KnowYourGod

we're moving

2008-07-15T18:27:00.001-04:00

So i have enjoyed my time on blogger, but i will be moving to my New Blog at blog.knowyourgod.org please visit there.

2008-07-03T21:08:00.001-04:00

Jesus was very clear on this subject in Matt 6:16-18 The funny thing is that He says WHEN you fast, this gives us the impression that it was to be done. You don't (I believe) have to pray about whether or not TO fast. If one prays about fasting at all it should be how long and how "strict" it is to be.

Other clarifications: Simply not eating, skipping a meal (on accident), or other like involuntary type events do NOT constitute a fast.

What is fasting? Biblically, fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep media or sex to focus on a period of spiritual growth and intimacy with God. Specifically, we humbly deny something of the flesh (our natural desires) to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our relationship with Him.

TheCall is coming up and I reminded myself of the discipline of fasting. I have gone through seasons of fasting and have not fasted for a while but I believe I shall be entering now into a time of fasting again. Wanna join me? Got Questions about fasting? leave a comment.

Lots of new family pics

2008-06-24T20:37:00.001-04:00

Photobucket Album

KnowYourGod Ministries

2008-06-09T22:09:00.003-04:00

I have finally completed it :) A process long in the making so check back often ;) http://www.knowyourgod.org

no more long web addresses like sites.advancedministry.com/knowyourgod
which you can still access.

I may leave blogger :P and just use this blog link. But I will have to see how traffic picks up at my new .org site :) Thank you Scottie2hottie for the idea and Connor G. for the confirmation and tech support services that have made this possible.

Key Ingredient: Truth

2008-06-03T19:04:00.002-04:00

Lexi's Blog was just 1 of 4 confirmations of what God has been speaking to my heart. That If we will just let God be God we can get out of the way so people can see Jesus. the bible talks about this when it says 'lift up the Son of Man and they will believe' just as Moses was told to lift up the "cross" with the bronze serpent and all would be healed so all those who truly look (and see) Jesus will get eternal life with Him.

Pastor Tim Holt put it like this; Our theological debates about how many angels can stand on the head of a pin and are we post mid or pre trib or is there a 2nd work of grace- the baptism in the holy spirit? these debates muck up the water of the word that washes away the worlds programming. it makes Jesus less clear and the concerns of the world magnified. our "job" of evangelism harder.

But like John wrote the Truth will set you free, Jesus is the Truth, we need to lift Him up. Above the confusion of the world, the bad theology of the church, and let people see Jesus lifted high, then THEN they will fall in love with HIm!

we need to lift Him high in our lives and get out of the way with our personal agendas.

I really like what Lexi said ""That's not it, Eric. I'm not trying to decide whether or not I agree with it, it's whether or not it's true."

If it was true, then I was wrong and I could fix that. It would be painful, but not as painful as what I'd seen. If that Man really did take my place then I owed Him something.
"

Other Blog Website

2008-06-03T18:00:00.002-04:00

In an attempt to drive people to my ministry website People can now go directly to my blog from the ministry website. I have also added a poll and changed the theme and updates News. check it out.

Key Ingredient: Passion

2008-05-31T17:22:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I got the opportunity to preach again at NMB Xian School. I preached "The Plot Thickens" a message about how the enemy tries to kills and what ways he does it through the life of Nehemiah. ( it went well ). the night before i was not able to sleep much. Thoughts upon thoughts flooded my mind. what will i say? how will i say it? is this the right message? and so on.

I was reminded (in a daydream like state) of a seminar on food safety i went to about a month ago. I know... food safety and the bible? the man who gave the presentation (peter goode) was amazing. the fact that i remember his name is a testimony. what i started to ponder was why? why did i remember anything he said? how did i remember anything he taught?

the answer came back as passion. it didn't matter how dry and boring his topic was because he was genuinely passionate about his topic. so in a sense we all fed off his energy.

So i preached with passion and conviction and i believe i was able to cause an effective shift in their paradigms about god, devil and the flesh. all of this obviously is by the grace of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Delegation

2008-05-12T10:22:00.003-04:00

I know it has been and probably will again be a long time since i posted, but I have been thinking about this and the main reason I haven't been writing much is the 55+ hours a week i have been working. I had three employees this week tell me i was "wasting" away. Another lady told me i was going to burn out if i kept trying to do everyone elses job. In case you all don't know i am the General Manager at Chick Fil A in Conway, Sc :)

This got me thinking about what the Word says. I remembered the Faith of the Centurion. He mentioned that He understood Jesus' delegated authority because he was under the same. Jesus had authority from the Father (the ultimate source), Jesus delegated it to us. God the Father entrusted His authority in the One who earned and He in turn gave it to us so He could spread the authority to all parts of the earth.

Delegation allows the same authority and or power to be exercised in several different locations so as to maximize the kingdom borders.

just thoughts...

Financial Peace

2008-05-01T18:40:00.002-04:00

Yup so here's a shameless plug for anyone looking...

Bianca and I are going through this 13 week course and it is the most simple, practical and effective teaching i have heard on money to date. God is already blessing our finances because we are doing it the right way.

https://fpuonline.daveramsey.com/

Family Tithes

2008-04-19T08:53:00.002-04:00

I thought this was awesome, we walked down in the old part of town with some friends and saw this boat in a little marina. if you can't read it the name of the boat is "Family Tithes". I thought this was really cool! this is a sweet yacht that obviously this family thought to give glory to God on the basis of their tithing.

I'm not proposing tithe to get a boat, but God did say He would open heaven and pour out soo much blessing we couldn't store it.

I'm in.

Present the Gospel

2008-03-26T16:46:00.003-04:00

In the US I have noticed a lot of what we preach tends to be like " Please please get saved, Jesus will fulfill your every need He's great" and so some are "coaxed" into an emotional decision to "accept christ".

Then 3-9 months down the road when trial and storm hit they say "where's Jesus to make my life all better" and Jesus says i didn't promise to make life all better but that I would never leave you. so that person gets discouraged, embittered, condemned, depressed, and eventually leaves the church that "no one obviously cares about me".

An alternative approach:
Take the ticket you get at the movies theatre, we loose, forget, decline to use the word Redeem. Redeem defined is 1 a : to buy back : REPURCHASE b : to get or win back
2 : to free from what distresses or harms: as a : to free from captivity by payment of ransom b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c : to release from blame or debt : CLEAR d : to free from the consequences of sin.

in order to redeem something someone must pay the cost or penalty in order to take possession
There is a penalty or cost for Sin= God's Wrath and Judgement but Jesus paid the penalty for us by being perfect and not only dying but raising from the grave. So He gave up His life to gain a life with us His creation. Now when you "accept" the free gift available to you you are redeemed from the penalty of Sin. this means you now belong to Jesus because He redeemed you. You are not your own and you can not live your life how you want...

Presenting the Gospel is important how we do it, or rather what we include or not. Paul thought so when he says,
Gal 1:8 _But_ even if we or an angel out of heaven shall himself be proclaiming a gospel to you* besides [or, contrary to] what we proclaimed to you*, let him be accursed [Gr., anathema]!
and also
1Th 2:4 Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.

Sounds to me like it is important to include the motive in which one should "accept" Christ not only the necessity. We should just as much implore people to be moved as we should be honest and integral about our proclamation.
For what good did we do if someone 'accepts' Christ and has never truly repented of their sin? Haven't we created an empty tomb? a religious person who knows of but does not Know God?

Just thoughts...

Radical Love ...

2008-03-21T19:05:00.001-04:00

I have just completed preparing a message titled "Radical Love" You can click the play button on the convenient player to the left, it is the icon that looks like a megaphone, the icon just to the left of it looks like a paper (I know it's small) if you click that you can download and view the notes in pdf format.

Please if you have 27minutes to spare take some time and listen to it, I believe it will be an encouragement and a blessing to you, and if you like please comment on anything from the volume to the sound quality to the content and context of the message.

Thank you :)

Thoughts on prayer- or lack of...

2008-03-18T18:46:00.003-04:00

"Those with depth in their soul pray. The shallow-souls do not pray." - Brian Zahnd from his blog.

I also think as Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 'out of the abundance of ones heart so he will confess it'
I believe people have no "depth in their soul" because they have not fed their spirit with the Word= the Words of Life, His Words are Spirit and they are Life.
Rom 10:17 faith comes by hearing and hearing and hearing the word of God. if there is no multiplication of hearing then there is no depth of the soul and no yearning, no groan, no cry in the spirit for prayers to a God that said person is probably unsure hears/acts/exists... random thoughts

Momentary Light Affliction

2008-03-17T16:13:00.002-04:00

Life is funny sometimes, sometimes its not. God is funny sometimes, and sometimes not so much. I was reading 2 corinthians and i believe chapter 3/4 there is this line that says "momentary light affliction" We are to view our lives in the light of eternity. We ARE currently citizens of heaven ya know. So shouldn't our paradigm, our point of view, our reality derive its self from this vantage point?

Funny how God says to focus on eternity in stead of these momentary light afflictions, of course He could say that since He went to the Cross, of yes but that is not all. He was mocked, beaten, scorn, betrayed, pierced, spat on, human... and constantly let down by those around Him yet, for that 1 day that all of God's wrath and punishment for sin burned against our Lord Jesus on that fateful day, He counted it as joy, as a momentary light affliction, for the surpassing greatness of the riches of His Glorious fellowship towards us, His Beloved. 1 day of absolute torture for eternity- ok lets be honest 33 years of torture. 33 years ----- Eternity I wonder which ways heavier?

I know this could sound super spiritual and thats not my intention, i don't have it all down. but it encourages me to be challenged to make moment to moment, hour to hour, day to day choices to consider the life we have eternal and perfer IT over what we experience today.

SO let that grudge go, let the betrayl go, let mutiny go, let bygones be bygones and I believe you will experience more of the then -eternity- now.

A new twist on and old story

2008-03-09T18:47:00.004-04:00

Luke 15:11-24 Some preachers today preach this "story", this account as a sinner coming to grace. More in context its about a believer who walks away from truth. As I read and reread this account the Holy Spirit breathed life on a certain verse- Luk 15:20 "So he went at once to his father. While he was still at a distance, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son, put his arms around him, and kissed him. "

First a little background, earlier in the account the son asks the father for his inheritance "early".
This meant that the son was saying to his father, "Dad, I wish you were dead." (culturely speaking) and his father says, "Ok here ya go son, here's your money" which meant yes you are also dead to me.

Second after this happens the family splits and the son is no longer a son. What is cool now is in vs 20 we see that the father saw the son at a distance which means he was looking for him! You don't see in the distance just by a glance. and then it says the father came running to his son and loved on him. the father did not wait for the son to get back into "good" graces and "work" off his blunder, the father gladly and lavishly welcomed him home, back into his kingdom, back into his presence.

are you getting this?? maybe it is time in your life to come home? maybe you are cheek deep in pig slop realizing you did have it pretty good with God and you just want to come back and serve, and that is a good step, but you will find when you get there that the King will lavish you and kiss you welcoming you back... just come back.

Recall

2008-03-03T15:39:00.003-05:00

It occurred to me today that 3 weeks ago I sent out a "most sincere" prayer to my Heavenly Daddy. It was like most of us a financial help request. I wanted money to fix my scooter, pay my bills this month, attend a marriage seminar, and a financial course. All in the same month this is a couple grand and we don't normally make this much, but Daddy is generous. Yesterday He supplied a free pass to the marriage seminar, and 2 unexpected massage engagements that yielded over $900 in 1 day!! wOW!

Sometimes it is easy to forget what God has done, perhaps this is why He setup so many memorials, and feasts, and festivals so His people would remember what He did for them. Or like when Jesus told His disciples when trying to cast out a demon saying " if only you would have remembered the bread" if they would have remembered Jesus feeding 10-15000 people they surely would have had "enough" faith to cast a demon out...

so remember God IS Faithful even when we are not.

some updates no biggie

2008-02-25T20:12:00.003-05:00

First i just like this picture, it has great memories for me. Tim's office at CITW, I just lost like 5o lbs and i am with my Bella Girl :)

Second I have a NEW website for ministry that I would love for you all to check out and give some honest feed back.

Third as you can tell I have decided to leave comments off the blog, no one really comments anyway and I do this blog for me not for you :) if you really would like to make a comment then you will take the time to email me at kygministries@gmail.com or healingpoms@gmail.com its basically the same email box.

Last I miss my CITW friends, and I miss India, I am feeling kinda sappy i guess :) well stay tuned kids.

Eclipse

2008-02-22T14:45:00.003-05:00

First i would like to mention this is a real picture i took 2 nights ago when we had a lunar eclipse, not bad for a $70 camera 6x optical zoom. :)

Just for any of you who are word geeks like me:
Eclipse: 1. Literally, a defect or failure; hence in astronomy, an interception or obscuration of the light of the sun, moon or other luminous body. An eclipse of the sun is caused by the intervention of the moon, which totally or partially hides the sun's disk; an eclipse of the moon is occasioned by the shadow of the earth, which falls on it and obscures it in whole or in part, but does not entirely conceal it.

We have several eclipses in our lives don't we. Mainly we get in the way of God's Glory. we are of sorts, a malfunction. Atheists and Deists alike would say we are accidental primordial ooze doomed to fail. Even christians will proclaim that we are " nothing but a sinner saved by grace" and although this is a a true statement it is incomplete.

We are no longer sinners but saints. yes that's right- saint paul, christopher, joseph, mary and etc aren't the only one Jesus calls saints but all those who believe in His name and His cross and resurrection! Check this out: Saint: One separated from the world and consecrated to God; one holy by profession and by covenant; a believer in Christ (Psa_16:3; Rom_1:7; Rom_8:27; Phi_1:1; Heb_6:10).

so you see we are no longer sinners in Gods eyes and His wrath is no longer burning against us, no beloved it is His love that presses in on us, it is the heat of His passionate love that makes us tremble, and the intensity of the Maker looking upon His creation that causes us to consider ourselves naked before the most High.

