A More Sure Word......

We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto you do well

that you take heed, as unto alight that shines in a dark place,

until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.

II Peter 1:19

Seems like when times get hard....

when the economy goes south...

when the country is in fear....

voices come out from every nook and cranny

proclaiming that they speak for God.

I am not here to say they do or they don't.

I merely ask, "How can they all be right?"

How can they all be right when the message

they give is in conflict with others who claim

their message was from God?

We tend to lean on the words of men

rather than the Word of God.

I want you to understand that I am not discounting prophetic words.

I believe in prophecy.
I believe that God speaks, not in new revelation

but in Biblical illumination.
There aren't any new revelations.

God only brings to light that which was written

by men of old as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

What I see today that passes for "prophecy"

is more to elevate the one giving the message

than the message itself.

In fact, I don't know if I can prove this or not

but I believe that God would speak through

broken vessels.

I believe that God would speak through the very people

that the world would look at an discount their words because

of their manner and brokenness.

I believe that God desires to speak and illuminate

through the lives of men and women who have been cast

aside on the garbage heap of humanity.
Why do I believe this?
Because when the truth of God comes

it will come in a way and a package that will offend

and force us to decide once and for all

"Is this God? It can't be. God wouldn't speak through such people as this!"

Why wouldn't he?
On the very night of Jesus' birth, God didn't send the angels to

announce the birth to the royalty.
He didn't appear to the religious folk's

He didn't show up at the Pharisee's meeting....
NO!
He went to a group of shepherds outside of Bethlehem who were

watching their flocks by night.
The message was delivered to a group that no one would have dared

pick.

Luke 2:17 reads:

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which

was told them concerning this child.

They spread the news.

Why such an article as this?
Don't be caught up in prophecy because of the one who is

bringing the word.
Don't look to him or her as something other than

an empty conduit through which God may speak.

IF it is a Word from God, then search it out in the Scriptures.

We tend to forget...
We may love Jesus with all our hearts....
We may serve him faithfully....

We may surrender to Him daily....
But all prophecy is filtered through my humanity

and sometimes I'm not the best filter in the world.

I am grateful that God uses us.

That He allows us to play and work as His kingdom is being brought forth.
All prophecy is to be measured against the sure word of God.

Good stuff!

mb

Please Be Patient

I am currently in the process of learning (I use the term loosely) how to download our meeting here at Rapha on Saturday night to our Blog.
I have figured out how... but......

I have currently downloaded a song from our Saturday night worship and hope to, in the near future, begin to download the messages. This is cool beyond x 10 for me.

Please bear with us as we learn new tricks.
Don't forget that I am an old dog and it doesn't come easy.

Thanks again....
Michael Bynum

It IS me!

No matter how many times I say it, it still rings with truth. It is not merely words that are spoken for effect. To arouse some feeling in others that I might feel good about myself. I don't say them to draw attention to myself in an effort to get others to view me in a particular way. I say them because they are true. Simply that! They are true.

The words are true in spite of the fact that I wish they weren't. I wish this because when I confess them, I see how small I am. I see how inept I am. I see how corrupt I could be if I threw off the restraints and gave wholly into my sinful nature. What words could hold such power over my life? Simple.....

"I am in need of being saved. I am in need of a great savior."

The admission that even after years of being a "Christian" I still find myself in this place. A place, I'm not so sure, we ever truly move from. In moving, I am fully aware that I would grab the reins from God and proclaim myself to be the driver of this carriage. In view of God's great mercy, I see the "true" me. In light of God's nature and grace, I am brought to the place of seeing myself as I truly am without God's grace . I am in need of being saved.

Saved from what?

From myself?
From my own selfish, self-centered desires that would use others to get and have whatever was desired.

From the power of sin.

From the penalty of sin.

From the pull of sin.

From hell.

From eternal separation with God.

The list goes on and on.

In all of this, I am in need of being saved.
As John Newton so aptly put it..............

"I am a great sinner............and He is a great God."

Herein is the perfect view of humanity. One that we should never try and escape from. This is the place of humility and healing.

Like the picture above, I stand in a less than sea-worthy craft, adrift on a stormy sea. I cannot, nor will I, survive in such a place. I am in need of being saved.

Thank you Lord for Jesus, your son.

For his death and resurrection.
For the offer of eternal life to me, a sinner.

He is a great God.

