Get Ready

I read two great books on my way to and from India. The first was The Ezekiel Option by Joel Rosenburg. The other was Epicenter by the same author. The novel The Ezekiel Option places in real time events the scenario of Ezekiel 38 and 39. Epicenter gives the scriptural and current event headlines behind the Ezekiel Option novel. Listen to the first few verses of Ezekiel 38:

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you. (Ezekiel 38:1-6).

Here are the countries mentioned above. Russia and the former Soviet republics; Iran; Sudan, Ethiopia, and maybe Eritrea; Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia; Turkey, and perhaps Germany, and maybe Austria; Lebanon, Syria, and part of Jordan; many of the gulf states.

In Ezekiel 38, Russia forms an alliance with Iran and the above mentioned countries and attacks Israel. God supernaturally intervenes and causes a great earthquake which decimates Russia’s military might and delivers Israel from annihilation.

The groundwork for this invasion of Israel from the north is in process right now. This event could take place before the rapture of the church. No one is really sure. What we are sure of is that current living conditions worldwide are going to change abruptly one day. We’re watching the preparation for Ezekiel 38 and 39 right before our eyes. Today’s headlines are paralleling the scriptures in breathtaking ways.

Our response should be consecration to God and obedience to what He is saying to us in the Word and by the Holy Spirit. Resist passivity. The world is changing. People are marching toward hell, and only the gospel will save them from eternal torment. Many people that we see everyday may miss the rapture and plunge headlong into the tribulation, a time of unprecedented trouble, war, hardship, and suffering.

We are God’s army in the earth right now. Stir yourself to obedience. Deny your flesh. Purpose to do the will of God. The rewards are eternal! Get ready to leave this place!

Jet Lag and the Father's Love!

I've been up now since 3:30 AM. It's called jet lag. We returned last night at 5:30 PM. Bob and I are so glad to be reunited with our families! It will take a while to adjust to a new time zone. Our bodies are still over nine hours ahead!

The love that the Father has for us is on my heart, and has been since I preached about it last Sunday in India. We were on a rooftop in sweltering heat and I became overwhelmed with how much the Father loves every human being. Before me were people who are so impoverished. Daily life is a grueling struggle to survive. Nothing is comfortable. Yet, the love of the Father reaches them and lifts them from their place of despair into a realm of joy and delight. They sang and praised with abandon. They received the Father's love like as person who hasn't eaten in weeks.

God met me when I felt like a spiritual orphan. He accepted me the way I was, and began to change me from the inside out. His love melted my walls of self-protection, and liberated me from bondage. The following scripture revolutionized my way of living. I found a home with my Father there to take care of me.

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lamentation 3:22-23). The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. (Psalm 145:8-9,14-19). The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous (Psalm 146:8).

Experiencing the love of the Father is similar to jet lag. Once you find out how much the Father loves and cares for you, it's a challenge to accept His love because the mind and emotions may be programmed against it. They are programmed for rejection, and the Father longs for intimacy. Like jet lag, you know what you should be asleep or awake, but the body is in another time zone, thousands of miles away! It takes time to accept love from someone who will really, really cares and will not turn away when you're in a hard place and need to talk. Your mind and emotions will tell you He really doesn't care, but remember that they are in another time zone- your past!

Meditate daily on the love the Father has for you. Pour out your heart to Him. He can handle your honesty, and will gently help you. In time, your mind and emotions will adjust to the new time zone of care, acceptance, and help from the Father! He's just the best!

In London...almost Home!

We've just arrived at the Heathrow airport in London. We'll be home in a few hours. Both Bob and I were able to get some much needed sleep on the 9.5 hour flight from Delhi to London. We're both excited to be half-way home!

I'm reading a book entitled "Hindu Manners and Customs" and it's been very insightful as to why the people in India act the way they do. And it's a stark contrast to our "all men are created equal" thinking in American culture.

The Indian culture is broken down into four social castes, and people are required to live within the confines of the what their caste is allowed to do. We have basically ministered to people in the lowerst social caste while in India. Those who choose Jesus as their Lord ans Savior from sin are ostrasized from their families for life!

I'm reminded of Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, bond or free, you are all one in Christ Jesus." Becoming a child of God makes us all loved sons and daughters of God Almighty. We become hiers of God and equal heirs with Christ of a position of favor and blessing. The promises that God made to Abraham listed in Deuteronomy 28: 1-14 become immediately ours in Christ! No social, cultural, or sex distinctions remain as far as our standing with God.

Consider yourself blessed to be raised in a culture that allow you to believe, live, and share the good news of the gospel. Prayer for those of other cultures, that the light of God's Word would penetrate the darkness!

We'll be home soon!

Coming Home!

It's 9:25 PM on Wednesday Delhi time (11:55 AM Wednesday your time). We took a five hour trip to Agra today to see the Taj Mahal. It's a beautiful structure built in the 1600's. It's poised to become one of the seven wonders of the world. We got back around 7:30 PM and we're preparing to go to airport to catch our 2:10 AM Thursday flight to London (4:40 PM EDST). We hope to get some sleep on the flight. We got up this morning at 5:00 AM (that's 7:30 PM Tuesday evening for you), and will have no bed rest until we get home on Thursday.

Please agree with us in prayer that our flights will be safe. Thanks for praying for us during the trip. We could see and feel the effects of your prayers the entire time.

After having been around this country steeped in idolatry, superstition, and fear, it's so wonderful to be grounded in the word of God, and have a living, loving, peaceful, satisfying, refreshing, and personal fellowship with the living God. Without Him, life is misery. Idolatry brings bondage, both to the individual and to a nation. Please pray for Isaac and Velma as they continue to minister the life of God through His word to the people when we leave.

I'll be home on Thursday at 5:30 PM. Can't wait!

Travel Day to Delhi

We left Vijayawada today at 6:00 AM to travel to Dehli. This is the first leg of our trip home. Though we were disappointed that we had to cancel our meeting last night, we still hear the reports from Isaac of how the Lord really used us to encourage the pastors and to minister in the villages when we were able.

