Ladies and gentlemen, we are occupying enemy territory. You see the kingdoms of this world and of our God have been invaded by an enemy. It began in the garden when the serpent was used by Lucifer tempt the man and the woman. The woman was deceived by The serpent and partook of the fruit. The man knew the truth, was listening as the serpent spoke half-truths, and he ate the fruit. The man was a traitor. He was the head of the house and didn't speak up and so they lost the glory of God, the blessing of God, and were kicked out of the garden.

But God. He had a plan from the very beginning. The Bible tells us that the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. God the Father, God the Son, and God Holy Spirit came together and planned for the redemption of mankind. You see, before there was ever a problem there was already a solution. Before there was ever sin there was forgiveness and redemption. Jesus, the Word, was with God in the beginning and we know that nothing exists without Him. He agreed to be clothed in flesh and become human in order to redeem what was lost in the garden of Eden. At the Cross, Jesus won the ultimate battle against the enemy, and took back was lost…the glory.

Now, it's our turn! We have been given authority through the blood of Jesus, through the Covenant made by His blood to take back the Earth. For now, we are in enemy territory.  It is our job to occupy and advance on the enemy and take what he has stolen. He is trying to steal, kill, and destroy in order to subvert the will of God. Our Heavenly Father has always intended for His children to have dominion in the Earth. That doesn't mean that we will act like the evil ones who want to enslave but it means that we will be the greater influence in the earth, and push back darkness and evil, in order that the will of God would be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. What is that you may ask? God wants people to be Free, to have Justice, to have Prosperity, and to live in Peace with all men.

So, SONS OF GOD (that includes you Ladies!), it's time for us to stand up, take OUR Authority through Jesus Christ and to WIN THIS WORLD for OUR Heavenly Father!!

It's that time of year when you catch all of the Christmas flicks that are out there.  I'm a classic Christmas movie buff and one of my favorites is The Santa Clause.  In the movie you see a guy who is all about the money and the busyness of life but hasn't found the TRUE meaning of the season yet.  He hears a sound on his roof one night and goes out to inspect and finds that it's Santa.  When he hollers up to see what the guy is doing...he slips, falls off his roof, and disappears leaving just Santa suit behind.  Picking up the suit, discovering reindeer on the roof, and delivering toys...he finds himself being the new Santa.  Now, I don't want to spoil the whole movie for you but that will get you started.

However, there is one in the movie that caught my attention this year.  I've seen this movie a dozen times or more but the elf, Judy, who brings Scott Calvin (the new Santa) some hot cocoa, says these words when trying to comfort a distraught rookie.  She says, "Seeing isn't believing...Believing is Seeing."

Did you catch that????? In the beginning God spoke (in faith believing) and the worlds came into existence.  It's not seeing something before we believe in it.  That's easy.  The world does that every day.  WE as believers (those of the community of faith) must believe, speak, and then see the results.  Our faith, or belief, in a thing can bring it to pass.  We pray about a need, a situation, or a problem asking in faith before we see the results.  Romans 4:17 speaks of our God that "calls in to being those things that do not yet exist."  In other words, "Speaking and Believing".

What am I driving at here?  I am saying that we must have faith like our Savior did when He called Lazarus forth from the tomb.  He was dead. And dead is dead whether it is 4 minutes or 4 days. Jesus saw through the eyes of faith and believed...then He saw it come to pass.  It boggles the mind to think that we could believe something that hasn't yet happened and "See" it through spiritual eyes by faith...and then and only then see something come to pass.  

This is a thing outside of the natural realm because this kind of thinking, this kind of faith and believing is of the supernatural realm...the Heavenly Realm.  So, we have to get a heavenly mindset. Colossians 3:1-2 says, "Christ's resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that's where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly ream and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm." (The Passion Translation)

So, as we celebrate the coming of the Son of God from the heavenly realm to the earthly one...let's remember that we need to have faith, like a little child, and Believe in order to TRULY see!

Are you feeling a bit discouraged? Does it seem like the enemy is winning? Are you still watching the news, TV shows, movies that are made by people that don't believe in your Heavenly Father? If you have answered yes to any of these things then consider this. TURN IT OFF! 

I want to encourage you to turn on to Jesus! The reason I say this is because there is a lot of deception and untruth that is being spread by media, politicians, friends and family, etc. The one thing that will always tell you the truth no matter what.. is God's Holy Word! 

