True Miracles

God has a way of making impossible things happen. I know this sounds trite but there is just no way to make clear the impressive power of the Most High God when you have no one to turn to for help. The ability to trust God in the face of impossible odds; to continue believing when no one thinks you can win is a rare gift. It should not be rare among believers, but it is.

Approximately one year ago God gave me a vision regarding the coming of our darling grandson Caleb. This vision contained details about Caleb that I shared with my son and daughter-in-law, and others.  Very specific details that could not be missed. From the moment of receiving my promise, I began to pray for God to take care of him and not let him be too damaged by the foster care system and process. I asked God to let his angels protect this grandson who was coming into our family. Because of the vision we knew that Caleb would be coming some time in the Fall of the year. He arrived one week before Thanksgiving. We knew the color of his hair, the color of his skin, even that he would be a very large baby who looked to be 12-18 months in size. We knew that his blonde hair was naturally curly and rolled into a big sausage curl on top of his head.

Before Caleb came to us he cried so much that the case manager was shocked to find that when he came to Janice and Derek the crying stopped immediately. When Caleb came to us he could barely hold up his head due to neglect when he was more than six months old. He was walking by the time he made 12 months. Wednesday was a permanency hearing and it took a lot of strength on the part of Janice and Derek to prepare for it. Last week Janice and I prayed together for favor from God to bring this to an end and allow the parents to relinquish their rights. That was on Thursday afternoon. On Monday morning they called and did just that! It was finalized in court on Wednesday morning. When God says it is enough... it is enough.

There is so much more I could tell you about how God gave us miracles right down to the finest detail such as Caleb's beautiful green eyes like his fathers. Even his name sent us a message because it means "wholehearted faith".  If all goes well Caleb will legally be a member of the family by Thanksgiving which is a completely different story. He was already a member of the family since last June when he was 1 month old because when God says "This is your mother and father" the deed is done. All that is left is working out the details.

1 Samuel 1: 27-28  ²⁷ For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. ²⁸ Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.


Mark 11:22-24  ²² So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. ²³ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.²⁴ Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receivethem, and you will have them.

Take a Stand For God In Time of Trouble

This is Spiritual War. Here I make my stand and retreat no farther. In times of pain and trouble we MUST stand on the word and refuse to entertain any thought that brings doubt, fear, or distress. In Ancient Warfare men rode to war with their standard (banner or flag) flying in the breeze. Before the battle started they thrust the flag pole into the ground to let everyone know where they were making their stand. During a battle in the American Revolution, Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. He knew if the flag was still flying all was not lost. American soldiers still carry the flag with them into battle today. My nephew Christopher carried the flag in his unit. It is a great honor to be allowed to carry the flag. I lift up my banner and on it is written, I AM THE SERVANT OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, JESUS CHRIST, KING OF KINGS, LORD OF HOSTS.  Here I live and here I will make my stand.

Psalms: 20:5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up ourbanners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

Psalms 118: 5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. 17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. 18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. 28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. 29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalms 118

 This is for you, Mother. Love you. 

What is the Fear of the Lord?

Deuteronomy 6:2
That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I commandthee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.


Proverbs 9:10

¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

I recently heard a sermon about the Fear of the Lord that has stuck in my mind. What, I asked myself, is the Fear of the Lord? In simple terms the Fear of the Lord is shown by the life you live. If you put anything or anybody ahead of the Lord you are showing that you do not fear Him. Put God first in your life. Do not let anything or anyone control you. If any habit, food, entertainment, or anything you have in your life is not something you can give up or lay down... you might not truly fear the Lord. 

Learn to put God first in your life. Let your life show the Fear of the Lord. 

Pentecost Sunday

<sup>The Holy Ghost is here today just like it was in the beginning. 


1</sup> When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Comfort in the Time of Fear

Fear has a way of taking hold of your heart in spite of your best efforts to ignore it. Even those of you who KNOW perfectly well that your God is there for you find yourself shaken by fear at times. I thought I had put fear behind me but recently it reared its UGLY head again. I remembered where I go in times of anxiety and fear and the Lord did not let me down. Here is my favorite verse. I always find comfort in these words.

