Worship Night

Greetings,
We met last night - with Jesus being our only "agenda". We sang, shouted, some wept tears of joy; at times we were simply silent in His Presence as He seemed to come "so near". You know what I mean? He says, "draw near to me and I'll draw near to you". How near are you to Him? Well, how near does He seem to you? I realize that isn't always such a good test - sometimes He's nearer than we suspect. But there was no misunderstanding last night. We all knew the Lord was in fellowship with us and we were in close communion with Him.

One thing He kept bringing to my spirit - probably the main thing all evening - was MERCY. When I planned the songs to have available for our worship and praise time last night I didn't think about all of the different words. While I was singing them, though, the word "mercy" kept standing out. Mercy. Not just a pity, but God getting right down into our trouble, our dirt, our pain, our joy and sorrow; God, not willing to leave us where we are - alone. God, through His Son, Jesus - coming to our aid.

That's how it was last night. A very tangible, "reach out and touch Him" kind of night.

I don't say this to promote our church or try to advertise our worship team (which was actually a group of people from different fellowships). I tell you this for one reason. Jesus. He's all you need. He's all I need. In His Presence is more joy then you or I could ever need. He's the ONLY one Who is Worthy of our praise and complete love. And, brethren, when He says "draw near to Me and I'll draw near to you"...well, what is keeping you from MAKING the time to take Him at His word?

If you are in the area and God is speaking to your heart ("today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart...") come join us this Sunday evening at 313 6th Street, WDM, at 6 pm. We'll give you a warm christian greeting - but God will give you the hug.

Pastor Jan
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 2 Corinthians 9:18

Sifting, Shaking, and the Glory of God

Greetings,
This may be a rather lengthy message, but please bear with me. I have been sharing these things at church and believe the Lord would have me put them out to a wider audience.
Matthew 7:13-27
13. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14. "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
15. "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16. "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17. "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19. "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20. "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21. "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22. "Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23. "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
24. "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25. "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26. "Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
27. "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.''

The above passage begins with Jesus stating truth regarding two gates - a narrow one and a wide one. I believe this goes right along with the rest of the passage where He speaks about false prophets, bad trees, bad people and bad foundations.

Now it is fairly easy to enter into a certain area where there are no constraints or boundaries. It is easy to be known as a prophet if there isn't any "test". If no one tastes your fruit, or if no one has ever tasted GOOD fruit, it would be impossible to know if the fruit is BAD. Also, just saying "Lord, Lord", or doing things that Jesus' people do, does not assure you the place of fellowship and intimacy with Jesus...and hearing and building a religious looking life will not keep your life from falling apart WHEN THE TEST COMES.

God has always tested people before He removes His "limits". He has stated in His word that "everything that can be shaken will be shaken so that the things that cannot be shaken may remain". God builds on the "remains"; the things tried and true, the things that can't be shaken. He builds with and has intimate fellowship with those who "can fit in the narrow gate". People who conform themselves to the width of the gate - and don't expect the gate to accommodate them. People who take the time and effort to know and do truth will not be deceived by what is false, regardless of how well the false is packaged. And the Lord says that people who hear AND DO what He says will have something that remains (that He will build on) AFTER the winds, rain, and flood.

We must understand that the Lord has NO PROBLEM exposing our weaknesses. That's why He has certain requirements for anything that is of eternal value. The "requirements" indicate an area that we must trust because we cannot do anything of eternal value without His help. Requirements such as "enter in the narrow gate", or "hear and do My sayings", indicate faith AND obedience. Hebrews states - "without faith it is impossible to please Him..." and how much faith we have is indicated by the extremes we will go to OBEY Him.

EVERYTHING that can be shaken will be shaken - because the Lord is going for the "remains". He will reveal His Glory through the life of someone whom He has sifted, shaken and stripped of their own strength and wisdom. This is where the Body of Christ is now; especially in America.

The Church in America has not had to rely on God - and therefore hasn't. Oh, we say "Lord, Lord" but if we really relied upon Him, we would see His Glory. But that is going to "CHANGE". We are going to find out what it takes to see God really show Himself. He hasn't changed nor will He, but He is sure going to get us to change - or be ruined. The sifting, shaking, and stripping away of our "independence" will bring us to one place - TOTAL DEPENDENCE UPON HIM - or we will turn and go our own way. Once again, we must understand that the Glory of God comes AFTER the preparation. ALL gold is tested, purified by fire, before it is used. Malachi 3 states the Lord is coming TO His people before He comes FOR them. Haggai 2 speaks about Glory coming to the Temple AFTER He shakes all things. Acts 15 and Amos 9 tell of the Work of God being rebuilt AFTER a sifting - and then NATIONS come to God! Revelation 2 and 3 speaks of Jesus INSPECTING the churches - and that for those who have an ear to hear the Spirit, and thus OVERCOME, they will witness NEW LEVELS OF GOD'S GLORY!

There is NO GLORY without the sifting, shaking, and stripping away of all that indicates man's strength and wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1 reveals a special truth we must embrace - the weak things, and the things people count as nothing, will be the things the Lord will use to REVEAL HIS WILL and POWER.

What's the bottom line for you and I? 5 things:

1. We must let ourselves become weak in our own strength and wisdom - learn to rely upon His.
2. Release to God our "rights and privileges" and take up His "responsibilities and pursuits".
3. Understand that "inspection" isn't a bad thing, but necessary to reveal the Glory of God
4. The coming days will not be "easier", but more PROFITABLE for the Kingdom of God
5. The line of demarcation has been drawn and will become clearer and clearer. The Lord is telling me "that as it was when Israel was in the land of Egypt (the best of the land), as long as they stayed in Egypt they were far away from the Promised Land. And they weren't about to leave until they were forced to. And as it was for the church in Acts; they were instructed to go into all the world but wouldn't go until they were forced to; so it will be and now is, that the Lord is allowing a "squeeze" to take place - a sifting, shaking and stripping - so that those who will embrace the Lord, His Word, His Work, and His people, ABOVE ALL ELSE, will see the manifest Glory of God. The Glory of God will come and abide until the Kingdom work is finished - and then we'll leave!"

Many of us had our hopes dashed when McCain wasn't elected President. Others were filled with joy when Obama won. But the "HOPE" for mankind can never be in an elected official.

Yes, this is the day of sifting, shaking, and stripping...and revelation of the God of the Ages!

Pastor Jan

As you see the Day approaching

Greetings, brethren...
Please be encouraged, and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching...

