In John chapter 21:11
153 Large Fish
May 18th, 2025Renewing Our Mind- Part 7
May 17th, 2025There is no lack in the Kingdom of GOD. Our purpose in life is to be measured with abundance for the lane that HE has put us in so that there’s always sufficiency, not only for ourselves, but also for every good work we are called to be a part of. Wisdom should guide our decisions in all areas.
It is important to state, money doesn’t rule you, you rule money. As well, relationships don’t control you. You manage relationships for the Glory of GOD.
It is more important to buy quality than quantity. If you buy cheap, you will usually soon buy again. It is all about buying value. We should allow our stewardship to be a testimony to our neighbors. We are stewards of another world through all the expressions of how we take care of ourselves, our yards, our vehicles, and our other possessions. As Dave Ramsey once said, “you may have the oldest car in your neighborhood, but it should be the cleanest, well-kept one.”
We should ask ourselves: What is my lane? What is the best I’m capable of doing to represent what kind of FATHER I have? Each of us are at different financial levels but for our station in life, we should represent Our Heavenly Father as best we can. Additionally, we represent Our Lord by the excellence of our labor.
Wisdom spoke in Proverbs chapter 22:
29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.
Your influence will expand outside of your circle of influence as you pursue excellence in your life. We are meant to inspire, encourage, and strengthen people around us. We are to believe in the potential of the people around us and giving ourselves on their behalf. It is not about money; it is about the prosperity of our soul.
When you know who you are, there is no position too low. The King of kings had no issue with stooping down and washing the disciples’ feet. If you don’t know who you are, you fight for status, applause, and recognition.
The word Proverb not only means a wise saying, it also means to rule, to reign in power, to take dominion.
Wisdom spoke in Proverbs chapter 1:
1 Here are Kingdom revelations, Words to live by, and Words of Wisdom given to empower you to reign in life, written as proverbs by Israel’s King Solomon, David’s son.
2 Within these sayings will be found the revelation of Wisdom and the impartation of spiritual understanding. Use them as keys to unlock the treasures of true knowledge.
3 Those who cling to these Words will receive discipline to demonstrate Wisdom in every relationship and to choose what is right and just and fair.
4 These proverbs will give you great skill to teach the immature and make them Wise, to give youth the understanding of their design and destiny.
5 For the wise, these proverbs will make you even wiser, and for those with discernment, you will be able to acquire brilliant strategies for leadership.
6 These Kingdom revelations will break open your understanding to unveil the deeper meaning of parables, poetic riddles, and epigrams, and to unravel the words and enigmas of the wise.
There are 38 parables in the Bible, and in 16 of them, Jesus spoke about money or possessions. It was on His Mind, so we should deal with it as well. Jesus sat in the temple and watched the gifts that people were giving. He was moved by the widow’s mite. He was moved by the woman who took a year’s worth of wages in ointment and poured over Him as an act of worship. These acts of generosity were not measured by amounts but measured by generosity of the heart.
If what I give doesn’t move me, it won’t move Our Lord.
GOD is constantly looking for increase. In the parable of the minas, and the parable of the talents, GOD expected an increase on HIS investment. GOD was not pleased with the servants who set up their lives to live without risk, without positioning themselves for advancement.
GOD expects an increase of the Kingdom of GOD on earth, and we have that responsibility to be agents of increase. This is the best investment we can make! We should be in constant progression of forward motion. We should position ourselves for the increase of whatever we are called to invest in whether it be time money, or other aspects of our lives.
Renewing Our Mind- Part 6
May 16th, 2025There is no lack in the Kingdom of GOD. Our purpose in life is to be measured with abundance for the lane that HE has put us in so that there’s always sufficiency, not only for ourselves, but also for every good work.
There are two Great Commissions: one is to make disciples out of individuals and secondly, is to actually disciple a nation. This requires us to get our act together in our approach to money.
There are four things about money we need to understand.
The first one has to do with generosity. The second one is contentment. The third one is excellence in purchasing. The fourth one is investment for the purpose of increase.
Generosity has three main focuses in Scripture. It is for the advancement of the ministry of The Gospel, such as supporting missions. If you can’t go, then you send. The second focus is to meet human need. Our kids in need program consistently plants financial seeds of unconditional Love. We are taking care of people who can’t help themselves. Thirdly, generosity is the gift to give honor. The queen of Sheba honored Solomon with gifts representing who she was. Clearly, Solomon didn’t need her gifts but it was a gift of honor.
It is written by The Holy Spirit in 1st Kings chapter 10:
10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
How did Solomon respond?
13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
The generosity of King Solomon would not be exceeded. His gift needed to represent who he was. The gift needed to identify who the gift was for. His gift was fit for a queen!