Psalm 27

 ¹The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

 ²When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

 ³Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

 ⁴One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

 ⁵For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

 ⁶And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

 ⁷Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

 ⁸When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

 ⁹Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

 ¹⁰When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 ¹¹Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

 ¹²Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

 ¹³I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

 ¹⁴Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

How Much Do You Love Me?

John 21: 15-17

¹⁵So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

 ¹⁶He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 ¹⁷He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

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Jesus looked at Simon Peter with a question. Do you love me more than these? Peter was determined that his love was enough. Jesus gave Peter a command to show his love by serving others. This question is still valid today. How much are you willing to serve and show your love. Does your love have limits? Will you love Him if you lose your house, family, land, or other valuable. God wants to know, but you need to know, too. 

Will You Dance For It?

^{Habakkuk 3: 17-19}

¹⁷Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

 ¹⁸Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

 ¹⁹The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Brother JJ Bourne recently asked a question of our church... Will You Dance For It? 

This was very puzzling and most of us did not understand what he meant to ask. I have pondered this question for months trying to understand what the Bishop meant us to know. I believe I have found the answer in Habakkuk. Can you dance with joy before the Lord when everything in your life is in chaos? Can you worship the Lord with all your heart when your heart is broken? How much do you love the Lord? Does your love for the Lord cover the loss of family, friends, money, houses, land? Can you worship when everything seems to be gone? 

Matthew 10: 37-39

³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Blesses Be the Name of the Lord

Can You Do This?

Acts 3
¹ One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ² Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

 ⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹ When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

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Can You Do This? Are you a believer? If you are a believer, why can't you do this? If you have the Holy Ghost and Power that fell on the Day of Pentecost... I ask you again. Why can't you do this? According to Mark 16: 17-18 all believers WILL be able to lay hands on the sick who will recover. If you cannot do this, you need to ask yourself very seriously why not. 

A Child is Born

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 6


While we share our Christmas Dinners and enjoy the gifts, please take a moment to remember the King of Kings whose birth we commemorate on December 25. Some of us spend too much time worrying if Jesus was actually born on Dec 25. It really does not matter. He came. He was born. He died so that we can have eternal life. A gift like that deserves consideration. 

Persuasion

2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I havebelieved, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.



 ³⁸For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
 ³⁹Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So what do you believe? Remember that everything you get from God, or know of God is decided in your mind when you are persuaded to believe. The strength of that belief is what keeps you moving toward your goal when everything in your life seems to be going wrong. Stand firm in your belief. Stand on the promises of God.

Caleb... This is What a Miracle Looks Like

When you pray without doubting, a miracle will come. If you have wholehearted faith your miracle will come. Six montha ago God gave me a vision of this longed for child. My vision was so clear I knew the color of his hair, his sex, the color of his skin, the time of the year he would come and the little standup curls on the top of his head. I asked God to bless this child, keep him safe until the time for him to come, and send the Angels to guard him until he reached safe harbor.

When he came he was exactly as I saw in the vision. He came on time. He knew all of us. God did one better because when this baby came he knew us. Oh yes, the angels were with this child since his birth, guarding and protecting him. His name is Caleb...another message from God. Caleb means wholehearted faith. Caleb was one of the two spies who followed Moses from Egypt that believed wholeheartedly that God's promises were true. God sent us a message from Caleb of old to remind us to never doubt, but maintain wholehearted faith.

How much God must have loved Caleb of old. Wouldn't it be wonderful for God to love you so much that he used you as a landmark to someone in need? What a wonderful thing...to be beloved and remembered by God.

Giving Thanks

Psalm 100

 ¹Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

 ²Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

 ³Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

 ⁴Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

 ⁵For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

     

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the time for family and friends to come together to remember the blessings and triumphs of the year.
November is a month when most are thinking about traveling to visit family, turkey dinners, and pumpkin pie. God has answered several prayers for me this week and I am supremely grateful. Take a moment this month to give thanks to the Most High God. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: Psalms 92: 1

Changing Your Mind

Romans 12: 1-2
¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.


