Fishers of Men

December 30th, the same day Craig preached the last message of 2007 about becoming again an active witness of Jesus Christ, the daily devotional "God Calling" by A.J Russell had this to say.

"When you think of those of whom you read who are in anguish do you ever think how My Heart must ache with the woe of it, with the anguish of it?

If I beheld the city and wept over it how much more should I weep over the agony of these troubled hearts, over lives that seek to live without My sustaining Power.
'They will not come unto Me that they might have Life.'

Live to bring others to Me, the only Source of Happiness and Heart-Peace.

Be a Witness / Jesus is Praying

Craig spoke a really good word today about “Jesus, the Missionary” and that we are sent to be witnesses. He basically said, “if you’re not sharing your faith, can you call yourself Christian?”

That brought to mind something I read this week in Eternity in their Hearts, by Don Richardson. Evidence shows the reality is people are much more wiling to receive the good news about Jesus Christ than we are willing to share it. Whoa!

As powerful as those two thoughts are, the imagery that really sticks in my mind from Craig’s sharing the last two weeks is this. Jesus dismissed the crowd and told his disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He went to be alone with the Father. They obeyed and ending up “straining at the oars” as a vicious storm arose.

If God’s told you to do something, don’t give up. Stay at it! He’s coming to you, perhaps even now, walking on the water. You’re about to see Him in a new way!

And never lose the image of what was happening just before. Jesus, in the darkness on the mountain, is praying for you! Do you think the Father hears when Jesus prays?

Enjoy the journey, storm or fair. Enjoy His presence. He is near. Your brother, Dwayne

God of Hope and Joy

ST. PAUL PUT HIS PEN TO PARCHMENT AND WROTE WORDS THAT EVERY PERSON ON PLANET EARTH NEEDS TO HEAR AT TIMES LIKE THESE.

"MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, SO THAT YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT."

THAT HOPE DID NOT INVADE THE WORLD IN THE FORM OF A SUPREME SULTAN RIDING DOWN MAIN STREET JERUSALEM ON A WHITE STALLION DEMANDING THAT MEN BOW TO HIM AS A REIGNING MONARCH.

HE CAME IN THE FORM OF A BABY WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES LYING IN A DESOLATE MANGER SURROUNDED BY SHEPHERDS, SHEEP, OXEN, DONKEYS AND JOSEPH WHO WAS STRUGGLING TO UNDERSTAND THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THIS MOMENT.

THE HOPE THAT CHRIST BRINGS TO OUR LIVES GENERATES PEACE THAT SURPASSES UNDERSTANDING, JOY THAT IS UNSPEAKABLE, ENERGY THAT HAS NO LIMIT AND EXCITEMENT THAT NEVER ENDS!

JOHN HAGEE wrote these words in a recent newsletter referenced below. Seems fitting as we are about to enter 2008, a year of "Sending Out."

A nice reflection for the season and the new year. If you're interested in CUI or Christians standing with Israel, contact me or check out their website. Shalom, Dwayne

" For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:30-32

Merry Christmas

The
Son of God
became a man
to enable men
to become
sons of God.
C.S. Lewis

During this Holiday Season,
may you know the joy
of His perfect love
for you.

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.
1 John 3:1

He is Coming

Greetings Men, and Merry Christmas 2007!

Reflect with me on Debbie Stuckey’s words in Sunday’s CCF service about the God within Mary and within us; and God’s incredible humility and ways. This little article continues to speak of our King and the season we remember His amazing entry into our earth history and our everyday, present day lives! -=db=-

He is Coming December 24

Our Lord, Thou art here. Let us feel Thy nearness.

Yes! But remember the first Hail must be that of the Magi in the Bethlehem stable. Not as King and Lord in Heavenly triumph must you first hail Me. But as amongst the lowliest, bereft of earth’s pomp like the Magi.
So to the humble the worship of humility – the Bethlehem Babe – must be the first Hail.
Then the worship of repentance. As earth’s sinner, you stand by Me in the Jordan, baptized of John, worshipping Me the Friend and Servant of Sinners.
Dwell much on My Life. Step out beside Me. Share it with Me. Humility, Service, Worship, Sacrifice, Sanctification – Steps in the Christian Life.

From God Calling edited by A.J. Russell, Jove Books, NY.

With Faith it's possible to please God ....

Faith is so important to our walk with God and each other. I awoke this morning with that thought and a scripture about faith. Brad Grizzle spoke of faith again and again as he addressed the men's meeting this past Tuesday.

With Faith you can please God. With faith you can communicate with God. With faith you can "breakthrough in 2007," even though we've just a few days left. Dr. Bill Bennett taught me long ago that the word "faith" comes from an ancient Sanskrit word "pith" which means "to be one with." To have faith in God, is to be one with God. It's a relationship! Surprised? From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is about "relationship."

