Luke 6:46-49
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Storms. How do we survive them? Ever hear of a guy named Elijah?
James tells us he was a man subject to the same feelings and passions that we have.
He went from a great VICTORY on Mt. Carmel to asking God to kill him, all in 2 chapters!
So, are there storms in the Christian life? Absolutely. But let me tell you that the same God you worship in the light is the same God you reach for in the NIGHT!
God is there even when you are not aware of His presence.
Peace is really the test of Christ in you. Peace should rule your heart no matter the storm.
Do you want to stop a storm? Then follow:
Job 42:10
And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
The Lord RESTORED, WHEN!
So how do we respond to storms?
Many of us focus on the disappointments or the painful experiences and we forget about our countless blessings.
Someone said, “When you travel life’s road, keep your eyes on the doughnut and NOT upon the hole.”
Someone else said, “To realize the worth of the anchor we need to feel the storm.”
Hebrews 6:19
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,
Look again at Luke 6:47-48.
47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
Jesus was telling them, “EVERYONE HAS STORMS.”
Jesus, this was a man doing the Word, He was faithful, paid tithes, He did the right things, BUT WAS STILL IN A STORM! And made it.
Proverbs 10:25 (N.L.T.)
When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,
but the godly have a lasting foundation.
Sometimes those storms rage, sometimes they get calm.
Look at Luke: 6:49
But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
This person was in trouble when the storm hit.
Why? NO foundation!
People with no foundations, when a storm hits, their life just falls apart and the Bible says, “Great was the ruin of the house”.
The advantage of DOING THE WORD is summed up in vs. 48
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
When the storm hit, because the foundation was built on a rock, he was NOT EVEN SHAKEN!
Elijah got discouraged in his storm. What about Paul, he was in a storm or two.
2 Corinthians 1:8
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
Paul was so discouraged he wanted to die.
But look at the rest.
2 Corinthians 1:9-10
9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,
Many times in scripture we read “IT CAME TO PASS”.
Praise God, it did NOT come to stay.
2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Paul could say that based on history. God did it before and He will do it again.
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
So when that storm comes, it’s time to Praise the Lord.
Who am I talking to that is in a storm?
God is IN that storm you’re in.
He walks on storms.
He sleeps in them.
He speaks peace to them.
He will even send you into them.
Elijah supernaturally ran in a storm.
Jonah caught a whale of a ride during a storm.
It’s time for somebody to Praise God.
Time to Shout and Jump for Joy KNOWING that the TRYING of your faith will work joyful endurance.
Storms mature you to the point James tells us you will LACK NOTHING.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Your faithfulness in the storm will work a change in you to change your desires. That’s what a complete work is.
1 Peter 1:7
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
Peter is saying, “What you believe is made pure by storms of life and you will bring GLORY and HONOR to Jesus.”
I wonder what the guy thought when the storm destroyed his house because HE HEARD AND DID NOTHING?
The other guy who listened used the storm as an opportunity to prove what he believed, HIS LIFE WAS NOT SHAKEN, because his life was BASED ON THE WORD!
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Friday, December 6, 2013
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Send The Fire You Promised
Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Baptize means to be totally immersed with Holy Spirit.
Every part of you. And the same with His FIRE.
Isaiah saw this fire and the coals from it touched his lips and changed him forever.
Ezekiel saw the throne of God ablaze with fire.
Jeremiah felt like this fire was shut up in his bones.
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord,
“And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
That’s why we must read it; it’s like a fire that will consume you.
That same Holy Spirit and fire showed up in Acts 2:2. And when that fireball from heaven hit that room it divided and rested on every one of them.
And that day the Holy Spirit turned the Word of God into the SWORD of the SPIRIT with a fire tip.
Now prayer would have fire with it, effective prayer.
And now we would be able to understand His Word.
Now we would have POWER to witness.
GOD & FIRE go together.
Sacrifices are consumed by His fire.
When you give a sacrifice of praise, His fire falls in there.
When you bring sacrificial prayer, His fire falls.
When you give sacrificially, HIS FIRE FALLS.
Leviticus 9:24
and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
1 Kings 18:38
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
Church, His fire purifies so allow Holy Spirit to separate the chaff in your life, the waste and burn it up.
Some never see God move because they won’t let God burn up the junk in their lives.
Let His fire burn up the root of murmuring/complaining, the root of control/pride and rebellion and criticism.
Did you know that your heart is God’s fireplace? So are some other places.
God has always had His fireplaces. The burning bush, the brazen altar, Mt. Carmel, the Upper Room are just a few of His fireplaces.
Hebrews 12:29
For our God is a consuming fire.
He desires to have and will have a Church that is ON FIRE with His divine presence and power.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Baptize means to be totally immersed with Holy Spirit.
Every part of you. And the same with His FIRE.
Isaiah saw this fire and the coals from it touched his lips and changed him forever.
Ezekiel saw the throne of God ablaze with fire.
Jeremiah felt like this fire was shut up in his bones.
Jeremiah 23:29
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord,
“And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
That’s why we must read it; it’s like a fire that will consume you.
That same Holy Spirit and fire showed up in Acts 2:2. And when that fireball from heaven hit that room it divided and rested on every one of them.
And that day the Holy Spirit turned the Word of God into the SWORD of the SPIRIT with a fire tip.
Now prayer would have fire with it, effective prayer.
And now we would be able to understand His Word.
Now we would have POWER to witness.
GOD & FIRE go together.
Sacrifices are consumed by His fire.
When you give a sacrifice of praise, His fire falls in there.
When you bring sacrificial prayer, His fire falls.
When you give sacrificially, HIS FIRE FALLS.
Leviticus 9:24
and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
1 Kings 18:38
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
Church, His fire purifies so allow Holy Spirit to separate the chaff in your life, the waste and burn it up.
Some never see God move because they won’t let God burn up the junk in their lives.
Let His fire burn up the root of murmuring/complaining, the root of control/pride and rebellion and criticism.
Did you know that your heart is God’s fireplace? So are some other places.
