Archive for May, 2015

Do Something

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

“Do Something” is the second segment in the Daring Faith series. This lesson takes us to the account in Scripture when Jesus walks on the water in the midst of the storm (Matthew 14:22–33). Peter, seeing Jesus, said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water,” (Matthew 14:28, KJV). It is here, we see faith in action and Peter’s desire to do something.

People take action in their life in many circumstances for a variety of reasons—tragedy, passion, duty, or fear. However, when it comes to daring faith, we do not take action due to any of these reasons. We step outside our comfort zone when it comes to serving the Lord because of the great things that will happen. Life may bring much uncertainty, but when we get to the end of any road with the Lord, there is nothing in this world that will compare to the awesome outcome we’ll experience with Him!

Doing Something to Get to Him

Life teaches us to take cover in the middle of the storm. On an open sea, the best place for us to stay is in the heart of a ship. Peter didn’t consider this option when he saw Jesus. Peter wanted to step out of the boat, into the storm, into the arms of Jesus.

When Peter asked the Lord to bid him to come onto the water (Matthew 14:28), Jesus answered his ambition for opportunity. Peter probably knew he would be safe if he stayed in the boat, but he wondered what would happened if he just stepped out.  It doesn’t matter if we’re in the middle of the storm, or safe on dry land, the Lord will do a work. That work will happen only when we take a step to meet Him.

Doing Something Over There

We have too many preconceived notions about how the Lord will bless us or deliver us from a given situation. We cannot paint God into a corner, but allow Him to work in the way He sees fit. He’s calling His children today to step outside of the safety of the “boat” and come to Him. We can do great things in God’s Kingdom, but greater things if we step outside the norm or what we know. Peter realized that it wasn’t just there in the boat he could see the Lord work, but there out on the water.

Doing Something Requires Faith

Whether we’ve decided to traverse on dry land or on the water in our walk with the Lord, we cannot start our journey without faith. Every person has been given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). This measure of faith is enough to step out of our “boat” and get to the Lord. But, it is only after we make it to the Lord that something supernatural can truly happen.

Scripture tells us Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him” (KJV). God will always reward those who step out of the boat and seek out His presence and His will for their life.

Doing Something Requires an Action

Peter didn’t know what would happen when he stepped out of the boat, but he had faith—he exercised that faith because he lived it. He didn’t say he had faith, he put it into action (Romans 1:16–17). Every step that he took was undefined, but God met him with every step. He did just “think” about having faith in God or talked about “believing” in God. He did something.

Scripture reminds us that it’s not enough to just believe in the Lord because even the demons in hell believe and tremble. If we aren’t willing to put our faith into action and complete a work for the Lord’s kingdom, quite simply, our faith is dead (James 2:19–20). We may have to step out into something that is uncomfortable. If we’re looking for a miracle, it won’t happen in the boat!

Doing Something for God

We need to remember that daring faith doesn’t just ask for an answer from God—it becomes part of the solution. God doesn’t need a great church or a great program. God needs a kingdom full of people who are willing to do something.  In Job 29, Job makes mention that he helped those who could not help themselves, and did a work when someone else could not do it, or would not do it. God needs people who say, “Yes Lord, I’ll do something.” We can get out of our boats today, exercise our faith, and do something for the Kingdom of God.

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Lessons of the Prophet and Prophecies: Part II

Thursday, May 28th, 2015

“Lessons of the Prophet and Prophecies: Part II” is the fourth part of our Profiles on Prophets series, which continues examining the book of Hosea. The relationship between Hosea and his wife, Gomer, illustrates the relationship God has with the Nation of Israel. The lessons we can learn from Hosea’s prophecies continue to unfold below.

Lessons of the Prophecy

We Must Remember Where Our Stuff Comes From

Everyone has blessings in their life, which God has manifested in different ways—via finances, health, family, etc. When we do not give God the credit for those blessings in our lives we hurt Him! In the story of Hosea, Gomer accredited all her wealth to the income she earned through her promiscuous ventures. The Nation of Israel did the same thing:

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal (Hosea 2:8, KJV).

Israel had forgotten that it was the Lord who gifted them with their land and other blessings. They were wrapped up in the culture of serving false gods; therefore, they gave tribute to idols for their blessings.

