Matthew 14:23

"A Father Who Prays"

"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone."  Our Lord Jesus Christ is our example in all things.  He prayed; He fasted; He loved those who betrayed Him; He was quiet when He could have defended Himself; and He gave His life for His friends.  Underneath are His everlasting arms; His love knows no boundaries ... He is a Father Who Prays!

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,

Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a

solitary place, where he prayed."

(Mark 1:35)



It's the early morning vigil that grasps the attention of Almighty God.  "Why?" you ask.  The Lord Jesus Christ knows the sacrifice and essence of early morning prayer.  In the quiet, dark whispers of an ever still twilight, we sing the strains of our own invented chorus:

                                                                          You're the Holy One, the Holy One,

                                                                                    the Holy One of Israel

                                                                          You're the Holy One, the Holy One,

                                                                                   the Holy One of Israel

                                                                         I honor You, bow down to You, the

                                                                                  Lord and King of Israel

                                                                             In all I do, to be like You, the

                                                                                    Holy One of Israel. 

                                                                                               

He leans close to receive our individual offering of sleepy-eyed worship, to the love of our life.   He cherishes the scent of each created bloom in His garden of souls; the aromas of adoration rise as a sweet incense to a waiting, hungering God.  It matters not how simple the song; it's the refrain of the heart in an early morning tryst between the Creator and His creation.   

Our Lord never asks any more of us than He asked of Himself  ...  things like "preferring your brother," eating with publicans and sinners, guarding our hearts and minds against evil thoughts and evil deeds, forgiving and restoring, and reaching out to the forsaken.  Jesus prayed, because even though He was God in the flesh, He "was in the flesh" when He walked the earth.  He was human, as we are; He suffered and had pain; and He had to subdue the flesh, even as we do.  There was one thing different; there was no sin in Him.  He came to take the sins of the world upon Himself that we might have eternal life with Him.  He alone has done this for us; there is no God beside Him; He alone is God!

The angels were always close by, but there could not, and would not, be any intervention; the redemption plan had to be a solo event, accomplished by the Lord alone.  How the angels must have felt, to be so close by, but they could do nothing to help Him; all of their powers were held back, so the God of the universe could yield Himself to torture, blood, and death for the highest purpose of all  ...  salvation of all mankind.  Spirit became flesh and dwelt among us; the flesh now had to pray to the Spirit for strength, guidance and the wherewithal to endure ... because He was now human  ... but when "it was finished," He rose again, and ONE sits on the throne!  The praying one has become the prayer receiver, the prayer answerer, the miracle grantor, the sickness defyer, the soul Saver! 

What does this world need?  It has many needs, and they are fast becoming growing, haunting mountains before our very eyes.  But, the greatest need for planet earth today is ... praying fathers.  We need strong families, a husband and wife, man and woman, with children in a family undergirded with strength and power through the impenetrable fortress of an armed angelic barrier of Prayer!  Prayer completes the Spiritual circle "of God to man and back to God."  When the circle is broken; there is no power; there is no defense; there is a substantive abyss for enemy infiltration, and the enemy "does infiltrate." 

Prayer is our bomb shelter, our foxhole, our cloud by day and fire by night, our wheel in the middle of a wheel, our "in the Spirit on the Lord's day," our "be it unto me according to your will," our cast the net on the other side, and our love line to "I Am" for a lifetime.  Prayer: six letters of Glory to a "7" between the columns, in the midst of the years!  (You'll understand it better by and by).

The Spiritual legacy of Prayer continues from generation to generation: Praying sons grow up to be ... Praying Fathers  ...

                                                                                                                   By Sheryl Fowler

                                                     (Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

Ode to Pastor Kenneth Phillips

"A Father Of Many Nations"

An Ode to Kenneth Phillips: Prophet, Pastor, Shepherd,

and Father; a hero unsung

He’s been brought to the Kingdom, to garner the Nations,

all kindred, and tongues

A Father he is, having sown seeds of truth, in the Regions

of earth, with power and passion

To bring forth a harvest, with a foundation of prayer,

and a dower of skillful fashion

He’s the impetus of strength in portals of courage, with a

momentum of drive and depth

As he bows low and climbs high, to dimensions where the

secrets of God are kept

No greater mercy can be found in a human; he looks for

the best in each and every soul

He’s the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior and God, who

seeks for the faithful, and honest to behold

There’s no Nation or people to which he won’t go, to preach

The Gospel, and render salvation

It’s a matter of principle, an obedience to God’s Word, and

a salvage of lost, from utter damnation

A Father for the Acts Book, and a propagator of truth; he prays

in the Spirit, and for Joel to be manifested

And he’s been through the fire, the waters, and the storms, with

a glossary of scars, like we all, who have been tested

A leader like no other, he’s been through the years; he loves

without caution, and considers it no bother

That’s what makes him an Abraham to a world lost and alone,

and looking for a Father!

