Are you poisoning your body with your toxic thoughts?

Romans 12:2 And do not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God created our minds to process thoughts based on experience. Every experience stimulates a thought which is accompanied by an emotion. All emotions can be categorized as either positive – faith based emotions or negative – fear based emotions. Some thoughts and emotions we notice, some we do not.

Fear based emotion is not always bad. When ancient grandmother met a wild animal, fear prepared her to fight, run, or become ‘dinner.’ Her body produced chemical and electrical responses to cause faster heartbeat, higher blood pressure, and shallow breathing so she could fight or run. Even after she reached safety, the ‘fear-produced’ chemicals remained. But if these fear based chemicals were not eliminated before the next threat, they were stored in her body and new ones released.

Rarely are we threatened with being eaten but we can experience intense and repeated fear – such as from trauma or abuse. Our bodies also release potentially toxic chemicals, like those in grandmother. If these toxic chemicals are not flushed, they are stored in our bodies in ‘toxic waste dumps.’ Stored toxic chemicals set us up for future diseases – a far more likely reality for us than being eaten by a wild animal!

When we repeatedly rehearse emotions from our negative experiences, such as anger, rage, bitterness, un-forgiveness or grief, we produce extra toxic chemicals. These chemical toxins, unnecessary for survival, are then stored in our ‘toxic waste dumps’ and our chances of getting sick increase.

Research suggests about 87% of all diseases are connected to thought life and only 13% to diet, genetics and environment. Studies link more chronic diseases to an epidemic of toxic emotions in our lives which cause illnesses such as migraines, hypertension, strokes, cancer, skin problems, diabetes, infections and allergies. [Who Switched off My Brain? Dr. Carolyn Leaf]

Scientists now suggest that damage done by our toxic thinking can be undone by taking control of our thought life and renewing our minds! The good news is the Bible gave us ways to avoid these diseases before they were even discovered by scientists!

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Noted learning specialist Dr. Carolyn Leaf agrees when she says love is the biggest helper in controlling fear that causes toxic thoughts. The perfect love of Jesus can eliminate toxic waste from our minds and bodies.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

For more information about toxic thoughts and emotions read, Who Switched Off My Brain, by Dr. Carolyn Leaf

By Ida Cowart

ida@seattlerevivalcenter.com

WALK OF LOVE SUPPORTS ORPHANAGE

SEATTLE - The Seattle Revival Center 5K “Love Walk” to support the completion of the Tecoman House of Love, a home for orphaned children in Colima, a state in central Mexico, will be held Saturday, June 8 at Lake Boren Park at 13058 SE 84th Ave in Newcastle. Step off is at 10 a.m. with a special love walk for kids 12 and under starting at 11 a.m.

The House of Love or Hogar Amor Orphanage with10 houses throughout Colima serves a total of 150 orphaned children. Hogar Amor Tecoman, the newest orphanage home to be added to the group, seeks to provide a ‘home’ like atmosphere for up to 15 children and one set of house parents. 

More information on Colima orphange

Registrations are available on-line at www.seattlerevivalcenter.com5K or starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Cost for adults is $25 per entrant and $10 for children 12 and under. Walkers, runners and strollers are welcome.

For over ten years, the people of Seattle Revival Center have supported of the Hogar Amor children’s home ministry. This ministry, which was birthed out of a desire to rescue and care for children who were orphaned, abandoned and mistreated, seeks to provide each child with love, acceptance, security, approval and identity.

Please register for our 5K or Donate TODAY!!

HOGAR DE AMOR Y PROTECCIÖN AL NIÑO A. C.
(Home of Love and Protection for Children)

In January 1992, this children’s home ministry, which was started by the church Grupo Amor here in Colima Mexico, opened its doors to receive children at risk. This ministry was birthed out of our desire to rescue and care for children that were orphaned, abandoned and mistreated. With the help of many churches, businesses and individuals in Mexico as well as throughout Canada and the USA, it has grown from just a few children to over 150 children in care to date.

CASA MATRIZ ages 6—11
The majority of our children are not true orphans in the sense that their parents are no longer living, but rather that they are children at risk who need protection from abandonment, neglect, abuse and poverty. Many of our children arrive very emotionally damaged because of how they have lived.
Our objective is to provide them with the same support that should be normally found in a loving Christian home, including providing for their emotional and spiritual needs as well as their physical well-being.

For the children to experience normal emotional development, it is necessary that they receive love, security, acceptance, identity and approval. It is our mandate to provide loving, capable, Christian caregivers to model Christ’s love and compassion to the children. This is as important to their emotional growth as good nutrition is to physical growth.

The children come to us from circumstances very contrary to what we have just described. It is a huge job to help them gain confidence first in themselves, and then in the people around them.
In the time that we have been working with these children, we have seen some incredible changes in their lives. The children come to us for various reasons. Many have one or both of their parents in the prison. Others have been mistreated and removed from their parent’s care for their own safety. Some children have been totally abandoned by one or both of their parents. It is a pleasure to see the children begin to leave their past hurts and loneliness behind and embrace the love that is offered them.
This ministry began in a rented house, and in time we were able to purchase a building we call the Casa Matriz, that now accommodates 44 children 6—12 years of age.
In May 1997, the ministry opened a second home to care for our young men, aged 12 and over. At this age they move from the Casa Matriz to this home where they are given responsibilities and privileges more appropriate to their age.

In March 1998, we began a third home for our children under six years old. These little ones need special attention, as well as a “baby-safe” place to play and explore. In March 2001, we dedicated a new building for preschoolers adjacent to the Casa Matriz.

CASA CUNA ages 0—5

In May 2001 we opened a new home for our teenage girls with the desire that their personal and spiritual needs could be better attended to. We have room for 12 teen girls on the top floor of the pictured building, and a separate home, called Casa Leonel, for 16 children aged 6 and up, on the main floor. This second home targets children in sibling groups where they will not be separated as they get older.

CASA LEONEL Sibling groups ages 6—18

This Easter...

get ready to sink...

“I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross.  In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?" 

- John Stott

What:  Illustrated Sermon / Drama

When: Marh 31st,  10AM and 7PM

*Children's Church & Nursery will be available Sunday morning only!

Harvest 100 Kickoff Special Guest James Levesque:

Script:

(Right click on script below, and click "save as" to download script)

Is it true today - That when people pray - Cloudless skies will break - Kings and queens will shake?
Yes, it's true - And I believe it - I'm living for you
Is it true today - That when people pray - We'll see dead men rise - And the blind set free?
Yes, it's true - And I believe it - I'm living for you

I have been thinking lately about revivalist and history maker Evan Roberts. Evan was a young Welsh coal miner and smithy. At twenty five years old, the Lord began to wake him up at 1:00AM each morning for fellowship; often times he would not return to bed until 5:00AM. One day he visited a church meeting where an evangelist named Seth Joshua was preaching and he heard the evangelist pray, “Lord, bend us.” The Lord spoke to young Evan and said, “That is what you need.” At the following meeting Evan experienced a powerful filling with the Holy Spirit.