God desires and invites us to have a relationship with Him, and faith is a key. How is your relationship? What can you do to improve it? Perhaps get some new habits? Time in the Word? Time reading a good book? Worshiping with Christian music? Time with God-seeking friends? What comes to your mind? Do it! Awareness of God, and your ability to listen and hear from Him will grow. Faith will grow. Breakthrough could come more quickly than you think!

I leave you with a couple of inspirational examples and related thoughts. Aki Anna is a child prodigy with an unusual relationship to God and Mike Huckabee is a candidate for the Presidency of the United States.

Blessings in the the Name of our Matchless King! Enjoy the journey, Dwayne

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (Heb 11:6 NASB)
"So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." (Dan 6:23 NASB)

Occupy

Some time ago I heard a man on talk radio ask the host, "As bad as things are in the world, what am I to do." The host responded with "Occupy until I come" Luke 19:13 I thought "occupy" what does that mean? The Greek word used means "to busy oneself with, to trade." I have thought often about what the Lord was saying and this is what I have concluded. Keep doing what you're doing, live your life in the place He has established you. And in the midst of living your life, remain focused on the Lord. I don't know about you but I have found this to be most difficult, that is living my life in the marketplace and being aware and conscious of the Lord at the same time. I have almost felt like I am two persons, one when I am seeking, worshiping, and praying to the Lord, and the other when I go to work. However, in recent days I believe the Lord has enabled me to make progress toward that unity. I don't know what exactly has happened except that I believe it is an outgrowth of my pursuit of my relationship with Him. I have been asking Him to set His seal upon my heart, to cause it to burn for Him, and He is answering my cry. "Draw close to me and I will draw close to you" Jas 4:8 The Lord is speaking to us to wake up, to prepare for war, and the only way we can do this is for our personal relationship with Him to increase. That His conscious presence be with us in everything we do, everyplace we go. The only way that can happen is for us to grow in knowledge of His love and grace, by being with Him. Let us renew our pursuit of Him with increased fervor. He is coming, will we be ready?

ARE YOU A MIGHTY MAN?

Brothers, are you more passionate this year than you were last year? Do you have more zeal? Are you more focused? Are you hungrier than ever before for the manifest presence of God? Can you say that you have a closer walk with God this year than you did last year? Can you relate to the questions that Dwayne has asked in the previous post; such as, are you doing anything differently? Making any preparations? Training physically, mentally, spiritually? Any quality decisions? Any new habits? Finally, Can you honestly say that you have been weeding out the thorns and unwanted growth with your pruning hook so that you are now eligible to carry a spear, and have you taken up your plow, dug into the word of God, so that you now have the sword of truth written on your heart? If you can say yes to these questions then I believe you can honestly say that God has awakened your spirit! At the beginning of the year the Lord charged us with the assignment of waking up the mighty men, but what was He really saying? At the previous Men’s Meeting, Brian shared a word about purchasing, from God, Gold refined in the fire. He then asked the men to raise their hand if they were Mighty Men. Only one person responded, while another quickly put his hand up and back down. I believe the reason that there was no response is because we were all looking to ourselves, rather than the source of our strength. JESUS!! For it is IN CHRIST that we are mighty. Now, we must proclaim it. WE ARE MIGHTY MEN! Not in ourselves, but IN CHRIST. 2Co 10:4,5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Brothers, one of the mighty weapons that the Lord has provided us with is our mouths. By our words we will be condemned, and by our words we will be justified. We must be careful to proclaim who we are IN CHRIST. When you are asked, Are you a mighty man? Your response should be, Yes, I am Mighty through God. Remember Joshua and Caleb. Remember Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Consider what the 300 soldiers of Gideon’s army did in the battle. They surrounded the enemy camp, charged in, broke their clay jars, held up their lanterns, blew their trumpets, and shouted, "Fight with your swords for the LORD and for Gideon!" God took it from there. He defeated the Midianites alone. He caused the enemy to turn on themselves. What ever part we play in this move that we are expecting from our Mighty God will be small, but at least we will be participators rather than spectators like those 31,700 men that were sent home. Many of them were allowed to share in the spoils at the end of the battle, but they were jealous for not being included from the start. We have honored His demand and done our utmost to wake up the mighty men. The fact is that if you are IN CHRIST, you are mighty. He just wanted to wake us up and bring it to our attention. I feel that He has our attention. We are awake. The rest is up to Him, and He will finish what He has begun. No weapon can form against us and prosper, because if GOD is for us who can be against us? For He that is within us is greater than he that is in the world. Brothers, even the tactics that the enemy tries to use against us will be used for our good and the good of our Lord. We are more than conquerors, and nothing is impossible for us through Christ who strengthens us. We must recognize who we are IN CHRIST, and stop looking to who we are in our selves. When we look to ourselves we recognize our weaknesses, we profess that we are weak, and we discredit what our Lord has done for us. God is building an army, so we must behave like Godly soldiers being prepared for a Holy War that is soon to be fought. Let us continue to stand together in awe of His supremacy, seeking him diligently, worshipping HIM IN SPIRIT, and looking forward to what lies ahead, while believing with all our hearts and proclaiming with confidence that, “WE ARE MIGHTY MEN IN CHRIST!!!”
Love you Brothers!
Bobby

How's your preparation coming?

Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men draw near and attack. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears.

Let the weakling say, 'I am strong!'
Come quickly, all you nations from every side,
and assemble there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD!

Joel 3:9-11 (NIV)

Marshal your troops, O city of troops, for a siege is laid against us.
Micah 5:1 (NIV)

It's been said, and many believe, the WWII generation to be "the greatest generation." As we consider their character and sacrifice the argument has merit. Yet their "times" had much to do with their lives!

I've been stuck by the statement above advertising the film "The War." It reads, "In extraordinary times there are no ordinary lives."

Do you believe you're living in extraordinary times? I do! Are you doing anything differently? Making any preparations? Training physically, mentally, spiritually? Any quality decisions? Any new habits? Or is it business as usual? Your well being and that of your family really depends on what you're doing today and tomorrow!

The call above came to the men's leadership as they sought the Lord for the CCF Men one year ago. Come be with us Tuesday night to see what the Lord is saying today! -=db=-

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,..." Hebrews 12:28

Alexander Solzhenitsyn - Lessons from Russia #2

In 1983, Alexander I. Solzhenitsyn, winner of the 1970 Nobel Prize for Literature, gave an address in London in which he attempted to explain why so much evil had befallen his people:

Over a half century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of old people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened."
Since then I have spent well-nigh 50 years working on the history of our revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval. But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened."

Or as stated in a more humorous way by Craig R. Smith & Jay Leno recently…

"With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?" -=db=-

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God."
(Psa 14:1-2 NASB)

Mikhail Gorbachev - Lessions from Russia 1

Lessons from Russia…#1

I recently flew Mikhail Gorbachev from DFW to FRA. That sparked a lot of discussion among our crew and led me to do some reading on Wikipedia about his history. I remembered of course that he was one of the world’s most powerful leaders, the President of Russia and leader of the USSR.

As I read I discovered a few other things, and felt the Lord gave me some insight into his life and times.

(1) The value of relationships and trust. Gorbachev had a close relationship with Ronald Regan. While leading their respective superpower nations, they met in Iceland to discuss nuclear disarmament. They looked at each other and with their signatures, much to the dismay of their advisers, made more drastic cuts in the number of nuclear weapons in the world than anticipated.

(2) I believe the Lord used Gorbachev to expose the moral and financial bankruptcy of the USSR and peacefully lead the violent and powerful Soviet Union into a more normal relationship with the family of nations. This certainly wasn’t his intention, but the way it turned out.

Our powerful Lord uses leaders to do his biding among the nations. (Proverbs 21:1)

What will it take to expose your personal spiritual bankruptcy and lead you into a healthy, non destructive walk with your Creator? Warfare or peace in your present situation; and eternal consequences are weighing in the balance.

Revelation 3 describes the Laodicean church 2000 years ago, and the western church in our day. Does it describe you or me? -=db=-

Rev. 3: 17-22 “You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me. To those who are victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

...all because of love.

We've heard John 3:16 so many times it may have lost its impact as we give little thought to the reality of who our God is and what He has done for us. It was all because of love that He gave His Son; and He wants us to know that love. Most, including myself, do not. We have an intellectual understanding but few of us live in that place where we are grounded in that reality. Few of us sense and feel His pleasure and delight as we yield our hearts to Him.

I've been watching Mike Bickle in the mornings and something he continually stresses is that we need to pray Eph. 3:17-19 for ourselves. When the men's ministry started up again, one of the first things we felt needed to be addressed was that we were to establish a firm foundation. I think we still have some work to do there as our relationship with Christ and our being "rooted and grounded in love" still needs attention. I looked at those words "rooted" and "grounded" this morning. Rooted means to become stable; grounded means to lay the foundation. This is something that is so desparately needed in our hearts; to have a stable foundation of God's love for us. It is there! It is attainable! It is real! What about you? Will you ask Him that you "may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God." I pray that you will. May He quicken this to our hearts to receive from Him that which He desires to give.

Your brother...

Brian

What a Fire! Men’s Meeting October 23, 2007

I want to recount some of the things I heard the Spirit say through Mark Skinner last night, and I hope you will click and “comment” what you heard. It’s good to record it, so we can meditate on it and act on it in the days ahead.

First, a big thank you to our Father God for a perfect-temperature, clears-skies, bright-moon night for our huge campfire and men’s meeting, despite rain and dismal forecasts the day before! Thanks to Scott and Katherine Weston for the use of their home and property, to Daniel and Andrew for manning the gate, to Brent for wood, and to Juli Conley and Kristin Reynolds for a wonderful meal! Thanks to John Mark Skinner for a wonderful spiritual meal, as he spoke the word of the Lord to us. And to Craig and Tim for leading us in worship. These seeds and words should bear much fruit in our lives going forward.

Secondly, thanks to 56-60 of you brothers who made the sacrifice and effort to be there! May our Lord bless you and your families, and lead you in His ways!

