AMERICA’S REAL PROBLEM

Friday, November 1, 2024

Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
   Many Christians believe that if they can elect the right people, place into position the right Supreme Court justices, pass the right laws, they can save America. We should, by all means, vote and do all we can to impact our government. I am the first to encourage that. But that alone won’t save America. Though politics play an important part, America’s problem is not ultimately political. It is not ultimately economic, and not even ultimately cultural.
   America’s problem is ultimately spiritual – and so only a spiritual answer can solve it. If we change laws but not hearts, then the unchanged hearts will, in time, change back the laws. We should seek to change unrighteous laws, but if we don’t change hearts, we will lose everything in the end. The overturning of Roe V. Wade was momentous and by the hand of God. But without the overturning of hearts, people will seek abortion, if not one way, then another, if not in one state, then another, until they can overturn the overturning itself. A recent poll found that 66% of Americans oppose the total overturning of Roe V. Wade with 29% in favor. How long can that be sustained if hearts don’t change.
   According to another recent poll, the percentage of Americans who want to overturn the legalizing of gay marriage is 28%. The percentage in favor of legalized gay marriage was found to be around 70%. As for the more conservative, as in Republicans, the percentage was somewhere around 50%. Among young Americans, the percentage is even higher than 70%, but then about 1-in-5 to 1-in-4 young Americans now consider themselves LGBT in one form or another. With regard to America’s future, it is that last percentage, that of the young, that will prove the most important. We must face the fact that we are living in a nation in a state of apostasy.
   In the years 2016 to 2020, the American government was led by a Republican and conservative administration. And there were many accomplishments that conservatives and Christians could boast in – executive orders issued on behalf of life and religious liberty, the appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices, the Jerusalem Declaration, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Abrahamic Accords, the recognition of Israel’s sovereignty in the Golan Heights, and more. But at the same time, America’s spiritual, moral, and cultural decline, apostasy, and fall, did not stop. If anything the indoctrination of its children in the classroom, online, and in mass media, into the ways of immorality and godlessness only increased. If we don’t change those things, we will not change America’s trajectory – or its fall.
   Electing a more godly or moral administration will not matter in the end, if there is no changing of hearts, no turning back to God, no revival. On the other hand, electing an ungodly or immoral administration will not matter in the end, even if we do change hearts, if the nation does turn back to God, and if true revival does come to America.
   This month, let us now vote with our prayers, and fervently plead with God for revival. It is that only that can save this nation. And May God greatly bless you this month as you do!

Your brother and co-laborer

in His love and service,

Jonathan

See Message: 2 Chronicles 7:14: God’s Key to Revival
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

A Pocket Full of Blessings

Thursday, October 31, 2024

The story is told of a man with two pockets. One pocket has a hole that he never repairs. The other pocket has no holes, and if a hole develops, he gets it sown up immediately. Throughout the day, whenever he experiences something negative, he puts it in the pocket with a hole. But every good thing he experiences, he places in the pocket without the hole. Every evening, he empties out his pocket and all he has are blessings. Too many of us put all the good in our lives in the pocket with holes. We take them for granted, forget them, and don’t treasure them. Yet, all the negative things we deal with- our problems, frustrations, and worries- we place in the pocket with no holes. Then at the end of the day, we empty our pockets and find all sorts of problems and no blessings. Learn to let go of all the bad and hold fast to all the good so that, at the end of the day and the end of your life, you’ll find yourself with no worries- just a pocket full of blessings.

From Message #2176 – The Unconditionally Joyful Life
Scripture: James 3:10

Today’s Mission – Today, see, notice, dwell on, treasure, and give thanks for all the blessings and let go of what is not.

How to Develop a Poor Memory

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

My great uncle Jack was losing his memory. During our conversation at a family gathering, he said to me, “Who are you?” I replied, “Your nephew. You don’t know me?” He said, “No.” I felt a bit discouraged. But then he turned to me and said, “It’s alright. I don’t have to remember you. I like you anyway. You’re a good person.” There was no memory, but there was love. So it is with God. He knows everything, but in Isaiah 43:25 He says, “I will not remember your sins.” When it comes to our sins covered by Messiah’s blood, God has chosen to have a poor memory. God is perfect. Therefore part of being perfected is developing a poor memory for sin. When it comes to what others did to you, or your past sins, be perfect as God is perfect. If He forgets your past sins, then by His grace do the same. Forget the sins of others and your own as well. Blessings, freedom, and joy are waiting to come into your life. It all begins when you start developing a lousy memory.

From Message #461 – Be Ye Imperfect I
Scripture: Isaiah 43:18

Today’s Mission – Today, practice the art of a lousy memory. Don’t remember the sins of others and forget your own.

Wearing The old Self

Monday, October 28, 2024

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to go through the day wearing yesterday’s dirty clothes? It feels as though you’re breaking some sort of clothing law – not a great feeling. The New Testament speaks of putting away the old self and putting on the new. In the original language, it speaks in terms of clothing. It’s natural to see your old self as your true identity. The key is to see it in a new way – as clothes – not who you are, but simply what you have worn – no longer you – and not just clothes, but old clothes. If you’re born again, you’re no longer that old person. It’s simply a case of wearing yesterday clothes. The Bible says you are now a beloved child. It’s a new day of new beginnings, salvations, and miracles. You just forgot to take off yesterday’s clothes. That person you used to be isn’t you anymore. It’s just a set of old dirty clothes. So by faith and in God’s Spirit, start taking off those old clothes today. It’s never a good thing to wear yesterday’s clothes.

From Message #377 – Old Clothes, New Clothes
Scripture: Romans 6:6

Today’s Mission – Are you wearing the clothes of yesterday? Put off the old self and put on the new.

Fruit of Wax

Friday, October 25, 2024

Have you ever seen a bowl of fruit that looks delicious only to find out that it’s wax? Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” The problem is many believers choose to have wax fruit instead of real fruit. They act loving, good, kind, and joyful instead of actually being these things. So, too, we often try to manufacture love instead of letting love grow. We try to fashion a life of goodness from the outside in by doing good things, instead of the inside-out of the Spirit. We end up with a life of wax fruits of the Spirit. But the fruits of the Spirit are real fruit, not wax. Don’t act fruitful; instead, learn to become fruitful. Don’t act beautiful – become beautiful. Live your life for Him from the inside out. Learn the secrets of growing the fruit of His Spirit from the inside of your heart out and life will become sweet. Everything else is just wax fruit.

From Message #419 – The Fruit of Light
Scripture: Philippians 2:13

Today’s Mission – Today, seek not to do good, but to be good; not to act loving, but to be loving; not to look beautiful, but to become beautifu

Broadcasting Your Secrets

Thursday, October 24, 2024

In September of 1941, a geomagnetic storm caused private telephone conversations to jump lines and be aired on live radio. The broadcasters were unable to stop it. Without the people’s knowledge, their intimate words aired on the radio for all to hear. Messiah said that whatever’s spoken in the darkness shall be heard in the light. He also said that we will give account for our words. So, whatever you’ve said, not just in one conversation on the phone, but even those things you’ve whispered in secret when nobody else was around, will be heard. It won’t be just proclaimed on a radio station but in the courts of heaven in the light of judgment. So here’s a good rule: don’t say anything in secret you wouldn’t want repeated in the light of judgment and eternity. Avoid gossip as you would the plague. Whenever something is questionable, remember the magnetic storm trick. More than that, remember eternity and the Day of Judgment. If it wouldn’t sound good broadcast coast to coast on national radio, then it doesn’t sound good for you in the sight of heaven.

From Message #1105 – Closets and Rooftops
Scripture: Proverbs 18:7

Today’s Mission – Today, in light of eternity, let every word that comes out of your mouth be holy, pure, and for building up and the giving of life.

Fighting The Gods

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

The children of Israel were not only called to stand for God, but also against the gods of the surrounding nations. The first believers in the Book of Acts were called, not only to stand for Messiah, but also to stand against the gods of the ancient world. If you’re a follower of Messiah and a child of Israel in the Spirit, it isn’t enough to simply stand for God – you must stand against the gods as well. Maybe you didn’t know that you were born into a world filled with gods, but you are. The people of this age serve the gods of money, greed, status, materialism, carnality, lust, alcohol, drugs, socialism, music, pornography, abortion, the entertainment industry, political correctness, and a whole pantheon of other gods. You can’t stay on the fence or you’ll be swept away. You have to be strong and take your stand against them. Take your stand like Moses against the gods of Egypt, Elijah against the prophets of Baal, and Daniel in the courts of Babylon. Be strong, be pure, be immovable, and take your stand against the gods.

From Message #356 – The Lord Shall Be One
Scripture: Psalm 81:9

Today’s Mission – Be strong in the power of His might today and stand against the gods and idols of this world, and maybe even the gods and idols of your life.

Heaven’s Gate and Your Life

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

What will the kingdom of God be like? Isaiah 60:11 says, “Your gates will be open continually; they will not be shut day or night.” Revelation 21:25 says, “And the gates of it will not be shut at all by day: for there will be no night there.” One of the main characteristics of God’s kingdom is the open gate; no more need for closing or defensiveness. The gates are open. If heaven is characterized by an open gate, and if you want to live a heavenly life, it has to be characterized by an open gate- or rather, an open heart. So whenever you close your heart in bitterness, anger, self-pity, conflict, or strife, the one you cripple the most is yourself, because you’re closing the gate to God’s love. It will prevent you from ever knowing the heavenly life you were meant to know. If you want to live a heavenly life, there’s only one way. Open the gate of your life through repentance, forgiveness, and love. The treasures of God’s love will flow into your heart and your life will become like heaven.

From Message #335- The Open Gate and the Heavenly Heart
Scripture: Ephesians 4:31

Today’s Mission – Today, open your heart by faith and allow God’s love to flow through it. Let it transform your life.

Living by The Temple Standard

Friday, October 18, 2024

In Israel, there’s a place called the House of Caiaphas. There, you can see ancient measures and standards of weights. In Bible times, Israel used weights and measures to determine price and value. They had to be geared to the Temple or Sanctuary standard. Whether at home, the market place, or work, they had to all be the same. Your life also needs a sanctuary standard. In the sanctuary, in the house of God, you praise the Lord, you’re patient, loving, and compassionate towards the brethren, holy and pure, entering into worship. But if, when you leave the sanctuary, you’re no longer as holy, pure, and loving, then you’re living by a double standard. The way you are in the sanctuary is the way you need to be outside the sanctuary. If you praise God in the sanctuary, praise Him at home. If you’re loving and patient with people in the sanctuary, be the same way at home and out in the world. Get every part of your life in line with the sanctuary standard and your life will be a life of His holiness worthy of God’s Temple.

From Message #965 – The Weights of the Bag
Scripture: Proverbs 20:23

Today’s Mission – Today, live by the Temple standard. Live and act as godly, as loving, and as righteous as you would in the Lord’s house – even in heaven

The Royal Food

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

In a beehive, the larvae are pretty much the same. But what the larvae becomes depends on its food. If it eats royal jelly, it becomes a queen. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It’s all in what it eats. So, you might think you are bound to be as you are – living with anxiety, depressed, or in sin. But, what matters now is not what you were, but who you become in Messiah as you partake of salvation. You become what you partake of. If you partake of the divine, then you become of the divine nature in God. If you partake of righteousness, you become righteous. If you partake of the world, you become worldly. But if you partake of Messiah, The Bread of Life, you become Messiah-like. So don’t dwell on or be limited by who you’ve been. Live by Who He is – and partake of it. It’s true of bees, and also true of believers. If you partake of the royal food, you will become a royal creation.

From Message #963 – The Honeycomb
Scripture: Psalm 119:103

Today’s Mission – Today, partake of Messiah as The Bread of Life and read His Word as though it is your royal food.

If He is not Faithful to Israel . . .

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

There are many believers who believe that the New Covenant nullifies God’s calling on Israel. But the New Covenant is first spoken of in Jeremiah 31:31. Then right after that God says that the Jewish people, the children of Israel, will never cease from being a nation before Him. So the new covenant is not against the Jewish people. It’s for them. In fact, the New Covenant is first made with the house of Israel and Judah. It is the fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham that His seed would be a blessing to the nations. The apostles of the New Covenant were all Jewish. If you’re in the New Covenant, you’re linked to Israel. It came through Israel and it’s going to be fulfilled in Israel. So, their blessing is your blessing and your blessing is their blessing. If God were to abandon His covenant to Israel, then what assurance would you have of His covenant to you? Thank God that He’s faithful to Israel and to you as well. Rejoice that God is faithful to His people and be faithful to Him.

From Message #962 – The Genesis Gene
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Today’s Mission – Today, rejoice in the fact that God is faithful to His people Israel and to you.

The Direction of Up

Monday, October 14, 2024

Where are you heading in life? Is it a career, school, marriage, a house, ministry, or do you have a plan? These things may be in God’s will, but, they’re not the direction of your life. Proverbs 15:24 says, “The path of life leads upward for the wise that he may keep away from sheol below.” People head in all directions to reach their goal in life. But Proverbs doesn’t say the path of life leads north, south, east, or west – but up. So if any goal in this world becomes the final goal, the end reason of why you’re doing what you do, your direction is no longer upward. Your goal should never be to get from point A to B, but rather to rise up from the earthly to the heavenly, from selfishness to love, from ungodliness to holiness, from the carnal to the spiritual. Take that step that will lead you higher up in God. The path of life is better than north, south, east, or west. For the direction of our life is up!

From Message #954 – Straight Up
Scripture: Psalm 139:24

Today’s Mission – Today, take that step that will lead you higher up in God.

Radical Righteousness

Friday, October 11, 2024

Ayin is Hebrew for eye. Messiah said if your eye causes you to stumble, then take it out. Some translations read, tear it out or pluck it out, and throw it away. I’ve never seen even one picture illustrating this teaching. The reason, of course, is that it’s too graphic. But that’s exactly the point. Messiah gave us this example, not so we would put it in picture Bibles, greeting cards, or Christian coloring books, but so it would be burned into the eyes of our hearts. He said it so that you would take that sin in your life so seriously that no matter what the cost or sacrifice, you would pluck it out and throw it away. Imagine plucking out your own eye because it causes you to stumble. In the same way, pluck out that sin that’s causing you to stumble. Pluck that ungodly thing out of your life. Throw it away, be done with it already. Keep your eyes, but as far as that sin is concerned, there’s only one thing to do- pluck it out.

From Message #412 – The Radical Heart
Scripture: I Peter 1:15

Today’s Mission – What is it that should have no place in your life? Today, pluck it out.

The Process of Beautification

Thursday, October 10, 2024

In the ancient Hebrew marriage, the bride and groom would stay separated for a year. The groom would prepare a place for the bride and the bride would prepare herself for the groom, making herself beautiful. Anyone who’s witness a woman getting beautiful knows – it often gets worse before it gets better. And if you’re born again, you are the bride and this life is your preparation time. This is the time given for you to become beautiful in His eyes. But becoming beautiful involves a process that isn’t overnight. And often, before you become more beautiful, you appear less so, or even ugly, especially in the mirror of our own eyes. So if you’re examining yourself, your heart, attitude, and spirituality, it can be pretty ugly. But don’t be discouraged. It’s all part of the process. In fact, it’s seeing your faults that allows you to become beautiful. This is the time of your preparation. You don’t have to be beautiful, you only have to become beautiful.

From Message #405 – The Sound of the Bridegroom
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:8

Today’s Mission – Today, take steps toward not looking more beautiful, but becoming more beautiful in God

Victim or Victor

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

We live in a victim culture where few take responsibility for their lives. People live as victims of their parents, their society, rejection, abuse, or of behavior they can’t control. Even God’s people often walk around with lifelong hurts, wounds, self-pity, and blame. But Proverbs 18:14 reads, “A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a wounded spirit, who can bear?” So, when you walk around feeling sorry for yourself, dwelling on what’s been done to you, you’re carrying a wounded spirit. And a wounded spirit will make your life and your burdens heavier and keep you from joy, peace, and fulfillment. That’s not God’s will for your life. Don’t go through this life as a victim. Don’t live according to how people treated you and start living according to how God treated you. What people did is nothing compared to what Messiah did on Calvary. That’s everything. You’re not a victim – you’re a victor. In fact, you’re even more than a conqueror. Live like one.

From Message #314 – Wounded in the House of My Friends
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57

Today’s Mission – Today, move away from your past and how people treated you and live solely according to how God has treated you in salvation.

Dada, Tata, Papa, and Abba

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

The word father comes from the Greek word ‘pater.’ It is linked to the ancient Sanskrit name ‘tata.’ In other languages, it becomes dada, baba, or papa. In Hebrew, it becomes ‘abba.’ What joins all these words? They’re all part of baby talk. The word ‘dada’ was coined by a baby. This bears witness that having a father is the most basic and simple of things. So Romans 8:15 says, “Whereby we cry, Abba!” Knowing God is not a complicated thing. It’s the simplest and most basic thing. It’s like breathing. It’s like being a baby and saying ‘dada.’ And the ‘dada’, like ‘papa’ and ‘abba’, are not only baby words, but words of joy. So knowing God is not a theological proposition, it’s the most basic joy you can know. Don’t be theological in your relationship to God – call Him ‘Abba’! Learn the profound truth of calling God Abba. Learn to call Him Papa, Dada, or Daddy. Because the greatest, deepest, and most profound thing you could ever know is also the most simple… Dada!

From Message #316 – Fatherhood and God
Scripture: Matthew 6:6

Today’s Mission – Today, be like a little child. Spend time with God as your Heavenly Daddy and accept His nurturing.

Pudgy’s Dance

Monday, October 7, 2024

When I was a child, my dog Pudgy hated baths. But afterwards, she’d run around jumping for joy. Even the dog knew this truth – after a bath, you feel great. You may not run around and jump on the couch, but it’s a great feeling. If we feel that good after taking a bath of water, how much better should we feel if we allow God to cleanse our hearts, souls, and spirits? We often think of asking God for cleansing in negative terms. But it’s a positive, beautiful, and joyful thing. If you let your heart be cleansed by the Spirit of God, then your heart will come out new, fresh, and revived. If you let your mind be cleansed by God, your mind will come out of it a new and refreshed mind. Let your life be cleansed by God and it will become a new, revived, and refreshed life. Come to God and be cleansed. You’ll come out clean, fresh, new, and revived. And you may even feel like running around and jumping on a couch.

From Message #298 – Spring Cleaning
Scripture: Ezekiel 36:25

Today’s Mission – Come to God today and be cleansed in your heart, mind, and soul. Let His springs of refreshing flow.

A Nation The Size of New Jersey

Friday, October 4, 2024

In 1948, ancient prophecy was fulfilled as Israel was raised from the dead. I’m writing these words in New Jersey. It’s a tiny state with only 8,000 square miles, almost identical in size to Israel. That’s where the comparison ends. During the Cold War, the focus of the world media went first to America and the Soviet Union. After that, the place that received the greatest amount of its attention was the tiny nation of Israel. How does a speck of land the size of New Jersey receive so much world focus and attention? It happens because God is real and He’s the God of Israel. Had He said, “I am the God of New Jersey,” then New Jersey would have become the center of world attention. So whenever you hear about Israel in the news, know that you’re witnessing a miracle. And don’t look at how little you may have in your life. Think of Israel. Commit your life and what you do have to God, no matter how small. Then your life will become like the Promised Land, instead of New Jersey.

From Message #47 – A Good Land
Scripture: Psalm 72:18

Today’s Mission – Commit everything you have to the Lord today, no matter how little. Remember Israel, and thank God that He will use it for His glory.

The Silent Truth

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

In John 18, Messiah is standing before Pontius Pilate on trial for His life. Pilate asks Him, “What is truth?” It’s a question man has been asking from the beginning. What was the Lord’s response? As far as the Scriptures are concerned, He never said anything. Why didn’t He answer Pilate? He did, but not with words. Messiah is the truth. If He said something at that point, He would be speaking about the truth. But about the truth isn’t the same as truth itself. What is the truth? Not merely the words of Messiah, but Messiah Himself, standing right there, before Pilate’s eyes without words. Learn this profound truth. You need to tell your loved ones and the world the truth. But more than telling them about the truth, you need to show them the truth. Don’t just talk about God’s love, show them God’s love. Because people can argue with the words of Messiah, but it’s very hard to argue with His presence standing there right before their eyes.

From Message #1485, 1589 – The Purple Crimson King I & II
Scripture: John 17:17

Today’s Mission – Don’t just talk about God’s love today, show it.

THE ELECTION, THE TURNING POINT AND YOU

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
   Messiah told us that we are the light of the world. Lights are not passive. They are active agents, affecting, impacting, transforming their surroundings. We are all and each to affect, impact, and transform the world and people around us in every realm. That includes the political realm. We don’t put our faith in it – rather it is a mission field we are to impact. As we approach an election that will determine the future of America, we don’t have option of sitting it out, and not caring enough to cast our vote.
   The platforms and causes of the two major parties are not the same, or even similar, but in many ways diametrically opposed – and on key and central issues given great importance in the word of God. On the issue of life, one party believes that we should have the right to kill unborn children up to the time of birth. The other party believes that life is sacred and must be protected. On the issue of mutilating children by surgical gender alteration, one party believes this is a good thing to be encouraged – the other, that no child should be surgically altered. On the issue of religious freedom, one party believes that Christian organizations should be forced to support abortion and homosexuality against their conscience. The other party believes that no one should be so forced. On Israel, one party is divided, about half increasingly hostile to the Jewish nation, the other party is overwhelmingly pro-Israel. And on and on and on.
   The presidential candidate of one party, when she was a prosecutor in California, sought to prosecute and imprison a man who had exposed the abortion industry’s selling of baby parts. She also sought to pass a law that forced pro-life pregnancy centers to refer those who walked through their doors, to abortion clinics. She has already stated that abortion (the killing of unborn children) is the core of her campaign.
   If your vote helped to save one baby, it was all worth it. If your vote helped save one child from gender mutilation, it was worth it. If one person was saved because religious freedom was preserved, it was worth it. On the other hand, if one baby perished, one child went under the knife, and one soul was lost because we didn’t vote, woe is us!
   If you haven’t registered, register. Cast your vote. And most importantly, pray for all the more fervently for revival, and choose revival by living in it. For without God and revival, America will be lost. For look to one above all others, Jesus, Yeshua, the Messiah, the light of our lives, and America’s only hope! And May God greatly bless you this month as you do!