The more we understand who we are as kings and priests, the more natural it will be to give out of honor.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Philippians chapter 4:
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.
Paul learned the secret of being content in lack and thrive in abundance. Paul relied on Christ to strengthen him; we need to do the same. If my dependence lessens when my resources increase, then I’ve chosen where to level off. Paul learned in both lack and abundance, in both those realms, it is Christ’s strength who strengthens him.
All people know they need help when they are in lack. Rarely do people realize that they need just as much help, if not more, if they are in abundance. It’s the dependency on The Lord for increase.
Renewing Our Mind- Part 5
May 15th, 2025There is no lack in the Kingdom of GOD. Our purpose in life is to be measured with abundance for the lane that HE has put us in so that there’s always sufficiency, not only for ourselves, but also for every good work.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 9:
6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God Loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
9 Just as the Scriptures say about the one who trusts in Him:
Because he has sown extravagantly and given to the poor, his kindness and generous deeds will never be forgotten. (referencing Psalm 112:9)
10 Now may He Who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
Said another way, this generous God Who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you. First He supplies every need, plus more. Then he multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow. You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God.
You owe the world around you an example of being blessed by GOD. When FATHER’S reality affects how we think, what we value, the decisions we make, the relational parameters that we live by, when it is Kingdom reality, it is transferable to every part of society. Whatever you participate in will thrive and flourish. I have seen this time and time again.
It is written by The Holy Spirit in Haggai chapter 2:
6 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.
8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.
9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
Jesus, the King of all kings, is The Desire of All Nations and they want Him to rule in His gracious and righteous authority.
There are two Great Commissions: one is to make disciples out of individuals and secondly, is to actually disciple a nation. This requires us to get our act together in our approach to money.
Renewing Our Mind- Part 4
May 14th, 2025A renewed mind operates and executes according to GOD’S Almighty Power!
Paul emphasizes that we are one with Christ.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Colossians chapter 3:
1 Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority!
2 Yes, feast on all the Treasures of the Heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with Heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm.
3 Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ.
4 And as Christ Himself is seen for Who He really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with Him in His glory!
Can you grasp this reality? We are to fill our thoughts with Heavenly realities rather than worldly distractions. We must understand that we too were crucified with Christ which has severed our ties with the old life. We have a true life hidden away in Heaven above. We are to walk in all power and authority in Christ.
To feast means to eat a large, rich, and enjoyable meal, often in celebration or with a group. We are to celebrate the Treasures of the Heavenly Realm! We must allow these verses to come alive in us, spirit, soul, and body.
The Beloved Disciple recorded by The Holy Spirit in John chapter 3:
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
We are to be teachers AND doers of the Word. Nicodemus noted this Truth when he spoke to Jesus. Doing the Word confirms the Word to be Truth. Our culture is accustomed to teaching without doing. Our culture is accustomed to embracing lofty ideals with no change in how we behave.
You can go to school and be taught a business class by a teacher who has never owned a business. We don’t always require performance equal to what we say.
The Bible approach to training and education is quite different from that. It is learning through experience. Would you listen to anybody’s teaching about being born again who wasn’t born again?
In verse 3, Jesus revealed that conversion gives you the capacity to see.
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
Born of water is natural birth, the water breaks.
Revealed Truth is the platform for greater Truth.
Jesus continued:
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Jesus used earthly examples to reveal the Spiritual. He used parables to reveal the Spiritual for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. As we renew our minds, our spiritual eyesight will improve and will provide us with the platform to receive and embrace greater Truths. As we embrace the greater Truths which are Heavenly treasures, we will enjoy a magnificent feast!
Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in Heaven. You cannot bind on earth if you do not know how Heaven operates and what is allowed versus what is totally unacceptable.
We are to bind those things that cause death, loss, and destruction for the adversary came to kill, steal, and destroy. GOD has given us a contract of authority that is binding on the devil. In order to exercise that contract, we must know what it says. A transformed mind understands how to execute and bind the enemy.
Whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in Heaven. If we don’t have the insight to know what to release into a given situation, Heaven’s solution will not manifest itself.
If you want to live an ascended life, you’ll think there and have a Heavenly perspective. All things are possible to those who believe.
Renewing Our Mind- Part 3
May 13th, 2025A renewed mind operates according to GOD’S Almighty Power!
Paul describes what happened after The Cross and before Christ ascended.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 4:
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive (His many captured ones), And gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this, “He ascended”-what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He Who descended is also the One Who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
Jesus did not suffer in hell on our behalf. His suffering occurred and was fulfilled at the whipping post and The Cross. His Blood was and is sufficient.
Who were His captured ones? They are those who died and went to Abraham’s bosom waiting to be set free.
Jesus shared about the captives when He spoke in Luke chapter 16:
22 “One day poor Lazarus died, and the angels of God came and escorted his spirit into paradise.
