THE BEGINNINGS OF A NATION CHANGED!

I hinted in my last post about churches that are beginning to gain momentum.  Where people really do believe that they can change a nation.  Churches breaking out of the "mold" so to speak.  Churches that are more concerned with what is going on outside the walls than in.  Churches where people understand that the church is not a building, but it's really the people who are trained and equipped to take the good news of Jesus outside the four walls with boldness.  Tonight as I watched this video I was reminded of a passage in Luke 10 where Jesus sends out disciples into the towns and villages.

"He (Jesus) told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.  Go, I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.'"(Luke 10:2-3, niv)

"Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near you.'" (Luke 10:9)

Tonight I am confident that the workers are increasing quickly in numbers.

Boldness is rising up among God's people.  Ministry won't always be easy.  Sometimes it is really hard indeed, but we are not to grow weary in doing well.  Sometimes........................ministry can be really fun, though, as you will soon see.

This video is of "The City."  A church in a small town of Geneva, Ohio.  A church that meets in a small town, but has big visions of how to get out of the box in bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth.  Churches just like "The City" are beginning to spring up all around the nation.  Together, these churches will bring the power of God back into a nation that has lost its morality.  Is your church making an impact?

Since this event this church has received cards with notes such as, "Thank you for helping me to find my way back to God," and,  "I had lost my faith a long time ago, thank you for helping me to find it again."  Those are just two, but the others are similar.







All glory to God,
Mark S.

"THE INSANITY OF GOD"

I was thinking tonight about how we are beginning to see things happen in this country that even a few years ago would have seemed unimaginable to happen in America.  This is what I am hearing in my spirit tonight.

 For a long time now the devil has been okay with the church in America.  Sing a few songs, listen to a message, go home and forget about church until next week.  Why would the devil want to mess with that?  For a long time now the church and Christians in general were no real threat.  Add to that how we learned  to dabble in sin when nobody else was watching.  Or so we thought.  I don't need to name those sins.  They are flashing through your mind right now.  That's why we've seen no real persecution in this country.  There hasn't been a need for it in the realms of darkness.  There's been a need for it in some other countries.  In other countries people are willing to die for Christ, and some do.  People are persecuted for their faith.  The strange thing about that though is that when that happens, churches in those countries keep growing.  They keep getting stronger.  That sounds crazy.  That's insane.  But that's just how it seems like it's supposed to be.  Look at the first apostles.  The more they were persecuted the bolder they got and the more people they won to Christ.  The church grew daily.

I'm reading a book right now and I love the title.  "THE INSANITY OF GOD."  God surely is insane by the worlds standards.  And I hope that in the coming years; I hope it's started now, I want people to look at me and see the insanity of a man when it comes to being passionate about God and His kingdom.

 Now...........things are beginning to change.  Pockets of churches in America are actually starting to take on their God planned roles in this country.  We are getting serious about the Gospel and opening doors to the kingdom of Heaven.  And satan is getting mad.  He is unleashing demons of darkness to bring chaos and deception and confusion.   The United States has been a fun playground for him, but as the church is awakened out of it's long slumber the play ground is slipping away.  The filthy scum will fight as hard as he can to keep his grip on this country.

And that makes me mad.

The Bible tells me that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.  It's time to get violent.  I'm not talking physically violent, but it's time to stand violently strong spiritually against the things that are against God.  If you've been lukewarm in your faith it's time to stop.  The times are telling us this.  Study the Word to show yourself approved before God.  That's scriptural.  Start spending hours in prayer instead of minutes.  That alone will cause hemorrhaging to happen in the darkest domains.  Be violent in your quest for the things of God.

And don't you dare even think about fearing the devil when he attempts to bring chaos.  Yes the thief does want to kill, steal and destroy, but DO NO FEAR.   Dare to think about what will happen if the church takes it's rightful place in history and stands according to the precepts of God and refuses to compromise.  There would be incredible power behind the church.  It would be backed by power God and His kingdom and when that happens my friend.......................

.                             THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT PREVAIL against that church
                                                      and a nation will be changed.

                                                        THE INSANITY OF GOD!

Advancing the kingdom,
Mark S.

"GOD WON'T GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN BEAR".................Really?

Over the last few weeks I've been asked by our pastor to preach a couple of times.  Sometimes I think that many of us who preach, or occasionally preach hope that we can present something that will have a "wow" factor, or bring some new soul shaking experience to all who will be listening.   The truth is if we just allow the Lord to decide what He wants said, we don't have to be concerned over such silly things.  I also tend to get excited about the miraculous and supernatural, especially since over the last couple of years I've been able to witness an increase in both.

In getting ready to preach these last two times God seemed to speak to me and tell me to not get so hung up on those things.  He reminded me of the passage in Luke where after Jesus had sent out the seventy to testify and minister on His behalf,  had returned to Him with joy and rejoicing that even the demons obeyed them.  If I can paraphrase, to me it's like Jesus basically said to them with a smile, "Hey guys listen.  When you follow me, those things will just automatically  happen.  That's the way it works.  After-all I saw satan fall from heaven.  Instead get excited that for all eternity, your names are written down in heaven!"  As I was reminded of that passage it was as if the Lord was saying the same thing to me.  "Stop getting so excited about miracles.  Instead remind people of how much I love them.  The rest of that stuff will follow.  Don't worry about it................lol."  (Okay, I don't remember Jesus saying "lol" to me, but I pictured  Him looking at me and smiling in a way that He almost "laughed out loud.)  So the last two times I spoke I simply talked about God's love.  His deep love for mankind.  His deep love for you.  I also spoke about Jesus saying to "love one another, as I have loved you."

