tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22571144630609990372024-02-18T23:09:23.097-05:00Fire And Grace - David JohndrowFire & Grace is a blog where I look at Kingdom dynamics a little more closely. Some call it ranting, while others find it challenging.David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.comBlogger602125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-36932380014167465602023-02-19T17:49:00.008-05:002023-02-19T17:49:45.200-05:00 A Greater Anointing - Excerpt From Darkness to Light<p><i>1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you, remain in him. NIV </i></p><p>My good friend Pastor Steve held a series of meetings with a minister by the name of Larry Lambert. I attended all of them as a participant. I didn’t really like the pastor/minister title/role thing at all. I just loved Jesus and desired to do whatever He asked me to do. I didn't need a title. I really enjoyed the meetings with Larry.</p><p><b>His meetings were exciting - a little crazy might be a better description! Signs and wonders began to manifest in various ways.<br /></b><br />At one, we could smell Easter lilies and frankincense. Later on, people were laughing and rolling on the floor, others were just laying in the presence of God. It was exciting, deep, healing, and magnificent all at the same time. Larry also had a great sense of humor and his love for God and people was easily perceived. Asking people to stand and count to three, or say, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” At the end of their simple “task,” the power of God would fall on them in a powerful way. I’d never seen anything like it. I wasn’t skeptical, however, it was definitely out of my realm of experience. Nothing like this had ever happened in my church!</p><p>The next night he asked us to pray in the spirit with the person next to us. I took my best friend's hands, and he hit the floor and rolled under the chairs. I took the hands of another woman seated next to me. The same happened to her. After four or five fell under the power, there was no one nearby left for me to pray with. I stood and enjoyed the presence of God.</p><p><b>The meeting went on with teaching, ministry, and worship.</b></p><p>Eventually it was very late and sadly I went home before it ended. I felt so good from the previous evening, I just had to be there for the next one. After the worship music ended, they made an announcement that NO ONE was going to pray for others during the meeting. Somehow, I knew they were talking about me. I felt terrible. I wanted to share Jesus with everyone. I had a couple of choices, A) be offended because I was only trying to pray with folks, not for them. B) Leave the meeting or C) Ask God to forgive me, and see what happened. I chose C, and enjoyed the meeting. During the ministry time, I went and quietly asked Larry Lambert to forgive me for what had happened. His daughter was busy prophesying over those at the altar. He was very kind, and with a big grin, said, “don’t worry about it. Jesus loves you, and so do I.”<br /><br /><b>It was a heartwarming moment.</b></p><p>Becky was still ministering at the altar when I decided to get in line. Everyone was falling down, despite her warning against “courtesy drops.” She prayed for me, and I was still standing. She called her dad over from his seat in the front row, and said, “I need you to pray for this man tonight, Dad.”</p><p>He said, “Lord, you just give David everything that you have for him tonight. Lord, give him a double portion of your Spirit and impart to him the gifting that you’ve given me.” I went sailing to the floor. It is always difficult to describe what God does in these moments. Therefore, I won’t try.</p><p>At the next meeting, he asked me to stand in the aisle about 40 feet from the platform. I was thinking that I was safe from the power of his anointing. “Did you have a good meeting last night?” he asked.</p><p>“Yes.” I said, smiling.</p><p>“That’s good, that’s really good. We enjoyed having you there too.” Then he pointed to me, and said. “Lord, you just let David have a good time tonight, too.” Like a giant bowling ball, the Spirit of the Lord came down the center aisle and knocked me down like a 10-pin. While I was lying there, I heard the voice of the Lord. “I am anointing you for greater works.”</p><p><b>I couldn’t begin to imagine what God had in store for me.</b></p>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-37280064578150165402023-02-15T16:05:00.002-05:002023-02-15T16:05:15.660-05:00The Battle Against Cancer<p>In the late fall of 2013, my doctor suspected that I had prostate cancer. I did what everyone else does and had a PSA test as well as a very unpleasant transrectal needle biopsy (TRUS). The results came back after what seemed like a lifetime, and they I had a malignant lesion. Although surgery was the urologist's initial option, I was also referred to a radiation oncologist.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV-vbhO7AVlBc3QECTwtuxdGItY_QJsNrzkBqX2mef3s6IXNCPHjQ-j4dhqms218g8t4VUAB_iEHcDIrdcq0FHn34TMBykyVKcgUO9x1JKQjO2lw2C6FjYnDi0atNg615bjvDnO0Vd_cW21nVfIu6daPVj3qLzsjcQwFuHGS-S48VRBMdeS6RGHGQ/s2048/Aboot-six-star-tokyo.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV-vbhO7AVlBc3QECTwtuxdGItY_QJsNrzkBqX2mef3s6IXNCPHjQ-j4dhqms218g8t4VUAB_iEHcDIrdcq0FHn34TMBykyVKcgUO9x1JKQjO2lw2C6FjYnDi0atNg615bjvDnO0Vd_cW21nVfIu6daPVj3qLzsjcQwFuHGS-S48VRBMdeS6RGHGQ/s320/Aboot-six-star-tokyo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>It was an emotionally difficult time. I met with a well-known Boston surgeon who informed me that I could schedule my radical prostatectomy at the checkout desk after our consultation. I was perplexed and alone. Planning on running the Boston Marathon in April of 2014, surgery would have to wait a bit longer than the six or so weeks.</p><p><b>I made the appointment.</b></p><p>I also made an appointment with radiation oncology. It was at the same building where I had spent six days in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) a few years earlier after suffering from congestive heart failure. He asked where my wife was as I was alone. I didn't really respond. We talked about my cancer. </p><p><b>He determined that I was too young for radiotherapy, leaving me with the prior option.</b></p><p>I flipped through the post-operative advice I had gotten from the surgeon while working at my desk. It was depressing. There was nothing there to make me feel better. Nothing. My thoughts, bordering on denial, I researched everything I could find to avoid what seemed inevitable. </p><p>I awoke one morning and the Lord directed me to contact the radiation oncologist. I inquired whether there were any other treatment possibilities. There is one, and it is known as active surveillance. He provided me the name of a Boston surgeon who was conducting research for Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Beth Israel Hospital.</p><p>Dr. Chang reread my pathology (which was wrong) and said that Gleason 3+3 was indolent and was not considered cancer by certain specialists. Regardless, he was going to be very active in monitoring my illness.</p><p><b>It was comforting that I did not have to have surgery right away!</b></p><p>I had heard my pastor speak a word about not responding to the "fear of cancer." I cancelled my surgery date and did my best to live each day without fear. In many ways I was successful. I ran the Boston</p><p><b>Marathon in April and then Chicago in October. The next year I ran New York City.</b></p><p>I continued to make regular visits to the healing rooms, too. Under the watchful eye of my doctor, my disease seemed to stand still. Except for the days following a blood test or a biopsy, I seemed to be able to live a normal life.</p><p><b>Then, suddenly, everything changed. "More alarming," according to Dr. Chang.</b></p><p>I decided to have an MRI and see exactly where this cancer was. My PI-RADS scores, a method of statistically grading the lesions, was 5; the most likely to be malignant. Determined to beat cancer, I continued to run, pray, and take care of myself.</p><p>After four years, I was able to isolate (compartmentalize) my treatment and the emotions that surrounded it. The summer of 2017 I moved to Virginia and continued my active surveillance with a new practice. I went for my quarterly PSA tests, follow up exams, and yearly pelvic MRI.</p><p><b>My disease seemed to stay the same.</b></p><p>I attended the healing rooms from time to time. I completed Berlin 2016, London 2017, and Tokyo 2018, becoming an Abbott World Major Marathon Six Star finisher. I had an MRI in in 2019 and again in the summer of 2020. They both showed no change in the progression of my disease.</p><p><b>In the winter of 2020, my PSA skyrocketed.</b></p><p>The doctor said it was probably nothing and we would retest. Double my normal PSA, I insisted on an MRI which revealed a new tumor. I immediately had another needle biopsy. I waited a week or so for results.</p><p><b>The new tumor was Gleason 4+4 and an aggressive form.</b></p><p>The surgeon recommended surgery, which I refused. I was denied radiation by my insurance company. They would approve an outdated and low-quality radiation which had the potential to cause other cancer in the future. I refused that, too. In addition, I also refused chemo and hormone therapy.</p><p><b>I headed to the healing rooms again.</b></p><p>Each week the faithful would pray, laying hands on me and anointing me with oil. I went week after week. In the mean time I heard about a new treatment that available. It had virtually none of the side effects of a radical prostatectomy and was safer than radiation.</p><p><b>The cost of treatment was $33,500.</b></p><p>I paid $800 for a consult. In reviewing the past MRIs, the imaging showed evidence of a change in the progression of my disease. I was horrified and angry. I flew to Atlanta and had a pre-treatment MRI. It reset my CSF shunt, completely draining my cranium of fluid. I got off the plane in Norfolk and went to the ER where I passed out from the pain. I was discouraged about everything. Without the money for treatment, I called my kids in to visit. My wife and I had the talk.</p><p><b>Then the Lord spoke.</b></p><p>He told me to do a Facebook Fundraiser for $35,000! I kept praying, going to the healing rooms, and expecting a miracle. I wasn't too sure about a financial miracle. I raised $10,00 in a few days. A friend the I had prophesied over in 2001 and not spoken too since, texted me and said the Lord had me on his heart. "What's going on? The Lord said I am supposed to write a big check!" $10,000 became $20,000 and close friends gave another $10,000.</p><p><b>In 10 or 12 days I had the money and wired it to the treatment center.</b></p><p>The money kept coming, therefore our airfare was covered, our hotel and meals were covered with reward points from long-time friends. I scheduled treatment. The extra money we sent to help others pay off some of their medical debt!</p><p>Home and comfortable, I hoped cancer would be behind me for the first time since 2013! At six months, I had an MRI that showed some odd scarring and then my PSA started to rise. I went back to the healing rooms. The Lord had made a way for this and I wasn't going backwards! It was concerning enough that I had another biopsy. The doctors were certain it was cancer. The PSMA scan lit up showing disease in that same area.</p><p><b>It wasn't! They were PIN cells - either precancerous or post-treatment.</b></p><p>I wasn't particularly relieved, but my PSA went back to normal levels. They remain there. A few weeks ago, I attended the revival at the The Gate in Charlotte, North Carolina. During the pre-service prayer, a woman walked over, gently put her hand on my shoulder and prayed in the spirit. I knew she was praying for my cancer.</p><p><b>After a few minutes, she proclaimed, "God is closing the door on your cancer."</b></p><p>In addition to the prostate cancer and two bouts with colon cancer, I had 6 MOHs surgeries for Basel cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma plus two reconstructive surgeries in 12 months. The sutures on my shoulder had just fallen out a week or so before. The surgeon said it was very aggressive and in fact was twice as deadly as melanoma which I had twice before. Before our eyes, my scars began to lighten and partially disappeared. Since that day, my prostate function has been better than it has been since my treatment in 2021!</p><p><b>Soon, I will have tests and hope to have medical proof of my complete healing.