DANCING FOR JOY

Watch this exciting clip of a couple of Maasai brothers, Daniel and Ole Toninio, who dance for the Lord with such joy and enthusiasm.


Back in March of this year (2011), I traveled to Nakuru, Kenya, with a large team of believers to minister to the people in that large city.  The outdoor Crusade and Pastor's conference was sponsored by ICCL (International Center for Christian Leadership).  We saw thousands of people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives.  We ministered to the inmates at both the men and women's prisons in town, seeing hundreds come to Christ.  Our team ministered God's grace on the streets, in orphanages, and even to the people living in the city dump.


Watch the clip below about the people living in the dump, which Metro Church, pastored by Mike Brawan, feeds and helps every week.




One of the highlights of this crusade was meeting Daniel and Ole -- these Maasai tribal men, who love Jesus, travel all over the world --- jumping, dancing, singing, and preaching the Good News of Jesus.
Man, can they jump!!!


Why shouldn't they jump for joy!  They been redeemed by the blood of Jesus -- they have been brought out of darkness, into the glorious light of God's love --- They are truly dancing for joy!


Now, I can't jump like they do -- everybody knows "white men can't jump" !! ha!  But the joy of Jesus is just a real to me .... Isn't that what Christmas is celebrating?  JOY to the World -- the LORD has come!


Why don't you get up and JUMP FOR JOY?  Go ahead and do it now!!!

DOES GOD STILL HEAL PEOPLE TODAY?

Watch this short video clip -- and tell me now -- Does God still heal people today?


This video was filmed just this past Sunday at Cross Point Church in Paola, KS, where my son, Rusty is Lead Pastor.  God is moving in a supernatural way in every service at this church (located just south of Kansas City).  For more information on this church go to their Web site (click link):  Cross Point


I've seen firsthand the mighty hand of a loving God heal people in Kenya -- blind eyes opened -- limp limbs restored -- crippled legs healed -- hearing restored -- yes !   I've seen two people, just this year, get up out of wheelchairs, here in the USA, in my services!  To God be all the glory!


In this age of skepticism, it's good to know that God still works "in mysterious ways, HIS wonders to perform...."


What healing do you need?  What miracle do you need?  Today could be your day.


In 2005, I was personally diagnosed with "Waldenstroms" -- a cancer of the blood ---  today, I am healed by the grace and power of God! Yes, I have walked through the "valley" -- but the Lord gave me a promise -- "I shall live, and not die, and declare the works of the Lord" (Psalm 118:17) -- I know HE lives -- and I know HE heals!


Let me pray for you right now - as you read this prayer -- release your faith for a "touch" from the Master:

"Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, I pray right now for my friends who are reading this prayer and are believing YOU for a touch from your hand.  I take authority over every sickness and disease that plagues their body.  I rebuke the Devil in Jesus name, and command the healing to come forth in their body.  Sickness GO in Jesus name!  

Disease GO in Jesus name! 

Cancer, GO in Jesus name!

Be healed in Jesus name - NOW!"

Lift up your voice and begin to Praise the Lord!  You are healed in Jesus name!  


Let me know what God is doing in your life!  Be blessed!

CYBER MONDAY

A phenomenon that has really taken off in the business world since 2005, is this special day -- today -- "CYBER MONDAY" --the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Retailers are "banking" on millions, if not billions, of dollars of "on-line" sales to really boost their "bottom line."

Oh the wonders of computers !   When they work well, all is well -- when they don't --- well, you know how frustrating that is.....

In 2006 -- on-line sales on "Cyber Monday" were $610 million.

In 2007 - they were $730 million

In 2008 - they were $846 million

In 2009 - they were $887 million

In 2010 - they were $1 Billion, 28 Million

Now you see why so much attention is being given to sales for Christmas on this day.

Merchants are offering deep discounts, and free shipping.

Who wouldn't want to get a "deal" today?

I was thinking today about the spiritual significance of this phenomenon  - the computer age of commerce which they now call e-commerce, as it relates to our lives.

As great as the computer is -- and as great the wonder of technology - have you ever stopped to realize who really created this?   some say Steve Jobs or Bill Gates.

Who really has the creative power of information and technology?  You guessed it -- God

God can hear every prayer, prayed by every person on planet earth -- all at the same time - and yet HE gives personal attention to each petitioner.

God even knows what you need, before you ask.

HE delights in answering your requests, and loves to bless his children.

Somebody rightly said that God has three answers to prayers:

Yes

No

Wait

I have to admit, I like the "yes" answer --- sometimes HE says "no" because HE knows better for me.

Often HE tells me "wait" -- and that is hardest to do ... God is always ON TIME -- never late -- and I add, "seldom early" - Ha!

Seriously, spend time with God today in prayer.  Tell HIM what you think you need --- pour out your heart and soul to HIM -- HE is listening - and HE will answer you!

Oh yes -- all his answers are PAID FOR ---and there is always FREE SHIPPING !

