The Helper

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you (John 14:16-18).

Jesus told the disciples that he would send a helper in His place when He left them and went back to heaven. He told them that it would be to their advantage for Him to leave. At the time, I’m sure they could not grasp how it would be better for Him to leave.

When Jesus said He would give them another helper, the Greek text actually reads another helper of the same kind. When He left, Jesus was not sending someone different to their aid. He said that someone exactly like Him would benefit their lives. What Jesus was to the disciples, this helper would be to them and to us!

The disciples walked with Jesus for three and a half years. During that time, He met their every need. If they needed food to feed the multitudes, He simply multiplied the small amount given by the boy’s lunch and fed thousands! If they needed finances, He told them where to go to get the needed money. The disciples would sit for hours as Jesus sat and taught the Word and opened their understanding to the scriptures. They watched in wonder as He raised the dead boy in a funeral procession to the astonishment and joy of the boy’s mother. They looked on as He healed blinded eyes, opened deaf ears, caused the lame to walk, and cleansed the leper.

Now He was telling them His leaving would be better! How? He could only be at one place at one time while with them. If they needed help, they had to go find Him, or wait until He arrived and then He would minister healing, or answer a question from scripture, or solve a problem.

When He left, this other helper of the same kind would be everything to them that Jesus was while He was with them! The difference is that now we don’t have to wait for Him to arrive. He is in every one of us at all times! He never takes a break! Everything Jesus did for the disciples, the Holy Spirit does for us! He is the Spirit of Christ. If we need wisdom, He imparts it to our inner man. If we need provision, He supplies as we exercise our faith. His healing power is available to flow through each one of us every day at any time! He is ready with His Jesus ability to supply whatever we need. All we need to do is to walk by faith, be doers of the Word, and trust this Helper to come though for us in every challenge that life brings!

Don’t do it own your own anymore. Allow the Helper to quicken you today just as Jesus did the disciples while He as with them. Having the Holy Spirit in you is just like having Jesus as you personal life partner today. You can’t fail if you let Him be the Helper!

Don’t let Love Grow Cold

Notice these translations of Matthew 24:12: And the love of the great body of people will grow cold, because of multiplied lawlessness and iniquity ( Amplified) For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in, nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes (Message Paraphrase). And because of the prevailing disregard of God’s law the love of the great majority will grow cold (Williams). There will be more and more evil in the world. So most believers will stop showing their love for each other (New Century).

For the Spirit of God to use us the way He desires in this day, it’s imperative that we walk in love. Love is the foundation of the kingdom of God, and is the force that moves us into being used in spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit.

The harshness of the hour, the continual erosion of moral values, and the self-centered interests that pull us in every direction, tempt us to put a barrier of protection up around our lives. Instead of reaching out, the tendency is to close ourselves in and isolate. That must not happen!

This is the time for the church to shine! This is the moment that the Holy Spirit wants to manifest in an unhindered way to set people free. As we put love first, we open an avenue for the Spirit of God to speak to us and bring ministry to others.

Satan’s kingdom operates on fear, strife, envy, and selfishness. If Satan can keep believer from operating in love, he can quench spiritual manifestations. This must not be! Refuse to give place to the devil! Put love first in all your relationships. Ask yourself in every situation, what would love do?

Spiritual growth and love go hand in hand. Love is the first manifestation of the reborn human spirit. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren (1 John 3:14). The Father desires that we develop in love until it consumes us!

Love neutralizes Satan’s kingdom! Strife dies when love responds. Hatred, anger, and bitterness cannot do their work when love shows up. The Father is holding you personally responsible for the love atmosphere manifesting where you go today! In your home, at work, in the mall shopping, wherever you are, let love loose today!

Don’t allow the ugliness of our times to harden you. You’re created to love!

A Heavy Stone

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it (Zechariah 12:2-3).

I’ve mentioned this quite a few times recently in our services, but I must draw attention to this verse again today in the light of current events. The meeting held by our government in Annapolis this week is significant. Our government policy has become the Road Map to peace, which means that we’re pushing for the Palestinians and Israel to live side by side in two separate states.

The problem with this idea is that the land to create a Palestinian state is coming from Israel. The desire is that Israel give up the land it won and began to occupy in the six day way in 1967, and to divide Jerusalem into two parts the way it was prior to the 1967 war. The Palestinians would control one part, and Israel the other. The Palestinian state would occupy what is now part of Israel.

Here’s the bottom line. If this goes through, we’re in trouble as a nation. No nation that has defied God’s plan for Israel has ever bode well. God promised Israel the land they occupy, and more!

In 1948, dozens of scriptures were fulfilled that promised that God would bring the nation of Israel together again in their own land just before the second coming of Christ. God promised the land that Israel occupies now to Abraham and his descendants for an eternal possession. In Genesis 12:3, God blessed Abraham, and promise to bless those whom bless him and his offspring, and to curse those who harm him and his offspring.

If this land peace deal succeeds, and if we are accomplices in helping divide Jerusalem, then we will be a cursed nation. That is strong language, but that is the Word of God!

I’m and American and I love this nation. I encourage you to sincerely seek God with me on behalf of our nation. We’re treading on some dangerous ground right now. Our financial markets are in trouble. Our military is stretched to the limit, and our culture is thumbing its nose at God both publicly and privately. And now we seem to be siding with God’s enemies of Israel.

