shadesofdeeppurple's Blog

A Statement and Appeal Regarding Lakeland<br />

By Dutch Sheets <br />

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It has now been a couple of weeks since I heard about Todd Bentley�s plans for separation and divorce. Like everyone, I have had a variety of emotions including anger, sadness, and grief. Every time I see this scenario repeated, I grieve: for the husband and wife involved; for the family that will be scarred in so many ways; because of the incredible reproach it brings to Christ; and the distortion it gives concerning God�s heart and ways. I am praying for Todd and his family. <br />

I was asked numerous times to write my position on Lakeland while it was happening, but always felt checked by the Lord�the waters were too muddy and emotions too high. I now feel strongly that the Lord wants me to do so. It will be arguably one of the greatest risks of my ministry to date, but one I feel must be taken. Fathers, when given the voice to do so, bear the responsibility of giving correction and wisdom. I hope mine qualifies for the latter. I assure you I have spent many hours praying and thinking through the situation. <br />

The risks are broad: with some of my dearest friends and co-laborers, I risk harming those relationships; with many in the charismatic body of Christ, I risk appearing to be an arrogant, �self-appointed� spokesperson for them; to the �I told you so� crowd, I risk the accusation of �spinning� the situation. (As far as the heresy hunters and revival police�not those who raised legitimate questions about Lakeland, but the attack dogs who make their living and build their ministries criticizing everyone else�I lost respect for them long ago and couldn�t care less what they think.) My purpose and sincere prayer in writing this statement, however, is three-fold: to see healing begin for the body of Christ; to initiate a process that can remove the reproach brought to Christ and the Church; and to do these things while preserving and honoring my current relationships. I pray that these desires, along with my heart, come through loudly. And I hope I�m writing this with true humility�who among us clearly sees all hidden in our own hearts?<br />

Let me also preface this statement by saying that what needs to be said cannot be done quickly or carelessly. I do not want my heart to be missed and am not willing to run that risk for the sake of brevity, so please bear with the length. (Incidentally, I think it will be obvious no one involved in the Lakeland situation has asked me to write this; and for the sake of integrity on my part, none have been consulted concerning what I�m stating.)<br />

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Mistakes at Lakeland<br />

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Did leaders handling the Lakeland situation make mistakes? Yes�huge mistakes. Beyond the obvious fruit of salvations and healings, can good come from Lakeland, as some have suggested, even with the recent revelations concerning Todd Bentley? Yes, but only if there is complete honesty and transparency, the removal of all attempts at self-preservation, and absolute humility from all sides.<br />

Did I endorse the Lakeland meetings? No, I did not, nor did I condemn them. I acknowledged that healings were occurring and some were being saved, which I still believe and rejoice over. I realized and stated that the thousands of people attending were hungry and sincere, as were those involved in leading the meetings. The worship was regularly good. But looking past some of the immediate and positive results, I, like many, also looked ahead to the possible fruit from questionable doctrine and experiences, exaggeration and hype, youthful pride, character issues and the frightening potential of a 32 year �young� man leading a movement that could shape the future of the Church. These things were frightening, very frightening, to others and me. <br />

When something has the potential of setting precedent, birthing a movement and being reproduced as a prototype, we are no longer simply endorsing good brothers, good intentions and miracles. Doctrine and foundations will be built on these events. Teachings and paradigms for future ministries will be formed�in short, the next generation of the church and the move of God in the earth could be greatly impacted. This is why I stopped short of endorsing everything at Lakeland. Just as importantly, I could not ignore the �check�, the uneasiness, the sickening feeling deep in my spirit telling me something else was wrong�terribly wrong�in this situation. Like other leaders I tried to push past my uneasiness with the showmanship, the �bams,� the head butts and kneeing, along with certain experiences and doctrines, all in order to embrace the good. Like many of my friends I tried to be�and believe I was�gracious, accepting, ready to think �out of the box�, etc. But try as I may, the uneasiness in my spirit just wouldn�t leave. <br />