Today, people give credit to their own hard work, education, circumstances, and even luck for blessings. We must remember that every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). If we fail to thank God for these blessings, He will be sure to remind us and stop His blessings. In Hosea, God said, “Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy ways with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths” (Hosea 2:6, KJV). We must give honor and glory to the One who makes all things possible or else we will stop experiencing those blessings.

We’re Better Off Sticking Around

And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now (Hosea 2:7, KJV).

Gomer didn’t quite find that life was better away from Hosea. She finally realized she was better off with him in the first place! We too have walked away from the blessings of the Lord because we thought that something in the world looked better. Once we realize our mistake we need to return to the Lord and not stay away! Returning to God out of desperation is better than rebelling against Him for a lifetime.

Scripture mentions repeatedly to us that it’s better to be with God than out in the world, serving self, etc. (Psalms 84:10, 37:16; 118:8–9). It’s always better for us to have a hope in God than faith in a “sure” thing in the natural world. Stay with the Lord and with His blessings—He knows what’s best for us!

Sin That’s Not Repented of and Repeated Ends Up Getting in Our Spirit

If we continue to repeat a sin over and over again, it will wind up finding a lodging place in our hearts. “They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD” (Hosea 5:4, KJV). If our actions continue to be deplorable and frequent, we will potentially get to a place where we can no longer turn to the Lord.

Many people alienate themselves from God because of their sinful behaviors. God continues to reach out to help correct their path, but they continue to give themselves over to sin. They have a mindset where they do not care what God thinks.

Paul warns Timothy “…in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscious seared with a hot iron” (I Timothy 4:1–2, KJV). If we do not repent for our sins and see our errors, we will find ourselves with a calloused heart that no longer feels conviction from the Lord.

We need to repent of our sins, get back to God, and focus on trying to live right according to His Word. We cannot let anyone convince us that the way of the world is the better option. God has blessings in store for us under the shelter of His wings and He wants to help His children get right!

God’s Willing to Buy Back What Already Belongs to Him

In the story of Hosea, Gomer ran off so many times that she eventually wound up selling herself into slavery. God instructed Hosea to go and purchase her back (Hosea 3:2). Hosea went and purchased His unrepentant wife, who did not love him, and loved her anyway.

God has done the same for us—he has bought us back when we have put ourselves on the auction block of sin. Jesus paid that price with His life on Calvary so we could be free from the bondage of sin. Because of His sacrifice, we can walk in newness of life and have an opportunity to live a life above the shackles of death and the devil.

God didn’t have to make any further attempts to save us from the way we were living, but He loved us so much that He couldn’t let us fail. Scripture tells us that we are bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:20) and because of that we should give God our all. He is worthy of our love, honor, praise, adoration, worship, etc. He paid it all, so we should give it all to Him.

Lessons Learned

God loves us so much and has done so much for us. Because Jesus paid our debt with His life, we don’t deserve anything else from the Lord. But, because of His unconditional love, He continues to give and pour out blessings on His children.

Let’s remember that the Lord of Glory, the creator of the Universe, wants desperately to have a relationship with us: spend time with us, bless us, and love us—the way a husband would a wife. We need to stop giving ourselves over to the world, learn the lessons from Hosea, and enter into a relationship with the One that will last for all eternity.

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Adapted from Wednesday Night Bible Study on May 27, 2015

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The Delivering Power of Pentecost

Sunday, May 24th, 2015

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalms 34:1–4, KJV).

Today, the church celebrates the Day of Pentecost—the birth of the church. After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, Christ’s followers awaited for the promise that was to be poured out. Jesus commanded His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high (Acts 1:4). One hundred and twenty waited in an upper room for the promise. They believed on Him, and therefore believed they would receive that promises (John 7:39). Scripture tells us that promise was indeed poured out:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1–4, KJV).

In the beginning of creation, God would speak audibly to man. Then God provided the written Word. But, on the day of Pentecost, God added one last dimension—one more avenue to speak to, lead, and deliver His people. It was the Holy Ghost!

Today is not the only day we celebrate Pentecost; we can celebrate and experience this promise every time we are in the house of God! We are an extension of the church that was established on the day of Pentecost. If they experienced the outpouring of the Holy Ghost (the “supernatural” move of God), then we can experience this as well. If they were filled with the Holy Ghost daily, then we can as well!

