HERE COMES THE BRIDE!!

The "whole world" --- actually only a small portion --- watched the "Royal Wedding" ---Jolly Ole England's show-of-the-year !!  

Our best wishes and prayers for a successful marriage to Prince William and Kate Middleton! 

The way America "made over" this event is somewhat humorous --- American's getting up at 4 a.m. on a Friday morning  (in the east) -- There is not much that folks will get up that early to watch!! ha!!!

Then there's the HATS --- watch now for a "revival" of hats in America!!!

The thing I really am waiting for:  "The Marriage of the Lamb" -- AND -- Believers are the BRIDE!!!

One day -- and I believe -- SOON -- We are going to see the King!!!  One day -- SOON -- the heaven's will open, and we will see the King coming back in ALL of his glory!

Are YOU ready to see the King??  Get ready today!  How, you ask? -- Glad you asked!!!  The Bible says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ -- and you will be saved!!" -- Simple -- trust in the saving grace of Jesus for you -- confess your need of Him -- and receive Christ as your Lord!

Hey -- you don't even need a HAT!  -- But, you need Jesus in your life!!  It's all about relationship -- not religion!!

THE ROYAL WEDDING OF THE WORLD IS COMING SOON -- AND YOU ARE INVITED!!!

THE EARTH IS IN TRAVAIL

ROMANS 8:22  (KJV)  "FOR WE KNOW THAT THE WHOLE CREATION GROANS AND TRAVAILS IN PAIN TOGETHER UNTIL NOW"

The last 72 hours in the Southeast United States have been horrific!  Hundreds of people have died -- millions of dollars of property has been destroyed -- thousands of people have been terrorized by the weather -- as tornadoes ripped through a number of states -- destroying everything in their path.

There are some who have publicly declared that "Mother Earth is angry"!  Many have deducted that the cause is "global warming".  This concept of "mother earth" and "nature" being "angry" -- ascribing feeling to nature -- is pagan -- goes back to mythology and the Greek "gods".

There are those who want to find "cause" or "blame" for everything that happens in life.  Even some have declared that GOD is angry and that "weather" is His way of venting!  Some have questioned, "Where was God when......" and then they usually talk about something tragic or bad that happened to good people.


The Bible is clear --- SIN is responsible for all the grief, pain, sorrow, and death, that comes on planet earth.  REDEMPTION is coming for earth!  Redemption has already come for humanity in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  When a person accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of his life, then he is "redeemed"  (that means he is "bought back" from the bondage of sin and Satan). 


When I say, "redemption is coming for earth", I mean -- the earth is the Lord's -- this planet belongs to God -- and HE will redeem it and restore it -- SOON!

As we deal with the devastation all around, there is something inside of every believer that "groans" ---  Romans 8:23 says that we "...have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption...the redemption of our body."


It is so sad and tragic to watch families who survived the storms, walking through the debris of belongings that "used to be" theirs .... wondering how they will begin again!  Our prayers are with them!

One thing is for sure -- the earth is GROANING -- like a woman in TRAVAIL with childbirth -- REDEMPTION is coming --- I know it --- I hope you know it -- one thing for sure -- the EARTH knows it!  For those who love Jesus -- redemption means hope and help is on the way! To those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord -- only JUDGMENT is coming!

Luke 21:28 says, "AND WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO COME TO PASS, THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH."

DAVID WILKERSON - A TRUE SOLDIER

A MIGHTY SOLDIER HAS GONE HOME!

David Wilkerson, remembered most by those who knew him as "Brother Dave" - left earth for heaven yesterday in a tragic car cash in Texas.  How he left this world is not as important as what he did on this earth during his 79 year span. 

Pastor of a small Assemblies of God church in Pennsylvania -- leaving there and making a "splash" in New York City, during the trial for gang members -- founding Teen Challenge (a ministry which has been used of God to transform thousands of lives on drugs and alcohol around the world -- and is still working today) -- writing a best seller book, "The Cross and the Switchblade" (voted # 32 in a survey by 'Christianity Today' of the Top 50 influences of all time on Christianity) -- traveling around the world through his ministry, World Challenge -- writer of many subsequent books concerning "prophetic" words for America (Ex: "The Vision") -- founding Times Square Church in NY city  (now with over 8,000 members)...on an on it goes!  Father of four - grandfather of eleven -- mentor to thousands!



