"Jerusalem"

Here I am in Jerusalem, a place I have visited once before. But that was then and this is now. I'm in a different place in my life this time around. As I sit here in the Aroma Cafe, I find myself reflecting on the fact that I'm here. All I can say is WOW. I'm blessed to be standing on this soil.

But I must say that all the excitement of being here in the land where my Savior walked and lived, it is really short lived to an extent. What I mean is many times people come to this land with ENORMOUS expectation of some spiritual experience, and MANY do indeed have just that. But many have not. Some have come away from the land thinking, "Well, that was a nice trip." It begs the question of why. Why is it that some have this incredible experience in this land while others don't? Honestly, I don't know. I have no explanation for it. But this I do know: The expectation should be an extension of the DAILY expectation we have of meeting with the Lord everyday.

I think back to when Promise Keepers was really in full swing in the early days. So many men would come up to me and say, "Man! I can't wait to get to PK! It will be SUCH in amazing experience! God's all over that and I'm chomping at the bit to get there!!" Then after they went, they were singing a different tune. "Well, it WAS cool, but not all it was cracked up to be." I'm not necessarily saying that about this place, Jerusalem, because it IS an amazing experience being here. I am simply meaning being here is more FOR ME an extension of my desire to daily meet with the Lord right where I am wherever I am, whether it's here or in the US. God's presence can be just as rich at home as it is here. I think it all depends on your heart and your focus.

Please DO NOT misunderstand me. I am TOTALLY reveling in the fact that I'm walking on this soil and I am soaking it all in. But is it really necessary to go to certain special places to experience an even greater sense of God's presence? If so, how would you explain Paul and Silas in prison experiencing the presence of the Lord? What about Paul during a shipwreck? Or how about the apostle John on the island of Patmos in exile? Or the underground church in China? Or what about all the people that have been martyred for their faith and going through great persecution, all the while their praise and experience with God's presence grew all the more?

All I'm saying is that, (FOR ME, OK?), I want to be sure that I'm not coming to a "place" to experience the presence of the Holy One, the God of Abraham, Issac and Israel, the God of Jerusalem. I want to experience Him in the deepest of depths regardless of where I am, but to CELEBRATE Him here in HIS land!! Oh, how I celebrate Him here!!!! Oh, how I adore Him here!!! But that is an extension of how much I want to strive to daily celebrate and adore Him wherever I am.

Praise the Lord for Jerusalem!! Baruch Haba, B' Shem Adonai (Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!). Praise the Lord for this land. But even greater than this, Praise the Lord for who He is.

I love you, Abba!!

Shalom

"Sensitivity"

Lately, there seems to be some kind of heightened awareness in my heart. Something is happening all around me and it's very interesting to me. When Paul and I traveled together in the past, there were incredible times of worship that took us over and the presence of the Lord was really strong. Lately, though, when we travel now, it's different. God seems to be doing more in our midst than we've seen before.

Case in point: In Indiana about a month ago, a woman who was paralyzed in her left leg, had a battle with breast cancer, struggled with bone cancer, and had braces on her upper arms, was carried into a meeting we were ministering in. Miraculously, she got up and jogged on her own right there in the meeting.

Case in point: In Florida, we were ministering in a church and during the worship, 5-6 people who were partially or totally deaf were instantly healed without a hand being laid on them. Also, a man with curvature of the spine was instantly healed.

Case in point: In Texas, a young man who had fallen at a construction site and had badly damaged his back (his back was in the form of an "S") was instantly healed during the praise and worship. His back was straightened and his doctor was with him to verify the event.

Case in point: In Indiana, we were ministering at the same place mentioned above and it was brought to our attention that we were standing in a building that was given to them. The interesting thing is, Paul had prophesied about 1-2 years prior that this would happen, and EVERYTHING he prophesied came to pass, right down to the "salt and pepper shakers on the fellowship tables."

Case in point: In New Jersey, we were ministering at a messianic congregation where a woman invited about 10 Holocaust survivors and in that meeting they ALL received Yeshua (Jesus) as Lord of their lives.

Invitations are coming from high ranking individuals all around the world and the favor of the Lord is growing on this ministry.

What's going on? God is on the move, that's what. It would be a good thing for us to be as sensitive to Him and to His voice and heart as possible, because who knows, maybe YOU will be one of the next people who's shoulder He taps and says, "Hey, I need you to do something for Me. Are you willing?" When you get that nudge, Friend, DON'T shrink back and step away from His beckoning call. Step up and do it!

SOMEONES LIBERTY AND FREEDOM COULD BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S CALL!

Shalom

G

"THE" Difference

You know, it has always amazed me how everything has a purpose. Everything that has been made was made with a specific use in mind. Eating utensils were created for people to use instead of having to use their hands. Vehicles of all types were made so that we could cover greater distances than we would if we had to travel by foot or by horse, or what have you. I even remember once when one of my kids got something really small stuck in their ear when they was younger. They even had a tiny tool at the hospital to get it out (and it was a couple hundred dollars for that!). Amazing.

It is interesting to me that we can find a purpose for almost each and every tool in a toolbox, but can't seem to decipher our own purpose. What's up with that?

