Be Financially Repositioned
July 27th, 2010Christians in North America make enough money to change the world. If we just gave 10% of our annual income it would total $150 billion. Research suggests that world hunger can be wiped out for $30 billion. The #1 killer in the world is contaminated water and this can be wiped out for $10 billion. World transformation is just on the other side of the obedient church. God is repositioning us to make a difference in our world. Are you ready to be part of the solution?
Ps 115:14 May the LORD give you increase, you and your children! NIV
This series will last from August 1st – August 15th. Don’t miss it!
Water Baptism
July 27th, 2010Broadcasting Live with Ustream.TV
Baptism is a very intriguing term that speaks of a profound revelation. Jesus put tremendous emphasis on water baptism beginning his ministry by being baptized (Matt 3:13-15) & concluding his ministry commanding the same of disciples (Matt 28:19).
Water baptism is a very important decision to be made in every believers’ life but it is clearly not a requirement for salvation. In Luke 23:29-43 Jesus told the thief hanging on the cross that he would go to heaven because of his faith in Christ. If water baptism were a requirement that Jesus was waving in this instance, as some advocate, surely the Savior of the world would have mentioned it to ensure there would be no confusion. 1 Cor 1:14-17 is a portion of Scripture where Paul says that he did not come to baptize but to preach the Gospel. If baptism were necessary for salvation Paul would have never made such a statement.
The word “baptism” actually comes from the Greek word “baptizo” meaning to make fully wet, wash, to dye, to cover wholly w/a fluid, dip, plunge under or immerse. The word “dye” has very significant meaning. Ps 22 is a prophetic declaration of what Christ did on the cross for us and helps us understand the true idea of being baptized into Christ.
Ps 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.…
Ps 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. (NIV)
Obviously vs 18 reveals that this is a reference to Christ on the cross. The word, “worm” speaks of a crimson-grub which was protected by the king. This specific word was crushed to extract the unusual red dye used only for garments of royalty! JESUS WAS CRUSHED SO WE WOULD BECOME KINGS. Water baptism is just that expression. We enter into his death, burial and resurrection to rule and reign under His authority.
Many undervalue the significance of this decision but we should never minimize what Jesus emphasized. Jesus put tremendous emphasis on water baptism beginning his ministry by being baptized (Matt 3:13-15) and concluding his ministry by commanding the same of disciples (Matt 28:19). Jesus emphasized water baptism because water is very significant and the devil absolutely hates it!
Matt 12:43 When unclean spirit goes out of man, it passes through waterless places, seeking rest… (NAS) The King James Version says “dry places”. Why is the devil seeking dry places?
• Hosea 5:10 speaks of God’s wrath as water, “…I will pour out My wrath like water.” (NAS).
• In Mark 5 Jesus drove demons out of Legion into pigs and they ran to their death into water.
• Gen 6 is the story where God’s judment against wickedness and demonic activity is pronounced by flooding the earth with water.
• Exodus 14 tells the story of the Children of Israel and how they walked free from Egypt, which speaks of our freedom from the world.
It’s interesting that as they walk out of the world’s system they pass through water. Not only do they pass through the water but that which had held them in bondage for generations was destroyed and remained in the water as they went on to new levels of living.
As believers come out of Egypt and pass through baptismal waters it speaks of breaking free from the world and all of its entanglements. As we engage our faith with this very important act of obedience to Christ that which has held us captive and even our previous generations is completely destroyed in our lives forever more! The believer’s baptism in water speaks of spiritual resurrection and a public day of new beginnings – Rom 6:4, Col 2:12. This also speaks of the cleansing of the conscience, healing from memories and mental torment. By faith God restores the believer’s innocence and mental health – Rom 9:1.
It is my firm conviction as a Pastor and as a Christian who reads my Bible that water baptism, when entered into by faith, can bring a mighty deliverance in a person’s life! This is very spiritually significant. With water baptism the method and the meaning are bound together. To change the method to involve sprinkling or something other than full emersion is to corrupt the meaning. To subject infants to this process who have no idea of what’s taking place is simply not found in Scripture.
Water baptism is a funeral for the new believers old life, behaviors, and bondages. The only mourner at this funeral is the devil.
Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior?
Have you been scripturally and correctly water baptized since you were saved? Spouse? Children? Grandchildren?