The Risk of The Righteous

Monday, September 30, 2024

Some people are bold risk-takers. Others are timid and cautious. You need to be cautious in the areas of temptation, sin, and what you accept as truth. But in order to grow in the Lord, you also have to step out, leave the old, and walk in the newness of life. You can’t do that without taking risks. You may have thought that the safest life is a life of no risk. But in the end, you’ll risk never knowing the life of blessings, victories, meaning, purpose, and joy you were always meant to live. Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, John, Peter, and Paul all were required to take risks for God, to step out in faith. You need to do the same. So step out today and take an action of Holy Spirit boldness, of love, repentance, change, evangelism, giving, compassion, forgiveness, faith, and bold newness of life. Take a risk for God and for His Kingdom and you’ll be blessed. He’ll be with you all the way, because in God, a life of risk is the only sure bet, and really no risk at all.

From Message #170 – By My Spirit
Scripture: Proverbs 28:1

Today’s Mission – Today, take a risk for God and His kingdom in Holy Spirit boldness.

He who is in Went out

Friday, September 27, 2024

As teenagers, most of us were concerned about what was in and what was out – clothes, music, the crowd. Even as we get older, we tend to conform to the “in” way of doing things in our culture. In first century Judea, Jerusalem was in and everything else was out. That’s why it’s so significant that Messiah specifically suffered outside the gate. He’s the very center of existence. He’s the epitome of “in”. He is in-ness incarnate, and yet, He went outside to suffer. He died outside the gate. In other words, He who was in went out so that those who were out could come in. He declares the outside in. So never try to fit in. You don’t have to fit in. Start fitting out. Let go of popularity, acceptance and what the world thinks of as success and go out to the outcast, the unsaved, out to the world’s out because there you’ll find Messiah. As it is written, Messiah suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go out to Him, outside the camp bearing His reproach. For from now on, out is in… in is out.

From Message #112 – Outside the Camp
Scripture: Luke 14:23

Today’s Mission – Today, go outside the gate of your comfort zone and minister to those outside.

Believe and you will Stand

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Isaiah 7:9 in the KJV reads, “If you will not believe surely you shall not be established.” The NASB reads “If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.” But the NIV hints at something special going on in Hebrew. It reads “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” If you read the Hebrew you find a play on words: “Lo taaminu ki lo teamenu” or “If you will not believe, you will not be established.” You see, in Hebrew there’s no difference between trusting and being strong in God. The truth is, your walk is only as sure as your faith. Your spirituality is only as steadfast as your belief. Your life is only as strong as your conviction. You don’t become strong by trying to be strong, you become strong by strongly believing. So choose to trust God with all your heart, because if you don’t stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Stand firm in your faith and you will stand strong in all.

From Message #88 – Emunah: Faith
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7

Today’s Mission – Commit to standing firm in your faith today and in your life, no matter what comes your way.

Suns, Rivers, and Trees

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Why did God make you? God made the sun to give light. And He made you to give the light of the Gospel to those in need. God made the rivers to give life. And He made your heart to flow in the river of His Spirit to give life to those around you. He made the trees to give fruit. And He made you to bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, and peace. God made seed to be sown in the ground and reproduce. And God made you to die to self and to bear a beautiful life. He made flowers to give perfume and He made you to bring forth the sweet fragrance of Messiah. God made your life for one purpose: to give love. God made you to love. If you want to be fulfilled and overflow with joy, then give – love, light, hope, peace, a helping hand, the Gospel, and forgiveness. Every part of you is made to give: your heart, your hands, your mind, and your will. Give and it shall be given to you, pressed down, overflowing. Love, because it’s the reason the universe exists, and you too.

From Message #66 – Tithes and Offerings
Scripture: Romans 5:8

Today’s Mission – Today, fulfill your purpose and live as a light, as a river, and as a tree. Give and be a blessing to the world.

The Fatherless Koran

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Does the Bible explain the Koran? In Genesis 21, Ishmael is sent away from his father Abraham. The Arabs trace themselves to Ishmael. From the children of Ishmael comes Islam and the Koran. In the Koran, there are many titles of God. But you’ll never see Him called ‘Father’. Islam tends to see God as distant, not as a loving father. This all goes back to Ishmael. Ishmael felt cut off from his father Abraham, and it has affected the history of the Middle East ever since – and the religion of Islam. The Bible speaks of God as a loving Father. Many believers know that as doctrine but not in their hearts. So they spend their lives trying to prove their worthiness, as if God was only a judge. Or they live in anxiety as if they have no father to protect them. But the Bible says that God loves you as a father loves his child. And He’ll provide, protect, care for you, and even carry you when you can’t walk. Therefore it is written, ‘Be imitators of God, as beloved children.’ Walk in His love. For you are not fatherless. You’re His beloved child. Live like it.

From Message #948 – Ishmael’s Secret
Scripture: 1 John 3:10

Today’s Mission – Today, walk for real as a beloved child, and in the confidence of knowing your Heavenly Father will never leave you or forsake you.

The Ministry Of Goliath

Monday, September 23, 2024

Goliath was a massive problem, a terror to God’s people. Yet ultimately, he existed for good. It was through Goliath that Israel and David saw the power of God. Through Goliath came David’s greatest hour. Through Goliath, David would ultimately become king. In the Book of Acts, the apostles faced Goliath problems. Yet through all their adversity, they ended up spreading the Word to the world and becoming pure, strong, victorious, and miraculous. It was through Goliath and Goliath-sized problems that the people of God became who they were born to be. And it is through Goliath problems that you become the victorious person you were meant to become. Do you have a Goliath problem? Then you have a Goliath blessing waiting as well. So don’t run from your Goliath. Don’t complain about it. Do what David did. Rise with the challenge. Rise in courage, faith, and God’s power, and your Goliath problem will become your Goliath blessing.

From Message #951 – Upside Down Day
Scripture: Psalm 108:13

The Impossible People You Need

Friday, September 20, 2024

I know of ministers whose basic attitude is, “I could have a very successful ministry…. if I just didn’t have to deal with people.” In the same way, you might be saying, “I want to be loving, forgiving, and patient, but it’s impossible with the people I have to deal with.” It would be a lot easier to be godly if we didn’t have to deal with people. But how could you be loving if you didn’t have people to love, or forgiving if you didn’t have people to forgive? The only type of people you can forgive are those who’ve sinned against you. How can you be patient if you don’t have people to be patient with? The only type of people to be patient with are those who are hard to be patient with. People come with baggage, but that’s the side issue. After God, people are the main issue, and your job is to love them. Set your heart on loving those impossible to love people in your life. Because there’s no way you’re going to be successful in the Lord, your ministry, or your calling – without people.

From Message #357 – Dealing with People
Scripture: Luke 14:13-14

Today’s Mission – Today, set your heart on loving those difficult people that God has placed in your life, and loving the rest more than you have.

The French Revolution And God

Thursday, September 19, 2024

In the late 18th century, the kingdom of France was overthrown. The new revolutionary government proclaimed there was no God, and declared France to be a nation of atheists. What came out of this was called ‘The reign of terror.’ Thousands of people were butchered. Finally, one of the leaders of the revolution, a man named Robespierre, told the revolutionary council that belief in God was essential. Without it, there could be no morality and no republic. So the national representatives voted that the French people acknowledge the existence of God, and the immortality of the soul. They learned the hard way that without God, there’s no meaning in life; no virtue, no morality, nothing of true value or goodness. You can say you’re a believer, but live as an atheist; proclaiming God with your lips, but denying Him with your life. If you believe in God, then proclaim God by living a life by which God is Lord of every area. Because if He isn’t, life isn’t a whole lot better than a reign of terror.

From Message #973 – Revolutionary
Scripture: Hebrews 11:6

Today’s Mission – What areas of your life are actually godless – existing without God? Identify them and bring God into each of them.

The Apostle who Prayed for you

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

In Ephesians 3, Paul prayed for the believers of Ephesus that Messiah would dwell in their hearts and that they’d be rooted and grounded in love so that they would know the love of God and be filled with all His fullness. But Paul’s desire and prayer was obviously for all believers. When God’s Spirit caused him to write down His words, He clearly intended for them to reach millions of others. And God intended you to hear those words as well. Undoubtedly, Paul not only prayed that prayer for a few believers in Ephesus, but for all the believers alive in his day. What Paul wrote is Scripture, and it says, “I pray that you will be filled up with all the fullness of God”. What an honor that is – you’ve been prayed for by an apostle! So be blessed. Go in confidence. Know the love of God. Be rooted and grounded in that love, and be filled up with the fullness of God. For you have been prayed for by an apostle!

From Message #336 – Filled Up With The Fullness
Scripture: Colossians 1:9

Today’s Mission – Today, make it your aim to seek to really know the love of God, to root your heart, mind, and soul in that love, and to be filled up with the fullness of God.

Bob Dylan and The Day of Pentecost

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

In the sixties, Bob Dylan wrote a song that became a kind of anthem for that generation. The chorus went, “the answer is blowing in the wind.” You might not think those words are biblical, but in Hebrew, the word for wind is ruach. Ruach also means spirit. Bob Dylan was right, only he didn’t know at the time which wind the answer was blowing in. The answer is always blowing in the Spirit. So set your mind on the Spirit and follow His leading. It’s so easy to get lost in all the details of this life, to lose your peace in all the fears and worries going on around you, to let your eyes and heart be pulled away by the things of this world; the answer is blowing in the Wind. Turn away from all those things and look to that which alone gives life – the Wind of His Ruach. You’ll walk in the newness of life, because the answer to your needs and problems in life, ‘the answer, my friend, is blowing in the Wind’.

From Message #623 – Ruach
Scripture: Galatians 6:8

Today’s Mission – Today, turn away from that thing that has tried to seduce your heart, turn from the flesh, and walk with the Wind at your back. Go in the flow of the Spirit.

Funds for Your Journey

Monday, September 16, 2024

In 1869, James Gordon Bennett, the rich publisher of the New York Herald, sent his British correspondent, Henry Stanley, on an expedition to find Dr. David Livingston. Livingston had vanished in Africa in search of the Nile. Bennett reportedly told Stanley, “Draw on me for a thousand pounds today to provide for your equipment. When that’s exhausted, draw on me for another thousand, and when that’s done draw another, but find Livingston.” Now, our God who is richer and more generous, calls you to a greater journey. He calls you to finish the course knowing that in and of yourself, you’re weak and may get discouraged. But He doesn’t call you to complete the journey in your own strength or your own resources. And likewise, He says to you, “Whatever you need, draw on Me. You’ll never exhaust My love, mercy, or cleansing, or use up My strength, righteousness, and grace. You’ll receive everything you need to complete your journey with victory, but don’t forget…draw on Me”.

From Message #1603 – To Finish the Race
Scripture: John 6:35

Today’s Mission – Today, draw on the strength of God, the life of God, the love of God, the forgiveness of God, and the joy of God.

The Message of Akko

Friday, September 13, 2024

On the coast of Israel north of Haifa is the exotic seaport city of Akko. Tourists come from all over to see its exotic buildings and streets. But the importance of Akko is found in the book of Judges. It was given to the tribe of Asher. But the tribe of Asher never took the city. They never entered the inheritance that God had given them. Akko remained, for most of its history, a non-Jewish seaport. You see, God can give you an inheritance and you can fail to inherit it. God promises you the best and most glorious life… and He gives it to you. So if the best life isn’t the life you’re living, it’s not because it isn’t there for you. It’s your inheritance. Nobody else will inherit it for you. A life of victory and joy is yours, but you have to fight for it. Paul told Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called”. All you’ve ever needed, God has given you. Stop missing your inheritance. It’s there, waiting to be taken. Take it!

From Message #625 – The Lady in the Temple
Scripture: Ephesians 1:11

Today’s Mission – What has God promised or called for you to walk in? Today, start taking hold of it.

The Grand Rabbi of The Universe

Thursday, September 12, 2024

A rabbi is the spiritual leader of the community, the teacher of God’s ways. When a rabbi is so esteemed and revered that he becomes the leader of other rabbis, he can acquire the title of grand rabbi. In Israel today, there is a grand rabbi for the Ashkenazi or Eastern European Jews, and another for the Sephardic or Mediterranean Jews. If you’re born again, you’ve got your own Rabbi. But He’s not just a rabbi, He’s the Rabbi of rabbis. He’s the Grand Rabbi of the universe; the spiritual leader of all existence, Yeshua, Jesus, the Rabbi of rabbis. What an honor you have to be able to follow Him, to learn from Him, and to be called as His disciple. Do you want to live a great life? Then follow the way of the Great Rabbi. Listen to His voice. He’s the Grand Rabbi, and when you let Him lead and do it His way, your life will be grand as well.

From Message #657 – The Grand Rabbi
Scripture: Luke 6:40

Today’s Mission – Today, seek out the teachings of your Grand Rabbi and follow His leading

The Father’s Beggar

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

A homeless man got off the train at the Pennsylvania depot. For years, he lived as a beggar on the streets. He touched a man on the shoulder and said, “Mister, can you please spare a dime?” The man turned around and the beggar recognized him as his father. “Father,” he said, “don’t you know me?” The father threw his arms around him and cried out, “I found you! All I have is yours!” The former beggar later gave his testimony at an evangelistic meeting and said, “Think of it. I, as a tramp, stood begging my father for 10 cents when for 18 years he’d been looking for me to give me all he had.” Most people spend their lives begging for scraps of love, approval, success, attention, recognition, joy, and purpose. And all the time your heavenly Father is waiting to give you not scraps, but more love, acceptance, and joy than you could ever dream of. God didn’t create you to beg. God made you to be His child. Your Father is God. Turn to Him, and He’ll give you abundant life.

From Message #1414 – Orphans of the Father
Scripture: Matthew 6:26

Today’s Mission – Today, don’t beg, live desperately, or be a victim. Look to your Father in heaven to provide for your needs for abundant life.

The Falling Mantle

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

The Bible records two ascensions in detail. One focuses on the prophet Elijah. He was standing with his apprentice Elisha when he was taken into heaven. Elisha was left with the prophet’s mantle which he took as his own. The anointing and ministry of Elijah now rested on him. Then there was Messiah. He ascended to heaven also in the presence of His disciples. So where was the mantle? The mantle was the Spirit that would come upon all His disciples. He told His disciples to go and do greater things. Messiah’s mantle has been left for you to pick up and wear. You are called to minister in His anointing, heal in His power, set captives free, give good news to the oppressed, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. The mantle of Messiah isn’t for one, but for many. So if you belong to Messiah, it’s time to pick up the mantle and rise to the calling He’s got on your life. Because you, too, have been called and given nothing less than the very mantle of Messiah.

From Message #310 – Into the Sky
Scripture: 1 John 2:27

Today’s Mission – Today, pick up Messiah’s mantle and live in a manner worthy of the calling He has given for your life.

The Wars of Jerusalem

Monday, September 9, 2024

What is the most attacked city on earth? Jerusalem. And yet Jerusalem is the City of God. Many believers think that if they belong to God, and if they’re in God’s will, then everything will always go smoothly for them. That sounds nice but it’s not biblical. Jerusalem wasn’t attacked in spite of the fact it was God’s city, but for the very reason it was God’s city. If you have God in your life and you still have problems, if you sometimes feel attacked from all sides, or wonder if you can really be his child and be so attacked, remember Jerusalem. You are the place of His dwelling. Yes, you’ll have problems and attacks. But be encouraged, because Jerusalem remains even though past invading armies have vanished into the winds of history. You’ll be very victorious if you hold on. So hang in there for God and be strong, because your problems will vanish but you’ll stand; for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

From Message #290 – Jerusalem Besieged
Scripture: Zechariah 12:2

Today’s Mission – Today, be strong and of good courage. Act with confidence, knowing the Lord will cause you to triumph in victory as you stand for Him.

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What’s Your Biblical Surname?

Friday, September 6, 2024

In the Bible, nobody has a last name. Even people you think have last names really don’t; not the way we have them today. Mary Magdalene really means Miriam of Magdala. Magdala was the place she came from. Other biblical people were given second names to communicate their character and life. For instance, Simon Peter or Shimon Kayfah, means Simon the Rock – so he would become like a rock. Simon the Zealot was zealous. James the Just was righteous. These were their biblical surnames. So what’s your biblical surname? What surname would those who really know you give you? What surname will God give you when your life is over; with what name will you enter eternity? What will your biblical surname be? Will it be John the Discontented or John the Joyful? Susan the Selfish or Susan the Loving? Karen the Complainer or Karen the Encourager? Robert the Bitter or Robert the Gracious? It’s up to you. You still have time to change it, not by virtue of a judge, but by virtue of a changed life. What do you want your biblical surname to be? You decide.

From Message #2146 – Your Eternal Surname
Scripture: Genesis 35:10

Today’s Mission – Today, act in the manner that you want to be remembered for. Act in accordance with the Biblical surname you want in heaven.

The Bethlehem Principle

Thursday, September 5, 2024

‘No room at the inn’ is one of the most famous phrases from the Bible. When Yoseph and Miriam came to Bethlehem walking in the center of God’s will, about to fulfill the ancient prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures, the door slammed in their faces. So they went to a manger/lamb birthing station and there was born the Lamb of God, King of the Jews, Messiah, and the Light of the world. It doesn’t matter how close you are to God or how much you walk in the center of His will, you’ll still come up against closed doors. But when the door closes in your face, when the door closes on that dream, on that plan, on that hope, and you hear the words “there’s no room at the inn”, know for sure that God has something better. Trust the Lord. Stand in faith and persevere in hope. When the door closes to you, in the Lord know and have confidence that there’s something better and more beautiful waiting to bless you as you don’t give up. Persevere, because there’s yet a manger in Bethlehem.

From Message #584 – No Room At The Inn
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Today’s Mission – Today, stand in faith, persevere in hope, and have confidence that the Lord will open the right door for you to accomplish His plans for your life.

Osiris, Set, and Messiah

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Critics argue that the resurrection of Messiah is borrowed from mythologies in the ancient world of rising gods. Foremost of these was Osiris, a tall, handsome king called “the Good One”. His evil brother Set prepared a banquet and brought in a chest, announcing to his guests that he would give the chest to anyone who fit inside it. Osiris, playing along, laid down inside. Set’s friends rushed in, closed the lid, and threw it into the Nile. Set later found the chest and destroyed Osiris’ body. Osiris’ wife Isis, with the help of the Egyptian gods, then resurrected his destroyed body from the dead. This is a mythological account of gods who never were. So the question: what Egyptian today worships Osiris? But all across the world, people of every tribe, tongue, and nation worship Yeshua, Jesus, and have had their lives changed by the living power of His very real resurrection. When you compare, you realize how priceless this treasure you have is. He’s real, and He’s risen. So live and rise in the very real power of the empty tomb, and the very real power of Messiah’s resurrection.

From Message #528 – The Rising God
Scripture: John 11:25

Today’s Mission – Believe the power of the resurrection. And by this power, rise and overcome.

The Sabbath as a Verb

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Messiah didn’t just die on Friday, He died on the Sabbath. The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word for resting – shabbat. The Sabbath comes from God’s action for resting on the seventh day. Messiah died on that day, He rested on that day, so that you could likewise enter into His rest. God wants you to find rest for your soul and peace in your life. To do that, you have to learn of His Shabbat. To Shabbat is to do something. It’s an action. So, find the Sabbath in your life not by resting in your works, but in the fact that God’s work is finished – just as He said “It is finished!” when He gave up His life for you on Calvary. He was laid to rest on the Sabbath, so you could find rest for your soul and peace for your life. Stop waiting for your works to be complete and your life to be perfect. Enter His Sabbath today and find your rest in His resting and your peace in His perfect work.

From Message #125 – The Sixth and Seventh Day
Scripture: Hebrews 4:9

Today’s Mission – Spend time today resting in His perfect work of salvation to enter the realm of perfect shalom, the Shabbat of Messiah.

Your Priestly Separation

Monday, September 2, 2024

Have you known rejection in your life? Luke 6:22 says, “Blessed are you when men…ostracize you”. The Greek word for ostracize is aforidzo and it is the same word that’s also used to speak of God’s separating someone for ministry and for His purposes. That’s profound. It means God uses the rejection of people in your life to separate you for Himself. Many people come to the Lord only by knowing rejection. If you had been accepted by everybody in the world, maybe you wouldn’t have come to the Lord. So God used rejection for your good. And even in ministry, it was used that you would come to God and serve Him. Even now, God will use the rejection and the persecution to purify you and to separate you for Him. So don’t go through life wounded and fearful. Be healed. Thank God for it. There’s healing in God’s promise to use all for good. The same word God used to separate the high priest, He will use to bring you blessing, and all the rejection you’ve known will become the holy separation that was needed to bring about your divine ministry.

From Message #953 – The Priest’s Separation
Scripture: Acts 13:2

Today’s Mission – Today, take time to think of all these things- rejection, separation, heartache- and how God used them to bring you to Himself and to fulfill your calling and give thanks!

Clear Paths and Serpents

Friday, August 30, 2024

I was looking through a manual on how to avoid being bitten by a snake in the wild. It said: walk on clear paths as much as possible and avoid tall grass. So the enemy is like a serpent. If you walk on a path that’s not clear, you’ll get bitten. If you compromise, dilute the Word, bend the rules, or if you’re not clear on the Word, you’ll get bitten. If you want to avoid getting bitten by the enemy of your soul, falling and succumbing to the poison of his venom, don’t dilute the Word. Walk clear with the Word and stay clear of sin. If the Bible says do it, do it. Get your life straight and clear with God and in His word with no compromise, diluting, or bending. Walk a clear and simple path. Don’t make it complicated, because that’s when it becomes murky and the enemy gets in. Keep it very clear and simple. Don’t waver back and forth. Because when you walk on a straight and clear path, you won’t get bitten. Stay clear in God and you’ll stay clear of the enemy.

From Message #952 – The Snake Bite Kit
Scripture: Psalm 23:3

Today’s Mission – Is there anything unclear in your path? Any compromise? Put it away. Stay clear of sin and walk clearly today.

