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The Originator [in my best Arnold voice]

I know it goes without saying that God is both beginning and end, top and bottom, left and right, first and last, Alpha and Omega, the one that was, is and always will be. Colossians 1:15-17 describe Jesus as the image of the invisible God, that all things that are created in heaven and earth, both visible and invisible, throne and dominions, principalities and powers were created through Him and for Him. He is the all and all, the great I AM. If you ask, “is He” His answer is, “I am”. He is the I am healer, the I am strength, I am provider, I am grace, love, life, peace… Basically any problem, any situation or storm, He is the “I am” answer. There is not anything that you’ve been through, are going through or will ever go through that Jesus is not the answer to. He has already accounted for all possible outcomes and has planned every contingency. He has taken into account every sin and mistake you have, are, or will ever commit and has paid the price… IN FULL!!!

That being said, may I encourage each of us to examine our hearts and thoughts? There are many in the body that feel as though their life of service to God is a favor. As though they go to church so now the Almighty owes them. They worship and praise… I mean they even tithe and because they do all of these “favors” for God then God better do what they want, when they want and how they want. Some may even feel that because they said a prayer that this entitles them to salvation.

Listen bud, that’s just not the way it is. Salvation is not a favor given to God. It is a body that was broken and blood that’s been shed. All is all and can’t be any more then all.

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ³⁴ “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” ³⁵ “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?” ³⁶ For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

 

There are no favors done for God, not praise, not worship, not tithing, not attendance, not service, not love, not nothing! (double negative, I know) My point is this: even the things we do for God, the love we give to God, began with Him and it is Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary that enables us to access the grace it takes to love the Lord and to do His will.

Great Expectations

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We live in a society that has such low expectations on its participants. Oh sure, we tell ourselves and others, “You can do anything” or “ You can be whatever you want to be.” But, when it comes down to what is, being what is, do we really believe that? Not believe in the some casual passer by sense, but believe in an intimate and real sense, like my life depends on it sense, like nothing else matters sense. My point being if we don’t really believe it then is the one we are saying it to really able to believe it?

Then if we base our expectation on what we really believe, really, really believe, then I can honestly say our true expectations are considerably lower than they should be. Allow me if you will to take this train one step farther and say what we believe is not simply a state of mind, but a state of action, a state of life. To simply say we believe isn’t really worth the hot air coming out of our mouth. What we believe needs to have a little gas in the tank and fire on the plugs. So if we then take the reality of our actions and not simply the hot air billowing from our lips and let that be the basis of our expectations. Then I say once again and though you shake your head no defiantly it doesn’t change the reality that our expectations are considerately lower than they should be.

Look, my friend, Jesus was and is the only man that ever lived that truly had His expectation meter right where it was supposed to be at 100%. He walked it, He talked it, He lived it, He did it BUT!!!! Most importantly He died for it. He died that, that walk and talk, that lived and did, might be expected by you. Just consider that for a moment the very low expectation that Christian society has on salvation. In so many ways salvation is a prayer we say so we don’t have to endure hell for all eternity. Jesus did not allow His body to be broken, His precious blood to be shed, His very life to be taken so you could say a prayer. He died the death that He died so that you could live a life, so you could live a life of talking and walking and living and doing. He died because of the great expectation He has in you. He doesn’t just say He believes you can do anything, but He died so you would.     

Preparations Have Been Made (or have they)?

One of my favorite chapters in all of Scripture is Matthew Chapter Twenty-Five. Jesus is winding down His earthly ministry taking place just two days before the Passover at which He will celebrate a final meal with those closest to Him. Following dinner they will escape to a solitary garden to pray before He is arrested.

In this passage Jesus tells us three stories and over the next few days we will cover each of the three.

The first story is one of preparation. In verses one through thirteen, Jesus tells of ten virgins. Five of these virgins were wise and the others were foolish. All ten were virgins, all ten filled their lamps, all ten went out to meet the bridegroom. But the Bridegroom delayed, and did not show at the time they thought that He would. As a matter a fact, by the time the announcement came that the bridegroom was about to enter, all of the virgins had fallen fast asleep. Being roused from their sleep, they trimmed their lamps and prepared to go out and greet Him.