Here we are, some of the most advanced minds in the world and yet many of use spend time trying to fulfill someone else's purpose instead our own. I'm not talking about helping someone fulfill a purpose or make a difference, but rather taking on the purpose of someone else as if it were our own. That's like the analogy I often use. A screwdriver was made to drive screws into things, but you COULD cut a cake with one. A credit card was made so that you could "spend money easily," but, if you know how, you could open a door with one (I've never quite figured out how to do that).

Things work best when they are functioning according to the purpose for which they were made. You were created to make a difference. You were created to make YOUR mark on this world and NOBODY can make that mark but YOU.

There's a not-so-old movie that Dennis Quaid did called "The Rookie" that I strongly suggest you watch about a baseball coach who steps out to fulfill a life-long dream. I won't tell you anymore in case you haven't seen it. There is one scene in it when he asked his father, whom he had grown far apart from over the years, for advice. He basically asked him, "Should I do this?" I thought the father had the most profound response. He said, "Well, it's fine to do what you CAN do, but ONLY until it's time to do what you were BORN to do." DUDE!! DOES THAT NOT JUST ROCK?!

Check it, ya'll. Don't live your life in the shadows longing to step out into the light. You might be waiting on God, but what if GOD is waiting on YOU?

There is a difference between making "A" difference and making "THE" difference you were created to make. Personally, I've had enough of just kinda going with the flow of living. I know I was made for something greater than what I've accomplished in my life and it's time to get after it. Risk is scary and uncomfortable. That's why it's called a "RISK." But when you think about it, what do you REALLY have to lose? You take a risk and it either pays off or it doesn't. My dear friend Liz Cooley said something to me one night while we were in college that really drove my life from that point on. I was telling her how afraid I was to try because I didn't want to fail. She stood up and yelled out, "OH NO, GREG! DON'T DO IT! If you DON'T try, YOU HAVE FAILED ALREADY!" From that moment I have been "trying" every chance I got. The problem is I seemed to have forgotten how to try. Why? Because of the "program." We get into a routine of living where everything just kinda works and we don't have to really even think about it much. It's a machine that runs fine and needs no help. The problem is we STOP living and begin existing.

I don't wanna do that anymore. Do you?

In this time and season, Man, it's time to be done with the mediocre. It's time to find your niche and work it to the bone. And you can't find your niche without connecting with the One who made you. He knows EXACTLY what it is and can guide you to it AND through it. So get with God and find out what you're REALLY supposed to be about, get His wisdom about the process, sever the ties with mediocrity, and DO IT.

There is a world out there (out here) waiting on you to start making "THE" difference you were BORN to make.

Peace,

G

Driven By... ?

I just watched a really cool video about people receiving an anointing to minister to others through signs and wonders. Some guys were up there praying over the whole congregation that healing, deliverance, miracles, etc would be manifested in the lives of everyone there and those watching by TV and Internet. I thought it was cool because to a great degree, that's what Jesus did. He sent out the 70 and told them to heal the sick, cast out devils, and to freely give what they had freely received. As they went preaching the kingdom, all of these things occurred just as Jesus prayed and the 70 came back rejoicing. Way cool.

I have seen some of this happen in my own life as well. Sometimes it happened through my hands, but most of the time it has happened before my eyes through the lives of others. And still other times, it simply happened during worship where no one laid a hand on anyone. Those are the REALLY cool times because that's when you can physically see that it was God and no ones manipulation or emotion or whatever.

But here's the other side of the coin: WHY? Not why did these people experience the hand of God, no. Not that. But instead, why do any of us desire to be used of God to release His power in the earth. Hey, like it or not, Man, that's part of the call. You may not believe it, but it's true. Sometimes it's releasing people from discouragement with a word of encouragement. Sometimes it's releasing someone from worrying about bills by blessing them with finances. Sometimes it's blessing someone with a meal that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to have. All of that is fine and good... and explainable. But what about those things that can't be taken care of by the natural?

TOO MANY TIMES we have backed down and said, "Well, the Lord knows and He will take care of it." Hey, Man, think about this: What do you think Jesus was doing when He sent out the 12 and the 70? What do you think Jesus meant when He said in John 14:12, "He that believes on Me, the WORKS that I do HE WILL DO. AND GREATER WORKS will he do because I go to My Father?" Who was He talking to? If you say He was talking to the disciples, what are YOU? Are YOU His disciple? Is the word of God relevant for today? Is the word of God true? Why do we run and hide and break out in hives when we are faced with someone who is sick and in need of a healing touch, when the Holy Spirit lives inside of us just like He lived inside of the apostles. And by the way, they did EXACTLY what Jesus said they'd do. He said that the one who believes on Him would do the same works He did. Read the book of Acts lately? And yet we say that we can't function like that. THAT is a total lie.

But an even deeper question, and the main point of this blog, is "Why do we really want to move in these things?" Is it so that we can say to the world, "Hey! Look what I can do?" Is it so we can cash in on it with books, Cd's, and DVDs we create for sale? Is it so we can perhaps get some TV program with our name on it? GOD FORBID!! GOD FORBID!! GOD FORBID!!