There is a verse found in Ephesians 2:10 that speaks of how we are God's workmanship.  When you take a deeper look at the word "workmanship" you will see that it was taken from a greek word spelled poeima.  (Poy-a-mah)  This hints at something that has been made by a master craftsmen; an artisan if you will.    Picture an artist, or maybe the potter carefully shaping and molding his prized piece of work or art.  That is how God created you and formed you.  You are God's most prized piece of art and because of His love for you.... His creation.... He brought balance to your life by sending Jesus to redeem you back to Him!  For those who write poetry you can think of it in this way, too.  You were God's poem!  Take the "i" out of that greek word and you have "poem" with an "a" on the end for added emphasis!!!!!

"Jesus loves me this I know;
for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
we are weak but He is strong!"
Yes, Jesus loves me....yes, Jesus loves me.....yes, Jesus love me.......the Bible tells me so."

WOW!  You have to love the simplicity of the good news of Jesus.  As I spoke on the love of God I saw people being ministered to, blessed and encouraged.  I have to say that the last two messages were two of the best received out of all the times I have spoken.  I've received more encouraging comments the last couple of weeks than I think I ever have and it's all because of God and His love being felt.  It wasn't anything special about me, I was just God's vessel, and that makes me smile.

There is something else that I want to bring out here that I spoke about last time, too.  God is a good Father.  He only wants the best for you ALL THE TIME.  Yes, there are times when, like all kids, we need to be corrected.  Something in our lives may have us out of alignment with the ways of the Lord.  When that happens, Abba wants to get us back in alignment for the purpose of us becoming more like Jesus.  Sometimes He uses the Holy Spirit to convict us of something that needs to be changed in our hearts and lives.  God loves us.  He loves us more than a godly father here on earth who raises His children to become good people.

But listen, God DOES NOT pile a bunch of stuff on us just to test us and take us to an almost breaking point.  God is not an abusive Father.  I don't think it's coincidence that along with these messages of God's love that I've also heard people saying over the last few weeks about how life has become so hard, or how problems just keep piling up.  I've had friends say that God just doesn't seem like He wants to help or care. Along with that frustration often comes a famous phrase or comment.  I've  heard it and you have, too. Maybe you've even said it yourself.  "BUT THE BIBLE SAYS THAT GOD WON'T GIVE ME MORE THAN I CAN HANDLE," or "PEOPLE SAY THAT GOD WON'T GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN BEAR."  It makes it sound like our God just slams and piles stuff on us to see how far He can push us to a breaking point and then He will take His foot off.

I'm just going to say it.  That kind of thinking is NONSENSE and where in the world do people get that?  Sadly, I think that sometimes it comes from some well meaning man standing in a pulpit.  If you tell me it comes from the Bible, I will tell you that you better read your Bible in context.  The closest thing that I can find in the scriptures, and I'm pretty sure this is where that craziness comes from, is in 1 Corinthians 10:13. If that's the case that entire chapter needs to be read.  That entire chapter deals with temptation and how the Israelites gave in to temptation when they were in the wilderness and many of them died as a result.  The lesson in that chapter is to not give in to temptation and end up sinning.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  God is faithful and 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 endure it."  (New International Version)

There is nothing in that chapter that speaks of how when all the kids are sick and the bills aren't paid and your goldfish have the measles that it's God giving you a bunch of stuff to see if you can make it through or not.  Sometimes you need to recognize where that stuff is really coming from and every time you need to stand your ground and remind yourself that you are a man or woman who belongs to the Kingdom of God.  Sometimes you need to also be violent in your prayers and faith in reminding the devil as to who you are in Christ, too.

Our God, our ABBA, is One to run to for help when these things happen much like a 4 year old runs to his daddy and the safety of his arms for safety, care and love when something has scared or hurt him.

Now listen, I know that things happen.  Sometimes the stuff of this life is hard and it can try to beat you down, but that isn't God and that isn't the message of Jesus.  It is the thief who comes to "steal, kill and destroy."  Please don't get him and God confused.  Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  (John 10:10, NKV)

If you are going through the fires, please find caring people who will stand with you and see you through it.  If you don't have anyone, let me know.  Don't go through it alone.  I have email.  I see comments when they come in.   If you need me to pray with you, let's pray, but you are God's most valuable piece of art, His poem, His workmanship.  God sees you as a man, or a woman belonging to His kingdom.  He wants you to have the confidence that you see yourself in that way, too.

You are an over-comer, because you have a God who was willing to die for you.  There is no greater love.

......................................"Yes, Jesus love me.................................."

If you aren't feeling loved today, you need to watch the video I am embedding.  You need to watch for  the picture of Jesus hanging on the cross.  You need to allow the words to soak deep into your soul.

I, too, love you my friend,
Mark S.

AND AN ATHEIST SHALL LEAD THEM?

"I will make them envious by those who are not a people. I will make them angry by those who are not a nation." (Deut.32:21, niv)

"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name I said, 'here am I, here am I.'" (Isaiah 65:1, niv)

"His purpose was to make His salvation available to the Gentiles, and then the Jews would be jealous and want it for themselves." (Romans 11:11, nlt)

(I first wrote this July 3, 2010, but after listening to a young man speak about how he never believed in God and felt that he was turning towards atheism, how suddenly an overwhelming presence and love of God washed over him, I have been reminded of this.  Over the last couple of years I have also seen others who at one time appeared to be agnostic or new age begin to testify of God's love and healing power.  Tonight as I pulled this up from the archives and began to read it to my wife I was suddenly whacked by the Holy Spirit and began to cry for no reason.  In a quick instant the wave of emotion that I felt seemed to surely be a confirmation from the Lord that this word has already started happening at a rapid pace that we will soon realize.  As always I encourage you to take what I have written and pray over it for yourself.  Don't just take my word for something I say.  I am flesh and just a man.  I do hope that you choose to read on..............................)