God has always had His fireplaces. The burning bush, the brazen altar, Mt. Carmel, the Upper Room are just a few of His fireplaces.
Hebrews 12:29
For our God is a consuming fire.
He desires to have and will have a Church that is ON FIRE with His divine presence and power.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Love Is Our Covering
Luke 22:31-34
31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
Proverbs 13:15
Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
I recently went to the Lord and said “Lord I need you to refresh my spirit with your Word in regard to when someone sins.
I know how religion responds and how flesh responds but show me again in your Word.”
Ever wonder how Peter felt when the Lord said that to him? You see God hates SIN because it separates us from Him.
It separates us from others also but ultimately it separates us from God.
We, as a society of Christians, will often overlook the sins of sports stars or movie stars or politicians but when it comes to those from our own church family we judge and separate.
Then we say things often like “Children are a product of their home” but that is only true in part.
Many in the Kingdom of God were saved despite terrible homes, yet others raised by godly parents rebel and sin. So even the best of homes have children who rebel.
It tells me that every home is different in regards to testimony as every child is different.
So the pressure society puts on us must be put aside so we can get to the TRUTH of God’s Word in us and find out what God says.
Think about God’s first children, Adam/Eve, they were told “DON’T TOUCH” but they TOUCHED.
And they saw and felt what they never saw or felt before, the EFFECTS of SIN. Make no mistake; there is a price to pay and scars to bear.
So God provided a covering for them. Blood was shed to cover their SIN.
1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.
The word “COVERS” means when you deserved to be punished, you were covered instead.
And if someone sins and comes and asks for forgiveness, what should we do?
Matthew 18:21-23
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
The story of the prodigal son helps us to understand the heart of God and wayward children.
The son went into party central, but the Father never stopped looking and hoping.
When he saw him he did not bring up what he did, no, he welcomed him home, “my son was lost and is NOW found.”
The other brother was NOT impressed and unfortunately it’s how many in the church act.
So keep looking for your wayward child to come home and love them when they do.
A cover for sin is NOT a cover up. There is a price to pay. The wages of sin IS DEATH. That’s why we preach against SIN because of the cost.
We don’t condone SIN, but we don’t condemn people who do.
There was a three-step process that led to Peter’s recovery.
1. Rebellion
Jesus told him “you will deny me and TURN AWAY"
2. Repentance
Jesus said, “you will turn back, you will repent”
3. Restoration
He would turn around and strengthen his brother
When Jesus restores Peter in John 21, He tells him to now go love others, and serves selflessly, then follow faithfully.
When Jesus caught people in SIN, He said things like “GO AND SIN NO MORE.” “Neither do I condemn you”. But the sinner’s part is to REPENT.
So we further learn from Peter that failure is NOT final. You are not a failure because you have failed. Jesus is our advocate with the Father.
You who have blown it can help others because you know what they are going through.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 6:14-15
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The level of forgiveness you extend to others will affect the level of forgiveness you will receive from God.
Luke 17:3
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
We rebuke those who sin and forgive them when they repent.
John 20:23
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.
And before we offer anything to God, we need to make sure we are right with others.
Matthew 5:23-24
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
And finally, PUT ON LOVE
Colossians 3:13-14
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
So if you have fallen, get up, you may be down BUT you’re NOT OUT.
Stay filled with the Holy Ghost and go and sin no more.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
34 Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
Proverbs 13:15
Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.
I recently went to the Lord and said “Lord I need you to refresh my spirit with your Word in regard to when someone sins.
I know how religion responds and how flesh responds but show me again in your Word.”
Ever wonder how Peter felt when the Lord said that to him? You see God hates SIN because it separates us from Him.
It separates us from others also but ultimately it separates us from God.
We, as a society of Christians, will often overlook the sins of sports stars or movie stars or politicians but when it comes to those from our own church family we judge and separate.
Then we say things often like “Children are a product of their home” but that is only true in part.
Many in the Kingdom of God were saved despite terrible homes, yet others raised by godly parents rebel and sin. So even the best of homes have children who rebel.
It tells me that every home is different in regards to testimony as every child is different.
So the pressure society puts on us must be put aside so we can get to the TRUTH of God’s Word in us and find out what God says.
Think about God’s first children, Adam/Eve, they were told “DON’T TOUCH” but they TOUCHED.
And they saw and felt what they never saw or felt before, the EFFECTS of SIN. Make no mistake; there is a price to pay and scars to bear.
So God provided a covering for them. Blood was shed to cover their SIN.
1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.
The word “COVERS” means when you deserved to be punished, you were covered instead.
And if someone sins and comes and asks for forgiveness, what should we do?
Matthew 18:21-23
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
The story of the prodigal son helps us to understand the heart of God and wayward children.
The son went into party central, but the Father never stopped looking and hoping.
When he saw him he did not bring up what he did, no, he welcomed him home, “my son was lost and is NOW found.”
The other brother was NOT impressed and unfortunately it’s how many in the church act.
So keep looking for your wayward child to come home and love them when they do.
A cover for sin is NOT a cover up. There is a price to pay. The wages of sin IS DEATH. That’s why we preach against SIN because of the cost.
We don’t condone SIN, but we don’t condemn people who do.
There was a three-step process that led to Peter’s recovery.
1. Rebellion
Jesus told him “you will deny me and TURN AWAY"
2. Repentance
Jesus said, “you will turn back, you will repent”
3. Restoration
He would turn around and strengthen his brother
When Jesus restores Peter in John 21, He tells him to now go love others, and serves selflessly, then follow faithfully.
When Jesus caught people in SIN, He said things like “GO AND SIN NO MORE.” “Neither do I condemn you”. But the sinner’s part is to REPENT.
So we further learn from Peter that failure is NOT final. You are not a failure because you have failed. Jesus is our advocate with the Father.
You who have blown it can help others because you know what they are going through.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 6:14-15
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The level of forgiveness you extend to others will affect the level of forgiveness you will receive from God.
Luke 17:3
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
We rebuke those who sin and forgive them when they repent.
John 20:23
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.
And before we offer anything to God, we need to make sure we are right with others.