So we have faults. God knows it, God knew it, we blew and He gets the Glory anyway. So lift up your chin don't let it fall, A man or woman of God should always walk tall, not in haughtiness or conceit, but God our Great and Mighty Savior had put all things under His feet.

Walk in Love, receive His Love and Give it away. try it.

Intentionality

2008-02-14T15:34:00.003-05:00

The Lord has really been dealing with me about this intentionality thing. It is supposed to permeate all of our lives in all aspects of our lives. Take this lionness, whose chief responsibility in regards to her lion cubs is to HUNT. Hunting is intentional, you pick your audience, size them up, you know their strengths and weakness, and habits, etc. Then you chose your timing, night time when guards are down or at the watering hole when your subject is weaker and parched. All her preparation and planning pays off- KILL and food is on the table.

We also need to be intentional, in our relationships- friends, family, spouse, or co-workers. In our work, play, schooling, and ministry. Desire begets purpose, purpose begets intentionality, and intentionality begets planning, planning begets the result you desired.

God has been using this mentoring and preaching class as an opportunity to re-prioritize my desires shifting my focus breeding new intentionality giving birth to the results that avail much in my life with less stress and energy wasted.

Be intentional, pray and ask God to show this to you and meditate on it. 1 pet 5:8 there is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, he is intentional will you be more so?

Beyond the Veil- New Outline

2008-02-07T15:52:00.000-05:00

VLI Session 3- Audience: The Vineyard

Title: Beyond the Veil

Thesis Statement: Jesus went where we couldn’t go so we could have what we couldn’t get

Purpose Statement: This message is designed to encourage the listener to approach God no matter what their condition.

Intro: The priest reverently and ceremonially washes his hands. Then prepares his robe and arranges in place the ephod, the breastplate with the thummim and urim; The Truth and The Fire. A long rope is fashioned about his waist and bells at the hem of his robe. One last prayer is offered up to the Most High before he enters the Holy of Holies- the very presence of God. He trembles and takes a deep breath and enters beyond the veil on behalf of the people.

Explain: This responsibility was unique to the High Priest who only once a year would make several specific sacrifices for himself and all the children of Israel for their sin. The Holy of Holies contained the very presence of God. This is the reason they fashioned the rope about his waist and the bells at the hem of his robe because if the Priest who entered did not prepare himself and the sacrifices properly, he would die. The people would hear the bells ringing indicating movement and that the priest was still alive, but in the unfortunate event he died they would use the rope to pull him out from the Holy of Holies since they themselves could not enter.

But now, Jesus, our High Priest, went where we couldn’t go so we could have what we couldn’t get on our own.

Heb 4:14 Having then a great high priest, who has made his way through the heavens, even Jesus the Son of God, let us be strong in our faith.

Heb 4:15 For we have not a high priest who is not able to be touched by the feelings of our feeble flesh; but we have one who has been tested in all points as we ourselves are tested, but without sin.

Heb 4:16 Then let us come near to the seat of grace without fear, so that mercy may be given to us, and we may get grace for our help in time of need.

I. Where we couldn’t go- Beyond the Veil

a. Mat 27:51 Suddenly, the curtain in the temple was split in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split open. Signify 2 things

i. Boundary between God and people removed

ii. God’s Presence-the Holy Spirit was no longer bound to geographic location

1. Rom 5:5 and I Cor 6:19

iii. Also not all were born of a priestly line. Access to God was limited to a select people

b. Fact still remains- No one can stand in the presence of God and live

i. Exo 33:20 But you can't see my face, because no one may see me and live."

ii. Today is no different, we still need to die, that is to our flesh to experience more and more of the depth of all God has for us. Gal 2:20, Luke 9:23, Jn 3:30

c. There is more than what we see in part now as Paul says, we can experience God, now- at church, at home, in your car, on a camping trip, during a fight with your spouse, when the rent is due, when sickness attacks your house or when you get a promotion, when you receive an answer to prayer, when God showers you with His Love just because.

But now, Jesus, our High Priest, went where we couldn’t go so we could have what we couldn’t get on our own.

II. What we couldn’t get on our own- Access to God without Fear

a. Even High Priest of old had to take precautions to enter because of fear of a Holy God

i. Sacrifices, Specific Garments, Washing, Prayers

b. We are sometimes like the High Priest, we understand a little that we have a position or certain entitlement with God but we fear intimacy with Him. Most of us know we have access to God, but most of us believe on some level conscious or not that there is a string

i. Good Works- Ps 7:11

1. Money to the church, helping old ladies across the street, spiritual disciplines

ii. Shame Guilt Fear

1. if we haven’t “performed” well God will not accept me or answer my prayers

c. God Changed the system- the Cross, a new covenant, relationship

i. The Cross- The Gospel-Good News! John 3:16-17

ii. A New Covenant

Heb 8:6 But now He has obtained a far superior sacred service, to the degree that He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

Heb 8:7 For if that first [covenant] was faultless, a place would not have been sought for a second.

Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them [i.e. the people], He says, "Listen! [The] days are coming, says the LORD, and I will establish a new covenant over the house of Israel and over the house of Judah,

Heb 8:9 not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in [the] day of My having taken [them] by their hand to bring them out of [the] land of Egypt, because they did not continue in My covenant, and _I_ disregarded them, says the LORD.

Heb 8:10 "Because this [is] the covenant which I will covenant with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD, giving My laws into their mind, and I will inscribe them on their hearts [fig., in their inner selves], and I will be to them for a God, and they will be to Me for a people.

Heb 8:11 "And by no means shall they teach each his fellow-citizen, and each his brother [and sister], saying, 'Know the LORD,' because all will know Me from [the] least of them to [the] greatest.

Heb 8:12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawlessness deeds I shall by no means remember anymore." [Jer 31:31-34]

Heb 8:13 By the saying "new," He has made the first obsolete. Now the one becoming obsolete and growing old [is] on the verge of disappearing.

iii. Relationship-the new system 1Jn 4:18 No fear exists where his love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. 1Jn 1:9

Rom 8:1 Consequently, [there is] now no condemnation to the [ones] in Christ Jesus, [who] do not walk about [fig., conduct themselves] according to flesh, _but_ according to [the] Spirit

Rom 8:33 Who will say anything against the saints of God? It is God who makes us clear from evil;

Rom 8:34 Who will give a decision against us? It is Christ Jesus who not only was put to death, but came again from the dead, who is now at the right hand of God, taking our part.

But now, Jesus, our High Priest, went where we couldn’t go so we could have what we couldn’t get on our own.

III. Close

a. So what must we conclude? What does this mean for us? What should I do now?

i. Jesus IS the Christ the son of God and He alone is able to make us clean –

Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He has made us accepted in the One having been loved.

ii. We can approach God in whatever condition we come In Christ

iii. Enter BOLDLY into God’s presence to seek help in time of need!

_____________________________________________________-

thoughts? comments? suggestions?

Blessings

Spirit moving

2008-02-03T14:27:00.000-05:00

This is definitely one of the cooler buttons i found on Lexi's website
I think that this could really be the beginning of a movement in the spirit of god that is going to be released in the next 4-5 years. A movement awayto. Away from complacency, religion and the things of this age and an exodus, an ushering in to brokenness, relationship and a mindfulness of eternity. May God have His way!

Let us not life our souls to another let us not put off tomorrow what we through faith in God could do today!

Leave Laodicea and move into a place with God where its not church as usual but where the supernatural happens, where the addict gets set free, where the pauper becomes a prince (person of influence), where the hooker gets free, where the christian can worship in Spirit and Truth, where GOD GETS HIS WAY- ALL THE TIME! we can start today by listening and obeying the voice of the Lord choice by choice.

What I've been reading

2008-01-30T15:50:00.001-05:00

First, this spiffy picture is of our worship leader Jason, who led a great worship set a couple friday nights ago at the first Vine Coffeehouse. We had around 100 people show for this first event! not bad, good job everyone and great job Jesus!

"Teaching and Preaching with imagination" w. wiersbe this is an excellent book on the need to change the style of our teaching and preaching. Some of you may not be "preachers" but you are! :) you see when you are at work or school or home or wherever god has you you have an opportunity and an obligation to spread the gospel, this is an excellent book to help change our paradigms on how to.

2 Corinthians- what God has been showing me- Die to Self- no really dying to the flesh not just suppressing it.

2Ti 4:16 At my first answer no one was beside me, but all deserted me. May it not be laid to their charge.
2Ti 4:17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, that through me the preaching might be fulfilled, and that all the nations might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

This has been powerful in many ways but mostly to remind me that at times in our journey and walk with God there are times when climbing the mountain where we must go it alone, well without human involvement, and that this doesn't mean God gave up on me but rather He is putting His trust in me to walk by faith and not by sight.

I am also learning a lot from Pastor Shane, who is teaching me a lot about mentorship, life, preaching, preparing, and delivering messages. thank you pastor shane!

Some of the best art i've seen

2008-01-19T16:41:00.000-05:00

This guy is amazing please give it a look!

Http://www.davidcostello.com

Works, doesn't work.

2008-01-19T10:39:00.000-05:00

This is something that has been pressing in my life. Every minister, preacher, or pastor will seem to have a theme that they preach. Almost no matter what the topic is, the theme will revolve around similar things. For me, I tend to reject "religion" in all of its powerless and binding forms.
One of these topics is the works system. The works system is what I believe all religion that is not true faith revolves around. That is, the idea that if we do "good" God will like us and bless us. Every major religion has this. Catholicism teaches that to go to heaven we must be a "good person" which encompasses giving a lot of money to the church, abstaining from premarital sexual relationship, and not killing anyone. If you pray and attend church regularly then God will like you better. Judaism is much the same in that if you can carry the full weight of the law and not break your back you are a good Jew and YHWH will grant you life with Him. Islam says that if the balance of "good" vs evil in your life weighs in favor of good than you might make it to heaven. Further good means punishing your self for the sins of your past sins and the sins of your relatives. it also means fasting and reading your quran and the ultimate good is killing those Kufar's the ones polluting the earth. On and on it goes.

This bad theology and philosophy has crept into our "main stream" christianity today. We too believe that if we offer daily prayers and fast, and "get people saved" and do the stuff of the bible then we are close to God and therefore He owes us a blessing when and how we want it. This is not only bad theology it is dangerous to us.

God relates to us on the basis of a promise, a covenant He made with man that He ratified in His own blood from His own Son. In fact, the only thing we have to do with this amazing agreement is to believe it, receive it, be thankful for it. Our blessings do not come on the basis of how good or not we are but how good He is. Now I know a lot of us know this cerebrally in our mind and our souls, but obviously this hasn't penetrated our spirit.- who we are.

Should we pray?fast?give?read daily the bible? Unequivocally Yes. but not out of a motive to twist God's arm. If we encounter who He really is, and the fullness there of, then we gain all the motivation we need to automatically "do good". but not out of the pretense that we are doing God any favors, but out of adoration, devotion, appreciation for who He is, not what He has or can offer.

Bottom line: He gave up His all, all He asks is for us to give Him our all and we will get all we desire. But do not focus on the getting of all but rather on the giving of all to Him- the One worthy of it all.

So please my friends and beloved, pursue Love, towards God first, others next and all the love you "require" will be given to you. Works, Doesn't Work. Maybe you have felt the weight of guilt, shame, and condemnation for not being "good" I pray that this leads you to the path of freedom in Christ.

Comfort and Trials

2008-01-16T11:29:00.000-05:00

I was reading 2 Corinthians lately when verses 3 and 4 jumped out at me.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

So I began to think about this and what it would mean for me. What I have come up with is that trials and affliction can and are allowed to exist for God to relay His comfort to us so we can do the same for someone else in similar positions.

This begs the question for most of us now, "Does God send the affliction?" Undoubtedly no. We see in Ephesians 6:13 the bible tells us there will be an evil day, the truth is God allowed for free will and because of this Sin came into existence and evil entered the world causing our current afflictions. Further in Psalms "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them from them all"

A brief meditation

2008-01-08T13:30:00.000-05:00

Without the dying of self, there is no resurrection power. You can not resurrect something that has not died. we want power, we want the power of God to dwell Mightly in us, but do we want to die? we want to move in power like Paul, Peter, John and Elijah or see visions prophetically like Samuel, Ezekial etc... but are we willing to die to our flesh?

Without the dying of self, there
is no
resurrection power.

Fun Christianity?

2008-01-07T14:14:00.000-05:00

Some of you may lovingly remember this time and to those who weren't there- you missed out! :) I was just thinking who most of the world ciews christians as dull, dark, boring, religious and hippocritical fanatics who can't watch Mtv because "It's of the devil".

I was thinking of my time in India- hard, yes it was. But there was such a sense of unity and purpose that we just had fun. Fun riding in this bus on our way to Kurnool to preach and pray for a little over 1000 Indian's. Fun praying for 1000's of people to receive healing, deliverance, and blessing. Fun experience a country I never would have gone to if God hadn't provided a way.

Then I started thinking about what fun is.

Fun
Adjective
1. Providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining; "an amusing speaker"; "a diverting story"; "a fun thing to do".
Noun
1. Activities that are enjoyable or amusing; "I do it for the fun of it"; "he is fun to have around".
2. Verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously); "he became a figure of fun".
3. Violent and excited activity; "she asked for money and then the fun began"; (colloquial) "they began to fight like fun".
4. A disposition to find (or make) causes for amusement; "her playfulness surprised me"; "he was fun to be with".

That's how webster defines it. But I see a common element of fun. Its more than entertainment, it is this sense of fulfillment, joy and accomplishment all in one. its when we put our insecurities aside and just be who we are and let other people see that side of us and when we are accepted this way it builds confidence, stability and fun.

