You Can Be Whole

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be (Sozo) saved." {John 3:17}

Sozo is a Greek word typically translated as saved in the Scriptures. However, upon further examination of the word you will discover that it means "saved", "healed", "delivered", and "made whole."

Why is this important? The reason why we need to understand "Sozo" is because too often we only understand the salvation aspect of Jesus. In other words, we know that Jesus came to bear our sins upon the Cross. The problem with this limited view is that we typically only enter into the amount of grace that we see available. If all we know of grace is forgiveness of sin then we will be forgiven but continue to live in defeat. What God has made available in Jesus is so much greater than just being forgiven. God has unlocked the potential for all of us to experience abundant life through His Son.

Sozo is an interesting word in the Bible because the New Testament writers did not always use it when referring to being saved. There are other words translated saved, healed, and delivered. Sozo carries with it the idea of God's complete package. When we read about the ten lepers that were healed by Jesus, all of them were healed but only one was Sozo. The one who came back to Jesus was made whole.

As I was thinking about these verses the other day, I wondered how many people have simply considered Jesus as the cutting off point with God. We know that Jesus has said that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" and that "no one comes to the Father except through [Him]." Since Jesus is the only way to the Father then God can finally get rid of all those sinners. Right? But I want you to consider that God's intention is not to cut off anyone. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us plainly that "The Lord...not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." God has already judged sin at the Cross. The Cross was God's final verdict upon the sin of man. Jesus became sin so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Him. God isn't trying to cut everybody off. He's trying to bring everybody in!

The Good News of the Gospel is this:
1) God has Reconciled the world to Himself
2) He judged sin at the Cross
3) Sin is no longer the issue
4) Salvation is no longer about keeping the Law
5) To be "Sozo" (Saved) comes through Believing and Confessing

The use of the Gospel is not to bring condemnation but conviction. What's the difference? Condemnation is a sentence of damnation (i.e. - "cut off"). Conviction simply show us that we are guilty of falling short of the glory of God. Condemnation says that there is no hope. Conviction causes us to ask the question: "What must I do to be saved?"

Through Christ I don't have to be a slave to sin. I don't have to be a drug addict, an alcoholic, or an abusive person. In Christ I am healed, delivered, and set free. This is not only true for me but for every person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus. Why not be made whole today? You can be SOZO!

In Rememberance...

With a grateful heart we say "Thank You" to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great nation. While words cannot truly express our gratitude, know that you leave behind a legacy of courage, bravery, and willingness to give all. We will enjoy these freedoms and stand with you to defend them.

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." - George S. Patton

You Have Been Sent

Luke 4:17-21, "And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' And He rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Can you imagine the scene in the synagogue? It's truly one of those "WOW" moments we read about in the Bible. While many marveled at His sayings, some took it as an opportunity to reject Jesus as the Messiah.

Are you ready for another "WOW" moment? This too comes from the Bible, but involves you. In John 20:21 Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you." The same commission that was given to Jesus when He came to this earth has been passed on to us. We have been given the mandate to proclaim the good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, liberty to those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

That a huge task. How is it possible? It's possible in our lives the same way that it was possible for Jesus. At the very beginning of this passage from Isaiah we read the key to unlocking this ministry: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me..." As followers of Jesus Christ, we have this same Spirit - this same anointing. God ensured that His followers, the ones who came to Him through faith in Jesus would be empowered the same way that Jesus was. What is discovered in the life of Jesus is what was lost in the fall of Adam. The ability to walk in authority and dominion has been recovered.

Your faith will take on a whole new dimension when you realize that you were not saved just to go to heaven. When we read Scripture we understand that what God accomplished through Jesus was to set everything back in order. Jesus reclaimed what Adam lost by becoming the sacrifice for our sin and being raised from the dead. He told the disciples that all authority had been given to Him and that He was sending them in that authority. They to walk in the earth as those who had been anointed by God, empowered by the Spirit of God, and enabled by the grace of God. We are to release the kingdom of heaven here on earth. We are His anointed ones! We are His sent ones! It's our turn.