23 “The day came that the rich man also died. In hell he looked up from his torment and saw Abraham in the distance, and Lazarus was standing beside him in the glory.
24 The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham! Father Abraham! Have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and come to cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames of fire!’
25 “But Abraham responded, ‘My friend, don’t you remember? While you were alive, you had all you desired. You surrounded yourself in luxury, while Lazarus had nothing. Now Lazarus dwells in the comforts of paradise and you are in agony.
26 Besides, between us is a huge chasm that cannot be bridged, nor can anyone cross from one realm to the other, even if he wanted.’
27 “The rich man continued, ‘Then let me ask you, Father Abraham, please send Lazarus to my relatives.
28 Tell him to witness to my five brothers and warn them not to end up where I am in this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They’ve already had plenty of warning. They have the teachings of Moses and the revelation of the prophets; let them hear them.’
30 “ ‘What if they’re not listening?’ the rich man added. ‘If someone from the dead were to go and warn them, they would surely repent.’
31 “Abraham said to him, ‘If they wouldn’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither would they be convinced if someone were raised from the dead!’ ”
Jesus descended to Paradise but did not go to the other realm. This should be a warning to those who think life after death is guaranteed to be positive. All those who were in Paradise had to wait on Jesus fulfilling the Law since the Law of Moses was insufficient to completely wipe out their sins. Those who rejected the teachings of Moses and the revelation of the prophets did not repent so they chose the place of torment indefinitely.
Before Jesus ascended, He appeared to Mary Magdalene.
The Beloved Disciple recorded by The Holy Spirit in John chapter 20:
11 Mary arrived back at the tomb, broken and sobbing. She stooped to peer inside, and through her tears
12 she saw two angels in dazzling white robes, sitting where Jesus’ body had been laid—one at the head and one at the feet! (symbolizing The Ark of The Covenant)
13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” they asked. Mary answered, “They have taken away My Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve laid Him.”
14 Then she turned around to leave, and there was Jesus standing in front of her, but she didn’t realize that it was Him!
15 He said to her, “Dear woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Mary answered, thinking he was only the gardener, “Sir, if you have taken His Body somewhere else, tell me, and I will go and . . .”
16 “Mary,” Jesus interrupted her. Turning to face Him, she said, “Rabboni!” (Aramaic for “My teacher!”)
17 Jesus cautioned her, “Mary, don’t cling to Me, for I haven’t yet ascended to God, my Father. And He’s not only My Father and God, but now He’s Your Father and your God! Now go to My brothers and tell them what I’ve told you, that I am ascending to My Father—and Your Father, to My God—and Your God!”
18 Then Mary Magdalene left to inform the disciples of her encounter with Jesus. “I have seen the Lord!” she told them. And she gave them His message.
Jesus chose to reveal Himself first to Mary Magdalene, the one had seven demons cast out of her (representing grace). The first Mary that Jesus revealed Himself in His virgin birth was the Virgin Mary (representing purity).
On His way to THE FATHER, Jesus was moved with compassion for Mary who was broken and sobbing. Jesus stopped the whole procession to minister to her.
Why is this detail vital to our renewed mind? We are to understand the brevity of those who are in need of our ministry. Their future hangs in the balance and we must not let an opportunity to slip by to minister to those in need whether it be for salvation, healing, or both.
Renewing Our Mind- Continued
May 12th, 2025A renewed mind places its trust in GOD’S Almighty Power!
A transformed mind does not rely on man’s wisdom. We are meant to access Heaven’s solutions to the problems we encounter here on earth.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 2:
1 My brothers and sisters, when I first came to proclaim to you the secrets of God, I refused to come as an expert, trying to impress you with my eloquent speech and lofty wisdom.
2 For while I was with you I was determined to be consumed with one topic—Jesus, the crucified Messiah.
3 I stood before you feeling inadequate, filled with reverence for God, and trembling under the sense of the importance of my words.
4 The message I preached and how I preached it was not an attempt to sway you with persuasive arguments but to prove to you the Almighty Power of God’s Holy Spirit.
5 For God intended that your faith not be established on man’s wisdom but by trusting in HIS Almighty Power.
Have you been plagued by your past sins? It is vital that we not only understand but fully embrace what Paul wrote in the following verses. He was once Christ’s enemy but now he is a chief advocate of the power of The Cross and Resurrection. Paul was one of the greatest legal minds of the Jews, so he revealed the legality of what Jesus did between the Cross and the Resurrection in the following two verses.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Colossians chapter 2:
14 Jesus canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us. He erased it all—our sins, our stained soul—he deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved! Everything we once were in Adam has been placed onto His cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation.
Our sins were erased and fully deleted from our record. We must not allow our thinking to revert back to the old man… he is gone!