So think about it this week and pray, seek the Lord what is fun and what is fun for you?

Exposition of Joshua 1

2008-01-05T08:46:00.000-05:00

I pray this finds you well and the word edifies your spirit

Title: God’s fearless victors.

Text: Joshua 1:1-8

Introduction: All of you here today in some way or another, like it or not are in a battle. Small ones big ones lengthy or short they just exist. I believe their purpose is pruning! John 15. Ya know a tree grows the most at the breaking points- where it has been cut so that it bears more fruit. So today I want to talk about realizing who you are in Christ and what that looks like. You see God desires for us to be successful and victorious in our walk. The mistake most people make is that they don’t participate in God’s plans for their life. God made you in His likeness and image. God has never lost a battle. God wants to bring you from survival to revival! He wants you to know that you aren’t your past or who your parents say you are or who your friends say you are or even who you say you are sometimes.

I know a guy that when he was younger had some pretty big hopes and dreams, but he came from very common settings. Everyone around him always told him he would never achieve anything because he wasn’t good enough, or fast or smart enough there was always some excuse or “logic” why it wouldn’t work out for him. As this guy grew older his circumstances didn’t get much better. For a while he held to his hopes but day after day went by and hopes got dashed to doubts and doubts fell to fears. Until a few years ago he really had no hopes or dreams, and the few he did have he had no real expectation of ever seeing the manifestation of his dreams into reality. In fact he became so bad off that he actually started to fear the possibility of succeeding at all. Is this what God would desire for us?

Proposition: If you and I are to experience growth and victory as believers, it is necessary to be fearless.

Transitional Sentence: I took the word fearless and made an acrostic out of it

I. Forsake the past- Vs. 1 – After the death of Moses

A. Mentor/ Predecessor/ Ultimate Goal- background history.

1. Joshua had to get passed taunting of others/

2. Get passed his own self image of “2^nd best”

3. Forsake his old identity and embrace his new one (God-Given)

B. Passing the torch – will you be ready?

1. This was not a flippant choice on God’s part

2. This was not a flippant decision on Joshua’s part

C. Even though he wanted it, it was probably difficult to accept

1. Others

2. Friends & Family

3. Self

Transitional Sentence: God is calling us to move from the past onto the new things that have come.

Tell story of Cindy and me and dream @ tooth.

II. Elevate to the task- Vs. 2 – Moses is dead, Arise go over this Jordan.

A. Time will come when God calls you for a work

1. Don’t argue with God – Obey

B. God will generally call you to a work bigger than you are.

1. This shows Gods Glory.

2. It creates obedience and true service to the Lord.

3. It will involve more people and their lives than just you.

Transitional Sentence: The violent take it by force, the weak are trampled.

III. Aggressively pursue the promise – Vs. 3 – Every place of the sole of your feet I give you

A. Action step

1. God can’t give you the all the land under your feet if you are stuck on the couch.

B. This will be a continual process

C. Tread is the key word.

1. Go OVER/ not circumvent but go over the bar

Transitional Sentence: How far can you go with no backing?

IV. Rely on His Word – Vs. 4 – From wilderness to the going down of the sun shall be yours.

A. Know the Promise First – Joshua knew this was a 400 and something year process

1. You can lay past aside

2. You can know you are called and get training to elevate to the task

3. You can even pursue wasting energy and not know what the Word says about the promise you are pursuing

B. Without a Word from God you will fall/fail/flounder

1. Fall - nothing to stand on – Peter and the boat

2. Fail – your will takes precedent not His will

3. Flounder – you will have no root/ ground wire

C. Without a Word no faith- no other reason to believe that ^

1. Rom 10:14 simple as that

2. Heb. w/o faith impossible to please God

Transitional Sentence: even with the backing of the word under-girded with faith what good is the victory unless it carries throughout one’s life?

V. Long haul/ longevity – Vs. 5- No man stand b4 u, never leave nor forsake you

A. How are you to know how God was with Moses if you don’t stick around

B. Common Mistake w/ gauging God’s will

1. Answer now or never

Transitional Sentence: Good so now you aren’t worried @ the past, you’re trained, you’re pursuing, you got the Word and you’re in it for the long haul but unless you…

VI. Exist as an example –Vs. 6 – Be strong Courageous, people divide as inheritance.

A. You will never affect the “others” God is talking about.

1. World or Xians.

B. To be an example you will have to be strong and courageous

1. Must have been scared and weak to have said it

Transitional Sentence: A fearless victor is a leader. Best way = service

VII. Serve – Vs. 7 – only strong and courageous and serve as Moses

A. God laid a foundation and a right path

1. Moses is a blueprint for Joshua

B. Law/Commandments are the borders for that path

C. Don’t turn/deviate.. Routine … 31 days.

Transitional Sentence: Final point is the successful passage from fear to fearless!

VIII. Succeed –Vs. 8- book of the law not to leave your lips, meditate day and night and DO IT.

A. Book of Law is Bible don’t let it depart from mouth

1. Meditating- not ohmMm- intense constant thought/forefront of your mind

2. Day and night- this has to be ongoing thing to feed to grow

B. Monkey see Monkey do

1. Once you got it from your head to your heart DO IT

2. All of it

C, After all is said and done THEN you will be prosperous and successful

Conclusion: You see Joshua and I were in similar situations he was taking people from the desert into the oasis of the Promised Land. He couldn’t have seen it, but only believed it would be there when he went far enough. I never thought I would or even could find peace and joy and victory in my life. But God in His loving kindness and great power took us both through certain trials and circumstances to refine us through the Refiner’s Fire of life to shed all our inhibitions resulting in the stripping off of our fears. God clearly desires a fearless walk for the born again believer so that we will grow and gain victory for His name Glorifying Him.

Isn’t it about time you and I started:

F. = Forsake the past

E. = Elevate to the task

A. = Aggressively pursue the promise

R. = Rely on His Word

L. = Long haul/ longevity

E. = Exist as an example

S. = Serve

S. = Succeed

Making an Impact

2007-12-27T13:58:00.000-05:00

We are born with a sense to do something great. I don't know anyone who would have said at 4 or 5 years old, "I never want to do anything for anybody" "I never want to accomplish something to leave my mark on the world".

Having said that, there are millions of people who say things like that. So what happens between 4 and whatever age that started?

Damage. I am starting to be able to concur with Paul who said he found the secret to being content in all things whether poor or rich, clothed or naked, etc... and further James who says that if you endure trial there will be a crown of life granted to us. Much like you may be able to imagine the sheer force and impact that this asteroid would have on this planet I see 2 perspectives.
1. the asteroid strikes the planet and wipes out a huge section of life...

Hope. I also know that the reason why anyone ultimately does any good in "this" life is because of hope. Hope of making a difference, a lasting change, their mark on "mankind". Paul tells us in Romans that hope is the reason we perserve and it builds character.
2. We can be the asteroid making the impact

We get hit with asteroids in our lives, name-calling, offenses, unmet expectations, tragedies, accidents, death, debt, taxes, etc... when these events happen we have a choice to lay down in front of the asteroid or be a much larger asteroid and impact the one coming at us. (I know the sentence doesn't flow well. deal with it :)

God told joshua He set before him life and death and that he should choose life. He said this because the default is death you already have it, but we must choose life, resist the forces that come against us and conquer those things which have been set to impact us and to then turn it all around and impact those things.

We really need to trust God for His protection and provision, thank Jesus for our redemption and forgiveness, and embrace the power of the Holy Spirit to move on from that which ties(d) us down. will you make an impact? or will you be impacted?

I John 5:5- who is it that overcomes the world?
none but he who believes in the Son of God!

Spirituality is not devoid of rational thought

2007-12-15T12:08:00.001-05:00

It is a common misconception that if you are to believe in God you must throw out logic. That God doesn't want us to use our brains because it gets in the way of us being able to take a "leap of faith" no rational person would do this.

Lets consider a few things. God knows everything, i mean everything, math, science, literature, people, the brain, the spiritual realm- Everything.- God created us. He says in His Word that He will teach us all things, that we have been given the mind of Christ. The mind of CHRIST! who is God, so He says in His Word that He will help us think like He does. Makes sense. God doesnt want us to abandon our mental faculties to believe in Him. just simply to open our selves to the realm of possibility. and sometimes in order to do this we must loose ourselves from what we think we know and believe the world is round anyway. Even though everyone else states its scientific fact it is flat, even when the world reports something different we need to believe the report of the Lord.

Keep thinking, Keep Seeking, Keep doubting :) and quest, hunger and thirst for you shall be satisfied, ask you and shall find, i could go on but you get the point. Happy hunting.

Spiritual, Mystic, Authentic

2007-12-07T15:13:00.001-05:00

The last several weeks I have contemplated some simple notions if you will. For years people have been fascinated with death, after-life, and SuperHero figures. The above image is in the top search results on google images if you search massage therapy. Personally i don't see how this image has anything to portrait in massage therapy but yet it represents 70% + of all logos and marketing/advertising for massage therapist. But it is not limited to my field of massage. Doctors- Chiropractic, Nutritional, Naprapathic, Acupuncturist all alike. I have been asking myself what Anyone would in their right mind see someone who said their "qi" "chi" "ki" is out of line or blocked. here we have an invisible force that science has not yet really proven to exist on an imperical level. Yet so many are willing to believe some quack doctor (not all are quacks) that if they would let them put a crystal and play some music that your headaches will go away. or if i stick you with needles in just the right way time and "diagnosis" we can cure and heal cancers.

Obviously these are people who have stumbled on biblical principles of the spiritual realm of which we only know in part - that is, the natural realm- how can we as christians appropriate and harness this "energy healing" power without compromising our true faith? and then is it possible? Is it simply a matter of who is wielding the sword if it will be used to murder or protect?

I believe we can through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Authentic power. Bring 'em on I say. Let's go to the cafe's and the bookstores and the psychics and spiritual advisor's and take over their jobs. why are christians so afraid of this witchcraft? why are we so timid about the true power that will set a generation free? Why shouldn't we approach the guy at the table with a necronomicon or wiccan book or transcendental meditation

Bondage

2007-12-01T08:50:00.001-05:00

I just have a few encouraging scriptures to share:

Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
Col 2:14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.
Col 2:15 Having stripped rulers and authorities, He made a show of them publicly, triumphing over them in it.

Gal 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and do not again be held with the yoke of bondage.

1Jn 4:4 You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1Jn 5:5 Who is able to overcome the world but the man who has faith that Jesus is the Son of God?

Heb 8:13 In speaking of a "new" covenant, he has made the first one obsolete, and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

Heb 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much He is also the Mediator of a better covenant, which was built upon better promises.

truly i could go on and on but the picture is that God is always watching He is like a proxy bidder in an auction only better because He is infinite in His ways and His resources always searching for the betterment of His creation- You, Us, me.

In the Spirit of... things

2007-11-24T10:48:00.000-05:00

My simple contention is this: if we (those who are believers) have the very Spirit of God who is infinite and omniscient living also inside of us, then if one is to walk in the spirit one could be in contact with any single person or group of believers at anytime. We could see and know what they are experiencing, needing prayer for and then be a vehicle, a womb if you will for God to birth a miracle in our lives.

My further contention is that if I pray "alone" in my room I may yet still have someone agreeing with me in prayer if someone else by the same is praying maybe in brazil at the same time or perhaps not at the same time, God is not bound by time so why should our prayers, if I agree with Jesus' High Priestly prayer in john 17 to be one with God isn't that agreeing? shouldn't i expect it to happen than?

just some thoughts.

Some possible songs...

2007-11-10T07:36:00.000-05:00

I will answer Your Love

Time is not for me

But You are

Taking my cares, Taking my fears

Taking me to Your side:

Breathing life, Breathing Love

Breathing You in to me

So whisper away Lord

I’ll heed Your Call

I’ll incline my ear O God

I will answer Your Love

Death is not for me

But You are

Speaking Truth, Speaking Love, Speaking to me:

Come to my house, Come to my Heaven, Come, Come my Beloved.

So speak those words

I’ll heed Your Call

I’ll set my heart to understand

I will answer Your Love

___________________________________________________________________

Untitled???

Though we’re born in iniquity

And our soul be bent

You shed Your Blood so freely

That we could repent

We’ve been stained with sin

A scarlet bond was made

But He was pierced and bruised and striped

To break us of our chains

Have you any sick?

Have you any poor?

Have you any hungry?

We have His Name and more

We call fire from Heaven

He’s the Bread of Life- the unleavened

O Lover of our Soul

It’s only You we want to know

Exchanged from darkness to light

Scarlet garments to robes of white

He paid the greatest price

To be with us for life

No more debts to pay…

Not to me

Not to them

Not to You

Because I am Redeemed X4

The great divide

2007-11-05T14:31:00.000-05:00

What makes a hero or heroine? what makes the difference between Abraham and Lot? or David and Goliath? or Joseph and his brothers? For that matter where is the line between lunacy and genius? There is a great divide. We need to see the trial for what it is not what it wants us to believe.
Here are a few points:
A hero has a call to adventure with a guardian or peril at the beginning that they must overcome or persuade to enter into the adventure.
A hero meets a guide or gains a companion who is with them through the adventure.
The hero faces many trials and adversaties.
The hero then faces the great enemy. The hero must find a way to overcome the enemy.
The hero survives the aftermath of defeating the enemy.
The hero returns home bringing with him or her a key or a gift for those left behind.

It's like my freshman english teacher used to ask, "How's your day, Jeff?" I'd say "good" and he'd say " How do you know?" I used to always shrug my shoulders and then one day he explained. You wouldn't know a good day if it weren't for bad days, and likewise a perfect day from the worst day.