Here is where the story turns, for the five foolish virgins had not brought extra oil and began to ask the wise if they might borrow some. The five wise respond wisely. “There is not enough for all of us. Quickly go to the market and purchase some”. While away the bridegroom enters, the wise virgins are there to greet Him and they are escorted into the feast. Later the foolish come and beg entrance, the bridegroom says to them “I don’t know you”.  The word “know” here means to have intimate knowledge of. It speaks of closeness, intimacy it even goes on to indicate the closeness between a husband and a wife.

Ten virgins we have in all, five are wise and five are foolish. All are virgins, all are pure, all have oil, all have lamps, all go out and all fall asleep. But then Jesus, the bride groom, doesn’t do what those that are pure thought He would. (Stop and consider how often that happens, only all the time) When Jesus doesn’t arrive when He was “supposed to”. Whatever that is, as if we are the ones that can say what He is “supposed to” do or when He is “supposed to” arrive. Then when He doesn’t show in man’s time, but He is God and shows right when He has meant for all eternity to show.

We have the foolish virgins who have done everything right except one thing: they thought the bride groom would come according to their time line… BUT He doesn’t, and because He doesn’t they haven’t enough oil. As so many that are foolish often do they try to get some oil, some anointing, some intimacy, from those that seem to have extra. But understand this is not extra oil, this is just enough oil to stand when the standing is needed. Some may ask why do we pray so much, why do we worship so much, why do we remain in the word so much? My friends it’s not extra it is only enough. When the bridegroom arrives I want to be among those that are “known”.

Sleeping Disciples

It is the time of year when soft colors come out and children search for eggs in the yard. When those that may never grace the pews of a church attend. A time of candy and family, fun and food, a time to celebrate our risen Savior. The Gospels give an account of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior and Lord Jesus. Accounts that many of us have read, heard, or been taught from the time we were young.

As we begin, what do you say we reflect on this night two thousand years ago. Jesus has concluded His final meal with those that are closest to Him. They closed the time with the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the wine. Making their way to a grove of olive trees, the garden called Gethsemane, Jesus asked that they would watch and pray. Going a stone’s throw away, our Lord prays to His Father. Coming back Jesus finds His disciples asleep.

Asleep at a time like this, the gravity of their slumber resounds through time. Don’t they realize the time in which they live? The moment, that very moment was a time prophets had spoken of, heaven had waited for, a moment that was to forever shape the future. How can you sleep at a time like that??? We would not be sleeping, would we? We would be up praying, interceding, watching, and waiting. Knowing God’s glory was about to be seen, salvation realized, redemption paid and the veil that separated God and man torn asunder. That’s what we would be doing, that’s what we would have done…

 Or is it? 

When I stop and consider the price paid. Not in the blood of goats or bulls, not even the blood of a normal man, but the blood of God, the blood of the Word become flesh, the blood of God’s very creative power at work. How precious the price! And what could be purchased at such a high and costly price? Why salvation, of course. Salvation that brings light to the darkness, life to the dead and God’s glory to a lump of clay. It brings healing to the sick, peace to the hurting, joy to the sad, liberty to the captive. Literally, the list could go on, and on, and on. This is what was purchased at such a high price.

Now is when this blog gets real, so buckle on your big boy pants because this may hurt a little. When Jesus looks at His modern day disciples and the price that was paid, the promises that have been guaranteed. When he sees the epic and supreme moment in which said disciples live. Realizing a need that is so great, a battle so fierce; yet the ability to win, to overcome. Does He find in you a disciple that is simply sleeping in the garden?