The Holy Ghost is poured out when we praise the Lord. We praise Him because He is good, because He delivered us, and because He now lives inside of us. We can only be saved through the power of God’s presence, and this is that delivering power of Pentecost!

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Lessons of the Prophet and Prophecies

Thursday, May 21st, 2015

“Lessons of the Prophet and Prophecies” is the third part of our Profiles on Prophets series, which focuses on the prophet Hosea. The book of Hosea is about a love story between God and His people, archetyped by the relationship between Hosea and his unfaithful wife, Gomer. The nation of Israel was adulterous in their worship to false gods, but God offered His people reconciliation, love, mercy, and grace when justice should have been served.

Lessons of the Prophet

The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD (Hosea 1:2, KJV).

Hosea was instructed to find a wife who would be unfaithful to him. His married life was to be an object lesson: to illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. When we think about the command given to Hosea, we consider why God would ask such a difficult thing.

God required extraordinary obedience from those who face extraordinary times. There are times in our life when God may ask us to do something that is difficult, but if we are going to follow the Lord and be used in His Kingdom, we too need to be obedient. We need to trust God that He knows the end from the beginning. He has a set path for each of His children and a known outcome—everything works together for our greater good! We also may need to face the realization that the pain we experience due to obedience may be a benefit to others!

We can learn from Hosea’s life that God will ask hard things of those who want to be used by Him.

Lessons of the Prophecy

God Hurts When We Fail

If we are going to be a disciple of Christ, this is a hard lesson for us to learn. When we develop a true relationship with Jesus Christ, and have a heart after Him, we don’t live out of fear of punishment—we live out of fear for breaking His heart. Our walk with God is all about our relationship with Him and our desire not to hurt His heart.

We are in a relationship with God likened to a marriage—God calls us His bride. The closeness that exists between a husband and a wife is the relationship God wants to have with His children.

And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shall call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali (Hosea 2:16, KJV).

In this setting of Scripture, Ishi means husband and Baali means master. God doesn’t want us to view our relationship with Him as a master, but as that of a husband who diligently loves his wife! If we realize how much our spouse can hurt us when they are unfaithful, we need to keep this in our minds for how the Lord feels when we fail Him.

Loving Something More than God is Spiritual Adultery

If there is anything that we have in life that we love more than the Lord, it is our idol. The temporary pleasure we experience when we prioritize against God will never with worth what we give up in God’s Kingdom. God always knows what we’re thinking and what we’re doing—we can’t hide anything from Him!

During this time in Israel’s history, they were engaged in worship of Baal (a false god). When Israel first inhabited the land of Canaan, God told His people to remove pagan rituals and idol worship. But, Israel didn’t listen and tolerated the practices that God hated. They eventually joined the Baal worshippers.

Whatever we tolerate in our life will be something we eventually worship. Hosea paints a picture of what people do when they choose something else over God (Hosea 2:2–5). We need to separate ourselves from the world and dedicate ourselves to the relationship we have with the Lord. We need to spend time with Him every day in prayer, read His Word, etc. We need to be on guard with our eyes, heart, and mind—focus on the Lord and nothing else!

Lessons Learned

Hosea was a faithful man of God, and endured much hardship for the betterment of God’s Kingdom. Today, we are living in the same state as the nation of Israel. There are so many distractions in life that are trying to keep us away from our relationship with God. Before we make a choice to commit spiritual adultery, or disobey the Lord’s Word, let’s take a step back and assess our situation. Will our actions break God’s heart or will they communicate our love for Him?

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Adapted from Wednesday Night Bible Study on May 20, 2015

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A Lifetime of Learning

Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

This month, many students will be parading to the tune Pomp and Circumstance, and donning the classic cap and gown for their graduation ceremony. High school graduates feel like they’ve accomplished the largest feat of their lifetime and now “know it all. ” However, those graduating from college with their PhDs feel the exact same way. Days, weeks, and sometimes years later, we can revisit these graduates and they will tell you how much they still need to learn—they truly don’t know it all.

