Why Don't We Have the Fire?

I believe one reason we don't have the fire is that we really don't want it. Oh, we say that we do. But what too many of us really want is the kind of "fire" that will draw attention to our church, pack our auditoriums, increase our offerings, and solve all our problems. We don't want the fire that will consume, destroy, expose, root up, burn, and hurt. We're afraid of what might happen if God appeared on the scene. We want a tidy religious experience that we can control. Furthermore, we don't want the kind of preaching that precedes revival. I have found that many people want nothing but encouragement and "love" from the pulpit. They don't want the truth they want to feel good! Preaching on sin, repentance, holiness, brokenness, or confession is considered negative. I wish we were half as concerned about people having a proper view of God as we are about people having a proper view of themselves! Deceived by the world, our egocentric theology has become more concerned about self-image than about God's image.

I Thessalonians 2:4

vs. 4 - But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

II Thessalonians 2:6-8

vs. 6 - since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
vs. 7 - and give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
vs. 8 - in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.


I Peter 4:17

vs. 17 - For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

GOD IS ALIVE AND DOING MUCH!!

I am so happy to say that God is still moving and blessing the church today. My husband and me had an opportunity to go out and visit with some friends of ours. They are pastoring a church in a small town in another state. I went to college with this pastor and we've been friends for over 20 years.....wow, I'm getting old.

For so many years, him and his wife had labored in a small town in Iowa, not really reaping a great harvest, but they were faithful to continue to reach the community for Christ. One day, after much prayer, the Lord led them to another church out of state. Since they've been there they have seen God move mightily. I am happy to say, this small church is growing and thriving and have out grown their building. They have purchased property and will break ground this summer and there are plans for a youth center and so much more. I truly know and believe, because they walked through the fire, they were faithful to God, and they are now repeating the benefits of their labor.

It was a great time and can't wait to fellowship with them again next month! Thank you God, that you bless those who bless you!

God is good all the time!

WOE BE UNTO THE PASTORS

There is something that is burning in my heart and spirit that I just have to share it here on my blog. I am praying fervently and believing that God is going to clean out those in our churches that are playing church/Christianity and raise up those who are truly living and devoted to church/Christianity. It is so sad, rather than reaching the lost with the Word of God, it seems like all I’m doing is cleaning up the messes of other men and women who claim to be pastors. I’m so tired of these pastors who stand in the pulpit and proclaim how great they are, but rather than being the shepherd of their flock, they are the wolves destroying the body of Christ. Woe unto you Pastors who think you are untouchable because one day you WILL answer to God.

Below is a message I believe that needs to be shared. It has been taught by an Evangelist who I will not name in order for you not to accept or reject based on a prejudice but that you would hear what the message is saying. We pastors need to hear it and examine our own heart.

JEREMIAH 23:1-2Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!, saith the LORD. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed My people; Ye have scattered My flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

Too many men and woman stand in pulpits preaching vain words, not the powerful life changing Word of God, which is full of faith, full of victory over every problem which can/does plague man this day and for all time. Pastors, preachers, and teachers have failed to be the earthly voice of God and have caused many to both fall away and many to perish. This must stop now! God won't be mocked! For every pastor, preacher and teacher are more accountable unto our Lord than someone who has not accepted an office. The offices of pastor, preacher, and teacher are not glorious/wondrous positions, and one who answers the call he/she has not taking a position to be a lord and have the people serve them. NO! The opposite is true; you my dear brothers and sisters are not here to be served but to serve. We serve not only Jesus the Christ, but all those who cross our path each and every day. So woe unto us! Time is much, much too short to be wanting glory and living the lie of look at what I have done/doing. We, each of us who hold an office are accountable unto God for the way in which we handle His sheep, notice the sheep are not ours, they are in Jesus' hand, we as pastors, preachers, and teachers must feed/water His sheep with the Word of God; the under-shepherds, the pastors must feed, must protect, must lead the sheep which the Shepherd Jesus has entrusted them with. The preachers must give the Word out, feed the people, give them hope, edification (build up), and yes cause conviction to come over each person if they be doing some contrary to the commandments of God. The teacher must instruct the people in the way of God, not in the way of the world.