Did I voice my concerns to the appropriate people? Yes, including stating my concerns for Todd�s marriage to the Lakeland Outpouring Apostolic Team. Did they listen? Some did, some didn�t. But I want to state emphatically, this is not an �I told you so� statement. In fact, much of what I want to address goes back several years into our charismatic Christian history. And I assure you that concerning our present weaknesses in the charismatic church, there is plenty of blame to go around. Personally, I�ve been right at times with my discernment and decisions, wrong at others. It would be worse than hypocritical for me to point the finger of accusation�I have no stones of judgment to throw. Nonetheless, mistakes were made and must be acknowledged and learned from in order for us to heal, grow and move forward. <br />

Some of my closest friends endorsed and participated in the Lakeland meetings. For them I have both criticism�all of us lose credibility at this point if we�re not completely honest�and affirmation. Should they have been more discerning and have listened to the warnings they received? Obviously. Should those who �aligned� Todd with spiritual fathers (which was a good thing and positioned him to receive help if he chooses to accept it) have realized to do so publicly was a mistake and could be interpreted by those watching in no other way than as a complete endorsement? Yes, they should have, especially when the event became a commissioning ceremony, complete with decrees and prophecies of going to higher levels, predictions of Todd�s increasing world-wide influence and leading a world-wide revival, emphatic and prolific endorsements of his character, etc. <br />

How could those watching believe the evening was anything but an aligning, endorsing and commissioning ceremony? It was. It really doesn�t matter who laid their hands on Todd�all share responsibility. This was unwise at best, naïve at least and at its worst, foolish. And should the leaders involved have realized that those of us connected to them relationally, ministerially, and as movements�some even in alignment with them apostolically and as sons and daughters�would feel minimalized, if not betrayed, by the fact that they were in essence taking us onto the stage with them? Yes. These feelings were inevitable, especially when we had such uneasiness and asked them not to. Should there be an acknowledgment of these mistakes to the body of Christ for the sake of accountability and in order to rebuild trust? I believe so, and remain hopeful this will happen. <br />

With such strong statements of disagreement, what is the affirmation toward my friends who led, participated in or endorsed this ceremony (and the meetings in general)? Simply stated, I know their hearts. It is not a contradiction of my criticisms toward some of their actions to, at the same time, defend and endorse their hearts and character. It is completely appropriate�when true�to defend a person�s heart and integrity while disagreeing with their actions. I think the blunder of that night was huge and very damaging to the body of Christ, but I also realize that in their hearts, those involved honestly felt they were doing the right things.<br />

Again, while not defending the action taken, I would defend the character and integrity of Peter and Doris Wagner as vigorously as anyone I know, and do so with absolute confidence. There are no two people, and I mean that literally, who embody the qualities of humility, integrity, holiness (no compromise!), sacrifice, unselfish kingdom-thinking, the tireless giving of themselves to Christ�s cause and the body of Christ�and do I need to add risk-taking?�as much as Peter and Doris Wagner. It remains my great honor to be associated with them and call them a spiritual father and mother. And again, while not minimizing or �sweeping under the rug� any wrong decisions, I remain steadfast in my belief that similar affirmations could be made of others involved�either directly or indirectly�in the ceremony. And some of them still see their endorsing of Lakeland as an endorsement of revival generally, not of Todd personally. <br />

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The Bigger Picture<br />

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It may come as a surprise, however, that my real purpose in writing this is not to only state the above, as important as I believe saying it is. My primary purpose, and I believe my assignment from the Lord, is to identificationally repent on behalf of the leadership of the charismatic body of Christ (see Nehemiah 1:4-7; Daniel 9:1-19). In doing so, I do not have a pompous, �no one else will, so I�ll do it� attitude, nor am I arrogant enough to think I have become the spokesperson for the charismatic church. But in the same way that I can identify with the racism of white predecessors and repent to blacks, Native Americans and other races, I can represent the leadership of the charismatic body of Christ and identificationally repent for our sins and weaknesses. I encourage leaders who find my statements true and appropriate to join me. Beyond the simple fact of it being appropriate, I firmly believe it is the only way to begin the process of rebuilding trust with those asked to follow us and to remove the cynicism of the world we ask to listen to us. As you know, regaining credibility is much more difficult than attaining credibility.<br />

