Have you ever walked through a dark room and stubbed your toe on the furniture? If so, that experience became a painful lesson to you to use a flashlight next time! Likewise, God knows how painful life can be for His children who aren't relying on His guidance for them.

His main provision for lighting our pathway is in our spirits. Proverbs says the spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one's innermost being. Every believer has a divine right to be led by the Holy Spirit, and the primary way He leads is by... » more »

Does it seem like you're in a pressure cooker with multiple attacks coming at you from different directions? It's time to stir it up! Fan the flames and rekindle the embers of the faith that lives inside of you. Believe it or not, the answers to each circumstance already lie within you, ready to be tapped and employed.

Timothy had this same challenge in his young ministry. He faced a meltdown not only from persecution by unbelievers but also from withering criticism by believers who should've accepted him most. To top it off, Timothy's father in the faith, the... » more »

In a 1953 vision, Jesus told the late Kenneth E. Hagin the secret to receiving from God. He said that if anyone anywhere would put four certain principles into operation they would always receive whatever they wanted from the Father. He used as His example the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. After 12 years of suffering, see how she receives her healing:

1. Say it. "For she said..." Positive or negative, whatever you say, you will receive. This woman could have said a lot of negative things complaining about her situation. Instead, when she heard about Jesus... » more »

Thank God for the Holy Ghost! The Spirit who dwells in us is the Spirit of Truth who shows us things to come. Late last year through prophecy the Holy Spirit began speaking about 2011 during a Sunday night service. As I went to pray and seek the Lord further, the Hoy Ghost revealed that 2011 is the Year of the Open Door. I saw a vision of a skier racing down a mountain in an alpine race. He maneuvered skillfully through the gates, which themselves resembled the number eleven. This is the year of access, accuracy and acceleration. We shall... » more »

Now more than ever, I'm convinced God wants to share His secrets with His called-out ones-secrets to benefit the people of God, save the lost and change our world. Too often, though, we're oblivious. God's people are distracted, discouraged, or out of the game entirely due to a lack of prayer. Jump back in!

Prayer is simply a dialog with the Lord. In Luke 24 you can read the account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and their conversation with Jesus. In it lies a pattern that can boost your prayer life and get you in position to receive insight... » more »

This Christmas, we celebrate Jesus, the Word made flesh. And all through the Word, we see God moving to supply the needs of His people even when circumstances seemed bleak. Jesus was made poor that we might be rich. Thank God we can apply the Word to life's challenges and enjoy feast instead of famine!

It worked for a poor widow in 1 Kings 17 whose desperate situation gives us hope today. When the prophet Elijah pronounced a 3-year famine over Israel because of its idolatry, he had to live through it, too. After awhile, God told him to find this Gentile... » more »

Do you ever wonder if God really hears your cries about the trial you're facing? Does He really understand? We know we shouldn't doubt, yet the intensity and duration of the challenge sometimes wears us down and causes us to question.

The children of Israel felt much the same way as they cried (literally shrieked and screamed) for deliverance from the cruel bondage of the Egyptians. Yet the Bible tells us that God heard their cry (not cries), knew their sorrows, saw their affliction and came down... » more »

What can your faith accomplish? Jesus illustrates the power of simple faith by comparing it to a mustard seed. In response to the disciples' failure to cast a demon out of a young boy, Jesus told them if they had faith as a mustard seed, then nothing would be impossible to them (Matt 17:20). In Luke 17, Jesus used the same illustration, this time applying it to how to forgive grievous conduct: simply plant like a seed whatever faith you have, and it will grow to uproot bitterness in your heart.

In neither case did Jesus say faith as small as a... » more »

Before World War II, America ranked 17th in military might among nations. So how did we pull off unlikely victories in both Europe and the Pacific during the war to become the greatest military power in history? At times it looked like the U.S. and Allied forces would meet sure doom. Clearly God Himself helped our nation to project military power as a means of bringing peace, freedom and justice to a world darkened by Nazi hatred. The same spirit of hatred still lives in the world today. Though America still leads the world militarily, as the ideal of American exceptionalism... » more »

Recently, the Spirit impressed me how imminent is the coming of the Lord. Acts 1 tells us just as Jesus left, He will return again, splitting the Eastern sky. His coming will have dramatically different impacts on three groups of people on the earth - the Church, the Nations and the Jews.

