Thursday, April 2, 2015

Following the Spirit: The Key to Being a Child of God

Following the Spirit: Key to Sonship



I want to share with you the importance of following the Spirit in our walk with Christ. As Christians, we are called to be led by the Spirit, not by our flesh or worldly desires. The Apostle Paul makes this clear in Romans 8 when he says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (Romans 8:14)

Recently, my wife Susan and I moved to Memphis, following the leading of the Spirit. We believe God has called us here to be part of a move of God in this city. That's why I'm so excited about the upcoming "Exalt Jesus Memphis" event on April 4th. I truly believe that as we gather to lift up the name of Jesus, He will draw people to Himself and bring revival to this area.

But following the Spirit isn't always easy. Sometimes it means choosing to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His Word, like Mary did, instead of being distracted by all the things we think we need to do, like Martha. Jesus said, "one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42) That one needful thing is to hear from God and build our lives on His Word.

As we follow the Spirit, He guides us into all truth and builds us up in our faith. And the amazing thing is, the truths we learn from the Spirit stay with us eternally. They become part of who we are in Christ.

Following the Spirit also means putting to death the deeds of the flesh. As Paul said, "if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:13) This isn't always pleasant. Sometimes it involves suffering, as we share in the sufferings of Christ. But we have this incredible promise: "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:16-17)

This is what it means to be a child of God - to be led by His Spirit, to build our lives on His Word, to put to death the deeds of the flesh, and to share in both the sufferings and glory of Christ. It's not always easy, but it is always worth it. 

So I encourage you today, seek the Lord with all your heart. Let His Spirit fill you and guide you. And come join us in Memphis on April 4th as we exalt the name of Jesus together. I believe God is going to do something powerful as we gather in His presence.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Is America Speeding Towards Destruction? A Call to Repentance

America's Reckless Race Towards Ruin


As I was reviewing some of my old podcast episodes recently, I came across one from 2008 that struck a chord with me. In it, I was discussing how America seems to be like a car speeding recklessly towards a cliff of destruction. 

So many of our political leaders swear an oath on the Bible to uphold the Constitution, only to then turn around and try to rewrite both the Bible and the Constitution. This is taking the Lord's name in vain. People are frustrated and hungering for righteousness, but the only One who can truly satisfy that hunger is Jesus Christ.

Sadly, it seems no one is listening to Jesus. God has spoken through miraculous signs, like splitting the pulpit at Christian Tabernacle in 1996 as a call for America to repent. But what did the church do? Put the pulpit back up and ignore the clear message. We continue in our wicked ways, becoming more hypocritical and powerless. Some churches are even rejecting God's definition of marriage!

There is a faithful remnant that is earnestly praying and fasting for revival. But as a whole, the American church is not walking in the supernatural power it should be. And as a result, our nation is losing its place of prominence. We're like passengers in that speeding car, bracing for impact rather than having the faith to jump out. 

Yes, fully submitting to Jesus as Lord will be painful. It will wound our pride and likely cost us relationships, finances and more. But the alternative is continuing on this destructive path and eventually being ground to powder when we face God's judgment. 

The Lord is merciful and gives us space to repent, as He did even for the prophetess Jezebel in Revelation. But that time is not indefinite. Many prophetic voices are urgently warning that the time to get right with God is now. 

I urge you to pray fervently for one another to have the courage to jump out of the speeding car that is this world system. Confess your sins to the Lord and to trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. Be watchful in prayer for the needs of the saints. 

Most of all, make Jesus your Lord in word AND deed. He is the only hope for America and for each one of us personally. The cliff is fast approaching - let's heed God's call to repentance before it's too late.


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Experiencing the Power of Unity at Memphis Exalts Jesus

Memphis Exalts Jesus!



Today I want to share an inspiring event that truly exemplifies the power of unity and the supernatural presence of Jesus in our lives. On April 4, 2015, we gathered at AutoZone Park for an event called Memphis Exalts Jesus, and it was nothing short of miraculous.

A Divine Appointment with the Number Seven

Before diving into the event, I want to share a personal experience that underscores the mystical nature of our journey to Memphis. Recently, I aired a podcast about the biblical significance of the number seven. This number has played a profound role in my life, so much so that after recording the podcast, I had a surreal encounter at Walmart. As I stood in line, a girl randomly turned and said, "July 7th." This date has deep connections to my life and our move to Memphis, where everything seemed to align perfectly with the number seven. From church addresses to prorated rent, the number seven was a clear sign that we were meant to be here.

 Seeking Him in Memphis

Susan and I moved to Memphis with a fervent desire to seek God's will and make meaningful connections. We were drawn to the idea of bold, outdoor evangelism and the celebration of uncorrupted Christian holidays. This led to events like Camp Pentecost, where we celebrated the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, free from any pagan influences.

The Call for Unity

One of the most remarkable aspects of Memphis Exalts Jesus was the unity among believers. People from various denominations and walks of life came together with a common purpose: to lift up the name of Jesus. This wasn't just a response to the nearby National Atheist Convention; it was a heartfelt cry for revival in a city that desperately needs Jesus.

A Gathering of Worship and Testimonies

From 1 PM to 5 PM, AutoZone Park was filled with worship, scripture readings, prayers, and powerful testimonies. Steve Copeland, one of the event organizers, emphasized that this gathering was not about opposing atheists but about declaring the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hundreds of believers, including Caucasian, African-American, Chinese, and Korean Christians, came together, demonstrating that we are one in Christ.

Spreading the Message

To ensure that the message of Jesus reaches as many people as possible, we are using hashtags like #ExaltJesusMemphis and #MemphisExaltsJesus. I encourage you to share these hashtags and spread the word. It's not about the Easter bunny; it's about lifting up the name of Jesus over a city in need.

Reflecting on Brotherhood

In addition to the event, I want to highlight the importance of supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ. Just like soldiers have a battle buddy, we need to be there for each other, especially in times of spiritual warfare. Galatians 6:10 reminds us to "do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

Looking Ahead

As we continue to pray for revival in Memphis, I ask for your prayers and support. Share the videos, tweets, and posts about the event. Let's create a ripple effect that spreads the love and power of Jesus far and wide.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Together, we can make a difference.