I have been thinking and pondering what I am about to write for a few days now. I believe it is a message that God wants to be heard, but if I am going to say, "That the Lord said, or the Lord says," I want to make sure it is scriptural and not contradicting of God's ways. I don't take it lightly when God speaks to me and I will meditate on it before speaking it out. After returning from Wilmington last week, this revelation has stayed in my mind everyday.

Last Saturday morning I had gone to a time of prayer. I could sense God's presence even as I walked into the church. I started to settle my mind for prayer. There were only three of us in the church, Larry, my friend and brother in the Lord and Nancy, a sweet woman of God, also from the church. Suddenly the word ATHEIST flashed in my mind. I saw it for just a fraction of a second. At first I didn't understand it, but as I began to pray on it out loud, the Lord began to speak. Here is what I heard then and here is what I've continued to hear this week:

"I am about to go to the atheist. I am about to go to the atheist and they will begin to see me in power and for who I am. Even though they have not searched for me and instead have even denied me, I will go to them. I will reveal myself; yes, to the atheist and the agnostic. I will do this because I am tired of Christians who produce no fruit. People who say they are Christians, but sit in church week after week to receive and then waste away the rest of the week. I am about to say to them; 'Ok, you don't want to produce fruit? You don't want to advance my Kingdom? Then fine. I will pass you by; for a season. I will let you alone. You can remain idle, but see me pass you by.' But I will go to the atheist; to the unbeliever. And they will see me. And they will rise up and follow after me. Then THEY will shake things up. THEY will pass you by and yes, THEY will begin to teach you. THEY will begin to show you. And THEY will go to the nations, when you would not. You will become envious and insulted because of them, but you have had your time. Watch the athiest; watch the agnostic, the unbeliever. They will rise up and they will shake this nation for my name's sake!"
.................I have now been staring at my computer screen for several minutes. Unable to really think or type. Even though God first spoke these words to me a week ago, it feels like He just spoke them again to me, but like it is for the very first time all over again. About 3 months ago the Lord said to me, "Everything as you know it is about to change." I can't even grasp what that all means. God said that to me; for the journey that my family is now on, but at the same time I believe that God would say that to all of us. We are in a new time, a new day and a new generation of believers are rising up. There is a reason why there is so much shaking going on in the earth. It's happening to coincide with what is going on in the spiritual, in the heavens. As it is in Heaven, so it shall be on earth! Lord, let it be so.

A deeper understanding of God's love is about to burst forth.  "Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it."

May the glory and power of God fall on you today!
Mark S.

HOLD THE LINE!!!

Today, you are in a war. Today, the battle intensifies. To some reading this you know what I'm talking about. You can feel it; you can sense it and sometimes the burden seems so heavy to bear. Yet for others, the war seems distant. Nonexistent. The day is bright and full of hope. Seize the day! Seize the day you must and you will. But, deep inside your heart of hearts you know to never become too comfortable. Too arrogant; too cocky. You know that the adversary is still out there. Looking to see who he can devour. You can never take off the armor that you have been equipped with, for in the one moment you do, the attack comes when you are vulnerable. When you are not expecting.

There are many who would downplay the battles that are fought in the spiritual realm. After all, you usually can't see them with natural vision. What you can't see must not be there. Right? Well, that's what the enemy wants you to believe. The truth is, though, satan wants to take you out. He will try anyway he can and he doesn't have a rule book that he follows. Some of his victims are easier than others. Some are convinced that there is no God; that there is no Jesus that died for the people. Their eyes can become so blinded and their hearts so hardened that the devil never had it so easy.  He will often just leave that person alone.

Others may be a bit more difficult. They live good lives, go to church, believe in God and even acknowledge that Jesus is God's son. But that's where it ends. Once church is over, it's back to "normal" for the week. They might pick up the Bible for a few minutes here or there and may even pray once in a while before a meal or going to bed. But, when it really comes to sharing the Gospel or advancing the Kingdom, well, somebody else will do that. Or that's what the pastor is paid to do. No real threat to the enemy, either.

Ah, but then you have the Kingdom Warriors. Those who desire to think and act like Jesus. Always putting others first, looking for someone to pray for, or looking for ways to leak out the Kingdom in dark places. The Kingdom minded, the disciple of Jesus. Hungering and thirsting after God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, not for selfish gain, but for Kingdom's gain. This is the one who understands the authority to punch holes into the darkness, but this is also the one who scares the enemy most. This is the one who brings fear into the enemy camp and sometimes fear causes the enemy to react violently.

It is my prayer that we all become Kingdom Warriors. If you were described most in the earlier paragraphs, I am not wanting to make you feel bad today. Instead, I mean to encourage you to step up to the next level with God. There is nothing that compares to the excitement of living out a great adventure, of overcoming evil with good, of taking up the sword daily.  It is incredible to live knowing that the King we serve gives us the strength and authority to push back the kingdom of darkness. We really are equipped with a sword. The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, which is powerful, living and sharper than any other. One that can divide even soul and spirit; joints and marrow and even the intentions of the heart. (See Hebrews 4:12)

KINGDOM WARRIOR, be encouraged. When you find yourself in the middle of the battle stand firm. Keep a sharp eye. When satan releases any spirit or demon from the pit of hell, it cannot overpower the KING you serve nor the sword you carry. Sometimes the battle does want to make one weary, but hold the line, stand fast, resist. Defend the ways of God! Defend the Kingdom and defend His church. You have the crown of life. You hold the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and remember, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven. (Matthew 16:19.)

In my life I often see the results when people lose all hope.  Over the last couple of years I have seen way too many lives snuffed out by drug overdoses and even suicide.  When people become desperate from hopelessness there is no telling how far they can be pushed.  There are a lot of hopeless people in the world right now searching for answers, searching for hope, searching for truth.  The follower of Jesus needs to be ready.  For people that are lost and losing hope, we may just be their end of the line.  A last hope, a last chance to speak life into a life that has grown dim.  We need to be kingdom men and kingdom women.