The pastor, preacher, teacher all hold offices which are demanding; for today people have itchy ears, but one must not cater to people, but give the uncompromising truth of God out as the Holy Spirit leads, guides and directs them. A pastor, preacher, and teacher must visit the sheep, he/she must deliver the food/water unto them so they may live and live more abundantly. That abundant life is not found in the secular world, but in the kingdom of God; the kingdom of God is a way of doing things, and the kingdom of heaven is a place. So visit the people with the Word! For if they have no spiritual food: no milk, no meat, the Word of God, they shall be scattered if they are fed by the things/ways of this world. for that makes them of this world, if we belong to Jesus we are not of this world, but strangers here, we are infact citizens of heaven, because our Father resides there.

All who hold offices; pastors, preachers, teachers, apostles, evangelists, and even the born-again Christians not holding an office, you still have a responsibility to share your testimony, for you do have one, somehow, someway you came to our Lord Jesus the Christ, Salvation-you are to lead others to the cross so they too have the opportunity to escape the fires of hell and the lake of fire. So ministers turn from your evil doings, yes if you’re not letting the Holy Spirit lead, guide, and direct you, this means you are doing it on your own, so turn from your evil ways, wash your hands! Turn to the Word of God, Turn to Jesus! Give the Word out! If someone is offended by the Word, then they need to adjust their life to it, for they are in sin. Take no provision for the flesh, but overcome it with the Word of God!

Peter - The Greatest Preacher That Ever Lived!

Resource: Mike Murdock

Peter is my mentor. As a preacher I want to be like Peter – to bring forth the word and thousands were added daily! Peter was a great man of God and there are many things we can learn from his example:

1. Peter associated with people of like vision – Acts 3:1
2. Peter attended the house of God – Acts 3:1; 5:42
3. Peter practiced habitual prayer – Acts 3:1; 10:9
4. Peter observed the needs of the people – Acts 2:37-41; 3:2; 10:44-48
5. Peter was not afraid to make demands on people – Acts 3:4
6. Peter was aware of his anointing – Acts 3:6
7. Peter was responsive to human need – Acts 3:6
8. Peter knew what was needed – Acts 3:5-6
9. Peter knew what he did not possess – Acts 3:6
10. Peter knew what he did have – Acts 3:6; 5:32
11. Peter knew the power of Jesus’ name – Acts 3:12, 16; 4:10
12. Peter used the power of his name – Acts 3:6
13. Peter expected the name of Jesus to create changes – Acts 3:7
14. Peter expected physical disease to submit to his faith – Acts 3:7
15. Peter gave the needy something to do – Acts 3:7-8
16. Peter knew his total source – Acts 3:13,16
17. Peter used the climate of miracles to preach Jesus – Acts 3:9,16
18. Peter saw a problem he was qualified to solve – Acts 3:6
19. Peter did not fear persecution because he knew the inevitable eventuality of preaching the name of Jesus – Acts 4:18-30
20. Peter feared God’s reaction more than man’s reaction – Acts 5:19-21
21. Peter was willing to dialogue with other men of God who opposed his belief – Acts 11:1-18
22. Peter was willing to admit when He was wrong to God and men – Luke 22:31-32; John 21:7, 15-19; Acts 10:28-29
23. Peter was able to walk away from his mistakes and never look back – Acts 2:14

Revival

In all my years of being a Christian, the word “Revival” is always been around but it seems to be a buzz word again these days. It’s easy as you serve the Lord for any length of time to become cynical as to whether you will experience a true revival or not, but I truly look forward to that day when I will be used and instrumental in revival.

In my early years of serving Jesus, there has been the Brownsville Revival, The Toronto Blessing and the incredible growth of David (Paul) Yonggi Cho’s church in Korea. Today Cho’s church has over 850,000 members and 500+ staff pastors. So what do these churches have that churches today don’t have? Why does it seem like only a handful of churches are moved upon in such a way? Why are there only a few “big” churches in the US and there seems to be so many struggling little churches?