We attend educational institutions to learn and to increase our knowledge—some believing to become “experts” in different fields. But, those who have gleaned true wisdom and knowledge know the culmination of their learning career did not end as they stepped off the star-studded stage at graduation. Receiving their diploma did not place a checkmark in any box that said I now know it all.

Just as we must admit that secular learning, in any capacity, is never finished, the same is true for our spiritual journey. Scripture tells us:

And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statues, to do them: (Deuteronomy 17:19, KJV).

If we could possibly know everything there is to know about God and His Word, we wouldn’t receive instruction to read the Word all the days of our life. Learn in this Scripture is the Hebrew word lamad, which means to be trained, skillful in, accept, and become accustomed to.

Our journey to live a life that’s pleasing to the Lord is a daily process. We don’t know everything—this is why living right doesn’t happen naturally. We need to read the Word daily so we can be trained up and become accustomed to God’s ways and expectations in how to live. What we are familiar with becomes easier for us to do! If we are trained in Godly characteristics and Godly ways, we will be able to emulate them in our life.

Homework isn’t something we’ll get away from once we toss our tasseled-cap into the air. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15, KJV). Studying involves continual dedication and time—consisting of reading, research, analysis, review, application, and sometimes memorization. If we are to walk with God all the days of our life, we’ve got to log a few hours reading, memorizing, and meditating on the Word of God. Studying helps the continual learning process!

If we don’t practice and/or review what we’ve learned, we will forget. God knows this, which is why we’re warned in Scripture to, “…keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life…” (Deuteronomy 4:9, KJV).

For those Bible scholars out there, you may not always have an “ah-ha” moment of divine revelation every time you read the Word, but daily learning helps us to stay in reminder mode. We all can use a refresher by reading the Word so we don’t forget what we’ve learned!

Today, let’s not don our spiritual cap and gown quite yet and settle in for a few more semesters of learning. When we stay faithful to God and His Word, we will yet discover those deep things (I Corinthians 2:10), which will give way to a sincere personal hunger for a lifetime of learning.

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Say Something

Sunday, May 17th, 2015

“Say Something” is the first segment in the Daring Faith series. Our key verses for this segment are found in Esther 4:3–17. In this story, Mordecai encourages his niece to speak up to defend God’s people. We learn that God desires His followers to raise their voice no matter the situation, no matter the circumstances—God desires that those who have been redeemed by His blood tell the world (Psalms 107:2)!

Say Something Understandable

God wants His people to praise Him and noise abroad His goodness. But, in actuality, He doesn’t just want “noise,” but a clear sound. Paul instructs the church of Corinth to have a distinctive praise (I Corinthians 14:7). We need to have a voice and let our voice be heard.

The devil is trying his best to stifle the church’s praise because we this is how we evoke the power of God. We need to exercise daring faith to worship God regardless of who is around us. We are commanded to make a joyful and loud noise to the Lord (Psalm 98:4). Scripture doesn’t tell the church to whisper! We can’t lose our voice in a world that is trying to snuff out the Gospel message. We need to go into all the world, preach the Gospel, and tell of His wondrous works (Mark 16:15).

Say Something at the Right Time

Esther grew up in captivity under the power of the King of Persia, and was eventually selected to be Queen over the people. Scripture tells us in the book of Esther that a Haman convinced the King to give him permission to slaughter the entire Jewish nation. It is in our setting of Scripture (Esther 4:3–17) where Mordecai speaks to his niece, whom he had raised from a little girl.

Mordecai reminded Esther of her heritage, and warned if she did not speak out, she too would be killed. He told her that God had moved her to her current position as Queen because God wanted to use her to bring salvation to an entire nation.

Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (KJV). A word spoken at the right time is invaluable. God has placed us in our environments to say the right thing at the right time—to lift up our voice and make a difference.

Say Something that Declares Truth

It’s never easy to speak up for truth, but it’s always worth it. Esther knew she had to say something to the King. However, if she approached the King’s throne without being called, he would either kill her or extend his sceptre so she could live (Esther 4:11). Esther came to the realization that she had to speak the truth, but she would be breaking the law.

No matter what happens in this life, we cannot allow the world to take our voice. If we don’t speak truth, we run the risk of our nation falling away from the Lord’s blessing and favor. If we are silent, we will be impacted!