1 Timothy 6:13-15
13. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14. that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,
15. which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

2 Timothy 4:1,8
1. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the at His appearing and His kingdom:
8. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Titus 2:13
13. looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Jude 24
24. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,

Hebrews 10:22-25 tells us:
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Notice - draw near (and keep drawing near) with full assurance of faith - AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING. Hold fast the confession of our hope - AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING. Consider each other and help provoke one another to love and good works - AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING. Get connected, assembled together AND SO MUCH THE MORE - AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING.

Don't be blind, or insensitive, to what the Lord is desiring. The Day of His appearing is approaching! May you and I live with that thought throughout our days.

Pastor Jan

The Promise of the Father

Greetings...
Father God has made extraordinary promises - promises that are "yes and amen" in Christ. Those who are in proper relationship with Jesus share the promise of Father. Below are verses from the New Testament relating the desire of Father for His children. Promises of the same power that He used for the resurrection of Jesus (Ephesians 1:18-23), power to heal the sick and confront victoriously the powers of darkness, promises of the manifest Presence of God, promises of peace that passes all understanding...

The Promise of Father is for those who are His children; heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus (Romans 8). Read these and let faith rise in your heart...

"Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.''

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which,'' He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.''

"Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear."

"For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.''

"But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt..."

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Folks, the Promise of God are not weakened because society isn't interested! Just because there are many who really don't care if there is a Father God or care if He has promised anything, or, if He keeps His promises...just because there are even multitudes who will try and convince you that you're wasting your time "believing God"...those things should not stop you and I from desiring the fulfillment of every promise. "Shall the unbelief of some stop the faith of God? Nay, let God be true and every man a liar!"

Every Promise has a purpose. Every purpose has a corresponding promise. Father has everything that pertains to life and godliness wrapped up in His Promise. And, the Promise is to you and your children.

Where are you at? Is the Lord God your Father? Have you been born again? Have you been recreated as a new creation in Christ and have you been filled with the Holy Spirit of Promise?

Father stands ready to pour out all He has promised YOU. What are you standing ready for?

This Sunday, June 14th, at Valley A/G, we're going to hear about the Promise of the Father. The life, the power, the grace and healing - hope you can come. But regardless, understand this: Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to seek the Lord. Now is the time to receive the Promise -

God bless
Pastor Jan

The Lord Showed Him A Tree

Greetings, friends.
This little message is to kind of set the "stage" for what the Lord is getting ready to say and do in our lives and the life of the church.

Healing is the will of God for, I believe, everyone. He has led me to begin a "Healing School" at our church beginning this Sunday evening. Worship, prayer, praise, and, above all, teaching the will of God regarding healing for the body. "He sent His word and healed them..." "Who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases...". Luke 5 and 6 mention people coming to Jesus to "hear and be healed of their infirmities". So we'll follow the Lord's direction and see faith come by hearing the word of God. We'll see the Lord "confirm His Word with the accompanying signs".

For a moment, though, I'd like to teach a little regarding the passage below out of Exodus 15:22-26. This is right after the children of Israel left Egypt, went across the dried up Red Sea, and saw God fight for them as never before. Notice what takes place:

22. So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
23. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24. And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?''
25. So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and when he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them. And there He tested them,
26. and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.''

A few things to notice:
1. The Lord was leading them - as Moses followed God. The Lord's direction isn't always, at first, into sweetness and plenty! No, they went 3 days into the wilderness of Shur, which means "wall". The Lord led them into a wall...just as He did a few days earlier when they were surrounded by the sea and Pharoah's chariots.
2. The "wall" represents a test. There is no TESTimony without a test. There is no answer to faith's cry without the need for faith to speak. I'm not saying that the Lord is behind everything that isn't going our way; I am saying that we must keep a sensitive spirit to be able to hear His direction and pass the test. There is always an answer to whatever test we may have. There is always a way to deal with a "wall".
3. Moses cried to the Lord, but kept his ear open to what the Lord what tell him to do. Many times we cry to the Lord. But we must make sure, along with our cries, we are able to hear what the Spirit is saying.
4. Moses cried, then the Lord "showed him a tree". Moses actually saw the "tree" (I believe a picture of the complete provision found in the cross) and then knew how to apply the revelation. I believe the way Moses "saw" the tree was through Divine revelation and in answer to the cry.
5. The paths of the Lord...no greater place to walk. Jesus said, "I am the Way (path)..." and as we walk with Him we will have opportunities to either run through a troop and leap over a wall, opportunities to be still and know He is God, or we'll see a "tree" around us that is the answer to our prayers, though it may not look like it at first.
6. I really believe the Lord would have His people now, as then, know that it isn't just a matter of knowing that God heals. I believe He wants us to know that He is the way to walk - to diligently "heed" (pay attention) to the voice of the Lord and do what is right in His sight (as He judges and inspects, as in Revelation 1-3)...

Proverbs 4:20-23 says, "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."

May each of us know the Lord's voice and develop a keen, sensitive spirit to be able to hear and obey in every circumstance. He said, "for I am the Lord Who heals you" after He expained to Moses that He had just tested them.

Life isn't about how many tests and trials...it is about walking with the Lord Who is the Answer to all of life's walls, bitterness, testings and trials. He IS the Lord Who heals us!

God bless,
Pastor Jan


For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

Delusion and Desire = Danger

Greetings in the Holy Name of Jesus!

I have a fire burning in my spirit - I must share this brief message with you and others. I pray that the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, would allow each of us to hear His voice and yield to Him rather than grieve Him.

Mark 4:19,20
"Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."

Notice the words "deceitfulness" and "desires". The Greek translation for deceitfulness means "delusion" or "deluded". "Desires" is translated as a longing, especially for what is not allowed. Delusion and desires seem to run hand in hand and both spell trouble for the child of God. Delusion becomes a stronghold when we ignore what the true facts are; i.e. what the Word of God says. Delusion, according to the dictionary, is a false belief or opinion; to delude is to fool, as by false promises or wrong notions; mislead; deceive; trick. To allow myself to be fooled by false or empty (wrong) promises is to put myself in an area of longing for something that is not lawful or allowed. Anyone remember Adam and Eve? They had the word of the Lord and yet they allowed the tempter control by entertaining the words contrary to the truth; therefore they became deluded and their desires led them astray.