Pastor Kenneth Phillips

(Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

2 Corinthians 10:3

"DESIGNATED AUTHORITY"



"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh."   We have been given authority by our Lord Jesus Christ to go forth by His Name, His Blood, and His Word, to accomplish His will in the earth.  We have been "designated" as His authority to place evil under our feet!  "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, {do} all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17)

All Christians are engaged in warfare!  Barnes' notes states, "Our war is not governed by the principles of this world, but the warfare of the Christian relates to the following points:

*It is warfare with the corrupt desires and sensual propensities of the heart; with eternal corruption and depravity, with the remaining unsubdued propensities of a fallen nature.

*With the powers of darkness; the mighty spirits of evil that seek to destroy us. (Ephesians 6:11-17)

*With sin in all forms.  (The Christian is a soldier enlisted under the banner of the Redeemer to oppose and resist all forms of evil.  The people of this world seek for victory by arms and violence.  The Christian looks for his conquests only by the force and power of the truth, and by the agency of the Spirit of God.)" 



We are soldiers of the faith!  We have authority through the Name, the Word, and the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ over all manner of diseases, situations, finances, world conflicts, and Yes, even the weather!  "What?" you say.  Oh Yes, we can command the forces of weather! 

We had a tornado heading for our Church many years ago; the congregation was on its knees praying and screaming for God to spare us, and we could hear the loud roar just outside the doors, where our ushers were holding them open, and standing guard.  One of the ushers yelled and commanded in a loud voice, "I rebuke you in the name of Jesus!"  The tornado suddenly jumped the fence and destroyed many planes, wrapping twisted parts of those planes around the fence up and down the road just across the street at the airport.  But, the huge tornado was close enough that it ripped the bark from the tree just outside the front door of the Church.  The weather is subject to the authority of the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ  ...  and to Us, when we move in that authority!



Clarke's commentary says it better than I can: "Although I am in the common condition of human nature, and must live as a human being, yet I do not war after the flesh - I do not act the coward or the poltroon, as they insinuate.  I have a good cause, a good captain, strength at will, and courage at hand.  I neither fear them nor their master."  

Our world is on a catastrophe course in so many areas.  Global wars are on the upsurge, global financial disaster, diseases and unknown antibiotic-resistant viruses, upheavel in State after State governments and riots within the U.S., unemployment, and the whole thing; we must all admit, is a sad picture.  So, what can we do?  The people of God need to exercise our authority in prayer, in command, in the laying on of hands, in standing in the stead of our Lord Jesus Christ, and rebuking the evils of earth that seek to destroy us in every way.  The Lord God said, "Command ye me!"  And, He also gave "us" the authority to command the elements in His name.  

Almighty God is not as unseen as people think.  It is time that God's hands in the heavens be manifested in His hands in earth, His "Designated Authority!" 

                                                      By Sheryl Fowler

                                                   (Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

                                              PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

WISDOM

WISDOM

Herein is WISDOM:

                                  "He is no fool who gives what he cannot

                                      keep to gain what he cannot lose ..."

Life is all about "perspective."  Our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life that He could not keep, in order to gain a world of souls that He could not lose.  What is it that we are clinging to that keeps us from gaining something we would find devastating to lose?  All that we are or hope to be is configured in a span of 70 years, give or take a few.  After that?  It's the "after that" that a lot of people don't consider, don't plan for, don't invest in ....  



What could we gain that is just out of reach, that the hands of God are holding right over our heads, waiting for the signal?  Perhaps our "vista" needs enlargement; maybe our scope of perception could use a dose of prophetic insight.  The Lord searches to and fro throughout the earth for those whose hearts are perfect toward Him.  What does that mean?  One definition of perfect is: "exactly reproducing an original."  We are formed in the likeness of our Creator; He wants people whose hearts are just like His!

