I had the thought of spending some time in the Psalms this morning in my devotion giving God praise. I opened to a random Psalm prepared for a prayer journey of praise. God stopped me in my tracks.
The first phrase brought conviction. Instead of praise I began to repent. The next phrase I read brought additional conviction. More repentance followed. So continued this same course for two verses phrase after phrase. God's truth penetrated and pierced. This continued throughout my time until I got to this one phrase in [Psalm 100:3], "Acknowledge that the Lord is God."
I could not get past that. I sought God for who He really is and not for just who I conceive Him to be. Humbly I prayed and meditated on the greatness of God. His power. His wisdom. His sovereignty. He being the source of joy and gladness. He being a refuge.
My mind bent as well as my heart as I thought on Him as Creator, Redeemer, Counselor, Helper, Peace, Sustainer, Mountain Mover, Miracle Worker, Deliverer, and Savior. He loves Paradise and Kermit. He is at work in Texas, Arkansas, Oregon, New York, Maine, Florida, Georgia and all the other sates. He is passionate for people in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, China, Korea, Columbia, and every other nation on the face of the earth. He is never tired. He never needs a nap. He never is fatigued. By His spoken word alone His will is accomplished.
The heavens are His throne and the earth is His footstool. [Is 66:1] God hung millions of stars in the galaxy effortlessly like a person hanging an ornament on a Christmas tree. [Ps 8:3] Planet earth hangs in space and yet has a firm foundation. Australia is at the bottom of the earth and is surrounded by water. Yet, the water is held in place and not spilled out like water in an upside down bucket. The hem or edge of His garment filled the temple in Isaiah's vision. [Is 6:1]
This is the God who relates to us. He knows us by name. The very hairs on our head are numbered. [Matt 10:30] His thoughts toward us are more numerous than the grains of sands. [Ps 139:17-18]
I had my devotion agenda this morning but God had something totally else in mind. He stopped me in my tracks to remind me He is bigger than I can conceive, greater than I can imagine, stronger than I can fathom, and wiser than I can comprehend. How could I not worship.
Honestly, God awed me this morning. He stopped me in my tracks reminding me who He is in comparison to who I am. John the Baptist had it right when he said, "He must increase and I must decrease." [John 3:30] I pray God will stop me in my tracks more often. I pray He will do that for all of us in a morning devotion, in a worship service, in a group Bible study, on a walk in a park, on a beach, through the woods, or in a vehicle driving somewhere.
We live so fast paced we seldom really take the time to prayerfully meditate on scripture. When we do God speaks. Those encounters can be very profound. We all need more God encounters. Not religious devotions where we mindlessly go through the motions. We need ravenous souls for more of God and more revelation of Him through His word. We need to linger longer in His presence halting the daily agenda for sweet refreshing of our souls.
Just a few months ago I was in the darkest most depressed state of my life. As of late God has never seemed more real, His word more alive, and our encounters more dynamic. Pray through the scriptures and look for those divine moments when God stops you in your tracks.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Dreams 10 And 11
Dream 10 - 10-29-14
I'm in Kermit teaching a Bible study. The house we have gathered in is packed crowded with people. There is a line outside the house of people wanting to get in but there is no room.
I lead the people to the Bealls building. The doors are locked with chains. When we get there the chains fall off and we go inside to worship.
Dream 11 - 10-30-14
There are a small group of people praying inside the Bealls building. The skies are ominous and stormy. A beam of light comes down from Heaven into the building.
In the skies there are two massive armies lining up facing one another. One is an angelic army. The other is a demonic army. Though they do not fight I get the sense a great battle is about to take place. These two armies are about to go to war.
I'm in Kermit teaching a Bible study. The house we have gathered in is packed crowded with people. There is a line outside the house of people wanting to get in but there is no room.
I lead the people to the Bealls building. The doors are locked with chains. When we get there the chains fall off and we go inside to worship.
Dream 11 - 10-30-14
There are a small group of people praying inside the Bealls building. The skies are ominous and stormy. A beam of light comes down from Heaven into the building.
In the skies there are two massive armies lining up facing one another. One is an angelic army. The other is a demonic army. Though they do not fight I get the sense a great battle is about to take place. These two armies are about to go to war.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Lord, Stamp Eternity On Our Hearts
Paul urges us to set our minds on things above and not on the things of earth. [COL 3:1-2] We need God to stamp eternity on our hearts. Day in and day out we need to live for the eternal and not waste our days flittering about with the temporal. We need to live in light of eternity. What a challenge. Do we truly live like we still stand before a Righteous and a Holy God. The lost will stand before Him at the Great White Throne Judgment. Believers will stand before Him to give account for the lives we lived and the fruit we bore.
That reality should never be far from our minds. We should live daily reminded that eternity matters. Holiness matters. Sinful choices matter. Giving matters. Serving matters. Truth matters. Evangelism matters. Prayer matters. Scripture meditation and memorization matters.
We are so easily amused with lesser things when God offers the best. We are satisfied with lesser blessings. We are satisfied far too easily with the temporal when God offers the eternal.
What things do we truly care about? Do we care about the morale condition of our nation? Do we care about the impending judgment from God that is inevitable? Do we really care about the lost plight of the masses? Do we care about the pagans in Muslim nations who war to stamp out Christianity? Do we really have any interest in following Jesus wherever He leads? Do we care about the condition of our own souls? Are we concerned about the condition of our churches and or communities? GOD PLEASE MOVE US TO CARE. LORD PLEASE STIR OUR AFFECTIONS AND PASSIONS FOR THE THINGS OF ETERNITY.
O GOD STAMP ETERNITY ON OUR HEARTS. HELP US SET OUR MINDS, OUR HEARTS, AND OUR AFFECTIONS ON YOU AND THE THINGS ABOVE. PLEASE HELP US BE CONCERNED WITH THE THINGS THAT MATTER IN ETERNITY. PLEASE HELP US TO HAVE ETERNITY STAMPED ON OUR MINDS AND HEARTS.
That reality should never be far from our minds. We should live daily reminded that eternity matters. Holiness matters. Sinful choices matter. Giving matters. Serving matters. Truth matters. Evangelism matters. Prayer matters. Scripture meditation and memorization matters.
We are so easily amused with lesser things when God offers the best. We are satisfied with lesser blessings. We are satisfied far too easily with the temporal when God offers the eternal.
What things do we truly care about? Do we care about the morale condition of our nation? Do we care about the impending judgment from God that is inevitable? Do we really care about the lost plight of the masses? Do we care about the pagans in Muslim nations who war to stamp out Christianity? Do we really have any interest in following Jesus wherever He leads? Do we care about the condition of our own souls? Are we concerned about the condition of our churches and or communities? GOD PLEASE MOVE US TO CARE. LORD PLEASE STIR OUR AFFECTIONS AND PASSIONS FOR THE THINGS OF ETERNITY.
O GOD STAMP ETERNITY ON OUR HEARTS. HELP US SET OUR MINDS, OUR HEARTS, AND OUR AFFECTIONS ON YOU AND THE THINGS ABOVE. PLEASE HELP US BE CONCERNED WITH THE THINGS THAT MATTER IN ETERNITY. PLEASE HELP US TO HAVE ETERNITY STAMPED ON OUR MINDS AND HEARTS.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
We Gathered In A Racquetball Court
There were ten of us all together. There were eight Kermites. Five women and three men. Dale and I rounded out the number of men to five. We only had an hour to use the space. We began with prayer. That is always a great place to start. We did have a formal dry prayer meeting. We really interceded for Kermit. There were a few tears. There is a great spiritual hunger among thees folks. They hunger for God in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I then broke open the word of God focusing on Matt 4:18-21, Matt 9:9, and Matt 16:24. When Jesus called people to follow Him in those passages He did not spell out all the details. He just said, "Follow Me." It is not important at this point that we have a plan for Kermit. All we have to do is to keep following. All we have to do is to keep seeking, trusting, waiting, and obeying Him. Jesus will reveal the next steps in His timing. Our role is to seek, wait, trust and obey.
Theere was hunger in that room for God's word. Even though my words echoed off the walls the Holy Spirit moved in our midst. I did not teach more than fifteen minutes because of our time constraints but I saw hunger for God. People sat on the edge of their seat. They listened intently lapping up truth like a deer panting for water. They did not come for the words of a man. They came for a word from the Lord.
Before we knew it the evening was over. Our time to together to pray and feast on God's word ended way too prematurely. We enjoyed the meeting even though we met in a racquetball court People commented on how fast the time flew by. We discussed if we will meet next week and where such a meeting might take place. I reminded them that God already knows where we need to meet and all we have to do is ask Him and trust Him to reveal it.
Dale and I capped off our evening with a prayer meeting back at Mike and Julie Carter's house. O how we prayed. We pleaded for Kermit. We pleaded for eternity to be stamped on our hearts. We committed to follow God's leadership. We prayed in tears. What a glorious way to end our day.