We took the 6:00 AM train to Hyderabad. It was a long ride with frequent stops along the way. The train was filled with activity, and the children on the train made sure that we didn't sleep much! After arriving around 12:30PM in Hyderabad, we ate at a Pizza Hut. That's a first for me in India! Great, greasy, American food! We flew Spice Air from Hyderabad to Delhi and arrived around 8:30 PM.

We're all very tired from travel, and are looking forward to some sleep. We just finished a meal together at the hotel.

Tomorrow, we travel to Agra, a three to four hour drive. We will spend a few hours touring the Taj Mahal, and then we'll make our way back to Delhi to freshen up for our 3:30 AM Thursday flight to London!

Thanks for praying for our safe return. We've had a great trip with wonderful times of ministry. So many were touched, healed, and built up with the Word.

I'll try to post again as soon as I'm able after out trip tomorrow.

Persecution Time

Well, we had to cancel our plans for a village crusade tonight. Seems that someone told the local authorities what we're doing, and our friend here got a call of inquiry today. Just to be safe, we must cancel the meeting. We are in no danger, but we don't want to jeopardize what God is doing here.

This is from an e-mail Bruce just sent out to his supporters: We are having remarkable meetings and remarkable moves of God often result in remarkable opposition. Religious fundamentalists are not very happy with daily salvation, healing and deliverance that are being experienced. While we are not in any danger, there is the possibility of some consequences resulting from the outdoor meetings. I apologize for not being able to go into much detail as there is also the probability that our email is monitored. Therefore, following this message, I will not check email until after returning home late this week. In the interim, please pray for continued success and, of course, safety in all we do.

We will be leaving very early on Tuesday morning (Monday night your time), and I will try to post again after we reach our destination. Like Bruce, I just need to give you the details later, just in case this is being monitored.

This is all the more reason we appreciate so much your praying for us! God is doing some really great things here, and it stirs persecution. Thank God for the Blood, the Word, and THE NAME. I hope to post again tomorrow and update you.

Sunday Ministry in Vijayawada

I preached on Sunday the 25th in a local church on the grounds of the orphanage that the couple we support oversee. The orphanage has the attention given like a dry sponge abosrbs water.

There were approximately 75 to 100 in the service. Church service is held on top of the building under a canopy. The operative word for the atmosphere is HOT!

I preached on the great love the Father has for us, and how he has promised to be with us and to deliver us from trials and hard places in life. They drank the word in like a cool glass of water. Most of the people in India live on less than $2.00 per day, and live in unimaginable conditions. Dirty water, polluted air, cooking over an open fire outside, or in their shabby kitchen, houses with tin or grass roofs and dirty floors. Life is rustic and hard. The Indians are industrious people, and they work from sunup to sundown. God's word ministered life to them.

Testimony time during the service revealed many who had beed saved, healed and delivered from demons over the last few weeks. A young mother testified of her freedom in Christ after having been a Hindu all her life. Another woman testified of being freed from demon power that bound her during years of idol worship; her mind and body tormented day after day. She cried asd she spoke of her newfound freedom. Another lady who was an evangelist testified of fear that left her during the pastor's conference as she heard the word of God about her authority in Christ. Demons frequently manifest as she ministers to people and she said she felt new boldness to to minister to the oppressed without fear of personal harm.

The service concluded as the Lord gave me the Word of Knowledge of many who were being healed. The Holy Spirit permeated the atmosphere as the poeple responded to God's healing love. Many were healed and touched.

Sunday night we held another evangelistic crusade in a village on the outskirts of town. It was way off the beaten path.One lane roads turning into dirt paths, all surrounded by open fields. Small houses with tin and grass roofs. Everthing has a layer of dust on it. Oxen feed in each person's yard. The women are busy preparing for the evening meal. Men are just coming out of the fields after a long, hot day. Music can be heard blaring from a loud speaker located in an open place in the center of the small village where the meeting will be held. Mats made of reed and some on woven fabric cover the ground giving the people a place to sit during the service. A lonely light bulb dimly lights the area.

Bruce McDonald ministered a powerful salvation message to the crowd of maybe 100, and I guess 20 plus gave their lives to Jesus. I was hard to count.

Bruce then prayed for the sick, and many came up to testify of God's healing power. One lady was healed of blindness on one eye, another said she had a vision while Bruce prayed and the Lord came to her and took something out of her. She said she knew she was healed. Several testified of being healed of varying ailments.

We prayed for many, many people after the service. Many wanted prayer for healing; other wanted prayer for God's will in their lives as they pursued God's will in ministry. Several families of pastors who attended wanted prayer for God's will in their lives to be fulfilled. All were blessed!

We have one more village crusade tonight. I'll tell you about it tomorrow!

Planting, Watering, and Increasing

Saturday was our final day of the Pastor's conference. We had around 200 pastors there and they were blessed beyond measure. As we spoke, they took notes voluminously, and were eager to receive. Now that's a lot of fun for a guy like me who loves to preach!

Bob Martin and Bruce Bechard ministered briefly to the pastors, and then Bruce McDonald ministered. After a short break I ministered during the afternoon. I spoke on the importance of walking in forgiveness and talked about generational sins and issues and how to take authority over them. We prayed for all the pastors and led them in a series of confessions of faith. The conference ended on a high note, and we heard many comments from the pastors of how much they received from the meetings. For many, this is the their only opportunity to receive ministry.

Saturday night we conducted a village meeting, and the Lord met us in a powerful way. I'm guessing there were over 200 there, and after the music, I preached a simple salvation message. You could feel the Holy Spirit rise in the atmosphere as the convicting Word pierced their hearts. When the altar call was given, around 150 gave their lives to Jesus (I'm guessing here; its difficult to count). It was awesome to see how eager they were to make Jesus Lord.

Realistically, we just can't be sure how many were already saved, and how many just came up to be sure of their salvation. The anointing really penetrated them all, and all I know is that I will see these beautiful people in heaven one day! That's what counts! As we left, we laid hands on all the people in attendance and prayed for them.

