Category: Ministry

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)

Identity theft can happen both in the natural and in the supernatural.

Identity theft in the natural happens when someone deliberately uses another person’s identity, or credit to gain a financial advantage for themselves.

By stealing a person’s identity, this often takes away the buying power from the person whose identity that has been stolen, leaving them at a disadvantage or loss.

The person, whose identity that has been stolen, can sometimes be held responsible for the perpetrator’s actions limiting the person’s buying power to make purchases.

Identity theft in the supernatural can be described as taking a believer’s identity in Christ.

Someone might ask the question “what is my identity in Christ?” The answer can be found in the following scripture;

1st Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” NKJV

One goal of the enemy is to try to steal a believer’s identity in Christ. If the enemy can accomplish this, not only is the believer’s identity taken, but a believer’s power and authority can also be lost.

Many times people will base their identities on what they do (from their jobs to their roles in relationships), defining themselves by these pursuits.

Many people struggle with their identity as a Christian because they do not know who they are in Christ. The enemy can often cause confusion or distractions by getting a believer to identify with other things, which can easily lead to “supernatural identity theft.”

A believers identity defines who they are as a Christian and with that identity, believers can encompass the abundance of being a beloved child of God. Who are you in defines your identity, and that can be a question many people struggle to answer.

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart so is he” (KJV)

The way we think, and the thoughts we have as a believer, will reaffirm our identity as being;

A child of God

Ephesians 1:5 “He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—” (AMP)

A citizen of heaven

Philippians 3:20 “But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” (AMP)

A new creation

2nd Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. (AMP)

Lord Jesus, thank you for our identity that we have in You, …Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

“Abba, Our Father”

Galatians 4:6 “ And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (KJV)

The third Sunday in the month of June is traditionally observed as Fathers’ Day. Many will take this day to give honor, and special recognition to their fathers. This also is a time to recognize and give honor to “Abba Father” who is the greatest Father of all time.

In Chapt. 6:9-13 in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives the disciples instructions on how to pray. When we take a more in depth, and closer look at this prayer, we can also see Jesus describing God as “Abba Father”.

Matthew 6:9-13 “ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.” Amen. (KJV)

·         He is not a respecter of person (Acts 10:35), He is a Father to all “Our Father”

·         He lives in heaven “which art in heaven”  

·         He is Holy “Hallowed be thy name”

·         He has a kingdom on earth and in heaven “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”

·         He is a provider “Give us this day our daily bread”

·         He is forgiving “And forgive us our debts”

·         He is a deliverer “but deliver us from evil”

·         He is power and has glory “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory”

On this coming Sunday when we acknowledge earthly fathers, we also should take time to acknowledge our “Abba Father”, and not only on this Father’s Day, but on each day of the year.

^“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NIV)

 “Dear God, we come to you as little children with our arms lifted up to you crying out “Abba Father”. You are the Alpha and the Omega; we give your name the praise, the glory, and the honor that you so much deserve. Thank you for the example you have shown to the world of what a father should be… Amen

Continuing in His service, Rev

“The Good Shepherd”

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd”

David experienced many hardships and challenges that many of us still face today.

Often times when someone mentions David, they automatically think about a young shepherd boy who rose to become a great King and who also wrote many of the Psalms. The 23^rd Psalm is the one that may come to most people’s mind.

In the 23^rd Psalm David progressively unveils his personal relationship with the Lord.

 Vs. 1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

David states that He (the Lord) is and makes it personal.

• He is Lord
• He is a shepherd
• He is a provider

A shepherd is:

• A person who takes care of sheep
• A person who provides protection for the flock
• A person who searches each day for an area where the sheep can graze and be watered

Vs. 2 ^“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.“

David describes the rest, peace and direction that he receives from his Shepherd.

Vs. 3 “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.“

David describes what God does if or when we back slide, and how He leads his sheep down the right path, to give God the glory:

He (God) restores us back to Him in good standing and then leads us in the right direction to insure we stay in good standing

Vs.4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

David again describes how God is with us to help us go in the right direction, especially if we are in the presence of evil or danger.

We are living in perilous times. At any given time of the day or night, we can be in the presence of danger. Because He (God) is the great “I am” and is omnipresent, we as believers do not have fear of danger or the presence of evil. Why? Because of God’s peace that surpasses all understanding is upon us giving us comfort.

Vs.5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

David describes how God will bless us:

• God will not only bless us – but He will do it in a way that other people will clearly see you being blessed and how the blessing is over flowing
• God anoints the sheep with oil
• Provides plenty to drink (my cup runs over) there is more than enough 

Vs.6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever.”

David describes how God’s blessings will continue to follow us each day of our lives. (David gives the reader hope of having eternal life with God in heaven).

^{Blessings in the 23rd Psalms}

1. The Lord is their Shepherd
2. No want for anything
3. Being able to rest in choice green pastures
4. Guidance to still, waters that are deep restful and refreshing
5.  Having restoration of the soul
6. Guidance in righteous paths for His names sake without the danger of falling or going astray
7. Having safe travel through the areas of ravines where there is danger, wild beasts and unsure footing on rocks
8. Being able to have no fear of evil because of the shepherd’s constant protection and watch
9. Receiving the comfort of the rod and staff of the shepherd that he uses to fight and protect against dangers or threats

10. Abundance of food to be eaten in the presence of enemies

11. Receiving an anointing with precious oil

12. Plenty to drink preventing to quench any thirst

13. Having the confidence that these blessings along with goodness and mercy are not just for a day, but for a lifetime

14. Reassuring faith of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever

John 14 :1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

”Lord Jesus, thank you for being the good Shepherd that watches over, protects, and provides…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev

Has God given you a wake-up call?

Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (NIV)

People that travel on business and staying overnight at a hotel, will often use a “wake-up call” service that many hotels provide. When checking in, a person can request that a “wake-up call” be made to the person’s room at a specific time.

This wake-up call is made to ensure that the person the call is being made to, wakes up in time to start getting ready and make it to their scheduled appointment on time. When the hotel makes the call, the hotel has done their part to wake the person up.

If the person that the call is being made to does not answer the phone and get out of the bed when they receive the call, it is possible that they will either be late or miss their scheduled appointment.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”(NIV)

I want to ask the question, is it possible that God has given a wake-up call to His people, but some have not responded?

Could it be that those of us that have been so busy with enjoying the pleasures in this world, have not heard the wake-up call that God has been making to us?

Focusing or getting caught up in the pleasures of this world such as money, security, or material items that we possess, can be very dangerous and distracting. They can easily get our attention away from God.

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV)

As born-again believers, we are in this world but not of the world. We have to remain focused on whose we are, and a tentative to hearing God’s voice that has called us into His wonderful light.

John 5:24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”(NIV)

Daily reading of the bible and meditating in the word of God, will help with hearing what God is saying.

Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

I encourage you, the next time you hear your phone ringing, don’t screen the call or let it go to voice mail, answer the phone professing your faith…it just might be a wake-up call from God.

Continuing is His service…Rev