This might be a good time to find a copy of the movie "Gettysburg" and watch how Col. Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine held the line on Little Round Top. A hold that arguably could be the one that changed the course of the entire war. I love Chamberlain's charge to his men:

The 83rd Pennsylvania, 44th New York, and the 16th Michigan will be moving in to our right. But if you look left; you will see that there is no one there. Because we're the end of the line. The Union army stops here. We are the flank. Do you understand, gentlemen? We cannot retreat. We cannot withdraw. We are going to have to be stubborn today. So, put the boys in position, tell them to stay down. Pile the rocks up high for the best protection you can. I want the reserve pulled back about 20 yards. It is sloping ground, good ground. If you have any breakthroughs, men wounded, a hole in the line, you plug it with the reserve...............The reb army is going to swing around. It'll come up through that notch right over there. It'll move under the cover of trees, trying to get around the flank. And gentlemen............we are the flank. Gentlemen, God go with you."

That is my favorite scene in that movie and that quote is taken directly from the it. I love to parallel that event with who you and I are in the Kingdom of God. You see, satan wants to destroy the things of God that we experience in this world. He wants to destroy lives.  He wants to destroy the church. So many things have been turned upside down in the world when it comes to the values of God. Just as the 20th Maine changed history, so God has chosen you and me to change the course of direction in the nation in which we live. We are to "hold the line" and defend the things of God. The Bible might not use the exact words, "hold the line," but it is pretty close. "Hold fast what is good," is the way it is worded in 1 Thessalonians 5:21. It is up to us to defend and strengthen the bride of Christ.....the church. Nobody else will. I am ready for the challenge. I look forward to it. Will you be joining me?

And be encouraged for goodness sake. Yes, we "do wrestle against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age.......,"but we also get to live and play in the Kingdom. We get to rejoice in the victories won, we get to laugh, be filled with joy, and love on each other. Simply make sure you dress daily with the full armor of God and you'll find that most of your time is spent just living each day, enjoying each day, being blessed each day and maybe most importantly, a chance to be a blessing to someone else each day. It's just that when the harder tests and battles come that you'll be ready to withstand the fight. With God, and Jesus in your heart, it really isn't all that difficult. At least when you are equipped daily. The best part? We get to do the stuff. We get to follow the instructions of Jesus! "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers (diseased), raise the dead, (yes, there are many accounts of this happening in the world), and cast out demons." (Believe me when you have the Holy Spirit even they are nothing to fear). Those are my words in parenthesis of course, the others belong to Jesus, but just to be on the safe side, read Matthew 10:7-8! Remember, after all freely we have received, freely we need to give to others what we now have.

Rest well, my friend. You are in my prayers.

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4, NIV)

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13, NKJV)

"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophesies. Test all things; HOLD FAST WHAT IS GOOD. Abstain from every evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, NKJV)

'TO SEE AND BE SEEN" (A Prophetic Insight)

Over the last week at our church there has been a lot of preaching/teaching on the difference between the natural man and the spirit man.   The natural man being the result of a man and woman (our fathers and mothers) coming together physically; and the spirit man being created by God before the foundations of the earth.   Our pastor, Tony Boyd, has been greatly anointed as he has taught on this subject the last two times he has preached.  About a week ago I had the chance to teach on what it not only means to be a son or daughter of God, but what some of our God given rights are by being His son or daughter.  At the time I spoke a bit about the spirit man and without the slightest hint of what Tony was going to be preaching on the following Sunday, and again tonight.  The Holy Spirit did though, and I love it when He puts things like this together.  (By the way, if you are ever in Geneva, Ohio, be sure to visit us at "The City."  We are experiencing the Lord in incredible ways!)

Ephesians is one of my favorite books of the Bible.  I have found it both mysterious and intriguing. It really introduces and addresses who and what the spirit man truly is before God and Jesus.  Within Ephesians I have many favorite verses.  A couple of them are found in Ephesians 2.  In verse 5 we see that we (the believers) have been made alive together with Christ and verse 6 follows it by telling us that we have been raised up together and made to "sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."  

Now as for me I can tell you that the body of the person that I see when I look in the mirror has never sat down with Jesus in heavenly places. Yet when I read the Bible and specifically passages such as Ephesians 5 & 6, I have no other choice but to believe that yes I have.  At least if I take the scripture literally.  I love the mysteries of the Word of God.  Mysteries that God, by the way wants to reveal to us.

I posted the following vision back in 2010.  It is a vision that God allowed my great friend and brother to see while he was praying in his church.  Larry is a man who loves Jesus deeply and is a man of integrity.  He is passionate about prayer and the Word.  I would trust him with my life and he has spoken into my life many times.  I tell you this not to puff him up, but so hopefully you will understand that he is not a baby Christian, nor is he blown around by whims and emotion.  When Larry has a vision, or a word from the Lord, he can be trusted.  I hope his vision helps you to better understand the difference between our natural man and our spirit man.  I'm going to drink a nice, cold glass of sweet tea now.  You should go get something for yourself, too, so that we can relax and take our time as we read................................

To See and Be Seen................. Saturday, 5-22-10

During Wednesday prayer time the Holy Spirit spoke this phrase into my spirit- "to see and be seen."

Saturday morning, while I was alone at the church in prayer, I was laying on my face asking Jesus to show me the Father and to help me understand the phrase"to see and be seen". As I was asking Jesus to see the Father I felt that He took me by the hand and started leading me toward a large red curtain. As we walked I became younger and younger to the point that when we got to the curtain I was a small child and He was holding me in His arms. As we went through the curtain I knew that we had just passed through the blood of Jesus and had entered the throne room of the Father.


