nos vemos en el cielo mi hermano Lenny

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, [c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

It is with a heavy heart I write this morning, and I must tell you to start with, this is a word the Lord gave to comfort me this morning in my prayer time.  Yesterday I learned of the death of a man I had known and loved for years, and I am going through a deeply personal struggle. I really needed this word, but I can’t help but feel that there are others who need to hear it as well. So I am sharing it, believing that the Lord will comfort you and bless you as He has me today.

In the above scripture the Apostle Paul encourages believers to put on the armor of God.  Armor that is made available to all that believe.  In fact, as far as I can tell, being a believer is the only qualification one needs to adorn themselves with this armor.  But the Lord spoke this word to me in my prayer time this morning: a believer who has accepted the armor of God, but does not pray, is like a man who puts on a tuxedo on prom night, who has no date, who hasn’t purchased the ticket to get in, and whose car sits in the driveway broken down - all dressed up with no place to go.

Paul tells us that as we take the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit it is to be done in the spirit of prayer.  It is this spirit: this heart, attitude, disposition, and lifestyle of prayer that qualifies us to use the sword of the spirit.  This clearly tells us that we are only qualified to use the sword of the Spirit in and through the spirit of prayer.  No one is properly prepared to use the sword of the Spirit who has not had their hearts and minds prepared through prayer.

The sword in the hand of a non-praying man or woman is as dangerous as a machine gun in the hand of a 3yr old - it can be a means of mass destruction.  But the sword of the Spirit in the hands of a praying man or woman, can break satanic bondage, open the eyes of the blind, bring healing to sick bodies, open doors that have been closed, close demonic doors that have been opened, shake nations and set up the kingdom of God in the earth.

  

The Lord showed me an important principle this morning through His Word: men of supernatural power in the earth have always been men of prayer.  Joseph, Daniel, Elijah, Peter, John, and Paul were all men of prayer.

We can see in God’s Word that Joseph went from the pit to the palace, from a prisoner to a prince because he had a dream from god which was developed through his close personal understanding of God’s plan for his life, which can only be achieved through prayer. We see Elijah on Mt. Carmel as he called down fire from the sky, and the heavens opened and gave rain, because he was used to talking with God and he knew that God would answer when he called. Daniel in a lion’s den was protected from certain death by the power of God: Daniel knew that God was with him because prayer had taught him how to recognize God’s presence.   can read in Acts where Peter and John spoke the name of Jesus and a lame man was healed in Jesus’ name, prayer had set the table for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost upon them and had filled them, baptized them in the Holy Ghost just days before. And Paul, unharmed by its bite, shaking off a poisonous viper into the fire.

But we must never forget that Joseph in the pharaoh’s house, Elijah on Carmel, Daniel in the lion’s den, Peter and John’s miraculous faith, and Paul’s overcoming power were the result of these men in a closet somewhere on their knees crying out to God. The power demonstrated in the lives of all these men to overcome was planted in them through prayer!

I am facing an ocean of sorrow today that is difficult to navigate, the death of someone very special to me, has taken the wind from my sails.  I know that God has guided me through the death of others I have loved, I know that He will bring me through this loss too, but it is only on my knees that I will find the direction to get through this dark hour and the strength to push on.  This new attempt of the enemy to bring me discouragement will not prevail!  My friend Lenny is with the Lord, I will see Him again, I know I will – remembering his smile today reminds me how God used him in my life to encourage me as a young minister over 20 years ago. His confidence in God’s anointing on my life, helped me to gain the confidence I needed to pursue my personal calling.

I might be knocked down, but I'm not out!  The Bible says that, "the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous shall run unto it and be glad!"

Today I got a name, the mighty name of Jesus. And in that name, I will arise from this difficult hour of discouragement, like they used to say in the opening of the old TV show The Six-Million-Dollar Man, "better and stronger" than I was before and with the name of Jesus on my lips, the enemy of my soul will tremble in fear!  

II Corinthians 12:9-10

“9 And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Thank you my friend, you made a world of difference in my life with your smile and kind words - I will miss you for now, but I will see you again and we will once again worship together, and this time it will be around God's Throne!

Adiós mi amigo Leonardo García, te veré en La Tierra de La Gloria!

The Power to Change

I have experienced or witnesses many things in ministry that have had an impact on my faith: healings, prophetic words, and awesome worship. In fact, I can honestly say that I have witnessed all nine of the supernatural manifestations of the Holy Ghost listed by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 12. But for me, by far, the most exciting thing about ministry is when the life of someone is truly and forever changed. When God saves a lost soul, when they repent of their sin, are baptized in the name of Jesus, and filled with the Holy Ghost! I have recently witnessed this take place in the life of someone very close to me, and I’m telling you, I am still walking on clouds this morning as I write this. I serve a God of transformation!

