in the fossils. Fossils are after all collections of physical traits. But Dawkins is countering creationists, who are so often ridiculously literal in their interpretation of evolution that they imagine the fossil evidence for the transition between two distinct species as an exact in-between –for example, half dinosaur and half bird. Evolutionary history, though, is bushy and convoluted; a particular species may only bear an ancestral trait(s) that’s been slightly modified, or a novel trait(s) that is in its incipient state. That a species of dinosaur had proto-feathers –and not necessarily fully functional wings– is in itself profoundly informative. No cartoonish hybrid is needed as proof of evolution. The same goes for those floating pigs of the sea, those media hogs, those cousins of the hungry hungry hippo –the whales.

When I woke up yesterday morning, reluctantly pulling myself out of bed at 5:07am, it had been a week since my last run. A week since my last physical activity, in fact. No cross training or “stretch and strength” had taken place.  I wimped out and hit the gym in our building rather than go running outside, thinking that the treadmill would be easier since it kind of does some of the moving for me.  I was feeling so pessimistic about getting back into the routine that I wore my least favorite running outfit to boot, not wanting to “waste” good gear on a bad run.

Imagine my surprise as I got going, muscles started to warm up and loosen, and next thing you know 10 minutes had gone by.  Then 20. By then the gym was getting full and I could sense people eyeing the treadmill, wondering when I was going to give it up for the next victim.  At 33 minutes I hit the 3 mile mark, and it was the best I’ve felt in the 3 months I’ve been running.  Damn girl!  I pushed to finish that 4th mile, my hair, skin and clothes fully drenched in sweat (lovely) and thought “tomorrow, I’m sleeping in.”

Prophecy about Prayer

By Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin

Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin delivered the following prophecy on April 28, 1983 where the Holy Ghost talks about prayer being fuel:

But here’s what the Holy Ghost—do you want to know what the Holy Ghost is saying? I’ll tell you what the Holy Ghost is saying.

“In this move, in this move, in this move that is about to come and even you’re in the edge of it right now. It will not be altogether something new that you’ve never seen. I’ll be a combination of everything you’ve seen put together and then plus a little bit more. This, in this move of God that is just about to spring upon you, there will be a manifestation of casting out demons that you haven’t seen yet. Now some have drawn back from casting out demons. And the Spirit of God said, ‘I began a move along that line a few years ago and men aborted the move, they mixed some of their own thinking in on it and they tried to control it, and do it according to pattern. And according to this way that we think it ought to be done.’ But you haven’t seen anything yet of what you’re going to see in dealing with demons. For demons are let loose upon the earth, they’re going about as never before. Because they know their time is short! And so in this multiplication, this advance of demon activity there will be the activity of the Holy Ghost. Demons that have harassed men, demons that have held ministries in check [hallelujah] will leave. And you have not seen yet what you will see in the area of dealing with demons, casting out demons; exercising authority over demons, and we’re about to step into it. Like you’d step through a door into another room.”

“And secondly,” saith the Spirit of God, “You have not seen the revival of divine healing that you’re about to see.” Oh yes, you saw those that I raised up. You’ve seen men and women, mightily used of My Spirit. I sent them forth as a pilot program to try to train you. But many just looked at them and lifted them up, and some of them were lifted up in pride and the anointing left them. And some became money minded and lost the anointing. But there will arise a group in this day that’s a brand new breed. They’ll not be greedy of filthy lucre. They’ll not be wanting to attract attention unto themselves. They would care less whether God uses me. They’d rather God would use you. And God’ll not just use ministers, He’ll use laymen. And there’ll be a revival of divine healing such as you have not seen in your life time, or read about, or heard about,” saith the Lord!

“And a revival of the supernatural, not only the supernatural in casting out devils. Not only the supernatural in healing the sick. Not only the supernatural in speaking with other tongues. But the supernatural in the realm of the seen realm. Men will see the glory of God; a cloud will hang over certain congregations, even the church building for days at a time. And everybody that passes by, sinner and saint alike will say, ‘Well what in the world is that? I’ve never seen any thing like that.’” Ha, ha, ha.

