In the Time of the Lattereign

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: (Revelation 3:5,6).

Dear Lord,
Thank you for reminding me in your gentle way that I am more blessed than I deserve. If you had so chosen, I might not have opened my eyes, today, to see the sunrise or feel the refreshing breeze. In those few quiet moments alone in your presence, I live a lifetime.

Too often I grumble and complain when circumstances seem to pressure me to make important decisions. I’d prefer to go with the flow and not confront difficulties, but you remind me gently that if I’m to be a strong Christian, fit for the Master’s use, that I’m going to go through some hard places where I have to press on with all my strength, then pray the power down to gain your strength so that I can be an overcomer. Through all of my struggles, you remind me that I have to keep moving forward and trusting in you.

Yes, Lord, I know that it’d be easier to go with the opposition, give in, be quiet about what I believe, quench your Spirit, but the easier way won’t give me the joy that you can give. If I will hold on and keep strong in the faith, I’ll be able to overcome every trial; I can have the victory over all of Satan’s arsenal.

You know, Lord, sometimes I just get plain-old tired of fighting the Spirits of darkness, the principalities, the rulers of dark places, but then once again, you remind me that the fight isn’t mine,; it is yours. Knowing that, makes me feel pretty special and loved, although I know that I am too critical at times. For the life of me, I can’t imagine someone loving me as much as you do: but you do love me.

When I think about Calvary and the unselfish sacrifices that you made for me there, I can keep going forward in the faith because you live and you love me. It isn’t difficult to give thanks for everything when you consider that you, Jesus Christ, are everything important in my life.

I stand complete in you, Lord.

“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by the gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thessalonians 2: 13-14).

I thank you for choosing me to be a part of this glorious church.

Love,
Your daughter, Grace

It’s Time to Be Thankful

2015-11-15 One Last Chance to Reach out

“Open, thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).
Following is a list of the benefits you will gain by reading God’s Word. (This list is from notes that I took years ago from a radio broadcast. I’m not even sure who the speaker was, so I’m not able to give proper credit; nevertheless, reading the word has definitely made an impact on my life.)
Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is divided into twenty sections. The Bible is a powerful book and if you will search the scriptures, you will find truth and direction for your life:

1. It establishes my way.
2. It purifies my life.
3. It gives me counsel.
4. It removes everything false in me.
5. It produces reverence for God.
6. It increases my courage.
7. It comforts my afflictions.
8. It guards me from panic.
9. It teaches me discernment and knowledge.
10. It makes me resourceful.
11. It cultivates patience.
12. It keeps me spiritually revived—recharged.
13. It accelerates my understanding.
14. It creates a joyful heart.
15. It sustains me when I feel helpless.
16. It enables me to honor right and hate wrong.
17. It causes me to walk in the truth.
18. It surrounds me with delight in spite of difficulty.
19. It develops the discipline of prayer.
20. It rescues me when I am defenseless.
21. It draws me back when I stray.
22. It fills me with praise without and peace within. (submitted)

When we read and study the scriptures, the Lord promises to bring light into our darkest night. There is no problem that we can’t handle when the Lord is in control, unfortunately, we sometimes forget how great God is. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Do you have a passion for the presence of God?

There is a time of growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ before we are equipped to take on more responsibility in the church or in a leadership role. Not all people can be the head, but it is important for us all to find that place where the Lord can use us in his service. For some it may be teaching a Sunday school class, for others it could be joining the ushering team, or playing an instrument, or being a lay minister, or cleaning the church. What ever God has called you to do is between you and God, but if you want be effective and fruitful, begin your journey with prayer.

There is something that every saint, both those young in the Lord, and the ones who are well -seasoned can do: worship and pray.

Why is it that people often downplay the importance of praying? Both public and private prayer should be our daily bread, because it is the most useful and needed ministry in the church. Everything that we expect to accomplish for the kingdom of God is saturated with prayer, from the pulpit to the back door.