However, I am also concerned this morning. Lately, in the church, it seems that we have adopted some terminology of the world that implies that people don’t really change. Phrases like, “Oh he’s a controller.” Or, “She’s a pleaser,” and one of the most common, “They are co-dependent,” and let’s not forget, “We’re a dysfunctional family.”

I am not saying that these are not legitimate conditions, they do exist, I’m saying that we have been treating them like impenetrable walls that the gospel has no power over. We have been using them as excuses to tolerate situations that need to change.

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth;”

It is the power! What kind of power?

2 Peter 1:3

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

Divine power for everything we need for life and godliness!

Luke 4:18

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”

Jesus said he was anointed to preach and that preaching would have an effect – lives caught in hopeless situations would be changed. The gospel is the power of God to make changes! You hold that power and so do I, so then why are so many in the church living unchanged lives?

First, they do not recognize the need to change. The watering down of the Word, weak preaching, the lack of standards of holiness in many churches has lead people into the captivity of a deceived mind. They have been led captive through philosophies based on human tradition rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8).

Romans 12:1-2

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

I am not okay, you’re not okay! We need to be transformed! We need to daily die to our flesh, so that we can be alive in Christ -we need transformation! Being transformed takes time, a lifetime in fact. We need to be constantly growing through relationship with God advancing on our knees, here a little, there a little; line upon line. I am talking about honest relationship here, not rhyming off dead repetition.

This is not about becoming more and more worthy, as though by our efforts we win God’s favor. It is not about becoming more and more righteous, or about comparing ourselves to others. It is about getting as close to Jesus as I can and having that closeness rub off on me.

I have learned a few things in this life, and recently I have come to understand that change is inevitable, but growth is optional. Are you one of those people who refuse to see the need for change? Are you critical of every new idea? Are you negative about everything, about how the world, or the church or the leadership is going? Do you see yourself as a victim? You need to wake up to the need for change because God has empowered you to do it!

The second reason people don’t change is simply because they don’t want to. Once you see the need to change, then you need to want to change. I mean REALLY want it! Why? The simple reason is that it is way easier not to change. You are the way you are because it’s the easiest way for you to be. The fallen nature of man resists positive change of any kind. If you don’t believe me just try suggesting a change in the order of service at your next church service, but be prepared to run for cover!

Have you ever prayed half-heartedly for something? Half-hearted prayers do not result in change.

James 5:16

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

What is an effective prayer? A prayer that is in line with God’s will, a prayer that is offered in faith.

I want you to notice the fervent part. It speaks of urgency doesn’t it? It speaks of desire, of really wanting this thing done.

Hebrews 11:6

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

The diligent seekers are rewarded. Have you not noticed that when you get serious with God things happen? Think about the things you really prayed through, the things you woke up in the night to pray about, the things you fasted about; these are the things that get done.

How do you get to that place of really wanting change? I think you must spend time on it, thinking, meditating, write it down. Envision how your life will be different once you’ve changed, think about the future if you don’t do it.

Once you have recognized the need to change, and you have decided that you really want to change, then you take the step to really change:

Acts 2:38

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

And once you have allowed the Holy Ghost to begin your transformation, once faith has taken root in your life, you must fight the fight of faith to keep it. “Keeping the change” has a whole new meaning in this instance! Friends listen to me! Here, is the sad truth, if you take a break, if you lie to yourself and say just a little won’t matter, you will go right back to your vomit.

This is the fight of faith! You have an enemy who does not want God to be glorified by the changes in you. He does not rest; he will continue to yell lies at you.

2 Corinthians 10:5

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

I know that God can change you, because He changed me, and I have seen Him change so many others. There are no chains that He cannot break! There are no addictions that He cannot deliver you from! There is no sin that He will not forgive. God loves you, and He’s waiting for you to surrender to the power that saves.

If We Only Believe

John 2:1-11

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, they have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Joel 2:23

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.”

Haggai 2:9

“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.”

We serve a progressive God, everything about Him is progressive, He is always moving forward, always building, and always outdoing Himself.  He never changes, but He never ceases to amaze us with His awesome power.