Concerning what I�m about to say, I don�t believe I have a critical spirit, nor do I want to diminish the sacrifices, faithfulness, and hard work done by so many in ministry. The fact remains, however, that we have failed the Lord and His people in many ways�not just with Lakeland but in countless other situations�and must repent if we are to be trusted in the future. And as you also know, no repentance is effective if watered down and couched in excuses, therefore, I intend to be brutally honest:<br />

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1) We, the leaders of the charismatic community, have operated in an extremely low level of discernment. Frankly, we often don�t even try to discern. We assume a person�s credibility based on gifts, charisma, the size of their ministry or church, whether they can prophesy or work a miracle, etc. (Miracles and signs are intended to validate God and His message, not the messenger; sometimes they validate the assignment of an individual, but never the person�s character, lifestyle or spiritual maturity.) We leaders in the Church have become no different than the world around us in our standards for measuring success and greatness. This has contributed to the body of Christ giving millions of dollars to undeserving individuals; it has allowed people living in sin to become influential leaders�even to lead movement, allowing them influence all the way to the White House. Through our lack of discernment we built their stages and gave them their platforms. We have been gullible beyond words�gullible leaders producing gullible sheep. <br />

When a spiritual leader we�re connected with violates trust, is exposed for immorality or falls below other accepted standards of behavior, it does not exonerate us simply to say we don�t condone such behavior. Those we lead trust us to let them know whom to trust. We have failed them miserably in this regard. <br />

For this lack of discernment, and for employing and passing on inappropriate standards of judgment, I repent to the Lord and ask forgiveness of the body of Christ. <br />

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2) We, the leaders of the charismatic church, spin our involvement and fail to acknowledge our responsibility when other leaders fall�all of which stems from our self-preservation and pride. Enough of the spin�we�re no different than Washington, DC. Every time another embarrassing and disgraceful situation is exposed, the dancing begins. It seems that no one bears any real responsibility except the man or woman who actually commits sin. Incredibly, we even blame �revival� itself�the pressures, attacks, weariness, the �revival is messy� argument, etc., saying it is responsible for the failures. This is disgusting. Those of us on boards of fallen leaders, those who helped give them a voice, put them on TV, published and endorsed their books (yes, I have), etc., are not exonerated simply by saying we don�t condone the wrong behavior or that we didn�t know. We�re supposed to know.<br />

I don�t believe anyone is expecting perfection from us�I know I�m not. We�re far too human for that. But we are expected to have enough humility to look the world and those who follow us in the eye when we miss it and say, �we were wrong and we are sorry.�<br />

Our careless accountability has caused the body of Christ to be spiritually raped and abused. It has produced disillusionment and brought immeasurable reproach to our God and cynicism to His message. Concerning Lakeland, what was called the �greatest revival since Azusa Street� has become possibly one of the greatest reproaches. We, the leaders of the charismatic church, are responsible. <br />

For not accepting and acknowledging our responsibility, for caring more about our own reputation than Christ�s, I repent to God and ask forgiveness of the body of Christ.<br />

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3) Our procedures and standards of accountability are incredibly inadequate. We have provided camaraderie, not biblical accountability. For those on Todd Bentley�s board who had previous knowledge of his marriage problems and said nothing, it was more than a mistake�it was reckless, foolish, and irresponsible. For those on the stage the night of his aligning and commissioning who knew and said nothing�ditto. For those there who didn�t know, my question is, �why didn�t you?� You were trusted to know. That is one of the purposes of public commissioning and the purpose behind the concept of endorsement. I�m not trying to point the finger; I�m endeavoring to get us to be honest about our failures�we have serious credibility issues. Have I ever laid hands on, commissioned or endorsed anyone without adequately checking them out? Yes, but you better believe I�ll be more careful next time!And we must not single out Lakeland. We�re all guilty. <br />