The two Most Jewish Things

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Growing up, I never saw Palm Sunday as Jewish. What could be Jewish about a man named ‘Jesus Christ’ riding a donkey over palm branches? But He rode into Jerusalem. For the Jewish people, Jerusalem is the city of cities. As I later learned, ‘Christ’ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew word ‘Mashiach’, or ‘Messiah’. There’s no more Jewish word than Messiah and this Messiah is the central figure of human history. So here you have two of the most Jewish things coming together: the city of Jerusalem and one called Messiah. And if that weren’t Jewish enough, the Hebrew prophet Zechariah foretold that Messiah would come to that same city ‘riding a donkey’. So the most Jewish of men and the most Jewish of cities came together on Palm Sunday. This tells us three things: First, it’s Jewish to believe in Jesus/Yeshua; secondly, Messiah has come; and lastly, if Messiah has come as foretold in Zechariah 9:9, the only appropriate response in your life is to rejoice. So, rejoice today and be exceedingly glad! For Messiah your King has come to you.

From Message #686 – Messiah And Jerusalem
Scripture: Luke 1:68

Today’s Mission – Take time today to rejoice in the fact that Messiah has come. Let Him come into every part of your own Jerusalem.

Baptist and Messiah

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Yochanan the Immerser, or as most know him, John the Baptist, was called the greatest of those born of women by Messiah. He was a priest, a prophet, God’s messenger to his generation- and yet without the Messiah, it made no sense. Yochanan’s life and ministry only found its fulfillment when Messiah came. Now if John, with all his holiness, spirituality, gifts, calling, and power in ministry was still not complete without Messiah, how much more your life? No matter what you’ve acquired in your life, you’ll still be empty without Messiah in its center. Maybe you’ve been trying to fill your life with possessions, a relationship, recognition, achievement, some cause or pursuit. Maybe you think that you can fill your life with the pursuit of ministry and spirituality. Well, these things are good, but they can’t fill your life. No matter what else you have, it’s an unchangeable fact- it’ll be empty if the Lord’s not in the center. So why waste any more time? Come back to your first love. Make God the Lord of your heart and your life will really be something great.

From Message #226 – Lessons from the Baptist
Scripture: Colossians 2:6

Today’s Mission – Today, make it your aim to make Messiah your aim – Make Him the object of everything you do.

Right Beside you

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Luke 24 records that two disciples on the road to Emmaus received perhaps the most amazing Bible study ever given; Messiah Himself leading them through the entire Hebrew Scriptures showing what was written concerning Himself. And just as amazing is they were so busy learning about the Lord that they missed the Lord Himself standing right there beside them. So what’s Messiah teaching us? The Word of God is filled with His Presence and wonders, and we have to be diligent in studying it. But learning about the Lord is not enough. We have to get to know the Lord Himself. You can get so used to knowing about the Lord and hearing about Him that you miss knowing the Lord Himself. You must never let the Lord only dwell on the pages of the Bible; you must invite Him to dwell off the pages and into your everyday life. Leave the “about the Lord” realm, and meet the Lord of Emmaus Road. Because the same Lord who fills the pages of the Bible dwells beyond them and is sitting right beside you – even right now.

From Message #1979 – Anochee Eemkha
Scripture: Luke 24:13-27

Today’s Mission – Today, get into the mystery of the fact that the Presence of God is right there beside you. Spend time just soaking that in.

You’re Being Followed

Monday, August 26, 2024

An American believer visiting England was taken to see the great royal coach used by the royal family on state occasions. In the back of the coach were two little seats. He was told they were seats for the royal footmen. The royal footmen walk along and follow the royal coach as it moves through the streets. Now, at that moment the visitor remembered the verse, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life”. He said to himself, “I have two footmen.” If you belong to God then you have this royal privilege also. Wherever you go, goodness and mercy will follow you and will attend to your life. God’s mercy and goodness will never fail you. You may not always feel them any more than a king is always aware of his footmen, but they’re there. Even in your loneliest hours, you’re never alone; the footmen of heaven are attending you. So as you journey through this life, rejoice and give thanks. You’re being followed… by God’s footmen. Goodness and Lovingkindness are at your side all the days of your life. That’s a royal privilege.

From Message #1685 – How Precious Are Your Thoughts
Scripture: 1 Kings 8:23

Today’s Mission – Look at your life in God and all the ways His goodness and lovingkindness has stayed with you. Thank God for that and that they will always be with you all the days of your life.

Do you Know Where Your Children are?

Friday, August 23, 2024

Growing up in New York, the local television stations used to air a public service announcement that said: “It’s 10pm, do you know where your children are?” Do you know where your children are? Now you might say, “I don’t have children.” But whether you’re old, young, married, or single, if you’re born again and mature in your faith, you need to have spiritual children; those you’ve led to salvation and new life – they are your children in the Lord. The first command in Scripture is be fruitful and multiply. That command is still valid, spiritually speaking. If you’re born in spirit, you have to give birth in spirit. That’s the nature of life. What’s alive is born to give birth when it reaches maturity. If you’re spiritually mature, then you’re one who has children or will have children. You may or may not be a parent in the flesh, but you have to become a parent in the spirit. It’s as joyous as parenthood in the flesh and it’s a lot cheaper. So, do you know where your spiritual children are? They’re out there, and they’re waiting to be born again.

From Message #142 – Fruitful and Multiply
Scripture: Proverbs 11:30

Today’s Mission – Today, truly seek to share the love of God with another person. If you don’t have the opportunity, pray today and be ready tomorrow.

God Doesn’t go to bed

Thursday, August 22, 2024

A mother was putting her little daughter to bed. The daughter struggled with the fear of the dark. When she turned out the light, the child caught a glimpse of the moon shining outside. “Mom, is the moon God’s light?” “Yes,” said the mother. “Will God put out His light too and go to sleep?” “No, God never goes to sleep,” answered the mother. Then the daughter, in the simplicity of her child’s heart, said, “Well, as long as God’s awake, there’s no sense for both of us to stay up.” As adults, the darkness can still be scary: the darkness of financial problems, uncertain future, rejection, gloom, conflict, loneliness, and so on. But the truth of the little girl is not just a nice anecdote. Psalms says, “Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”. If you’re born again, you’re now in the commonwealth of Israel. That means He who keeps you will never slumber nor sleep. So let go of your fear. Give it to God and find your rest, because as long as God is awake, there’s no sense for the both of you to stay up.

From Message #753 – The Eyes of God
Scripture: Psalm 121:4

Today’s Mission – Today, let go of any fear, give it to God. Let Him deal with it. Be free. Find your rest and your release in Him.

Children of Darkness and Light

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

The occult is popular in our day under the guise of New Age; fortune tellers, psychic readers, astrology, daily horoscopes, Eastern meditation, etc. And there are believers who in some way consult these things or think its harmless entertainment. Deuteronomy 18:9 says, “When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who… uses divination, practices witchcraft, interprets omens, a sorcerer, one who casts a spell, a medium, a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord. And because of these detestable things, the Lord your God will drive them out before you.” So what are they? They’re detestable things to the Lord, and those who do them become detestable to Him. These things have no place in the life of a child of life. If you’re born again, renounce all darkness in your life and walk in the light because though once you were of darkness … now you are light.

From Message #80 – Witches and Wizards
Scripture: Acts 19:19

Today’s Mission – Is there anything in your life that belongs to the realm of darkness? Renounce it today, be free, and walk in the ligh

Why is it Even in The Bible?

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

In John 7:33, Messiah said, “For a little while longer I’m with you, then I go to Him who sent me. You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am you can’t come.” Messiah is speaking about going back to the presence of the Father, to the realm of the heavenlies. Yet, those who heard Him thought He was talking about taking a trip into the surrounding Greek lands. But why are things like that in the Bible? It’s a proof. If you were making up the Gospel or being biased with the truth, there’s no way you’d put things like this in the Bible. You’d only put it in if you were being extremely careful to record the raw and unadulterated truth. Things like these are only in the Bible because they’re true. And so it is also in the Bible that Messiah has risen. That is equally true. So you can lift up your eyes off of your situation, onto the heavenlies. That’s where Messiah is, and not on some Greek vacation.

From Message #39 – That You Might Know
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8

Today’s Mission – Take the Word of God more seriously today than you have before. Take a Word. Totally receive it, affirm it, and act on it.

Priests of The Light

Friday, August 16, 2024

In ancient Israel, the priests were in charge of lighting the lampstand of God. But they weren’t just those who lit the lights, they were in charge of keeping the light burning. As God’s priests, we now have to learn to be keepers of the light. Many believers live as if God’s light doesn’t need keeping, as if it just burns by itself. It’s not enough that you lit the light of God in your heart. You have to maintain it, trimming the wick and replenishing the oil to keep your lamp burning. God’s light never goes out. However, our lamps can go out if we don’t keep them. And they will go out if we don’t keep them. 1 Peter 2:9 says you are God’s royal priesthood. Therefore, keeping your light burning is your calling and ministry. So trim your wick with obedience, replenish your heart with the oil of His Spirit and the fire of His Word. Guard what’s in you, because what’s in you is the most precious thing you have- the very light of God. You are the keeper of the light.

From Message #581 – Keepers of the Light
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6

Today’s Mission – Today, replenish your heart with the oil of His Spirit and the fire of His Word.

The Monument of Wasted Riches

Thursday, August 15, 2024

In Cleveland, Ohio stands a building known as The Society of Savings. Much of the money that enabled this magnificent building to be built came from accounts of poor people who never claimed their money before they died. After waiting years for the funds to be claimed, bank directors finally turned the unclaimed money over to the building of The Society of Savings. Now this building stands as a reminder of a profound truth. As a believer, God’s given you so many promises of life, joy, fullness, and shalom. If you leave them hidden away, never claiming them or applying them to life, you’ll become a member of The Society of Savings; living a poor life because you never claimed your riches. God has given you all the blessings, promises, and riches you need to live a life of true abundance. Don’t let them pass by unclaimed. Claim the Word, take hold of the blessing, and start applying it to your life. Start living as a child of the Most High, because God’s riches are for your life and not for a Society of Savings.

From Message #574 – It’s About Time
Scripture: Matthew 6:21

Today’s Mission – Open up the Bible. Find a blessing. Claim it for your life today. Believe it. Walk in it.

What Zechariah Knew

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

For many believers, the forgiveness of God is a theological concept like justification, propitiation, sanctification, and atonement. We know that in Messiah we’re forgiven. We expect and count on being forgiven if we confess our sins. But for many believers, getting forgiven becomes something they take for granted. But God’s forgiveness isn’t a doctrinal concept or a mechanical transaction. In Luke 1:68-79, Zechariah sings a song of thanksgiving with these words: “the knowledge of salvation, by the forgiveness of sins, because of the tender mercy of our God…” Forgiveness only comes through the tender mercy of God, with heart, compassion, deep kindness, and real passionate love. He didn’t have to forgive us – that He does is an amazing thing. So if God gives you His forgiveness in this way, how can you receive it any other way? Come back now to His amazing grace. Ask His forgiveness and let the hardness of your heart be melted and it will be, by the tender mercy of your God.

From Message #559 – The Dayspring
Scripture: Proverbs 3:3

Today’s Mission – Today, come back to His amazing grace and be enveloped in His tender mercy.

The Law of The Lots

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Purim is the holiday celebrated to remember the events of the Book of Esther. The word Purim is Hebrew for the lots that were cast to determine the fate of the Jewish people. And so, the Book of Esther appears to be about the law of lots and chance. Everything seems out of control. The wicked prosper and the righteous are cast down. Yet, as the story heads to its conclusion, those seemingly chance things start coming together and everything begins to turn around for good. It’s the hand of God. So too, life often appears as a Book of Esther with events happening by chance or for no reason; the Purim. But God promises that as you follow Him, He’ll work all those things you couldn’t understand together for good. Even though sometimes it’s hard to see, nothing in your life will ever happen for no reason. All those seemingly chance things will work for good. So when you don’t understand, trust and press on. In the end, you can be sure you’ll always have more than enough reason to celebrate the Lord’s love. Happy Purim!

From Message #602 – The Purim
Scripture: Esther 9:28

Today’s Mission – Today, celebrate all those things in your life that you didn’t understand, or that didn’t work out, but that God has used to save and bless your life.

The Pilgrim’s Key of Escape

Monday, August 12, 2024

In the book Pilgrim’s Progress, the lead character named Christian decides to depart from the main highway and follow another path which seems easier. This path leads him into the territory of a giant name Despair whose fortress is called Doubting Castle. Christian is captured by the giant and kept in his dungeon. He’s overcome by Despair until his faithful companion Hope reminds him of previous victories. After praying all night, Christian remembers that he owns a key called Promise that will open any lock. Even the greatest of God’s people sometimes deal with despair. When you feel like giving up in some way, remember all the blessings and victories that God’s given you in the past. For every dark situation or bondage, God will give you the way out. You have to take hold of the promise He’s giving you and apply it into action. In every situation of discouragement, you’ve got a choice. You can sit in a dungeon of despair, or you can hold on to hope and use the key of God’s promises. Do the latter and every door of doubt in your life will swing open.

From Message #499 – A Living Hope
Scripture: Hebrews 6:18

Today’s Mission – Today, remember all the blessings and victories God has given you in the past and take hold of His promises for your freedom.

The Authorless Book

Friday, August 9, 2024

The Book of Hebrews is a powerful book. It speaks of Melchizedek, Yom Kippur, the warriors of faith, the Sabbath, the priesthood, and more: a masterpiece of God’s Spirit. And yet, we don’t actually know who penned Hebrews because the person never put their name on it. Imagine being the vessel to write one of the greatest influential books in world history but never putting your name on it. Too often our names get in the way of our walk and what God wants to do in our lives; we want credit, appreciation, thanks, and approval. It’s written in Romans that a true Jew is one whose praise isn’t from man but from God. That’s for you if you’re born again. It’s also written that your life is to be a living epistle. That being the case, let it be like the book of Hebrews. Get your ego out of the picture. Get into the joy of doing everything for His Glory, not yours. Then your motives will be pure, your works will be of heaven, and your life will be a masterpiece with no name but the Name of God.

From Message #610 – The Book of Hebrews
Scripture: Philippians 2:9

Today’s Mission – Today, get into the joy of being anonymous, glorifying God and not yourself.

The Challenge of The 80 Year Old Man

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Moses went into the wilderness to avoid Egypt. Decades later at 80 years old he encounters God. When you’re an 80 year old Jewish man, you’d rather move to Miami and play bingo. But God told Moses to go to Egypt and deal with Pharaoh, the very center of his problem. It was only by dealing with the problem head on, with the power of God to back him up, could he be free from the shadow that hung over him the past 40 years of his life. He would no doubt have rather gone to Miami, but the only way to free Israel was to go deal with Pharaoh instead. You can’t conquer your problem by running away from it. God didn’t call you to avoid but to conquer and overcome through the power of His Spirit. You’ve got a choice. You can try to live a comfortable life or live a victorious life. So go for victory! Go down and confront that problem head on. God will be with you. Victory will come when you confront your Pharaoh and forget about the bingo.

From Message #603 – Approaching Ahasuerus
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57

Today’s Mission – Today, confront that problem or challenge by the power of God and find your victory!

The Challenge of The 80 Year Old Man

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Moses went into the wilderness to avoid Egypt. Decades later at 80 years old he encounters God. When you’re an 80 year old Jewish man, you’d rather move to Miami and play bingo. But God told Moses to go to Egypt and deal with Pharaoh, the very center of his problem. It was only by dealing with the problem head on, with the power of God to back him up, could he be free from the shadow that hung over him the past 40 years of his life. He would no doubt have rather gone to Miami, but the only way to free Israel was to go deal with Pharaoh instead. You can’t conquer your problem by running away from it. God didn’t call you to avoid but to conquer and overcome through the power of His Spirit. You’ve got a choice. You can try to live a comfortable life or live a victorious life. So go for victory! Go down and confront that problem head on. God will be with you. Victory will come when you confront your Pharaoh and forget about the bingo.

From Message #603 – Approaching Ahasuerus
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57

Today’s Mission – Today, confront that problem or challenge by the power of God and find your victory!

The Rabbi’s call to The Disciples

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

In John 1, two rabbinical students started following the rabbi Yeshua from Nazareth; Jesus. He asked them, “What do you want?” They replied to him, “Rabbi, where are you staying” He answered, “Come and you’ll see.” He didn’t say, “look and then if you like, come.” The secret of seeing the blessings of God are hidden in these words, “Come and you’ll see.” Come regardless of what you don’t know, come before you see, and come without conditions. Too many believers are waiting to see before they come. But His words to the disciples are this: come and then you will see. Come and then you’ll know. Obey, then you’ll see. Stop sitting around waiting for God to prove everything to you. Stop requiring that God shows you everything before you walk in faith, because that isn’t faith at all. Come before you see, and then you’ll see the blessing, the love, the miracle, the joy, the healing, and the life God has for you. Just step out in faith and follow the footsteps of Messiah. That’s His promise to you. But you have to come…and then you’ll see.

From Message #434 – Come and See
Scripture: John 6:37

Today’s Mission – Today, follow the footsteps of Messiah, step out in faith, take new ground, and you’ll see the life God has for you.

The Ambition of The Great

Monday, August 5, 2024

As believers, we often consider ambition to be a bad and worldly thing. But Messiah said, “He who would be greatest among you must be the servant of all.” In other words, the desire for greatness isn’t wrong in itself, only when the greatness desired is selfish, self-centered, or self-serving. But being truly great doesn’t come by being great at business, money, power, status, or conquest. It comes by being great with God and the things of God. Messiah is telling us to be ambitious for greatness in humility, servant-hood, giving, love, faithfulness, and goodness. Be the best at selflessness. Turn your ambition to godliness. Be the most ambitious at becoming the most Messiah-like person. God showed us His greatness by lowering Himself and dwelling among us, by loving us and stooping down to wash our feet. He showed His greatness by laying down His life for us. So if you have great ambition, direct it at Him who is truly great. For the greatest one is God and the greatest thing is love. So be great and ambitious in what is truly great…the love of God.

From Message #415 – The Prince of Life
Scripture: Jude 1:21

Today’s Mission – Today, direct your ambitions at being Messiah-like and walking out His love in your life.

The Rabbi’s call to The Disciples

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

In John 1, two rabbinical students started following the rabbi Yeshua from Nazareth; Jesus. He asked them, “What do you want?” They replied to him, “Rabbi, where are you staying” He answered, “Come and you’ll see.” He didn’t say, “look and then if you like, come.” The secret of seeing the blessings of God are hidden in these words, “Come and you’ll see.” Come regardless of what you don’t know, come before you see, and come without conditions. Too many believers are waiting to see before they come. But His words to the disciples are this: come and then you will see. Come and then you’ll know. Obey, then you’ll see. Stop sitting around waiting for God to prove everything to you. Stop requiring that God shows you everything before you walk in faith, because that isn’t faith at all. Come before you see, and then you’ll see the blessing, the love, the miracle, the joy, the healing, and the life God has for you. Just step out in faith and follow the footsteps of Messiah. That’s His promise to you. But you have to come…and then you’ll see.

From Message #434 – Come and See
Scripture: John 6:37

Today’s Mission – Today, follow the footsteps of Messiah, step out in faith, take new ground, and you’ll see the life God has for you.

The Bird In The Secret Place

Friday, August 2, 2024

The Song of Solomon is about a bride and groom in love. More than that, it’s about God’s love for you. The Groom calls the bride away as a dove to the cleft of the rock, to the secret place for a time of intimate love. So too, if you don’t make time to be in the secret place alone with your heavenly Bridegroom, you’ll never be able to truly know His love for you, to let it touch you, heal you, and change your life. Your soul will be like a dove that has no place to land, always restless, needy, and weary. Your soul can only rest in God alone, and that’s what the cleft of the rock is all about. It’s just you and God. God’s calling you as a Groom calls his bride alone to the secret place with Him. You need to go there and you absolutely must dwell there every day of your life. For there, He will hear the voice of your heart, and you will become, to Him, lovely. There you will truly know and be touched by the love of God.

From Message #121 – The Secret Place
Scripture: Matthew 6:6

Today’s Mission – Today, get alone with just you and God in your secret place and share your heart with Him.

THE DARK SECRET OF ALTERNATE SEXUALITY

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
   In the last few years, I have reported here on the transformation overtaking our youth. Few are so dramatic as what is happening to them in the realm of sexuality and gender. The percentage of those in the “Silent Generation” identifying as non-heterosexual is around 1% and among the “Baby Boom” generation, around 2%. The percentage of those in the present generation was 16%. In recent years, 20%, and now has reached 28% in the latest poll.
   There is nothing natural about it. It was made possible only by a constant barrage of indoctrination coming at them from children’s entertainment, Tik Tok, social media, classroom curriculums, and from almost everywhere. For all that our culture has done to this generation of children, you would think that there would be caution as to the long-term consequences. That has not happened. In fact, the long-term consequences have been kept hidden, secret. But, we are now going to expose them.
   Recent studies have revealed that there are dramatic long-term effects for women living a lesbian lifestyle. It turns out, it decreases their lifespan. If the effect was a matter of a few years, that would be dramatic and bad enough, but it’s more than that. A lesbian lifestyle cuts short a woman’s life by 20%! Thus, if the average lifespan was 75 years, that means she will likely only live to the age of 60. For women living “queer lives,” lives other than heterosexual, their lives will be reduced by 26%! That means, they will only live to about the age of 55.
   The study also examined the lives of bi-sexual women. For them, their lifestyle will cut their lifespan by 37%! That means, on average, they will only live to about the age of 45! The statistics for homosexual men is not much different. Studies have indicated their lives will be cut short by about 20 to 30 years!
   Imagine if they were actively and intensely indoctrinating our children into smoking cigarettes. Imagine that this indoctrination was carried out in their classrooms from the time of kindergarten. Imagine if it was carried out on children’s cartoons, on social media, in libraries and everywhere else. Imagine children were provided with cigarettes to begin smoking. We would never dream of doing that as it would compromise their health and likely shorten their lives.
   And yet, smoking cigarettes will not shorten the lives of those children nearly as much as living a life of homosexuality, lesbianism, or bisexuality. And yet, our culture is right now, engaged in a massive campaign to indoctrinate them and lead them into these very things. And this does not even take into account the other campaigns now being waged – to confuse our children as to their gender, and lead them into hormonal blocking and surgical mutilation – procedures that will sterilize them, eviscerate their health, and end their lives years before their time.
   How does what we’re doing stand before the judgment of God? Did He give warning concerning those who would cause these little ones to stumble? Let us pray for this generation. Let us pray for the young, only the hand of God and revival can save them… and save America. May God greatly bless you this month as you do!