What did Jesus do then?
15 Then Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were His!
You and I have the authority in Christ to enforce this triumph upon the dethroned rulers of this world. Jesus went to the Cross as the Lamb of GOD but once He died on the Cross, He was resurrected as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords… the Lion of Judah! He is Who we serve today.
When you pray for someone and they get healed, you just enforced the victory of Christ on a dethroned influence. When you pray for a neighbor who has struggled with torment since they were a child and that torment gets broke off them, you just enforced the authority of Christ according to what Jesus would do if He were standing in your place.
Having dethroned the principalities and powers, Jesus cleared the Way for us to fulfill His Great Commission in all areas. Knowing this, when we take Holy Communion, we keep this great victory before us.
Kids In Need Update
May 11th, 2025Three different local high school kids’ apartments were totally burned down. These were low-income apartments. We saw the story on the local news channel. We supplied Target and food gift cards for the families through their high school counselor. Clearly, their needs are great.
This is a further expansion of our impact on local schools. Thanks for your continued support.
Renewing Our Mind
May 11th, 2025A renewed mind is the Mind of Christ!
A transformed mind transforms a person. We are meant to access Heaven’s solutions to the problems we encounter here on earth.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 12:
1 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. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
In other Words, stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His Eyes.
What is the Will of GOD? Jesus stated it quite clearly as He spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
10 Your Kingdom come. Your Will be done On earth as it is in Heaven.
The renewed mind proves the reality of Heaven on earth! The renewed mind puts on display the reality of GOD’S Heart. Jesus demonstrated this reality as He had compassion on the multitudes and healed them all and set the captives free who had been demonized. We are to do the same.
And Jesus further spoke:
33 “So above all, constantly seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.
The renewed mind sees the answer more than the problem. The enemy works to make us more aware of the problems we face than the solutions we carry. If we focus on the problems we face, we will live in reaction to those problems. We will live in defense mode. Jesus lived in response to THE FATHER.
Neither my anger nor my tenacity intimidates the devil. The Blood of Jesus is what intimidates the devil.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 6:
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
11 So let it be the same way with you! Since you are now joined with him, you must continually view yourselves as dead and unresponsive to sin’s appeal while living daily for God’s pleasure in union with Jesus, the Anointed One.
Great faith comes from great surrender. The renewed mind creates an opportunity for faith to flow. If you think on the Kingdom, you get the benefits of the Kingdom. Whatever kingdom your thoughts reveal, that kingdom will be manifested in your life.
The adversary would attempt to bring up your past and keep you restrained from walking in a renewed mind. Paul dealt with that lie as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in Colossians chapter 2:
12 For we’ve been buried with Christ into His death. Our “baptism into death” also means we were raised with Him when we believed in God’s resurrection power, the power that raised Him from death’s realm.
13 This “realm of death” describes our former state, for we were held in sin’s grasp. But now, we’ve been resurrected out of that “realm of death” never to return, for we are forever alive and forgiven of all our sins!
14 He canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us. He erased it all—our sins, our stained soul—He deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved! Everything we once were in Adam has been placed onto his cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation.
It is vital that we embrace the fullness of what Christ did on our behalf so that we have no hindrance or obstacle to the renewing of our mind.
We Are To Pursue
May 10th, 2025We are not meant to be passive in our Spiritual walk!
I have known believers who claim to rely solely on the sovereignty of GOD. They had the attitude that if GOD wants something to happen in their lives, HE will simply deposit it in them. They simply sat in their spiritual recliners waiting for HIM to do something.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 14:
1 Pursue Love, and desire Spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For he who speaks in a Tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I wish you all spoke with Tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with Tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
When we actively pursue operating in Spiritual gifts, we will serve the church and build it up. When Spiritual gifts are in operation, it testifies to the congregation that The Holy Spirit has manifested Himself among the people.
Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 14:
19 So then, make it your top priority to live a life of peace with harmony in your relationships, eagerly seeking to strengthen and encourage one another.
By definition, a priority requires us to act and pursue, there is nothing passive about it.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Timothy chapter 6:
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on Eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
And in 2nd Timothy chapter 2:
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, Love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
You and I have a responsibility to pursue a Holy, active life. Jesus affirmed this when He commanded us to fulfill the Great Commission.
Jesus spoke in Mark chapter 16:
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.
I used to think that you had to be a missionary to Africa in order to fulfill the Great Commission. “All the world” includes the local supermarket, drug store, and restaurant. You may have a ministry to bless restaurant servers who will ultimately want to hear The Good News. Your mission ground may be your neighborhood, even family members. As we are sensitive to The Holy Spirit, He will guide us to our individual mission fields. However, it is our responsibility to actively pursue the opportunities set before us.