Wednesday, April 18, 2018

I want to share the Lord's Words to me from this morning.  Once again, I am just going to transcribe the raw solitude journal entry rather than edit anything such that I can hopefully convey His Words as closely as possible.

Solitude Journal Entry-April 18, 2018

​The Lord talked tome today about our love for Him.  He overwhelmed me today, and I'm not sure I can come close to writing what He conveyed to me.

The Lord told me that it is His people's love for Him that lacks in His Church.  He explained to me that we are not capable of loving Him as He desires with Him giving us this love.  However, we must make an intentional decision that we desire to love Him in this way, and do so by overcoming our own will which is contrary to this surrender (submission).  He said this is indicated in the Scripture-Draw closer to Me and I will draw closer to you.  But, we must keep drawing closer.

The Lord explained to me that at every true conversion there is a joy that overwhelms us.  We are filled with euphoria.  We feel such magnificent relief as His Spirit cleanses us.  It is a self-focused, immature love-like a new bride in human terms.  But it is real-genuine, and it is pure.  He told me that it is intended to be shallow and self-focused because it is new and it is all about what He has done for us.  It is completely unmerited and unexpected, but -again-it is real.  This is our "first love."

However, this love is meant to grow deeper, more mature.  WE must move on from the emotional experience and into real love that can endure  the test of time and not grow cold.  We must do this by being determined to draw nearer to Him, and then He will draw nearer to us.  We must completely focus on HIm to do this.  It cannot happen instantly, but the decision that we are determined make this happen is instantaneous.  Then His Spirit will make this happen over time, teaching us how to focus on Jesus-our Bridegroom.

The Lord talked to me about the heaviness I often feel regarding His Church.  It is His Spirit telling me that His people by and large do not have this kind of love for our Lord.  The Love is not something we can produce.  It is a product of The Holy Spirit filling us with God's Love because of our relentless pursuit of Jesus.  The thing that complicates the matter is that we cannot even have this relentless pursuit of Him without His help.  But we must decide in our heart that it is what we truly desire.  This is what is missing in His Church in America.

This relationship transforms us as the relationship grows from being completely self-focused into being completely Jesus focused.  The Holy Spirit desires to remove ALL self-focus from us, and this will make us consumed with doing anything and everything for our Lord Jesus.

I believe that much of what we see in the Church in our Nation today is simply a shift In our desire of what God can do for us.  It may be very religious looking, but it is very often still quite self-focused.  We are not falling in love with Jesus because we are not in relentless pursuit of Him-only what He can do for us.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The Lord has been increasing His intensity to me regarding upcoming events.  I can't find it coincidental with the chatter about the upcoming eclipse (on August 21) in our nation.  The Lord brought this event to my attention in August of 2016.  I hear much speculation regarding the event.  I know there are many fascinating details that can be pointed out that have been covered by others.  It is clear to me that we are receiving a sign from the Lord.  However, something I have noticed in our nature is that we have a tendency to worship the sign rather than placing our focus squarely on the Lord.  The sign is His and is meant to draw our attention toward Him.

We can certainly speculate as to the meaning the Lord has for us to understand.  I would like to take a slightly different approach.  The Lord has been crystal clear to me that we are on the precipice of Him bringing Revival to our nation.  I want to urge all readers and followers of Jesus to invest time in prayer over the next 60 days.  There are many significant dates and events captured over the next several weeks, and I believe the Lord is calling us to pray desperately for His Church in America, such that His Church will once again take the lead in the direction of our nation rather that the other way around.

With minimal observation, I believe we can see that His Church in America has become worldly focused-self focused.  This must change.  For our survival, the Church must come under the direction of Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit.

On our travels thus far, the Lord has given me clear instruction that He desires His people to fervently and steadfastly pray for His Church and our nation.  This seems to be a very important time, so, once again, I want to urge anyone who reads this and anyone you feel led to tell to spend time each day in prayer for the Lord's Church.

I believe the Lord is telling me we are at a key point relating to the Revival He wishes to pour out on our nation.  I don't intend to be dramatic, and only the Lord knows what is in store.  However, I know that if we truly desire Him to bring us Revival, it is imperative that we seek His face and pray for His mercy.

I hope to be posting more often.  The Lord has been pouring things into me faster than I seem to be able to get them written and posted.  I'm hoping to have more time to write.

PREVIOUS POSTS.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018
As I previously wrote back in July, my solitude time with The Lord has been very intense for quite some time.  I thought I would be writing more beginning with that post, but it has not really come to pass.  I have been learning  more and more to understand His leading, and allow myself to be still and wait.  The last few days, I have begun feeling a tug to begin writing on the website again.  This morning, I began to review my solitude journal from the past few months.  This week, I plan to begin organizing this journal, and as of now, I am just going to be posting directly from what The Lord has been telling me during this time.  I hope these writings can be useful for growth to anyone that reads them.  The things The Lord has been sharing with me have been very intense.

I want to share something brief from this morning as "food for thought."
Much of what The Lord has been teaching me relates to the very simple concept of training our focus on Jesus and Him alone.  This is not a new revelation, and is not uncommon in talk within the Church.  However, if we are not pursuing direction from and living a life of moment by moment obedience to The Holy Spirit, any pursuit of Jesus is really only intellectual at best.  This does not mean a person is not saved, but it does mean that much is lacking in terms of our relationship with Him.

December 13, 2017-Transcript of Sermon Delivered December 10, 2017

Sermon Notes-December 10, 2017:  Topic-The Glory of God

I am more and more convinced that as representatives of the Lord, we are failing desperately in the presentation of the gift of salvation in a culture that is in desperate need of this good news.  The Lord’s Church in America is failing our Nation-not the other way around as many would have you believe.  We have so packaged and limited the Gospel that we have squelched its power.

If it is possible, what saddens me even more-so than this is that as Christians, I am increasingly convinced that we fail to understand the gift of Salvation ourselves.  We fail to understand the fullness of the Gospel that we have been entrusted to share.  The fullness of the gospel can be summed up in two very beautiful Words-Jesus Christ.

At this time of year, we celebrate the most critical point in human history.  We have a thirty-three year snapshot of the most glorious event that has ever happened in the existence of Human beings.

We celebrate its beginning with the birth of our Saviour-the very event where our Creator came to us as a baby and dwelt among His creation-just as if He were one of us-in fact He truly became one of us in order to do for us what we could never do for ourselves.  He came to reconcile us to Himself.

The birth with all of its glory and beauty was still preparation for the event that would come later.  The Lord’s birth was another step in His journey to the Cross-the event which changed mankind for eternity.  We celebrate His birth, but it just magnifies my focus on His completion.

The cross is where we must always focus.  The cross is the culmination of the Gospel of the Grace of God.  The resurrection is the validation. (The resurrection is the validation of Jesus-who He was, what He did, who He really is).

I want to focus on two things:  (1) the Glory of God and (2) the Grace of God. 

First, the Glory of God:
I’m sure I could probably do quite a series on the Glory of God with the history of the physical manifestation of His Glory dwelling with mankind.  In brief summary, the Glory of God dwelt with mankind because of His desire to commune with His creation.  We can review many passages from the Old Testament, and I encourage you to do this on your own.  Let the Holy Spirit lead you in this.  Today, I only want to highlight a couple of things.

Perhaps, the most troubling to me personally occurs in Ezekiel chapters 10 and 11.  The Glory of God departed the Temple because of the Wickedness of His people.  What troubles me is that the Lord has told me to correlate this to His Church in our nation.  He has told me on numerous occasions- “My people’s hearts are far from me.”

With Jesus death on the Cross, the veil to the inner chamber of the Sanctuary was torn-the Most Holy Place.  This is where the Glory of God dwelt.  Because of the work of our Lord-the Glory of God was no longer to dwell in the physical temple, but rather was to dwell in every one of us.  This must not be considered matter of factly-like I often hear.  THIS IS THE GLORY OF GOD DWELLING IN HUMAN BEINGS-I COULD NOT BE MORE EMPHATIC REGARDING THE POWER OF THIS STATEMENT.

As I talk about the Glory of God, it seems to me that the Grace of God must be closely associated.  The culmination of the Grace of God was Jesus dying on the cross, and the subsequent release of The Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Grace is the continuous work of God in the heart of man to reveal to us more and more of the heart of God.  If we will only allow Him to do this work, His Spirit will through the Grace of the Gospel transform us into the likeness of God.  We were created in His image, and because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can be transformed into His likeness.  This is Grace-make His creation like Him, just as we were in the Garden. 

Grace always begins with Conviction of Sin.  Grace explodes from salvation-it is limitless, but yet absolute. (Chambers 12/5-Read?). 

Summary-
I want to read a couple of Scriptures.
Scriptures-Reference-
Hebrews 1:3
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Revelation 3:1-3
Revelation 3:14-19

1.       This may be difficult to hear or accept, but these are the times we find ourselves living today.  This describes America.  Perhaps this describes some of you. 

