Redemption, Salvation, Healing and a Harvest!

Friends,

I got home early this morning after five weeks of ministry which began in Texas back in May and led me through the Eastern US and Canada. Yes, I'm tired but blessed - Praise the Lord!

I want to encourage you with something the Lord began to birth in me while reading my Bible on afternoon in a gas station parking lot in Erie, Pennsylvania. There, through His Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my heart, God began to stir within me a phrase that I have uttered dozens of times since. Several days later while traveling and worshipping in Ontario, Canada, He spoke to my heart that all of the prayers and intercession that we and many of you have done concerning my family was going to come to pass - wow! Part of what He said to me related to "Redemption, Salvation, Healing and a Harvest!" What an encouraging word from God! Though I am still working through all of the nuances of exactly what He is saying in my life, I know with absolute certainty that He is going to bring His promises to fruition - promises that I have been praying about for my home and loved ones for more than two decades.

One of the strongest impressions I have had about these four things is what He showed me about Melanie's physical challenges. Her 15 year battle with debilitating chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia has stolen so much from her. Sometimes, when a person or family is fighting a daily battle that slowly sees days turn into years one tends to become shortsighted concerning exactly where God is in the process. Such has been with us. But God's Word declares Healing as one of the three keys which Jesus left us here to accomplish. Of course, we don't do the healing but we have been sent to pray for the sick and then do something that I have been lacking - believe that they will recover because of the touch of God upon their physical bodies! Far out? No. Just biblical (see "The REAL Purpose of the Church", part 1)

I realized that though for years I have taught on spiritual warfare and the Christian's rightful authority over the works of darkness and though I had prayed for hundreds of infirmed folks during that time, I had not been effective in seeing life's mate be set free from the Enemy's attacks. But more than that, I knew WHY. It wasn't because of lack of effort. It was from a simple lack of faith. Frankly, I have a little glimpse of what the biblical gift of faith is that I didn't have before. It wasn't as if God had revealed to me some hidden revelation from His word. Instead, He brought alive in me that intangible yet vital element of faith concerning this particular facet of our lives. God has given me Heaven-sent faith to see Redemption, Salvation, Healing and Harvest manifest for my wife and our family!

As I mused on this and prayed and sought God I heard deep down in my spirit "enough is enough!" Something began rising up in me. A righteous indignation for how Satan had hindered us and and caused so much damage. Now some of you need to hear that indeed I believe with all of my heart that God is supreme and sovereign over all events but I also know that He has bestowed on the Believer certain responsibilities that we must act on. In other words, if we do such and such...then God will act. Look at the well known passage II Chronicles 7:14 for example. The Scripture says if we do particular things....THEN...God will reciprocate and act. He is often just waiting on us to do more than provide religious lip service to a situation. Then once we put words into actions He begins the process and moves in power and might on our behalf.

I have always known this. Its elementary to victory in spiritual warfare but somehow I have been in a longtime funk about forcefully exercising the authority of the Believer against the forces of darkness concerning, among other things,   Melanie's wellbeing.

Many ministers would never dream of admitting they're blind spots but I believe these words are going to minister to many of you who have been living far below your positional place as children of the Most High God! It is indeed a step of faith for me to share these words with so many who will read this. But it is a kind of spiritual medicine to declare openly that I am taking the authority I preach and am going to pray, declare and above all, BELIEVE that God's promise of healing IS coming to completion for my fantastic wife and ministry partner! There is indeed a harvest of healing ahead for Melanie.

I encourage you to began to speak your spiritual weapons against the forces of evil that grip you or your family and continue to do so until the Devil's grimy hands are off of God's people and property! Beloved, this is not "name it and claim it." This is merely doing as Jesus did and recapturing the will to see the Holy Spirit's power bring deliverance and freedom to someone you love - maybe yourself!

Another thing the Lord spoke to me was that I have not been expecting a harvest from the seeds we have sown financially.

Each week I have faithfully given our tithes and offerings directly from the gross income of the ministry. We have supported our church, missionaries and other deserving ministries that are all making a difference for the Kingdom of God. But I hadn't really expected a harvest. That has changed!

What farmer tills, fertilizes, plants, waters and then doesn't expect a massive, exponential increase over what he has planted? None! The key is claiming the promises of God and making the decision that you will believe that the supernatural God of the universe is in control of your increase and that His plan is better than any investment that the world's stock markets could ever produce! Plus the biblical "payroll savings plan" pays a far greater eternal reward for our diligence in giving here and now!

I encourage you that as you plant seed in your local church and as you give gifts to worthy ministry causes that you "water" those seeds with faith-filled expectancy and confession that you know "a harvest is coming!" Exercising your faith makes the difference as to whether or not the harvest will be mediocre or bountiful!

This brings me to the very practicle need we have at this time for a new computer and printer. Will you believe God and plant a seed that will go on to touch many, many lives? As of this morning we have $840 toward the projected $4200 needed. I know its the Summer season when giving traditionally drops off. But God hasn't gone on vacation and neither have we. In fact, I leave again this afternoon for weekend ministry in southwest Washington State near Portland, Oregon. The way I see it the Devil doesn't rest, how can we stop when his deception seems to run unchecked all around us?

Several years ago a wonderful friend and brother saw the need and took up the cause to provide the computer I am using at this very moment. Now, we need to move ahead to effectively reach out through the seminar teaching and evangelism ministry and through our expanding Internet outreach. Maybe God is dealing with you to take care of the entire need? I know that some of you could do just that and that its certainly not outside the realm of possibilities with the Lord should He tap one heart (or many hearts) to see this project completed.

Just think, as you sow a seed toward this need you can rest in knowing that not only has God assured you of a harvest but as our ministry see souls won for Jesus the very tools we used to present the gospel were provided through your specific giving to meet this need. Praise God!

I am boldly, even unabashedly asking you to give as large a gift as you can to see this project completed this weekend. Is it too much to ask? Not for God. We have a bonafide need and I am trusting God to completely fill it as well as to take care of our regular ongoing budget as well. According to Scripture He owns all of the cattle on a thousand hills and owns all of the silver and all of the gold. If we'll follow His directives and live by faith He will provide ALL we require. I have layed out the need, I have sown and watered; now I am expecting a harvest.

I hope that these words have refreshed you and that just as I am expecting a harvest that you will plant seed in the good soil of churches and ministries worth their spiritual salt and then reap an abundant harvest as well. Thanks so much for sowing into our soil and for your continued love and intercession as together we continue standing for the Kingdom of God.

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