We will be having a baptismal service coming very soon at Destiny. If you are in our area send us a message through the website that you are interested and we’ll follow up with you on this very important decision in your life. If you are not in our area find a local church and inquire about their beliefs on this matter. Perhaps you could share this blog and inquire with the Pastor to see if this is their position on the matter.
God’s Dreams
July 25th, 2010Over these past several weeks we’ve seen clearly just how powerful the mission of our heart can be. Realize that we are created in the image of God so obviously God’s heart has a powerful mission. We are part of God’s heart, God’s mission and God’s dreams. It’s one thing to dream for God. It’s another to surrender to God’s dreams.
Sunday’s message on video is at the bottom of this post so you can watch the message.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he sent His son…
When we surrender to Christ our dream is part of God’s dream. We are a purposed assignment to our world!
2 Cor 12:15 I will gladly spend my money and my energy for your soul (Simple English Translation)
August 22nd we launch our 3rd Sunday service time: 9:30, 11:15 and 5:00. This is just four weeks away! Submit your questions for the series that launches that day as we begin The Question Series. What questions are your friends asking about life, church, God or whatever it may be. Thomas wasn’t scolded for his questions. Jesus let him touch his scars and accommodated his questions to help him believe. This is what our focus will be as we launch into this season of bringing more people into God’s Kingdom. Begin praying for a specific person that you’d like to see involved at Destiny and do whatever it takes to get them here.
More than 90% of the people who visit Destiny do so because they were personally invited!!!
You must realize that it’s not the staff’s job to reach the church family. It’s the church’s job to reach our city!!! If our best ministry is happening in the sanctuary then we’ve totally lost sight of being the church!
It seems pretty obvious but shepherds don’t give birth to sheep. Sheep give birth to sheep. So go! Be fruitful and multiply! Who will be the one person you begin praying for to get to Destiny or to get them connected to our online ministry if they’re unable to attend? Who’s your one? Every time we gather we’ll hold up one finger as we pray for our one every week believing for God to do a work in their life as we commit to connect with them on this level personally.
You are a part of somebody’s destiny! Samuel saw a treasure in David and though it was inconvenient and even a risk he made it a point to inspire his destiny. WHO HAS GOD PUT IN YOUR PATH AS PART OF HIS DREAM TO CHANGE THEIR LIFE?
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV
You were born to dream because you are designed for destiny. It’s in us from a young age and children will often say, “When I grow up I want to…” Recently my daughter, Faith, told me that when she grows up she wants to be a doctor that helps babies like Bailee Russel. Bailee’s not a doctor that helps children yet. She was a senior last year at Destiny Christian School but Faith caught her dream and believed it!
Dreams produce passion and inspire discipline. When Holly Yoder graduated from Destiny Christian School all of her friends were enjoying their Summer sleeping in. Holly would daily get up and go to the track to run working toward a goal of beating a time to qualify for the best possible basketball scholarship at OCU. Holly not only beat that time but she went on to be a starter on the team and her senior year they won a National Championship! Her dream inspired discipline that got her up out of bed early morning after morning while her peers were sleeping in.
Many people lack discipline in their lives because they simply have never discovered their purpose or assignment from God. When we surrender to Christ God’s dreams become our dreams. We are a purposed assignment to our world! One day we’re going to meet each other in heaven and reminisce about these days. Can you imagine meeting Amy Carmichael who left her wealthy lifestyle in England to go to India to save 13-14 year old girls who were being used as prostitutes? It will be amazing to hear her share how all that came about. Then in response what will you say? “Wow! Well I’d like to have done something but I was so tired. I worked a lot of hours and just didn’t want to miss favorite television programs.”
YOU WERE BORN TO DREAM BECAUSE YOU WERE DESIGNED FOR DESTINY!!!
The fact that you were born is evidence that God purposed an assignment for your life. You were born because God’s assignment existed – Isa 46:10 teaches us that with God the beginning speaks of the end. This means that God completes something before He starts it. You are here because God already preplanned your work. There was something God wanted done that made you necessary. You are not an accident or an experiment. You are part of God’s purposed dream to transform our world.
Your job is what you’re paid to do. Your work is what you’re born to do. Your work is seeded in your life as your assignment from God and must emerge!
Paul Potts has been an incredible inspiration to me as a man who decided to discover the seed of desire that had been planted almost secretly in his life. One day he emerged and happened to his world with this astonishing performance as a mobile phone salesman turn opera singer!
