Promises To Prophesy

Romans 4:13 – 14, 16 – 19

¹³ For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴ For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: ¹⁶ Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, ¹⁷ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. ¹⁸ Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. ¹⁹ And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

     God is the all-powerful and wondrous God that will not speak to our mountains/difficulties for He gives us the authority to speak to the mountain/difficulties and it is through our faith that can activate the removal of the mountain/difficulties(Deuteronomy 8:18). He could remove or bring into existence anything with just the slightest movement from his little finger (Mark 11:23 – 24) or a whisper as He speaks just as He created this world. Our minds cannot seem to comprehend just how that is possible.

     In Genesis the Lord God made Abraham a promise but it was through Abraham’s faith that activated it into prophesy (Psalms 89:34). I believe there are about 7,000 promises mentioned in the Bible; we look at them as promises for us but God tells us that they are to be His prophesies to us, all we need to do is activate them through faith.

       Abraham could have had a pity party (as many of us will do today) and said I must have misunderstood what God said cause Sarah and I are too old to have children (I Corinthians 10:26) so how can I be a father of many nations without any children. He had doubt from time to time for he was still in the flesh but through his love for God he held on and many years later starting with Isaac Abraham is the first one to greet us when we get to heaven; he is a father of many nations as God told him in the very beginning. His promise was activated by faith and the promise became prophesy.

            Now the prophet Elijah had a job that God wanted him to do so that the land could receive rain during a severe famine in Samaria (I Kings 18); so the Lord told him to go to Ahab and God showed Ahab that He is the one true God and had killed 450 prophets of Baal (40) which is a wonderful movement of God and how the people repented.

      That’s not the best part for it comes after the people repented when Elijah told Ahab to get up, eat, and drink for he heard a sound of abundance of rain (41 – 46). The famine was ending, yet there were no clouds in the sky as far as the eye could see. Ahab did as the prophet told him and began to expect the unexpected; how many of us are looking for the unexpected?

     The prophet of God sent his servant out six times to look for a rain cloud and six times the servant came back to him with a negative answer and each time the prophet would go back to God and pray again for rain. How many of us have given up on the sixth time and gone without our promise that could have become our prophesy? Elijah had to persevere and hold on to the promise that was given; the people repented and came back to God so it was time for rain.

     Seven is God’s perfect number and there will be times that god will see if we are going to be persistent, determined, faithful, and not wavering. On the seventh time the servant went out to look for the rain cloud and he saw one. It was about the size of a man’s hand; that’s not very big but it sparked an excitement into him and Elijah that when he told the servant to go tell Ahab he used the words “Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not.”

     Elijah did not stop at the repentance, he did not stop at the no answer, and he did not stop at a small cloud. He went all the way and because of this they had a sky full of dark clouds, wind, and a great rain which brought Samaria out of famine. Is our spiritual life in a famine? Do we need to repent and claim our promises? Let’s not stop there, let’s go all the way and activate them again with our faith so that our promises can become prophesies.

God has given us some spiritual promises and we have become slack by quit praying and saying maybe I misunderstood what God said; I’m shouting to the heavens God does not make empty promises but it is up to us to expect Him to do what he promised by activating them into prophesies. If He did for the prophets of old He will do today, tomorrow, and forever. He does not change for He is….

Written By: Karen ReNee 

As Faith Holds On

Philippians 4:1 – 23 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

             These verses begin with “Rejoice Always (verse 4)”, it doesn’t just mean that we should thank Him for what He has already done for us all, but we should always be rejoicing Him through all things. In the word it tells us that we are to praise the Lord in the daily storms and there are many of us that are slammed before we can even climb out of bed. Jesus says today to “Hold on my children for I am with you always and in all things.” Jesus goes before us to prepare the way and at the same time He walks beside us so that when we stumble He will reach out and catch us to bring back to our feet again; He is just so wonderful and loving just as our parents did for us as a child.  