Pray for our leaders to have wisdom in our policies concerning Israel. Pray for the Father to open the eyes of decision makers in government concerning Israel. And pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Because if we don’t change course, we as a nation are headed into some big trouble!

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Keep Your Armor On!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The opposition you face today does not have its’ origin in people or circumstances. It began with demonic forces seeking to trip you up. They want you to wallow in unbelief, fear, anger, self pity, selfishness, impurity, poverty, and the list goes on and on. They want to separate you from the Word and from the tenderness of the Spirit of God. Their goal is the downfall of the kingdom of God, and your failure.

The good news is they are already defeated! And it is our job as believers to demonstrate their defeat in our daily life and lifestyle. Every time you conquer fear, unbelief, anger, self pity, selfishness, etc, you show God’s power through the Word and through Jesus’ sacrifice for you!

We don’t take our armor off when we go to sleep at night! We wear it to bed! We are always on alert, ever watching lest the enemy to trip us up. We have the girdle of truth on our waist. Just as a belt holds your pants snug, the Word keeps the armor of God in place in your life.

The breastplate of righteousness guards your heart from condemnation and inferiority so that you are free to constant go into the presence of God with your needs and with your faith.

On your feet are the shoes of the gospel of peace. In every situation in life today, the Word is your guide. You don’t go anywhere that the Word doesn’t go.

The shield of faith is held in front of you and stops every attack of Satan dead in its tracks! You walk by faith, not feelings. You believe you receive from the Father in every area of life, and you never let down your shield in unbelief!

The helmet of salvation keeps your mind protected with the Word. Mind renewal is a lifelong process with you. Every thought that comes is processed through the filter of true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, positive, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). Every thought is submitted to the Lordship of the Word!

The sword of the Spirit is the Word spoken out of your mouth. You recognize the spiritual force behind the words that you speak, and you speak the Word over and in every circumstance.

This armor creates a powerful prayer life in you as a believer, and demonic forces turn and run when they see you coming. Keep your armor on at all time. You don’t fight against flesh and blood!

Delegated Authority

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19).

Jesus has delegated to us His own authority over Satan and his cohorts! The word authority in the above verse means delegated authority. It’s an authority given to us by another.

A police officer controlling traffic on the street is operating under delegated authority. He doesn’t have personal power to stop those heavy vehicles. But when he holds up his hand, the drivers of the vehicles recognize his delegated authority! The drivers recognize that behind the police officer is the power of the city or state that he represents.

When we use the name of Jesus, Satan recognizes the power behind that name! The believer that knows his rights and privileges in Christ has a real authority over satanic forces!

Satan thought he had defeated Jesus when he had him killed. But Jesus death brought us His resurrection power! But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:7-8).

Notice the victory that Jesus gained over Satan: God disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it the cross (Colossians 2:15 – Amplified).The Message paraphrase of this verse says it well: He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.

We are now seated in heavenly places in Christ! That simply means that we share His authority! According to Ephesians 1, Jesus is seated at a place that is far above all principality, power, might, and dominion. And we are seated with Him in that place of authority!

Philippians 2 reveals that God has given Jesus the name that is above every name. And at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth! Men, angels, and demons must bow to that name.

Don’t allow Satan to harass you with sickness and disease, poverty, oppression, depression, and fear. Use your delegated authority and command him to leave you in Jesus’ name! He has to obey. For backing you is the authority of the throne of God. Satan is a defeated foe!

Fasting

Today, we begin a corporate fast for those of Victory Fellowship who desire to see the Lord manifest Himself in a greater way. James 4:8 says that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. We must make the first move.

From this time of fasting, let’s expect to receive from the Lord boldness to witness in a fresh way, and a greater manifestation of spiritual gifts in the body of Christ.

Below, I want to reprint what I wrote when the Lord impressed me to have us enter a corporate fast together. This is from November 15^th:

During our worship time at our Wednesday night service, I believe the Lord spoke to me to call our church to a corporate fast. The purpose is for the Lord of the harvest to send us as laborers into the lives of unbelievers. And for boldness to come upon believers and for the Lord to manifest Himself in sign and wonders as He confirms the preached Word!

We’ll begin the fast after the mid-day meal on Sunday, November 25^th and will conclude on Wednesday, November 28^th, during the 7:00 PM service with communion together.

For fasting to be effective, we must spend the time in prayer and the Word that we would have been preparing food, cooking, eating, and cleaning up. Fast as much as you can. Some will only be able to once a day; others can fast the entire period. Be practical and do what you can. Kids must be fed, and business must go forward during the fast.

There have been prophecies from folk like Smith Wigglesworth, Lester Sumrall, and Kenneth Hagin that agree with the book of Joel that in the last days before Jesus’ return there would be a great moving of the Spirit. Though it’s been good, I don’t believe that we’ve seen the full manifestation of what God wants to do!

Notice Mark 16: 20: And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.

I believe it’s time for us to expect and believe God for the BEST that He has for us in our day. Jesus could come back at any time, and it’s time to allow Him to do all He desires! The only thing holding Him back is us! We must believe, pray, and expect the Father to show Himself strong!