See you tomorrow.......

mb

Come Lest I Die

Like Wesley I need to be "Strangely Warmed"
I am dry tinder in need of a spark.
A spark of divine origin that comes when the Holy Ghost of God settles up humanity.
More than the spark.....
More than the ignition to fire....
More than the dry tinder of my heart
is the incredible purpose of God.
To understand that He has come for a reason.
Yes, Love is part of it.
But the greater is Kingdom!
Rule and Reign of Lord God Jehovah in a corrupt world, governed by corrupt men who load the backs of others with oppression.
To bring all to the cross of Christ....
Here, at the cross, we find the great equalizer.
Here we all stand as guilty men and women.
Guilty of sin and in need of a savior.
Only Jesus.
Only His blood....
We are in need of you Lord.
Come and meet us in this hour.
mb

Lunch At The Lodge

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens.

Let thy glory be above all the earth

Psalm 57:11

This is a particular favorite time of year for Vicki and me.
We love the change not only in the weather

but in the trees.

Colors come forth and just explode

all around us.

Funny how this happens right before

Winter.
Right before death.

The leaves die and fall from the trees so that

new life can come forth next spring.

Yet right before the death there is this incredible

explosion of color as if to say, "Death isn't that bad."

Death isn't that bad especially when you have hope.

Hope that points to another step in this progression

we call life.

Hope that is directed at someone, that someone being Jesus.

That hope born in a heart that has been made right

through salvation, will enable us

to take the next step.

Hope.

Hope is greater than death.

Hope defeats depression at every turn.

Hope sees where the eyes cannot.

Hope is powerful when coupled with faith.

Yesterday Vicki and I took the afternoon off and went for a drive.

We took off up H'way 11 and just enjoyed the view,

the drive

and

each other's company.

We found ourselves headed for the Little River Cafe, a place

we have eaten at several times and is a favorite of ours.

Big sign out front "Closed:foreclosure".

Bummer!

A victim of the economy.

We drove on down to DeSota State Park and found

ourselves at the lodge restaurant.

A hearty meal of sandwiches and seafood gumbo

(Vicki loves the gumbo..not me)

and

more conversation.

I guess the one thing I enjoy about our times together is

that she makes me laugh.

We went out on this huge deck behind the lodge and just stood and

admired God's handiwork.

What a view!

We drove on over to DeSota Falls and spent some time there.

As the sun began to set and the air began to cool,

we began our journey back home.

Yesterday was one of those presents that God offers to you

and would be so easy to miss if you weren't careful.

Thank you, Lord

mb

Eyes Are A Flame Of Fire

"....and his eyes were as a flame of fire."

Rev. 1:14

When you read this verse, what mental picture do you see?

When you think of Jesus and that his eyes resembled

flames of fire...what comes to your mind?

Is he angry?

Is he mad?

Do you see judgment?

Do you picture the wrath of God being poured out on the world?

Or

do you see love?

Do you you see love like a fire on a cold winters night?

a flame drawing you in to be warmed.

Fire like the flame of a candle that brings light

and pushes back the darkness.

It isn't much light but enough to

overpower the darkness.

Our perception of Jesus really does affect the way we interact with him'

This is why it is so important for believer's to know

their place and position in Christ.

We recite a declaration everyday here at Rapha at the end of every class.

This declaration speaks of our position in Christ if we are saved.

It reads like this:

Because of Christ's redemption

I am a new creation of infinite worth.

I am deeply loved

I am fully pleasing

I am completely forgiven

I am totally accepted

I am absolutely complete in Christ

When my performance reflects this new identity in Christ

That reflection is dynamically unique

There has never been another person like me in the history of mankind

Nor will there ever be

God has made me an original

One of a kind

Special person

And so are you

All of those attributes listed are not from anything that we have done

It is a by product of who we are in Christ.

That through my salvation

I have been justified

I have been reconciled

I have been sanctified

and I have been restored

To a right relationship with Jesus.
Wow!

God on you today.....

mb

God Already Knew

How much does God know?
Everything?
Does He see it all?
The Future?
The Past?
Today?
I can only answer this by faith and say that I believe God does see all.
He was there before time began, so he must possess the capability of moving outside of time.
Even as I wrote that last sentence, my brain kind of froze in a twilight zone kind of moment.
"Capable of moving outside of time."

If you look at our country (the good ol' US of A) you see some trends and behaviors that are alarming. It reads almost verbatim with II Timothy 3 where it says, "In the last days there will be perilous times (stressful times). The chapter goes on to describe a list of character defects that will be brought to the surfaced and manifested in the lives of people who are not believers and followers of Jesus Christ.