Paul Potts from HR.Praxis on Vimeo.
Rom 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. NAS
Rom 12:1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 2 Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Message)
Today is the last day to sign up for our Discover Destiny luncheon workshop. If you’re wanting to happen to your world we can help you discover what God has deposited in your life as we introduce you to Destiny. Normally we host four of these new members luncheons but this year we’ve arranged an extra to accommodate the growth God has been entrusting. Sign up today. Email our website and we’ll contact you to confirm your spot.
WATER BAPTISM: We have more than 20 people confirmed to be baptized this Wednesday night. If you’re interested in being baptized please contact us by email or call our office at 405.677.1451
God’s Heart
July 18th, 2010To watch the video of Sunday’s message scroll down to embedded message. God has a family. The enemy’s attack on God’s heart is the attack on God’s family. We are the family of the forgiven and the enemy is the accuser of the brothers and sisters of this family provoking disunity – Rev 12:10. Any parent wants their children to love each other and be in unity.
God’s heart was revealed in a prayer Jesus prayed, as he knew he was coming to the conclusion of his earthly ministry. John 17:22-23 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one ; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. (NAS)
It’s this unity and transparency that enables us to function more in our Heavenly Father’s image. 2 Cor 3:18 speaks of how we are transformed into God’s image “with unveiled face”. This specifically references the veil of Moses and how he would unveil his face before the Lord yet veil his face before men. This tends to be the way we worship God being transparent with God yet masked with others. To unveil the mask and experience genuine relationships with each other is to experience God’s transforming presence together.
When we came into this world we were connected to our mother. They cut the cord but that didn’t mean we no longer needed to be connected. As we grew into adolescence we searched for independence but that didn’t mean we no longer needed to be connected. As we walked through our teen years feeling like we’d figured out so much that our parents didn’t know it still didn’t mean we no longer needed to be connected. We need life’s connections to be complete and our belly button is with us for our entire lives to serve as a reminder.
The Washington Post cites a national survey finding that people who attend church regularly live on avg 8 yrs longer than people who don’t attend church regularly. God chose to reveal a very profound Truth early in His Word, Gen 2:18 “…it is not good for man to be alone…”
A Cornell study documented those who volunteer are 16% less likely to experience a major illness in lifetime. “Serving others has some of same benefits as a good workout: Boosts endorphin levels & plays a role in lowering blood pressure. Even if it’s less complicated still not good for man to be alone.
Rom 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (NAS)
Eph 2:19 “…You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” NLT
Cultivating a healthy relationship within the parameters of God’s family is vital to a complete faith.
1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. NAS
Baptism is a very intriguing term that speaks of a profound revelation. Jesus put tremendous emphasis on water baptism beginning his ministry by being baptized (Matt 3:13-15) & concluding his ministry commanding the same of disciples (Matt 28:19).
Water baptism is a very important decision to be made in every believers’ life but it is clearly not a requirement for salvation. In Luke 23:29-43 Jesus told the thief hanging on the cross that he would go to heaven because of his faith in Christ. If water baptism were a requirement that Jesus was waving in this instance, as some advocate, surely the Savior of the world would have mentioned it to ensure there would be no confusion. 1 Cor 1:14-17 is a portion of Scripture where Paul says that he did not come to baptize but to preach the Gospel. If baptism were necessary for salvation Paul would have never made such a statement.
The word “baptism” actually comes from the Greek word “baptizo” meaning to make fully wet, wash, to dye, to cover wholly w/a fluid, dip, plunge under or immerse. The word “dye” has very significant meaning. Ps 22 is a prophetic declaration of what Christ did on the cross for us and helps us understand the true idea of being baptized into Christ.
Ps 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.…
Ps 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. (NIV)
Obviously vs 18 reveals that this is a reference to Christ on the cross. The word, “worm” speaks of a crimson-grub which was protected by the king. This specific word was crushed to extract the unusual red dye used only for garments of royalty! JESUS WAS CRUSHED SO WE WOULD BECOME KINGS. Water baptism is just that expression. We enter into his death, burial and resurrection to rule and reign under His authority.