In the spiritual realm we face this on a daily if not moment by moment basis. The difference in Peter when 3 times he denied the Lord and then later became one of the most powerful spiritual leaders in the early church? -The Holy Spirit- He is what can make us see a mountain and Want to cast it into the see, to give us the boldness to look into the eyes of the world and say you don't scare me anymore, let's rumble. Greater is the one in me than the one in the world. My Jesus is with me to the end of the age through the person of the Holy Spirit and I will trust in Him and His word never fails therefore all hell and its legions must tremble in my presence because I bring with me the kingdom of God wherever I trod my foot and i can expect a few sore heels from all the stompin on serpeants heads!

So plainly the Holy SPirit gives a new persepctive on the battlefield like Samson, no longer was it just 3000 phillistines against one man, it was 1 silly nation who was "dissing" the God of the universe whom Samson had a covenant and he just gave to God what he had and He used him with great power and WON!

You are that Hero/Heroine today, therefore Arise!

They can do it, YOU can do it

2007-10-31T12:12:00.001-04:00

Funny, sometimes I have noticed that in our "circles" we give out titles. Joe says, "hey guys look Jeff is here, justin has a bum knee, jeff why don't you pray for him, your're good at healing people" in this short scenario joe just gave jeff a title of healer, "Jeff Poms, OWHP-One Who Heals People" thats what they want to see on a business card. This temporarily lends to our oh so frail ego but ultimately sweeps our own legs from under us as when jeff is sick and in need of prayer who in his "Circle" will be able to believe for healing? Now not only is everyone else not in practice for healing but also the "healer" is sick what could this mean? where is the release of faith in this?

the world may say to you that they can do it, They can tithe, pray, read and understand the bible, go to bible college, go on missions trips etc.

but God says You can do it! "I am" made you I created gifts and talents in you and even ones you don't know about, yet.

I learned through many trials and storms that few if any people will be there when you are in a bad car accident and need healing right then, when you are in the hospital because the doctors fear you just had a heart attack at age 25, when your wife and you have "lost" 2 babies due to tubal pregnancies, when the rent the car and the electric is all due and you just lost your job. who prays then? will you call up the pastor and try and get a hold of him/her? maybe your best friend? but time is running out and YOU need to pray what will you do? do you know what to do? or did you buy into "They can do it" ?

Is 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

God knows you all of you and better than you know you, and He still chooses you! He would not ask of you what He hasn't given you the ability and faith to do. remember it is not about Great faith in God but simple faith in a Great God.

False Cosmic Battle

2007-10-21T15:37:00.001-04:00

I have been meditating on this idea the last few days. We have this concept of God and Satan that is not too different in some manner as the Jehovah's Witnesses. Specifically that God and Satan are like brothers, now we don't believe this... or do we? When I listen to some Christians talk about demonic warfare and their theology I get an impression that they think there is this cosmic battle between good and evil, light and dark, God and Satan. But I just don't see it, I mean yes there is spiritual warfare that we must do and yes satan is our adversary, accuser, and enemy, but it's not like the angels and demons are placing bets on the universes most intense "death match". I think we have lost a perspective that we are the head and not the tail, victors and Hyper Conquerers and its like some of us are unsure who to bet on? or who is going to win? oh sure I know cerebrally you would say no way of course i know we have the victory in Christ! So how come some of us are still flippin' on the tv late at night hopin' to see some inappropriate material, or stuck on gossiping or hearing it, or falling into the trap of offense, or on and on. Is it because on some level we let a familiar voice creep into our soul? the voice that speaks the same thing it did to Eve? "Did God indeed say?" are we to the point of surety in our faith that we can speak with boldness and conviction as the apostle Paul would say "This is a faithful saying..." He had a thorn and asked for a removal and got a grace to continue on. ( I realize at this point my thought pattern isn't entirely cohesive but try and follow my unbeaten path). I am recently more and more challenged myself to as Paul says "examine myself Daily, to see if I am in the faith" I am tired of the compromising and tired of saying "I am tired of the compromising" I believe in the risen literal Son of God and as such have been given the power and authority of heaven at my disposal and here I just sat and probably wasted 3-4 hours this week watching tv shows that only add to emotionalism in my life. The bible IS irrefutably the only inspired word of God and as such should be meticulously studied and thereby obeyed and when we fail in our task of as Paul says in Galatians "IF you walk in the Spirit you will Not fulfill the lust of the flesh" we should all the more boldly come. Come to His presence, His Counsel, His Strength and His Unconditional Love and Forgiveness that we might through that encounter gain the desired deliverance and victory that we initially set out to attain. Bottom line the devil is a liar and the father of it, Jesus is the name above all names and He-Jesus, gave us the right to be Sons of God so that by virtue of our relationship with Him the devil no longer has any legal right to accuse distort or provoke our lives as long as we abide in Him and even though we stray He made a way to be continually reconciled back into the Father's Love.

Naturally Supernatural- Walking in the SPirit

2007-10-15T13:33:00.000-04:00

This again is something close to my heart just living my life for Christ keeping an inclined ear to what He wants to do and is doing. Rather than telling God my plans and hoping He agrees enough to throw a "blessing" my way, I should be concerned with disciplining myself to hear God's voice and being a sheep, which is remarkably easier.

Today as i was "deep" in prayer something just came out of my mouth that was like " Lord just teach me to live and walk in the Spirit". Gal. tells us that if we walk in the spirit we will Not fulfill the lust of the flesh. its kind of like a duh statement but it really hit me today. So the cry of my spirit is to walk in the spirit, to be baptized again and again in the spirit, and to live abide in the spirit, so that like Jesus i will not be tricked, swindled, confused, given to fits of rage, envy, strife, dischord and the like but filled without measure with all of the power and resource of Heaven! someone say amen :)

Far and few between

2007-10-08T09:13:00.000-04:00

I know that this may be a hard pill to swallow because I am aware of a strong fan club out there :) but my wife and I are going to be moving soon and will not have internet at home so blogs will not be a regular occurence but please keep checking back as you never know when God might use this to encourage you.

Any other takers?

2007-09-30T08:45:00.000-04:00

Surely there must be more questions than these that you all have? BTW, check out http://www.reverendfun.com it has some pretty funny stuff.

Marriage and Sex

2007-09-24T19:09:00.000-04:00

I ravish His heart, a couple things 1. simply put first lets define marriage: the act of 2 people covenanting together in the bonds of Holy Matrimony witnessed by someone right? Right. so Eve was joined to Adam in the presence of God so there was both an official pronunciation of the marriage and a covenant (which is always ratified through blood, hence the consummation of the marriage) So God both witnessed and officiated this marriage and "that which God has joined let no man separate". 2nd in a slightly longer allegorical answer is that God often uses a physical or natural description to refer to the spiritual realm for example, Is 14 talks about the King of Babylon who was a real person and it is about him, it is just also a direct reference to lucifer becoming satan. with this in mind we see there is the tabernacle the temple of God, there were three places outer courts, inner courts/ holy place, and the Most Holy place or the Holy of Holies. So it is with us we have a body, that possess a soul that has a spirit each 3 being progressively more intimate than the first, same with our relationships outer courts equal those we see and kind of know at school or work- associates, then there are the inner courts- family, good friends, and then there is the holy of holies the inmost parts shared only between a husband and his wife. also everytime one fornicates (all the kissing and touching stuff before marriage that is not the act of penetration) or engages in premarital sex they effectively bind themselves to that person without the marriage ceremony or commitment, this is why some psychologists say things like you give apart of yourself to someone you are or have had sex with, because you literally have you bonded your spirit with the others. I hope this is helpful.

Responses

2007-09-24T13:15:00.000-04:00

In reference to "Life as we see it's" question regarding "Did Jesus actually feel pain when the nails went into his hands?" the Biblical support is numerous however a simple way to prove this is: John 1:1-14 these scriptures clearly show us that though Jesus being of the same substance and nature of God transformed himself into an earthen fleshly vessel. ah but then you might say "every matter should be established by 2 or more witnesses", ok... we could also look at the prophetic Psalm 88 versus' 4 and 15. and Hebrews 4:15 I hope these sufficiently answer your question :)
____________________________________________________________________

Godslovechangedeverything asked "how does a man *practically* love his wife the way Jesus loved the church? " This is easy and difficult, easy because it is clearly and specifically mentioned in 1 Cor 13., but we also see 1 cor 7:13 and more in Eph 5:23;33 if you want more paractical than these I would say 1st as a man make sure you know your role 2nd Love your wife like 1 cor 13 and think about her everyday during your day 3rd listen to your wife she is a fountain of wisdom that springs forth inventive ideas, knowledge, and encouragements more precious than fine gold. and last but definitely not least Die to your flesh.
____________________________________________________________________
Jen asked "He descended into hell and on the 3rd day He rose again. Is that at all Biblical? Yes Where does that idea come from, the descending into hell? Eph 4:9-10 mainly, but the idea of "the Pit" or "SHeol" etc. is all over the old and new testament. But i think if you start with this scripture you will be on a good start. oh and Eph 6:12, then read Col 2:15 and that should be it.
____________________________________________________________________
Thank you all for your questions keep them coming this is fun.

Back on track

2007-09-23T20:55:00.000-04:00

You know it's interesting how many times this happens to me (and i'm sure the rest of you in the real world) getting lost in the wilderness, confused by the "pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed" routine that Satan does with me. Am i so easily thwarted off of the vision and purposes God has placed in me?

I think so, but I believe not

You see I originally started this blog for one simple goal. To brain dump the specific musings, rantings, and meditations of my reading, studying, and experience of the Bible to encourage and edify those who might read it. As of late it seems I have left that goal and so I have a plan, an idea.

I want to be challenged and helpful at the same time. What I propose is...

Send in your bible/theological questions
This way I can be sure to not only challenge myself and cause myself to stay on task, but also to encourage more readers to participate. Of Course any answer i give is not simply the bottom line, so if you would be unsatisfied (or just have a check in your spirit) feel free to challenge my answers :)

Happy Postings...

the Road From Damascus

2007-09-15T17:27:00.000-04:00

I will be developing this thought more as I go, but just after I got saved I received a word from a good and trusted friend that I would be like Paul on the road to Damascus. Recently in my life i have had the opportunity to share my testimony with several clients that I work with and find myself unintentionally comparing myself to Paul realizing that there are some definite similarities.

Each year for the last couple years (probably before i just wasn't paying attention) God has given me a theme for that year, this year is from Act 14:22

confirming the souls of the disciples, calling on them to continue in the faith and that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God.

Now i don't really pray and ask god, o Lord please send trial my way, but i have just learned to be at rest during the trial. If i am to have faith, that is the hope of the unseen, i must endure through that which is presently in front of me that i might gain which is unattainable except through faith by His grace, even victory over the power of the enemy.

be encouraged, He is able

A Bike Ride

2007-09-05T13:37:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my wife and I took Bella for a little walk to look at a house for rent within our little subdivision. Bianca asked Bella if she wanted to ride her bike. I was a bit surprised since she usually can't even make it go forward (though in her defense its uphill in a grassy area in the backyard).

Truly it is probably only a quarter mile or half mile to where we were going, but it took about 20-30 minutes to get there. I have been feeling generally impatient with Bella lately anyway so this wasn't helping. As she "rode" her bike she just wouldn't pay attention to what she was doing and ended up in the middle of the road, fortunately it's not real busy but we kept telling her get to the shoulder/side. She would for like a few seconds and then sure enough veer into the middle again.

Frustrated as I was, I was also proud of her. Listening to Bianca say "you're doin' a great job honey, keep at it" was humbling moment for me. I thought to myself, what if God were as impatient with me as I am with Bella- I'd be in heaven right now... I have been thinking a lot lately about mercy and patience (and GOd is giving lots of oppurtunities to get it right). Giving people room to make mistakes and instead of beating them down for it, using it as a springboard for encouragement and growth...

Thank you Lord for Your mercy and long suffering in my life.

Clarify climbing the mountain

2007-09-03T16:10:00.000-04:00

Bianca earlier today brought it to my attention that i am not the best communicator when i write things but here goes in response to my last post we were NOT "kicked out" or anything crazy like that, Marta(Bianca's Mom) has been spectacular its just some things fell through and now the "plan" has changed we are all still doing well and expect to have a place to live in the next week as we are already dilligent in finding a home

Climbing the mountain

2007-09-02T09:54:00.000-04:00

I am typing this off the cuff so it may be a little rough on the edges, but this morning we were just informed that we have a month to move SOMEWHERE/??? we do not know where to go how to go or even who to go to? but we must move nonetheless. if you who read this could please pray for this we would greatly appreciate it.

Glory to Glory and Faith to Faith we climb up the mountain until we have our next "mountain top experience" so we can go back down into the valley, well at least His rod and staff comfort us and goodness and mercy follow us, and a banquet in the presence of our enemies and a hedge about us, phew! its a good thing we know the Lord of All when we climb the mountain of life...

Worthy or Unworthy?

2007-08-27T12:16:00.000-04:00

This is my daughter Bella. Of course. We recently went to Bath&Body Works with my parents and Bella picked up this adorable little ducky. She asked for the ducky to which I replied, Sorry sweetie we don't have money for this right now. she responded with You have to go to work and make the money so we can give it to the lady and we will buy the ducky? and i said yes honey thats right.

She has no real concept of money, but she knew she was valuable to me and worthy enough to approach me and ask for what she wanted.

I was remembering a conversation I had with a young woman several years ago. I had just become a Christian maybe 5-6 months and was working at a large chiropractic firm doing mall screenings (health screenings). This woman came into my booth and sat down filled out our questionnaire and under occupation proudly displayed exotic dancer. I asked this young woman if she had thought this through. She hastily replied yes. I went on to enlighten her about the weight her occupation would carry on her resume. She mentioned to me she was going to go to law school and was saving for that occasion. I asked her what she would put down on her resume for the last 5-7 years that she had been a "dancer". She said she never thought about it. We then got discussing about God. She related she did not feel worthy to approach God or receive anything from Him. I told her I could settle it for her- "You are not worthy." I said emphatically. We are truly all sinners but because God's grace, mercy, justice, and love for us, He sent Jesus by whom we can have access to the Father.