I ask you-Is there anything in this list that Paul warns of in Timothy that applies to you?  This is no time for rationalization.  It is time for change.  It is time for transformation.  We are at a critical point in history, and there is no time for delay.

The problem we have in America is that we don’t surrender to His Authority.  Perhaps this is because of what we have been taught or perhaps it is simple ignorance or maybe even defiance.  It really does not matter- we are not a surrendered people.  Therefore, we have no power.
We cry out for signs and wonders.  We want to be like the early Church.  Yet, most Christians don’t even display the Fruits of the Spirit in their daily lives if they even display them at Church.
We talk of Revival, yet we don’t submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit such that we experience personal Revival.

This Cannot Be! 

If The Holy Spirit is even in us at all (if we are truly saved), many of us have pushed Him into the corner of our hearts, such that we can pursue things of this world.  It is time for us to release Him in our lives, and release Him to take charge of the Lord’s Church in this Nation.

The Lord is going to take His church back.  You must decide If you are going to be with Him, or if you are going to remain part of the American Church which is largely asleep and ineffective in this critical hour.  He who does not gather, scatters. 

We are busy pursuing things of this world, asking for material blessings when we have already received the most incredible blessing imaginable-God Himself.

The real blessing we should be pursuing is more of our Lord.  The Holy Spirit wants to prepare us to receive more and more of Jesus into our hearts.  He wants to form Jesus in us, but we must allow Him to do so by yielding to Him, and being continuously sanctified.  He wants to make us a temple fit for a King.

We truly-literally can have the Mind of Christ.  In fact, Paul tells us this should be our goal. 

It is time for us to have a sense of urgency about the Kingdom of Heaven.  It is time that we have a passion and intensity for Revival that begins with each of us-personally-daily.  We must have an expectancy, but don’t have an expectancy I f you are not willing to experience it personally.

One of the beautiful things of this relationship with our Creator is that when we turn to Him, it brings Him glory.  When He brings this Revival that is on the horizon-the Revival that many of us long for, it will display His majesty and glorify Him throughout the Nations.  Yet, in its midst, it will bring us great blessing.  As we chase the things of this world and never get satisfied; as we strive to balance Jesus and this or that … in our lives, we will find that we are only satisfied when we determine for ourselves that we want Jesus only.
While He is glorified when He does what only He can do, we will find Peace and Joy if in response to Him we determine to set our hearts on Him-just as Scripture outlines.
Note:  Do people see Jesus in you?  Do they tell you?  Do they say you have a quality?  Do they see peace and joy radiating from you? 

In closing I want to read a passage from Oswald Chambers: 

Chambers-“The entrance to the Kingdom of God is through the sharp, sudden pains of repentance colliding with man’s respectable “goodness.”  Then The Holy Spirit, who produces these struggles, begins the formation of the Son of God in the person’s life (see Galatians 4:19).  This new life will reveal itself in conscious repentance followed by unconscious holiness, never the other way around.  The foundation of Christianity is repentance   Strictly speaking, a person cannot repent when he chooses-repentance is a gift of God.  The old Puritans used to pray for “the gift of tears.”  If you ever cease to understand the value of repentance, you will allow yourself to remain in sin.  Examine yourself to see if you have forgotten how to be truly repentant.” 

A couple of days ago in my Solitude time with the Lord, He told me that what burns in me and haunts me regarding much of His church is a question-Are they saved?  When we look at benchmarks-namely Fruits of the Spirit-it can be difficult to tell.  This was a personal question for much of my life.  The Lord told me it is His job to judge-not mine, yet He wants that burn in me regarding eternity for His creation.  He told me that the real question for each of us is “Am I saved even if I don’t surrender?”  He told me that the answer to the question is “SURRENDER!”

​

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

A section of scripture that has often troubled me is Matthew 10:34-37.  The Lord has recently given me clarity on how this scripture-particularly verse 34-applies in our world today.  We have many today that are troubled by the division we see especially in politics.  Jesus is telling us that we are not to ever have peace with this world.  This may seem radical in a society that seeks to "all get along."  We must understand that the only way for us to have peace with the world is to compromise our beliefs, which is exactly what I believe has happened in the Church in America today.

The sword that Jesus brings is the Word of God.  It is Truth.  We are not meant to have peace with the world.  We are at odds with them.  Our worldview is at odds with their worldview.  As Truth becomes relative in the Church, the division becomes muddled.  We are called to be in the world and go to the world, but such that they see a stark contrast between us and them.  We are not to "get along,"  but we are called ot show them the way-not through criticism or judgement, but through love, truth and exemplary lives.

When we find peace with the world and namely our own society in America, that peace comes at a cost.  That cost is TRUTH!

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

I asked the Lord this morning about serving Him. Do I serve Him? Do I do things just because I love Him? I feel like I should always to do more, but is this something I have been attentive to, or something I have ignored?

The Lord told me that the last several months –(six, and really even more)-have been about my service to Him. He has used me to serve others in the process, but this time has really been about demonstrating my devotion to Him- really connecting deeper to Him.

The Lord explained to me that He is not a taskmaster – putting us through a treadmill, such that we are then spit out the other side for His pleasure. It is what we become. In the process the brings Him joy, and that results in rewards and blessings for us as well – which also, brings Him joy.

We can never imagine what Jesus bore on the cross. He is not detached from our emotions and our hurts. He is infinitely connected to us. He bore our pain on the cross.

It is not as if the Lord takes joy or finds pleasure in our sorrows or tribulations. However, when we are faithful to Him in the midst of them, it does bring Him joy, and it also produces a servant/disciple that can be used by Him, and ultimately, results in us being transformed into His likeness. Through these trials a person is produced that brings Him joy, as well as ourselves. We can only imagine what awaits us in eternity.

God is not angry.  He is love. He is not a militant drill Sgt. He is inviting us. He offers us a relationship that cannot be matched. But when we take a few moments to really contemplate what He has done for us, it seems unimaginable that we don’t serve him with our whole hearts.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

As I previously wrote back in July, my solitude time with The Lord has been very intense for quite some time.  I thought I would be writing more beginning with that post, but it has not really come to pass.  I have been learning  more and more to understand His leading, and allow myself to be still and wait.  The last few days, I have begun feeling a tug to begin writing on the website again.  This morning, I began to review my solitude journal from the past few months.  This week, I plan to begin organizing this journal, and as of now, I am just going to be posting directly from what The Lord has been telling me during this time.  I hope these writings can be useful for growth to anyone that reads them.  The things The Lord has been sharing with me have been very intense.

I want to share something brief from this morning as "food for thought."

Much of what The Lord has been teaching me relates to the very simple concept of training our focus on Jesus and Him alone.  This is not a new revelation, and is not uncommon in talk within the Church.  However, if we are not pursuing direction from and living a life of moment by moment obedience to The Holy Spirit, any pursuit of Jesus is really only intellectual at best.  This does not mean a person is not saved, but it does mean that much is lacking in terms of our relationship with Him.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

As stated in my previous post, I have been considering posting my solitude journal directly as I write it each day with only limited editing.  I have sought guidance form the Lord regarding this because much of it seems quite personal.  However, I feel the Lord leading me to post the journal.  I received confirmation on Thursday of this week.  So I will begin with that days journal entry.


Solitude Journal, Thursday, September20, 2018 

The Lord talked to me about my solitude, and then about walking according to the guidance of His Spirit.  He said that my solitude time is foundational, but then said that learning to discern the leading by The Holy Spirit is vastly important in my daily life.


The Lord then talked about my daily solitude journal.  He told me that it is not meant to keep hidden.  He told me that while I may not be completely comfortable with opening it up completely, He wants me to understand that it is a documentation of my journey.  He said that my journey is the example of the journey that He wants His Church to take.  He said the beautiful thing about a daily journal is that it documents "in the moment."   It is not a look back, nor is it a look forward.  It is His Words to me for that day.  It cannot be re-created.  It is not speculation.

He reinforced that it is not meant to be kept hidden.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Solitude Journal Entry-Wednesday, May 3, 2017
The Lord talked to me today about the power of prayer.  We are often faced with difficult questions that seem to simply have no answers.  The Lord said that the key is not in knowing the answer, but in knowing to lift the issue up to Him, and knowing that He hears, and then trusting Him to work.  He told me that this is consistently outlined in His Word.
The Lord said that when a person seeks Holiness and His righteousness through relationship, there is great power in their prayers.  He told me that something that is often not considered relating to prayer is that through our relationship to Him, our heart is linked with His Heart.  When it is on our own heart, it is on His Heart.  Additional to refining our lives to be models of His desire, we are made to feel what He wants us to feel.  When, in humility, we then lift our requests back up to Him, and we know that He has the issue in His Hands, we can trust Him.  He is God of all things, and we can know with assurance that what we have prayed about is in His Hands.