Of course, nothing like that could EVER happen to us, right? Wrong! Another passage is found in Ephesians 4:17-23 - "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind..." The phrase, "according to the deceitful desires" is translated in the Greek as "deluded desires", same as above. Notice the way to get free and live free is to stay with the Truth that is in Jesus and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

One more passage - Hebrews 3:12,13 - "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today,'' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Once again, the word "deceitfulness" is "delusion". Sin, adding to or taking away what God has said, can promise you ANYTHING but will only fail you in the end.

This is the day for you and I to get rid of the sin that easily entraps us! This is the time to take a good scrub with the Water of the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to show us what's right and what needs cleansed or even removed. WE CANNOT AFFORD to live a life that let's us flirt with the deluded desires of the flesh and the temptations that the enemy throws our way. TODAY, if you hear His voice - if you can hear it's not too late. Today, now, is the time to declare the Lordship of Jesus Christ over your flesh, your longings, your life! Don't be deceived by the wily schemes of the evil one. 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 - "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Today!

Pastor Jan

The Pattern

Greetings, friends!

I've been stirred by the Lord to share some thoughts He is giving me. I believe that every one of us who say we know and love God need to pay close attention to the verses I'll be sharing.

Genesis 6:12-15 - "So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is how you shall make it...""

Genesis 6:22 - " Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did."

Exodus 25:9 - "According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it."

Exodus 39:42,43 - "According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them."

Exodus 40:33,34 - "...So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."

1 Chronicles 28:9-12 - " "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong, and do it." Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat; and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit;"

2 Chronicles 5:1 - "So all the work that Solomon had done for the house of the Lord was finished..."

2 Chronicles 7:1 - "Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple."

I see a correlation between the Lord giving the plans, the people obeying the plans, and then the power of God available to accomplish His will. Noah didn't ask the Lord to bless the boat so that it would hold all that came and that it would stay afloat for as long as necessary - no, he simply did according to what the Lord said. Moses did cry and beg God to bless their efforts - he only built according to the pattern he was shown. When the pattern was followed, the Glory of God came. When David was told by God that Solomon would build the House of God, David told his son all the plans he'd received by the Spirit of God. Then, after the pattern was followed, there was the manifest Presence of God.

Could it be that the main reason the Glory of God isn't among us as GOD INTENDS is that we have strayed from the pattern? I'm not talking about a "church service"...I'm talking about the Body of Christ as individuals and as a whole moving away from the Designer's Plan and putting together our own brand of what walking with the Lord is to be about. We're so quick to compare ourselves with others who don't measure up as well as we or measure up better (which we can easily give an excuse for). Even in areas where there is some measure of God's power in evidence, we are not seeing the "exceeding greatness of His power to those who believe...".

My heart hungers to move beyond the way things are. I've been asking the Lord to bring about a new revolution and awakening of His Presence...to shake this area, this nation, this world with His Presence, His Power, so that all may know HE is the ONE TRUE GOD.
Not Allah, or any other counterfeit. But what must take place, first, is the return to the PATTERN!

Jesus, the Son of God, is GOD's PATTERN! "This is My beloved Son; hear Him...". He humbled Himself to the Pattern of God - the words regarding the will of God. He learned obedience through the things He suffered (it wasn't always easy following the Pattern). Yet, when it was ALL complete, God HIGHLY exalted Him and gave Him a Name above ALL names!.

The choice is ours. The Pattern is before us - it's up to each of us to submit moment by moment to the Lordship of Jesus -

I'll close with this passage from Colossians 3:1-4
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

When Christ, Who is our life appears (is revealed in and through us, which is God's intended purpose - Romans 8:29) then we will walk in the Glory of God (see Acts 5:12-16).

Follow the Pattern - anything less is disobedience.

Pastor Jan
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5

Wanted: Adopted Parents

Greetings, this fine snowy day...since many of you couldn't get out to church today, here's a little something to meditate on.

I think we all know that the Lord made certain promises to Abraham and his "seed". "Seed" would refer to his sons and daughters; the generations to come. Of course, as Paul wrote in Galatians, that the "Seed" refers to Christ Jesus. Paul goes on to say that those who are in Christ are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

With that in mind I'd like you to consider how our Father God operates in His Kingdom. For example, God gave the promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Several generations later we find Moses beginning the move to actually possess the promises. Yet Moses was still a generation away from the inheritance, though he had an enormous part to play in getting the children of Israel up to the point of crossing the Jordan. But when it came time to cross, it was Joshua who had the responsibility of dividing the inheritance to the people.

I've been chewing on this for a while and have come to at least two conclusions. First, the promises of God typically come to us in "installments"; and the greater the promise, the more the installments. The installments come through revelation upon revelation as the prophet said - here a little, there a little, line upon line and precept upon precept. God gave the promise to Abraham yet Joshua received revelation regarding the promised land more than those before him. Joshua was told exactly where to draw the boundaries for each tribe. Second, it is vital for each generation to nurture the next one in all the things of God. We must train them up in the way they should go...not just our biological children, but sons and daughters in the kingdom. This, of course, would include "adopted" sons and daughters of the next generation - those younger and less mature in Christ than we are.

Paul gave us an example of the Kingdom principle when he wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 - "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. " He defined it even greater in Philippians 4:9,"The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." This is how the word of God prevails in the earth! People before us committed the Word to us and we, in turn, find others to pour into - not just the Word of God, but our very lives to the point people will learn, receive, hear, and see God living through us!

Father needs His disciples to make more disciples. He needs us who have learned how to hear His voice and obey His heart to pass that on to others. He needs people who will become "moms and dads" in the Kingdom. "Adopt-a-life" should be our focus and then expect Father to bring greater revelation to those we are "rearing".

I'm going to preach this more in depth, the Lord willing, next week (and probably continuing the week following). But the Word of the Lord, I believe, is this: "It's time for the younger to connect with the elder. It's time for the elder to connect with the younger. Training, mentoring, impartation of the Father's life and the principles of that life. The Kingdom of God advancing and making a difference in society - the world- because people know the power of God and their boundaries." You see, He is also saying to each generation and the next one to come - "This is your land! Fathers, tell your children 'this is your land'". The Lord, by revelation and the word of the fathers will further define the phrase "this is your land". He will define the "this" and the "land". He then declares through the fathers what the boundaries are...the promises that pertain to life and godliness and how to take them.

Hopefully, this little teaching will whet your appetite for further study. May I suggest you run some references on mothers and fathers and generations. Then, let the Lord take you out of your comfort zone and sign up with Him to be "adopted parents" in the Kingdom. You are needed, for sure!