If as a Christian you feel helpless or weak, it's time then, to get into the word! God's word is full of his promises, his wisdom, his solutions, and it explains exactly what is going on in our world, RIGHT NOW! 

For example, just the other morning I was reading in the book of Luke the 21st chapter. So much of what is written there has been taken to be the end times or the end of the world as told to his disciples by jesus. But with what is happening in our world today and reading those words through fresh eyes and revelation it shows that we are going through the very things that Jesus told his disciples. And no, it's not the end, so roll up your rapture rug and realize that we need to stand for righteousness and have faith in our Heavenly Father. 

He is looking for faith in the Earth and that faith is ours. He wants to use us to see our world changed radically for His glory. A world that, right now, is full of tyranny, fear, war, and destruction.. but, with our God and our faith and action we can see this world full of freedom, liberty, joy, provision, and blessing! 

So get in the Word, pray, pray in the Holy Ghost, and Let's do this thing!

Yes, the devil is a defeated foe. That enemy of our souls, accuser of the brethren, deceiver, liar, stealer of good things. He is so weak that those listed items in the last sentence are the only tools he has to come against a believer. 

Look back to the beginning. In the Garden of Eden he had no right or authority to be there. He is nothing more than a created spirit being. He has no body, no voice in the natural. It was his lying deception that caused the serpent to allow himself to become possessed that even gave the serpent, that old enemy, an opportunity to speak to the woman (and the man who was listening in). 

He has to have a human being to do his bidding. So he uses the intellect, the abilities, the strength, the reasoning, the passions of a man to do things on the earth. And may I point out HE CANNOT create so he perverts God the Creators work. Man is made in the image of God. The devil so hates God he uses God's creation to work his evil. 

He is such a weakling and so sickly that he uses the strength of a man to make himself look strong. That is why a demon possessed individual has such, so called, superhuman abilities. He gets into the mind of the person and turns off his conscious mind and makes him believe he can do the powerful. There are no inhibitions or limitations when the conscious mind is bi-passed.  However, he has no strength, no power, no might other than that we allow him to make us think he has. 

So Church of the Living God, RISE UP, and take the authority that YOU have in Christ. WE are made in the image of God. That is what the devil wanted from the beginning. He wanted to be "like" God. He wanted Man's place next to God. He wanted to be a son of God. But he fell and was filled with violence, hate, lies, deception, destruction and every wicked (twisted) thing. (Don't blame God for this stuff...give the blame to the devil where it rightly belongs.) 

Don't cower in fear because of this weak adversary with NO REAL POWER. We serve the ALMIGHTY God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. And as a Son of God (yes, that goes for you ladies too!) the Lord Yahweh, Host of the Angel Armies, has given us ALL authority over all the power of the enemy! Rise and Speak God's Word and Angels will move into action! Declare the Word of God and with faith proclaim what is the will of God over yourself, your family, your town, state, the nation and the world! 

We ARE Winning this battle! Declare to the enemies of darkness: "You have lost! WE HAVE WON!!!" Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!

The new year has the promise of victory.  We as Christian Patriots need to STAND for Righteousness. The time has come for us to take a stand against tyranny.  I hope that you are AWAKE in these Biblically historical days in which we are living.  If the mask helps, if the shot helps why haven't we seen this virus die?  The tyrannical leadership has decided to make it illegal to distribute medicines that do actually help.  WAKE UP! Realize that the Bible stands for health, freedom, healing, and LIFE!

It has been prophesied that the Wicked will release on the earth something deadly in order to cause fear and a running to the jab. HIDE yourself in the Word of God.  Psalm 91 says:

1 "When YOU abide under the shadow of Shaddai, YOU are HIDDEN in the strength of God Most High,

2 He's the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter ME, the only God for me, and MY great confidence.

3 HE will rescue YOU from every hidden trap of the enemy, and HE will protect YOU from false accusation and any deadly curse.

4 HIS massive arms are wrapped around YOU, protecting YOU. You can run under HIS covering of majesty and hide. HIS arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping YOU from harm.

5 YOU will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against YOU.

6 Don't fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble YOU, nor will the powers of evil be launched against YOU.

7 Even in a time of disaster, with thousands and thousands being killed, YOU will remain unscathed and unharmed.

8 YOU will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done!

9-10 When WE live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, WE will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?

