"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."Matthew 7:24-27

When we read In the Bible about the rainy season, there are two references mentioned, the early rain, and the latter rain. In this passage, Jesus is talking to Zimbabweans, of course. They were familiar with the rainy seasons and how vigorously it comes down these seasons. Since Zimbabwe receives little rain for most of the year, the ground becomes hard and unable to absorb the rains when they begin. As the storms begin, the downpours can quickly destroy anything in their path. Zimbabweans understood this concept and they understood the dangers of building their houses on the sand -- otherwise, they faced calamity when the rainy season came! The Lord is warning us about building our houses on an unstable foundation. He knew that stormy seasons would come and He wants us to be prepared! We don't want to be one of the many of whose lives will collapse because they were built on fame, fortune and other things of this world. We must be careful to build our lives only upon Him. Even building our lives upon seemingly innocent things like family, tradition and good works can be dangerous. We want to be of those who've established our foundation upon the ROCK of the truth of His Word and who will be able to weather the coming storms because of it! Brothers & Sisters, are there storms raging about you today? Let's hurry and examine whether our lives are completely built upon the Rock. WHERE IS YOUR HOUSE?

"For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works"Hebrews 4:3-4

As God worked on creation for six days and rested on the seventh day, so our seven day week is established on that pattern. If, as the scripture declares, with the Lord one day is as 1,000 years and 1,000 years as a day, then the seven-day cycle also finds expression in a great historical "week". As we approach the 1,000-year reign of the Messiah, this "millennium" as it is called, (described in some detail in Revelation chapter 20), is clearly understood as a time of global rest, peace, and righteousness throughout the Earth. This "millennial" rest could never come but for its foundation in Jesus' cross which was established at the foundation of the world [Revelation 13:8], although it was historically accomplished about 2000 years ago. Our own regular week, itself, with its 7th day of rest gives perpetual testimony to our Lord's provision for all mankind. This provision is both natural and spiritual; present and future. Jesus' "work" on the cross was the greatest and most difficult labor in history. And He declared it finished, shortly before the Jewish Sabbath began that week, His followers hurrying to remove Him from the cross and bury Him in the tomb before Sabbath began. The Lord's agonizing work of suffering and death has given rest to all who have believed in Him. Brothers & Sisters, your weekly day of rest serves a powerful reminder aside from being a day of delight, refreshment, and renewal. You are resting in Jesus' finished work, utterly incapable of laboring for your own righteousness, sins forgiven by the shedding of His blood. You also are resting in the hope of the world, the return of the Messiah to establish His peaceable kingdom of righteousness. So this weekend, leave the struggles -- the labors -- the toil of the week behind you – and enter into His rest, His peace. This is His good will for us who believe. GIVE THANKS FOR HIS REST!

"Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them."Numbers 14:9

Yesterday we learned the root-related Hebrew words for "bread" (lechem), "fight" (lehilachem), and "war" (milchama); three words which share the same Hebrew letters, "Lamed", "Chet", and "Mem". When the twelve spies were sent out by Moses into the land of Canaan, ten came back with a bad report. Joshua and Caleb, however, returned with a good report, saying in essence, "If God is for us -- then who can be against us?" The two courageous spies expressed their confidence in a way that was quite cool: "Do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us." [Numbers 14:9] Now recall the "literal" connection in Hebrew between BREAD, FIGHT, and WAR. Joshua and Caleb were using the Hebrew language to utterly assure the Israelites of God's power to give them victory in battle. In modern language one could say, "Don't worry guys, we're going to eat them up in this fight, we'll make mince meat out of them!" Whether they grasped this linguistic encouragement and the spirit behind it or not, the Israelites allowed fear to paralyze them -- and ended up sacrificing an entire generation 40 years in the wilderness. Let's not make the same mistake, but rather, listen to the clues of the faithful. There is almost a lightheartedness in the language and attitude of those who really trust their God. Fear is alien to them. "We'll eat them for breakfast!" is their battle cry. "Our enemies are our 'bread' and the "war" has already been won!" Brothers & Sisters, the nations rage, the rulers take counsel together against God and against His Messiah. God sits in the Heavens and laughs, before He derides, vexes, and finally dashes them to pieces.[Psalm 2] If we're walking closely with Him there is an authority in our faith because "the righteous are bold as a lion." [Proverbs 28:1] God has truly provided in every way -- our substance, our victory, and our protection. So, do not fear them. DO NOT FEAR THEM!