“I felt a living power pervading my bosom. It took my breath away and my legs trembled exceedingly. This living power became stronger and stronger as each one prayed, until I felt it would tear me apart. My whole bosom was a turmoil and, if I had not prayed, it would have burst…. I fell on my knees with my arms over the seat in front of me. My face was bathed in perspiration, and the tears flowed in streams. I cried out “Bend me, bend me!!” It was God’s commending love which bent me… what a wave of peace flooded my bosom…. I was filled with compassion for those who must bend at the judgement, and I wept. Following that, the salvation of the human soul was solemnly impressed on me. I felt ablaze with the desire to go through the length and breadth of Wales to tell of the saviour”.

Evan Roberts began contending for a hundred thousand souls and had two visions which seemed to validate what he was praying for. Roberts began conducting small prayer meetings at his church and a bowl of revival began to tip. There was weeping, shouting, crying out, joy and brokenness. Some would shout out, “No more, Lord Jesus, or I’ll die”. This was the beginning of the Welsh Revival.

In two years, 150,000 people gave their lives to Jesus and numerous churches and chapels were planted throughout Wales. Lives were completely transformed, lifestyles were changed, and home and families were healed!

Martin Smith, (the lead singer of Delirious?) continues to sing his questions and answers,
Well, it's true today - That when people stand - With the fire of God - And the truth in hand
We'll see miracles - We'll see angels sing - We'll see broken hearts - Making history

I believe that Seattle Revival Center has been called to make history. God is establishing a work that will be meaningful enough to change natural outcomes through supernatural means and practical exploits. I believe that together, as we are interwoven inextricably with the agenda of Heaven, we will be spectacular enough to influence the course of history. Together we are stronger; as we dwell together in unity, God will release an epic blessing with regional implications. It is time for us to engage, forgive others of past hurts and, if need be, ask for forgiveness of others. It is time for us to get involved, not in our own solo musical performances, but in the corporate choir of Heaven. It is time for us to allow the person of the Holy Spirit to possess us, to rest in and upon us. I am reminded of Brian Johnson’s song, “For the sake of the world, burn like a fire in me.” May this be the cry of our heart’s, “Oh my God, for the sake of Seattle, BURN like a fire in us.

God has called us to be plot changers, atmosphere shifters… history makers.

Thursday

Session 1 7:00PM Bobby Conner

Friday

Sessions 2 10:00AM Bobby Conner

Noon lunch

Session 3 2:00PM Paul Keith Davis live via Skype

Session 4 7:00PM James Maloney

Saturday

Session 5 10:00AM James Maloney

Noon Lunch

Session 6 2:00PM Bob Jones – live via skype

Session 7 2:45PM Bobby Conner

4:00PM Dinner

Session 8 6:00PM Conner / Maloney Impartation

To answer these questions we have to look at the Biblical definition of peace, or shalom. When most of us think of shoes of peace we think of Birkenstock sandals or hippy shoes (converse with neon peace logos pasted all over them). Many of us have had our worldview of peace constructed by John Lennon, Liberal College professors, and the UN. The picture of shoes of peace that Paul paints for us are those of a Roman soldier: they are war shoes and actually part of the soldier’s armor. When you see pictures of a soldier’s shoes, they don’t exactly communicate “peacefulness.” Josephus, the 1st-centuryRomano-Jewishhistorian, described a Roman’s shoes as “shoes thickly studded with sharp nails” . . . so as to ensure a good grip. The military successes both of Alexander the Great and of Julius Caesar were due, in large measure, to their armies being well shod and thus able to undertake long marches at incredible speed over rough terrain.” These “shoes of peace” looked like golf shoes on steroids.

Why would you call war shoes, shoes of peace? For the same reason that you would calla Colt Single Action Army Revolver a Peacemaker.  The Hebrew word for peace is not a noun but rather a verb, “shalom.” The word communicates the action of destroying the anarchy that brings anxiety. Shalom is not only the end but also the means to that end. Shalom is the act of driving out disorder, chaos, lawlessness, and rebellion, hence the Colt .45; when a sheriff would pull out his Peacemaker revolver from his holster, mayhem would tend to cease.

There is a big difference between keeping the peace and making peace. Librarians keep the peace, police officers make peace. If you are keeping the peace then you have to assume that you are in an atmosphere where there is the lack of craziness and disorder, the room is quiet, and you are a facilitator of that peaceful place, but if you are in an atmosphere where there is madness, then a librarian will not do: you need a police officer.
Passivity will never pacify a pool of hungry piranhas. I just made that up; maybe I should turn it into a t-shirt. Here’s my point, while counterfeit meekness may grease you up enough to squeak through some awkward situations, your lack of courage may be opening the door to injustice and lawlessness.

Ahab and Jezebel
In 1 Kings, we are introduced to King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, an un-godly and passive King, and his demonically inspired, puppet-master wife, who ruled over the Kingdom through her husband. In the story, both Ahab and Jezebel are enemies of God.

A seasoned apostle once told me that the spirit of Jezebel is a spirit of lawlessness. Lawlessness brings chaos, so it is fair to say that it is anti-shalom. When people refer to a “spirit of Jezebel”, they are usually referring to a demonically inspired disposition of manipulation, hatred of spiritual authority, emotional pressure, witchcraft, obsessive sensuality in its pursuit of power. The name Jezebel literally means, “without cohabitation”, meaning she will not cohabit with those she cannot dominate and control (see 1Kings 16:29-33, 1 Kings 18, 19:1-2, and 21:1-25). When people refer to an Ahab spirit, they are usually referring to a demonically inspired disposition that manifests in little regard towards sin, obsessive addiction to work or alcohol, enjoyment of childish things, sulking, temper tantrums, viewing spouse more as a parental figure than an intimate companion, unknowingly attracted to controlling/manipulating people, would rather be with friends than family, filled with self-doubt, dislikes God-given authority to make decisions, unable to cope with spouse, may result in unhealthy competition and jealousy, does not lead and criticizes those who do, and may feel inadequate to support family, frustrated, and prefers to be out of the home.
Many Christians confuse an Ahab spirit with a spirit of shalom, thinking that as long as we “play the game” we can avoid conflict and remain in peace. The truth is that, where there is an Ahab, there is a Jezebel, and I can assure you that such environments are not conducive to peace: they are actually open doors for the enemy to come and wreck havoc.

Justice
So what is peace? Peace is the act of executing justice, dispelling anarchy, and seeing God’s agenda of redemption and restoration carried out in relationships between God, Man, and all of Creation. In the scriptures, we see that justice is actually defined as shalom. This is modeled in 2 Kings 9:30: Jezebel hears that Jehu (whose name means “Jehovah is He”) is coming to Jezreel and she dolls herself up and comes to him to inquire why he is there. Positioning herself high on the wall overlooking the gate where he is about to enter, he ignores her question and responds to the eunuchs who are alongside of her asking, “Whose side are you on?” Jehu was asking the eunuchs a very important question. He was asking them if they were on the side of peace or lawlessness, righteousness or anarchy, order or mayhem. He yells up, “If you are on my side, throw her off the wall!” The eunuchs had enough discernment that they made peace; they buckled up their shoes, they picked her up, and threw her off the wall.

Christian musician David Crowder once said, “Justice is not pulling people out of a raging river. Justice is walking up the river to see whose throwing everybody in, and dealing with them.”