I don’t believe there is a clear cut answer to the dilemma. I know over time people have tried to come up with patterns and structure for bringing a revival to their church which usually proved to be unsuccessful. It’s like we are saying to God, I’ve done everything on the list that the others did so now bring the revival. But it doesn’t happen that way. We cannot manipulate the Holy Spirit and bargain with him to be poured out on our lives and churches.

What I do know is that we need to be IMMERSED in the Holy Spirit. We need to be SATURATED in the presence of God. When we get to that point, then we will begin to see the moving of God on our lives like never before. What are we willing to sacrifice because it does cost? Men and women who have been used by God throughout the ages, whether you agree with who they are or not, God has bestowed his anointing on them because of their sacrifice for things of this world and to spend time in the presence of God. If you research the lives of men and women who have been used by God you will find they don’t watch television, they don’t spend hours on the internet and they have very little time for things other than God. They will spend eight hours seeking God in their “prayer” closets and spend time in the word allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and direct them. You’re probably saying there is no way I can spend a lot of time in the word each day because I have to work, etc. But when you add up all the time we spend in surfing the internet, watching television or talking on the telephone, you can probably add two or three hours per night. Satan has been so successful to distract us and get us to believe the lie, “I’m just so busy.” Well, if you expect to see revival to begin in your life and church, you have to pay the price. We cannot fake out God. He knows how much time we spend with him. Maybe people in our churches think we’re spiritual or if you’re a pastor, that you spend a lot of time in the Word and in the presence of God, but in fact, I know many people in the ministry that spend very little time with God because they are too busy and they can’t figure out why God isn’t moving. If you’re a leader of any type, you have a responsibility to spend time with God so you can provide direction to those under your leadership. People look to their leadership for direction and how to live and if we aren’t living out how to do it, they will never learn and we will never see revival in our people.

I want to encourage you to study the life of Peter. He was a great preacher and the reason for that is because he was a man of prayer which we can read in Acts 3:1 and Acts 10:9. Also in Acts 3:6 you read about Peter being aware of his anointing and he new the power of Jesus’ name (Acts 3:12, 16; 4:10). Because Peter spent time in the presence of God, he was used greatly and through his life and ministry thousands were added to the church daily.

Never give up on seeking for Revival in your life and church. Chose today to turn the television off, shut down the internet and spend more time in the word and in the presence of God and you will begin to see the power of God in your life.