Many undervalue the significance of this decision but we should never minimize what Jesus emphasized. Jesus put tremendous emphasis on water baptism beginning his ministry by being baptized (Matt 3:13-15) and concluding his ministry by commanding the same of disciples (Matt 28:19). Jesus emphasized water baptism because water is very significant and the devil absolutely hates it!
Matt 12:43 When unclean spirit goes out of man, it passes through waterless places, seeking rest… (NAS) The King James Version says “dry places”. Why is the devil seeking dry places?
• Hosea 5:10 speaks of God’s wrath as water, “…I will pour out My wrath like water.” (NAS).
• In Mark 5 Jesus drove demons out of Legion into pigs and they ran to their death into water.
• Gen 6 is the story where God’s judment against wickedness and demonic activity is pronounced by flooding the earth with water.
• Exodus 14 tells the story of the Children of Israel and how they walked free from Egypt, which speaks of our freedom from the world.
It’s interesting that as they walk out of the world’s system they pass through water. Not only do they pass through the water but that which had held them in bondage for generations was destroyed and remained in the water as they went on to new levels of living.
As believers come out of Egypt and pass through baptismal waters it speaks of breaking free from the world and all of its entanglements. As we engage our faith with this very important act of obedience to Christ that which has held us captive and even our previous generations is completely destroyed in our lives forever more! The believer’s baptism in water speaks of spiritual resurrection and a public day of new beginnings – Rom 6:4, Col 2:12. This also speaks of the cleansing of the conscience, healing from memories and mental torment. By faith God restores the believer’s innocence and mental health – Rom 9:1.
It is my firm conviction as a Pastor and as a Christian who reads my Bible that water baptism, when entered into by faith, can bring a mighty deliverance in a person’s life! This is very spiritually significant. With water baptism the method and the meaning are bound together. To change the method to involve sprinkling or something other than full emersion is to corrupt the meaning. To subject infants to this process who have no idea of what’s taking place is simply not found in Scripture.
Water baptism is a funeral for the new believers old life, behaviors, and bondages. The only mourner at this funeral is the devil.
Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior?
Have you been scripturally and correctly water baptized since you were saved? Spouse? Children? Grandchildren?
We will be having a baptismal service coming very soon at Destiny. If you are in our area send us a message through the website that you are interested and we’ll follow up with you on this very important decision in your life. If you are not in our area find a local church and inquire about their beliefs on this matter. Perhaps you could share this blog and inquire with the Pastor to see if this is their position on the matter.
Uncovered Hearts II
July 11th, 2010Today’s message on video is embedded at the bottom of this post. The heart has a profoundly powerful mission and mood in life. Once a person’s heart is moved the course of life is altered.
Because your heart is such a powerful force it can be very dangerous. If it gets in your heart it gets in your home. As the Pastor of Destiny people may meet my family and think we’ve all served the Lord all of our lives. The fact is that I grew up with a very lost father married to my mom . Our family story is one of great heartache, alcohol and drug abuse. Through it all my mom stood and believed and God reached into our home changing all of our lives. We are all serving God today with everything that we are. I’m very proud of my dad for the way he’s stepped into a place of spiritual responsibility for his home after years of not having any understanding of such things.
Any person and any home can be a complete mess if the wrong sources of input influence the heart. God’s Word clearly cautions us about the desperate condition of our hearts. This is why the primary place we need God’s Word to condition our lives is in the heart – Ps 119:11.
Gen 8:21 “…Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood…(NIV)
Jer 17:9 The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
A person’s own heart can deceive him or her. The phrase, “Let your conscience be your guide” is simply not a Biblical idea. Paul clearly dispels this idea in 1 Cor 4:4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent… NIV
Prov 28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will escape. NIV
The fact is that we need each other. Our lives are incomplete as long as we choose to live in a place of independence and disconnection. It’s easier to cover everything up and pretend we’re fine than it is to uncover our painful flaws so we can receive healing and victory in our lives.
2 Pet 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. NIV
Community is the key to the next level of life.
John 11:43-44 Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (NIV)
When you hear the voice of Jesus calling to you and you respond you’ve moved from death to life as illustrated by the story of Lazarus. After you’ve moved from death to life you must learn to move from isolation into community if you’re going to truly discover freedom. Jesus assigned others the task of helping Lazarus get out of what he had been wrapped up in after calling him to life.