Why do we believe Christ's coming is near? The main reason is Israel. When the disciples asked Jesus what the signs of His return would be, He said to watch the fig tree and all... » more »

With such clamor about social justice, it's no wonder some Christians are confused. Doesn't capitalism step on some and favor others? True, corporations can do evil, but so can government. There is no perfect system when humans are involved, but history shows us the gospel has prospered most in free market societies. Companies who trample the poor or value profit above ethics will see God's judgment.

You bet God's a capitalist. The Bible has much to say about the virtues of helping the poor, but nowhere... » more »

There's a biblical principle that with God's help, one can put 1000 (enemies) to flight, but two can put 10,000. With cooperation, the power increases exponentially. So it is with the church body when we unite. We call it the corporate anointing - the presence of God upon His people collectively - and tapping into it is how we leverage our impact for good. You might not move that mountain by yourself, but together we can change lives and even the world.

In Acts 2... » more »

Do you ever feel like Noah? Hebrews 11:7 shows how Noah, a preacher of righteousness, received and acted on a warning from God. For over 100 years he toiled on the ark, never having seen one drop of rain. People did not receive his message or repent. Jesus tells us that the world will respond in the same way as His second coming draws near. Normal life will go on with people eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, etc. Though we pray for a better response than Noah, many will discover the truth too late.

In view of economic conditions now affecting the world, God's people more than ever must believe the blessing. According to the Word, every born again child of God is blessed with all spiritual blessings that Heaven itself enjoys. Jesus took all our curses so that we might be blessed. (Eph 1:3, Gal 3:13-14) Might indicates we must choose to appropriate by faith the blessing the blood of Jesus purchased. In fact, the word blessing means consecrated by the sprinkling of blood, set apart for holy purposes.... » more »

Do you know that the Bible teaches that your life is the end result of all your decisions? That's right - the level of life on which you now find yourself is a result of choices you've made one at a time. Outside forces assault us all, but the way we handle each one will determine our destination. When the Israelites left Egypt, Moses laid out for them an important choice: life or death, blessing or cursing. "Choose life!" he said. (Deut. 30:19)

Buckle up your seat belts, Church! This year, God is accelerating favor and blessing upon His on-fire sons and daughters. As He continues to shake the nations, there is a corresponding positioning of laborers to reap the harvest.

Recently as I was in prayer in Galveston concerning 2010, God welcomed me with a wonder in the heavens and a sign in the earth. Overhead, an unusual cloud formation resembling the wings of a dove arched alone across a brilliant blue sky. Along the shoreline below, all of... » more »

During Christmas, the truth we celebrate goes so much deeper than just "Happy Birthday, Jesus." Actually, the Son of God has eternally coexisted with the Father, thus He has no beginning or end. Christmas marks the day when the Son of Man was born. God pitched His tent among us (John 1:14 amp) so that in the fullness of time He could pitch His tent in each of us. On that first Christmas Day, the Father's deepest longing for fellowship with man was closer to fulfillment.... » more »

God's hand is a mighty hand! Don't limit yourself by operating in human strength alone. Allow His hand to come upon you to accomplish the high calling of God for your life, one day at a time.

The Bible is full of ordinary people who do extraordinary things as God's mighty hand comes upon them. Elijah outran a chariot for 20 miles. So we see that God's hand can provide physical stamina. It can also provide sustenance and wisdom. Elisha outsmarted a superior enemy just by digging some ditches. When God sent rain to fill the ditches, not only did the water... » more »

We are living in a day when Bible-believing Christians are increasingly ridiculed and persecuted. I bet the biblical church in Thessolonica could relate and then some. The Roman government was actually killing its leaders by the sword.

Early in my Christian walk, I thought that if I had enough faith in God, I could "believe" myself out of experiencing any of life's hardships. Now I see that the enemy actually reserves his most violent attacks for people who walk in God's love and revelation - those who... » more »

Now more than ever, the church must lift her voice against injustice. Much public clamor over issues like climate change, bailouts and bigger government really misses the point. The spirit of antichrist is rising fast, and the enemy stirs up many such ills to "justify" a power grab. We are the restraining force. Let's cry against...