As Jesus took me over close to the Father I had now become a small baby, but was very aware of my surroundings. Jesus then laid me before the Father. I just looked at the Father's eyes. I then saw a large warrior standing to the right of the Father and watching both of us with great intensity. Without a word from me the Father spoke and said "welcome, this warrior is you,and you are always in My presence in the spirit realm." I knew immediately that I had just become aware for the first time of who I was in the spirit. I actually was seeing my spirit being standing next to the Father and I was amazed at how focused he was.

I then understood that the baby I had become in the presence of the Father represented everything I was in the flesh. I was being shown that even though I am a full-grown man on earth, in heaven this fleshly person has only the wisdom and maturity of a small baby. I then knew that for me to make decisions based on my human knowledge and wisdom was equivalent to this small baby trying to tell this mighty warrior about anything. I knew that this warrior was who I was created to be from the moment of conception and that this was how the Father always saw me. I also knew that this warrior was not complete but, even though he already appeared as a valiant warrior, he was still in the process of being transformed into the full image of Jesus. I then began to cry out for the Spirit to not only transform me so that I would always remember who I was in the spirit and quit walking according to the flesh, but to also transform this warrior into the full image of my Lord & King Jesus.

The Spirit spoke to me and said that my spirit man was always in the Father's presence and as He said this I began to feel the great intensity of my spirit, this warrior, waiting to hear anything that the Father would say or even think. It was bread for my spirit man to consume. As this mighty warrior I stood by the Father desiring Him to speak a word, think a thought, or give a command as any of these from Him would feed me. I just kept crying out to the Father for more of His commands so that I could be fed. I now understood better the verse "man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God". And "I have meat to eat that ye know not of...my meat is to do the will of Him that sent me,and to finish His work." I then asked the Father if He would also show me Ginger's (my wife's) spirit. As soon as I had spoken this, I saw the most beautiful woman coming toward the Father. She was reclining on what looked like a mist of cloud and was several feet off the ground. I immediately knew that this was my wife in the spirit. She would come close to the Father and then move away as if just wondering around the throne room. I watched the Father's eyes as He watched her with great compassion and joy. It was like a young child being observed by their parent as they rode a bicycle past them several times. The Father was so enjoying just watching His child. Ginger would come close and then move away and just continued to relax in His presence and do this. The only time she changed positions was when we began to worship the Father, then she would come as close as possible to Him and get on her knees with her head bowed. You could tell that this was what she loved.

As I continued to observe this warrior (me) standing and communing with the Father I knew that this was the Spirit teaching me how to first see the kingdom as a little child, so that I could then be seen as I truly am in the spirit. I realized that the man I thought I was on earth was nothing compared to who I truly was in heaven. I am truly seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). Each of us needs to first see the kingdom so that we can be seen as we truly are. I now want to see every Christian that I meet as they truly are seen in heaven before the Father's throne. I want to know the person in the spirit, not just according to the flesh any more(2 Cor. 5:16).

Sunday morning during worship I felt an unction from the Spirit to go forward and lay before the Lord. I hesitated and the Holy Spirit immediately took me back to the scene with my warrior spirit next to the Father. This time the warrior was laying on his face before the Father and worshiping Him, the only choice is will your soul and flesh yield and join what your spirit man is already doing or will you grieve and fight against your own spirit and this mighty warrior. I immediately went forward and laid on my face before the Father and wept for how many times I must have fought against this mighty warrior that was trying to do everything that pleased the Father, without any hesitation. The Father showed me that when we yield to an unction from the Holy Spirit to do anything, it is simply coming in line with our spirit man that is already doing it. It also gave me understanding of the scripture "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father" in spirit and in truth."

Later, during prayer time, I began to pray for a financial need I had in my life and again was immediately taken back to this same scene. The warrior was standing next to the Father listening for every word from the Father. I could also understand that because this warrior was in heaven at the throne he had access to all of heaven's resources; healing,deliverance,finances,......everything heaven had was available to him. I then wondered why, if my spirit warrior had access to all of heaven's resources and I was praying for finances, he wasn't going and retrieving the finances for me. The Spirit then spoke to me and said "the spirit man only moves at the will of the Father , not prayers form the soul". I knew that the finances I was praying for were available, but that it wasn't the Father encouraging me to ask for them but just my soul praying out of a need. I knew that when the finances were needed the warrior would hear the Father's command and the resources would be made available. This also made me realize that everything that comes from heaven is from the Father's will and is actually a part of the Father himself, as He is the creator of all things. Anything that gets poured out from heaven is the Father pouring Himself out upon His children (every good and perfect gift). What a blessing to know that if I listen and come in line with my spirit man that I will only respond to the Father's words.

I am now beginning to look to my spirit man much more often. Always watching to see what he is doing and how he is responding to situations. His only place to respond from is before the throne of God. How differently we would respond to every situation if we only became aware that our responses are while we stand before the God of all creation. It's truly amazing how many situations that happen here on earth, and so easily distract the fleshly-side of us, never even got so much as a flinch out of this great warrior. His eyes remained fixed on the Father, waiting for the next piece of food. The things on this earth just are not important compared to what the next morsel of bread is coming from the kingdom.

I hope this vision from my Brother has ministered to you. I hope it has made you also ponder. I especially hope it has made you think about making decisions and walking in the flesh verses walking in the Spirit. I hope you better understand the difference between the natural man and the spiritual man.

God loves you incredibly,
Mark S.

A PARABLE AND A TROUBLED DREAM

Wow, it sure has been awhile since I've written to you.  I hope you've been well!  I always hope that you find my thoughts to be written to you as a personal letter and not something just to a group of people.  You are important to God.  God loves you and He is on your side and rooting for you, especially when you desire to follow Him and the teachings of Jesus.  I can back that up with scripture, too.