Saturday was a great day of planting the Word, watering the seed, and watching God give increase!

On Sunday, in just a few hours, I will minister in a local church here in Vijayawada. I'm expecting the Father to manifest Himself! Tonight, we conduct another willage meeting. Believe with us for great results!

Friday Vijiyawada Pastor's Conference

Today was like Christmas day for me! My luggage arrived! Yeah! Now I have a few more clothes and creature comforts! Bob Martin still has not received his though. I've shared a few items with him. He has a great attitude in all of this. He's having the time of his life!

Bruce spoke first at the conference today, and again spoke from 1 Peter. He encouraged the pastors to see the long range results of their ministry, and not just the temporary problems they deal with right now. He also encouraged them to examine their motive for ministry. Ministry is not about personal gain or financial blessing which is so emphsized in some circles. Ministry is about ministering life to people. God meets our needs and blesses us, but our focus is to be on the eternal reward, and not on temporary things. A needed word for our day. We need to hear this in America too!

I spoke just before lunch for a little over an hour. Today I explained the principle of the three-fold natue of man to them; spirit, soul, and body. I explained in detail what happens in the new birth; the tremendous change that occurs in our spirits. Then I addressed the need we all have to renew our minds with God's Word, and the responsibility we have of submitting our bodies to God. I gave the illustration of Lazarus being raised from the dead as an example of how we need to change our habits in thought and body after salvation. Lazarus was alive in a dead man's clothes, and had to remove them to be free to live life to the fullest.

After a spicy, wonderful Indian meal for lunch, I spoke for another two and a half hours and discussed in detail on how Satan atacks us from without, and how we must resist him by faith and by speaking the Word.

Then I spoke on how Satan seeks to attack from within due to hedge breaking sins that we've allowed from our past. I emphasized the need to shut the door on purpose to him and refuse to allow him to hinder our lives. I discussed idolatry, false religion, occult practices, alcohol and drug abuse and how these things open the door for the enemy to hinder.

I ended on the taboo subject of sex sin. Sex is a taboo subject in India, and is never mentioned publicly. I went there and talked about fornication, adultery, sexual abuse, pornography, and how these things hurt so many and open the door for the enemy to bring great harm. The response told me that I hit a real chord. I think the Holy Spirit is setting us up for some really great ministry tomorrow. Please pray that He will have His way in each pastor tomorrow.

The Pastors are enjoying themselves so much that Isaac told me that some said that they don't want the meetings to end.

Vijiyawada Pastor's Conference

It's a hot, bright day this Thursday in Vijiyawada. The pastor's conference is at the new building built by Isaac and Velma Projeev for their Vision fir Asia ministry. We arrived there after our 40 minute trip from the hotel. The meetings begin with some lively Indian style P&W which includes lots of bongo drum sounds mixed with a keyboard. The main ingredient is LOUD!

Bruce ministered first on how to preach and minister as a pastor. He ministered from 1 Peter. Then Bruce Bechard gave a bit of his testimony of the faithfulness of God in his life after his wife was killed in a tragic accident. He encouraged the pastors of God's mercy and goodness even when things are tough.

We ate lunch at the building with the pastors. The food was traditional Indian which means HOT, but it was delicious! Chicken, potatoes with some cruelly hot peppers, and of course, the old staple rice!

I ministered after lunch and followed the Holy Ghost trail I found myself on; totally off my notes! I ministered first on the importance of ministers having a personal time in the Word that is separate from study time. I mentioned how busy can keep you from best. I challenged them to start their day with God, and allow ministry to be an outflow of their relationship with God. We are branches of the vine, and there's no life flowing out of us unless we're closely connected to the vine. That connection is out personal private time with the Lord. Then I had a word of knowledge of pastors who were tired and frustrated. Nine or ten came up and I ministered to them personally.

The next subject was our position of authority in Christ. This is the foundation for understanding our position before God and our authority over satanic forces. We had a great time. I led them in a prayer of confession of their authority. We ended the meetings at 5:30.

I fell completely asleep at the dinner table with Bruce, Bruce, and Bob after we ate! That's what jet lag will do for you. It's 10:05 PM (12:35 PM your time on Thursday). I hear my pillow calling me now!

Village Meeting Wednesday Night

We arrived in Vijiyawada on Wednesday about 4:00 pm (6:30 AM your time). Our plane was delayed which is fairly normal here! Temperature are in the mid-90's, and when that mixes with the smell, it makes it real interesting!

If you've never been it's hard to describe what it's like here. Imagine a street filled with cars, big trucks, rickshaws, bicycles, pedestrians, goats, cows, dogs, refuse, food, kiosks of veggies and housewares, food vendors, and general mayhem! Trash and debris are everywhere. And the Lord loves every one of these people I see walking down the street in tattered clothing.

We bought some necessary clothing upon arrival, as our bags have not arrived. After a small meal, we left for a village meeting. After an hour's drive, we arrived at the village to find the people excited to see us. Sounds of singing could be heard in the distance as the meeting participants sang before the meeting. We had about 80 to 100 people in the meeting.

After the team gave their greetings to the audience, Bruce McDonald preached a simple salvation message. Eighteen people gave their lives to Jesus during the altar call! Prayer was offered for the sick, and many were healed. After the meeting, we prayed for all the people and laid hands on them. We also prayed over some property the church there just purchased. They will be building soon. The pastor and his family were gracious hosts. We may be the first Americans to come to this little village!

Today, we'll be conducting the first day of the pastor's conference. I'll fill in the details tomorrow. It's time for some breakfast!

Leaving for Vijiyawada Today

As I write, it's 7:30 AM Chennai time on Wednesday morning and 10:00 PM (Tuesday night) your time in the States.

I've been able to rest a bit after the long trip! We hope to get our luggage today before we leave for Vijiwada. We should be leaving some time around mid-day. We have a meeting planned for tonight.

Yesterday (Tuesday) we toured a Hindu temple with it's gaudy looking gods. It's so wonderful to be free from the control of darkness. These folk live in fear, and go to the temple to present gifts of flowers and fruit to the gods to appease them. How great it is to know the love of the Father and the freedom that we have in Christ. Our relationship with the Father is based on love and acceptance. What a contrast!