           In past printings I have mentioned that worry is a sin and every one of us have fallen into these so called pot holes. Pot-holes at times are unavoidable but it doesn’t mean that we cannot get through them. It can be rough and will shake you about as you are traveling through them. Pot holes are in many forms but they are generally in high traffic areas such as unpaid bills, unsaved family members, health issues of all sorts (some are even connected to death), and possibly schedules that keep us from coming to church, but it is through the believing prayer that we are able to climb out of these pot-holes. In I Thessalonians 5: 18 It says In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you we are told to do this with thanksgiving in all things, come from out of the past and step into the future.

            Be not afraid to ask the Lord for what we need; yes, He knows what we need but He also wants us to ask Him. Ask Him for the smallest to largest and do this believing that it will come to pass. Don’t ask him for what you feel you deserve for we would never be at his asking; don’t think small but ask Him what a kings kid would deserve. There are material needs, physical things, and especially spiritual needs. Make these requests known unto God and then rest in peace that He will do it. It is through the spirit of God that we can rest in the mist of these daily storms because we have activated and are using our faith; the more we use it the more we will gain from it. 

Philippians 4:18 – 19 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

      These verses are to let us know that Jesus has it all and He will fill us to overflowing in everything. We can possess the gate of our enemies because Jesus is the rock that we stand on every second of every moment in every hour of the day. You see I got that same ole’ feeling that everything is gonna be alright for we are with Jesus and he holds the world in the palm of His hands. God opened up the Red Sea for the children of Israel to walk across on dry land, God used a young shepherd boy to fight the giant (our enemy on every hand) and one small smooth stone brought the giant down, but the greatest part is when that ole’ stone rolled back the tomb and it opened up and Jesus came forth carrying the keys of death, hell, and the grave.

Isaiah 11: 1 – 2  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: ² And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

            Understanding the attributes of God’s sevenfold fullness by placing our faith completely and exclusively in Jesus. The spirit works within the parameters of the finished work of Jesus. The cross is the object of our faith and the Holy Ghost will work mightily on our behalf which gives the benefits of the sevenfold fullness (spirit, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear) and this can only be accomplished when our faith is properly placed in Jesus and His resurrection. I hope I have been able to put in this paper what the has shown me and he confirmed it several times throughout last month every time the minister brought the word it confirmed what I had been feeling for this paper.

       Mothers and Fathers are very important in God’s plan; I know I was very blessed to have both of my parents when I was growing up but today so many children only have one parent. I wish to give God thanks for my upbringing, I had to raise four children with very little of their fathers participation but God was always there. My father and brothers helped with my first 2 boys with a father figure then as the Lord would have it my oldest boys have helped in showing a father figure for my twins. God let each one of them know that He will be their father and all they had to do was to believe that He would. I attempted to look for the verse that states it in the word; I couldn’t remember exactly how it is worded but I know it is in there. He will do the same of anyone, if you need a friend, if you need a mother, if you need a father, or if you need a savior all you have to do is just ask him believing. My main thought today is to please hold on, for Jesus will be returning to get us very soon.

Written By: Karen ReNee

When Faith Steps In

John 20:19 – 31

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

When Jesus steps into the room the first thing he offers is peace, second he breaths on them and fills them with the Holy Ghost. To me this is so amazing, the breath of God gave Adam life in the garden, and now just the breath of God can fill each of us with peace, joy, and that wonderful sweet Holy Ghost. He gives it to us freely; all we need to do is believe.

In these scriptures Thomas wanted God to prove to him that Jesus had risen, for he had seen Jesus beaten, carry that ole’ heavy cross up to the place where he laid down and big old rusty nails were put into his hands and feet. He saw Jesus suffer a long and painful death on that lonely hill and when they pierced his side the blood and water flowed. He, like many of us, we want to see physical proof. Before Thomas could believe he had to touch him, this is what some of us do over certain circumstances, we want to touch the miracle before we can believe it is possible.