Unjust compensation. As Egypt enslaved Israel, God's people cried out, and He heard and delivered them. In the process, a massive wealth transfer took place from the coffers of Egypt to... » more »

In these days of constant tension, we must be more and more "God-inside minded." When challenges arise, let's remember God himself dwells in us in the form of the Holy Spirit. He's our very present Helper in time of trouble.

Jesus taught the apostles that even though He was leaving, the Father would send them another Comforter who would live in them forever. In the Greek, comforter means Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, or Standby. Amazingly, the Third Person of the Godhead puts Himself on call 24/7... » more »

Imagine a movie hero, underwater, with hands tied and sinking fast. Of course, a diabolical villain has set a ticking time bomb to blow up the world. Somehow the hero always manages to make it out just in time, and the bible says so can you. When you find yourself in trying times, take heart. God is certainly not the one testing your faith. According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, He is the one offering the way of escape.

In Matthew 14, we see the stark contrast between Peter's hot faith and the frozen faith of the other 11 disciples. All 12 had rowed through the night against the stormy waves to obey Jesus and get to the other side. They were making slow progress if any. Yet when the Master appeared walking on the water, Peter's response was unique. He was quick to jump from the boat and walk, too. In one step, he moved from status quo to supernatural. His 11 friends, however, seemed frozen stiff.

Hebrews 10 exhorts believers to draw closer to God and to each other in the local church because Jesus is coming soon. How much closer we are now to His return! Here are three main functions of the New Testament church:

Gather. We should assemble together in the local church like puzzle pieces. Each believer not only receives, but also supplies an important part of the complete picture, fitting into his or her "own company." As a whole, our mission is more effective, our worship is... » more »

Five years ago, the Lord said to me, "There is a dearth of the Word." Bible famine? With a church on every corner, how so? The answer: successive generations of believers have let slip the principles of faith. With less power on display in the church, no wonder evangelism and retention are down. Recently a Pew Research study found that Americans professing no religious affiliation doubled since 1990, including a startling 1 in 4 young people (ages 18-29). Why has the American church eroded? Is it too late to save our nation?

In Nehemiah, Israel found herself in a similar crisis.... » more »

All of us want health. We want safety, and success in our relationships and finances. According to 3 John 2, God wants all this for us, too. It's a priority. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

Notice that our prosperity and health are tied to our soul. Since our soul is our mind, will and emotions, then the scripture is saying what scientists are now confirming: how we think affects how we... » more »

James 2:26 says "as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." Here, the Holy Spirit tells us that living faith requires corresponding action. A lifeless body has no breath. It cannot perform any useful function. In the same way, faith alone without corresponding action is not profitable and cannot save, heal or deliver. All things are possible to those who believe - who act like the Bible is true.

The book of Acts was written because the Apostles acted on... » more »

As we begin this new year, let's stir ourselves up to walk more in God's favor. In Luke 4, Jesus preached that He had come not only to heal and deliver us but also to "preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (KJV) or to announce the time when the free favors of God profusely abound (TAB). We live in that time now, so of course we should expect God's favor to make the difference for us. Our success proves God's power to everyone watching.

The word favor means special advantage for success or preferential treatment that promotes or facilitates. All through... » more »

According to Galatians 3, Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by being cursed in our place so that we might receive both the blessing of Abraham and the promise of the Holy Spirit. "Redeemed" means ransomed from slavery. When people or nations violate God's law (the Bible), they become slaves to sin, and a curse of poverty, sickness and loss is released. The wages of sin is death. Thank God Jesus came to purchase us out of bondage to the enemy!

The use of the word "might" indicates that we have a choice to make. We choose between... » more »

All through the Bible, God intervenes for His people when they cry out to Him in faith. The people of Israel's cry against slavery caused God to send Moses as their deliverer. Blind Bartimaeus's cries for mercy stopped Jesus in His tracks, and He came and healed him.

