Monday, February 20, 2012

Presidents Day 2012

President Barack Hussein Obama----FAIL!

Presidential Quotes:
 
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." —Abraham Lincoln

"The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home." —James Madison

"Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty."—Ronald Reagan
 
Keep your pantry full, keep your powder dry and keep your faith strong!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Whitney Houston & Jesus

Rest in peace, Ms. Houston.


The pop diva's death should remind us of an uncomfortable reality: People in church take drugs.
Anyone who has listened to Whitney Houston’s rendition of “I Love the Lord”—or who saw her perform with CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar at the 1996 Grammy Awards—knows she had an incomparable voice best suited for gospel music. But Whitney chose a broader path: When the doors opened for her to make a pop album in the 1980s, it became the all-time best-selling debut album by a female artist. She became America’s diva.
But all her worldly success didn’t help her overcome her personal demons. Her stormy marriage was marred by domestic violence. She admitted in the 1990s that she took cocaine every day. She tried rehab three times over the course of eight years. Her voice was so damaged by her drug habit that people walked out of her comeback concert in London in 2010. She became a pathetic shell of her former self.
“Whitney Houston was not the only person who talked about Jesus yet struggled privately with cocaine or other illegal drugs. I frequently meet men and women at church altars who have never found the strength to kick their habit.”
Christians in the music industry reached out to Whitney and prayed with her during her up-and-down battle with addictions. But the drugs had a powerful pull. In 2006, a photo was released of her bathroom sink in Atlanta filled with crack pipes, drug paraphernalia, cigarettes and beer cans. Even after she divorced Bobby Brown in 2007, the downward spiral continued.
It all ended last week when Whitney’s body was found in her hotel bathtub in Los Angeles, just two days after she sang an impromptu version of “Jesus Loves Me” at a Hollywood nightclub. I’d like to believe it was a feeble cry to the God of her childhood.
The woman who knew Whitney Houston best—her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston—has been deeply concerned about her daughter’s choices for years. During a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Whitney recalls her mother’s words: “I am not losing you to the world. I’m not losing you to Satan. I want my daughter back. I want to see the child I raised, and you weren’t raised like this.”
Her mother knew that Whitney’s choices—and perhaps the enormous temptations that come with worldwide fame—had taken her down a dangerous road.
I can’t judge Whitney, nor can I say whether or not she made it to heaven. Only God knows her private conversations with Him. I hope that somewhere underneath the tangled mess of her life she reached out to the Savior she sang about as a child while growing up at New Hope Baptist Church back in Newark, N.J.
What I can do is plead with Christians today to stop ignoring the monster of addiction that is killing so many people, including those who may be sitting next to you in church.
Let’s not kid ourselves. Whitney Houston was not the only person who talked about Jesus yet struggled privately with illegal drugs. I frequently meet men and women at church altars who have never found the strength to kick their habit. I even know of pastors, youth leaders and worship leaders who live double lives—hiding their addiction under the cloak of Sunday morning religion. They hide because they’re afraid they’ll be shunned or shamed if they ever admit their problem to anybody.
What we need is less judgment and more transparency about this problem. Drugs, including alcohol, are harsh taskmasters. Crack and crystal meth are impossible to overcome apart from serious intervention. Once a person’s brain is altered by these substances, he or she needs a miracle. Telling them to “Just say no” is not going to cut it.
But we can’t pretend people are OK when they are hooked on drugs. If the addiction continues, they are likely to end up dead. I agree with Cissy Houston that Satan was involved in Whitney’s sad journey. Hell is directly connected to every crack deal ever made.
If you are addicted, please be willing to seek help by admitting your problem to your pastor or a trusted Christian friend. If you have someone in your family who is addicted, don’t wait until it’s too late to intervene. Barge into their lives if necessary to show tough love. (And forward this article to them.)
If you are a pastor, extend mercy. Talk about addiction from the pulpit and make sure your congregation knows your church is a safe place to find healing. Then, identify effective Christian drug rehab ministries in your area and refer people there, especially if your church counseling team is not equipped to tackle hard cases.
Remember: Jesus has a message for anyone struggling with drugs: “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” Matt. 11:28,
Whitney Houston’s death was tragic, but perhaps the warning that emerges from her story will end up saving lives.
J. LEE GRADY is the former editor of Charisma and the director of The Mordecai Project. You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Silly Sheep