When difficult situations are brought to me, the Lord said this is an answer that I can always give with great assurance

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Solitude Journal Entry-July 23, 2017

​The Lord tied some concepts together for me today.  In general, He talked to me about sanctification.  He told me that when we are saved we receive His Spirit, and we receive His Nature completely.  We have all of the qualities inside of us to live as He lived.  Yet, we have not learned how to submit to His authority or surrender to Him.  For the most part, our will still has authority over our decisions.

The Holy Spirit then goes about teaching us to surrender to His authority, which is the process of sanctification.  This is the process by which we begin to display the characteristics of Jesus, not because they are being imparted to us, but because we are submitting to His authority moment by moment.  His nature-the nature of Jesus Christ- is then exhibited through us.

The Lord told me it is all about our free will and the decisions we make under the guidance of His Spirit.  Surrender to Him is nothing more than obedience to Him instance by instance.  This is the journey that the Holy Spirit takes us on after we receive the Gospel and Redemption.

The key is that the Holy Spirit NEVER assumes authority.  In my mind, this process is two-fold.  First, it is a conscious decision or commitment to Him that we want Him to have authority.  However, these words are not sufficient.  He will then lead us into putting action to our words.  We learn to surrender, and we prove surrender through our obedience.

Obedience is the active part of surrender.  It is telling God, "I will do what you say, no matter how uncomfortable it makes me."  However, I believe that to reach this point requires a whole prior process which involves listening, hearing, and understanding His guidance.  We learn this through keeping our mind fixed on Him at all times.  We learn it through prayer.  We learn it through Bible study.  We must learn-as Samuel had to learn-to recognize our Lord's voice.  We know this is part of the process because Jesus tells us His sheep know His voice.  However, it may not be immediate, because most of Jesus teaching presumes a growing relationship with Him through His Spirit.

The beauty of this entire journey is that the Holy Spirit takes us by the hand and leads us personally.

Thursday, August 3, 2017

​Solitude Journal Entry Monday, July 31, 2017
The Lord talked to me today about complacency-namely toward sin.  He said that on this earth there will always be a struggle with sin, especially those personal sins that have been identified as problem areas for me.  However, it is complacency or acceptance of sin that poses the greatest risk toward our walk with Him.  This is true especially when a particular sin has been identified by His Spirit.

The Lord said for us to have God’s character, we must have His attitude toward sin, and always battle against its hold on us-never be complacent toward this battle.  We insult His Spirit, and grieve Him when we get complacent (or tolerant). 

It is during these times we can expect Him to upset our applecart.​​

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Solitude Journal-Thursday, July 26, 2018

The Lord talked to me today about recognition of our sin and our need to see ourselves as we truly are.  He told me that we are only capable of truly seeing ourselves as we are when we are in the face of God.  When we receive His revelation by being in His very presence, we immediately recognize our depravity without Him.  We recognize our sinful condition and our need for repentance-our need for a Saviour.

The Lord told me that this only happens when we seek His face.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

I apologize that my writing on the website has been quite infrequent.  In January, the Lord conveyed to me that He wants me to work on a book.  I have been spending as much time as possible on getting this together.

Yesterday, the Lord talked to me about Unity within His Church.  I really felt led to share this today.

From Solitude February 13, 2018:

​The Lord said that we can have unity in spite of doctrinal disagreement.  In this fallen world, where we all see through a glass dimly, we will not find complete agreement, but this does not mean we cannot have unity.  We find Unity on the common ground that we have- Jesus Christ our Saviour, the Cross, and this unity is manifested by His Spirit.  If this is not common ground between us, then our counterpart in the discussion is not part of the Lord's Church.  If they are, we can find unity.  It is not about being right, but about finding common ground.

We must find our confidence in seeking the direction of The Holy Spirit, and leading others to the same guidance.  As human beings, we are all flawed.  Leading a person to learn directly from God Himself is far more important that anything we could ever teach them on our own.

The character of God, the teachings of Jesus, His inspired Word (the Bible), and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will lead us into agreement.  If we seek the Holy Spirit first, He will lead us in all of the other keys.

I have not done this in a while, but I want to encourage feedback through the contact page.  I would love to hear from you.  I know we have some faithful followers, and even some that have sent contact information.  We really appreciate you, and hope you gain insight from what the Lord is doing in our lives.  Thank you.  Kevin

Monday, May 21, 2018

This focus The Lord has been talking to be about for so long seems lately to be getting increasingly more intense, yet more simplified.  How do I bring pleasure to my Father in Heaven?  I turn myself over completely to His Spirit through absolute surrender such that He can perform His work in me.  His desire is to make me a vessel such that Jesus can be completely formed in me.  Jesus Christ is the only human being that ever lived that brought pleasure to our Father by the way He lived on earth.  If we will allow Him, The Holy Spirit will form Jesus in us.

It seems to become more and more clear to me that rather than Jesus teaching us how we are to live, He is telling us "this is what you will then look like."  Much of His teaching is telling us what His Spirit is going to do within us and what we will look like as we allow ourselves to be transformed.

Friday, August 4, 2017

I was thinking about our relationship with God today, and how we have somewhat distorted our view of His love for us.  The depth of His love is incomprehensible by our mortal minds.  The Holy Spirit deepens our understanding little by little as we journey along with Him.  While His love is truly amazing, I believe we should spend more time focusing on our love for Him.  His love for us is a constant and above question.  In addition, it has been demonstrated and proven by Him culminating with Jesus death on the cross.  The question that must be answered for each of us is the same question Jesus asked of Peter in John 21:15-19.  What we must address personally in the relationship is our love for our Lord.  "Do I love Him?."  If we believe the answer to be yes, we must address the follow-up question- "Do I demonstrate my love through obedience?"

Friday, June 30, 2017

Today, I want to share some thoughts from my solitude time with the Lord the last couple of days.  Yesterday, the Lord talked to me about makning a decision to go deeper and deeper into discipleship.  He told me that something we must understand is that we must not base our commitment upon rewards that are tangible.  He told me that Kingdom rewards, much like the Kingdom itself, are based on things unseen.  Our commitment is birthed in our Faith, and is exhibited as a result of our trust in Him

Today, the Lord followed up with obedience.  He said that our growth in our journey is directly related to our obedience to His Spirit.  He told me that obedience is an act of the will.  It is a decision that must be made by us.  The decision is personal just as our relationship with Him is personal.  It must never be compared to others.  He told me that our heart is so key in this decision making process.  Our heart can be very deceptive, especially as it relates to our motives.  

The Lord told me that this is why time with Him and time in His Word is so critical to the process.  Time with Him allows Him to mold our heart.  This is how He transforms us and time with Him is the only way.  There is no alternative.

​

Monday, May 14, 2018

As I read the beginning of the first chapter of Acts this morning, some thoughts came to me that I want to share.

Many have convinced themselves and doctrines have been established to minimize or even eliminate the "signs and wonders" aspect of The Holy Spirit's work in our day.  My question is simple-Why would God take this away if it was so important in not only the ministry of Jesus, but in the establishment of the early Church?

As with many things, is it not possible that the answer lies within something man has done and is doing rather than God?  Is it not possible that it is the will of man that interferes with such power?  It is my belief that we have so minimized ABSOLUTE SURRENDER-especially in the Western Church- that we have pushed The Holy Spirit out (of the Church and our personal lives), and simultaneously lost our faith in this power.  We have then convinced ourselves, and even interpreted Scripture to support this position toward a  belief that it is God's will.  Again, a question-Why would this be His will?  

I believe that it is entirely possible that this position has been adopted based on years of what we have seen from a watered down Gospel and a lukewarm Church.  Rather than adjusting the Church (by giving complete authority to The Holy Spirit) to match God's will, we have formulated theology to match the Church that we see.

May 20, 2017:  Audio version of Sermon from Celebration Church in Georgetown, Indiana (Guest Speaker)

Friday, May 11, 2018

The Lord has been talking to me so much about surrender recently.  I want to share a small portion from my solitude journal from this morning.  I believe it captures much of the theme of surrender.

The Lord told me that there are a great number of people within the Church that desire more of God.  He said this is often not the problem.  The problem is that they also want all that the world has to offer as well.  These two desires cannot coexist, despite what this culture chooses to believe.  To receive more of God requires sacrifice, and sacrifice requires self-discipline.  This is a part that we must play in "working out our own salvation."  Basically, this boils down to surrender.  By and large, this is what is missing in the Western Church.

I don't believe we often understand and embrace the reality that God is glorified by us when we truly desire to be His alone.

As we desire and receive more of God, it is exhibited through us in love.  This is the proof.  God is love.  More of God in us will be demonstrated by His love being revealed through us.