Listen, this is what I've seen in the book. Jesus was driven by compassion for people. He didn't like seeing them sick, imprisoned, bound up, tormented, or whatever. Therefore, He did something about it. And now, YOU and I are the vessels through which He desire to KEEP doing something about their demise. But you have to be willing to at least let Him do a "little something" through you.

What are YOU driven by? Are you driven by notoriety or by compassion? Are you driven by the opinions of those who see you, or by the opinion of the King who made you. Do you want to see the Kingdom of Heaven released on the earth? If so, guess what? YOU are the conduit through which the Kingdom of Heaven will manifest. Me? I wanna be moved with compassion to see the sick healed, the dead raised, demons cast out, the Holy Spirit freed up to move on and in people, and the gospel to be preached throughout the whole earth so that people can come to know the Lord in His fullness. To know Him and to know His heart. That's what I'm hungry for. If I can somehow latch onto that, I can tap in to His compassionate heart, listen for what He wants to do, and then partner with Him to get it done. How about you?

What have you done for the Kingdom, lately?

G

Silence is MORE than Golden...

I'm a talker. Anyone who knows me can attest to that. They'll all say, "Yep! That guy just won't shut up!" It's how I've always been, even though to an extent I'm actually pretty introverted. Never the less, I am definitely a talker. The problem is in the listening. I'd like to think I'm a good listener as well, but there's definitely room for improvement! Unfortunately, though, that sometimes spills over into my walk with the Lord. He's trying to speak and I won't let Him get a word in edge-wise. Next thing I know, the time has flown by and I've done all the talking.

The downside of all that is when we come to the Lord with issues and desires for direction and instruction, we talk and talk and talk, but we leave having unloaded all our thoughts but not receiving any of His. We walk away and wonder why we just can't seem to understand how to get a breakthrough. But all the while, during our dissertation to the Lord, He had the answer to our need. If we'd just hush a moment and listen, He just might be able to shed some light on the subject.

I know that I've often been guilty of this in my personal life. I go to the Lord to gain understanding, but I kill the time with the noise. Another thing that has often happened is I ask for understanding and then substitute my own thoughts for His, thinking that what I'm hearing is really Him. But in reality it's my own thoughts and understanding, which leads to a deeper demise to whatever I was needing assistance with. What a pickle!

But on an even more personal level, we spend much time trying to dictate the relationship between us and God when in reality it is just that, A RELATIONSHIP. That means there is a two-way street in this thing. We speak, He listens. HE SPEAKS, WE LISTEN. That's one of the ways WE walk TOGETHER in this thing called life.

There is a well of understanding that awaits us if we would just quiet ourselves and "be still and know that He is God - Psalm 46:9." The thing we begin to know is NOT how to get out of something or whatever, but to know HIM, who He is, how He feels, what He thinks, what makes Him tick, and on and on it goes. In THAT understanding lies the answer to anything we feel we might need. Being silent long enough to hear Him speak to us is a release of life into our spirits and into our hearts. Being silent long enough to hear is a way to recognize Him when He moves on our behalf. Silence is MORE than golden. It's a portal to life and peace.

Listen, why not in your daily life, take some time to listen more and talk less. Listening is an integral part of prayer as well. Try it. Believe it. Know that He will NEVER speak anything to you that is at odds with His word. You can trust His answer.

He's listening. Are you?

G

"Death to Auto Pilot"

Technology is an incredible thing. We live in a day and age when things that would normally take about 5 days to accomplish now take about 5 hours. Transportation that would normally take us a week now take us a day. Communication is another area where technology has exploded. Instead of sending messages and letters by pony or train, we can now send messages to a host of people in a matter of seconds by group email. We can now hold conversations with crowds of people at one time and interact with them all at the same time in seconds.

Quite amazing.

The food industry has been influenced by technology as well. Instead of slaving over a hot stove everyday, we can now simply put food in a microwave and have it ready to eat in minutes. That which we only thought could be possible in science fiction and fantasy have now and are becoming a reality. And because of these conveniences, we can simply start the machine and it'll run all by itself. We can set things on auto and sit back while it all happens.

But what about relationships?

Technology is a good and necessary thing in this day. But have we forgotten what it's like to talk to one another face to face? I mean, I've been guilty of this, too, and it bothers me some. One family member is upstairs and another is downstairs and instead of getting up and GOING to them and speaking face to face, we send a text message or make call them on their cell phone. Again, I appreciate technology and use it daily, but I just don't want to lose touch with the "human" element of it all. I mean, now, it's unnecessary to even talk to a person on a phone. Everything is automated and your questions and needs are handled by a few simply programmed responses.

There's GOT to be more than this.

But the REAL question is, what is your relationship with God like? Is it like using technology? Do you rise up to speak with Him face to face or do you simply send Him a text message without any kind of interaction? Do we walk in love or do we simply turn on the machine and let things take their course?

Look, I'm not trying to slam anyone because I'm in no place to do so. But I'm just encouraging you to not get too satisfied in your walk with the Lord. Let it stay fresh and do all that is in your power to CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIP with Him. He does it for you and I 24/7 even when we have no signal on our cell phones (ha)! So look, He says He loves you with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3) so let that love be reciprocal, ok? "Death to Auto Pilot" Christianity, and life to an experiential relationship with God.