Please pray for our evangelistic meeting tonight. We're expecting results! We begin the pastor's conference tomorrow. I'll be speaking of The Practical Exercise of Spiritual Authority Against Demonic Forces. Pray the prayers in Ephesians 1:17-23 and 3: 14-20 for these pastors.

Thanks for praying for safe travel and effective ministry for us! I'll be in touch!

We're in Chennai!

Bob Martin, Bruce McDonald, Bruce Beuchard and I arrived without event in Chennai last night (Tuesday morning) around 1:00 AM (that's 3:30 PM Monday your time). All is well except one important item. Bob Martin and I have no luggage! Yep, welcome to the mission field! No change of clothes, nor any personal toiletries today! We've borrowed some things from the hotel, and hopefully our luggage will arrive with the next flight in from London tonight (Tuesday).

1 Thessalonians 5 is good sense when things don't go as planned. In everything give thanks, no matter what the cicumstance may be, praise God and give thanks! Attitude is half the battle when things are unpleasant in life. Difficulties are proving ground for patience. We are to count it all joy when things are not going as planned! Hardship of any kind is proving ground for faith and breeding ground for patience. We are to rejoice in the Lord always, not just when things are going well for us. So I'm choosing to have a joyful day today, dirty clothes and all!

We'll be leaving on Wednesday for Vijiwada. We're in need of rest today. We've had 36 hours of travel with no bed rest. And I hear the pillow calling my name!

In London

We arrived in London at about 1:30 am (EDST). It's almost 3:00 AM(EDST) now. Almost 7 AM London time. We're presently enjoying a cup of Starbucks! Our next flight leaves for Chennai at 9:40 AM (5:40 EDST). We'll meet Bruce soon in the Brutish Airways lounge.

No matter where we are, the presence of God is always there. Hebrews 13:5 contains the promise that the Father will never leave us nor forsake us! Actually, in the Greek, this verse contains a triple negative. It reads I will not,I will not, I will not leave you or forsake you! Reagardless of where we are, we live under Father's shadow! Feelings or not, He's there!

I'm reading a great novel on my journey called The Ezekiel Option by Joel Rosenburg. It's based on Ezekiel 38& 39. It's a good read.

I'll post again in Chennai tomorrow! Thanks for praying for us!

Off to India

I’m leaving for India today after our 2nd morning service. This is my 9^th trip there. Today I travel to Boston Logan and then on to London via British Air. Bob Martin and I will meet Bruce and another man there in London and then fly British Air to Chennai. We arrive in India at 3:20 PM your time on Monday. The time difference is 101/2 hours so it will be 12:50AM Tuesday there.

On Wednesday, we fly to Vijawada, India, and conduct a night village meeting. Then Thursday through Saturday, we have a Pastor’s Conference all day, and will conduct village meetings at night.

On Sunday and Monday, March 25 & 26, we will conduct Village meetings, ministering in churches and holding evangelistic meetings.

I will be returning on Thursday, March 29^th. Please pray for the Pastor’s conference, that the Pastors hearts will be open to truth and that the Father will minister to them. And pray for the village meetings, that the stongholds of religion will be broken, and that the light of the gospel will penetrate darkness.

I hope to be able to have computer access in London at the Airport on Monday, and upon arrival in India on Tuesday. I’ll post as much as possible and let you know how things are going. I hope to give day to day updates of our adventure. Thanks you for standing with us in prayer for God’s best during this trip!

Humility

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones (Isaiah 57:15)

Pride challenges us all. Lucifer became prideful of his exquisite beauty and became corrupted. He lost his lofty position and fell. Pride brings us low. Humility exalts us.

Throughout scripture we are encouraged to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God so that He can exalt us when we’re fully prepared to handle promotion.

In my first year with the Lord, the Father revealed the above scripture to me. Pride ran deep in my person. I knew it could hurt me and others. When I found out that the Father will draw near when we humble ourselves, I began to pursue humility.

I began my times of prayer with, Lord, I humble myself under your mighty hand. I saw roots of pride in so many things I did, wanting others to see my skill, my achievements, dressing to bring attention to myself, having to be in control in social situations, shifting blame instead of taking responsibility. Even self-pity is a form of pride and I was full of it.

If allowed, pride will destroy all that is lovely in a personality, wrapping its tentacles around the that which is wholesome and degrading it.

We’ll have to deal with this pride as long as we live. Our relationship with the Father and the degree that He will use us we be determined by how we deal with the noxious weed of pride.

Knowing that pride was born in the heart of Lucifer makes it repulsive to me. That makes me want to push it out of my life and resist it. Rancid food will make you sick if you eat it, and pride will destroy you unless its brought under control.

The Father draws near the contrite heart. Let’s humble ourselves today. Open your heart and share your deepest thoughts and needs with the Father. Purposely humble yourself before Him. Ask Him to reveal how pride affects your behavior and ask Him to root it out of you. You’ll find yourself asking others to forgive you for the unkind word or the selfish display. Motivations and attitudes that have been seated in you for years will begin to yield as you purposely pursue the path of humility.

As water ever seeks the lowest place, so the presence of God seeks the humble. Give yourself to humility today!

Stability

Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation, the fear of the Lord is His treasure (Isaiah 33.6).

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

The most stable force in the universe is the Word of God. A person who decides to become a doer of the Word can change from being out of control and unpredictable to stable and dependable.

The Word produces stability. In this age of constant change, God has given us an anchor. We don’t have to be tossed around by the ebb and flow of life. God’s Word is more sure than the rising of the sun!

If He says He loves you, then He does. If He says He forgives you, then it’s done. If He’s promised to never leave you, then He won’t! If He’s promised to meet your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus, then He will. If He has promised to protect and shield you, then it’s a done deal!

He promised that we would go through the fire and not be burned, and through the flood and not drown. He promised us that though thousands may fall around us we would be protected from harm!