We now leave the results up to God and I trust I will make this trip again next week. May God be glorified and His kingdom expanded in Kermit and beyond.
I then broke open the word of God focusing on Matt 4:18-21, Matt 9:9, and Matt 16:24. When Jesus called people to follow Him in those passages He did not spell out all the details. He just said, "Follow Me." It is not important at this point that we have a plan for Kermit. All we have to do is to keep following. All we have to do is to keep seeking, trusting, waiting, and obeying Him. Jesus will reveal the next steps in His timing. Our role is to seek, wait, trust and obey.
Theere was hunger in that room for God's word. Even though my words echoed off the walls the Holy Spirit moved in our midst. I did not teach more than fifteen minutes because of our time constraints but I saw hunger for God. People sat on the edge of their seat. They listened intently lapping up truth like a deer panting for water. They did not come for the words of a man. They came for a word from the Lord.
Before we knew it the evening was over. Our time to together to pray and feast on God's word ended way too prematurely. We enjoyed the meeting even though we met in a racquetball court People commented on how fast the time flew by. We discussed if we will meet next week and where such a meeting might take place. I reminded them that God already knows where we need to meet and all we have to do is ask Him and trust Him to reveal it.
Dale and I capped off our evening with a prayer meeting back at Mike and Julie Carter's house. O how we prayed. We pleaded for Kermit. We pleaded for eternity to be stamped on our hearts. We committed to follow God's leadership. We prayed in tears. What a glorious way to end our day.
We now leave the results up to God and I trust I will make this trip again next week. May God be glorified and His kingdom expanded in Kermit and beyond.
Kermit Prayer Meeting
In four hours I will gather with a small group of people in Kermit to open the word and to pray together. Our only agenda tonight is to seek the Lord. and His heart for Kermit. One of my prayers continues to be." Lord what are You doing in Kermit and what do You want to do in Kermit. Lord, please show me what You are doing and give us the courage to join You."
We meet at the Rec Center in Kermit at 7:15
We meet at the Rec Center in Kermit at 7:15
Monday, October 27, 2014
The Value Of Quiet Time With God
Abram woke up one day and his time with the Lord took on a different note. I am sure Abram communed with the Lord most days. I am also confident Abram heard the Lord speak to Him numerous times before.
This day was different. What God had on His mind to reveal to Abram would change everything. Abram's life and family. The future of a chosen nation. The course of history. All of it began in a time with the Lord.
Do you treasure your times with the Lord? Do you guard over them jealousy? Are you in the habit of keeping an appointment with God? Do you walk slowly through His word expecting God to speak to you?
What did God have on His mind in [Gen 12:1-3]? Leave and go. There were no more details. Leave your country and your family. Go to the land I will show you. How would we have responded? I suspect the majority of us would have asked the Lord for more details and contented ourselves to wait until those details were clarified.
We want a plan. A road map. We want God to act as our GPS. He does. He just does not always show us every detai on the front end and the end outcome. He calls us to walk with Him daily to receive further instructions. We would rather have a formula or program to map out the route. God would rather commune with us daily giving us guidance along the way.
May we choose the path of communion with God daily. May we hunger to spend more time alone in His presence. May our hearts and minds be attuned like Abram so we are able to hear from the Lord clearly. May He give us the faith and courage to obey and follow through on what He calls us to do.
Friday, October 24, 2014
God Has Sent Prophets
The Lord sent all His servants the prophets to you time and time again, but you have not obeyed or even paid attention He announced "Turn, each of you, from your evil way of life and from your evil deeds. Live in the land the Lord gave you and your ancestors forever and ever. Do not follow other gods to serve them and to worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger by the work of your hands." [Jer 25:4-6]
Over the years God sent prophets to Israel. He sent Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Amos and the list could go on. Over and over these prophets warned Israel to turn from their evil ways and idolatry back to God or they would suffer. Many times they did not listen and God did send judgment in the form of the Phillistines, Babylon, and eventually Rome.
America is no different. God has sentHis messengers here. In the 1700's it was George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards. Later D.L. Moody took up the charge. Charles Finney preached many revivals and called people to repentance and faith in Christ. There was Billy Sunday, Mordecai Ham, and Billy Graham. Leonard Ravenhill preached a message of repentance. God even raised singers like Keith Green, Steve Camp, Rich Mullins, Chris Tomlin, and Matt Redman to sing songs calling people back to God.
By and large America has not listened. America has not paid attention to God's call to return to Him. They did not listen after Peral Harbor or even after 9/11. There were revivals in those days but mainly revivals in patriotism. There were not revivals of turning from evil ways and humbling submitting to God's authority. People contented themselves to buy American flags and to wear American tee-shirts. We sang patriotic songs but we did not humble ourselves in God's presence. We did not repent of sin as a nation. We did not pray and seek His face.
Some who reject God even had the audacity to blame Him for those tragedies when they supported kicking God, the Bible, and prayer out of our court rooms and schools.
The tsunami of judgment against sin rises and gathers momentum. We may not see it coming right now but that does not the alter the fact that God will judge America. His word declares there is a day of reckoning. He will not be mocked. We will reap what we have sown as a nation. [Gal 6:7-9]
Some say it has already begun. Look around you. Watch the evening news. Ebola. ISIS. AL QUADA. Droughts, Floods, Earthquakes.
How long will God be ignored after He has sent His messengers over and over again. How long will God remain patient with a nation so blessed and yet so arrogant, so wicked, and so deaf to His message calling for repentance and the salvation of souls. How long will God remain silent when His truth is no longer the only thing proclaimed in pulpits. How long will God delay His anger when the prayer meetings of churches are on the endangered species list.
One day God will declare enough. With one swift stroke of His hand this nation will be staggered. On that day people will be terrified. Churches will once again be filled. People will desperately look for answers. While souls will be saved in that time it might be too late to save the "Home of the brave and the land of the free," the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
On that terrible day our President will not be able to save us or negotiate a deal. Our military will be powerless to stop the hand of God. Our experts will have no answers. On that day the voices of the prophets will be resounding in the ears of this nation as we are reminded of God's warning and call to repentance.
It is not too late. O America, turn back to God. Preachers, quit preaching for popularity and proclaim God's warning. Christian cry out to God on behalf of your family, church, and community. Do these things before it is too late. God's judgment builds held back only by the dam of his hands. One day He will release His righteous indignation against this nation He blessed so mightily like a flood. Once the dam is opened the devastation will ensue. I do not want to live to see that horrible day. I would rather bow in worship and repentance now voluntarily. One day He will force every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that Jesus is Lord. Pay attention America. WAKE UP BEORE IT IS TOO LATE AMERICA.
Over the years God sent prophets to Israel. He sent Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Amos and the list could go on. Over and over these prophets warned Israel to turn from their evil ways and idolatry back to God or they would suffer. Many times they did not listen and God did send judgment in the form of the Phillistines, Babylon, and eventually Rome.
America is no different. God has sentHis messengers here. In the 1700's it was George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards. Later D.L. Moody took up the charge. Charles Finney preached many revivals and called people to repentance and faith in Christ. There was Billy Sunday, Mordecai Ham, and Billy Graham. Leonard Ravenhill preached a message of repentance. God even raised singers like Keith Green, Steve Camp, Rich Mullins, Chris Tomlin, and Matt Redman to sing songs calling people back to God.
By and large America has not listened. America has not paid attention to God's call to return to Him. They did not listen after Peral Harbor or even after 9/11. There were revivals in those days but mainly revivals in patriotism. There were not revivals of turning from evil ways and humbling submitting to God's authority. People contented themselves to buy American flags and to wear American tee-shirts. We sang patriotic songs but we did not humble ourselves in God's presence. We did not repent of sin as a nation. We did not pray and seek His face.
Some who reject God even had the audacity to blame Him for those tragedies when they supported kicking God, the Bible, and prayer out of our court rooms and schools.
The tsunami of judgment against sin rises and gathers momentum. We may not see it coming right now but that does not the alter the fact that God will judge America. His word declares there is a day of reckoning. He will not be mocked. We will reap what we have sown as a nation. [Gal 6:7-9]
Some say it has already begun. Look around you. Watch the evening news. Ebola. ISIS. AL QUADA. Droughts, Floods, Earthquakes.
How long will God be ignored after He has sent His messengers over and over again. How long will God remain patient with a nation so blessed and yet so arrogant, so wicked, and so deaf to His message calling for repentance and the salvation of souls. How long will God remain silent when His truth is no longer the only thing proclaimed in pulpits. How long will God delay His anger when the prayer meetings of churches are on the endangered species list.