The prophet Joel made it clear that when God's Spirit was poured out that sons and daughters would prophecy, young men would see visions and old men would dream dreams. Every male servant and female servant would have God's Spirit poured out upon them and they would prophecy. This outpouring of God's Spirit is not just for the "select" - God means for all of those who know Jesus as Lord and Savior to walk in His power. While most of us believe the latter part of His prophecy "All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved", many struggle to believe the former (that all may prophecy).

Yes, this means you. If you know Jesus then you have been commissioned. When you received salvation then you also received a calling. You and I are to be the sons and daughters of God walking the earth. We are to proclaim His good news, set at liberty those who are captive and oppressed. We are to preach, teach, heal, and proclaim. Peter told the church that we are a royal priesthood. It was always God's intention to have a nation of prophet-priests who would minister for Him and unto Him. How's that for a "WOW" moment?

Are you ready? The Spirit of the Lord is upon YOU because He has anointed YOU to do this. Take your place child of God among those who are walking in the revelation of who they are in Christ.

A Father's Legacy

I was watching an episode of "The Waltons" with the family last night and heard an incredible quote. In this episode, Ben had purchased a pair of elevator shoes to make himself look taller. After walking around the house without being noticed by the family, he goes to his room. John (the dad) walks in to encourage his son. He says, "When people look only at your outside, it’s them that come up short."

Let me share a couple of observations:
#1 - Why don't they make TV programs like this any more? I remember watching these shows as a child. They were filled with strong family values, wisdom, and were very entertaining. Our children absolutely love watching these old shows with us. AND we are glad to share them!

#2 - Watching this exchange between John and one of his sons reminded me of the importance of speaking truth into your children. They are the legacy that we leave in the earth.

Studies have found that our children get their sense of identity, security, and protection from the father. Men, this is where we have to pay attention. I want you to consider the amount of fatherless homes in America. Is it any wonder that we have countless young people who are confused, seek constant approval from their friends, and struggle to see the truth of who they have been created to be. When the person who is responsible for providing these needs is not involved in our lives, the result is brokenness, emptiness, and despair. I know there are plenty of single moms giving their best to the children, but a strong woman can never make up for the influence of a man.

Identity - I want you to think for a moment about how you interact with your children. What does your son/daughter hear from you. Do they hear how amazing they are? Do we tell them that they are loved, accepted, and that God has purpose for them? If all our children receive from us is negative criticism then they will always have a negative view of who they are. When you read the Old Testament and find fathers blessing their children, they always end up walking in how the father has blessed them. Whether it is negative or positive - our words have power. We hold a great influence over the next generation. Can you imagine a generation that is strong in their identity?

Security - It is still reasonable to consider that in our culture the man is seen as the provider of the home. Even if mom makes more money we tend to look at the dad to be the one who supplies. When we struggle to provide for the needs of the home, then the view of dad can be skewed in the minds of our children. Not only that, but it also clouds our children's view of God. If we cannot trust our dads to provide for our needs when we are young then we will struggle with the idea that God can provide for all my needs in Christ.

Protection - Remember the arguments when we were kids: "My dad can beat up your dad"? Unless there is a body-building mother in the home, we tend to run to dad when we are scared. He is the protector. Our kids need to know that we will risk everything to keep them from danger. They need to know that we will defend them, fight for them, and shield them from the things that will cause pain.

The problems with our kids typically come from these areas. The same can be said about the role of the mother - she tends to handle the areas of comfort, nurture, and teaching. This is why a strong family environment is necessary to help kids become all that God has created them to be. The good news in all of this is that even when we fail to meet all of these needs that if we learn how to love our kids according to their love language that they can still be healthy. There may be areas of struggle but they don't have to go through life completely wounded. I know that when you had kids that you didn't realize you had signed-up for this - but it's our responsibility as parents to provide for all these needs.

Some tips from "The Waltons":
- Slow down your pace. These episodes were filmed in the 70's and reflect a time in America when life seemed to move at a much slower pace. There was always time for the family. They ate together, played together, and talked to one another. Look for the things in your family that cause you to be so busy. Can anything be removed?