Saturday, May 27, 2017
Today, the Lord opened my eyes to something that seems so glaringly evident, but as I read the first two verses of Galatians Chapter 5 today, it struck me like a bolt of lightning.

In today’s Church, our individual pursuit of Holiness bears resemblance to Paul’s discussion of the pursuit of the law or as he refers to in this chapter as “being circumcised.” 

We typically recognize that we are saved to eternal life by grace through Jesus Christ.  However, if we understand that those Paul writes to are also Christians, and he is writing with an urgency toward maturity, he is not talking about salvation per se.  He is talking about the “burden of the yoke of slavery” that comes from trying to live to a standard that is unattainable (the law) by any means other than absolute surrender to the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.

The glorification of Jesus came about in His Ascension to the right Hand of God, and He received the Holy Spirit to pour Him out to the world at Pentecost (Acts 2:33).  It is His power alone that enables us to live the lives He desires.

It is my belief that much of what troubles the Church today is the same thing that Paul was addressing with the Galatians.  We desire to go about living holy lives as best we can on our own thinking that our “holiness” will glorify God.  Yet, it does not bring glory to God, and what we are proving is the same thing the Old Testament has already proven.  We are not capable of living holy lives due to our sinful nature.  In fact, what we truly demonstrate is defiance toward God in our lack of surrender.

 Salvation-even true salvation- does not produce a holy life on its own.  Through salvation, the Righteousness of Jesus is imparted to us such that God sees us through Jesus Righteousness and we are redeemed.  The Holiness that Paul (and Jesus) is teaching us is a product of the Holy Spirit having authority in our lives.  He comes into our lives at salvation, and we receive a new heart, (Ezekiel 36: 26-27) but this new heart must be molded by Him.  He never assumes authority.  We must willfully give Him authority.  When we do, we can begin to live the lives desired by God. 

Additionally, as Paul explains, we receive freedom from the burden of the law (or holiness).  If we don’t, we are enslaved to continue the toil of the burden of trying to do something that Jesus has already done on our behalf.

It is my belief that this has become so prominent in the Church today because of the attention given to exaltation of self rather than surrender and submission.  At this point, it is not necessarily even defiance to surrender, but an absolute lack of understanding within the Church.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

​I want to share something from my time in Solitude a couple of mornings ago.  It is my intent to convey as accurately what The Lord told me without my own words, so I am writing virtually unedited from my morning journal.

Solitude Journal-April 12, 2015

The Lord said, "You have the right to be man, or you have the right to be like God as sons and daughters of God.  It is the decision every human being can make because of the Cross.  This is the basis of sin-self.  This is the origin of sin- a counterfeit avenue to be like God. (tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil) vs. the arduous path to truly be like God through Jesus Christ.  (This path is arduous because it involves dying to ourselves).  

People can demand their rights as human beings, or they can lay down their rights and accept their true inheritance as sons/daughters of God.  (Sons/Daughters of Adam or Sons/Daughters of Jesus).

The Lord said that this is the human condition-our right to ourselves.  he told me that this is the work of The Holy Spirit within us-to remove the desire to hold onto our rights to ourselves, and teaching us to concede our will for the will of God.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

I wanted to write a note of apology that I have not posted in a while.  It has been a rather strange time for these last several months (really about ten months, but especially the last three).  My time with the Lord has been very intense, but it has really been geared toward me personally.  I believe we are entering a new season.  I expect to be posting more writings, especially some from my Solitude Journal.  As a matter of personal journey, I encourage all to read the Book of Job with intense seeking of The Holy Spirit's direction.  I hope to make a post with more detailed revelation in the next few days.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

We lost a nephew one week ago today.  He was an incredible young man that just turned 21 years old in August.  Our family is working through the excruciating pain of dealing with this loss.  Please pray for us and most importantly for his parents.  The Lord will carry us through this, but it will certainly take time.  His service was performed by a wonderful local pastor that has known the family for some years.  His message was comforting, and clearly illustrated our need for Jesus.

I was given an opportunity to say a few words.  I debated the entire week whether or not to speak.  I felt the Lord was impressing some things on my heart that He wanted me to share.  I wanted to share these thoughts with you.

Love:  I loved my nephew very much, and I know all of you loved him very much.  One of his greatest qualities was his ability to love.  He loved life, and he loved others so much that you could not help but love him back.  He brought the love out of you, whether you wanted it or not.

​Something else that has become glaringly obvious is how special the bond of love is in this family.  Our love is not normal as compared to the world around us, and I've learned it is because of the example set for us that Jesus Christ is the center of true love, and Jesus is the center of this family.

​Prevailing thoughts from the week:​  So often, we look at death, especially with a young person, as some sort of punishment.

​The reality for a Christian is that in relation to this life, death is the ultimate reward.  It is the Lord bringing us home.  Paul discusses this in Thessalonians I believe.  Paul also makes it clear in his writings that this is not our home.

​In saying that, so often-even with Christians-the struggle we face generally consists of two questions.  First of all-Is there really an after life?  Is Heaven real?.  I am not going to spend any time addressing this question, but with this family I am going to accept this as a matter of fact.  Christians go to Heaven when they die.

​The second question is harder.  Am I going to Heaven?

​A few weeks ago, the Lord orchestrated circumstances such that I was able to have this discussion with my nephew.  We were able to spend a very special afternoon together and we had some very frank discussions regarding our journey as Christians.  Due to our close relationship, he had seen first hand the Lord's work in my life, and was able to experience a taste of this relationship himself.  He expressed very profound insight into his own relationship with the Lord.  He sought after the Lord, and he personally felt His presence.

​This is so important.  Every single one of us must deal with our mortality.  You see, we have a God in Heaven who wants to give us assurance of our eternity- if we will only seek Him.  His Spirit will stamp our hearts with an unmistakable and unshakable reality that He truly is our God, and that we are His children.  Jesus wants us to know we are His.  He told us "my sheep hear my voice."

​Sometimes, it is tragedy that helps us see Him more clearly.  Maybe, it is through the tears of sorrow that our eyes become able to focus on our God.  Perhaps it is because we can see and even feel His arms wide open through our tears.

​Whatever it is that causes us to seek Him, I know with unshakable testimony of my own that when we seek Him, He will be there-just as He told us.

I know that more than anything, God wants a relationship with us.  Jesus died on the cross to restore the relationship between mankind and the God that created him.

​Because the Lord orchestrated the circumstances to provide comfort for our family, I know that my nephew is dwelling with God for eternity, and I look forward to the time when I will be with him again.  Until then, I will hold tightly to the precious memories he gave me-all of us.  I will see his smile, and hear his laugh, and perhaps one day the smile that he brings to my face will come without the tears that I fight today.

​As I close, the pressing question for every one of us that still resides here is simple.  Is Jesus Christ my Lord?  One day, Jesus will answer that question personally for us.  Those of us that have made Him our Lord will spend eternity with Him- a glory I can only imagine. However, one day many will say Lord, Lord, and He will say "Depart from me."  The same Lord that has provided this family with so much comfort this week will say "Depart from me-I never knew you."  It simply does not get anymore tragic that that!

Friday, July 28, 2017

​​Journal Entry from Today's Solitude

​The Lord talked to me about the process today and related it to His plans.  He has been teaching me to always be aware that He is working in many areas at once-some I see, and many areas I cannot see or even imagine.  He does this supernaturally through a single act of obedience on my part.  It reaches so many levels.  This can somewhat be described as the ripple effect, but in reality it cannot be described at all.

The Lord told me that as we move along in the process, the impact becomes greater.  We must remember that the process is sanctification, and through this process we become less, and Jesus becomes more.  However, we are never to fix our eyes on the things that God is doing outwardly from us.  We are to fix our eyes on Him, and focus on our relationship with Him and be occupied with the process He is performing within us.  We can notice and be aware of other things, but not be fixed on them.  When we fixate on these other things, suddenly it becomes about us and accomplishment which is detrimental to the Lord's process within us.

It must never be about us, but always be about Jesus.  This is the goal of the Spirit, and when we submit, it is always our goal as well.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Today, the Lord talked to me about interacting with others, especially as we grow with Him.  He told me that our nature will always lead us to self righteousness as He makes us grow.  As we grow spiritually, and see something less in others, our nature will always lead us to be critical or condemning toward them.  Obviously, our nature must get out of the way.

The Lord told me that as we grow-when we continue to pursue Him, His character grows in us.  His character displays compassion, and through His character what surfaces for others with any recognition of spiritual stagnation in them is compassion.  Rather than being critical, we have a desire to help them.  This is His nature.  His compassion for mankind drove Him to the Cross.

However, even this compassion is not adequate because as we recognize through discernment that someone has a spiritual need, we need guidance in trying to intercede for them.  Each person is unique, and each situation is its own.  Our guidance in this is His Spirit.  God alone knows what they need, and The Holy Spirit will provide us this direction.  We must be in communion with Him, and we must be intently listening.