"The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."Exodus 14:14

The Hebrew language contains numerous words that have the same root yet vast differences in meaning. On deeper examination however, these words can be related in illuminating ways. For example, the three Hebrew letters --"Lamed", "Chet", and "Mem"-- which spell, "lechem", or "bread" in English, are also the root letters for "fight" (lehilachem) and "war" (milchama). For centuries Rabbis have discussed and debated the connection between these three words. Some Rabbis wrote that ancient wars were primarily fought over bread (economic/sustenance). Others wrote that in order to make bread, you have to beat or kneed the dough. Still others suggested that man first has to sweat and struggle for his daily bread from the ground [Genesis 3:19], and then again, struggle with his fellow man to keep it. These explanations begin to establish a possible connection... Interestingly, the book of Exodus contains these root-related words within a span of three chapters. As the children of Israel were leaving Egypt they found themselves surrounded, with the Red Sea before them and the army of Egypt behind. At this critical point Exodus 14:14 declares, "God will fight for you (yilachem lachem); and you will be silent." Then, Moses and Miriam's victory song in chapter 15 exults, "God is a man of war", "Yahweh Milchama." Further on in Exodus 16, we read that God provided bread (lechem) from heaven! We can begin to observe that the root letters of words in the Hebrew language are not haphazard or accidental. And while it may seem obscure, what we find in these chapters in Exodus, words derived from the the same root, ("lamed", "chet", "mem") actually foreshadow a New Testament reality in the life, identity and work of Jesus the Messiah, who is the perfect image and expression of God. John 6:48 reveals Jesus' identity as our bread ("lechem") of life; then, Revelation 19:11 reveals a "rider... called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war (milchama"). Brothers & Sisters, know that the Lord has you covered in every way! He is the one who FIGHTS for you, and the one who PROVIDES for your every need. The "root connection" between these two words can be no accident when we realize that the Living Word Himself gave them as a testimony to these essential aspects of His love and care for us. BEHOLD THE GOD OF BREAD & WAR!

"Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert."Isaiah 43:18-19

"Shanah" is a unique Hebrew word meaning "to repeat, revise, or go over again". As we begin the new year, with fall, then winter, spring, and summer, we remember the cyclical pattern of time in God's creation. The nature of life is to repeat itself -- to continue in a cycle, marked by -- a New Year. Although time is moving in a direction toward a definite destiny determined by the Creator, it does so in cycles ... truly, "what goes around comes around". However, "Shanah" does not only mean "to repeat" -- but also, "to change" ... So, entering this new year, a fresh cycle, we may also grasp the opportunity to change, to do something radically new and different. New beginnings are a time for new choices, new experiences, new hopes and dreams. Can we allow this season to inspire the desire for new experiences and initiatives in God? Can we choose to pray for, expect and act within the divine order of a new cycle ... break out of the "same old -- same old" and choose to believe in His power to do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ask or imagine? The new season beckons us to this... Brothers & Sisters, if we believe that our Lord is really on top of things, if we believe that He can even redeem our mistakes, than we ought to be filled with expectation for change, great change in our lives, by His divine power to work in and through us. Entering this new season can inspire a choice in faith, to love and serve with greater devotion than ever, perhaps in ways that we have only dreamt of before. A new year is upon us. Let's make the choice for change -- He will "do a new thing." CHOOSE TO DO SOMETHING NEW THIS COMING YEAR!

"Then He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, nevertheless at Your word I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught such a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" For he was astonished, and all that were with him, because of the catch of the fish which they had taken, And so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Fear not, from now on you will catch men." So when they brought their ships to land, they forsook all and followed Him."Luke 5:3-11