Whose side are you on?
So maybe you are alongside of chaos, and craziness, and maybe it’s all you know. Perhaps as far back as you can remember dysfunctional conversations and chaotic relationships were the norm. Is there, somewhere within your spirit, a tension of dissonance: the sense that the melody line that’s been sung to you since you were a child, is actually out of key? Are you now singing that melody out of key? Is there a Jezebel, a frog, a fly, a mosquito, standing next to you, trying to convince you that their presence is normal and healthy? Perhaps Jehu is coming to town and perhaps he doesn’t address your chaos; he addresses you. Perhaps you’re the only person who can deal with the cause. Perhaps you are being asked right now the very same question, “Whose side are you on?”
Maybe it’s time to swat the fly.

40 HEALING SCRIPTURES TO BE READ DAILY

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3

1. The Word of God will save your life. My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. (Prov 4:20-22 NKJV)

2. God’s Word will not fail. Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. (Josh 21:45 NKJV)

3. God’s will — healing– is working in you. for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:13 NKJV)

4. The Spirit of Life is making your body alive. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.(Rom 8:11 NKJV)

5. God is for you. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2 Cor 1:20 NKJV)

6. It is God’s will for you to be healed. And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Mat 8:2-3 NKJV)

7. Obey God’s Word and be healed. “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” (Ex 15:26 NKJV)

8. Serve the Lord and healing will be yours. “So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. (Exo 23:25 NKJV)

9. God takes all sickness away from you. “And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. (Deu 7:15 NKJV)

10. Obey all God’s commandments and receive all His blessings. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. (Mal 3:10 NKJV)

11. One of God’s benefits is healing. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psa 103:1-5 NKJV)

12. God’s Word is healing. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. (Psa 107:20 NKJV)

13. God wants you to live. I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD. (Psa 118:17 NKJV)

14. Choose to live. Be a fighter! “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (Deu 30:19 NKJV)

15. You will live a long life. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” (Psa 91:16 NKJV)

16. Jesus bore your sins AND your sicknesses. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isa 53:5 NKJV)

17. God will restore your health. For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,’ says the LORD, ‘Because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; No one seeks her.”‘ (Jer 30:17 NKJV)

18. You can take authority over the sickness in your body. “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Mat 18:18 NKJV)

19. Agree with someone for your healing “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. (Mat 18:19 NKJV)

20. What you say will make a difference. So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. (Mark 11:22-23 NKJV)

21. Believe, and you will receive. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:24 NKJV)

22. Plead your case to God. even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted. (Isa 43:25-26 NKJV)

23. Have someone lay hands on you for healing. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV)

24. Worship God. “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. (John 9:31 NKJV)

25. The devil wants to kill you; God wants to heal you. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 NKJV)

26. You are redeemed from the curse. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal 3:13-14 NKJV)

27. You will not waiver in your faith. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:23 NKJV)

28. You can have confidence in God and His Word. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (Heb 10:35 NKJV)

29. You can find strength in God and His Word “…. Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’” (Joel 3:10 NKJV)

30. Jesus Christ has never changed. What He did in the Bible, He will do for you today. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb 13:8 NKJV)

31. God’s highest wish is for you to be well. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:2 KJV)

32. Be anointed with oil by a Christian who believes in healing. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15 NKJV)

33. Jesus has already paid the price for your healing. who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Pet 2:24 NKJV)

34. Be confident in your prayers. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15 NKJV)

35. God answers the prayers of those that keep His commandments. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. (1 John 3:21-22 NKJV)

36. Fear is not of God. Rebuke it! For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7 NKJV)

37. Cast down those thoughts and imaginations that don’t line up with the Word of God. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Cor 10:4-5 NKJV)

38. Be strong in the Lord’s power. Put on His armor to fight for healing. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Eph 6:10-17 NKJV)

39. Give testimony of your healing. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Rev 12:11 NKJV)

40. Your sickness will leave and not come back again. What do you conspire against the LORD? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time. (Nahum 1:9 NKJV)

In Luke’s gospel, chapter 1, is the announcement of John the Baptist’s birth, the announcement of Jesus’ birth, the visit of the two mothers, along with Zacharias’s prophecy. In that prophecy he says; “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into way of peace. Luke 1:78,79 

The Christmas Season is upon us again and, is it just me, or do you also feel like we just took the tree down and put away the decorations. It seems the older I get that time is speeding up. Before you know it, Easter will be upon us. 

According to this prophecy of the Messiah, the Dayspring shall guide your feet into the way of peace. How do your feet feel? Where are your feet taking you these days? Has doing life become frenzied, hectic, busier than a swarm of bees? Do you find yourself, around the Holidays, feeling physically tired, spiritually dry and perhaps driven to a state of weariness? Then maybe its time to let the Christ of Christmas guide your feet into peace.

The word peace here is the Greek word eirene (eye-ray-nay). It means a state of rest, quietness, and calmness; an absence of strife. It denotes a perfect well being. Eirene includes harmonious relationships between God and men, men and men, nations, and families. Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace, gives peace to those who call upon Him for personal salvation: a peace that the world cannot give. Sometime back, a brother in Christ told me of an outreach that they did during the Holidays into the malls where they would approach individuals who they discerned needed peace, which is probably not uncommon in the mall during the shopping season. They would talk to them in a casual way and then ask them if they would like to experience the peace that Jesus spoke of in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” If the person was willing they would then ask permission to place a hand on the back of their neck and the other on their forehead and then they would simply pray “Receive the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Every time they did this, the anointing would tangibly touch them and they became relaxed and at ease. They then used the opportunity to share the Good News with the person, prayed for them and led several to Christ. I love the different ways that God will partner with us as we take risks and step out in faith to see Him touch a life.

Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28; “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light”

Jesus did not come to bring us a new religion, or to place heavy burdens upon us, and then expect us to struggle and strive to perform in our daily walk with Him. He came that we would have life and life more abundantly. We find rest for our souls when we lay the burden of our sins, guilt and shame at the cross, where He became our substitute sacrifice. We receive Him as Lord and Savior and we enter into His rest, His finished work. We walk with Him daily knowing it is not by might, nor by our power, but by His Spirit that we accomplish all He has destined for us. We gain strength through the promise of Isaiah 30:15: “For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Spending time with anyone will develop a relationship; it is the same with God. Quality times of waiting on the Lord, worshiping, listening, sharing your heart and your needs, and listening to Him speak into your heart, by His Spirit, through your daily readings of His Word cause us to grow in our relationship with Him bringing intimacy that produces the fruit of spiritual growth. We begin to love Him more and receive His love for us, whereby we accept ourselves and love ourselves in a healthy way. This enables us to better love others.

Christ in us is able to guide our feet into the way of peace in our daily relationships with others. We come as peacemakers not trouble makers. The heart of the Father for keeping the unity of the faith and walking in love is our desire as we relate to one another. “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing.”-1 Peter 3:8,9 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. “- Ephesians 4:32.

When there is peace in your relationship with God, and in your relationships with others, you are in a state of true rest. Of course, sometimes the reactions of others are outside our responsibility and control however, if we have done our part to check our hearts before the Lord and walk in forgiveness and bless and not curse, we can have peace with God and the peace of God. It is my prayer that the Spirit of Christ this Christmas will guide your feet into the way of peace to find rest. Why not take a step of faith and, as a Believer, place one hand on your forehead and the other on the back of your neck and simply pray: “I release the Peace of Christ into my soul today, the peace that only Jesus can give and I receive it in Jesus Name!”