“And there will be in other places, there will be in other places fire of the Spirit that will actually become literal. Oh yes, in the spirit realm some of us have seen it. In the spirit realm we’ve been conscious of the fire of God. But the fire will actually come into manifestation. And there’ll be people sinners as well as saints that will see fire all over the heads of the people. There’ll be people driving down the street or down the highway and they’ll see fire on top of the buildings. And they’ll come and say, ‘What does all this mean?’ But you see the Lord will use signs of His presence to bring people in the last days, into the fullness of His Spirit, and into full salvation.”

“And signs, signs! What kinds of signs? Miraculous things in the realm of the spirit! And then they’ll be manifested in the realm of the physical. And the glory of God will fall. And the power of God will be in manifestation. And men will—and women too. Will even be transported like Philip was and found in another place. And great! GREAT! GREAT! Shall be the reward thereof. For the Lord God is the same God today as He was yesterday. His power has not diminished. And His Name is still the same. Today He can make the iron axe-head to float. Today He can divide the river just for two men to cross over on the other side. Today He can feed five thousand with a little boy’s lunch. He is the miracle Working God.”

“Brag on Him! Lift Him up! Draw attention unto Him! Tell about how great He is. Get up in faith and tell what great things He’s going to do. And He’ll move and keep His Word with you! And many shall be astonished. But the greatest miracle of all is that there’ll be so many fish caught in the net that the nets can’t hold them. There won’t be church houses enough to hold the people. Amen, Amen. For the purpose of it all is that you may be fishers of men. Hallelujah! Quit fishing, Hallelujah! Quit fishing in your bathtub. There’s not any fish in your own bathtub. Go out where the fishes are and throw out the net. Not the hook, the NET! And pull it in. Hallelujah. And bring them in. And the glory of the Lord shall shine. And the end time shall come. And you’ll stand in the place, yes many of you that stand here including myself, will stand in the place of ministry that you’ve not stood in before. And will stand in the place that’s been ordained for you from the foundation of the earth!” Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

And if it were to be—if it could…if it could… if it could be told you. If we were able to tell you in human language that which will transpire in some of your lives, and some of our lives who are here just now. Your mind would not be able to comprehend it. As you say speaking in the human vernacular, it would almost blow your mind. But you’ll see it! You’ll rejoice in it! You’ll be glad of it! It’s just out there a little ways in front of you. Be faithful, be joyous, and rejoice in the Lord always. And He’ll bring it to pass.

That’s what the Spirit of God is saying. That’s what the Spirit of God is saying. Let’s stand up everybody. Lift your right hand and close your eyes and say it in faith: I’m in agreement with you. I may not understand it with my mind. Even if it was told me I might not be able to comprehend it. But I believe it! I believe it! I commit myself to be one that will be used of God. I go on record tonight. I’ll pay the price. I’ll make the sacrifice. I’ll deny the flesh. I’ll walk in the spirit. I’ll be one who’ll walk in the flow of God and do the will of God. And the work of God. I will give myself to prayer. I will give myself to the Spirit of God. If He calls on me in the nighttime, I’ll be on my knees praying. If I’m never seen of man and am always just behind the scenes, I’ll be faithful. The will of God will be done. The work of God shall be accomplished.

Many shall go and tell the story, and His great glory show. The power of God in manifestation shall be the gifts of the Spirit, the manifestation of His Spirit. Into full potential shall come the ministry gifts, the apostle and prophet, the evangelist, and pastor and teacher too. Shall flow as one, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. And we as one, one body, in one spirit, hallelujah, shall go forth to conquer and to do His deeds. And great shall be the reward thereof. Now put your other hand up and thank Him. Glory to God.

Now let me give you a further word of wisdom and advice.