If this is a prophetic word (which I believe it is) then it will come to pass. This will be the character du'jour for humanity.
I was lead to another passage that seems to describe the actions of our federal government.
I guess the main comfort I take from these verses is that God is not only in control, he is in charge. The verses are from ECCLESIASTES 10:18-19.
I am sharing from the Amplified Bible.

"Through indolence the rafters (of state affairs) decay and the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands, the house leaks. (Instead of repairing the breaches, the officials) make a feast for laughter, serve wine to cheer life, and (depend on tax money to answer for all of it.)"

If those verses don't read like our current state of political affairs in America then I've got purple spots on my face. The government has forgotten the supreme ruler of heaven and earth. They have forgotten the mandate that the government is of the people, by the people and for the people. We have a self-centered, self-serving, group who has set themselves up as little gods to oversee the affairs of those they deem incapable of governing themselves.

The most blasphemous part in all of this is the collective usurping and disregard for God and his authority. We have moved God out of every part of this country (almost), and I fear that we are reaping the seeds of destruction that have been planted years ago. Oh, the church can rise up and claim that God was kicked out of school with no more prayer. They can point to Roe vs. Wade and point to abortion. Maybe we should have been on our knees years ago crying out to God instead of holding pointless rallies and marches that do nothing but draw attention.
You want to change a nation, then change hearts. You don't legislate change....you bring change in by changing the hearts of the people. You share the message that has resonated through the years............Jesus and Him Crucified. His death and resurrection brings freedom.

The Bible always speaks of a remnant.
It is time for the remnant to pray.
I guess what I am saying is that it is time for me to pray.
Pray more than I have in the past.
Pray with purpose and passion.
Pray for the leaders of this nation, recognizing that they are the authority that God has placed over us, or allowed to be placed over us. No matter which, I need to be about the business of asking God for "His Kingdom to come, His will to be done, here on earth as it is in heaven."
It is time for that remnant to get a voice. Not one person but a collective voice that cries out for repentance.
Not popular.....
But it is the heart of God.

God on you......
mb

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge

But fools despise wisdom and instruction

Proverbs 1:7

If I have learned anything over these past 58 years

it has been the following:

1.) He is God and I'm not

2.) I live and work for Him

3.) He doesn't live to work for me

4.)blessings are based on my obedience to Him

5.) His will for me is simple: OBEY!

6.) His love is not based on whether my life is going well or if the

wheels have come off and I am floundering in the ditch.

7.) He deserves my worship no matter what

8.) The call to love is more important than my need to be right when

dealing with others.

9.) I am powerless!

10.) Don't confuse preference with "God said it should be this way!"

11.) He is the real God: He isn't the man upstairs....

My buddy.....

J.C.

Dude in the sky...

He is Jehovah God.

11.) Take the Bible for truth...

12.) you don't get to decide what is truth and what isn't

13.) Relationship with Jesus is to be lived....not studied and dissected.

14.) The deeper things of God really aren't that deep. I hear people say that

they want to know the deeper things of God.
What I think they really are saying is that they want

some hidden information that others may not know.
This is the very thing that got us in trouble in Genesis 3.

"Here eat this, your eyes will be opened and you will BE LIKE GOD!"

15.) Hell doesn't need my belief or unbelief to exist.

16.) Jesus is coming back

17.) There is a heaven

18.) Everyone will receive an reward for choices they made here on earth during

their lifetime.

19.) All rewards are not good.

20.) Each day is a present

Well, that isn't the complete list but it may get you thinking

about your own list.

Today is my birthday.
That is why I am pontificating on these things.

I am the richest man in Bedford Falls.

God on you........

mb

I will not be posting on Sunday's

Come back to Greene Street on Monday!

See you then...

Michael Bynum

Me.....

I want to get "me" out of the way.

But "me" keeping trying to worm its way back into control of everything.

I even spend energy trying to deny "me" and press on with this pursuit of Jesus.

"me" keeps popping back up.

Oh if there was just some way I could kill "me".

Trade my "me" for Jesus' "me"

He (Jesus) does make the offer in Matthew 11...
"Come to "me"....

Maybe that is it.

The secret step.

The hidden destiny.
The keys to unlock the future.

The next plateau.

Trade "me's"

If I understand anything on this side of heaven

it's that when you do business with Jesus

you never trade down....

you always trade up...

Whatever you surrender to him,

he will replace with something

much better...

more complete...

than what you had.