David with Nicky Cruz, gang leader

The impact of this humble, yet powerful man's life, will be felt all the way to eternity!  There will be hundreds of thousands of lives in heaven, due to this man's obedience.  



The book made into a movie, staring Pat Boone

I heard a friend of "Brother Dave"on CBN news make the comment that Wilkerson was "brutally honest" with people, and that attribute was that which attracted people to him. A man of integrity and holy life-style, who not only spoke his mind with grace, but who actually lived it!!!

In a world of duplicity and a spirit of untruthfulness (under the guise of "political correctness") - here comes David Wilkerson -- the REAL DEAL!

May God raise up a thousand more men and women with the courage to actually DO what God asked them to do -- who will fearlessly OBEY God - men and women with the spirit that lived in David Wilkerson -- and the world WILL be changed forever!

One of my favorite singers/songwriters, wrote a powerful anthem a few years ago - Janet Paschal - in the song she writes:

"Strike up the band - assemble the choir - another soldier's coming home!"

I believe the band played -- the heavenly choir sang -- as suddenly, without warning, David walked into the presence of the King of Kings!  Our prayers are with his dear wife, Gwen - who is recovering from severe injuries from the crash, and to all his family -- to his church family -- to the "body of Christ" worldwide who will remember him.  Our loss is heaven's gain!

FIRE IN KENYA

OVER 6,000 PEOPLE COME TO RECEIVE CHRIST!

The ICCL team has just returned from Nakuru, Kenya, where over 6,000 people have committed their lives to Jesus Christ, in a four-day crusade in the city.  Up to 10,000 people attended each crusade service, and many "signs and wonders" were done in Jesus name.  We saw healings and miracles in each service.  This truly was "A Time for Nakuru".

It was so exciting to see hundreds of children, packed into the front of the platform to hear the music, and the preaching of the Gospel.  Almost ALL of them responded to the call for salvation.

Our team ministered in the men's prison, and over 800 men gave their lives to Christ

Our team ministered in the women's prison, and almost every woman in the prison gave her life to Christ.  We saw many healed and set free too!  What a day!

Our team conducted a Pastor's Conference on Thursday and Friday of the Crusade, during the day, and hundreds of men and ladies attended, and were blessed.

A CHURCH WAS BORN IN A DAY

One of the most feared groups of people were touched during our ministry in Nakuru.

Wikipedia defines the "Mungiki" as "a politico-religious group and a banned criminal organization in Kenya".  The leader of the Mungiki (who pattern their group after the fierce Mau Mau tribe), had become a Christian.  He asked members of our team to come and speak to their group.  All 120 of their members were born again that day....and a new church was born that day.  On Sunday, a minister went to conduct services for them and there were 300 present the first Sunday!  Each of their members were noted for many acts of violence and murder.  Now there are "brothers in Christ Jesus"!

A VISIT TO THE MOSQUE

Members of our team were invited to share their testimonies at the local Mosque.  Afterward, there were some serious inquires made by Muslims as to the claims of Christ!  To God be the Glory!

Lives were changed in Kenya this past week.  Things will never be the same.  When Jesus Christ comes into one's life ...nothing is the same.  "Old things pass away.....all things become new"

It's a new day in Kenya.  Christ has come!!

Come and join with us!

We will be going to Malindi this summer to conduct a crusade and conference.

Later this fall, we will be going to Kiserian for a great crusade.

YOU can be a part of an upcoming ICCL team.

Email me:  dtrailey@aol.com    and find out how YOU can be a part!

WE WERE NOT READY!

This has been an interesting week -- here in Atlanta, Georgia!  We have been "frozen" in for the past three days.  Inches of snow came Sunday night....then ice ... and more ice.....

Now I'm very familiar with this scenario -- having just spent the past four years in Chicago - this is not strange.  I just don't remember not being able to get out --  the roads in Chicago were quickly opened -- even the side streets.  I know, I know ... this doesn't happen very often in the deep South -- but, it does happen!!