Matthew 5:23-24
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
And finally, PUT ON LOVE
Colossians 3:13-14
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
So if you have fallen, get up, you may be down BUT you’re NOT OUT.
Stay filled with the Holy Ghost and go and sin no more.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
I Will Rise Again
Numbers 10:35
So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said:
“Rise up, O Lord!
Let Your enemies be scattered,
And let those who hate You flee before You.”
Psalms 119:62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
Proverbs 24:16
For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Matthew 20:19
and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”
Life is a journey that takes us many places and causes us to see many things.
It is without doubt a certainty that you will get hurt, get mad, be knocked down a couple of times at least. This issue is NOT if but “when and “then what”.
There are many things to do in life. Sports like:
Football
Hockey
Baseball
Soccer
Golf
Movies and movie theatres you could spend all day in.
Shopping
Holidays
Social Media
Facebook
Twitter
Internet surfing
Work and more work.
Household projects.
Parties
Alcohol
Drugs
Sex
And WHEN life knocks us down it wants us to stay down so we often DIVE deeper into some of these things to keep us DOWN!
What do you do when you have been knocked down or what advice do you give someone that is down?
Do you tell them to RUN?
Tone down your faith?
Stay down?
Yes there are times you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up.
O’ but I’m here to remind you that in the midst of every storm, even if you suffer for doing good, God is there whispering, RISE AGAIN. GET UP!
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said:
“Rise up, O Lord!
Let Your enemies be scattered,
And let those who hate You flee before You.”
Psalms 119:62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
Proverbs 24:16
For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.
Matthew 20:19
and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”
Life is a journey that takes us many places and causes us to see many things.
It is without doubt a certainty that you will get hurt, get mad, be knocked down a couple of times at least. This issue is NOT if but “when and “then what”.
There are many things to do in life. Sports like:
Football
Hockey
Baseball
Soccer
Golf
Movies and movie theatres you could spend all day in.
Shopping
Holidays
Social Media
Internet surfing
Work and more work.
Household projects.
Parties
Alcohol
Drugs
Sex
And WHEN life knocks us down it wants us to stay down so we often DIVE deeper into some of these things to keep us DOWN!
What do you do when you have been knocked down or what advice do you give someone that is down?
Do you tell them to RUN?
Tone down your faith?
Stay down?
Yes there are times you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up.
O’ but I’m here to remind you that in the midst of every storm, even if you suffer for doing good, God is there whispering, RISE AGAIN. GET UP!
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Are You A Used-To-Be Christian?
Haggai 1:2-11
2 “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.”’”
3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”
5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
6 “You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord.
9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.
10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit.
11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”
2:6-9
6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.
8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.
9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
Whatever God does begins IN THE HOUSE. When we purpose to align our lives with His purpose, the shaking of the Lord will come on a land.
If we want to see Him move heaven and earth, begin the work again in the house.
Think it through, build what pleases Him. Go to the mountain with the BEST MATERIAL and build what pleases Him. There are NO short cuts to this work.
Sin is contagious and holiness cannot be inherited. It’s how the church got to be “USED TO BE”.
I refuse to be a “USED TO BE CHRISTIAN”. C.N.N. – Detroit is being called the “used to be” city.
“This block used to be full of pretty homes and well kept yards.”
I refuse to have it said of me, “He used to be on fire.”
“He used to be holy.”
“He used to go to church.
He used to tithe.
“That building at 999 Sydenham Road used to be full of radical people”.
So how do we avoid the “used to be” title?
We must “Consider our ways”
God wants us to know that when we fail to esteem Him as our first love, we will always find a desert awaiting us.
I don’t want to be in that desert, do you?
“Used to be” is slow and steady.
When I read that article of Detroit I had an open vision, it was showing pictures of Detroit when it was at its best and God showed me the church and all of her glory and then the decay we are in NOW! I refuse to be a “used to be” Christian.
Mosques are being built all over our country, yet churches are closing daily.
The average church plant lasts five to eighteen years only.
The state of the church is in direct relation to the people gatherings.
We all know people who “used to” go to Church, “use to” be saved, “used to” be on fire and “USED to” tithe, “used to” be married. It’s becoming the most used word for Christians.
But we can turn it around; we just have to “consider our ways”.
We must stand with steely resolve and refuse to be a “used to be”.
If I used to read my Bible daily, I’m starting again.
If I used to pray daily, I’m starting again.
If I used to TITHE, I’m starting again.
If I use to be at every service, I’m starting again.
If I used to Praise at every service, I’m starting again.
If I used to share my faith, I’m starting again.
If I used to walk in love, I’m starting again.
Come on church, “consider your ways.”
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
2 “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.”’”
3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”
5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
6 “You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord.
9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.
10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit.
11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”
2:6-9
6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.
8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts.
9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
Whatever God does begins IN THE HOUSE. When we purpose to align our lives with His purpose, the shaking of the Lord will come on a land.
If we want to see Him move heaven and earth, begin the work again in the house.
Think it through, build what pleases Him. Go to the mountain with the BEST MATERIAL and build what pleases Him. There are NO short cuts to this work.
Sin is contagious and holiness cannot be inherited. It’s how the church got to be “USED TO BE”.
I refuse to be a “USED TO BE CHRISTIAN”. C.N.N. – Detroit is being called the “used to be” city.
“This block used to be full of pretty homes and well kept yards.”
I refuse to have it said of me, “He used to be on fire.”
“He used to be holy.”
“He used to go to church.
He used to tithe.
“That building at 999 Sydenham Road used to be full of radical people”.
So how do we avoid the “used to be” title?
We must “Consider our ways”
God wants us to know that when we fail to esteem Him as our first love, we will always find a desert awaiting us.
I don’t want to be in that desert, do you?
“Used to be” is slow and steady.
When I read that article of Detroit I had an open vision, it was showing pictures of Detroit when it was at its best and God showed me the church and all of her glory and then the decay we are in NOW! I refuse to be a “used to be” Christian.
Mosques are being built all over our country, yet churches are closing daily.