We all know, you know  ....  what it is that God wants from us.  When we're alone with ourselves in the cave dwellings of our minds, we know ....  If we are Christians, and we've been walking with our Lord for a time, we know  ....  

This is written today for someone, or maybe a whole lot of someones that God has moved on you to give what you don't want to give, to say what you don't want to say, to go where you don't want to go, to sacrifice what you don't want to sacrifice (maybe it's time, money, your pride to go back to your husband or wife, or ...), only you know ...  God is longing to bless your life, work out your turmoil, and give you peace, but the ball's in your court  ...  What is it that you must give and cannot keep?

Living for God is the opposite of human reasoning  ... because He's God!  His treasures are not on the upper steps; they are one step "below" the other.  To climb higher, we bow lower; to receive, we give; to gain, we lose ... it's God's new math; a philosophical amalgamation of ethereal science, the mind and heart of Almighty God!  He shares it with those whose hearts are perfect toward Him.  

The Gift of Wisdom always comes from God.  It's something God knows that no one else knows, but He reveals it to us.  If we seek anything, it should be His Wisdom above all else.  He knows what we don't know, and if we're wise, we want to know what He knows, you know?  

The bottom line of all this?  It's like filmy curtains blowing in the wafts of wind; give Him a reason to open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing you cannot contain.  Give it up ... and gain it back!

                                                                                                                                        By Sheryl Fowler

                                                 (Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.
                                           PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

         

Matthew 27:51

"Beyond The Veil"

The Lord Jesus Christ cried with a loud voice,

and breathed His last breath

The temple veil was rent; and the earth shook;

the rocks split; it was no common death

It was finished; God in the flesh fulfilled His

mission for all mankind

He bled and He died for His creation He loved;

given at a planned season and time

He rose the third day, and is alive to complete

the rest of the story

To bring His creation into the Holy of Holies, 

to experience His Glory

The veil was torn to let us in to that most

honored and sacred place

Where we're filled with His Spirit, and we can 

almost touch His omnipotent face

The old testament patriarchs could not enter 

that Holy ground

Only the Priests had access, and the people 

listened for the bells' sound

If the Priest had no sin, the bells on his robe

continued to toll

And the people all knew that he would remain

a viable and living soul

Now the Lord welcomes all Nations, and all

people who hunger

To come unto Him; be filled with His Spirit, 

and experience the wonder

The Lord ripped the curtain, making a way for His

children in every detail

To abide with Him in His Spirit, and partake of

the Glory, that dwelt "Beyond The Veil."

                                                             By Sheryl Fowler



                                                (Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

                                          PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

Acts 2:38

"DAY OF PENTECOST"

"And when the Day Of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as a fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."  (Acts 2:1-4)

"Acts 2:37-39"

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have been filled with the Holy Ghost and have spoken in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.  You say, "I'm a believer in Jesus Christ, but I have never spoken in tongues; do I have to do that?"  NO, you "get" to do that; you are privileged and blessed to do that!  Acts 19:2 asks the all important question, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"  Then, Paul asked them how they were baptized, and it was revealed they were not baptized correctly.  Paul explained this to them, and Acts 19:5:6 states they believed and were rebaptized in the name of the Lord Jesus; then, Paul laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues.  

"Is this that important?" you ask.  In Galatians 1:8, the Apostle Paul states, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."  In other words; there is no other Gospel!  How are we saved?  (Acts 2:38; Acts 10; Acts 19)  Repent of all sins, be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and be filled with the Holy Ghost and speak with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.  

You say, "I was baptized in the titles "Father, Son and Holy Ghost; should I be rebaptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ?"  Yes, Yes, and Yes!  Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles; they are not a name. The name of the Father is Jesus (He said I am come in my father's (or Spirit's) name); the name of the Son is Jesus; the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus (a Ghost is a spirit of a departed one).  You may be a mother, or sister, or a daughter, but you have a name; you don't sign your checks as "daughter, or sister;" you sign with your Name.  What is said over you in baptism has to have the power to wash away your sins; only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ has all power to wash away your sins.  No one anywhere in the Bible was ever baptized any other way than in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Book of Acts is where the Church began and is the place to find out how to be saved.  The Books of Romans to Jude tell us how to "live" after salvation. 

