"The GRACE Trip!"

"Everybody does NOT get to go to heaven just because Jesus died on the Cross!"

The Galatian Believers, under pressure from the Jewish legalists, were considering rejecting the gospel of GRACE and reverting back to dependence on the Mosaic Law for SALVATION. Paul wrote this letter to the "church" at Galatia to outline the profound difference between GRACE and the LAW.

"Grace" is translated as 'charis' in the Greek, Strong's #5485 and literally means "loving kindness" and is the essence of God's character. It signifies God's divine favor or goodwill, but it also means "that which gives joy" and "that which is a free gift." Paul said,  "...For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Because of our sin, the Word of God says we were once dead, but through the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary, we have been made alive to congregate with Him in heavenly places (the spirit realm) where no man can go lest he is a son of the living God! Clearly, if you are one of Satan's kids, you cannot take the Grace Trip! 

When you walk according to the lusts of the flesh (including fame, power and riches) the road is closed. When you align yourself with the sons of perdition, you are trapped in "spiritual gridlock." When you conduct yourself as a son or daughter of disobedience, the ticket window is closed. When you cast off all restraint with lewd and destructive behavior, your flight will be cancelled!

But because God is rich in MERCY (unbelievable patience with our foolishness) because of His LOVE for us, ONLY BECAUSE OF CHRIST, not of ourselves, we have access to ETERNITY. The Bible goes on to say that we are God's workmanship (specially made intelligent design) created or "reworked" (repackaged) in Christ through the shedding of His BLOOD for good works (service to God's people in the marketplace) that God prepared for His sons from the foundation of the world that we should walk (take the trip) in them (our gifts and talents).

You have to be DEAD to miss that...!

"Where's the FRUIT?"

"FRUIT" is defined as, "everything done in true partnership with Jesus Christ through the person and presence of the Holy Spirit."

"I am the true vine and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it might bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus clearly states that His mission is to be fruitful. In other words, He MUST produce something in the earth realm that is tangible (something that can be felt, seen, heard, touched and smelled). Further, Jesus has the expectation that EVERY Believer (a "branch") must also bear fruit (produce something in partnership with Him) that is tangible. If not, then God will intervene and eliminate that branch.

However, if you are fruitful, you must not only EXPECT to be persecuted, ridiculed and tested, but you must also WELCOME the pruning that comes from God (not the devil) so that you can become even more fruitful!

Every Believer lives in communion with Christ (the Vine) and fruit results from two life streams, 1) the life of Jesus Christ as the example of service to God's people in the marketplace and, 2) our lives as a witness (evidence) that Christ lives in us as we live a life of service in submission to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit to yield what is eternal.  Selah...

"While It Was Still DARK!"

"You can't tell the woman from the man...'cause they're dressed in the same pollution. Their minds are confused with confusion, with their problems since they have no solution."    
                                         Bob Marley (from the song, "Midnight Ravers")


Brother Bob was singing about the cross pollination of the spirits of mankind as we trek deeper and deeper into sin. There was a time when men just would do the things that women do and the same holds true for women. In today's culture, Bob Marley states that you can't tell the difference! What a profoundly disturbing assessment of the human condition!

In the Gospel of Mark 1:35, Jesus had a full day casting out an unclean spirit from a man, healing Peter's mother-in-law and then, after sunset (or while it was dark), He casted out demons and healed many sick and afflicted people. The Bible says that, "the entire city came to His doorstep"...the ENTIRE CITY! Jesus was so prolific that day that He forbade the demons from speaking because the demons where also in awe of Him and wanted to declare that He was the Messiah! Can you imagine that? The demons KNEW who He was and the Christians didn't! It sounds like a familiar scenario that still holds true today.

Many Christians and non-Believers are deluded into thinking that if they do their dirt at night, God won't be able to see them! I think that is hysterical because I was one of those people and our selfishness prevents us from hearing and moving to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Our sinful natures are saturated with wickedness, deceit and loathing.

Christians and Believers should get up early (while it is still dark) to meet the Holy Spirit in fellowship. Don't get it twisted, this is NOT your time to rattle a laundry list of needs and wants. The Word of God says, "...that your Heavenly Father knows what you have need of before you ask." (Matt.6:7-8). He further admonishes us not to be like the heathen we ask in vain glory (stop begging God for stuff...SHUT UP!)

While you are up, sit in silence and listen to the Spirit as He pours into your spirit man rivers of living water (your assignment complete with instructions). Truth so incredibly delicious, you won't be able to stop eating (His Word). Before you know it, you will witness the sun rise and marvel at its glory and majesty as the Lord God creates another day; another opportunity for you to sit at His feet and grow in faith, love and service to His people in the marketplace.

The revelation of "the dark" given to me by the Holy Spirit is that we, as Believers, have been saved by grace through faith and brought near to God by the BLOOD of JESUS. As Christ is our PEACE, we learn through intimate contact with the Father that "GOD'S WILL" (the expression of His EMOTION instead of His VOLITION) is not so much His "intention" as it is His "heart's desire." 