One day God will declare enough. With one swift stroke of His hand this nation will be staggered. On that day people will be terrified. Churches will once again be filled. People will desperately look for answers. While souls will be saved in that time it might be too late to save the "Home of the brave and the land of the free," the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
On that terrible day our President will not be able to save us or negotiate a deal. Our military will be powerless to stop the hand of God. Our experts will have no answers. On that day the voices of the prophets will be resounding in the ears of this nation as we are reminded of God's warning and call to repentance.
It is not too late. O America, turn back to God. Preachers, quit preaching for popularity and proclaim God's warning. Christian cry out to God on behalf of your family, church, and community. Do these things before it is too late. God's judgment builds held back only by the dam of his hands. One day He will release His righteous indignation against this nation He blessed so mightily like a flood. Once the dam is opened the devastation will ensue. I do not want to live to see that horrible day. I would rather bow in worship and repentance now voluntarily. One day He will force every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that Jesus is Lord. Pay attention America. WAKE UP BEORE IT IS TOO LATE AMERICA.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
All The Kermit Dreams and Scriptures: (Updated More Dreams 11-04-14)
God startled and interrupted my life on September 22, 2014. On that morning after a season of prayer I had a dream. The dream was vivid and proved to be the first of twelve dreams all with a common theme. KERMIT, TX.
I had another one this morning. Again it was very vivid and the message seems very clear.
So I did something today I rarely ever do. I went back through my journal and began reading all the dreams again and reading different scriptures the Lord has used in my life over the past month. It is hard to believe all of what I am about to write here has happened in the span of the last 30 days.
9-22-14 Dream 1
I see an elderly man in a brown hooded cloak sitting in the corner of my dining room. I know he is a prophet though he does not say a word. He gets up and goes to my office while I follow. In my office the prophet motions for me to kneel down. He lays hands on me and it feels like electricity running through my body. The prophet disappears. I get up to sit at my desk and there is a map of the state of Texas. Two towns are highlighted with bolder and larger print than all the other towns. SPRINGTOWN. KERMIT.
This immediately got my attention because a lady named Joan Adams, who lives in Seminole, TX, asked me to join her in praying for Kermit well over a year ago. I did for as season and the burden lifted. I had not thought of Kermit again until that dream. I called Joan and told her about the dream. I posted it on Facebook and my blog. IT BLEW UP with over 500 hits on my blog.
Next, I was contacted by a lady from Kermit. She read the blog, tracked down my phone number, and took the initiative to call me. On the same day a man from Faith Community Church was out walking at the school track in Bridgeport, TX. He ran into another gentleman. The man from our church told this stranger about my dream. Turns out the stranger was born and raised in Kermit. This was not coincidence.
9-24-14 Dream 2
I am preaching using a megaphone. The words become fire out of the end of the megaphone. Dozens of people are at the altar weeping in repentance. Suddenly I see a green city limit sign that reads, "Kermit." Then I hear the words, "Go to Kermit and come to Kermit."
For a year previous to either of these dreams [Is 6:8] and [Acts 16:9] had come up in my life over and over again. It seemed that God wanted to send me somewhere but I felt I was the man from Macedonia praying God would send the small church I pastor help. After these two initial dreams I began asking if the Lord and something totally different in mind. Maybe I am one people have been praying God would send to help them in some capacity.
9-28-14 Dream 3
I see an old abandoned building on a busy street with plate glass windows and doors. It is dark and musty inside. I see a pillar of fire coming from the ceiling to the floor behind a pulpit. There is a small group of people praying off to the side and they seem unaware I'm even there. I stand behind the pulpit in the midst of the fire. The scene changes. Suddenly there are people at the altar on their faces broken. There are people seated in chairs filling up the building. I step down and begin praying over them. My shirt is soaked with perspiration and I am exhausted. God's fire is spreading among the people. Then I hear this message, "Go to Kermit. Deliver My people from the bondage of religion and tradition. Do not delay."
After this dream I am reminded of and drawn to two passages of scripture. [Matt 9:36-38] But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His Harvest.
The other passage of scripture is found in [Ex 3:1-14] Several key phrases jumped out in this passage. " I have surely seen the oppression of My people." "Come now... I will send you." "I will be with you."
Two days later I had my fourth dream related to Kermit.
9-30-14 Dream 4
There is a trail of fire burning down the highway ending in Kermit, TX. I follow and end up at a park sitting at a picnic table praying Suddenly the wind picks up and the tree branches begin to sway and swirl around me. I run for refuge in the building on the busy street with the plate glass windows and the people praying inside I saw in my other dream.
There is still a pillar of fire up front and I go near it where it is coming down behind a pulpit. I get on my face to pray. The building is empty when I begin praying. When I get back up the building is filled with people seated in chairs.
After this fourth dream I actually made a trip to Kermit with a friend of mine. I actually saw the picnic table I had seen in my dreams with the trees nearby. We sat down there and prayed about what all of this means. We drove down town and I got out and walked down main street looking at vacant buildings. It was not until we were driving later that I saw a building near a store called Alco. I asked my friend to turn around. We got out and looked inside this vacant retail space with plate glass windows in front and a glass doors. I told my friend that was the building. It was the building I had seen in my dreams. In my dreams there was the addition of a stage up front and a pulpit. I have since learned this building used to be the Bealls department store.
On this trip we met with the first lady who contacted me. Her husband was detained at work and we did not get to meet him. We shared our hearts and I told her at the time my burden seemed more for holding a lengthy revival in town while hers included the start of a new church.
I returned home feeling like I still had more questions than answers. It was at this time I received an email from a different lady in Kermit. She read one of my blogs about Kermit given to her by a friend. She emailed me about the spiritual condition there and asked me to come. We have been in communication since then about what all of this might mean.
10-9-14 Dream 5
I am standing on a large rock preaching. Water starts gushing out of the rock. Wherever the water flows things come to life. The grass turns green and the flowers bloom. Then I hear this message, "Go to Kermit and spread life."
Between dream five and six I read through Isaiah for my devotions. Several scriptures grabbed me. [Is 30:21] [Is 42:6-9] [Is 43:18-19] [Is 45:2] [Is 46:4] [Is 48:6] [Is 62:6-7] Several of the scriptures grab me and the message seems clear that God is up to something new.
10-16-14 Dream 6
I walk out in the garage and see head lights shining on my driveway as someone pulls up. A white van pulls up with the letters on the side, "Kermit Yellow Jackets." Several men and women get out of the van. They come sit at my dining table and say, "Come to Kermit." Several are weeping and their tears splash on my table.
Next, I see the trail of fire again going down the highway ending at the city of Kermit. Overhead I see clouds brewing only over the building I have seen in my dreams. The rest of the sky is clear. Then I see a message written out saying, "Come to Kermit without delay."
10-21-14 Dream 7
I'm in a living room teaching a Bible study. The room is dark and I am teaching by candlelight. Out of the Bible beams of light shoot toward the people in attendance. When the beams hit them some begin to weep while others experience unbridled joy.
The scene changes. I'm outside the building I have seen repeatedly in my dreams. There are chains and locks on the glass doors of the building. Suddenly the chains fall off the doors and I step inside the building. There is a small group of praying. I ask God what they are praying for. The Lord says, "They are praying for you to come. Go to Kermit without delay."
10-22-14 Dream 8
I see myself driving down the road in a four door golden Honda Accord. I end up at a zoo with the word "Kermit" written over the archway. When I go inside I am surprised to discover people locked up in cages in shackles and not animals. Their eyes are sad and they look defeated.
I reach in my pocket and finger a key, a golden key. I take the key and hurriedly begin opening the cage doors and unshackling the people. I hurry them out of their cages. As I get to the last group a large lion appears and begins chasing us. He paws at us just as we shut and lock the door behind us.
The whole group of us end up at a gate leading to a large house. When we get inside the house it is completely dark. I open my Bible and suddenly the room is brilliantly illuminated and the countenance of the people changes. The light is coming from the Bible. We are all moved to prayer. Our prayers become like plows turning over the hard dirt. As we pray we also weep and our tears soften the soil."
10-24-14 Dream 9
We are in a hayfield with a lot of people loading square bales on trailers. The skies turn ominously dark with a storm coming. We hurry to load the rest of the hay and head for the barn. We get the hay in the barn as the storm hits.
A rattle snake comes out between some bales of hay and strikes at me. I have a Bible in my hand that turns into a sword. I use the sword to cut off the head the snake. Even though the storm is raging around us outside we are safe and content in the barn.
People are sitting all over the barn on bales of hay. I open the Bible to teach the people. Bright light comes out of the pages of the open Bible twirling toward the rafters in a tornado like motion. The light engulfs the whole barn.
The scene changes. We are in the old Bealls building singing in worship. The people are celebrating God in song. Some sing. Some shout praises. Some raise their hands. Some clap. The people are filled with joy. Then someone walks up on the stage and lays an open Bible on the pulpit. There is no preacher just the open Bible.
Instantly the people get quiet. People sit in reverence and silence. Nobody preaches a sermon but God's presence is in the room. God moves and touches the people though no sermon is ever preached.