The Lord told me that none of this is produced in a day.  It is a process He develops in us over time.  It is important that we begin to recognize this fruit in our lives being produced over time, because, if not, we are not in communion with Him ourselves.

The Lord told me that the first fruit of this fellowship with Him is that we want more of Him.  We want to help others find their way to getting more of Him, but simultaneously our desire for Him continues to deepen.

This is the outline of a relationship with our Lord.

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

​As Christians in this nation, and really in the western world in general, we have a huge problem.  We simply don't want to give up the comforts of this life.

We fall into the category of the "rich" that Jesus speaks of in His teachings.  We don't always see ourselves as rich because many of us are not rich relative to the others around us or when compared to the standards of our culture.  However, by the standards of the majority of the world, we are quite wealthy.

It is easier for those with nothing to come into the Kingdom because they are not giving up as much.

It is not necessarily that we don't give up some things-we are generally willing ot do that.  However, we are almost never willing to give up everything.  If not, how can we say that we are surrendered?

This is why the term "once saved, always saved" has become such a divisive theology.  When we are completely surrendered and living under the direction of The Holy Spirit and according to the teachings of Jesus, there is no doubt as to our salvation.  We have an undisputable relationship with our Lord, and we are continuously growing in His likeness.  However, when we are not surrendered, and we are consumed with religious business rather than devotion to our Saviour, quite honestly there is room for speculation as to our salvation.  Jesus said, "My sheep know My voice," so when we don't hear His voice, we must seek other assurance.

We understand that Jesus Christ is the only Judge to our salvation, so the way of life that many "Christians" choose is the most foolish of all things.  They decide to go about business as usual and await their turn at His throne on Judgment Day.  I spent much of my life in this foolishness, and it hurts me deeply to see so many living this life because they are under the deception of the evil one.  Meanwhile, this precious relationship with our Creator just sits out there for us if we will only just choose to seek Him.

Let me assure you of one thing.  As The Holy Spirit begins to open your eyes as to Whom He really is, it helps you determine in your heart that nothing in this world compares.  I pray that every one of you that reads this begins to have ears to hear and eyes to see.  This will not come from any of this writing, but rather will come from Revelation of The Spirit of God!

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Once again, I am amazed today at the close association between my reading from Oswald Chambers and what the Lord has been teaching me the last few days.  I don't think I will ever cease to be amazed at the Lord's orchestration of my growth and teaching.  I want to include my entry from my solitude journal today, followed by Chambers writing from today's date.

Solitude Journal Entry

The Lord talked to me about focus.  He told me to spend some time in reflection of when He was teaching me about focus early on in my journey.  He spent a great deal of time teaching me to focus on Him in all situations.  He told me today that this is what He has in store for His Church-this same journey of focus..

The Lord told me that it is important for me not to be critical as I try to understand the situation of the Church.  As a people, our focus is so easily disrupted and trained on the wrong things.  We must first get our eyes fixed on the right things-namely Jesus Himself- and then our journey becomes about sharpening this focus which continues the remainder of our lives.  As our focus sharpens, we begin to see Him more clearly.

Without the guidance of His Spirit, we simply cannot prioritize importance correctly.  Our values don't match His values naturally.  What we must understand is that this does not immediately change at Salvation.  It must be learned.  Our values, and our ability to prioritize according to His values must be transformed over time.

The Lord has tied this all together with His "2020 Vision Mission."  Today, the Church not only has the condition of being out of focus, but we must begin with the conditionof being focused on the wrong things.

Oswald Chambers

​Scripture-Luke 10:20 (Please Read:  See Scripture of the Day).  Jesus Christ is saying here, "Don't rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your RIGHT relationship with Me.  The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service-rejoicing in the fact that God has used you.  Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you do not have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ.  If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour  out "rivers of living water" through you (John 7:38).  And it is actually by His mercy that He does not let you know it.  Once you have a right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God.  And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to "walk in the light as He is in the light." (1 John 1:7).

​Our tendency today is to put the emphasis on service.  Beware of the people who make their request for help on the basis of someone's usefulness.  It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him.  All that our Lord gives His attention to in a person's life is that person's relationship with God-something of great value to His Father.  Jesus is "bringing many sons to glory..." (Hebrews 2:10)

​Friday, April 7, 2017

We must not divert our attention into telling people how to live.  This leads people to a misunderstanding that they must achieve under their own power.  We must persuade people to be in relationship with the Lord.  The barrier to this relationship is more often than not a sin that we simpley won’t let go of in order to foster this relationship with Jesus through His Spirit.

We must be shepherds-guiding followers of Jesus toward Him.  When in relationship with the Lord, He teaches us how to live through His Spirit.  This is the priesthood of each believer that Jesus death provided for us.

Our assurance that we are saved is our relationship with Jesus Christ as witnessed to us by the Holy Spirit.  Everything else that we are taught to seek is a product of this relationship.  This includes fruits of the Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, Holiness, Sanctification, etc.  These are all products of discipleship.  Discipleship is a daily renewal of our commitment to follow our Lord.

As leaders in His Church, we must be examples of this daily personal relationship.

Our enemy offers us many avenues to attempt to achieve under our own power, but the thing our Lord desires most of all is our submission.  He desires us to submit to the complete authority of the Holy Spirit, such that through His direction we will be continuously pursuing the will of our Father rather than our own interests.

CHURCH

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Solitude Journal Entry- July 4, 2017

​The Lord talked to me today about growth.  He told me that my journey on this earth is all about growth.  The Lord said we don't need to recognize our growth, we don't necessarily need to see how we have grown, we don't even need to aspire toward growth per se.  Our growth is His work, and it is a product of our relationship with Him.  It is a result of keeping our eyes fixed on Him.

The Lord said it all boils down to the simple command for us to love our God with everything we have.  He said our growth is a product of our love for Him.

Monday, June 5, 2017

As I was sitting in church listening to a very good sermon yesterday, the Lord put something of a challenge on my heart.  I ask you to challenge yourself, or better yet, let the Lord challenge you as you read today's post.

One of the problems I think we face today when we try to live holy lives is that we don't always understand this relationship with the Holy Spirit.  When you assess how to live, or evaluate how you are living according to Biblical standards (essentially Holiness), it is important that we understand that the Holy Spirit teaches us these things according to God's Word.  He clarifies Scripture, and causes us to respond to Jesus teachings.  He never takes us away from God's Word, but He uses the Bible to confirm what He is teaching us directly in our hearts.  It is quite a miraculous process.

Here is the challenge.  As you read Jesus teachings, rather than using this as a guide for behavior, and aspiring to live this way, I ask you to use His teachings as a testament to where you stand in relation to His Spirit.

I believe that too often we try to live to this standard, but in reality, if we are living in the realm of the Holy Spirit, the Bible simply becomes confirmation of His leading in our daily lives.  Jesus teachings become the evidence to us that we are in relationship with Him through a daily walk with His Spirit.

The harsh reality is that we have virtually no chance to live to the standards Jesus set before us without submitting to His control continually.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

The Lord has been pouring some deep insights into me during my solitude the last few days.  Really, this has been going on for a couple of weeks.  I hope to get more time and post these writings in the next couple of weeks.  I am embarking on another segment of our mission journey next month, so perhaps this will help.  Yesterday, the Lord gave me additional insights in dealing with the trials we have been enduring.  I felt particularly led to get this posted.

Solitude Journal, Wednesday, July 26, 2017

​The Lord talked to me about a different aspect to trials today.  He told me that another aspect of trials that is not often discussed is that trials reveal who we are.  They weaken us, they can make us more fleshly, and they bring us to a point of despair in ourselves.  While this is a painful process, this is actually a blessing.  The Lord told me that it is always a blessing to be reminded of who I am apart from God.  This does not mean He goes away, it just means that our weakness is revealed.  He told me that through my weakness, He is lifted up.  This revelation brings with it humility.  Any comparison between who I am and who Jesus is will always bring humility.  This concept has ties to the Revival the Lord taught me about last fall.

The Lord said that these trials that reveal our weakness make us acutely aware of our need for Him.  Our capability to do good lies solely in His Spirit's realm of control over our life.  Trials often serve to remind us of this fact.  Sadly, often this despair leads us into discouragement, and many people falter in their walk with the Lord at this point.  Just on the brink of what the Lord has for us, we falter because of getting discouraged, and essentially taking back control.  This is what the Israelites did in the desert when they were knocking at the door of the Promised Land.

The Lord said this is why He has been teaching me so much about trust in Him.  At the moment of despair, we have a choice to make.  Are we going to trust God and His promises, or are we going to lean on our own understanding?  Perhaps to receive the promises of God-to receive what He has planned for us, we must go through this crossroads- a crisis of faith.  Perhaps to get to where He wants us to be for His service there is no other way.

