John 4 & 5 Your Jesus Encounter

^{Prayer for Today}

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

Father, how I pray for our encounters with you to be more about loving and worshiping YOU! I don't won't to only experience you and our relationship through a dreary, droning monologue prayer session. I want rest in your arms, feel your embrace and hear that still small voice that let me know I have been with you. I seek to spend quality time in your presence that ministers to our bond. You have transformed, translated us in a blink of eye and we are desiring to be everything you want us to be now and forever.

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit 

There is a spiritual key that unlocks the power of relationship building in the Kingdom. Jesus knew this. As we study the Word of God, we understand it is all about relationships and man's capacity to relate. Unfortunately, very few truly know or appreciate relationship matters--truly all relationship do matter. Love is the key. It vital that we learn how to walk in love, administer in love and receive love.

That simple four-letter word has a powerful punch. A punch so powerful it covers a multitude of sins. Think of the Love God has for us. He sacrificed His ONLY Son for people who did not love him. We who learn to love and accept this sacrifice as a gift earn abundant and eternal life. We obtain access to a right relationship-A Kingdom Relationship.  Imagine, we who rejected him are called sons, daughters and heirs. Oh what Love is  that!!!

Thought for Today

This week as I studied and prayed, God revealed a powerful truth to me concerning encounters with Jesus. I studied and read chapters 4 and 5 in the gospel of John. I asked the Holy Spirit to speak and share what was the most significant point that I was to understand. He did just what I'd asked. In those chapters there several different encounters that occurred. The Samaritan woman and her entire Samaritan village, Jesus' disciples, the lame man, Pharisees and the Jewish Leaders. Each encounter with Jesus is remarkably different. 

The Samaritan woman is by far the most significant encounter in that she is completely transformed into a worshiper and an evangelist. Her transformation and evangelistic message converts her  entire village into worshiper. The Samaritan though connect through blood-line and in some small measure knowledgeable of Jewish scripture, and religious belief did not seek out Jesus. It is astonishing that they are ones that are completely transformed. 

The disciples many times are confused and confounded by Jesus' sermons and actions. His disciples were the closest to him.  Note they did not receive this type of complete transformation for some time. After Jesus is murdered, the disciples hid and worried. They only  transformed into worshipers after the resurrected Jesus appeared to them before he ascended to Father. Then they began to understand the power of the Christ whom they had with them the whole time. 

The Pharisees and Jewish leaders encounters with Jesus produced pure and complete hatred on all levels regarding Jesus. They more they saw Jesus do; the more they hated him and plotted to kill him. Odd they spent time devoted to understanding and knowing the scriptures but it availed nothing for them. In spite of, all the knowledge they had about the Word of God they did know God.

Questions: What is your encounters with Jesus producing in you? Have you notice a complete transformation yet?

It is important for us to take notice that all our relationships take this shape. Acceptance & growth; acquaintance and aloofness; acknowledgement and attainment; abhorrence and  alienation. If you are going to build kingdom relationship you must learn to love all despite how they may treat you. That is agape love, the kind of love God sheds on us.

Today's Scripture Readings (Read John 4 & 5)

 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:21-24 NIV)

 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.  And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. (John 5:24-27 NIV)

How to Grow Your Church

God woke me up early with this message regarding church leadership marketing to grow their church.

Here's what thus saith the Lord:

So you want to grow your church. Evangelize!!! Evangelize.

The word evangelize fundamentally means spread the news. This is the oldest and most effective way marketing has been done since the beginning.

Cain knew his reputation as a murder would spread every where.
Noah spread the weather report to the whole world though no one listened
The Israelites became a terror to their enemies.
John the Baptist drew the masses to the water to be baptist; something that had never been done
Jesus was pressed with the multitudes because He preached a Word they could relate to.
Jesus dispatched the disciples to spread the Word--evangelize.

Church Leaders stop trying to conform to the world. I dare you to spend time renewing your mind with the Word...and see if you need a marketing concept.

There are three aspects of growing the true Church the first part is Spirit and Truth, the second is Evangelism and the third is the Father's Business.