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What about the leader in my city who ran with some of the leading spiritual fathers in our nation�sincere and good men, I might add, and not ll �charismatic� leaders�who sang his praises and helped build his stage�all while he was doing drugs and having @!%% with other men? But we shouldn�t blame only the high profile cases�what about those of us who unknowingly have had adulterers on our staffs or appointed elders that turned out to have compromise in their life? Sounding familiar yet?<br />

This is so epidemic that every member of the body of Christ stands guilty�what pastor or leader did you follow that turned out to have sin issues? What ministry did you support that was unworthy? There is plenty of blame to go around. The big question becomes not �who do we blame� but �how do we fix this mess?� <br />

Leaders can live in sin�adultery, homo@@#@uality, financial wrongdoing, drugs, etc.�for years without it being realized. They can offer completely unacceptable lifestyles for the body of Christ to follow and still keep their TV programs and lavish lifestyles. In the name of grace, compassion and forgiveness we have lowered the standard so much that often there isn�t one. We have bought into the lie that true discipline is �shooting our wounded.� We have made a mockery of biblical restoration, making �ministry��not healthy individuals, marriages and families�its ultimate goal. The fact is, integrity matters. No, we don�t need legalistic, pharisaical standards, but we must have standards. For this lack of biblical accountability, I repent to God and I ask forgiveness of the body of Christ. <br />

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4) We, the leaders of the charismatic church, have built on hype, sensation, innovation, programs, personality and charisma. This has produced: shallowness; false movements; novice leaders�gifted but immature and untested; a deficient understanding of God�s word; the building of man-centered rather than kingdom-centered churches and ministries; competition rather than cooperation; humanistic, self-centered Christians who don�t understand sacrifice and commitment; Christians without discernment; superstar leaders; a perverted and powerless gospel; prayerless and anemic Christians; a replacement of the fear of the Lord with the fear of man; and a young generation that is cynical of it all. We are responsible, not the devil; he takes what we give him.For this compromise in the way we build, for giving the Church watered down wine, commercial Christianity, a flashy but weak Church and hype disguised as anointing, I repent to God and ask forgiveness of the body of Christ.<br />

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Galatians 6:1-5 is an appropriate reference with which to end this statement: �Brethren, even if a man caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another�s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one shall bear his own load.� NAS<br />

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My passionate prayer is that God honors this repentance�I believe He led me to do it and therefore, will�and uses it to begin a process of cleansing and healing for all of us. In order for the coming great awakening to bear maximum fruit we must have both, as well as a course correction that sets us on a path of wisdom leading to life. There is no doubt that past moves of God have been aborted, ended prematurely and contained error or heresy that have wounded, if not destroyed, many. The healing revival of the 40�s and 50�s, the charismatic movement, discipleship movement and Jesus movement are all examples. My heart is to help shape a movement, the fruit of which will last for decades�better yet, forever. And I have great expectations for us�I am not a cynic.<br />

My passionate prayer is also that Todd Bentley�s marriage survives and thrives�that he turns his heart fully toward Christ and toward those with whom he is aligned, and allows them, as God leads, to put him on a path of complete restoration. I thank God for those who were touched by the Holy Spirit at Lakeland and while watching it on God TV and the web. <br />

May we all move forward into all God has planned for us in this awesome season of endless possibility.<br />

<br />

With great hope�Dutch Sheets

The power of prayer<br />

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When we enter into prayer, we enter into the realm of divine omnipotence and tap into the unlimited power of God. Prayer leaps over boundaries, stops at no distances, and balks at no obstacles. No wonder Jesus said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).<br />

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The late Dr. M. R. DeHaan recognized the tremendous force God placed in the hands of His people through prayer. DeHaan said, "I would far rather have the power of prayer to move the powers of heaven, than to have the power of preaching to move the masses on earth."<br />

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While some of us may not have the gift of preaching or the anointed eloquence to proclaim the gospel to all who will hear-all of us do have the power of prayer at our disposal. We can commune directly with our Creator, and cry out to the God of the universe with the steadfast assurance that HE IS LISTENING... and He will answer.<br />