If we desire to see the Lord draw souls into his presence, it will start with our desires to pray for it to happen. It would be wise to come into the sanctuary with a praise on our lips for what the Lord has already done, and for those things that he is going to do.

If you want to see people healed, it will happen as we pray and believe.

If you want to be blessed financially, give.

If you want to reach your full potential in Christ, and you are not quite sure how to do it; start with prayer and read the Word for his response. As you pray, he will reveal what you ought to do.

If you want to have true joy, receive God’s peace that passes all understanding. You can have that peace through prayer.

Have you Lost Faith in Your Prayers?

“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth in him” (Daniel 2:21-23).

Have you noticed how the leaves are changing to brilliant colors of fall: oranges, browns, reds, and golds? It seems that everywhere I go I am reminded of how painstakingly God must have touched on every leaf in the Garden of Eden. There were not any shortcuts taken in his plan. His Word caused universes to come into existence. It was a paradise, but then—we all know the story of how disobedience brought sin into the world. I wonder if the seasons have always been as they are now? Were leaves dying and sailing to the ground before sin came in to change everything? If I had my thoughts on this, I would probably think that nothing died, including the plants. Even if that were true, fall is still my favorite time of the year.

Like no other season, fall gives a continuous flurry of beauty found in the foliage around us. It reminds me that God is still in control, and even though we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, he still desires to bless us and to keep us for eternity. In the Fall, we can take the time to enjoy God’s masterpiece, because it is his delight to make us happy. The leaves will blow away eventually, and the ground will be left cold and dead; however, even the dead leaves produce brilliant colors.

Fall colors remind us to enjoy the small things and to pace ourselves in our walk with God. I saw this on a print: “Heal the Past; Live for Today; Dream the Future.” We need to work toward healing our past of the deep secret hurts. Let us not close out others who want to be friends. Live for today. You cannot take back yesterday’s mistakes, or anticipate tomorrow’s demands.

Finally, when you do dream the Future, let the Lord direct your steps to help your dreams happen. It takes prayer to make that happen.

“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of the house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.

The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel” (Psalm 128).

Refined through the fire

#‎CarolinaCrusades‬ 2015 Results:
2248 registered guests.
145 Holy Ghost.
39 Baptized in Jesus Name.
At least 38 healings.…
10 more churches launched!

A Pentecostal church was launched in Snow Hill, NC. At the crusades we had 31 filled with the Holy Ghost, and then on Sunday morning we had five more to receive the Holy Ghost. God showed up, again, Sunday night, because we had a service in Snow Hill, and five more received the Holy Ghost. The Lord is pouring out his spirit.

A spirit of revival has been released and when we speak the name of Jesus, there is power in that name. We will have the victory; and we will reach our city. Continue to pray with us, and watch the Lord move on your behalf.

We serve an awesome God who knows no failure. What we experienced Sunday night in that service was life changing. It’s time to look up and see the glory of the Lord.

Lift up your eyes 

What an amazing time we had yesterday at the Carolina Crusades in Snow Hill, NC! We have been commissioned to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel,” and one thing that I have learned about fulfilling the call of God on your life, is that when people unite, pray, and believe that God will prepare the way, it will come to pass. That was evidenced, yesterday with over 520 people gathered at the Greene County Sports Complex, 30 people filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and 6 people baptized in Jesus’ Name. We want to hear your praise reports.

God is so good to honor our praise and worship. We had over 200 volunteers from churches in the area to help with the blessing service, music, food, bounce houses, recreational activities, and registration. The Lord is working in this area in a mighty way, and it’s only the beginning, as The Pentecostals of Greene County church has been planted in Snow Hill.

The Carolina Crusades has seen phenomenal results across NC. Be in prayer for the people we are reaching for in this area.

Seven Steps to a More Effective Ministry

“It is impossible for God to lie.”

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love; which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 6:10-12).