The average church plant lasts five to eighteen years only.
The state of the church is in direct relation to the people gatherings.
We all know people who “used to” go to Church, “use to” be saved, “used to” be on fire and “USED to” tithe, “used to” be married. It’s becoming the most used word for Christians.
But we can turn it around; we just have to “consider our ways”.
We must stand with steely resolve and refuse to be a “used to be”.
If I used to read my Bible daily, I’m starting again.
If I used to pray daily, I’m starting again.
If I used to TITHE, I’m starting again.
If I use to be at every service, I’m starting again.
If I used to Praise at every service, I’m starting again.
If I used to share my faith, I’m starting again.
If I used to walk in love, I’m starting again.
Come on church, “consider your ways.”
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Why The Church Will Not Fail
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
You and I are the Church of Jesus Christ and we
cannot and will not fail.
The Church was NEVER meant for defeat. The Church is God’s battle-axe to
destroy the works of the enemy.
When God put His glory on the Church, it was so
we could take it to our homes.
When God poured out Holy Spirit we now carry Him
everywhere we go.
If we think we are a defeated Church, we cannot
and will not change the world.
We cannot be passive. If we have the power to bless but won’t bless we will lose
that power.
Matthew 16:13-19 (TURN THERE)
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi,
He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some
Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to
them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you,
Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My
Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against
it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of
heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever
you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
IN CHRIST the Church cannot fail.
IN CHRIST our family cannot fail.
IN CHRIST our health cannot fail.
The Church has a
position in the Spirit above flesh and blood.
It is ABOVE everything natural and everything
that the devil would try to do to hold you back. The Church in Christ is in the realm of the Spirit and it is
supernatural.
In the Spirit the devil cannot defeat you, but if
you operate in the flesh he can.
In Christ, in the Spirit, the Church is on a
level where Satan cannot touch us.
Even though we are
natural we can live in the spiritual.
Even though we are
natural we have power in the Spirit.
Even though we are natural, Holy Spirit lives
through us and works in us. He
teaches us how to pray in the Spirit.
So take our marriage, finances, health, children,
etc. to the next level.
When you do, Satan cannot strike you because you
are planted on higher ground.
In the Spirit we worship Christ. Too many people just come to church and
sit without their lives changed because they THINK natural, they STAY natural,
but I say, STEP UP!
You can try your way
but your flesh has NO ANSWER.
You don’t TRY to live in the SPIRIT you LIVE in
the Spirit. Jesus did only what
the Father told Him; He only said what the Father said.
You are not orphans. We must stop living like God is SO DISTANT.
Rise up as a son.
Rise up as a daughter.
We serve the King of
kings and the Lord of lords.
Great men don’t build weak things. Great men build great things.
The Church is built on transformed lives. And a King never builds anything insignificant.
Jesus said, “I will build My Church and the gates
of hell shall not prevail over it.”
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Heavenly Places In Christ
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Three things we see right at the beginning of Ephesians:
1. From eternity to eternity God works all things according to His perfect plan. All history, all nations, all that exists in heaven and on earth are included in His purpose.
2. That purpose is fulfilled IN CHRIST. So it is IN HIM that every blessing is found.
3. As far as man is concerned our goal is very practical. It is that we should be “to the praise of His glory”.
There are two spheres in which we are blessed – in heavenly places and the other is in Christ.
IN CHRIST occurs 5 times in Ephesians. It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.
In Ephesians 1:20
which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
– It is the sphere to which the risen Christ has been exalted and enthroned.
2:6
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
– It is the reign to which believers have been lifted in fellowship with Christ.
3:10
to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
– It is where principalities and powers learn of the wisdom of God as shown through His people.
6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
– It is the spiritual battleground where believers confront the forces of wickedness.
The kingdom of the heavens was a term Matthew used. It is established here on earth and is heavenly and NOT of this world.
John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
It is the threshold of the Kingdom of glory and is located wherever God’s grace has freedom.
So, it’s NOT talking about a physical place, it’s SPIRITUAL. It’s a sphere of spiritual activities to which you and I have been lifted in Christ.
It’s NOT the heaven of the future, but the heaven which lies even now within and around the Christian.
We really do belong to two worlds.
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
We are here for a moment. We belong in the heavenly realm.
Thus, we must be “IN CHRIST”. This phrase refers to His redemption, His death, His resurrection and His eternal purpose for man.
So all that has been done by way of spiritual blessing has been done for us IN CHRIST.
“IN CHRIST” is the key to Ephesians. You and I as believers are “in Christ”.
All are members of Christ.
All share in His resurrection and life.
Christ is NOW exalted in the heavenly realm and all who are “IN CHRIST” belong to that heavenly realm.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Three things we see right at the beginning of Ephesians:
1. From eternity to eternity God works all things according to His perfect plan. All history, all nations, all that exists in heaven and on earth are included in His purpose.
2. That purpose is fulfilled IN CHRIST. So it is IN HIM that every blessing is found.
3. As far as man is concerned our goal is very practical. It is that we should be “to the praise of His glory”.
There are two spheres in which we are blessed – in heavenly places and the other is in Christ.
IN CHRIST occurs 5 times in Ephesians. It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.
In Ephesians 1:20
which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
– It is the sphere to which the risen Christ has been exalted and enthroned.
2:6
and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
– It is the reign to which believers have been lifted in fellowship with Christ.
3:10
to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
– It is where principalities and powers learn of the wisdom of God as shown through His people.
6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
– It is the spiritual battleground where believers confront the forces of wickedness.
The kingdom of the heavens was a term Matthew used. It is established here on earth and is heavenly and NOT of this world.
John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
It is the threshold of the Kingdom of glory and is located wherever God’s grace has freedom.
So, it’s NOT talking about a physical place, it’s SPIRITUAL. It’s a sphere of spiritual activities to which you and I have been lifted in Christ.
It’s NOT the heaven of the future, but the heaven which lies even now within and around the Christian.
We really do belong to two worlds.
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
We are here for a moment. We belong in the heavenly realm.