To answer these questions we have to look at the Biblical definition of peace, or shalom. When most of us think of shoes of peace we think of Birkenstock sandals or hippy shoes (converse with neon peace logos pasted all over them). Many of us have had our worldview of peace constructed by John Lennon, Liberal College professors, and the UN. The picture of shoes of peace that Paul paints for us are those of a Roman soldier: they are war shoes and actually part of the soldier’s armor. When you see pictures of a soldier’s shoes, they don’t exactly communicate “peacefulness.” Josephus, the 1st-centuryRomano-Jewishhistorian, described a Roman’s shoes as “shoes thickly studded with sharp nails” . . . so as to ensure a good grip. The military successes both of Alexander the Great and of Julius Caesar were due, in large measure, to their armies being well shod and thus able to undertake long marches at incredible speed over rough terrain.” These “shoes of peace” looked like golf shoes on steroids.

Why would you call war shoes, shoes of peace? For the same reason that you would calla Colt Single Action Army Revolver a Peacemaker.  The Hebrew word for peace is not a noun but rather a verb, “shalom.” The word communicates the action of destroying the anarchy that brings anxiety. Shalom is not only the end but also the means to that end. Shalom is the act of driving out disorder, chaos, lawlessness, and rebellion, hence the Colt .45; when a sheriff would pull out his Peacemaker revolver from his holster, mayhem would tend to cease.

There is a big difference between keeping the peace and making peace. Librarians keep the peace, police officers make peace. If you are keeping the peace then you have to assume that you are in an atmosphere where there is the lack of craziness and disorder, the room is quiet, and you are a facilitator of that peaceful place, but if you are in an atmosphere where there is madness, then a librarian will not do: you need a police officer.
Passivity will never pacify a pool of hungry piranhas. I just made that up; maybe I should turn it into a t-shirt. Here’s my point, while counterfeit meekness may grease you up enough to squeak through some awkward situations, your lack of courage may be opening the door to injustice and lawlessness.

Ahab and Jezebel
In 1 Kings, we are introduced to King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, an un-godly and passive King, and his demonically inspired, puppet-master wife, who ruled over the Kingdom through her husband. In the story, both Ahab and Jezebel are enemies of God.

A seasoned apostle once told me that the spirit of Jezebel is a spirit of lawlessness. Lawlessness brings chaos, so it is fair to say that it is anti-shalom. When people refer to a “spirit of Jezebel”, they are usually referring to a demonically inspired disposition of manipulation, hatred of spiritual authority, emotional pressure, witchcraft, obsessive sensuality in its pursuit of power. The name Jezebel literally means, “without cohabitation”, meaning she will not cohabit with those she cannot dominate and control (see 1Kings 16:29-33, 1 Kings 18, 19:1-2, and 21:1-25). When people refer to an Ahab spirit, they are usually referring to a demonically inspired disposition that manifests in little regard towards sin, obsessive addiction to work or alcohol, enjoyment of childish things, sulking, temper tantrums, viewing spouse more as a parental figure than an intimate companion, unknowingly attracted to controlling/manipulating people, would rather be with friends than family, filled with self-doubt, dislikes God-given authority to make decisions, unable to cope with spouse, may result in unhealthy competition and jealousy, does not lead and criticizes those who do, and may feel inadequate to support family, frustrated, and prefers to be out of the home.
Many Christians confuse an Ahab spirit with a spirit of shalom, thinking that as long as we “play the game” we can avoid conflict and remain in peace. The truth is that, where there is an Ahab, there is a Jezebel, and I can assure you that such environments are not conducive to peace: they are actually open doors for the enemy to come and wreck havoc.

Justice
So what is peace? Peace is the act of executing justice, dispelling anarchy, and seeing God’s agenda of redemption and restoration carried out in relationships between God, Man, and all of Creation. In the scriptures, we see that justice is actually defined as shalom. This is modeled in 2 Kings 9:30: Jezebel hears that Jehu (whose name means “Jehovah is He”) is coming to Jezreel and she dolls herself up and comes to him to inquire why he is there. Positioning herself high on the wall overlooking the gate where he is about to enter, he ignores her question and responds to the eunuchs who are alongside of her asking, “Whose side are you on?” Jehu was asking the eunuchs a very important question. He was asking them if they were on the side of peace or lawlessness, righteousness or anarchy, order or mayhem. He yells up, “If you are on my side, throw her off the wall!” The eunuchs had enough discernment that they made peace; they buckled up their shoes, they picked her up, and threw her off the wall.

Christian musician David Crowder once said, “Justice is not pulling people out of a raging river. Justice is walking up the river to see whose throwing everybody in, and dealing with them.”

Whose side are you on?
So maybe you are alongside of chaos, and craziness, and maybe it’s all you know. Perhaps as far back as you can remember dysfunctional conversations and chaotic relationships were the norm. Is there, somewhere within your spirit, a tension of dissonance: the sense that the melody line that’s been sung to you since you were a child, is actually out of key? Are you now singing that melody out of key? Is there a Jezebel, a frog, a fly, a mosquito, standing next to you, trying to convince you that their presence is normal and healthy? Perhaps Jehu is coming to town and perhaps he doesn’t address your chaos; he addresses you. Perhaps you’re the only person who can deal with the cause. Perhaps you are being asked right now the very same question, “Whose side are you on?”
Maybe it’s time to swat the fly.

 In November of 2004, a ten year study came to an end in Adelaide, South Australia. The objective was to examine the link between relationship and survival. The question was essentially, do people with strong friendships live longer, healthier lives? The participants included one thousand, four hundred and seventy-seven seniors (ages seventy and older), living in community and residential care facilities. The data concluded that the best way to live a long and healthy life was to be surrounded and supported by friends. I won’t bore you with the data; instead I will jump to the conclusion of the study,

“Survival time may be enhanced by strong social networks. Among older Australians, these may be important in lengthening survival.”1 

So what scientists are learning, and what sociologists seem to have always known, is that, though vitamins, supplements, and exercise are good – if you want to be healthy – truly healthy – you need to be actively and honestly doing life with friends.

Now you might be thinking, I don’t need “friends,” I have my family. The same Australian study found that the effects of community with children and relatives were not significant with respect to survival. Here is what this means: your spouse, children, and siblings don’t cut it.

“In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn’t terribly well appreciated,” said Rebecca G. Adams, a professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. “There is just scads of stuff on families and marriage, but very little on friendship. It baffles me. Friendship has a bigger impact on our psychological well-being than family relationships.”2

Family is not an excuse to live an isolated life – and your family is not evidence that you are not isolated. In the Bible, God looks down at pitiful Adam and says, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” This is true, and yet there are many married men who are still alone. In the same way, there are many women who have great marriages but still feel isolated and lonely.

In 2008, researchers studied thirty-four students at the University of Virginia. They took the students to the base of a steep hill and then placed weighted backpacks upon them. Students were then asked to estimate the steepness of the hill. Some participants stood next to friends during the exercise, while others were alone. The students who stood with friends gave lower estimates of the steepness of the hill. And the longer the friends had known each other, the less steep the hill appeared.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says,
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

The New Testament word for church is ecclesia; it communicates the idea of a group of people who have been called out of something and assembled together for a militant-like purpose. The New Testament believers understood that the church was called to consist of many sober-minded and watchful groups who understood the hunting methods of the enemy. Acts 2:46 tells us that day-by-day the believers would meet together to fellowship, eat together, worship, and even go to church together. It was in this context of community that Christianity flourished and grew not only wider, but deeper.