You CANNOT exhaust His resources. His love never fails, His faithfulness is everlasting, His power is unmeasurable. He is available to you at ALL times.

Let's enjoy technology, but let us LIVE for the Lord!

G

Understanding Without Understanding...

You know, God is amazing.  He has been faithful and constant all the time, even when it seemed like He just wasn't around or just didn't care.  I find in my life that all the times I felt like He was simply ignoring me, He was actually working on my behalf behind the scenes and I had no idea.  In reality, He kinda-sorta was ignoring me, but not in the way we usually think.  He was not ignoring me just for the sake of ignoring me.  Instead, He was giving His attention to something that had to be handled in order for me to experience the abundant life He promised.  He NEVER ignores out of spite, but out of concern.

Some may say, "Yeah, but don't you think that the whole idea of ignoring is pretty harsh, given the days we live in?  Seems kinda mean, wouldn't you say?"  Well, on one hand, yes I would agree it's a little harsh.  But not very different from when YOU sort of ignore your own children or friends in order to accomplish something for them that you KNOW is in their best interest.  Have you ever done that?  I mean, really, come on.  Be honest with yourself.  Have you?  

Neither you nor I are better parents than God is.  Oh, we sometimes like to think that we're so much more advanced in our thinking than He is because we view Him as being outdated or archaic.  But how foolish.  He knows how to handle His kids and knows what is best for them at all times.  He works feverishly to prepare the future for them at all costs.  How amazing is that.

The challenge for us is to trust in the face of misunderstanding.  I struggle with this all the time and God has been faithful to patiently win me over with His consistency.  I many times fail to understand what in the world is going on and why, and He doesn't always tell me what's what, either.  And that's when it gets REALLY difficult.  But see, there HAS to be a principle that we live this thing out by which will direct our heart's focus if we give attention to it.  By that principle, you are able to understand even when you don't understand.  The principle I strive to keep in the forefront of my heart is found in Jeremiah 31:3, which says, "...I have loved you with an everlasting love.  Therefore, I am drawing you with my lovingkindness."  If I know that His feelings toward me is love continually, that helps me to rest, be it ever so difficult at times, in His plans for my life (Jeremiah 29:11).  I haven't mastered it yet, but I'm far better off than I used to be.

So take heart today.  I don't know what you're going through and I don't have an answer as to why, but I know it's not because God is ticked off at you and is taking out His aggression on you.  He doesn't function that way.  The principle I listed above isn't just a principle for me, but for you, too.  Why?  Because it's in the word of God and His word is not for a select few, but for ALL who claim Him as their Lord and Savior and strive to live in obedience to Him.  That's YOU.  His heart toward you is love continually, He draws you with His lovingkindness constantly, and He works feverishly regarding your future because He has planned it all out for your good. 

No matter what happens in your life, good or bad, hard or easy, joyful or traumatic, He is not out to get you, but is for you always, even unto the end of the age.  It may be hard to believe sometimes, but it's true.  Give your attention to the PROMISE NOT THE PROBLEM.

Feel better today!

Peace,

G

What Do You Want?

Music.  What a concept.  I've been involved in music ministry now for about 25 years in a myriad of venues, from performance to worship leading to back up vocals, to band member, and on the list goes.  I've been out front for a good while, but have been in the shadows mostly.  

That's where the real rubber meets the real road.

I've found that many of us "musical type" folks are like untamed race horses in the stalls.  We were built for running out front ahead of the crowd, but have to wait in the stocks until time to run.  We get impatient and frustrated in the wait.  We chomp at the bit trying to find some kind of way out.  But the more we try, the more frustrated and irritated we become.  And as a result of our impatience, we could even injure ourselves to the point that we destroy all chances of running period.  Just like that race horse kicking against the stall continues to kick and kick until it kicks wrongly and breaks its leg in a way that it can no longer stand the pressure of running, so we keep kicking and kicking to try and find a way to get going that we blow any real chance of it.  This sometimes shows up in bad and hasty choices, wrong decisions of who to hook up with, jumping at insecure opportunities, and so forth.

Many times, though, we strive to become household names and well-known people.  Many times it's an innocent pursuit of something we simply love and as a by-product, we enter the curse of exposure and forfeit privacy.  Other times it's just the pursuit of being the center of attention.  But here's my question: "When all is said and done, what will you have left behind?"  Will you have been popular only, or effective for something that will last forever.  What do you want?  Notoriety or lasting effectiveness?  What do you want?  To be famous or relevant?  It is possible to have both, but your heart motive will decide it.  What are you motivated by?  Why do you do the things you do?  What's the REAL reason?  

What do you want?

Selah.

G

"Simplicity Again"

     Throughout my years of walking with the Lord, and sometimes being chased by Him, I've come to notice things changing with every step.  Each time a child is born, they begin their lives in total dependence on the parents.  Later on as they continue to grow, they learn how to express love to the parents.  Still later, they become more and more independent and less dependent on the parents, but only in certain areas of life.  This continues on and on throughout their entire lives, but one thing is hopefully constant, and that is the love and acceptance they have toward AND receive from their parents.