Dream 10 - 10-29-14
I'm in Kermit teaching a Bible study. The house we have gathered in is packed crowded with people. There is a line outside the house of people wanting to get in but there is no room.
I lead the people to the Bealls building. The doors are locked with chains. When we get there the chains fall off and we go inside to worship.
Dream 11 - 10-30-14
There are a small group of people praying inside the Bealls building. The skies are ominous and stormy. A beam of light comes down from Heaven into the building.
In the skies there are two massive armies lining up facing one another. One is an angelic army. The other is a demonic army. Though they do not fight I get the sense a great battle is about to take place. These two armies are about to go to war.
Dream 12 - 11-04-14
There are a group of people praying in a home. They weep as they pray. It is pitch dark outside the home. Their tears turn into a flood going out the door and sweeping through the streets like a tsunami. The flood sweeps everyone and everything to the Bealls building. It is pitch dark all over town except inside that building where light shines brightly. As people go inside they are engulfed in the glory of God. Their dirty, torn, and tattered clothes are exchanged for robes of righteousness. All these people worship with unbridled joy.
Then I see a message that reads, "Kermit Revival."
When I have told some people about these dreams they tell me they are demonic. Everything I have dreamed and what I have been reading in scripture seem to all line up like pieces to a puzzle. I do not know what it all means. I know God has Kermit on His heart and has chosen to put that on my heart as well. I know I am supposed to go to Kermit at some point to do something. It seems like teaching in a home is the initial ministry avenue.
If you happen to read this and live in Kermit I long to hear from you. Are you part of a group praying for God to send help? Could it be that God has seen your sorrow and heard your prayers and somehow connected me six hours away? I do not know one person in Kermit. I have met one person. I talked to a pastor there on the phone about the possibility of a revival in the future and received an email from another pastor there. I have been in regular communication with a fourth lady through email for the past month. If you live in Kermit and have another piece of this puzzle you can contact me at the email address at the end of this blog. I cannot wait to see how God puts the whole puzzle together.
I had another one this morning. Again it was very vivid and the message seems very clear.
So I did something today I rarely ever do. I went back through my journal and began reading all the dreams again and reading different scriptures the Lord has used in my life over the past month. It is hard to believe all of what I am about to write here has happened in the span of the last 30 days.
9-22-14 Dream 1
I see an elderly man in a brown hooded cloak sitting in the corner of my dining room. I know he is a prophet though he does not say a word. He gets up and goes to my office while I follow. In my office the prophet motions for me to kneel down. He lays hands on me and it feels like electricity running through my body. The prophet disappears. I get up to sit at my desk and there is a map of the state of Texas. Two towns are highlighted with bolder and larger print than all the other towns. SPRINGTOWN. KERMIT.
This immediately got my attention because a lady named Joan Adams, who lives in Seminole, TX, asked me to join her in praying for Kermit well over a year ago. I did for as season and the burden lifted. I had not thought of Kermit again until that dream. I called Joan and told her about the dream. I posted it on Facebook and my blog. IT BLEW UP with over 500 hits on my blog.
Next, I was contacted by a lady from Kermit. She read the blog, tracked down my phone number, and took the initiative to call me. On the same day a man from Faith Community Church was out walking at the school track in Bridgeport, TX. He ran into another gentleman. The man from our church told this stranger about my dream. Turns out the stranger was born and raised in Kermit. This was not coincidence.
9-24-14 Dream 2
I am preaching using a megaphone. The words become fire out of the end of the megaphone. Dozens of people are at the altar weeping in repentance. Suddenly I see a green city limit sign that reads, "Kermit." Then I hear the words, "Go to Kermit and come to Kermit."
For a year previous to either of these dreams [Is 6:8] and [Acts 16:9] had come up in my life over and over again. It seemed that God wanted to send me somewhere but I felt I was the man from Macedonia praying God would send the small church I pastor help. After these two initial dreams I began asking if the Lord and something totally different in mind. Maybe I am one people have been praying God would send to help them in some capacity.
9-28-14 Dream 3
I see an old abandoned building on a busy street with plate glass windows and doors. It is dark and musty inside. I see a pillar of fire coming from the ceiling to the floor behind a pulpit. There is a small group of people praying off to the side and they seem unaware I'm even there. I stand behind the pulpit in the midst of the fire. The scene changes. Suddenly there are people at the altar on their faces broken. There are people seated in chairs filling up the building. I step down and begin praying over them. My shirt is soaked with perspiration and I am exhausted. God's fire is spreading among the people. Then I hear this message, "Go to Kermit. Deliver My people from the bondage of religion and tradition. Do not delay."
After this dream I am reminded of and drawn to two passages of scripture. [Matt 9:36-38] But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His Harvest.
The other passage of scripture is found in [Ex 3:1-14] Several key phrases jumped out in this passage. " I have surely seen the oppression of My people." "Come now... I will send you." "I will be with you."
Two days later I had my fourth dream related to Kermit.
9-30-14 Dream 4
There is a trail of fire burning down the highway ending in Kermit, TX. I follow and end up at a park sitting at a picnic table praying Suddenly the wind picks up and the tree branches begin to sway and swirl around me. I run for refuge in the building on the busy street with the plate glass windows and the people praying inside I saw in my other dream.
There is still a pillar of fire up front and I go near it where it is coming down behind a pulpit. I get on my face to pray. The building is empty when I begin praying. When I get back up the building is filled with people seated in chairs.
After this fourth dream I actually made a trip to Kermit with a friend of mine. I actually saw the picnic table I had seen in my dreams with the trees nearby. We sat down there and prayed about what all of this means. We drove down town and I got out and walked down main street looking at vacant buildings. It was not until we were driving later that I saw a building near a store called Alco. I asked my friend to turn around. We got out and looked inside this vacant retail space with plate glass windows in front and a glass doors. I told my friend that was the building. It was the building I had seen in my dreams. In my dreams there was the addition of a stage up front and a pulpit. I have since learned this building used to be the Bealls department store.
On this trip we met with the first lady who contacted me. Her husband was detained at work and we did not get to meet him. We shared our hearts and I told her at the time my burden seemed more for holding a lengthy revival in town while hers included the start of a new church.
I returned home feeling like I still had more questions than answers. It was at this time I received an email from a different lady in Kermit. She read one of my blogs about Kermit given to her by a friend. She emailed me about the spiritual condition there and asked me to come. We have been in communication since then about what all of this might mean.
10-9-14 Dream 5
I am standing on a large rock preaching. Water starts gushing out of the rock. Wherever the water flows things come to life. The grass turns green and the flowers bloom. Then I hear this message, "Go to Kermit and spread life."
Between dream five and six I read through Isaiah for my devotions. Several scriptures grabbed me. [Is 30:21] [Is 42:6-9] [Is 43:18-19] [Is 45:2] [Is 46:4] [Is 48:6] [Is 62:6-7] Several of the scriptures grab me and the message seems clear that God is up to something new.
10-16-14 Dream 6
I walk out in the garage and see head lights shining on my driveway as someone pulls up. A white van pulls up with the letters on the side, "Kermit Yellow Jackets." Several men and women get out of the van. They come sit at my dining table and say, "Come to Kermit." Several are weeping and their tears splash on my table.
Next, I see the trail of fire again going down the highway ending at the city of Kermit. Overhead I see clouds brewing only over the building I have seen in my dreams. The rest of the sky is clear. Then I see a message written out saying, "Come to Kermit without delay."
10-21-14 Dream 7
I'm in a living room teaching a Bible study. The room is dark and I am teaching by candlelight. Out of the Bible beams of light shoot toward the people in attendance. When the beams hit them some begin to weep while others experience unbridled joy.
The scene changes. I'm outside the building I have seen repeatedly in my dreams. There are chains and locks on the glass doors of the building. Suddenly the chains fall off the doors and I step inside the building. There is a small group of praying. I ask God what they are praying for. The Lord says, "They are praying for you to come. Go to Kermit without delay."
10-22-14 Dream 8
I see myself driving down the road in a four door golden Honda Accord. I end up at a zoo with the word "Kermit" written over the archway. When I go inside I am surprised to discover people locked up in cages in shackles and not animals. Their eyes are sad and they look defeated.
I reach in my pocket and finger a key, a golden key. I take the key and hurriedly begin opening the cage doors and unshackling the people. I hurry them out of their cages. As I get to the last group a large lion appears and begins chasing us. He paws at us just as we shut and lock the door behind us.
The whole group of us end up at a gate leading to a large house. When we get inside the house it is completely dark. I open my Bible and suddenly the room is brilliantly illuminated and the countenance of the people changes. The light is coming from the Bible. We are all moved to prayer. Our prayers become like plows turning over the hard dirt. As we pray we also weep and our tears soften the soil."