- Simplify your life. "The Waltons" also reflect a time when life was much simpler. There is no TV, cell-phones, video games, or Internet. While I am a fan of technology, I'm not a fan of allowing these advances to raise my children. When I need to speak to my son or daughter, I don't want to have to fight the latest Disney show, the phones, or Internet games. I'm also not saying that you have to throw everything away. However, you should be willing to create boundaries. Be willing to change the things that complicate your life.

- Share life with your family. There is always something about these shows that make me envious. It's the quality of life that is discovered. Sure...times were hard, they had to work hard for everything they had; however, the family did not suffer. It's one thing to live with the awareness that nothing is easy but quite another thing to make everything hard. Your kids need you. They need your blessing. They need you to talk to them, embrace them, encourage them, correct them, etc. They need you to speak and share life with them.

***The legacy you leave with your children is up to you. It's not about the stuff you give, the amount of wealth that you create, or the possessions that you pass down. It's about you - giving yourself to ensure that your kids know who they are, are secure in your love, and feel protected. What are you going to leave for them?

A Ministry of Encouragement

1 Corinthians 14:3, "But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."

I want to say thank you to all the people that have brought encouragement to my life. It is my prayer that the Body of Christ understand the significance of this ministry.

Paul's letter to the Corinthian church has given us wonderful insight into the use of spiritual gifts. Due to the abundance of gifts within this particular church, he had to put some guidelines into place to ensure that the body would be edified (built up). It's a shame that many church leaders have used Paul's instruction to create division. Especially considering that Paul wasn't trying to restrict the use of gifts but create an environment where everyone could be ministered to properly.

When used properly, spiritual gifts bring edification. There is a "building up" of the one who operates in them and a "building up" of the one who receives ministry through them. I want to highlight the use of prophesy within the church. Paul states quite clearly that prophecy is to bring:
1) Edification
2) Exhortation
3) Comfort
I love Larry Randolph's take on the use of prophecy. He said, "When relating to God's Church, we are called to be Body-builders, not wife-beaters." In other words, when we minister to the Body of Christ, we should take ensure that we are building up the believers rather than beating them over the head. We must remember that we ministering to the Bride of Christ; therefore, we should make every effort to give honor.

Edification means "to build up." There are other places in the NT where the Greek Word is translated as building. In one instance you could be talking about a physical location like the temple. In other places it is quite clear that God is speaking about the saints. As we consider the use of prophecy within the church, we must make it our aim to build up the believers rather than tearing them down.

Exhortation means "to urge or admonish earnestly." The word is closely associated with edification but different enough to justify the need to clarify. The best way to define the need for exhortation within the body is to prompt and urge the church to draw near to God. The difference between edification and exhortation would be the passion with which we share the word.

Comforting the believer is also a means of bringing encouragement. Its root form means "to come alongside." It also means "to strengthen and to reinforce." To comfort one another is to bring physical, mental, and spiritual refreshment.

I believe it is quite clear that God wants us to bring great encouragement to one another. What is unfortunate is that we seem to only hear those who claim to be prophetic speaking doom and gloom or sharing harsh rebukes with the church. While I understand the need to help steer God's people in the right direction, or we may be dealing with the severity of sin in a person's life; we need to remember that it is the goats that have to be pushed. Sheep will hear the Shepherd's voice and follow.

Why don't you ask God if there is someone that He would like you to share some encouragement with today. Be a voice for our loving God into the life of another individual. You will be amazed at how often the Lord brings great encouragement through you. In fact, when you operate in the prophetic, God will always bring edification, exhortation, and comfort to the believer. Consider coming alongside someone today.

The Divine Nature & The Divine Institution

2 Peter 1:3-4, "as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

This past Sunday, I shared with our congregation from 2 Peter 1:1-10. What I am discovering is that we could talk about these verses for months and still uncover some incredible truth. Peter explains to the church that God has provided everything we need for life and godliness through His divine power at work in us. The Holy Spirit along with the grace of God allows me to live a full and holy life. If that wasn't enough, Peter also tells us that through the exceedingly great and precious promises of God that we are partakers of the divine nature. Put that in your faith pipe and smoke on it for a little while!!!