I hear people say things like, 'No don't look at me I'm just a worm, it's all Jesus' 'I don't want to boast in myself it is Jesus' Now i suppose these statements are not entirely wrong but it procreates a defeatist mentality. We are no mere worm, we are the chosen elect sons of the Most High whom by His will and desire Fashioned us in His image and likeness that we also ought to bare His strength, wisdom, glory, love, truth, honor, mercy, generosity and He leads us in a triumphant march!

Thoughts...?

A Vacation day with the Poms

2007-08-26T09:40:00.001-04:00

Photobucket Album

Blah

2007-08-25T07:35:00.000-04:00

My wife says " you haven't blogged in a while" so here ya go :)

More to come as later we will go to the beach with my parents today :) will have pics

Check ya later

Salvation- Thoughts on the Whole Truth

2007-08-17T17:51:00.000-04:00

So I go an opportunity to minister to a client today. She has 3 children 2 girls and 1 boy all BLIND. really one has nothing to do with the other though :) anyway in talking to her about various aspects of her life and struggles she was facing concerning her daughters I related a simple illustration about salvation.

In the US I have noticed a lot of what we preach tends to be like " Please please get saved, Jesus will fulfill your every need He's great" and so some are "coaxed" into an emotional decision to "accept christ".

She was interested so i continued...

Then 3-9 months down the road when trial and storm hit they say "where's Jesus to make my life all better" and Jesus says i didn't promise to make life all better but that I would never leave you. so that person gets discouraged, embittered, convicted, depressed, and eventually leaves the church that "no one obviously cares about me".

An alternative approach:
Take the ticket at the top of the page, we loose, forget, decline to use the word Redeem. Redeem defined is 1 a : to buy back : REPURCHASE b : to get or win back
2 : to free from what distresses or harms: as a : to free from captivity by payment of ransom b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c : to release from blame or debt : CLEAR d : to free from the consequences of sin.

in order to redeem something someone must pay the cost or penalty in order to take possession
There is a penalty or cost for Sin= God's Wrath and Judgement but Jesus paid the penalty for us by being perfect and not only dying but raising from the grave. So He gave up His life to gain a life with us His creation. Now when you "accept" the free gift available to you you are redeemed from the penalty of Sin. this means you now belong to Jesus because He redeemed you. You are not your own and you can not live your life how you want...

Just thoughts...random at that.

As a Side Note : 0

2007-08-11T15:05:00.000-04:00

We are so cute :)
Well many of you may know bianca and i celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary! we discussed some goals and dreams at the beach, we saw a movie (at the movie theater !!) and we went to a large seafood buffet (which was not so great but not awful :)

It was nice just to be with bianca and for a limited time just be married, not worried about bills or bella or the stuff of "life".

Many of you who read this have had a strong impact on us and helped us get to this point. you know who you are and thank you.

Naturally Supernatural

2007-08-02T20:13:00.000-04:00

Recently (the last few months) God has placed several things on my heart, one being the topic of evangelism. How do we do it? We are going to a Vineyard church now which is been of course an adjustment. I have not yet read the book, Naturally Supernatural, but just the title explains what God has been doing in me.

You see, or rather what I don't see is the bible recording many miraculous events in church/temple. What I do see is the majority of the miraculous outside. These miracles were not done on command as some demanded of Jesus hence the response "Only a perverse generation seeks a sign" but out of His ordinary life. Walking a long and BAM someone He meets is blind or another who is a demoniac.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the more we just commune with God, and learn to discipline our flesh, we won't have to pray for an hour before we go out witnessing to get "into His presence" we will simply abide in HIM so that when we come across those He wants to reach we will simply listen with ears to hear and respond accordingly, that is according to His will.

To those of you who read this and think ... God... use ME??!! well.. yeah. God wants to use you, certainly He is smart and powerful enough to figure out how to, so the only other variable in the equation is WILL YOU YIELD??

We all mentally, egotistically, socially, spiritually etc would say we want to be used of God, we would probably all agree we believe He can use us, so do we really believe it?
sometimes we can have a mental comprehension without a piercing of our spirit, without a revealed word in due season, because anyone in psychology or ministry :) will tell you, " you will act upon that which you believe". Having already laid down the previous statements now we visit James who says "show me your works that I might know you have faith" faith without works is dead.

If we really believe what we say and have convinced ourselves we believe then we will take action according to our faith.

Blessings friends

Remebering the Rest

2007-07-18T12:46:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about this. Pastor has been prophesied over that this 2007 is the seventh year of the church and it would be restful and "break". I have been claiming it for my life as well. Something hit me though. Entering into His rest is not necessarily doing nothing, but rather being in a state that the Holy Spirit is always enduing with power, GOd is always imparting strength for our weakness. I believe that until learn total abandonment and surrender and be "weak" for GOd we can not see His strength, and when we embrace His strength we can relax because it is not US doing anything it is HIM, therefore this is rest. It speaks in I Cor. about carrying about the Death of Christ in our bodies that we may also display His power. This is the context of the earthen vessels in II Cor. Is. 66:2-3 talks about how to get GOd's attention, a broken and contrite spirit, so that the Potter can take the broken pieces of clay, melt them down and reform them into something that could only be made by the Master.

So let us contend with all we are against lethargy and laziness- that is the Spirit of SLumber- and work dilligently 6 days :) and the 7th rest in God's presence and power.

The Mountain top experiences are to prepare and equip us to go back down and through the valley, thereby Faith to Faith, GLory to Glory.

just thoughts...

Updated pics of the Poms in South Carolina

2007-07-16T18:08:00.001-04:00

Photobucket Album

Untitled Song

2007-07-09T20:35:00.000-04:00

The Following is a lyrical poem thing I felt inspired to write well unfortunately not selling many people to see a timeshare presentation. No copyrights so feel free to use any portion, all I ask is that when it becomes the next hit like "Shout to the Lord" you send me a copy :) I hope that it inspires you and reminds you of the powerful redemptive Blood of Jesus that removes us from the "Works System".

Untitled???

Though we’re born in iniquity

And our soul be bent

You shed Your Blood so freely

That we could repent

We’ve been stained with sin

A scarlet bond was made

But He was pierced and bruised and striped

To break us of our chains

Have you any sick?

Have you any poor?

Have you any hungry?

We have His Name and more

We call fire from Heaven

He’s the Bread of Life- the unleavened

O Lover of our Soul

It’s only You we want to know

Exchanged from darkness to light

Scarlet garments to robes of white

He paid the greatest price

To be with us for life

No more debts to pay…

Not to me

Not to them

Not to You

Because I am Redeemed X4

Wars, Battles, and Scars

2007-06-26T12:36:00.001-04:00

So I realize that as of late my posts have been shall we say, less than uplifting and not so insightful. When I decided to blog it was more to bless others with knowledge and revelation that the Lord has graced me with, but I have let trials and storms veer me off course. Now, I would like to present to some and introduce to others, the LORD, Jesus the Christ:

a little sermon that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me:

Theological Truth: God is able to use whatever you give Him

Intro: I was working with a fellow sales person named Fran, who said to me, "Jeff, do you know how I avoid burnout?" I said "no". Fran said "do you know those balloon clowns the ones that you hit and they just keep coming up with a smile?" I said "oh yea" she said " That is how you have to be to make it in this field"

Statement: Be Dead to self not in Debt to self

I. Preparing for the Battlefield
Too many of us get hit and we are so loaded down with guilt and fear and rejection we can't get back up, b/c we pop (referring to the Balloon Clown getting knocked down) But you see the clown gets up b/c it doesn't feel the blow, it's an inanimate object- Did you hear me? We need to die. Oh we like to talk about it, Power, give me Power Lord- there is no resurrection power without Death.
A. Phil 3:10, Gal 2:20, 2 Cor 4:10-11 Death necessary part of process to power

II. How to Die?
A. Worship- The act and process by which we surrender our flesh that the Spirit of God may be
manifested in our natural realm
1. Money- Peter and Taxes-Mt 17:27 Elijah and the cake- 1 Ki 17:13
Concept of tithe, time and substance
2. Body- Ez. River of God

III. Spiritual Disciplines- how to kill the flesh
A. Fasting
B. Speaking in Tongues
C. Simple obedience to the Holy Spirit
D. Daily prayer and Bible reading
1. b/c you are hungry not just b/c you are "s'pose to"

IV. Going to war
A. Define- Purposeful engaging of an enemy, surrendering will to a cause not ones own but made ones own
B. Know Weapons
C. Know Enemy
D. Know Battlefield

Closing: Some of you are still saying" You don't know me, you don't know what I've been through, how I've been hurt, and that's true but I do know what He went through and it was harder and longer and tougher and His shed Blood avails MUCH

Good News
Bondage Breaker, Deliverer of the Damned

Getting Up

2007-06-25T07:09:00.000-04:00

(Don't know why I chose this pic, but love you Dad)

A new theme is arising in my life as of late: Get Up!

In basically every arena of my life. Physically, Spiritually, Mentally, Socially, Financially, etc...
As some of you may know couple years ago Bianca and I ventured on a quest for health (not necessarily just to loose weight), we accomplished our goal and consequently lost 140 lbs combined. However over the last several months the weight has crept up and i am basically back at my starting weight [around 190]. This has made it difficult to get up in the morning

Mentally I am beginning to be lethargic, Financially I can ONLY go up :), Socially I am losing a desire of starting any relationships because what I am really seeking is someone to pour into my life not Just pour into others. Spiritually I have fallen, no guys not apostate or heretic, but just feel myself losing fervor and momentum.

I know what I would tell other people in my situation, Fast, Get in the Word, Press in to Christ, Keep getting up, Don't Give up and these I am doing. I just have been asking the Holy Spirit for a fresh fire and fresh annointing because in my own strength I am ready to lie down and rest for a bit. But the enemy is always about, no time to be lax.

Apostles of Faith in our Time

2007-06-15T11:47:00.000-04:00

These Young and Seasoned men and women of God are the pioneers in my life who believed in me when I wanted to quit. Who drew out courage when all I knew was fear. Who after time and time again of failings picked me up and showed me how its done. Above all, they never quit on me and never let me quit on me.

In our lives we go through periods where when younger we think we know everything, then as we age we begin to realize the magnitude of the world and how little we know about some certain things, and then I think some of us find that except for God's Grace, we comprehend so very little.

Of course as Einstein would argue it's all relative, but I am rambling a little bit and the point of this entry is to appreciate those gone before me, those who helped make my crooked path straight, and encouraging me to pour into others lives. We never fully know for we only now in part until we see Him fully then we are fully known.

So find someone to help pour into your life the gold nuggets that God has shown them and grab someone else "weaker" in the faith and strengthen them to be bolder and stronger than you.

Beat Down

2007-06-14T14:32:00.000-04:00

Ah, it's in times like these when the Holy Spirit speaks to you and gently reminds you saying " You did pray and ask to be more humble, to see me more, to know My ways". Only what I failed to remember is that His choice method of working out the kinks as it were is purging by fire. Oh He will take you through the fire and you won't be burned, as long as you die.
So I have been stepping out for the Lord lately and this last week has been a beat down. Yes don't worry friends I will get back up, I always do.

I will keep pressing towards the goal, keep running to win the race, for I know the crown in which I desire will be an incorruptible crown.

Vacationing?

2007-06-09T12:59:00.002-04:00

This was a couple days ago at the beach right outside Coral Beach Resort and it occurred to me that we are no longer tourists but locals and we can go just about whenever we want :)

Praise the Lord for the CITW Podcast! I am going to very soon be approaching several of the churches in the area to preach some revival services, if anyone of you who would read this would like to send me an email with a reference letter for ministry I would greatly appreciate it.

Need prayer for Divine appointments and meetings specifically with other denominations, money to repair my scooter ~$2-300, increased sales at work, possible part time job, a ministry Bianca and I can do together.

whats it like here any how?

2007-06-05T14:08:00.001-04:00

This is a cool beetle around here

Spanish moss - it's everywhere

this is called Wisteria is really pretty and i like the purples

The beach, what else should i say?

and for all you reptilian enthusiasts this is a 16ft 1500lbs alligator feeding on a 20 lbs chicken you get at Jewel :)

Minor Prophets

2007-06-01T09:23:00.000-04:00

As of late the Holy Spirit has been taking me through the minor prophets. The last time I went through was in bible college, and all i really remembered was an overwhelming sense of God's Judgement. I just finished Amos and today will be reading Micah. Amos and Hosea I found of particular interest so far. God through these prophets does project His Voice and sharply rebuke His people for their lackadaisical relationship to Him and incorporation of other gods (stress on little "g"). Then with a greater fervency than His rebuke He calls them back to Love, back to righteousness, back to the Spiritual.

As a side note, I met with our youth/kids pastor Shane, who is a great guy definitely in love with the people he ministers to and that seems genuine. Yesterday he and I met to talk about my possible involvement in the youth ministry their and among other things he gave me a book to as he said "help you get familiar with The Vineyard and its theologies and philosophies" which is called "Empowered Evangelicals, bringing together the best of the evangelical and charismatic worlds". I couldn't sleep well last night so i ended up reading most of it. Bottom line I find their theology lacking in a few areas and their philosophy of ministry passive. They do believe in the ministry of the Holy SPirit but not that baptism as a second work of grace seperate from the salvation experience but that there are "fillings" and God sovereignly choose when/if He will "Show up". I suppose i could say they have a mental understanding and spiritual and social acceptance of the Holy Spirit but no regular experience of Him.

I found myself a bit like Israel in the wilderness, God all around me, but very little manifestation.

