The act of thanking Jesus in a public venue sometimes is cultural and sometimes it is a true expression of ones faith. The issue as I see it is not necessarily in the outcome but an expression of thanksgiving. We all have faith and we place it in whatever paradigm we are willing to accept.

Faith is a substance and it manifests itself in whatever it is invested in. Some just don’t believe invest it and don’t see any thing

A fundamental difference for a Christian is that they have encountered the living God.

That encounter has changed their lives forever. Now some have encountered God but yet their cultural construct of what is real or what is not real may prevent them from accepting that it was a God encounter.

The existence of God is not dependent on your acknowledgement or not.

As fundamentalist as this may sound there is a living God who interacts with his children every day. He is not dead and buried somewhere or a simple construct of peoples imagination. His language is not simply English and he communicates in a variety of ways.

He makes himself known in all of his creation yet his creation does not contain him (by that I mean restrain).

A persons faith no matter how small or large is not dependent on my interpretation. If he chooses to express his thankfulness that is his choice. One important thing to consider is we are all a work in progress and some of us are further along than others. It is not for me to decide what is and is not acceptable for someone to do because on my best day the most I can do is control myself.

Spiritual realities are as real as natural, the manifestation of these realities in the natural real comes about when activated by faith.

Heidi Baker in Mozambique is an example of going to the poorest of the poor. Taking what she had and God multiplied it. She has seen blind eyes healed, dead raised, food multiplied, and much more. She is passionately in love with God and she sees miracles every day. She has a book Always-Enough-Miraculous-Provision-Children which is a collection of the miraculous stories and encounters they have had. I can go on to list a whole bunch more people who have seen miraculous interventions of God.

The biggest problem is not on Gods end it is on ours. Unbelief is what restrains him. He has done everything possible to get us to co labor with him yet we act as spoilt children demanding our way, despising him because things go wrong. He asks what do you want me to do about it I left you in charge. When we come to the realization that we can do very little without his help and start co laboring with him listening to his instructions and doing it we see his miraculous interventions.

To a man who denies the existence of God he has no framework within which God can begin to work in his life. He will consistently look for another plausible reason not to believe to put his faith in the natural created realm. The denial of the existence of things beyond our reason is one of the greatest paradoxes I see in the scientific community because they are using what is known to explore that which is unknown yet deny some of the fundamental tenants that hold the unknown together.

Contrary to cultural opinion there is not a ying and yang equal and opposite power struggle. The struggle is on the earth granted but in the heavens it is decided. God has limited his power on earth to the will of man. Its the free will thing I mentioned earlier. He is not looking for clones he is looking for sons (and daughters) who will capture his will and his heart for people and release it on earth. Faith in the negative invites the negative to manifest. Evil will show itself when you place more faith in it and act upon it. Faith in God will manifest itself in signs and wonders.

Free will is one of the biggest values of the kingdom. If you look at the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis there are two trees in the garden. Have you ever asked yourself who put them there and why? God did. Why? He gave man dominion over all the earth but had one stipulation not to eat of the fruit of one tree. Man was completely free to choose.

He chose to listen to a serpent instead of God who had given them everything. The serpent lost his legs apparently (figure that one for evolution). Who created the serpent? Why?

God give man a choice and waits for man to ask for his help, to believe what he says so he can work on his behalf.

There are many seeming inconsistencies in the bible but the bible is Gods word not God. The knowledge of the book without the encounter only makes people religious (having the form without the substance.) If you read the bible and do not encounter the living God you are simply reading a story.

When you read the bible and encounter the living God, it inspires you, it builds you up, it becomes the resting place for your faith to grow. The more you encounter Him and his love the more you become like him, the more you become like him the more you do the things he does and the more of heaven is released on earth.

God is not angry at men, he poured out his wrath on Jesus on the cross to bring men back into relationship with him satisfying his being a just and true God. He even says in 2 Peter 3:9 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

He also says
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (HCSB)
11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.

John 17:3 (HCSB)
3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent —Jesus Christ.

Life is a journey of discovery. Discovering who you are and who you are meant to be and the fullness of that is found in Jesus. The more we get to “know” Jesus the more we become like him. To the word know used in that verse does not simply mean to know about, it is fuller than that. It has many implications such as to; follow, allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) knowledge, perceive, be resolved, be sure, understand.

Do I have perfect theology, no, but I do have the perfect God who happens to be my best friend. He tells me things about people and lets me share his heart and goodness towards them, yes even those who don’t like me.

Just some thoughts.

Matthew 7:11 (New American Standard Bible)

11″If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

or maybe even;

James 1:17 (New American Standard Bible)

17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

or what about;

Romans 8:32 (New American Standard Bible)

32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

what about;

James 4:2 (New American Standard Bible)

2You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

James 4:2 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask.