Say Something that We Believe

We cannot speak out the truth unless we first believe it in our heart. Esther was warned that if she remained silent, God would still perform a work, but it would not include her. She finally called a fast for her people and declared that she would speak on her nation’s behalf. She was going to speak truth regardless if she perished.

In Scripture, we find that Esther has gone from being silent to desiring to speak truth in just a few verses (verse 14 to verse 16). Somewhere in this time, she determined in her heart she needed to speak up. She remembered how great the God was that she served. She remembered hearing the Word of the Lord spoken into her life growing up. It was because she heard and saw the great things of God faith arose in her.

God will give us time to grow boldness and to settle an issue in our hearts. When we step out in faith, God will always be there to honor our efforts. Eventually, the King extended the sceptre to Esther and spared her life (Esther 5:2), destroyed Haman (Esther 7:9), and gave the Jewish nation permission to bear arms to defend themselves (Esther 8:13). Esther was a witness for God that day, and was the catalyst to the victory of the Jewish people!

Just Say Something

Today we need to search our hearts and determine where we stand for the Lord and what we have to say about Him. Are we going to speak abroad of His great works, testify about what He has done in our lives, or stay silent? Every day we need to seek the Lord to have Him direct us on how and what we should speak so we can say something fitly spoken. We have no idea what impact our words will have on the world!

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Elisha Teaches Us Lessons

Thursday, May 14th, 2015
Apostolic Pentecostal Church
Elisha Teaches Us Lessons







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“Elisha Teaches Us Lessons” is the second part in our Profiles on Prophets series. As an extension to last week’s lesson on Elijah, this week our focus is on his protégé: Elisha. While Elisha’s ministry pronounced judgment on people, it also showed God’s love, mercy, and tenderness toward those who served Him. We can learn many lessons from Elisha’s ministry.

No Going Back

When the prophet Elijah was instructed to find a servant to train up in the ways of the Lord, he went out to find Elisha:

So [Elijah] departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him… And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him (I Kings 19:19–21, KJV).

When Elisha was moved to follow the man of God, he decided to destroy everything that could potentially be a temptation for him to turn back. He didn’t want to have a Plan B when he started his ministry with the Lord.

When God calls us to do a work for Him, He doesn’t want us to look back to the life He’s brought us out/away from. “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62, KJV). We shouldn’t have the “spirit of Israel” within us that wants the life style before God delivered us from a life of bondage in our own Egypt.

Need for Spiritual Ambition and Hunger for God

When Elisha was called into ministry, he was not the only one serving the Lord at the time (other than his mentor, Elijah). However, he was not the “average” Christian—he was constantly seeking out more in his relationship with the Lord.

When Elijah was due to depart from the earth, Elisha had one request from the man of God.

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me (I Kings 2:9, KJV).

Elisha had an ambition to do something great in the Kingdom of God. He recognized the amazing ministry Elijah had, but he wanted something greater. He lived the truth Jesus proclaimed, when He said, “…the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do…” (John 14:12, KJV). Elisha’s had pure ministry with pure motive. He wanted to truly accomplish more for God and His Kingdom. If our motive as just as pure, we don’t have to be afraid to ask God for great things.

Elisha knew that if he walked the close to the man of God that he would experience that anointing—Elijah’s ministry would have influence on him. We need to follow the leaders that God puts in our life so when then walk, their anointing will fall upon us. We cannot drift away from ministry and from the Lord or we will not see the anointing in our ministry.

Covered with Authority

When Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into heaven, his mantle fell to the ground. Elisha ripped of his own clothes and took up the mantle (II Kings 2:11–13). Elisha understood that the mantle was everything that Elijah was and stood for—it wasn’t just a piece of clothing! He remembered the way it felt with Elijah let it fall on his shoulder (I Kings 19:19). Elisha understood the need to be covered with authority.

He Submitted Himself

When Elijah called Elisha to ministry, Elisha rose and ministered unto him (I Kings 19:21). We do not hear much about Elisha throughout the rest of Elijah’s ministry, but we do know according to Scripture, that Elisha was Elijah’s servant. Elisha was so submitted (and committed), he was content to stay in the background and out of the limelight to learn from Elijah’s ministry.