As I attended Celebrate Recovery recently Steve Smith spoke and shared some impacting statements:
“Character defects grow for years beneath the surface of our lives. We’d rather project image of adequacy instead of taking an honest and unsettling look at ourselves.”
“You can only grow so far alone then you reach a place where it takes another human being to get you to next level.”
“Stop conning and start confessing. You are only as sick as you are secret.”
The truth is that if it’s uncovered it cannot grow. In our Christian school the 4th graders conducted a bean-planting project for class. All of the beans sprouted and grew except for one boy. I remember coming into class daily hoping to see something sprouting on his behalf as he was very concerned about being the only one. We would later find out that every day when other kids were taking their cups to their desk to view their plants he’d been viewing his seed from day one. Every day he’d dig back the dirt to see the seed and then cover it back up. Because it was uncovered it could not grow.
This is precisely what happens in our lives. If we’re willing to uncover the confusion and deceit that tries to grow in our lives it simply can never take root. The problem is that in church we tend to lead people into a place of being real so they can receive Jesus and then we lead them into a place of being good to feel like we’re pleasing God. The key is being real not good. When we start trying to act good instead of just being real about our lives we start wearing masks and covering up our mistakes. It’s in this environment that our flaws begin taking root.
1 John 1:9 clearly teaches that admitting our weaknesses and flaws opens the doorway for healing to begin in our lives. Sometimes just one connection takes you to the next dimension. What relationships in your life are transparent enough to talk about your flaws.
The F5Fx Challenge of the week: Connect with a trusted friend openly and honestly this week about a struggle in your life?
Thank you Angie Low for sharing your story and how you have overcome the attack on your heart.
America & Israel
July 7th, 2010The most disputed portion of land in the world is only 8,000 square miles which is about 1/8 the size of Oklahoma. America has always aligned itself as an ally with Israel and this has recently come into question. This is very significant!
Turkey is Israel’s closest ally in the Muslim world.
Breaking news Monday 7/5/10: “Turkey has closed its airspace to all Israeli military flights & will sever diplomatic ties w Israel unless Jerusalem apologizes over the recent commando raid.”
Last wk 87 Senators petitioned Pres Obama to remove any question of America’s stand w Israel. Yesterday Pres Obama met w Israel’s Prime Minister & news networks reported a surprising turn toward support from Obama.
The Bible clearly predicts allied forces attacking Israel last days
Ps 83:4-5 They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more.” 5 For they have conspired together with one mind ; Against You they make a covenant NAS
Ezekiel 38 specifically names some of the key participants in the prophesied invasion of Israel. According to Ezekiel 38:5-6 Iran – Ethiopia – Libya – Poland & Turkey will be allies.
Gog, Magog, Meshech and Tubal. Webster’s Dictionary Meschech is the root word for Moscow, which is the Capitol of Russia. Scripture suggests that Russia will be the leading nation in the invasion of Israel.
Ezek 38:15-16 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you… and you will come up against My people Israel… NAS Moscow is due North of Israel
Demographic research I mentioned:
So where is America in all of the end time discussions?
Joseph and Egypt were intricately tied into the salvation of Israel in a time of distress and famine. Type of Christ
It was Pharaoh who named Joseph, Zaphnathpaaneah. An Egyptian name that means “God speaks & He lives” (so we are saved. God named Jesus. In the Hebrew his name is Yeshua. This name means saviour.
1. Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphnathpaaneah which means “God speaks & He lives” (so we are saved) (Gen. 41:45)
1. God gave Jesus His name, and His name means Saviour. (Matt. 1:21)
Joseph and Jesus were both 30 years old when God raised them up for public ministry.
2. Joseph was 30 years old when he started making provision. (Gen.41:46)
2. Jesus was 30 years old when he began his ministry. (Luke 3:22-23)
Sold for the price of a slave in their day:
3. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver. (Gen. 37: 28)
3. Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver. (Matt. 26:15)
Joseph was sentenced with two thieves one lived and one died. Jesus was sentenced with two thieves, one found eternal life the other found eternal death and condemnation.
4.There were two sentenced to prison- one lived and the other died. (Gen. 40:21-22)
4. There were two thieves with Jesus one found eternal life, the other death. (Luke 23:32-33; 39-43)
Judas is the New Testament name for Judah.