Luke 18:17 (New American Standard Bible)

17″Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

My Father in heaven is simply that good and as a Father myself I love to give my kids things they ask for. Now some things may be more than they can handle at their age but my heart is to spoil them, love them and surprise them.

I dont love my children because they work for me, or perform for me etc I love them because they are my children and my heart is captivated by them. Father God loves you that much as well even if you never did another thing for him he would love you more abundantly than you could even imagine.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (New American Standard Bible)

14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

He is also a ‘Teacher Voices’ volunteer columnist.
$5.37. That’s what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bueno said to me. I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes and something that used to be a Jolly Rancher. Having already handed the kid a five-spot, I started to head back out to the truck to grab some change when the kid with the Emo hairdo said the harshest thing anyone has ever said to me. He said, “It’s OK. I’ll just give you the senior citizen discount.”
I turned to see who he was talking to and then heard the sound of change hitting the counter in front of me. “Only $4.68,” he said cheerfully. I stood there stupefied. I am 48, not even 50 yet a mere child! Senior citizen?
I took my burrito and walked out to the truck wondering what was wrong with Emo. Was he blind? As I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil. Old? Me?
I’ll show him, I thought. I opened the door and headed back inside. I strode to the counter, and there he was waiting with a smile. Before I could say a word, he held up
Something and jingled it in front of me, like I could be that easily distracted! What am I now? A toddler?
“Dude! Can’t get too far without your car keys, he?” I stared with utter disdain at the keys. I began to rationalize in my mind — “Leaving keys behind hardly makes a man elderly! It could happen to anyone!”
I turned and headed back to the truck. I slipped the key into the ignition, but it wouldn’t turn. What now? I checked my keys and tried another. Still nothing. That’s when I noticed the purple beads hanging from my rearview mirror. I had no purple beads hanging from my rearview mirror. Then a few
Other objects came into focus. The car seat in the back seat. Happy Meal toys spread all over the floorboard. A partially eaten doughnut on the dashboard.
Faster than you can say ginkgo biloba, I flew out of the alien vehicle.
Moments later I was speeding out of the parking lot, relieved to finally be leaving this nightmarish stop in my life. That is when I felt it, deep in
The bowels of my stomach: hunger! My stomach growled and churned, and I reached to grab my burrito, only it was nowhere to be found.
I swung the truck around, gathered my courage and strode back into the
Restaurant one final time. There Emo stood, draped in youth and black nail polish. All I could think was, “What is the world coming to?” All I could say was, “Did I leave my food and drink in here?” At this point I was ready to ask a Boy Scout to help me back to my vehicle, and then go straight home and apply for Social Security benefits.
Emo had no clue. I walked back out to the truck, and suddenly a young lad came up and tugged on my jeans to get my attention. He was holding up a drink and a bag. His mother explained, “I think you left this in my truck by mistake.” I took the food and drink from the little boy and sheepishly apologized.
She offered these kind words: “It’s OK. My grandfather does stuff like this all the time.”
All of this is to explain how I got a ticket doing 85 in a 40. Yes, I was
Racing some punk kid in a Toyota Prius. And no, I told the officer, I’m not too old to be driving this fast.
As I walked in the front door, my wife met me halfway down the hall. I
Handed her a bag of cold food and a $300 speeding ticket. I promptly sat in my rocking chair and
Covered up my legs with a blankie.
The good news was I had successfully found my way home.

I claimed it for you – now claim it for me.

God has more than a thousand ways to provide for us, that we know nothing about.

Here is your financial blessing!

It’s a simple prayer, do you have 30 Seconds?

Don’t sleep on this.

If you need a financial blessing, continue reading this e-mail.

Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God,
I pray to you that you abundantly bless my family and me.

I recognize that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in You.

GOD, I send up a prayer for financial blessing for not only the person who sent this to me, but for me and all those I forward this message on to.

I believe in the power of unified prayer by those who Believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything! I believe you are supremely good despite my circumstances and that you desire to pour out not only your perfect presence but the abundance of the Kingdom where there is no lack because you are all sufficient in everything.

I thank you in advance for your blessings.

Father I trust that your hand is mighty to save and it is your desire that we owe no-one anything but a debt of love. Oh God, deliver us from debt and debt burdens.

Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that you have given me GOD, for I know how wonderful and mighty you are. Give us the grace to walk in obedience and love according to your word. Grant us the faith the size of a Mustard seed to see your blessings pour out.

I thank you now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come, because I know you are not done with me yet. In Jesus name Amen.

TAKE 60 SECONDS and send this on and within hours, you will have caused a multitude of people to pray to God for you and for each other. Then watch the power of God work in your life. Be expectant of his abundant blessings because He really is that good and really loves you that much.