Jesus had a ministry full of miracles from the beginning to the very end.  Jesus’ ministry began with a miracle that most would call insignificant, He turned water into wine, certainly this was no life or death situation, but His earthly ministry quickly progressed into opening blind eyes, making the lame to walk, casting out devils, feeding the multitudes, and raising the dead.

Jesus, “who being in very nature God,” was completely unfamiliar with the word impossible.

Matthew 19:26

“But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

Mark 9:23

“Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

Most of the time when we look at difficult circumstances and conditions of the world around us we tend to see impossible conditions: darkness, confusion, hopelessness, perversion, and corruption. We naturally tend to consider these situations impossible.  I remember a conversation I had with my pastor a few years back, during which he shared with me that he had been invited to speak at the local high school for the anniversary of 9/11 on the topic, “Hope for America.”  I am ashamed to confess that my reply was very cynical. I asked him, “There is no hope for America, is there?” 

He quickly replied, “Only God brother, only God.”

I look at the news and see how now we have begun putting Christians in jail for refusing to violate their faith and I see a nation that in my mind has gone beyond the reach of truth.  I see the impossible, but Jesus looks at what we consider the impossible, and He sees a perfect opportunity for a miracle.  He sees the perfect backdrop for a display of His glory.  What appears to me, in my natural mind, to be a breakdown in the fabric of our society, may just be a setup for a Holy Ghost breakthrough!

No wine at the wedding: the reputation of the groom was at stake. The people were expecting a party that would last for days, and they wanted more wine, but there was no more wine in their cups or in the kitchen.  Here we see a need, a desire, and a potentially embarrassing situation.  Then Jesus takes the case.

Then there was the case of Jairus the ruler of the synagogue, whose daughter was at the point of death: Jesus heads for Jairus home to heal her, but a messenger interrupts them on the way there with the message, “Trouble the master no longer, thy daughter is dead.”

Now the stage is set:  Guilt is the first response, “why didn’t I come sooner, why did I let my pride stand in the way, I should have listened to my wife.” 

Now grief sets upon him, “My daughter is dead, only 12 yrs. Old.” 

Followed by anger, “We might have made it if that woman hadn’t stopped Jesus, now she’s healed and my daughters dead.”

And then finally hopelessness, “He was my last hope.  I heard how he turned the water into wine, and healed the nobleman’s son and delivered the demoniac, but my daughter is not sick, nor demonized she is dead and now there is nothing that can be done.”

Then the words of Jesus penetrate his thoughts, “Fear not only believe.”

The house is filled with mourning, weeping and wailing, death is hanging in the air, and all that the man sees is darkness, hopelessness, grief, sorrow, and pain.  But Jesus sees the perfect opportunity for a manifestation of the God’s glory…”Little girl I say unto thee arise!”

What a mighty God!

Through the Apostle's gospel accounts we have seen Him turn water into wine, feed the multitudes, heal the lame, restore sight to the blind, walk on water, cast out devils and raise the dead.  Surely we have seen Him at His best, surely we have seen the greatest manifestation of His power and glory, right?

No!  Our God is far greater than that!  Let me tell you something He told me in prayer today, “You ain’t seen nothing yet man of God, the best is on the way!”

One day when Jesus was doing ministry with His disciples the news came to Jesus telling Him that, “He whom thou lovest is sick.”

So Jesus and His disciples headed to Bethany.  Upon their arrival Lazarus had already been dead for several days, not seconds, not minutes, not hours, but days.  The stone has been rolled in front of the tomb.  The stone speaks of finality. The stone says, "Call the fat lady and tell her to start singing because it’s over.' the Stone tells us the situation is beyond our reach, the sickness is incurable, the chains of addiction are unbreakable, the marriage is beyond repair, and the rebellion of our children is irreversible.

His sisters told Jesus that if He would have come earlier, He could have healed Lazarus, we believe you could have kept him from dying, but now it’s over.

Isn’t it amazing how we so often put limits on God?

He can do this but not that, He has the power to stop something from happening, but He can’t turn it around.  Nonsense!  My Friends listen to me this morning! Brothers and sisters that’s where we so often miss the point! The entire Bible from the front cover to the back is a book about turnarounds.

In our carnal minds we say, “You’re too late Jesus.”

But Jesus says, “Take away the stone!  Lazarus come forth!  Loose him and let him go!”

When we watch the news today we are seeing a society that is out of control.  America is no longer a Christian nation.  Every single day we hear of how God is being rejected and removed from our schools, our holidays, and in some cases even the church.  

Christmas has become a time for parades, and celebrations, but Christ is left out. 