Your Inheritance In The Word

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Many years ago, a man named Stephen Marsh inherited a family Bible from his aunt’s will. He then lived his entire life in poverty. One day as he prepared to move to his son’s home to spend his last years, he found that family Bible in a trunk in the attic. He decided to open it. As he did, he discovered that hidden in its pages were thousands of dollars in cash waiting for him to inherit. You also have a great inheritance waiting for you. In your Bible are treasures for your life worth far more than thousands of dollars. So often we live our lives in need, loneliness, weakness, bondage, and despair when there’s no reason for it. You’re rich and your inheritance is waiting for you to claim inside the pages of God’s Word. So open up the Bible today and don’t close it until you find a note from heaven – the promise of God. Don’t rest until you cash them in by receiving them in faith and applying them to your life. Claim your inheritance which is waiting for you, like bank notes in the Bible.

From Message #677 – Heirs of Heaven
Scripture: Psalm 37:18

Today’s Mission – Today, open up the Word of God, find a treasure, and claim it as your inheritance worth more than a fortune.

Messiah’s Override

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Imagine you’re an Orthodox Jew and you hear a fellow rabbi say, “You have heard it said…” He then repeats a verse from the Law of Moses, but then he adds, “But I say to you…” Can you imagine what this sounds like for a strictly rabbinical Jew whose whole life is the Law of Moses, its regulations, interpretations, traditions, and teachings of the rabbis? With just one phrase, Messiah is overriding as only He could do. He’s overriding the rabbinical authorities because He gave the Law in the first place. Only He who gave the Law can overrule it. So too, whatever that problem is in your life, God’s given you the power of the total override; “But I say to you”. Whatever your past, whatever the situation, whatever darkness, whatever the sin, whatever the bondage, whatever the circumstance, whatever the problem, whatever the guilt, whatever the obstacle, God is giving you the power of the total override. “But I say to you”. Use it against the law of sin and death. Override, overrule, and overcome. That’s the radical power of the total override.

From Message #394 – But I Say to You
Scripture: Matthew 12:6

Today’s Mission – Today, use God’s Word against the law of sin and death. Overrule your past, your sins, your mistakes, your problems, and every single word of the enemy.

The Power of The Mohar

Monday, July 29, 2024

In ancient Israel, when a man was to marry a woman, he’d have to give her what was called the ‘mohar’; ‘the bridal price’. It was a sign of his love for her. When he paid it, it signaled the end of her old life and the beginning of the new. So too, Messiah paid the mohar for us through giving His life on the cross. It was a real and definite thing; it was sure, exact, and absolute. Once you received it, you were no longer who you were, you were now the bride. So too, once the mohar is paid, you’re no longer of the old house or under any bondage from the old life at all. You’re free to walk out of the old. The doors which were locked before, now swing open. The mohar was always a real and sure thing, but it meant nothing if the bride didn’t accept and believe it. So receive the mohar and all its power – the atonement of God. Walk in its power and you’ll go from weakness to strength, from oldness to newness, and from bondage to freedom.

From Message #373 – The Mohar
Scripture: Isaiah 54:5

Today’s Mission – Today, take hold of the power of the mohar, walk in it, and let all things become new.

Nurturing Your Salvation

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Psalms 127:3 says, “Children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” That’s why there’s so much joy when a baby’s born, because it’s a gift. But right after the baby’s born the parents totally change their lives around all for the sake of the gift. It usually never ends, even to the parents’ dying day. They sacrifice everything for their gift. The greatest gift is salvation. When Messiah comes into your life, it’s a new life. Jesus in Hebrew is Yeshua, and Yeshua means salvation. The miracle of Yeshua has come into your life. That means you have something to cherish and sacrifice for. If parents didn’t continually cherish, nourish, and sacrifice for their child, we would consider them negligent. So the believer who doesn’t continually cherish, nourish, and sacrifice for their salvation is a negligent believer. Salvation is precious and if you want it to grow, you can’t be careless or neglect it. Guard it, treasure it, nourish it, and sacrifice for it, because your salvation is the very life of Yeshua and that’s the most precious thing you’ve got.

From Message #204 – From Bethlehem to Nazareth
Scripture: Psalm 24:5

Today’s Mission – Meditate on the goodness of God’s salvation today as you cherish it in your life.

The Cleansing of The Lake

Friday, July 26, 2024

Sometimes you think you’re doing well in the Lord when all of a sudden, you stumble on some sin you thought was long gone and feel disgusted with yourself. But instead of letting it be a great step backwards in the Lord, you can turn it into a great leap forward. The way a lake cleanses itself is by bringing all the impurities to the surface. It would look like a perfectly clean lake suddenly becoming polluted, but really it’s the opposite. The polluted lake is purifying itself by bringing all the garbage to the surface. On the surface, it’s easy to look holy, but deep down in your heart there’s pride or self-centeredness, and so on. Thus, God will sometimes allow the deep down junk to come to the surface, because as long as it’s hidden, you won’t deal with it. So when that sin suddenly pops up, don’t get discouraged. If that’s what it takes for you to deal with it, you’re going to be cleansed. Deal with your junk today. Let God cleanse you of the garbage and it’ll be one giant step forward against pollution.

From message #250 -The Temptation of Messiah
Scripture: Psalm 19:12

Today’s Mission – Today, turn your faults, mistakes, and mess-ups into something positive.See them as revelations of what you need to work on, and do it!

The Chaff Floating Down The Nile

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

An old rabbinical legend says that during the famine in Egypt, Joseph emptied the chaff of his storehouses into the Nile River. The chaff was carried away by the currents into the land all around Egypt. People saw the chaff and began to hope, knowing it meant that there was plenty of wheat in Egypt. They only had to reach the place where the chaff had been thrown. We learn from this story that God doesn’t give us all of heaven while we’re here on earth, but He’ll give us a taste – a taste of heavenly joy, of heavenly love, of peace and wonder. Each taste isn’t an end in itself. It’s a promise of more to come, an encouragement to press on further. God’s Word is full of promises for you to take hold of and go with. So go with strength, power and confidence. Press on to the upper call, because each promise will lead you to greater blessings. If you follow the chaff, you’ll come to the wheat. As you walk into the Promised Land by faith, you’ll enter into the fullness of His blessings.

From Message – The Rainbow Prince Mysteries
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:13

Today’s Mission – Take hold of a promise from God’s Word today and pursue it until you find a new blessing from Heaven

The Abundance of Ministry

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

I’ve often run into people who are waiting for their ministry. If only those in charge would see their gifts in the Lord and recognize their calling. If only… Messiah said the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. There’s no worldwide dearth of opportunity to serve the Lord; the harvest is plentiful. There’s more than enough ministry to go around. There’s no shortage of opportunities to serve and fulfill His calling in your life. It’s the laborers who are refusing to serve. The harvest is all around you. All around you are people who need ministering, love, encouragement, help, support, the Word, the Gospel, and the presence of Messiah. You don’t need somebody to give you a pulpit, a title, or a certificate. Look around and you’ll see the harvest of which Messiah spoke. Look around and see your family, your town, your job, your congregation, your country, your world, your life. Find the need. Because there’s no shortage of needs. In serving the need around you, you’ll begin to fulfill the calling on your life. And you’ll find that the harvest is definitely plentiful.

From Message #700 – Seasons of the Harvest
Scripture: Galatians 6:2

Today’s Mission – Today, find the need around you and fulfill His calling in your life.

The Chaff Floating Down The Nile

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

An old rabbinical legend says that during the famine in Egypt, Joseph emptied the chaff of his storehouses into the Nile River. The chaff was carried away by the currents into the land all around Egypt. People saw the chaff and began to hope, knowing it meant that there was plenty of wheat in Egypt. They only had to reach the place where the chaff had been thrown. We learn from this story that God doesn’t give us all of heaven while we’re here on earth, but He’ll give us a taste – a taste of heavenly joy, of heavenly love, of peace and wonder. Each taste isn’t an end in itself. It’s a promise of more to come, an encouragement to press on further. God’s Word is full of promises for you to take hold of and go with. So go with strength, power and confidence. Press on to the upper call, because each promise will lead you to greater blessings. If you follow the chaff, you’ll come to the wheat. As you walk into the Promised Land by faith, you’ll enter into the fullness of His blessings.

From Message – The Rainbow Prince Mysteries
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:13

Today’s Mission – Take hold of a promise from God’s Word today and pursue it until you find a new blessing from Heaven.

Lord of The Mountains

Monday, July 22, 2024

Isaiah 52:7 says, “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news”. This is ultimately a prophecy about Messiah. He gave the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, was transfigured, taught, slept, and was betrayed on the mountains. In fact, he spent most of his life on the mountain tops of Nazareth. He often withdrew to the mountains to pray, or be alone with His Father. As it was for Him so it is for the believer. When you go up to the mountains and look out, everything looks different. All the details of day-to-day life- your problems, things you’re worried about, those obstacles which seem so formidable- all disappear. Withdraw from the details, go up to the mountains to the high places with God. Get away from your day-to-day pressures. Step back. Go up to the high places with God in prayer, worship, and the peace of His presence. Look at the big picture with God. All your problems will shrink to nothing, and your fears will shrink to less than nothing, when you dwell with Messiah high up in the mountains.

From Message #206 – The Missing Years 1
Scripture: Psalm 87:1

Today’s Mission – Today, go up to the high places with God in prayer, worship, and the peace of His presence. See any problem or concern in the distance – small!

The Peace Master

Thursday, July 18, 2024

One of the titles given to Messiah is ‘Prince of Peace.’ In Hebrew, it’s ‘Sar Shalom.’ ‘Sar’ means ‘prince,’ but it also means ‘ruler,’ or ‘master.’ ‘Shalom’ means ‘peace,’ but it can also mean ‘wholeness,’ ‘wellness,’ ‘fullness’, ‘prosperity,’ ‘goodness,’ ‘well-being,’ and ‘completion.’ So Prince of Peace also means prince of wholeness, well-being, and completion. He’s not only the prince of Shalom, He’s the Ruler and Master over Shalom. There are many believers who don’t really walk in much peace. The answer is found in the ‘Sar Shalom.’ If you want to know the peace of Messiah and the true Shalom of God, then you have to make Him Lord over every area of your life, especially that certain area He’s not really Lord of. When you make Him the Sar; the master over that area of your life, that area of your life will start to have Shalom. If you really want peace, wholeness, wellness, prosperity, goodness, well-being, and completeness, then make Him the Sar, the Lord and Master of every area of your life. You’ll begin to really know try shalom, because He is the Master of Shalom.

From Message #60 – The Prince of Shalom
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Today’s Mission – Today, make Him master over that area you have withheld from Him and let His Peace, His Shalom, fill every part of your life and heart.

Remember To Count Your Unblessings!

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

If you want to live a joyful life in God, learn the secret of treasuring your unblessings. Unblessings are all the things you don’t have. Instead of being depressed because you’re not living in the house of your dreams, be grateful that being homeless or living on the streets isn’t part of your life. Instead of dwelling on not having a lot of money, riches, or a life of ease, dwell on the fact that you don’t live in a third world country where you have to search for your next meal so that you won’t starve to death. As the old saying goes: I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet. Take time today and count your unblessings. You’ll realize that you have no shortage of reasons in your life to give thanks to God when you see all the things that are not in your life. Live a joyful life by not just learning to count your blessings in the Lord. From here on in, learn the equally important secret of counting your unblessings!

From Message #182 – The blessings of lima beans
Scripture: Proverbs 10:22

Today’s Mission – Take time today and count not only your blessings – but your many unblessings.

Augustine, The Child, And The Shell

Monday, July 15, 2024

When Augustine found salvation, he spent the rest of his life seeking to glorify God and also to understand and explain Him. It’s said that one day he came across a little boy filling a seashell with ocean water, then running back to a hole that he’d dug in the sand and filling it with the water. Augustine asked him what he was doing. “I’m trying to put the ocean in this hole,” answered the boy. That’s what I’m trying to do, he said to himself. I’m standing on the shores of time trying to get into this little finite mind things which are infinite. So it is with us. All our theologies, doctrinal understandings, systematic philosophizing, or ponderings of God are like the efforts of a child trying to fit the ocean into a hole on the seashore. When you think you’ve heard it all, learned it all and know it all, you’re missing God. Stop trying to figure Him out and start doing the things you can do. Receive Him, worship Him, and rejoice in His love. Because His wonders are as great as the ocean is deep.

From Message #324 – The Unknowable Love
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:29

Today’s Mission – Stop trying to figure God out today and just worship Him!

Perishing is Not The End of The World

Friday, July 12, 2024

Esther struggled with a problem. In trying to save the life of the Jewish people, she risked losing her own life. Finally, she said, “if I perish, I perish.” Now what kind of statement is that? It’s a very Jewish expression. Growing up, my elderly Jewish relatives would make statements like, “If it rains, it rains!”, “If you miss the bus, you miss the bus!”, “If they don’t like you, they don’t like you!” The translation of this Jewish expression is this: “It’s not the biggest tragedy; there are more important things.” When Esther says, “If I perish, I perish,” she’s saying that there are greater things than her earthly life and trying to survive. If she loses her life for the Lord’s sake, it won’t be the end for her. She’ll be blessed eternally with something much greater. Whatever your fear is, approach it in a Jewish way and tell yourself,”So what? It won’t be the end of the world. I don’t have to fear it anymore. I’ve got a treasure that’s greater… and if I perish, I perish.”

From Message #120 – For Such a Time as This
Scripture: Matthew 10:31

Today’s Mission – Approach any fears you have today with the attitude that it’s not the end of the world, because God is greater.

Nobody Plans Rotten Things

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Nobody plans a rotten relationship with their spouse, or goes to premarital counseling on how to put together a bad marriage. Bad marriages are not planned. You don’t have to plan to be selfish, take the other person for granted, or let the romance grow cold. That’s just the nature of life in this world. Things get old, tired, and stale and then fade away. If you want a bad marriage, just go with the flow of the world. But if you want a good marriage, you’re going to have to plan it. You’re going to have to go against the flow of the world, time, the flesh, and your own ego. You’re going to have to plan to extend yourself, to work at it and hang in there when you don’t feel like hanging in there. You’re going to have to choose to love your spouse and keep loving them, to bless them when you don’t feel like blessing them. You don’t have to plan a bad marriage, but you will have to plan, choose to work at, persevere, commit, and sacrifice if you want a good one.

From Message #83 – Purpose Forgotten
Scripture: Isaiah 32:8

Today’s Mission – Today, choose to work at blessing and keeping the relationships that the Lord has given you.

Einstein’s Equation and The Miracle Life

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Albert Einstein’s most famous equation was E=mc2. It means if you were able to transform matter into energy, the resulting energy would be enormous. In other words, if you transformed a one gram candle into pure energy, that energy hidden in that candle would be equal to 20,000 tons of dynamite. As a candle it can barely light up a room, but transformed into energy it could power an entire city of 40,000 people for 24 hours. As long as the candle remains a candle, all that energy is wasted. Same with your life. If you try to hold on to it, it’s just a lot of matter. If you let go of self, die to the flesh, and live to the Spirit, your life will become a miracle of light to change the world. All the matter in your life, the possessions, money, and selfish ambition-if you’ll give them over to the Lord and to His purpose, all that matter, all those things will be transformed. The power of His Spirit will be unleashed in your life, and your life will become light.

From Message #274 – The Celebration of Light
Scripture: Genesis 17:2

Today’s Mission – Today, seek to die to self, to let go, to say goodbye to the old and let the energy of God, the power of His Spirit, be released!

The Monster and The Baby

Monday, July 8, 2024

In the late 19th century, a customs service worker in the Austrian Empire fell in love and married his cousin, Klara, who gave birth to 3 children, all of whom died as infants. Her fourth child, a son, survived. He was her treasure. The baby’s name: Adolfus Hitler, or Adolf Hitler. What I’ve described to you is the birth of perhaps the most diabolical man ever born. Was this the birth of a monster? No. April 20, 1889 was the birth of a baby, not a monster. That baby would grow up to be a monster because he’d make choices in his life of pride, anger, bitterness, self-pity, blame, selfishness, spite, and hatred. This very powerfully confirms the Word of God. Throughout your life, you’re given choices which could lead you to become a monster on one hand or a saint on the other; life versus death. Over the long run, you become what you choose: a monster or a saint. So God says, “choose life,” because you will be not what you were and not what you are, but what you choose. Choose life.

From Message #630 – The Kingdom of Broken Crosses
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19

Today’s Mission – In every decision you make today, choose the path of life.

The Pantheist Christian

Friday, July 5, 2024

The basis of Eastern and New Age religion is that ultimately everything and anything is God – pantheism. When people in the Lord put “Thus sayeth the Lord”, “The Lord told me”, or “The Lord spoke to me” in front of everything they say, they run the risk of sliding unknowingly into that same pantheism. When everything is the voice of God then there’s no voice of God. It’s very easy to say “God told me this” or “God promised me that”. It’s easy to attach God’s name to your desires, hopes, and dreams, and there’s nothing spiritual about it. In fact, it’s taking the name of the Lord in vain. When you mistake your own voice for the voice of God, you’ll stop hearing the real voice of God. God is Holy. His Voice is Holy. We have to be still and listen to it. We have to be rooted and grounded in the sure Word of God as found in the Scriptures. Be rooted, grounded, and strong in His Word. For thus sayeth the Lord, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away.”

From Message #588 – Prophets of Lies
Scripture: Psalm 95:7

Today’s Mission – Today, spend time being still before Him, listen for His voice, and receive His word.

The Expert Witness… You!

Thursday, July 4, 2024

How do you witness? It’s much simpler than you think. Witnessing comes down to simply bearing witness. It doesn’t mean you have to be impressive or eloquent, you just bear witness. Imagine you’re on a jury and a guy comes in as a witness in a case and he looks slick, polished, well-rehearsed, every line’s the right line, every word and mannerism is professional. Would you find him very trustworthy? Probably not. You don’t believe a witness who’s skilled, you believe a witness who’s sincere and who’s real. A witness isn’t called to be skilled, smooth, or professional; a witness is called simply to bear witness to what he or she knows. That’s it. So how do you witness? You just bear witness to what you know, not to what you don’t know. Just be real, be sincere, and just share what you know. Do you know the Messiah? Share Him! You know He came into your life, you know He’s great, and you know your life has changed. Share it! That’s all there is to it. Just share what you know and you’ll end up being an expert witness.

From Message #546 – As You Go
Scripture: Proverbs 14:25

Today’s Mission – Today, commit to sharing whatever you know about Messiah and be an expert witness.

The Power of The Lamb

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Here in the West, we begin the new year in January. But the biblical new year wasn’t in January, nor was it in September as many think. It came with the Hebrew month of Nisan in the spring. Nisan was the month of the Passover redemption from Egypt, slavery, bondage, and of the rebirth of the nation to God – all through the blood of the Lamb. Nisan is also the month of Messiah’s redemption. It’s the month He gave His life. It’s the month of His death and resurrection; when the Lamb of God died to make all things new. That’s the real new beginning. So the power of new years and new beginnings does not come from a calendar, it comes from the Lamb. So if you want a new beginning, you’ll only find it in the Lamb. Come to the cleansing mercy of the Lamb. Come back to your first love and be made new. For there, all things are made new. The true renewal of God for new days, walks, lives, hearts, and even New Years only comes by the power of the Lamb.

From Message #1098 – The Lamb of New Beginnings
Scripture: John 1:36

Today’s Mission – Today, receive the power of complete cleansing and newness in the Lamb of God and live as if all things were new

The On-Time Lateness of God

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

I’ve often had a problem being late. To compensate, I would set my clocks ahead. But then I would compensate by doing math calculations to arrive at the actual real time. God has the same problem. He said, “I’m coming soon”, but he said that 2000 years ago. You might argue that for God, a day is like a thousand years. That’s true, but still, two-thousand years doesn’t exactly fit our definition of soon. To our earthly eyes, God seems to be late. But if God’s weakness is stronger than our strength, then His lateness is more on time than our best timeliness. So I’ve got good news. Being late can be divine. Well, maybe not in most cases, but at least in this sense. God isn’t in a rush, driven, or desperate. He moves in shalom. You need to develop the same attribute. God doesn’t rush through life. He is life. You can’t live life as you were meant to live it if you’re too busy rushing around. Stop rushing and start learning to live in God’s presence. Learn to be divinely late, and you’ll find yourself living right on time.

From Message #461 – Be Ye Imperfect I
Scripture: James 3:18

Today’s Mission – Stop rushing today and start learning to live in God’s presence.

THE PERSIA SIGN

Monday, July 1, 2024

Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
   In Ezekiel 38, a prophecy is given that is clearly appointed for the end times. It is foretold that after God had regathered the Jewish people from the ends of the earth to the land of Israel, an alliance of nations will launch an invasion of the Jewish nation. One of the nations named in the prophecy is called in Hebrew, Paras. In Latin, it became Persia. What became of it?
   Persia is perhaps the only nation identified in Ezekiel’s prophecy that is as easily identified today as it was in ancient times because it retained the name Persia into the 20th century. But, in the 1930s, it changed its official name to Iran. Most people don’t realize that Iran was once friendly to Israel – even an ally.
   But Ezekiel’s prophecy requires that something would have to happen. Iran would have to turn from an ally to an enemy of the Jewish state. That something happened in 1979 with the Iranian Revolution. The Shah was overthrown and a new radical Islamic government took over. The new radicalized Iran became not only Israel’s enemy – but Israel’s archenemy.
   Furthermore, it became a terrorist state and the chief sponsor of terrorist organizations in the Middle East. Iran funded, armed, and trained terrorist proxies throughout the Middle East and directed them to launch attacks on Israel. In Ezekiel 38, Iran is part of a direct attack on the Jewish nation. That had never happened – until this year.
   In April, 2024, Iran launched 300 missiles and drones into the land of Israel. For a week, the world watched to see if the situation would trigger a war between Israel and Iran, even a world war. Israel answered Iran’s attack with a restrained strike on Iranian soil, thus diffusing the crisis.
   Though the world stepped back from the brink of crisis, what had happened was monumental – and prophetic. It was the first time that Iran (Persia), had directly attacked Israel and the first time that Israel had directly attacked Iran. It was the first time that any of the players prophesied in Ezekiel 38 to launch an attack on the land of Israel had actually launched an attack on the land of Israel.
   Though we are not yet at the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 and 39, we now are much closer than we have ever been. We are truly living in prophetic times. That which the Bible foretold over two and a half thousand years ago is coming to pass. The word of God is true. Messiah is coming! Let us live in a manner worthy of those two facts. And, May God greatly bless you this month as you do!

