Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home1/heartof6/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/responsive-mobile/includes/functions-extentions.php on line 35
Home › 2012 › Page 3

Yearly Archives: 2012

Bondage, Turn Loose!

Posted on by
Click To Play     

Exodus 12:3-5,12-13,29-36

[3] Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:
[4] And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
[5] Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

[12] For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
[13] And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

[29] And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharoah that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
[30] And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
[31] And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
[32] Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
[33] And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
[34] And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
[35] And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
[36] And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

The Ten Plagues

1)     Water To Blood – water is what people consume for life

2)     Frogs – this set a visual border of the affected and afflicted area of the people who God’s wrath was upon

3)     Gnats or lice – showing the small things can consume whole things

4)     Flies – the marking of what is ripe or about ready to go bad, decay, die out, the beginning of torments upon what is living or was produced from something living

5)     Livestock deceased – destruction to food and livestock

6)     Boils – affliction to flesh

7)     Thunder and hail – afflictions to fear

8)     Locusts – kills out all that was left behind

9)     Darkness – takes away the means to see

10)  Death of the firstborn – by the bondage was broken

The worship of the Nile River was stopped, the worship of the cattle was ceased, and the worship of the sun was stopped! God will have no other forms of worship that will come before him! Pharaoh’s decree to kill all the male babes was judged by the death of the firstborn.

Isaiah 53:5-6

[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah’s word about the lamb signifies the turning point for a new kind of blood that would have the opportunity to be put upon the doorposts of all of our houses and lives!

1 Peter 1:3-19

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
[4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
[8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
[9] Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
[10] Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
[11] Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
[12] Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
[13] Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
[14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
[15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
[16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
[17] And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Peter’s word about the lamb not only confirms the prophecies that were prior but was also an assurance for those that still walk by the blood of Christ that is applied!

Learning From The Rich Man

Posted on by

This was from a message that I preached a little while back. We didn’t have an opportunity to capture the audio that night, so here is the notes from the night!

To start, let’s read Mark 10:17-31

[17] And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
[18] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
[19] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
[20] And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
[22] And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
[23] And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
[24] And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
[25] It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
[26] And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
[27] And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
[28] Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
[29] And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
[30] But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
[31] But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

17 – in the beginning this person came running, or in a hurry to try and find the answer

18 – Christ identifies initially the praise that is given (Good Master) but then begins to get right to the inner depths of the heart

19 – Christ then identifies what we typically know as the general head knowledge of the law of the word of God

20 – The person, thinking they had the answer begins to examine their-self based on this alone and find pride and confidence in thinking they understood and had all they needed.

21 – Then! Just when the flesh thought that it had the answer, Christ begins to open up the understanding to what was still lacking: the laying off of the pleasures (desire to sin) that unless laid off produces a by-product of what we enjoy (riches in this life) AND to pick up persecution and to have faith

22 – What we often consider as brokenness or what appears to be a humbled countenance is actually grieved because they cannot let go

23 – Jesus further adds how this will result with no change

24-25 – Christ brings clarity to the disciples first confusion about this revelation

26-27 – To the unreasonable response of the disciples Jesus then reminds them of eternal life

28-30 – Peter began to speak about how they had followed Him (Jesus), and then reminds those that are trying to follow that you must have some persecution!

31 – First are those who come and will not give up, therein having no eternal hope (or representing last). Last are those who come willingly to believe, accept and obey God’s will, and become blessed and saved children of God!

Do You See The Web? Take A Double Take!

Posted on by

When you look at the picture at first glance it is not obvious that a trap has been set. Such as the same way with our adversaries of life, right? And as some insect is flying by with no regard to caution they become stuck followed by being destroyed. This visual example is easy and is easily laughed about but is ever so true when it comes to being more aware of your spiritual environment. As we walk on with God it is ever so important to always remember to watch and pray, or what I like to call the double take. You see, just attempting to watch something may not reveal its true intention at first. That is where prayer comes in! Praying brings our spiritual being to the forefront, causing our focus to be on things we may have not seen at first or even things we neglected to even see at all. The bible speaks to this sort of awareness in a passage that says in short that “a person who walks in the light will not stumble”.

To be in the light is to come clean in your life before God, and to use your light in this case is to examine the environment of things that may try to harm you! Please be aware of the enemy’s tactics and traps by living clean (walk in the light) and giving a double take to what’s around you (watch and pray to battle temptation). By doing so you will avoid being so easily swayed and discourage when we are in our appointed tests! So in conclusion, you may not see the traps but God can lead you to not fall in them by being nigh unto prayer and letting the spirit lead you!