Tabernacle is a festival about rejoicing in the blessings that God has provided, but let’s be sure our focus is on the Lord of blessing – instead of the blessings! We read in Luke that Jesus told His disciples to go into the deep waters and let down their nets for fish. When they did, their nets were filled up with fish to the point of breaking. Being fishermen and businessmen, they may have been tempted to start doing business. I mean, think how much they could make! But God had a different purpose. The disciples' occupation as fishermen was just a vehicle for God to demonstrate His great power and love. He wasn't blessing them with fish so that they would get excited about fishing -- He was blessing them with fish so that they could get their eyes off their fishing and on to the greater call He had for them! Thankfully, they left the fishing business and went off with the Lord to do great and mighty things. Let's make sure we're not getting up wrapped up in fish! We seek the Lord for His blessings, prosperity, and success. But true discipleship is focusing not on the blessings of the Lord, but on the Lord of the blessings! Brothers & Sisters, we can rejoice in our blessings, but let's not dwell on them! Let's set our eyes on the Lord and the calling He has for us. When He sees that we have pure and willing hearts, He will be faithful to use us to accomplish His glorious plan! LOOK TO THE LORD OF BLESSING!

"And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water."Genesis 26:18-19

There are times in our lives that we are going through a spiritual valley and we want to obtain victory -- we want to have answers -- we want God's power to flow through us again. In this passage, Isaac found springing water after digging up the wells of his father Abraham again. In Hebrew, the phrase springing water is "mayim chayeem". It literally means "living waters". Jesus made us a promise during the feast of Tabernacles, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." - John 7:38 The Lord promises us rivers of living water -- not a puddle, not a pond, not a lake -- He said rivers! These waters are not meant to be stagnant and not meant to be dammed up! They need to be flowing -- unrestricted! We, who are believers in Messiah, have those living waters within us -- but we must clear out the obstacles in our lives that prevent them from flowing! Sins of unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, and clinging onto pet sins are just a few of the barriers which can damn up the "rivers" of living water! Let's seek the Lord and ask him to search us deeply and thoroughly that we know how to destroy those obstacles that clog the free movement of His Spirit in our lives! Brothers & Sisters, let's seek the Lord this Sukkot season -- and purpose to re-dig our wells again! And I expect the Lord has a great blessing for us if we do! LET THE RIVERS FLOW!

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For the LORD JEHOVAH, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation."Isaiah 12:2-3 ; "On the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If any man thirsts, let him come to Me, and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."John 7:37-38

During the Feast of Passover, the Jewish people took part in a water drawing ceremony on the last day of the feast. They would go down to the Pool of Siloam, draw water and bring it to the Temple Mount. Then they would pour out the water and recite Isaiah 12, "and with joy you shall draw water out of the wells (springs) of salvation." In Hebrew, the word salvation and Jesus,are the same. Imagine the scene at the time of Jesus' appearance. It is likely that in the midst of this ceremony, He stood up and proclaimed, "If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to Me and drink." He who believes in Me as the Scripture said, "from His innermost being shall flow rivers of living water." Brothers & Sisters, this promise is true for us today. Our Messiah is the same yesterday, today and forever. He did not promise a sprinkling or a tiny stream. He promised rivers of living water. Claim this promise today -- claim the fullness of life in Him. Draw from Him the peace that passes all understanding. Draw from Him pure love -- agape love. Draw from Him the joy that makes the trees clap. Draw all that you need, but in order to draw from Him -- you must go to Him. One cannot draw water from a spring unless one goes to the spring. Go to the spring that never runs dry -- go to your spring of Jesus! DRAW FROM THE SPRINGS OF JESUS!

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life."John 8:12 ; "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut."Matthew 25:1-10