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.
My Holy People, There is a shift about to happen. A drastic shift that will cause those serving in My Kingdom to stand out from those that merely practice religion. This drastic shift will demonstrate for all to see the difference between those that embrace the gospel of salvation versus the gospel of the Kingdom. This shift will cause many to make more room in their hearts for Me. A great repentance will come. A great amount of change will come. Especially in the congregations across America.
My glory is already seen by the remnant. This shift will cause many outside the remnant to see My glory too. However what they will see is that My glory is not in their midst, but in the midst of those who preach the gospel of the Kingdom, making Kingdom disciples who will obey Me, who will obey My Word, who will obey My Great Commission.
Let me remind you of some things. What were the last words I spoke before ascending to Father?
 Acts7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Still, many run about speculating regarding dates or times. Even when I told you these were not the things to be concerned with ... you still run after knowledge, instead of doing what I have commissioned you to do.
Silly, poor people; don't you know that the times will never reach fruition until your work is done? Until the nations fully hear, I am held in heaven, awaiting the fulfillment of what you are to do. I can never come back until you take My commission to you seriously. I have told you plainly that you should make disciples of nations, but you instead want to speculate about judgment times and My return. Are you desiring to please Me or yourselves? Do you desire to do My will on earth, as I have designed it in heaven ... or instead do your will on earth as you have fashioned it in your own passions and desires.
A shift is about to occur that will reveal the real issues of repentance needed by My Church. This shift will cause many to speculate about days and times, while instead it should get people doing the work I have called them to do. When the shift occurs, it will become obvious to all who are following Me and who are following religion.
Where are you going? Do you have a destination in mind ... someplace you are following Me to? If not, you should really rethink your journeying. Those who follow Me have a destination in mind, and a process to get them there. Those who say they follow Me, but have no destination are wandering. Those who say they follow Me and say they have a destination, but have no process are deceived for without a way of getting to the destination, the journey cannot be made. I am searching over the whole earth right now for those willing to follow Me - to really follow Me. To these, I will open their blind eyes and allow them to see the destination I have in mind; not heaven, but earthly assignments that will be implementing My commission. To these I will also open their deaf ears and let them hear how I desire to take them there, allowing them to bear much fruit for Father. I am causing a shift that will suddenly cause people to see and hear and walk in My ways and according to the dictates of My Great Heart, not their own.
The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The lame will walk. All of this will happen to Father's glory. I will show the religious ones the folly of their own ways and even the world will see the difference and begin to be drawn to the real Kingdom living I have in store for those that follow Me.
Seek Me, follow Me. Open your eyes, open your hears and come to Me. Stop being silly sheep.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Have No Fear!

Isaiah 35:1The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 7And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein  9No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
My holy people; Hang on tight, for a lot of things are going to suddenly change. My Kingdom looks a lot different than you think. My gladness and joy can actually frighten some. My springs and rivers can cause some to become fearful and not know what is going on. Do not allow your fears of the new to stand in the way of embracing it. Revival is sorely needed in My Church. Without it you will burst. Without it you will be unable to do the things I have purposed in My Great Heart for you to do.
You may think, "Lord, I would never reject what you would be doing!" But I say that is exactly what you have done time after time after time. Generation after generation from the start has chosen to reject Me. Only the remnant, the core group of My followers who have no fear of man, no fear of change and no fear of being different will transition. Only the remnant has embraced and accepted My moves before. Sadly, this has been the consistent pattern from the start.
You see, I pour of Holy Spirit, causing a great revival to occur. Immediately the humble remnant embraces what I am doing and enjoy everything I am doing. At the same time the multitude chooses to immediately reject what I am doing and hates everything I am doing, blaming it on the adversary. Then a wilderness time comes ...
This is not My desire, to see rejecting of My move and a wilderness time to ensue. I have placed much in the hearts of people and I am looking for valiant ones who will not just lead the charge, but who will bravely advance with Me, even in spite of what the multitude says and does. I am looking for those who will receive My move ... and advance with it. This advance will take you further than My Church has ever gone before. And as you do, the multitude will take notice. They will see your advance and say in their hearts, "We have been mistaken, we have rejected the Lord and we repent right now."; then and only then will the shift occur across the Church and across the nations as I intend.
I am looking for those who will do everything from a position of victory.  Realizing it is time to advance, it is time to run, with Me. Have no fear!