Two closing passages:
Psalm 78:3-8 and Psalm 145:4
"Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; and may not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God."

"One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts."

Abraham did it, and so also did his children; plus Moses, Joshua...Paul, Barnabas...and so should we.

We'll discuss this more in the near future. God is trying to bring our vision into focus and this is part of it.

Pastor Jan

Be Mine

Greetings,
I just had to send you a note...to express a little of the heart of our Father. Since this is Valentine's Day and all, there is a message from the heart of God to each of us. It says simply, "Be Mine".

Father didn't look for the pretty, the popular, or those with plenty of money to send His message to. Instead, He sent it to those who could never measure up to His standard of excellence. He sent it to each person who could never earn enough to buy it or never flatter their way into His good grace. No, His message is a simple one and one that is for all. That message is

1) Father didn't wait for our goodness to do what He had to do (His heart couldn't wait any longer) and
2) Father was in His Son (His Valentine) speaking the message of reconciliation to us.

Romans 5:5-11
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His , we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Behold, what manner of Love the Father has given to us that we should be (could possibly be) called children of God.

May the message of Father's reconciliation continue through the message each of us share. The message, the invitation, the Heart of God - "Be Mine".

...and the Spirit and the Bride say, "come"

Amen

Preparation and Demonstration

As I shared this last Sunday, the Lord is speaking to our church specifically about "Preparation and Demonstration". I believe it's a word for the whole Body of Christ as well. Before the Lord did anything in the earth, there was always a preparation before the demonstration. From Genesis 1:1 through the end of the Book, that's the way He moves. The Lord brought to light the ministry of John the Baptist as a preparation for the ministry of Jesus. John's ministry was given preparation before there was a demonstration or public appearance. God works on the inside and then the outside.

We are the ones called to prepare for the 2nd coming...and the Lord is doing a work in us so He can do one through us. It's with this thought I want to encourage you - BEG YOU if I can - challenge you in the Name of the Lord, to make EVERY EFFORT to make ALL of our services THIS month. Sunday School, Sunday Morning, Sunday Evening, Tuesday Prayer, and Wednesday Evening. I'm asking you to MAKE A COMMITMENT - just for this month. See what the Lord will do IN YOU so He can do THROUGH YOU.

I realize that life is busy. I realize that some things are very important. However, I believe the Spirit of God is saying that we are running out of time and that we have got to pull out all stops; set aside every hindrance, every excuse that would keep us from fulfilling God's plan to work in us and through us.

The things the Lord is leading me to do this month - from special speakers (Dave Adams this Sunday morning - a prophet/teacher; John and Becky Polis - the 20th both services, representing the apostolic ministry) to the teaching/preaching the Lord is giving me - it is all for the edification of the Body of Christ and the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

I challenge you in the Name of the Lord - You are the ones God is choosing to prepare the way of the Lord. If He was to follow the path you're making, where would He end up?

See you Sunday!
Pastor Jan

Good Success

Greetings and Happy New Year!
May your year be a successful one by the power of the Lord!

People have different ideas of what "good success" is. Wall Street has an idea, the New England Patriots football team has an idea...you and I even have an idea of what good success is. However, I'd like for you to follow me for a short few moments as I try and think about "good success" as the Lord would see it.

Joshua 1:6-9 - "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.''

Notice that the Lord told Joshua to be strong and of good courage. Have you wondered why He told Joshua that? The main reason is because it takes strength and good courage to-

1) "Observe, or pay attention, to DO what He's already said to do"
2) "To not turn from what He said (either to the right or the left)"
3) "To keep His instructions IN YOUR MOUTH continually"
4) "To meditate in His instructions day and night, so we'll know WHAT TO OBSERVE"

As this year progresses each of us will have things the Lord is leading us to do, just as the Lord was leading Joshua and the children of Israel into the land of promise. Joshua knew that even though they were going to a land that "flowed with milk and honey" it wasn't going to be a cake walk. He knew of the giants and walled cities that were before him. He knew that the people he led were prone to doubt, unbelief, and even rebellion. Yet he still knew he had an assignment from the Lord. He understood what good success was - knowing, doing, and finishing the will of God. God promised to supply whatever Joshua needed to accomplish the task - but Joshua had to be strong and of good courage. Joshua had his part and God had His.

I ran across 2 verses yesterday that really got me thinking about this. Ecclesiastes 10:9,10 - "He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits wood may be endangered by it. If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success."

Say, for instance, you had an assignment or a responsibility to build a home. You had the resources all around you; all you needed to do was have the wisdom necessary to take the resources and work them, fit them, size them, etc. until your assignment was finished. You look all around you and see huge rocks and trees. Plenty of materials necessary to build a strong house, except they must be BROKEN before they can be FIT TOGETHER (like the Body of Christ, "fitly joined together" and "assembled together"). But, without strength and good courage, you may not attempt the work at hand. Notice the risk that Solomon wrote about - "...may be hurt by them...may be endangered by it..." If you've ever been injured while attempting to work with rocks or wood (or known someone who's been hurt) you'll agree that it can take a great deal of courage to do what needs to be done.

Working in the Kingdom of God is "risky" business. Any time you build relationships, it's risky business. Anytime you take a sledge to a rock you run the risk of being hit by some of the pieces. But the reward is worth the risk!

You see, the Word calls us "living stones" and "the house of the Lord", but the Lord only uses broken pieces and those which will fit with others. It is very easy to allow the hurts we endure from the tasks we're called to do to keep us from being strong and of good courage - which will keep us from good success.

May you be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. May He have complete freedom to do all He wants to do through you this year. May you and I not be so worried about the "pieces of rock" or the "splinters in the fingers" that we take our eyes off the prize and miss out on His true "good success".

Remember James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Blessings,
Pastor Jan

Worship and Praise

Greetings in the Exalted Name of Jesus!

Psalm 57:11, "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth."

The Lord is declaring His voice to us - "Declare My praise! Declare My Worth! Prepare a place for Me to be enthroned so that My Glory can be seen in your midst! Understand the principle of worship and praise as seen in My Word...praise brings the manifest Presence and the manifest Presence brings the praise."

The Lord has led me to, once again, set aside Sunday Evenings to simply prepare a place for the Lord to be exalted in the earth; a place where His Presence is sought after and received. A place where He can work as He sees fit and where He alone is the Center of attention. As the verses below reveal, when the Lord is praised He causes the Heavens to shine forth. And, when Heaven shines, the Earth responds!