You may think that nothing is impossible with God. The Bible even tells us that with God, all things are possible. But, that is simply not true. There are some things that even God can’t do.

Before you ban the blog and vow to never read it again, let me explain what God can’t do:

God can’t lie, because if he told a lie, it would come to pass, and be the truth.

God can’t forsake us, because he is faithful.

God can’t do “nothing” so, I guess doing nothing is impossible for God.

On the other hand, nothing is possible without God.

If you’re sick, believe God for a miracle. God performs miracles; the question is will you trust him enough to let him do it for you? If you doubt his word, you won’t receive the blessing, because Jesus is a gentleman. He never forces himself on us; on the other hand, he never turns down our open invitation either. He is able and willing to meet every need in our life if we’ll only believe.

He cannot lie; and he cannot fail. We sometimes get in our own way of the miracle that we so desperately seek. When we think about the past, we bring judgment on ourselves. If we think that we’re unworthy to be healed, are we possibly saying that God can’t forgive or cleanse us from sin?

I don’t pretend to have all of the answers, but I do have a lot of questions that cause me to think that sometimes I don’t get the promise because I don’t believe that God loves me enough to answer my prayers. Too often I relive my past. I know what God redeemed me from, and I was not worthy, so I have a tendency to condemn myself. I forget the price that was paid for my salvation and healing. Jesus has already paid the price.

Are we so lost that even God can’t save us? When I look through God’s eyes of love and forgiveness, I see a different picture. It was God who hung the stars and spoke the worlds into existence—Really now, when we put it into perspective—is there anything too hard for God to do?

We are as a speck in this mighty universe (one of many), and while we have a tendency to not be able to see beyond our own eyes, my prayer, today, is that God would take away the scales from my eyes and let me see my heart the way he sees it—through the Blood of Jesus Christ. His precious blood is pure and holy and all powerful. I am one of his precious jewels; I was chosen to serve him. He holds me in the palm of his hand.

Is there anything too hard for God? He takes care of my needs and desires. He is my beloved, and our relationship is built on trust and faith. Our unconditional love is eternal.

Is there anything too hard for my God?      I think not. Thank him for your healing today, and you will be healed, in Jesus’ Name.

Put off thy shoes from thy feet

My House is Full, but My Fields are Empty

There is peace and contentment in my Father’s house today,
Lots of food on His table and no one turned away.
There is singing and laughter as the hours pass by,
But a hush calms the singing as the Father sadly cries,

My house is full, but my field is empty,
Who will go and work for Me today.
It seems my children all want to stay around my table,
But no one wants to work my fields,
No one wants to work my fields.

Push away from the table.
Look out through the windowpane,
Just beyond the house of plenty
Lies a field of golden grain.
And it’s ripe unto harvest,
But the reapers, where are they?
In the house,
Oh, can’t the children hear
the Father sadly say,

My house is full, but my field is empty,
Who will go and work for Me today.
It seems my children all want to stay around my table,
But no one wants to work my fields,
No one wants to work my fields.

The song above “My House is Full, But My Field is Empty”
was written by Lanny Wolfe.
​

I can’t blame people for wanting to bask in the Lord’s presence instead of facing the uncertainty of reaching out to others. It’s difficult to face rejection day after day, and sometimes Christians may get weary in this fight; but, we must not give up. We have traveled too far in this journey to back down. We have invested too much time, praying the many prayers that have been prayed; too many miracles have been manifested in our lives; too many nights of intercessory prayer over lost loved ones, and the state of our nation; to quit in this fight.

The younger generation will reap the harvest of what we have birthed through sacrificial prayer and commitment. It is good that they will not need to endure the struggles of the elders of the church; but, at the same time, something is missing when the treasures that we once held dear to us, are now reduced to disposable trinkets.

Do they not know how much it cost the saints before them? It seems that this generation automatically assumes that everything will be laid before them without effort, or sacrifice. When you have an abundance of blessings, you tend to become more careless with them, and expect that they will always be there; even if you didn’t sow, or plant in the fields to grow the harvest.

