4/21/10

The Value of the Word of God

The Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword. Let it penetrate your soul and spirit and bring forth value in your life.


The Word of God is sharp as a two-edge sword (Heb. 4:12)! It has incredible power to affect your life as you embrace what the Lord has said in His Word. The written Word of God is how we have come to know and understand the person and power of Jesus Christ, the difference between old and new covenants, the abundance of grace freely given to His church, and the power of a spirit led life in Christ. It is the Word from which all preaching, teaching, prophecy, encouragement, and correction must eminate. What power the Word of God carries as we embrace it with out born again spirit and let it renew our minds bringing forth the abundance of life in Christ!

Yet, I during my time in ministry I have questioned whether some ministry and business leaders place value in His Word. After 10 years of ministry in Africa I have seen a disturbing pattern among some leaders. There is a belief in Africa going back to the early missionaries and colonial days. That belief is that ministers who come to preach and teach the Word should pay the way for local pastors and evangelists to come and hear the word.

This belief reveals a deeper issue regarding how the Word, whether written or spoken is valued among leaders. To believe that people outside your church, ministry or business must pay for you to receive is believing a lie. A leader who values the Word of God will find anyway possible to be fed, encouraged, and taught from that Word. You can't expect those who follow to place value on that which you do not value.

For Africa to move forward in the power of the Word leaders must embrace the value of the Word. I encourage leaders whether in Africa, America, Asia or elsewhere to inspect your heart to discover how much value you place on the Word of God. The Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword....let it penetrate your soul and spirit and bring forth value in your life.

4/6/10

Advance Without Fear


Uganda calls! I will be leaving for Uganda right after Resurrection Day in response to the Holy Spirit. Over a year ago the Holy Spirit spoke to us that we were going to a specific people in Uganda that were forgotten and cast aside. Deborah pioneered in ministry there last fall, laying the apostolic groundwork for what I will do in April, dedicating the first international church in the CrossFire International Alliance. What an honor!!!

Ephesians 2:20 says that God’s household is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” The apostolic ministry is a ministry of laying spiritual foundations, establishing God’s kingdom in the hearts of people, and building the household of God into an awesome, inspiring, and holy dwelling place.

The Lord has birthed an alliance of ministries to advance His Kingdom in these last days. CrossFire Church in Uganda will be part of this alliance, centered in Jesus, passionate about Truth, and fierce in the face of our foe, the devil. We move forward in all that the Lord has asked, knowing that we have nothing to fear because as a prophet told us by the Spirit of God; ‘You have nothing to fear, you have Elohim!!

I encourage you as a leader in the Body of Christ to move forward in the strength of the Messiah, responding to His calling on your life, and embracing His kingdom purpose to declare Jesus as Lord of the nations. Whatever that looks like in your ministry, advance without fear, for you have Elohim!!

4/2/10

Jesus' Second Ride

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse,
whose rider is called Faithful and True.



The second ride will be greater than the first ride.


On Palm Sunday almost 2000 years ago Jesus took his first ride as King into Jerusalem to the greeting and shouts of the masses. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:8-9)

His first ride as king was in humility and humanity on a young donkey fulfilling the prophetic word if Zechariah 9:9, “Say to the Daughter of Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Jesus was riding to an appointment with the cross. He rode as a man, a carpenter, a teacher, a very human king to many of those shouting ‘Hosanna’. That was His first ride, but just as the latter reign is greater than the former reign, so will the second ride be greater and more glorious than the first.

We see the picture of his second ride in the revelation of John:

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. His has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
(Rev. 19:11-16).

As we approach celebration of another Resurrection Day, there is excitement in my spirit that we approach a step closer to the time for Jesus’ second ride. But this ride will be more glorious than the first. He will be on a white horse, a grand steed. This ride will be as a warrior, a king, a ruler and as LORD of Lords. He will wield a sword. Instead of a crown of thorns he will wear crowns of righteousness. What a day that will be!

Get ready. . . He’s coming!!!