After meditating upon these words last week and over the last couple of days, there is much more at work here than just helping us be better Christians. I was talking with a friend today about how God is restoring his marriage. He and his wife had been going through a very difficult season. In fact, I wasn't sure how this would work out. I have perfect confidence in God's ability to speak to hearts but I was a little unsure about how the other person would respond. The greatest key to seeing this family come out of darkness and into the light as it relates to there marriage is so simple that we tend to overlook the significance: L-O-V-E.

That's right folks...LOVE. I'm always amazed that we struggle to consider that love has this type of power. If we are partakers of the divine nature of God then we have the ability to love as God loves. God is unconditional love - His nature of unconditional love is within us - it is upon us to draw from this nature if we are to manifest His love to others.

1 John 3:11 says, "For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." Now I realize that John was speaking to the church but folks we have to make this transition into our marriage relationships. We promise at the beginning of our marriage that we will love one another through a whole lot of "stuff." It is foundational to the covenant of marriage that we never stop this process of love. Once we choose to not operate in love then we are doomed to failure. This man stood and testified that as he learned to love his wife, demonstrate his love for her, and become more concerned with meeting her needs than his own that God began to break through the walls that had been built up over time. Have we learned this principle in our own marriages?

The Divine Nature of God must be married to the Divine Institution of Marriage. It is critical that you learn how to tap into God's love for your spouse. Brotherly love will only take you so far. Erotic love will only carry you for a season. Unconditional love will sustain your relationship for a lifetime! How can it not work when we learn to love one another with the love of God?

I dare you to take this challenge upon yourself. I'm not asking you to "fake it until you make it." I'm asking you to draw from the nature of God that is within you. He will provide you with the love you need. There is a way to forgive, become compassionate, and give mercy to your spouse. There is a vast supply of grace available to enjoy your marriage. It's a matter of seeing one another as sons and daughters of God - recipients of His divine nature - and loving as God loves. It's a matter of recognizing the awesome power of God's love in the world - realizing that He loves us before we ever loved Him - and that His love reached out to us when we were walking contrary to His heart. If God can perform this for a world that had walked away from their created purpose, don't you think He can help you do this in your marriage? I believe He can!!!

I want to encourage you. All is not lost. God is a master of restoration. He knows how to heal the broken-hearted. He understands what is needed to make things new again. This is His heart in salvation and it is His heart for your marriage. You can love again. By His divine power, drawing upon His nature, you have everything you need for a godly life and marriage.

How to start:
1) Repent for believing you could do this in your own power.
2) Pray - ask God to allow His love to flow through you.
3) Obey everything that God tells you to do in the restoration of your marriage.
4) Love - Love - Love - as He does (unconditionally).
5) Praise God for what you are going to receive in your marriage.

Something is Missing...

Well...somewhere is the ever expanding universe of the Internet, I seem to have lost the blog from yesterday. It was a good one too.

Don't you hate to lose things? When it comes to "stuff" - I do a pretty good job of keeping up with things. I used to never lend out books or a CD because I hated the feeling of wondering if I would get it back. Most of the time the item was returned. However, there have been a few items lost over the years.

What really gets me is when you are looking frantically for something only to find it in the first place you looked. You've done that...right? Circled the wagons, went back to the place you started and there it is...waiting on you. If you are a parent then I guarantee that you have been on this journey before:
"Did you look in your room?"
"Where was the last place you put it?"
"Are you sure that you looked in here?"
The seemingly random questions that are typically responded to with a "Yes...I looked everywhere!" Then you get involved with the search, go to the very place that you asked them about, and immediately the item is discovered.