5. Judah was responsible. (Gen. 37:27)
5. Judas (New Testament name for Judah) was responsible. (Matt.26: 14-15)
6. Joseph was despised by his own brothers. (Gen.37: 4)
6. Jesus was despised by his brothers, the Jew. (John 1:11)
Both put into hands of officer in the strongest army in world during their time. Egypt & Rome = Potiphar & Pilate
7. Joseph was placed under officer in the strongest army in the world (Potiphar of Egypt, Gen. 37:36)
7. Jesus was placed under officer in the strongest army in the world (Pilate of Rome, Mark 15:1)
8. Pharaoh made Joseph Lord over everything with the authority of Pharaoh’s throne. (Gen. 41:39-44)
8. God made Jesus Lord over everything with authority of God’s throne (I Peter 3:22; Eph. 1:20; I Cor. 15:24-28)
Pharaoh sent bearers before Joseph commanded everyone under his authority to bow their knee before him.
9. Pharaoh commanded every knee to bow before Joseph. (Gen. 41:43)
9. God has commanded every knee to bow before Jesus. (Philippians 2:9-10)
Revelation brought Joseph out of the prison of death by Pharaoh and he was given a bride. Sinless Jesus was raised up from the tomb of death by the hand of God and given His bride.
10. Pharaoh gave Joseph a Gentile bride. (Gen. 41:45)
10. God gave Jesus a Gentile Bride. (Eph. 5:3)
Joseph is an amazing type of Jesus Christ:
Isa 46:10 tells us that the beginning speaks of the end. Is it possible that Joseph’s day of salvation for the Jews in the beginning speaks of the end times salvation for the Jews as the Bible predicts many Jews will come to Christ?
There are approximately 13 million children of Israel living in the world today: 5.4 mill in Israel, 6 mill in U.S. and 1.6 mill scattered into the rest of the world.
In a time of distress and famine for Israel God raised Joseph up in a wealthy Gentile Nation to West of Israel.
The Jews looked to God’s blessing upon the Gentiles for provision and assistance. I believe Jesus is doing a work in the wealthiest Gentile Nation of our day that correlates with Rev 12:14 that says there is a great eagle that rescues Israel
Is it possible that salvation is coming to Jews in America who suddenly rise up as a commissioned force to return to Israel to reach other Jews for Christ?
Hosea 11:10 They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
Ultimately Jesus is going to return. He came as a submitted lamb riding on a donkey surrendering to the cross. He will come back again as a roaring lion riding on a horse slaughtering with a sword. WHY?
Joel 3:2 I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land.
This little 8k square mile piece of land is very significant!
America has a commission in this hour of history that is huge!
Foundational Truth
July 4th, 2010David Barton:
According to the Delaware Constitution, 1776 – in establishing their new form of government, “Every person appointed to public office shall say ‘I do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost…and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and new Testament to be given by divine inspiration.’” This was a requirement to hold public office during the years of the Founding Fathers, not a requirement for seminary.
Our respect for the individual and our respect for the freedom of religion comes from the Christian foundational belief structure that established the Constitution and our Nation! The Constitution of the U.S. was clearly established for a self-governing people who were people of faith in God through Christ. John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.”
Somewhere a dangerous idea began being promoted that the goodness for the nation simply came from the greatness of government. National greatness rises from personal goodness and personal goodness isn’t found in ourselves.
Of the first 108 universities founded in America 106 of them were distinctly Christian.
HARVARD was established as a school of God’s Word – Harvard’s original stated purpose for its students was: “To be plainly instructed and consider well that the main end of your life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ….” One requirement of students was that “Everyone shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day that he shall be able to give an account of his proficiency therein.”
YALE was established as a school of Prayer – One of Yale’s requirements for its students read as follows: “Seeing that God is the giver of all wisdom, every student, besides his private and secret prayer, will be present morning and evening for public prayer.”
PRINCETON’S founding statement was, “Cursed is all learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”
THE FRESHMAN PROJECT OF EACH OF THE FOUNDING UNIVERSITIES in America was that the student be given a copy of the Greek New Testament and from it make a handwritten translation into English!
OLD DELUDER LAW: A law passed in 1647 in the state of Massachusetts the “Old Deluder Law” “…one chief object of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures…” The law goes on to mandate that any community of 50 families = teacher. 100 families = school.