As much as I love inner healing and church services, there is a specific kind of deliverance that I believe can only come about as a result of relationship, and a freedom that can only truly come through laughing and having fun.

When was the last time that you laughed until you cried? When was the last time that you spit soda pop out your nose? When was the last time you stayed up way too late telling stories and bad jokes? When was the last time that you didn’t have to worry about your responsibilities and you gave yourself permission to be childlike? Maybe it’s been too long.

This fall we have the opportunity to intentionally connect with other brothers and sisters in a setting of Net Groups. There will be men’s groups, women’s groups, geographically located groups, topical groups, and activity groups.
There are a multitude of defeater beliefs that are committed to keep you isolated; they are exposed in the billion excuses why these group’s will not work for you, but perhaps this new knowledge will empower you with three reasons to consider connecting into a small group:

#1 Your spiritual safety
#2 Your physical health
#3 Vitality to your mind, will, and emotions. (True Happiness)

Am I saying that if you connect to a small group that you are supernaturally going to be more spiritually safe, physically healthy, and happy? Yes. That’s what science, sociology, and scripture tells us and I can personally testify that I have experienced this to be true as well.

You Are Loved!
Darren

We do not live in a perfect world and many in authority have lost sight of the One who has empowered them. When God’s design is not followed, boundaries become blurred and one authority can step into areas that were intended for another, even with no evil intent. But we all too often experience abusive authorities that misuse their positions. The following stories from scripture show just how serious God is about the sovereignty of His established authority structures and His defense of those who remain in and honor covenant relationships.

God defends the family

A family that is in covenant relationship with God has a mighty partner to defend them. When the state overstepped its boundaries and violated a sovereign family, we see God take action. In 1 Kings 21, King Ahab wanted the vineyard of his neighbor Naboth and offered to buy it or trade him another vineyard in its place. Naboth refused the King’s offer because he treasured the inheritance he had received from his fathers. Naboth made it clear that the land was to remain in the family and surely he wanted to be a good steward of it. As a result, Ahab became so sad he refused to eat and even remained in bed. As the story continues, Jezebel, his wife, asked him if he was not ruler over all Israel. She challenged him to rethink the boundaries of his authority as king and suggested he had the right do what ever he wanted. She then devised an evil plan to kill Naboth and seize his property. Ahab allowed her to take over and run with her plan to falsely accuse Naboth so that he might be stoned to death.

This is an example of a governmental authority ignoring God given boundaries and the authority structure of the family. Naboth received an inheritance passed down by his fathers. It was not to be sold or traded but to be preserved for succeeding generations. When the state violated the family, it invited the wrath of God. God spoke to Elijah and gave him the following word for Ahab. “Where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, so shall the dogs lick your blood.” In this instance, we see God defending the authority of the house of Naboth. The king used his authority to violate the sovereign authority of Naboth’s family through manipulation. In turn, God sent Elijah to decree judgment upon Ahab and his family.

In yet another case, recorded in Genesis 14, God defends Abraham’s nephew Lot because of the family covenant. Lot and his family were taken captive by invading armies along with all the people of the city of Sodom. When Abraham heard of it, he sent his 318 men to their rescue. Because Lot was part of the covenant family with Abraham, God came to their defense, empowering the small number of men to defeat armies and regain all the captives and all the goods that were stolen. The whole city of Sodom, even though wicked, benefited from God’s covenant promise to one family that lived among them.

God defends the Priesthood

In another case, God defends the sovereign authority of the priesthood. In 2 Chronicles 26, we read of Uzziah the king entering the temple to burn incense. The authority to do so was given only to the priesthood, the sons of Aaron. The scripture says that Uzziah had just finished admiring all the powerful weapons and armaments he had developed and was feeling mighty and strong. In that moment of feeling great strength, he stepped beyond his authority to offer burnt incense to God. When confronted by the priests in the temple he became angry. The thought of there being an area that was off limits to him was maddening. In his failure to honor the boundaries and authority of the priesthood he became leprous. In that moment, we see God acting to preserve His divine authority structures.

In yet another instance, recorded in 1 Samuel 13, King Saul and the people of Israel gathered together as Samuel the priest was to offer a sacrifice to God. Samuel was running late and Saul became impatient while waiting for him to show up. Saul saw that the people were also becoming restless and began to leave the scene. Saul then stepped in and offered the sacrifices that God had given Samuel the authority to do. When Samuel finally arrived and saw what Saul had done, the word of the Lord came to Samuel saying that Saul’s actions would cost him his position as king.

Why do you suppose we do not see this kind of divine intervention when the state violates the authority of the family or the church? One might say it is because we are living under grace today and not the law. But we do see an example in the book of Acts, chapter 12, where Herod was eaten alive by worms because of his persistence in violating the church and failing to recognize God as the highest authority. Herod stretched forth his hands to afflict certain leaders of the church. He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword and, because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter as well. The church prayed and God intervened by sending an angel to set Peter free and He later smote the king.

When God’s people honor all who are in authority and do not take matters into their own hands, God will, in His own time and in His own way, defend His people. We are to curse not and to bring no accusation against them, even those who have an evil agenda. Second Peter chapter 2, verses 10 and 11, describe some who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, despising government, being presumptuous and self willed, and are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might (than men), bring no railing accusation against them (authorities) before the Lord. In these verses, Peter describes the evil product of false teaching that will come into the church. These false teachers obviously taught that speaking against government officials was the proper way to bring about needed change. This idea is still propagated by false teachers today.

In the book of Jude, verses 8 and 9, we read of a group of people described as filthy dreamers who defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil about the body of Moses dare not bring against him a railing accusation, but said: “The Lord rebuke thee.”

These portions of scripture make it clear what God thinks about speaking evil and accusing those in positions of authority. Even Michael, the archangel, would not speak against Satan, the one who had fallen from heaven in rebellion, but left it up to God himself to speak the rebuke. Though Satan totally misused and abused his God given position, to the point of being cast down from heaven, Michael refused to dishonor him, lest it also reflect defilement back upon his own position. Becoming critical and judgmental of another sets the stage for our own demise.

We all want to see God intervene on our behalf and cut off our enemies, but are we taking matters into our own hands and becoming judges? We must take care not to follow the example of those who despise authority or speak accusations against them. Such things are false teaching and practices that only empower our enemy. We will not win the war waged upon the family and the church by hurling accusations at those in authority. That will only postpone God’s actions on our behalf. Honoring and praying for all who are in authority is God’s way for us to turn the battle over to Him and to see the victory.

- John Scheda

Joshua 6:1 says “Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in." This city was locked up tight so that the children of Israel might not possess it. Many times it can feel like the promises of God are just out of our reach; that the devil and demonic forces are doing everything to keep us from possessing what is our inheritance. The good news is that, not only did God say he would give us Jericho, but He also said, in verse 2, “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.” The Lord is saying not only is the land yours, but the authorities that governed the land have been defeated, stripped and given to you! The devil and his demonic warriors have been defeated and you have authority, in Him, over them to receive the inheritance promised to you that they may be blocking. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 28:18: "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” and then, in Luke 10:19: "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

When the LORD said “See I have given Jericho into your hand”, He was speaking in past tense terms. The battle is the Lord’s and He sees us from a place of victory. It was a faith statement to them but a reality to God; something that they were to possess because it was already given to them. The Lord was also specific in His strategy on how to possess the land. He told them to march around the city once per day for six days. Six in Hebrew is “vav”. Vav is a nail or peg, in Hebrew. It is also a conjunction (“and”), for it takes a nail to connect two things. Do you not know that he who is joined to the Lord is one Spirit with Him. (ICor 6:17) You are His hands, feet and mouth in the earth today. As He is, so are you in this world.