Prayers: There is a trend of pretty abject poverty and abuse in this area carried along by several preachers and pastors who fall into temptations causing them to fall and then that news spreads like wild fire, so the Church in general does not have a safe or necessarily good reputation.

Praise God I have a job and i will be looking for a second one today my wife and Bella will be joining me FINALLY in just a couple days.

Legacy

2007-05-27T15:01:00.000-04:00

So today was my first church service at Seacoast Vineyard in MB, Sc. I know you are all on hinges ;) It went very well, Pastor Tim Holt preached about leaving a legacy and how our decisions matter to the future of history to our nation, state, churches, cities, families, etc.. at service i met a young boy Donte' have had cerebal palsy (youth leaders sound familiar?) i felt prompted by the Lord to go pray for him i did and he got :half healed: one leg straightened up, but his grandma had me pray for her and she did get fully healed of Arthritis in her knee, it was so bad she had to cook in a chair because she can't stand in her own strength.

God is good.
I believe God is going to start a legacy in our family down here.

Ask and you shall receive

2007-05-25T12:24:00.000-04:00

I have now been here since Tuesday may 22nd at 10 pm est, and have had 2 job interviews and accepted 1 today so yes i have been here 3 days and already God opened up a door for a job. I will be working for BlueGreen Resorts as a salesman, but really i get to just kick it with locals and tourists paying for their dinners, going to shows, and then selling them on taking a tour of 1 of 4 resorts in MB. BTW, i get full beneys and can stay at ANY of their resorts for a week for $75 !!!!

Not bad for the God of the universe ey? C'mon Give Him Praise :)

Testimony; I pray specifically that we would raise enough money so I could drive the moving truck down here ( *Check*) I also prayed that i would secure a good job within the week and half before Bianca comes down ( *Check*).

Conclusion: God Loves me and my family and He is Well Able.

SurReal

2007-05-23T13:33:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone,

Greetings from the Church at Conway?! or er uhm well I made it Praise God! I will try very hard to post something every week. It is surreal for me being here even now, i mean, I'm here i've made it and yet i still feel like calling up connor or timothy and hanging out or praying or fighting :) I know that God has amazing things for us down here, and to all of you who read this for what it is worth, I am sorry, So many of you I feel now that i did not truly appreciate you or rather express fully my gratitude and so to the youth leadership, my closest friends, I will miss you utterly and will keep in touch.

Pray for me: Job, Adjust, Learn how to navigate the area quickly, build relationships and what ever the Lord puts on you hearts. Oh and oppurtunities to minister in other churches, especially Non Full Gospel ones.

Please email me any prayer requests you all might have. Healingpoms@yahoo.com

Loving you all from afar, in the Spirit very near,

Jeff

So full can't empty?

2007-04-28T20:48:00.000-04:00

So I concur with Lexi. I have been so busy it is easier to just read someone elses blog for 3 minutes rather than gather the 1000 thoughts i have and put it into some format you as the reader will not only enjoy but that makes sense. So far i have not succeeded :)

Garage Sale:
We are having a garage sale this weekend with lots of stuff and furniture so if you are interested please call us or come to maria's house. http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w246/healingpoms/Furniture/ you can go to this link if you want to see some of the stuff.

I got to minister to a few people this last week, some of them were from the WCA, willow creek assoc. i was doing some chair massage for them. it was neat to be used of God in words of knowledge for them they were touched. again God used me today to minister words of wisdom to a Japanese client at my job. I feel alive and satisfied when God uses me like that.

I have been starting to go through the book of Daniel... Whoa... good stuff. 2 big impressions of the book so far, Daniel besides being a man of integrity and excellence knew his God!! and God is well able to humble the proud!

Lastly, I feel as though I need more of an outlet to teach. I do not think I am much of a preacher, but i know God has blessed me when i teach the word of God... Got Bible Questions? :)

All in love with You

2007-04-17T08:23:00.000-04:00

All in love with You

Hands go up
Mouths open wide
Tears may fall
No Jesus coming down

I looked so far for you
And all You have to say
Is look no further
Child, Here I am

Praise goes up
Hearts open wide
Tears may fall
My Jesus comes down

Now I've come face to face
with Him who loves me
I will meet Him place to place
For all Eternity

Please, make all I am
All in love with You

I just woke up this morning 5 minutes ago and the Lord just dropped this little song in my spirit... enjoy and make up your own sounds.

Monopoly

2007-04-10T23:31:00.000-04:00

Just a game? or a part of the devils infinite schemes to divide and conquer the people of God. A reflection not only of true american culture at its "best" but the human soul at its worst.

7 Doors open

2007-04-09T11:03:00.000-04:00

I have often found a theme in the way God deals with me. I always seem to have 7 doors open and none of them shut. I picture the Lord inviting me in. I am at a point in my walk where i follow His voice. I know what direction it's coming from, but I'm not 100% which door to open. I mean i'm in the right country, state, city, street, building, wing, floor, but now there are these 7 doors and its like His voice just echoes up and down the hallway.
I could let fear grip me but, I know to press in and on. I could be hasty, but i also have found its better to wait on the Lord.

Allow me to be more specific: my wife, recently was pregnant and had an ectopic, or Tubal pregnancy, we had this once before and our dr.'s told us they REMOVED her left fallopian tube, only because of this information we took alternative more invasive more costly routes to try and perserve this remaining tube that has now ended up costing us in excess of $25k, this is a direct relation to the misinformation of our previous Dr., not to mention my wife nearly died because the other treatments didn't work and her tube ruptured causing bleeding into her abdomen, a potentially deadly position. Now we are left with a decision whether or not to sue for medical negligence or let it lie and pay the bills with the money we do not yet have...

The bible talks of offences, letting someone elses trespass go and not to be quick to sue, though it says do not be quick, doesn't say not at all, this is just one of my 7 doors.

advise?

Heart Level

2007-04-03T16:45:00.000-04:00

God has a way of showing us whats in our heart doesn't He? It's not the God is sadistic and just loves to point out our flaws, He simply Loves to point out where sin is lurking, hiding, and hindering us from true Love.

Several years ago, just a few months after I received Christ into my life a humble servant of God ,Steve Sampson who spoke a word over me that the enemy tries to build arguments and strongholds in my mind about why "its" not gonna work, but that the Song of the Lord would rise up in me. Now, I'll tell you as a new christian that was wierd for me to hear but i'll tell you this too, often when i pray i sing my prayers. lately God has been speaking to me in song, the bible says in Zep 3:17 The Lord your God is among you, as a strong saviour: he will be glad over you with joy, he will make his love new again, he will make a song of joy over you as in the time of a holy feast.

So anyway for those of you reading, especially Tami and Lexi, here is a song/poem i just wrote...

I will answer Your Love

Time is not for me

But You are

Taking my cares, Taking my fears

Taking me to Your side:

Breathing life, Breathing Love

Breathing You in to me

So whisper away Lord

I’ll heed Your Call

I’ll incline my ear O God

I will answer Your Love

Death is not for me

But You are

Speaking Truth, Speaking Love, Speaking to me:

Come to my house, Come to my Heaven, Come, Come my Beloved.

So speak those words

I’ll heed Your Call

I’ll set my heart to understand

I will answer Your Love

The Plot Thickens

2007-03-30T22:46:00.000-04:00

This is a real photo of a real albino alligator it is not stock photography :)

The Plot Thickens

A breakdown of Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah- Consolation, Repentance of the Lord | Governor of Jerusalem
Sanballat- enemy in secret
Geshem/Gashmu- Rain Storm
Tobiah- The Lord is Good or goodness of God
Plain of ONO- Grief/Iniquity/ Strength

Historical Backgrounds:
On July 10, 586 B.C. The Babylonian forces of king Nebuchadnezzar broke through the northern wall of Jerusalem and led 100’s of thousands of Jews 700 miles to Babylon, the land of idolatry
The Jewish survivors were hauled across the Syrian Desert to Babylon, many of them perishing along the way. The Babylonians shackled captives on ankles and fish hooked their mouth (do not turn to the R or L). The Southern Kingdom of Judah had ceased to exist, the monarchy had ended and this marked the end of the First Temple Period.
Jerusalem was burned and the walls of the city were torn down. All military, civil and religious leaders were either executed or carried away into captivity. Isn’t it interesting how the devil wants to remove leadership; strike the shepherd and what happens? Only the poorest of the peasants of Judah were allowed to remain in the land which was by now a place of complete desolation. God always leaves a remnant, the meek shall inherit the earth.

Ezra just accomplished the spiritual establishment of the new community from being exiles, whereas Nehemiah gave it physical structure. Also he rebuilt it in record time 52 DAYS!

1st thing you need to understand: The devil wants to kill you, overwhelmed and CONSUMED w/ hate for us!

Enemy’s Attack- Joh 8:44 You are of the Devil as father, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.

2Co 2:11 that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

4 Things devil does to us that we see from Nehemiah’s life
Read Neh.6:1-16

Investigate- Search for a flaws/weakness | see if you are a prime candidate
Funny how the devil tries to get you when the work is ALMOST done, just before God releases The Blessing.

Neh 6:1-2 | Sanballat- enemy secret | Sanballat ACTED like he cared- ‘hey let’s meet and work it out’

1Pe 5:8 Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour; there are some heCAN’T

Untimely Death
Just a few months later (December 1956) Coe was hospitalized after he fell ill while holding a revival at Hot Springs, Arkansas. What Coe felt was just fatigue and exhaustion caused by his demanding schedule, was actually bulbar polio, and he succumbed to this disease in just a few weeks at Dallas Parkland Hospital, on December 16, 1956.

Interrogate- Question your relationship with Jesus and His authority
Meet among the plains of ONO. 6:2 devil wants to bring you to a level place of iniquity
Neh 6:6–Sent a letter accusing Neh of wanting to be a king

Gen 3 devil questioned adam and eve’s standing with God and God’s word and authority to them

Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Intimidate- Try and knock you off your game through fear and lies

Neh 6:5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, in which was written,

Neh 6:6 It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews are thinking of rebelling, for this reason you build the wall, so that you may be their king, according to these words.

I Kings 19:1-3,9 Elijah

Eliminate- Ultimate goal is to Kill you or at least disqualify you in the race of faith or to break your legs so you can’t finish
Neh 6:10- logical, go into the house of God-same as Ehud King Eglon in Judges 3

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

4 Things Nehemiah did to overcome:

1 When you are being investigated you better be a person of integrity, Nehemiah was known to be a man of integrity especially with God. Nehemiah was commissioned governor of Judah because of his high moral character

2 When you are being interrogated you better know who you are and know you are doing a great work. Neh6:3

3 When you are being intimidated you better be able to stand firm in Faith
5 times sent the SAME answer | Eph 6:13-14

4 When the devil is trying to eliminate you you better be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Neh 6:10-14

These of course are the notes. so soon i will get a microphone and preach it and record it and podcast it so you all can hear it.

your are all lovely to the Lord

India Support

2007-03-29T21:27:00.000-04:00

Switch Youth Ministry Mission Trip 2007: India Aug 3^rd- 18^th

Dear Patron Blogger,

Many people today hear and see about the ill health, treatment, living quarters and general quality of life of India. Many people have a desire to do something about it. Maybe you don’t want to travel 24 hours across the world and endure the hot sun and lack of most commonalities but you want to do something…

Church in the Word’s vision is to make Jesus real to our local community and all over the world. It’s a church wholly dedicated to reaching the lost by equipping us to reach the world through missions. I cannot think of a better way to spend my summer then sharing the Gospel with others, and I know my life will be changed even more this time as well.

I am excited that God has called me to India again this year ‘07! Last year we saw the lame walk, blind see, deaf hear, and many salvations and blessed families. As some of you may know we put on a 3 day youth conference in Kurnool which was a great success and many of the Indian people encouraged in the Lord. This year our focus will be on village ministry, administering the power of God to people who have never seen white people before, 70% are illiterate of their own language, and uniting villages to the cause and person of Jesus Christ. We will be performing several dramas and street evangelism as well as a children’s VBS (vacation bible school) and teaching/preaching the Gospel.

India is located between the Middle East and China. My team will be based out of the city of Hyderabad, which is in the Southern part of India. We will begin with training at our Church August 1st and then will travel to India where each day we will present the Gospel. This trip will be very challenging, both physically and spiritually but I am excited to see God use me this summer to change the lives of many who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Follow this link to see just one amazing miracle that happened while I was in India last year, this is me in the video, and please read the description to get more information about what exactly is going on in the video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC1I_4PoPLk

I will be leaving on August 3^rd and returning home on August 18^th. In the meantime I will be working hard to raise funds for my trip. The total cost of this trip is $3,000, which includes all expenses: airfare, accommodations, food and training.

I know that I cannot accomplish this work alone and I trust that God will provide the resources and finances necessary for me. I am asking you to partner with me by making a tax deductible gift towards this ministry endeavor.

I have several financial deadlines to meet: the first is June 15th when 50% is due. Any amount that you can give will be greatly appreciated. If you would like to support me in this exciting opportunity, please make checks payable to “Church in the Word” and return them in the envelope provided (also write my name in the memo area). Your donation is completely tax-deductible. Your support is an important part of seeing salvations on the field this summer. If you have any questions please contact me at 224-345-8080 or healingpoms@yahoo.com or visit http://web.mac.com/switchyouth for more information.

This is not just an opportunity to send Jeff Poms to India. I am giving God a way to bless you financially. When you sow into a fruitful ministry you’ll reap a blessing. God’s word says that when you sow into missions trip and become a “sender” you can reap the grace and blessing that is poured out on that work. So if 800 people come to Jesus because of you sending me there, the measure in which you give, it will be given back unto you.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration in partnering with me in the Ministry. I greatly appreciate your prayer and support! God Bless, Jeff Poms

Gods Standard

2007-03-23T19:01:00.000-04:00

On my friend Lexi's Blog she comments on God's standard. Teaching from the Way of the Master teaches us that most ppl measure their "holiness" to themselves... I am a good person cuz i never killed anyone, then you ask them if they ever hated anyone they say yes and blawhh! got em. the point is that the bible says that every one in his own heart thinks he is good, it also says our best righteousness is like filthy used tampons to God!!! God's standard of good is MORAL PERFECTION.