You Will Not Be Received Everywhere But Will Be Where God Wants You

Posted on by

One of the biggest lessons that I ever had to learn in my life was through a very hard personal experience. I share this testimony to you to speak for and to show how amazing the healing power of God’s spirit works. Or in other words, please read as a person of Godly character.

Since I have been born I have always been in church somewhere. Out of all the places that I have ever attended, there was one that I spent most of my time in. It was the church I grew up in, my heritage, my starting place. It was the venue that I started life in my mothers womb as she played piano at and grew up through the age of accountability. For a space of time once I began to enter into my teen years I had a falling away from church and God all together. In the few times that I made it to church though people loved me and helped me (even when I looked like I didn’t deserve it). However during this time and season I was going back and forth driving by that same place I had grew up all my life in and remembered all of the words and love that I had heard and felt all of my life…but yet a thought began to provoke me: where was the love I needed outside of the building?

As it turns out the same place that I had been educated and led by God to salvation would not be the venue of my prodigal son moment; for as it turned out it was in a place of completely different denomination and people I had never known. In the first few weeks of my deliverance I began to have a great boldness and zeal for God (as we mostly do starting out). I had actually announced my calling to preach and had began working in a few churches. It finally hit me one day, “Why don’t I go by and visit that church?” In doing so I came to discover something that left me greatly confused: not only was the reception different than it used to be but it declined with every visit.

When I realized what God was teaching me, my heart broke. I now knew something I did not know before. As I began phasing out it became evident that the lack of love and support was never to do with where I came from but where I was now. And whether anyone will ever read this or not I am stating it anyway: working together as churches, ministries and people should never be separated by a name on the door or the doctrine it represents. To this day the door has never been opened for me to come and minister to where my heritage began. I’m not grieved, though. In fact to this day I thank God that he appoints my open doors and sends me to places where I can be of help. And to this day I hold nothing against anyone and love each and every person dearly that helped be a part of the earlier years of my life. In fact, I have had an abundant outpouring of those who were rallying for me to continue to grow knowing the circumstance!

In conclusion, here’s what I leave you with today: if you have to leave all that you have known behind to step into your calling and walk in the favor of God, do it! If people will not receive you then let go of the affliction that this would bring (shake the dust from your feet) and move on. Please do not ever let anything be as a hindrance to the true will of God for your life!

The Honor Code Part 3: The Answer For True Honor Comes From The Lord

Posted on by

So here we are at the conclusion of this series with part three. First off, I will open up with the word here:

Proverbs 16:1-7

[1] The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
[2] All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
[3] Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
[4] The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
[5] Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
[6] By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
[7] When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

When it comes to addressing honor a big question to ask ourselves is what can we commit to God to produce it? As we would make a formal choice for purchasing items or to have a relationship with someone, it is clearly easy to see that every individual will commit to something they find of value, right? When we begin to realize the worth of the power that God we will not only want it but to commit to it!

In reading the above scriptures, I must first come to the long version of the final conclusion: yielding yourself completely to God will produce love, which in turn brings a desire to WANT to honor God by changing your life to do His will. Honoring God by devotion and obedience causes you to not only be aware of the will of God which in turn will come to the main points of honor: praise, selfless acts, and charity.

In closing, I give you the short and sweet version. If you love God, you will honor people which in turn honors God.

Take the time for those around you and honor them while you are still able and capable of doing it. Do it in great big things and in the small things no one will be able to give you credit for. Honor people just because, and most of all honor God! Doing it will not only bring glory to the kingdom but will promote the highest standard of God-like characteristics that you can have here on earth!

Here Am I, Send Me

Posted on by
Click To Play     

Isaiah 6:1-9

[1] In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
[2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
[3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
[4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
[5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
[6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
[7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
[8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
[9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah begins here with a vision of the Lord. He sees God amidst the praises of Heaven.

2 key terms here are important to remember for the rest:

1)     Holy – separate and unapproachable

2)     Glory – God’s authority, greatness and abundant presence

Verses 1-4

As we all should do and as Isaiah did there needs to be a time that we take when God is dealing with our hearts to recognize His abundant greatness and glory. When you begin to do this it produces a very important feeling.