Why, then, do we go about laden with burdens too heavy to bear? Why do we endure overwhelming sorrows and pain? Why do we attempt to make the best of living with want and lack? The Lord gently scolds us for failing to seek His help by saying, Ye have not, because ye ask not (James 4:2).<br />

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I love the grand old gospel song that asks, "Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted?" then responds, "Tell it to Jesus, Tell it to Jesus!" On and on the song goes, listing man's most common troubles and fears, and always reminding, urging, commanding-"Tell it to Jesus alone!"<br />

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God has invited us to come to Him with our needs and burdens. Jesus said, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matthew 7:7).<br />

Are the answers you need being given? Have you asked?<br />

Are you finding the solutions to life's problems? Are you seeking?<br />

Are the doors of opportunity being opened to you? Are you knocking?<br />

God is ready and willing to meet your every need. He is more than enough for all your problems. But to receive what He wants you to have, you have to take the first step. Have you ever taught your children to come to you for assistance with their needs? Even though you sometimes knew what they needed before they asked, have you ever waited until they made their petition to you?<br />

Jesus said, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11).<br />

So we need to learn to ask-we need to be sure to make our petitions known to God through prayer.<br />

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Pray in faith<br />

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Then, too, we must pray with faith. Some people feel their faith is too weak, but I believe, with the Apostle Paul, that God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). If our faith comes from God-if He has provided it for us, then we have enough...and it is sufficient!<br />

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When in the midst of suffering and in need of healing, many of us may find it difficult to receive healing directly from the hand of God. But the Lord often uses other hands, other instruments to meet our need. Often healing comes through the channel of doctors and medicine. Depending on such healing aids is not necessarily a lack of faith.<br />

An old motto I've heard suggests that we should work as though everything depended on us, but pray as if everything depended on God. Perhaps this is the perfect blending of faith and works endorsed by the Apostle James (see 2:20-26).<br />

Is God really interested in our individual needs and problems? Aren't our personal difficulties too small to bring to the attention of the Almighty? Isn't He preoccupied with wars and cataclysmic events, interested only in global and universal affairs?<br />

Not at all! Nothing is too great or too small to bring to the Lord. He knows! He sees! He cares! Oh, yes, my friend. He is listening...and He will answer.<br />

I know this-when our own strength and provision fail, prayer helps us tap into an inexhaustible divine supply. And it is undeniably true that more miracles are wrought by prayer than this world could ever imagine.<br />

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The Holy Spirit intercedes<br />

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There are times when I feel so overwhelmed by needs or challenges before me that I don't even know how to pray. But the Holy Spirit does-and He ministers through me to touch the heart of God. Paul wrote, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit [himself] maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).<br />

There have been times when I knelt to pray and could only weep-I couldn't find the words to express what was inside. I would cry out, "Oh God, I don't know how to put this because I'm so burdened ." What a comfort to know that the Holy Spirit went right on interceding for me with groanings and expressions too deep to be uttered.<br />

And sooner or later, as I waited before God on my knees, that deep peace that passes all understanding would sweep over me, and my troubled spirit would be at rest. Once again I would have the blessed assurance of knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).<br />

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My friend, what God has done for me, He will do for you. The Lord is ready to minister to you in every part of your life. He is listening.<br />

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TAKE TIME TO PRAY<br />

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I got up quite early one morning<br />

And rushed right into the day;<br />

I had so much to accomplish<br />

I took no time out to pray.<br />

The problems just tumbled about me,<br />

And heavier came every task;<br />

"Why doesn't God help me," I wondered,<br />

He said, "Why, you didn't ask!"<br />

I saw naught of joy or of beauty-<br />

The day sped on, gray and bleak;<br />

I asked, "Why won't the Lord show me?"<br />

He said, "But you didn't seek!"<br />

I tried to come into God's presence;<br />

I used all my keys at the lock,<br />

God gently, lovingly chided,<br />

"My child, why didn't you knock?"<br />

I woke up quite early this morning<br />

And paused ere entering the day;<br />

There was so much to accomplish<br />

I HAD TO TAKE TIME TO PRAY!