Noteworthy is this, T.C. brought his dad and drove up from Mena for the meeting! Also, we had two special guests; Pete Ramsey, Director of Oaks Manor Retreat Center, and Randy Gaither, who is going to Belize with his family in 2008 to full time mission work – great kingdom brothers.

I heard a lot more than I’ll say here. But for highlights and starters I’ll list these:
(1) Understand who you are as a man. What God says and how God sees you, not others or even yourself. Spend a season with God addressing this, perhaps with other men.
(2) Get to know, spend time with, and really know some of the guys around you. You’ll find you’re not all that different. Satan will lose some grip he’s had on you both, and you’ll find you can trust each other.
(3) Trust each other! “I’m a changed man, because I’ve been around men who are trustworthy and committed.” Men I’ve found, I can call on.
(4) Trust is a big word. Understand, aspire to experience it and risk it. Practice it. Talk to your brother about your journey and let him talk to you.
(5) Commitment is a big word. Practice it. Be with those who are. Encourage those who are struggling with it for the moment. Big rewards. Way of life.
(6) Be different from our culture! Not sit and watch, or let others do for you. Act. Initiate. Take responsibility. Enjoy the exhilaration of what you’re created for. Realize your destiny. God had a good plan for you, while you were in your mother’s womb. Seek Him for it again. Go for it.
(7) The harvest is big. There’s much that can and needs to be done. You’re qualified to participate. Like you are. You have a testimony and an experience with Christ. Be willing to share. Be obedient to the Spirit. Be willing to sacrifice something of yourself to help others. Stand by for more!

I don't expect you to be as wordy, but if you write an article, I'll post it! Just one or two things. What did you hear? -=db=-

Rise Up! And Revelation Three

As I ponder John Mark Skinner's stirring word last night around a giant campfire with close to 60 of my brothers under a clear sky and big harvest moon, I think of this song.
As I read Brian's last post from Rev 3, I think of this song.
This song has become our men's group theme song because it so works! Many feel it deeply in their spirits and recognize it in this season. Bro Bill has championed it for us.
Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.

Rise up, O men of God!
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.

Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!

RISE UP! -=db=-

The Purchase

"...I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other!" Rev. 3:15 GNB

"I advise you, then, to buy gold from Me, pure gold, in order to be rich." Rev. 3:18 GNB

I know my lukewarmness, I know that my fervor and zeal for the LORD of creation is pitiful. I want passion for Him and yet I have not known how to obtain it. As I have thought on this passage, "...buy from Me" I've thought "how can I buy this from God?" Indeed, how can you "buy" anything from Him, the ONE that has everything? This is how. What do we have that has any value? What is it that He wants? Only this - our hearts. How do we give Him our hearts - our time. There is such a loud, clear call for us to respond to His drawing us into intimacy with Him. He has waited patiently for us to respond; now is the time for us to say "Yes" to His invitation. Do you know why? Because He loves us, He desires us to be ready for what is coming on the earth, and make no mistake, it is coming! But there is still time for me, for you, for us; if now we will say "Yes." Let us no longer continue in our lukewarm, indifferent, weak, and pathetic Christianity. Let us not be like Israel that would not respond to His invitation. "Seek the LORD while He may be found..."

Because of Him...

Brian

"..as high as the heavens are above the earth; so are My thoughts above your thoughts."

I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. Psalm 143:5

Vision

A few weeks ago Craig asked "what is your vision" for the Men's Ministry. I must have had a blank look on my face because I thought, "I don't have a vision." From that point on I began to ask God to give me a vision. It didn't take long and it came to me quickly, "PASSION, ENCOUNTER, EMPOWERMENT, RELATIONSHIP." These are the four points of emphasis I believe the Lord wants to grow in our lives. As an acronymn the words spell PEER. I think this is significant too as to "peer" means "to look searchingly at something difficult to discern." "And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart." Jer. 29:13 If we are listening, we know that God is waking us up. He is calling us to draw close to Him, to search for Him. We have a choice and our response will determine our experience. Of a truth, the fulfillment of His word in that "if you seek you will find" will result in PASSION, it will be because we ENCOUNTER the Living God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the One that holds the vastness of creation in His hands. And in this place we will become EMPOWERED, we will know His love and favor as never before experienced. And in knowing His love our love for others will increase, our RELATIONSHIP's will thrive and prosper.

Your brother...

Brian

HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

Brothers, I just wanted to reiterate what I said Tuesday evening at the Men’s Meeting.
Many of us within our church body feel that the Lord is saying that He is coming and that we are to prepare. A couple months ago I was praying about this very thing and asked the Lord, “Why the delay?” He said that He was being gracious and allowing some more time for others to act/decide to be involved. Then I asked, “What can we do to get them to respond?” That is when I received the vision for the 2x2 ministry. For those that don’t know about the 2x2 ministry, it is a visitation ministry that will be led by 12 men. It will have six two man teams with a CCF elder on each team. It has truly been a blessing to see this ministry come together. Everyone that has been approached and asked to be a part has responded immediately. We now have a complete men’s list together and I am working on some final details. I hope to see the ministry in action very soon. Please be praying for the workers and for those that will be contacted.