</b></p>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-4795297756889455462023-02-06T16:01:00.009-05:002023-02-06T16:06:24.109-05:00The Doorkeeper Watches Over Hearts<p>I was conversing with a greeter at my church one day. A young man entered, carrying a small girl. She appeared to be about five years old. He was with a woman, and they both smelled of cigarettes. It was not a judgement, but rather an observation. The greeter said hi and cordially welcomed them.</p><p><b>In most churches, this is rather normal.</b></p><p>I wrote about greeters years ago. You can find them by following the labels. I met a greeter at a church I'd never gone to before yesterday, and it reminded me of this story.</p><p>The Holy Spirit spoke to me about the young couple. Their daughter suffered from an atrial septal defect. God revealed to me that it was a hole between the chambers of the heart. My daughter had it, too. I engaged the couple. "What is the name of your little girl?" I inquired.</p><p>It's been a long time, and all I remember is the father's name. He informed me their names, as well as the name of his girlfriend. "Is everything all right with her heart?" I inquired.</p><p>Both parents' eyes welled up with tears. "No, she has a problem that requires surgery to repair a hole in her heart. We're scared to death." her father explained. "We were going to the Catholic Church to ask prayer for healing and decided to come here when we spotted the Faith Worship sign out front," he added. More sobs.</p><p>I prayed boldly for the little girl, and God assured us all that He would cure her without surgery! After the service, they also took her for altar ministry. The couple attended church on a regular basis. Every week, I looked for them. The little child had been healed. Their faith got stronger. They were persuaded to marry by the priest. They quit smoking at a healing service and joined the children's ministry, where they remain to this day! That was almost a decade ago.</p><p>Keep an eye out for folks that show up at church. You could be the one to bring heaven to earth!</p>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-14515557261100326392023-01-30T14:47:00.008-05:002023-01-30T14:51:52.780-05:00Social Media Links<p>For the latest blogs, book publishing information and other ministry information, here are the social media links.</p><p><b>Facebook</b>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nonprophet.fireandgrace/">https://www.facebook.com/nonprophet.fireandgrace/</a> </p><p><b>Instagram</b>: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nonprophet.fireandgrace/">https://www.instagram.com/nonprophet.fireandgrace/</a></p><p><b>Website</b>: <a href="http://www.fireandgrace.org">http://www.fireandgrace.org</a> <br /><br />Blog: <a href="http://fireandgrace.blogspot.com/">http://fireandgrace.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Until the books are ready, this is the website.</p>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-59663860379982756382023-01-28T11:48:00.000-05:002023-01-28T11:48:02.072-05:00 Here Comes the Judge - How Do We Know It's God?<p>If you are like me, once you have seen a real prophetic person minister, you wanted to see what God would say to you. Think about it, there are lots of decisions to make in your life, and you’ve asked God for wisdom but you still have lots of decisions to make. Well, join the club. As we walk out our salvation, we come to many crossroads; it’s a natural part of life.</p><p>I think the perceptions of most church folks, when it comes to the prophetic fall into one of the following categories.</p><p>-1 That it is ancient history – I haven’t thought about God sending someone to speak over me.</p><p>-2 I know there is prophecy, but it is rare, not very personal. And it’s too general.</p><p>-3 Prophecy can only be encouraging so anything negative is not God.</p><p>-4 It happens, but it won’t happen to me. God has more important work.</p><p>-5 It’s been abused and misused, therefore it is really just too much trouble.</p><p>-6 Prophecy is a way of life for the Christian and should be for the church.</p><p>-7 The supernatural gifts ended with the apostles' deaths.</p><p>I am going to assume that you are interested in what a prophecy is, or what it might be like but I will spare the stories of how blessed I have been by prophecies. I am a 6! But I have been 1 through 5 at some point in my walk. I have never been a 7!</p><p>First, prophecy can be as simple as a Bible verse that is made personal and meaningful to you. Logos becoming rhema. My wife and I went to hear a speaker, and while he was preaching he said these words. “You, did you know, you are in the Army of God?” (1 Chronicles 12:22) And as he said it, he pointed to my wife. It was personal, and powerful. It was God speaking to her.</p><p>Other times I have seen a much more direct and accurate form of prophecy. There are those called out of an audience by name. This was by men who did not know the recipients at all. Their prophecy was to simply speak a destiny - that which is not as though it is. I had a pastor that was originally from Iceland and the prophet couldn't pronounce his name, so he spelled it! He prophesied his brief US pastorship and a move back to his home country. The prophecy took about 6 years to come to pass but every word was perfectly accurate.</p><p>So, what would you do if God had someone speak a word over you? Run out and make it happen, be so skeptical that it would be meaningless, or fall somewhere in between? They are good questions, don't you think?</p><p>Here are some steps and suggestions for judging prophecy and prophetic words whether they are for you personally, for your small group or even your church. And yes, Virginia, some folks still prophesy over nations.</p><p><b>-1 Write it Down!<br /></b>Most meetings that I have been to, the words are recorded to hold the minister accountable, as well as provide the recipient with a record of what God is speaking to them. In more intimate settings, this is not always the case. Whatever the situation, write down everything! Think of it like a personal Bible passage – you’d want to get every nuance of the utterance, and prophecy is the same. If it's God, you'll want to pull it out every so often. </p><p><i>Jeremiah 36:2 Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you.</i></p><p>Once the “word” is written down, you take away the inflection and accent of the speaker. Some prophetic people have a personal style of delivery. Jeremiah, for instance, was the “weeping” prophet. Others in the kingdom have some odd deliveries which can be somewhat distracting. I know one fellow who sings them over you. The music is beautiful, but it is hard to hear both the music and words. Just remember the water sometimes tastes like the pipe (prophetic person).</p><p><b>-2 Check the Scriptures!<br /></b>As you read it over, check to make sure that the word does not contain any scriptural contradictions. I would dismiss a word if it was going to take me consciously committing a sin, to have it come to pass. Scripture is the final authority and anything that contradicts scripture must be rejected!</p><p>Does the word exalt and glorify Jesus? (John 16:13-14; Rev. 19:10) Does the word edify the church?</p><p><i>But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men (1 Cor. 14:3)</i></p><p>Sometimes there is comfort in coming clean and repenting.</p><p>Beware, just because a word makes you feel uncomfortable, doesn’t mean that God is not intending for you to grow into it. I taught my kids math in anticipation that they would one day go to college.</p><p><b>-3 Check with God!<br /></b>Look for the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. If you are accustomed to having a witness to the things of God, it is a good test. If you have no experience with prophecy, what you heard/are reading may in fact, not be something that you are interested in partaking of. (Col 3:15) But I assure you, just because you don’t want to marry a pastor, or be a missionary in Guatemala, doesn’t mean that God isn’t setting you up for a change of heart. I’m just saying. Be sure to highlight any conditions. IE: God will, if you will. If you don’t do your part, God doesn’t have to do His part, now does He? If it passes the smell test, read and meditate upon the word.</p><p><b>-4 Track Record and Prophetic Character!</b><br />Who is it that gave this word to/in the church, or spoke it over you? Do they have a track record of accuracy and humility? A good pastor, instead of worrying about abuse - he will build a file on the prophetic person recording his words, their accuracy, and the ones that come to pass. It shouldn’t take long to see what type of gifting and anointing prophetic people have. Beware, not all prophetic people are of the best character (nor are pastors, and evangelists!). Do not discount the fact that God can use a donkey to deliver a word if needed.</p><p><b>-5 Praying It Through!<br /></b>If God’s word is your destiny, then make warfare! I don’t know what your prayer life is like, but a prophetic word can supercharge it. I often read mine back to the Lord and then meditate on what He might be saying. The prophecy becomes my prayer script. In the early days, I received some stuff that seemed damn near impossible. But because it had passed tests 2 and 3, I had to consider it.</p><p>It is often in this step where God may point out some changes that you need to make to line up with the word. If you are going to run a marathon for God, then maybe it is time to quit smoking. You get the idea.</p><p>Ask Him to show you if any parts of the word are not from Him and to confirm the parts that are from Him. I have received a few words over the years that were so very much Him - with one sentence that didn’t make sense then, and still doesn’t today. Don’t reject something because of one part. The prophecy is subject to the prophet - and sometimes they miss things. Pastors preach bad sermons too. It happens.</p><p><b>-6 Life Context!<br /></b>Compare the word against other things God has spoken to you maybe in prior prophecies, personal prayer times and other forms of godly input. Sometimes prophecies create a burden, other times they confirm one. Is this new, or another nudge in the direction you already know you should be taking?</p><p>Do nothing different until you are definitely directed by God. Be sure to remove all hindrances to receiving the promise. I once had a new job with a start date. It was my dream job. I received a word NOT to take it. It was hard. It was God. The circumstances of my life would have been a disaster. Life context is not always the easy road.</p><p><b>-7 Wait!<br /></b>You do not always need to act immediately on a word from the Lord. Sometimes we need to wait for Him; for His timing and for circumstances to present themselves. This is especially true of predictive, directive or calling/gifting words. God is faithful! He will confirm it to you. He won't call you to do something which He will not empower you to do. Be certain, you may not feel prepared, but that only means you'll have to rely on God. Isn't' what faith is all about? The “when we are weak…” clause.</p><p>Allow God to form your character in the process. Prophetic words are exciting. Who you become as a result is much more important. </p><p><b>-8 Don’t Think, Respond!<br /></b>We need to respond to God’s word, not carry them out. It is easy to try to conform our lives to a word when what we need to do is conform ourselves to the image of Christ. Then we can let destiny unfold before us. Do not "read into" the word what you want it to say. I had a friend that was in a meeting and his girlfriend received a prophetic word about getting married. She thought it was him, but he was dumping her that night. It was a rough evening for both of them. About a year later she met her husband and is very happy - it's funny to all of us now.</p><p>I once received a word about my kids coming to live with me after my nreakup. Each time I went to court for a custody hearing, nothing happened. It didn't happen until they graduated High School. It was disappointing at first, but not wrong.</p><p><i>1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.</i></p><p>Is it God?</p><p>Receive God’s promise in faith and look for the signs that things are coming together for you to step into your destiny.</p><p><i>Hebrews 4:2 For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.</i></p><p>There are a few things that can keep you from getting a word or having one come to pass in your life.</p><p><b>Attitude</b> – Bad attitudes about spiritual gifts or the style of the prophecy may hinder you from what God actually wants. And if the word seems like it would take a miracle to get you there, remember God does miracles.</p><p><b>Bad theology</b> - It is wrong to think that there are no spiritual gifts today. There is too much ink in the Bible, too many folks that have the real deal. Think I am wrong? Well, take it up with God and search it out like treasure.</p><p><b>Sin</b> – Sometimes personal sin can significantly delay, or in some cases negate your destiny. This is particularly true of addictions and sexual impurity. Sin has consequences. The inverse is also true. Sometimes people that are in sin can still deliver prophetic words that are accurate and godly. No, I don't know why.</p><p>Prophecy in church services and gatherings are pretty well covered in 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14 - well unless you tore those pages out of your Bible.</p><p><i>Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge (1 Cor. 14:29)</i></p><p><i>By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established. (2 Cor. 13:1)</i></p><p><i>Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.</i></p><p>And finally: God sometimes allows false or misguided people to speak to test and humble you (2 Chronicles 18). They may speak of great things. They still need to be tested. God sometimes even allows true prophets to give a purposely misleading word (Psalm 18:26).</p><p>In the end, it is your relationship with God that will help you judge a prophecy for you, your church, or even the country you live in.</p><p>Be filled with the spirit, love others and earnestly desire the gifts - especially prophecy.</p><p><i>Originally written, Thursday, May 13, 2010</i></p><div><br /></div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-49346385388409695982023-01-23T10:50:00.001-05:002023-01-23T10:50:23.142-05:00God Said It, and it Freaked Me Out! - Revelation and Truth<p><i>The difference between the truth of God and revelation is