James 5 says that the defrauded wages of the laborers actually cry out to God, as do the laborers themselves. The ungodly have heaped up treasure for the last days, and as we cry out along with our stolen... » more »

Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that as long as we are in the world, we will have trouble. But take courage! He overcame the world and its trouble, and we can, too. As Hurricane Ike approached the Texas coast, we all prayed and rebuked the storm. Though we couldn't prevent it completely, I believe God protected our region as far as His justice would allow. Our faith will bring us through to complete restoration.

Our hearts and help go out to those hit hardest by this storm (more on that next month), but its impact could have been worse... » more »

In the midst of a trial, often people begin to cry and pray, "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!" Of course they identify with the man in Mark 9 whose son was abused by demon spirits and who asked Jesus if He could help him. Jesus replied basically, "It's not a question of whether I can. Rather it is a question of whether you can believe." Anything is possible if you believe. With that, He identified the evil spirits and commanded them to leave. This man would never have needed to pray such a... » more »

In talking with the apostles on the night before He was crucified, Jesus encouraged them that He would not leave them as orphans. The Father would send them another comforter, Jesus said, that would live inside of them. He even said it was better for them that He went away so that the Holy Spirit would come to them.

Thank God, all born again believers have the Holy Spirit living... » more »

Have you ever faced a trial so severe that it seemed like you were being overwhelmed? The Apostle Paul faced such an onslaught and he prayed three times that the "thorn in the flesh" would depart. However, Jesus answered his petition this way: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9, KJV) In other words, man's extremity is God's opportunity.

Many assume that the "thorn in the flesh" was some kind of sickness or disease which God was using to keep Paul humble. Another common misconception is that Jesus was telling Paul in... » more »

Have you ever been stranded because your car wouldn't start? If you're mechanically inclined, you may check your battery cables or fuel gauge to diagnose and correct the problem yourself. A good mechanic has a series of tests he'll use to find the problem and get you back on the road. Just like with your car, when trouble in your life persists, it's time to perform faith diagnostics and check up on yourself.

Faith is the switch that accesses God's power. If somehow the faith switch is in the off position, God's power will not flow. ... » more »

We are confronted constantly in all forms of media with "spin," distortions, and even outright lies presented as fact. In such a tainted atmosphere, the church must stand as the "pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). Jesus warned us we should be careful not to be deceived. Paul told Timothy in the last days some would depart from the faith by being deceived by false teachers speaking lies.

How do we protect ourselves when even Christian media lends their platform so freely to those with both questionable doctrine and lifestyle? The simple answer: love... » more »

Recently during a Sunday morning service, I delivered a prophecy challenging us to continue our governmental praying. Not only are we to pray for the upcoming elections, but also the economy. For instance, because of the falling value of the dollar against other currencies, our missionaries have received a 30% cut in buying power. Climbing oil prices are choking the economy here at home. We are God's agents of change here on the earth; we must take our seat of authority mentioned in Ephesians 2. The Lord further said that if we would pray, the economy would turn... » more »

Our great nation is approaching another crucial day of deciding who will be the next leader of the free world. As members of the Body of Christ, we must rise up and occupy our seat of authority during the election process. The prophet Isaiah said of the Messiah that the government would be upon His shoulders. Since Jesus is the head of the body, and He's in heaven, then the shoulders are here on earth. He's given the responsibility of government to His body, the Church. Let's participate in governing not just by voting (though we... » more »

With all the news of gyrating financial markets, recessions, and falling consumer confidence, it's good to know how to operate in Heaven's Economy. The Bible says God delivered us out of the jurisdiction of this world's system and planted us in His Kingdom. We don't have to suffer financial reversals of this world. God supplied food for Elijah and the widow at Zarephath during a famine. Jesus fed the multitudes with just a few loaves of fish and bread - twice! He paid Peter's taxes, along with his own from coins in the fish's mouth. ... » more »

On a recent prayer get-away in Galveston, I noticed a sight I have never seen in my many visits there before: a huge, pink flamingo-like bird was soaring overhead, gaining altitude in a fierce wind. I now suspect it was a roseate spoonbill, native to the Texas Gulf Coast, but it was beautiful, and God used it to show me a picture of what he wanted for those in His body this coming year. There's a spiritual front blowing through, and with it is coming wind and rain of the Spirit - increasing manifestations of signs, wonders... » more »