Honestly

Let’s face it we all need some change. The first step in change is honesty and often the hardest person to be honest with is ourselves. It’s so easy to see the change needed in the world, our city, school, friends, and family but in ourselves… it’s much much harder. It’s like we can see every situation and problem in 20/20 except the ones in us. We can see so clearly what everybody else needs to do… But what we need to do? Jesus spoke in Matthew about the plank in our own eye. We all have planks and sometimes these planks prove to be great microscopes of other’s specks. Look I’m not saying that the speck is not there, oh it’s there and is ever irritating but as long as you have that big old ugly plank impairing your sight, don’t think you’re qualified to do eye surgery. Because you are not. Like I said, the first step to change is honesty. Can I be honest with you??? No, really can I? If I can’t then you should stop reading right now… Really I mean it, if you’re not ready for a healthy dose of honesty then just stop… So you’re still here, that means whether it hurts or not you want to hear the truth. The truth is, Jesus. He is the beginning, middle and end, the way, truth and life. HE KNOWS BEST!!! He sits at God’s right hand, and God is still all-powerful and all knowing. He is all knowing, which means He sees and knows every situation and problem that you are facing. He is all-powerful, which means He could easily remove and destroy every situation and problem. We make statements like, “I just can’t take anymore”, “I’m giving 100%”, and “I’m doing my best”. Here comes that honesty… You underestimate what you can take, overestimate what you give and have no clue what your best is. Just saying… You can take more than you’ve taking thus far, can give more than you’ve given and your best is seated in the heavenlies. So let’s stop basing what we are and can do on those around us and come to the realization that each of us needs change. So find that plank and start removing it. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking one prayer of repentance is going to do the trick. This is a thing that we walk out daily and the situations and problems you’re facing are the tweezers God is using. Honestly

Dagon-it

Dagon-it
1 Samuel 5:1-5 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. 5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.
Ya know it’s kinda funny how often we do this very same thing. We try to bring the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords and put Him in a place with all our lil’ fake gods. We try to give each of our gods a fare share of our time, talent and resources. Oh sure we all have lil’ Dagon’s that try to come in and steal what belongs to Jesus. We can try over and over and over but each time our lil’ Dagon’s are in the presence of God they fall to the ground and crumble. Even the Philistine’s after rats and tumors got the idea that every knee would bow and tongue confess… Let us choose this day who we will serve.

Acceptable

Hey
I just wanted to drop a quick note letting you know some of the stuff God's been speaking. Jesus lived, died, was buried, rose and ascended all out of the Father's love for you. That is how important you are. Once we lived a life of sin. This life was Not acceptable... But now through the mercies of our Father we have the opportunity to live a life that is. A life that is acceptable. This kind of life Romans says is our reasonable service. It is our reasonable service to give ourselves as a living sacrifice. It's not just our reasonable service it is God's perfect will. I call God's perfect will for my life, "destiny, purpose, the plan". So we have the opportunity to discover destiny as we give ourselves as a living sacrifice.
Join us Sunday at Pursuit for more!!!
Love ya
Pastor Joshua

Yeah I'm soft

Yeah I’m soft
On every occasion a gentleman ought to show the ladies in his life how important they are. Some fellas have asked me why I do flowers or chocolate and cards for mothers, daughters, and sisters. Why not just your wife? Well, my friends, I for one believe daughters in our day and age ought to be taught by daddies how precious they are and how much they are loved. Keep in mind, dad, that daughters need daddies who are not afraid or forgetful and who notice the little things. Every son ought to think of his mom on Valentine’s Day. Dads, its good training for your son to look out for his mom and if he doesn’t learn it from you, then who? What about sisters? Well every brother’s sister has had a Valentines Day that they hated. So why not take the opportunity to let her know that there’s one guy who will always look out for her and love her. Now if you’re a husband asking why should you do something for your wife… Wow! Well just because she is the missing rib, flesh of your flesh, bone of your bone, and has decided to make the most binding earthly covenant with a mug like you. Trust me if you’re asking then your not the easiest chump to deal with and she probably deserves an extra dozen roses just for putting up with you. So gentlemen take it from the brother of two sisters, son of three moms, father of 4 girls and the husband of one amazing wife… Its worth it!!!