Peace and Blessings…..
Have Faith

The real meaning of Easter. He is the Risen Christ. He is alive and has made all things new. Do you know Him? He truly does know you and loves you. Ask him yourself.

Have you ever considered the fact that ALL Father Gods’ wrath against sin was poured out on Jesus on the cross. Every drop of it!!! When we accept Jesus the Christ He takes all our sin and the punishment it deserves and places it upon himself on the cross. Father God in his righteousness poured out all the punishment for sin on His Son who had been full obedient and sinless. He had to be sinless to be qualified to take someone elses sin. By doing that He substituted his sinlessness for our sinfullness.

Now that all punishment for sin has been poured out on Jesus on the cross Father God has no anger or punishment left for those who have accepted Christs sacrifice by Faith. Faith is essential in this process. What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)  1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

We accept Jesus sacrifice by faith and we accept his sinlessness and forgiveness by the same faith.

Romans 5:1-3 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)  1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Now having accepted Jesus we are free from the punishment of God and now enter into unhindered access to the love of God. We get to experience the great goodness and love of our God. What is so amazing is He is even good to those who dont acknowledge him. They will have no excuse when He returns. For us who believe we get to grow in our relationship with Him and experience greater depths of His love and goodness.

Be blessed. If you don’t know him thats easy to rectify. Ask him by faith to forgive your sins and enter into your heart and life. Leave me a note and I will get in touch and celebrate with you.

A man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, ‘Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.’

The Lord led the man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the man’s mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, ‘You have seen Hell.’

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man’s mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, ‘I don’t understand.’

It is simple,’ said the Lord. ‘It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.’

Remember that together we can feast or we can starve. Join me and lets feast at the table of the Lord.

When Jesus died on the cross, he was doing it for you. He saw your end from your begining and decided to intervene and give you an option for a whole different ending. The choice is truley yours.

It really is simple to meet the creator of the Universe but it requires faith. Extend the invitation to Jesus to come into your life. Ask him to forgive your sins and give you his life. If you do this then tell someone. If you don’t know anyone who has a relationship with Jesus leave me a note in the comments section and we can help connect you up with someone and give you some idea’s who to connect with.

‘Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.’

P.S This is an adaption of a story I got in my email. I do not know who the origional author is.

Jesus statement had significance for them. During their battles, in amongst all the confusion in the intensity of battle, when men fighting for their lives they had no idea if they were winning or loosing on that they were fighting for their very lives.
Their commander the general would be positioned on a high point watch the battle unfold and when he saw the battle tide turn in their favor he would shout out in a loud voice “It Is Finished” This not only rallied the troops but gave them vision that they are not fighting in vain, that total victory was immanent.

Jesus declaration on the cross in John 19:30 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Jesus declared the battle had turned. While we are in the midst of battle we need to hear the cry of Jesus on the cross, take heart and fight until we see the victory achieved by His sacrifice.

Another insight is that just before His death Jesus received the sour wine. Just like Jesus to take the old sour wine just before His death. On His Resurrection He released the New wine on the day of Pentecost.

He took the bitterness of the Law and released the freshness of life in the Spirit of Faith and Grace.

Well there have been books written about this very topic and I am not here to give an exhaustive definition. I can refer you to many great books about this topic should you wish to know more.

Essentially prophecy to me is connecting to the heart and mind of Jesus and declaring what you hear or see. Its primary purposes are for edification, exhortation and encouragement. 2 Peter 1:21 (New American Standard Bible)

21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God

Paul exhorts all believers to prophecy 1 Corinthians 14

1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

James Goll, Mike Bickle, Kim Clement, Graham Cooke, Larry Randolph, Kris Vallotton and Steve Thompson have all written exceptional books on prophecy and how it function in and around the local church.

Below is a video of one of my most admired prophetic voices in the nation, Graham Cooke. Enjoy.

I received a revelation that I have read countless times yet it struck me as being a Kairos word in Eph 2:8-10
8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Do you know that Father God has prepared good works for you to partake in if you are willing to do so. In fact here is a mind blowing thought.

If He has prepared them do you not think He wants them to be completed. If it is a healing someone needs all you got to do is ask God to release His healing, its all prepared and ready to go, He is just looking for someone to come into agreement with His will.

Remember God is extremly good. It is an absolute in the way He deals with us who are living in the new covenant. He poured every bit of wrath out on His son on the cross so that we could legally inherit every bit of his goodness and pleasure this side of the cross.

Go on I dare you to become the heavenly encounter the world is looking for by simply coming into agreement with the nature, character and word of God.

YOU BE THE ENCOUNTER AS YOU HAVE CHRIST IN YOU THE HOPE OF GLORY. REALLY HES GOT YOUR BACK.