Don’t forget that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood! Satan opposes the purposes of God and would seek to keep the church sedate and comfortable so that won’t seek more. But it’s a bluff! The church of Jesus Christ is the only force on earth that has authority over Satan and his forces. He knows this and seeks to keep us from being aggressive! So let’s rise up on the offensive and believe God for salvations, healings, deliverances, and freedom for those around us who are bound.

I’m going to leave you today with these scriptures:

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:29-33). And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch (Acts 5:12).

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:12-14).

Faith for Answered Prayer

One of the greatest stress relievers I know of is answered prayer! One of the most spiritually productive things you can do is to develop your faith in God to answer prayer.

I was raised in church and frequently that when God answers prayer, He sometimes says yes, sometimes says maybe or wait awhile, and sometimes says no. And I heard that if prayer was not answered, then what was prayed must not have been the will of God.

All of this is carnal thinking! As I began to read the Bible, I saw clearly that the Father wants to answer prayer! And not with a no or a maybe, but with a resounding yes! So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Luke 11:9-10).

First, find scripture that covers what you are praying about. That is, make sure according to the Word that what you're praying about is the will of God. Once you do that pray, stansd your ground in faith, and expectantly wait for the answer!

Prayer is a sure cure for worry, which is really faith in reverse! Prayer is an excellent way to release your faithin the Father to work in the circumstances of your life. Don't worry and brood over problems that arise. Pray and ask the Father to work them out!

Make these scripture a part of your daily meditation.They will build up your faith in the Father to answer your prayers!

And whatever things you ask in prayer, beleiving, you will receive (Matthew 21:22). Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask, when you pray, believe that you receive them ,and you will have them (Mark 11:24). If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7). And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:23-24). And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (1 John 3:22). Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we nkow that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15).

No Sickness Allowed!

So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you (Exodus 23:25).

God originally planned for us to live in these bodies for eternity. Sin marred God’s plan and introduced its offspring, sickness and disease. Our redemption in Christ now guarantees us freedom from sickness. And eventually, the last enemy death will be destroyed by the Son of God!

When God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, He made a covenant of healing with them that was perpetual and was more sure than the rising of the sun. And said, If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you (Exodus 15:26).

This healing covenant is still in force, and is now a part of our inheritance in Christ. We have a better covenant established on better promises! We are redeemed from the curse of the broken law (Galatians 3:13). This involved poverty, sickness, and spiritual death.

It’s important that we keep our faith built up for the healing and health of our bodies. Faith comes by hearing the word! Take time to feed on the promises of God for your health. Don’t allow sickness to trespass in your body. You have a legal right to health under the terms of your covenant! You must insist that Satan keep his hands off your body!

The moment symptom appear in your body, command in the name of Jesus that they leave! Believe right then that you receive healing based on your covenant with God. Remind Him of His promises, and act like He heard you! Don’t sign for the “package” of sickness that Satan brings by confessing the symptoms. Refuse it and tell him that it’s not yours!

Expect the Holy Spirit to quicken your body! Expect health and healing to be yours life long! How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses (Matthew 8:17). Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).

Keep the healing Word of God built up inside of you. Meditate on these healing promises daily! Speak health and healing, not sickness and disease. Expect the Father to bless your food when you eat, and expect Him to keep sickness away from you!

A Thankful Heart

Before an individual or a nation goes astray, they lose their thankfulness. Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:21).

The early settlers here in America were thankful for the provision God had provided after their arrival and the harsh winter that ensued. They held a feast together and gave thanks for the blessings of God.

In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a day of thanks for God’s blessing and favor on our nation. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln also signed a Thanksgiving proclamation. Then in 1941 the US Congress passed a law declaring the fourth Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

Let’s take some time today to give thanks to our Father for His provision of life and resources. It is He that has made us, and not we ourselves. Don’t take for granted the blessings of friends and family, of food and shelter, and of the freedom and liberty that you enjoy.

Remember today those who have had life changes; a divorce or a death in the family. Holidays bring stress to many. Ask the Father to help them and minister to them.

I’ll leave you today with scripture concerning giving of thanks:

When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you (Deuteronomy 8:10). It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High (Psalm 92:1). Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name (Psalm 100:4). Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy (Psalm 107:1-2). Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).

Susan and I pray that the Father will continue to reveal Himself to you, and to provide for your every need. Happy Thanksgiving!

Powerful Words

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy (Psalm 107:2).

The most powerful force in your life is your words. Words determine the quality and substance of your life. Words carry faith. A really wealthy person is the person who has learned the value of words.

In a difficult test or trial you may be facing, your words will determine your success or failure. When David faced Goliath, he armed himself with his faith by a series of confessions of what he believed God would do through him to defeat his formidable enemy (1 Samuel 17). And it happened. His enemy hit the dirt!

Of the twelve spies who entered Canaan on a research mission, only two had a good report of the land. Ten saw the problems and the odds stacked against them and voiced their doubt. Joshua and Caleb voiced their faith and said that God would give them the land by enabling them to defeat the enemy. (Numbers 13).

The twelve spies died in the wilderness and never entered the land of promise only because they said they couldn't. Joshua and Caleb entered Canaan because they said they could. God honored their words.

The woman with the issue of blood crawled through a crowd to touch the bottom of Jesus’ robe. She kept saying that she believed she would be healed if she touched his robe, and healing virtue flowed into her. Her faith filled words brought healing. (Mark 5).