Whats the point in my rant?

Knowing is only 1/2 the battle

to simply KNOW their is a higher standard is one thing to eagerly pursue, chase, drive, and press toward is quite another so again i ask...
where's the fire? what do you burn for? what are you hungry for? is your tongue cleaving to the roof of your mouth because you are so dehydrated of the Word? or are you thirsty for more of the satisfying, complete, perfect word of God....

Let us teach with all authority and power the doctrines and principles of the Kingdom of God.

Preachers Dorm

2007-03-20T20:16:00.000-04:00

Well it is just interesting to me how this works sometimes. When I sit down of my own volition to "prepare/write" a message I just really have a hard time. However, if I am asked to preach or if someone simply asks me a question about the bible, I tell you you better have 1/2 an hour or better for me to answer you.

I can even explain the mechanics of preaching and how to prepare a message to others, yet when it is time for me to do it I find great difficulty.

I also find that I can get in preachy moods. These have all to do with how in the Word or not I am or have been. If I have really been in the Word I will be really preaching I can't help it, it just comes out. This can not result in others preaching to me it has to be personal revelation. I think God does this to me to keep me accountable.

Tuesdays we have been going through the Omega Course by Mick Bickle at IHOP KC, but tonight we are ending our study. My prayer is to rekindle what I used to call the "Preachers Dorm" This was a group of guys I lived with in Bible College that would tag team preach, worship, and then do altar calls. These were powerful times that I hope will once again be renewed on these Tuesday Nights. I also believe it will be a time for others to express their giftings.

In the Making

2007-03-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

Some of you may or may not know, I work here at Body & Sol in Barrington, IL. I started at this place last sept 06 and truly it is a blessing even my wife (Bianca) has said she has never seen me more happy.

As of late though are financial situation has been less than adequate, but in Faith by God's Grace it is improving everyday! I have had to really press in to Jesus and seek what is the best recourse for my families situation.

In the last 3 or so weeks i have had 4 major job offers in which i have had to make fairly quick decisions about whether or not to take them. All of these in the natural would be obvious choices since they would make a good bit of money.

Gods ways are higher than our ways :) and He has chosen to keep me at Body & Sol where i will put all of my efforts. Pray God's provision and favor and visit me :)

Faith Week

2007-03-11T15:28:00.000-04:00

Quite possibly the most encouraging week of the year. This is our 3rd annual Faith Week which starts tonight and goes through next Sunday March 18th. If you have never been to our Church,
Church in the Wordit is an awesome, exciting, Spirit-Filled Church with people passionate about God and His Word!

These last few months have been very difficult for many in our church. I could recount all the "negative" things (which funny enough isn't always easier to remember bad stuff rather than good stuff?), but instead I will just speak some faith.

Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?"

Joshua sent out spies and only 2 came back with a "good" report the other 10 only saw trial. the 2 were full of faith and ready to Believe God, the 10 were too concerned with themselves and their flesh to even consider God.

David Slew a bear and a lion, then he gained confidence in the Lord to slay Goliath, but i tell you david did not consider his size or stature or strength or ability but he considered only his covenant/agreement that God made with him.

You see as we move towards the person of Jesus all hell will break loose, but the tighter and closer you move towards HIM, HE releases all the power of Heaven into your life...

Where's The Fire?????

Faith and Patience

2007-03-01T17:33:00.000-05:00

There seems to be this trend in my life where God shows Himself to be the God of the Last Minute. Maybe you know what I am talking about. My wife and I have been faithfully tithing and sowing for years. About a year and a half ago I quit my normal day job and launched a Massage Bussiness that as i am partially ashamed to say has not quite taken off the way i first envisioned. This has cause me and my family severe financial hardship. We have been 1-2 months behind on all our major bills, i.e. Mortgage, Car and student loan payments, etc... I just interviewed at US Cellular for an inventory position, it went well and they want to hire me, i do not yet know for how much but then i have a "possible" oppurtunity to work for another chiropractic friend of mine (this is more my line of work) just minutes ago i got a "random" phone call from a marketing director who wants to hire me for massage full time at her company!!! i would setup shop right there in the company! she has over 600 employees more than enough to keep me busy for sometime. SO please pray that I find more favor with her and that this oppurtunity does not fade away...

Praise the Lord for His Name!

Do your heels hurt?

2007-02-20T10:52:00.000-05:00

Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers us from them all!
Well my friends, my verse from last year, the thing that God really produced in me was that it is through Faith and Patience that they/we obtained the promises of God. Some of you may or may not know that my wife and I had been trying to conceive a child since January 06, yes over a year.

We recently about 2-3 weeks ago decided that we had done all we could do and would consult a physician. (I am not against physicians, hey i want to be one, but this one just didn't know my God) This physician said we had infertility. it is a little less than one month later and let me tell you my friends we are PREGNANT!!! just under a month pregnant!!!! You see I just kept speaking the Word of God over my wife and her womb and commanding barrenness and death to go in Jesus Name and by God it HAD to yield at that Name.

So you may say to yourself why did you title this "Do your heels hurt?" and the reason why is because we are to trample and tread upon serpents and scorpions, our rightful place is currently a citizen of Heaven with Jesus, joint heirs, Kings and Priests set apart to our Holy God, in short He gave Us the authority and the power to put satan and all the power of the enemy under our feet, and it means to forcefully do so as one would strike a snakes head to kill it. so if you are stomping on snakes all day your heels may hurt :)

love you all

Spirit? Breath? Air? Wind? Mind?

2007-02-06T14:15:00.000-05:00

Lately I have been seeking the Holy Spirit about something that rather troubled me.
You see often in full gospel or pentecostal circles we command deliverance of evil/unclean spirits. This is biblical but I have seen people cast off the spirit of headache. I decided to research the Greek and Hebrew occurrences of when the bible names Spiritual forces/principalities by name. this is what I found:
Old Testament word for
Spirit is H7307
רוּח
rûach roo'-akh
From Strong's H7306; wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions): - air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, X vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y).

This same word is used with the Spirit of the Lord, Spirit of God as well as the following;

Spirit of Harlotry/Whoredom Spririt of Jealousy, Spirit of Wisdom, Spirit of Grace and Supplication, Spirit of Understanding or the mind, Spirit of Princes, Spirit of man, Spirit of beast, Spirit of Egypt, Spirit of Judgement

New Testament word is G4151
πνεῦμα
pneuma
pnyoo'-mah
From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit: - ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Compare G5590.

This is used in conjunction with
Spirit of Infirmity, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Faith, Spirit of Divination, Spirit of Life, Spirit of Bondage, Spirit of Adoption, Spirit of Meekness.

This was all from the KJV no where did I find Spirit of Headache :)
Thanks for tuning in.

Side note please check out www.hisholyspace.com it is a real christian alternative to MySpace.com thanks God Bless

New Sermon Player

2007-01-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

I am wanting to become more of a preacher, I believe God wants to develop that gift in me, and this site will allow you to download messages and then i would love for you to critique them. To the right you will see a sermon player which will allow you to listen and or download messages, also probably by next week you will be able to search for KnowYourGod in iTunes and subscribe to a podcast or just open iTunes,click advanced, the third option down is subscribe to podcast, then you can paste http://www.sermonfeed.com/KnowYourGod/ into the address bar if you want it now :)
Enjoy

thanks all

Seasons- Crashing

2007-01-18T11:41:00.000-05:00

Ain't it funny how just when you think you are entering into a season of life where things calm down, where they may finally settle, you can just see the light at the end of the tunnel, the devil puts a refractive mirror and you are still hundreds of miles from where you thought you where.

I don't know how moses climbed that mountain twice for forty days and fasted and denied his flesh. well , really i do its called the spirit of God, but its like gatorade, Is It In YOU?

I feel like i just climbed up a mountain only to encounter the fact that not only was this not the top of the mountain but now i must traverse a vast desert to get to the next point of the mountain to then climb more and see if THIS will now be the top...

Pray for me to keep climbing

Chew on this for a while

2007-01-11T08:15:00.000-05:00

I was thinking this morning about destiny and free will. an amazing and terrifiying thought came to pass. We have heard it preached, we have felt it burden in our Spirit; What we do or don't do with our walk with Jesus determines/influences other peoples destiny.

Think of this: I was driving yesterday afternoon and i felt the Holy Spirit tell me to start praying in tongues. For a moment I hesitated, and the Spirit of God said to me, 'if you don't there will be peoples' walks in danger'. Now I don't know exactly what that would be and I may or may not personally know these believers but I prayed until I felt released of the Holy Spirit.

Everytime we go 5-10 mph over the speed limit we are reducing God's ability to use us to the fullest to the measure of the stature of Christ. Everytime we spout off to our spouse in anger because of offense we stop gaining ground for the Kingdom and we begin to regress. Everytime we don't take opportunities to pray, fast, read, fellowship with believers, serve, etc we deny God the availability to show Himself strong in the earth.

I know what the devil does what he says,' no one can fulfill all the law anyway, you aren't hurting anyone by looking at that porn, or speeding, or fighting with your spouse' and if we receive that lie we will begin to rebel against God and etch further and further away.

So like James urged us, Draw near to God, and He shall draw near to you. God has already completed His work you see, He made every provision for you to come to Him, now all He asks is that you walk Faithfully toward Him and He meets you there.

Salvation!

2007-01-06T21:35:00.000-05:00

I realize that for some this may be trivial. Sometimes it is important to review the basics and examine if there is something deeper to understand or implement in our lives.

I recently have had several opportunities to lead a little over 20-25 people to the Lord Jesus Christ! Praise The Lord! During these times I found myself following a certain pattern.

I would thank them all for their courage in stepping out in faith.
Then I ask them what it means to them to be saved/born again.
I listen and then offer them this:

Salvation is about God the Father loving you so much and wanting to have ever-lasting relationship with you that He decided to send His only Son Jesus Christ to come to earth and show us that life, grace, truth, mercy, power, etc is only found in and by Him. In order for you to enjoy Him something had to happen. See God is not only 100% Mercy and Love but He is also %100 Holy, Righteous, and Judge. He can have nothing to do with sin for He is light and in Him there is no darkness. Makes sense right? So because God is eternal, He is outside or above Time, the punishment for sin ( or breaking His commands) is eternal. You steal so candy in a store and its a class c misdemeanor with about $2500 fine and up to 3-5 years in jail. God's standard of Good is MORAL PERFECTION and so stealing or any break of the law requires eternal punishment, hence Hell- a real place of torment- ever-lasting. So in order to get to Heaven you need to receive and accept Jesus to put your total Trust and Faith in Him and commit your WHOLE LIFE so that in doing so when God looks down on you and your sin what He sees is that the penalty for that sin has been paid for by His Son Jesus and God does not have to punish you for it because Jesus already paid the price. Again this is not a free ticket to continue sinning nor does it devoid us from the need of repentance from evil things in our lives but now we have a High Priest and Mediator who makes intercession for us and presents us Clean before the Father.

praise God

Goals 2007

2006-12-31T18:03:00.000-05:00

This morning our Pastor, Patrick Hoban gave a fantastic message on What do you want? this may at first seem trivial and meaningless, but I have several things on my heart. I want to make sure that I have the heartbeat of Heaven. To that end here are some of the goals I have for 2007. 1st and foremost to grow closer to the Lord this year than last to continue moving forward. I want to have another child in 2007, Go to india and see hundreds saved, healed and delivered and at least 1 person rose from the dead preferably from me praying, I want to reach and maintain a target weight of 155-160lbs, I want God to use me greater in preaching this year at our
Youth Ministry: SWITCH and around to other churches preferably non-charismatic churches but wherever the Lord leads, and last but not least to sell our condo and move into a cheaper rental home where we can start paying off our debts and get free from it.

And one day this sign will read Jeff Poms.

So if anyone has Pastoral friends who would like a Youth/Adult speaker please call me I will travel :)

Happy New Year

Roller Coaster

2006-12-26T11:05:00.000-05:00

Yes its true that I even sometimes find myself buying Satans ticket to jump on Hells best up-and-down-til-you-cant-think-straight rollercoaster. as silly as i know it to be, as futile and dangerous as i know it to be, i still get dupped (doopped?). I don't want to waste energy fighting people, i want those principalaities to come tumbling down, i can't wait to hear the sweet sound of victory for the Lord( which He has trult already given us anyway).

I get pysched up for certain events and dates but i fail in the day to day battle of obeying the speed limit, honoring my mom and dad, and not bearing false witness. these are important to being a skilled warrior. My desire is that the Lord will grant me the manifest grace to first slay my own giants in the land so i can go and give others the good report that the battle is the Lords and He shall prove victorious everytime.

this verse has been echoing in my spirit: Those who put their trust in the Lord shall never be put to shame.

Hmmm. so if i just simply do what God says it will always work. interesting concept. what is it that D L Moody said I will be a man who is completely surrendered to God. He did a good job, but Jesus was a perfect picture of that.

Lord Help me to get to that placer more and more everyday.

MySpace

2006-12-04T15:44:00.000-05:00

wow i can not even believe the world that is MySpace. I just checked it out to find old High School friends, and lo and behold all of our Youth are on there, so now i can keep in contact with them. like most things there is a function and a dysfunction.

So if you want to check it out its
myspace.com/knowyourgod

there is a couple cool videos and pics i posted and of course you can get a hold of me that way also.