Easter is a time for egg hunts, and rabbits, and dinners, and parties, but the power of the resurrection and the miracle of eternal life are left out.

We are seeing the spirit of perversion, worldliness, and corruption, not just sneaking into our churches, not hiding in our pews, but filling our pulpits and preaching their perverted self-serving gospel that is leading people into greed and lust.

Jeremiah spoke of a similar time in Israel’s history:

Jeremiah 5:31

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”

Another scripture that clearly defines the spirit of this generation:

Isaiah 5:20

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

If we allow ourselves to, we can look around and see what’s happening in the world, we can assess how terrible it is, we can get depressed, go into hiding, and say it’s hopeless.  Or we can look in the Word of God and see that our best days are ahead of us, we haven’t seen anything yet, God is just getting wound up.

The devil may think he’s winning, he’s thought that before… 

When he had all the children killed by Pharaoh to try to keep God’s promise from being fulfilled, but God put His promise in Pharaohs house, and let the Paharaoh raise him!

When the children of Israel were trapped at the red sea entangled in the wilderness, the Egyptian army behind them, but God turned the red sea into a highway!

Yes the devil is working hard, and yes we see the evil and the wickedness and the perversion, but don’t turn off the switch of faith - God is up to something big!

We must recognize the truth that was spoken at the wedding in Cana, "You sir have saved the best for last!"

Let the devil paint the darkest, saddest, the most perverse and corrupt picture of hopelessness and despair, and sin that he has ever painted, and then if we 'only believe,' we can sit back and watch Jesus turn it into a backdrop for the greatest display of His glory this world has ever seen!

Created For Power

Acts 1:8

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Contrary to popular belief, God is not a distant God. He has made His presence known to man throughout history. Before the fall, the Lord actually walked in the garden and conversed with Adam face to face. In the book of Exodus, God appeared and spoke to Moses in a burning bush; he manifested himself as a pillar of fire and a cloud to guide the Israelites through the wilderness. The Lord was in the flames with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God robed himself in flesh and made His dwelling place among us. The Holy Ghost guarantees the presence of God in the lives of all born-again believers.

Acts 2:17-19

"17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:" 

And now God has chosen to use us to manifest His power to the world through the believer's life. You were created for the power of God. We have been born of the Holy Spirit, filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, taught by the Spirit, kept by the Spirit and empowered by the Spirit.

There are only two powers on the earth: the power of God and the power of the devil. There is nothing in between. We struggle between good & evil, light & darkness, and love & hate. The Word of God clearly shows that a person cannot serve two masters. You are in God's Kingdom, or you are in Satan's Kingdom. There is no middle ground. You cannot claim you live in Gods kingdom and derive your pleasure and your enjoyment from Satan's. (I Corinthians 10:21; I John 1:6; Ephesians 5:11)

As a child of God you have a divine call on your life: Matthew 5:13-14, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

"You are the salt of the earth." Salt has healing properties; it preserves, seasons, and creates a thirst. The continuing presence of the Holy Spirit in you causes your life to be a channel of healing and comfort, a seasoning and preserving influence. It makes your life exciting and joyous.

"You are the Light of the world." His Holy Spirit causes your life to be a beacon in the night. Your life, your words, and your attitude become a light to those who are in darkness. 

Now is not the time for indifference. Now is not the time to stand by and watch as the enemy of God destroys lives.

I heard a story once of a man who was found at the beach throwing star fish back into the ocean, the tide had washed them up onto the beach, and they were dying. Some teenagers came by and saw what he was trying to accomplish, and they shouted, "You're wasting your time, you'll never make a difference, there are too many here to save!"

As the man lifted another star fish and threw him back into the ocean he said with a smile, "it made a difference to that one."

Satan's best friend is the lukewarm Christian, they're a false representation of Jesus, and they drive people away from Christ rather than draw them to him. 

There is nothing that Satan fears more than to see God's people on fire for Him. There is nothing Satan desires more than to see the energy of God's children perverted in the pursuit of natural earthly, sensual, and selfish desires or wasted wrapped up in an attitude of indifference.

God wants to set your life on fire. He wants to fill you with His power, release you in fields ripe for harvest, give you the power to witness, set free those in bondage to addictions, and lay your hands on the sick and see them healed.

You were created for power.

There is only one answer for the brokenness of this world, Jesus, and He cannot be found in anything other than the Power of God.

We were created to live in the atmosphere of the supernatural Power of God. As a fish, living on land would be unnatural and abnormal. It is unnatural and abnormal to be called a Christian and have no power in our lives and no taste or desire for the presence of God.