Verse 5

Upon realizing the magnitude and meaning of the revelation, Isaiah is immediately moved in his heart as he now feels undone. He acknowledges this feeling by realizing his sinful nature and condition. Through the abundant holiness of how God is in no part of sin the light of the Lord God begins to perform its work.

Verses 6-7

After recognizing God’s power and proceeding to humble himself, God then opens up the cleansing and forgiving power as given by his confession of sin. The confession of our sins will always open up the path to God’s grace and mercy. We often miss this simple bit about repenting at times but I encourage you and remind you of how that are cleansed and forgiven only by the blood of Jesus!

Verse 8, 1st part

Only after recognizing, humbling, confessing and stepping into holiness (or separation from sin) does God begin to share his need for a messenger to Isaiah. What an amazing revelation! God will only trust those willing in their heart to surrender their life and confess their sins. A person willing to do this is not only humble but is ready to be cleansed and move on from the old nature of our past mistakes.

Verse 8, 2nd part

Having now received the call by going through this life changing transformation from his vision, Isaiah is now ready (in all aspects of himself) and openly says, “here am I, send me”

This is very important to take away from this: only after the cleansing did he receive the calling.

The Hidden Secret To Effective Ministry

Posted on by

Consider some of these positions in ministry: the CEO of an operating an outreach mission, the first person moving bringing your service to worship, the associate or assistant pastor, youth pastor/worship leader, administrative assistant, teacher, deacon, custodian, choir director, treasurer, clerk, greeter, “food cookers”, events planner, parking lot attendant, lingual interpreter, tithing collector, altar usher, video/effects/sound engineers/editors, the what I’ll call “muscle” behind venues being changed or set up, pastor/bishop, security watchpersons; needless to say that this lists the beginning of endless commitments and responsibilities that we as children of God put our best efforts.

I have a revelation for some of us and a reminder for others. The hidden secret to effective ministry is having a love of God in your heart.

Paul began to reveal this hidden gem in the beginning of 1 Corinthians 13:

[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
[2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
[3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
[4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
[5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
[6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
[7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
[13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

At times I have read this in the past and had only received it from an “on the surface” understanding. At first I thought, “well if I love people than I can help people”. I learned soon enough that through a season of strenuous weeks upon weeks with it beginning to feel more like the daily grind (or work in other words) that I began to clearly see that I was not only growing stale spiritually but slowly began to weaken. And as I’m sure that you have felt this before I began to ask God, “God how can I be weaker when I work so hard in your church and in ministry basically full-time?!?” You see, I had not begun to establish the connection of what the scripture was truly addressing, and this is what I address to all of us today.

Then after some prayer and studying I came to this conclusion: you can go work in ministry to your hearts content and make a difference but you will not continue or last in being able to do so without a love of God to keep you spiritually. You could be the most talented person in your church right now and succeed in your gift but fail in the part that matters most! If you cannot be continual and a vessel that can be used in or out of season (or anytime) than the outreach and work becomes a hot or cold ministry: effective at times while hindering in others.

So take it from Paul as he was one that truly understood the meaning of being a worldwide missionary for Christ: without love the effectiveness of your ministry and church will not continue!

Sow this seed in your spirit and take that next step!

Hearing A Humble Prayer = Empowering

Posted on by

I want to ask you a very personal question: when is the last time that you (or someone else) heard you praying to God? If it has been a long time since your last communication via prayer then I encourage you with this word that is on my heart.

Hearing the sound of a humble prayer is empowering in a multitude of ways.

When people can begin to hear you crying out to God, it signifies your love and care for actually taking the time to be selfless for others. It begins to demonstrate faith and the acknowledging that you are human (and not superman/superwoman!). As we ask for forgiveness and mercy for us and others, it demonstrates that you take time to realize the things that need to change. This is very suggestive to taking the first step in dealing with any issue by just talking about it and knowing change must come. As we pray for salvation for those that need God greatly, it shows and should remind you of how blessed that you are for knowing that you have been saved and destined for a far greater place beyond this life.

I will just shoot straight with you: if your prayer is without a humble heart it may be time for some lowering of pride in our direct environment. If the amount of times you pray does at least equal or exceed when things are laid on your heart or hurts you then it simply is not enough.

Take the time to empower yourself. Take the time to pray. It will bring life to you and to your loved ones. People may just see God in you by hearing it come out of you! 😉