The Greek word for "will" is "boule" (Strong's #1012): it is the result of deliberate determination; simply stated, it is your "purpose" for living. In the dark, is where God will share His vision for your life through the person of the Holy Ghost. This will be a one-on-one encounter. You will KNOW, without a shadow of a doubt, that you have been in the Presence of the Living God! Sadly, many Christians will NEVER know the joy of His Presence because there is no limit to the depths of human selfishness, tolerance and entitlement.

Behind the veil (while it was still dark), God was preparing His bride. He was giving Him a face we could gaze upon and not die. He gave Him a Spirit that He could share with all who would receive it! He gave Him a body that could protect us. Arms to embrace and hold us. Hands to rebuke and bless us. But most importantly, behind the plan and counsel of the revelation of Christ in the dark was not just a mastermind;

But an immense heart of LOVE. Selah...



"The Lord God gave us the deposit of the Holy Spirit while it was still DARK!"

"A WOLF in WOLF'S Clothing!"

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." 
                                             (Matthew 7:15)

Jesus was very clear in His declaration and warning for Believers in this passage from the NT that's holds true even more so today. What must He have seen in order to unction His followers to be vigilant in watching and listening for the enemy who seeks to devour their FAITH?

Please take note that Jesus said that the false prophets will come to you in "sheep's clothing" and He goes on to say that they (the false prophets) can be detected by their "fruit." First, the Greek word for clothing is "enduo" which means "to wear;" its literal translation means to "sink down into" a garment! His inference is that wolves will become "like" sheep in order to get what they want.

Second, His reference to "fruit" is a spiritual term. He is talking specifically about the physical evidence of reproducing Christ in the earth through love, life and service to God's people in the marketplace. Has Christ been "reproduced" in your life as a servant carrying His banner? Are the people better or worse off after having met you? Are you "debt-free" in love? Has the "word" God placed in your mouth planted trees in the lives of others that bare good fruit or bad fruit? Does God know your voice when you speak to Him?

Spiritual discernment is critical to the survival and vitality of the Believer in the modern day church. False prophets are "endued" with deception, manipulation, wickedness and perversion. They are liars because their father (Satan) is the father of lies!

This is what a wolf in sheep's clothing looks like:

False prophets are the enemy of God. Since they are God's enemy, they most certainly are beloved of Satan. They are, in fact, Satan's kids! Just wanted to let you know where I stand on this issue! They have become so bold and brazen, they don't even try to use the sheep's clothing anymore! They aren't trying to hide anymore. They are straight up trying to kill you, your family and your legacy.

These are the character traits of wolves:

• They are cowardly and fearful
• They have elaborate displays of dominance and submission
• They are bloodthirsty and ruthless
• They are cunning and very intelligent
• They are charismatic and travel in packs

Do any of the false prophets you know of or have encountered possess any of these traits?

This is what a wolf looks like:

And this...:

Any questions?

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matt. 10:16)

"FATHERS Teach Your SONS...!"

It is an amazing paradigm to observe the power, authority and transference between a father and his son. This is a natural occurrence in just about every species on the planet. 

The son observes the father in his relationship to time and space and his natural surroundings. He is intrigued with the skill he uses to provide for the family; either hunting or working a job. It doesn't matter what a father does, whether good or bad, his son will try to emulate him. Fathers teach your sons to do good.

In the realm of the Spirit the Presence of the Father has pre-eminence over the lives of His sons. He is the unquestionable leader and guide of both spirit knowledge and proprietary knowledge. In the Spirit, God speaks through and to the fathers. They are His conduit or connection to the family. Fathers teach your sons about the Spirit of God.

Fathers are not sperm donors. Fathers don't show up when they want to and have casual relationships with their children. I am focusing on the sons here, but the same applies to fathers and their daughters. Fathers are the spiritual leaders of their families. They should be the ones teaching the Word of God to their wives and children. Fathers are the ones that have the mantle of manhood to transfer to their boys. A mother can raise and nurture a boy but it takes a father (husband) to raise a man.

A father looks more human as he encounters tribulation and more superhuman as he rises from the ashes of trials, testing and probation. It is important, critical in fact, that the father be transparent with this son; sharing both his fear and his faith so that his son will know what the "truth" looks like. 

• Fathers teach your sons how to love, honor and respect women; ALL WOMEN. 
• Fathers teach your sons to protect their legacy with sound decisions and thoughtful consideration of who they hang out with and where they hang out. 
• Fathers teach your sons the importance of having a strong work ethic at an early age. 
• Fathers teach your sons to fear God; I mean really teach them to be afraid of Him! 
• Fathers teach your sons to serve God's people in the marketplace. 
• Fathers teach your sons to read and write. Teach them to love books.
• Fathers teach your sons to seek after wives and not girlfriends. 
• Fathers teach your sons not to make a woman a mother if he doesn't want to make her his wife.
• Fathers teach your sons how to manage money, capture, save and invest in wealth building ventures. Building wealth takes time. Teach them patience.
• Fathers love your sons. Laugh with them. Spend quality time alone with them. Cry with them. Hug them and kiss them. Rebuke them and punish them. Encourage them and protect them. 

Fathers TEACH your sons...