BLACK FRIDAY

The Friday after Thanksgiving has been called "Black Friday" for a number of years now.  Originally the Philadelphia police nicknamed this day, due to the heavy traffic and pedestrian shoppers which caused great traffic jams in the city that day.

Later merchants began to call it "Black Friday" - because they believed that that day would bring their sales totals into "the black" (a bookkeeping term - when negative revenue was indicated as RED, and positive income was in BLACK)

So, today - Friday, November 25, 2011 - merchants both big and small across America are counting on such tremendous sales totals, that they will end the year in the "Black" - showing profit, not loss.

So today stores will open earlier than usual -- some all night before the day -- and will offer tremendous "deals" - all to entice us to spend, spend, spend-- so that they can profit, profit, profit!

How many of us, personally are living our lives like these merchants --- going all year long in the "RED", then hoping near the end of our life to finally get into the "BLACK"

We live so much of our lives for ourselves --- hoping that one day, we will become more dedicated to God, before the final check-out!

Many churches do the same thing --- go all year long with few people coming to know Christ as Lord and Savior -- then hoping that at the annual Christmas pageant that all the souls won, will make up the difference, and they will end up in the "BLACK" on their annual church report.

What a sad way to live.  What a sad way to conduct the Church!

Think about it!  Are you waiting for "BLACK FRIDAY" to turn your life around?

Are you waiting for that SOMEDAY, when you'll change the way your life, and become more profitable?

What happens if SOMEDAY doesn't come soon enough for you?

What happens if your "accounting day" comes sooner than you think?

Judgment Day (Accounting Day) is coming for each of us!

Think about it!  

THE SALESMAN AND THE PROSTITUTE

For sometime now I've been thinking and meditating on the subject I write about today --- "The Salesman and the Prostitute"  -  What do they have in common?   The Salesman is trying to convince you that you need what he has to offer -- even if you don't think you need it -- he is persistent and at times "overbearing".  The Prostitute has something to offer -- herself or himself -- and is trying to convince you that you need what they have to offer.


What does this have to do with KINGDOM CONCEPTS??  I'm writing today on the behalf of thousands of sincere servants of our Lord Jesus Christ - who are willing and ready to give everything they have to reach the unreached people of this world --- I'm writing about our Missionaries and our Evangelists.

Evangelists are God-called men and woman who are called to Preach the Gospel

These faithful servants are called by God --- they are part of the Five-fold Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Remember a few months ago, I wrote an article about "The Head of the Church" -- where I reminded us that God gave the Church five ministers --  Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. 
We must have the ministry of ALL five of these ministries.....not just from the Pastor.

I don't know of any missions organization that adequately has a plan in place to fund the many men and women that volunteer to go to the four-corners of the earth to proclaim the Gospel to people who have never heard of Jesus.

I don't know of any religious organization that has in place a mechanism to fund the travels of Evangelists - men and women who are called to travel the world, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

NO -  we make our Missionaries and our Evangelist become SALESMAN -- or if I can be so bold -- PROSTITUTES -- I know some of you are going to be angry with me for making that comparison, but hear me out ..... When a man or woman of God has to spend all their time, money, and effort to SELL themselves --- begging for a place to preach, so that they can obtain the funding for their work -- then what else will you call them???

I heard of a missionary just recently, who made 100 telephone calls -- got 10 people to answer -- and obtained 1 speaking engagement.  That's 1%.

Now I don't like telemarketers anymore than you do -- but, this is what our missionaries have become!
This is NOT right!!

I have always considered our Missionaries to be Heroes of the Faith -- they leave all the comforts of American life  (or from whatever country they leave behind) -- and are willing, ready, able, and excited to live in another part of the planet -- to take their families with them -- and we treat them like SALESMAN or PROSTITUTES !

This is NOT right!

For all the money that BIG denominations take in each year -- to pay for giant Headquarter buildings, and bloated staff with large salaries -- somewhere in there should be funds to send missionaries -- funds to help evangelists!

Once again, let me pick on my Pastor friends -- remember I am one of them -- answering that phone call, that email, that letter -- would be a great start!
Do Not Avoid the call of a dedicated servant of God!
Do Not Ignore their requests!
YOU NEED WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER!!!  MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU DO!

Stop promising to "return the call" when you have no intention on doing so!
OUCH!
Stop putting them off!  Be honest and up front with them.
The Missionary and the Evangelist are JUST AS MUCH A CALLED SERVANT OF THE GOSPEL AS YOU ARE!!!

They are a part of the Five-Fold Ministry, as you are!  You NEED THEM, just as they need YOU!

Stop treating the Missionary and the Evangelist as if they were a Salesman or a Prostitute --- begging you to buy their wares!  They are fellow-servants of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What do you think?
Pass this post along to your Pastor or Missions committee at your Church!

OCCUPY ! !