The point is that we can spend a lot of time searching for things that are right under our noses. How many times have people with glasses searched frantically for the item that was placed right on top of their heads. There is a spiritual application here. How many people you know have been looking for themselves for several years now? Or...how many do you know that have tried to find answers in life but continue to come up empty? However, the truth is right in front of them. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."(Romans 1:20) God created the world in such a way that it speaks of His existence. Hear what the psalmist said: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Psalm 19:1)

The problem is that there have been many people searching, asking questions, and yet never come to the conclusion that there is a God and He cares for me. It's one of the greatest tragedies of human existence. I hope that's not you. I hope that you understand that we have a Creator who longs to have a relationship with His creation. To prove it - He sent His Son into the world. Don't miss this!!! Stop looking for something that is right in front of you. Jesus is the way to knowing the Father.

God's Faithfulness = Our Fruitfulness

1 Corinthians 1:9, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." Should operating in faith require so much faith? That may sound like a strange question but (after almost 20 years of following Jesus) I still struggle.

As I was thinking about this particular issue, I was reminded of 2 Peter 1:2-8:
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Here's why I believe the passage out of 2 Peter is so important:
Peter never tells us to add faith to our faith. Why? I believe it's because faith is to be the first ingredient in our walk with Christ. Without faith we are not able to activate the grace that is needed for salvation. We must believe - we must have faith - and we must walk in it. What Peter does teach us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is that we are to add something to our faith. In fact, verses 5-7 provide building blocks to growing in our faith. The culmination of all these things results in a fruitfulness in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is this intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ that helps us to trust in the faithfulness of God.

The size of your faith doesn't matter. It's not about having more. It is the quality of your faith that allows you to trust fully in the promises of God. As I grow in these areas of life, I will discover that trusting in God becomes easier. Think about this in the natural: The better I know someone, the easier it is to trust them. It is this experiential knowledge that stirs up faith within me.

Regardless of where we may be in our journey, 1 Corinthians 1:9 is still true. God is faithful. The psalmist David said, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." This knowledge of God came from a lifetime of devotion to His Creator. David understood that it was the faithfulness of God that led to the fruitfulness of the believer.

Operating in faith should not require so much faith. No...it simply requires faith. Faith that believes that God is faithful to His Word. Faith that believes whatever God says to be true. Faith that has learned to trust in what it cannot see. How is this possible? This type of faith is possible as we grow in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Got faith?

A Movie that Will Change Lives

Although you will have to wait until September 30th to see the newest movie creation from Sherwood Pictures, I want you to say "Lord willing, I will be there on opening night."

I was fortunate to watch a screening of "Courageous" - the upcoming movie from the creators of "Fireproof." I truly believe that what Fireproof did for marriage, Courageous will do for the family. This is a hard hitting, action packed, emotional film about a group of men set on changing the culture within their own home. If you have enjoyed any of the previous movies from the Sherwood family, then you will absolutely love this one.

Sherwood Pictures is a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church. Founded in 2002 by Alex Kendrick, associate pastor of media, Sherwood Pictures has released 3 wonderful family friendly films (Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof). Courageous is set to be the 4th film released from this ministry. With the box office success of the last two movies, I hope to see Courageous make its way into all movie theaters. If it comes to your home town, I hope you will find a way to make it to the premier.

The Sherwood Family has proven that every dream is achievable when God is leading the way. Although their funding is limited, the cast & crew are made up of volunteers, and most of these men and women are "normal" folks, the end results have been amazing. All of the movies have a special place in my heart. The entire family enjoys sitting down together and watching the productions. And my prayer is that Sherwood Baptist will continue to fuel the creativity of its members.

While there is still quite some time before the movie is officially released, plan on taking the family to the theater. The great the box office revenues, the greater the likelihood that future movies will make it to your local venues. The Kendrick brothers have done an amazing job in being able to speak directly to the hearts of people. The action scenes in Courageous are intense, the jokes are hilarious, and the emotions are captivating. I was glued to the screen from the outset of the movie. These men and women have done a wonderful job and I pray the Lord continues to use them for His glory.

As we get closer to the release dates, I will try to locate all the venues around the PBC Voice area and post them to the blog. I love seeing God's people being successful in business and ministry. In a culture that has been shaped by media in so many ways, this is a wonderful opportunity to shape the families of America. By God's grace, this movie WILL change lives!!!

May you be blessed.

Can You Believe This?!?

