Man's Church

The history of man's church  (religion) is replete with violence and power seeking and the hunger for control - these are the desires and wisdom of the heart of man. Darkness is allowed to reign while the light is hidden. The role of the scriptures is relegated to a limited source of quotations used to justify a position in order to manipulate the 'followers' for man's own religious agenda. Dogma and doctrine take precedence while purposefully overshadowing God's living truth. An organization of man where the power of the Spirit has no welcome. 

The true church (the body of Christ), the city set on the hill, the light that shines in the darkness, is the glory of God. The Lord is lifted up and man seeks after His will - not his own. It is a present day living demonstration of the power of the Spirit moving in His people casting forth the truth and grace and power and glory of our Living God. It seeks after the mind of Christ in all things - not the new wisdom of modern man (which is foolishness to God). Church arise and yield to the power of the Spirit of the Living God and let your lampstands burn brightly for His glory lest they be extinguished from your presence.  

1 Cor 2:1-5

And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

1 Cor 2:12-16

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

Are we laboring in vain?

Unless the Lord builds the house we labor in vain. ...

As believers in Christ Jesus we must come together in "unity" based on His building the house - not our plans, our thoughts, our innovations; which are based upon man's wisdom. For man's wisdom is foolishness to God. He is the foundation on which we must stand not man's good intentions. It is only in and through His grace and truth, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that true spiritual unity can be achieved - we must earnestly and wholeheartedly seek after His way and His way alone.

Holy Spirit we seek Your powerful presence...not our weak and inadequate man-based efforts.
Lord we are so undeserving, how we lack strong, enduring and steadfast faith and trust in You.
Oh that we would not be complacent as the world of man calls evil good and good evil…
That Your Light of Grace and Truth would shine brightly through us...
May we stand firm in believing that You truly are who You say that You are...
Fill this land with the power and glory of Your Presence and bring Your unity to Your church…

His Word....

is the Word of Life life to you?

is it your daily manna from heaven?

May we stand firm on His Word of Truth in our lives...

And live out our faith, hope and love in this lost world...

by His grace and the powerful filling of the Holy Spirit.

Oh Lord, may we be fueled by Your Word, 

may our passion for Your truth burn strong, 

and the power of Your presence fill Your church, 

piercing the darkness of our day with Your all consuming fire...

4/21/16
The Book

I heard the Lord say, “2016 is the Year of the Bible.” Then, He took me to 2 Kings 22 which was written about the time King Josiah was restoring and reforming Israel. In chapter 22, the Book of the Law is found when things are getting cleaned out. The secretary takes it to King Josiah and starts reading it to him. The king begins to weep when he hears what he recognizes as God’s Word. God is saying that we are going to rediscover the Book. We will honor it above man’s opinion, above what the media or the President says. We will fall in love with His Word again!

“Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.” (2 Kings 22:10-11; NIV)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

If you aren’t as passionate about the Bible as you used to be, repent and tell the Lord you are sorry. Ask Him to give you a hunger and a thirst for His Word once again.
Intercede for the Church that His desire for us to fall in love with His Word this year would come to pass.
Open up a Bible (even if it’s on your phone) and start reading it. You might even read it out loud. Pray it. Declare it! Read for 10 to 15 minutes or more and enjoy every minute of it!
A prayer you can pray:

Dear Lord, forgive me that I am not as passionate about your Word as I have been in the past. Give me a passion for the Bible, your Holy Book, the words of life! I pray for myself, but also for the church in general that we would honor Your Word, read it, study it, love it, decree it and let it draw us closer to You. As I open it up and read it now, please work a miracle in my heart so that I cannot stand to be away from it. Let it form my opinions, challenge me and teach me. Thank you, Father, for Your precious Word. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Today’s decree:

I will fall in love with God’s Word all over again!

Give Him Fifteen, An Appeal to Heaven
Copyright 2015 . All rights reserved

The Great I Am…

I will provide

Stand still and see My salvation

For I Am faithful and true

Fear not

For I Am with you…

For greater Am I than he who is in the world

My loving-kindness is abundant

My mighty fortress stands

My glory reigns forever

My grace and mercy changeth not

And in Me alone you shall find truth…

The Narrow Way….

We like to think that we live in a time where the broad way is the way that one should walk. That we can 'make peace' with everyone. That compromise is always a good thing. That truth is relative. That man is good and will usually choose to do what is right.

Yet, we have so many problems, so much distrust, so much animosity among people, so many doing what is right in their own eyes, lies, deceit, deception, so much darkness invading our land.

It is by following man's foolish wisdom that we travel the broad way and that road ultimately leads to darkness and destruction.

Jesus said the way is narrow that leads to life,

Jesus said My peace I bring you,

Jesus said if men hated Me they will hate you,

Jesus said that the religious leaders were like white washed tombs - for they led the people away from truth,

Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life,

Jesus said in this life you will have tribulation,

Jesus said go and sin no more,

Jesus said love one another as I have loved you…full of grace and truth,

It is the narrow way that leads to life…and that life is found only in and through Christ. 

The Lamb of God…

Salvation has come, rejoice for the veil was rent, the price paid, the perfect sacrifice made, redemption by the blood of the Lamb, plans formed long ago fulfilled, an invitation to enter into His presence - restoration made complete, yes salvation has come…let us now enter boldly before the Throne of Grace by faith in the One who made the way….

O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name;

For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

And it will be said in that day,

"Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.

This is the Lord for whom we have waited;

Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."

Isaiah 25:1, 9

"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Mark 15:37-38)

Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.  (Matt 28:5-6)

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation   (Ps 18:46)

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!"   (Ps 40:16)

washed their feet...

as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ - 

The Passover Meal

Jesus was hours away from His death and resurrection, planned from the foundation of the world. He wanted to share His deepest thoughts with His disciples. He wanted to tell them about the new covenant, institute communion, share His heart with them and His plan of salvation. And, what were the disciples fussing over? Position. So, He washed their feet.

“And they began to argue among themselves as to who would have the highest rank in the coming kingdom.” (Luke 22:24; TLB) 

“So He rose from the table, took off his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist…and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” (John 13:4 & 5b; GNT)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

We are entering the holiest season for Christians, culminating in the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus!
Do we want to be those that commune with Christ and hear about His plans and His ways or will we be like the disciples that night and worry about how successful we can be? Tell Him about the relationship you want to have with Him.
Think about how He serves us every day that we live. Commit to live a life of service to Him and to others.

Get your Bible out and read Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and John 13.

A prayer you can pray:

Dear Lord, I don’t want to miss any part of what You are saying and doing right now. I am convinced that we are living in exceptional days and there is much You want the Church to know. Please help me not to worry about my own fame, but to be one that makes You famous! Show me what You want me to do and empower me to serve You every day. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Today’s decree:

I desire to know Him and make Him known!

Give Him Fifteen; An Appeal to Heaven
Copyright 2015 . All rights reserved