It’s my desire to treasure every blessing and not take it for granted, and knowing that “life is a vapor,” motivates me to make the best of every second of every day that the Lord allows me to breathe on this earth.

Sow in Tears Reap a Harvest

I know where the Lord found me, and I’m thankful to be serving him in Spirit and in Truth. We are troubled on every side; but not distressed. Why because we know who Jesus is, and that has made all the difference. We can wallow in past regrets, or we can choose to move forward in God’s will. In this hour, the decisions that we make will determine our destiny.

Have we not all had seasons when we wanted to stop fighting in this battle that is greater than we anticipated? The forces of evil are strong at work, trying to sidetrack us, to undermine what the Lord is doing in this last hour of time. He is coming back for a glorious church, his bride, who has prepared herself.

In the midst of all the preparations for his coming, have we forgotten why we are even in this wedding party? It was because of God’s mercy and grace. He brought us salvation, not for us to take our ease while countless souls lose their battles with sin unto death; but for us to rise up and take our shield of faith and the sword of the spirit, to overcome evil with good. Ephesians 6 tells us

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

As a church, we must decide if we are going to be victorious, or if we are going to remain the victim of our circumstances. When we walk with the Lord, there will be times when we will be tested. Do we have enough of a love for Christ that we are willing to uphold this truth? or, will we be like so many who have never quite allowed the Lord to heal their past, so that they can move forward in faith?

Choose a victorious life. That is where you will gain the strength to stand even when you feel like your only option is to run away from his presence. Even the devil knows that his time is short, and his only mission for the time he has remaining is to “steal, kill, and destroy.” Don’t become his latest victim; receive the victory that has already been won at Calvary.

I Choose to be Victorious

There are many people, today, who wander aimlessly through life and have no immediate plans to live for God. Some people haven’t heard the Truth. It is up to us to make sure that they find direction and come to know Jesus Christ. Jesus preached in the synagogues; he healed the sick; and people followed him; however, they were still “scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). It had an effect on Jesus Christ; he was “moved with compassion” and he told his disciples:

“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

Ask yourself, when was the last time that you were moved with compassion for lost souls? I think we have all been guilty of being in a crowd of people, yet, not really seeing the people who are part of the crowd. It can be a lonely place for someone who is desperate for a change in their life. Let’s be that change.

It’ll take committed Christians to reap an eternal harvest. In every area of ministry, we are gaining strength and momentum. The Lord is doing a quick work. We are truly blessed to have freedom to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. When we faithfully obey the word to “Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature;”  teach Bible studies; and compel people to come in; they will come, and lives will be changed by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Still, we need more labourers to reach more people, and we’re running out of time. It’s high time that we get alone with God and allow him to wash us again with his blood, to cleanse us and then to let us see the harvest field. Everywhere that we go, there are people who will die in their sins if we don’t reach them with the gospel. It’s in the streets, in the malls, at the grocery stores, in our own neighborhoods, that we’ll find people who are hungry for the Truth of Jesus Christ.

The Lord operates according to our faith in his promises. “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2). He saw their faith. Have you ever wondered why we find it easier to believe God, when the blessing that we’re praying for is for someone else? We have difficulty convincing our self that the Lord wants to honor our faith. Is it so hard to understand how much that the Lord wants to bless us? Sometimes we may feel that we don’t deserve God’s blessings, so we never expect it to come to pass for ourselves. Our expectations and faith in God’s promises, determines whether we’ll have our petitions granted. Expect God’s best, honor your commitments to him, and you’ll receive it.

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then said he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house” (Matthew 9:5-6).

Living for God is as simple as the man sick of the palsy, taking up his bed and walking. There is nothing too hard for God, unless we make it too hard. We have to expect it will come to pass, before it will come to pass.

Remembering When It Was That Simple