The Father has promised provision in famine, health during a plague, victory over every enemy, angelic host to surround us, His strength during the toughest battle. What the Father says supersedes every difficulty, circumstance, thought, plan, fear, sickness, attack, or problem.

How can we lose if we choose to be doer of the Word. Choose today to believe and speak the Word in the facing of the most challenging issues you face. You’ll find that security, peace and strength from heaven will fill you. You’ll become sure and stable, and others will draw from His strength in you! Remember that the Father watches over His Word to perform it!

Long Life!

With Long Life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation (Psalm 91:16).

In my teenage years, I had a fear of dying young. I had gone with a friend as a twelve or thirteen year old to a Halloween party at a church and there someone read my palm. They told me I would die young because of what they saw in my palm. Fear gripped my heart. (Watch where your kids go, even if it’s a church activity!)

After I was Spirit Filled at age 18 I did a study and found that there was no real set time for each person to die; that we had something to do with how long we lived. I found that God promised us long life, and that we could do things that would lengthen our life, or we could do things that would shorten our life. During this study, the Lord set me free from the fear of death that hung like a cloud over me.

You shall come to the grave at a full age, as a sheaf of grain ripens in its season (Job 5:26). They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands (Isaiah 65:22). Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span (Exodus 23:25-26, NIV).

You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess (Deuteronomy 5:33). So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days (1 Kings 3:14). My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life And peace they will add to you (Proverbs 3:1-2). For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you (Proverbs 9:11). The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened (Proverbs 10:27).

Rid yourself of any fear of a short life span! Expect to be satisfied with long life. Meditate on God’s word, and lengthen your days!

Righteousness

In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you (Isaiah 54:14)

Righteousness is the ability that God gives us in Christ to stand before a Holy God as though sin, inferiority, and condemnation had never been a part of our lives.

Righteousness has two parts to it. When we make Jesus Lord, we are declared free from the penalty of sin. It is as though we have never sinned!

When a person has been found innocent of a crime that they have been charged with, all evidence must be expunged. That means that all documents that contain evidence of the matter presented at the hearing in a court of law must be completely destroyed! It is as though nothing ever happened!

When you stand before God as righteous in Christ, it is as though you have never done wrong! That brings security and boldness to your life!

The second part of righteousness is awesome! Not only does the Father see you as though you have never done wrong, He goes a step further and gives you the same standing before Him that His own Son has been given! He sees you as upright and as clean and free from sin as His own Son Jesus!

Righteousness banishes fear. Righteousness allows us to go into the presence of the Father with the freedom of a child! No fear. No shame. No dread. Perfect liberty. Absolute confidence. Total acceptance!

We sang this song about our standing with God in the 1970’s. Here are the lyrics:

I am covered over with the robe of righteousness that Jesus gives to me.
I am covered over with the precious blood of Jesus and He lives in me.
What a joy it is to know the Heavenly Father loves me so and gives to me Jesus.
And when He looks at me He sees not what I used to be, but He sees Jesus!

Stand boldly before God today as the righteousness of God in Christ. You have the exact standing before the Father that Jesus has. Act that way! Ask, seek, worship, praise, believe, rejoice, and rest!

Surely

He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:3-5).

The same sacrifice of Jesus that brought us salvation also brings us healing.

The words borne and carried in the above text are Levitical words that pertain to the scapegoat bearing Israel’s sins once a year. We read in Leviticus 16 about the Day of Atonement for the Jew under the Old Covenant. This was the day that the high priest offered an animal sacrifice to atone or cover Israel’s sins. This happened once a year.

Two goats were presented. One was slain, and its blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat. The other goat was taken to the wilderness. There, the high priest laid his hands on the scapegoat and confessed onto it the sins of the children of Israel. The goat was then let go into the wilderness, signifying that it bore Israel’s sins away from them into an uninhabited place.

That scapegoat represents for us Jesus our Messiah bearing away our sins in his own body. He carried them so that we would be free from them.

The above verse relates that Jesus not only bore our sins but also bore our sicknesses and our pains. The Hebrew for grief is choli and is elsewhere translated sickness. The Hebrew word for sorrows is makob and is elsewhere translated pains.

As surely as Jesus bore our sins He likewise bore our sicknesses and pains. He took our sicknesses and diseases upon Himself and carried them away from us. He carried all of our sins upon Himself so that we could be legally free from them. Jesus was our scapegoat. He legally carried all of our sicknesses and diseases upon Himself so that we could enjoy health.

Meditate much on the above scriptures. They form the foundation for faith in healing through Jesus’ sacrifice. He forgives all of our iniquities and heals all of our diseases. As surely as He bore our sins He bore our sicknesses. As surely as He forgives sin He heals our sickness and disease. Surely we should be as free from sickness as we are from sin. I’m sure!

Learned Contentment

No, I have learned in whatever condition I am, to be independent of circumstances. I am schooled to bear the depths of poverty, and I am schooled to bear abundance. In life as a whole, and all its circumstances, I have mastered the secret of living – how to be the same amidst repletion and starvation, amidst abundance and privation. I am equal to every lot through the help of Him who gives me inward strength (Philippians 4:11 – A.S. Way Translation).

Spiritual maturity enables us to endure any situation with confidence. The Lord wants us to get to the place that nothing moves us. He wants us to be able to be the same during times of prosperity and poverty; during times of great victory, and in times of tremendous duress. The more spiritually mature we are, the less we will be affected by outward things. The internal standard of God’s Word and His agape love become the main forces of life.

The more we are moved by circumstances, the less we are influenced by the Word. When our spirits gain the ascendancy in our lives, circumstances have less and less affect upon us.

Years ago, Smith Wigglesworth used to say I’m not moved by what I see. I’m not moved by what I feel. I’m moved only by what I believe.

Start now to act on God’s Word throughout your day. Decide to be a doer of the Word in every circumstance. In the office setting, at home with the kids, with the obstinate person in traffic, or alone with your own thoughts; decide to put God’s Word first place in your life.

Choose today to become a person who is independent of circumstances. The Lord will be able to use you in the most difficult situations, because He can trust you to stand strong and not waver. You'll represent His character well!