Being conscious of a mighty move in your spirit, wanting and desiring to do the will of God. But don’t try to do it yourself. Just learn to relax and to flow with the Spirit. Don’t try to figure out in your head, ‘What does He want me to do?’ Just learn to relax and flow with the Spirit, it’ll take care of itself you don’t have to worry. ‘I just wonder, I know there’s something, I know there is something He wants me to do.’ Fine, just keep on praying. And just flow with the Spirit. You’ll not come into the full potential of what God has for you tomorrow. You’ll not come into the full potential of what God has for you next week. You’ll not come into the full potential of what God has for you next month. Some will not even come into the full potential of what God has for you next year. Some will not for quite a period of time. But, as you’re faithful, and as you’re trained, and as you learn to yield, you’ll move eventually into that place, hallelujah that He had for you all along. Glory to God. Glory to God. Did you hear me? Did you hear me? Praise His holy Name.

But you see moving into that place of ministry or whatever it is, whether it’s full time ministry, or pulpit ministry, or personal ministry, or whatever your place is in the Body of Christ. Moving into that place is fueled by prayer, fired by the Spirit and ignited with His glory. Hallelujah to Jesus. Glory to God. I said, “Glory to God.” Glory to God. Glory to God. Hallelujah. Hallelujah, praise God.

But you see if there’s no fuel there, there’s nothing to ignite. Notice the Spirit said [I never thought of that, it came out of the inside of me] fueled by prayer, fired by the Spirit, ignited with His glory. You have to stop and analyze that, there’s a difference between firing, igniting. Yes, you see it’s like the furnace, you see? There’s a pilot light there that fires the thing. And then when the whole thing has become ignited then the heat flows out. Ha, ha, ha, can you see what He’s saying? Fueled by prayer, fired by the Spirit, ignited with His glory. Hallelujah. I never though of that. I mean it just flowed up out of my Spirit. But you see if there’s no fuel there, there’s nothing to fire. If there’s no fuel, there’s nothing to fire. Fueled by prayer. Hallelujah, hallelujah.

What will the glory covering the earth look like? No more pain, no more sickness, no more child abuse, no more barbed wire fences, no more animal abuse. The financial realm and the beauty will be there. No more prisons, no more children crying in the night, no more walls, no more racial issues when the glory is poured out. Can you see it? God can bring us to a place to see it in the realms of prayer.

When God shows us the beauty of His perfection it gives us more desire to pray for it.

(Taken by permission from RHEMA Bible Church , aka Kenneth Hagin Ministries , Tulsa , OK , USA.  www.rhema.org )

Psalm 42:1-2 says, “As the hart [male red deer] panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (KJV)

My mind was flooded with this scripture when I saw a deer drinking from a river in Montana, where Denise and I were ministering in a conference. I was reminded how few saints ever really experience this kind of intimacy and closeness with God. For too many, the price is too high to pay in order to obtain it. It is obtainable. Prayer is just one of the many ways to “draw near” to experience the glorious presence of God.

Close communion with God is found only in the depths of your heart. You can step into a deeper awareness of God’s presence. To do this, you must have a desire, passion, hunger, and thirst that will run like a deer for the water brook. You must ask, seek, and knock until you are at the River of Life.

In Psalm 63:1-2 David wrote, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (KVJ)

As you pray you can open the depth of your heart to a place in God few obtain, you will find the deep places of God’s presence. It is the place you will find the anointing, power, authority, glory presence, and deep communion with God that you so long for. It is where “deep calleth unto deep”. It is a place that is a sanctuary, a place of hope, a place of love, a place of rest, a place of power.

Once you labored to enter into the rest of “deep calleth unto deep” (Psalm 42:7) you can drink deeply from the River of Life. You can feast on the Living Bread. You will experience the victory that you long for. You will be the overcomer you always dreamed of being. You will do the “mighty exploits for God” once you step into that deep place in your spirit.

Mike and Denise Hartmann-Echterling with passion of holy fire preach the full glories found in the salvation bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus. You can read more about them at: www.h2hm.org