Blessings
Bobby

Expect more from God!

I was in the same prayer meeting Craig mentioned during worship, when the prophetic word came, “Expect more from God.” I’ve been chewing on it too.

Certainly, I think Craig was right about it meaning “to see God more clearly and as being more awesome." The Holy Spirit’s presence could be felt at that revelation, when we worshiped Sunday morning – wonderful!

We need to see the Lord “high and lifted up” like Isaiah (6:1) did. We need to keep our “eyes fixed on Christ Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb12:2). And “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps 121) Indeed if we keep our eyes on Him, that will solve most of our problems or bring them into perspective.

But can we? Should we come into His presence with “expectations?” For ourselves? For others? Can we “expect” things from God?

How you answer this question is very important! For you! For your friends! For your King.

I’m not saying I know.

I am saying we have a covenant with our God. His gift to us is relationship.

What good is a best friend or spouse if you can’t “expect” certain things from them? Ask help or favors?

Does God love you? Are you a son or daughter? Favored? For what kind of relationship did He die?

How Good is God? How Big? How Powerful? So what should we “expect” from Him in prayers and in answers?

See Him big! He is! Come to Him very lowly, or don’t come at all. You won’t see Him or find Him.

But once you are in His presence, or if you’re making effort to live in His presence, do you think you can “expect things” from Him when you ask? -=db=-

A reminder pertaining to the "Fall Outreach Ministry Internship" which is just a few weeks away! It will begin on October 1st and it is an equipping like you've never known...

You too are called for His Purpose & Glory...Discover more about that call through this 1 month learning opportunity!

For more information phone 479-785-3575, or e-mail us here.You can read more at http://www.asuministry.org/index.html

Again, please pass this along as you feel led, and may Christ abundantly direct & BLESS you this week!

Mark Skinner
**************************************************************

CCF and River Valley Brothers in the Lord,

If you've wanted your life to count more for the King and the Kingdom, please consider devoting October 2007 to Him and get this training. The Holy Spirit will use a tool that is sharpened and prepared. The need it great, and the hour is late. But our main motivation should be to please the King and help others. I'm doing it! Please join me Mon. & Wed. nights in October. -=db=-

“From the Lord 9-9-2007, 1:00 a.m.

You are going to ask me to come and be in your presence. I’m already here. I don’t have any problem hearing you, but you still have a problem hearing me. I have told you many times to trust me and don’t figure me out, however you still have a large part in reverse. It doesn’t work that way. You all have gifts that you know of and gifts that you still don’t know of, long dormant. I will use methods to bring them all out, methods you are not used to, methods that will be outside your understanding. I am already here, now relax and absorb me in.

With love from the Lord”

This came to a brother, Bill Bissell, yesterday, Sunday, the day Rick Ridings spoke to us. It seems timely and true. Meditate on it and see what the Spirit impresses you to do. Your brother, Dwayne -=db=-

Men's Fraternity offered in our city this fall!

Great Opportunity! For the men and men's groups of the River Valley! Starts tomorrow!! September 5^th!

Please bring yourself, some of your men's group, and spread the word to men around the city.

WHAT? Fellowship, teaching, & discussion about men's issues and men's roles in our culture, our families, and before our God. The course material will be from the nationally known "Men's Fraternity."

WHO? Pastor Ed Saucier and the men of Community Bible Church, http://www.communitychurch.com/ will be leading and serving the men of the River Valley by bringing the teaching and providing the physical arrangements – meeting facilities, table & chair setup, lunch preparation, etc. This is an excellent time for you to bring some of your men's group or friends and spend time fellowshipping together and around the Word. It's open to all, with the goal of having men in our area encouraged and better equipped to serve God and adventure with your friends in your church and city wide.

WHEN? Wednesdays 1200 pm – 100pm. Meetings will continue for the fall school semester with a Christmas break.

WHERE? Map: http://www.communitychurch.com/location.php Community Bible Church, 9201 Dallas St, Fort Smith, AR 72903

COST? $5 for your meal; that's it! Sandwiches, chips, and drinks will be provided at each event, so men can get back to their work and efficiently use the time. We'll just throw down $5, pick up our food, and begin to eat and fellowship.

SCHEDULE? Doors will open at 1130am for those wishing to arrive early. But trying to honor everyone's work schedule, we'll officially go from 1200 noon to 100pm. More specifically, 1210pm start teaching and continue eating, 1235pm – 1245 pm discuss and pray for each other at tables. 1245pm sharp is our finish time so men can get back to work by 100pm. This should be doable with the central location.

HOW DO I JOIN? Call 452-9201 and tell them you're coming. They'll need a head count for planning lunch and tables. Better still, take the lead for your group and call in for everyone coming with you.