Your brother and co-laborer

in His love and service,

Cleaning up The Mess

Monday, June 24, 2024

Messiah said we must become as a little child if we’re to enter the kingdom. One of the first things you learned as a little child is that if you make a mess, clean it up. It’s amazing how many of us have forgotten this simple rule as adults. In life, we make many messes- messes of relationships, in our congregations, our personal and private lives, and in our walks. We have messy devotional lives, sloppy about our quiet time and careless about cherishing the Word. If you make a mess, clean it up. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who made a lot of messes, but when he came to the Lord, he didn’t say, “I’m forgiven, so I can forget about the messes.” He said, “I’m forgiven, so all the more I have the responsibility to clean up my messes.” Stop being so grown up and complicated. You’ve made some messes; clean them up. The Lord cleaned you up. Now it’s time that you, by His grace, clean up your mess. Start cleaning up the mess today, and you, too, will become as wise as a little child.

From Message #370 – The Theology Of Childhood
Scripture: Leviticus 6:4

Today’s Mission – How can you fix or make good or give grace to any mess from your past? Do it today!

Speaking The Memra

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

The first words ever spoken, as far as we’re concerned, are found in Genesis 1:1. God speaks and creation begins. Because of this, the rabbis wrote of the memra; the spoken Word of God. They saw it as something divine, for by God’s spoken Word, everything was created. The first spoken word was to create, to bring into existence what is good. Words exist to bring good into the world, not to tear down, slander, discourage, denigrate, or blame. They exist for divine purpose, to call into being that which is good, to build up, to make whole, to complete, and to bring healing. So every time you open your mouth to speak a word, speak it to build up, call forth life, bring healing, and make whole. The Word of God teaches us to speak that which is uplifting according to the need of the moment. Is that you? Are your words building up or tearing down, bringing life or causing death, or just making conversation? As God’s child, learn from your Father and let your words bring forth life. Speak the word, and let there be light.

From Message #399 – Not A Rotten Word
Scripture: Proverbs 15:23

Today’s Mission – Speak that which is uplifting today and let your words bring forth life.

The Only Verse He Preached

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Henry Moorehouse began to preach when he was a young man and died at the age of 40. Every time he preached, he gave out as his text John 3:16, and he never ran out of things to say. As believers, we’re prone to seek the newest teaching, movement, or revival. We get impatient if we hear the same thing over again. We’ve all heard John 3:16 so many times that when we hear it, we stop hearing it. We feel that we’ve grown beyond such a basic thing. But God’s Word doesn’t say to grow beyond the knowledge of salvation. It says grow in the knowledge of salvation. You’ll never know anything better, higher, or deeper than God’s love for you that’s declared in this verse. The love of God is the one thing that can make things complete in your life. Get away today from all the things that have complicated your life, your walk, your faith, and your relationship with God. Get back to simplicity of the simple verse that’s as life changing today as it was the day it first changed your life.

From Message #2113 – The Ultimate Verse
Scripture: Luke 3:6

Today’s Mission – Get away from all the things that have complicated your life today and meditate on John 3:16.

Bursting The Bubble

Friday, June 28, 2024

Have you ever seen a snow globe nativity scene? You shake it up and the snow comes down on Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds. The only problem is that there was no snow in Bethlehem – not on Joseph and Mary and not the shepherds. For a real nativity scene, you’d have to fill up the bubble with desert dirt and make a dust storm. That’s a lot closer to the truth. It is human nature to make things look nice, the way we imagine they should be. It’s a fantasy, and there’s no blessing in fantasies. You can’t get blessed with something that’s not real. If you have a fantasy of what life is supposed to be like, you’ll be miserable. The real Bethlehem was gritty, dirty, and down to earth, but had the presence and redemption of God. Blessings come in real life, not in fantasies. Don’t live your life in fantasies, or romantic illusions of what life should be like. Live here and now with God. Love your life, because God is here and now in real life. To live a real life with God here and now is a thousand times better than any fantasy.

From Message #742 – The X Holiday
Scripture: Psalm 119:113

Today’s Mission – Today, live your life head on, in reality, with the reality of God’s power.

Song Speak

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Zimmer is one of the biblical words for song. Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speak to one another in Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” Think about that. How do you speak in songs? You have to learn to talk in ‘song speak’, to speak in such a beautiful way that it could be a song. When you speak, there’s no real melody, harmony, orchestra, accompaniment, or musical instrument. Yet, you’re to speak in a song. To speak in song means your words make up for the fact that there’s no music and become themselves a song so beautiful it needs no accompaniment. Ask yourself, if somebody took a transcript of your daily talk, could they write a godly song from it? Would it go to music? Talk of anger, fear, blame, pride, conceit, and emptiness doesn’t make godly music. What kind of talk does? Talk of love, faith, peace, hope, praise, thanksgiving, encouragement, mercy, God, and Scripture. Stop merely speaking and start learning how to speak a new language today, the language of song speak.

From Message #423 – Melody In Your Heart
Scripture: Psalm 35:28

Today’s Mission – Today, practice thinking and talking in ‘song speak”.

How Chanukah Brought you Christmas

Friday, June 21, 2024

About 130 years before the birth of Messiah, Antiochus Epiphanes, King of the Greek/Syrian Empire, tried to wipe the Jewish faith from the face of the earth. He almost succeeded. If he had succeeded, there would be no Jewish fishermen in Galilee to become apostles, no Jewish shepherds in Bethlehem, no Jewish carpenter in Nazareth, and no Jewish virgin to give birth to Messiah. But by a miracle of God, he and his armies were defeated. The celebration of that miracle is called Chanukah. Jewish people celebrate as they light the lights of the Chanukah Menorah. Christians celebrate the birth of Messiah with the Lights of Christmas. But if it were not for Chanukah, if Messiah wasn’t born, we would have nothing to celebrate. The lights of Chanukah gave birth to the Light of Messiah. If you belong to the Messiah, rejoice in your Jewish roots, your heritage as a child of Abraham, and light a menorah this year. Celebrate the Festival of Lights in the Light of Messiah’s glory.

From Message #275 – The Christmas/Chanukah Connection
Scripture: Galatians 4:4

Today’s Mission – Today, rejoice in your Jewish roots as a fellow citizen of the nation of Israel and pray for His ancient people.

God’s Love is not a Bucket

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Zechariah 13:1 says, ‘In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and impurity.’ It doesn’t say, ‘In that day a bucket, a pool, or a lake,’ because a bucket has a bottom, a pool has sides, and a lake has an enclosure of land around it. But a fountain, as long as it’s a fountain, which is as long as it keeps flowing, is infinite’ there’s no end to it. That’s why God’s love is not a bucket, or even a lake, because those things have ends and they run out. God’s love for you, His mercy and forgiveness have no end, no limit, and no running out. His mercies are new every morning, because it’s a fountain. That’s why you don’t receive it just once, but every day of your life. Rejoice because God loves you, and still loves you, and yet loves you more. Come to Him today and be refreshed. Receive the new living waters waiting now to fill your heart again, because His love for you is like a fountain.

From Message #307 – The Wounded Prophet
Scripture: Acts 26:18

Today’s Mission – Come to Him today and be refreshed. Receive the new living waters waiting now to fill your heart again to overflowing.

God and His Baby

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Have you ever felt like you don’t love God enough? As a parent, it is natural to love your baby. Yet you can’t expect your baby to love you back with the same love. Babies are a constant expense of time, energy, and money. But you don’t expect your child to pay you back. How did you, as a parent, love and bless your newborn child? It was not dependent on anything they did. It was unconditional. So it is with you and God. You can never love Him enough, but He loves you more – just as a parent loves a baby. It’s not about how much or how little love you have for Him. You’re not God. Stop dwelling on your love- or lack of it- and lose yourself in His love. He’s your Daddy. He loves you just because He loves you. When you realize it, you’ll love Him as you never did before. It’s as simple as being a baby.

From Message #1745 – The Abba Mystery of Faith
Scripture: Jude 1:21

Today’s Mission – Today, stop dwelling on your lack or limitations and lose yourself in His unlimited love.

Be Thou Joyful

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

The word simchah is Hebrew for joy. Scripture says, “Rejoice in the Lord always”, “the joy of the Lord is your strength”, “rejoice and be exceedingly glad”, “rejoice and shout for joy!” God didn’t have to command us to be joyful. He could have commanded us to be miserable and we’d have to, because He’s the lawgiver. But the amazing thing is, He doesn’t say be miserable, He says be joyful. “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!” Too many believers act like He said be miserable, gloomy, defeated, sad, and worried. The good news is He never said that, and therefore you don’t have to. If He did say it, it would still be enough that He gave His life for you. But not only did He give His life to save you, He commands you on top of that to rejoice and be exceedingly glad! So who are you to disobey God? Start obeying Him today. Rejoice in the Lord, because He loves you, He died for you, and you have eternal life- and because in God, “joy” is a command.

From Message #349 – The Ways of Freedom
Scripture: Galatians 5:13

Today’s Mission – Obey God today and start rejoicing in your salvation!

Chicken Everything

Monday, June 17, 2024

It used to be that you went to the supermarket looking for chicken and that’s what you got- chicken. But now when you go to the store to get chicken, you don’t just find chicken, you have a choice: barbeque chicken, fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, chicken strips, chicken nuggets, chicken patties, chicken burgers, chicken everything! What happened to chicken is symbolic of what’s happened to every area of life in modern times. Our lives are filled with choices and distractions that compete to take up your time and life: radio, television, video, networks, pads, phones, texts, twitter, emails, the web, and the internet. But your life and your time is precious – especially your time with the Lord. The more choices you have, the more crucial it is to clearly choose to give your time only to what is best. If you don’t, your hours, days, and years will be wasted. The best that you can seek is God’s will. That’s why Messiah said, “Seek first the kingdom of God”. Your years are too precious to be given to anything but the best, and only one thing is best. All the rest is chicken bits.

From Message #286 – A Life Of Value
Scripture: Micah 7:7

Today’s Mission – Today, choose to give your time only to what is God’s best.

The Menorah People

Friday, June 14, 2024

Israel’s national symbol on their Parliament building and national seal is the seven-branched menorah described in Exodus that stood in the Holy Place. Israel was called to be a light to the nations, a holy vessel filled with God’s oil and shining with the light of His Presence. Whether you’re Jewish or not, if you’re born again, you are grafted in as a citizen of Israel. So if you’re part of Israel, your national symbol is the menorah, and as a citizen, you’re called to individually be a light to those around you. Are you living a life worthy of the menorah? Is your life a light to those around you? As God’s holy lamp, are you getting continually filled and refilled? Get filled up with the oil of His Spirit and the fire of His will. Be the light you were called to be. Shine to people all around you. It’s your heritage and it’s your national calling. Live your life as the holy menorah of God.

From Message #167 – The Automatic Menorah
Scripture: Hebrews 1:9

Today’s Mission – Today, get filled up with the oil of His Spirit and the fire of His will and be the light you were called to be.

The Seven Year Convert

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Adoniram Judson turned down pastoring a large church in Boston for the mission field in India. He arrived in Calcutta in 1812 filled with zeal to preach to the peoples, but the British government gave orders to leave the country immediately. He returned the following June, but once more was ordered to leave. With a heavy heart, Judson fled to Rangoon, a place he hated and ended up being imprisoned in. But Judson stayed and began a mission there. When no one responded, he struggled against severe discouragement. Finally, after seven years his first convert was a criminal of the Karen people. Through this man, the Gospel came to the Karen peoples, and through them to the Kachin peoples. Within 90 years, more than 250,000 people came to the Lord because of Judson’s faithfulness and perseverance. Most people would have given up. Had Judson done that, he would have quit before the greatest of miracles. Don’t miss your miracle! Even when every door is closed, every plan and dream has been crushed or thwarted, serve the Lord with gladness, faithfulness and perseverance, and you too, will find your miracle.

From Message #2103 – Altars of the Unknown God
Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Today’s Mission – Encourage your soul in God’s calling. Renew your commitment today to persevere in fulfilling all that God has called you to.

The Kokhav

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

‘Kokhav’ is Hebrew for ‘star’. In the northern sky, there’s a star, that for thousands of years has been the most reliable guide for travelers. It’s called Polaris, the pole star, or the North Star. Sailors sailed the oceans, discovered new lands, and conquered new worlds by its light. No matter which way the wind blew, no matter how great the waves were, no matter how lost they seemed to be, they found their way back home by just looking up at that star. Numbers 24:17 says, “a kokhav, a star, shall rise out of Jacob”. Messiah’s called a star because He’s the guiding light that shines in the darkness. Life’s a journey, and every journey needs a guiding star, a light by which we find our bearings, and our way back home. Everything else in life moves and changes like the waters of a storm tossed sea, but the Kokhav, the Star of Jacob, never changes. Get your eyes off the storm and look up to the Star of Jacob. Keep your eyes on His light as you journey and you’ll make it home because He’s your guiding Star.

From Message #1564 – Starlight
Scripture: Psalm 48:14Today’s Mission – Get your eyes off of any storms and problems in your life today and focus on your guiding Star.

The Time of Fruit

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

In today’s world, we’re surrounded by fast food. It’s fast and convenient, and that’s what we like because we don’t like to wait. Unfortunately, fast food isn’t just a food. It’s a culture, an attitude, a mindset, and a heart. It often invades the hearts of believers. Believers are to be known by the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The scripture doesn’t say, ‘the fast food of the Spirit’, because fruit isn’t fast and it doesn’t come overnight. Fruit takes time. They don’t come prepackaged and without effort. They’re fruit, they have to be grown, and they need your time, your consistency, your perseverance, your commitment, and your care. You have to put effort into it. God wants you to have a solid, real love, a full joy, a true peace, and a deep goodness in your life. You’ll only have it by forsaking that fast food culture, the fast food life, the fast food walk, and the fast food heart. Come into His presence today and be filled at His table. It’s not fast food, it’s the Bread of Life.

From Message #513 – Fast Food Christianity
Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:5

Today’s Mission – Today, unplug yourself, take time to dwell with God, to soak in His love, and to be transformed by His Spirit.

Aliens on Earth

Monday, June 10, 2024

‘Ger’ is Hebrew for ‘stranger.’ Like most of you, I grew up being told “Beware of strangers,” which is good for children to hear. But in the Bible, some of the best people were strangers. Abraham said, “I’m a stranger and I sojourn among you.” Moses named his son ‘Gershom’ meaning ‘stranger in a strange land’. In 1 Peter 2:11, we’re called aliens and strangers. Strangerhood is a holy call, and has much power. As believers we’re to go through life as strangers to the ways of this world and to our old identity. When people talk to you about impure subjects, you need to respond, “I don’t speak your language.” It’s a great thing to be a stranger to who you once were and to be able to say, “I just don’t understand you.” When you’re going through tough times, remember that you’re a stranger to them. You’re not of the problem anymore, you’re of the kingdom of heaven. Practice the ministry of strangerhood. Learn to be in the world, not of it, because to be a stranger in this world is the most holy of callings.

From Message #493 – Aliens on Planet Earth
Scripture: John 15:19

Today’s Mission – Practice the ministry of strangerhood today and view yourself as a sojourner on earth.

The Nonexistent Existent Father

Friday, June 7, 2024

One of the greatest lessons you could ever learn about God is from the ‘father of the prodigal son’. He has no past, future, birth, or death because he only exists in the parable. Yet through him, you learn more about the love and mercy of God than almost every other teaching. God’s love for you is so wonderful and pure, so absolute and perfect, so awesome that no earthly father could ever exemplify it. A flesh and blood father, even if he were like the father in the parable, would have parts of his life and love that were imperfect and inconsistent with the picture that you see there. But the father in the parable loves totally with all his heart and all his existence. In the same way, God loves you with a love that’s perfect, pure, unconditional, steadfast, faithful, awesome, and wonderful. He loves you wholeheartedly with all His existence. Rejoice in God’s love for you. Like the prodigal son, let it change your heart, because such a love you could only get from a man who never was, or a God who always is.

From Message #472 – The Prodigal Father
Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23

Today’s Mission – Meditate on God as your Father today and rejoice in His love for you.

The Fought-Over Life

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Tiny Israel is the most fought over land in human history. Fought over by the ancient pharaohs, Amorites, Canaanites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Mohammedans, Mamelukes, Crusaders, Ottomans, French, British, Arabs, and finally Israel again – the Jewish people. You’d think with all that fighting, Israel was filled with natural resources and riches. It has almost nothing, except that it belongs to God. Which makes the stakes there especially high. From there the kingdom and the blessing will come. You might feel like life is a battle. The reason is because you belong to God and your life is precious. There’s a high calling on it and a promise of great things to come. It’s worth the fight, and the enemy knows it. His job is to discourage you from persevering and inheriting the blessing. He knows how precious and how high the promise and the calling is on your life. Be encouraged, fight the good fight, and keep going until you inherit the blessing. You knew you had a fight, but now you know you’ve got something worth fighting for.

From Message #451 – The Waters of Zion
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Today’s Mission – Be encouraged, take the fight and the resistance as a sign of the greatness of God’s blessings, and press on!

The God of Not

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Tiny Israel is the most fought over land in human history. Fought over by the ancient pharaohs, Amorites, Canaanites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Mohammedans, Mamelukes, Crusaders, Ottomans, French, British, Arabs, and finally Israel again – the Jewish people. You’d think with all that fighting, Israel was filled with natural resources and riches. It has almost nothing, except that it belongs to God. Which makes the stakes there especially high. From there the kingdom and the blessing will come. You might feel like life is a battle. The reason is because you belong to God and your life is precious. There’s a high calling on it and a promise of great things to come. It’s worth the fight, and the enemy knows it. His job is to discourage you from persevering and inheriting the blessing. He knows how precious and how high the promise and the calling is on your life. Be encouraged, fight the good fight, and keep going until you inherit the blessing. You knew you had a fight, but now you know you’ve got something worth fighting for.

From Message #412 – The Radical Heart
Scripture: James 1:2-3

Today’s Mission – Think about all the ‘Nots’ in your life – all that He’s delivered you from, all that’s no more, all that He saved you from – and give Him praise!

The Worship of Your Avodah

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

The Biblical Hebrew word for ‘work’ is ‘avodah’. It also means ‘worship’. Often, worship takes work and our works shouldrnalways be worship. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as for the Lord rather than for men.” If yourndon’t do it with all your heart, then you’re not being whole. When you agree to do a job, you agree to do it 100%. When you give less than that, and don’t work as you said, then you’re taking that which doesn’t belong to you. As a believer, you should be the best of workers, and do all you do wholeheartedly to God. When you don’t work wholeheartedly, you not only rob your employer, you also rob yourself. When you do something wholeheartedly, that’s when you do it freely. When you’re half-hearted, you’re in bondage. So, do what you do with a whole heart or don’t do it at all. Because in Hebrew, work is avodah, and avodah is also worship. When you stop doing your job half-heartedly, and start doing it wholeheartedly to God, your work will stop just being work, and will turn into worship.

From Message #933 – Avodah
Scripture: John 9:4

Today’s Mission – Today do all that you have to do, the task of your work, your job, your duties, wholeheartedly for the Lord – as if it was worship – because it is.

The Keys of Carey, McKay, and Livingston

Monday, June 3, 2024

David Livingstone’s heart was set on being a medical missionary to China, but the opium wars made it impossible. He went to Africa instead and opened up unchartered land to the Gospel. Alexander McKay prepared for Madagascar, but instead ended up in Uganda helping found one of the most amazing missions in the world. Robert Carey planned on going to the South Sea, but instead ended up in India and was responsible for opening up India to the Gospel. None of these people got what they initially prepared for or dreamed about, but they didn’t let it stop them. In the end, what appeared as a broken dream was really the call of God to do something better. You will know broken dreams and frustrated plans, but be all the more determined to serve God no matter what. If it’s not one way, He’ll give you another and it’ll be something better and greater than anything you could have ever planned yourself. In the end, disappointments are God’s appointments if you let them be, and your detours will have been the call of God on your life.

From Message #1470 – Plan B
Scripture: Proverbs 16:3

Today’s Mission – Today when things don’t go as you want make it your aim to praise and glorify God all the more.

The Fondling of Heaven

Friday, May 31, 2024

When I was little, grown-ups in my family were always patting or rubbing my head. My parents explained that it was an expression of love. They were touching me because their hearts were filled with love toward me. A word used to describe God is ‘rachamim’, meaning ‘mercies’. It comes from a root that means “to fondle,” or “gently touch” someone you love. Just as the adults felt towards me when I was a child, so God loves you. Just as your heart overflows with compassion and sympathy towards the needy, so God’s heart overflows with compassion for you. Too often our ideas about God’s mercy are more of a legal concept than of the heart. But now you know how He feels towards you. His heart overflows with deep compassion when He thinks about you. He wants to touch you in your spirit and heart with His tender love and affection. He wants to put His arms around you and hold you tight. God doesn’t just let you in the door of the kingdom, He loves you from His heart with rachamim; with deep compassions and tender fondlings.

From Message #329 – The Blessings of the Merciful
Scripture: Luke 1:78-79

Today’s Mission – Run into His arms of mercy today and receive the tender fondling of God’s love.

Showers on The Midbar

Thursday, May 30, 2024

The Hebrew word for ‘wilderness’ is ‘midbar’. Israel’s wilderness is like a giant moonscape of rock hills and plains, rock mountains and valleys; everything rock. That’s why the word ‘midbar’ also means ‘waste place’ and ‘desolate’. But, when the rains fall upon the wilderness, the whole place changes. The dry wadi’s fill up with water and become rivers in the desert. The rock hills are covered with a coat of green and become speckled with beautiful flowers of every color. It’s a miraculous sight. It’s almost unbelievable to see. The fact is that even when things look totally desolate in the wilderness, there are seeds of grass and flowers waiting to blossom as soon as they receive their water. Your life might have been a wilderness or wasted place and your situation right now might seem dry, desolate, and hopeless, but in God, your desert will bloom. You might not see it, but there are seeds of joy, life, hope, and love waiting to blossom. They only need you to open your heart to the waters of God’s Spirit, and your desert will bloom.