10-24-14 Dream 9
We are in a hayfield with a lot of people loading square bales on trailers. The skies turn ominously dark with a storm coming. We hurry to load the rest of the hay and head for the barn. We get the hay in the barn as the storm hits.
A rattle snake comes out between some bales of hay and strikes at me. I have a Bible in my hand that turns into a sword. I use the sword to cut off the head the snake. Even though the storm is raging around us outside we are safe and content in the barn.
People are sitting all over the barn on bales of hay. I open the Bible to teach the people. Bright light comes out of the pages of the open Bible twirling toward the rafters in a tornado like motion. The light engulfs the whole barn.
The scene changes. We are in the old Bealls building singing in worship. The people are celebrating God in song. Some sing. Some shout praises. Some raise their hands. Some clap. The people are filled with joy. Then someone walks up on the stage and lays an open Bible on the pulpit. There is no preacher just the open Bible.
Instantly the people get quiet. People sit in reverence and silence. Nobody preaches a sermon but God's presence is in the room. God moves and touches the people though no sermon is ever preached.
Dream 10 - 10-29-14
I'm in Kermit teaching a Bible study. The house we have gathered in is packed crowded with people. There is a line outside the house of people wanting to get in but there is no room.
I lead the people to the Bealls building. The doors are locked with chains. When we get there the chains fall off and we go inside to worship.
Dream 11 - 10-30-14
There are a small group of people praying inside the Bealls building. The skies are ominous and stormy. A beam of light comes down from Heaven into the building.
In the skies there are two massive armies lining up facing one another. One is an angelic army. The other is a demonic army. Though they do not fight I get the sense a great battle is about to take place. These two armies are about to go to war.
Dream 12 - 11-04-14
There are a group of people praying in a home. They weep as they pray. It is pitch dark outside the home. Their tears turn into a flood going out the door and sweeping through the streets like a tsunami. The flood sweeps everyone and everything to the Bealls building. It is pitch dark all over town except inside that building where light shines brightly. As people go inside they are engulfed in the glory of God. Their dirty, torn, and tattered clothes are exchanged for robes of righteousness. All these people worship with unbridled joy.
Then I see a message that reads, "Kermit Revival."
When I have told some people about these dreams they tell me they are demonic. Everything I have dreamed and what I have been reading in scripture seem to all line up like pieces to a puzzle. I do not know what it all means. I know God has Kermit on His heart and has chosen to put that on my heart as well. I know I am supposed to go to Kermit at some point to do something. It seems like teaching in a home is the initial ministry avenue.
If you happen to read this and live in Kermit I long to hear from you. Are you part of a group praying for God to send help? Could it be that God has seen your sorrow and heard your prayers and somehow connected me six hours away? I do not know one person in Kermit. I have met one person. I talked to a pastor there on the phone about the possibility of a revival in the future and received an email from another pastor there. I have been in regular communication with a fourth lady through email for the past month. If you live in Kermit and have another piece of this puzzle you can contact me at the email address at the end of this blog. I cannot wait to see how God puts the whole puzzle together.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
A Raw Deal
"I got a raw deal," said the man across from me. His eyes were sullen. His brow was furrowed in anger. He recounted his life's story emphasizing with every point that God had given him a raw deal.
His family sexually abused him as a child. Then they lied and deceived him for most of his life. He also suffered physical abuse. There was a mixture of anger and teary eyes as he recounted his story. The pain did not stop there. It continued as he grew older.
There was betrayal by trusted friends. People spread lies and unfounded rumors about him. He even was betrayed by a business partner. His story proved hard to listen to. The raw emotions were evident in his body language. There was mixture of rage and brokenness.
He often asked why God did not answer his prayers and why God had given him such a raw deal. He came to vent more than to find answers. He experienced real pain and real hurt from his past. Answers were hard to come up with for his questions of why.
Then it dawned on me. In light of what Jesus suffered on the cross to purchase this man's redemption he did not get a raw deal. In fact, he got a great deal. He received God's gift of salvation due to no merit of his own. Instead of justice he received God's merciful grace. Instead of experiencing judgment this man was declared righteous through the blood of Jesus before a holy God. He did not get a raw deal. He got an eternally great deal of forgiveness.
Truth won the day for the angry man. As he contemplated the cross he realized that God had given him more than he ever deserved. His hardships paled in comparison to the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross. You might run across the man I talked to. I see him most everyday. The man I'm writing about is the one I see in the mirror everyday.
His family sexually abused him as a child. Then they lied and deceived him for most of his life. He also suffered physical abuse. There was a mixture of anger and teary eyes as he recounted his story. The pain did not stop there. It continued as he grew older.
There was betrayal by trusted friends. People spread lies and unfounded rumors about him. He even was betrayed by a business partner. His story proved hard to listen to. The raw emotions were evident in his body language. There was mixture of rage and brokenness.
He often asked why God did not answer his prayers and why God had given him such a raw deal. He came to vent more than to find answers. He experienced real pain and real hurt from his past. Answers were hard to come up with for his questions of why.
Then it dawned on me. In light of what Jesus suffered on the cross to purchase this man's redemption he did not get a raw deal. In fact, he got a great deal. He received God's gift of salvation due to no merit of his own. Instead of justice he received God's merciful grace. Instead of experiencing judgment this man was declared righteous through the blood of Jesus before a holy God. He did not get a raw deal. He got an eternally great deal of forgiveness.
Truth won the day for the angry man. As he contemplated the cross he realized that God had given him more than he ever deserved. His hardships paled in comparison to the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross. You might run across the man I talked to. I see him most everyday. The man I'm writing about is the one I see in the mirror everyday.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Another Kermit Dream
Here is the dream I had this morning.
I walk out into my garage and see headlights coming up my driveway. It is dark outside. Up pulls a white van with the words “Kermit Yellow Jackets”written on the side. Several people get out of the van, I do not know the number but they are men and women. Some of them are wearing Kermit t-shirts. They come in my house and we sit at my dining table. They say, “Come to Kermit.” Some of them weep and tears splash on my dining table. The scene changes. I see the trail of fire going down the highway ending up in the town of Kermit again. I find myself standing outside the building I have seen in several of my other dreams. Overhead in the sky storm clouds are brewing with lightening flashing just over that building. The rest of the skies are clear. I then see a written message, “Go to Kermit without delay!” That is where the dream ends.
I don't know what God has been up to for the past several months in my life. Some people have told me these dreams were demonic. I do not believe so. What I keep reading in scripture lately has confirmed the dreams.
Here is what I know for sure.
1. God has Kermit, TX on His mind. I believe He intends to do a great work in that town.
2. God is sending me to go to Kermit. It may be short term but there is work in Kermit I am supposed to join Him in doing.
3. I have been contacted by two ladies from Kermit both asking for my help.
4. I gave God my yes years ago to whatever He calls me to do.
5. I will make another trip to Kermit in God's timing.
I walk out into my garage and see headlights coming up my driveway. It is dark outside. Up pulls a white van with the words “Kermit Yellow Jackets”written on the side. Several people get out of the van, I do not know the number but they are men and women. Some of them are wearing Kermit t-shirts. They come in my house and we sit at my dining table. They say, “Come to Kermit.” Some of them weep and tears splash on my dining table. The scene changes. I see the trail of fire going down the highway ending up in the town of Kermit again. I find myself standing outside the building I have seen in several of my other dreams. Overhead in the sky storm clouds are brewing with lightening flashing just over that building. The rest of the skies are clear. I then see a written message, “Go to Kermit without delay!” That is where the dream ends.
I don't know what God has been up to for the past several months in my life. Some people have told me these dreams were demonic. I do not believe so. What I keep reading in scripture lately has confirmed the dreams.
Here is what I know for sure.
1. God has Kermit, TX on His mind. I believe He intends to do a great work in that town.
2. God is sending me to go to Kermit. It may be short term but there is work in Kermit I am supposed to join Him in doing.
3. I have been contacted by two ladies from Kermit both asking for my help.
4. I gave God my yes years ago to whatever He calls me to do.
5. I will make another trip to Kermit in God's timing.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
Yes
As a teenager I gave Jesus my first yes when I called out to Him for salvation. Still a teenager, I gave Jesus another yes when He called me to preach though scared to death. Over the years there have been many invitations by God to join Him and by faith many times I have given Him my yes. I said yes to serving as a youth minister in Weatherford, TX. I said yes to serving as a pastor in Burke, TX. I said yes when He called me begin an evangelistic itinerant ministry. I said yes to starting a church in Hudson, TX. I said yes to living by faith when the church did not fare so well.