1. Spirit and Truth-- the administration of Word (spirit and truth) that sets the captive free, convicts the sinners and delivers the lame and halt. 
2. Evangelism--your free captives and you begin to displays and  demonstrate they are changed, and others see and know there has been a change. That evidence of freedom, healing and deliverance will automatically began to draw those who need a change for themselves.
3. The Father's Business-there is a business aspect of the true church. I will not go into this now check back.

I want to point you who feel you need a marketing plan to Isaiah 55. This is the true formula and plan for growth and expansion of the Church.

I want you who feel it is okay to develop worldly strategies of integrated marketing campaigns to increase you church membership to beware of counting the people and trying to multiple without God's sanctioning it.   Read 1 Chronicles 21

God has a way, and His ways are not our ways neither or His thoughts our thoughts. While you seek to increase God may desire the decrease as with Gideon (read Judges 7). Stop trying to draw from the masses, focuses creating master's. Church leaders must finally understand growing membership is not your job. The assignment is to feed the sheep, care for and protect the sheep. The sheep multiple and increase. The congregation that is properly fed will grow, and multiple, the spread the word and add to the flock.

God changes not. He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. There is nothing new under the sun either. Don't get caught up in the mass appeal of marketing (managing profitable customer relationships) unless you fully understand how to incorporate holiness into the marketplace.  Though there are all types of new methodologies and technologies at the Church disposal it is imperative that as we the Body of Christ use them we do so with holiness. In a way shape or form should the true Church look like the world.

Psalm 112 The Promises to the Worshipers

^{Prayer for Today}

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

Father, thank you for making me a worshiper. I pray now that we prepare to receive your promises given to the worshipers. I pray we now understand the divine order of worshiping YOU in spirit and truth is the key to unlocking  Your blessings on us for generations to come. Reveal to Your children the secret place of worship, that we may abide with YOU there. You are worthy of all worship, praise, honor and glory forever. Amen

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit

Worshiping God is different than praising God. You have heard it said, "When praises go up blessings come down and God inhabits the praises of His people" this is truth. However, true worship is what our spirit longs to do. True worshipers are obedient servants and their worship is come from knowing their Father. They worship their Daddy because they know Him in truth. They know he will never leave nor forsake them. They know that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. They worship because they know no weapon from against them will prosper. They worship because they know neither life nor death will separate their love. They know they were created to worship so they simply Worship everyday, in all things, and in every way.

Thought for Today

 The LORD blesses everyone

   who worships him and gladly

   obeys his teachings.

Worship is our obedience, it is our love; reverent love and adoration. While one can display many forms of worship the underlying motive of worshiping comes about because of a deep reverent love, and adoration for  the Father. Worship is our ability to love God beyond our emotion, or feeling. True worshipers pierce the veil and enter a dimension of relating one on one with their Daddy. Imagine the child spending that special one on one time with his or her Daddy. Can you hear their conversation, can see their loving embrace and connection going on in this scenario? Our Heavenly Father wants us to come to know Him in this way. It is a place of knowing that no matter what we are going through or facing  we know  it will be just fine. Praise is a place that ushers us in to worship because it is the point we gain understanding of His awesome love. We praise Him with, song, dance, cymbals and trumpets for all the marvelous things He done for us and through us. Yet, our praise is only the tip of our worship. Worship releases an overflow of blessings in our lives and the lives of our descendants.  Worship is so powerful the enemy seeks to have us place our worship on him or other things.  Believe or not God created us to Worship Him because that is what solidifies our true love for Him. 

Today's Scripture Readings

Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span. (Exodus 23:25 NIV)

“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:21-24)

Psalm 112 (Contemporary English Version)

God Blesses His Worshipers

 ¹Shout praises to the LORD!   The LORD blesses everyone
   who worships him and gladly
   obeys his teachings.


    ²Their descendants will have
   great power in the land,
   because the LORD blesses
   all who do right.
    ³They will get rich and prosper
   and will always be remembered
   for their fairness.
    ⁴They will be so kind
   and merciful and good,
   that they will be a light
   in the dark
   for others
   who do the right thing.
    ⁵Life will go well for those
   who freely lend
   and are honest in business.
    ⁶They won't ever be troubled,
   and the kind things they do
   will never be forgotten.
    ⁷Bad news won't bother them;
   they have decided
   to trust the LORD.
    ⁸They are dependable
   and not afraid,
   and they will live to see
   their enemies defeated.
    ⁹They will always be remembered
   and greatly praised,
   because they were kind
   and freely gave to the poor.
    ¹⁰When evil people see this,
   they angrily bite their tongues
   and disappear.
   They will never get
   what they really want.