The circumstances cannot whip you if you will only give voice to your faith with a confident heart. David won with words. Caleb and Joshua won over insurmountable odds with words. The sick woman was healed because of her words.

Say out loud what you believe today. Let your voice of faith filled words drown out the doubt and fears that loom large. Stand your ground as the redeemed of the Lord. Your circumstance may seem impossible, but words spoken with conviction from your heart will deliver you. Don’t be silent. Say what you believe!

A Jealous Lover

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, the Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously? (James 4:5).

The Holy Spirit is a jealous lover. He is jealous over what occupies our thoughts, our time, our ambitions, and our daily lives. His major job is to make Jesus real to the believer.

He works constantly to keep us on the path of righteousness, bearing conviction through the Word when we go astray. His goal is our Christ-likeness. We should be thankful for this jealous lover that the Father has placed within us.

He perhaps more than us wants us to hear the words well done good and faithful servant when we stand before the Father one day. He works incessantly to keep us out of trouble and close to Jesus and the Father.

We should be careful not to grieve Him through neglect of conscience, bearing unforgiveness towards others, or by the wrong use of our words or our anger. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:30-32).

The Holy Spirit is chosen by Jesus and the Father to be our constant companion throughout life. Listening to Him will keep us out of trouble and will cause us to fulfill the will of the Father every day. He is very sensitive to the Word. One of His major responsibilities is to open the Word to us, making it realand applicable to daily life. He feels neglected when we don’t spend time with the Father in the Word.

I’ve found that one of the best ways to pray for fellow believers that goes astray is to pray for this jealous yearning of the Holy Spirit to rise us within them. I pray that everywhere they are and everywhere they go the Holy Spirit will woo them and make then uncomfortable with wrong living. I’ve seen some wonderful answers to prayer by this method.

Honor the jealous lover in your life today. If you do, He will give you’re his joy and peace. This only comes through obedience to the Word and to His incessant pull away from the world and to Jesus and the Father. Remember, you are never alone!

Don’t Be Passive

We are either aggressing or regressing in our walk with God. If we are not passionately pursuing Him, then we are by default backing away. We must fight spiritual passivity.

In 2 Timothy 2: 4-6, Paul uses three excellent analogies of how we are to pursue our walk with God. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.

We are to conduct our selves like a soldier. A soldier has submitted himself to his superiors. He is ready at a moment’s notice to act without delay. He has been trained to engage the enemy and win. He has learned how to work as a team with his fellow comrades. He has disciplined himself for had times.

An athlete has disciplined his body through hours of exercise. He has learned to endure and to push himself beyond what is average. He strictly controls his diet and regiments his whole life in pursuit of his dream of winning the competition.

A farmer is diligent with growing his crops. He is up at sunrise ready to tend the fields. He sows his seed early and watches over it as it grows. He removes all obstacles of growth from the tender plants so that he can receive a full harvest in due season. He works hard!

So we are to fight like a soldier, prepare like an athlete, and work like a farmer. There is no place for slackness in the kingdom of God. Don’t allow yourself to be mediocre spiritually. Jesus shed His blood to redeem you from the world, the flesh, and from Satan’s dominion. Passivity dishonors His work at Calvary. Give God you best today.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14).

Your Natural Life Reflects Your Spiritual Condition

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it (1Timothy 4:7-9 - New Living Translation)

Your natural life is a direct reflection of your spiritual condition. What you are on the outside is the result of who you are within. The mental habits that you have spill over into every crevice of life, both natural and spiritual.

Our outward world parallels our inner world. When you make strides toward God, and increase in spirituality, there should also be a change in natural behavior, or it’s not true spiritual increase!

If you’re late for work, you’ll also be late in being faithful to a ministry obligation. If you’re not passionate about natural life responsibilities, you won’t be passionate about spiritual responsibilities. If you see no value in obeying natural law, you may show the same disrespect for spiritual authority. IF you’re a lazy bones naturally, and find it hard to get motivated to perform, you’ll be lazy bones spiritually and will lack spiritual passion.

If I look in your car and see all kinds of debris in the floorboard and seats, it tells me that you don’t value excellence, and you’ll be prone to under perform spiritually! If I walk into your home and it’s consistently untidy, that tells a lot about your values. Excellence starts with thinking, and will filter into all we are and do.

When God started the process of changing my life with His Word, my natural life began to feel the pressure to change! And it’s been changing ever since!

When I’m looking for those to help me in ministry, I look at these natural areas first. You can pray fervently, shout loudly, and preach like you’re spitting cotton! But if natural things don’t sing the same song, it’s all a bluff!

Give yourself a check-up today. What’s your natural life saying about what you value right now. Remember, your natural life is a direct reflection of your spiritual condition.

God and the Eagle

You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself (Exodus 19:4). As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him, And there was no foreign god with him (Deut 32:11-12).

An eagle must lead his young to maturity or they will die. The baby eaglet is helpless at birth and must be fed and cared for by its mother. High in a nest on the crag of a mountain cliff, the baby eagle is protected from anything that would bring harm. The mother had lined the nest with her soft feathers prior to the eaglet’s birth, and the first part of the eaglet’s life is filled with comfort as mother brings it daily food.