Brethren, look at the word of the Lord -
Psalm 22:3 - But You are holy, Who inhabit the praises of Israel.

Exodus 15:2 (KJV) - The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

2 Chronicles 5:13,14 - indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: "For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,'' that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

Isaiah 12 - And in that day you will say: "O Lord, I will praise You; though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; `For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation.' '' Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: "Praise the Lord, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!''

2 Chronicles 20:22 - Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

Psalm 67:5,6 -Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 - Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; he will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.

Psalm 66:1-4 - Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name.'' Selah

Psalm 68: 4-11 - Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land. O God, when You went out before Your people, When You marched through the wilderness, Selah. The earth shook; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, When it was weary. Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor. The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it:


Please come and join us as we praise and worship the Lord. It's all about Him!

Pastor Jan

Trusting?

Greetings...
Luke 18:9-16
9. Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10. "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank You that I am not like other men extortioners, unjust, erers, or even as this tax collector.
12. `I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
13. "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God be merciful to me a sinner!'
14. "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.''
15. Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16. But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

There are a few things the Spirit of God is opening my eyes to here. In verse 16 Jesus said, "for such is the Kingdom of God." I believe He didn't just refer to the phrase about little children, but even the preceding verses. For instance verse 9, "...who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, AND DESPISED OTHERS".

Have you ever thought about how the Body of Christ is so good at dividing itself up into little bitty pieces, rather than having "the same care for one another" (1 Cor. 12)? In the above instance, BOTH men went before the Lord to pray. A very spiritual thing to do, when it's done with the proper motive and attitude. The Pharisee isolates himself from others when he begins to thank God how he ISN'T like the others (including the man who is praying in the same room to the same God). The Pharisee failed to realize that God didn't give two hoots about all the Pharisee did; God was looking much deeper than that. The Pharisee said about 5 times the amount spoken by the tax collector, but the Lord declared the tax collector as the one leaving justified.

The Pharisee exalted HIMSELF as he recounted all HE had done. Yet there is no evidence of a trust relationship with God. "And without faith (trust) it is impossible to please Him (God)"
"See what I've done..."
"Look at how much I tithe..."
"I just cannot tolerate people who can't seem to get it right..."
"If everyone in the Kingdom was like me..."
"Don't touch me, I'm too clean to get dirty..."

Keeping track of how much time, treasure, or talent you give to the Lord isn't of any benefit to us at all. For one thing, by declaring that we have given 10% (or even 20) really says that we kept back 80-90%. The Kingdom of God doesn't operate because people tithe; no, the Kingdom of God is evident through those who aren't afraid to lay down their lives for Jesus and His Gospel. NEVER did Jesus teach about being a 10% disciple. Yet, we can be so proud when we compare ALL WE DO with ALL others don't do (in our sight). Jesus said, "Come, follow Me". It was His ALL He placed on the cross, not just 10%. And, unless it was His ALL, He would not have been trusting. Trust isn't trust if it is measured out; at least where trusting God is concerned. If I had to tell God all I've done and continually remind others just how valuable I am to the Kingdom, then there is evidently not much of a trust relationship - with God or His people.

On and on I could go. But did you notice that just as soon as Jesus got through telling the disciples about the Pharisee's lack of humility, the disciples wanted to keep children from coming to Jesus. The disciples were showing somewhat of the same kind of spirit...they were saying "Jesus doesn't have time for children; He is too busy with us. We are the inner circle, the very core group and sole owners of what God is doing in the earth. Children, tax collectors, heathen, they're all the same..."

The Kingdom of God is all about trusting in the Living God - completely. He IS OUR righteousness from the beginning, through out our walk, and at the end of our earthly life. There is NEVER a time to become proud of what we've accomplished or to feel like we're better than anyone else. Doing so only leads to cutting other people off and not having the same care for them. Please understand that sometimes people are so wrapped up in their own misery and failure that they become a Pharisee in reverse. "I've sinned like no one else..." or, "I've failed to show the power of God to my generation..." and still cut themselves off from the care of others.

Wouldn't it be just grand if we actually started acting like we really believe the Word of God in its entirety? "I am because of what He made me and I do what He enables me to do."

I'll close with 2 passages. One from Isaiah and the other from 1 Corinthians.
Isaiah 57:15
"For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor erers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

Think about it and may the Lord cause each of us to humble ourselves continually under His mighty hand...that He may have HIS WAY with us AND through us.

What's He saying to you?

Pastor Jan

Raising your Dream...

Greetings in Jesus' wonderful Name!

I realize it's been quite some time since I've last written anything; frankly, one of the main reasons is because I have felt "what's the use?" Various thoughts have come at me, some of which I'm sure you have shared from time to time. Thoughts like "since it's obvious that my ministry is not appreciated, I think it's time to quit"; or, "I'm tired of this pressure"; or things like that. Maybe even thoughts such as "I deserve better than what I'm experiencing"; there are so many thoughts I've been dealing with it's hard to keep them straight some time. Ever had times like that? Like, just when you think you're getting a handle on things, another blow comes at you...for instance, you hear you are losing valuable members of your ministry team. It's like you just want to throw your hands up and say "I've had it!" You know it as well as I that when you've had a dream and have worked to see the dream accomplished and have shared the dream with others...then to see the dream seem to lay down and die...

Of course, much of this has been happening since I wrote my last note entitled "Have you done all to stand?".

This isn't a "boo-hoo" word, but a word to let you know that even if the dream seems to be lifeless, as long as there is God then there is still hope. Romans 15:13 - "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

There are a couple of points I want share with you to encourage you (and myself). I'll use Luke 8:40-42, 49-55 as my text.

40. So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.
41. And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house,
42. for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
49. While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Teacher.''
50. But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.''
51. When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the .
52. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she has not died, but is sleeping.''
53. And they laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she had died.
54. But He put them all out, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Daughter, arise!''
55. Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.

1. This 12 year old daughter was the dream of her parents. Apparently, it was the only dream they had. They had invested at least 12 years of their lives, pouring into their dream with love and sacrifice, thoughts of her future and her family. Their dream was far reaching; just like many of ours. We don't see just how far out our dreams can reach...but we pour ourselves into them.