Trade your old nature in

and see how much better the new nature is that

Jesus works into your life.

Truth be known......when I came to Jesus

I had to die.

All of "me".

I, me, mine....

all had to die and surrender to the work

of God's Holy Spirit.

Die to "me" and be resurrected to new life

in Christ.

The power of sin in "me"

and

The power of sin through "me"

was destroyed when I was born again.

The old "me" died.

The new "me" was created.

Created?

yes!

"If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation."

being this new creation

my "me" has to learn how to live in an entirely

different manner.

This is where direction and guidance

from the
Holy Spirit

comes into play.

I only follow Him.
Do what He tells me to
(yes! He does speak and instructs)

and follow where He says to go.

New "me"

New life

New way of dealing with the world.

Not bad....
this dog will hunt!!!

God on you.........

mb

It's Friday!

Friday...
What a wonderful day.

For most, it signifies the end of the work week.

Today will be followed by days off and time

to spend with family.
For me, Friday means "It's time to go to work."

We have "church" here at Rapha tomorrow night

so Friday is a day of preparation.

Worship music to select.

Finish up the message or teaching (if there is one)

Much prayer...

(Oh God....Oh God....Oh God....Oh God)

Friday is a day of anticipation also.

Expectant of what God might do tomorrow night.

I am a believer that if you go into a meeting w/ out

any expectations....

Then that is what you get....nothing.

I go to every meeting expecting God to show up...
Expecting God to touch, minister, reveal and restore.

I place myself to receive from Him.
To reveal to me anything that I need to deal with and then do so.

I love the meeting on Saturday night and consider it

as much for me as for the men here at Rapha.

I found a verse this morning during my quiet time that

really spoke about where I want to be in my relationship.

Psalm 17:15

"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness"

"I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness"

Wow!

Satisfaction comes when I awake not to my own

messed up, mumbled out image....

But to the image of Jesus.

Have you ever been to Atlanta, Georgia when they weren't working

on the interstate?

No!

They've been working on the Atlanta interstate ever since
Sherman marched through on the way to the sea.
Orange barrels everywhere.

Yellow flashing lights to let you know there is work in progress.

If you could peal back the veil that separates our natural world

from the spiritual world,

you'd see orange barrels and yellow flashing lights

all around me.
I am a work in progress.

My sole wish and desire is to simply cooperate

with the Holy Spirit

and allow Him to finish the work He's already started.

Like I said...
It's going to be a great day....
A great weekend....
A great life!

God on you.........

mb

The End

Silent stone sentries guard a place that needs no guard.

Each sentry named and dated.

Each has a story to tell.
A mother gone away too quick.
A child that never grew.

A father destroyed by alcohol.

Each story etched deep in stone.

Dates and times define the end

but only on this side of eternity.

There is a great crossing over for each of us

To cross over and receive the reward we have earned

on this side.

A reward of good.....

or

A reward of damnation......

We don't like to think of such things...

let alone talk about them.....

"Pastor...tell me something good!"

"Make me feel good about this life."

Yet the choices I make affect my eternity.

Jesus (whether I believe in Him or not)

Stands calling out to all

"Come to me you who are weary and weighed down."

"Come and I will give you rest."

I remember the day I heard that call.

Early in 1960.
I didn't truly understand everything about the call.
I just knew that even at the age of 9.....

I needed Jesus.

I just didn't realize how much I needed Him.

Over the years as I grew, the need for Jesus grew at

an even faster rate.

Time grew dark in my life and the light of Jesus burned brighter.

There were days I didn't want to acknowledge this light

or even my own need for the light.

The tug of darkness seemed greater than the light.

Notice I said "Seemed" greater.
Therein is the lie.

The darkness cannot, will not, never will overpower the Light of God.

Today the call and the light of Jesus has become the sweetest

sound and dearest friend I have ever known.

It fuels me beyond what I am capable of

to places and people

where I can simply share a very simple story.

Once I was lost...
Now I am found....

Thank you for the cross...
Thank you for the shed blood...

Thank you for giving your life a ransom for my own...

Thank you Jesus.....

and one last thing......

MARANATHA, Lord Jesus!

God on you all....

mb

Can I Handle The Truth?

