Deputized!

The Sheriff is in town and you have been deputized!

Joshua 10:24-25 NIV
When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, "Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings." So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks. Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight."

Col 2:15 NIV
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Lk 10:17-19
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” NIV

There was a missionary who went to Africa to preach the Gospel. One day he was going to preach somewhere and he rode on his horse. When the horse got to a certain location, it stopped and refused to move. The man got off the horse and looked round to see what was there. He saw a big snake near a big stone and he was scared.

Having heard stories of dangerous snakes in Africa, he started to calculate what solution could help out. He decided to quietly move back to his horse and go back home, saying that he would apologize to the congregation for not coming. He then heard the Holy Spirit say he would have failed in his duty, if he did that. He summed up courage and picked stones and threw them at the snake. To his surprise, the snake did not move. He moved back and threw more; then he realized that it was already dead. This means he was occupied for about 30 minutes, by a dead, harmless snake.

We spend too much time concerned with the attacks of the devil when we have been given authority and power over him. Jesus wants us to walk in that victorious authority here on earth. It is part of His Kingdom being demonstrated on earth through us. We have been deputized-we are appointed by Jesus as His substitute with power to act!

Let’s act like it!

Pothole Religion-

After a hardy rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys, a young mother watched her two little boys playing in the puddle through her kitchen window.

The older of the two, a five year old lad, grabbed his sibling by the back of his head and shoved his face into the water hole.

As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping, the mother runs to the yard in a panic.

'Why on earth did you do that to your little brother?!' she asks as she shook the older boy in anger.

'We were just playing 'church' mommy, ' he said.

'And I was just baptizing him.....in the name of the Father, the Son and in...the hole-he-goes.'

------
Still in Pensacola FL with Debi. Have breakfast and lunch mtgs today. Preach at Liberty Church tonight. Visit with some friends tomorrow in nursing home then on to lunch at Fish House. Been extremely busy week here. Need to get home for some rest!

Freedom is Never Free-

Heroes are ordinary people doing extraordinary things!

Yesterday at church, I began the service with tribute to the 1.2 million men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom! I was glad to be tell the saints that Michael Allee had returned from his 3rd deployment to Iraq. I read the citation from the President of the United States for Christopher Clair upon receiving the Bronze Star after 4 deployments to Iraq.

Here is an excerpt from an email sent by Jerry West, a friend of mine:

On a recent flight home, I saw something that was impacting. On the flight from Atlanta to Orlando I saw a young Marine sergeant. I always make sure to thank them for serving. (We have a nephew who is back in Iraq.) This young Marine was in dress uniform; he thanked me for my support.

When we landed, we were told to stay seated because “Staff sergeant Gomez is escorting the body of a fallen Marine home.” When I left the plane, I stood at the window and watched the honor guard escort the flag draped casket to the hearse, to take the young man to his resting place. Sergeant Gomez stood on post, never wavering. There were at least 100 of us watching without a sound, some were crying, I know I was.

It was bittersweet. Bitter, because someones son/husband/brother was coming home in a box; Sweet, because he fought for our cause. It was my honor to watch this. I wanted to share this with you, because it brought home the great price of freedom. This Marine lost his life, Jesus gave his, and freedom will always have a price tag. Our nephew said he was going back because there is unfinished business. This is his 5th time over, last time he was sent home injured, and refused a purple heart.

Recently in our home church, a young pregnant lady and her husband from Lebanon, both born Muslims, asked Jesus to be the Lord of their lives; they wanted to know more about this Jesus. She is receiving death threats from her family, but they wanted Jesus more. Our troops are fighting for the freedom of people just like this young couple that want to know more about Jesus. It is not just about politics, it’s about freedom, true freedom.

I want to pay tribute to all those that knew freedom isn't free and were willing to give their lives to have it. I also want to say thank you to those who even now are fighting to preserve it! God Bless you and God Bless the USA!

Gotta Love Birthdays!

Celebrated my birthday on May 10th. Staff surprised me with a meal and a Leather Rolling Notebook Case! Received many cards- love them!

Below is one that I will remember:

Thanks Rob and Brooke :>)

Debi and I left Sunday afternoon for a road trip in our convertible to Pensacola FL. I have a Globe International Board meeting on Tuesday night, lunch with Ken Sumrall and Buford Lipscomb on Wednesday, preach at Liberty Church that night, lunch on Thursday with Robert and Vicki Pooley at the Fish House for some good fellowship and Grits a Ya Ya! Will be seeing other friends as well and checking out some condos for our family vacation in August. Should be a great time. We return on Friday.