I know this is late notice, but you can still participate if you come next week or the next. There will be enough review to catch up. Please don't miss this opportunity to strengthen the men and unity of the men in our area! Pray for those leading and those attending. Help get the word out! Call someone or forward this email today! Thanks, and God bless you on your journey! Dwayne Bell, City Christian Fellowship, Fort Smith 462-3312 dwayne777@gmail.com

WE HUNGER FOR WHAT WE FEED ON

Pastor AJ’s message was anointed and awesome to say the least. It was about, Growing Spiritually, and the emphasis was on the importance of spending quality time in God’s word on a regular basis. He mentioned that there is no excuse for not being dedicated to The Holy Scriptures, and I agree. The word that spoke to me the most was that, "We must desire God’s word like a baby craves a mother’s milk." After he spoke he gave the men an opportunity to speak something they may have heard from the Lord. I was reminded of a lesson I learned from John Bevere’s book, “Drawing Near. John mentioned a period in his life during college. He was a young Christian who loved the Lord, but he had a bad habit. He loved junk food. It was all he wanted to eat. Finally, the Lord told him to start eating healthier. John was obedient to the Lord and over time he developed an appetite for healthy food; in fact, he developed such an appetite for healthy food that he would eat nothing else. He began detesting junk food so much that if he went to a restaurant he would not eat unless they offered healthy food. His point to the story was that, “We hunger for what we feed on.” After sharing this with the men I mentioned a word that the Lord spoke to me recently about giving my all. It was about two weeks ago during a prayer. The Lord said, “I want you to start giving your all.” I asked, “Lord, what does that mean?” He said, “When you pray, don’t stop praying until you have prayed through, and then pray a little more, and when you study my word, don’t stop studying until you receive something, then look for a little more.” I believe that this is a good approach in giving our all, but I feel that we should apply this method in everything we do to honor our Lord. For example, when we praise Him during praise and worship, we should press in with all our heart and when we feel that He has blessed us with that harmonious line of unity, we should press for more.


Brothers, if you don’t have much of an appetite for His word, feed on it and don’t stop eating until you are filled, then eat a little more, and you will be blessed with a desire for the word of God that is as strong as a babies craving for mama’s milk.


His promise in all of this is that, YOU WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY!!!


Bless you Brothers
Bobby

No choice...

If you missed the August meeting of The Guard I strongly encourage you to listen to Pastor AJ's message. It is a call to make a way to spend time with Jesus, in His word. The end of the matter is this, if we do not make this the priority in our lives we will not grow spiritually. Yes, it must become the most important part of our day. Instead of sporadically grabbing a few minutes to pray and read God's word we must deliberately plan our days to make this a priority. How long, :05, :10 minutes? No, I don't see how there can be any meaningful time unless it is at least :30. I feel this should be the goal for the one that has not made this a part of their lifestyle, and you can do it. And you won't regret it! How can you cram another :30 minutes into your already busy schedule? How about this, get up :30 minutes early. As we begin to move toward God, He moves toward us. We experience His presence which is what we so desparately need. So let each of us afresh and anew recommit our lives to seek Him, that our lives might be full of His presence and that we might be and do that which He created us for.

"You have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound (disciplined) mind."

Blessings...

Brian

"...and He humbled Himself by becoming obedient.."

At the last meeting of The Guard I shared how I often feel as if I am cut off from God because I "don't do enough." Many experience this same sense of lostness as it is a common tactic of our enemy. He is the Accuser, incessitantly charging us with our failures and playing on our weak consciences that our acceptance before God is based on our performance, on our doing. I shared how as I was in this state and trying to pray that I felt the Lord impressed on me Micah 6:8, "What does the Lord require of thee O man, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." I received grace at that point and understood the simplicity of pleasing our God. It is not our "works" that please Him but our heart that seeks Him.

As I continued to consider this passage over the next few days I began to understand more. While meditating on the passage in Micah which said we should "walk humbly" this came to me; walking humbly means walking in submission and yieldedness to our Lord. This was confirmed as I then remembered the Scripture in Phillipians 2 "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus... ..and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself, by becoming obedient unto death, even to death on the cross. "

This issue of obedience is critical in our walk with the Lord. It is a fundemental (foundational) prerequisite if we are to go on and fulfill our destiny; it means we must hear and obey. If we have heard and not obeyed; we must repent. We must go back to that point where we said "No" and say "Yes." If we are in submission and obedient we will eat the good fruit of the land; we will see the power of God come in our midst; we will fulfill our destinies.

Pursue obedience, desire obedience, ask for an obedient heart.

Your brother... Brian

P.S. We need to be sure that what we hear from the Lord is indeed from him and not another. Not everything we hear that we should do is from Him, even though it may sound right and good. For example, when the rich young ruler came to Jesus he was told to go and sell everything and give it to the poor; there is no record of this instruction being given to anyone else, this act was specifically for this man. Another example is at the end of John's Gospel when Peter was being told by Jesus what was expected of him . Peter asked a question wondering what fate awaited John. Jesus answered saying, "If I want him to live until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So again, the Lord deals with each of us with personal and specific instructions. Trust that He will lead you and speak to you, He promised that He would.