In 1782, the United States Congress voted this resolution: “The congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”
Notice the State Constitutions and how they consistently reference faith in God:
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama … invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution …
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land …
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government …
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom …
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe …
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy …
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences …
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty … establish this Constitution …
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution …
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance … establish this Constitution …
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings …
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors …
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government …
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings … establish this Constitution …
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges … establish this Constitution …
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties …
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy …
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine … acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity … and imploring His aid and direction …
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty …
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe … in the course of His Providence, an opportunity … and devoutly imploring His direction …
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom … establish this Constitution …
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings …
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work …
Missouri 1945, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness … establish this Constitution …
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty … establish this Constitution …
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom … establish this Constitution …
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom … establish this Constitution …
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience …
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors …
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty …
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings …
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for … our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those …
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common …
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty … establish this …
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences …
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance …
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island … grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing …
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of the State of South Carolina … grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution …
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties … establish this Constitution …
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience …
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God …
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we … establish this Constitution …
Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to … enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man …
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI … Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator … can be directed only by Reason … and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other…
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution …
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia … reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God …
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility …
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties … establish this Constitution …
Summer Thirst
July 2nd, 2010Here are my notes from the Summer Thirst Friday morning session. It was such a pleasure to see so many people show up hungry for more of God’s presence in their lives.
Ps 63:1-8 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
For next week: Memorize Ps 63:1-4 & Read 1 Sam 16 – 2 Sam 2 & 2 Sam 5 looking for the 3 anointings of David. Take note of what you see these three times God anointed him.
Isa 58:11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Lead by Love Faith – Action – Learning – Example
a. What we’re doing isn’t as important as who we’re doing it with.
Handout – F5 = Lead by Love – cross points up and then laterally = love God love others.
Mark 14 Peter is telling Jesus of his love for Him saying even if he must die he’ll never deny Christ. In this same chptr of life that Peter falls asleep praying & denies Christ.
John 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” NAS
5 x’s the book of John references John as the disciple who Jesus loved. John’s own Gospel is the only Gospel making this reference. John had a revelation of God’s Love for him. When others fell away he was the only disciple who remained at the cross.
The Kingdom of God is built on something much stronger than your ability to love God. The Kingdom is built on the King’s love for you!
Man’s performance was lacking so God made covenant with himself and then offered to include us if we accept Him.
2 Tim 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful ; for He cannot deny Himself. NAS
“God doesn’t love us because we’re valuable. We’re valuable because God loves us.” ~ Martin Luther
David – Ps 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! NOTE that David isn’t saying how precious his thoughts were about God – how precious God’s thoughts were to him. Typically our approach is to develop our thoughts about what we believe and why we believe what we believe.
Saul & David speak of two very different perspectives.
1 Sam 13:13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. (Our decisions determine our destiny)
1 Sam 13:14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
DISCUSSION: What are some distinct differences you see between Saul & David?
SAUL: Me Strengths Competition Popularity Hierarchy
DAVID: Others Weakness Community Plurality Humility
DISCUSSION: What are some similarities you see between David & Jesus?
1. Shepherd / Shepherd
2. He liberated Israel from intimidating enemy / He liberates all who believe from enemy
3. Endured wilderness and trials – David wrote Ps 63 in the wilderness
4. Became king / King
5. A man after God’s own heart.
There are a lot of ways to express the flesh and the spirit.
Saul speaks of the flesh – David speaks of the spirit. We also see other illustrations throughout the Word.
Gen 12:8 Abram built an altar between Bethel (house of God) and Ai (Ruins). Believers dwell in place of constant choice. Choose life today.
Ai speaks of our battle with the flesh very clearly as it also became the next military objective for Joshua after the fall of Jericho. It guarded the gateway into the Promised Land.
Nobody’s really willing to sell their dreams but we will exchange them if we’re not careful.
Gal 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
The gift of hesitation that the Lord promises with every temptation – the way out so that you can stand up under it = 1 Cor 10:13.
Purposing to hesitate is not enough – choosing to revelate is closure to the situation. It actually turns places of temptation into prophetic training grounds for our lives and instead of these places being places of weaknesses they become places of strength & training. Brings a whole new dimension to the following:
2 Cor 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (NAS)
2 Cor 10:6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. (NAS)
Quiet time discussion: Rank 1-10 & explain strategy – if don’t have one corresponding Proverb/date – 7/2 = chptr 2.