Preach With Power - Not Just Theory

God is doing something great among us here at the Vine as we draw closer to Him. He is meeting us in fresh and new ways in our services. I have had many comments on what is happening. Many don’t want to leave as they are afraid that they will miss something. When God is in the house in demonstration of power and the miraculous, there is a sense that anything could happen. I don’t want to leave either!

1Co 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. NIV

Paul was a great communicator, preacher, writer, evangelist, and apostle. However, from the verses above he just didn’t rely on his skills and gift of communication. He knew he could preach everyone under the rug. But, he would rather speak a few words and see the power of God manifested than be eloquent and communicate with many words and not see the power of God.

Bill Johnson said, “Many of us have preached in the name of Jesus without any demonstration of power. That kind of powerless, ineffective preaching must stop. We can’t afford to give theory without the reality anymore.”

Ouch! I strive to be a great communicator at the Vine and when I minister other places. I still want that but now with fewer words and the demonstration of the power of God! This is what Jesus told his disciples:

Mt 10:7-8 And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. NKJV

Pastors, let’s believe God to demonstrate His kingdom here on earth through us.

The Other Good Samaritan

Lk 10:33-34
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. NIV

A rich man died and went to The Judgment.

St. Peter met him at the Gates of Heaven and said, "Before you meet with God, I thought I should tell you - we've looked at your life, and your really didn't do anything particularly good or bad. We're not at all sure what to do with you. Can you tell us anything you did that can help us make a decision?"

The man thought for a moment and replied, "Yeah, once I was driving along in my Ferrari and came upon a woman who was being harassed by a group of bikers. So I pulled over, got out my tire iron, and went up to the leader of the bikers. He was a big, muscular, hairy guy with tattoos all over his body and a ring pierced through his nose. Well, I tore the nose ring out of his nose, and told him he and his gang had better stop bothering the woman or they would have to deal with me!"

"I'm impressed," St. Peter responded, "When did this happen?"

"About two minutes ago," came the reply.

Are You Standing Firm?

This happened here in our area. My wife asked "What he was thinking?" I had to answer, "I honestly don't know." Any thoughts or comment on this?


Gal 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. NIV

Gal 6:1
If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. TMB

1 Co 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. NIV

Lord help us to stand firm, resolute, circumspect, and cautious!

Supernatural Saints!

I am thanking God for the last two Sundays. God is doing some special things among us at the Vine! I am excited to come to church just to see what He is up to!

I’m only human!
Have you ever said the above phrase? Our Life Group is reading and discussing Bill Johnson’s ‘The Supernatural Power of the Transformed Mind.’ Here are a couple of excerpts from Johnson’s book:

“To say, ‘I’m only human,’ is to say, ‘I’m only satanic.’ Humanity without Christ at the center is satanic in nature. When you’ve been given the Spirit of God, you lose the privilege of claiming, ‘I’m only human.’ You are much more than that!”

“I have come to see that the normal Christian life means miracles, spiritual intervention, and revelation. It means peace, joy, love, a sense of well-being and purpose—all these traits that elude so many Christians. Written into the spiritual DNA of every believer is an appetite for the impossible that cannot be ignored or wished away. The Holy Spirit, the very Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us, making it impossible for us to be content with what we can only see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. Our hearts know there is much more to life than what we perceive with our senses; we are spiritually agitated by the lack of connection with the realm of the supernatural. In the end, nothing satisfies the heart of the Christian like seeing so-called impossibilities bow their knees to the name of Jesus. Anything less than this is abnormal and unfulfilling.”

The truth for us all is that we are far different than we often understand. We are bearers of the supernatural life of God dwelling in us! That is why the enemy tries to keep us down and out- he doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by Christians who know who they are and are willing to act it out daily in the course of their lives.

Let God arise in His people! Let’s expect the miraculous!

New Use for Tennis Racket- Ouch!

New Set of Wheels on the Way to Heaven--

Evangelist Ronnie Hill is offering the opportunity to win a set of wheels if you go to his website and watch a 3 minute testimony about Jesus.

You can choose a CHANCE to win a new Dodge truck, Jeep Wrangler or Chrysler 300.

CATCH- You have to listen to his 3 minute testimony. You can find it here.

The drawing is taking place on December 12, 2008. In three months about 3,649 have entered the drawing (did I, you ask?). More than 840 have prayed to receive Christ!

GOOD NEWS- no prayer for salvation required to enter. The contest that is!

Wired!!! This is India-

Click to see larger pic

THIS IS INDIA.

IT'S WHERE YOU CALL WHEN YOU HAVE A TECHNICAL PROBLEM WITH YOUR COMPUTER OR OTHER OUTSOURCING NEED.

When God Responds-

Last Sunday I preached on the subject mentioned in the previous post- 'What do you want me to do for you?' After I finished I called people forward for prayer and had them state what they wanted God do do for them - and then we prayed. The prayer time went well over an hour and God's presence was mightily there. People didn't want to leave!