Thus, we must be “IN CHRIST”. This phrase refers to His redemption, His death, His resurrection and His eternal purpose for man.
So all that has been done by way of spiritual blessing has been done for us IN CHRIST.
“IN CHRIST” is the key to Ephesians. You and I as believers are “in Christ”.
All are members of Christ.
All share in His resurrection and life.
Christ is NOW exalted in the heavenly realm and all who are “IN CHRIST” belong to that heavenly realm.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
2013 – Year of No Delay (Stepping Into Your New Normal)
God ALMIGHTY – The promise of fertile land, abundance, the fulfiller of promises.
2013 – the year that you will birth stuff you never even asked for.
God is going to do BEYOND anything you can even think.
You may think this far, and He will go beyond it.
It’s your time for an out of season miracle.
This number 13 has been hijacked.
So many fear 13. Even a phobia with a name that indicates fear of 13.
Hotels won’t put the #13 on elevators. Yet a Jewish boy, when he turns 13 has his bar Mitzvah.
13 – beyond the natural.
That’s what the Mayans believed and were afraid of it.
How big is your God?
God Almighty.
INFINITY – Immeasurable
Eph. 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
He can’t be measured.
God is subject to no boundary.
Rom. 1:3-4
3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Born of the seed of David in the natural, but declared to be the Son of God with POWER.
Because of Holiness and Resurrection power.
Jesus stands at the end of what man can perceive and says, “I’m, beyond that.”
Man used to look at the Horizon and think that’s it. No idea there was a BEYOND.
God is showing up for you in 2013 to meet your needs, now you must move, without delay.
You need a breakthrough and God is going to supernaturally touch you.
2013 will be year of demonstration.
But we have so limited God. The God-haters say, “God is dead.”
Well, if He is dead, who killed Him? Where is He buried?
Who is taking credit for it?
He is limited by NO BOUNDARY.
He is the Word of truth.
He is ALIVE!
He is tangible. You can touch Him. He is your provider. He can and will deliver you, heal you, comfort you.
Yours for revival,
2013 – the year that you will birth stuff you never even asked for.
God is going to do BEYOND anything you can even think.
You may think this far, and He will go beyond it.
It’s your time for an out of season miracle.
This number 13 has been hijacked.
So many fear 13. Even a phobia with a name that indicates fear of 13.
Hotels won’t put the #13 on elevators. Yet a Jewish boy, when he turns 13 has his bar Mitzvah.
13 – beyond the natural.
That’s what the Mayans believed and were afraid of it.
How big is your God?
God Almighty.
INFINITY – Immeasurable
Eph. 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
He can’t be measured.
God is subject to no boundary.
Rom. 1:3-4
3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Born of the seed of David in the natural, but declared to be the Son of God with POWER.
Because of Holiness and Resurrection power.
Jesus stands at the end of what man can perceive and says, “I’m, beyond that.”
Man used to look at the Horizon and think that’s it. No idea there was a BEYOND.
God is showing up for you in 2013 to meet your needs, now you must move, without delay.
You need a breakthrough and God is going to supernaturally touch you.
2013 will be year of demonstration.
But we have so limited God. The God-haters say, “God is dead.”
Well, if He is dead, who killed Him? Where is He buried?
Who is taking credit for it?
He is limited by NO BOUNDARY.
He is the Word of truth.
He is ALIVE!
He is tangible. You can touch Him. He is your provider. He can and will deliver you, heal you, comfort you.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Breaking Limitations: NO DELAY
Acts 12:5-7
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
Eph. 3:16-20
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
God is bigger than all our LIMITATIONS.
Ephesians tells us that God is at work in us.
That word “WORKS” IS “ENERGEO”, He is working within us to empower us to BREAK OUT.
The problem is NOT with the limitation; it is with our THINKING and BELIEVING.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
“Always” means every time.
“TRIUMPH” is a picture of a victory procession of a Roman General celebrating overcoming the enemy.
Church, limitations are seldom external, they are mainly INTERNAL.
So what do you think is limiting you? What fear? Is it Physical? Education? Finance? Failure? Disappointment?
Think! Is this really what is holding me back?
Challenge yourself.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
It’s the story of Jephthah.
Let’s talk about limitation.
He was born illegitimate.
His mother was a poor prostitute.
Then she abandoned him.
His family rejected him.
He was thrown out of his home.
He was bitter and had resentment.
He suffered injustice because he lost his inheritance.
He was rejected by the village authorities.
He had limited education.
He was in spiritual darkness and oppression and idolatry.
Based on Deuteronomy 23:2-3, because he was illegitimate he was rejected from the house of God.
Meaning he could not go to church.
He was living under the curse of rejection.
Church, when you play the blame game for where you are at in life:
You become a victim
You become bitter
You become LIMITED!
Hear me, your limitations do not define who you are.
Judges 11:1
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah.
The name Jephthah means “He will open. He will breakout. He will loose him.”
His name was prophetically describing who God saw him to be. God sees you according to faith, what He designed you to be.
God said he was a mighty man of valor. His nature and character was the result of what he CHOSE TO DO!
MIGHTY means “hero, one who behaves boldly, a warrior.”
VALOR means, “force, strength, courage.”
This is what he became based on his choices. He refused to let bitterness or blame rule him, he took responsibility.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
Eph. 3:16-20
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
God is bigger than all our LIMITATIONS.
Ephesians tells us that God is at work in us.
That word “WORKS” IS “ENERGEO”, He is working within us to empower us to BREAK OUT.
The problem is NOT with the limitation; it is with our THINKING and BELIEVING.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
“Always” means every time.
“TRIUMPH” is a picture of a victory procession of a Roman General celebrating overcoming the enemy.
Church, limitations are seldom external, they are mainly INTERNAL.
So what do you think is limiting you? What fear? Is it Physical? Education? Finance? Failure? Disappointment?
Think! Is this really what is holding me back?
Challenge yourself.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
It’s the story of Jephthah.
Let’s talk about limitation.
He was born illegitimate.
His mother was a poor prostitute.
Then she abandoned him.
His family rejected him.
He was thrown out of his home.