Diligence

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

We have one chance to leave a mark in this life. This verse challenged and changed me when I was 18. I inherited my hard work ethic from my father, but this verse became the under girding force for diligence in my spiritual life. Nothing can take the place of diligence.The effort we put in to anything determines the results we gain, naturally and spiritually.

Fruit for the kingdom of God in our lives is determined by what degree we act on the Word; some thirty, some sixty, and some act one hundred percent of the time on the Word (See Mark 4). Why stand for mediocrity when we can go for the BEST? We are to press toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

It’s not the smartest people who succeed in life. It’s those who choose their God given path and apply themselves every day. Don’t cry over failure and over the break in life you never got. Take what life brings, find God’s plan, then give yourself to it every day. Don’t look back. Keep looking forward. If you stumble, get up and start again.

The tortoise won the race, not because he was strongest and fastest, but because he was more persistent than the hare. You’ll succeed, not because of your mental acumen, but because of the sweat you apply to the leading of God. It’s daily diligence that triumphs over genius.

The following scriptures have been my friends for years. I urge you to make them yours too.

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich (Pr. 10:4). Work hard and become a leader. Be Lazy and never succeed (Living – Pr. 12:24). The soul of the lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich (Pr. 13:4). He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves oil and wine will not be rich (Pr. 21:17). The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor (Pr. 21:25). Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [unknown] men (Proverbs 22:29). Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).

Give every day your absolute best.

The Healing Word

He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions (Psalm 107:20).

God revealed Himself as the Lord our physician in Exodus 15:26. Jehovah Rapha is one of His redemptive names. He never changes; what He was, He is.

For health to be a constant in our lives we must let the Word dwell in us richly. Time spend meditating on the healing promises of God is like taking medicine prescribed by a doctor.

I usually take time every day to take my medicine from the Great Physician. Sometimes it’s when I awaken in the middle of the night. Other times it’s just when I wake up in the morning, or throughout the day when I’m driving alone in my car.

For faith to remain high for healing, the healing Word must dwell strongly in us. For the Word to dwell strongly, or to be alive, we must take time with it.

Here are the scriptures that I use as God’s medicine. I’ve planted them in me. They are allowing God’s healing power and His health to keep me every day: Exodus 15:26; Exodus 23:25; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalm 103: 1-3; Psalm 105:37; Psalm 107:20; Proverbs 4: 20-22; Isaiah 53: 3-5; Matthew 8:17; Acts 10:38; 1 Peter 2:24.

For medicine to be effective, it must be taken as prescribed. Hit and miss will not work. That’s the reason so many are hindered in receiving healing. These truths about healing must get way down into our inner consciousness, into our inner belief system, in our sub-conscious, our spirit nature. Daily meditation will plant them there.

A farmer expects to reap a harvest after he plants the seed. He cultivates the soil regularly for maximum results. No planting, no harvest. No cultivating means diminished results.

Maximize God’s healing power in your life today by meditating God’s healing Word several times a day. His Word is spirit and life!

My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22).

Kenosis

Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [ possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:5-9 –Amplified).

This is called the kenosis of Christ, from the Greek word for emptied. Jesus was a king, but laid down His kingly position momentarily for 33 years. As God, He wrapped Himself in a body that He Himself created for man. Having dominion, power, authority, majesty, and control of the universe; He laid it all aside for you and me. He emptied Himself of all positional privilege as the Son of God and lived just like us. He faced every temptation known to man without yielding. He fully submitted His human will to the will of His Father.

Resultantly, He now holds the highest position in the universe. Every being will one day bow to His kingship in hell, on earth, and in heaven! He is the representative new creation man.

We are to have the same purpose, mind and attitude that Jesus exemplified. We are likewise called to empty ourselves of the desire for our own way, to be seen and heard, of pride, self-centeredness, and self-will. Jesus gave each of us the call to take up our cross daily. A cross is a place where flesh dies; where the will of God meets my selfish desires and I choose to lay them down out of love for Him.

The seed that dies bears fruit. The barren becomes fruitful. The un-surrendered life is barren and cold. The surrendered, self-emptied life is filled with joy, peace, and the fruits of right standing with God.

Each day we must make a choice to have the same attitude, purpose, and mind that Jesus had. We must be willing to empty ourselves the way He did. Our own personal kenosis. Taking up our cross. Purposing to please the Father rather than gratify the flesh.

A glass that is not emptied cannot be refilled. Running water gravitates to the lowest places. Rivers of living water are waiting for the self-emptied cup; for the lowest spots to fill. Kenosis. Let it be your mindset today!

The Furnace

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10).

God does not test us with sickness, poverty, calamity, etc., but He will lead us into places that give us an opportunity to exercise our spiritual muscles! Even Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Yes, the Spirit led Him into a place of difficulty.

Sometimes God will lead us into an impossible circumstance and we wonder why. Kenneth Hagin used to tell us students that hard places are God’s method of taking us into deeper places in Him.

My former pastor Bob Yandian tells of working as a young person at a place that made steel pipes for the oil industry. He said all of the pipes looked perfect as they lay in a row together after the manufacturing process. Hoses were attached to the ends of each pipe and the pipes were then filled with high pressure steam. When the PSI (pounds per square inch) reach several thousand pounds, some of the seemingly perfect pipes developed pin hole size leaks. The pipes would have failed in service after installation had the leaks not been detected!

We think all is well and we’re ready for the pressures of ministry and of life until we go through a situation that produces this high pressure steam! I’ve learned to welcome the hard place. The pressure reveals pin hole size character issues previously undetected. Better now than later when in the middle of a call to service where the flaw may affect me and others in a much more negative way.

The toughest place may be the place where God ministers to you most! The pressure demands action! The circumstance produces soul searching!

As I look back on my own life, the hard places have yielded the fruit of holes being plugged in my pipes! I’m not sure that some things would have been dealt with within me without pressure. Some of the things that have dealt with in me during times of pressure include pride, self-pity, perfectionism, anger, impatience, etc! Use the hard place to your advantage.