very simple. Truth is where God’s been. Revelation is where God is. ~Tommy
Tenney, The God Chasers</i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What would you do if God showed up and gave you a list of
things to do, then added to that a few statements about where you are in life,
and how much He loves you?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, that is what happened to me in 1994 and again in 1998. It has happened again in 2022 and yesterday in 2023. Prophecy freaks me out because it always speaks to the
impossible into my life. God will often go after forgotten dreams and
undisclosed prayers. Revelation from heaven is life-changing, spirit-filling and destiny-driving.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Today I am brooding over some old revelation that seems to have started again. A lot has transpired since the following was written on February 20, 2012. I have changed most of the reference to past tense. The following verse sums it up. The very fact that it comes from the end of Job should give you some sense of the context. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>Job 42:2 I know that you can do anything, and your plans are unstoppable</i>.</p><p class="MsoNormal">While I was in California in 2013, I received a prophetic word from a young lady
(14-years-old) about the <i>acceleration of things</i> that I have been puttering
around in the Kingdom with for decades - <i>my space shuttle was about to take
off</i>! That's pretty exciting because I had been a part-time minister/missionary
on-and-off for many decades. It freaked me out because I didn't see how God
could possibly turn my disorganized and busy life into something that he could
use.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also received words from two close friends in my blog group.
The ladies were spot on!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My seasons were changing. I left blogging and the pursuit
of a music CD behind – well sort of. That is what the Lord spoke to me in prayer. It was tough, I
love to play guitar and write blogs! He told me through those
exercising the gift of prophecy that I would be busy; 2013 this was the year. It was the time - this was my time...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLwU93y1P_zBEinjxfiVS7U9uveY7Tsi-Up7xqF5JJvFqB1yj1prAp6mMYoo1UNjt2TyzFllmzU1ZkWDt09YHgh8QvAUept73ijIBK3q-A15hVdSGxN5R5S7p2vQqWQohAIoM8JrL7RO_iRnDqb31QhC2892uPasRS2EjCDqKQNOp07zfSBML6fCI/s200/David1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="112" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLwU93y1P_zBEinjxfiVS7U9uveY7Tsi-Up7xqF5JJvFqB1yj1prAp6mMYoo1UNjt2TyzFllmzU1ZkWDt09YHgh8QvAUept73ijIBK3q-A15hVdSGxN5R5S7p2vQqWQohAIoM8JrL7RO_iRnDqb31QhC2892uPasRS2EjCDqKQNOp07zfSBML6fCI/s1600/David1.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>For those that don't know me, I started something called the
<i>5-Fold School of Ministry</i> at my church (Faith Worship Center) in January of 2011. It later became the <i>Apostolic School</i>. The classes started
with a dozen members of my congregation and grew to five times that many with
other Christians from the New England/New York region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one of the things that was accelerating.
The first year we held three schools (well I had congestive heart failure between schools 1
and 2). We had planned eight more at my church, plus a few in other locations. [I was diagnosed with cancer after the seventh one.]<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don't know about you, but one of my favorite facets of
Kingdom living (besides study and worship) is to lay hands-on others and see
what God does. Some Christians like to teach or preach, others like to play
worship, some enjoy kids ministry, some pray a lot and others dance; me, I like
to pray for the sick and prophesy. Sure, I preach and even know how to clean a
toilet, but the laying on of hands is awesome. Why? Because God always gives me
something personal and important for others to hear. It is one of my gifts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I met a new group of Christians while I was at <i>Bethel Church</i>
in November 2011. One of them became a good friend. At the time, Dan
was the pastor of <i>Life International Church</i> in London, Ontario.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He has moved on since then. </span>He and I taught and
ministered for three sessions at the school. While he was in town we were invited to a home
church named <i>Place of His Presence</i>. There, starting with about a dozen, we began. Soon, 50 hungry people and the Spirit of
God poured out through two very unlikely men, me and Dan. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UC_VzIakqTy-kxF9guMXO_GciYmd39qifcrJFjUeIU0zRnJAiP7LuimzfRr2MLN3Yjf433pJZzOzt38sphdOJQaU67lKJM_9OetIWH7Dk24yPFe_AXoAqHv4AaCZeoGVkeXpR6ynPGoi9QwfcJ6hYyb7kjpckbdlHC6TK7lNx-VZxv1-zBVJGFCS/s320/David2.jpg" style="clear: left; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="320" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UC_VzIakqTy-kxF9guMXO_GciYmd39qifcrJFjUeIU0zRnJAiP7LuimzfRr2MLN3Yjf433pJZzOzt38sphdOJQaU67lKJM_9OetIWH7Dk24yPFe_AXoAqHv4AaCZeoGVkeXpR6ynPGoi9QwfcJ6hYyb7kjpckbdlHC6TK7lNx-VZxv1-zBVJGFCS/w204-h155/David2.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Me and Dan Roberts<o:p></o:p></p><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Our little meeting went on for four and half hours! After about
an hour in, we asked people to leave whenever they needed to; they stayed. They called friends and family to come and receive from God. The meeting got
bigger!<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God what are you doing!?! I thought I was going to do a
little 20 or 30 minute teaching about the Apostolic Church. Their little
worship team brought down the glory with a song by Robin Mark. The presence
of Holy Spirit was so amazing, so sweet, so indescribable... one woman drove to
the meeting and said that she saw demons at bay outside the house. I am glad
she waited to tell us about it until a few days later!</p><p class="MsoNormal">With all the excitement and opportunities for larger venues I still love doing the little home churches. That is how I got my start with
the Brazilians years ago in 1999. It gives me the chance to really flow, and to be
close to the transformations in an intimate setting.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ministry for me is not a vocation, not a job, not something
I do, it is a way of life. I am always on duty.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Life in the Kingdom is never about offerings, or big names. In fact I love to promote others. There is nothing more exciting than taking a
fresh convert or a believer who is new to the things of the Spirit and letting
them lay hands on others. God always does amazing things! Always.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The good news is that you can do what I do. If you need help
learning, grab a couple of dozen friends and let's get together. I am never too
busy to go where God is opening a door.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Back then I was so excited about all
that God was doing. I don't believe the climax of the story has come yet! It is
more of an introduction to the things that lie ahead.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In 2018 the Lord moved us to Virginia. I became disabled. Read Job - it's a long story.<br /><br />Now it is 2023, and the there is another Apostolic School in the wings. It will take a lot of help, but it will happen. Soon. Why? Revelation is where God is. Hi manifest presence is already here.<br /><br />I had another word yesterday. It was about destiny, purpose, calling and a return to ministry. All I can say is that if God uses the weak, it will be amazing. My disability has very possibly become my ability.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p></p>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-1804427039440714232022-11-18T10:33:00.000-05:002022-11-18T10:33:21.381-05:00Relaunch of Fire & Grace<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxR7f-jxrDQ1lIKcHtyDMYkxZ9ux_I498c4c5-Swjk1ivBBsm6d29RTltIf74-lEdP-1H4L9lVFkAmMer7qFgoSzAS5fCgIDKUCI168mfZPq2cPhUzLi6E5rqlKk_cTFQ5ZYf4EVXtrQcDYGgaOzoUnI2uqYA33PHVIg7qa_ML-rXOOnOmukIAfwk/s972/316037964_10161208141124587_3228574657892268036_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="681" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxR7f-jxrDQ1lIKcHtyDMYkxZ9ux_I498c4c5-Swjk1ivBBsm6d29RTltIf74-lEdP-1H4L9lVFkAmMer7qFgoSzAS5fCgIDKUCI168mfZPq2cPhUzLi6E5rqlKk_cTFQ5ZYf4EVXtrQcDYGgaOzoUnI2uqYA33PHVIg7qa_ML-rXOOnOmukIAfwk/s320/316037964_10161208141124587_3228574657892268036_n.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>After a 10 year hiatus from blogging here, I am back. I wrote hundreds of blogs on <i>MyFitnessPal</i> during the time. I also wrote three or four books. In the process I did some other cool stuff like running the <i>Abbott World Major Marathons</i>, survive cancer 7 times, as well as congestive heart failure. I also contracted a disabling neurological condition in 2018.<p></p><p><b>I have had five major surgeries to try and correct it.</b></p>What will I be writing about now? Jesus. Life. Truthfully, not a whole lot. I am still cognitively disabled from my condition and writing requires a lot of help from others.<br /><p><b>Today, the season to publish four books has arrived.</b></p><p>24 years - almost 25 years after the prophet Denny Cramer spoke w<i>rite, write, write</i> over me, I am going to gather all of it in 4 volumes. Maybe even 5. This time, there won't be a publisher to say no one cares about what God does. Time has made it about what the Lord did and not about me. There won't be the pressure to meet deadlines. I won't need to defend myself. I won't need to market it. I only have to let my team know what I want.</p><p><b>God has opened an unexpected doorway for me to go through.</b></p><p>I know what I want and in a few short weeks, I have acquired a writing coach, a couple of long-time friends to copy edit, another to do the graphic design, pre-readers, and finally, audio books are on the table, too.</p><p>How will it turn out? I have no idea. It's the season, that I am certain of. Does anyone care what I have to say? That is none of my business. All the matters is this:</p><p><i>John 3:11 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, we speak only of what we [absolutely] know and testify about what we have [actually] seen [as eyewitnesses. AMP</i></p><p>Why?<br /></p><p><i>Revelation 12:11 </i><i>They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. NIV</i></p><p>When will I write something new? I don't know. I will probably post excerpts from the various books as things progress. For now, I'll go back to my quiet life and spend time with those I love and the people of God, some of whom I have known for many decades.</p>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-21570714299307359062012-07-10T11:56:00.002-04:002012-07-10T15:33:52.249-04:00Words With Friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Life is always changing for me. I never seem to sit back and go, yeah, I am in the groove. A few weeks ago I did another prophetic school with my brother Lee. We always enjoy working together, and God does wonderful stuff through him.<br />