But the baby eagle will soon become so large that the mother cannot carry it enough food, and the nest will become too small to support its weight. If the eaglet’s wings are not strengthened, it will one day die of starvation.

So one day the mother eaglet comes to the nest after a time of hunting for food, and to the eaglet’s surprise, begins to tear the down feathers from the bottom of the nest, leaving sharp thorns and twigs exposed. Chaffed from the thorns, the baby eaglet jumps to the side of the nest, and to its shock, the mother hits it with her beak and pushes it off of the nest. It plunges toward the ground below to what looks like a certain death. But just before it hits the ground, the mother swoops down and catches the eaglet on her back and flies safely to the nest, only to repeat this process over and over.

What the baby thinks is harshness is really the mother loving her child enough to train it to fly. Without the seeming harshness, the dependant eaglet would one day die of starvation.

The Father in a similar way deals with us as children of God. As we mature, the challenges of life come to us. Sometimes His Spirit leads us down a path filled with uncomfortable things that force us to exercise our faith, and to believe in what we cannot see. His gentle firm hand is leading us to walk by faith so that we are not choked by circumstances in our future. He teaches us to navigate life by faith. In doing so, in His wisdom, He allows the difficult to come our way.

Don’t forget that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The Spirit of God actually led Jesus into a hard place. He may lead you there too. Without the hard places of life, you’ll not develop spiritual muscles that will lift you above life’s circumstances. I’m not talking here about God putting sickness or disease on us, or causing hurtful things like accidents or tragedy. I’m referring to God purposely leading you into a place that demands faith!

Some of the greatest growth places in my life have also been the hardest. God was kicking me out of the nest. He wanted me to develop my character and my faith.

When your way seems challenging, remember the little eaglet. The Father wants you to stretch your faith wings and learn to live by faith! Don’t despise the hard place. Allow it to help you grow!

Made Rich!

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).

It’s never been the will of God for His people to be poor, broke, or lacking. In fact Jesus said that if we seek first the kingdom of God all these things would be added to us (Matthew 6:33). These things He mentioned are natural things, food, clothing, and shelter.

To be rich is to have an abundance of provision; to have a full supply. In that sense, God wants His children to be rich. He wants us to be abundantly provided for. And Jesus has made that provision available. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

He took our sin, so that we could be free from sin. He took our sickness so that we could have His health! In the same sense then Jesus also took our poverty so that we could have His prosperity!

Poverty is part of the curse of the broken law, and Jesus was made a curse for us so t hat the blessing of Abraham could be ours! The curse of the broken law was threefold – poverty, sickness, and spiritual death. Jesus became all three so that we could be blessed with Abraham’s blessings which include restored relationship with the Father, health, and prosperity.

The first Adam brought a curse on us through disobedience. But the second Adam brought back to us the blessings of heaven! God created the earth as our habitat and placed within it all the resources necessary for human life to thrive. And God is not withholding the blessing from us! He didn’t place abundance here and then lock it us where it would be unavailable! Adam’s sin let a thief loose, and the thief wants to keep from you the blessing of God.

Meditate on Deuteronomy 28: 1-14. Get rid of any lack or poverty mentality that you may have. As God’s child He wants to bless us not only spiritually but also naturally!

He wants us to be blessing so we can be a blessing! And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day (Deuteronomy 8:18). He wants us blessed so that we can give and finance His causes and purposes in the earth!

God is not opposed to our blessing, but He is opposed to our being covetous! Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim 6:17-19).

Expect the Father to bless everything you put your hand to today! Expect Him to prosper you. Be a giver. Be a blesser! See yourself as a redeemed child of the King! You have a rich inheritance. Command Satan to keep his hands off of all that belongs to you! Thank God for His blessing being on you, both naturally and spiritually! His blessing has made you rich! Expect His best!

Corporate Fast

During our worship time at our Wednesday night service, I believe the Lord spoke to me to call our church to a corporate fast. The purpose is for the Lord of the harvest to send us as laborers into the lives of unbelievers. And for boldness to come upon believers and for the Lord to manifest Himself in sign and wonders as He confirms the preached Word!

We’ll begin the fast after the mid-day meal on Sunday, November 25^th and will conclude on Wednesday, November 28^th, during the 7:00 PM service with communion together.

For fasting to be effective, we must spend the time in prayer and the Word that we would have been preparing food, cooking, eating, and cleaning up. Fast as much as you can. Some will only be able to once a day; others can fast the entire period. Be practical and do what you can. Kids must be fed, and business must go forward during the fast.

There have been prophecies from folk like Smith Wigglesworth, Lester Sumrall, and Kenneth Hagin that agree with the book of Joel that in the last days before Jesus’ return there would be a great moving of the Spirit. Though it’s been good, I don’t believe that we’ve seen the full manifestation of what God wants to do!

Notice Mark 16: 20: And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.

I believe it’s time for us to expect and believe God for the BEST that He has for us in our day. Jesus could come back at any time, and it’s time to allow Him to do all He desires! The only thing holding Him back is us! We must believe, pray, and expect the Father to show Himself strong!

Don’t forget that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood! Satan opposes the purposes of God and would seek to keep the church sedate and comfortable so that won’t seek more. But it’s a bluff! The church of Jesus Christ is the only force on earth that has authority over Satan and his forces. He knows this and seeks to keep us from being aggressive! So let’s rise up on the offensive and believe God for salvations, healings, deliverances, and freedom for those around us who are bound.

