Blog Archives - The Remarkable Blog

The Church, "Sold-out and All-in" New Series #1

7/31/2018

Who and what is the church? Why is it so important? Because Jesus said, He would build His church. He said, in Matthew 1618 (KJV) "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." As a Noun it means a building used for Christian worship. But, in reality when you study the scripture your are (ur) the church. You and I are the called out ones. We are called out of darkness into His marvelous light. I often make light and say if you take "u r" (what you and I are), out of the word church, there is only, "ch ch" going no where.

Below is a very simple but certainly not complete description of what the church is.

Starting this week on Wednesday night at 7PM at RCI we will be starting a new series on the Church. No matter what you think you know, or even what church you belong to, this will be an informative series on what the church is, and how it is supposed to operate, what is the purpose of the church, and where you fit in. I think you will enjoy learning what Jesus built and continues to build with you and I.

Action Step: I personally invite you to join us at 2198 Blue Horizon Drive, Morgantown, WV 26501 at 7PM. Childcare is available. www.restorationchurchintl

More than family.

7/30/2018

Family as rewarding as it is challenging. We look forward to seeing one another, and when we do, it is as if no time has passed since we last spoke. We pick up right where we left off. We have good times and not so good times, but the fact remains we are a family. The family of God is sometimes the only family we have, or the only family that works out of the same book we were raised on.

We become a member of the Family of God when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We become born again.

John 3:1-18 (KJV) "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

Whether you have a great family or no family in the natural, you can have a huge family in Christ. The scriptures tell us that God is our Father, and that Jesus is the first born of many brothers. We are a family. Families have difficulties and tests, and trails, but nothing changes the fact, that we are still family. We may have issues with someone in our family, but no one can come against them without us taking up for them. Right? Well, in the same manor we ought to honor and respect one another. We need to treat those in our family with greater love and patience, than those acquaintances in the world.

Action Step: The most important people to acknowledge by experience that we are a Christian should be our immediate family. Treat those the best that will cry the hardest at your funeral. Be most loving and gentle to those within your own household and the household of faith.

Who in your life do you honor?

7/27/2018

Today, I want to share with you a piece of revelation I received from my good friend Damir Alec Sicko from Zagreb, Croatia. He brought forth a message at our recent gathering in Asheville, NC. He began his message sharing how there is a difference between the source of life an what sustains life. We are to honor the source of our life. God, our parents, the one who writes our paycheck, the one who brings us spiritual life, the one who feeds us both natural food and spiritual food are the ones in our life the Bible tells us to honor.

Romans 13:7-8 (NIV) "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law."

We honor God when we honor those that He has put in our life. Identify those that God ha placed in your life and begin to humble yourself and honor them.
Proverbs 15:33 (NIV) "Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,mand humility comes before honor."
Proverbs 27:17-18 (NIV) "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,and whoever protects their master will be honored.

If you want to gain honor then we must show honor. It always comes back to sowing and reaping. We can not sow to reap. Honor must come from the heart of a giver. We honor because we know to whom honor is due. Where there is no honor we break the flow of the source of life coming into our life.

Matthew 13:54-58 (NIV) " Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothersJames, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Action step: Who is your in your life that has been a source of life to you? Honor them. Many have died early because they cut themselves off from their source of life. The scripture that says to honor your mother and father...that you will have long life is truth. Do not take this scripture lightly. Where can you honor and how can you honor those in your life.

What's Rocking Your Boat?

7/26/2018

1 Peter 5:7 (KJV) "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

It's easy to be calm, when the Sea of Life is calm. It is much harder to be calm, when the storms of life are raging. Often times we are like the disciples. We know Jesus is on the boat, but we go wake Him up, and tell Him to calm the storm. We forget that when Jesus ascended into Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter. The greater one actually lives inside of us. The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity. The Word of God says that, "...He never sleeps or slumbers but gives His beloved sweet sleep." You and I can rest assured knowing whatever rocks our boat-God is greater! God is with us. God is in us. We are His and He is ours! We can speak to the storm and it will be calm.