Luke 17:20-21 (GNB), Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. His answer was, "The Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. No one will say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!'; because the Kingdom of God is within you."

I have no desire to go into great detail with these verses today. This is where my thinking has been over the last couple of days. In fact, I plan on sharing a sermon on this particular subject (sort of), so I don't want to give away too much information. I simply want you to consider the words of Jesus.

As a pastor, there seems to be an emphasis today on doing teachings on a variety of subjects. It has gotten to the place where many church leaders are abandoning the Bible as the main source of their teaching/preaching. God continues to push in the completely opposite direction. It has gotten to the point now that through His Word and His Spirit's guidance that we can unlock information for every area of life. Period!!! How did I come to this conclusion? Simple...the Kingdom of God is within every believer. We just need to tap into it.

Over the weekend, I want you to consider this truth. Ask Father God to reveal His kingdom within you. Ask Jesus to speak to you concerning what is available. And ask the Holy Spirit to continue to show you how to tap into the resources of this kingdom. This is the potential that has not been unleashed in the earth. This is what is missing in the ordinary routine of church "life." The reality of God's kingdom within us removes every barrier. We have unlimited resources at our disposal, unlimited potential in the kingdom, and can have unlimited impact in the world. Can you believe this? Are you ready to operate in it?

I look forward to seeing how God brings this message together for our fellowship. Limitless ability, resources, and power through the power of His Spirit within us. WOW!!!

Drawing from the Well

In Kevin Dedmon's book "The Ultimate Treasure Hunt", he shared a vision that the Lord gave him concerning giving away what you have. I want to share this vision with you because I believe it is a beautiful illustration of drawing from the well of living water inside of us and seeing God increase what is available.

"A few years ago, I had a vision that helped me understand the principle of giving...In the vision I was standing next to a well in a field. As I looked further, I noticed other wells. Some were capped off, and I could tell that some of the wells had not been accessed for a long while because of the tall, unkempt grass growing up around them.

"As I stood in the field gazing over these various wells, I instinctively knew that they contained various resources of the Kingdom of God. For example, the water in one of the wells contained healing, while the water in other wells had love, or the prophetic, wisdom, counsel, joy, and on and on it went. I happened to be standing next to the well containing healing, but I only had a small thimble-sized container in which to dip out of the resources. So, I dipped with what I had available.

"As I began to drink of what I had recovered from the well, the Lord told me to pour it out...'But Lord, I won't have any left for me,' I responded. Silence. Finally, I got up the nerve to throw out the small measure I had received, heaving it as far as I could. To my surprise, a crop of fruit immediately sprang up in the exact spot where I had thrown the water.

"I turned back toward the well, and as I began to dip again, to my amazement, my thimble-sized container had increased to a shot glass-sized container. Once again, I dipped the container into the well and pulled up the water. As before, the Lord said to pour it out. Without hesitation, I threw it in a different direction, and a larger crop of fruit immediately grew where the water had landed.

"I went back to the well. This time, my shot-glass container turned into a mug-sized container. I repeated the process again and again until my thimble-sized container had eventually turned into a super-sized, supernatural water truck! The more I gave, the larger my container became, as well as the size of the crops of fruit, as I continued to just give away the new measure I had received.

"I then proceeded to the others wells, where I was give a thimble-sized container from which to dip. I went to wells that I had previously drunk from but had quit because of a lack of fruitfulness. I found that as I re-opened those well and gave away what I had received instead of consuming it myself, supernatural measure were obtained from each of the wells and supernatural fruit was harvested everywhere I had poured out...the water.

"I want to encourage you that you have all the resources you need to get started on your journey in becoming the Ultimate Treasure Hunter. You can grow in supernatural measures of faith if you continually utilize the testimony and give away what you currently possess, even if it seems thimble-sized..." [The Ultimate Treasure Hunt - pp.163-165 - Dedmon]

What an awesome picture! I don't know about you, but there have been times that I felt the Lord leading me to share a "word" with someone or pray a particular type of prayer, only to shrink away because I didn't think I had enough in me. There are times, without realizing it, that each of us have failed to believe that everything we need for life and godliness is already ours through His divine power. We have not trusted fully that we have been made partakers in His inheritance. I want to encourage you to stop shrinking-back. Go headlong into what the Spirit of God is leading you to do. I know at times the words may sound crazy, or the prayer seems impossible, but you have resources available to you to see the kingdom of God manifest in the earth.