From Message #474 – The Midbar
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Today’s Mission – Invite the Spirit to touch every part of your life today, especially into the most barren and dry ground, the wildernesses of your life.

The World of 1948

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated. Communists take over Czechoslovakia. Harry Truman is re-elected. Stalin rules the Soviet Union. Honda motorcycle is created in Japan. Humphrey Bogart stars in Key Largo, and John Wayne in Fort Apache. V8 juice is marketed, the McDonald brothers begin franchising their name, and Nestle’s Quik is introduced in the US. Into this world, the ancient words of the prophets come to pass. The year is 1948 and the nation of Israel is resurrected, fulfilling ancient prophecies. Life is filled with details that seem to have nothing to do with God or His plans. If you don’t think your everyday world is biblical, just remember 1948. God was working it all together to fulfill the ancient prophecies. If you love and follow God, know with assurance that His hand is on your life. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose ” – even Nestle’s Quik.

From Message #309 -The Gathering
Scripture: Proverbs 19:21

Today’s Mission – Go through your day today, in full confidence and faith that God has worked and will work out everything for your good.

Kepler’s Universe

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

17th century astronomer Johannes Kepler, troubled by his friend who denied the existence of God and maintained that the universe came into existence by itself, constructed a model of our solar system. Upon seeing it, his friend exclaimed, “How beautiful! Who made it?” Kepler replied, “No one. It made itself.” “Nonsense,” said his friend. “Tell me who made it.” Kepler then said, “Friend, you say that this little toy cannot make itself? It’s but a weak imitation of this great universe, which I understand you believe did make itself.” No one in their right mind would have believed that Kepler’s model made itself any more than one could believe that a car could manufacture itself. Yet, according to many scientists, the universe came into existence by accident, and so did human life. You’re here because of God, and your life has a great purpose. The Creator also said concerning you, “I know the plans I have for you… plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”

From Message #508 – The Dance of the Heavenly Circles
Scripture: Exodus 9:16

Today’s Mission – Rest assured in the fact that your life was not an accident and God has a purpose for you. Live each moment today as one who was created for the high purposes of God.

The Shemen Name

Monday, May 27, 2024

In the Song of Solomon, the bride says to her beloved in Hebrew, “Shemen turak sh’mecha”. “Your name is like pouring oil.” When you’re in love, your beloved has a beautiful name and it pours off your lips like oil. You sing it, shout it, and write a song about it because the name of your beloved is always beautiful. When you’re in love, the name of your beloved is like pouring oil. The name of Messiah is like pouring oil. Not just because He’s called ‘The Anointed One’, but because it’s the name of our Beloved. There’s something about His name, Jesus; Yeshua in Hebrew. It’s the name of the One who loves us with all His heart and life, who died for us. His name should pour out of your heart and lips, and not just His name, but His love. It’s one thing to talk about Yeshua, another to show His love. Show others the love of your Beloved, and they will love Him too. Then His name will flow from their hearts, like pouring oil.

From Message #289 – Like Pure Oil
Scripture: John 13:34

Today’s Mission – Today, let your lips be filled with and flow forth with the name of your Beloved, in worship, in praise, and in love.

The Prisoner’s Flower

Friday, May 24, 2024

In his loneliness and despair, the Frenchman Charnay, imprisoned for provoking the wrath of Napoleon, took a rock and scratched on the stone cell wall “nobody cares”. One day, through the stones of the dungeon floor, a green shoot appeared and began reaching up to the light through the tiny window of his prison cell. Charnay was so touched by this, he kept part of his daily ration of water for the plant. It grew until it became a beautiful blue flower. The day the flower fully blossomed, Charnay crossed out the words “Nobody cares” and replaced them with “God cares”. On hearing of this, Empress Josephine was so impressed with his devotion to the flower that she persuaded Napoleon to set him free. If a prisoner in a dark dungeon could find the love of God, how much more can you in the circumstances of your life? When situations look hopeless, look for the tender shoot coming through the cracks. Nourish and water the tender shoot of God’s love, hope, and joy and you’ll see something beautiful blossom. You will likewise be able to declare, “God cares”.

From Message #1979 – Anochee Eemkha
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Today’s Mission – Take a scripture and ‘carve it’ into your heart, and to every situation of your day. Refocus your thoughts today and meditate on the love of the Lord in your life.

The Peleh of Your Life

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Are you dealing with a lot of difficulties in your life? You probably think it’s a bad thing. The word for difficulty in Hebrew is ‘peleh’. The word for ‘miracle’ is the very same word ‘peleh’. You see, every difficulty in your life is a potential miracle. In Isaiah 9:6, Messiah is called the Counselor of miracles, but you can also take it as the counselor of difficulties. In the Gospel, you find His miracles with the blind, lame, crippled, poor, the grieving, those in mourning, the thirsty, the sick, the lepers, the guilty, the sinful, and the outcasts. We find the miracles in our difficulties. You have to learn in your difficulties to find His miracles. Those who found miracles are the ones who lifted up their difficulties- their withered hands, crippled fingers, sinful eyes- to the touch of His hands and the difficulties became a miracle (peleh). The difficulty is the very thing that allows you to have a miracle. So, lift up your difficulty to the touch of God’s hand, and the difficulty will become a miracle (peleh), because that’s what it was all along, in disguise.

From Message #431 – Peleh
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10

Today’s Mission – Today, embrace the difficulties in your life. Praise God, lift your troubles up to Him, and open them up to the touch and power of God, until they become the miracles of peleh.

Zerubbabel and The Mountain

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

The Hebrew word for mountains is harim. In Zechariah 4:7, God talks to a mountain. He literally says in Hebrew, “Mi ata har hagadol?” This means, “Who are you, great mountain?” He’s actually saying to the mountain, ‘Who do you think you are?’ The great mountain in Zechariah 4 was all the obstacles, distractions, setbacks, discouragements, and apparent impossibilities which were coming against Zerubbabel as he tried to follow God’s will. We’re also called to talk to mountains with an attitude, or an edge. You too have obstacles, discouragements, bondages, or situations that seem hopeless. These are your mountains. Don’t just sit back and accept them. You need to walk up to your mountain and start speaking to it with an attitude;”Just who do you think you are? How dare you try to stop God’s will in my life? How dare you try to stop the blessings and joy He has for me? You’re going to be history, leveled to the ground by the Spirit of God and I will have the victory!” That’s how to talk to mountains.

From Message #181 – Mountains and Capstones
Scripture: Ephesians 3:12

Today’s Mission – Today, practice talking to mountains! Go up to that hindrance to God’s will- that obstacle, that evil, that darkness, that sin- and put it in its place!

Lechem Chaim The Bread of Life

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Messiah said He was the Lechem Chaim, the Bread of Life. Bread is a basic simple staple of life. Messiah is the Bread of Life because His love is basic, simple, and essential. You don’t need the caviar of life. The sophisticated things of this world, even of religion, will never satisfy the hunger in your heart. Believers are often prone to forgetting the source and the staple of their spiritual life. We easily get lost in the complexities of doctrine, ministries, new teachings, and new movements. We need to get back to the bread. You may have known the Lord a long time, but got lost in the complicated and sophisticated things of life- money, relationships, businesses, careers, owning a house, ministry, pursuing a higher standard of living, or just making ends meet. If you’ve let your life become so complicated that spiritually your heart is starving, come back to the simple things. Come back to His love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. Come back to the simple joy of salvation and knowing Him. You need Him and He alone is the Bread of your life.

From Message #152 – The Bread and The Wine
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:12

Today’s Mission – Renew your faith today by getting back to the Lechem Chaim- the simple, basic, essential Bread of Life. Partake of the simple love of God.

Your Audience With The Most High

Monday, May 20, 2024

Emily Post, known in her time as the authority on social behavior and proper etiquette, was once asked the correct procedure when one is invited to the White House and has a previous engagement. She answered, “An invitation to dine at the White House is a command that automatically cancels any other engagement.” In other words, whatever else you’re doing, no matter how much planning went into it or how your heart is set on it, cancel and go to the White House. If that’s proper etiquette for a call from the President, what’s the proper etiquette for a call from God? How much more should you treasure your meeting with God every day? How much more should you cancel and put aside all your activities to have an audience with Him? How great an honor it is to meet God in prayer and communion? Greater than an audience with any President or King. He’s sending you an invitation. Cancel all your other plans, answer the call, and go to the throne room. It’s better than the White House.

From Message #2112 – The Still
Scripture: Matthew 6:6

Today’s Mission – Today, put aside all your activities. You have something much greater to do- You have an audience with your King!

The Lakham People

Friday, May 17, 2024

The biblical Hebrew word for fight is Lakham. When the Jewish people came back to the land of Israel, they had to quickly organize an army for the first time in over 2000 years and learn to fight. It turned out to be one of the most effective and powerful fighting forces in history. You may not be a fighter in the natural realm, but in the spiritual realm you cannot be a pacifist. You have to fight. If you’re a child of light, you have to stand against the darkness. If you don’t fight back, you’ll lose because you’re already in a fight. Your enemy attacks your faith, your joy, your love, and your relationship with God. The soldier who doesn’t realize he’s in a battle is a sitting duck for the enemy. Don’t be a sitting duck. Fight back- not against people, but against darkness. Fight the good fight of faith, love, joy, truth, righteousness, and hope. Stop living on the defensive and start overcoming. Put up your spiritual fists and come out swinging. You’re on the winning side, but you can’t win if you don’t fight.

From Message #214 – Overcoming Fear
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Today’s Mission – Don’t fear the battle – embrace it, in the confidence and power of the Lord who guarantees you the victory.

The Disciple of The Shalom Master

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Isaiah 9:6 calls Messiah Sar Shalom, the Prince or Ruler of Peace, but shalom means more than peace. It means completion, fulfillment, well being, wholeness, and prosperity. It also means hello and goodbye. Sar Shalom could also be interpreted as The Goodbye Prince. Messiah came first to make an end of what is old. He gives us the power to say goodbye to our sins and the old life. When Messiah said, “Follow me”, the first thing they had to do was say shalom to their old way of life. Only then could they be free to receive the blessings of shalom in the Prince of Shalom. The first call He gives to all His disciples is to say shalom to the old. If you want the blessings of shalom, completeness, wholeness, prosperity, well being, peace, and fulfillment in your life, you have to say goodbye to the old way of thinking and being. Bid it shalom. He’s the Prince of Shalom. He’ll give you the power to say goodbye. In the Goodbye Prince, you’ll find peace and all the blessings of shalom, because shalom begins when you say goodbye.

From Message #60 – The Prince of Shalom
Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Today’s Mission – Say shalom, goodbye, to that sin in your life today and receive the perfect Shalom of the Prince of Peace.

Living The Miraculous

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Pele is the Hebrew word for miracle. Some people are skeptical of the miracles of the Bible. In the story of Peter Pan, a boy appears in people’s bedrooms with a tiny winged woman and they just accept it. In real life, you wouldn’t think it was fine, you’d call the police or child services. In the Bible, when a miracle happened or an angel of the Lord appeared, the people to whom the miracle happened didn’t carry on as usual. They fell on their faces, trembled in fear, froze, bowed down, were overcome with joy, or questioned it. They did exactly what a 21st century skeptic would do if confronted with a real miracle. The reality of miracles isn’t Never-Never Land or some lady on strings pretending to be Peter Pan, but real divine intervention into real life. So be strong in your faith, because what’s supernatural isn’t less than natural, but more. It’s super real. If Messiah has saved your life, then it isn’t a usual life but a miraculous one. The miracle is real. Walk in its power and overcome, because you’ve been touched by the living God, not Tinker Bell.

From Message #39 – That You Might Know
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:10-11

Today’s Mission – Today, don’t carry on as usual. Your salvation is a miracle! Don’t ever get over it. Live as if you were a walking miracle because you are!

The Proof Beyond Proofs

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Dr. Peter Remnant, a Professor of Ancient Philosophy, was addressing a gathering of over 1000 university students when he began speaking about the Bible. He said, “There’s no proof in the Bible that God exists.” What a statement! But he was correct. The Scripture doesn’t spend time trying to prove the existence of God because the existence of God is known and understood. It begins, “In the beginning, God,” and goes on from there. God is. Now move on. Too many of us spend our walks wavering back and forth, afraid to step out of the boat, afraid to take God at His word, afraid to really live as if the God of love and miracles were really true. Don’t stay in nursery school. You’re called to graduate and do great things. God hasn’t called you to prove Him to yourself. He’s called you to know Him, serve Him, and to live your life with Him. Stop doubting. God is. Without Him, we wouldn’t be here. It’s time to step out, because in God, it’s not ‘seeing is believing.’ Rather, believe and you’ll see.

From Message #324 – The Unknowable Love
Scripture: Hebrews 11:6

Today’s Mission – Throw away any doubt today and step out in the hope, faith, love, and peace that comes from God.

The Fringes of Your Life

Monday, May 13, 2024

Kanaph is the Hebrew word for the corner of a garment or the bottom hem. It’s the same word used in Job for the ends of the earth. God commanded His people to wear sacred fringes called tzitzit, tassels that hang down from the corners of their garment. When Scripture says that a woman touched the fringe of Messiah’s garment, it was His tzitzit. Kanaph means the end, and tzitzit is a tassel that extends the end. As a child of God, there must be no end to your love, your joy, or your giving. The corners of your heart and life must be extended. Your compassions mustn’t be limited to your friends, but must be extended to strangers and the poor who dwell in the four corners of the world. As Israel had to extend the corners of their robes, so too must you extend the corners of your heart and reach out to those who are outside your life. Lengthen the cords of your life and love today so that others may touch the hem of your garment, as they did His, and find healing and miracles.

From Message #465 – The Sacred Fringe
Scripture: Psalm 119:32

Today’s Mission – Extend your heart today and reach out to those outside your life, outside your comfort zone, and outside your fields.

The Success in The Failure

Friday, May 10, 2024

Robert Moffett, a Scottish missionary to South Africa, came back to Scotland to recruit missionaries. He preached a message titled, “Unto You Oh Men, I Call”. It was winter and only a few women, along with a small boy who had come to work the bellows of the organ, showed up. He felt discouraged, knowing that few women could be expected to undergo all the harsh conditions of Africa, but he gave a call to the mission field anyway. Little did he know that the little boy was stirred by the message and decided that one day, he would follow in Moffett’s footsteps. He grew up, earned a degree in medicine, and then spent the rest of his life ministering in Africa. His name was David Livingstone. You’re not called to be a success in the eyes of others or even a success in your own eyes. You’re called to be obedient. Only in heaven will you truly know what you accomplished because you were faithful. Whatever you see or whatever you don’t see, be faithful and your life will be a success in the eyes of heaven.

From Message #1470 – Plan B
Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Today’s Mission – Today, focus on the endgame and put your effort into living God’s plan, no matter what you see. Be faithful and trust Godrnwith the results.

Manifesting Messiah

Thursday, May 9, 2024

When I was five, I cut out little pieces of cardboard and pasted them together to make a bus with windows, wheels, and little seats. I put it in my back pocket to bring it to school for show-and- tell. When it was time, I stood up and reached into my pocket to proudly display my cardboard bus, but all I found were cardboard pieces. It was demolished, having been sat upon; my first great scholastic achievement was destroyed. I ended up telling them all about the bus instead of showing them. I was all tell and no show. Show-and- tell is also our first big assignment as children of God. It’s a crucial part of the Great Commission. We’re told to love not only in word, but in deed. You’re to tell the world the Gospel, but that’s not enough-you have to show them the Gospel. Show them Messiah in your life, your home, your manner, your emotions, your relationships, your joy, your love, the way you treat others, and in your peace. They won’t be able to help seeing. It’s as simple as show-and- tell.

From Message #555 – Show-Em
Scripture: Colossians 3:17

Today’s Mission – Today, don’t only speak Messiah, show Messiah in everything you do. Make your life a show-and- tell about Messiah.

The Gathering of The Royal

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

On the 50th anniversary celebration of the United Nations, leaders from all over the world came to celebrate. It was said that there werernmore leaders gathered there at that time than had ever gathered anywhere in the history of man. As impressive as that must have been tornthe world, there’s a gathering much more awesome and much more royal. In I Peter, it says, “But you are a royal priesthood”. God’srnchildren are royalty and whenever they gather, it’s a royal occasion. From the largest church service to the smallest fellowship of twornpeople gathered in His Name, it’s a royal occasion. If you were invited to a royal occasion, most likely you’d cancel anything you’drnplanned and go. Well, how much more should you treasure the gathering together of His children, the saints? It’s a royal gathering. It’srnwritten, “Do not forsake the gathering”, because that prayer meeting, ministry event, or worship service is a royal event. So, cherish thernfellowship of the saints. Show honor and reverence to one another befitting a most royal occasion, for the children of God are morernroyal than royalty.

From Message #534 – The Royal Priesthood
Scripture: Matthew 18:20

Today’s Mission – Live today as a royal heir- walk royal, talk royal, think royal, live royal in the royalty of your Father, the King, and comerntogether this week in a gathering of royalty!

The Time of All Times

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Many of us have a book to schedule the hours and days of our lives. If you’re like me, it fills up quickly. And yet all calendars andrnplanners, all the events of our lives are linked to one event- the birth of the Jewish Messiah. When this most important eventrnhappened, it didn’t appear in a daily scheduler; not Cesar’s, not Herod’s, not even Joseph’s. There was no room for it in anybody’srnschedule or routine. Even in the inn, things were too busy. It took place outside the schedule. Bethlehem always happens outside therninn, outside the schedule, outside the busyness, outside the routine. Sometimes the most important events in life will not happen inrnour schedule, but outside of it; receiving the Lord, being touched by Him, being healed, changed, called, appointed, and sent out byrnHim. Find your blessing by stepping outside your schedule today. Come to the quiet, to the presence of the Lord. That’s how the agernbegan and that’s when the most important work that God wills for your life will begin as well.

From Message #507 – In the Fullness of Time
Scripture: Lamentations 3:25-26

Today’s Mission – Step outside your schedule today and spend time in the quiet presence of the Lord to begin the most important work.

The State of Tamim

Monday, May 6, 2024

Messiah said, “Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect”. He was speaking Hebrew, and one of the central Hebrew words for perfect is tamim. It also means complete. Your heavenly Father is perfect and not lacking anything. If you want to fulfill this commandment, you have to learn to be complete. If you dwell on what you don’t have, what you want, and what you think you have to have, the more incomplete and miserable you’ll become. You don’t have to get anything to be perfect. Perfection begins not by getting more, but by being still and letting God complete you. It begins when you stop dwelling on what you don’t have and start rejoicing in what you have in God. It starts by being still and knowing that He is God, by saying in your heart, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”. When God completed creation, He rested. You’ll find completeness when you stop striving and start resting in God’s rest. Enter the Sabbath of His presence, the peace that passes understanding, and the way that is perfectly complete and completely perfect.

From Message #444 – The Perfect Commandment
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:10

Today’s Mission – Rejoice in what God has given you today. Rest in His perfect shalom, His completeness, His perfection.

Message From The Dead

Friday, May 3, 2024

In the late 19th century, Henry Stanley journeyed to Africa in search of David Livingstone. He was received by King Muteesa of Uganda. One of the king’s wives had a strange dream just before his arrival about the white man’s God and His son. The king agreed with Stanley to send a letter to England asking them to send missionaries. The young French man who was carrying the letter was ambushed and murdered. Stanley’s letter was recovered from the boot of the slain man and sent to England where it was printed in the daily telegraph. Several young men responded and brought the Gospel to Uganda. In the end, the dead man did his job. If a dead man can be used for the Great Commission, how much more you who are still breathing? The Gospel is so alive that even though the messenger is dead, it still produces life. Become a messenger of the Good News, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and serve the Lord in the great commission. You’ll end up being more alive than you ever were before, because God’s will is the way of life.

From Message #1937 – Reaping the Field of Blessings
Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Today’s Mission – Today, seek to become a messenger of the Good News in whatever way, and through whatever the door, the Lord would open for you.

The Apostasy Candles

Thursday, May 2, 2024

II Thessalonians speaks of a great falling away. The Greek word is apostasia from which we get the word apostasy. Stasia means state of, and apo means away from. Looking around the world, we see apostasy everywhere, even in some churches. We’re witnessing an unprecedented social, moral, cultural, and ethical upheaval, but Messiah didn’t die to save culture or society. He died to save people, and the Gospel’s as strong as ever- even stronger now in an anti-God culture verses a culture that professed to be Christian. A candle burns brightest at night. When the apostles foretold the apostasy, faith in Messiah was the belief of relatively few people. Most of the world was pagan. In order to have apostasy from the faith, it would have to spread to all the world. This was only possible in the 19th and 20th century when Judeo-Christian morality became universal. So, be encouraged. The apostasy you see in the world is only more proof that God’s on the throne and you’ve got the light. Be strong and remember, it’s not by day but by night that a candle burns its brightest.

From Message #486 – End Time Love
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1

Today’s Mission – Practice being a candle in the night- shine against the darkness, bear a contrary light, and be a night light of the Lord.

A STATISTICAL GLIMPSE INTO THE END-TIMES

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
    It’s one of most overlooked realms with regard to getting a glimpse of what is to come – statistics. But by looking into what is taking place among the young generation, we will have a glimpse of what the future will bring.
    Where is the young generation at regarding God, faith, the Bible, and Jesus? For the first time in Western civilization since the beginning of the faith, the majority of young people in the West consider themselves something other than Christian, other than even nominally Christian.
    What about society, marriage, sexuality, and family? For the first time ever, one quarter of the American population under 40 is not married. The majority of young women in America don’t want to become mothers. The percentage of American children born outside of marriage stands at around 40%, almost one out of two, and the percentage of people identifying with something other than heterosexuality is not 1%, 2% 5% but, among young people, a staggering 28%!
    What about Israel? America has always stood as Israel’s strongest ally. But that, too, is changing. In the wake of the October 7th attack on Israel, one would have expected a surge of support for the Jewish state. But among the young, something else happened. Between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, young people favored Hamas! In fact, support for Hamas was so strong among the young that it approached majority status. In fact, about two thirds of young Americans now see Jews as oppressors!
    Let’s put together the puzzle pieces. Apart from a revival and the hand of God to reverse these things, the America of the future will not be a “Christian nation,” it will not even be culturally Christian, it will not even be nominally Christian. It will be un-Christian, non-Christian, and perhaps even anti-Christian. As far as marriage and the family, there will be less of both. More and more children will grow up having no idea what marriage is. More and more adults will be alone. A greater percentage of the population, as in over one third of Americans, will see themselves as LGBT, an identity that will put them at odds with the Word of God and people of faith. Finally, America, the last great ally of Israel, will no longer be so. Israel will find itself increasingly alone.
    What does this all mean? It means the Bible is true. What it said would take place in the last days – is now taking place. All the more we need to pray for this generation, spread the Gospel to it, and stand strong. Let us make it our resolve to do all three this month, and may God greatly bless you as you do!

