Am I supposed to perform work for God or Abide in Him?

Tonight was another amazing night of ministry.  Each week we minister in the Juvenile detention center.  Each week we take turns praying about the word the Lord is speaking for the week.  That way each week we don't come in with 3 different ideas then try to merge them.  This is also a good way to make sure we have a base line, to have a goal for the night. So tonight the Lord led me to the verses about bearing fruit.  We bear fruit if we remain in Him.  If we are in him He prunes and bears us up and carries us close to Himself, so we can bear fruit.  If we are not in Him we are like a dead branch on the ground that gets picked up and thrown away.  During prayer, before we went in, I told us all to stay focused on ministering to the kids.  Whatever the Lord is pruning in each of our lives is not going to be what He is saying to them.  When trying to minister what you believe the Lord is saying.  We must love the person and speak what God says for them.  The temptation is to speak what the Lord is showing us in our lives. But lets reach for revelation and truly speak what He is saying for the other person.  So I told us to stay on course. Tony used to tell me that this ministry will have fruit that remains.  Like in John 15. He also always used to say that apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists would come out of the ministry.  So I encouraged us to expect BIG results and fruit that will remain. Also to preach God as He is, super attractive, the Answer the One they been looking for.  When we got in the jail we were informed that we would minister to the girls only.  Last week I was in the jail on my own, so I wanted one of my other guys to speak because half the girls just heard me talk last week.  I wanted them to hear from someone else.  Because when God says something to us through multiple people we get to really see the Lord is talking to us. It is a tool I like to submit to, to help those we minister too.

Josh taught them about remaining in God, that if they do they will bear fruit. What kind of fruit? The fruit of the Spirit.  I love this because I was just talking to my son, he is 5, about the fruits of the Spirit earlier. and although I knew the Lord wanted us to minister about remaining in Him I never thought to put the fruit of the Spirit as the fruit we bear. So he also showed us that since the beginning God made us just like Him.  He made a garden to bless us, not harm us. Now He wants to just pour out Himself, Love, on us.   As he was speaking I seen the Lord show me a picture of each fruit on each of the 9 or so women in there.  Then I thought why don't we ask them which fruit of the Spirit they are lacking the most.  So I asked each one, and they said the one. My goal was to pick the Hardest one and That way they know God has done a work in them because the hardest one is the one He is after giving them. So then after they confessed, I asked them all who wants to be close to God who wants to be in Him.  All but one raised there hand.  I wanted to first establish and continue on with what Josh had preached and make sure they were all "connected to the vine" before they received the fruit "results" of being connected.  Then I Prayed for each one to receive the thing most lacking.  Self control, Joy, Patience, Peace.  I spoke the bible verses I knew about each as I prayed, then Josh asked if anyone here had a chronic sickness that they were struggling with.  One person said I deal with depression. Josh said yes, anyone else with a physical need? no one responded. So he prayed for the one who had depression and now she is free.

Then we walk out to the main lobby and there is a Yoga instructor who teaches the same night we go in. She said ohh great the Church is here.  She asked us if we would pray with her in the parking lot.  At one other time Josh asked her if she needed prayer and she said yes. Come to find out She is now teaching at a school and was struggling. We prayed and ministered to her about the love of God and how God was pleased with her and for her to let go of any pressure and for her to be healed.   It was great, then as she was leaving she started yelling to us... Wait, wait,,, we are like what's up, she said it worked, it worked,   She said someone called her and she was wanting to do yoga for people with a physical limitation and its been 4 months since she contacted this person.  And they called right as she got in the car.  She turns around and says I'm getting Chinese tonight. we were like great. God is so loving to all. What a great promise that if we seek the truth with all our hearts we will find it.

Now to answer the titled question.  Much of ministry in the Lord is about ministering to others. Now we get excited when the person in an extreme situation gets results that we can see.  But what about the ones that are not so obvious, or even glorious.  