I am learning. There are times that I have great boldness and times where my faith isn't as strong. There are times when I feel as though I can conquer the world, and times when I feel weak. What I am learning is that God is able to "do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" {Ephesians 3:20} However, if we do not dip into the wells that He has made available then we will not access any of the other wells around us. At some point we are going to have to take a risk. We are going to have to operate by faith and believe that what God is prompting us to do will happen exactly the way He chooses.

Are you ready to draw from the well? Remember...you have living water to give to all who thirst!!!

Our Confirmation

I apologize for my absence. I had some meeting in Richmond during the first part of this week. After my trip last week, and being gone during the first few days of this one, I'm looking forward to the routine of life. It's good to be back!

While I was in Richmond, I heard the testimony of a friend who is a worship leader. He talked about his life and growing up in the church. However, it was at the age of nineteen that something occurred in his life that made a huge impact. It was this event that led him into the ministry, and opened up a whole new experience in the Christian life. The difference maker? The Holy Spirit.

Roger was 19 years old and spending the summer in Yellowstone Park. There was a lady there ministering to the young people. She spoke about the Holy Spirit being real in our lives and His ministry in us. Roger grown up in church but had never heard anyone refer to the Holy Spirit in this way. He said, "I prayed that night that God would fill me with His Holy Spirit, and He did. I woke up the next morning in awe of God and His creation. As I looked around at my surroundings (the clean air, and purity of His creation) I realized that I was just as clean and pure on the inside."

1 John 3:24, "...And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." John made it very clear to the church that it was the Spirit of God that testified to who they were. Following His commands was important, loving our brothers/sisters in Christ a validation, but it was the testimony of the Spirit that sealed the deal. We could debate our religious service, and we could adhere to rules and principles, but the difference maker - the confirmation of our salvation - is the Holy Spirit of God.

I have wondered how we could miss this great truth. How could anyone, growing up in church, never hear about the Holy Spirit's reality in us? How could we not be told that He leads us, ministers to and through us, and longs to be the vital link between us and the Father? It is the Spirit that seals us, empowers us, and directs us in this life. It seems to me that we have built much of the Christian life upon OUR ability to follow, OUR ability to understand the Word, and OUR ability to live this things out. God had other plans. He had already went that route in the Old Covenant. It didn't work because the people couldn't do it. Sin was too powerful in their lives. That is why Jesus died - to break the yoke of sin and give us the opportunity to be free and filled with His Spirit. In this way, we can live out what God has planned for us. When Jesus told His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit after His departure, He said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." {John 16:33} Just the knowledge of the Holy Spirit's coming was to bring peace to the disciples during the tribulation they would soon experience. Now that He has come, we have peace in believing. The Holy Spirit continually testifies that we are His. He is our confirmation.

Our confirmation was never meant to be a sacred ceremony in the church. It was never meant to be a "sacrament" to be held through religion. And regardless of how well we do through some classes, etc.; our confirmation comes through the Holy Spirit - not a church event. Our salvation is all about God from start to finish. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. The Holy Spirit is God's stamp of approval for our faith. When we confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, He comes and dwells inside every believer. Once we have His presence within us, then God can bring us to a greater experience than salvation; walking in the power of His kingdom. When you and I are completely immersed in that river of life that He has place within us, and living continually filled by His Spirit, we are awakened to a greater reality of our faith. We have gifts available, power for life, and the confirmation of our salvation. This is why I talk about the Holy Spirit. He is the presence of God within us, working through us, and working for us for the pleasure of God.

I invite you to know Him more intimately. Ask God to fill you with His presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you about the reality of His work. Ask Jesus to reveal to you all that is available through the ministry of His Spirit. And be ready to experience a greater reality of God in your life. Allow His to confirm your faith in God and live as one who abides in Him.