Reaper #2

What you sow today is what you will reap tomorrow. If you sow your time, talent, resources, assets and all the good gifts God has placed on the inside of you into the bottomless pit of your flesh you will from the flesh reap death. Why? Because from the moment Adam sinned flesh was corrupted, corrupted with sin. The wages of that sin is death. BUT!!! If we make the choice today to sow into the Spirit we will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Not just eternal in quantity but eternal in quality.

Reaper

A fact of life; we are all reapers. What goes around comes around. And everyone takes a sigh of relief and says “Thank God for grace”. Grace gives us the opportunity to wipe the slate clean. To start over in the process of sowing and reaping. Scripture tells us not to be deceived God cannot be mocked, what a man sows he will reap. If one sows to the flesh, he’ll from the flesh reap death; but if he sows to the Spirit he will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let’s face it, we’ve all sown alot to give our flesh what it wants. Whether it’s the newest phone or car, or perhaps it was just telling that little bit of gossip that we just couldn’t keep in. You see sowing into our flesh is not just fornication and sexual promiscuity. Sowing into our flesh could be that little white lie that you told at work to get ahead. One way or another we’ve all done it, and still do it. Again a sigh of relief and say thank God for grace. Each of us is so very unique and special full of gifts and talents and just good stuff God has blessed us with. Time, talents, attributes and assets deposited on the inside. Many times we waste much of the gifts deposited on trying to satisfy the bottomless pit of flesh. This pit is never full and can never be satisfied. But wait repentance means we have the ability to not just say sorry but change. Change the place we deposit what has been deposited in us. Instead of trying to fill the bottomless pit we can give more to the Spirit and reap eternal life. You see the cool thing about eternal life is it is not just a quantity of life but it is also a quality of life. The heavenly quality. Yeah that’s what I want to reap. I’m gonna sow a little more of me into eternity.

Haiti day 1

Haiti day 1

Yesterday we flew into Miami. Had a really good time eating Cuban Food, drinking Cuban coffee, and just having a really good time. We awoke before dawn and on a plane by 8 am. My normal enjoyment of the sight, smells and heat was nonexistent today. It was not the tent cities or cracked structure of the airport I remembered from my childhood. I walked off the plane via jetway... I was half way down the jetway when I realized I was not out in the open air. It was short lived; as soon as we got inside we were escorted outside to a bus. From the bus to a hanger made into a make shift immigration station.

As we stepped out of customs I saw many of the familiar faces of those that work outside the airport. Some I've know for 15 or so years. Happy to see they were well and alive. I listened to their stories of how some lost some and many lost all. Everyone living in the tent cities. At the Haitian Governments recommendation most have left their houses to do the structural insufficiencies. Even those that still have houses right now are not living in them. Pastor Antonio's is pretty hard-core, he's not left his house. He still sleeps in his own bed. Though right now it’s all alone as his wife and children are still too scared to.
Pastor told us the stories tonight of the first earthquake. He was driving down Delmas when everything started shaking violently. Many fled the cars to seek safety in nearby buildings only to find that would be the last bad decision they would ever make. How often do we as people seek refuge in the things of this world only to have them cave in on us? A few days later there was a large after shock at around 2 am. Pastor was asleep in his bed when it hit. He stayed in his house, kneeled in the corner and began to pray.
I drive past the heaping piles of rubble. And I mean heaping. You shouldn’t throw 9.0 earthquakes if you live in a concrete house. Some houses are completely flat and I drive by wondering if there was someone's child inside. Other houses are deformed like a teeter totter broken at one end. Streets are filled with debris, dust and broken concrete. Yet as I look at the people they haven't changed. They are not broken. Instead they take it as they always have one step at a time. Trying to scrape some form of happiness in a place where it can be hard to find. As we eat dinner with friends that are more like family, I see the smiles, hear the laughter and listen to the conversations in Creole and I am happy. Happiness still exists in Haiti.