John Chapter 8----
Jesus talking to a group of Jews and is explaining the dynamic between him and his heavenly father.
Verse 30 reads: As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.
After this "light-bulb-coming-on" moment, Jesus makes another statement.
"If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of mine."
He didn't say if you join a fellowship/ church or.....
If you sing in the choir.......or.....
If you have prophetic dreams and great discernment...........
You will be my disciple.
No!
Jesus said if you abide in "MY" word.
The word we possess today is the Bible.
The most sought after.....
The # 1 seller.....
The book that has more versions printed that Quaker has oats.....
and yet it is probably the most under studied book out there.
We tote it around like it is a talisman or good luck charm to ward off the evilness of our world.
To me it's like having an incredible weapon, but we don't take it as being credible for our time and age.
Jesus said if you abide....live in....dwell in.....plant yourself there.....in His word...Then!!!
What an incredible word 'THEN'....
Jesus says if we (believers) do something on our part....THEN....
the implication is cause and effect.
If we do something....THEN we shall know and understand that we are truly (not fake-ly) are His disciples.

By being His disciples we are brought into a new sphere of understanding in our relationship with Him.
What sphere?
We shall know (experience and understand) the truth.
This implies that there is a truth that is revealed to those who abide in the word of Christ that might not be discernable to those who choose not to.
We shall know the truth...........
and the truth shall make you free. Some translations say "Truth will set you free".
I like "Make you" free.
The idea I come away with is that being set free is a process.
We are being set free.
This truth leads us out of misconceptions about ourselves and brings us face to face with the reality that only comes when the Holy Spirit reveals our own hearts to us.
The truth that makes me free is found when I am brought face to face with God's word and am uncovered for who I truly am.
That is truth that will "make" you free.
We all need this truth.
I know.
It's painful and we don't really want to see the "Real" us, but boy there is healing when the truth "makes" you free.
Get into God's word today.
Start with the book of John and read it first like a novel.
Then pray and ask God for wisdom.
Go back and begin reading is slowly taking in each verse.
Let God speak to your heart as you read.
This is the beginning of a truly incredible adventure.

God on you!
mb

Poem By Leonard Ravenhill

It is Hell, It is Hell in My Soul

No Peace like a river attendeth my way,
My sorrows like sea-billows roll.
This heart-breaking lot has just taught me to say,
It is hell, it is hell in my soul.

My sin- O the grief of this guilt in my heart -
My anguish, not part, but the whole,
All adds up to loss, and I bear it alone;
It is hell, it is hell in my soul.

Now Satan can buffet, sore trials can come,
When life is all out of control;
My conscience just burns, and dark memories haunt,
It is hell, it is hell in my soul.

But, Lord haste the day that will chase off this night,
And scatter this doom from my soul.
With tears I repent, so, dear Lord, let me know
There is hope and relief for my soul.
With great condemnation I fall at Thy cross,
To confess, not in part, but the whole
Of a sin-blighted life, and to cry to be cleansed,
And to plead, "Take control of my soul."
Only then can I joy and rejoice as I sing
Now it's well, it is well with my soul.
-Leonard Ravenhill

(poem by Leonard Ravenhill/ Sermonindex.com)

Don't Ask! Don't Tell!

Seems to the be theme of Christianity today (or at least for what passes as Christianity).
There are certain dark subjects that we don't speak of.
We don't want to upset people.
We don't want to frighten them.
We don't want to make them run away.
Gee! I think I read somewhere that the "You will know the truth and the truth shall set/make you free."
But there are certain topics that have now slid to the back burner of teaching in the church.
Sin being one.
Don't tell people they are sinners. They already know this. True....it's hard to not know that you are born under and in sins curse. The idea is that by talking about sin, we will make people uncomfortable and maybe even hurt their feelings. We will make them feel excluded and not a part, so let's not openly refer to sin. Instead, lets talk about God's love. True...God does love and God is love....but he is also just. Part of his justice is that a payment be made for sin. Since sin is against an eternal God, then the punishment for sin is an eternal punishment. That being the case, there isn't anyone on this planet who can meet the requirements to free us from this punishment. With this thought we are faced with the cold hard facts that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Since there is this falling short, isn't there a consolation prize? I mean, come on, we are human after all.....
Well there is a prize.
It's not so much a prize as it is something that we earn for ourselves.
"For the wages of sin is death."
O.k......
We are all going to die.
True.
We are.
But this is a 2nd death. 2nd death? Yes.
Receiving the wages we earned puts us in a place outside of God's presence. Separated from Him and from his blessings and plans.
What place?
Hell.