11 God sends angels with special orders to protect YOU wherever YOU go, defending YOU from all harm.

12 If YOU walk in to a trap, they'll be there for YOU and keep YOU from stumbling.

13 You'll even walk unharmed among the fiercest powers of darkness, trampling everyone of them beneath YOUR feet!

14 For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: "Because YOU loved ME, delighted in ME, and have been loyal to MY Name,

15 I will answer YOUR cry for help every time YOU pray, and YOU will feel MY presence in YOUR time of trouble. I will deliver YOU and bring YOU honor.

16 I will satisfy YOU with a full life and with al that I do for YOU. For you will enjoy the fullness of MY Salvation!" (The Passion Translation)

Read THIS Book of the Bible and proclaim it OUT LOUD over yourself and over your household!!!!!  It will HIDE YOU IN PLAIN SIGHT and the enemy will NOT be able to find YOU!

So, in TWENTY TWENTY TWO...STAND in the Victory of the LORD and in the Power of HIS Might!!!!  DON'T BE AFRAID the Lord will protect YOU and you will see the demise of the wicked and receive the Blessing of the Lord! Amen

It's no wonder this time of year (when we celebrate so many holidays) is the most wonderful, and magical. Magical you say...? Well...yes, because it is the Grace and Mercy, and the Goodness of God on display, that makes us feel as if something b e y o n d the ordinary--the supernatural--is happening all around us. So join in and sing, praise, and rejoice in this...the Greatest Christmas Present. 

About that time, Caesar Augustus, ordered that the first census be taken throughout the Empire. Everyone had to travel to the hometown of their family to complete the census. So, Joseph and his wife, Mary, left Nazareth, a village in Galilee, and journey to their hometown in Judea, to the village of Bethlehem, King David's ancient home. They were required to register there, since they were both direct descendants of David. 

JOY TO THE WORLD MEDLEY 

When they arrived in Bethlehem Mary went into labor, and there she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the newborn baby in strips of cloth, and Mary and Joseph laid him in a feeding trough since there was no room for them in the household guestroom. 

The house where Mary and Joseph found lodging was the ancestral home of King David. And, because of the census, family had traveled to Bethlehem and so the guest bedroom would have been taken. 

The guest bedrooms were located on the second floor of the home. On the first floor, this common room was a multi-purpose space. During the day it was a workshop and at night a makeshift stable for the smaller and weaker animals. There was even a stone manger cut into the bedrock for the animals to eat or drink. This is where Mary and Joseph and Jesus was laying and would be a sign of things to come. 

IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR 

That night, in a field near Bethlehem, shepherds were watching over their flocks. But, these weren't your run-of-the-mill shepherds. Jewish tradition says that the shepherds were priests who were watching over the flocks that night. 

In fact, the field they were in was near Bethlehem. And, there was a tower in the field called Migdal Eder--meaning, watchtower of the flock. It was on the lower floor of the watchtower that the birthing of the Passover lambs would take place. 

After the birth of the lambs, the priestly shepherds would wrap the lamb in strips of cloth and lay them in a manger, lined with soft hay, to prevent them from hurting themselves. 

For, Passover lambs must be unblemished with no bruises or broken bones. It was in this field, and in the tower, that these shepherds were watching over their flock. 

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH 

It was an ordinary night really. Nothing to write home about. The sky was ordinary with stars twinkling in the distance. The moon was ordinary...with clouds just floating by. 

Everything was swallowed up by the dark, quiet, plain and ordinary night. It was just about as ordinary a night as you can get. There were ordinary sheep and ordinary, sleepy shepherds. 

But, were it not for a God who loves to hook an "extra" on the front of the ordinary, the night may have gone unnoticed and the shepherd priests might have slept the night away. 

For suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But, the angel reassured them, saying, "Don't be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And, it is for everyone everywhere! For today, in Bethlehem a Savior was born for you. He is Messiah, the Lord. 

COME ON RING THOSE BELLS 

Then all at once in the night sky, a vast number of glorious Angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing: "Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! Where there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men." 

The long-awaited Messiah was born into the realms of men. He would bring us the reconciliation with the Father that was so desperately needed. 

O HOLY NIGHT 

For today in Bethlehem a Savior is born for you. You will recognize him by this miraculous sign: You will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in the feeding trough! 