2. The "dream" is worth fighting for, if it's worth anything at all. You know, maybe you're not all that interested in Jesus. I don't know that Jairus was UNTIL he found he was losing his only daughter. The scriptures mention nothing about Jairus walking everyday with Jesus. No, "there CAME a man...". Maybe you haven't been that stellar of a person. Maybe you're not a "religious" person at all. Jairus was just a guy who's dream was about to die and he was going to do something about it. Jesus might have been his last resort; but notice Jesus made no mention of it. Jesus simply went with him because he asked Him to.

3. Twelve years old - too young for a dream to die. Dreams, the ones that God gets involved in, are to grow, develop, mature, and come to the place where they can "reproduce after their own kind". What about the dream in your life or ministry? Is it really time for it to die or are you just "pulling the plug" for your own convenience? After all, who wants to baby sit a "dream" that has "no chance in hell" of ever being more than a nuisance. Aren't you glad we don't have to base our life, or our God-given dreams, on chance - either on earth or in hell. Oh, one quick thing here - the Bible says that children are a gift from God. That's why I believe I can use this illustration to talk about God-given dreams.

4. I've noticed something about people, and I hope I remember this the next time people "introduce" their dream to me. People who haven't carried the dream in their heart, haven't spent sleepless nights walking the floor over it, or who haven't participated in the dream with their finances, are a lot quicker to say, "just leave the Master alone; it's too late, the dream has died". Can you imagine what you would think if you were in the hospital room, sitting with a dying child, and some stranger walks in the room and says to you, "don't bother, this life isn't worth it. After all, there are more important things that you can do". You may find yourself in jail, after a comment like that!

5. As long as Jesus is with you and I, walking with us to minister to our "dream", we must keep believing. As long as Jesus still has a word for our dream, a word that will cause its spirit to return and raise it off the bed, then we must keep on believing. Even if Jesus gets interrupted on the way to our house, we must keep on believing. Why? Because the dream isn't just about us. It's about God's plan for it and His ability to reveal His Glory through the dream He gave us in the first place!

Remember, He IS the RESURRECTION and the LIFE!

Pastor Jan

Have you done all to stand?

Greetings in the Name of Jesus - the One Who finishes whatever He begins.

Ephesians 6:10-13:
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and , but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

The other day the Lord asked me a question which has given me a rejuvenated passion to make sure I finish my course well. He asked me, as He reminded me of verse 13 above, if I had done all I could do. "Before you get the idea that it's time to throw in the towel, have YOU done all you could do?" The enemy of our soul wants us to be so immobilized and paralyzed by his wiles, schemes, of doubt, deception, destruction and fear that he sells us the idea that we have reached the end of God's ability and our energy so we might as well move on to something else. As long as we can say, "we've done our best", then we feel justified in whatever decision we make.

This attitude is diabolical and is very much running rampant in the Body of Christ. Look at these verses found in Hebrews 12:3,4 - "For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to shed, striving against sin." I don't believe we can fathom what would have been our condition if Jesus wouldn't have done ALL He could do. Our very life depended on it; and there are many lives that depend on each of us doing ALL WE can do.

When you start to get discouraged or maybe a little bent out of shape, begin asking yourself (and let the Holy Spirit help you answer truthfully), "Have I done ALL I can do to stand?" You know, the Body of Christ would be much farther along the path to being conformed into the Image of the Holy One if we had been doing that all along. Churches wouldn't be splitting or barely getting along; no, they'd be affecting their society and changing their neighborhoods. If we would ask ourselves questions like:

1. Have I prayed all I can pray? (Luke 18:1 - don't faint in prayer; 1 Thess 5 - pray without ceasing)
2. Have I believed all I can believe? (Mark 9:23 - all things are possible to him who believes)
3. Have I given I all I can give? (Luke 6:38 - the way you measure...)
4. Have I spoken all I can speak? (Romans 10:9-17 - people need to hear and faith will come)
5. Have I loved all I can love? (1 Corinthians 13:8 - Love never fails)
6. Have I done all I can do? (Philippian 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength)

Before you get it in your mind that I don't know what you're going through let me say that I'm sure I don't know. But I know Someone Who does! Regardless of your situation can you honestly, before God, say that you've given it your all and you've gotten all the help from God that is available? Or, have you just decided to quit because it seems easier?

2 Samuel 23:8-12 - "These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder. And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the Lord brought about a great victory."

Notice these guys who did all they could do to stand...and even though they each could have had a good reason to quit, they looked beyond their own reasoning and grabbed hold of God's strength to enable them to do MORE and thus secure the victory.

Brethren, if you look around long enough you will always find someone who will tell you the best thing for you to do is give up. There is always someone who will agree that the easy way must be God's way. "After all, God wants us to have joy", they seem to say. And joy couldn't be part of a tough situation, could it? Hebrews 12 - "Who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame..." Churches are full of "believers" who run away from the battle and declare "God is leading me". Of course, as soon as "things really start happening once again" God "leads" them back. Like in the passage above, the people returned after the fight so they could enjoy the plunder.

It is time you and I answer the Lord as He asks - "Have YOU done all to stand?" Let's answer with our actions, and see His Kingdom come, His will be done. Amen!

Pastor Jan

The Spirit of Giving

Greetings,
Many of you have probably heard at least one message concerning "tithing" and "offerings". I've heard quite a few myself. I've also received mail from big ministries "soliciting" funds for their projects, their dad, etc...of course these were all very worthwhile projects. Sometimes people who instruct others regarding this subject can do so in such a way that it gets very close to manipulation. In some cases they actually cross the line. There are some ministers who are "gifted" fund raisers (the title they use to refer to their ministry).

While I don't want to talk ugly about any of God's kids, I must make a statement that may offend some. Manipulation, whether it is to get a bigger offering or drag someone to the altar, will NOT reap eternal dividends. It does NOT have the anointing and favor of the Living God upon it. Regardless of how well things seem to go, the eternal truth is sure - WHATEVER a person sows, THAT shall they reap.

Please read the following verses - allow the Spirit of God to open your understanding to the authentic Spirit of Giving. There is a kind of giving that gets the Lord involved; it isn't giving so God will pay my bills nor is it tithing because the Bible tells me to, though both examples are scriptural and should be considered as we walk with the Lord. It's a giving that goes beyond the point of obedience. Really, now, shouldn't we all, as believers in Jesus Christ, live a life of obedience to the Spirit and the Word? The kind of giving I'm referring to is found in Exodus 35 and 36 with a New Testament application found throughout the book of Ephesians and other places as well.