During the feast of Tabernacles in Jesus' day, the temple priests would set up four great lampstands with golden lampholders, which they would light with the aid of enormous ladders in the Temple courtyard. The lighting of these lamps began the celebration of the "Great Hosannah" (Hoshannah Rabbah, in Hebrew). The celebration went on in to the wee hours -- with music and dancing and rejoicing, while the beautiful lights lit up the night. Jerusalem was a breathtaking, illuminated city on a hill. The following morning the Jewish people would recite the prayer for the eighth day of the feast -- "Be thou praised, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who makes light and causes darkness, who makes peace and creates all: the light of the world as the treasure of life…" Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world.". God is Light, He loves light, He creates light, He sheds light, He desires light. Lamps with oil produce light, both for those who carry them and for those who see the light bearers. "You are the light of the world", He said. So the Lord also expects light from and His people. The light of God in our lives comes from His Holy Spirit, and oil has always been associated with the Spirit's ministry in the lives of believers. Burning oil produces light. If we are spiritual "virgins"because we are betrothed to one Heavenly Husband, we ought to bear His light in this dark world. Yet He has told us that some virgins will not have the wisdom to do it, so it is a warning to us; a warning not to quench the Spirit, but be filled with Him and be the light of the world. Brothers & Sisters, some of us, though virgins, have been walking in darkness. This could change. The choice to light our lamps belongs to us. The gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to all true virgins. The wise among us will "buy oil" and maintain our lamps thoroughly filled. To "buy oil" means to "spend time" with the One who supplies it, asking Him to fill us up, and to clean out the impurities in our "lamps". You know what this means for you personally, and I know what it means for me. We ought to think about the joy of the wedding, and prepare our hearts with His light... illuminated beautifully for all the world to see, and to be ready! At midnight, when the Bridegroom suddenly appears, our joy will be unspeakable. GET YOUR LAMBS LIT!

"Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice."Deut 16:15

The Feast of Tabernacles commemorates the time in which God led the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years, providing them with every need on a daily basis – shelter, food, water and clothing. Interestingly, during Sukkot, the book of Ecclesiastes is read in the synagogues-- but Ecclesiastes speaks of the vanity of materialism. How can we find a balance between feasting in God’s provision and wallowing in worldly materialism? The answer is simple. If our focus lies on all of our abundance without acknowledging the Provider, then it is all vanity! But if our focus is on the Lord and His desire for our lives, then He provides us with all that is pure and holy. Guide, feast in the Lord for all that He has provided and enter into the season of the Feast Of Tabernacle! HE'S PROVIDING ----- SO REJOICE!

"looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."Hebrews 12:2

Let's reflect on what the Lord has done for us this year and commit to live above our current circumstances and look ahead toward what He is going to do for us in the future! As we look to our Lord we recognize that He suffered the agony of the crucifixion -- yet while facing His death -- JOY was set before Him! The author and finisher of our faith looked past the here and now -- and was focused on what was coming! Let's do the same. Brothers & Sisters, despite today's problems, let's look toward eternity. For truly, eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, the things that God has prepared for those of us who love Him!! CHOOSE TO REJOICE!

"For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another-- He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."Hebrews 9:24-28

Passover, which literally means Day of Coverings, can be a day of deep reflection on what the Lord has done for us. As Jesus died on the cross 2000 years ago, the Gospel describes how the veil in the Temple was torn in two. This profound spiritual event reveals that the Lord gave all whose sins are covered by His blood access to the Holy of Holies, as He had become our High Priest in addition to being, Himself, the perfect sacrifice for sin. Although the Temple was not finally destroyed until 70 AD, Orthodox Judaism recounts in the Talmud that, beginning in 30 AD, God no longer accepted the animal sacrifices commanded in the Torah for the Day of Atonement. Throughout the ages, while the Temple stood, the High Priest would cast lots for the two goats which were to be offered as sacrifices on Passover Feast. One lot was for the goat to be sacrificed on the altar, for God -- and the other, called "Azazel", the goat cast out into the wilderness for the removal of sins [Leviticus 16:7-10]. Traditionally, as the Priest cast the lot, finding it in his right hand was a good omen, indicating that God had accepted the sacrifice. However, if the High Priest drew it in his left hand, this indicated the Lord's displeasure and even rejection of the sacrifice. For the 40 years after the sacrifice of Jesus, the Talmud records that the lot was taken in the left hand of the High Priest. The same result for 40 years, a lot cast into the left hand, carries a statistical probability of 1 in 1,099,511,627,776 -- or one in a trillion chance! There were also other significant miraculous signs described in this tract, that something of major significance had taken place related to the most critical sacrifice in the Temple order. It is clear to both Jews and Messianic believers that God was saying something important to the Jewish people in 30AD; something important enough to be recorded in the Talmud and something which demanded an explanation. We believe that the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, 40 years after the sacrifice of Jesus, followed a period of testimony and testing for the Jewish people concerning the fact that the sacrificial system had been consummated by Jesus' death on the cross. 40 is a typical number of testing throughout the Bible. While animal sacrifices continued to be offered in the Temple while it stood, and many believing Jews continued to participate in them, it was clear that something new and definitive had opened the way for all people to enter the Holiest place and to know the Lord intimately and personally. Without intending to, the Talmud offers historical support for the significance and reality of the events in 30 AD which consummated the sacrificial system given in the Torah; i.e. the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, who died for the sins of the whole world. Brothers & Sisters, so enter into His presence boldly today with the full knowledge that the veil was torn -- the sacrifice was provided -- and the work was completed 2000 years ago in our Messiah Jesus! ENTER HIS PRESENCE, YOU ARE COMPLETELY COVERED!