     Unfortunately, the child now an adult, has also learned that with growth comes complications.  Now they have to deal with bills, employers, employees, taxes, relationships on a much higher level, expectations of others, rejections, acceptance, and on it goes.   But one thing is hopefully constant, and that is the love and acceptance they have toward AND receive from their parents.  

     Then later on, hopefully MUCH later, they have to deal with old age, retirement, weaknesses, loneliness, wrinkles, gray hair, NO HAIR, death of family members, and eventually death themselves.  But hopefully one thing was constant, and that is the love they have toward AND receive from their parents.

     For some reason in the Body of Messiah, we tend to go through all of these things and all of these stages, but seem to easily let go of the simplicity of loving God and being loved by Him.  We grow and mature, but let go of the simplicity of living in and walking in the understanding that we are "accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)."  Unfortunately we replace the acceptance of the Lord for the acceptance of people.  But our life's blood is in HIS acceptance and love of us and for us.  

     I am personally desiring to return to the simplicity of trusting Him.  He calls it child-like.  It's returning to the place where all we needed was to see Him or hear Him, even just to sense Him near, and everything would be fine for us.  If we needed something, all we needed do was ask and the level of trust we had in Him at the start set our hearts at ease, for we KNEW He would grant our requests.  We knew He would do it not only because He was able, not only because of His power, but because we KNEW He loved us.  We felt like His favorite child.  We felt His pleasure of just being with us and us with Him.  We believed Him simply because it was Him.  We believed Him because He is Papa God (Abba Father) and that was enough.

So how about you?  Enough of the things we say we must do in order to be close to God.  Enough of the parlor tricks and gimmicks in the Kingdom.  Enough of the replacement of people for God.  And enough of the personal brow beating we put ourselves through as a result of it all.

Jeremiah 31:3, one of my absolute favorite scriptures, says, "...I have loved you with an everlasting love.  And I am drawing you with My lovingkindness."  Friend, this is foundational to your walk with the Lord.  I challenge you to fully embrace this reality:  "You are abundantly loved and accepted by God"  As a result of this acceptance, you vow to walk in obedience to His word and to His desires.  And also you LIVE in the reality that His heart and intentions toward you are ALWAYS for your good no matter what comes your way.  Good times, bad times, not so good times, not so bad times, happiness, sadness, peril, safety, defeat, victory, all of these God "works together for your good (Romans 8:28)."  But it's in the simplicity of living in and embracing this reality that we REALLY begin to live.

So all I'm saying is this: As much as it depends on you, as best you can on a daily basis, PLEASE strive to continually find that place of simplicity toward God.  That's where your victory will come from.  That's where your joy will arise from.  And you'll start living FROM A POSITION of victory instead of fighting FOR A PLACE of victory.  

Hope this encourages ya.

Shalom,

G

"Who? Me?"

As I look around the world in the places we go to minister, I see people all over the place with giftings, callings, and abilities just laying there dormant on the inside of them.  Yet at the same time, these same people that are exploding with incredible creativity gaze at others wishing they could do what they see others do.  They strive for the abilities in the lives of other people all the while neglecting the gifts inside themselves.  What a tragedy!

People walk up to Paul and I many times telling us how much they wish they could be doing what we're doing.  But the reality is, you really DON'T wanna do this unless you're called to it.  I mean, you next home becomes the airport because that's the one place you start to see more consistently than your own home.  A hotel room becomes your bedroom and an alarm clock becomes your spouse.  The restaurant becomes your kitchen.  A suitcase becomes your closet.  On and on it goes.  Your life is placed at the mercy of the next airplane you catch and you trust that all of your luggage and personal items will all make it to your destination, much less that they'd make it in one piece!  Yuck!!

However, there is an INCREDIBLY PRICELESS REWARD for doing this kind of thing:  GOD'S PRESENCE.  You have the privilege of watching others connect with God in ways they never thought they could.  You get to be a part of seeing people come into the Kingdom of God.  You get to see the Kingdom of God manifest in many different ways: worship, praise, miraculous healing and deliverance, freedom to love, freedom to be loved, and liberty in an entire congregation, just to name a few.  That makes all the other crap worth going through.  Just let the Lord be glorified and His presence be experienced, and let lives NEVER be the same after each God-encounter.  That's the REAL payoff.

But my point is this:  YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE DOING WHAT YOU SEE OTHERS DO IN ORDER TO MAKE YOUR MARK ON MANKIND.  However, you DO need to do what God has called YOU to do.  Nothing He has called you to do is insignificant in the Kingdom of God.  And understand this as well:  Whatever He has placed inside of you to accomplish is NECESSARY for THIS generation.  It is a tragedy that this generation gets short-changed because of our lack of what you have to offer.  Author, Speaker, and Pastor Myles Monroe said, "The richest place in the universe is the grave yard."  It's the place where dreams were never accomplished, visions never manifested, inventions never came about, songs were never written, books were never scribed, and we are all the lesser for it.  We need what you have.  If you don't rise up and do what God has given you to do, we as a generation have a deficiency.  

NO ONE can do what YOU were called to do.  