In order to answer this question we must look at Jesus.  How does He minister to others.  More importantly what is His mindset.  Today we look in John 15 1-17. Jesus literally says we can do nothing without Him, but if we abide, stay close, live, in Him, we will bear much fruit.  This is not an invitation for us to go run around and do a bunch of stuff expecting and needing results. He is the goal, He is where we put our efforts in.  Then we just simply bear fruit.  Relax He has got us. He knows how to do it.  You don't really need credit.  You need Him. I need Him.

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

¹² “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants,^[a] for the servant^[b] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Correct Preparation For Ministry

Thought process behind ministering. 

Each one of us are taking turns sending a text before the ministry each week saying what we believe the lord is showing us. This is currently a tool to make sure we are being faithful to prepare each week. In 2 Timothy 2:15, it states to study to show yourself approved. Basically, stay connected to Jesus as much as possible,then when u get to minister you have a lot he can draw from. 

When ministering to people, there is so much we must pay attention to. We can seek God for how the environment is. Because it affects the word. If we are spending our time trying to hear a message while ministering we now don't have time to judge it and listen to God on how to say it. Like good soldiers we need to give ourselves to the prep time. Learning, practicing, going over the fundamentals. So when it comes time for the fight we can respond appropriately to the counter attack. 

A fight? Yes. We fight against mentalities from family, life issues that have hurt people, unbelief, so much goes on. It's good to clear out minds and just live and move and have our being in Him. After we prepare as much as we can. All the prep isn't to fill our heads with info. It's an opportunity to get close to Him. And let Him work it in us. Then when it's time to do ministry, we can prepare those listening to be in the best place to receive the ministry. 

Why didn't God come Himself, why send His Son?

Why did the Father send the Son? He walked with Adam, why didn't He come here to earth again?

     Its great when you hear someone talk about what they can and will do.  Although God doesn't need anything. It means so much more when you hear the Son's opinion about the Father.  A son lives, works, gets its vision from the Father.  Therefore when God sent His only Son.  It is such a deep wisdom that He released to us.  We not only received the Fathers salvation through the Son.  Jesus said to Thomas if you see me you see the Father. So many times Jesus said that He only says and does what the Father shows Him.  In society the position of the Father is the most important.  It carries the most weight. You cant even properly run a church until you can run your household.  God puts the weight on the Father.  He showed us the example of what our life on earth here is like through the picture of the Father and Son.  So this not only reveals to us what to do as fathers, it also shows that the son knows the father. So when we are living life, if you really want to know someone, all you need to do is talk to the son.  You will get a clear picture on who the Father is by what the Son does and says about him.  The father provides almost a complete covering.  When a child is young the only world they know is the father.  There is no outside influence.  As our sons go to school and in society they just mimic what the Father has shown them.  In order to be saved, we must recognize the Son of God, being sent, and His sacrifice to take away our sins.  There was no sin in Him (the son) he took them away from us.  Now we get the redemption.  Redemption of what? Redeeming that which was lost.  The relationship with the Father.  We receive His Spirit, which is the adoption of son ship.  We cry "abba" father through this Spirit.  For many, it is hard to see God, mainly due to the lack of a proper father.  We are not limited by this, but massive amounts of  history show the lack from the father influences the children.

     So you say your great and have something figured out.  I'll believe it when your son says it. Also we should be able to look at a son and see the fruit of his life and it will judge the authoritative position of the Father.  We get to see how much the Father has built and the maturity of the father. Society is built and falls based on the strength of each individual family.  If they are in good relationship with God and obey Him society is blessed. If not, well...........

     There is hope. But we cannot ignore what God has set up and a failure to recognize this will show up.  None of us want that to happen.  So how important is today? How important is it to get into a good relationship with the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit.  I would say its everything.  God will ultimately use the example and relationship of the family to show the earth His Glory.  Its impossible to ignore those who obey Him.  You either receive them or you will persecute them. We are not perfect. But in obedience we get to show a picture of whats available to us from God. And if done appropriately. God will get the Glory, and people will respond to Him.