This miracle sign for these priestly shepherds would be a baby boy lying where the Passover Lamb should be--in a manger...wrapped in strips of cloth. You see, they were part of the animal sacrifice system. The news brought to them by the Angels was BIG news. Animal sacrifices would no longer be needed because the Messiah had been born who would save the world from their sins. He would become the sacrifice for the WHOLE world. 

SILENT NIGHT 

When the choir of angels disappeared and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go! Let's hurry and find this Word who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us." 

So they hurried off and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough. Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherd's recounted what had just happened. Everyone who heard the shepherd's story was astonished by what they were told. 

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN 

A child has been born for us; a son has been given to us. Responsibility of complete dominion will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be: The Wonderful One! Extraordinary Strategist! The Mighty God! The Father of Eternity! The Prince of Peace! 

Great and vast is his dominion. He will bring immeasurable peace and prosperity. He will rule on David's throne and over David's Kingdom to establish and uphold it by promoting Justice and Righteousness from this time forward and forever more. The marvelous passion that the Lord Jehovah, commander of Angel armies, has for his people will ensure that it is finished! 

BIRTHDAY OF A KING 

Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, Buon Natale, Merry Christmas...no matter how you say it the meaning points to the birth of Christ. 

From the foundation of the Earth God had a plan for the redemption of mankind. Though Adam sinned against the Lord and lost the peace and goodwill that God had always intended for us; through Jesus' birth we now have a way back to our heavenly Father. 

Even though the world has commercialized the celebration...we know that Jesus is the reason for this joyful season. 

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON 

An angel from the Lord appeared to him and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't hesitate to take Mary into your home as your wife, because the power of the Holy Spirit has conceived a child in her womb. She will give birth to a son and you are to name him Jesus--meaning salvation, restoration, and deliverance--for he is destined to give his life to save his people from their sins." 

This happened to fulfill what the Lord has spoken through his prophet: "Listen! A virgin will be pregnant, she will give birth to a son, and he will be known as Emmanuel", which means in Hebrew, "God became one of us". 

WHAT CHILD IS THIS 

“Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are too little to be among the family groups of Judah. But from you One will come who will rule for Me in Israel. His coming was planned long ago, from the beginning.” 

He will give them up until the time when the woman in pain gives birth to a child. Then the rest of His brothers will return to the people of Israel. And He will come and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the great power of the name of the Lord His God. His people will live there and be safe, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace. 

THE SON CAME DOWN 

For here's the way God loved the world--he gave his only, unique son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. God did not send his son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be a Savior and rescue it! So now there's no longer any condemnation for those who believe in him.... 

THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT 

In the beginning the Living Expression was already there. And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God. They were together--face-to-face, in the very beginning. 

Jesus Christ is the eternal Message, the creative Word, and the Living Expression of God made visible. He is the divine self-expression of all that God is, contains, and reveals in incarnated flesh. Just as we express ourselves in words, God has perfectly expressed himself in Christ. Jesus is God's story. 

THAT LITTLE BABY 

But Mary treasured all these things in her heart and often pondered what they meant. The shepherds returned to their flock, ecstatic over what had happened. They praised God and glorified him for all they had heard and seen for themselves, just as the angel had said. 

"God's living message is very close to you, as close as your own heart beating in your chest and as near as the tongue in your mouth." 

And what is God's "living message"? It is the revelation of faith for salvation, which is the message that we preach. For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will experience salvation. 

The heart that believes in Him receives the gift of the righteousness of God--and then the mouth confesses resulting in salvation. For the scriptures encourage us with these words: 

"Everyone who believes in him will never be disappointed." 

MARY'S LITTLE LAMB

It's no wonder this time of year (when we celebrate so many holidays) is the most wonderful, and magical. Magical you say...?Well...yes, because it is the Grace and Mercy, and the Goodness of God on display, that makes us feel as if something b e y o n d the ordinary--the supernatural--is happening all around us. So join in and sing, praise, and rejoice in this...the Greatest Christmas Present. 

About that time, Caesar Augustus, ordered that the first census be taken throughout the Empire. Everyone had to travel to the hometown of their family to complete the census. So, Joseph and his wife, Mary, left Nazareth, a village in Galilee, and journey to their hometown in Judea, to the village of Bethlehem, King David's ancient home. They were required to register there, since they were both direct descendants of David. 