Most of the time however, the storm is not on the outside. The storm is on the inside. We can't seem to settle ourselves down. We worry and fret over things that God wants to handle for us. He knows the beginning from the end. God knows how to solve our problems and He is waiting for us to call upon Him. Just keep reminding yourself that God loves you and it is going to be okay.

Action Step: Today, as you go about your business remember to be a Peacemaker. Do not let the world and all it's clamor rise above the voice of God. No matter what you are going through He is with you. You and I have nothing to fear. The Greater One lives on the inside of us. And then, share your peace with others. Be the calm in the storm. There are many on the Sea of Life that are being tossed by every wave and surrounded by the sounds of thunder. Cast out a life preserver. Offer Jesus to all who do not know Him. He loves to work through us. And, sometimes like a garden hose when we allow Him to flow through us-there is always enough left over in the hose to take care of whatever we need.

Pink at night sailor's delight~Pink in the morning sailor's warning.

7/25/2018

Matthew 16:12 (KJV) "He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red."

There are so many sayings we learned as a child. We fail to realize some of the sayings were from the Bible. Others sayings were out of prejudice. Many of our parents and grandparents had saying about everything. We learned rhymes that were rude and hurtful. We learned songs about death and we thought they were about a pocket full of posies. When we grew up we began questioning. Why would any parent teach their child such things as, "Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I shall die before I wake..." Really? No wonder I had night mares as a child. I thought "IShallDie" was a horrid man that stole children in their sleep. Then we say "Grace" as if God only wants us to have enough bread to eat for a day. I use to think but I want to pray for ice cream.

Action Step: Before teaching your children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews what you were taught, think about it. Pray about it. What is the history behind it? A good rule of thumb is to see what the Bible says about the subject. I wish I would have know this scripture below in Ephesians. I would have prayed for ice cream!

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"

Our God is a BIG God. Let's not teach our children to be prejudice or cruel. Let's not limit the faith of a child. Let's instead be a godly model to our children, in word and in deed.

The Power of Our Words

7/24/2018

Matthew 12:36-27 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Jesus is the Word of God (John 1) and He gives us the Words of life. Jesus said “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." Our words have power too because we were created in God's image and His likeness. God used His words to create life and we are to use our words to create life. Jesus often said in one form or another, "I work the works of my father or I only do what my father, say what my father..."

A few years back the WWJD bracelets were worn by many. Sermons were preached on what would Jesus do. Today I believe we need to saying what would Jesus say? WWJS? I believe even today He would only say what He heard His father say. In order to hold our conversation to that we would need to know, what did the father say? We need to memorize scripture. We need to fill ourselves with the word of God. We speak from the overflow of the heart. When we fill our hearts with the word of God then in all situations in which we find ourselves we will speak the word. For the word of God tells us, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Luke 6:45.

This is what I heard the Father say, "When the clouds are full of water it begins to rain. When we are filled with His spirit we will begin to reign." Now is the time for us to prepare to reign. The Lord is coming back the King of kings. The Lord is not coming back after an emaciated church but a church spotless white and filled with His glory-the weightiness of His presence.

As you listen to the song above ask yourself what am I filling myself with? Am I in the overflow of the presence of God and m I filled with the word of God? Ask Him to fill you till you begin to overflow. Like the clouds may you break forth with showers of His glory and manifest His presence on earth as it is in heaven.

Time is running out.

7/23/2018

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV) "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,for in the realm of the dead,where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."

We have all heard the saying, "I'm running to beat the time. " "No time like the present-that is why it is called a gift."

If you really want to make your time counts, then seek God’s will on a daily basis. Most of God’s will is clearly laid out for you in the Scriptures. God will never lead you to do anything that is contrary to his revealed will in the Word. So, don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

James 4 talks about the person who says: “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” And then James responds, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15) Living carefully in evil times means you yield every action, every decision to the Lord’s will.

Always leave room for God to change your plans.
Proverbs 16:9 (KJV) “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

God can overrule at any time, so let Him. He knows better than you how best to apportion your time.

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Action Step: Begin to take an account of how you spend your time. What you spend your time on reveals your heart. You are probably thinking about how many hours your spend at work? If so you exchange those hours your working into cash. What are you pending most of your cash on? Think about these things and if you are not content in your spirit with the way things have been going then change it today. Procrastination in reality is a decision. God gave man 24 hours in a day. Then He said, "Choose you this day..."