This week:
1. Work at a daily personal time with God.
2. Connect w/& call accountability person during week.
3. Memorize Ps 63:1-4
4. Read 1 Sam 16 – 2 Sam 2 & 2 Sam 5 looking for the 3 anointings of David.
5. Pat/Pray for bit before leaving
UnMasked
June 27th, 2010On Wednesday, June 23rd we took time to listen to a testimony from Sharon Gardner (a member at Destiny) who explained how God set her truly free after years of being in the church. Pastor Lawrence then discussed the unmasking of our lives and the power that vulnerability and transparency releases in the church. This revolutionary message is a word for the church in this hour. Let’s live the unmasked life.
Here is the testimony and the message available to listen to or to download. May we listen to God’s word in this season.
Click here for audio message: UnMasked Christianity – Word By Lawrence Neisent
Uncovered Hearts
June 27th, 2010The heart has a profoundly powerful mission and mood in life. Once a person’s heart is moved the course of life is altered. The heart is a powerful force in life.
Because your heart is such a powerful force it can be very dangerous. If it gets in your heart it gets in your home. As the Pastor of Destiny people may meet my family and think we’ve all served the Lord all of our lives. The fact is that I grew up with a very lost father married to my mom . Our family story is one of great heartache, alcohol and drug abuse. Through it all my mom stood and believed and God reached into our home changing all of our lives. We are all serving God today with everything that we are. I’m very proud of my dad for the way he’s stepped into a place of spiritual responsibility for his home after years of not having any understanding of such things.
Any person and any home can be a complete mess if the wrong sources of input influence the heart. God’s Word clearly cautions us about the desperate condition of our hearts. This is why the primary place we need God’s Word to condition our lives is in the heart – Ps 119:11.
Gen 8:21 “…Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood…(NIV)
Jer 17:9 The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
A person’s own heart can deceive him or her. The phrase, “Let your conscience be your guide” is simply not a Biblical idea. Paul clearly dispels this idea in 1 Cor 4:4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent… NIV
Prov 28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but the one who walks in wisdom will escape. NIV
The fact is that we need each other. Our lives are incomplete as long as we choose to live in a place of independence and disconnection. It’s easier to cover everything up and pretend we’re fine than it is to uncover our painful flaws so we can receive healing and victory in our lives.
2 Pet 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. NIV
Community is the key to the next level of life.
John 11:43-44 Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (NIV)
When you hear the voice of Jesus calling to you and you respond you’ve moved from death to life as illustrated by the story of Lazarus. After you’ve moved from death to life you must learn to move from isolation into community if you’re going to truly discover freedom. Jesus assigned others the task of helping Lazarus get out of what he had been wrapped up in after calling him to life.
As I attended Celebrate Recovery recently Steve Smith spoke and shared some impacting statements:
“Character defects grow for years beneath the surface of our lives. We’d rather project image of adequacy instead of taking an honest and unsettling look at ourselves.”
“You can only grow so far alone then you reach a place where it takes another human being to get you to next level.”
“Stop conning and start confessing. You are only as sick as you are secret.”
The truth is that if it’s uncovered it cannot grow. In our Christian school the 4th graders conducted a bean-planting project for class. All of the beans sprouted and grew except for one boy. I remember coming into class daily hoping to see something sprouting on his behalf as he was very concerned about being the only one. We would later find out that every day when other kids were taking their cups to their desk to view their plants he’d been viewing his seed from day one. Every day he’d dig back the dirt to see the seed and then cover it back up. Because it was uncovered it could not grow.
This is precisely what happens in our lives. If we’re willing to uncover the confusion and deceit that tries to grow in our lives it simply can never take root. The problem is that in church we tend to lead people into a place of being real so they can receive Jesus and then we lead them into a place of being good to feel like we’re pleasing God. The key is being real not good. When we start trying to act good instead of just being real about our lives we start wearing masks and covering up our mistakes. It’s in this environment that our flaws begin taking root.
1 John 1:9 clearly teaches that admitting our weaknesses and flaws opens the doorway for healing to begin in our lives. Sometimes just one connection takes you to the next dimension. What relationships in your life are transparent enough to talk about your flaws.
The F5Fx Challenge of the week: Connect with a trusted friend openly and honestly this week about a struggle in your life?