Eventually I said yes to a church in Paradise, TX. After four glorious years serving that church God placed a new call on my life. It is a night I cannot forget. I was preaching in Seminole, TX to a group of students. The church needed a pastor and they approached me that weekend. I wrestled all Saturday afternoon with this new possibility. I did not want to start over. I loved the flock I served in Paradise. Nevertheless, I preached a sermon to myself on Romans 12:1. At the end I walked off the stage to my left and knelt by the steps at the organ and gave God my yes. I prayed, "Lord if nobody in this sanctuary really means laying their life on your altar tonight I do. Even if that means you want me to move to Seminole. Months later I returned to those same steps as the new pastor of FBC Seminole. What a blessed and rich two years we enjoyed there. There are no words to describe them.
In 2011 God issued a new call to follow Him. After months of praying I said yes again to starting a church back in Paradise. It was a hard yes. A yes that has proven costly for my family. Many tears have been shed over that yes. There have been tests and trials galore over that yes.
Last night I preached from Exodus 3:1-14 about God's call on Moses, When I finished and offered the invitation, I stepped down from the stage and went to the back of the room. I fell to my knees and bowed my face to the concrete floor of that auditorium. On Oct 12,2014 I gave God my open yes. Once again I laid my life down on his altar as an offering to Him. If nobody in that room meant giving God their yes last night I did. It was no emotional decision. God stirred in me and demands and deserves my yes.
This morning I am still giving Him my yes. I don't know what that means in the long term. In the short term I will preach one more time to these students this morning and then drive back home. Lord willing on Wednesday night I will be back in our church teaching through the book of I Samuel to our adults and then to our students.
I pray for the strength, faith, and courage to give God my yes all of my days. Have you given God your yes today? Will you give Him your yes no matter what it means, what it costs, or how outlandish it may appear? God deserves our ever yes.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Is 42:6-9
I am sitting in my hotel room at Sky Ranch Retreat Center in Van, TX writing this. I am preaching a fall retreat for two churches out of Weatherford, TX. I have been up some time reading and meditating on scripture prayerfully.
I have not been speed reading the Bible this morning. I have slowly and methodically been reading verses and doing some word studies. I have read with the intent of hearing from God. I read believing God had something to say to me. This passage out of Isaiah 42:6-9 hit pretty hard this morning. It seemed as I read and reread those verses that they were written just for me.
When God says, " I am the Lord," what does He mean? HE IS THE ONLY GOD. HE alone is the Great I AM. [Ex 3:14] He is the supreme authority in the whole universe. That means He is my supreme authority as well as yours. He is the boss. He sits in the driver's seats of our lives. He calls the shots. He determines the direction of my life and ministry. My role is to submit to His authority and obey Him by faith.
He has called me in righteousness. He called me to salvation. He convicted me of sin. He opened my spiritually blinded eyes. He lavished His grace one me and took away my sin in exchange for His righteousness. My life is His. He owns me. I am His bondservant. Because I am His bondservant and called by Him I must remain available to Him at all times. Part of my commission is to tell others about His great salvation. I am also called to seek Him to know Him and not just to know about Him.
Like His beckoning me this morning to get up and seek Him. Like later today when I get to preach to these students twice. I do not get to stand up and preach what I want. I get to stand up and proclaim what the Lord wants to say.
As I follow the Lord's leadership I will be tested. God will lead down some paths that require great faith and the constant reassurance of His presence. Like a scared child walking down a dark road at night, all fears subside when his father reaches down to hold his hand. So God promises to do so with me as I follow Him. When I am terrified of the next step of faith in utter darkness, He gently reaches down and holds my hand offering both comfort and confidence to take the next step.
God is in the appointing business. He assigns people to do certain things for Him. Isaiah was appointed to be a prophet for Israel. God appointed David to be a king. God appointed Paul to be an apostle. God appointed me to be a pastor, revivalist, and an author. These are the assignments He has given me and He has filled me with passion to pursue them with gusto.
I am called to be light to the nations. That means I do not get to sit in my easy chair everyday enjoying a life of convenience and comfort. I am called to get on planes and travel to foreign lands to share the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have done this in the past but I am also assured I will be called to continue to do this.
Part of my ministry is to open blind eyes. Last night I preached a gospel message especially burdened for two young men in attendance here who are lost according to their father. My heart is burdened for them. It is also burdened for the lost in Paradise, TX and Kermit, TX. I cannot shake the burden of Kermit. I am awakened in the wee hours of the morning with that community on my heart and mind. The burden has not lessened and seems to intensify. I am also burdened for souls in Paradise who are headed straight for hell blinded to their sinful condition and impending doom apart from Jesus Christ. This is not a time to rest in ease at church. The stakes are high and God has called me to be light and trust Jesus to open blinded eyes.
I have also been appointed to bring out prisoners from the dungeon. Masses of people have spent their whole lives in bondage to religion. They have never experienced the true freedom that is found in Jesus Christ. They are bound by rules and regulations but have never tasted the joy of the relationship with the Savior. They have been bound by the traditions of men but never tasted the freedom purchased for them by Christ which causes unbridled joy and passion.
Untold numbers of people are bound up in sin. They are shackled to behaviors and attitudes that are destroying them internally and externally. Many sit in the pews everySunday in shame and condemnation. Others have given up the hope for freedom and have accepted the lifestyle of hypocrisy. There are some that believe they are unworthy to ever be loved, forgiven, and accepted by a holy righteous God. Therefore they do not believe they can ever be set free from the private prison they live in. THAT IS A LIE FROM HELL!
THERE IS FREEDOM IN JESUS CHRIST. Freedom for the one bound up in religion and enslaved in confinement of church bylaws, controlling members, and the traditions of men. God is doing a new thing. He is offering an alternative. He is offering not only freedom but new churches to express that freedom.
JESUS OFFERS FREEDOM FOR THE BELIEVER bound in sin suffocating the life out of your soul. He is the truth and the truth can set you free. He is the way out. He is the way of escape. I am appointed to share this message with God's people who have given up on ever truly being delivered. JESUS CAN BREAK THE CHAINS OF ADDICTION AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AND THOUGHTS. HE HOLDS THE KEYS TO YOUR DUNGEON. TRUST HIM TO OPEN THE DOOR AND WALK OUT IN YOUR FREEDOM PURCHASED ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY.
God is doing a new work. It includes me and you. Part of that new work in my life is personal revival. God has been working deeply in my life for the past three months. It has been reinvigorating and liberating. Part of that new work is the constant burden God desires to do a new work in Kermit and somehow that involves me. I also believe God desires to do a new reviving work at Faith Community Church back in Paradise. It seems I am called and appointed to both places.
I have been called and appointed to be on mission for God. You aS a child of God have also been appointed by God to special assignment. Time is too short to play anymore silly church games. Time is too short to entertain the crowds. Time is too short to leave the prayer altars barren. Whatever life I have left I pledge anew to embrace God's assignments for me no matter how inconvenient, how risky, or how bewildering they appear to a watching world. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.
I have not been speed reading the Bible this morning. I have slowly and methodically been reading verses and doing some word studies. I have read with the intent of hearing from God. I read believing God had something to say to me. This passage out of Isaiah 42:6-9 hit pretty hard this morning. It seemed as I read and reread those verses that they were written just for me.
When God says, " I am the Lord," what does He mean? HE IS THE ONLY GOD. HE alone is the Great I AM. [Ex 3:14] He is the supreme authority in the whole universe. That means He is my supreme authority as well as yours. He is the boss. He sits in the driver's seats of our lives. He calls the shots. He determines the direction of my life and ministry. My role is to submit to His authority and obey Him by faith.
He has called me in righteousness. He called me to salvation. He convicted me of sin. He opened my spiritually blinded eyes. He lavished His grace one me and took away my sin in exchange for His righteousness. My life is His. He owns me. I am His bondservant. Because I am His bondservant and called by Him I must remain available to Him at all times. Part of my commission is to tell others about His great salvation. I am also called to seek Him to know Him and not just to know about Him.
Like His beckoning me this morning to get up and seek Him. Like later today when I get to preach to these students twice. I do not get to stand up and preach what I want. I get to stand up and proclaim what the Lord wants to say.
As I follow the Lord's leadership I will be tested. God will lead down some paths that require great faith and the constant reassurance of His presence. Like a scared child walking down a dark road at night, all fears subside when his father reaches down to hold his hand. So God promises to do so with me as I follow Him. When I am terrified of the next step of faith in utter darkness, He gently reaches down and holds my hand offering both comfort and confidence to take the next step.
God is in the appointing business. He assigns people to do certain things for Him. Isaiah was appointed to be a prophet for Israel. God appointed David to be a king. God appointed Paul to be an apostle. God appointed me to be a pastor, revivalist, and an author. These are the assignments He has given me and He has filled me with passion to pursue them with gusto.
I am called to be light to the nations. That means I do not get to sit in my easy chair everyday enjoying a life of convenience and comfort. I am called to get on planes and travel to foreign lands to share the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have done this in the past but I am also assured I will be called to continue to do this.