In summary, the Lord told me- "It doesn't take the discipline to do the things of God.  It simply takes the discipline to desire to do the things of God."  This is a life changing difference.  Are we trying to do the work, or our we surrendering to Him and allowing Him to do the work through us?

Sunday, May 28, 2017
The Lord put something on my heart today about discipleship.  When we consider our calling here on earth, we must understand that we are to be merely extensions of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  At His death, and the onset of the Church Age, His ministry did not come to an end.  We are to be the continuation of His earthly ministry-extensions of His life, purpose, suffering, etc.  We are to continue to bear His Cross and His suffering to the world throughout the entirety of our lives here.

In John 15:15, Jesus says He calls us friends.  Elsewhere in the New Testament, we are referred to as brothers.  We should consider ourselves servants as He is our Master.  But He considers us brothers because we share the same Father, and we are to carry the family name-the name of Jesus Christ to the world.

We are to be the continuation of His purpose for the world.  To fulfill this responsibility, we must surrender to His authority and submit daily to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:21 that we are to follow in His very footsteps.  As we let His Spirit lead us, this is exactly where He will take us.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

I read something from Oswald Chambers that struck me as particularly profound.  He wrote that the questions that really matter in life are remarkably few.  Then he wrote that all of them can be answered in Jesus Words, "Come to Me."

As I discussed this with my wife, she inquired as to the questions.  I believe the questions are personal.  The questions that matter most may vary with each of us.  This makes the answer even more remarkable.  It is not just a standard answer, but a very personal one.  Our Lord understands our personal circumstances and their complexities.  Yet, He is always the answer.

As we get closer to the Lord, we find that this life becomes less complex.  The questions that matter do become remarkably few, but they become increasingly more important.  I find that they typically involve the lives of others more than ourselves.  The beautiful thing is that we find peace because we increasingly learn that He not only has all of the answers, but He will provide everything we seek regarding not only this life, but eternity. 

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Solitude Journal Entry - Today

​"My sheep hear my voice," the Lord said to me today.  he was speaking to me regarding our relationship, and the relationship He desires with all of His children.  Every single person that desires a relationship with the Lord will have a relationship with Him.  The offer extends to every human being on the planet.  The manner He speaks, the method He uses to speak, and the things He says are personalized.  Frankly, He told me that the manner He speaks to us is not important.  He told me not to get stuck on the method He uses to interact with us.  He told me to rest assured in the invitation.  Scripture supports this as is exampled in the quote above.  He wants to "dine with us."

The Lord said it is us that cause the separation-never Him.  For each of us there are barriers that must be overcome.  We must open the door.  He will only knock on it.  The intimate relationship with each of us is something He desires very much.  He told me to confidently teach that if we seek this relationship and overcome the barriers that prevent it in our hearts, He will be in relationship with us.  However, we must remember that He alone truly knows our heart, and He alone knows the end from the beginning.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

I want to share something a little different today. I am going to say the theme for the day is "radical."  The Lord shared some pretty radical things with me this morning, and as I read today's entry from Chambers, it struck me as kind of radical in concept.  I feel led to share his entry for today. 

June 6-"Work Out" What God "Works In You" Scripture reference Philippians 2:12-13

Your will agrees with God, but in your flesh there is a nature that renders you powerless to do what you know you ought to do.  When the Lord initially comes in contact with our conscience, the first thing our conscience does is awaken our will, and our will always agrees with God.  Yet you say, "But I don't know if my will is in agreement with God."  Look to Jesus and you will find that your will and your conscience are in agreement with Him every time.  What causes you to say "I will not obey" is something less deep and penetrating than your will.  It is perversity or stubbornness, and they are never in agreement with God.  The most profound thing in a person is his will, not sin.

The will is the essential element in God's creation of human beings-sin is a perverse nature which entered into people.  In someone who has been born again, the source of the will is Almighty God.  "...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure."  With focused attention, and great care, you have to "work out" what God "works in" you-not work ​to accomplish or earn "your own salvation," but work it ourT so you will exhibit the evidence of a life based with determined, unshakable faith, on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord.  As you do this, you will not bring an opposing will up against God's will-God's will is your will.  Your natural choices will be in accordance with God's will, and living this life will be as natural as breathing.  Stubbornness is an unintelligent barrier, refusing enlightenment and blocking its flow.  The only thing to do with this barrier of stubbornness is to blow it up with "dynamite," and the "dynamite" is obedience to the Holy Spirit.

Do I believe that Almighty God is the Source of my will?  God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it.

The reason I label this as radical is because I believe this kind of thinking is outside of mainstream Christianity in our nation today.  It strikes me personally, because  Chambers beautifully describes the transformation that the Holy Spirit has done with me that began about this time last year.  These words describe so eloquently the process which I have undergone, and probably still continue to undergo.  As he states, it is God's desire for every Christian to be in continuous communion with Him through His Spirit.  This should be seen as normal Christianity.

IS IT?

Monday, September 4, 2017

​Solitude Journal Entry-Today

Discipleship-The Lord told me today "My Church needs disciples."  He told me that much of what is taught today is so self-oriented.  Even the relationship with Him is twisted toward self.  We must recognize that He is calling us to discipleship-to be sheep.  He is our Shepherd.  This service is about His Will-not our will.

The Lord told me that His Spirit is going to bring about this Revelation of God.  He will bring the recognition of the proper orientation of the relationship.  He reminded me of the Scripture in John describing that their eyes would be opened.  However, they must then learn discipleship.  This must be given attention and must be  taught.  This is to be my focus.  Discipleship requires a sacrifice.    There is a cost.  We must be willing to  give up everything and follow Him.  This is Discipleship.

HIS CHURCH NEEDS DISCIPLES! 

Monday, December 25, 2017​

​THE CHURCH                                                                                                                                                                                                        November 1,  2017  
Something has been burning in me for at least the last couple of days, perhaps even a few days.  I write this with a cautious heart, and do not take these words lightly.

I think when we look at the Church in America today the problem that we see can really be summed up in rather simple terms.  Many of the churches we see or even attend don’t seem to have any power.  We don’t find real “life” in them. In many others, we find a great deal of activity, perhaps some things that tingle our emotions or seem to bring some degree of excitement.  Often we see or experience things that feed our soul, but have no spiritual value.

Then, I believe when outsiders look at the Church, they don’t see any real power or life.  They don’t see transformed lives.  They don’t see us walking in the likeness of our Saviour.  We may be different, but that doesn’t make what we have attractive to them.  In fact, I believe we may even repel them or be stumbling blocks. I think we rationalize this to ourselves as okay because we are called to be different.  Yet, if we repel the world, how are we going to be agents of redemption?

Another thing we seem to see is churches attempting to make themselves more “marketable” to the public at large.  We want to entice them to come in by the worldly things we do rather than by who we are.  So often this leads to conformity, and I’m not sure that we can do anything along these lines without some degree of compromise.

I believe the Lord has put His Finger on a possible root to the issue that grips His Church today (in America).  In this, I want to exercise caution as I don’t want to misrepresent the Lord, or make any assumptions on His behalf based on my own reasoning.  However, that being said, I believe He has given me a clear message.

From observation and a great deal of prayer and beseeching the Lord for clarity, it seems that many churches in our nation fall into one of two categories.

The first category is that of structure and discipline.  The Bible is held in high regard to varying degrees based on leadership in a particular church.  Scripture is taught.  Biblical principles are interpreted (based on education, research, etc.) and conveyed to congregation or lay people.  Christians are taught how to live according to Scripture, and we are instructed to go about our lives and live them according to these principles and standards.

The second category is drastically different.   This difference is not so much in doctrine or mission, but in appearance and presentation.  Churches in this group are driven by excitement, or are largely constituted of those seeking excitement.  They are looking for a “show” that they want to equate to the presence of God.  They teach the Bible as well, but often somewhat different in interpretation, especially relating to doctrine on The Holy Spirit.  Again, this will vary from church to church.

What astonishes me in the work of the enemy is that both seem to be genuine, doctrinally sound, and seeking the same thing, which is the presence or revelation of God.  The reason I include the enemy in this assessment is due to the stark division between the two, which IS NEVER OF THE LORD!  Both sides are equally entrenched, and seem to be unable to come together for any significant Kingdom work.  I don’t believe on a corporate scale that one is more right or wrong than the other.  The transgression is in the division.  I believe that both are failing equally in presenting the Kingdom of Heaven to a nation (and world) that is in desperate need.

In summary, the first group is often built around the letter of the Word that was breathed by the engine of the Church-The Holy Spirit.  The second group is often built around the work of The Holy Spirit.  In reality, we are to focus on neither of these.  Perhaps the best example of this in Scripture was Peter and him desiring to walk on water to go to the Lord.  We have an immediate outcome demonstrated by even the slightest shift in focus.  When Peter shifted focus to what the Lord was doing or the circumstances that surrounded him, he immediately headed into the water.  We are to pursue God Himself.  We are to be consumed with this pursuit-not His work, not His purpose, not His miracles, but Him alone.  The Church in America has fallen into the same trap as Peter, but as the Lord did with Peter, He is going to rescue us from our distraction, and pull us back up to Himself.