Exodus 35:5 - Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze;

Exodus 35:21,22 - Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who offered an offering of gold to the Lord.

Notice the phrase, "whose heart was stirred, and...whose spirit was willing". Their heart was lifted up to the Lord and their spirit "volunteered". There was no plea from Moses, just a statement from him saying "this is what the Lord commands". The people were touched by God to the point of going beyond obedience. Obedience would bring in the minimum - obedience alone will provide the least amount. If you and I are strictly "obedient", we will probably seek to do the minimum. Minimum Bible study, minimum ministry, minimum whatever. But the Spirit of Giving brought so much more - see verse 29:

The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the Lord, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done.

There have been times I have taught the Word of God and received an offering because WE (our church) needed the finances. I was teaching more out of desperation than faith. "If I can just create my words just right, give out the promises of God just right, etc, then maybe God will turn some of the people loose with the finances I need". What if I would trust Him and just tell people the Word of God and believe that the Lord is involved in what HE is CREATING! The Spirit of Giving is released when the only thing that matters is being involved with what God is building. God will make sure His Kingdom, His dwelling place (tabernacle), His Revival, etc, will be built. He will not build it with funds or gifts that have been squeezed out of His people using unholy methods. The spirit of manipulation (telling a good story, crying at just the right time, showing a sad picture, etc) is NOT from the Spirit of God. But He will help people go beyond obedience to extreme blessing when they see it as something God desires to do.

In Exodus 36 Moses had to tell the people - "we've got enough". STOP GIVING! Oh, by the way, the thing they were giving for was the Tabernacle where the Glory of God would abide. God dwelt in their midst because they went beyond the minimum and gave into something beyond themselves. Ephesians 2 says we are a building that is being built (fitted and joined together) as a dwelling place for the Spirit of God. That's why the Lord says in several places for each person to use the gift they have for the building up of others. In other words, don't just do the minimum (as it fits your schedule and plans) - but GO ALL OUT UNTIL GOD SAYS STOP!

What if the Spirit of Giving was loosed in your area, my area? It would be like the Book of Acts, chapters 2-4. What if we wouldn't wait to hear how much was needed but we simply lived our life as if the Lord's work was really the only thing that mattered?

God is always receiving an offering - He is always commanding us to give - and He is prepared to release the Spirit of Giving upon people who will go beyond the minimum...

"You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:7,8 (NLT)

After the children of Israel "paid for" the tabernacle, they still had plenty to get by with for the next 40 years. Their next generation could experience the Glory of God and the miraculous provisions of God because they took giving to a level beyond obedience -

Isaiah 1:19 - "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land" Pastor Jan

Where are the Noah's?

Greetings...
I'm going to share, just briefly, the message the Lord had me preach this morning. The incident that led to my even thinking along these lines was the issue that happened in Polk County this week. As you may recall, there was a certain judge that believed it was alright for homosexuals to marry so he struck down Iowa's law banning homosexual marriage. The Lord began to speak to me, kind of questioning me about how much I really believe the Gospel and how important is it to me that others hear. Then His Word came to me like this: Where are the Noah's?

Luke 24:26-30
"And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. "

It would be "easy" for believers in Jesus to look at our mean, nasty, ugly world and just give up. But in the days of Noah, even though it was wicked beyond description, there was still a witness for God. Noah! Peter refers to Noah as a proclaimer of the right way to live (preacher of righteousness). The Lord showed His long suffering to those of Noah's day, and us, by how He used Noah to touch his generation. Noah put his hands, voice, and heart to the task of saving his world. He followed the Lord's directions explicitly and without reservation. Where are the Noah's for this generation? What are your hands, voice, and heart given to?

Then there's the part in Luke's gospel that reads, "Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot..." Think about the story of Lot. He spent a lot of time with his uncle Abraham, the father of faith, the friend of Almighty God. He prospered as well as did his uncle, to the point where they had to separate so the land would sustain them. We know he chose the fertile land of Sodom and Gomorrah as his territory, even though it was an exceedingly wicked group of people. Maybe he went with the idea that he would be a missionary to them, I don't know. But it seems that once he got away from the godly influence of his uncle, he just kind of faded into the scenery.

I shouldn't need to say this, but sexual perversion, sexual promiscuity, homosexual behaviors, etc. is wicked. Wickedness destroys individuals, families, and even nations that allow such things to go unchecked. I don't know how long Lot was in Sodom and Gomorrah, but however long it was, he did not make any eternal difference in the lives of those he came in contact with. For a fact, if it weren't for his uncle Abraham, he would never have left the land before it was destroyed.

The question begs to be asked: "Where are the Abraham's?" Where are the intercessors who will give up their hands, voice, and heart to the will of God? The will of God? Remember, He's not willing that ANY perish. Are we?

Will we, can we, just watch the days of Noah and Lot appear before our eyes and not realize our part to play? Yes, our redemption is drawing near and we should lift up our heads. But shouldn't we lift them up in faith and cry out for our generation to recognize that the day of the Lord is close at hand? Shouldn't we look to the One Who gave Himself for all mankind?

Jesus described the days of Noah and the days of Lot - and so shall it be when Jesus comes again. HEAR ME LOUD AND CLEAR...THESE are the days of YOU and I - THESE are the days when our Father's work must be accomplished; the night is coming when NO ONE will be able to work. God is trying to reach YOUR generation THROUGH YOU...what are your hands, voice, and heart doing?

Where are the Noah's? Where are the Abraham's?

I believe I'm writing to them!

Pastor Jan

He sent His Word and Healed Them...

Greetings in the Glorious Name of Jesus!

Psalm 107:19-21 - "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"

He sent His Word - the same Word He spoke when He created the Heavens and the Earth.
He sent His Word - the same Word wherewith He upholds all things (Hebrews 1)
He sent His Word - that Word which runs swiftly (Psalm 147:15)
He sent His Word - the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-4,14)
He sent His Word - as a Sower sowing seed, His Word not returning void...(Isaiah 55:11; Mark 4:14-20)
He sent His Word - the Report of the Lord that we are to believe (Isaiah 53)
He sent His Word - which is Life to those who find it and health to all their flesh (Proverbs 4:20-22)
He sent His Word - for out of the abundance of God's heart His mouth spoke (Matthew 12:34)
He sent His Word - the Author and Finisher of our faith (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 12:1,2)
He sent His Word - that Incorruptible seed which is able to save our soul (1 Peter 1:23)
He sent His Word - the Sword that the Spirit wields (Ephesians 6:17)
He sent His Word - that it might be fulfilled which was spoken...(various scriptures)
He sent His Word - the Body that was prepared for Jesus (in the volume of the Book...) (Hebrews 10:5-10)
He sent His Word...