JOY TO THE WORLD MEDLEY 

When they arrived in Bethlehem Mary went into labor, and there she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped the newborn baby in strips of cloth, and Mary and Joseph laid him in a feeding trough since there was no room for them in the household guestroom. 

The house where Mary and Joseph found lodging was the ancestral home of King David. And, because of the census, family had traveled to Bethlehem and so the guest bedroom would have been taken. 

The guest bedrooms were located on the second floor of the home. On the first floor, this common room was a multi-purpose space. During the day it was a workshop and at night a makeshift stable for the smaller and weaker animals. There was even a stone manger cut into the bedrock for the animals to eat or drink. This is where Mary and Joseph and Jesus was laying and would be a sign of things to come. 

IT CAME UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR 

That night, in a field near Bethlehem, shepherds were watching over their flocks. But, these weren't your run-of-the-mill shepherds. Jewish tradition says that the shepherds were priests who were watching over the flocks that night. 

In fact, the field they were in was near Bethlehem. And, there was a tower in the field called Migdal Eder--meaning, watchtower of the flock. It was on the lower floor of the watchtower that the birthing of the Passover lambs would take place. 

After the birth of the lambs, the priestly shepherds would wrap the lamb in strips of cloth and lay them in a manger, lined with soft hay, to prevent them from hurting themselves. 

For, Passover lambs must be unblemished with no bruises or broken bones. It was in this field, and in the tower, that these shepherds were watching over their flock. 

ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH 

It was an ordinary night really. Nothing to write home about. The sky was ordinary with stars twinkling in the distance. The moon was ordinary...with clouds just floating by. 

Everything was swallowed up by the dark, quiet, plain and ordinary night. It was just about as ordinary a night as you can get. There were ordinary sheep and ordinary, sleepy shepherds. 

But, were it not for a God who loves to hook an "extra" on the front of the ordinary, the night may have gone unnoticed and the shepherd priests might have slept the night away. 

For suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But, the angel reassured them, saying, "Don't be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And, it is for everyone everywhere! For today, in Bethlehem a Savior was born for you. He is Messiah, the Lord. 

COME ON RING THOSE BELLS 

Then all at once in the night sky, a vast number of glorious Angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing: "Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! Where there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men." 

The long-awaited Messiah was born into the realms of men. He would bring us the reconciliation with the Father that was so desperately needed. 

O HOLY NIGHT 

For today in Bethlehem a Savior is born for you. You will recognize him by this miraculous sign: You will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in the feeding trough! 

This miracle sign for these priestly shepherds would be a baby boy lying where the Passover Lamb should be--in a manger...wrapped in strips of cloth. You see, they were part of the animal sacrifice system. The news brought to them by the Angels was BIG news. Animal sacrifices would no longer be needed because the Messiah had been born who would save the world from their sins. He would become the sacrifice for the WHOLE world. 

SILENT NIGHT 

When the choir of angels disappeared and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go! Let's hurry and find this Word who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us." 

So they hurried off and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough. Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherd's recounted what had just happened. Everyone who heard the shepherd's story was astonished by what they were told. 

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN 

A child has been born for us; a son has been given to us. Responsibility of complete dominion will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be: The Wonderful One! Extraordinary Strategist! The Mighty God! The Father of Eternity! The Prince of Peace! 

Great and vast is his dominion. He will bring immeasurable peace and prosperity. He will rule on David's throne and over David's Kingdom to establish and uphold it by promoting Justice and Righteousness from this time forward and forever more. The marvelous passion that the Lord Jehovah, commander of Angel armies, has for his people will ensure that it is finished! 

BIRTHDAY OF A KING 

Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, Buon Natale, Merry Christmas...no matter how you say it the meaning points to the birth of Christ. 

From the foundation of the Earth God had a plan for the redemption of mankind. Though Adam sinned against the Lord and lost the peace and goodwill that God had always intended for us; through Jesus' birth we now have a way back to our heavenly Father. 

Even though the world has commercialized the celebration...we know that Jesus is the reason for this joyful season. 

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON 

An angel from the Lord appeared to him and said, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't hesitate to take Mary into your home as your wife, because the power of the Holy Spirit has conceived a child in her womb. She will give birth to a son and you are to name him Jesus--meaning salvation, restoration, and deliverance--for he is destined to give his life to save his people from their sins." 