People in every Nation have received the Holy Ghost and spoken in tongues.  You ask, "Does everyone speak in tongues who receives the Holy Ghost?"  As my Awesome Pastor says, "About 10 out of 10 do!"  The evidence that you have been filled with the Spirit of God is: "speaking in other tongues."  The Bible says the tongue is the most wicked part of the body; this is why "speaking in tongues" is important; God must gain control and tame this most wicked member of the body.  When you are speaking in other tongues, you are speaking directly to God; your "spirit prayeth." 

Every day is a "miraculous" day, because as the minutes tick away, someone somewhere, everywhere, is receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking with other tongues!  The Bible says this is something the angels desire to look into!  Receiving the Holy Ghost is the single most exciting, beautiful, intriguing, wonderful, and magnificent thing that could ever happen to you! The Holy Ghost guides us into all truth; it gives us peace and understanding.  Besides all this; one must be filled with the Holy Ghost to be used in the Gifts of the Spirit in I Corinthians 12; it is by the Spirit of God that these gifts operate. 

This could be the most incredible day of YOUR life; ask the Lord Jesus Christ to fill you with His Spirit.  The Apostles and the mother of Jesus "tarried" in the Upper room until they were filled with the Spirit.  Perhaps, this is the greatest day of your life, YOUR "Day of Pentecost!"

                                                                                                                                By Sheryl Fowler

                                                      (Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.
                                                 PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)

Creator, Savior, Lover

The Lord Jesus Christ

He was God, who became flesh and dwelt among us ... He IS CREATOR!  He was a man, born of a virgin, who died and rose again  ... He IS SAVIOR!  He IS God in Creation; Son in redemption; Holy Ghost in regeneration; the One who loves us eternally ... He is LOVER!  He IS the Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords  ...  He IS Creator, Savior, and Lover.

"CREATOR"

 The Creator said to Job, when Job was questioning why he was ever born because of the horrific trials he was enduring, "Hast thou an arm like God? Or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?  Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency ; and array thyself with glory and beauty ...  Where was thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Declare if thou has understanding.  Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest.  Or who hath stretched the line upon it?  Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened?  Or who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?  Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?  ...  Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea?  Or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?  ...  Where is the way where light dwelleth?  And as for darkness, where is the place thereof ...  Has thou entered into the treasures of the snow?  ..."

The Creator of all that was, is and is to come, has a way with words!  When His creation loses direction; He can bring everything into perspective quickly.  But, the children of Israel, whom He loves, lost perspective of their God, and worshipped idols time and time again, even after they observed the parting of the Red Sea, the cloud by day and fire by night, the waters pouring from solid rock.  

He was the Creator ... rejected  ...  

"SAVIOR"

The Angel came to Mary and told her she would have a child and His name would be Jesus, and Mary said "Be it unto me according to thy word."  The Lord Jesus Christ was born, and he grew to be "quite a man," healing the sick, performing miracles and raising the dead!  He was crucified, died and rose again on the third day, for the sins of the whole world. 

Thousands of years have passed since the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, but a laodicean world rumbles on, mounting up possessions, marrying and giving in marriage, all as in the days of Noah, not looking for the thief in the night, not applying the blood to the pillars of the heart, not taking hold of nail-scarred hands, not looking up.  

He is the Savior  ...  rejected  ... 

                                                                       

"LOVER"

In 2011, the world is missing out on the love of their lives!  The lover of their souls longs to hold them, brush their cheeks with angels' wings, stroke the lonely places of their weary minds, and give them Hope!  He calls; He knocks; He reaches down to a desperate hungry generation, who know not that salvation awaits, who know not the love that is beyond all love!  He never leaves; and never forsakes. 

He is The Lover  ...  rejected  ... 

Dear Lord, that word "Rejection" has been replaced with the beautiful word "Redemption!"  There's a growing army who love You, adore You, worship You, serve You, and long for Your return!  You're coming back, and we "watch" with great anticipation for the day we meet You in the clouds!  We're gathering Your harvest and they're discovering that nobody loves them like You; nobody gives calming beautiful peace like You; nobody comforts their pains and hurts like You; nobody carries them through the screaming thunderous storms like You; nobody whispers love's sweet refrain's like You ... There is nobody like You, Lord Jesus; every knee shall bow, and every tongue will confess that YOU are LORD!  You ARE our Creator, our Savior, and the Lover of our souls; we kneel at Your feet and proclaim You Lord God Almighty; there is none beside You!   

"Creator, Savior, Lover"

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                               By Sheryl Fowler 

                              (Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.

                                            PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)