Brothers,
I have been reading a book that Justin and Flora loaned me called "The Elijah Task", by John and Paula Sandford. It is actually 30 years old, but it is very good. Anyway, it talks about intercessory prayer and that it should be done more in the way of faith and less in a way that leaves questions.
For example, consider these two prayers,
1. "O God, please save my brother from tragedy."
2. "I praise You, Lord that you are entering in to save my brother from tragedy."
The Author states that the first prayer leaves the question, "I wonder if he will do it?" And if He does do it, the petitioner will have to wrestle with pride because he may think that he prevailed on God to move in his behalf, as though God didn't want to or had to be jarred into activity by prayer.
The author say's that this second prayer is in the way of faith, and for one to pray this type of prayer, "One must first ascertain the fresh, present will of the Father in the situation, and then describe what God is doing, affirming that He is the one who loves, not we."
I like this a lot, for we know that it is the Fathers Fresh and Present will to meet all of our needs, and it is His unchangeable love that transforms us, saves us, and heals us.
This second prayer also sounds to me to be in line with DR Ogilvie’s word about claiming that supernatural power.
I really enjoyed his final words that Dwayne has shared on the blog.
"Are you ready to move on?" Then (1) Claim your redemption. (2) Commit yourself anew to it. (3) Claim that supernatural power.
I know that many within CCF agree that we are eager to move on and that God's supernatural favor is at hand for us to do just that, so just to reconfirm what we have been saying for some time now, "our prayers should be with proclamations and decrees."
Blessings
Bobby

Claim That Supernatural Power . Dr. Ogilvie

"Prayer is the way to release the power of God in the earth, and in us (you & me.)" "... God then led me into a deep, contemplative way of life -- everyday in prayer."

These are a couple quotes that stood out to me when Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie spoke at Fort Smith's 36th annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, July 20th. It wasn't a charismatic, evangelistic type meeting that they are known for, but about 500 of us just listened and felt as though we had spent meaningful time with the man personally. Meaningful because you sensed a humble man of great presence - a man who had just been with the LORD, and who had been with the Lord much of his life. I wish you could have been there with me, and I encourage you to get the CD from the local CBMC who sponsored the event. I'm in the process of doing just that.

He ended with, "Are you ready to move on?" Then (1) Claim your redemption. (2) Commit yourself anew to it. (3) Claim that supernatural power.

Are you ready to move on? I am. -=db=-

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." II Tim 1:6-7 NIV

Love Those Hogs! Matt 8:34

"Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region." Matt 8:34 (NIV)

I realize this could be an unpopular or dangerous topic in Razorback country. But one that needs to be addressed.
"Do we care more about our pigs than our people?"
Think about it. They did, and I fear we do.
What are the pigs in you life?
By your life and your actions, are you asking Jesus to leave your region?
He's on a mission to "seek and to save those who are lost." But if you ask Him to leave, He will. -=db=-

Are You Overcoming?

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Rev 12:11

Are you overcoming at the moment? Or in this chapter of your life? Personally? With your family?
Pray to our Lord for His mercy, grace and help. Then consider the three steps to overcoming listed above. Mediate on them. Apply some action from these in your life. May you overcome, for your good and His glory! Today and tomorrow. -=db=-

Are You Ready?

A few weeks ago Bobby felt impressed the Lord said, "Don't get ready so I'll come, I'm coming - get ready." So the question is, are we ready?

I hope you take this question seriously because it is critical in this time. We live in dangerous days and we must be ready to engage our enemy in the power of our God.

I suspect there are not many (myself included) that would say "Yes Lord, I am ready - Come!" But I hope you are also like me in that you can say, "I am getting ready!" How? How can we live holy lives, pleasing to the Lord? This is how, by "taking one day at a time, one step at a time, one choice at a time, and one yes at a time" - for Him. "We may not be able to live totally perfect, but our next choice can be a Yes for God." And if we get tripped up and we stumble, we can come back quickly by asking for forgiveness, pressing "delete," and pressing on. "If we do the little, He will do the big and that which tripped us up yesterday, we will tread upon tomorrow."

God is looking for Yes Men. He's looking for men that will seek His face and desire to hear His voice. He is moving sovereignly, and empowering those that will say "Yes."

Will you say Yes to Him!

Your brother... Brian

Quotes from April Snow - Julie Meyer

Psalm 51 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
The first question I have is Who was the director of music? Was it the praise and worship leader?
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
In verse 1-2 David is repenting of his sins. Making confession, remember Bobby's message at the mens meeting?
2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ; you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
In verse 12 David is asking for some relief from guilt,blame.just life itself. He asked that God return to him the joy of your (God's) salvation. Many times I miss quote this as the joy of my salvation? He is asking for God to create a willing spirit to build him up in spirit .
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
It seems God is not impressed by sacrifice as a method or ceremony HE (GOD) wants our heart moved toward HIM (GOD) and HE (GOD) does not even have the ability to refuse our Heart offering but HE(GOD) will make a decision about a sacrifice as to accept or reject it.
17 The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Footnotes:
Psalm 51:6 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
Psalm 51:6 Or you desired?; / you taught
Psalm 51:17 Or My sacrifice, O God, is

This Chapter made me think so much as a confirmation of Bobby and Brians messages at the mens meeting.