If you've been around for awhile, you know that I really try to be positive and encouraging.  Today may look a little different on the surface.  I do believe that this will be a warning to someone, but I hope that in the long run this can offer some encouragement as well.  I do have to tell you that I was really shaken by the dream that I will be telling you about.

Also, last night I woke at  2:37 am.  I haven't figured out why yet, but it seemed that the Lord wanted me to take note of the time I woke up and then when I went back to bed at 3:19.  Maybe a scripture, or scriptures?  I'll be praying into that and if God gives you any insight or a word for me as you read this, please leave a comment or send me an email.  Anyway, as I began to read the scriptures I was taken back a little by what seemed to be highlighted to me.

As I've said in previous posts, I believe that 2014 is a year of acceleration pertaining to seeing and experiencing the power of God and His kingdom.  At the same time I believe that we are going to see a separation between those who really desire and dare to follow Jesus and those who are lukewarm with Christ, or even trying to fake their way as being true followers of Jesus.  Along with acceleration, God is also calling for holiness among His people.  An important question would be, where are you at in relation of the two examples I've just given, or are you somewhere in between?

The scripture that the Holy Spirit seemed to hi-light for me last night/early this morning?

"Then Jesus told this story, 'A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.  Finally he said to the gardener, "I've waited three years and there hasn't been a single fig!  Cut it down, it's just taking up space in the garden."  The gardener answered, "Sir,give it one more chance.  Leave it another year and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine.  If not, then you can cut it down."' (Luke 13: 6-9, NLT)

In this parable, Jesus was most likely referring to Israel.  A nation chosen by God that had grown cold towards God and was not producing spiritual fruit, but God is now giving the people one more chance through Jesus Christ.  As I've already said, this will be a year of acceleration.  In fact I've heard  and read of reports and testimonies that speak of some pretty amazing things that have occurred to confirm this.  However, at the same time, I believe God is growing weary of lukewarm churches and people. I believe that this parable is being used as a challenge.  A wake up call.  I don't need to give a talk about the end times.  The Father wants the real deal when it comes to His people.  The battle between good and evil has intensified, both in the natural and in the spiritual.  For those who haven't been producing good fruit, don't take a chance on running out of time to do so.

I mentioned that I had a  recent dream that shook me up.  I woke with a feeling of horror and it caused me to examine my own life and heart.  After being given the parable last night, I feel that it is now time to tell you of this dream also.  It was short, but right to the point.  Something I have avoided until now.

There was an accident with two vehicles involved.  In the one vehicle there was a man who didn't have a scratch or showed any visible signs of injuries.  In the other vehicle, a man who was bloodied and mangled. At first all attention was being given to this man.  Survival appeared hopeless, but yet suddenly this man was sitting up and looking around, even though blood was pouring down his face.  In an instant, all attention shifted to the other man, because suddenly he was collapsing.  Even he seemed shocked that something was wrong.  In seconds he was dead.  By looking at him you would have never known that his internal organs had been so badly crushed that death was certain.  Everyone was surprised.  Before he died, it flashed through this man's mind that he was about to die.  He was shocked, but didn't have time to process this because, in a split second his life was over.   Instantly the dream was interpreted to me.  I saw faceless people who carried signs around their necks.  Some of the titles on those signs were.....................Pastor, Priest, Minister, Reverend.  These men of God appeared to have it all together.  They looked like they had the perfect Christian life.  But they were "white washed tombs." They were represented by the man who had died.   I saw all kinds of secret sin and hypocrisy being shown to me.   The day for accountability comes.  The Spirit showed me that those with the secret sins were so infested internally that a death that was visible to on one was imminent.  On the other hand, the ones who appear beaten and lost in an ugly sin infested life, who don't "look" the part of even a "good person", are seen in the man who was mangled in the accident. Though he appears headed for certain death, he recognizes that he is sick and dying, needing help; needing to be saved, and he will be shown mercy, forgiveness and spiritual healing as Jesus is revealed to him.  This one finds life.

When I awoke, I had such a feeling of horror at what I had just seen.  I instantly told the Lord that if there was anything within me that I needed to confront and deal with to bring it to light.  I am not going to add or take anything away from this dream.  I think I need to leave any further meaning to be between the reader and the Lord.  I'm afraid to even ask God to interpret for me what "death" really meant.  Did it really mean that a spiritual death, separation from God was about to take place?  I was and still am afraid to ask the Lord this question...................fearing the answer.

So there you have it.  This man, meaning me, who loves to encourage, talk about grace, the coming kingdom of God and all the excitement that comes with it, has today told you of things that I would rather have not have had to do.  But even though this was against my own nature, the Lord showed me that it was time to do it, and to be honest I fear God more than man.  If I had not shared this, I would be in complete disobedience.  There are a couple of verses  in Jude that I believe apply here. It is very difficult to fully understand the meaning of these verses completely, but I believe they are important to us, especially when we see someone who has fallen so far from God that we become indignant towards them, feeling like they are so far gone that they could never repent, or even be saved in the first place.

.........."keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by flesh."  (Jude 21-23)  

I believe by writing this, there will be someone who was being swallowed up by internal, hidden sin, that will be quickly reawakened, being "snatched back" if you will, into repentance and a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ.

You know that I love you.  I want only the best for you just as God wants the best for you.  May we each renew our love in committing our lives to Jesus.

With a brother's love,
Mark S.