Here is a testimony from Sunday:

I just wanted y'all to know how powerful the prayer service on Sunday was to us! I am new to all of this. I was raised Methodist and that is completely out of my comfort zone, but I can't tell you how glad I am that we went up there! I have been in so much pain for months from the RA (rheumatoid arthritis). It's gotten to the point, even with medication, that I can't do everyday things. There were days that I was in the bed with fever and couldn't move. I have multiple joints that need to be replaced in my feet. I also have joint pain/damage/swelling in my hands, knees, hip and neck. I had gotten very discouraged because this has been so debilitating. It's NOT ME to just lie around. Although, after Sunday, I have been remarkably better! I feel more like myself!! I only have a little aching and stiffness in my feet and that's all! I haven't had a "bad day" at all this week, which is unheard of! Also, my son has a condition that he was born with in his knees that causes him pain. The next step for him is surgery. After Sunday, he has been pain free! He has been able to run and play! He was even trying to find the spot in his knees that normally causes the pain and couldn't! I hope that everyone involved on Sunday was as encouraged as we were! God was definitely in the house! Praise God!! KM

Wow, more Lord of your power and healing virtue to be manisfested!

What do you want me to do for you?

Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"…"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Mt 20:29-34 NIV

One thing we learn in our Christian walk is that our need will be met (Phil 4:19); but your wants you will have to go get- go after! The two blind men went after Jesus for what He had- the power to heal them! Peter had to get out of the boat to go get what Jesus had! He wanted it- he went for it!

It is said of Joshua and the elders in dealing with the Gibeonites that they failed to ask of the Lord: “The men of Israel looked them over and accepted the evidence. But they didn't ask God about it.” Jos 9:14 TMB

Too many times we fail to get our wants because we fail to ask of the Lord. Listen, it is not wrong to ask of the Lord. James said, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” Jas 4:2 NIV

Please don’t get hung up on ‘asking amiss or incorrectly’ as some teach, just ask! James is the same writer who said if you were sick to call for the elders to pray over you to be healed! (James 5:14)

Ask to be healed! I am rejoicing over Brad’s healing and I am rejoicing with Trey (a fellow blogger) on his anniversary of being healed of cancer; “…today on May 6th, I celebrate my life being cancer free.” My note- 5 years!

The Lord asks today “What do you want me to do for you?” Ask of God dear friend!

UPS Able to Deliver to the Past!

I ordered an item at Amazon.com on 5/02/2008. Imagine my surprise that UPS had delivered it already- but on 10/25/2006 4:59 PM! Here is what their tracking site said:

Delivery Notification
Dear Customer,
This is in response to your request for delivery information concerning the shipment listed below.

Tracking Number: 1Z A72 28W 02 8741 --- -
Service: 2ND DAY AIR
Weight: 1.00 Lb
Shipped/Billed On: 05/02/2008
Delivered On: 10/25/2006 4:59 P.M.
Delivered To: NEW YORK , NY , US
Signed By: ANDERSON
Location: RESIDENTIAL

Thank you for giving us this opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely,
UPS
Tracking results provided by UPS: 05/03/2008 1:23 P.M. ET

-----

Do you have anything you want to sent back to the past!?! (BTW, this is real, it happened to me this week.)

Time to Take Action - UPDATED 5/6

Procter & Gamble has added homosexual lovers to its soap opera “As the World Turns.” It has also added scenes of homosexuals with open mouth kissing.

What could be the motive behind P&G’s push is to desensitize viewers, especially younger viewers, to the homosexual lifestyle? How about the ultimate goal of homosexual activists being the acceptance of homosexual marriage.

Procter & Gamble wants to know if you approve its efforts to promote the homosexual lifestyle. It has established a toll-free number for you to call and vote to approve or disapprove its support of homosexuality.

Please call the toll-free number P&G has set up for the public regarding its promotion of the homosexual lifestyle. There is not a live person at this number.

Call 1-800-331-3774 and click 1 for English;
then click on option 2.

Following the recording, click on option 2 again.

UPDATE- After AFA had put out the word that P&G wanted to hear from AFA supporters, P&G abruptly ended the above toll free number.

AFA is encouraging supporters to call P&G and ask the company why it is promoting the gay lifestyle and why it quit using the toll-free number to receive opinions only after AFA notified AFA supporters about it. We urge you to spend a few cents to register your complaint with P&G. Here is P&G’s corporate number to call: 513-983-1100.

Absurdity #34- Baby Droppings - bizarre!!!

Glad I live in the USA, embrace Christ, and, besides, my wife would have killed me if I did this with Ryan and Jason!