He Followed Positive Spiritual Patterns

When the mantle fell from heaven, Elisha picked it up and walked over to the bank of the Jordan river. “And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over” (II Kings 2:14, KJV). He smote the waters just like he had seen Elijah do, and he called upon the God of Elijah. He didn’t seek after a new anointing; he wanted what he had learned from and seen Elijah do.

He Allowed Himself to be Mentored

Elisha was very teachable and willing to learn from the man of God. Scripture points to references where Elisha served and followed Elijah. He was there in the background observing and learning from the teachable moments in Elijah’s ministry. Elisha knew that if he was going to grow in the Lord, he had to walk closely to and imitate the man of God. If we want to grow spiritually and in our ministry, we need to find someone who is strong in their faith and ministry and imitate them!

He Followed His Spiritual Heritage

When Elisha was anointed to do a work for the Kingdom of God, he didn’t walk around telling everyone about his call to the ministry—he just walked the walk and talked the talk. Elisha’s ministry was apparent and obvious to those around Him. It was obvious that he now wore the mantle of his mentor, Elijah. “And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha…” (II Kings 2:15, KJV). When God calls us to the ministry we won’t need to convince people of our ministry—they will see us doing and living it.

Provision of God in the Every Day

Elisha’s miracles showed people that God works in every-day circumstances. God works in the small things, not just the big needs. God worked through Elisha to:

God wants to perform miracles that matter to us. He wants his children to turn to Him with every need and help us realize there is nothing that is impossible for Him! God will be glorified just as much in the small miracles as in the big miracles.

Lessons of Elisha

If we are to see anointing in our ministry and walk with God, we need to start applying these lessons from Elisha in our own life. We can learn much from the lessons outlined in Scripture about the child of God the Lord wants us to be. But, more importantly, we can learn what God will do in our life when we are obedient to Him.

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Adapted from Wednesday Night Bible Study on May 13, 2015

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I Will Sing a New Song

Sunday, May 10th, 2015

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea (Exodus 15:20–21, KJV).

Our Song to Sing

The very first song recorded in the Bible was in Exodus 15:1–13. This was a song of honor, glory, and praise to the Lord of Glory. Every day, we all have a song to sing. It is up to us to determine how the song will go, the lyrics associated to it, and the tone.

What makes up our song? Singing is described as the outburst of the soul—we sing what our life sounds like. Scripture notes: …for out of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45, KJV). Are we singing praises to God, or are we allowing the devil to influence our song?

A New Song for the Miraculous

We are nearing the end time when the Lord will call His church home. In this end time we have been called to start singing a new song. Our song needs to change to speak out faith in God. We need to sing about believing the impossible and turning back to the miraculous. If we want to see revival in these last days, we need to sing that song!

We do not see the miraculous because we fail too often to realize how much we need God. We don’t give God precedence to work the miraculous in our life. We spend too much time singing the praises of the world and “other things” than giving glory to God. We need to stop trying to do things on our own, and step out in faith and give it to God.

The miraculous will come when we start proclaiming it in our lives. We cannot just “claim” the miraculous will happen—we need to sing it out to others so they can too have an expectancy for the miraculous workings of God. We know there is power wrapped up in Jesus, even in the mention of His name. We need to sing of the power of Jesus. If we sing about it, we need to believe it. If we believe it, we need to live it!

A New Song of Expectancy

The church of today has operated in the exuberance of the Holy Ghost for almost a century, and it’s time for the church to move with that exuberance into the next dimension! Mothers are doorkeepers of the home, and as a doorkeeper, they need to have a song unto the Lord. That song needs to be a new song of faith and expectation of greater workings of God in these latter days—especially in their home.

Children need to hear their Mother’s songs of faith and belief in God. Children need to hear their mothers sing songs of encouragement—words to increase their own faith and walk with God. Mothers set an example in what they sing for their children as well as to others they encounter on a day-to-day basis. We need to sing!

A New Song of Victory

The last song recorded in the Bible was in Revelation 15:1–4. The Saints will sing the same song of Moses recorded in Exodus 15:1–13. The Saints sing with victory and praise to the King of kings, and the Lord or Lords.

Now is the time to begin to sing the song of victory—to start praising God for the triumph He gives us day-to-day, and for the ultimate victory we will experience when the devil is no more! If we are going to sing about the miraculous, now is the time to start believing in it.