He was bitter and had resentment.
He suffered injustice because he lost his inheritance.
He was rejected by the village authorities.
He had limited education.
He was in spiritual darkness and oppression and idolatry.
Based on Deuteronomy 23:2-3, because he was illegitimate he was rejected from the house of God.
Meaning he could not go to church.
He was living under the curse of rejection.
Church, when you play the blame game for where you are at in life:
You become a victim
You become bitter
You become LIMITED!
Hear me, your limitations do not define who you are.
Judges 11:1
Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah.
The name Jephthah means “He will open. He will breakout. He will loose him.”
His name was prophetically describing who God saw him to be. God sees you according to faith, what He designed you to be.
God said he was a mighty man of valor. His nature and character was the result of what he CHOSE TO DO!
MIGHTY means “hero, one who behaves boldly, a warrior.”
VALOR means, “force, strength, courage.”
This is what he became based on his choices. He refused to let bitterness or blame rule him, he took responsibility.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
It’s Time For Your New Normal
Daniel 9:19
O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
So God says, “Now get ready.” It’s time the church get back to at least the Book of Acts.
There are things that we can tap into to turn the church around and CROSS over into this new normal.
So let me tell you some of the operational dynamics of the Book of Acts. They, as believers, were totally committed to the Lord Jesus.
Sounds easy! Except it means we obey Him no matter what He asks and go where He goes.
Today people commit and the next day change their mind. This has to be Daily. In Acts they were totally devoted to the Word of God.
I’m looking for some people like that, people that want their life to be like Christ, People that will search and then apply.
If you want POWER, the power is in His WORD! These Acts Christians lived a simple life based on kingdom principals.
Cared for each other and helped people, they acted in compassion for people and were devoted to Jesus.
Freely you have received, freely give.
Crossing over to new things is NOT just a one-time thing.
We must enlarge our capacity for more. Yesterday is NOT enough.
God is NOT a historic God but a PRESENT one.
Deuteronomy 26:16-17
16 “This day the Lord your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.
17 Today you have proclaimed the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice.
Church, hear me, when God’s Word goes out, there IS NO REVERSE gear.
If He says a nation will change, it will change.
In the Book of Acts cities were changed as they were FILLED and refilled again and again.
They spoke in tongues; they gave prophecy and were filled with the Holy Spirit.
When the strength of Holy Spirit is in us, we can fight our enemies.
Man is spirit and we possess a soul and live in a body.
When our soul and spirit say YES! LOOK OUT!
Our body is the outer shell and we carry the body, NOT the body carrying us.
Come on Church. Read the Book of Acts and DON’T LIVE A NORMAL LIFE!
When you know the power of the Spirit, you won’t be afraid of any other spirit.
You have the NAME of Jesus. When we pray, we stand in that name. When demons attack, we stand in that name.
The name of Jesus will unlock doors and hearts and we use it to speak against the power of hell.
Most don’t know how to use His name. If we believe in His name, we will cast out demons and the sick will recover.
We must NOT become complacent after receiving so much food until we don’t have the hunger anymore. Intensity for Him and hunger must grow inside us.
I am expecting miracles this month. Something supernatural to get us ready for the future.
In a time of war, WE MUST BE CLEAN! If we expect a miracle it will happen. If we don’t expect, we will get NOTHING.
Matthew 8:2-3
2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
God IS ABLE.
God is WILLING.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”
So God says, “Now get ready.” It’s time the church get back to at least the Book of Acts.
There are things that we can tap into to turn the church around and CROSS over into this new normal.
So let me tell you some of the operational dynamics of the Book of Acts. They, as believers, were totally committed to the Lord Jesus.
Sounds easy! Except it means we obey Him no matter what He asks and go where He goes.
Today people commit and the next day change their mind. This has to be Daily. In Acts they were totally devoted to the Word of God.
I’m looking for some people like that, people that want their life to be like Christ, People that will search and then apply.
If you want POWER, the power is in His WORD! These Acts Christians lived a simple life based on kingdom principals.
Cared for each other and helped people, they acted in compassion for people and were devoted to Jesus.
Freely you have received, freely give.
Crossing over to new things is NOT just a one-time thing.
We must enlarge our capacity for more. Yesterday is NOT enough.
God is NOT a historic God but a PRESENT one.
Deuteronomy 26:16-17
16 “This day the Lord your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.
17 Today you have proclaimed the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice.
Church, hear me, when God’s Word goes out, there IS NO REVERSE gear.
If He says a nation will change, it will change.
In the Book of Acts cities were changed as they were FILLED and refilled again and again.
They spoke in tongues; they gave prophecy and were filled with the Holy Spirit.
When the strength of Holy Spirit is in us, we can fight our enemies.
Man is spirit and we possess a soul and live in a body.
When our soul and spirit say YES! LOOK OUT!
Our body is the outer shell and we carry the body, NOT the body carrying us.
Come on Church. Read the Book of Acts and DON’T LIVE A NORMAL LIFE!
When you know the power of the Spirit, you won’t be afraid of any other spirit.
You have the NAME of Jesus. When we pray, we stand in that name. When demons attack, we stand in that name.
The name of Jesus will unlock doors and hearts and we use it to speak against the power of hell.
Most don’t know how to use His name. If we believe in His name, we will cast out demons and the sick will recover.
We must NOT become complacent after receiving so much food until we don’t have the hunger anymore. Intensity for Him and hunger must grow inside us.
I am expecting miracles this month. Something supernatural to get us ready for the future.
In a time of war, WE MUST BE CLEAN! If we expect a miracle it will happen. If we don’t expect, we will get NOTHING.
Matthew 8:2-3
2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
God IS ABLE.
God is WILLING.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Supernatural Expectation
Gallup recently structured a poll about evangelicals.
Their poll indicated that we seem to be having a hard time living in the world without conforming to its culture. We seem to be doing the same things the world is doing.
When we are sick it means a flu has attached and penetrated our immune system.
So your immune system must stay strong. Healthy churches build an immune system that resists disease.