Haiti day 2

Haiti day 2

Sleeping like Bedouins in a brush arbor lean-to with beds. It was good, real good. Haitian countryside is still one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Amidst the death, destruction and piles of rubble, the mountains still stand majestic. The clouds circle around set aglow by the sun. One lone coconut tree divides the scene.
Ah a breakfast of pasta and hot dogs with a cup of Haitian street coffee and we're off to church.
Got some good video clips at church. It was great to be back under a Haitian brush and tin church. The praise, passion and perspiration. Praise hard, pray hard and preach hard all make for a killer combo at church. Sitting down to some fried bread and fruit before we head north and back to the unknown. Where will we go, where will we sleep? All good questions yet to be answered.
Wahoo... WOW!!! It is so many things about Haiti that I love. It's the Caribbean breeze on my face, blowing my shirt as I walk down the beach. Still dripping salt water from my shorts onto my feet. Eyes still stinging from opening them too long under the light blue sea. I look at the mountains and miss my childhood spent in this place. I look down at the sea and I miss my Tony and Boo. Watching them jump from ''the cliff'' into the water. I think to myself how quickly life passes and I miss my wife. Her with me in this place. It’s very easy to romanticize, after all I am still just romantic watching the sun set.
For dinner will it be steak or conch? I'm leaning towards the conch. As dad and I walk through the bar to the restaurant. Dad sees a guy at the bar looks like a guy we use to know and sure enough it was. Phil Synder from some 20+ years ago; wow now that's crazy. We spend a few minutes talking about the old days no one wanting to jump into the nowadays. Man some of my earliest memories of Haiti include this guy.
The moon is out tonight, its almost full. The waves break on the rocks below. They’re loose and rolling rubbed smooth by the constant push of the waves. You know it's very possible that these may be the same rocks that were here when I was a kid. As we talked to Phil he introduced us to a friend. This was a friend he'd had in Haiti since 1982. That makes me a little sad, seeing that I haven't ever had that. Hmm... Weird huh???

Haiti day 3

Haiti Day 3

Slept good last night, woke up in the morning and there were no extra bites on me... But the ones from the first night were still here. I had the thought that maybe the sun would help rid me of these foul red dots that plague my fore arms and ankles. It was a good thought and I was so white. It doesn't hurt... Yet!
drove past where our old house in Montrouis used to be. It’s gone now. So we drove on remembering places we'd been and things we'd done. A crusade over there, snorkeling there. These conversations lasted all the way to St. Marc. We drove by the Duane and harbor. I can remember the Son Ship and others coming in there. Then past the old Catholic church and made our way to the road Amy and Malinda used to live on. I could remember the most horrific bike accident of my young life happening when another guy (who was towing a girl I might add) lost control of his bike and slammed into me head on. Malinda's bike totaled. I still feel bad for busting her bike. As we went along and remembered our old house was down a street to the right. We actually stumbled on it. Wow the memories that came flooding back. The old pump where I'd spent countless hours now had a spigot. The little house was still there. Jenn and me shared the room in the front, dad and mom in the back. Across the drive lived the Bennett's. Scott was probably the coolest person I'd ever met at 10. He had an Atari and a motorcycle. He spoke Creole and had a pretty older sister. I told ya the memories came flooding back. Crazy huh.
Our first day we drove by the apartment where I used to live. Man talk about memories. We'd sleep up on the roof. I can remember conversations I had and watching shooting stars and sneaking out in the middle of the night. Mr. Adams lived right next door and everyone from Ricky, Carleen, Sopia, JJ and so many others in the apartments below. I met a MK that lived on the outskirts of Arcahaie. His family had been here for 8 months, he was about the same age as I was back then. I guess if I had any words of advice for him it'd be to enjoy it. Don't hate it cause you're missing out on McDonalds and Snicker bars. Everybody can have those things. But not everybody gets what you have. So don't hate it cause one day soon it'll be gone and you’re gonna miss it. I know you don't believe it now but trust me its true.