I’m going to leave you today with these scriptures:
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:29-33). And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch (Acts 5:12). Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:12-14).

The Purpose of the Law

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:10-13).

In our witnessing to the lost, it’s important to appeal to the conscience. No person will really long for salvation by faith in the blood of Jesus until they are aware of their extreme need for salvation.

Don’t offer a person the cure until they are aware of the illness. A perfectly healthy person will not be interested in the latest pill they will cure a disease that thy don’t have.

The conscience must be smitten by the conviction of the Holy Spirit before the unbeliever will want salvation. The above verse gives a great clue as to how best to win the lost. As you’ve developed a conversation with a unbeliever, ask them, Have you ever lied, stolen, lusted, disobeyed your parents, committed adultery, or killed anyone? 1 John says that if you hate your brother, you’ve the same as a murderer. Jesus said the look to lust is the same as the act of adultery.

If I’m guilty of breaking any on the Ten Commandments, I’m guilty of breaking them all! Then at death, the scripture reveals, It’s appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment (Heb. 9:27). The penalty for breaking moral law is incarceration in hell, then the lake of fire!

Once an unbeliever sees his guilty state before God, then the gospel really is good new. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, the whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life!

Too many times we seek to win the unbeliever to Jesus by dangling the carrot of blessing in front of him. Come to Jesus, and He will heal you, prosper you, bless you, etc. While these things are true, they don’t convict of personal sin, and an unbeliever will not be saved without being first convicted of personal sin.

I’ll leave you with these quotes from men of God of yesteryear:
Before I can preach love, mercy, and grace, I must preach sin, law, and judgment…In writing to a young friend, he advised… “Preach 90% law and 10% grace (John Wesley). They must be slain by the Law before they can be made alive by the Gospel (Charles Spurgeon). I have found by long experience that the severest threatenings of the Law of God have a prominent place in leading men to Christ. They must see themselves lost before they will cry for mercy. They will not escape from danger until they see it ( A.B. Earle -wrote the hymn – Bringing in the Sheaves). (On using the Law of God to bring conviction)…But more, there is war between thee and God’s Law. The commandments are against thee. The first comes forward and says, Let him be cursed, for he denies Me. He has another god besides Me, his god is his belly, he yieldeth homage to his lust. All the Ten commandments, like ten great cannons, are pointed at thee today, for you have broken all God’s statutes, and lived in daily neglect of all His commands. Soul! Thou wilt find it a hard thing to go to war with the Law…What will you do when the Law comes in terror, when the trumpet of the archangel shall tear you from your grave, when the eyes of God shall burn their way into your guilty soul, when the great books shall be opened, and all your sin and shame shall be punished? (Charles Spurgeon). Our churches are full of the nicest, kindest people who have never known the despair of guilt or the breathless wonder of forgiveness (P.T. Forsyth).

The Right Attitude

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (James 1:2).

If we have the right attitude, then every challenge and hardship that comes our way can be an opportunity to become a stronger believer. Satan often brings tests and challenges into our lives to defeat us. He has yet to learn that the very think he uses to defeat us is the very thing that enables our spiritual muscles to become strong!

When we resist the pressure of difficult circumstance with the word, we grow a bit spiritually. When we choose to keep our chin up when things “go south,” we’re choosing to allow our spirit to override our fleshly responses, and we’re gaining ground in the spirit.

If you’re going through a hard time and you feel stuck, as though there’s no way out, look up! Expect the Father to make a way for you! Instead of whining and complaining about how hard it is, look up to the Father and give thanks for His goodness and expect Him to deliver you.

Your attitude in a test shows where your focus is! Don’t look the things seen and felt, look at the Word and God’s promises to deliver and help! While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).

He’s promised to never leaver or forsake us (Heb. 13:5); to be with us in trouble (Psalm 91:15); to be our very present help (Psalm 46:1); that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37); and to deliver us from difficulty (Psalm 37: 39-40).

While on top of a mountain in Ethiopia, in the midst of pelting rain, slogging uphill in mud, I thought about the importance of my attitude. I could not change the circumstance I was in. I had to go through it. So I just determined to use the experience as a spiritual stepping stone, and began to praise God for His goodness in my life, and for helping me get through this. It made the two and a half mile trek through the mud, rain, and cold much shorter!

Make sure your attitude point you to the Father and His Word during the challenges of today! If you do, tonight you’ll be stronger!

Look Ahead

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you (Proverbs 4:25 – Living).

To walk in the best that God has for you, it’s important to look ahead, not behind. Think about how many people live in the shadow of what they have done. If it’s negative, the past becomes a weight, or a strong chain, holding you back and keeping you from progressing. If you only in the light of past accomplishments, you’ll feel depressed, thinking that nothing could get better than that.

But our best days are ahead of us. I heard Lester Sumrall say many times, Nothing that I have done, nothing that I am do, is to be compared to what I’m going to do for Jesus!

Paul encourages us to focus on the future: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14)

During an era of great personal hardship in my life, my mind wanted to focus on where I had been, what I had accomplished, and how God had used me. It made me feel as though my days of usefulness and adventure were over. The Lord graciously showed me the dead end street I was on, and urged me to look ahead and believe Him for greater things.