The Strings of The Harp

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Ephesians 5:19 speaks of singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. The word melody in Greek is psallo, which means to pluck as a harp. Your heart is like a harp made to make holy music, if it’s played right. You might look in your life and heart and see things that don’t look beautiful; ups, downs, highs, lows, hopes, disappointments, joys, tears, love, and rejection all mixed together. A harp doesn’t have just one string, but many. It has both high strings and low strings. The highs give it brightness and brilliance and the lows give it deeper and fuller sounds. There’s a great beauty waiting to come out from your life and heart, from the highs and equally from the lows. The key is to let God’s Spirit touch all the strings of your heart and make it beautiful. Let Him touch your high strings- your joys- and your low strings- your sorrows and your hardships. Whatever it is, bring it to the Lord, because only the heart that’s touched by the Spirit can make heavenly music to God.

From Message #423 – Melody In Your Heart
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:14

Today’s Mission – Use both the good and bad times, the blessings and problems alike, to glorify God.

The Gospel of Welch

Friday, April 26, 2024

A young man who’d been accepted to the African missionary field found out that he was unable to serve because his wife physically couldn’t handle the extreme heat. Heartbroken, he resolved himself to make all the money he could to help spread the Gospel to the world. His father, a dentist, had a company on the side for making unfermented wine for communion services. The young man took over and began developing the company. His name was Welch. Every time you see a bottle of Welch’s grape juice, you’re seeing the name of the young man whose crushed dreams resulted in funding missions through grape juice. Grapes, like dreams and desires, can become something sacred when crushed if you give them to God and resolve to glorify Him no matter what. Do you have broken dreams, crushed hopes, or a broken heart? Give it to the Lord. Resolve to keep going strong and to glorify Him no matter what. Your crushed dreams, like grapes, will become the sacred juice of the Lord’s communion.

From Message #1470 – Plan B
Scripture: Luke 4:18

Today’s Mission – What brokenness have you known, or still know, in your life? Give it to God and thank Him for His redemption of it.

The Slightest bit

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Did you ever think you’d like to live in the Bible times? In synagogues today, in the center of the bema/podium is an ark/ornamental cabinet which contains the Torah scroll/first five books of Moses. That’s how it was in Bible times. People didn’t have their own Bible, it was a scroll at synagogue. Today, it’s completely different. You can get all the Scriptures, study Bibles, commentaries, and a concordance at your local bookstore or on your phone that you carry in your pocket. In Bible times, they couldn’t afford such treasures and no synagogue could house them. The slightest bit of scripture was precious. You live in a generation which has the Word of God so accessible. Are you going to let a day go by without reading it, without receiving it, meditating on it, letting it soak in, and applying it to your life? You’re sitting on a gold mine. If you want to be blessed, treasure the Treasure.

From Message #368 – Standing in the Waves
Scripture: Psalm 1:1-2

Today’s Mission – Open up your treasure today. Receive the word with expectation of receiving the riches of God.

The End of The Harvest

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The ancient Israelites went out into their fields to reap the great harvest as summer ended. Then came the beginning of autumn and the first day of the month of Tishrei. We know it as Rosh HaShannah/Feast of Trumpets. The trumpet sound would get the people ready to appear before God for the Great Day of Atonement. Then the whole nation would come together for the Feast of Tabernacles and the whole harvest would be over. This is a prophetic picture. The Lord sent us out into the harvest to reap eternal life and gather in souls, but the harvest doesn’t go on forever. The children of Israel being gathered back to Jerusalem is a sign telling you that the harvest is coming to a close. That’s what Feast of Trumpets means. Go full blast now, because the harvest is ripe. As an end-time believer, you get the charge of finishing the harvest. Live as an end-time believer in the zeal and urgency of the last days. Whoever you would spread the Word to, do it now, because the trumpets are sounding and the harvest must come to its close.

From Message #700 – Seasons of the Harvest
Scripture: Luke 10:2

Today’s Mission – Be part of the end-time harvest today, spread the word of God to those who don’t know Him.

The Shofar Gathering

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Feast of Trumpets is about the shofar/ram’s horn. When the priests sounded it, Israel would gather to meet with the Lord. When the watchman sounded it, they would gather to prepare for war. When it was sounded at Sinai, Israel gathered around the mountain. The shofar sound is linked to the gathering of Israel. Isaiah speaks of a great shofar sounding and Israel gathering in the end-times. Thus, when you see the Jewish people gather back to Israel, you know it’s the time of the shofar. They’ve gathered because God’s calling them for a meeting. Hosea prophesied, “Afterward, the children of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their King …” – that’s Messiah – “… and come trembling to Him in the last days.” The Jewish people have gathered again because they have an appointment to meet with Messiah. Israel is the sign of the end-times. Therefore, live in the light of this, be strong in these end- times, and prepare to meet God. The shofar is sounding and you need to draw near because God is calling you.

From Message #1130 – The Sound of the King
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Today’s Mission – Respond to the sound of His shofar today and come into the presence of the Lord for your appointed time with Him.

The Katharos of Heaven

Monday, April 22, 2024

Heaven is characterized by a unique property. Revelation 21 describes heaven as having streets of pure gold like clear glass. The Greek word for both pure and clear is katharos. What is heaven? Heaven is katharos. It’s all the joy of this life with all the impurities taken out. Heaven is pure fulfillment, pure wonder, pure righteousness, pure goodness, pure love, pure life, and pure joy. The substance of heaven isn’t pure gold or pure glass, it’s purity itself. That’s something you can have in your life right now. If you want a taste of heaven, and the heavenly quality in your life, then live a pure life. Stop wavering, compromising, indulging, and playing it both ways. Stop living two lives. Make up your mind to put away the impurity and set your heart purely on the things of God. Set your affections and your will purely on the delights and will of God. You will have the heavenly quality of katharos. Your joy will become pure gold, your faith clear glass, and your life will become heaven on earth.

From Message #337 – The Blessings of The Pure
Scripture: 1 John 3:3

Today’s Mission – Make up your mind to put away that impurity and live in katharos, in purity – pure thoughts, pure love, and pure joy.

Giving to Your Creditor

Friday, April 19, 2024

The inventor, A. A. Hyde, found himself deeply in debt. Believing that because of his debt, any money he had belonged to his creditors, he didn’t tithe. One day, he was impressed with the thought that God was his first creditor and everything he had, had been borrowed from God in the first place. He began tithing in his debt, and as he did, the Lord caused him to become debt-free and greatly blessed him so that he could bless others. You, too, may be dealing with a lot of needs, lack, and want. You may not think you have much to give. It doesn’t matter. The Lord praised the tithing of the widow, because she gave out of her poverty. Poverty could be very affluent if you give out of it. Don’t ever think you have too little to give. If you have too little, you have too little not to give. Give to God out of your prosperity or your poverty. Give and it shall be given to you. In God’s eyes, giving is never limited by the size of your resources, only the size of your heart.

From Message #1148 – The Holy Debt
Scripture: Matthew 25:37-40

Today’s Mission – Give to the Lord today out of your much or your little. Bless Him in every way you can.

The Masks of God

Thursday, April 18, 2024

There are times the Lord appeared to His people in disguise: walking on water and they thought Him a ghost, to Mary/Miriam looking something like the gardener, to the disciples as a stranger on the road to Emmaus. So, too, the Lord often appears to your life in disguise, and just as His own disciples didn’t recognize Him, chances are you’ve missed Him. He may speak to you disguised as the radio teacher, the pastor, a friend, your conscience, or even as an unbeliever. The Lord may touch you through your boss, your parent, as sunlight on a beautiful day, or as a smile from a stranger. It’s the Lord in disguise. He might save your life through the correction of a friend, through the hurt of the enemy, or even through what looks like a tragedy at the time. If you belong to Him, the Lord says to you, “I am with you always even to the end of the age.” If you don’t always see Him or feel Him, it doesn’t mean He’s not there. It means He’s there right by your side in disguise.

From Message #253 – Recognizing Him
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10

Today’s Mission – Today, seek to identify all the appearances of the Lord in your life, in people, circumstances, guidance, provision, and blessings.

Talking to The Saints

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

There are some denominations that believe in the veneration of saints. They build statues to honor them and pray to them- Saint Joseph, Saint Jude, etc. Is it biblical to venerate saints? Yes, as long as it’s the right saints and the right venerating – as in giving honor. Scripture teaches that everyone who’s born of the Spirit is a saint – thus we must believe in all of them. It’s saints who greet you at Worship Service, who teach the word, who sit next to you in the service. We’re to honor the saints around us, never to worship or pray to them, but to revere and bless them. The saints who are already in heaven don’t need your reverence, but the saint who sits next to you, your brother and sister in the Lord, could use real love, respect, honor, and encouragement. It’s okay to ask a saint to pray for you as long as the saint is alive. It’s even nicer to pray for a saint, because the saints can use your prayers. Love a saint today, because saints are biblical and so is their veneration and blessing.

From Message #752 – To Become a Saint
Scripture: Ephesians 6:18

Today’s Mission – Take every opportunity the Lord gives you today, to honor and encourage the saints around you.

Rabbi Paul and Your Commentary

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The Talmud and the Targums are Judaism’s writings on the Bible and commentary on the commentaries of the Bible. When you read the writings of Paul, it’s clear that he was a rabbi schooled in the Writings of the Rabbis. His writings are every bit as rabbinical in style and approach as that of the Talmud and the Targums of Judaism – except that he has the answer, the truth of Messiah, and the Spirit of God. God prepared him all his years before Messiah – to become an expert in commenting on Scriptures and bringing out their deeper meanings so that you could be blessed with the epistles. So, too, God has given you His Word and salvation and He wants you to comment on it, discuss it, share it, proclaim it, rejoice in it, and contemplate it. He’s given you His Word. Your life is to be the commentary on His Word. Let everything in your life, word, and deed be a commentary on God’s love and salvation.God gave you the Bible. Let your life now become its living, continuous, and never-ending commentary.

From Message #163 – The Five Gospels
Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:15-16

Today’s Mission – Make everything you do today a commentary on the truth, love, and salvation of Messiah.

The Thomas Touch

Monday, April 15, 2024

Upon hearing the reports of the Resurrection, Thomas said, “Unless I see the nail prints in His hands, put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand in His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later Messiah appeared and said to him, “Put your finger here, see My hands, reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God.” It’s literally a touching scene, and touching is the key. When Thomas touched the Lord, he stopped doubting. We need to do the same. Messiah doesn’t say, “hide or repress your doubts,” or “shame on you for having them.” He says, “Bring your doubts to me. Don’t let them separate you from Me. Touch Me and let Me touch your doubts and make them disappear.” Do you have doubts? Learn from doubting Thomas. Really, it’s unfair to call him doubting because he ended up very much believing. He approached the Lord with his doubts and touched Him. You do the same. Touch the Lord with your doubt and He’ll touch you with faith.

From Message #192 – Touching God
Scripture: Isaiah 26:4

Today’s Mission – Bring any doubts you may have to Messiah today. Bring everything to Him, even the most ungodly parts of your life and touch Him with it.

Your Storm Brother

Friday, April 12, 2024

Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” A brother is born for hard times, not just for the good times. In the good times, having a brother is good, but a true brother is born in the times of hardship, to stand with you when no one else will. That’s the most important time for being a brother. If you’re born again, you’re the brother of Messiah. You’re born for times of adversity, to show yourself true not just when everything seems fine, but also in times of testing. You’re born not to abandon, forsake, or deny Him, but to stand with Him all the more in adversity, trouble, and persecution. When times are tough in your life, that’s when you should show your true devotion to Him in your brotherhood. When you go through a trial, don’t despair. Praise and bless Him all the more; He’s your brother and you’re His. You’ll be blessed because you were born as His brother. A brother is born for adversity and He will stand in your adversity just as well.

From Message #997 – The Storm Brother
Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:26-27Today’s Mission – Express your true devotion to God today by praising Him through whatever situations you go through

Inside The Name

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.” If you are named among the righteous, you need to run into the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is not just a group of letters or sounds. It’s His authority, His identity, it’s Him. To run into the name of the Lord means to get yourself inside Him, inside His identity- your name inside His name, your weaknesses inside His strength, your unrighteousness inside His righteousness, and your sins inside His holiness. Get inside Him. Salvation is getting your identity in God’s identity, getting your life inside His life so you are in Him. It’s no longer I that live, but Him. When you run into a tower, you disappear. If you want to be safe, disappear in Him. Get covered. Get your life, heart, emotions, sins, fears, ego, ambition- everything- inside the name, identity, authority, and will of God. Because the name of the Lord is a strong tower, and if you run into it, you will be safe.

From Message #986 – Inside the Tower
Scripture: Psalm 16:1

Today’s Mission – Run into the Lord today and let Him encompass you with His strength.

The Boa’s Strategy

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Boa constrictors can crawl 85 meters through a forest to enter the hole of a large mammal, coil there, and wait for the bait for days. The enemy is a serpent and uses the same strategy; he seeks to find an opening in your life, an unprotected open area, a foothold, a position to strike at you. If you know that the serpent is waiting to strike, the wise thing to do is identify that opening in your life. It can be an ungodly attitude, a habit, an ungodly incident, or something in your past- a hurt, a wound, unforgiveness, bitterness, a connection to the occult. Even pride, jealousy, insecurity, rejection, idolatry, lust, or a lack of trusting God can be openings. It could be any entrance at all, such as gossip, that television show, that magazine, the internet, that association, that place you go to that gives the enemy a foothold. He’s waiting to strike you. Be wise and seal up that hole in your life once and for all. The enemy is a serpent who needs only an opening. Don’t give him room anymore; close the door.

From Message #987 – The Serpentine Strategies
Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Today’s Mission – Today focus on sealing up any openings, gaps, weaknesses, sins, and danger areas to close the door to the enemy.

He who is Joy

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

God is the King of the universe and the Lord of all. You are part of the universe. Therefore the only way things can be right in your life is when you make Him who is the King of the universe, the king of your heart, and when you make Him who is the Lord of all, the Lord of your life. The Lord is also the Joy of all existence. The only way things can be truly right and blessed in your life is to make Him who is the Joy of all, the true joy of your life. You are to rejoice in the Lord always, because you’ve made Him the joy of your life. You are to delight yourself in Him, because you’ve made Him the delight of your heart. If you’ve made God the Lord of your heart, that’s great and essential. If you’ve made Him the Lord of your life, that’s just as important. But now do something even more: make Him who is the Joy and Delight of all creation, the joy and delight of your heart and your life will be blessed.

From Message #985 – Delight Yourself in the Lord
Scripture: Psalm 51:12

Today’s Mission – Spend time delighting in the Lord today and allow His joy to fill you to overflowing.

The Blessing of Anti-Semitism

Monday, April 8, 2024

For two thousand years, the Jewish people have been hated, persecuted, oppressed, killed, and massacred. One of the greatest evils the world has ever known, Adolf Hitler, was devoted to the total destruction of the Jewish people. You might think that all the hatred and suffering goes against the Word of God, but the Bible foretold it and it does just the opposite. If you look at it objectively, you have to say that there’s something supernatural and unique about the Jewish people. What else explains why all the forces of hell are against them? The darkness is so great against them because they are greatly linked to the Light. The darkness doesn’t disprove the light, it proves it. They’ve survived because the Bible said they would. In your life, all the evil you’ve dealt with, sin, problems, adversity, attacks, and setbacks should not discourage you, but encourage you. If you’re following God, it’s a witness that He’s real, He loves you, and you’re called to overcome and fight the good fight.

From Message #967 – The Beast of A Thousand Faces
Scripture: Psalm 139:5

Today’s Mission – Whatever challenges you have today, know that God’s power is greater. You’re on the winning side – Fight your good fight!

The Titanic And The Solid Rock

Friday, April 5, 2024

The Titanic scraped along an iceberg and didn’t sink until hours later. In the beginning, everything was still level and the people continued their activities. They saw the iceberg through the windows, but didn’t think that there was real damage. They couldn’t see it, but the damage was real, and the water began flooding the chambers. It was mortally wounded. People continued to talk and play cards. The band continued to play as if everything was fine, but there was limited time left. That’s a picture of life. It appears solid, but it’s mortally wounded. Eventually it’s going down. If your well-being is based on anything in this life, your well-being is going to sink. Messiah spoke of a rich man who stored up his treasure, but then his life was required. He put all his treasures in a sinking ship. Beware of growing comfortable in a sinking ship. No matter how much it glitters, it’s still sinking. Put your treasure where you can’t lose. Messiah is the rock; build your hope on Him, for all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is the Titanic.

From Message #982 – The Floating Palace
Scripture: Lamentations 3:24

Today’s Mission – Is your well-being dependent on anything other than Him? Today place your hope, your well-being, and your peace on nothing less than Messiah, the solid Rock.

One Believer Under God

Thursday, April 4, 2024

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declared the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ unconstitutional because of the words ‘under God’. God is being removed from American mainstream culture. But it’s not just about the word ‘God’, it’s about the word ‘under’. Without God, there is no under; the state becomes the final authority, man becomes the measure of all things, there’s nothing above him, and everybody becomes a god. What separates a true believer from false believers and non-believers is that they live under. They don’t just know about and praise God, they live under God by actually submitting their lives to Him. Are you truly living under God? When God’s will, plan, and desire isn’t yours, do you put your will, plan, and desire under God? The desire to remove the words ‘under God’ isn’t good, but the real point isn’t the words ‘under God’. It’s whether God’s people are living under God. If you want ‘under God’ to be in the pledge of allegiance, put ‘under God’ in your own pledge of allegiance to God. Live your life as a true believer, one believer under God.

From Message #981 – The City on the Hill
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:5

Today’s Mission – Today, truly submit your will to God and allow Him to direct your plans. Live truly as one believer under God!

The Simple Maxim

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the Lord and do good”. This perfectly sums up a great theological truth. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God. If you don’t believe, you can’t do good. If you do believe, you have to do good. Faith without works is dead. Works without faith are empty. Work out your salvation, because it’s God who’s at work with you. Trust, believe, and then act on your faith. Don’t try to do good without believing. Don’t believe and then not apply your faith into action. Let every work come from faith, and let your faith work. As the hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”. The key to abundant life is very simple. Believe His Word and then just do it, just truly believe. Then take that faith into your life, with real faith actions, and see what happens. Keep it simple. Trust in the Lord and do good. Even more simple: “Trust and obey. For there’s no other way to be happy in Yeshua/Jesus, but to trust and obey”.

From Message #980 – The Fruitful Bough
Scripture: Proverbs 16:20

Today’s Mission – Take a word from Scripture today. Believe it, and then act on it.

The Path of The Magi

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

The magi were priests of a pagan religion, yet they found Messiah because they were seeking Him.The Jewish leaders of that day, knew about God but didn’t find Him because they weren’t seeking Him, they were heading the wrong way. It’s not your position or your past that matters – it’s where you’re heading. A sinner who’s heading to God is better off than a saint who’s falling away. So where are you heading? Paul said, “I discipline my body[…] so that after I’ve preached to others I won’t be disqualified”. He also said, “Forgetting what lies behind, I press on”. He started out every day as if he were a new believer who had as much to know about the Lord then as at the beginning. Have the same attitude. Seek to know God, because we don’t even know the half of God. It’s not who you have been, or even where you are, it’s where your heart is heading. Don’t rest on your laurels. Seek God again as you did at first. It’s a good road, it’s the road of the Magi.

From Message #979 – Amazed in Cyprus
Scripture: Jeremiah 24:7

Today’s Mission – Make it your aim today to seek God with all your heart and draw nearer to Him.

THE POPE, THE STATUE, & THE BOLT OF LIGHTNING

Monday, April 1, 2024 Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
     Last month, I wrote to you about one of the most important developments in world culture – and apostasy – the pope’s directive that the Catholic Church is now to bless those actively involved in homosexuality – what Catholic doctrine itself had deemed “grave depravity.” Because this bears colossal ramifications for Western civilization – and because something else happened – it warrants our taking note.
     It happened in Argentina, the pope’s homeland. It happened in the province of Buenos Aires, the pope’s home city. There is in that land a statue of Peter. Keep in mind, the papal claim that the pope sits in the office of Peter as Peter’s successor. What happened? A lightning bolt struck the statue.
     It was not only where this happened – but when. The lightning struck the statue on December 17. December 17 is Pope Francis’ birthday. But there was more. The decree that altered nearly two thousand years of Catholic practice – to bless same sex unions, was issued on December 18. The lightning struck the statue the day before it went forth.
     On the statue’s head was a halo. The halo is a sign of holiness. When the lightning struck the statue it removed the halo from its head. What would that signify? It would signify the absence of holiness. One cannot do what the pope did and be reckoned holy – certainly not by God.
     The statue was holding a key – as in the keys of Peter. It referred to the Scripture in which the Lord speaks of the authority to bind and loose on earth as in heaven. When the lightning struck the statue, it removed the keys. What would that signify? It would signify the removal of authority. The authority of God can only be given to those who follow the will of God. If one departs from God’s will – if one violates and defies that will, one certainly cannot bear His authority.
     The lightning not only removed the keys – it eviscerated the statue’s hand. The statue’s hand was in effect destroyed. The hand by which Catholic priests are now to bless homosexual unions is the right hand. The hand of the statue that was destroyed was its right hand: the hand of blessing.
     God is not mocked. And all will stand before His seat of judgment – all including popes, and each of us. It won’t then matter what the polls said, what the world said, or what the pope said. It will only matter what God said, the Word of God. Live this month – and your life – in light of that truth, in light of God’s Word, and in light of that day. And may God greatly bless you as you do!