So look, don't shy away from opportunities to put into practice what God has placed inside of you.  You have that thing for a reason and for a purpose for the Kingdom.  You don't have to be on stages all over the world because, in reality, the whole world is YOUR stage and you're in the spotlight.  All you have to do is let out what's on the inside as God matures you step by step.

A successful vision remains successful when the focus on it is not diverted.

Keep believing that you have something great on the inside of you, because you DO!  God doesn't mess around, Man.  He didn't look at the creation and say, "I need some filler space here.  I think I'll create ___________ just to occupy some space while I bless all the others in My creation."  Not so much, Dude.  Not so much.  No, He doesn't waste time and He doesn't waste resources and YOU are a resource in His hands.  You gotta fight for that reality and not let people, life, or the devil steal it from you.

You're worth more than you'll ever be able to comprehend.

Stand up.  We're waiting!

Shalom,

G

Is Anybody Out There?

You ever hear the phrase, "Stuff Happens?" That's a little safer than how many others say it, but anyway.... It's true that stuff happens. Many times it's stuff we don't usually have any control over, Which makes it tough because we can begin to feel that we're at the mercy of our circumstances. We bow down and cower at the feet of circumstances and issues in life feeling like it's hopeless to go against the grain. And then we begin to feel like we're the only one going through our type is struggle.

But that's not true.

There isn't anything under the sun that happens to us that someone else either HAS gone through, IS going through, or is COMING OUT of what we're going through. The question is: "Will you be humble enough to recieve from the what they've learned or are learning?" You have a choice in this life about how you will live. How you decide will deternine the outcome.

Stuff happens. Issues come and go. But what will you subscribe to when the stuff happens? What will you choose to focus on in the midst of difficult times? What will yor words sound like? What kind of conversation will you participate in? The answers to these questions and many others will decide how much of God's peace you will allow into your life. He has already given us His peace in Jesus. How much of His peace do you really want?

Listen. You're not alone in what you're experiencing right now. God IS walking with you through it, and you'll be able to recognize that if you allow yourself to. How do you allow yourself to recognize His presence? You CHOOSE TO BELIEVE HIM over your circumstances, situations, issues, and even self-condemnation. He promised He'd NEVER leave or forsake you. He said He loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremaiah 31:3) and He didn't lie. On the contrary, the enemy tries to persuade you to the opposite of what God has said. And if you choose to believe what he says, he's got you.

But you're not that way.

You're the kind of person who knows better. You've walked with God too long to fall into the trap of doubting Him to the point of no return. No, you're one that believes Him because you've seen His faithfulness. And if He's been faithful in the past, you're one that knows He'll be faithful in the present and in the future.

So listen. When you go through hard times, cling to His faithfulness REGARDLESS of what you see with your eyes, hear with your ears, or feel in you emotions. Believe Him. Will it change your circumstances? Maybe. Maybe not. But will it change you?

Definitely.

You'll find the strength in Him to keep on going.

"Keep on keeping on!"

G

How Bad Do You Want it?

Lately, I've found myself really wrestling with a few issues on a personal level.  I mean, the call of God is so incredible for all of us, but requires so much of us.  When you really consider it in the grand scheme of things, it really ISN'T that much.  But on the other hand on a practical level, it's everything!  Take for instance the call of God to follow after Him where Jesus says unless you're willing to "hate" father, mother, sister, brother, cat, dog, and everything else in between and follow Him, you can't be His disciple.  Now of course He didn't mean hate in the sense of the absence of love, honor, and respect.  To require so would contradict His very character.  But in the sense of loving Him exceedingly more than all of these is the real premise.  Think about it.  For the former explanation to be the truth would mean that even Jesus hated the creation because He loved the Father.  Yeah, that makes sense.  I don't think so.  But I digress...

Anyway, what I'm getting at is this.  In the natural it costs EVERYTHING to follow Jesus, Man.  I'm talkin' EV-ER-Y-THING.  You ever hear of the phrase, "Give until it hurts?"  How about "Love God until it hurts?"  In the long run, Man, none of the stuff we call important will even come close to rating with God, ya know?  Not money, prestige, fame, glory, friends, husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, children, anything, will be able to rival the importance of God, even though each and everyone of those things and people are VITALLY important.  But in comparison to God, they don't even come close.

You and I have been called by the creator of all to live for Him and Him alone.  And as a result, there is such an incredible reward for walking in obedience to Him.  And the neat thing about it is, in reality, everything you give up to follow Him could possible be returned to you because the focus of your heart would be correct.  However, even if they WEREN'T returned to you, you'd still follow Him at their expense.  Question is, "How bad do you want it?"  Better said, "How bad do you want HIM?"  Are you willing to give up every aspiration you've ever held onto in order to gain being in relationship with Him as your prize?  Are you willing to let go of every passion of your heart whether it be vocationally or relationally to follow after His heart, and in so doing find YOUR heart?  What are you willing to pay?

You were created to be like Him on the earth.  How bad do you want it?

G

Just a Quick Passing Thought...

You know, in thinking about life and living, there is much to be said about making plans and sticking to them.  There is great excitement awaiting each and every one of us IF we are willing to pay the price to see it.  Pressing forward is the thing we MUST do in order to truly enjoy the greatness of the day.  