This happened to fulfill what the Lord has spoken through his prophet: "Listen! A virgin will be pregnant, she will give birth to a son, and he will be known as Emmanuel", which means in Hebrew, "God became one of us". 

WHAT CHILD IS THIS 

“Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are too little to be among the family groups of Judah. But from you One will come who will rule for Me in Israel. His coming was planned long ago, from the beginning.” 

He will give them up until the time when the woman in pain gives birth to a child. Then the rest of His brothers will return to the people of Israel. And He will come and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the great power of the name of the Lord His God. His people will live there and be safe, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace. 

THE SON CAME DOWN 

For here's the way God loved the world--he gave his only, unique son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. God did not send his son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be a Savior and rescue it! So now there's no longer any condemnation for those who believe in him.... 

THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT 

In the beginning the Living Expression was already there. And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God. They were together--face-to-face, in the very beginning. 

Jesus Christ is the eternal Message, the creative Word, and the Living Expression of God made visible. He is the divine self-expression of all that God is, contains, and reveals in incarnated flesh. Just as we express ourselves in words, God has perfectly expressed himself in Christ. Jesus is God's story. 

THAT LITTLE BABY 

But Mary treasured all these things in her heart and often pondered what they meant. The shepherds returned to their flock, ecstatic over what had happened. They praised God and glorified him for all they had heard and seen for themselves, just as the angel had said. 

"God's living message is very close to you, as close as your own heart beating in your chest and as near as the tongue in your mouth." 

And what is God's "living message"? It is the revelation of faith for salvation, which is the message that we preach. For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will experience salvation. 

The heart that believes in Him receives the gift of the righteousness of God--and then the mouth confesses resulting in salvation. For the scriptures encourage us with these words: 

"Everyone who believes in him will never be disappointed." 

MARY'S LITTLE LAMB

What a trip Riven just took!  We always ask the Lord to go before us and anoint us each time we go out to minister.  This past week we had safety coming and going! However, during the trip we had quite an interesting time.  The motel booked for Saturday night turned out to be a flea bag motel.  The rooms were dirty, trash on the floor, dirt in unexpected places.  It took over an hour to iron out a refund and so we got on the phone and got another motel for the evening.

 Then, after a good night's rest, we went to Hardee's to get something for breakfast.  Our order was a large one so the person on the other end of the speaker (we went through the drive-thru because the restaurant was closed for indoor dining) repeated back the large order to us.  When we arrived back at the motel and began passing out the food...part of it was missing.

At the church, just before service, we turned on the sound equipment and iPad to get ready for ministry.  The iPad was locked and we were not able to access the soundtracks we needed to be able to minister.  I began to pray after hearing the problem.  I sensed that this was a spiritual matter and more than just the fact the iPad was not cooperating.  Gary Brannaman and Randy Prior went to work to try and access the internet in order to restore the settings on the iPad so we could access the program that held our soundtracks.  In the meantime, the pastor was reading from Ephesians 6 about the whole armor of God and about our spiritual enemy in heavenly places.  

Gary and Randy were able to use the hotspot on Randy's iPhone to access the web and the Lord caused Gary to remember his password (that he hadn't done anything with for some time because it hadn't been a previous problem) and we were back in to the iPad and the software that was needed.  We met for a brief prayer just before going on the platform and thanked the Lord that He was in charge and how He was going to bless us in the service.  WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD!

Later that day the Lord blessed us with a GREAT meal at Las Palmas Mexican restaurant.  We then toured Dixon, Illinois and the boyhood home of President Ronald Reagan before getting on the road to Fulton, Illinois.

It was a warm evening but less so than the previous June of 2020 when we sang at Spring Valley Reformed Church in Fulton.  The new pastor, G.I. Joe (he was an army specialist) was a gracious host and we had some great fellowship before the concert began.  Our host for the evening, Randy, was there to meet us when we set up and the people filled the grounds in their vehicles and lawn chairs!  The honking, in place of applause, is so much fun!! We really enjoyed ourselves once again this year as we testified and sang.

After the concert we made a beeline for PAXTON'S CORNER COOP in Annawan, Illinois to cap the day with some incredibly delicious ice cream and baked goods!! We've made it a tradition to stop on the way home and get some ice cold treats before making the long journey back to St. Louis.  We made it 15 minutes to closing and got something good to eat!