My point -- WE WERE NOT READY!   When I say WE, I'm talking about the vast majority of the people, and especially the Department of Transportation.  They just do NOT have enough plows and salt trucks.  The weather forecasters on every TV station in the city were ALL telling us --- it's coming --- it's going to be BIG!

The biggest complaint the officials are saying now, "it came earlier than expected" --- fact is, the TV people said initially it would start at 10 p.m. Sunday night -- and it started around 8 p.m. (where I live in the suburbs) --- so, two hours early!  So.......

This all reminds me today of the Scriptural warning concerning the second return of our Lord Jesus Christ --- people WILL be taken by surprise  (ever wondered why? -- since we've heard about it coming for almost 2,000 years).  The point is -- people just don't listen anymore!  They don't pay attention anymore!  That's the problem.

The time to get ready is NOT at the last moment!  The time to get ready is when the first warning is given.

Well, if you haven't paid attention -- if you haven't heard --- JESUS IS COMING SOON --- WHEN I SAY SOON -- I MEAN SOON!

Get ready NOW!  Get your house in order NOW!  It's getting late --- I believe 2011 could be the 11th hour warning.

I PROMISE!

We live in a day when talk is cheap!  By that I mean, people say more than they do.  The old adage is still true, "your actions speak so loudly that I can't hear what you are saying".  Call it frustration ... call it concern...call it anything you like.  I think it is high time for ALL of us to revisit our words.....It's time to make a resolution to KEEP YOUR PROMISES in 2011!

Remember when your parents told you -- "Your word is your bond"?  Well, it is!   Zig Ziglar said, "If your word is no good, you are no good!"  Sounds harsh?  Not at all.  I think Zig is right.  And it's not just the politicians who are doing this....in my opinion, the politicians have always done this....promises, promises.....then you vote, and they suddenly have amnesia!  Well, now, it seems to have invaded the church world.  How many of us tell people, "I'll pray for you" -- then we never do?  How many of us tell people, "I'll call you"....then never do?  I even know preachers and pastors who do the same.  Honestly, I repent... when I was a Pastor, I made promises that now I realize I did not fulfill.  Well .... it's a new day.... a new year.  It's time to PUT UP or SHUT UP!



I read a blog from Shannon Pollent, Fargo Women's Relationship Advice Examiner... she said:

"The words, “I promise,” are uttered by us without understanding the magnitude of their significance. A promise is an oath; it is a vow. It is not meant to be given lightly. It is not meant to be broken. To say “I promise” is to state that you will do something, not that you might or that you hope to, but that you will. No excuses. No matter what."

Sounds like the Scriptural admonition found in Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (New Living Translation)

"As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God. ² Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few."

I love the way The Message puts Ecclesiastes 5:4-5  "When you tell God you'll do something, do it—now.

God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it"


 
 
The year, let's resolve to keep our word.  Don't promise what you can't do. Keep your word!  Pray for that person .... return that phone call ... actually do what you say.  GOD is watching and is waiting for ALL of us to keep our promises we have made to HIM, as well!

 

GIVE UP & GO OVER!

As we begin another year, it's time for every body to "seek first the Kingdom of God" -- now more than ever before.  Many Christians and entire churches are "fasting" the first 21 days of this year.  I applaud this, and so does God!  Fact is, God has already told us that if we would simply "give up", then we would "go over"

Give up food, or a portion of the food we usually eat -- give up time -- give up TV -- give up......whatever takes the most of your time --- and give God a chance to talk to you -- pray!  YES, God is still talking -- the question is, are we listening?  If we give up -- then we can "go over" --- go over the top in victory in our lives personally this year -- go over the top in finances  (who wouldn't want that?) -- go over the top in our businesses -- go over the top in our relationships (family, friends, church) -- and go over the top in obedience to His perfect plan for our lives.

If you've never been on any type fast before, I encourage you to purchase a copy of Pastor Jentezen Franklin's book (pictured above) - and he practically will lead you into this spiritual discipline.  You will be the beneficiary of multiplied blessings in your life this year --- IF, you will "Give up and then go over"!

Blessings are coming your way in 2011 !!