So to stay healthy spiritually you MUST HAVE:
The saturating presence of the HOLY SPIRIT.
You must value PRAYER.
You must value WORSHIP.
You must value the prophetic at all times.
We must value the Holy Spirit and His gifts and activity.
Now here is what I want to talk to you about. THE VALUE OF SUPERNATURAL EXPECTATION.
The atmosphere of expectancy is vital for a powerful atmosphere of faith and expectation.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. An atmosphere of faith will see miracles, healings and the supernatural, but we MUST believe that all of that is for us TODAY.
God has something prepared for you that is good, miraculous and life changing.
He is ready and willing to work miracles through any person who believes in His unlimited power and possibilities. We must have SUPER-NATURAL expectancy.
1 Corin. 2:9
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Later he explains 2 Corin. 4:18
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
An atmosphere of supernatural expectation helps people to believe and express faith.
FAITH and EXPECTATION are the essence of church culture.
Now hear me, one of the KILLERS of expectation IS BEING EASILY PLEASED.
C.S. Lewis said, “Our Lord finds our desires NOT too strong, BUT TOO WEAK.
We are half-hearted creatures, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Come on church, raise your expectation level.
Don’t be satisfied with NORMAL.
Ask God to help you see through the eyes of the spirit, as he did for Elisha’s servant.
A glimpse is all we need. Just a peek. What you see with natural eyes can bring fear or doubt, but what we see by faith allows us to see VICTORY.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Their poll indicated that we seem to be having a hard time living in the world without conforming to its culture. We seem to be doing the same things the world is doing.
When we are sick it means a flu has attached and penetrated our immune system.
So your immune system must stay strong. Healthy churches build an immune system that resists disease.
So to stay healthy spiritually you MUST HAVE:
The saturating presence of the HOLY SPIRIT.
You must value PRAYER.
You must value WORSHIP.
You must value the prophetic at all times.
We must value the Holy Spirit and His gifts and activity.
Now here is what I want to talk to you about. THE VALUE OF SUPERNATURAL EXPECTATION.
The atmosphere of expectancy is vital for a powerful atmosphere of faith and expectation.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. An atmosphere of faith will see miracles, healings and the supernatural, but we MUST believe that all of that is for us TODAY.
God has something prepared for you that is good, miraculous and life changing.
He is ready and willing to work miracles through any person who believes in His unlimited power and possibilities. We must have SUPER-NATURAL expectancy.
1 Corin. 2:9
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Later he explains 2 Corin. 4:18
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
An atmosphere of supernatural expectation helps people to believe and express faith.
FAITH and EXPECTATION are the essence of church culture.
Now hear me, one of the KILLERS of expectation IS BEING EASILY PLEASED.
C.S. Lewis said, “Our Lord finds our desires NOT too strong, BUT TOO WEAK.
We are half-hearted creatures, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Come on church, raise your expectation level.
Don’t be satisfied with NORMAL.
Ask God to help you see through the eyes of the spirit, as he did for Elisha’s servant.
A glimpse is all we need. Just a peek. What you see with natural eyes can bring fear or doubt, but what we see by faith allows us to see VICTORY.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Money Changer Principle
Acts 2:1
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Matthew 21:12-17
12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”
14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant
16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?”
And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read,
‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”
17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.
I believe if we keep the fire of Holy Spirit burning night and day that we will enter into a powerful flow of the Holy Spirit, where angelic activity is coming, where demonic networks will be shattered and a massive revival will follow.
God is preparing many portals around the world and these portals will be mission command centers as revival is planned, launched and administered.
So we need Acts, Ch. 2 to explode again. The way the first church was birthed is the way it was meant to continue.
So they were ALL In one accord AND in one place.
It depicts a group of people that were radically devoted to this massive commitment to fulfill the mission.
Now let me talk about the improper focus on fellowship, which is IMPORTANT in its right place.
Being in agreement is very different than being in fellowship.
Agreement equals strength that helps break through barriers the enemy sets up.
But a strategy of JUST fellowship alone means we are susceptible to offense, gossip, frustration, disagreement etc.
Fellowship is NOT strong enough to be a foundation of a local church.
Agreement however is.
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
So the mandate was to gather together and wait for power, for a specific purpose.
The call is to be WITNESSES, but do we know what that means?
It’s NOT just to talk to people or hand stuff out.
The Greek meaning of the word witnesses is MAR’-TOO’S or Martyrs.
We are called to embrace the call to DIE for CHRIST.
If we gather JUST for fellowship and nurturing, people will respond on what they receive from church.
But on the contrary, when we gather and understand the severity of the mission, that our mandate is to embrace martyrdom, they are not looking for personal gain. They are surrendered to the call to advance the Kingdom.
If we want to experience revival we must do NOW what we will be doing when revival breaks out.
It should be normal to us to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit regularly.
We should walk into church and fee His fire, brokenness, tears, drunkenness in the Holy Ghost, prophetic unction, repentance etc.
We need a 2 Chron. 7 church.
2 Chron. 7:1-3
1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.
3 When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying:
“For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”
The glory was so powerful everyone was on the floor.
When we experience power like that and like Acts 2, the ability to advance the Kingdom, win souls and experience miracles, increases significantly.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Matthew 21:12-17
12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”
14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant
16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?”
And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read,
‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”
17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.
I believe if we keep the fire of Holy Spirit burning night and day that we will enter into a powerful flow of the Holy Spirit, where angelic activity is coming, where demonic networks will be shattered and a massive revival will follow.
God is preparing many portals around the world and these portals will be mission command centers as revival is planned, launched and administered.
So we need Acts, Ch. 2 to explode again. The way the first church was birthed is the way it was meant to continue.
So they were ALL In one accord AND in one place.
It depicts a group of people that were radically devoted to this massive commitment to fulfill the mission.
Now let me talk about the improper focus on fellowship, which is IMPORTANT in its right place.
Being in agreement is very different than being in fellowship.
Agreement equals strength that helps break through barriers the enemy sets up.
But a strategy of JUST fellowship alone means we are susceptible to offense, gossip, frustration, disagreement etc.