There are people who can walk away from you.
And hear me when I tell you this!
When people can walk away from you: let them walk.


I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you,
loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you,
staying attached to you.
I mean hang up the phone.


When people can walk away from you let them walk.
Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

People leave you because they are not joined to you.
And if they are not joined to you,
you can't make them stay.
Let them go.


And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person,
it just means that their part in the story is over.
And you've got to know when people's
part in your story is over so that you
don't keep trying to raise the dead.


You've got to know when it's dead.
You've got to know when it's over.
Let me tell you something.
I've got the gift of good-bye.
It's the tenth spiritual gift,
I believe in good-bye.


It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful,
and I know whatever God means for me to have
He'll give it to me.
And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it.
Stop begging people to stay.
Let them go!!


If you are holding on to something
that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life,
then you need to ..LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ...
LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...
LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you ...
LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge ..
LET IT GO!!!

If you are hooked in a addiction ..
LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or
talents ..
LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude...
LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...
LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new
level in Him...
LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.....
LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help
themselves..
LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed ....
LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling
yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to...
LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past.
Forget the former things.
GOD is doing a new thing for 2008 !!!
LET IT GO!!!

Get Right or Get Left .. think about it, and then
LET IT GO!!!


'The Battle is the Lord's!'

ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE YES AND AMEN IN CHRIST JESUS.

DELVE INTO THE WORD OF GOD FOR YOURSELF; DO NOT GO BY HEARSAY OR THE EXPERIENCES OF ANOTHER. GOD HAS A SPECIFIC PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR EACH OF YOU, SOMETHING THAT HE HAS DESIGNED AND CRAFTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOU. THE TIMES WHEN YOU ARE SHAKEN OR DOUBTFUL, GO BACK TO THE ORIGIN â HIS WORD (IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORDâ¦..) AND YOU WILL FIND THE COURAGE AND THE STRENGTH TO COME BACK WITH RESURGENCE. FOR EVERY QUESTION THAT YOU HAVE IN LIFE, THE WORD HAS THE ANSWER, YOU WILL ONLY HAVE TO LOOK LONG AND HARD TO FIND IT, BUT IT IS ALL THERE.

TEMPORARY SETBACKS ARE NEVER PERMANENT DEFEATS - HE NEVER SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE NO BATTLES, HE NEVER SAID THAT THE WAY WAS EASY OR THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH, BUT EVERY TRIAL AND TRIBULATION (THAT THE ENEMY THROWS YOUR WAY) IS PRE-ORDAINED TO CAUSE YOU TO RISE UP IN FAITH AND OVERCOME IT.

FOR EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT IS BORN AGAIN, YOU HAVE A NEW DNA, A NEW GENE POOL THAT YOU ORIGINATE FROM â CHRIST HIMSELF AND YOUR DNA IS PROGRAMMED TO VICTORY!

What do people see when they look at us? Can they tell at a glance that we've been in the presence of the Lord?
I love the beautiful Old Testament account of how Moses went up to the mountain to meet with God and to receive the Ten Commandments. When he came back down into the camp of the Israelites, his countenance shone -- the light that emanated from his being told all the people at a glance that he had been with Jehovah God.
Some time ago, a local television program featured a man who was talking about how to have the look that was right for you. He was stressing the importance of choosing just the right hairstyle, clothing colors, etc.
I believe that this is important. But as I watched that program, I was struck with the thought that even if we make the outer person look his or her best, without the abiding presence of the Lord within, we can never achieve the look that sets us apart from the world.
What does it matter if people can look at us and say, "My, doesn't he/she have an up-to-date look -- the make-up, the hair, the clothes, the grooming are just impeccable!" If they do not see beyond the outer shell, how real is my Christian testimony?
For all believers, one of our greatest joys should be having people see Jesus in us -- sensing that there is something different about us without our saying a word.