Isaiah 21:6 Set A Watchman

Prayer for Today

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

God teach us to become watchmen, ever ready to set the watch and to pray. Put in a spirit that worships the Most High God. Let us keep our hearts fixed on YOU for there is none like. Teach us to wait on YOU and desire to do your Will and Work. As we humble ourselves before the throne of Mercy and Grace, help us to stand in proxy for the nation of America, The presidency, the leaders, the people herein, proxy for the nations and people who YOU will gather unto Yourself. Help us and have mercy Father.

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit

The most powerful key to walking in the spirit is prayer. Don't assume you need some special technique, training or manner of speech to pray; other than opening your mouth. Many will say I don't know what to say to God. I will say to that statement, if you can talk your family and friends for hours on end; you can talk to God. He is waiting for us to realize, He wants a relationship with us. A relationship that is engaging, inviting and exchanging. I urge you to get this key and use it.

Watch and Pray

 

Thought for Today

As I watch and see events unfolding in the world, I am amazed though not shocked. Reading the Word of God and communing with God has made me acutely aware of the times we live in. I have this enormous respect for God's mercy and grace that permits us come to Him and cast all our cares and concerns on Him because He cares for us. The fallacy of humans is so outrageous, today. Dare anyone think the wick go unpunished; that none see their greed, schemes and rebellion?    Are the wicked so full of themselves that they do not fear the God who made them?  Worldwide we are witnessing an uncovering debauchery. Wickedness is being exposed in the five pillars of society (family, marriage, government, education and the church). And the watchmen have given their reports. Now, the waiting who watched will now hear what, Thus says the Lord. It is time for the prayer warriors, the wailing women of Zion, and the watchmen on the wall to travailing and cry loud. 

Today's Scripture Reading Isaiah 21:1-10

A prophecy against the Desert by the Sea:

   Like whirlwinds sweeping through the southland,
   an invader comes from the desert,
   from a land of terror.

 ² A dire vision has been shown to me:
   The traitor betrays, the looter takes loot.
Elam, attack! Media, lay siege!
   I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused.

 ³ At this my body is racked with pain,
   pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor;
I am staggered by what I hear,
   I am bewildered by what I see.
⁴ My heart falters,
   fear makes me tremble;
the twilight I longed for
   has become a horror to me.

 ⁵ They set the tables,
   they spread the rugs,
   they eat, they drink!
Get up, you officers,
   oil the shields!

 ⁶ This is what the Lord says to me:

   “Go, post a lookout
   and have him report what he sees.
⁷ When he sees chariots
   with teams of horses,
riders on donkeys
   or riders on camels,
let him be alert,
   fully alert.”

 ⁸ And the lookout^[a] shouted,

   “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower;
   every night I stay at my post.
⁹ Look, here comes a man in a chariot
   with a team of horses.
And he gives back the answer:
   ‘Babylon has fallen, has fallen!
All the images of its gods
   lie shattered on the ground!’”

 ¹⁰ My people who are crushed on the threshing floor,
   I tell you what I have heard
from the LORD Almighty,
   from the God of Israel.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and Pray

Prayer for Today

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

Father, I pray  not for only a praying spirit but also a watchful eye. Help us to be wise in offering our intercessions, supplications and requests to YOU in pray. Guide your people with thine eye that we may be ready  watchmen on the wall. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Ted Williams is blessed and highly favored. I do know the children of the Most High God are in the greatest transition and turn around the world has ever seen but I am more concerned that many are unaware there is a transitioning taking place.  

Ted Williams is among millions of talented, articulate and intelligent homeless men and women in America. Please keep (Sidebar:Ted surrounded with prayers).  They like Ted deserve another chance or simply a chance. The world took note of Mr. Williams because of media coverage. Yet, I cannot help but wonder at the rapid ascension that immediately took place. This struck me as very odd, so odd in fact that I compared it to "Wag the Dog."  If you don't know what I reference please Google the term and movie "Wag the Dog" for clarity. 