I want to be clear that I am not speaking of every church of which it is obvious that I have no personal knowledge.  This is not the point.  In fact, if you already believe that this is not meant for you, then you may be giving clear indication that you are deeply entrenched in the trap and have no desire to be rescued.  I’m only looking at the results of the impact of the Church on our nation, and delivering a message that the Lord has given me.

What seems to be noticeably missing is The Holy Spirit’s active presence, guidance, and power.  Does this mean that the Lord is not in charge of His Church?  Absolutely not!  As with the entire Universe and everything in it, the Lord is in control.  The fact is, the Lord lets us do only so much damage to ourselves and everything else that belongs to Him, even though He has entrusted it to us.  His Spirit keeps us in check.  Yet, it is not His desire to simply keep us in check.  He wants His Church to be unleashed on the world, and He wants to do it now.  He has given this opportunity to this generation.  It is ours to seize-not on our own, but in perfect Unity with Himself.

The Unity that the Lord has been speaking with me about for nearly two years is Unity that can only come through Him.  It is Unity through the Atonement of the Cross of Jesus Christ and brought into manifestation by His Holy Spirit.

I believe that the problem that we find is that in our self-fulfilling, ego driven western culture, there is no room for humility.  In the absence of humility, there is not room or even desire to hear the still small voice of God which comes to us through His Spirit.  The Spirit of God does not point us to Himself (see John Chapter 16).  He points us to Jesus.  In our world of busy-ness and self fulfillment, we have completely blown by Jesus teaching about seeking the Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33).  The Kingdom of Heaven here on earth is the realm of The Holy Spirit.  This is not something we go from place to place in pursuit of, but rather seek to let Him rule our hearts, and have dominion in every aspect of our lives.  We must do this on our own.  We must determine that God is important enough to us that we will seek Him with every fiber of our being-until we find Him.

The fruit of this seeking is that He changes our focus as we find Him.  He aligns our focus with His, and changes our priorities as to what are the other things of importance.  Jesus tells us that the things that are necessary to live in this world will be provided, but what He does not state is that they will become less and less important to us.  This is what His Spirit teaches us.

When enough of us have determined that we will fervently “Seek Him,” He will bring the two groups discussed earlier together in Unity with the Engine that drives them both.  He will take this lifeless Church in our nation, and He alone will make it explode through Unity into something that will astonish the world.

Both sides of the aisle are theologically correct, but only partially.  We are to understand and live according to God’s Word, but under the direction and power of The Holy Spirit.  We are to see the signs and wonders that we saw in the early Church, not for our own pleasure, but rather for the Glory of God.  What is missing from both sides currently is the power and authority of The Holy Spirit.  This is true because we are also missing this same power and authority in our daily lives.  He is not authoritative over our daily personal lives.

How can I know this?  I can’t.  I can only see the fruit in a nation that is experiencing moral decay at a rate that will lead to our very destruction quite possibly in my lifetime if something does not change.

The question really is a personal one-How can you know?  Are you being transformed daily into the likeness of Jesus Christ?  This is Job One of The Holy Spirit. (Reference John 16:5-16).

This move of God must begin with every Christian looking into the mirror and asking this very question with as much sincerity as their own heart will allow.

Am I being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ-my Lord and Saviour?

How many is enough?  This is a question only the Lord can answer.  However, the book of Acts would tell us that very few are actually required, but that genuineness and obedience are non-negotiable.

 

George Otis has done a great deal of documentary research on Revival in our day throughout the world.  He suggests that two criteria are necessary:

1.       Desperation-I believe this can begin with the honesty of a genuine heart examination as we look in the mirror.  If our Lord has His Finger on you-and rest assured He has His Finger on a number of you-you will know that you are desperate for more of Him.  You will find that you are desperate for a deeper, growing, intimate relationship with your Creator.

2.       Expectancy-This one is personal to me, because I have been taught by the Lord to expect Him to move because He is already doing this Revival in me.  He tells me there are others, and what He has done in me leads me to crave it on behalf of others.  Being Who He is makes me expect it to spread-exponentially.

This is Revival-those who seek Him becoming saturated with Him, and still craving more and more.  One of the most beautiful things the Lord has been teaching me in these last weeks is that this is absolutely limitless-even here on this earth.  Revival is the manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus spoke of so much actually coming to pass on this earth.  It is His expectation. 

Friday, September 21, 2017

​The Lord has placed on my heart to "Await Revival."  We are going to have forty days of meetings at a site yet to be determined beginning October 10, 2017.  We will be praying fervently for the Lord's Revival to come to our Nation.   There really is no other predetermined agenda.  We ask for you to join us in prayer, and we ask for prayer regarding the location for these meetings.​ As of 9/28/17, we have worked out the details.  We will be meeting at 6:30 pm at the Floyd County (Indiana) 4-H Fairgrounds at 6:30 pm nightly.  We are not limited to this time-frame-it is just a place to start.  Email me with questions.  Thanks for your prayers!

Thursday, November 2, 2017​

Some thoughts about our Lord.

Jesus told us to lift Him up and He will draw all mankind unto Himself.  I can't help but ask if we are following this simplest of commands.  Are we doing this?  Are we obeying this simple instruction? (John 12:32)

How do we do this? Ultimately, this was done through the Atonement of Jesus.  He was lifted up once for all on the cross, and resurrected to glory.  However, perhaps there is application in our world today.  The Lord said He came to seek and save the lost.  He has not returned, so we know this is still His purpose.  Today, He chooses to continue in this mission through us.  This is the power of the Gospel.  He is to be formed in us such that He can still seek and save the lost.

I'm sure this can be done to some degree in any number of ways.

Consider this-what if the single most important or significant way to lift Him up is by elevating Him to the utmost of our own lives? What if anything else we do, without holding this place in our own lives, is of no consequence in lifting Him up before others?  Sound crazy?  Of course God can do as He wishes, but He has made it quite clear that he has established His plan of using man to reach man-even to the point of becoming a man Himself.

Where does Jesus Christ stand in the pecking order of your priorities?  What does your time say?  What would those closest to you say?  What would any casual aquaintence say?  What does the holy Spirit say?

What could the Church do in the name of Jesus if every one of us that call ourselves by His name gave Him our utmost for His Highest?  (Oswald Chambers)

This is Christianity.  This is Discipleship.

This is the Kingdom of Heaven-here on Earth.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

​Solitude Journal Entry-May 29, 2017

Oneness with God!!

The Lord told me that virtually everything He teaches me pertains to Oneness with Him.  Getting there, staying there, trusting that I am there, trusting Him because I'm there, etc.  This is the desired life of a Christian.  God desires to get us into Oneness with Himself, and then He desires to keep us there.

We become the very nature of Jesus Himself.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit.  This is "Christ in me!"

The Lord told me that He simply wants me to stay there by always maintaining focus on my relationship to Him.  His power will  drive our ministry-and everything we do.  

The Lord summed it up with telling me- "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength."  That's it.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

I know I have not been posting a great deal lately-my apologies.  We appreciate your prayers as we are currently in Day 9 of our 40 Days "Awaiting Revival."  Please continue to pray for our gatherings , the Lord's Church and our Nation.  The Lord has been giving me so much these last several days, and I hope to begin sharing these thoughts over the next couple of weeks.

Today, I want to present a question that I ask you to spend time meditating upon with the Lord.  The Lord gave me this question in the middle of the night.  It may seem ridiculous to Christians, but I believe if you truly consider it with deep meditation, you may find revelation in the reality of the answer deep inside your heart.

​Question-Do I believe Jesus Christ is real?

At first glance perhaps we all answer quickly.  However, if I believe Jesus Christ is who He claims to be, then this reality will transform me.  If I truly believe in Him, He will transform me through His Holy Spirit.  If I am not being transformed into His likeness, I must consider whether I truly believe in Him, or at least whether or not I believe He  is whom He claims to be, and whether or not I believe the Words that He gave us as recorded in Scripture.  Please don't dismiss this at first glance.  Jesus is not to be taken for granted, but His reality is to be experienced personally, and this relationship with Him is to be so much more than an intellectual understanding.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

As I sat in my camper this morning preparing myself to read the Bible, the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me with something He has led me to share.  For those of you keeping track, we are in Wisconsin, which is state #14 of our journey.  We had an unplanned delay in the resumption of our travels from March (Some explanation included later).  