Searching for a few hearts

2006-11-21T08:26:00.000-05:00

You ever feel like God has a search warrant for your heart? everytime you think or say something the Sweet Holy Spirit whispers to you, should you be saying that? Isn't doing this against My Word? Do you want to be far from Me? We as christians call for revival we want the Holy SPirit to show up at our services and our lives but we don't want to pay for it. we want to be "magically" whisked away by the effort and sacrifice of others. I get disgusted with myself sometimes; thinking i have arrived at some spiritual plain with God b/c of something He alone gave me the grace to accomplish in the first place. Apart from God I can do nothing, if i am alive i can do nothing i must die. Oh God show me how the living die, and how the dead live in your presence. Teach me true humility and patience that is perfected through love.

Priorities

2006-10-31T21:13:00.000-05:00

Perhaps some of you will remember me, I used to write here occasionally. Something God the Holy Spirit has been ministering to me lately is the word Priority. Webster defines this as: "something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives". We have many competing alternatives in our lives today.

An illustration from a friend of a friend. Once a high level Loans officer took a vacation to the Hawaiian Islands. He went to the local restaraunt and ordered fish where he was promptly instructed to go to the beach and find a fisherman to catch whatever he wanted because that's how fresh their food was. The Loan Officer does this and of course it is the best fish he's ever tasted. Long story short he visits this restaraunt several times and gets into a conversation with the fisherman. He asks the fisherman if he ever thought of "expanding" his business. The fisherman says no, why? He says, 'I could get you a loan to get 3 more boats and a small crew'. Fisherman says ''Then what?' He says ' then you could expand more even have several chains across the usa canada and europe. Fisherman says ''Then what?' He says then eventually you could retire as head and ceo of this big corporation and do basically whatever you want, you could just fish up and down the shore as often or not as you want. the fisherman says, 'how's that different from what I do now?'

Often times we confuse priorities with "pressing" matters. Recently this year I decided God was my priority. I quit my full time job to start my own business. this was so i could please God in my Marriage, Parenthood, Service to Him and the Church, and all around less stressed with "pressing" matters. So I removed them from my life. This initially of course caused some friction and "waves" in all these arenas, but now I am so much more focused on my relationship with God, my wife, my daughter, the Church, my work, my health, etc...

Think about what God could entrust you with if He only had your undivided attention... Jonathan Edwards who wrote sinners in the hands of an angry God, who started the 2nd Great Awakening in the US spent 8-13 hours a day in prayer and study of God's Word. Wow!!!! Take that in for just a minute.

Challenge: so today pray and ask God what is your priority, and if it lines up with His priority for you.

Capacity

2006-10-10T20:21:00.000-04:00

I am really sorry it has been such a long time since I have blogged. Life happens; Blah blah blah.

I have had this word brewing in my Spirit: Capacity. I have been contemplating the term and here is how webster defines it : the facility or power to produce, perform, or deploy: the potential or suitability for holding, storing, or accommodating: an individual's mental or physical ability:

So then, something hits me. We know God is El Shaddai, EL Elyon, but do we KNOW it? is He truly limitless, Does God have a capacity? I don't think He does.

This means that since God is Love and Patience, Mercy, Peace, Righteousness, Power, etc... there is no limit to these qualities and attributes. This additionally means that there is no limit or capacity on how much of these things He gives His children. That is good news!

This means because God's patience never runs out He will always Love me so He is always seeing the best in me He is always rooting for me, always trusting in me and always encouraging me to finish the race. In addition to this, He is more than willing to dispense as REQUESTED ( not as needed) in faith, which He also provides) these things we ask!

So be encouraged as you press on this week month and year that with God truly all things are possible and now you can trust Him for all your needs.

Pride and Joy

2006-09-21T12:44:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! Meet Bella my 2.5 year old daughter. I wanted you to be able to see her because there is an awesome beauty that she possess which goes way beyond her cute little cheeks and smile.

This little beauty acts under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Ya, you heard it right she hears from the Holy Spirit. Several times with no prompting from either myself or my wife, Bella will say to me from the back of my car,

Daddy, put your seatbelt on PLEEEASE

to which I always reply thank you sweetheart.

It is interesting to observe the differences in children, you can see those who are well spoken, behaved, etc... vs. the chaotic, loud, miscreatents that roam over their parents authority or lack there of. So I am proud of our daughter and the creative measure God goes through to show me through her how much I am His pride and Joy even more so than she is mine.

Finally!

2006-09-12T15:42:00.000-04:00

Pardon me its been a while, 1. busyness of life 2. I don't want to brain dump and just give you regurgitated info. so finally i am burdened with something.

We are hearing about it more and more, we are seeing it less and less, and we experience it so infrequently as to its fullest potential it makes us question the validity of its existence, that is, God's Goodness.

We say things like, 'I can love because He first loved me' and we quote scriptures but what about the word that is to be written on our heart hidden so deep within our spirit that the pressure of this world can't squash it and the visually stimulating media of this world can't entice it and the flattering harlotry of this world can't seduce us to give it away!

God's word is either true or it is not but there are no mistakes, no miscommunications, no grey matter floating around. If then we conclude and better yet deduce logically and rationally we must acknowledge then it is Truth. This means now that there is much my brain must either endure to understand and die to accept. I hear the voice of the Holy SPirit says"

Now we can do this the easy way or the Hard way

" Choose therefore LIFE>

When all hell is breaking loose

2006-08-29T15:28:00.000-04:00

I know a wonderful pastor friend of mine who did a kids retreat with the theme " When all hell is breaks loose, all Heaven declares the Glory of God". I remember that message and theme and it seems as of late many things have been breaking loose; my finances despite my every dilligent effort and faithfulness in giving have been on a steady decline (in the natural), My wife and I have been trying for 8 months now to conceive a child, my car seems to be coming up with problem after problem, and my computer is dying, etc... so God is teaching me Faith And Patience. I remember speaking the our Youth ministry some time ago saying "the bigger the problem the bigger the miracle". I so desire the miraculous I desire much for my life so that the heathen will stand up and say though I don't agree with what that guy is saying he is blessed. The bible talks about this in Duet. 28. So my personal struggle is found in the experience now, see Im good at coaching others through it and its like God is saying did you learn anything? I have hundreds of bible verses memorized ready for any situation, but am I ready to answer myself? New level New devil...

I'm back. Now what?

2006-08-19T17:32:00.000-04:00

So I just came back from what was the single most defining moment(s) in my life. It surpassed all expectation. And all I want to do is go back. All I want to do is go and help these people who are illiterate, destitute, and broken but most of all they are hungry. The devil really has been working on me and my family since I've come home, attacking relationship, my car, especially our finances. Things are "looking" pretty bleak but I know my God. So I won't fear or doubt but I will press on towards the Goal in Christ Jesus.

I can now say I've seen almost everything in the Bible come alive, Lame walk, Blind See, Deaf Hear, all kinds of sickness and diseases healed, demonic spirits commanded out of people. the only couple things i didn't see were dead raised and mute speaking. But there will be other trips :)

Even though all these miraculous things were happening I never once "felt" the anointing come over me, no tingles or goose bumps it truly was the work of the ministry for the sake of the people, not mine/our ego(s). No one in the villages will say I had Jeff Poms come and pray for me, who the heck is Jeff Poms...

But last night our church had an all night prayer session, and few and rare moments have i felt so close to the true presence of God, I even commented to myself, as deep as I want to go, as thick as I want it to get there is more, not just enough but More. Now I want to go back in I want more than anything to See God, Feel God, Know God.

I keep wishing, not really praying, that God would just send some rich texan to wipe out all my debt so i could be loosed to do the work of the ministry full time. But I know that is not God's way, and He is calling me to perservere in my business to become what He wants me to be so that I might be conformed to His image not me conforming to my image.

well amen God will do it but even if He does not deliver me in this vaporous life I will never bow down and serve you satan!

Free to?

2006-07-28T11:59:00.000-04:00

Praise God! We are free. The Truth has set us free! And then this sinister voice says but from what? What are you free to do? to say? to think? Are you free to Love God? what does it look like. Free to Raise hands, clap and sing in praise and worship. Free to preach and teach about Jesus, free to dance wildly before Him, free from the fear of peoples/popular opinion. Are you free?Yes. Do you walk in freedom? God only knows. I only pray. If you profess freedom make sure you know EXACTLY from what it is you have been freed and especially to what or to whom you have been released.

High Priest exhonerates filthy Sinner

2006-07-27T15:24:00.000-04:00

Heb 4:14 Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1st: Vs. 14 Let us hold fast the enlightening doctrines of Christianity in our hearts, the enlivening principles of it in our Spirits, the open profession of it in our lips, and our practical and universal subjection to it in our lives. Observe here, We ought to be possessed of the doctrines, principles, and practice, of the Christian life.

So why come boldy with confidence into the very Throne room of God who is Judge, the Great I Am? Because Romans 8 says that there is no therefore no condemnation for those IN Christ Jesus. Many of us do not enter in because we have fallen for the classical deception of satan. it started in the garden of eden, the serpent tempted and succeeded to pervert man's relationship with God. God had to cast judgement on man, so man hid, and God says 'who told you you were naked?' meaning I know you are and you know you are but I am not condemning you for your nakedness. We do this today. we clothe ourselves with material possessions, social status, our just plain pride. we do these things because the devil has to these individuals convinced them that God is angry with the sinner all the day long, hey that IS what the Bible says, however what these poor souls failed to understand is that as a christian God does not see you as a sinner but a saint. in fact He sees His Son Jesus. If you begin to grasp this you will no longer run from God when you are falling but you will look up to your Good heavenly Father whoh will pull you up out of the water, out of the miry clay, out of the Lions den, out of the fiery furnance and so on and so on.

The Truth is Because Jesus went to bat for us we have unlimited access, unlimited number of strikes He just wants us to keep playing, and that for HIM.

well sorry this is a bit longer, I'm closing shorter because it will otherwise become a full on sermon.

He Loves His children, are you ready?

Deeper things get more simple

2006-07-26T17:51:00.002-04:00

It has been my revelation as of late that the deeper I go in the Lord the easier things become. For example; Prayer. I know now because of my in depth studies how simple it can be . Just talk to the Lord like you would anyone, well I couldn't do that until I was fully convinced of 2 major things: 1st that God is a person who can listen to me, and 2nd that He wants to.

1John 5:14-15 (jeff's version) For this is the confidence I have gained from knowing God, that when I ask Him something He is attentive and actively listening, and because I know He listens to me I know He is gonna answer my prayers in Jesus Name.

So take heart if you have been praying for your miracle God HAS answered your prayer He heard and is already sent angels to perform it. He watches over His Word to see that he does it. It is simply that God is outside of Time. So then you have to know that They that wait upon the Lord will Renew their strength, and further that it is through faith and patience that they obtained the promises of God.

Hang In and Hold On

Hear demons screaming

2006-07-24T21:03:00.000-04:00

"Paul I know and Jesus I know, but who are you?" This is what I desire in India, that the presence of God would be so strong that when I walk by demonic hosts flee because they can't stand the manifest presence of Jesus. I want the demons to know my name to know that I am willing to be humble that I would be lifted up by His Mighty Hand. I am willing to be weak so that His strength may abound. I am willing to be emptied so He can fill me and I willing to die so I can truly live.

I am ready for India but I do not believe the people of Kurnool are ready for the violence in the Spirit realm it is about to suffer, O I have offered up intercession here and sent words of faith but to me there is nothing like discerning an unclean spirit and casting it out in Jesus name and watching someones life restored.

So devil you have been served. I carry all the power and authority of Heaven and I know it and I understand how to use it. I will nor can not be intimidated. So I have ears to hear so Lord what would you have me do?

Anticipating What?

2006-07-21T16:25:00.000-04:00

Well, here I am just about a week away from what I anticipate being one of the most influential moments in my life going to India and the last 3 weeks have been lets just say trying. Sickness, Pain, Strife, with a side of let downs. What the devil wants me to emphasize is how hard I have had it, and how much I deserve, but I choose the life set before me. I anticipate attack and so I fast and pray more fervently and frequently. I did not start training to quit or to loose.

See be warned world, be warned devil, and be warned O my Soul, there is no quit in me.
I john 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world? None but he who believes in the Son of God.

well I do believe which is to OBEY! and nothing is stopping me from obtaining the prize!

I will worship I will preach I will teach I will minister I will triumph!!!! In CHRIST!

Frustrated Generation

2006-07-20T17:52:00.000-04:00

More and more everyday we are inundated with imaginations, rationale, arguments on why to just leave for ME, via Media, "Friends", Family. Just today I had a negative thought come into my mind as I was taking a walk. I argued with myself. If I said what came to mind I would be cursing someone. But my flesh really wanted to express itself. So I started coming up with ways to nonchalantly get the other person to bring it up so I could "respond". Finally I just had to say outloud, I take Captive every thought into the obedience of Christ. I swallowed my pride and I died a little more.

My firm belief is that there are millions of people who walk around looking as happy as this guy<----- but inside are distracted, distorted, despondent, desperate, desolate, decimated and worst of all dying with a false reality that says to them this is normal. Because this lie has crept in even to the Christian world, where by the way I believe it is penetrated deeper than secular realms, we have all walks of life wasting away there lives through TV and Music and Movies and Internet passing off as a perfectly fine individuals who don't need any help and are quite content dying in the hidden, in the darkness. But if we look to the Truth, the Bible, it tells us to examine ourselves daily, to see that we are poor and wretched and naked and not to hide like Adam did, but to run to God and say Daddy please quick you gotta help me I fell into the big pit of Sin and if I fall much farther I may forget what its like to be in Your Light and NOTHING is more blissful and satisfying than that. If I simply recount all the times God was Faithful when He showed up and simply opened Love to my heart and set a memorial to remember I would not hesitate to come therefore boldly into His Glorious Throne and Presence but come running. Run... RUN to Him the ONLY1whoSATISFIES.