A scripture that I’ve learned to appreciate over the years is the J.B. Phillips Translation of James 1:2-5.When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends. Realize that they come to test your faith and produce in you quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed and you will find that you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.

The Sting Removed

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55)

Susan and I will be attending the funeral for Jack Frost today at 1:00 PM in Conway, SC.

Someone aptly said You’re not really ready to live until you’re ready to die. Jack has faced what one day we will all face if Jesus delays His coming. Yet we can face death with anticipation of the glories of heaven. Jesus removed the sting from death. Here are some things we should all remember when dealing with this last enemy to be conquered.

The Hindu’s and other religions believe in reincarnation, which is a belief that a person will come back to earth in a form that is determined by actions in the previous life. Others believe in soul sleep; that the spirit actually remains in the body until the resurrection of the dead. The Bible teaches that at death the Christian is instantly taken to heaven to be in the presence of God.

Paul said that he was struggling with the choice to stay on earth or to go on to heaven. He said to die is gain. He said that to depart this life in death is far better (Phil. 1:21-23). He said we should have confidence that when we vacate the body in death, we are immediately present with the Lord (2 Corinthians. 5:8).

David said that in the presence of God there is fullness of joy, pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). God said that the death of a believer is precious to Him (Psalm 116:15), perhaps because the veil that hinders us from seeing Him is removed.

The famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody made the statement, One day you will pick up the newspaper and read these words, Dwight L. Moody is dead. Don’t believe it for a moment. At that time I will be more alive that I have ever been in my entire life.

Jack has finished his race of faith and is enjoying a new form of life in heaven. He’s joined the heros of faith called the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12 who are watching us from heaven as we run our race of faith. Abraham. Moses, Noah, Daniel, David, and now Jack are watching us from the grand stands of heaven as we fight the good fight.

Death is no longer to be feared by the believer. As Dwight Moody said, it’s a coronation day! Because of the promises of God for both our now and our future, we can face life today as a victor!

Thoughts about Jack Frost

Jack Frost went to be with Jesus on Monday morning at 1 AM. Jack was a friend of mine, and had ministered at Victory Fellowship many times since I came here in 1994. Victory Fellowship has supported his ministry (Shiloh Place) for over a decade.

I met Jack in 1988 when I moved back to South Carolina from Tulsa. I attended a monthly pastor’s fellowship in a pastor’s home and there I became acquainted with Jack and with Chip Judd, another friend who ministers at Victory.

It was wonderful to see how God had transformed Jack over the years from a performance driven person to a person who lived to be in the Father’s presence, and who became a model for believers of transparency, openness, humility, and love. Jack showed us how to bring intimacy with God and others into our lives. His life and teachings helped me immeasurably.

Jack had a fierce battle with illness his last year of life. Of course, those of us who preach and believe in divine healing have questions as to why Jack was not healed. I do not have the answers to these questions.

When things like this happen and I don’t have answers, I remember Deuteronomy 29:29, The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…1 Corinthians 13:12 in the Amplified reads, For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! When we get to heaven, I’m sure Jesus will reveal to us the answers.

God has not changed. His Word remains forever settled in heaven. Jesus did take our infirmities and He did bear our sicknesses. Jack’s home going does not alter God’s Word to us concerning healing and health.

Don’t let he enemy plant seeds of doubt in your mind. Continue to expect God to watch over His word to perform it in your life. He sent His word and healed us, and delivered us from our destructions! Keep the Word deeply rooted in your heart!

Jack has left a rich residue of ministry behind him here. His ministry resources and fellow laborers will continue the work God began through him at Shiloh Place.

Father, I pray for Trisha, Jack’s children, his extended family, and all those who worked with him at Shiloh Place. May you sustaining Grace under gird them. I surround them with my faith and my love. May the angels of God minister to them, and may the Holy Spirit bring comfort, rest, and peace to each one. Help us all to be an extension of your love to them during this time, in Jesus’ Name.

Declaring the End from the Beginning

Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure, (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Faith is the eternal principle of receiving from God. All things are possible with God. All things are possible to him who believes. And the foundation of real Bible faith is to act as though you already have what you have asked from the Lord.

God declares the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. He called Abraham the father of a multitude while he was childless. Jesus is called the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

To Joshua God said, I have given into your hands Jericho while the walls still stood. God called Gideon a mighty man of valor while he was still crouching in fear from the enemy! Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus looked up to His Father before His prayer was answered and said Father, I thank you that you have heard me. Jonah declared that He would enter God’s temple again while he was still in the belly of the whale (Jonah 2:4)!

God calls those things that are not seen as though they exist. And that’s what we must do to receive. Thank God for the healing while the pain rages in your body. Declare the financial need met while staring at great lack. Proclaim the problem solved, the mountain moved, the circumstance changed, the habit broken, the emotions calm, the wisdom granted, the prayer answered before you see the even the first manifestation. That’s faith.

Faith takes the place of what you don’t have until it shows up! In the face of grueling need, declare the end from the beginning. See yourself with it. Say what you believe you receive. Circumstances, sight, and feelings are not indicators of what God is doing. You can’t see with your ears, you can’t hear with your eyes, and you’re can’t detect faith and its results with feelings and circumstances!

Declare the end from the beginning today. God watches over His Word to perform it!

Forgotten

I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins ( Isaiah 43:25).

From my earliest memories, my life was plagued by a gnawing, ceaseless guilt. My obsessive mind just would not let me rest. Reminders of my failures were constant. Guilt is one of the greatest de-motivators of human personality.

One of the major truths that brought me back to God in 1976 was when a friend told me that God was not mad at me because of my sin. Then he showed me 2 Corinthians 5: 19: That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation (NIV). He told me that when I come to Jesus and repent, it is just as though I had never sinned. I was aghast!

I considered myself the black sheep of my family, and thought God was through with me. A spark of hope brought a glimmer of light to my dark world when I learned the dimensions of God’s mercy.

