I think it's safe to say that all of us have faced obstacles in our path from time to time.  You know what I mean.... those mountains that seem unclimbable.  Walls that seem unscalable.  At times it seems that every circumstance stands in the way of our destiny...like a vast army set like flint to stop our forward progress...they loom like dark clouds on the horizon... sure to rain on the parade the second we step out in faith.  In vain we burst headlong....in a full run we meet the immovable object... only to find ourselves with an Excedrin headache.  After several attempts we sit ....frustrated...tired....it's about that time we realize we should consult the Father.  You remember Him...the mountain mover...the storm calmer...The door opener... the One who makes all things possible.  What then is Daddy's response..."SEND JUDAH FIRST"

Judges 20:18
 The Israelites went up to Bethel and inquired of God. They said, "Who of us shall go first to fight against the Benjamites?"  The LORD replied, "Judah shall go first."  NIV

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I was in business for a few years before going to the mission field.  In business there is one question answered before cutting payroll check.  Do my beliefs work or not?  The cash flow tells the story.  The week before starting our 16 years on the mission field one of our Elders, Paul Kocher, said to me, “What God calls he pays for”.  He did, thank you Lord.  So really there is not that much difference between a business and church.  Is God’s blessing on your work?  Maybe you use the devil as an excuse for not having God’s blessing.  If so then your devil is bigger than your God!  Does your Christianity work?

It seems that Christianity has changed into a belief system that we call “our faith”.  We protect “our faith” at all costs.  If someone does not agree with our version of faith then we are offended at them and seek some type of separation from them.  In Christianity it does not matter if there is no power in the message as long as we are right.  Does your Christianity work?

Jesus said that we would do greater works than he did (John 14:12).  He said that He would never change.  Some say that the greater works is bringing people to salvation .  That may be true but wait!  Look at that scripture again.  It says, “...works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works]..”.   The word salvation is the Greek word “Sozo” which means salvation, healing, and deliverance.  So even if the greater works is salvation it still must include everything Jesus did.  Does your Christianity work?

Paul said that he fully preached the gospel by the power of signs and wonders (Romans 15:19).  Paul told us to desire earnestly the gift of prophesy.  Jesus told his disciples to go and heal the sick.  Angels showed up on occasions.  Christian had trances, dreams, and visions.  Paul claimed to speak in other tongues more than anyone else.  He spoke of 12 gifts of the Spirit that operate in the church.  Just believing all of God’s Word is for today does not make us right.  Does your Christianity work?

Mark 16:20 should humble every preacher of the Gospel.  Jesus said that He would confirm the word that we preach with signs following.  Apparently if there are no signs then God is not confirming the word you are preaching.  This means that God does not agree with most of the stuff people are preaching.  I went to Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Redding California because God has been confirming His Word at Bethel church with many mighty signs and wonders.  People accuse us of having false signs and wonders.  Ok then you prove it!  Show me your true signs and wonders.  If there is a false then there must be a true and apparently the critics have it.   Does your Christianity work?

If you do not have the salvation, healing, and deliverance ministry that Jesus modeled, no matter how solid you think your doctrine is, then you are teaching or listening to a false message.  It is a message based on human experience and interpretation of those experiences.  God is not impressed with your message as He refuses to confirm it.  If you own a public business your stock holders should receive the expected dividends.  If you can’t fix the problem then they should take their investment elsewhere.  Please ask yourself a question.  “Does my Christianity work?”

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One of the all time favorite passages in Scripture is James 1:2-8.  I  have heard it preached at least a hundred times.  Each time the message is met with resounding amens and loud hallelujahs.  The fact is..... these verses are excruciatingly  painful. The truth of them are pointed and are directed at the very heart of our character.  They go directly past the pretty exterior of our fancy trappings and touch that secret place in our hearts. That place where all our secrets hide....

James 1:2-8
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.  So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.  If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.  Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves.  Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way,  adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.(from THE MESSAGE)

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I have a word!>>>>

This past week I was at work and had this vision>>>

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You know what the problem with the world is?  War...Hunger...Abortion...maybe global warming or poverty.  While it's true we could come up with an endless list of problems..and it seems as though the Earth is spinning apart and what left is a wake of human devastation.  The truth is... there is just one main main issue that if resolved, would bring world back into order....What the world lacks is>>>>VISION!

When Dee and I were in Youth Ministry we had a Junior High student named...let's call him Harold.  Harold's mother would constantly be after him to tuck in his shirt...wash his face...brush his teeth.  Every morning, before sending him off to school she would make sure everything was in order...but by the time he got to the classroom his shirt would be untucked...hands dirty from playing with frogs...breath nasty because someone dared him to eat a worm.  This went on for weeks until one fateful morning...Harold was walking the halls to his next class and spied Susan.  The next day he showed up to school with his shirt tucked in...his teeth brushed...breath minty fresh   Let me ask you....What made the difference for Harold?  Was it the constant nagging of a loving mother...NO!!>>>  Harold caught the Vision!

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Several years ago I had a dream....Jesus came to me in the form of a lion.  He walked up to me and placed His paws in my hands.  As He did I could feel pain shoot through my hands...then blood appeared.  I pulled my hands away and put them behind my back.  I felt shame...humiliated that I was in that condition.  As I shrank away I felt Jesus arms wrap around me and He spoke these words...I will never forget them....He said  "In as much as you have shared in my suffering.  Those wounds...those scars... will become badges of honor that you will wear throughout eternity"

I didn't fully understand what was meant by those words until recently.  As I was thinking about the sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary.  I remembered the glorious transformation that took place in the tomb.  Jesus resurrected... presents himself to his followers ...

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I am very excited about what has been happening during our Sunday night service.  We have begun to see revival breakthrough.  We are seeing more of the Holy Spirit and less of us.  I am excited about the increase in our worship time.  We have had several outstanding worship services with different teams.  One of those awesome times was with Kevin Cates.  Kevin, Dee, and their daughter Victoria are somewhat new to Family of Faith.  Kevin will be leading worship on a regular basis on Sunday nights.  I believe we will have a night of Worship and seeking Father God's heart the next time Kevin is able to lead.  

The word Glory speaks about the way God comes on us.  People react different ways.  Many of us are seeking a closer walk with God.  Jesus loves us so much and wants to be part of our daily life.  His intention was never to save us from our sins and then for us to wait until death to experience His Presence.  You can walk in His Presence now.  He fills us with laughter.  This is caused by the new wine.  New wine is mentioned in Acts chapter 2.  

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Hi everyone. Its Joey and I'm taling to your from fabulous Las Vegas. I hope you all are doing all right and I miss all of you. Sorry I haven't been at church for a while but you know I'm doing track and then at 5:00 P.M. I have to leave for4 - H band practice and you know it's really hectice right now and so yeah, but I will be able to show up to youth after track practice is over so yeah until then I will need you guys to keep me posted on whats happening and stuff. I'm praying for you guys and you all pray for me and my family ok? Love you all, bye!!!

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