Tags: 1 tim 3:5, adam, authority, eph 2:18, father, gal 4:6, Gen 3:8, holy spirit, john 12:49, john 14:7, john 15:21, john 8:28, mark 14:36, maturity, redemption, relationship, restoration, rom 8:15, son, trinity, gal 4:5,

Tips from your Local Mechanic about your Car. What to Expect for Repairs.

Tips from a Mechanic/ Technician.

Lets keep it simple

Cars today have plastic, it breaks
cars before had metal, they rust

Cars today have cpu controlled fuel/ air, its more expensive but you get in start and go anywhere.
when it breaks its more money to fix, and you need professional equipment to read the data to know what to fix.

Cars before had human installed carbureation. that always needed to be tuned, allowed to much fuel to go into the engine "thinning" out your oil making engines last 100k miles max. alot of ignition components would wear. you never knew when the wear was going to be too much. should I take a trip, should I not?

Today things cost more. but under normal circumstances you get in  your car and go. So things cost more when they break and long go the years of fixing it in your back yard. so make an adjustment.  Be prepared for expensive repairs. But you can have that car most likely for 100k with no problems.  I suggest a good aftermarket warranty.  Read Read read your agreement. Many aftermarket warranties do not cover bumper to bumper repairs. they have a deductible. They are usually very expensive. But a good one can save you in the long haul. You can then tow your vehicle to your local dealer and get "the best" possible person to work on that vehicle. Large aftermarket car sales usually have in house repairs when it breaks if you got a warranty to go with it. Some dont have rental cars so you need transportation. Remember friends they can help take you places, or go hang out with grandma. She misses you anyways. Dont sit at a dealer all day waiting for a repair. Many times the parts are not available, and most likely a lot of cars came in before yours. We balance this as best as possible trying to get as many cars as possible done. but if its a big problem it make take a while. we may fix two quick cars then get to yours. Its just the way it is to make as many people happy as possible. Its not that your not important is just the best for the big picture. Plus when we get to yours we need to be focused and have time to make a good decision and diagnostics to make the repair. so its only done once.

Now what to do for your vehicle. All vehicles have a suggested maintenance schedule. Stick to it. don't do it before, don't do it to late. This will protect you from getting something you don't need and also make sure you do maintain your car. ALWAYS do your oil change on time. Most cars now go 5k miles on an oil change. Mostly that is because of your tires. Tires ALWAYS need to be rotated every 5k miles. Most tires now a days only last 30k miles. Especially if you buy a new car. Depending on your environment. I am in a severe environment. Most hot, cold, are classified as extreme. Coming into a shop at this time also gives you a chance to get your vehicle looked over for issues. Parts wear out. suspension, brakes, and fluids. So you go to long you not only miss out on proper maintenance but also could have an issue that you can't see.  A lot of people have long trips to work and the stores. So it is important to have a professional have contact with your car frequently. Find a place you like. where you are treated properly. There are a ton of maintenance facilities. you are not limited. Don't feel trapped. Most importantly you are there to get your car maintained or repaired. So when judging a place that is most important. Then its nice to be catered. This should look like a little better then a doctors visit. Your not paying for catering. Your paying for a mechanical device to be maintained or repaired. not your ego. lol.

Now what repairs to be prepared for. It is good to have your alignment checked around 12 miles consistently. Most places do a free alignment check that you can have done each visit. If its in the red you can chose to have it fixed then or on your next visit. Some cars require parts for properly aligning your vehicle. ASK. Ask questions. Expect answers. You dont know whats best when it comes to your car. But you will know what the best decision is for you. Never be forced to do anything. So alignments are important for tire wear. Here is a run down of what you need consistently.

Oil change
Tire rotation
Alignments.
Brakes last a lot longer now but usually checked at 30k. most need a brake job around the 50k mark.
(Depending on how you drive. Yes I am talking to you. taking turns at 45 mph, and waiting to the last minute to stop when you seen that light or stop sign a mile back.) Don't worry I do that too.
Always ask about leaks.
Suspension components do wear. be prepared.
Finally Tires.