Anyway, this morning the Lord put it on my heart to recap my journey beginning in 2013.  There have been particular segments or phases that were not necessarily identifiable at the time, but in retrospect, the Lord has given me clarity.  I believe He wishes me to share these segments such that you may find some guidance in your own journey, or perhaps some parallel with which you may identify.  I know this writing is a bit lengthy.  If you don't connect, you may not find it very stimulating.  However, I urge you to read it in its entirety.  The Lord has urged me to open myself a bit and expose my personal journey.

Phase I:  The Lord touched me.  He invited me to join Him on a journey from alcohol that He assured me would be better than anything I had ever experienced in my life.  I want to be clear that this was not the first such opportunity offered by the Lord.  In fact, it shames me to admit how many times this offer was rejected.  Another testimony for another day.  In simple terms, the Lord invited me to come along.  I began my walk with Him, and as we travelled together He slowly revealed to me over time many things that He was going to do with me and through me.  Following is a list of some of the things that come to my recollection immediately:

• First, (please notice this is only one item), my part was outlined.  He told me that I must never disregard my time in daily Solitude with Him.  He said this item was non-negotiable.
  
• He told me that together we would beat alcohol.  I believe His Words were, "We are going to do this -We are going to beat this thing."
  
• He said that He alone would teach me His ways.  He said He would bring others into my life at key times, but I was not to seek any guidance outside of His.
  
• He said my Faith would become my strongest attribute.  At this prospect, I will admit that I had a bit of an Abraham moment (I doubted, and believe I chuckled).
  

For nearly three years, the Lord went about the business of sanctification with me.  He purified me.  He taught me.  He helped me understand true Holiness.  He has gone about helping me understand Love for Him and for others.

Phase II:​ After a little less than three years, the Lord outlined a time of "internship" that I must go through.  I can't remember if He used the word endure, but it would have been fitting.  The early part of this phase was wonderful. I began to preach, held a Revival, spent thirty days with Him in Yellowstone, and became very excited with the prospect of what I expected was to come.  Then things went sideways.

Phase III:​  The "internship" took on a totally different outlook.  The Lord began testing me and asking me to prove my devotion to Him.  This was new, at least in an extended version.  We can debate whether the Lord inflicted these circumstances that would consume the next several months or whether He simply allowed them.  Again, a discussion for another day.  However, the first major test came as our travel ministry was to begin.  My Master had become eerily quiet for this particular test.  Two phrases stuck in my mind from this time.  His Words to me that I recall most often were" "Will you be obedient and go?";  "If you go, you will know."  However, every circumstance that I could have imagined seemed to present itself in opposition.  My heart was breaking.  My will was breaking.  I had to overcome and go, and then He immediately made it clear that He was with me.  He began giving me deeper insights.  The Lord taught me to understand the term "Revival."  He outlined for me a deeper understanding regarding what He had been saying.  In simple terms, Revival is all God.  He comes down, and reveals Himself to a mankind that has been seeking Him and crying out for His help.  This outcry is a prerequisite.

Phase IV:​  I outline a clear change in my journey between my trip to Tennessee and my trip to Oklahoma.  The Lord gave me an absolute overwhelming revelation of Himself on this trip before Christmas, 2016.  I became gripped with the reality of God Himself.  Somehow, my image of God shifted from my head (intellectual) to my heart.  I became consumed with this knowledge that our God is real, and He is in control of every aspect of our lives and circumstances.  I found it absolutely undeniable that God is authoritative over every element and detail of human history from the very beginning and this will continue without a single interruption for eternity.  He taught me that His authority is absolute.  During this time, He also revealed some of the strategy of the enemy throughout history.

I want to make a special note here.  I was taken back at first with this realization.  How could I have been on this journey for so long, and lived my entire life with a concept of God that did not include His reality?  This ties in with the statement I just made regarding the enemy.  This is part of his plan.  It is also part of God's plan.  HE WANTS US TO SEEK HIM.  HE CHOOSES TO BE INVISIBLE.  Yet, when we seek Him, we find that He is anything but invisible.  He is everywhere.  Then what became clear to me at that time is that this is a major problem in our culture today.  We simply struggle with belief.  If we truly believed in our hearts that Jesus Christ is who He claims to be, our service and devotion would be without question.  Yet, our Lord understands this doubt.  This is what brought me to tears today.  Looking back and recognizing His understanding throughout my journey.  He has engineered every step out of such tremendous love and understanding of who I am.  This is the relationship He desires with every human being ever born.  Relating to engineering my journey, as I look back, I see that the Lord made Himself so real to me prior to any additional testing.  I had to answer His call and step out in Faith (that He gave me), but prior to the next level of testing, He established a deeper relationship.  He knew that Trust was the lesson that was coming.  My trust in Him was to be tested.  What started this whole writing today was the simple fact that He knew I needed more of Him before He could test my Trust in Him.

Phase V:​  With our trip to Hawaii, the Lord began outlining the importance of service.  This meant not only service to Him, but service to others.  The service the Lord revealed to me is that which would consume time.  Acts of service.  This meant doing things for people that needed help.  It almost would always mean putting aside something I had planned in order that I might help another.  This included not only the act of serving, but having the heart of a servant.  Serving is not enough-we must serve as Jesus served.  I want to make a special note that the church that we visited in Hawaii has a special program that involves this kind of service in their community.  I believe this is why the Lord took us to this particular church, even though I did not even realize that until today.

The Lord kept extending this time, and postponing any additional trips.  This happened approximately six times.  This phase has involved having to face the disappointment of others while trying to serve.  He has been teaching me that this same attitude must be presented when we are being disappointed by others.  Overall, He wants me to understand and display through my actions, that every human being is meant to be Redeemed.  If they are not, the Lord wants this to be their choice.  They are to be presented the opportunity.  They are to be presented the Truth.  They are to be presented the Gospel in its entirety.  This presentation is Jesus Christ Himself, of which I am to be a mirror image.

Once again, through various circumstances, I came to the end of myself - facing discouragement and heartbreak.

What is the summary of all of this?  The Lord called my attention to the eclipse exactly one year prior to the event.  It occurred on my four year anniversary of my time of solitude with Him.  I believe the eclipse is God's call to our attention and crying out to Him for restoration of His Church to Himself.  His authority, His planning, His orchestration of details, His control, etc.  Now is the time.  We must invite Jesus to take control of our lives as He has exhibited His control in my life.  Every Christian must not only take this call seriously, but must understand the responsibility to share this with others.  This is what has been entrusted to each and every one of us. This will put His Spirit back in control of the Church at large.

Finally, came this trip to Wisconsin.  The them of this trip is "Rest in Me."  The Lord says to me "This is my Work."  "Show my Church by demonstrating the lesson:  Seek God, not His Work."  The Church in our nation today seeks to do God's work, but spends far too little time in seeking Him to do this work.  We tend to demonstrate by our actions that we are the engine behind driving the Church, as if our Lord does not have the power to do so on His own.  It is our ingenuity that matters.  It is our strategies that will yield results.  Then we see results which we believe confirms this activity.  The problem we find is that we are using the wrong criteria to measure success-not only within the Church, but within our own lives.

The Lord teaches me that what He desires from us is our devotion to HIM-not our devotion to His work.  He is more than capable to do the work.  He wants to use us His way rather than our way.  The Church is His.  We are His.  As we learn this, we will find Unity within the Church.  We will learn that we have been using the wrong standards in the Church to measure success.  We will learn that the church is NOT to find Unity with the world, but through Unity within the Church we are to evangelize the world-starting with our own nation.

We must learn that we are His resourcesto be used for His Glory rather than believing that He is our resource to be used for our glory.

When we learn these few beginning principles of God's Kingdom, what a beautiful day we will see dawn.  Perhaps at the sunset of that day, we will find the Rapture of the Lord's Church as we will have completed the mission He set before us.

In conclusion, I believe this to be the significance of the eclipse we just saw.  The Lord tells us to notice Him in the sky and calls us to pay attention.  If we did not see this on August 21, we were either not paying attention or we exercise utter defiance.  My prayer is that you are neither, and are responding to the Lord's sign with a journey of your own-either continuing, resuming , or beginning.  He is calling you to relationship with Himself.  For your own journey, you really don't need to go any deeper-He will take you deeper as He prepares you.

Wake up His Church

THE LORDS

Saturday, October 21, 2017

​Solitude Journal Entry 10/20/17

​The Lord gave me something today that is the basis of our journey and is to be the basis of my teaching.  Through His death on the cross, Jesus made every characteristic of God that is desired by God in man available to us through the maturation accomplished by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus lived and displayed God's characteristics in manly form while here on earth, and through His Atonement, this same character that God desires in man is made available to all of mankind.  This is done supernaturally through His own development of that character in us by His Spirit.

The Lord told me it could not be more clear and simple of purpose than this,.  However, the application in real life is anything but simple, but it is vry important that we know it is possible.

This process is Sanctification that leads to Oneness with God Himself!!