We are in an election year and the Republican Party Nominees are liken to a pool of fool. Their blatant arrogance and downside racist remarks have set millions nationally and internationally at arms. I will never believe this group of nominees were ever serious contenders for the United States of American Presidency--and I do mean ever. I consider them a distraction for the masses. 

Finally, a question are the troops coming home or not? Am I the only one that remembers how long the US military has been in the Middle East conflict?

We really must become the watchmen on the wall, cry out, wail and mourn. The adversary is seeking whoever he can devour. It is not a time to sleep or slumber.

Today's Scripture Reading: Matthew 26: 39- 56

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

 ⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.“Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 ⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

 ⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

 ⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested

 ⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

 ⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

   Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

   ⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

 ⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

But God...

Stay focused Y'all the devil is liar. 

Don't look at your nothing as anything other than this

When you get to zero watch God multiply you!!!

Special Blog Edition: Revealing 2012

This is Blog posting is a special edition, a revelation if you will. I am of a particular mindset that I will not look back.  That does not mean I don't reflect (careful consider) all things behind me because they propelled me to this point and time. Indeed, my whole life has been a sum total of getting right here.


You may be content with making new year's resolutions to do better, be more and the likes. Your focus maybe fixed on what you are going do this year to achieve those ends. That is great! Allow me to drop this bug your ears--You here today by God's GRACE. Tornadoes, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Flood, Famine, Recession, Suicide, Death, and Disease passed you and yours by in 2011.  Did actually think it had something to do with you. (Read on for the Revealing of 2012)

At 12:00 midnight, many saw some event that signaled the revealing of 2012 but few realize the spiritual significance of entering this new season. Spiritually speaking the year 2012 marks life that is infused by grace. 2+0+1+2= 5, five (5) and the biblical meaning of the number links to one having God's grace and redemption that's moved by the His Spirit.

We have only to become solemnly reflective to know witnessing the advent of 2012 is indeed a dispensation of God's Grace and Redemption. We can see evidence of the nearly complete corruption (sinful nature) brought about by the human experience in all five pillars (Marriage, Family, Government, Church and Education) in the world's societies. Globally economic systems are fractured and many nations are witnessing unprecedented increases in poverty. Yet, by God's grace and redemption we crossed over into the year of grace. 


Let's quickly define "grace and redemption" so you who read this will appreciate its value and will not squander it. Grace-is unmerited (you did nothing to earn it); it is a pardon or reprieve. I am sure you know or heard of some who did not make it out of 2011 or some who did but barely. Redemption means to be delivered by ransom; rescue. We all made to 2012 by this gracious redemptive act. 


When you are going through 2012 day by day please be mindful each moment of the day you are experiencing God's Grace.


As I mediated on God's Word, I searched for two significant scripture for you to get a  clear revelation of why it is necessary for you receive your Grace for your 2012 human and spiritual experience. Mary Magdalene is a great example of this Gracious and Redemptive act. Mary once possessed by seven demons, was astutely aware without grace and redemption she would have been lost. Mary Magdalene, a woman received the first Pre-Acts message to go tell that redeemer lives. (Read John 20:12) We all are duty bound to go and tell them the redeemer lives. We must share what He has shown and told us. We  can no longer keep these things secret within us. 


What are you going to with your Grace this year? Will you  squander Grace by keeping it within hoping that things will get better in this world? NO, Heaven forbid!!! YOU are the light of the world--tell everyone and remind each other of His Grace and Redemption.


Lastly I, read Revelation 20:12 (NIV) which says,  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Saved or Unsaved we all have a to-do-list. In the scheme of getting things done make no bones about it there is a book of records all will be judged one way or the other. 


Special Praying and Walking in the Spirit Key

Obey and worship!!! As you become astutely aware of God's gracious and redemptive act in you and yours lives; you will be unstoppable IF you practice and put in action obedience to God's precepts, instructions and seek His advice combine these with true worship we yield in results that are unthinkable. While, obeying will open the windows of Heaven's blessings, true worship will keep God involved in everything you do. Get in God's Word, pray (talk to Him) and truly worship Him with your time, money and gifts.