Day 4 Haiti

Haiti day 4
It’s hard to believe we're flying today. But before that there is a lot to get done. Ah we got time. Let's do an early morning swim and our video work then we'll head out. Got to get up to Kenscoff and the traffic is... Well the same as it always is, crazy. Stop, go, stop and stop some more. Three hours of traffic only to find out the reason I was headed up to Kenscoff was down in the city today. Ah that's alright. Got to eat some griot and banan pese. It seems like I spent most of my day in traffic. There's nothing like having three days of sweet Haitian memories only to sweat my way through three hours of Haitian traffic. Oh well life is good and I'll be touching down in Miami in a few hours. Funny this trip went so fast. I can't wait to get back. We've got a lot of work ahead and it's already begun.

10 days to Pentecost

Goal: See God face to face
How: By fasting and praying for 240 hrs.
Why: To shed off the restraints of the past and sustain an atmosphere in which destinies can be received and souls changed through crazy encounters with Jesus.

Jan. 2nd 2010. For 10 days the leaders, members, and supporters of the Pursuit Church based out of Fayetteville, NC will set themselves apart to fast and pray for a burning flame to be released first in their hearts and then over their entire city. This portion of time will be spent seeking God and His will for the lives of all who participate and the lives that will be touched through the breakout ministry that will inevitability follow this massive gathering of passion, desire, repentance, and restoration. In the Bible the founders of the Christian Church spent 10 days fasting and praying for the will of God to be released over their city, and after this 10 day siege of the heart of God, He released His Spirit over them and Pentecost was born. At the beginning of the New Year, the newly released founders of the Pursuit will seek this same pouring out from God. As part of this consecrated time, participants will join together at the newly constructed prayer room for the Pursuit Church to keep a constant fire of prayer burning before God 24 hrs a day for the full 10 days. These teams will be in the room at various times of the day and night seeking change, leading the new members, learning from the Spirit, and standing watch over their city. This wont be the first for the veterans of the prayer movement sweeping America and Fayetteville, but each time God has always done something new and even more spectacular than in the past gatherings, and this time maybe no different. The Pursuit Church has decided to make no resolutions this new year, but to bring a revolution.
This isn’t your mom and pop’s resolutions, so if you are looking for a challenge, curious to find your destiny, or even skeptical of this whole endeavor than I openly invite you to come out and see what this is all about. Check out www.PursuitLife.com for more information.

Availability?

So I was driving on my way to work this morning and I started thinking....I know...not the smartest thing for me to be doing...especially behind the wheel....lol.......So as i was driving and thinking about life and God and stuff like that....it came to me that just like my job requires me to be available at all times....so God wants us to be available and open at all times.
Working in the Hospitality industry, mainly in the food service department, we are required to be flexible and keep ourselves as open and available as possible to changes in our schedule and to fill in if needed. Things can change at the drop of a dime and sometimes, no, almost all the time, that means someone will have to be called in to serve and at times that may mean doing more than what is part of their "job description." I could probably do a whole sermon on the similarity between the hospitality industry and the life a christian, but for right now i just want to show the main thing that got me meditating.
Are you available? Could God call on you to step up and do something that someone else decided not to do? Would you answer? How much are you showing God your availability to serve His Kingdom and the souls that are either in it now or He is sending you to bring in?
I encourage you to stay open and available to God. It could be the one moment that you say "here I am Lord, send me" and He sends you straight into your destiny and your life and the world is changed forever, simply because you were available.
Just a thought. Loves and Hugs!
Written By Mike Wing

Pursuing...the story behind the passion

A symbiotic life form that is a representative of the reality of what is and what will be. As I type these words a group of Christian believers are gathering at the home of their mentor, leader, spiritual father, friend to discuss the launching of a new church. Not just a new church, but more of the final birthing of a vision that has laid inside the hearts and souls of those called to bear such a dream, such a vision, such a reality of revival. From the day their chosen leader saw the flames over the Market House in the first of many great glory smackdowns, to the sudden release of that same vision to those who were fortunate, no, blessed, no, honored, to be in that sacred place; to the slow and often times painstaking labor of nurturing, protecting, sharing, and planning for the birth of this holy vision, this sacred child of revival, all who were the elect were being prepared for this great day. Though many have fallen away, some to return, others to remain wandering amidst the fog of confused identity and fallen dreams, the desire to see this come to pass has burned deep within those that were open to receive, those open to be selected, those open to be branded by the steel rod of Revival, of Repentance, of True Discipleship, of True Worship. Many have come against this birth of a new breed of holy warriors, just like many in the past have fought to destroy the bearers of a new regime, from the days of Rome to the satanic days of Hitler; yet through the fires they come. They seem to be a sort of unique brand of character, of strength, of loyalty. They stand as one and fall as one, all while singing praise to the One who is the reason for their very existence. To speak of this is sending fear through my very heart, for to speak of such things is an honor, a holy duty, to be the voice of the silent ones.
Written by Mike Wing