During this time, as I was working one day God used a song by Steve Green to adjust my focus from behind to ahead. I broke down in sobs of thanksgiving as he sang: He who began a good work in you, He who began a good work in you, He’ll 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.

Let you daily confession be that your best days are yet to come! Think of all things that the Father has put in your heart, and make them the focus of your mental attention. If you want them badly enough, as you seek God, and pursue diligence, the Father and you will find a way to bring those desires to pass.

Remember that the path of the just is as a shining light, that shines more and more until that perfect day (Proverbs 4:18). Remember that He will perfect that which concerns me (Psalm 138:8). 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).

In the end, we become what we really expect. Expect God’s best!

Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding(Proverbs 3:13).

A head full of knowledge without wisdom is useless. Wisdom mixed with knowledge brings success. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly.

The vantage point of wisdom is seeing all of creation in the light of the moral laws of God and cooperating with them. Wisdom means being skillful and successful in one's relationships and responsibilities ... observing and following the Creator's principles of order in the moral universe (Dr. Roy Zuck[1]).

Warren Weirsbe reveals: Biblical wisdom has little if any relationship to a person's IQ or education, because it is a matter of moral and spiritual understanding. It has to do with character and values; it means looking at the world through the grid of God's truth[2].

Notice the benefits of wisdom as mentioned in Proverbs 3:14-18: For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.

The above verse in Proverbs tells us that if we walk in wisdom we’ll have length of days, riches, honor, pleasantness, peace, life, and happiness.

Jesus said that if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, that all the things we need for life will be given to us (Matthew 6:33). That is walking in wisdom!

Now here is the great news. Jesus is our wisdom in life. Notice 1 Corinthians 1:30: But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption . You don’t have to grunt and strain for wisdom. If you’re in Christ, you have it! All you need to do is to open yourself to receive the wisdom that is already there.

Of course James tells to ask if we lack wisdom, and if we ask without wavering in unbelief, we’ll receive the needed wisdom for the moment.

Let’s stop saying, well, I just don’t know what to do about this or that. Let’s let our confession be that God is granting us His wisdom in every endeavor of life. He is enabling us to see the end from the beginning!

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[1] From The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.

[2] Ibid.

Independent of Circumstances

It is not that I speak as regards a need, for, so far as I am concerned, I have come to learn, in the circumstances in which I am placed, to be independent of these and self-sufficient. I know in fact how to discipline myself in lowly circumstances. I know in fact how to conduct myself when I have more than enough. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be satiated and to be hungry, and to have more than enough and to lack. I am strong for all things in the One who constantly infuses strength in me.[1] (Philippians 4:10-13 – Wuest).

We had a scheduled evangelistic campaign on our Ethiopia trip that did not go as planned. That Friday morning began early for us. We traveled to a remote site on top of a mountain that was over 9,000 feet in elevation. The air is thin that high! We were filled with expectation as we walked a crooked dirt path to the place where the meetings would be held.

Hundreds of people looked silently at us with bewildered faces. Twenty armed guards had been sent to stop the meetings. The reason was that a disgruntled former church leader had forced a law that every open public meeting must have approval from the territorial authorities. Those planning the meeting had overlooked this seemingly small detail to our chagrin.

To add insult to injury, it began to rain. Not just the typical daily rain that frequented this quaint mountain site, but a deluge! We ran for cover under the porch of a nearby building, abandoning the shelter of the primitive brush harbor that offered no shelter from hard rain.

When the rain ended over an hour later, the once clear mountain path we had taken had become a bog of pure mud! We slogged up hill for over two miles with the thin air exhausting us! Then the rain began again!

On my uphill trek, I thought of this verse. As the cold rain pelted us, and as the mud clung to shoes and coated the cuffs of our pants, I thought of how quickly circumstances can change. And of how important it is when the going get tough, to keep our eyes of the finish line!

You may be facing what seems like an endless stream of hardship. Take to heart the message found in this scripture. With the power of God enabling us, we can endure every hardship. Jesus endured the hardship of the cross by seeing before Him the joy of millions of believers basking in His presence in eternity.

You can face the difficulty this day may bring because of the promise of God’s providential care for His beloved. We are assured and know that God being a partner in their labor all things work together and are fitting into a plan for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose (Romans 8:28 – Amplified). Regardless of the circumstance, expect God’s best!

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[1] From The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest Copyright © 1961 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

The Results of Hardness

Glory to God, we're home! There is no bed like your own, no shower like your own, and no place you're more comfortable than home! As I always say, Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz was right, there's no place like home!

The trip home was very long, over 8,000 miles in one day! The Lord was good, and all the flights were on time and uneventful! The on flight food...well, we won't go there!

Today I posted a blog below that I wrote while in Ethiopia on the day we were kept from conducting the evangelistic crusade. The pictures are of the path that we took up the mountain to the crusade; a house along the way; the children assembled at the crusade sight; and lastly the crowd waiting to hear the gospel.

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:12-13).

While in Ethiopia, we saw first hand what can happen when a precious brother in Christ goes astray. A man who walked with us, prayed with us, loved God with us, is now seeking to prevent God’s purposes from coming to pass. This wonderful brother defied conscience, allowing personal pride, selfishness, and greed to weaken his conscience, eventually becoming hard-hearted and harming the very people he once led. He led authorities to refuse us permission to hold an evangelistic crusade where hundreds were waiting to hear the gospel. He has begun to threaten physically the very people who once mentored him.