So save your money. Keep your car maintained. Oil changes usually $40 with tire rotation, alignments are usually $70-$100, remember alignment checks are free, cause they can sell them if they check bad. Red is bad, Green is good. Real simple. look at the numbers too. Then you know how far off it is from the center point. Brakes every 50k usually are about $100 per front then rear is another 100. Then Tires, very important. they can go anywhere from 40 to 200 each. I suggest the tire stores cause they almost always have a deal on tires and alignments for life. Try to get a good extended warranty for the big cost items.  Most people trade there vehicles in when big costed items show up, which in turns put them in a bad spot financially some times. Most times its better to make a repair. If you have a warranty then you will most likely stick with your car which can save you money. If you buy a new car or a certified car make sure if you buy an extended warranty from a Dealer that it starts when your original warranty ends. Most will allow them to overlap. Try to prevent this. And my final point. The best extended warranties are always dealership warranties. Usually come with rental cars, almost covers all the parts. Read read read.

Do our preconceived Ideas Limit God?

Tonight was another amazing night in the Lord. What an honor to preach the Gospel.  We got a chance to minister to the Boys only tonight.  I am writing this with presenting my thought process behind what happens in the night of ministry. 

When we go into the jail there is so much stuff going on. Every person in there is in there for a different reason and a different purpose. So instead of just ministering one predesigned message. I try to release my thoughts on what the night may look like. As we pray before we go in, we reach to see what the Lord is wanting to do.  He sends it to us the quickest way we can get it. The three of us got our vision for the night and now that we have that vision we now submit it to the Lord.  In this evening we spent time revealing that God is moving every moment of every day with every person on the planet to show His love for them.  We just miss it. So we word things in the best way we can to remove those limitations off of people so they can just see God.  I usually warn them that what they had to pay for before will be free when they leave.  One said, before we went in, that the Lord was going to lead them to Him instead of asking them to stop looking at the issue they are in. Of course he worded it better then that. But I don't always remember the details. But I try to remember the heart of the Lord in it.  So when it comes time to minister it to someone we are to submit that to the Lord, and do it the way the Lord shows. 

So as we walk in there is a lot commotion. to be honest I have been in there so much I don't even realize it. I just am looking the Lord and doing my best to reveal what He is doing. but I seen some stand up and go into there room instead of being out in the main room. to be honest it was a time that those who wanted to stay out were wanting to be there. So we ministered to them.

Then after I preached.  I seen that it was time to pray.  I was just going to pray and usually after one person preaches its best to have them pray so it stays in the same flow of what that person was working in.  But we have the Holy Spirit and as I went to pray I seen one brother and immediately stopped and asked him to pray.  He went to pray for 3 different people the Lord showed him. One was someone that you could see was truly going through a hard time. I don't even want to explain it but it was the most important ministry of the night. Then he prayed for one person in a cast to be healed and then commissioned another kid.  he was going to be someone the Lord would use to minister to the young.  It was great because that kid can now reach for the Amazing plan God has for him.

then our other brother told me he seen that some need to be free of something. and when he revealed to them that which Lord showed him. He gave them an opportunity to respond. It took a bit but when one raised there hand like 10 more did to.  I loved how he handled it in a way that he would not get any credit for the deliverance.  He said God seen your hand and now your free.  ahhahaha. 

So in finality, God is going to do amazing stuff in the world.  Let us not let our thought on how God will do it, limit us.  Our goal is to not miss it. Don't miss what the Lord shows you because you think you already know how he will do it.  Many of us have tendencies on how we feel is the best.  some like written out stuff. some just go with the flow. whatever it may be. Most likely the Lord will do it the way that is best for the person receiving the ministry. Because we are human we like it our way. But Oh how great is our Lord to meet us right where we are at.  Most likely the Lord will rock our world and do it different then we expect. This is not to mess with us.  Its just reality. and God loves.