The Lord is SO good to us as we travel and sing.  He blesses us just, as much as, we hope to be a blessing to those with whom we share our music and ministry.  It is truly our heart's desire to travel and share the talents with which the Lord has gifted us!

Maybe you have been wondering what is going to happen to us, the United States of America, the Church, and WE believers...because of the changes this faux administration is making...HOLD ON! It is time for the Church to STAND UP!  It seems the church in America has been asleep.  We have taken the mindset of ESCAPISM.  It has been the teaching of the Church for the longest time that the Lord is coming back and our time is short.  Now, I know the Bible says the Lord will come back to catch away His bride.  Yes, it will all happen. I know that Him coming again to rescue His Saints before His will is completed isn't the plan the Lord has for His Church.

However, the Scriptures also say that we are to OCCUPY until He comes (Luke 19:13).  Any military force doesn't sit around and wait for someone else to bring about a victory.  That force keeps moving forward and keeps taking ground and beating back the enemy.  WE as the body of Christ should be the light in the world (Isaiah 60:1-2) and not sitting in the bunker waiting to be rescued.  Jesus said that ALL authority is given to Him and we therefore can GO into all the world and preach the Gospel reaching the lost with Him going with us in His power (Matthew 28:18-20).

We ALSO need to be Salt and Light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16).  I believe that so much of what is taking place in our world is because the Church has been silent.  The Lord has gifted so many in the Church to be in leadership in politics, education, medicine, law, and so many other areas of business.  BUT WE HAVE BELIEVED THE LIE of Separation of Church and State.  The Heavenly Father wants His people to be an integral part of our world so that we influence it with Righteousness and godliness. (We are the salt in this world that adds flavor into this bland existence because of the Lord who lives in us!)

COME ON Church!  Wake up and let's take our place in this world! We Need To Occupy Until He Comes.  He isn't coming right now because His Church is NOT ready yet.  As the body of Christ we are not like-minded or the Church that is ready for the Marriage Supper.  Scripture tells us that All men will know, that we are the body of Christ, because WE HAVE LOVE ONE FOR ANOTHER (John 13:35).

We have work to do Saints!  Let's draw nearer to the Lord, learn His heart, hear His voice, and begin to be THE BODY of CHRIST that reaches the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ!

And, BTW, our Heavenly Father has plans that we don't fully know just yet.  But, HAVE FAITH, because the Lord of Heaven and Earth is going to invade this earth with His goodness and glory (Habakkuk 2:14).  REVIVAL is coming Saints! Let's get ready to be part of what the Lord is about to do.  We have a Harvest in front of us and so many souls that need hear the message of the Cross.

See...God is NOT willing that ANY should perish but that ALL come to repentance! (2 Peter 3:9)  We are, All of US, children from God.  He gave us life...knit us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139:13-14).  He wants us to come back to Him!  It was for the joy set before Him that Jesus went to the cross (Hebrews 12:2).  That JOY...Is Jesus being able to present us back to the Father when we enter into Heaven.  

Let's get prepared to become part of God's glorious plan on earth! IT'S GOING TO BE EPIC!!

It's so easy in a world of negativity to get caught up in the wave of desperation and fear that is being overly reported and shared.  We live in a world of uncertainty.  Things happen that seem to come from out of nowhere. And you might think that there is little hope.... But, that is the condition of a godless world that has only itself to rely upon.

You and I, Believer, do not live in a hopeless, dark or uncertain world.  WE HAVE A REFUGE! Our Heavenly Father has made a way for us to be guarded, protected, supplied, and hopeful.  Psalm 91 begins with, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." That pronoun "he" is you and me. In Ephesians 2:6 says we are seated with Christ in heavenly places.  Through the cross of Jesus, and His finished work, we are in the secret place of the Most High in Christ.

The psalm continues with verse 2 telling us, "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust'". Say it out loud people of God, The Lord is my refuge and fortress, My God and I trust in Him! Let the powers of darkness know where your trust lies. Romans 8:31 says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

You see, the world may be going through turmoil, distress, uncertainty and lack. For the believer God's word gives us promise after promise for all the negativity and gives us hope and something we can hold onto every day. Read Psalm 91 for yourself and see just what we have through Christ. Read Romans 8 and see that NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus. Then go forth as a victorious Child of God whose Heavenly Father will take care of everything of which we will ever have a need!! (Matthew 6:33, 1 Peter 5:7)