<br />
<b>As always, we had the perfect group of students, hungry, gifted and eager to learn.</b><br />
<br />
I am so blessed that my church allows me to do the 5-Fold School of Ministry. I could not have dreamed up a better vocation in a million years. I also love working with teams, and some of the folks from my church really stepped to the plate.<br />
<br />
We have some new schools happening in the future. More on that at <a href="http://apostolicschool.com/">apostolicschool.com</a>. Maybe you can join us, or better yet, have us come into your church and do one. I lost my job, and I am more free than ever to travel - well, I need a week or two to recover a bit more from my shoulder surgery.<br />
<br />
I will be teaching at the Catalyst School in Swanzy, NH sometime in the near future, as well as being with my team at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NHDTS" target="_blank">Wildfire New England Transformation School</a> in southern NH Oct. 25-27, 2012<br />
<br />
<b>I had word about going deeper in faith than I have ever been, so here I am, how can I serve you?</b></div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-37038676779321679622012-04-27T14:55:00.004-04:002012-04-27T14:55:48.724-04:00Oh Canada!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This past week I was in London, Ontario. I had a chance to minister at <a href="http://www.lifeic.org/">Life International Church</a> with my friend Dan Roberts, as well as a attend a conference at <a href="http://www.impactlondon.ca/">Impact Church</a>. My family heritage on my father's side is Canadian, so I feel some sort of connection when I am there.<br />
<br />
<b>For me it was another short-term mission trip. An amazing one.</b><br />
<br />
I suppose that everyone has a definition of what a mission is. For me, it when you go somewhere to love others with your gifts and the primary focus is ministry. The work of the Kingdom takes on many forms as there are varying types of God-given natural and supernatural gifts.<br />
<br />
This trip was the result of meeting a Canadian in California last fall. Dan came to visit us here in Boston in February (more on that <a href="http://3forjc.blogspot.com/2012/02/god-said-it-and-it-freaked-me-out.html">HERE</a>). We have a number of things in common, but who knows if we'd be friends without Christ? I am glad that God puts me with the people that he wants me to work with. In the course of 30+ years, there have only be enough to count on one hand.<br />
<br />
I took a flight after work last Wednesday and I arrived at Dan's house about 1 in the morning; that's way past my bed time! Thursday after breakfast we started to meet people. A pastor, a businessman, a pool supply store manager, and some others. Although I consider myself an apostolic builder - a big picture person, my role is often reduced to ministering in the prophetic to point out roles and giftings in peoples lives. It's sort of like identifying the materials of the building before beginning the process.<br />
<br />
People respond to prophetic ministry very differently. Those that are familiar with it, like one of the pastors I met, find it a little mundane unless what you speak is something they haven't heard before. A Christian businessman found the time eye opening. Of course the discussion naturally flows into "what's next for me in business." Those that don't know anything about Jesus, or this charismatic side of Christianity have varying responses.<br />
<br />
One of the guys was sort of funny. I got the feeling that he thought religion was sort of stupid. I suppose that is why the Lord told him that. Then he told him a few other views and agreed with him. Wow, even God agreed with this unbeliever. That was followed by God telling him how he wanted to pursue him. That was fine, but he asked: "Tell me abut the money!"<br />
<br />
I confessed that God was moving to take care of him financially, but not immediately.<br />
<br />
All that might not seem like a big deal, but then I asked him to tell me about the motorcycle he was thinking about. "Oh yes, I looked at a Harley a few days ago." *Insert light-bulb moment* Seed planted.<br />
<br />
There were lots of moments like this. I had a chance to give a Muslim nonbeliever a hug. I assure this was a big deal.<br />
<br />
One of my favorites was the friend of a young girl at LIC. I called on her towards the end.of the Sunday service. It's hard to talk people into the Kingdom. She had already heard me preach as well as prophesy over a dozen others. "God what do you want her to know?" I asked Him.<br />
<br />
I asked her if I could hold her hand and as I did I asked her to close her eyes. You could see the peace of God come over her. The rest was quickly done by the power of the Holy Spirit.</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-26826492759720614472012-03-25T11:09:00.001-04:002012-03-25T11:09:10.321-04:00The School of the Pastor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This weekend we ran another segment of the 5-Fold School of Ministry. This time we focused on pastoring. Stephen and Dalene Russell, here in the US as missionaries from South Africa, did an amazing job.<br />
<br />
Stephen's main scripture was the 23 Psalm, and for 3 sessions he broke it down to the elements of true shepherding. Here is the outline. I believe that you'll find some of the Americanized pastoral roles missing. Personally, I find that refreshing..<br />
<br />
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<b>SERVING </b>– PS. 23:1 THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD<br />
<br />
<b>HEALING </b>– PS.23:2 I SHALL NOT WANT<br />
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<b>EQUIPPING </b>– PS.23:2 HE MAKES ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURE<br />
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<b>PREPARING </b>– PS.23:2 HE LEADS ME BESIDE THE STILL WATER<br />
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<b>HELPING </b>– PS.23:3 HE RESTORES MY SOUL<br />
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<b>ENTERING </b>– PS.23:2 HE LEADS ME BESIDES THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME SAKE<br />
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<b>REASSURING </b>– PS. 23:4 YEA THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH I WILL FEAR<br />
NO EVIL FOR YOU ARE WITH ME<br />
<br />
<b>DIRECTING </b>– PS.23:4 YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME<br />
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<b>IMPRESSING </b>– PS.23:5 YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMY<br />
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<b>NURTURING </b>– PS. 23:5 YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL, MY CUP RUNS OVER<br />
<br />
<b>GIVING</b> – PS. 23:6 SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD<br />
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If you are interested in leaning more about the 5-fold pastor in the church today, leave a comment or contact us at <a href="http://www.apostolicschool.com/">www.apostolicschool.com</a>.<br />
</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-53919778385287923412012-02-07T11:26:00.000-05:002012-02-07T11:26:06.944-05:005-Fold School of Ministry - The Apostolic Age<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This past weekend Part II of the <a href="http://www.apostolicschool.com/">5-Fold School of Ministry</a> was held in Massachusetts. We had a variety of speakers and gifting. For those that were there, you know how powerful Craig Moore, Jonathan Gale, Dan Roberts and Mark Sanchez were.<br />
<br />
As we looked more deeply into the role of the evangelist, the teacher and the apostle, a shift in the atmosphere was taking place.<br />
<br />
In the midst of all that was going on, here is some insight that I decided to preach at a small church this past Saturday night. It is in note from - but I think you'll be able to get the gist of where I was going, and what I believe that God is doing here in my neck of the woods.<br />
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Restoration of the Apostolic Church<br />
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-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Church is to be the spotless bride (Ephesians 5:27, and so are we 2 Peter 3:14) (The bride being all that have come to faith over the ages)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Can we agree that we are not quite there yet?<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As Jesus walked with the apostles, the revelation of who He was grew, and it is growing today.<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The church has had many seasons of revival in various locations. These were not <i>One Hit Wonders</i>.<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>All along God has been building something – a church, a bride, a perfect expression of Jesus.<br />
<br />
If we look back over the past few decades [Here in the US], here is what happened.<br />
<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We had The Jesus Movement brought the gospel to the streets. (1960s)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We had the Charismatic renewal in the Catholic and Episcopal Church. (Late 1970s/80s)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We had the Word of Faith movement that grounded us in the word. (1980s)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We had the Vineyard movement which brought us the believer’s ministry. (1990s)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We had the Prophetic Renewal movement in Kansas City (Late 1990s)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We had Toronto that brought us power. (Late 1990s)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We had Brownsville that brought us Evangelism. (Late 1990s)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Then we had a sort of Apostolic Renewal – in some ways we are still in it. (Late 1990s)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This is the age of the foundation of the Apostle and Prophet. 2012!<br />
<br />
<b>THIS IS WHAT JESUS IS BUILDING!</b><br />
Ephesians 2:20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone<br />
<br />
It is dangerous work!<br />
Luke 11:49 For this reason also the wisdom of God said, I will send them prophets and apostles, [some] of whom they will put to death and persecute…<br />
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<b>We are getting a new foundation to support the future work of the church!</b><br />
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This is the age of the Apostle and prophet working together to build foundation s for the living breathing organism known as the church of Jesus Christ. This is the church which the gates of Hell cannot prevail.<br />
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As we long for revival, and old moves of God, he is building a foundation for the pastor, the teacher and the Evangelist to place the church – his beloved bride on!<br />
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This new age (Greek anos) will have a solid foundation, and be identified with teams of nameless believers doing the will of the Father.<br />
<br />
This new age will see teams that travel in 2, 3s 4s and 5s! It will be about the Kingdom, not about ministry!<br />
<br />
The difference between a formula and model is this. The formula is a patterned way of working, while a model is a principled way of working.<br />
<br />
Antioch is a good example of these apostolic principals at work.<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Antioch appears 21 times in the NIV.<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Church in Antioch was the first church outside of Jerusalem.<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Spread due to persecution, not planted by an Apostle. (Acts 11:19)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>There was evangelism. (Acts 11:20)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>after which it was visited by the Apostles. (Acts 11:26)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and then the Prophets. (Acts 11:27)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>followed by the Teachers. (Acts 13:1)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>there was an established building for meeting. (Acts 13:14)<br />