1 can put 1,000 to flight and 2 puts 10,000

This week we got a great chance to work together. Imagine that 3 fully grown mature men. Who are all very unique and designed by God with a different individual purpose.

Being an evangelist at heart. My driver is to establish healthy relationships. So with the Lords help, I try to bring things together. People mostly. Even when I am playing video games. I am thinking of ways to complete objectives where the whole team is involved and benefiting. This will happen in every believers life. You may start off ministering by yourself to people about the love of God. But God loves us to much to be left unattended to our limiting views in Him. So he puts us with other believers. All hearing from Him. Yet all from our unique relationship that we have in Christ. 

I always am asking what the Lord is showing someone. It's hard to say whether or not someone is right or wrong.We must look and try and find the Lord in what someone says. Then those who are responsible to lead should now try to plug that into the time of ministry so that the whole body is blessed. If you haven't adjusted to the way the Lord is doing things you will find this difficult.  No longer is God only speaking to one man to do all the work. The Lord is raising a whole Body to do all of the work. We must shift to not allow people to sit and let you do all the work.  It's actually more work for me because I am now responsible for what they told me.  If it is judged as from the Lord now I have to plug it into the ministry. Whether it comes from me or them. As long as it happens so the people receiving the ministry get all that the Lord is showing. It is irresponsible for me, if others are there, to take all the ministry and let others sit.  Even if they don't minister that night I will make sure that what the Lord shows them gets ministered. 

God can always do more when we team up. But He spends 2/3 of the New Testament teaching us the best way to do it. Rom:14. In order to put 10,000 to flight when we come together we have to shift our thinking to whom we are ministering. Instead of looking beside us at our brother or sister making sure they are doing it "right". Lol. How pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. Operating in the unique identity Christ has given, yet submitting the function that has been previously outlined. 

So tonight three of us went into the jail. One hadn't been in a while and could easily run the ministry without me. But he can run the ministry with me there so I usually don't stay home when he comes. Let me explain. Some people will always look to the leader to be the only source of the ministry. but if we love the Lord. If I need not be there for you to function as the Lord intends for you to, then i won't go, so that you can grow. But its rare and wonderfult to have those who will step up and lead with you there. With the guy I previously mentioned, I know He will step out and do what the Lord shows him whether I'm there or not. And the other brother who has been coming in each week I knew he would preach the gospel and continue preaching from the angle of the kingdom. So I had him preach. And the other start us off to set up a gateway for him to preach. Then I later asked him to finish the night off. This was weird because who ever brings the word usually is in the right place to close us out. Because they have been watching and judging the hearts as they preach. They can pray but I did see a lot of demonic oppression going on in the kids hearts. ( I dont throw those words out there to act like we have something big), Which broke my heart. I knew most of them didn't want to be free that night. Usually we will hammer the word to try and win a few before we close. But I told our finisher to ignore that default setting and full commit to the ten who were wanting what the Lord had. Act like they are the only ones there. This is key. Sometimes, for the sake of those who want it we must crucify our flesh (that wants attention at all times) and ignore a potential distraction. In order to love and serve those who need the ministry that day. Read when Paul cast the demon out of the fortune telling girl.  She would go wherever they went saying these guys are from God, these guys are from God. Then Paul finally got tired of it and cast the demon out. lol after many days, are you kidding me. We have separate children's ministry so we don't get distracted, imagine having the grace of God and control of your mind to not be distracted in order for the Body to be blessed. Anyways, our finisher for that night gave an opportunity for those to stand up and exactly 10 out of about 39 stood. This was amazing due to the peer pressure that we noticed in the room. Then our finisher prayed for one individual and our preacher tonight said that the Lord pointed that same guy out to him that he was oppressed. And then we set him free of course. 

So anyways here is a small picture of the ministry that happened tonight. Remind yourself to fan into flame the gift that is in you. 

Ministry is always about the person we minister to.