Friday, February 10, 2012

God, Can I Ask You Something?

Me (in a tizzy) : God, can I ask you something?

GOD: Sure.

Me: Promise you won't get mad?

GOD: I promise.

Me (frustrated): Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?

GOD: What do you mean?

Me: Well I woke up late,

GOD: Yes

Me: My car took forever to start,

GOD: Okay....

Me (growling): At lunch, they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait

GOD: Hmmmm..

Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call

GOD: All right

Me (loudly): And to top it all off, when I got home, I just wanted to soak my feet in my foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work. Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?

GOD: Well let me see..... the death angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life.  I let you sleep through that.

Me (humbled): Oh...

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that might have hit you if you were on the road

Me (ashamed): ............

GOD: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't  want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work

Me (embarrassed): Oh.....

GOD: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give a false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let  you talk to them so you would be covered

Me (softly): I see God

GOD: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage  that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in  the dark.

Me: I'm sorry God.

GOD: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.........in all things, the good and the bad

Me: I WILL trust you God

GOD: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.

GOD: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I love looking after my children.


2 Samuel 22:31
31As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Proverbs 3:5
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Hebrews 2:13
And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Kingdom Living

Isaiah 61 1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. 5And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. 7For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. 8For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed. 10I 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. 11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.My holy people; while I was on the earth I demonstrated for you, who you are to become. I demonstrated the Kingdom wherever I went. That is what is upon My Great Heart for you, 