-<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Elders were appointed (Pastor). (Acts 15:22)<br />
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In it we will see what it is that sets us apart from religion!<br />
<br />
-1 Healing: I am inspired by the testimonies that came from the Expecting Miracles event at one of the churches I attend. They made testimony videos of people that came with physical ailments and were healed in the name of Jesus! The is part of the inheritance we have in Christ. It is not magic; it comes through faith and prayer.<br />
<br />
-2 Miracles: Elijah called down fire on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18) and it was AWESOME! Since man first acknowledged God, he has been performing miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit, and he still does. I have witnessed quite a few in my lifetime: Anonymous checks in the mail that met a certain need to the penny, multiplying invitations to a church meeting in Norway, and a number of others which I have written about on Fire & Grace.<br />
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-3 Revelation: The sheep know His voice! If you are one of God's sheep, then you should be hearing his voice! Wake up, God wants to speak to you if you'll take the time to learn how to listen with your spirit. (I know you've probably had a hundred sermons on hearing God's voice) It may come in prayer, or though a prophetic word, or an illuminated Bible verse, but you need to hear God. Sure, sermons are great, but if that is all you are getting, it might be time to do something different.<br />
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-4 Authority over the Demonic: In America we pretty much don't believe in the Devil or demon possession, but that doesn't make it nonexistent. Once we engage the spiritual realms and leave the realm of intellect and debate, we will engage evil spirits. Jesus said we had authority over them. Did you know that?<br />
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-5 Reckless Abandon: Are you serious about your Christianity? Are you willing to bet your life on it? We think the terrorists are extreme because they are willing to die for their cause. Well, guess what, you and I are in an army that requires that same sort of commitment. We are not suicidal, but we value the path of Jesus more than our own lives.<br />
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-6 Sacrificial Love... love is not feeding the poor, caring for the sick, or preaching a sermon. It is doing what we see the Father doing!<br />
</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-33330121437603617262012-01-16T11:20:00.000-05:002012-01-17T10:52:19.662-05:005-Fold School of Ministry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This past weekend was the first of a 2 part 5-Fold School of Ministry. I was a great time in which we covered the the role of the pastor and prophet as equippers in the church.<br />
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Pastor Stephen Russell laid out the principals of 5-fold pastoring which included the attributes of protection and nurturing a local flock. He also talked about confronting unbecoming behavior in the church. I loved his passion for his place in the Kingdom. In addition the team covered the following:<br />
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<br />
- Caring for the Sheep<br />
- Deliverance<br />
- Healing<br />
- Wholeness<br />
- Feeding the Sheep<br />
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My brother, Lee Johndrow spoke for the part of the class on the prophet. He did an excellent job talking about accuracy, faith, and the trials of those that occupy this role in the church. I addition we covered:<br />
<br />
<br />
- What is Prophecy<br />
- The Prophet<br />
- The Gift of Prophecy (charisma)<br />
- The Role of a Prophet (doma)<br />
- Receiving/Judging Prophecy<br />
- How to Prophesy<br />
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<br /></div>
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If you are in Southern New England, and are free on February 3 and 4th, we'll be doing part 2 and talking about the Evangelist, the Apostle and the the Teacher.<br />
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For more information, visit <a href="http://www.apostolicschool.com/">www.apostolicschool.com</a> .<br />
<br /></div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-19847719725092475832011-11-24T08:10:00.002-05:002023-01-20T09:31:40.199-05:00I Am Thankful Today<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Monday, April 4th I was admitted to the Heart Trauma Center with congestive heart failure. You can read that story <a href="http://fireandgrace.blogspot.com/2011/04/posting-from-cardiovascular-unit.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Tuesday my pastor drove down to visit me. I was on 12 liters of oxygen per hour. Daryl and I had a nice chat, and he prayed for me just before he left. As he prayed I could feel the anointing of God and I had a picture (internal vision) in my spirit. It was my heart and swirling around it were my heart enzymes. In that still small voice I heard the Lord say, "You will completely recover." I shared it with Daryl and he agreed, "I am not worried" he said.</div></div>
<br />
<b>I made tremendous progress that day. My ejection fraction went from the 20s to the high 30s!</b><br />
<br />
Five days later I was home, although I went back the following day due to chest pain.<br />
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Nearly a month passed and I was recovering at home; resting, exercising, and eating right. One Sunday morning I took a shower and was heading for the YMCA to do my tri-weekly mile on the treadmill. It was 5 minutes to nine, the Mother's Day breakfast in bed was a success, and I wanted to get to the local church for the 10:30 service. I heard the Lord prompt me, "Go to the 9 o'clock service." I swapped my sweat pants for a pair of jeans and headed to the Vineyard.<br />
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I sat through the acoustic worship, then a sermon on forgiveness - you know, the f-bomb. Both were introspective. I was in the lobby getting ready to leave and one of the elders gave a word of knowledge. "There is someone here this morning with a weak heart which I believe God wants to heal." I didn't even hear him, but a woman that I know came and got me. I went up for prayer. There were only about 20 people there that morning, and God had a plan for David!<br />
<br />
A few days later I sat in the cardiologist’s office. I could hear the nurse whispering to an aide. "Oh my God!" At first I thought something was wrong. I later found out that she had been comparing my EKG from the day I was admitted to the ICU to the one from my appointment that day, and there was a drastic difference! The cardiologist confirmed it with my echo-cardiogram saying that my heart function was now completely normal!<br />
<br />
In fact, I went for my 6 month check up a few days and he said not only was my heart completely normal, but that I had made a full recovery.<br />
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Today I am thankful life itself.<br />
<br />
<b>What are you thankful for?</b><br />
</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-36882763181073689502011-10-15T21:16:00.003-04:002011-10-17T12:24:51.616-04:00Apostolic Reform<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have written many times about issues in the church, but today I want to offer some solutions for free! You may download a copy of my book.<br />
<br />
How good/pertinent is my book? Well, I'd love for you to have a copy and give me some feed back. But before you do, here is what my friend Mark had to say.<br />
<br />
<i>David is part of a emerging generation of Equippers. <b>Apostolic Reform</b> takes a look at the 5-fold ministry with fresh eyes. The book opens the conversation about the importance for New Testament churches and leadership models. This book is a good introduction to the reformation happening in the Ecclesia at this hour. The focus of the book is the Body being equipped and coming forth to fulfill her destiny.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>I recommend that all believers read this book at allow it to challenge you toward a fuller understanding of Apostolic Reformation and Kingdom living.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">- Sr. Leader Village Church, NH</span></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>They say a picture paints a thousand words; likewise, without using many words, this</i><br />
<i>work by David details the 5-Fold ministry gifts of the church, and lays a foundation for a</i><br />
<i>much needed discussion concerning Apostolic reform. Projecting a vision which honors</i><br />
<i>the gifts God has placed in others, and activating them in the framework of a relational</i><br />
<i>team, reinforces the supernatural origins of the 5-Fold.</i><br />
<br />
<i>History reveals that "small unknowns" have both challenged and defeated giants. While this mini-book may look small, it contains revelation of a topic which can topple non-relational, institutionalized religion, which has held relational power infused Christianity captive for centuries. As my dad, who being small in stature says, "I may look small in size, but I am a big man inside", likewise this book contains greatness.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>My hope is that church leadership will catch the heart of this work, embrace its contents, and begin a much needed discussion towards change.</i><br />
<br />
- Daryl Nicolet, Sr. Leader, Faith Worship Center Pepperell, MA<br />
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Download <i>Apostolic Reform - A Fresh Look at the 5-Fold Ministry</i> right <a href="http://www.fireandgrace.com/AS/Files/Apostolic_ReformV4.pdf">HERE</a>.</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-76510223766261717892011-10-07T10:02:00.002-04:002011-10-07T10:44:24.961-04:00My Destiny, and the Passing of Steve Jobs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I had a friend that wept when Ansal Adams, the famous landscape photographer, passed away. Some famous people that I have identified with in life have passed on during my life time: Keith Moon of the Who, Stevie Ray Vaughn of Double Trouble, Tommy Bolin of the James Gang and now Steve Jobs.of Apple.<br />
<br />
I never met Keith, or Tommy Bolin, but I did meet SRV in New York in the 80s. I also met Steve Jobs in Boston in the early 90s. He was talking about the Internet, and his user-friendly Linux operating system <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NeXTSTEP">NEXTStep</a>. He had been banished from Apple and was not far from his alliance with Pixar (Toy Story etc.) NEXT was perfect, yet like so manything Steve Jobs, too far advanced for the average person.<br />
<br />
<b>Steve was just plain intense. Check out the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168122/">Pirates of Silicon Valley</a>.</b><br />
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Why am I emotional about the death of Steve Jobs? Well, 4 reasons.<br />
<br />
<b>-1 I think he was a genius because of his innovation.</b> One does not need an IQ of a bajillion to be innovative. Certainly we owe every cool advancement in computers from the mouse, to the iPad to Apple. Microsoft and Google pale in comparison to innovation. I'm just sayin'<br />
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<b>-2 The most amazing ad during a Superbowl.</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HhsWzJo2sN4" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b>-3 God used Steve's invention, the Macintosh to change my life, my career, and give me a testimony.</b> It was even prophesied. <a href="http://3forjc.blogspot.com/2011/08/recipe-of-my-life-building-blocks-to.html">HERE</a> is the story of me, God and a Macintosh (pictured upper right).<br />
<br />
<b>-4 Eternity: </b>I am not a universalist, and I don't think I will be seeing Steve in heaven. That makes me sad. Life is but a vapor, be eternity is a long, long time.<br />
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I would like to add that cancer sucks, and just maybe, Steve had an epiphany.<br />
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<br /></div>