"I don't believe in hell!"
Hell does not need your belief to exist, and your disbelief doesn't make it one degree cooler.
In Mark Chapter 9, Jesus says the same phrase three times.
"Where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."
This phrase is spoken in reference to the reward for those who enter hell. Those whose sin is not forgiven.
Jesus says, "It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched."

John Wesley, the great Methodist founder, spoke on these verses from Mark Chapter 9.
"The punishment of loss -- this commences in that very moment wherein the soul is separated from the body. In that instant, the soul loses all those pleasures, the enjoyment of which depends on the outward senses. The smell, the taste, the touch, delight no more. The organs that ministered to them are spoiled, and the objects that used to gratify them are removed far away. In the dreary regions of the dead all these things are forgotten or, if remembered, are only remembered with pain seeing them gone forever. All the pleasures of the imagination are at an end. There is no grandeur in the infernal regions. There is nothing beautiful in those dark abodes----no light but that of livid flames. And nothing new, but one unvaried scene of horror upon horror! There is no music but that of groans and shrieks--- of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Of curses and blasphemies against God. Those who find themselves in such a place are totally separated from all the things they were fond of in this present world. All the pleasure they ever enjoyed is lost, gone, vanished away."

Like I said at the very beginning of this post, to speak of such things as hell and sin are not very in vogue today.
You may be angry at what I have written. I write not from someone who thinks himself better than or outside of the topic. I, like John Newton, author of AMAZING GRACE, know only two things.............I am a great sinner............and He is a great God.
Don't let the words of this post fall on deaf ears or hard hearts.
Let God's Holy Spirit show you truth.
If you aren't saved..........pray. Now!
Confess your sins..........own them........be responsible and ask God to forgive you.
Receive this forgiveness and by faith believe that Jesus is Lord. That He is who He says He is and that He will save those from hell who reach out to Him.
If you have made this decision, let me know..................Vicki and I would love to pray for you.
Post here on Greene Street Letters
or E-mail us at:

rapha7@bellsouth.net

God on you................
mb

(John Wesley quote taken from sermon "OF HELL" listed on Sermonindex.com)

Much Needed Rest

Vicki and I took some time off and drove down to Florida

this past weekend.

I've never been there during this time of year before.
Very interesting.
We stayed in a friends condo at Panama City Beach.

20th floor.

No one in the building.

No one on our floor.
Parking deck deserted.

Niiiiiiice!

Spent time resting and reading.

Too cold to go to the beach.

Windy beyond belief.

It was alright with us as we went to simply rest and unwind and kind

of recharge our batteries.
Vicki and I needed time for each other.

To talk.
To sit and hold hands.

To share a laugh and a meal.

This weekend was all of that.
It was a present from God.

Now it's Monday and time to get started.

Pick back up and see what God wants to do this week.

Endless possibilities.

Show me Lord!

See you tomorrow....

Michael b

Da Bomb!

I was a part of a most incredible meeting last night. I had been invited to speak at Celebrate Recovery / East Side, a meeting that I had never attended before.
Arriving early, I met Ernie the leader of the Celebrate Recovery meeting. We chatted and talked as he explained how the meeting would go. He told me how much he appreciated me coming to speak. Little did we know that I would not speak that night.

The room filled with probably 100- 125 people and the worship team started the meeting.
I love it when the worship music actually fits the personality of the people who make up a meeting, and this was the case at East Side.
During worship, a number of people came down to the front and got on their knees and began to pray. As time went by, the praying grew in intensity and moved to weeping and crying. Staff of the meeting came to help minister to the ones who had come down for prayer. All the while the music seemed to take on an intensity itself as the team began to enter into "real" worship. There didn't seem to be a let up in the people who came forward. It was 5 to 10 at a time. They would spend time in prayer and in being prayed for. As quick as they got up more would come to take their place. This went on for over an hour. During this time, I sitting at the front praying asking God what was going on and what He wanted me to do. As the ministry / worship kept moving forward, it became very evident to me that God was not really interested in hearing me teach. I was perfectly alright with this after all, I can speak anytime....but when God is in the middle of moving on a group of people, then lets not stop.

After an hour and a half, Ernie finally stood up and turned the meeting over to me. I simply said that God had spoken to me and we were to continue with the worship and ministry. Tonight was about God and not me. I explained that God was not finished and we should allow him the time to complete what he was doing.
The worship team started back up and more people came forward. There were some who were saved. There were several who rededicated themselves to Christ. There were many healing's, both physically as well as emotionally.