In light of that, think about driving in a car.  You ever wondered why the windshield is so much larger than the rear view mirror?  It's because the focus is SUPPOSED to be on where you are GOING instead of where you have LEFT.  If you spend your life looking in the rear view mirror at what you've left behind, you will not only miss where you're going, you'll crash and burn as well!  In addition to that, you'll probably injure someone along the way as well.  Again, think about driving in your car.  If you're driving north, but looking south, God help whoever is in front of you!  They'll be jumping for cover and hopefully make it.  Secondly, they'll take away your license to drive for sure!  But how does that apply to life?  Easy.  If you are looking at your past while trying to attain your future, you'll hurt people along the way because you won't even notice them as you're "progressing," thereby potentially damaging their faith and hopes, and possibly even their lives by the decisions and turns you make.  The reason is because YOU won't even know where YOU'RE going!  Secondly, there are people that are following you as well and therefore will be misdirected by YOUR misdirection.  And lastly, you will not be trusted to lead ever again, thereby losing your "license" to speak into the lives of others.  Your words become untrustworthy and are therefore discarded.  The worst of all of this is that you will render yourself ineffective and disqualified to stand in any position of influence or authority, which is one of the things we are to occupy during our time here on this planet.

So hey, Man, open your eyes.  The windshield is bigger than your rear view mirror for a reason.  It holds a clear view of your purpose and a clear picture of the steps you're taking.  It opens your eyes to the lives of those you were created to effect for the kingdom of God and the lives of those you were ordained to influence for the good.  It holds a clear picture of the deposits you are destined to leave here on the earth to remain after you are gone.  Where are you looking today?  What are you watching?  See the bigger picture today and "watch" what happens.

See you at the crosswalk!

Peace. 

G

Can't Do Without...?

We were in Grove, OK last night ministering in worship.  Everything was set up.  The platform, the instruments, the tracks, everything.  Everything was plugged into its correct place.  Yet when we fired up everything, the tracks didn't play, the sound module wasn't communicating with the keyboard, nothing was working!  How frustrating.  What to do?  Well, we just went ahead since we were out of time and the meeting had to begin.  Paul grabbed his guitar and I sat at the keyboard and off we went.  We didn't have all the components that we wanted in order to bring comfort to OUR hearts in the presentation.

But that didn't stop God.

As we worshipped, the atmosphere was energized with the presence of the Lord.  People worshipped freely without distraction and shouts of praise and rejoicing filled the room.  All we had was a simple keyboard, simple guitar, and two simple voices, but the room was filled to capacity with the praises of the Most High.  We'd been in this situation before many times, and worse, and the outcome has been the same.  God showed up when we worshipped.

What this tells me is that you don't need to have all the "earthly" components around you or at your disposal to entertain the Spirit of God.  All He needs are people who want Him around and are willing to host Him at any cost.  We don't need the flashy stuff, just a heart that is in love with Him because His heart is definitely in love with us.  

Think about the woman who gave 2 mites compared to the hundreds given by the masses.  They all gave, but HERS is the gift that caught GOD'S attention.  It wasn't much.  It wasn't flashy.  It was simply all she had.  What about you?  Could you be content with simply giving God all you have regardless how it looks to you?  Would you be willing to worship God with simplicity instead of with the latest and greatest thing that catches the eye of people?  Do NOT get me wrong here.  I don't mean to say that excellence and relevance is not needed.  OH NO!  Quite the contrary.  Instead, I'm saying that if your "equipment" isn't state of the art no matter how much you prepare (and please, for the love of God, prepare!), will your heart of worship be less than excellent toward the Lord?  If it ends up being less than excellent toward Him, you're depending too much on your external excellence!  Again, we MUST be excellent in our presentation at all times.  We SHOULD have the state-of-the-art equipment in our worship services and churches.  But we should NOT become dependent upon them at ANY time in order to have an anointed worship experience.

Look, Man.  All I'm trying to say is, "be free to worship regardless."  You know?  Have all the stuff.  Yes indeed, have all the stuff.  But know that the ONLY One who gets your heart is the King of Glory.

He's all that really matters in the end.

Shalom,

G

Living "LARGER"

Here's a question for you. Are you REALLY living up to the potential you were created to contain and maintain? Are you living a life of just getting by or just ok? Are you just faking it til you make it? What are you really doing with your life?

Look. Jesus said that He came to give life and that life more abundantly. Is you life abundant FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD? The abundant life He came to give was not just for us to sit back and wallow in, but to be a blessing to the nations. But before I lose you on that one, hear this. Notice that He DID give US life more abundantly, which means we're supposed to be enjoying it, too, as well as sharing it with the world.

God doesn't want you to be some overly modest, religious, staunch, dry prude trying to "win the lost." He wants you to be a joyful, peaceful, steadfast, confident, faithful, exciting person whose life is fulfilled because of His presence. That will cause people to stand up and take notice. When you start living like that, regardless of circumstances and issues, they'll want what you've got.

My point is this: you are called of God to live life large! You're not meant to be beneath the circumstances, but above them, because you're not living according to what you see, but how you believe.