David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-33820423904619343192011-10-03T07:00:00.000-04:002011-10-03T19:13:37.510-04:00Prophetic School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I just finished teaching a Prophetic School at my church in which there were 60-75 students. It was exciting to see people that have never met one another, deliver a message with amazing accuracy; some of them for the first time in their lives.<br />
<br />
<b>I want to share a couple of other things which were pretty cool.</b><br />
<br />
My friend, Mark Sanchez came down to the school along with my brother Lee and they were wonderful - edifying, and a real blessing. They are a great prophetic team. I am looking forward to ministering with them again in the future.<br />
<br />
Another of my <i>life events</i> started when I felt I was supposed to go to a conference with my pastor. A year later I received a phone call from a guy that I have never met face-to-face, but we have talked to on the phone. His name is Bill Miracle. He called me about a month or so ago, and said: "One of us is going to California." We talked for a little bit and I received the word.<br />
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A few weeks later, I was asked by my pastor to attend a conference in California. I committed to go without having the funds to get there. My friends had been praying for a plane ticket. Not long after I received a word from a woman that I also have not met face-to-face; she lives in Vancouver. Here is her Facebook message to me on September 22:<br />
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<i>"David, I was praying for you this afternoon, and I felt God say that the money for your ticket was going to come from your church, an honorarium, for teaching the course, perhaps?</i><br />
<br />
<i>I could have heard wrong (it's happened lots before), but I'm practicing hearing God and I have faith for you. Let me know how God provides."</i><br />
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At the end of the school, my pastor decided to do an offering. It was unusual because I attend the church and do classes for them all the time. In all the classes I have done we have never had an offering - well until this one. It was enough to fund my trip and also my wife as well.<br />
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<b>I'll let you know how things go in California!</b></div>
David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-10591472888405610422011-09-19T07:00:00.002-04:002023-01-20T09:36:01.913-05:00The New Direction<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you look back over the years of posts here at Fire & Grace, you'll see that God is at work in my life. I am going somewhere, and the next step is pretty well established. I am teaching at the Apostolic School. It is really what I love to do. In addition, it looks like there are some other opportunities as well. I could not be more excited!<br />
<br />
<b>So what is the new direction?</b><br />
<br />
David is taking a new direction in his walk with Christ - no I am not going to become a Buddhist or a recluse, praying night and day - I am being promoted - the Lord has called me to some other areas of the Kingdom which have been on my heart for years! Like any good web site, no one wants to read all the fine print, so here are some FAQs:<br />
<br />
<b>Q. Are you quitting blogging?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A. </b>Mostly, yes. I have been writing blogs since 2005, and there are now over 1000 of them on the Internet somewhere. I am sure you haven't read them all. In addition my weekly contribution on Kingdom Bloggers, the ones I have written on my own site, <a href="http://www.fireandgrace.org/">Fire & Grace</a>, and recently post a few wise cracking blogs about weight loss on MyFitnessPal , there is lots of me to go around for some time to come.<br />
<br />
<b>Q. What will you be doing with your extra few hours a week?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A. </b>It's a good question. I am devoting more time to teaching and ministry, which; is a great honor, privilege and joy. I had a prophetic word about returning to my second love (ministry over a year ago), it is just time. I have written a second book (the first one is free online <a href="http://www.fireandgrace.org/AS/Files/Apostolic_ReformV4.pdf">HERE</a>) which is out for editing. I hope to publish it as soon as I can afford to.<br />
<br />
On a personal level, I am taking care of my health, my marriage, and my family. The heart trauma put a stress on every area of my life. I get up and run 2 miles pretty much everyday, and have dinner with my family every night. It's all good.<br />
<br />
I will be posting from time to time - but there won't be a schedule for now.<br />
<br />
<b>Q. How can find out how all that is going on with David?</b><br />
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<b>A. </b>You can <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/dsjohndrow">follow me on Twitter</a> (or my <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/fireandgrace">ministry</a>), that is the best way. I am going to be writing 140 character blogs on a regular basis, as well as updating those who care. You be able to see my progress working in the Kingdom, the details of my new book, and probably what I had for dinner - I often post grill pictures! Facebook is a good option too- but that is more about posting pictures of my family with goofy expressions.<br />
<br />
<b>Q. Will you miss blogging?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A. </b>Of course I will, but what I loved about it the most was the people, not the words. Please stay in touch, and be blessed. As soon as the Lord gives me a street address in Heaven, I will be sure to post it. Until then, you can find me at FireAndGrace.com.<br />
<br />
<b>Q. Is there anything else?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A. </b>Yes, the teaching and ministry requires travel, and I could use your prayer support. A couple of people asked if they could give financially, and the answer is yes. I need a plane ticket for late October.</div>
David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-84031041181189192432011-09-09T09:24:00.002-04:002011-09-09T09:24:38.449-04:005 1/2 Getting Down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have some good news today!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd8tjknDTjFhUdGDn3ZGaO-_u1_aRoOSSl3Iz_AH0kGzav1i4SOtwYimk-vaxz5MMLU7sRNIdxcMMiyqy5312LLH7goWjthgMdbG-EnAeZ_XN_7hxHHXoQk_KAMW0jk25MVQcnh0SQ9Y/s1600/305083_10150315245944587_598634586_8059797_6023688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd8tjknDTjFhUdGDn3ZGaO-_u1_aRoOSSl3Iz_AH0kGzav1i4SOtwYimk-vaxz5MMLU7sRNIdxcMMiyqy5312LLH7goWjthgMdbG-EnAeZ_XN_7hxHHXoQk_KAMW0jk25MVQcnh0SQ9Y/s1600/305083_10150315245944587_598634586_8059797_6023688_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is where I am heading!</td></tr>
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The good news is after prayer at church my viral panel came back negative, completely healed! As I wrote about a few months back, after being called out with a word of knowledge at church: "someone with a weak heart", 3 days later I had a confirmed echo-cardiogram showing my heart was back to normal.<br />
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<b>Two healings, two major ones! Wow!</b><br />
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I have found that I have two more health hurdles, and I expect the same from God. One of them is potentially serious, while the other is just a knee injury for which I am getting and MRI for later today.<br />
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You can pray for both issues if you like.<br />
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The other good news is that I am down 60 pounds from working out, and eating a bit differently. I have 25 to go.<br />
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Here are 5 1/2 things I am looking forward too:<br />
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1 Buying new shoes that tie, now that i can see my feet.<br />
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2 Putting on my old 32x34 black jeans.<br />
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3 Not wearing 40x32 pants with elastic waist bands.<br />
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4 Putting on a regular length tie that does not miss my belt line by 4 inches.<br />
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5 Getting completely off my blood pressure medication! (I am half way there)<br />
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5 1/2 Never seeing my weight start with "2"<br />
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<b>Tell us about a change in your life that you are happy about?!</b></div>
David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-9975577299230772082011-09-07T07:00:00.001-04:002023-01-20T09:42:38.732-05:00What is Sin Really? Why We are All HypocritesI started this post years ago, and it caught my eye again. I am need of a post, and this one was almost done. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">To listen to a traditional evangelical preach the Gospel, we are quickly aware of the following points.<br /><br />- We are all sinners (Romans 3:23)<br />- We all need a personal Savior: Jesus to be exact. (John 14:6)<br />- The Bible is law and our guide to God's will. (2 Timothy 3:16)<br /><br />Those particular points ask the following questions:<br />- What is sin, and who says so?<br />- What happens when we sin after we are "saved" and have a personal relationship with Jesus?<br />- Why does it seem OK for some to sin?</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<b>What Is Sin?</b><br />
<i>1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.</i><br />
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Sin is breaking the Law, missing the mark set by God.<br />
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The word "sin" is a translation of the Greek word "hamartia" which means to miss the mark.<br />
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<i>Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,</i><br />
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Religious tradition labels many things as sin which the Bible does not. People make up all kinds of rules based on what they think is right. But God is the judge and only God can decree what sin is.<br />
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<i>Mark 7:9 And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!</i><br />
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God has not left us to wonder what sin is. The Bible reveals it to us. We don't have to guess, or make it up as we go.<br />
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Just because you do something someone else thinks is wrong does not mean it is a sin. So don't let people condemn you over things the Bible does not clearly say are wrong. God is the judge.<br />
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<i>Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.</i><br />
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Another error is to think being tempted is a sin. Temptation itself is not sin. You cannot help being tempted. Even Jesus was tempted - but He never yielded.<br />
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<i>Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin</i><br />
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A common mistake is believing that having a desire is a sin. It is not a sin to be tempted with a bad thought. It only becomes a sin when we embrace those thoughts as our own and decide to act on them.<br />
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<i>James 1:15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.</i><br />
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God is against sin because it is deadly. Sin brings forth death, not life and blessing. God loves people, so He is against everything that harms people.<br />
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All sin harms people. (Just because you don't see how a sin would harm anyone, does not mean you know more than God.)<br />
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But no human can be right with God by never sinning. We have all fallen short and need a Savior. It is only by God's grace and His forgiveness that we can be right with God.<br />
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<i>Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.</i><br />
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We can be glad because Jesus came to save sinners, and He paid the price for the forgiveness of all sins by shedding His blood.<br />