"And he shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die. 14 He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. 15 "Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. 16 So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness."Leviticus 16:13-16, 21-22 ; 21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. 22 The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

One of the main lessons of Passover Feast is understanding the significance of the mercies of God. The scripture expressed that our sins are removed as far as "the east is from the west" -- meaning they are completely forgiven when confessed. On the feast of Passover, or the Day of Atonement two goats are involved in the sacrifice. The blood of the first goat was placed on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. The other, or "scapegoat" was released into the wilderness, signifying that our sins were not only covered, but also removed. In the days of the Temple, this "scapegoat" was led through the Eastern Gate toward the Mount of Olives where it would disappear from view, as it fulfilled the removal of sins from the people. Now the Mount of Olives was also the location of the ascension of Jesus when he left this earth after his death and resurrection. His shed blood took away our sins when He brought it to the Heavenly Mercy Seat, typified by the goat who was slain on Passover. But He also ascended and disappeared from just east of the Temple on the Mount of Olives in the same way as the "scapegoat"..... showing that our sins are completely removed, as far as the east is from the west! Brothers & Sisters, Jesus' sacrifice completely covered and removed our sins. We can walk in full assurance of His forgiveness, with a cleansed conscience in newness of life today and every day. We are perfect in Him. Receive His mercy, confess your sins, and walk in freedom fully realizing they have been removed -- as far as the east is from the west...by His amazing grace! MAY YOUR SINS BE REMOVED AS FAR AS THE EAST AND THE WEST!

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."Hebrews 12:1-2

Our identification with Jesus promises a certain degree of affliction in our lives, that we share in the fellowship of His sufferings. Yet we are also like children who can revel in and enjoy the freedom that His sacrifice has brought us into. This is the paradox of our life of faith, and something we can embrace fully by the grace of God. Brothers & Sisters, knowing and following Jesus is a life of suffering and great joy, even revelry. Which ever side of the "fence" you're on at the moment, you can be thankful that, because your sins are forgiven, the end of the matter will be better than the beginning. So, count it all joy when you meet with trials....and rejoice in the Lord always...forgiveness of sins is your passport to Eternal Life. EMBRACE THE PARADOX & REJOICE!

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."1 Peter 2:9-10

Each of us who knows Jesus as Messiah belongs to a royal priesthood. We are called to enter the presence of God -- but in order to do that, we need to strip ourselves -- strip ourselves of our pride, our egos, our worries, our concerns. And we must come humbly into the presence of God in the simplest way -- as a little child. Brothers & Sisters, the blood of Jesus, our sacrificial lamb -- covers us so that we too can enter into the Holy of Holies. And all ministry begins there, where we meet the Lord face to face in worship and prayer. Let's enter into his presence today and renew our minds and hearts with His agape love and the joy of His awesome salvation. COME JUST AS YOU ARE!

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12

"Break up your fallow ground." "Fallow" means "hard". A hard heart cannot love; and often cannot even receive it. A hard heart will block relationship with God and with others. Whatever the cause; anger, woundedness, bitterness, unforgiveness, the result will be a superficiality in relationship, an inability to empathize, and a corruption of your motivations. You will become manipulative, deceitful, proud, and unresponsive. God's message, His word to you will be difficult to hear and you will resist it. Like a layer of rock under the shallow soil, where the rain cannot penetrate, love and truth will fail to penetrate your heart and affect your actions. Thus, a hard heart is deadly, because sin is petrified there, and the wages of sin is death. How do you break up fallow ground? How do you change a hardened heart? You start with your will. You make a choice. You decide. Your decision is to soften, in spite of the way you feel, the things you remember, or have chosen to forget. Your decision is called "repentance", a changing of the mind, a turning of the will, in the opposite direction. The power of the will to repent is astounding because it opens the door for God to heal and transform your heart; to rain His love upon you and remove bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, and hatred or any other sin that is hardening your heart. Do you want to love? Do you want to be loved? But your heart is hard? Try repentance. Test God's power and will to heal and change you. But you must be willing to mourn. " Blessed are them that mourn." Repentance will open you to the rain of tears so that the pain and bitterness can pour out of you. But you will be amazed at what happens with your relationships. Love will enter and remain in your life; God's love and love with others too. Brothers & Sisters, millions have tried it; repentance works. Make it a lifestyle, and you will live and walk in love. CHOOSE REPENTANCE!