Many of us have all heard and know the scripture that gives us the meaning of faith; it clearly states this by saying Now faith is… (Hebrews 11:1). It’s these three small words that when used, it can move mountains; sometimes the mountain is physical but many times it’s emotional. We are saying God can do it for you but we forget that means for ourselves too. In John 20 the verses 29 & 31 the gospel goes on to explain, Jesus is no longer speaking to the disciples but he is speaking to the people of today and as we read or hear these words:

Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. …these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The word says (Romans 12:3 …according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith), we are given this which is how we can believe in the above scripture that Jesus was speaking to every person born in the world after his death and have not seen him as the disciples did and yet we believe he is. As a child our mother’s teach us that her love for us does not waiver. She encourages us to be the best man or woman we can be, to stand on our own feet, to know that even when we mess up or stumble; her love for us will grow stronger and this cycle continues with each generation. A mother’s love is so precious and powerful and only thing that is stronger is the love of Jesus.

Jesus has a love for each of us that is so strong and we know that he is always there. Our faith begins as we kneel down at the altar of God and ask for his forgiveness of our sins, it will continue on throughout our lives as long as we trust in the Lord. 

Our faith is tested regularly. In I Peter 1:7 it says That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: …even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

The more our faith grows, the more it is tested and the more we use our faith the more it will grow. It says in the word that (I Peter 2:4, If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ) we are chosen by God and are precious to him. We should continuously be growing in faith, in the word, and acceptable to God.

I hope I have been able to put into words and paint the picture what I felt the Lord wanted me to give to you today. For Jesus is so precious to me and you. We are on the greatest journey of our lives and there is so much to lose if we chose not to pursue after Jesus. Let us come together in one mind and one spirit and know that through our faith we can change the world.

Written by: Karen ReNee

Celebration At "Son" Rise

Matthew 20:11 – 22 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,  And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

This year our weather here in Dalton was similar to the time that Jesus died on the cross so many years ago. According to our calendar we celebrated Good Friday this weekend and showed reference to Jesus for all the suffering he endured so that we could have life everlasting. Friday night the thunderstorms were out all around us and there were a few folks that lost power. So just imagine on that evening so many years ago when Lord was hanging on the cross and finally said, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and he gave up the ghost. This is when the thunder and lightning began to fill up the sky. It was dark yet it was the middle of the day.

Last night as the thunder and lightning filled up the sky it seems to be reminding us of just what a blessing we were given. This morning was beautiful, bright, and clear just as it was on the morning following His death. The three days he was in the earth He was fighting for mankind, past, present, and future; but it’s when He walked out of the grave that we have a reason to shout from the highest mountain and even in the lowest valley.

The storms of today can be overwhelming and can keep our mind in such a turmoil which causes confusion, depression, and oppression. No one is exempted from these torments, the young, the old, the middle aged; Satan is out to kill, still, and destroy everyone and everything but I thank God that He has no teeth, just a loud roar. We face these troubles every day but yet we can smile, laugh, and have such a peace knowing that one day very soon Jesus will return for us all.

I had a wonderful experience the other day during a storm that I would like to share with everyone. When it came time for me to come home from work it was storming pretty badly and since I left my umbrella in the van I waited around for it to ease up before I would get out on the highway. When I finally got in the van and on the highway the storm picked up again and since it was coming at me my vision was slim. I slowed down to about 45 mph and I went ahead and put my flashers on so the ones behind me could see me a little better. I had my gospel disc a going and I was just enjoying the ride home and singing to the Lord. I have a water leak in my car around the edges of the upper windshield and at times it gets on me when driving; I suddenly felt a brush against my right shoulder and I immediately looked up at the ceiling of my van expecting to see where the water was dripping from but I saw nothing. I felt it again and then I realized that it was the soft touch of an angel wing. I was blessed to be raised in church so I always knew I’m never alone and I could usually tell when their guard is up but I have never been able to feel them around me in this manner. I got so excited and began to have church and when I was only about 5 miles from my exit off the highway there was a beautiful colorful rainbow all the way across the highway. I felt the Lord reminding me that even in the darkest storms sunshine can be found. I love the Lord so much and I thank him for this wonderful blessing that He shared with me.

There are different little things such as these that are happening every day and that Jesus is trying to let us know that even though the storms are raging and Satan is roaring, Jesus is alive and well and He is always with us. He said He would go with us, even to the ends of the earth. Now it won’t be long before He returns to take us home and if we can hold on just a little longer it will be over and can rest at His feet forever more.