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<i>Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.</i><br />
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<b>So what if we are saved, what about those sins?</b><br />
<i>1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.</i><br />
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<i>1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.</i><br />
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<b>It's a pretty good plan!</b><br />
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<b>What do you think, is you faith in Jesus enough to receive His eternal grace and heavenly presence?</b></div>
David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-33410304040932798462011-09-02T04:00:00.001-04:002023-01-20T09:43:24.399-05:00The Call of the WildDon't you find it interesting that a lot of Christians see ministry as a vocation? I belong to a Christian discussion group on Linked In and there was a big to-do about all this. It did make me think, why do people get in the God business any way? Are there folks in ministry that God did not call? Are their folks in ministry that he did call, and they are dormant because they don't fit the religious molds of the church?<br />
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<b>Here is what David thinks about all this:</b><br />
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The indicators of calling are spiritually discerned. If someone is called they would know it in their spirit. For others to recognize the call - in particular a very young person (IE: King David) - it would have to be revealed by the Spirit. <br />
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I teach about being called in our 5-Fold School of Ministry. Here are some of the points I believe are the building blocks of "calling.". <br />
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- Ministry is not a vocation. <br />
- Ministry is not a position. <br />
- Ministry is not a title. (I think that some folks have concentrated on the "office" and not on the role.) <br />
- Ministry if filling a God-given role in the church. <br />
- Those who don't recognize their call are often in religious structures that do not permit, or recognize the role they are called to. There is no one to model it, or a lack of teaching. (The very reason we did the 5-Fold School) <br />
- Intimacy with God defines our call (or the lack of it) I likened it to salvation. There is a point where we cross the line (called), however; we have to work it out and mature. <br />
- Relationship also helps define our role. Paul was in relationship with Timothy and Barnabas. Those relationships helped define the role that he was called to. The same was true of Phillip the evangelist. <br />
- The fruit of ministry confirms a person's role in the church. IE: <br />
The apostle's fruit is sound doctrine, tasks and teams. <br />
The prophet's fruit is revelation, focus on the living word. <br />
The evangelists fruit is salvation and the watering of the saved. <br />
The pastors fruit is is the healing and wholeness of people. <br />
The teachers fruit is imparting the knowledge of God, <br />
They are the equippers for all other roles in the church. <br />
The elders fruits is teaching, and corporate healing. <br />
The deacons fruit is service. <br />
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Those that are called often go through a process: <br />
-1 The Call (Hearing God)<br />
-2 Submitting to Leadership (Learning to be obedient)<br />
-3 Trained through Trials and Testing (Maturing)<br />
-4 Desert Experience (Doing the right thing when no one is looking.)<br />
-5 Reentry into the Church (Doing well in the little things, being a servant.)<br />
-6 Appointment by Elders (Public recognition of the call) <br />
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I believe intimacy with God is the key. If we cannot see what the Father is doing, it is going to be really tough to do it.</div>
David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-39651916845311483292011-08-31T06:00:00.002-04:002011-08-31T06:02:30.422-04:00How Come God is not Logical?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>I am back from blog vacation! I confess, after many years of blogging weekly, I didn't miss it. It gave me time to think more deeply about new topics, and rethink some old ones... my newest topic has been grace and I am actually teaching and online Bible study on Facebook entitled "The School of Grace", feel free to join me for 8 weeks.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s4.hubimg.com/u/5063859_f260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://s4.hubimg.com/u/5063859_f260.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I really hate legalism, wooden literal-ism, liberalism and super-intellectuals when it comes to Bible. I am serious, I have listened to so much "educated" mumbo-jumbo in 35 years I don't know where to start! To top it off I have heard 102,834,727,237,283 people say "I think", followed by a comment that you could't come close to making up with even the most liberal interpretation of the scriptures Therefore; today, I am going to take a look at how Jesus, Peter and Paul interpreted the Torah. It is quite enlightening when you really look into it.<br />
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<b>Here is an example of Jesus interpreting the Scriptures</b>:<br />
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<i>Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”</i><br />
<i> 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'</i><br />
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<b>And what is with Peter, a little too much new wine?</b><br />
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<i>Acts 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:</i><br />
<i> 17 “‘In the last days, God says, </i><br />
<i> I will pour out my Spirit on all people. </i><br />
<i>Your sons and daughters will prophesy, </i><br />
<i> your young men will see visions, </i><br />
<i> your old men will dream dreams. </i><br />
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</i><br />
<b>Folks we need to ask ourselves this question: How the hell do we know what any of the Bible means? We read the books, study the Greek and Hebrew, listen to our seminary educated pastors and teachers, and yet religion prevails, and God is imprisoned in the minds of many.</b><br />
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</b><br />
Much of Christianity spends time pouring over the Scriptures as did the pharisees and the Scribes. And many just like them become educated in everything but the ways of the Spirit. We are taught that when Paul called his past education rubbish (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3:8&version=NASB">Philippians 3:8</a>), that somehow he is speaking of his past life, when in fact he is talking about all the education he had which did NOT bring him to the knowledge of Christ.<br />
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The relationship with the Spirit of God, the inner working of the Holy Spirit and knowing the voice of God are essential for understanding the Scriptures.<br />
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<i>Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.</i><br />
<div><br />
</div>If you read the rest of the the Devil's discourse, and the other places in the Bible where the Torah is quoted, you would think that it was taken out of context - and in truth, it sure seems to be!<br />
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Jesus is very clear about who follows him:<br />
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<i>John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.</i><br />
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<b>God is not logical, He doesn't care if his ways follows scientifically proven "facts" of men, He does't care about your pet theologies, no; He wants you to know Him, to hear Him and to obey Him.</b><br />
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<i>1 Corinthians 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.</i><br />
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How about you, do you hear God?</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-53990224210130099272011-08-26T07:01:00.000-04:002011-08-26T07:01:34.231-04:00...and the Oscar for Christian concepts and sybolism cleverly hidden in a secular film goes to...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Even though I’m completely responsible for this weeks Kingdom Blogger theme, this was one of my most difficult weeks. Not because I didn’t have anything to say…the problem was picking just a single movie/television show to focus on and dissect.<br />
<br />
Those who know me (or regularly read Tony C Today) are already rolling their eyes and waiting for the <em>Lonesome Dove</em> or <em>The Godfather </em>breakdown. Sorry, Not today. While I often spew quotes from either movie like idioms on commitment to family and friends, I want to go with another one of my favorite classics…<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cvBOXQTD6Vk/TlVT6u_fWtI/AAAAAAAABdI/_BztyKj_62U/s1600/shawshank_1024768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cvBOXQTD6Vk/TlVT6u_fWtI/AAAAAAAABdI/_BztyKj_62U/s320/shawshank_1024768.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<em><strong>The Shawshank Redemption</strong></em> <br />
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Has it been done before? Probably. Is it a tad overt? Maybe. But, the scene in the picture here alone warrants a closer look at how a prison movie can depict Christian values/themes. <br />
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The main character, Andy Dufresne, is as Job-like of a character as you will find in modern-day cinema. Convicted for a crime he didn’t commit, Andy is sent to his own person hell at Shawshank prison. But Andy isn’t completely innocent either. While he didn’t actually pull the trigger that kills his adulterous wife and her lover, he did contemplate the act in the movie’s opening scene (Matthew 5:28) and left himself open to incrimination and circumstantial evidence that lead to his judicial fall. <br />
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Upon arriving at Shawshank, Andy is first met by the Bible-thumping Warden Norton who professes to believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. The problem, as we come to realize, is Norton has very little self-discipline in his own life and doesn’t really apply the principles found in his beloved Bible to his life. He may <strong>know</strong> the Bible…but he sure doesn’t <strong>live</strong> the Bible. Norton would have made a great Pharisee. <br />
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After a rough start to prison life, Andy quickly accumulates the right kind of friends…well…as prison friends go that is. One of those friends is an old convict who most of the other inmates look up to called Red. Sentenced as a teenager for murder, Red is the prison ‘go-to’ guy if you need something. Andy’s first encounter with Red is to request a rock hammer which completely baffles the older con. When Red finally fills Andy request, they both share a laugh at the absurdly small hammer and the thoughts of someone being able to dig their way out with something that small.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7RFu79BNuU/TlVT-ez4-jI/AAAAAAAABdM/wtKMbSlNG1g/s1600/shawshank-475x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X7RFu79BNuU/TlVT-ez4-jI/AAAAAAAABdM/wtKMbSlNG1g/s200/shawshank-475x320.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><em><strong>The Shawshank Disciples</strong></em></div><br />
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I believe the rock hammer is symbolic of Jesus for several reasons. First, Andy is in desperate need of Hope, and for him, the rock hammer represents that Hope (Romans 15:4). Red initially rejects that Hope stating <em>Hope is a very dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane. </em>Later in the movie, Andy leads Red to understand Hope by providing him a incentive to continue on with life once Red is released back into the world. Andy writes to Red- <i>Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvbzFLlcsfU/TlVUBUYSuZI/AAAAAAAABdQ/gUn0wEfpLDw/s1600/shawshank-redemption-quotes-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvbzFLlcsfU/TlVUBUYSuZI/AAAAAAAABdQ/gUn0wEfpLDw/s200/shawshank-redemption-quotes-13.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong>Jesus is my rock...hammer</strong></em>.<br />