Journal Entry 2,

For those of you who are reading. I have the opportunity to serve as a leader in Rock Solid Ministries southern division. We get a chance to visit our local juvenile detention center each week.  I have always wanted to "keep track" of my thoughts and experiences as I serve in this capacity.  Thanks to the internet its easy to put this out there for myself mainly to look back on all the Lord has done.  These are my personal thoughts and events that happen while we minister.

This week, like always, is amazing that God would want to visit with us and meet many people even though they never asked Him too.  I didn't feel a direct direction this week.  Last week I was led to tell my friend who goes in with me to preach on a parable that the Lord showed them.  What I originally heard from the Lord was that He wanted us to spend time preaching about the Kingdom of God.  Like Jesus did as He was here.  This week as we met before we went into the building, my friend agreed that we continue preaching the kingdom.  He shared a parable about the boy who had a demon that would throw him into a fire and cause a seizure. and the fact that Jesus asked the father if he believed.  The father said I believe but help my unbelief.  This is an amazing principle that shows up many times in the Word.  Abraham despite unbelief believed God and it was credited as righteousness (Rom 4:18).  We get to minister twice each night so I felt like that may be for one of those.  We started at the girls. I felt led to start. to sum it up I preached on the fact that we look to be numbed from reality or what we are going through.  This is not a bad desire but when we do this without the Lord we always end up empty and the result is not what we desired. But with the Lord we get peace that passes understanding ( no understanding why to have peace but we do), and joy unspeakable and full of Glory.  We also have a Father who loves us and gives us Grace that surpasses everything we go through. Ultimately His plan for us is the best possible life available. 

Then at our church, my pastor has set a goal for us to get at least 365 people saved.  Although this ministry is not part of that church I still have felt led to tell him those who receive the Lord each week. and for that number to be counted.  Now this was most difficult for me.  I never count how many who make a decision for Christ.  Its just not me.  King David once counted how many troops he had to show how powerful he was.  God frowned upon that and he paid a price.  So its not bad to count.  Many times God had His people count.  But only count when the Lord leads.  But we are a body and no matter what ministry we are its all 1 Kingdom.  So I was glad to report that 5 out of the 6 who we preached to received the Lord. I usually bring the people I preach to, to the place in the night where they can make a decision this can be done many ways. As the Holy Spirit leads. some times we do it silently in prayer as I pray I tell those who want to receive the free gift of Salvation to get it... so they know they did it.  this time I provided that but I felt led to have them repeat a prayer of salvation.  I seen in the Lord, that many needed to hear themselves say it.  So despite me being uncomfortable.  I did that for them.  Because in ministry its not about me.  and many times the Lord will have us do things that are uncomfortable for us. but its not about us its all about the people and what they need.  Then I asked them if they wanted individual prayer.  They all wanted it.  I prophesied to all of them.  then we were done.  the guards a the jail said that they didn't have enough guards for us to go into the boys to minister so we went home.  this was difficult because I didn't have my friend minister.  This also goes against much of what I believe.  My heart is to provide opportunities for those who come in with me to minister to so they can grow by exercising their faith.  but many times as a leader in ministry, you minister to "show how it can be done" or to provide a night where those who come in with me understand how the ministry operates. or how to handle situations as they arise. so its important for those who come in to see different ways to minister.  so the next time they minister they believe they can do that too.  or add that type of ministry to the way they do it.  because its effective and they got to see it in real time with real people.  Opposed to being in a conference hearing about how to do it. 

So a unique night.  But good praise to the person who came in with me.  It didn't bother him that he didn't get to minister.  Its all about God all the time and the people.  Thank God I have people coming in with me that are not concerned about themselves and what they can do.  We can all flow and we all play a huge part.  I know that he was praying as we were ministering and that helped the peoples heart to receive all that the Lord had for them tonight.

Thought process behind Minstering, and then what happens. Rock Solid Ministries South.