Your brother and co-laborer

in His love and service,

Barachat Avote

Friday, March 29, 2024

Scripture teaches us about the father’s blessing; Abraham blessing Isaac, Isaac blessing Jacob, and Jacob blessing his sons. In every generation, fathers are supposed to bless their children and children are supposed to receive the blessing. Adolf Hitler, who propelled the world into WWII and was responsible for the death of 6 million Jews and millions of others, was raised by a father who treated him harshly, with rage and beatings. Not that his father was responsible for what he did, but it’s noteworthy that he never received his father’s blessing. It’s really important to receive your father’s blessing. Maybe you never did and your life has been affected by it. The good news is, if you’re born again, you now have a Heavenly Father who’ll never refuse to give His blessing to you, the child He loves. As a beloved child of God, you can now receive your Father’s blessing. Receive it, because it’s time to live as a beloved child. All you need to do to live a blessed life is get blessed. So get your blessing, because your Father is waiting to give it.

From Message #977 – Your Father’s Blessing
Scripture: Proverbs 10:22

Today’s Mission – Receive the blessing from your Heavenly Father today and become the beloved.

The Promised Land in all Places

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Eretz is a Hebrew word used in scripture for the world or the land – specifically, the land of Israel – and the earth. In the Sermon on the Mount, Messiah was quoting Psalm 37:11: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”. Eretz can mean both promised land and the whole world. As a believer, wherever you are in the world, you’re meant to be dwelling in the promised land. Anywhere in the world/eretz, you can dwell in the eretz/promised land. Anywhere you live can become a promised land for you. Wherever you live, live as if you’re in a land of promises. That’s the way to dwell in His perfect will, His blessings, His promises, and His goodness. It doesn’t matter where you are, it’s Who you’re with that makes any place in the world the Promised Land. It’s great to make a pilgrimage to Israel, but it’s even better to dwell in the Promised Land no matter where you live. Learn to dwell there all the time, because as a child of God, you’re given the blessing of dwelling in the land of promises.

From Message #974 – Dwell
Scripture: 1 Kings 8:56Today’s Mission – Whatever you go today, live as if you’re in the land of God, walking into His promises, and you will be!

The Tarrying Factor

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Some people have formulas about how to receive the fullness and empowering of God’s Spirit, some have seminars on it. Messiah said, “Tarry in Jerusalem”. The word in Greek is kath-id’- zo. It means to stay, to continue. They had to continue in Jerusalem, in God’s will and presence. If they’d only stayed four days instead of ten, they’d have missed the blessing. If you want the fullness and power of His Spirit, you have to kath-id’ – zo. Stay, continue, and keep on in the will of God. Consistency in God is important. Many people give up before they get the blessing. The secret of receiving the blessing in God’s Spirit is linked to tarrying. They didn’t just go to Jerusalem and get the blessing, they had to stay there and persevere before they saw anything. The Spirit life is about continuing, abiding, perseverance, consistency, endurance, and continuing in His Word and will without giving up. Do you want to reap? Keep on keeping on, in the will and calling of God and He will come to you to fill your life with fullness and power from on high. You just continue.

From Message #972 – Welcoming the Spirit
Scripture: Luke 24:49

Today’s Mission – Make it your aim to keep on in what is good. Don’t give up in the Lord, but press on no matter what.

The Mirrors of God

Monday, March 25, 2024

I knew two great saints of God, Sabina and Richard Wurmbrand, leaders of the underground church in Romania. In Sabina’s last days, she was in great pain. Feeling overwhelmed, she asked the Lord, “How long?” He reminded her of how, as a young woman, she’d taken some jewelry to be worked on. The jeweler put her jewelry over a flame.Panicking, she’d cried, “You’re going to destroy it!” He turned up the fire and said, “Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I have to keep it on the fire until I can see my reflection on the metal. Then it’s finished.” She heard the Lord say, “Don’t panic, trust Me. I Am the Master Jeweler. You must go through the fire for a moment and when I can see My face reflected in you, it will be finished.” Soon after that, she peacefully went home to be with the Lord. When you go through trials, don’t fear. God’s purpose isn’t to hurt you, but to change you into the image of Messiah. God wants to see His reflection in you because you’re His jewel and He’s your Master Jeweler.

From Message #970 – The Way of the Great
Scripture: Romans 12:12Today’s Mission – Are you going through a trial today? Allow God to purify you so that He can see His reflection in you

Walking in the Angelic

Friday, March 22, 2024

In Acts 12, Peter’s in jail for his faith and is awaiting execution when an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him with the good news that he’s going free. The word angel, Malakh in Hebrew and Angelos in Greek, can be translated as “news bringers.” Angels came to shepherds in Bethlehem and said, “We bring you good news and great joy.” In the origins of the words Good News, or Gospel, is the word angel. In English, when you say evangelism, the word angel is in it. When you share the gospel by the Spirit of God or help somebody be set free from bondage, in the Lord you’re an angel on assignment. When you see somebody in need of salvation, or someone who seeks the love of God and good news, become their angel. When you do God’s will, minister, and serve, go as one sent from heaven on angelic assignment. Get into the joy of it. Start your angelic visitations now. It’s angelic and it’s glorious. Get started in the Great Commission, on your divine mission. Become their angel.

From Message #964 – Angels and Outlaws
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:2

Today’s Mission – Start your angelic visitations today and share Messiah with someone who needs to hear it.

The Spiritual Bee

Thursday, March 21, 2024

When a bee’s life is in the larva stage, it does nothing but eat. It doesn’t look for pollen or help fellow bees, it lives inside the cell and gets fed. This doesn’t last long, and in a short time, the bee leaves this stage, comes out of the cell, and begins helping. It no longer has anyone feed it, it helps to feed others. It goes quickly from being ministered to, to ministering to others. Bees seem a lot wiser than some believers. We tend to get into a mode of expecting others to minister to us, meaning we’re still in the larva stage. This stage has a purpose, but there’s no future in it because you’re in a cell. Freedom comes when you forget about your needs and minister to the needs of others. Forget about having others bless you; you bless, love, and reach out to others. Only then can we attain maturity in Messiah. It’s time to grow up, fulfill our calling, and become conformed to His image. It all begins when you step out of the larva cell.

From Message #963- The Honeycomb
Scripture: Matthew 20:28

Today’s Mission – Today, live as a mature believer. Set your heart on blessing others and move in the joy of selflessness.

The Preserver

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Jeremiah 31 declares that as long as there’s the natural order of creation, God will preserve the Jewish people. The Shehecheyanu is a Hebrew prayer thanking God for preserving us and sustaining us. All of hell has sought to wipe out the Jewish people from being preserved, yet God fulfilled His Word. Many civilizations have vanished, but the Jews are still here. God preserved them and returned them to the land of Israel, just as He promised. In your life, it may sometimes seem that all hell is against you. You may wonder what’s in the future and if you’re going to make it. God is very good at keeping His word. He kept the Jewish people through all hell for thousands of years. He who keeps Israel is the same One who will keep you who are His child. As a believer, you’re part of the commonwealth of Israel and He’s the Keeper of Israel. You don’t have to worry about your future, because you know Him who holds your future. He’s the One who will hold you, because He who keeps Israel, and you, will neither slumber nor sleep.

From Message #962 – The Genesis Gene
Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Today’s Mission – Today, trust the Lord with all your concerns for your future. Give Thanks for His taking care of it all. Trust in His peace.

The Timeless Time Code

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

I once sent an email to a staff worker who was only able to open it a week later. When she did, it showed that current day’s date on the memo. She thought that by the power of God’s Spirit, I foreknew the exact date she would open it. I explained to her that I’d simply used the date code that updates itself every day and her wonder faded away. Though it was written thousands of years ago, the Bible has a date code. Every time you open it, you’re reading a Word for today. God’s Word is alive and new. If you look at the Word you read yesterday again today, it isn’t dated for yesterday. The date is for the moment you receive it. Receive the Word as if it’s dated for today to be applied, obeyed, followed, and walked in. Open up the Bible, and in God’s Spirit, see the fresh living Word of God specifically for you, for this day. It can change your life when you discover that every scripture contains, within the moment you receive it, a super natural date code.

From Message #961 – The Gumby Principle
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:23

Today’s Mission – Today, ask the Lord for one verse. Take that verse as a living word for you and for today and live it.

The Pausing Man

Monday, March 18, 2024

Saul/Paul zealously persecuted believers until the light of God knocked him off his feet and life was changed. It seemed like he became a totally different person, but in truth, the moment he was struck by the Light was the moment he was born for. When the Lord asked him why he was persecuting Him, he asked the Lord “What is Your name?” Saul’s parents gave him the Hebrew name Shaul, meaning “he who asks,” and Paulos, or Paul, is linked to the words to pause. For the first time in his life, he’s pausing and asking. This was what he was named for. God had a purpose for his life, and confronted with it, he stepped out and took the risk. When you step out and respond to God’s call, you change- not into someone else, but into the person you’re made to become in the first place. Believe the Lord, obey, step out in faith, and do what you’ve never done before. Like Shaul, you’ll fulfill the destiny for which you were born and become the person you were always meant to be.

From Message #827 – Your Secret Destiny
Scripture: Joshua 24:24

Today’s Mission – Believe the Lord today – step out in faith and do what you’ve never done before.

The Secret of Gideon, Samson, and Joshua

Friday, March 15, 2024

Every believer is part of a fight against some kind of evil, temptation, habit, or situation. Scripture records that on the day of battle, God’s Spirit came upon His people. His Spirit came on Gideon, Samson, and Joshua and they fought their battle, overcame the enemy, and won. The key is that they didn’t just fight their battles, they were filled with God’s presence in that battle, and so they won. You can’t fight evil by just fighting evil. You can only fight evil with the good, in the good, through the good, by the good, and for good. Fight the darkness by being filled up with the light of God’s presence. Fight the flesh by being filled up with God’s Spirit. Remember, the great biblical warriors never just fought their enemies, they fought in, by, and through the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit. Stop dwelling on your conflict, what’s against you, and what you’re against. Start getting filled up with the good. In that, you will overcome and you will emerge from your battle victoriously.

From Message #823 – The Lion’s Roar
Scripture: Micah 6:8

Today’s Mission – Before you fight your battles or deal with your problems today, receive from God the anointing for victory.

Bearing The Bridegroom’s Name

Monday, March 11, 2024

Traditionally, married women take the name of their husband. Even in cultures where they had no last names, the woman was still known by her husband’s identity. As believers, we’re Messiah’s bride and the bride must take the name of her husband. In a sense, we already have it. The word Messianic, or Christian, is basically the bride, or the church, wearing the name of her husband. Deeper than that, it means that as a bride, you bear the identity of your husband. It doesn’t matter who you once were, you now have the new identity of Messiah- that’s the sign you’re married. You don’t live as you used to live, defeated. You live as someone who’s blessed, victorious, innocent, righteous, pure, and beautiful in God. That’s who He is and that’s what you received in Him. It’s not a prideful thing, it’s a simple married thing. Take the name of Messiah. Wear it- it is your privilege, your blessing, your calling as a bride. Be beautiful, holy, and blessed in Him. It’s the blessing of the bride to wear the bridegroom’s Name.

From Message #816 – The Prime Identity
Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Today’s Mission – Immerse yourself in Messiah’s identity today so that everyone around you will see you as His beautiful bride.

Ending The Vaccuum

Friday, March 8, 2024

How do you remove air from a cup? The simple way is to fill it with water. You could get a vacuum machine and try to suck all the air out, but you could end up destroying the cup. How do you get sin out of your life? We try to stop doing it- and that’s good- but it’s not enough. It’s a vacuum- something else will come in. You try to stop thinking angry or bitter thoughts, or try not to worry, and then it comes back again. The key is that the focus isn’t the sin. It’s like trying to remove air from a cup with a vacuum and crushing the whole thing. How did God remove sin from this world? He did it by coming in, by putting in His presence. How do you take away sin from your life? By filling it up with the presence of God. Like a cup, fill your life up with His peace, joy, blessings, and Spirit. Get God into everything and sin will get out of everything. It’s as simple as pouring water into a cup.

From Message #812 – The Immanuel Solution
Scripture: Romans 15:13

Today’s Mission – Allow God’s Spirit to fill your life with His presence today and wash away all that is not of Him.

Every God Has Its Altar

Thursday, March 7, 2024

At the time of Israel’s apostasy, the land was filled with altars for sacrifices to false gods. Even when the people were in rebellion to God and living in sin, they still offered sacrifices, because a god is that which you sacrifice for. In your life, what is your God? You might say, “My God is God”. Ask yourself, what are the things that you are sacrificing for? Are you sacrificing for success, money, comfort, pleasure, sin, lust, yourself, your reputation, or your glory? What are you spending your time, energy, joy, dreams, and thoughts on? Those are your offerings. What are you really sacrificing for? If it’s not God, there are other gods in your life and all those other gods in the end will take from you, drain you, and bring you destruction. They’re focused on receiving your sacrifice, but there’s only One God who sacrificed Himself and died for you. Stop sacrificing to those false gods in your life. Offer your best to the only God who deserves it, because He gave you His best. Go and do likewise.

From Message #800 – Smash The Gods
Scripture: Exodus 20:3

Today’s Mission – Are you in any way serving and sacrificing to something that’s not God? Stop and present your body as a living sacrifice to your Lord.

Why You’ve Probably Had A Jewish Doctor

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Did you ever wonder why so many doctors are Jewish? The Jewish people were called to bring redemption to the world. That means healing. There’s a concept in Judaism called tikun olam, meaning bringing healing or redemption to the world. That’s the Jewish mission. It’s no accident that they became a people of healing. In fact, some of the greatest advances in medicine and healing of many diseases has come through them. That’s good news for you. Messiah is the greatest Jewish doctor in the universe. It’s no accident that one of His central missions is healing. You have a Jewish doctor, the greatest One who ever lived. He will deal with every single thing in your life as a specialist. You’ll never get a bill and He makes house calls. Whatever you need for healing, wholeness, your completion, your well-being – spiritual, emotional, and physical – bring it to Him. Whatever your wounds or your pain, bring it to Him, let Him see it, let Him touch it, and let Him bring you your healing, because you have the best Jewish doctor ever.

From Message #799 – The Great Physician
Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-22

Today’s Mission – Bring your wounds to Messiah today and let Him touch them and bring you your healing.

His Secret Agents

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

We think of the word Christian as a religious term. The word comes from Christianos, which was given to believers in Antioch. It wasn’t a religious term, but used to refer to Messiah’s people, party, or partisans in the same way that they would speak of Ceasar or Herod’s partisans. Political parties try to affect the world and change things. We are Messiah’s party. More than anything, we’re to be affecting and changing the world. Unlike the political parties of the world, we have the true power to change it. We’re the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and if you’re not affecting the world, you’re not doing your job. Are you leaving circumstances better, worse, or just the same as when you entered? We’re Messiah’s partisans, His party, His people, His agents on earth. We have the potential and power to make a difference. You have the power to change your circumstances, your homes, your neighborhoods, your family, your relationships, and your world. The Lord made you different so you could make a difference. You are Messiah’s partisan, an agent of change.

From Message #797 – The Messiah Partisans
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:10

Today’s Mission – Be Messiah’s agent of change. Make a difference in your world and the lives of those around you today.

The Huppah Children

Monday, March 4, 2024

In the Gospels, we’re called friends of the bridegroom. That Greek term means children of the bridal chamber, which is a translation of the Hebrew idiom Bnei HaChuppah, meaning children of the huppah. Huppah is the wedding canopy over the bride and groom. The children of the huppah are those who are closest to the bridegroom. If you’re born again, you’re a child of the huppah, one who is close to the bridegroom. Most bridegrooms are joyfully looking forward to the wedding. The closer you get to them, the more joy, excitement, and blessing you have. There are many believers who claim to be close to Messiah, but they don’t have joy or excitement. The true children of the huppah are those believers who are filled with joy, love, and excitement. If you find that lately you don’t have a lot of joy, get your eyes off yourself and get close to the Bridegroom. When you get really close to the Bridegroom, you won’t be able to hold back the joy, love, and excitement of the Bridegroom. It will fill your heart and life as a child of the huppah.

From Message #783 – Children Of The Huppah
Scripture: John 3:29

Today’s Mission – Draw closer to your Heavenly Bridegroom today, spend quiet time in His Huppah, the Marriage Chamber.

THE POPE’S SEISMIC END-TIME APOSTASY

Friday, March 1, 2024

Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission…
     It began as the last year was drawing to its end. It has only begun. Its repercussions will be seismic. After nearly 2000 years of declaring homosexuality, lesbianism, and alternate sexuality a grave sin, as does the Bible, the Catholic Church, under the Pope’s leadership declared that it would now give its blessings to those involved in all of the above.
     Two years earlier, the Vatican’s office of Doctrine had issued a statement on the matter saying, “God cannot bless sin.” But the Pope overturned it. This was massive – not just for Catholics, but for the world. The Catholic Church has long been intertwined with western civilization, and was central in laying down it’s moral foundations. Even our present calendar was determined by the Vatican. For the Catholic Church to now bless what God clearly calls sin, which Catholic doctrine up to this point has called, intrinsically disordered, contrary to natural law, and grave depravity is colossal.
     What is it? In one word: Apostasy. The Bible foretells that in the last days there will be a great apostasy. The word apostasy means to fall away from one’s stand, or, in its Biblical usage to fall away from faith. What prompted the Pope to do something that would have, just the other day, have been unimaginable? He was simply following the course of an apostate civilization. It is the same exact process, transformation, and fall that happened to other organizations that once stood against this sin and then succumbed to it – from the Democratic Party, to Hollywood, to the corporate world, to the Boy Scouts, to the American legal system, and on and on. But that it has now happened, and is happening to the Catholic Church is a big deal.
     Unless what the Pope did is reversed, it will not stay a simple blessing of same-sex couples, but the day will come when you will see something that most never thought they would see – the Catholic Church performing homosexual and lesbian marriages and declaring them holy, and displaying the rainbow flag more prominently than the cross. The Pope opened up the floodgates. Expect a flood.
     This will also accelerate the fall and apostasy of Western civilization. For if the one who was supposed to be applying the brakes on that fall has now declared that, that fall is to be blessed – all bets are off. The Bible says that the end-times will be characterized by apostasy and the increase of immorality. It even implies the apostasy of the church.
     That day has come. And the good news is God said it before it happened. He is still on the throne. And in the growing darkness, the lights of God will shine all the more brightly and will light up their world. This month, you be that one! Shine against the darkness and light up your world. And may God greatly bless you as you do!
Your brother and co-laborer
in His love and service,

Jonathan

See Message: The Days of Apostasy (And How to Prosper in Spite of Them)
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3

The Mayflower Prophecies

Thursday, February 29, 2024

In school, we learned about the Puritans but never learned of the very prophetic side to them. Long before Jews for Jesus and Messianic congregations, the Puritans were saying that one day there would be a revival and the Jewish people would come back into Messiah. From as early as 1620, articles on the Messianic revival to come appeared in the ‘El Naton Par’. It said the Jewish people would come in, causing gentiles to come in. It’s happening now! More Jewish people have come to Messiah since Jerusalem came back to Israel than at any other time since the Book of Acts. In fact, this ministry is part of the manifestation of Jew and gentile, one in Messiah. It was all prophesied by the Puritans because the Bible prophesied it thousands of years before. You’ll never be ashamed staying true to the Word of God. Whatever the Bible says will happen. We’re part of prophetic purposes, written centuries and thousands of years ago. Don’t just hang out-live a life worthy of one of the very high, holy, prophetic end-time purposes of God. Live that way!

From Message #792 – The Mystery Reapers
Scripture: Colossians 3:17

Today’s Mission – Pray for revival, spread God’s love, and fulfill your end-time purpose.

The Shalom Bride

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

In the Hebrew marriage, when the woman accepts the offer of marriage from the groom, she becomes the bride. She’s not of her old house anymore. Her purpose is to prepare herself, say goodbye to her old life and home, and get ready for a better place. She’s the goodbye girl, or ‘the shalom bride’. Her purpose is to leave. In the same way, if you’re born again, you’re now the bride. It’s not the marriage yet, but the world’s no longer your home. You’re not here to get rich, famous, popular, or more comfortable; you’re here to say goodbye. Learn how to say goodbye to your possessions, your past, your ego, your reputation, your old self, your burdens, and your flesh. This world used to be your home, but it isn’t anymore. You have something better. In Hebrew, shalom not only means goodbye, but also hello. Every time you say goodbye to something in the world, you’re saying hello to something in heaven. You’re getting ready to receive the blessings of your new house; the house that will never pass away.

From Message #781 – The Mystery of the Calah
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11

Today’s Mission – Say goodbye to your past or anything else you need to say goodbye to – and welcome in your blessing from heaven.

An Americaless Independence Day

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

July Fourth is a celebration of America’s independence, but imagine celebrating the Fourth of July with no America. One of the most amazing and peculiar things about the Jewish people is that for two thousand years, they’ve celebrated the harvest feasts, giving thanks to God for harvests that didn’t exist, sacrificial lambs that were no more, and a Temple that was nowhere to be seen. It would be as if we celebrated the Fourth of July, but there was no Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, or nation known as the ‘United States’. The Jewish people celebrated their nation that didn’t exist- until it did. If you’re born again, you’re part of the commonwealth of Israel. You have to learn to be just as crazy and celebrate that which is yet to come as if it already has. In the middle of the battle, celebrate the victory. In the middle of the need, celebrate the answer. When you have no reason to celebrate, give thanks and hold your festival. Do it anyway, and God will give all the reasons you need.

From Message #699 – The Dream Harvest
Scripture: Romans 1:17

Today’s Mission – Give thanks and celebrate the answered prayers that are yet to come.

What God, What Blessing And Which America?

Monday, February 26, 2024

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, a few questions. Many in their celebration say “God bless America”, but which GOD, which America, and what Blessing? Is it the God of the Bible or the god of Islam? Is it the America founded to be a light to the nations, the source of Gospel missions, the friend of Israel and foe of what is godless, or the America that is the chief exporter of pornography, blaspheming God daily on its media airwaves, and has advocated the killing of unborn children in the tens of millions? Is it the blessing of being kept safe and prosperous so we can continue in sin? No, we should be praying that America will bless God! The focus of our prayers shouldn’t be our nation’s prosperity, but on our nation’s repentance. So, too, in our own lives, it’s most important that we repent and live in God’s will. You can’t expect His blessings if you don’t embrace and submit to His will. Pray that your life be truly in His will. Bless God with your obedience and God will bless you with His best.

From Message #924 – Voice of the Watchmen
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Today’s Mission – Focus your prayers on repentance today and pray for our nation to do the same.