We live in a world that is constantly changing. Technology changes from one day to the next. It is easy to get used to the idea that change is the norm. Our minds get used to change so we forget that some things are not meant to change. 


Doctrinal truths never change. New revelations do not come down the pipe to make our foundation different. God never changes. The word of God never changes. Hebrews 13: 8 says, ⁸Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.


It is easy to drift into a train of thought brings doubt and confusion. Transform your mind. How?
Prayer. Prayer is a conversation with God. God will restore your soul and transform your mind to give you clarity. Submit to the Lord. Remember your landmarks. Renew your mind! Do it today!
It is still true that Just A Little Talk With Jesus Makes It Right!

Strength

Psalms 27: 1


¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation;
         Whom shall I fear?
         The LORD is the strength of my life;
         Of whom shall I be afraid?


No matter what comes into my life, The Lord is my light and salvation. He is my strength and I will look to Him to bring me out. 

Are You A Believer?

James 1: 5-8
⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;  ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.


Mark 16: 16-18
¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they^[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”


Belief is an integral part of the plan of salvation. Here are two examples of Disciples talking about the need for belief. James says if you ask but doubt you are double minded and unstable in all your ways. Mark makes it clear that the first statement, "he that believeth and is baptized will be saved," is qualified by the next verse, "and these signs will follow those who believe:"...


The time has come to give serious consideration to this statement. If your salvation depends on the strength of your belief then it is worthy of serious consideration. 


Revelation 21: 8
 ⁸But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


I find it impossible to believe that we can ignore the words of Mark 16: 17. There are signs who follow the believer. Are you a believer? Do these signs follow you? 

Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6: 10-18 (NIV)

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.


         




























We are living in perilous times. If you are a prayer warrior you should know that your adversary is coming against you. He is merciless. Although his tools are deceit and deception, he CAN make you believe the pain you feel is REAL. Your job is to see through the devices of your adversary and bind the strongman using the power you received when you received the Gift of the Holy Spirit.  You have the power. Use it in Jesus Name!


Blessings, 


Remember your fasting and prayer for TCH and the General Conference 2010 coming to Houston in September! 

Eternity

John 14 New Living Translation

Jesus, the Way to the Father

   “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.^[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?^[b] 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.”

 ⁵ “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

 ⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.^[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

 ⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

 ⁹ Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. ¹¹ Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

 ¹² “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. ¹³ You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴ Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

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Do you fear eternity? Jesus told his disciples how to prepare for eternity. Do not fear...prepare. I am not foolish enough to tell you that I want to go into eternity today...but I believe in my soul that eternity will be a wonderful place. I hope when my time comes I will go joyfully into the hands of my God...my King...my Provider...my Friend...my Joy...my Hope...The Lord of Hosts. 

God Speaks From A Can of Jalapeno Peppers

Proverbs 3:6
⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Today I was cleaning my cupboard and organizing the cans together when I happened to read the back of this can of jalapeno peppers. Written very small in the lower left corner in italics was Prov. 3:6. Of course I had to look it up and lo and behold it was one of my favorite verses of all time that I had not taken time to memorize the source! Life has been a little stressful lately and suddenly the Lord reached out to me with a quiet reminder that He is the real source of my strength, provision, hope, delivery, life, and everything I can possibly need. God loves you and will go to extraordinary measures to remind you to trust him. Learn a lesson from the jalapeno can..."In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6
Take time today to acknowledge the Lord in your life.

Don't Kill The Messenger

 PUSH

PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS

 Do you ever get upset when you pray and pray about something and it seems to be thrown back in your face? Don't kill the messenger. Sometimes we get messages from the Lord that we do not like. They take us out of our comfort zone and make us generally unhappy. Make sure the Lord sent you the message and try your best to accept it. God will never have you do something that is impossible or impossibly hard. Then take a GOOD look at the messenger and make sure he or she is on the right track. If God wants you to change there is only one thing to do. CHANGE! THEN PUSH!