DISCOURAGED ON A SATURDAY MORNING

Don't ever think that because of the way I write and my outlook on God's plans that I don't ever struggle.  I am not immune to temptations, hurts, concerns, burdens and just the cares of this world.  The weakness of the flesh can be a horrible thing.   This morning I woke early with a heavy burden and much discouragement. The flesh was in control.  I lay there in frustration and allowing a hopeless feeling to wash over me, even some anger.  I knew that sleep would not return on this Saturday morning.  I knew I needed to just get up.

I made my way down the hall, grabbed a blanket and headed to the couch..................and knelt.  My attempts to pray seemed weak and I had trouble staying focused.  Prayer seemed much more difficult this morning, but I stayed with it calling to God in my spirit.  I heard Kay coming down the hall and suddenly she was beside me.  After a minute she asked  what was on my heart and what I needed prayer for.  As I was stood up I told her of what I was carrying, the feeling of hopelessness and then I said, ........"and I don't know what to do."

ALL PRAISE TO THE HOLY ONE WHO HAS TAUGHT ME WHAT TO DO WHEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

As I walked down the hall, I knew I couldn't allow the devil to take this day.  Years ago I would have.  The entire day would have become nothing but worry, fear and frustration.  As much as my flesh wanted me to, I couldn't let that happen.  A decision had to be made.

I returned to Kay and reached for the remote to the surround sound.  I could stay where I was, but I've come way to far and grown way to much to give in to discouragement.  Often when it's a little harder for me to pray, I turn to music.  Worship music.  God uses it to calm my spirit and quiet me.  I turned on Pandora (Pandora.com----internet radio) and the station that I titled "Hillsong Radio" which isn't just Hillsong, but artists who are similar to them.

AND WITH THAT, IT WAS OVER.

As soon as I heard the first sounds, I knew this day had turned.  It was like Jesus walked down the hall and just stood there looking.  It was if as if He said, "You have ears to hear...... now hear," and just stood there looking.

"He called me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail..............................."  For some reading this you will know that is the first line to "Oceans" by Hillsong United,  "......And there I find you in the mystery.  In oceans deep, my faith will stand...............

AND I WILL CALL UPON YOUR NAME
AND KEEP MY EYES ABOVE THE WAVES
WHEN OCEAN RISE MY SOUL WILL REST IN YOUR EMBRACE
I AM YOURS AND YOU ARE MINE."

Through this song I was reminded the He's never failed me, and He won't start now.

There was no thought of coincidence as the next few songs that followed spoke directly to where I was this morning.  I was reminded to lift my eyes up because my help comes from the Lord.  Kay and I heard clearly

"MY FOES ARE MANY, THEY RISE AGAINST ME,
BUT I WILL HOLD MY GROUND.
I WILL NOT FEAR THE WAR, I WILL NOT FEAR THE STORM,
MY HELP IS ON THE WAY, MY HELP IS ON THE WAY.........."

And as this song continued I could hear Kay softly crying as her spirit was resonating with the reassurance and encouragement coming from our steadfast and faithful Jesus.  I will embed this song/video at the end of my thoughts.

The battle for the day was over,  Together we had taken back the "high ground."  My faith began to soar.  My Lord, my God, my strength in Christ burning and searing through my soul.  My God who NEVER fails.
Later as we were sitting down to a delicious breakfast that my wife had prepared I asked her, "What do you want to do today?"  No, we still can't see the answer to this morning's specific burdens, be we know the ONE who does and He has paid us a visit this morning.  That is more than enough for me. I followed up my question to Kay with, "I just don't want to waste this day."  Yes, this day, there are so many things that can be done.  There is so much life to experience in this day.  Another day to carry the life source that comes from Jesus.  Another day to let the whole world know that Jesus saves and He is the answer.

My prayer now is that you are encouraged by this.  This God who I find strength and resolve in is your God, too.  Maybe you don't really know Him yet, but He is ready to introduce Himself to you.  He contains every answer to every problem and frustration that you've ever had.  Many do know this God; this Jesus who has the words of eternal life.  Don't stop pushing, pressing in to know Him even more.  Pieces of His Kingdom keep breaking off and falling to earth.  Keep position; hold the high ground.  For me, I connect with worship and music.  For you it may be something else, but whatever it takes to gather  your thoughts and regain focus on the Lord.........................just do it!!!!!!!

When a situation comes, when the cares of this world try to rest upon you..........remember:
                   When you don't know what to do, you know EXACTLY what to do!

With great love,
Mark S.

WORDS SPOKEN FOR YOU

I spent some quality time with the Lord tonight reading much from the gospel of Luke.  Reading many of Jesus's teachings on life and how to live in general.  I was filled with peace and comfort as I read and a spirit of calm came over me.  As I knelt to pray I asked the Lord for a word for you tonight.  A word of encouragement to help your week to get started right.  That word didn't come, although I spent time in prayer, talking to the Lord.  Kay joined me and we prayed for some things together and then we ended the prayer time together.  I was a little disappointed that the Lord didn't give me a word for you, but I still really enjoyed my time with God.

Even though it was getting later I decided to take a shower tonight and as I felt the warmth of the water on my face, I suddenly heard.  I was then reminded of a scripture.  I am about to tell you what I heard from the Lord.  As always, I encourage you to pray about this.  Sometimes I am nervous about telling someone that "this is what the Lord says," because I know how serious the Lord was towards people that gave a false prophecy or word in the scriptures.  At the same time I have confidence in what I heard.  It came at a time when I wasn't expecting it and a good amount of time had passed since asking the Lord for a word to give to His people.

With all that said, here is the word that the Lord gave me for you.

I am thinking of the prize fighter now, says the Lord.  How the great fighters have learned to take a punch and get back up.  How even when he is weary he fights on for the prize of the belt.  In this I am looking for a people that would do the same.  I am looking for the one who can take a punch and get back up, fighting on.  I am looking for the one who has been knocked down by the troubles of life and keeps getting up and moving on.  The one who looks for the light when darkness has closed in.  For you see, says God, this is the person I can use.  Pages have been turned.  Corners have been taken and a sudden new season is upon the earth.  I need this one who has not learned defeat.  It is in him (I know this includes both men and women) that I can show my strength.  It is in him that others will see the strength of the Lord arise.  It is through him that people will see many mighty things of the Lord.