Six is the number of man, for man was created on the sixth day (Gen. 1:24-31). Man was also to labor for six days before entering into the Sabbath rest (Ex. 20:8-11), and the Hebrew slave was to serve for six years.
During this time of marching around the city, Joshua gives them orders to not shout or make any noise with their voice or speak word out of their mouth, until the day he tells them to shout. We are told, in scripture, to guard our heart, for out of it flow the issues of life. Jesus said out of our hearts the mouth speaks. Matt 12:34 During times of standing on the Word of God, or believing for your miracle, it can be important to keep a guard on our lips so we do not give place to unbelief or doubt. Defeater beliefs and Word curses can keep you from receiving your victory. They were to wait until the seventh day when the priests would begin blowing the trumpets as they carried the ark of His presence before them.

Chapter 6 and verse 4 says “And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times and the priests shall blow the trumpets.”
The number seven in Hebrew is “zayin”: it means completion, Spiritual Perfection. Zayin is a weapon in Hebrew. The perfect weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, by which spiritual warfare is accomplished, for the “weapons of our warfare are not carnal” 2 Cor. 10:4. God also rested on the seventh day. They were given a promise and now the Lord was calling them to inherit that promise through rest: resting in God and what He said was theirs to possess. Through faith and patience (steadfastness) we inherit the promises of God. (Hebrews 6:12) Not striving faith, or faith in your faith, but as Mark 11:22 says “Have Faith in God.” Out of our relationship, knowing that He is faithful, we rest in His Goodness: that every promise in Him is yes and amen in Christ. From here we declare what God has promised in His Word to be true. The things described in the Word of God are not potentialities, they are realities. A decision of faith is a decision you make to possess something you don’t have the ability in yourself to possess, but you’re trusting the Grace of God to enable you to possess it. The walls standing between you and your promise land will come down as you rest in His love and boldly announce, like a trumpet, the Word of God.

- Greg Daley

Those of us who have gone to one of the home improvement stores to buy building materials have surely experienced searching through lumber piles to find a straight board. I always like it when I find a freshly opened sling of 2x4’s so I don’t have to move aside so many warped and twisted sticks to get what I need. It is very difficult to build anything straight with a bunch of bent boards.

In recent days, we have heard the term remnant used to describe a group of people that God will raise up in the last days to do the works that Jesus did and even greater works. It is a mysterious sounding title for a group of people but I always thing of carpet remnants, a collection of left over pieces of rug that were not needed to complete the installation. They just did not fit into the structure of the builder’s project. These left over sections of carpet are sometimes gathered up and placed in a store for sale. Many people come to check their colors and size them up to see if they would fit into their plans but, too often, they are just further rejected.

If this sounds familiar, or if you can identify with these rejected building materials, you are in good company. Jesus, Himself, was the stone rejected by the builders but has become the head of the corner. He is the Chief corner stone and the one who is in charge of gathering the building materials for His church. He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid, as it were, our faces from Him. (see Isaiah 53:3). He is gathering a remnant, a group of rejected people that the builders tossed aside. All those who have been warped, twisted and bent out of shape are just what He is looking for. The ones who were not good enough or did not have a pleasant appearance are on His shopping list. God is the master builder and He knows how to fit every piece into the place designed for it.

I remember, back in the seventies, burl wood furniture; clocks and end tables, just to name a few, were very popular. A burl is like a huge wart that sometimes grows into the main trunk of a tree. Loggers often leave that section of the tree behind because it doesn’t make good lumber: it is too tough to work with. But there were those furniture builders who would go around looking for those discarded chunks of log because they knew what was on the inside and what they could become. Though these pieces of wood were very difficult to work with, once the master builder completed the transformation, they were the most beautiful and stunning pieces of furniture around.

The demons of Hell have been at work to defile and disqualify us from being used by God but the very ones that they have opposed so violently will be the very ones to put the final nail in their coffin, so to speak. Jesus said “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” - Greg Daley

The prophet Micah said “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

As God challenged my attitude toward this one I worked with, and changed my heart, the wall came down and relationship was established so I could speak into his life, with a real concern for him as a person. In fact, when he left the airline, he told me I was the only person there who had treated him with dignity and respect.

Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost and that is our calling, as well. I understand that some believers are called into the Political arena to serve. I feel we are called to serve the Lord in different ways, with different callings. My calling is not to be overtly, directly political because I am a pastor. I certainly can be involved politically by faithfully voting and praying for those in authority but one has to be careful because, when you are political, you draw lines in the sand and you tend to make enemies. Yet there are others who are compelled to be political. In the human body we have all sorts of organs and body parts with different functions. Each may not come into contact with the other but they work together for the good of the Body.

Often Christians will point a finger and say “God get them” instead of “God save them”. Hopefully we can balance out the political folks with the evangelistic or pastoral folks and all get on our knees and say, “God pour out your Spirit on those in the gay community and bring revival!”

2 Cor. 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

We have the joy of sharing the Good news of what God has done through Jesus Christ to reconcile all to Him who believes on His Son. I remember a testimony by the great evangelist Dwight L Moody who was approached by a woman who worked in an adult dance hall for men. She asked him, “If I come to Christ do I have to give up dancing?” He replied lady, “When you come Christ you can dance all you want to” She got saved in one of his meetings and then came up to him and said, “You were right, He took all the ‘want to out”! It was a changed heart, as a result of being Born Again that turned her life around. Sure, beyond the event of the new birth there can be a process of healing and the renewing of our minds but the Divine Seed planted began its work of establishing the Kingdom within. Jesus Saves.

So how do I respond or reach out to someone who says that they are gay? Personally I don’t think it’s my duty right off the top to tell the Gay or Lesbian what I personally think of their lifestyle. There is, of course, the concern for their salvation but that should be true of all people. Sy Rogers was asked the question “what if someone asks me ‘Do you think it is wrong to be Gay?’” The answer is “Why are you asking me for my opinion, it is God’s opinion that matters. And, if his opinion matters, why don’t you stop surrounding yourself with others who will tell you what you want to hear and start reading the Bible to find out what God says about it and ask God’s Spirit to guide you into truth.” You see, the truth is, if they really care to know, God will really care to show them. Do you remember Jesus replying to a man who asked a moral question in order to get the Lord to side with him? Jesus replied “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" Luke 12:14-15

What if they say, “Well God has made me gay or I was born this way”? Again, Sy Rogers suggests the way to approach this might be “Ok, for the sake of argument, let’s just say God allowed this. I understand you may have had these tendencies of same sex attraction for a long time and maybe even from birth. However, I bet you He does not want it to define and control you but to encourage you toward Him. He wouldn’t want it to be your lord and master; He wants to be your Lord and Master. I thought about that and realized that would be the same for me as a heterosexual. God would not want a strong attraction for those of the opposite sex to define or control me.”