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."2 Corinthians 5:10

But we ought to realize...there are nine verses in the Bible, Old and New Testament, which clearly state that we will be judged and rewarded for our works. (The final one is Revelation 22:12). Salvation is by grace through faith; and all who believe have their names written in the Book of Life.[Eph 2:5], but our rewards will be determined solely by what we have done. One day, when this life is over, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah (Christ). Once we breathe our last breath we will never again be able to prepare for eternity! These are our days of awe; not just once a year, but every single day of our life. Our everyday deeds on earth will determine our destinies in eternity. Brothers & Sisters, each of our days -- these Awesome days -- should be held in awe and used to the fullest. Use them wisely! Get right with God, every morning; tie up the loose ends, forgive others their offenses, be filled with His Spirit, and walk in love. You won't need to fear the Days of Awe, but instead look forward to a rich reward in God's Eternity -- yes, in fact we are... truly we're living in the Days of Awe! WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF AWESOME DAYS!

"as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

When the twelve spies were sent into Canaan to spy out the land, ten returned with a bad report. Their assessment was that it was impossible to conquer the land that God had promised them. Forgetting how God had led them with a pillar of fire by night, and fed them manna from heaven during the day, brought forth water out of a rock, and parted the Red Sea, they saw the situation with only their natural eyes, failed to walk by faith, and succumbed to fear. Joshua and Caleb however, returned with a good report. Refusing to be discouraged by what they saw, they fully trusted that their supernatural God was not going to break His promise to His people, Israel. We are living in days where the world looks bleak, and the evils seem to grow more threatening and dangerous. How will we react? Will we be devastated and terrorized like the 10 spies with a bad report? Or will we do something extraordinary -- will we walk by faith like Joshua and Caleb, trust in the love and power of our God, and seize the opportunities that are at hand? Brothers & Sisters, let's walk by faith and stand firm in it, facing every challenge, and laying hold of every opportunity that awaits us. May Joshua and Caleb be our examples of faith and courage in these days. With our God going before us, we also, can take the land, glorifying Him in every battle. WHICH REPORT WILL WE GIVE?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."Romans 12:1

The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I did not say that God would use an intelligent person. I didn't say an educated person, nor did I say a person who was ultimately gifted. What I said was that the person with whom God will work with and for and through will be the person "who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him". God isn’t looking for people with amazing minds or hands or voices or computer skills. He’s not looking for those who are wearing the nicest suits or dresses at church. And He’s not looking for the people with the highest grade point averages at the local Christian College. What God is really looking for, are people who are simply sold out for Him! Brothers & Sisters, one of the great secrets to a successful walk with the Lord is understanding total commitment to Jesus. But being totally committed requires us to daily take up our cross -- leave the past behind us -- and despite all the obstacles the enemy tries to throw in our path, press forward for the Lord and His work! Let's consecrate ourselves to the Lord again! SO MANY COMMITMENTS!

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you."Hosea 10:12

Over the years I've often gotten emails asking "When do you think revival will come?" Well.... first, what is "revival", exactly? "a renewed attention to or interest in something". Here are some important questions for us to answer today: How interested are we in praying to the Lord and truly worshipping His Holy Name? How interested are we in growing in God's truth and knowing Him deeply? How interested are we in gaining a greater knowlege and understanding of His Word? And just how interested are we in sharing those precious things with the dying world around us? A key aspect of world revival is revival within ourselves. And it's not just a one-time thing, either. Once, a lady asked Billy Sunday "Why do you keep having revival meetings?" He quickly retorted, "Why do you always take a bath?" Revival is something that needs to happen daily. It's an ongoing transformation of our hearts to be constantly moved by the Spirit of God. We need to be daily breaking up our fallow ground, those places in our hearts which we've allowed to grow hard. We have to ask the Lord to reveal those hard places, pray that He would forgive us and ask Him to heal all our rough edges that we might be soft before Him and sensitive to His leading. Brothers & Sisters, let's get serious about getting ourselves revived. REVIVAL IS HERE!