My holy people. I desire that wherever you go, you will demonstrate My Kingdom. Not in preacher shows and in religious settings. No, My works are to be done for all to see, among the people who I send you. You are to be just like Me, just as I spoke of here in this scripture.You are to announce good news to the poor. Yes, to the poor. These are the ones that I send you to. Having nothing of their own, they are hungry and thirsty. They know they don't have anything. So when they hear of the good news of the Kingdom, they come running to Me and likewise share Me with all those around them. You are to announce good news to the poor. Not the rich. Not those who are satisfied and self-centered. I want you to announce the good news to the poor, for these are the fruitful soil I send you to. You are to heal the brokenhearted. I didn't say you were to pray for the brokenhearted. No, I want you to heal the brokenhearted. Don't leave them in their condition. Don't stop at words alone. Don't walk away from what I desire you to do and to be. Take their broken hearts and heal them. Remember, the Spirit is upon you, because I have anointed you. Yes, that means you are to heal not just broken bodies, but you are to heal the brokenhearted.You are to proclaim freedom to the captives ... and to let out into light those bound in dark places. It is time to really set the prisoners free and to lead those out of prison that are still lingering there. My Great Heart beats with passion for those who have become prisoners of the adversary. I don't stand wagging My finger and proclaiming judgment upon them for opening doors for the adversary. No, I don't come as judge, for in this time I am appointed to be the One that comes with mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. I would have you proclaim freedom and then to lead them out.My holy people; proclaim favor upon My people and proclaim vengeance of God upon all the works of the enemy. For this purpose I was manifested ... to destroy all the works of the evil one. You are to do the same. You are living in a time of grace, a season of grace. A time when there is great hope for those who turn their hearts to Me. Yes, this world will be judged, but I am not yet the judge. I am the Lamb slain for the sins of the world. This is who I am at this time. Let all know of the great favor and that I will bring justice to those who follow Me.My holy people; comfort those who mourn. Yes, the poor in spirit, the brokenhearted, easily mourn and I require you to bring real, demonstrable comfort to those who mourn, those in My Kingdom who mourn. Not stopping there; give them garlands of celebration, oil of gladness and a cloak of praise. While I was on the earth, I was anointed with the oil of joy above all around Me. I want you to have that much joy, that you can actually become contagious with this joy and give it to others. I did it. I caused the sinners to rejoice. I caused the tax collectors and the prostitutes and the criminals to rejoice ... and in turn to become oaks of righteousness. These are the chief disciples to those who truly follow Me. It is not the nice people who hide their secret sins. It is those that were sin that become My oaks of righteousness. With great joy and celebration ... they come running out of ruin and into My Kingdom.These, your offspring, will rebuild the ancient ruins, restore sites long destroyed, and renew the ruined cities. These will bear much fruit for Father and lay it joyfully at His feet. I have a much different picture of who you are to be, than religion has taught you. I have a much different pattern for living and reproducing and becoming fruitful for My Kingdom than the preachers tell you. There is more to Kingdom living than singing songs and greeting friends. There is much more substance to who I want you to be. You see, it is not at all about you - it is about them.Preacher shows are no place to find the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives or the mourners. You must go out to these and do your work among them. You must break out of the cloisters and monasteries ... into the rich harvest fields that surround you. Yes, that means you! You won't impress the poor or the brokenhearted or the bound or the mourning with how much you know. These are useless when it comes to real ministry. You must depend solely on Holy Spirit and My anointing that is upon you. Then you will connect with the hearts of others and minister to them. Yes, you are My ministers, as you do these things.So many are waiting for Me to bring these people to the preacher shows. I didn't tell you to bring them into the preacher shows. I told you to go to them. Go and announce the good news of the Kingdom. Go heal. Go proclaim freedom. Go comfort and provide. You are building My army in the earth that will go rebuild, restore and renew. Go in Holy Spirit and by My anointing. Go and demonstrate Kingdom Living.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

The First Martyr For God

Acts 7:59-60 
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Imagine yourself in Stephen's shoes.  He had done nothing wrong.  He had only stood up for what he knew was the truth – that Jesus was the Messiah… and that the Jews had rejected Him and crucified Him.  But the Jews rejected Stephen's words, just as they had rejected Jesus.  And now, unjustly, Stephen was being stoned.  The pain must have been incredible... to be pelted with stones again and again and again until one or more finally dealt a death blow.  But until death came, there could only be intense, excruciating pain.  Stephen could have cursed the men who were stoning him.  He could have screamed out in anger and pain.  He could have easily hated these men as they threw one stone after another.  But he didn't.  Instead, his last words reflected the words of Jesus as He hung on the cross – “Lord, do not hold this sin against them."  Bleeding and dying, Stephen's last act was one of forgiveness.

Stephen was the first martyr.  He was the first Christian to die because of his belief in Jesus.  Under his own power, Stephen could not have died such a saintly death.  Under his own power, Stephen would most likely have done all those things we mentioned before -- cursed and screamed and hated.  But remember, Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit… and it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that he was able to forgive.  It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that he was able to pray for those who were killing him.

How many people have hurt you?  How many people have persecuted you, or ridiculed you, or embarrassed you, or caused you problems?  How many of them have you prayed for?  How many of them have you forgiven?  That's a hard thing to do.  Under our own power, it can be impossible.  But through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, no matter how much pain someone has caused us, we can pray for them... we can forgive them.

Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you today – to help you to forgive those who have hurt you – to help you pray for those who hate you.  As impossible as it may seem right now, you will be able to forgive – even someone who is killing you.



Read more on Stephen here