It looked messy and it was loud and it wasn't what you'd find in a lot of churches, but for whatever reason, God chose that night and that place to come and not just show up but show out. The Kingdom of God came down into time and space last night and lives were changed.
I was also touched by God and came away with a renewed hope and strength to not quit or give up. I don't know what will happen at East Side next Monday. All I know is that on October 12th God chose to come and meet with us.
Thank you Lord.

God on you all............
mb

What Are You Really Saying God?

This cloud formation was photographed over Moscow, Russia

last Wednesday.

I'm not hear to speculate or pontificate

or even ruminate.

I do know that God speaks through the natural.

What was God saying, if indeed it was him?

A reminder that the power of man

pales in comparison to the throne of God.

In connection to the day the cloud appeared I tracked down a corresponding verse.Cloud appeared on 10 / 7 / 09

Pg. 107 verse 9

"The enemy boasted, I will pursue, I will overtake them

I will divide the spoils

I will gorge myself on them

I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them."

The plans of man are futile to the plans of the Lord.

His plans are yes and amen.

You be exalted in the heavens.

May they declare your name and your works.

God on you all...

mb

What A Weekend

Monday...

Rainy....

Water beginning to cover the road leading here to Rapha.

Busy weekend but God was at each event.

He was there not because of me but because of hungry heart....

hurting people.....

People wanting to believe in something that was real.

To know that what was being talked about would make a difference

in their life.

Friday night in Centre for Celebrate Recovery.

Much pain in the room.

Much hope as they came wanting to believe this God was real.

At the end people streamed forward to be prayed for and ministered

too.

Worship team put away their music and just began to worship.

Power.

Presence.

Purity.
Healing.

Mercy and grace.
All came into that room.
People wept and received healing.

The Kingdom is here but not yet.
We saw that Friday night.

Saturday night at Rapha.

Once again was saw God come into a meeting and bring

healing....

He brought all the flavors of his nature and character.

He poured freely on those who were hungry.

Some surrendered and met Jesus for the first time.

It was a good night.

Sunday night

Another Celebrate Recovery...

Different group of people.
God, who is the same today, yesterday and forever..

Came.

Clinic time/ prayer time was powerful.

Three different groups on three different nights

with the same result.
God came because of hungry hearts.

Hearts that were desperate.

Like the leper...."If you are willing I know you can heal me?"

"If I am willing!"
Jesus stretches out his hand and the leper was healed.

People came forward.
"I know you can heal...I just know that you would heal me."
Healing came.

Lives were changed.

Thank you Lord!

God on you all....

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I will sing of my redeemer

and his wondrous love to me

On the cruel cross he suffered,

from the curse to set me free

Sing, oh sing of my redeemer

with his blood, he purchased me

on the cross, he sealed my pardon

paid the debt and made me free.

I cannot escape the cross of Christ, nor would I want to.

It serves and stands as an ever vigilant reminder of the price

that was paid on my behalf.
Even though the event of Jesus' death took place

thousands of years ago,

the power and ramifications of what happened on that hill

outside of Jerusalem, exploded and rippled

through eternity.

Losing none of its power or purpose.

The blood that was spilt on Calvary

covers today....

cleanses today....

forgives today....

the same as the afternoon it was poured out

as an offering for the sins of the world.

He (Jesus) came unto his own and his own received him not.

He is rejected today as he was in the time of his physical appearance

here on earth.

Broad is the way that leads to destruction.

Broad and well lit.

Colored lights and enticing words to pull weary travelers

onto a wide and spacious path that seems to be easily traveled.

Who would build such a path except someone who had the

traveler's best interest at heart.

Here in lies the trap.

This super highway of death was constructed by the evil one.

The accuser of the saints of the most high God.

This broad, spacious path leads to one place and one place only.

Destruction.

Narrow is the way that leads to life.

Narrow feels constricting, limiting, constraining.

But narrow is the way that leads to life.
It feels constricting because our flesh wants to have its way.

It feels limiting because our sin nature wants it all.

The narrow way feels constraining because our lust wants to be

unbound

unfettered.

But narrow is the way that leads to life

and few that find it.

That is the part that scares me.

Few that find it.
Could it be that many are under a delusion that they are on the narrow way?

You don't know how many times I pray, "Lord, don't let me be deceived."

Search your hearts.

Ask God to search you and find if there be any wicked way in you.

Find the narrow path.

Find life.

God on you......