The 58 Leadership Secrets of Jesus
By Mike Murdock

1. Jesus was a problem-solver – Acts 10:38
2. Jesus believed in His product – John 4:13-14
3. Jesus never misrepresented His product – Matthew 8:19-20; 10:17-22
4. Jesus went where the people where – Luke 6:6, 17-19
5. Jesus took time to rest – Mark 6:31
6. Jesus took time to plan – John 14:2
7. Jesus knew He did not have to close every sale to be a success – John 1:11-12
8. Jesus had something others needed – Luke 6:19
9. Jesus was concerned about the finances of people – Mark 10:29-30; Luke 5:1-11
10. Jesus was willing to go where He had never been before – Matthew 8:5, 28; Mark 14:36; 15:20-22
11. Jesus never allowed what others said about Him to change His opinion of Himself – Luke 6:22-23
12. Jesus understood timing and preparation – John 2:4
13. Jesus developed a passion for His goals – Luke 19:10
14. Jesus respected authority – Mark 12:17
15. Jesus never discriminated – Acts 10:34
16. Jesus offered Incentives – John 14:2; 15:7
17. Jesus overcame the stigma of a questionable background – Matthew 1:19-20
18. Jesus never wasted time answering critics – Matthew 26:63; Mark 8:11-13
19. Jesus knew there was a right time and a wrong time to approach people – John 2:4; 8:11
20. Jesus educated those He mentored – Matthew 13:10-18; Luke 13:10; Mark 6:6
21. Jesus refused to be discouraged when others misjudged His motives – Matthew 12:24
22. Jesus refused to be bitter when others were disloyal or betrayed Him – Mark 14:18; Luke 22:47-48; John 13:21, 26-27
23. Jesus networked with people of all backgrounds – Luke 5:1-4; 19:5-10
24. Jesus resisted temptations – Matthew 4:1-11
25. Jesus made decisions that created a desired future instead of a desired present – Luke 23:33, 42, 46
26. Jesus never judged people by their outward appearance – John 4:39
27. Jesus recognized the law of repetition – Matthew 16:19; 18:18; John 8:12
28. Jesus was a tomorrow – thinker – John 8:11
29. Jesus knew that the power of words and the power of silence – Matthew 12:36-37; Luke 6:45; John 8:6-11
30. Jesus knew that money alone could not bring contentment – Luke 12:15-21; 18:18-25
31. Jesus knew when you want something you have had, you have to do something you have never done – Matthew 14:29
32. Jesus permitted others to correct their mistakes – Luke 22:32; John 4:7-30; 8:11
33. Jesus knew His worth – Luke 7:44-46
34. Jesus never tried to succeed alone – Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-9
35. Jesus knew that money is anywhere you really want it to be – Matthew 17:27
36. Jesus set specific goals – Luke 19:10
37. Jesus knew that every great achievement requires a willingness to begin small – Matthew 25:21; John 1:45-46
38. Jesus hurt when others hurt – Matthew 14:14
39. Jesus was not afraid to show His feelings – John 2:14-15
40. Jesus knew the power of habit – Luke 4:16
41. Jesus finished what He started – John 19:30
42. Jesus was knowledgeable of Scripture – Luke 4:1-27
43. Jesus never hurried – John 11:1-44
44. Jesus went where He was celebrated instead of where He was tolerated – Matthew 10:14
45. Jesus constantly consulted His heavenly Father – Matthew 26:39, 42: Luke 5:16; John 5:19
46. Jesus knew that prayer generated results – Matthew 18:19-20; 21:22; John 16:23
47. Jesus rose early – Mark 1:35
48. Jesus never felt He had to prove Himself to anyone – Matthew 4:34; 16:1-4
49. Jesus avoided unnecessary confrontations – Luke 4:29-30
50. Jesus delegated – Matthew 14:19; Luke 9:1-2; 10:1-9
51. Jesus carefully guarded His personal schedule – John 11:6
52. Jesus asked questions to accurately determine the needs and desires of others – Mark 10:51-52; John 21:5
53. Jesus always answered truthfully – John 14:6
54. Jesus stayed in the center of His expertise – Acts 10:38
55. Jesus accepted the responsibility for the mistakes of those under his authority – Luke 22:31-32
56. Jesus pursued the mentorship of more experienced men – Luke 2:46
57. Jesus did not permit those He led to show disrespect – Matthew 16:22-23
58. Jesus respected the law of sowing and reaping – Luke 6:38

18 Facts You Should Know About The ANOINTING

1. The ANOINTING of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus enabled Him to heal the sick and case out devils! Acts 10:38
2. The ANOINTING creates fear in the heart of demoinic spirits! Matthew 8:28-29
3. Jesus knew the ANOINTING of the Spirit would enable His disciples to stand against anything! Acts 1:8
4. The ANOINTING is not necessarily energy and enthusiasm! I John 2:27
5. The ANOINTING is the power of God to handle any enemy present in your life! II Corinthians 3:5
6. The Holy Spirit imparts a specific ANOINTING which abides with you! I John 2:27
7. The Holy Spirit also imparts specific ANOINTINGS at particular moments of need! Psalm 133:1
8. It is dangerous to criticize those who carry the ANOINTING of the Holy Spirit! Psalm 105:15
9. The Holy Spirit selects His ANOINTED! Isaiah 61:1
10. The ANOINTING you respect is the ANOINTING that grows in your life! Matthew 21:22
11. When you respect those who are ANOINTED, access will be given to you! 1 Samuel 9-10
12. The ANOINTING upon you is for ministry to others. Isaiah 61:1-3
13. You can walk in the ANOINTING every moment of your life! Mark 16:15
14. That ANOINTING on your life must be protected! II Timothy 2:23
15. There are special times that an uncommon ANOINTING is placed upon you for specific reason! Judges 16:28-30
16. Ask the Holy Spirit to ANOINTING you for the work He has called you to do! Matthew 7:7-8
17. Treasure every moment the Holy Spirit does something specific and unique through you! Acts 3:12-16
18. The ANOINTING is the power of God in a given situation! Isaiah 10:27