As I thought about this and meditated on it, I also know that the Lord wants me to encourage those reading this that have been dealt a hard blow and are staggering.  You have felt that you haven't been able to get up.  You have felt that life has dealt you a bad hand and you don't even feel like you have the strength to get back up.

Don't settle for that.

If you are willing to even dare to try to pick yourself up, to not remain a victim, God is ready to rescue you.  He is ready to pour new strength into you, new hope into you and new life into you.  God does not have the word "defeat" in mind when it comes to you.  I hope that even as you read this right now you understand that God has purpose for you being here, at THIS MOMENT.  Even this is meant to confirm to you that God pursues you.  God loves you and God is coming to take you to new places with Him.  There is only one thing that God is asking of you.  That you are willing to try.  That you are willing to rid yourself  of any self pity right now, put your thoughts on Him and begin to spend new time, even more time with Him.  This is YOUR time to begin to get back up.

You might say to me, "Mark, I don't have the strength anymore to even try."  I would say back to you that that is okay.  You don't need to find the strength.  Just be willing, be wanting to have the beatings stop.  The weariness stop.  It is through Jesus that the strength will come.  Jesus will overcome your weakness.  He will give you rest and then He will give you strength to rise.  God has great plans.  He wants you to be a part of them.  He wants you to be His prize fighter.

Are YOU ready?

And to the one who the Lord has spoken directly to tonight in the words that I gave..............Are YOU ready?  God is about to shock many with His power and majesty.  Through this many will be forced to finally decide on who they will serve.  For you and for those that finally make a decision for Christ, I won't even try to imagine the amazing things that God has planned for us to see.

I will close now with the passage of scripture that God brought to my mind as He began speaking and giving me those words for you tonight.  For this scripture I have chosen the New Living Translation.

"I am the Lord your Holy One, Israel's Creator and King.  I am the Lord who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.  I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all it's chariots and horses.  I drew them beneath the waves and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.  But forget all that----it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.  For I am about to do something new.  See I have already begun!  Do you not see it?   I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."   (Isaiah 43: 15-19)

Pressing on for the King,
Mark S.

A PLACE WITHOUT BORDERS

Every so often I will come across a scripture that will capture my heart for days.  Similarly and when it can be backed up by scripture, a line in a worship song will do the same to where it stays driven inside my head.  Such has happened to me for the past two days to where my thoughts are captivated by this:

"SPIRIT LEAD ME WHERE MY TRUST IS WITHOUT BORDERS
LET ME WALK UPON THE WATERS WHEREVER YOU WOULD CALL ME
TAKE ME DEEPER THAN MY FEET COULD EVER WANDER
AND MY FAITH WILL BE MADE STRONGER
IN THE PRESENCE OF MY SAVIOR."

I am to a point in my life to where I am being driven to become so much like Jesus that people will be drawn to have an encounter with Him, even though they maybe aren't even searching for one.  I want to be so much like Christ that just like with Peter, when people come near me that they would be healed.

Please forgive me when I have moments to where I fail at being Christ-like.  I am striving to get there and stay there.

And now I am thinking about going to a place in Christ "where my trust is without borders."  A place where my trust and faith have no limits, no walls.  I want this so bad.  Not for my glory, but for His honor.  Not for my purpose, but so I can be used to bring a taste of Heaven to everyday lives here on earth.

Honestly I am not sure why I am writing this to you today, because it seems so personal.  I feel God taking me into a deeper place with Him.  His presence is so real.  He is here in such a way that I almost feel like my physical body can't experience much more of Him and be able to take it.  It's so hard to explain.  God has "wrecked" me to where I will never be the same.  I can echo the words of Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life."  At this point in my life there is no other option (nor do I want one) than to be in this with Christ to the end of my days.  But after that, I gain eternal life anyway.

I think God has me sharing this with you today, because He wants to flood your soul and spirit, too.  I have heard the Spirit this week wanting me to tell people that He is wanting to do the impossible in lives; that in the times we are in God is calling to each of us desperately and telling us all to return to Him.  Some for the first time and for others to go into a deeper place spiritually with Him so that He can really move in our lives daily and with power that our eyes haven't yet seen.  God isn't wanting this for selfish reasons.  He is doing this because He is here to rescue us.  To save us.  To save you.  He does this because He loves you.

Please hear what I am about to say.  If I was to die today this is the thing that I would want you to remember and to hear from me.  The power of God is incredible.  It's more than anyone alive could imagine.  But for your good, God is ready to bring an incredible move of power to your life in 2014.  There is a condition for this, though.  He can and will only do this if you live for Him.  No more half in and half out.  It's time for all in.  It's time for more time in the word, in prayer, in meditation to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  It's time to live the Gospel.......EVERYDAY.  Guys, I'm sold out on this even more than I was yesterday.

I'm going deeper.  I'm going to a place to where my trust has no borders.  A place to where if Jesus were to bid me to walk on the waters with Him, then I will go.  I'm going to see the miracles that the early church saw.  I know this, because God is doing something in me that I can't explain.  If you have read my blog for long, you know my heart.  You know I don't say these things with arrogance or with pride.  Sometimes I wake wondering why Jesus even chose me.  Like Paul, I can be chief among sinners.

But He is calling.......................And I must go.

PLEASE come with me to that place where faith and trust are without borders.
I plead with you because I love you.  That is the only reason I need.

All for Jesus,
Mark S.

Listen to this and hear Him call......................