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Create In Me A New Heart

No one, and I mean no one, likes to see themselves in a bad light. See themselves for who they truly are. Today's magazine covers all have one thing in common. Who ever is on the cover has had their photo touched up to remove any blemish's or scars or birthmarks so that they don't show. It gives a false sense of beauty to who ever is reading that magazine.
Our society today is all about image.
How the outside looks is more important than the content found inside an individual.
If your memory will allow you, think back to 1993 and our presidential election.
Bill Clinton was running against George Bush. Bush kept bringing up issues concerning Bill Clinton's character. Time and time again we heard from the candidate himself and from the American public, 'Character doesn't matter!"
The public was concerned with other things and the character of a man did not figure into what it takes to be a great leader. How wrong we were, and how wrong we continue to be.
The content of man is the very fuel that drives that individual to either seek and do good or carry out a wicked, self-centered agenda.

Jeremiah 17:9 reads:
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

I can come to grips with the heart (the center of our will, intellect and emotions) is deceitful, and not only that, but deceitful above all things. What falls under all? Everything. The human heart is capable of unimaginable things. But the verse goes on to say that it is beyond cure. There isn't anyone here on this planet who can cure this deception and evilness found in the human heart. It took someone greater than mankind to come down into our time and space to break the power of depravity found in the human heart. It took someone with greater authority and power to undo what was brought forth in a garden thousands of years ago when mankind traded the eternal things of God for a piece of fruit and an empty promise. A promise that said, "If you eat this, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God." It took Jesus the Christ to break the power of sin.

That is why King David, after committing adultery with Bathsheba, and being uncovered by the prophet Nathan wrote:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
David knew that unless the heart is changed, the behavior stays the same. He knew that he did not possess what was necessary to break the hold and pattern of sin that came from his heart.

You know....
Today is a good day to receive that heart transplant.
Today is a good day to be made new......
Why not cry out to God and let him come and do what he does so well?
What have you got to loose except for an old heart full of darkness?

God on you.....
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Last Words...

Last words in Scripture.

The very last words in the book of Hebrews.

Grace be with you all......

Grace? Unmerited favor? I don't think so even though this is the definition that most Christians use.

The unmerited favor of God be with you all?

I don't think so.

Scripture reads that Jesus was full of grace.

Jesus was full of unmertied favor?
If anyone deserved merited favor, it would be Jesus.
What is grace?

Grace is a power.
Grace is a force.

Grace is more than what you say before each meal.

Grace!

Grace is the empowering presence of God in me that enables me

to be who God has created me to be....
And to do what God has called me to do....

In other words......
Grace is that power in me, given to me by God through His Holy Spirit

that allows me to be elevated above my human condition

and carry out the wishes and plans of God

to usher in his kingdom....

to bring salvation to those who don't know Jesus...

to make disciples.....

and to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth...
Grace...
What a word....

No wonder John Newton called it Amazing!

Grace to you all......

God on you......

mb

Dull....

I think the one thing that absolutely drives me crazy is when I become dull to scripture.
By that, I mean you read a particular passage and the whole time you are reading, a voice in your head tells you, "Hey...you've read this before. Come to think of it, you've read it a gazillion times. There's nothing more there to glean from it."
You know....
Sometimes it isn't about gleaning anything as much as it is just hearing the words again for the first time. I know that last sentence didn't make sense but that is they way I feel. You hear Scripture again for the first time. Maybe you are in a different place emotionally and physically not to mention spiritually, than the last time you read it. Maybe life has dealt with you and you with life in such a manner that the words affect you or strike you in a way they couldn't have in the past.

It is important the we never become dull to the Word of God, but that we approach it daily with new eyes, new heart and an ever increasing desire to see it again for the first time. I came across such a passage like this today. As I read it I begin to see it with fresh eyes and it just became alive to me. The passage is Luke Chapter 4, verses 17-19

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has appointed me to preach Good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
That the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors,
and that the time of the Lord's favor has come.

What an incredible statement as Jesus read it from the book of Isaiah. Not only did he read it, but proclaimed himself to be this very one written about in Isaiah. Who would dare make such a statement except he who has been appointed to do so? Who would be appointed unless the appointment came with authority and power to back up the words of the reading?
Heaven had come down and invaded our time and space.
War had been declared on Satan and the Kingdom of God was being ushered in.
Give me strength today, Lord, to take care of this part of your kingdom you have entrusted to me. May I be found a good steward in your eyes and may I receive correction and discipline as a good son should. May I be very teachable in your affairs and wishes.
Come quickly Lord Jesus....

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