"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet will sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory."1 Cor. 15:51-54

Last weekend begins the Biblical festival of Rosh Ha Shana. What's interesting about Rosh Ha Shana (the Jewish celebration of the New Year), is that it doesn't fall on the first day of the first month. It actually falls on the first day of the seventh month! It's difficult for outsiders to understand this concept, but if we study how the Jewish year begins and how God is outlining this age according to the Jewish feasts it all makes sense. The first month of the Jewish year begins with Passover. Two thousand years ago, the new age began with the crucifixion of Jesus on the Cross on Passover! Next, Messiah rose from the dead precisely on the day of the celebration of first fruits. Then, fifty days later, the Feast of Shavout (Pentecost) began the celebration of the harvest season. This day marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the beginnings of the first harvest right in Jerusalem as three thousand souls came into the kingdom! Now, here we are, in the midst of the summer harvest -- the harvest of souls, awaiting the great sound of the trumpet! When the trumpet sounds -- it shall be the beginning of a new age when "this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality!" So as we celebrate Rosh Ha Shana or Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), it's a reminder that this age is soon coming to a close -- that the summer will soon end and there will be no more days to work. Let's take heed the sound of the shofar and rise to this awesome occasion! Brothers & Sisters, we live this life only once, so let's do what we need to do while we still can! Let's not put off the good we are called to do! Don't put off forgiving others -- forgive now! Don't put off sharing with that neighbor with whom you've been wanting to share for years -- share now! Don't put off going forth and doing the great things God has called you to do -- do them now! These are the final days of the harvest -- let's get out into the field and finish the work that needs to be done so that we might all be able to rejoice together in the end!! SO LITTLE TIME & SO MUCH TO DO!

"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:"Genesis 12:2

When we read this passage of Scripture, the first thing that probably comes to mind are all the promises that God gave to Abraham and the nation of Israel. But it occurred to me that there is a bigger lesson that we can learn here. We tend to focus on the part of that scripture where God does the blessing -- but why did He bless Him? The answer lies in the passage! The Lord told Abraham: "I will bless you --- and you shall be a blessing." Abraham was blessed so that he could be a blessing! The same is true today. The Lord has done so much for us! He has blessed us with so many things, the most important of which is His mercy in that He died for sinners like us! He has bestowed us with so much grace! He has allowed us to come into His Kingdom and be a part of the great things He's doing! What we have received should not only be for our own enjoyment but for the salvation of a dying world around us! Brothers & Sisters, God gives freely to us so that we may give freely to others! Let's not be afraid to give out the blessings God has granted us! Share God's goodness! To whom much is given, much is required! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR BLESSINGS?

"My beloved is to me as a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi."Song of Solomon 1:14

En Gedi is a nature reserve surrounded by dry, barren, rocky ground, except to the east where the Dead Sea lies, it is an oasis, fed year round by springs of fresh water, and home to some of the most unique wild and botanical life in the world. In the Song of Solomon, the King likens his beloved to flowers in the desert, his experience of En Gedi, evoking the dramatic contrast between a harsh and arid landscape and the exquisite refreshing floral beauty of an oasis. Such was Solomon's experience of romantic love, perhaps with the Queen of Sheba. Now you may feel like you’re walking through a desert -- wandering in a wilderness...thirsty, and perhaps, longing for love... Seek the Lord your God. His Presence is an eternal spring and a perpetual oasis in this arid world, and His love is better than the most desirable romantic experience you could hope for. It's a love which flows from an eternal spring, Jesus, Himself, and its sweetness and power will cause flowers to bloom throughout your dry and barren life. Brothers & Sisters, drink from the spring of life, your beloved, Jesus – He will fill you to overflowing, and make you, yourself, a living spring...for this thirsty, love-starved world. BECOME A SPRING IN THE DESERT!