In 1 Timothy 1:19-20, Paul mentions Hymenaeus and Alexander who betrayed conscience and forsook God’s best. In Acts 5 we read of Annanias and Sapphira who died because of their sin against the Holy Spirit.

When we see a precious saint of God go astray, we may think that we are immune, and may wonder how this could happen. A wise believer will always remain aware that he could likewise harden his heart.

A conscience repeatedly violated opens a door in your life to the enemy and gradually shuts God out. It happens at a slow pace, and the end of a seared conscience is spiritual ruin.

It’s the little foxes that spoil the vines. Keep your heart. Watch the small things that creep into life and are not dealt with. Expose every thought, attitude and action to the One who knows all and sees all. Keep short accounts with God. Remain in constant communion.

I fear for my brother who allowed himself to get into this state of utter rebellion. I pray for God’s mercy on his life. He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy (Proverbs 29:1). It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).

Let us ever be aware of our human frailty, and our need to remain humble before God. May the Father’s hand remain upon us, as He the Divine potter ever mold us into the likeness of our Savior.

We're in London!

We just arrived in London from Addis Ababa. It's a ten hour or so journey with a stop to refuel in Amman, Jordan. Just to give you perspective of the length of this journey home, we got up at 9 PM your time on Tuesday night (5 AM Wednesday morning in Ethiopia) and we've been up ever since!

We usually get some sleep on the plane, and that keeps us semi-alert on our trip home. We just left Bruce McDonald at the arrival terminal. He lives in London, and is probably home by now.

Thank you for your prayers for us! We've had a successful trip; the ministry was good, and the fruit continues to grow in Ethiopia. As you've heard me mention, we have 15 churches there, and Meberatu has a goal to have 20 by years end! Presently we need to build 7 more buildings. And I'll be sending more Beacon University courses to Meberatu when I get home.

The world is changing so rapidly now. I can sense the Holy Spirit urging us to keep first things first, and to live in a constant state of readiness for Jesus' return! Hostility to the gospel and to Christianity is increasing worldwide, and is an indication that the spirit of anti-Christ is working in the world. Instead of crawling in a hole in fear, the Lord would have us press into His presence and display His love and kindness to those around us. Let the persecution come! Crowns are awarded in heaven for those who are libeled for His name's sake!

We'll be leaving at noon today your time for Washington DC. We should arrive there at 8 PM. Then on to our United flight destined for Raleigh at 11PM. Can't wait to see my beloved bride Susan and my kids. And I'm looking forward to seeing my church family on Sunday!

We're on the way Home!

We’ve just come back a few hours ago to Addis from the deep south and west area of Ethiopia. We had a really good trip overall. On Thursday and Friday, we ministered to pastors and church leaders in southern Ethiopia. Several hundred were in attendance, and they were very encouraged as Bruce McDonald, Kevin Ross, David Whitacre, and I shared the Word with them.

On Saturday and Sunday we were to conduct evangelistic crusades there but were hindered by a defrocked church leader. Seems that he has family in high places and armed guards were sent to stop the meetings. Hundreds were there waiting for the meetings to begin. Then, while we were talking to the guards, it began to rain. Not just any rain, a Noah’s Flood type rain. Real hard and driving. We sat on the porch of a church with someone shielding us with an umbrella to keep the rain from hitting us. Then Glory to God, we enjoyed a mud sliding event as we hiked two and a half miles up and then down a boggy, muddy, nasty, mountain road to our vehicle waiting on the paved road. I have some video I’ll show when I get back of the whole ordeal.

The downside of it all now is that the church leaders there appealed to those in high places and now have a permit in their hands to conduct evangelistic crusades! The devil lost in the long run!

Sunday afternoon we drove to a city near western Ethiopia. Monday we drove three hours on horrible roads not worth mentioning to a remote church. There we ministered to mostly believers for hours. At least 200 children were saved, and dozens and dozens of adults were baptized in the Holy Spirit as I ministered on Monday afternoon. We had a meeting!

Tuesday we ministered to church leaders in another location. They were greatly encouraged as we shared the Word. I preached on the role of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher in the body of Christ, and pressed the point of faithfulness with our current assignment as a stepping stone to further kingdom service. Kevin spoke on how to minister to children, and David spoke on the importance of obedience. It was time to rest by the time we drove three hours back to out hotel.

Today we drove five hours and arrived at a hotel in Addis by 1:30 PM. We’ll be leaving Thursday morning for London, and will be home by 11 PM Thursday night. We’ll lose 8 hours on our trip home!

Jet lag, I’m gonna wrestle you to the ground! I’m excited to be coming home to my family and my flock! I’ll try to post tomorrow from London.

We Have Arrived!

Hello Everyone!

Pastor Mitch, David Whitacre, and Kevin Ross have all arrived safely in Ethiopia as of a few days ago and are staying at the Get Smart Hotel. Today their luggage finally made it! Meetings have begun and 200 pastors in Ethiopia have already been ministered to. God continues to do incredible things!

We ask that you continue to keep them in your prayers as they follow what God has called them to do.