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The symbolism is further carried out between Andy and the Warden. Despite coming to knowledge that Andy may in fact be innocent of the convicted crime, Norton keeps the information buried because he knows too much about his dirty dealings. During one exchange the Warden discovers the seemingly innocent tool handing it back to Andy with-<em>I'd hate to deprive you of this. Salvation lies within. </em>Later the Warden discovers Andy had, in fact, used the small hammer to dig his way out of his cell while<em> </em>all along hiding the tool in a carved out space in his Bible (which happens to start in the book of Exodus if you pay attention closely). Hope, coming from within the Bible, leads to salvation. Hmmmm. Andy jabs back at the Norton in a letter left for him that states- <em>Dear Warden, you were right. Salvation lay within.</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIqECbqsJDI/TlVUEo-wCRI/AAAAAAAABdU/jaOH4q7Qbg8/s1600/the-shawshank-redemption-1994-bluray-720p-x264-wiki19875022-11-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eIqECbqsJDI/TlVUEo-wCRI/AAAAAAAABdU/jaOH4q7Qbg8/s320/the-shawshank-redemption-1994-bluray-720p-x264-wiki19875022-11-05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>One last point (and I’m skipping many others), the closing scene shows Red reaching Andy<br />
on a beach in a scene many would say looks like Heaven…or at least the Sea of Galilee. <br />
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Watching this film, it's easy to forget this is actually a Stephen King story.</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-84229533329830034622011-08-19T07:00:00.003-04:002023-01-20T09:48:57.540-05:00It's the Truth - Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://goodnessofgodministries.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/fully-presenting-the-gospel.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://goodnessofgodministries.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/fully-presenting-the-gospel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I am eventually going to be teaching at the <i>The School of Grace</i>. It is an awesome opportunity, and a good chance for me to dig into my own understanding of grace. This is one area where I have relied on the teaching of others, and now it is time to go deeper. Even if I don't actually teach on this, grace is part of the freedom I possess by faith.<br />
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I don't like to get too Bible about all this, but this is the central truth of the message of grace, and about who we are in Christ.<br />
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<i>1 Corinthians 16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.</i><br />
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The Spirit of God in us, which has sealed us for the day of redemption, which has regenerated us, the very one that raised Christ from the dead; who is alive (the Spirit that miraculously co-mingles with ours when we came through the door of faith) is the new man!<br />
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<b>If we can simply grasp the very fact that our spirit-man is Christ, that he is seen by God as completely perfect and completely glorious, then we will begin to see how this truth not only set us free, but it sets us free from the law of sin and death!</b><br />
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The Good News of Jesus Christ is not eternal salvation, but that by faith He comes to dwell in us in his fullness capturing our soul and creating a new man (or woman) that has all the qualities of Christ; for which there are many!<br />
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For many years I have been taught 2 things which are suspect. 1) That somehow my sin nature affects my spirit man, and 2) that there just might be something that I need to do to make my relationship with Christ better.<br />
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As it turns out, both are untrue. My regenerated spirit man (new man) has everything that the Kingdom has to offer - the inheritance of the riches of Christ. From the moment I was born again, every bit of Christ was manifest in me. My natural body may not have been aware of it all, but that doesn't make it untrue.<br />
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<b>The work of the cross - salvation - is complete, and there is nothing that I can do to add anything to it. Nothing!</b><br />
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What is holding us back? Releasing the new (spirit) man by a conscious choice so we may connect with the good works for which we were created to do by faith. This becomes easier from spending relational time (not religious time) with the our Father.<br />
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What do you think, is the work of Jesus Christ complete? Tell us what hinders you?</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-89957237816986805642011-08-17T07:09:00.001-04:002023-01-20T09:49:54.540-05:00Who the Heck do You Think You Are?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lh-cc.org/images/JesusWelcome.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://www.lh-cc.org/images/JesusWelcome.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Last Friday I <a href="http://fireandgrace.blogspot.com/2011/08/arent-you-sick-of-being-called-sinner.html">wrote about grace and mercy</a>. Today I want to write about grace from a little different perspective.<br />
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I have a friend that said: :Mercy is not getting what we deserve, and grace is getting what we don't deserve; I'll take both." I like that, but it still makes grace a verb, when the work of Jesus Christ is really a know. How can that be? Well, John said that God is love, and I would submit to you that he is also grace. His person is pure grace, pure love, and pure peace.<br />
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When we connect with the love of God by faith, we become capable of being his love to others. It is the same with grace and peace. We don't extend anyone unmerited favor, we allow the person of Christ to work through us.<br />
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<b>As we release the Spirit, the new man becomes Jesus to those in our lives; in fact we are meant to be overflowing with it!</b><br />
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Here is how I got there. Jesus was 100% man, while he was 100% God; it is possible for God to be many things at one time. His attributes and names number <a href="http://fireandgrace.blogspot.com/2008/11/who-is-jesus.html">well over 600 in the Bible</a>. He is a lot things, but the most important is alive. As he lives eternally, the ebb and flow of the Kingdom of God is consuming souls for eternity! He is constantly at work regenerating men and woman of faith.<br />
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Grace is one of those eternal persons of Christ. It is alive. It has a manifest presence just as his love does, and by faith we can feel it. And he can wrap his arms around us, and live in us!<br />
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We often talk about grace as though it is legal transaction, but it is so much more than that. Grace is the fullness of Christ in us! It is the new man, it is not help to fix the old man.<br />
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How about you, how has grace changed your life?</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257114463060999037.post-65626956511532558682011-08-12T07:05:00.000-04:002011-08-12T07:05:00.311-04:00Aren't You Sick of Being Called a Sinner?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/images/Grace__Faith_and_Works_(part_3_of_4)_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/images/Grace__Faith_and_Works_(part_3_of_4)_001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The first time I heard about grace, it was one of those silly acronyms used in a teaching. It worked, I still remember it after 30+ years. GRACE = <b>G</b>od's <b>R</b>iches <b>A</b>t <b>C</b>hrist's <b>E</b>xpense. It was meant to remind me of the work that was done on the cross for David, and to remind me that salvation is a free gift that I received by faith in that work. At the time it was a sobering message for a selfish sinner. I guess some how I thought that I found Jesus, when the truth was he mugged me at conference.<br />
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<b>Like many other things in the church, the message of grace has been abused in the church. It's been that way for a long time.</b><br />
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Grace is the love of God poured out on those that do not deserve it: murderers, rapists, child molesters, gays and even Democrats and Wall Street Execs. See, I told you it was a sobering message! Some times it is confused with mercy, which is given to those whose hearts will receive it. In the Old Testament, grace is not mentioned with mercy. It is the new covenant, the one in which started <i><b>after</b></i> the resurrection of Christ. The Old Covenant fell under the law, and each year the Jews would make a presentation at the mercy seat. There was a ritual in which they would continually ask God to cleanse them of their sins. That is mercy, the repeal of judgment.<br />
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Until Jesus finished the work on the cross, that is all there was. They didn't have the Holy Spirit, the very power that raised Jesus from the dead living in them. Once Jesus fulfilled the law, not only did the tombs split open and many walk about the city, but each successive generation entered the age of grace.<br />
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For those that ask WWJD, the temptation is to live under the old covenant. Jesus did! He obeyed the law (as it was meant to be obeyed, not some crazy religious bologna!) The cross, however; separates the law from grace, and that is the point of today's blog.<br />
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<b>We live in the age of grace, and it is not only free, but freeing too!</b><br />
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This is the wonderful thing about the life of the Apostle Paul, he only lived in grace after his conversion. That is why he was set against all of the religious junk that he had been taught previously - including some of Peter's junk! Paul walked by faith, lived by the Spirit and presented the "new man" in Christ.<br />
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I have often heard the term, "sinner saved by grace", but that is really not a correct statement - my apologies to John Newton. We are saved by faith in the finished work of Jesus. What takes place in our conversion, is the result of grace. I was a sinner save by faith, and now I am enjoying the fruit of the grace of God which I cannot manipulate; it is a done deal. In the same way a pickle can never be a cucumber, I cannot undo grace, or make it better by anything that I do.<br />
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Not only did the grace of God save a wretch like Paul (and me), but that same grace allowed a new man to be created in Paul, the co-mingling of God's Spirit and the human spirit. It is like God is yellow and I am blue, but together we are green!<br />
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When we receive Christ by faith, a new entity is created which unfortunately lives in an old body. The new entity is eternal, and the old body is corrupt, and it will die. That is why we need a new body in the age to come!<br />
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We are often taught about the battle between flesh and spirit. That is not really the battle. We are never going to be able to make this body (flesh, bone and soul) conform to the things to the Spirit. We need to hear God, and obey by the Spirit. We are going no where under our own power! <br />
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The new entity is entirely the work of grace. The fact that this new entity is eternal, is due to the mercy of God. There is nothing that we can do to earn grace, but to best understand it, we will have to let the old man die - and the sooner the better.<br />
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How about you, are you still presenting yourself as a sinner, or are you letting the new man out?</div>David-FireAndGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13540931140500045826noreply@blogger.com7