Making the Best Use of Our Time

7/20/2018

There are many reasons we need to take an account of how we spend our time. I like the old saying, "Count the minutes not the hours." It seems to give me more or a sense of urgency, that tells me time is ticking way. Then, I can ask myself, "Am I making my time count?"

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NI) " For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."

We don’t really understand time. There are times when time seems to go rushing by, and other times when the clock seems to stand still. There are times when we are very much aware of time, such as when we are working on a project with a deadline, racing the clock, fighting against time. And then there are those wonderful times when we let go of our watches and clocks, and enjoy a day of leisure and rest, and hardly notice the time passing at all.

Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for time is the stuff life is made of.”

Action Steps: Remember these little little points as you go about your day:

There only so many hours in the day (Genesis 1:5)
There are only so many days in your life (Psalm 39:4, 139:16)
There is a time for everything, so manage your time well (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Matthew 6:33)
Seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)
Find God’s balance in your time (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
The days are evil, so be careful how you live (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Make the most of every opportunity (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Understand the Lord’s will (Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13-15)

Principle #1: Your days are numbered, so number your days.
Principle #2: There is a time for everything, so manage your time well.
Principle #3: The days are evil, so be careful how you live.
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.” Time is a precious gift from God. Don’t waste the time you’ve been given. Make your time count, both for now and eternity.

Do you know how valuable you are?

7/19/2018

You know that Jesus died for you. You have been told that if you had been the only one Jesus would have come and died for you. Yet, we walk around with our heads low and our hearts lower wondering if there is a purpose for our life? Wondering does anyone really care about us? Do we matter?

There are those that will walk into your life wondering if there is a Christ? Wondering do they matter? If for no other reason you are put here for them. Let your light shine! Go ahead and be a little "Salty". Reach out to a world that doesn't even know they are thirsty for the life giving water you have in the inside of you.

Action Step: Today be who you were called to be. Go ahead and open your mouth and let God fill it. Go ahead and reach out to that one person you want to walk away from. Go ahead and make the call. Let God use you in amazing ways. Sure once your used, well--you may feel used. However, God has you on His mind this morning. You matter! You are valuable!

Deliverance in Children

7/18/2018

Mark 9:17,21, "And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit... And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child."

The word child here in NT Greek is paidiothen and means 'from infancy', meaning the child may have very well been born with the spirit. Literally translated, the father was saying that his son had this spirit from infancy.

If you notice unusual behavior in your child or your child frightens you, they could need deliverance. Children are just little people. Children need saved just like adults. Often demons can enter a child that is unwanted, abandoned, abused, violated, a product of rape or molestation or a number of other situations. Often times it is because of a Generational Curse. Deliverance in children is not much different from adults. Many times we have seen children delivered simply by speaking the Word of God and using the Authority in the name of Jesus. Many times the parents have said the child slept through the night for the first time after deliverance. Other times biting, hitting, spitting and licking have all stopped after we have prayed over the child. God loves little children and wants to set them free.

Many deliverance ministries shy away from taking children through deliverance. My response to critics remains the same; Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you anyone who doesn’t have their kind of faith will ever get into the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 18:16-17). Demons are real and torment is not limited by age. It sounds unfair but children are oppressed by demons too.

I usually tell the parents to pray after me and lay hands on their child. I warn them not to be concerned that their child would cry, stiffen, fight or start coughing or hitting or a number of other manifestations. I do not scream at the child as this will only frighten the child. We need not raise our voices but speak in the authority of Jesus.

I believe in deliverance. I have seen it with my own eyes. I have been around to see the child completely change and parents finally having peace. All this month I am teaching on "The Power of Parenting." Each Wednesday night at 7PM I am looking at the How's, What's and Why's of teaching and praying for our children. At the end of the series we will make the CD set available through our Bookstore at www.restorationchurchintl.org

Action Step: Let those with children know about this class that ends the last Wednesday night of July. Encourage them to bring their children. It is also VBS for children during our evening services so the child can learn about Jesus. Come and learn how to discipline with love, stop whining and rebellious behaviors. To change a child is to change a life forever.