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Mistakes that Come from Victory

Thursday, May 7th, 2015
Apostolic Pentecostal Church
Mistakes that Come from Victory







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“Mistakes the Come from Victory” is the first part in a new Profiles on Profits series focusing on the story of the prophet Elijah. Of all Israel’s prophets, Elijah was mentioned more than any other prophet in the Bible. He was known for his confrontational ministry, which put him into conflict with the people and culture of his day. But, Elijah, in all of his greatness, struggled with bouts of depression.

And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away (I Kings 19:9–10, KJV).

It is after one of Elijah’s greatest victories, we find him isolated in a cave in the midst of a bout of depression. God used Elijah to speak to the periods of time we may encounter where we too feel low or depressed. This is why Paul warns us not to be weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9).

We are Never Closer to Defeat than in Our Moment of Greatest Victory

Elijah prophesied it wouldn’t rain, and it didn’t for 3 ½ years. During this time, he challenged 450 prophets of Baal to make a sacrifice to their god, while Elijah made a sacrifice to the Lord. He declared the God that accepted a sacrifice by fire would be the God the people would serve. When God consumed Elijah’s sacrifice by fire, he had the prophets of Baal killed, and soon afterward found himself in severe opposition with King Ahab’s wife—Jezebel. She vowed to take his life.

After Elijah was mightily used to show Israel that God was the One true God, he shows his weakness (I Kings 19:4). It isn’t coincidence Elijah faced a “low” time after a spiritual victory. In our own spiritual walk, when we are spiritually victorious, we let our guards down. We assume in the presence of good things, there will be an absence of bad things. Therefore, we walk from a victory right into a new spiritual battle—sometimes with our eyes completely shut.

We are Never as Alone as We May Feel

When Jezebel made plans to take Elijah’s life, he didn’t approach this spiritual battle the same way as before. In the dawn of a new tribulation, he completely forgets that God just consumed his sacrifice, and that God was on his side! Elijah felt that in this new trial he alone and powerless. He didn’t learn a valuable lesson—if God brought him through one situation,  God would do it again!

We need to understand our spiritual journey with God and learn how to navigate the good and the bad that comes with it. Scripture tells us in I Thessalonians 5:21 to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (KJV). God will be with us every step of the way in our day-to-day walk with Him. When bad things arise, we can’t fall into a pit of depression. What we determine should happen isn’t always the plan that God has in mind!

Elijah’s Complaints

When God finds Elijah alone in a cave, He asks him, “…What doest thou here, Elijah?” (I Kings 19:9, KJV). Elijah responds and gives his “complaints” for why he decided to curl up and isolate himself.

I’ve Been Faithful But Not Effective

Elijah didn’t think he was making a difference in the Kingdom of God. We need to remember that we, as well as others, are not the judge of our own performance—God is the judge! We may not know how effective we are in His kingdom until the very end. By the end of Elijah’s life, everyone was looking at him because of his anointing and work for God’s Kingdom. James taught his church about Elijah’s ministry (James 5:17). John the Baptist was sent in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). And, Elijah’s servant wanted a double portion of what Elijah had (II Kings 2:9).

I’m All By Myself

Loneliness is based on ignorance. We cannot believe in God, His church, and His sacrifice on the cross and say that we are alone. We are never alone because God promised never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Elijah knew other prophets were also hiding in caves to escape Jezebel (I Kings 18:4); he knew he was not the only one serving the Lord at that time. Although others who were serving God were not in close proximity to Elijah, they were people he could connect with!

God told Elijah to get up and to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, Jehu to be king over Israel, and Elisha to be his servant (I Kings 19:15–16). God didn’t want Elijah to be by himself! God wants the same for us today—we need to connect with people.

God wants us to connect with people because:

  • Others Have What We Need—God knows that we need help when working for His Kingdom. This is why God created the body. When we face spiritual hardship, the church is there to pray for us and strengthen us in the Lord.
  • We Have What Others Need—There’s always something that we can give to the church. Elisha, Elijah’s servant, needed him to instruct him in the ways and anointing of the Lord.
  • God Works in Teams—God rarely sends a person alone to do His work. There are numerous examples throughout Scripture. There is strength in numbers!