Here’s what I learned. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. To confess means to agree with, to acknowledge what I did wrong. I do one thing; God aggresses towards me by doing four things; He is faithful to me, just to me, forgives my sin, and cleanses me from all unrighteousness.

When God forgives, he completely forgets what I did. He retains no remembrance of my failure. It is as though I never did wrong! And there sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more (Hebrews 10:17). As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12).

It’s amazing. God has no memory of sin confessed. It’s not even history. He literally blots it out. God lives in the eternal now. To God, past, present, and future are all NOW. If He can’t remember my sin, it’s as though it never existed! It’s not even a part of history!

The ball and chain of guilt have been removed from my life for many years now. And the personal and spiritual progress have been incredible. I am not the same person I was 30 years ago. Righteousness (the ability to stand before God as though you had never sinned) produces spiritual growth and the ability to change!

Let go of your past today through repentance and confession. Embrace God’s mercy. Remember, a righteous man fall seven times, and rises up again (Proverbs 24:16). Accept God’s forgiveness and get up!

Don’t Resist God!

And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]. (Acts 9:5- Amplified)

I was resisting God and did not know it. I pioneered a church in a small town in South Carolina in 1988. It was a difficult and arduous task for me at thirty years of age. I had left a staff position in a church of almost 5000 in Tulsa to pastor in a town with a population of 6000! Susan was pregnant with our third child. I was challenged in every way.

To survive, I dug my heels in the sand and set my jaw. I thought to myself, I’ll just do what the scripture in Isaiah says and set my face like a flint! I faced opposition in every way possible. As time went by, the church grew a bit, but I was never quite content with the whole thing inside. I believed God had led me there, but every day was a battle.

I picked up a Christian magazine and read of a missionary in a remote part of South America who was living in a mosquito infested jungle with no electricity or running water. Though life was difficult, he was having the time of his life. He had found his element. I wondered how he could be so happy while so deprived and living in substandard conditions. Here I was in small town America and had a normal life outwardly, yet I was so discontent. The contrast between this missionary and me troubled me.

After I read the Christian magazine, the verse from Acts started invading my thoughts on a regular basis. I asked the Lord, Are you telling me that I’m kicking against the goads? Am I resisting you? He answered me with a firm YES! I was shocked.

Here’s what I learned. When you are doing what God told you to do, there is peace and rest. Sometimes, He will lead you into a hard place, and then, when you conquer the test, He will change the assignment and move you on. I had so concentrated on resisting the hardness of living that I missed the dealing of God. He places in us desire for what He wants us to do (Psalm 37:4).

Listen to the desires that come from deep inside you. It may be the Lord pricking you to change. When you get uncomfortable with where you are and what you’re doing, it’s time to examine yourself. Father may be speaking. Don’t kick against the goad!

He is Faithful

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Sixteen years ago, I had just turned a church I had founded over to another pastor and was involved in a traveling ministry on the weekends. By the direction of the Lord I had started a paint and wallpaper business and it was doing very well.

But inside, I was unfulfilled and disheartened. I wanted so much to be full time in the ministry the Lord had for me. It was a hot summer day, and I was removing old paint from some really old exterior wood. Why was I here? Why was I not ministering life to people? Why waste my time like this?

A song by Steve Green came on the radio at that moment. He sang, He who began a good work in you, He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it, He’ll be faithful to complete it, He who started the work will be faithful to complete it in you… I melted into a bucket of tears as the song described a person feeling forlorn and forsaken, consumed by the circumstances of life.

In the midst of my feelings of being alone and God seemingly not caring, at that moment as the song played I knew that things would eventually work out for good in my life. And while I was disappointed at my present plight, I knew that the Lord was working something deep into my life and that I would come through this hard place shining!

Now, years later, I can see how the Lord was changing me deep inside as I pushed through that hard place. You may feel today that nothing is working out like you thought it would in your life. You may feel that God is not fair, and that you don’t deserve to be in the place you’re in.

Resist the thoughts and ignore the feelings. He is faithful. You will come through this ordeal, and you’ll be stronger in God, and you’ll be able to identify with those who are in the hard place.

When you commit your way to the Lord, He has a way of causing everything that occurs to work into a pattern for good in your life. Never give up and succumb to self-pity, doubt, and fear. Refuse to be ruled by oppressive thoughts of defeat and failure. Force yourself to praise God and give thanks. Remember that clouds only temporarily obscure the rays of the sun. Choose walk by faith and not by feelings! He will complete the good work He started in you!

He Knows Me

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether (Psalm 139: 1-4).

These verses amaze me. Here is a Person who knows everything about me that could possibly be known. He knows every fleeting thought, every faint motive of my heart, every desire, every word, every action. Everything. And still He loves me and is committed to my care.

One Bible expositor said you could translate this verse, Lord you have x-rayed me. Today we could say, Lord you have MRI’d me. God doesn’t see me from the outside in or from the top of my head down; He sees me from the inside out. At first, this is quite unsettling to know. Nothing can be hidden. Then, as you get to know Him, it becomes a freedom that delivers you from fear. From fear of others, fear of yourself, fear of your past, fear of really knowing the truth. Without God, self-revelation could be a frightening thing. Some people refuse to face themselves with truth.

This being called God, who is love, who knows everything that can be known about me and still loves me, is absolutely the most wonderful person I have ever met. He is the most real, the most encouraging, the most patient, the most understanding, and the most motivating person I will ever know.

His unconditional love melts me. His love is not based on me and my performance, but on Him and on His character. All at the same time He can make me feel so loved and accepted, yet so challenged to change and move away from the negative elements of my existence.

I have found a place in Him where I can pour out my all, the good and the bad, and know that He understands, and will lead me away from harm. I can commit everything to Him; my past, my present, and my future. His all wisdom absorbs my pain, my fear, my lack, my need, my weakness, and replaces it with His stability and calmness.

I encourage you to come to know Him through His Word and by His Holy Spirit. Open your inner being to Him. Tell Him everything about yourself. Give yourself unreservedly to Him. He is not like any person you have or will ever meet. And let Him show you true freedom. He’s waiting for you to open the door and let Him in today.