Noah

Do you know the story of Noah? God spoke to Noah and said “the earth is filled with a violent people and I will destroy it… but I have seen that you are righteous before me”. So God made a covenant with Noah and instructed Noah to build an ark and place his wife, sons, son’s wife’s and of every creature (male and female to keep the species alive) into the ark. The great flood came and the waters lifted above the earth and covered the mountains. All things on the earth died. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive. (Key: those who were with Noah were saved = who you connect with IS important). When the earth had dried God spoke to Noah, saying, “Go out of the ark.” Noah did an amazing thing here, he built an altar to the Lord. An altar of thanksgiving. The bible says “And the LORD smelled the burnt offering, it was a soothing aroma to Him. Then the LORD said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.” So ONE MAN (Noah) behaving righteous and building an alter to God that brought a pleasing aroma to God, caused God to make an oath, a promise to all future generations (that’s you, me, your children, their children etc.). And this is the promise… “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” The key here is seedtime and harvest. God promises if you sow you shall reap. What are you sowing into the work of God? What ever you sow, you WILL reap and you know that when you sow, you don't just reap what you've sowed your reap MORE! Also, another key is ONE MAN being obedient caused a blessing for all generations. You, as one man, can cause God to bless your household by your obedience and righteous living. Do not be fooled thinking its okay to live below what you should. Do not be lulled saying everyone else lives this way. You know in your righteous heart what is the right way to live. God is watching and the bible says He searches for someone to bless. Be blessed.

He wants everything

I arrived at praise and worship practice last week and they had already started praying. There was a cry in the voices of the people praying. There was a pleading sound. Everyone was seeking God’s voice. I heard Him say to me… yield. So I lay prostrate on the floor and began to weep. I asked God, “What do you want from us?” and He said, “Everything.” I was still. Then He said, “ALL.” I kept still. Trying to determine what of my life He wanted. Everything and All means something different to each of us. To some it means stop drinking, to others it means show up at prayer meetings, to others it means fast. However, each of these is God saying be yielded to His voice, obedient to Him, submissive to His leading. And, each of these brings about the same result… He wants you closer to Him. He’s calling you higher and wants you to be ready. The battle is much easier if the warrior is prepared and not carrying any baggage/bondage from their past. Give it all. If you can’t give all, start with something and increase it daily or weekly.

The Crosswalk

As I was driving I saw a lady walking in the crosswalk. She was dressed in old tennis shoes, baggy khaki’s, a tee shirt and a x-large men’s dress shirt that was hanging off her right shoulder. Her hair looked dirty and she was carrying an empty plastic cup. A man crossed her path in the crosswalk and she made several attempts at saying hello and trying to engage him in eye contact and conversation. I began to wonder what type of person carries on this way? Then I realized… we are all in this position. She has only the experiences she’s been exposed to and this puts her where she is. Her training and schooling is most likely another factor in her behavior. Well, is our training or lack of experience with God leaving us in the crosswalk? Are we being schooled by the Holy Spirit to excel in life? Are we open to the leading of what God has for us? Are we open to new experiences in worship, praise and service to Him? Selah.

Expectation at an extreme level

So you are asked to speak in China. The people there are hanging in the windows to hear your words. They have traveled days to be at this church service. They are so hungry for the Word. The altar call is given and hundreds come forth. Some with sicknesses even body parts missing. Miracles happen. You get home and wonder why this doesn’t happen in America. Is it possible that our faith is demanded on more when we see China’s great need? Is it possible we have more empathy for them? Is it possible that we have greater expectation and we pull on the Lord more for them? Are we putting a greater demand on the annointing there than here? If we saw our congregation with the same compassion would we see great miracles also? The people here do have trials but they are of a different sort. The battles in America are mostly in the mind where it is not seen. I think these are the most dangerous because your mind can have thoughts that hinder you from doing anything, even receiving Christ. I’m going to work on compassion going forward and have an understanding that everyone has a great battle whether I can SEE it or not. This will put my expectation at an extreme level and hopefully bring extreme miracles.

Power of music

I always see people with their headphones on plugged into their iPods while walking, riding or working. Sometimes their music is turned up so loud I can hear it. Some of their faces look like they are in a trance. Some look like they want to kill someone, very angry. I can’t help but think of the possible damage they are doing to their minds. Music is a powerful medium. It has the power to change your life. Who will have the voice of God in their song to be able to reverse the damage they are doing? Who will have God's annointing and power in their voice to break the bondage? Who’s song/voice will set these captives free? We should pray… Lord, let it be me.