Fathers Arms

For my children there is no place safer than my arms. No concrete bunker or underground layer can compare to a living breathing always loving father. My children may never fully realize the extent or the lengths to which I would go to protect them. A concrete bunker cannot compare to a living breathing loving father.
It’s funny isn’t it. We try to surround ourselves with all the things this world has to offer. We fill our lives with as many comforts as we can. We lock ourselves in the bunker of this world and pray this world will keep us protected. Only problem is, is that heaven and earth will pass away. All the big strong things we believe in and put our trust in will all pass away. The storms of life will blow and burst and flood. Situations will explode leaving only the remnants of a broken life behind. All the while our loving Father holds open His arms and beckons us come. Come and enjoy the absolute protection of your Fathers arms.

Love ya

PJ

WOW

Psalm 89:34
No, I will not break my covenant;
I will not take back a single word I said.

Covenant: an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified;a solemn agreement between the members of a church to act together in harmony with the precepts of the gospel

Devotion: profound dedication; consecration. earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc. an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause

Commitment: the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself, a pledge or promise, to hold at high priority.

Promise: to afford ground for expecting,an express assurance on which expectation is to be based; Synonyms: word, pledge, covenant, agreement. warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I'll be there.

Loyalty: the state or quality of being loyal; faithfulness to commitments or obligations; constancy


Faithful: Consistent in the performance of duties or service. Reliable, trusted, or believed; true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.

Luke 16:10-12
Faithfulness inspires confidence and assurance. Confidence is something that over time inspires a sense of value. God and others will look at you as being valuable and reliable. Also, how much you value something is shown by how faithful you are to it.

A faithful person disciplines themselves to do what they should do. It involves saying "yes" to some thing's and "no" to other things.

A faithful person can be counted on; is on time for appointments; keeps his commitments and honors his word, EVEN IF IT HURTS

Psalm 15:1-4
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
and KEEP THEIR PROMISES EVEN WHEN IT HURTS.

When we practice unfaithfulness in little things we have the potential to exercise it in big things.

Priority: highest or higher in importance

Colossians 3:23
In all the work you are doing, work the best you can...

To pursue excellence means that as representatives of Christ we do all things well for His glory.

Excellence is not to be confused with perfection.
The latter puts one under the law. The former has to do with avoiding mediocrity.

All of this is so imperative to The Launch!
When we broke covenant together we made a promise to HONOR God, The Pursuit, Josh and Amber, and our fellow partners..
This means in ALL areas! If we are asked to FAST and PRAY we FAST and PRAY. If we are asked to be ON TIME were not just "on time" but we are EARLY. If we are asked to be at meetings then we are there "even to our hurt"... If there is a need to be met then it is to be met over and above! If there is junk going on in our lives, with our families we get a grip on things, THROW AWAY OUR THOUGHTS and SELFISH DESIRES and MOVE ON! If we are asked to tithe.. I mean really come on, we shouldn't even have to be asked by man because GOD commands it..

Lets show God we mean business about this launch guys! When we show God we can be faithful with the little things He will us bigger things! How dare us ask God to work on our behalf but we aren't holding up our end of the deal!



I heard a quote today "Fasting starves the flesh and enriches the Spirit! As we walk more by the Spirit and less with our flesh we will see greater breakthrough.."

As I am fasting I am finding myself way more into doing word studies...I guess this note is a result of it :)
Written By Jessica Goodman