Part of my ministry is to open blind eyes. Last night I preached a gospel message especially burdened for two young men in attendance here who are lost according to their father. My heart is burdened for them. It is also burdened for the lost in Paradise, TX and Kermit, TX. I cannot shake the burden of Kermit. I am awakened in the wee hours of the morning with that community on my heart and mind. The burden has not lessened and seems to intensify. I am also burdened for souls in Paradise who are headed straight for hell blinded to their sinful condition and impending doom apart from Jesus Christ. This is not a time to rest in ease at church. The stakes are high and God has called me to be light and trust Jesus to open blinded eyes.
I have also been appointed to bring out prisoners from the dungeon. Masses of people have spent their whole lives in bondage to religion. They have never experienced the true freedom that is found in Jesus Christ. They are bound by rules and regulations but have never tasted the joy of the relationship with the Savior. They have been bound by the traditions of men but never tasted the freedom purchased for them by Christ which causes unbridled joy and passion.
Untold numbers of people are bound up in sin. They are shackled to behaviors and attitudes that are destroying them internally and externally. Many sit in the pews everySunday in shame and condemnation. Others have given up the hope for freedom and have accepted the lifestyle of hypocrisy. There are some that believe they are unworthy to ever be loved, forgiven, and accepted by a holy righteous God. Therefore they do not believe they can ever be set free from the private prison they live in. THAT IS A LIE FROM HELL!
THERE IS FREEDOM IN JESUS CHRIST. Freedom for the one bound up in religion and enslaved in confinement of church bylaws, controlling members, and the traditions of men. God is doing a new thing. He is offering an alternative. He is offering not only freedom but new churches to express that freedom.
JESUS OFFERS FREEDOM FOR THE BELIEVER bound in sin suffocating the life out of your soul. He is the truth and the truth can set you free. He is the way out. He is the way of escape. I am appointed to share this message with God's people who have given up on ever truly being delivered. JESUS CAN BREAK THE CHAINS OF ADDICTION AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AND THOUGHTS. HE HOLDS THE KEYS TO YOUR DUNGEON. TRUST HIM TO OPEN THE DOOR AND WALK OUT IN YOUR FREEDOM PURCHASED ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY.
God is doing a new work. It includes me and you. Part of that new work in my life is personal revival. God has been working deeply in my life for the past three months. It has been reinvigorating and liberating. Part of that new work is the constant burden God desires to do a new work in Kermit and somehow that involves me. I also believe God desires to do a new reviving work at Faith Community Church back in Paradise. It seems I am called and appointed to both places.
I have been called and appointed to be on mission for God. You aS a child of God have also been appointed by God to special assignment. Time is too short to play anymore silly church games. Time is too short to entertain the crowds. Time is too short to leave the prayer altars barren. Whatever life I have left I pledge anew to embrace God's assignments for me no matter how inconvenient, how risky, or how bewildering they appear to a watching world. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
A Prayer For Kermit
Father,
I thank you today for your concern for Kermit. You love the people there. You died to save them and set them free. I pray that love will be bodily proclaimed in a way people will hear both inside and outside the local churches there.
I thank you for those faithful watchmen and watch women who have stood on the walls of Kermit for years in prayer. Thank you for giving them the strength and faith not to lose heart. Thank you for their perseverance in prayer through both good times and in the lean times. Thank you for the men who have faithfully stood in the pulpit over the years proclaiming your truth. Thank you for those men who have soaked the carpet with their tears and fervent intercessions.
I plead with you to not let your remnant lose heart in well doing but let them believe they will reap a harvest in due season if they do not give up. I ask you to empower your people to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus. I ask you to for a mighty shaking of the city in revival. I ask you to bring your church into holiness once again and renew their zeal for you. I ask you to once again blow across that west Texas town with fresh wind and fresh fire.
I ask you to stir the flames of revival in that town once again. I ask you to do a new work all over the town. You are the source of life. Eternal life and abundant life. I ask you to bring life into the hearts of believers, in your churches, and new life to those who do not know you as Savior.
I ask you to reveal what you are up to for those who are seeking. I ask you to open blind eyes and show what you are doing. I ask you to give the people of Kermit a desire to follow you and not dead and empty religion. I ask you to give your people a desire to pray and your desire for a great move in the town.
I lift up children growing up in spiritual darkness. Some abused and others neglected. Some are deceived not believing you are there or even care. I ask you to show your compassion to the children. I ask you to send out messengers to the children to love them to Jesus and point the way to Jesus. I ask you to give your heart for children to each of the churches.
I know teenagers are bound up in sin. I ask you send out your messengers to show teens the way of deliverance. I ask you to send a spiritual awakening to students in Kermit. I believe there are some students who stand for you amidst the spiritual darkness. I ask you to strengthen them to stand firm for you. I ask you to send them encouragement and words of nourishment for their souls. I ask you to do a great work among students.
I ask you to come against the wickedness of alcohol in that town and the destruction it causes in families. I ask you to set men and women addicted to alcohol free in the name of Jesus. I ask you to give them something better than drink as they come in contact with you. I ask you to work powerfully among families.
I lift up men who go to church. I pray you would raise them to become mighty warriors for you. I ask you to fill them with your spirit. I ask you give them a hatred for going through the motions of dead religion but you would revive their hearts to seek you, walk with you, and lead their families. I ask you to not let women become distracted by the vanity of outward beauty but they would be drawn to the inward beauty of knowing and serving you.
Lord, I do not know why you have placed Kermit on my heart. I do not know what I am to do nor do I understand the burden. I do not understand why you sent the dreams. I do not understand what any of this means. I only know you have brought Kermit to the forefront of my heart and mind and I will pray fervently. I will trust you to work mightily in that town.
If there is something I am supposed to do I trust you to reveal it. I do not want to get ahead of you. I do not want to lag behind you. I want to remain in step with you. I ask you to send your help to Kermit. Whatever that means. I trust you to work and to send help.
I trust you have a great plan for Kermit. I trust you love and have compassion for Kermit because you see those distressed and weary people. You see those who have already given up or about to. I ask you to renew hope. YOU ALONE ARE THE HOPE FOR KERMIT. JESUS I ASK YOU TO PROCLAIM LIFE AND DAYS OF REFRESHING FOR THAT TOWN. I ask you for all of this in Jesus' name, amen.
I thank you today for your concern for Kermit. You love the people there. You died to save them and set them free. I pray that love will be bodily proclaimed in a way people will hear both inside and outside the local churches there.
I thank you for those faithful watchmen and watch women who have stood on the walls of Kermit for years in prayer. Thank you for giving them the strength and faith not to lose heart. Thank you for their perseverance in prayer through both good times and in the lean times. Thank you for the men who have faithfully stood in the pulpit over the years proclaiming your truth. Thank you for those men who have soaked the carpet with their tears and fervent intercessions.
I plead with you to not let your remnant lose heart in well doing but let them believe they will reap a harvest in due season if they do not give up. I ask you to empower your people to boldly proclaim the name of Jesus. I ask you to for a mighty shaking of the city in revival. I ask you to bring your church into holiness once again and renew their zeal for you. I ask you to once again blow across that west Texas town with fresh wind and fresh fire.
I ask you to stir the flames of revival in that town once again. I ask you to do a new work all over the town. You are the source of life. Eternal life and abundant life. I ask you to bring life into the hearts of believers, in your churches, and new life to those who do not know you as Savior.
I ask you to reveal what you are up to for those who are seeking. I ask you to open blind eyes and show what you are doing. I ask you to give the people of Kermit a desire to follow you and not dead and empty religion. I ask you to give your people a desire to pray and your desire for a great move in the town.
I lift up children growing up in spiritual darkness. Some abused and others neglected. Some are deceived not believing you are there or even care. I ask you to show your compassion to the children. I ask you to send out messengers to the children to love them to Jesus and point the way to Jesus. I ask you to give your heart for children to each of the churches.
I know teenagers are bound up in sin. I ask you send out your messengers to show teens the way of deliverance. I ask you to send a spiritual awakening to students in Kermit. I believe there are some students who stand for you amidst the spiritual darkness. I ask you to strengthen them to stand firm for you. I ask you to send them encouragement and words of nourishment for their souls. I ask you to do a great work among students.
I ask you to come against the wickedness of alcohol in that town and the destruction it causes in families. I ask you to set men and women addicted to alcohol free in the name of Jesus. I ask you to give them something better than drink as they come in contact with you. I ask you to work powerfully among families.
I lift up men who go to church. I pray you would raise them to become mighty warriors for you. I ask you to fill them with your spirit. I ask you give them a hatred for going through the motions of dead religion but you would revive their hearts to seek you, walk with you, and lead their families. I ask you to not let women become distracted by the vanity of outward beauty but they would be drawn to the inward beauty of knowing and serving you.