    I am part of ministry called Rock Solid Ministries. In that ministry, we minister to the juvenile detention center here and my local town. Every week we have been ministering there since the year 2001. Each week I would like to highlight things the Lord showed us or may have done. This is more for me then for anyone reading this.  I have always wanted to do this, to one day, to look back and see what the Lord has done. Now with technology we can do it so much easier than writing in a notebook and losing the paper some where.

   Our goal in this season is to preach the Kingdom. Jesus preached how the kingdom of heaven is like. Also the Word says when you preach the gospel, signs, and wonders shall follow. I felt led to ask my friend to minister tonight by picking one parable that lines up with what the Lord is speaking to his heart.  He ministered about the Camel going through the Eye of the Needle in a city. In this parable, Jesus dealt with the fact that we have to let everything go, for us to go after God . In this parable the Lord reveals how difficult it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom unless they let go of there need to have everything at all times. Not saying riches are bad. But can we let go of always needing them? Like they some how hold us up, or they give us some value?  How about King David who worshiped the lord in his underwear.  He had no problem stripping everything away, even though he had a kingdom on earth.  Then began to minister to the kids about his testimony. How God rescues him and delivers him all the time. Instead of being addicted and lacking why not be addicted to having the fruits of the Spirit.  To be addicted to love, joy, peace, etc. When he finished speaking I felt led to highlight a few key things that I seen the Lord doing as he spoke. One was the fact that we are on a path with God, not just a one day emotional encounter.  Like the camel going through the needle in a city, its constant, not just one time.  When he spoke about his testimony. He spoke it as though God continually broke him free of stuff, and continued to transform him. 

 For the First time in a long time I seen the kids in the room have a lot of faith.  I seen that they were engaging with the fact that this is possible with them, even though they're in jail and not doing well. It appeared that they were thinking  "wow this joy would be make my life better" and it was a little easier to let go of all the issues because, they were grabbing hold what God had for them. He finalized stating, as Jesus did, with man this is impossible but with God all things are possible.

  I seen the Lord all over this night. I spoke to the kids that this is possible, that they could have faith in God not faith in themselves. It is impossible to please God without faith. Many people have faith not even having faith in God, and still overcome amazing obstacles because they believe. However when we believe in ourselves, we are limited because when we mess up we lose faith because we are not perfect however, if we put our faith in God he is perfect.  He has a plan that goes way beyond our understanding. To mature each one of us, and that will be a light to others of who God looks like for them. So imagine if we really invested in everything God had for us. We would have faith in Him, and when we fall short He helps us overcome our weaknesses because He is strong.

As we were going to walk out, one of the kids asked if we could pray for them.  I originally wasn't going to, in fear that they would forget what we spoke on, but I thought sure.  What I heard earlier was that the Lord wanted us to preach the Gospel and that signs and wonders would follow. Specifically that we would preach about the Kingdom of God.  Then it hit me while praying, and I called out a time for God to heal them.  Every disease, addiction, relationship issue, diabetes, teeth issues, incurable diseases, and anything else that we didn't say.  I was like the room was super charged with faith in their hearts.  I could tell they were believing God to touch their life individually.  Wow. what can I say.  He did it.  He always shows up.  He loves those kids and us so much.

In Ministry, God heals and touches people all the time in spite of us.  My doctrine or capabilities are limited. I am not perfect.  But I do believe He can do whatever He wants to.  All I have to do is see Him, recognize what God is doing, then speak it to others.  We can have the most amazing messages and faith on our end, but that alone won't activate much in the people who are listening.  The people receiving must have faith on their own.  Many times, during ministry, we do whatever we have to do to get them in the best place possible to receive, and then preach what God wants us to say,  so they don't miss out on what God has. 

Like I said this is a online journal for me.  But if you are reading this thanks.  I appreciate it.  Hopefully it blesses you.  It blesses me to see God do His thing in the earth and the great mystery is that He wants to do it with us and in us.

We will continue preaching about the Kingdom and expect God to show up and minister to everyone who wants Him.