Lately I have been meditating on Proverbs 22:11 “He who loves purity of heart, and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.” I need the friendship of the King, Jesus, with me as I engage with the non-believer, for it is “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. Zech 4:6
The Love of God, reaching out through us to those bound in sin, is key. Speaking the truth is important; however, speaking it in love is powerful. - Greg Daley

Seattle Revival Center is proud to be a part of the BURN(30) movement.

The Burn is diverse in expression, non-denominational in affiliation, simple in focus, and missional in practice. Burn “furnaces” host monthly, weekly or sometimes daily sessions of unending worship, prayer and adoration that last anywhere from 12 hours up to 100 hours nonstop. Various worship and prayer teams take 2 hour shifts as the “watchmen on the walls.” 

Come contend, worship, and blaze at Seattle Revival Center on June 22nd starting at 6PM.

BEFORE YOU MAKE THE BIG DECISIONS, ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS! As a pastor, I greatly value those in my life who ask me questions. These questions can reveal the extent to which I have thought something through or the aspects of a situation that I have failed to see. If questions have the ability to take the tires off my idea, then I can be sure that my idea wasn’t street safe to begin with. Before you make a BIG DECISION (assuming it has first been submitted to the Lord), I would suggest that you submit the idea to a few people in your life who love you and who will ask you the hard questions. Give them permission to ask whatever they want and assure them that you know they love you and care for you and, based on this knowledge, that you have chosen to refuse to get angry.

THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION
Million dollar questions are the relevant questions that we can’t answer or haven’t thought through yet. When you get stumped by a question, don’t be embarrassed: this is the point. When people ask us questions it exposes what we know. Hosea 4:6 says: “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. ‘Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.’” Ignorance may be bliss, but it may also get you killed.

THE MILLION DOLLAR INVESTIGATION
If you don’t have answers, then you have a mystery and every good mystery requires a good investigation. In order to get started, first identify experts and witnesses who have the knowledge and testimony to address your situation. If your investigation is spiritual, setup an appointment with your pastor; if financial, setup an appointment with a financial planner; if relational, setup an appointment with a Christian councilor - and be well warned, when you meet at these appointments you are going to be asked some very good questions but, remember, you are the one conducting the investigation. You must go to these appointments with some premeditated questions that will arm you with the information you need to make a wise decision.

This applies especially well when interviewing for a job. Too many times we are so desperate for work that we lose our investigative skills when being interviewed. Keep in mind that you could end up working forty plus hours a week at this place – in light of that – shouldn’t you be asking the questions? Is this company deserving of you? The only way to find out is to ask good open ended questions (questions that can’t be answered with a yes or no). When asked, and you will be asked, if you have any questions, flip the page of your notepad and reveal the page(s) of amazing, premeditated questions and flip the interview. You are the one who is going to have to make the hard decision, not them.

ASKING RHEMA QUESTIONS
When I look back in my life I can see many opportunities that I failed to take advantage of because I was more interested in sharing what I knew (in hopes of impressing people) than attaining wisdom by listening attentively and asking great questions. It was in a conversation with Chad Dedmon that I first heard the term “rhema” questions; the thought behind this term is that, when we have the opportunity to spend time with seasoned veterans (in any area of life i.e. business, education, government, things of the spirit, etc.), we would diligently seek the Lord in advance, the same way we would seek him for a prophetic word, etc., for timely, divinely inspired questions. If you don’t know what to ask, ask God and he will give you the most amazing questions that will pull out life changing answers. “Rhema” questions are prophetic questions that will bring forth answers to mysteries.

On May 24th, Paul Keith posted on his Facebook wall: In a dream recently, the Lord told me we are not asking the right questions. He is prepared to reveal "great and mighty things" but, on the whole, we seem to be focused on the more elementary principles. Of course, there are exceptions in the remnant. These are the last days when ALL the mysteries will be fulfilled in a body of people. Let's press in!!

READ
There is a great saying, “Leaders are Readers.” What this truth is stating is that leaders are continually learning, being equipped and empowered. This is one question that I always ask people that I admire, “What are you reading?” If it is a subject that interests me I will jot down the title and author on an app on my phone so that I can go back at a later moment and track down the book. The average American reads 3-6 books a year. That same average American will also watch about 35 hours of television… this week! That’s 35 hours that could’ve been invested into your own development and growth. If you want to lead anyone, you’ve got to take that time back.
We have recently been studying Ephesians 5-6 at Seattle Revival Center and learning about relational dynamics in marriage, parenting, and work. Perhaps this sermon series has stirred up questions. I have included, in this Newsletter, an article of recommended reading that might help equip you for your investigation and perhaps lead you to a Biblical application in the light of God’s gracious and glorious love. - Darren Stott

 by Greg Daley

     I believe that, today, Father is preparing His Church for a move of God that will be fueled by His Love overflowing through us to the lost and the prodigals, to those in need of His compassion and grace. We no longer are just learning about Father’s love, but we are beginning to experience the Holy Spirit manifesting His love into our hearts and transforming our families. It is no longer enough to just to teach on God’s love, but love expressed is to be the true test of our relationship with God. We are living in an hour when the social crisis in the nations is fatherlessness; therefore, the need for us to minister out of a deep personal experience we have had in Father’s love.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:5-6)

The Spirit of Elijah is a Fathering Spirit being released to change the orphan heart. John G Lake saw it in a vision: "I can see... that there is coming from heaven a new manifestation of the Holy Spirit in power and that new manifestation will be in sweetness, in love, in tenderness,... beyond anything your heart or mine ever saw. The very lightning of God will flash through men's souls. “ - John G Lake

I believe the last great move of God in the earth shall be distinguished by over whelming love. A baptism of Love poured out from Christ to His people and returned again to Him - True Worship.

The Father’s love is not just a message for healing life’s hurts. It is not another nice teaching that we place upon our bookshelf. Father’s love is the bookshelf from which everything we teach and do is to be rooted and grounded (Eph. 3:17)

 I believe the last great move of God in the earth shall be distinguished by over whelming love. A baptism of Love poured out from Christ to His people and returned again to Him - True Worship.

 God created each of us with a longing for intimacy -- intimacy with Him. We must, therefore, come to some understanding of what He is asking of us and what He is offering. We must come to the realization that we were created to fellowship with our Creator. Jonathan Welton said “Revelation is the place where the heart and the mind come into agreement and form a foundational belief system” Identity flows out of a person’s revelation.
Our minds need to be renewed but our hearts need to experience His love. Revelation changes us this way.

We need Him and He desires us. “God desires us?” Yes! He wants us, desires us. He gave the very best He had, in His only begotten Son, to redeem what Adam relinquished in the Garden. And He did it for intimacy. Intimacy never involves just one person. As the old adage goes, “It takes two to tango.” God has gone to great lengths to dance with mankind. From the time He walked with Adam in Eden, to this day, His desire hasn’t abated or changed. So passionate was His desire after Adam and Eve sinned, He worked intensely throughout time to bring humanity back to a place of intimate communion. He gave the ultimate Gift so He might walk with us in the garden of our lives (John 3:16). From the midst of the Garden, the Lord called out to Adam. Today He is calling out our names, waiting to share His heart with us, waiting to hear our hearts expressed to Him.

Now that we better understand God’s desires for intimacy, let’s consider what it entails. What does it mean? Is it hard to attain? I submit to you it is not a difficult endeavor. All it requires is a simple look upward and, to yield and receive the love that He longs to pour out. It is not a hard thing. We just get too busy.

