Snapshots and Synapses

Hi All, Please feel free to pass this on to others. I've been compiling what the Lord has been saying to me about "church" and would like to hear what He's been saying to others. I currently have about 12 pages from the past 2 years (unedited, comments included) where He has been speaking about both the local church and the Church Universal. We are in what I call the Age of Jude, referring to the 2nd to last book in the Bible. It is an age where people are falling out of traditional church -- just as the leaves fall from trees in the Autumn. It is a time of harvest and a time of preparation, where we need to draw closer to Him than ever before so that we have enough "oil in our lamps". It is a time where the Bride is entering maturity. It is a time of hope, produced by suffering. The analyst in me is interested in compiling and analyzing the words He's spoken to His Body. The strategist in me wants to align my tactics with the vision. The child...

Advent: from the Latin, meaning "to come"; generally refers to the first coming of Jesus (God brought peace to man); a season preceding the Christmas celebration. Advent should also be a reminder of His second coming, which is a declaration of war. We are at war for the King, Who is returning. "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself." (Revelation 19:11-12) Consider this is a proclamation of war in which you are already involved. You ARE in a war zone. The time to pray is now. The time to act is now! Indiana's capital was established in deception and blood. The masonic temple downtown was once the "finest of it's kind" in the world. Pray the blood of Jesus over this land for the curses that have been laid on it....

"Peace on earth and good will to men!" Joy and Peace to all men this Christmas! It truly is a time of Joy; however, for some people, it can be reminder of a loss... a failed expectation. How do we manage through that pain (or come alongside others who feel it)? First, we need to acknowledge the pain. Pain is a gift from God. It is like the indicator light on a dashboard saying: "Some thing's wrong!" Pain is a gift from God that says: "Take action!" The analogy is clearly understood with physical pain. For example: "Remove you hand from the fire." or "Go easy on the sprained ankle." But what about emotional pain? The Enemy always tries to distort God's gifts. The distorted message comes through in the lies we start accepting: "It's too painful to endure.", "It's never going to get better.", etc. But the truth is that all pain is temporary, even though the Enemy uses it to discourage us... to diss...

"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." Jude 3-4 "'Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matt 7:15-20 "The ax is already at...

Is the Good News that "Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sins"? That's certainly a part of it, but ultimately, what does that mean? Take a look... and pass on the Good News of reconciliation: All this is from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV God's way never changes, and unfortunately, neither does the self-righteous way of man. Take a look at what He said to the prophet Ezekiel: Yet your countrymen say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just. If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it. And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so. Ezekiel 33:17-19 NIV Jesus came to ...

I believe the Lord is calling many of us to fast. If He has placed that desire in your heart, then we should seek His will for what that looks like. It may be that He is calling you to do a complete fast (no food or water), or He may just be calling you to give up one choice food (e.g. - a cup of coffee, sweets, etc.). It could be for 1 day or 40 days. All we have to offer Him is not enough, yet He honors even the smallest step we take towards Him! But whatever a "fast" may look like for you, this much I know from my own failures at fasting: I've done it to "lose weight" (doesn't work!) or to edify myself ("look how 'strong' I am!"). Fasting for the wrong reasons is a waste of time. However, it is very powerful and FREEING to fast when done in the right way: every time you have the desire for that thing from which you are abstaining, it is a reminder to pray. I say: "Lord, you are more important to me than _____" or "Lord...

Just an encouragement to all those who have labored in prayer for unbelieving family members: It all starts with prayer... especially for our own motivation. If we come with an agenda, they can smell our religious pride a mile away. Who wants to be hit over the head with a Bible? (I write this as someone with a good swingin' arm!) Religion would have us use love as an evangelization tool. But showing God's love is a naturally supernatural witness. (1 John 4:19) Just love on others and enjoy the holidays! In the words of Francis of Assisi: "At all times preach the Gospel. If necessary, speak!" May the God of all creation grant you favor in the eyes of men, to whom you are ambassadors of His grace! Peace and Thanksgiving!