What’s Fighting Me is Able to Beat Me

Elijah just had victory over 450 prophets of Baal, but didn’t believe he could be delivered from one woman. Not believing that we will emerge victoriously from a tribulation just doesn’t make sense! If we trust God for X situation, and He brings us through, we need to trust Him in Y situation and know He will bring us through again. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Trust God because the victory has already happened!

God Speaks More Frequently in Persistent Whispers than in Shouts

After Elijah gives his compliant dissertation to the Lord, God brings him out of the cave to show him a demonstration:

And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice (I Kings 19:11–12, KJV).

God showed Elijah that the “greatness” of something will not determine how effective it is. All that matters is a word for the Lord. God told Elijah that if any enemy came against him, Hazael, Jehu, or Elisha would conquer them (I Kings 19:17). All God wanted Elijah to do was follow His word and not to worry about anything else.

We need to have our own faith rise up to believe in the Lord. When we receive a word from Him, it is true. God’s word never comes back without results (Isaiah 55:11). His word always has purpose and operation. We can’t get distracted by our spiritual situation. Focus on God and lean on His promises!

Learning Lessons

We can learn a lot from Elijah’s mistakes. We need to be spiritually aware and ready to face anything that the devil can throw at us whether we’re on the mountain top or in the valley. Regardless of what we face, the Lord will go with us and will bring us out. We need to develop a relationship with God and a trust in Him that when He speaks. Listen because greater things are in store!

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Adapted from Wednesday Night Bible Study on May 6, 2015

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Praying Properly and Purposefully

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven… (II Chronicles 7:14, KJV).

Prayer. This is an action that unlocks endless possibilities. With simple activation in our lives, we can tap into the wonder-working power of the Almighty God. If through God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), we can (and should) ask for God’s hand and intervention in all things. We ask through the simple mechanism of prayer.

Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer. Millions of people across the United States of America will take time out of their day to just pray. Prayer is not a complex action, but when engaging in prayer, it needs to be in alignment with the Word. According to II Chronicles 7:14, our action for prayer is simple:

Humble Ourselves

This is not an easy task. We’re all human, think “we’ve arrived,” and have everything in life figured out. It’s hard not to get in a mindset of “self-accomplishment.” However, humble in the Hebrew means to bring down low, into subjection, or subdue.

Before we enter into a mindset of prayer, we need to realize that God is the master of the heavens and the earth (Acts 4:24); He alone has all power in His hands (Matthew 28:18) and controls all things. We aren’t God—He is the reason we are what we are and experience we do. Once we realize we are insignificant compared to His power and unworthy to be in His presence, we can approach the throne of God in a true state of humility.

Turn from Our Wicked Ways

Repentance is an action that will always accompany prayer. If we have sin in our hearts, the Lord will not hear our prayers (Psalms 66:18). Paul told us that we need to crucify our flesh daily (I Corinthians 15:31) because our flesh will get out of control and cause us to act outside the will of God. We can’t live a life according to what we think is right and what is pleasing to us alone. We need to abide by the Word and use that as our “measure” of right/wrong. If we aren’t in alignment with the Word, we need to repent, get the sin out, and change. This is the only way to have effective prayers.

Seek His Face

Remember the human thing? Because of this, we also have a “complex” where we think we’re in control of our lives and sometimes even the components of others. When there are problems and issues in life, the last place we turn for help is to the Lord! Seek in Hebrew means to desire, strive after, ask, search out, and ask. All God asks is for us to seek Him out—to ask of Him to take care of situations in our life. He’s willing to bless us, to answer us, and to anoint us, but we just haven’t asked!

As we engage in prayer every day—but especially tomorrow during the National Day of Prayer—let’s take a moment to prepare ourselves. Above all we need to seek God first (Psalms 27:8) and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). When we pray, we need to ask for His will because His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9) and He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

When God’s people get in one mind and one and one accord, and seek His will, we will be in a state of unity. Scripture reminds us when God’s people are unified, we cannot be easily broken down and subverted from doing and—praying for—God’s Kingdom (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Let’s seek to make our prayers effective tomorrow (James 5:16) and allow God to have His perfect work in the United States of America!

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The Need for an Intervention

Sunday, May 3rd, 2015

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