Today, if you'll hear His voice, harden not your hearts. Receive the Word He has sent - Jesus, the Word of God. He IS your salvation, your righteous, your sanctification, and your redemption. He is the Lover of your soul, the Healer of your body, the Peace for your heart, the Soundness of your mind, and your Eternal Source of Joy! He still goes about DOING GOOD and HEALING ALL who are, or who have been, oppressed by the devil. Bless the Lord!

With everything you have, with everything you are, bless the Lord! He forgives ALL your iniquities and heals ALL your diseases. He, right now, presently, at this moment, is at work in you redeeming your life from destruction. All things are working for your good because He is good and because He SENT HIS WORD to you that it might be fulfilled!

To as many as receive Him (His Word), to them He gives the power, the authority, and the revelation to walk with Him. You can lay hold of that which He has purchased for you; that which pertains to life and godliness.

The Life-Giving, Miracle-working, Soul-saving, Healing Word of God has come to you.

Rise up and bless the Lord!

Pastor Jan

Strategy

Greetings,Back already...
This morning I shared a little about "This Present Truth" and along with the teaching I mentioned three things I believe the Lord was speaking to me about; a "present truth" for myself and the local fellowship we're a part of. The first - relationship building, possible home group ministry, etc. The second - strategic intercession (I told the congregation I wasn't real sure what that meant but would be glad to hear from any of them if they had an idea). The third - lengthening the time we usually have for our morning service. Not to "run long" for the sake of staying long, but to not feel so rushed should the Lord direct otherwise.

This afternoon while praying and ministering to the Lord, He gave me a "word". It was a definition of strategy that, coupled with truth regarding intercession, lit a fuse on the inside of me. I'm going to share just the main points, briefly. I would appreciate any comments or feedback. I am not trying to say I understand all this, but I know what the Lord spoke to my heart. I shared this word with the people who gathered this evening and then we had a time of prayer and worship.

Anyway...the essence of the word is this: Gain the advantage in intercession through Holy Spirit inspired strategy.

Sounds easy, doesn't it? I looked up a definition of the word "strategy" - "the science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous conditions". I believe the Body of Christ is so used to being in a "reactive" posture we have been unable to gain the advantage on the enemy. We have been behind...we come along after the "bomb" has already gone off in our lives or in those around us. We've been content to help others pick up the pieces (which is very nice) when, if we utilized the Holy Spirit's "strategy", we could turn things to where the devil would have to spend his time trying to put out the "fires" we start!

The strategy is really this - Live in such a way where the Holy Spirit can "show you things to come" (John 16:13) and expect Him to "help you in your weaknesses (not knowing how or when, etc. to pray - Romans 8:26-27). The strategy entails living a life of forgiveness and humility (2 Cor. 2:10,11; 1 Peter 3:7-9). It involves loving others more than ourselves so that we are not selfish with our TIME (it takes time to pray for people...time to love...time to minister to those who have been affected by the affairs of life...it takes time to do anything!). It's TIME we use a different strategy than we've used in the past. Let's not rely on what we hear, see, or read about to draw us to the place of prayer. Let's, instead, develop such a fellowship with the Holy Spirit whereby we hear His voice and learn His timing. The Lord has NO DESIRE to run second place to the works of darkness. There's much more to be accomplished when the Spirit of God is directing our lives - EVERY SECOND OF IT. Don't you just believe that the Lord has a strategy for our city, our state, etc!

When you get an opportunity, please read Acts 9:23-31. Notice that the great apostle Paul (Saul) just had gotten saved and became a radical for Jesus. Well, the enemy wanted to shut him up so he incites the crowds (in 2 different cities) to plan a way to eliminate our brother. Now if the church then had been using the "strategy" of the 21st century church, we would not have any Pauline Epistles. But news came to the disciples and Paul in time for something to be done BEFORE they had to raise him from the dead (they had to do that later, Acts. 14).

Read 2 Kings 6:8-12. Elisha the prophet of God was used by the Spirit of God to prevent the Syrians from waging successful war against the children of Israel.

May we, by the Glorious Spirit of the Living God, be so sensitive to God and unselfish with our lives that we can find our place in God's Strategy...pro actively declaring and demonstrating the Kingdom of God. AMEN!

Pastor Jan

This Present Truth

Greetings,
A short message to "set the stage" for the next word...please read the following verse: 2 Peter 1:12 -

"Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth."

"Present truth" is another one of the "spiritual phrases" being used in "prophetic" church circles these days. Many who use it do so with the conviction that Father God is speaking something that is "right now" for the Church, the Body of true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am one that believes that Father is speaking and has been speaking for quite some time. As a matter of fact, I believe He has ALWAYS had a word for the church - as witnessed in the first 3 chapters of Revelation. He also told us that we are to live by "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God".

Please understand this: any present truth, any right now word, any "thus saith the Lord" is for the purpose of LIFE, through edification, exhortation, or comfort. His Word, that which He is speaking, is Spirit and Life. He intends for His Word to accomplish what He sends it to do. He means for His Word to be made flesh and dwell among us - not just when Jesus, the Word, was made flesh and dwelt among us but by His Present Word (Truth) being received by us and consumed by us; to the point where we only do what our Father says. The purpose of Present Truth is to equip the Body of Christ with the Revelation of Who it is and what its purpose is. Sort of like the mirror spoken of in James 1:22-25 (...he that looks into the perfect law of liberty...). Kind of like what Jesus mentioned in Hebrews 10 - "a body you've prepared for me; in the volume of the book it is written of me to do Your will, O God". Present Truth...not something for us to wear like we invented it, but something that is to transform us into the image of Christ.

One more item...Present Truth always seems to point us back to the original intent of God! That's why many people struggle with it. Present Truth that is "old fashioned" does not seem to have the drawing power that many feel it should have. Yet Paul made it clear that he believed it best that the Corinthians faith wasn't in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2). I'm beginning to see that everything the Lord is "speaking presently" isn't something He's never spoken before, but something we've been incapable of hearing before.

Just think about it. I'll give some examples next time. In the meanwhile, seek to abide in Him - above all else.

Pastor Jan