Written By: Karen ReNee

The Winds of God

Ephesians 1: 3–9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

God never moves you out of something and just leave you without or to wonder around in the dark or lost. He always sets up and puts a plan into play that is better than what you were in; however it is your reaction to the so called trouble that will determine your outcome. When you rush God or try to help him it generally gets all messed up. I recently have been in a situation that I thought he needed my help but he finally got my attention by repeating three words “I got this.” God will bless you in many of our decisions as long as it’s in his will but when we are able to find his perfect will that is when He is able to bless in abundance; pressed down, shaken together, and over flowing.

Tragedies that occur in our life can move us closer to God or it can push us further from God. It can be in a loss of finances through a job or through the loss of our home can affect our faith but when it’s a loss of a love one we can become greatly depressed and/or bitter to where that we blame God for what has happened in our lives. Our victories that we achieve today can become our sorrow tomorrow.

Families can have a famine too; this is caused when the word or Holy Ghost is going forth or operating in the home during our daily lives. I remember as a child my family would gather in the living room every night when we did not have a service to attend at a certain time (televisions, radios, books all had to wait) for the word and prayer, as a family. Sometimes papa would read or speak about a particular verse and at times we would each read a verse from my great-grand-mother’s memory verse box. As we became older and received the Holy Ghost our little family prayer meetings turned into a worship service. We were raised in church and papa preached in many churches a lot so we were in service somewhere between three to five nights almost every week.

We didn’t have many friends in school and we did not participate in the different school activities. Church was and still is my life; the kids started singing; God taught my sister how to play the piano and He also taught my baby brother to play a guitar; he anointed them greatly for it was their desire to do this for Him. Singing became my greatest joy because being left-handed it was difficult for me to concentrate on the playing and sing at the same time; I know a little but when I begin to sing to Jesus everything around me disappears and all I see is Jesus. My children have done the same thing; each one of God’s children can make a wonderful contribution to the service and work for Jesus on a daily basis.

Recently in service we had an anointing drop from heaven and I was blessed to actually see it physically. It came from the ceiling and it was white and was a solid piece of material with a large fluffy hem on the bottom. As it covered me the fabric was similar to a velvet fabric and it was cozy and warm. It covered me from my head to my toes and I felt so much peace. I did not other garments but I know I was not the only one to receive it. If I recall correctly, the following Tuesday was when I got receive the job.

Jesus paid for everything when He gave His life on the cross; all we need to do is keep our eyes on Jesus as we learn to walk with this wonderful garment of righteousness and peace. Isaiah 61:10 says I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Let the things of this world fall away from us and look for the winds of God to fulfill us in every corner of our heart, mind, and soul.

When God has the winds to blow all around us we can stand strong and long, we can move any mountain that is in our path to heaven, and we can have so much joy, peace, and covered in love while doing this. Let’s stand together and look for the winds of God in everything we say and do.

Written By: Karen ReNee

Finding the Love

John 7:37–39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

It seems strange to the world that the Lord, who said He loved Israel, his chosen people so much that he took them to the desert to have them learn to depend completely upon him. He took them where they would have to trust in Him totally on everything (I Corinthians 10:4). Without God – nothing is, but with God – everything is…

In Isaiah 53:4 it states that He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…and afflicted. He took all the troubles, pains, sufferings, hurts, sins, and much more upon himself so that we might be able to stand this world. It was confirmed many times throughout the Bible that he would do this for each of us. John 3:16 says just how much God loves us and made a promise so that we can claim it for our own; Jesus knew that giving himself to the cross is what it took to save humanity and he did it for love.

We now have the availability to live out from under the shadow of sin, we are human, now we are not perfect but with this promise from God and delivered through the blood of Jesus we as the children of God have the power to fight and be forgiven of these mistakes through faith. When we make a mistake we can go to Jesus and repent believing through faith that he will cleanse us and cast it into the sea of forgetfulness. When you bring up your past failures God gives us that blank look because he no longer sees them so when you repent don’t bring it up anymore for God will not.