Lord, I do not know why you have placed Kermit on my heart. I do not know what I am to do nor do I understand the burden. I do not understand why you sent the dreams. I do not understand what any of this means. I only know you have brought Kermit to the forefront of my heart and mind and I will pray fervently. I will trust you to work mightily in that town.
If there is something I am supposed to do I trust you to reveal it. I do not want to get ahead of you. I do not want to lag behind you. I want to remain in step with you. I ask you to send your help to Kermit. Whatever that means. I trust you to work and to send help.
I trust you have a great plan for Kermit. I trust you love and have compassion for Kermit because you see those distressed and weary people. You see those who have already given up or about to. I ask you to renew hope. YOU ALONE ARE THE HOPE FOR KERMIT. JESUS I ASK YOU TO PROCLAIM LIFE AND DAYS OF REFRESHING FOR THAT TOWN. I ask you for all of this in Jesus' name, amen.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Chasing Donkeys
The mission was clear. The donkeys were missing and Kish sent his son to Saul to find them. Saul and a servant looked and looked but came up empty handed. They traveled from city to city but did not find the donkeys. They chased after those donkeys for three days.
They finally ended up in the same town as the prophet Samuel. They decided to ask for Samuel's help. God had something else in mind. One day before God had revealed to Samuel that a man would come to him from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul haled from the tribe of Benjamin.
For three days Saul chased donkeys. He looked everywhere. He went from town to town and never did find those donkeys. While all of that took place God worked behind the scenes to accomplish a grander purpose for the nation of Israel than chasing donkeys.
Samuel had prepared a sacrifice and a feast this day. Though he did not know it, Saul was to be the guest of honor. He sat right next to Samuel the most powerful and influential man in all of Israel. Everyone knew Samuel was a prophet and heard from God. Samuel had a fresh word from God which implicated Saul.
From Saul's perspective he chased donkeys and did not succeed. Not exciting. Not necessarily fun. Not even important in the big scheme of things. Yet God had a sovereign design for it. From God's perspective, revealed to Samuel, Saul did not just chase donkeys. He chased donkeys to get him to where Samuel would anoint him as the ruler of Israel. This whole story can be found in the ninth chapter of the book of I Samuel.
In I Samuel 10:1, Samuel anointed Saul as the ruler over all Israel. How many times in life do we chase donkeys thinking we are wasting our time when God is at work behind the scenes in ways we could never fathom. God hand picked Saul, a handsome and tall young man. Saul had humility. He chased donkeys not realizing he was a on a special assignment from God.
I do not know what donkeys you are chasing. Moses and David tended sheep when God suddenly showed up to reveal His special assignment for them. Peter fished when Jesus called him to become a fisher of men. Saul sat horseback on a trip to Damascus when God interrupted his life and plans. Saul chased donkeys.
Many times it feels like we are chasing donkeys but God may have a wiser and more profound design in mind. Saul went from chasing donkeys to being anointed king in a span of three days. What might He have in mind for you and me. May we never downplay the importance of chasing donkeys to get us where He wants us. May we never doubt an infinitely wise God can even factor chasing donkeys into His unfolding drama and Kingdom purposes.
They finally ended up in the same town as the prophet Samuel. They decided to ask for Samuel's help. God had something else in mind. One day before God had revealed to Samuel that a man would come to him from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul haled from the tribe of Benjamin.
For three days Saul chased donkeys. He looked everywhere. He went from town to town and never did find those donkeys. While all of that took place God worked behind the scenes to accomplish a grander purpose for the nation of Israel than chasing donkeys.
Samuel had prepared a sacrifice and a feast this day. Though he did not know it, Saul was to be the guest of honor. He sat right next to Samuel the most powerful and influential man in all of Israel. Everyone knew Samuel was a prophet and heard from God. Samuel had a fresh word from God which implicated Saul.
From Saul's perspective he chased donkeys and did not succeed. Not exciting. Not necessarily fun. Not even important in the big scheme of things. Yet God had a sovereign design for it. From God's perspective, revealed to Samuel, Saul did not just chase donkeys. He chased donkeys to get him to where Samuel would anoint him as the ruler of Israel. This whole story can be found in the ninth chapter of the book of I Samuel.
In I Samuel 10:1, Samuel anointed Saul as the ruler over all Israel. How many times in life do we chase donkeys thinking we are wasting our time when God is at work behind the scenes in ways we could never fathom. God hand picked Saul, a handsome and tall young man. Saul had humility. He chased donkeys not realizing he was a on a special assignment from God.
I do not know what donkeys you are chasing. Moses and David tended sheep when God suddenly showed up to reveal His special assignment for them. Peter fished when Jesus called him to become a fisher of men. Saul sat horseback on a trip to Damascus when God interrupted his life and plans. Saul chased donkeys.
Many times it feels like we are chasing donkeys but God may have a wiser and more profound design in mind. Saul went from chasing donkeys to being anointed king in a span of three days. What might He have in mind for you and me. May we never downplay the importance of chasing donkeys to get us where He wants us. May we never doubt an infinitely wise God can even factor chasing donkeys into His unfolding drama and Kingdom purposes.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Update On Kermit
Last week I made a trip to Kermit to pray over the town and for a meeting to discern the Lord's will. I took a bother in Christ along with me to meet the lady who had contacted me earlier. It soon became apparent that we had different burdens. She has been praying for the Lord to start a new church. My burden remains to see revival in Kermit.
At one point during my time in Kermit I lay on my face in prayer pleading for God to move in that town. My whole involvement may be nothing more than to pray. I feel like it is to be more significant than that. At this point no doors are open and I am content to wait on the Lord and His timing. I do not feel pressure to do something. I would much rather wait and join what the Lord shows me He is doing.
Kermit remains on the forefront of my mind and in my prayers. I don't know what it all means and don't have to. If my only role is to intercede for Kermit I want to play my part in God's unfolding drama there. If the Lord has more in mind He will bring it all to pass in His timing.
Believers in Kermit I stand with you in prayer trusting the Lord to break up the fallow ground and to reap a bountiful harvest of lost souls in all the churches
At one point during my time in Kermit I lay on my face in prayer pleading for God to move in that town. My whole involvement may be nothing more than to pray. I feel like it is to be more significant than that. At this point no doors are open and I am content to wait on the Lord and His timing. I do not feel pressure to do something. I would much rather wait and join what the Lord shows me He is doing.
Kermit remains on the forefront of my mind and in my prayers. I don't know what it all means and don't have to. If my only role is to intercede for Kermit I want to play my part in God's unfolding drama there. If the Lord has more in mind He will bring it all to pass in His timing.
Believers in Kermit I stand with you in prayer trusting the Lord to break up the fallow ground and to reap a bountiful harvest of lost souls in all the churches
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Moment Of Truth
Millions of people will flock to church later this morning. Many of them will come as hypocrites. There whole life is a show and a sham. Outwardly they appear righteous to the religious world but inwardly they are full of robbery and indulgence in the eyes of a holy and just God. [Matt 23:25] They will come dressed up on the outside in fashionable attire but inside they are wicked and rotten. God sees the truth.
These pretenders will lie to God when the offering plate is passed and when the songs are sung. They will act more righteous than they really are not counting the fact that God will have a day of reckoning.
Ask Annanias. Ask his wife Sapphira. You can read about their account in [Acts 5:1-11]. There will be a day of reckoning. God will have the last word. [Heb 9:27] There is a day appointed for us all to die and then we face judgment. What will you do on that day? What hope do you have to satisfy God's wrath if you have lived a life of pretense and hypocrisy.
Our only hope is Jesus Christ. In Him alone we have salvation. Apart from Him we cannot boast. It is by His grace and His mercy we are brought into right standing with God. [Eph 2:8-9] Wholly fling yourself on Him at once pretender.
In churches all around the world there will be moments of truth today. Preachers will expound the truth of God's word and the Holy Spirit will produce conviction. There will be a moment when a choice has to be made. Will you choose repentance and coming clean before God or will you continue to embrace the life of sin and hypocrisy? O sinner what will you do then? O pretender will you dismiss that moment of truth in favor of a life of pretense? GOD WILL HAVE THE LAST WORD. THERE WILL BE DAY OF RECKONING. THERE WILL BE A DAY WHEN GOD CALLS YOUR LIFE TO ACCOUNt. IFYOU HAVE LIVED A LIFE OF PRETENSE YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF IN SIN DEFICIT BEFORE A HOLY GOD.
REPENT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT! REPENT WITH WEEPING AT THE ALTAR! "'Yet even now', declares the Lord,'Return to Me with all your heart and with fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Now return to the Lord your God.'" [Joel 2:12]
Will you gamble with eternity thinking you have time? Will you live your life for the approval of men living with inward deceit caring not for the approval of God in eternity. LIVE IN LIGHT OF ETERNITY! TODAY IS THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
May holiness return to your life, your church, and the church at large. Today is the moment of truth. Do not lie to the Holy Spirt or test the Lord any longer.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
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