What do you believe about God today? whatever you believe about Him, that's exactly what you'll experience.

According to your faith, be it unto you.

G

God Is On The Move!

We just had an incredible time of worship and praise last night at our home church here in Jacksonville. A special speaker, Sid Roth, was there. This guy is VERY strong on winning souls for the Kingdom of God, and moves stomgly in the healing ministry. Millions have been healed in his meetings as well as through his television program "It's Supernatural." We had a great time.

But what I wanted to convey in this note is to simply tell you that God is one the move. He is still active in the world today regardless of what we see with our eyes or hear with our ears. Last night, I watched as God supernaturally healed people of all kinds of things, and I'm not just talking about headaches, either. I'm talking cancers, tumors, deafness, blindness, and on and on. Not one hand was laid on anyone. The healings happened through the declaration of the word and durning the worship.

People seem to have a hard time sometimes thinking that God doesn't do this kind of thing. Well, tell that to the guy who's ear just popped open during worship last night. So far lately, in each place we've gone to, this kind of stuff happens. Now, we don't go around telling people that they're gonna get healed if they come to our meetings. Our goal is to encounter the presence of God, and as a result, these things seem to take place. Don't ask me why.

But my point to you is this: don't let life rob you of God's presence in your life. Believe God whether you get a healing or not. Just believe God loves you and values you and be open to ALL that He wants to release into your life.

Let Him blow your mind.

(more to come)

G

Contributing to the World...

I've been thinking a lot about life during the short duration of this year.  There is a question that comes up in my mind many times, which is, "What am I going to contribute to this generation?"  Am I just here to occupy space and to take up air, or am I here for something bigger than myself?  I submit to you that you ARE indeed here for something bigger and greater than yourself and it's supposed to go on and on after you've left this planet.  

Consider people like:

Martin Luther King, Jr. - He had a dream and did something about it.  Now generations of people of all races can enjoy one another, if they choose to, without racial prejudice.  

George Washington Carver - He had a dream and did something about it.  Now generations of people can enjoy and reap the benefits of his inventions, which far exceeds the peanut (check your history).

Dr. Charles Drew - He had a dream and did something about it.  Now, countless lives have been saved and healed through his discoveries regarding blood plasma.

Alexander Graham Bell - He had a dream and did something about it.  Now, the world has a way of communication more intricate than anyone ever dreamed.

Benjamin Franklin - He had a dream and did something about it.  Now, the world has the ability to harness and utilize the power of electricity.

Wilbur and Orville Wright - They had a dream and did something about it.  Now, the whole world has enjoyed air travel, which was considered anathema by many, stating, "If God meant for man to fly, He would have given them wings."  How many frequent flyer points do YOU have?

And what about people like:

Dr. David Yongi Cho - He had a dream and did something about it.  Now, he's the pastor of the largest church in all the world in Seoul, Korea, well surpassing over 1 million members.  He is also one of the strongest components in the world prayer movement.

Dr. Billy Graham - He had a dream and did something about it.  Now, countless millions have their names recorded in the book of life and are being taught the Word of God.

Dr. Lester Sumrall - He had a dream and did something about it.  Now, through the continuation of his work through his brother Steve, Feed the Nations Feeding Programs reach billions of people all around the world with food they would not have otherwise received.

Paul and Jan Crouch - They had a dream and did something about it.  Now, the gospel of Jesus can be heard around the world through satellite.

Joni Ericson Tada - She had a dream and did something about it.  Now, people around the world are blessed by her art, which she paints with a paint brush in her mouth!  Millions are encouraged to face another day because of her courage.

Mark and Hulda Buntain - They had a dream and did something about it.  Now, millions of people in Calcutta India have come to know the Lord Jesus through their faithfulness and tenacity.  Even after Mark's passing, Hulda continues the work to this day.

All were told:

It can't be done.

You're crazy.

That's not possible.

Don't waste your time.

It's hopeless.

With their lives, all responded with:

It COULDN'T be done until I came along.

Nope.  I'm more sane than anyone.

It WASN'T possible, but it is now.

I'm not wasting time, I'm taking advantage of an opportunity.

I've been gifted to bring hope into a hopeless situation.

We could go on and on about people who invented things, wrote songs and books, took earth shaking ventures, made world changing statements and decisions, preached life altering messages, and started movements that transformed the masses.  But what about YOU?  YOU have something that the world needs.  YOU have a gifting that we're all waiting for.  YOU have something on the inside of you that is awaiting YOUR recognition.  Don't be intimated into stagnation by the world, circumstances, situations, or even the opinions of people.  YOU'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES.  And in this day and age, we need what you have.  So come one.  What will people be reading about you in generations to come?  How will YOU be remembered?  What will be YOUR epitaph?  What will be YOUR legacy?  Will YOUR name be added to the list of achievers for the GOOD or for the BAD?  

God has created you with purpose and destiny.  Jesus had a dream, and it was YOU being transformed into His image, which is the image you were made to reflect.  He did something about it when He died and rose again to save you and give you abundant life.  Now, all the world can have fellowship with the Father once again and become what we were created to become.  He's done all that needs to be done.  He just waits for you to step into it.

Now it's up to you and no one else.

G