MIND OF TRUTH

The day after Christmas always feels a little anti-climatic for me. All the gifts are unwrapped, all the family visits are over, and my trash bin is full of bags of wrapping paper and boxes. My daughter gets these Barbie and Polly Pocket toys that take about an hour to get out of the box, and my son has about 500 Lego pieces that we need to put together. And of course there is plenty of left over cake and cookies and my wife's spiral ham (Yum!). It seems like Christmas gets the whole worlds attention. For whatever reason they all stop and take time to change their schedules, spend their money, and go though all the rituals. The wise men and shepherds did the same thing. They took time out to stop and come see this new born baby King and then they all went home and got on with their lives. We all do the same, but the story of Jesus is not just about Christmas time and His birth. Thirty years later Jesus said "Come, take up your cross and follow me". I don't kno

In Acts 1:8 , Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit had come upon them. We know the results of the power of the Holy Spirit coming into their lives and our lives today will be that we become a living witness of Jesus. What should this power do in our life? It is the power to follow Christ through death and into life. It is the power to live and the power to die. It is the power to come down at the foot of the cross. I think this is the part we miss and its where the enemy hangs us up. We want the power to live, but Jesus said unless the seed fall into the ground and die, there is no life. We try to save our life and still serve the Lord. Again, Jesus said if we try to save our life, then we will loose it, but if we loose it, allowing it to be surrendered to the cross, then we will be saved and have that power to live. Are you willing to take your life to the cross? Are you willing to surrender your day, your circumstances, and all your tho

I was driving home the other night feeling sorry for myself and letting my mind dwell on problems and stresses and all the challenges that life brings. I started thinking about how unfair it is and how I deserve better since I serve the Lord faithfully and I've done this and I've done that right. Then the Holy Spirit starts to take my mind to the cross and I see images of Jesus being beat and flogged and hanging there on the cross. He is looking at me with such love in His eyes, and in the midst of all that He is encouraging me and thinking of me. He is cheering for me because He knows I can make it because He is with me. Such joy fills His eyes because He knows He is making it possible for me to live in victory, in Him. He knows He has finished the work. He hangs there looking at me enduring the horrible pain and suffering of that cross because of the joy set before Him, because of His love for me, and all I can do is fall on my face and worship Him and shout out Jesus,

I have to share how good God is and again, how perfect His timing is. My days been a little stressful and I was sharing with a co-worker who is a strong believer that I've been feeling a lot of pressure lately. They said "I'm going to pray God gives you a good word", then 5 minutes later I go back to my desk and I get an email from my pastor's wife sharing with me a prophecy given to my pastor back in 2002 about someone names Stephen (me). It was a very encouraging word for me and God's timing was perfect. At the same time my wife was at home praying and she read the email as well. God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

If we are going to bring transformation and life to this world, we must walk in the impossible places. We have to let go of all dependencies and ruthlessly trust and pursue Christ. I believe 2008 will be a year of transitions. As we move into oneness withChrist, He will transition us from a place where we operate in what is possible for us to a place of impossibility where He alone can bring us through, and go before us, and do wondrous things. This clip from Bill Johnson is pretty good. More videos here.

God timing is always perfect. We don't always see that, but we need to learn to. We always want to go, to get through, to run when he says be still, wait, seek, listen. Then we don't want to move and we fall back in fear and doubt and uncertainty whenever He says He is with us and we need to go forth in boldness and strength as we obey. We don't always get it right, but He knows how to direct our life even in the little things. About a month ago, I downloaded some message from Dr. Paul Conn, President of Lee University . I remember how much his messages touched me when I was a student there. I like to look from time to time to see if I can find messages from people I have not heard in a while to see what new things God is doing. So I found two messages from Dr. Conn preached at Central Church of God in Charlotte, NC. The first one was excellent and timely. The second, I tried to listen to a few different times, but I kept getting interrupted. Last night I was stu

I usually don't spend too much time keeping up on politics. Especially now because I get tired of all the people screaming at you telling you exactly what they think you want to hear. Most of the candidates out there have really no idea how to solve the issues facing America. One reason is because they really don't want to solve them, they just want to convince you and I that they can solve the problems so they can be president (My opinion). Secondly and most importantly, their world view does not extend beyond the natural and they don't see the big picture that we are not here to make this world a better place, but to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, prepare ourselves for eternity, and make disciples. Not that we are not to make this world a better place, but thats not the primary reason we are here. Anyway, I know God is sovereign and in control, and I don't feel, as many in the church today, that politics is the answer to America turning back to God. Tha

Suresh Kumar at Harvest India sent me an email to share some of their Christmas needs. God has granted them His favor and they are doing a great work there for the Lord. I have included his email below. Please consider supporting Harvest India in prayer and financially if possible. "I WILL GO BEFORE YOU AND MAKE THE CROOKED PLACES STRAIGHT, I WILL BREAK IN PIECES THE GATES OF BRONZE AND CUT THE BARS OF IRON". Isa.45:2. We are so thankful to God for your love, prayers and support to this ministry always. Without your prayers and generous help we can do nothing in India, your financial help is enabling us to touch many lives and share love of Christ in different unreached villages in India. Your partnership is a great blessing to this dark land. We are praising God for your lives and praying for you that the Lord may meet all your needs for His glory and honor in this Christmas season. May His peace and blessings be with you. Here is our some important Christmas needs, P

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." - Ps. 55:22 As I was praying this morning, the Lord asked me why I try to cast my cares on everyone else around me and not Him. Have you ever noticed that when difficulties come into our life, the Lord is the last person we go to. We run to our spouse, a friend, pastor, or mentor to share our problems. I think we do (At least I do) because we know we will get immediate feedback and we want relief right away. We feel (At least I do) that it takes too long to get an answer from the Lord. Thats because we don't (me again) have the kind of intimate relationship with the Lord that He desires us to have. Is He not the friend who sticks closer than a brother? David says in Ps. 55:22 that the Lord will sustain us. It doesn't say He might, or He will if we pray enough, or if you are super spiritual, it says He WILL. We need to understand that others cannot carry our burdens, w