Unprecedented Rain

There is a prophetic word that has come through Julie Meyer at IHOP that speaks to the extraordinary rain we have been experiencing. To the best of my memory, these rains are indeed unprecedented, especially considering their frequency. It seems that every two or three days - it rains, not just showers, but heavy rains. Julie had a dream in late February 2007 where she saw these rains, they are the Lord's doing. She says, "with each drop of rain think of My grace." The Lord is beginning to pour out His grace upon us, so that we might become the people He desires, without spot or blemish. He is calling us to rend our hearts, to bare our hearts - before Him, and before our brothers. He is doing that in me as I confessed to Dwayne my struggle with selfishness, manifesting itself through self-pity. He is going to pour His grace out on you too - that is if you want Him to. That is if you want Him! He is going to wash us and cleanse us from our iniquity and sin, He is going to enable us to receive and be the righteousness He has declared us to be. Press in brothers - for the time is now. Blessings... Brian

Bobby Burns Notes from Men's Mtg June 2007

[The theme of the evening – what had been laid on Brian and Bobby’s hearts was “Righteousness.”]

“When God looks at me (us), He sees a perfect spirit man! He sees Christ. He’s pleased.”

[Do you know that? Do you act like it?]

Once recently in prayer and thanking God, Bobby said “I love you Lord.” Immediately he heard in his spirit, “No! Not like you could.” That sent him on a quest. “How do I know I love God?” Do I do the things I do for Him, or for me?

“How can I know I love you?”

Obedience – That I Obey. I John 2:5 “But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:”

Study the Word – Command – “Study to show thyself….” I Tim 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Pray – Command – “Pray always….” Eph 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Show faith by works – James 2:18 “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

“Men, know who we are in the LORD – we must know!”

“We are His righteousness.”

“Gal 5:5 sums it all up – We who live by the Spirit – Faith expressing itself in love.”

Bobby felt like the Lord said, “Yes, you love me, but not like you could!”

“I knew He was taking me on a new journey!” “Do you need a fresh start?”

[I can hear the words of our Lord to Peter echoing down through the ages, “Peter do you love me? ….” John 21:16-17] -=db=-

CCF Men: Good Men's Meeting Last Night#links

CCF Men: Good Men's Meeting Last Night#links After last nights meeting, I shared with Brian a dream I had a couple of weeks ago. I had already shared the dream with David King and Dwayne, but Brian urged me to write it down and put it on the blog. In the dream, I was in a room sort of like the sanctuary, and in the room with me were several men, probably several of you guys from the Guard. We all had on blue shirts. We were walking around, just mingling and talking. A certain individual, not anyone I know or recognize was walking near me, came over to me and said some things to me in a whisper or low voice. I did not like what ever the man said because it made me angry. I felt an urge to hurt this person, but I held back because he had on a blue shirt, thinking he was one of us, I just could not strike him, but I sure wanted to. David King was standing with his back to me, sort of behind me, but he heard what this individual said to me. David whirled around and hit the guy with a right jab, right to the mouth. He hit the guy so hard I heard his teeth crack. The guy looked surprised like this was the last thing he expected. He shook his head from side to side, looked at David, then looked at me, then just crumpled to the floor in a pile. End of dream.

Read this

I just finished reading the latest Eliot Blog. May I humbly recommend you do the same. Eliot

(All posts are good, but I am referring to June 21. You can always find a link to Eliot's blog at the end of this blogs dedication, along the right side. Matt's a courageous, honest writer & and good brother.)

Please continue to pray for the healing and health of two young men among us who have a cancer diagnosis... Wendell Rye & Brent Proctor.

Blessings from our Lord & Shalom, -=db=-

Good Men's Meeting Last Night

Last Night’s Men’s Meeting

About 33 faithful men attended our excellent men’s meeting last evening. A few others reported themselves on anniversary celebrations, honoring other commitments, or otherwise doing the King’s business.

We opened in prayer. Tim Knight led our worship. Bill Spilman reminded us to finish our giving to Brad Grizzle & the Thailand/Burma mission. Over $1000 has been given and sent. Slightly over $1000 of the need remains.

Bobby Burns & Brian Fields brought excellent and timely words on righteousness. I believe I’ll be able to get a CD of their messages to any who ask.

I sensed with others that our understanding of this critical issue was opened in a new way. Also for us, it’s a new day. A good time of confession and honesty before God and the brothers followed.

May His Word continue and accomplish what He sent it to do! -=db=-

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isa 55:10-11 (NIV)

Men's Meeting Tonight 7pm

Men's Meeting CCF Tonight! 7:00pm
Come hear Brian & Bobby share, and sense with us what the Lord is doing and saying!