Occupy Wall Street


We are witnessing a phenomenon all across the world -- in New York, it is called "Occupy Wall Street".  In every major city in the USA, there is some type "occupation" going on.  Although I don't understand all the reasoning, it does remind me of the 60's when people flooded the streets to protest the Vietnam War.  It reminds me of "Woodstock" when "free love" was freely being portrayed in a somewhat dramatic and graphic manner.
The participants of these protests range from students to politicians -  it seems that most of them are definitely among the "unemployed" or at least the "under-employed" of America.  They seem to be bolstered by what the media has called "Arab Spring" - when we witnessed entire governments toppled by protesters throughout the Arab world -- Egypt, Tunisia, Libya.....


I looked up the definition online of the word, "occupy" -- just to clarify for myself what we are talking about.  I found 5 different definitions:
1.  To fill up  (time or space)
2. To dwell or reside in
3. To hold or fill (an office or position)
4. To seize possession of and maintain control over by or as if by conquest
5. To engage or employ the attention or concentration of

Seems that these protestors are content on definitions # 4 and #5.

11-11-11
I am writing this blog today on November 11, 2011.

Although this is traditionally Veterans Day, and we do honor and appreciate the sacrifice of every person who has served in our military - to serve and protect the United States of America.  God bless our Vets!
However, because of this unique day, all around the world persons of faith are praying for the move of God, and for His mercy to be extended to mankind.  We definitely need the intervention of God in our lives.

As I was meditating on this thought, the Lord kept reminding me of the verse of Scripture found in Luke 19:13. Now the story Jesus is telling is about a businessman who was leaving to go on a trip for some time, and gave his servants "minas" ('pounds') -- money!
Jesus said the businessman's instructions were simply, but emphatic:
"OCCUPY TIL I COME"

I looked up that word in the original Greek (the language in which the New Testament was written), and the word used is transliterated "pragmateuomai" --  and it is rendered "TRADE YE"

This verse in various translations:
King James Version:   "Occupy til I come"
New King James Version:  "Do Business till I come"
Message:  "Operate with this, until I return"
New Living Translation:  "Invest this for me while I am gone"
Amplified Bible:  "Buy and sell with these while I go and then return"
New International Version:  "Put this to work until I come back"

It is clear that the businessman in this story by Jesus fully intends his money to be invested and used to the fullest for the good of his business.  When he returns (in the story), he rewards the servants who succeeded, and curses the servant who failed to even try.

This is a story that completely applies to us today.  Yes, there is greed on Wall Street, and there is greed on Main Street too!  Yes, there are abuses of the system, but that should not excuse anyone from working.
Yes, we have higher unemployment that we need -- and we pray that God will help us turn this around quickly.
The heart of the matter is not the RICH against the POOR.  It really is about JOBS for those willing to WORK.

As these dear citizens protest the abuses ... they are NOT working, are they?
Can't look for a job, living in Zuccotti Park -- or any street park in America!
Some have even degenerated into criminal activity - and that will get them a jail cell, quicker than anything!

Beyond the obvious need for jobs in America, I believe there is a broader and specific message out of all this for the Body of Christ.

Jesus taught the lesson recorded in Luke 19 not just to promote a good work ethic.  He was teaching a spiritual lesson that as the "Body of Christ" on earth, we are to OCCUPY UNTIL HE COMES BACK.

We are not to just fill up space .... we are not to just dwell and reside on earth ... we are not to just hold  or fill up a position in life --- we are to represent the Kingdom of God for good.

We are called to DO BUSINESS for God!  We are called to INVEST our lives in the lives of others!
We are to WORK for the causes of Christ -- to serve HIM as we serve our fellowman.
We are to pray and serve!

As I was preparing to write this blog .. I received a prayer alert from Cindy Jacobs that prophetically speaks to what we as Christians MUST do.  Below is what she wrote:



"For the Lord says the United States is fast approaching her 'tipping point.'  I am ready, say God, to reach out and balance but even if tremendous prayer is poured out, it will only steady the nation for a season unless there is a heart-felt turning back to the Lord.
The Lion of Judah is shaking His mane over the economy and shaking of many systems of greed will be brought low. The constriction of the financial structures will hit the poor but it is time for my people to understand that if they give to the poor they will not lack.
There are hidden plots being hatched on many levels that need to be uncovered. Plots of anarchy on various levels from minor to large. The Spirit of Anarchy will try and manifest to hold captive and terrorize the cities and this must be turned in prayer.  Terrorist are moving behind the scenes to hit more than one target at a time to strike terror in the hearts of people.
However, one will put a thousand to flight and two, ten thousand! I will expose and uncover those who plot together with unlikely partnerships if my people pray!  There are some nations who are saying they are at peace with the United States but it is only a ploy. Intercede for exposure of these alliances.
I am calling the world, says the Most High God, to stand with Israel against her enemies for the plots planned for the U.S. involve the two nations.  The spirit of Babylon is even now being exposed and is roaring but I will unravel the structure its economy."

Given through Cindy Jacobs
Detroit, MI

IT'S TIME TO PRAY

IT'S TIME TO OCCUPY

IT'S TIME TO INVEST EVERYTHING FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST

HE IS COMING BACK SOON, AND WE MUST GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF OUR INVESTMENTS!