            It is through faith that we can do all things; prayer and praise through love can bring you to realms that you cannot even imagine. Love is our power source/charge which is why it is in the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37 & John15:12–13). I Corinthians 13 shows how Love is a power charge. Loving one another as we love our selves and things will begin to change. Remember love acts whereas Satan will argue about everything. Putting love into action will bring you so much joy thereby giving you strength. Even faith works through love showing that everything is connected to love and faith; without this pair you will fail and die. God gave this pair when we receive the Holy Ghost.

            There are things that still need to come to pass before the coming of Jesus and I do not understand it all myself but I will continue to read the word from cover to cover and try to understand a little more each time I open His book that God, the Father, instructed the Son, Jesus, to reveal to the prophets as they wrote the Bible. God started with Genesis, “The Beginning” so that we will know how we came to be. He ended up with Revelation, “To Reveal” so that we will know our future. All the books in between are just as important for these are the prophecies that have been foretold to all; some are warnings whereas some are promises and if we will rightly divide the word then we can understand correctly what God has for us in each season and dilemma of our lives.

            In Isaiah 37:14–20 God gave Hezekiah a promise that a particular battle would be won but when he receives a letter stating all the lands that certain Assyrian Kings have left all the lands in ruin fear began to grip at Hezekiah’s heart and made him began to question God. Hezekiah soon realized that when God makes a promise it is written in stone and no matter what comes our way we can rely on God to do it as long as we are able to continue to believe (hold onto our faith) that it will happen.

            One of the most hopeful passages in Revelation is when he says “I am making everything new!” I look forward to the time when all these things we see on this earth that is decaying will be made new. No more dried out desserts or barren lands. God fashioned this earth out of beauty that is in heaven but time and man has changed it to a dry and barren land. God wants to do the same for our souls; God can create in us a new land that is full and green with rivers that can flow from the very throne of heaven. It is never ending; filled with love, peace, and so much joy.

As long as we long for heaven we shall always feel out of place on this earth; which is good, for we do not want to get comfortable here on earth. This is not our home we are just passing through. Philippians 3:21 states how God will change and fashion our old and feeble earthly body like his glorious body and that he is able to subdue all things.

We are similar to a fish; when a fish is out of the water it will gasp for air become dry, and the smell can become real bad. We do not give it piles of money, fancy clothes, or jewelry. The only thing that will make the fish happy is to put it back into the water (his element), for a fish can only be truly happy when it is in the water. Just as the only thing that will make us Christians (God’s children) happy, is to be in heaven. Our day is coming and for the time being we will attempt to be temporarily satisfied while we wait for His return.

Written By: Karen ReNee

A New Beginning

Mark 16:15 – 18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

            This is a new year, a new day, and we can make a new start which can give us a new chance to do what we are called to do for the Lord in these last days. We have all heard this before but there is a new and stronger urgency of just how important it is for us to be about our Father’s business. Jesus spoke these same words to his own parents at the age of seven and if He is expected to do this then we are too. God calls all people of all ages to help spread the word of His coming.

            The Love of God compels us to do what we never thought we could do and go to heights we never thought we could reach. Precious is the Name of Jesus. Let us not pretend to be something that we’re not. It’s time to quit playing church and start having church. Our brothers and sisters have spoken many times in the past year from the pulpit to come to the house of God a bit early so that you can find a place to pray, not gossip, pray for the service that we are about to enter, for the brothers and sisters that are out sick for Satan is using everything of this world to keep us out of the House of God and from getting the strength to keep pushing forward.

Even though we have heard that He is coming back all of our lives and there are many that still believe He is only a myth because we the children are not doing what we should, to show them, who God, our father, is to us and can be the same for them. We, the children of God, need to stand up and be counted. He is coming and it is up to us to show the world that He loves them too.

Even though Satan lost all his authority on this earth the day Jesus rose from the dead, for the past 2,000 years he’s been running around as a spiritual outlaw - continuing to kill, steal from, and destroy any and all who will let him. But, we know, he’s not going to do that much longer. There’s coming a day when he’s going to be put out of business completely. There’s coming a day when the evil he’s done here on earth will be put totally underfoot by the power of God.