The biggest hindrance to communion with God is our perception of who He is. Basing our perception of God’s character on the ungodly actions or attitudes of others will skew our understanding of His nature. Often circumstances in our lives prevent us from drawing near. Yet David says, in Psalm 27:10: “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” In other words, regardless of who abandons us, betrays us, or hurts us, the Lord is ready, willing and able to embrace us. Like the Father in the story of the prodigal son, in Luke 15:20, the Father “saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” Fell in the Greek is epipipto (ep-ee-pip'-to); it means to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence): in other words A Big HUG!

The biggest hindrance to communion with God is our perception of who He is.

SRC Missions Update

At the beginning of the year, our team of Elders met to thank the Lord for what he has accomplished in 2011 and to strategically plan for 2012. One of the areas that we discussed was our domestic and international mission’s strategy. Historically, we have defined missions as our endeavor to assist and empower the poor, widows, and orphans. The tension we felt with this mission statement was that it lacked the requirements given to us in The Great Commission [Matthew 28:16-20]. With our growing concern in the issues of mercy and justice issues (i.e. HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, child soldiers, illiteracy, gender- based injustice, and extreme poverty), we felt a need to clarify our missions objective. We agreed upon a twofold strategy:

Evangelism – The propagating of the gospel by preaching or personal witness, therefore meeting the requirements of Matthew 28:16-20.

Justice – The act of restoring shalom and the ministering of God’s redemptive and restorative power on behalf of the helpless and hopeless. [Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8; James 1:27]

On February 12th, Nancy Valnes joined us and shared with us the radical endeavor that God is launching her into. For the last fifteen years we have supported Nancy as a church as she has spent her life throughout Africa, using her nursing degree and gifting to educate, counsel, and administer care to people living with HIV/AIDS. When Nancy was with us, she shared how she is being called to Russia to teach HIV awareness in churches and schools and to establish rehabilitation programs and community settings. Her goal is to help prevent new infections and reach people most at-risk for HIV infection, who are often marginalized in society. She also will mobilize Christians to help those with HIV to find hope and promise of new life in Christ.

On April 15th, you will have the opportunity to meet Phil Martin. Phil is the National Director for Compassion2one, a Christian nonprofit actively involved in rescuing children around the world from sexual exploitation and providing rescued victims a life of safety and joy. Phil will be bringing information on human trafficking and the need for the church to get involved. An informational meeting will follow shortly at SRC for those who want to learn more.

Coffee
I am also excited to announce that we are converting from Folgers coffee to Eurasia Coffee. Eurasia Café is a Christian nonprofit that gives their profit to Eurasia projects. Eurasia Café, in partnership with the Eurasia field workers, is working to address spiritual emptiness, extreme poverty, human trafficking, refugee displacement, HIV/AIDS, education, and other issues.

Unreached People Groups
When we consider our task, it’s impossible to overlook the significance of Eurasia’s 4,400 unreached people groups made up of 1.88 billion people. About two-thirds of all UPGs are in this region, and of the 100 largest unreached people groups in the world, 73 can be found in Eurasia. Reaching groups who have never heard the message of Jesus is a central focus for Eurasia Café. One such group is the Tatar people, a group who live across Eurasia.

Trafficked Victims
Eurasia Café partners with Project Rescue, a ministry to victims of sex trafficking, focused on holistic aftercare. Project Rescue’s Deepika Vocational Center, in Kolkata, India, is a focus for our efforts. Deepika has helped dozens of girls escape the exploitation of the brothel and begin to earn a wholesome living. But, 75,000 girls and women remain in the 23 red-light districts of the city.

We will be serving a decaf blend, a medium blend, and a bold blend (known as Freedom Blend). Freedom blend profits go directly to Project Rescue.

Impact
We are an influential church that is making an impact in the region, as well as the nations. It is so much fun to network and partner with individuals and organizations who likewise desire to see God’s Kingdom come and his will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. God is at work, his light is shining bright, and we are getting the opportunity to really be the body of Christ - indeed, it has begun.

FEATURING: PAUL KEITH DAVIS

 Join us for a special weekend of intimate worship with special singer/songwriter Julie True and anointed teaching that will change your life so you may experience 'The Father's Embrace.'

Friday, April 27th at 7:00pm

Saturday, April 28th at 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 7:00pm

Sunday, April 29th at 10:00am, and 7:00pm

*No registration!

**No childcare available for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night session's.

Meet Julie True:

e. rebekah@seattlerevivalcenter.com

p. 425.228.0810

A True Fisherman

In loving memory of Bud Gilmore

He credits God for such a beautiful sky while walking in the early light.

Dew covers the tall grass along this favorite path.

He knows each fork and where they lead.

Waking birds just start their morning song.

Now the sun barely peeks.

Finally just over the hill he spots the white mist upon the lake.

His face doesn’t show it, but his childlike excitement grows with every step.

Carefully he sets down the tackle box and leans his pole on a dried out branch.

Oh, the quiet thrill he gets from snapping on a favorite lure while anticipating that first cast.

The line sails and the lure disappears into the mist and makes the familiar plurp sound. Instantly the reel goes into action and the rod tip bends slightly.

The tip wiggles as the lure winds through the dark water.

Like a thousand times before, that instant tug triggers a response, set that hook!

The thrill always the same, fish on, tugging and writhing.

This was my Dad and this was his joy!

Like a thousand times before, he knew His joy and he knew His peace and he shared his joy as a real Fisher of men.

Marshall Gilmore January 20, 2012 Miss you Dad.

Wonderful testimony of God's healing power at work. If you, or someone you know needs special prayer for cancer please visit one of our services or e-mail us at prayformesrc@seattlerevivalcenter.com.

In 1948 a major Holy Spirit Revival broke out in North Battleford Saskatchewan. This revival touched much of the world and sixty years later is still influencing many Christian Ministries.

Jim Watt is the last living elder who experienced the Latter Rain Revival.

			Declaration 2012

To register for Declaration 2012 CLICK HERE!

Paul Keith Davis will be returning to Seattle Revival Center May 4-6, 2012 with Jason Hooper.  No registration necessary for event.

		Declaration 2012
		He has written numerous articles appearing in various Christian publications, including the MorningStar Journal, Charisma and Church Growth International. He has also written four books including “Thrones of Our Soul,” “Engaging The Revelatory Realm of Heaven,” and “Books of Destiny,” all dealing with prophetic mandates placed upon the end-time generation. His newest book, "Angels That Gather," provides a biblical outline for the harvest and insight to help access our end of the age inheritance.      Paul Keith and Wanda, reside in Orange Beach, Alabama. Together they have five children and five grandchildren. Paul Keith and Wanda Davis founded WhiteDove Ministries after the Lord sovereignly sent a beautiful white dove to them as a prophetic sign of their calling. They now travel extensively speaking at conferences and churches, imparting the end-time mandate of preparation for the Glory and Manifest Presence of Christ.      Paul Keith has a unique gift for imparting prophetic understanding of times and seasons with a message of preparation and expectancy for the Lord's Empowering Presence. He spent many years in extensive study highlighting the ministry of revelation and power exemplified throughout the church ages with an emphasis on the 20th century church. His heart’s desire is to see the full restoration of Biblical Apostolic ministry manifested through the Spirit of Truth residing in God’s people, expressing salvation, healing and deliverance to the Glory of God and His Christ.

Declaration 2012