Beyond the Veil- New Outline

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

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

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

This guy is amazing please give it a look!

Http://www.davidcostello.com

Works, doesn't work.

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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.