Fellowship is NOT strong enough to be a foundation of a local church.
Agreement however is.
Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
So the mandate was to gather together and wait for power, for a specific purpose.
The call is to be WITNESSES, but do we know what that means?
It’s NOT just to talk to people or hand stuff out.
The Greek meaning of the word witnesses is MAR’-TOO’S or Martyrs.
We are called to embrace the call to DIE for CHRIST.
If we gather JUST for fellowship and nurturing, people will respond on what they receive from church.
But on the contrary, when we gather and understand the severity of the mission, that our mandate is to embrace martyrdom, they are not looking for personal gain. They are surrendered to the call to advance the Kingdom.
If we want to experience revival we must do NOW what we will be doing when revival breaks out.
It should be normal to us to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit regularly.
We should walk into church and fee His fire, brokenness, tears, drunkenness in the Holy Ghost, prophetic unction, repentance etc.
We need a 2 Chron. 7 church.
2 Chron. 7:1-3
1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.
3 When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying:
“For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”
The glory was so powerful everyone was on the floor.
When we experience power like that and like Acts 2, the ability to advance the Kingdom, win souls and experience miracles, increases significantly.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Let The Wind Blow Without Delay
John 3:1-3, 8
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 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.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
I want to talk to you about this WIND. By the way, the word WIND and SPIRIT is the same word.
PNEUMA – Breath of God.
This was the same WIND that hovered over the face of the earth.
The same WIND that the prophet Ezekiel was told to prophecy to.
The same WIND that started blowing on that Valley of Dry bones.
This breath of God is why you are born-again.
The new birth is NOT the end of what God is doing, but the very beginning.
So this is NOT a one-time experience.
The wind of God’s spirit is constantly blowing and we need the continual infilling, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
WIND IS A TRANSFORMING FORCE.
Wind transforms the landscape.
The constant blowing of the wind picks up dirt, sand, rocks and even trash and over time transforms the appearance of the land (i.e. Thurs. morning) Windstorm. It’s called wind erosion.
Church, in our best effort we still are not where we need to be spiritually.
He is working on us, changing us, transforming us.
Christ is being formed in us!
We need the wind of God blowing in our lives to pick up the junk and carry it out.
We need to let the wind rearrange some things.
THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WILLS.
Too many people don’t want the wind, they only want salvation.
They don’t want to change. Let God blow some things out of your life.
THIS WIND IS A POWER GENERATING FORCE.
On Wolfe Island we have windmills built to generate power (electricity).
Wind, for centuries, carried ships and boats across oceans. The WIND of God blowing in you life will empower you.
Zechariah 4:6
So he answered and said to me:
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘
Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
Colossians 1:29
To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel”, “but first BE FILLED WITH HOLY SPIRIT”.
WAIT, until you’re endued with power from on high.
Holy Spirit was sent to empower them for service.
The baptism of Holy Spirit is NOT a Pentecostal thing or a Charismatic thing. IT ‘S A CHURCH THING.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 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.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
I want to talk to you about this WIND. By the way, the word WIND and SPIRIT is the same word.
PNEUMA – Breath of God.
This was the same WIND that hovered over the face of the earth.
The same WIND that the prophet Ezekiel was told to prophecy to.
The same WIND that started blowing on that Valley of Dry bones.
This breath of God is why you are born-again.
The new birth is NOT the end of what God is doing, but the very beginning.
So this is NOT a one-time experience.
The wind of God’s spirit is constantly blowing and we need the continual infilling, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
WIND IS A TRANSFORMING FORCE.
Wind transforms the landscape.
The constant blowing of the wind picks up dirt, sand, rocks and even trash and over time transforms the appearance of the land (i.e. Thurs. morning) Windstorm. It’s called wind erosion.
Church, in our best effort we still are not where we need to be spiritually.
He is working on us, changing us, transforming us.
Christ is being formed in us!
We need the wind of God blowing in our lives to pick up the junk and carry it out.
We need to let the wind rearrange some things.
THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WILLS.
Too many people don’t want the wind, they only want salvation.
They don’t want to change. Let God blow some things out of your life.
THIS WIND IS A POWER GENERATING FORCE.
On Wolfe Island we have windmills built to generate power (electricity).
Wind, for centuries, carried ships and boats across oceans. The WIND of God blowing in you life will empower you.
Zechariah 4:6
So he answered and said to me:
“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘
Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
Colossians 1:29
To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel”, “but first BE FILLED WITH HOLY SPIRIT”.
WAIT, until you’re endued with power from on high.
Holy Spirit was sent to empower them for service.
The baptism of Holy Spirit is NOT a Pentecostal thing or a Charismatic thing. IT ‘S A CHURCH THING.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
2013 Year Of No Delay Pt.2
All throughout 2012, we declared that we must get into governmental order and I believe that shift took place in July.
We must get in and stay in a more aggressive and offensive posture that will not just hold ground but begin to take ground.
An apostolic commissioning is taking place.
Acts 22:14-16
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
The commissioning is this:
1. Know His will
2. To see the Righteous One
3. To hear utterances from His mouth
4. To be witness and testify of what we see and hear
So why delay? We are in the season 2013 of NO DELAY.
You are light in the midst of darkness.
Malachi 2:6-7
6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity.
7 “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
So enter in with NO Delay, your New Normal awaits!
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
We must get in and stay in a more aggressive and offensive posture that will not just hold ground but begin to take ground.
An apostolic commissioning is taking place.
Acts 22:14-16
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
The commissioning is this:
1. Know His will
2. To see the Righteous One
3. To hear utterances from His mouth
4. To be witness and testify of what we see and hear
So why delay? We are in the season 2013 of NO DELAY.
You are light in the midst of darkness.
Malachi 2:6-7
6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and turned many away from iniquity.
7 “For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
So enter in with NO Delay, your New Normal awaits!
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
2013 – Year Of No Delay Stepping Into Your New Normal
God is saying for 2013 that DELAY is no longer an option.
It’s been taken off the table, there is no longer a choice given to wait!
God says what you know to do you must do NOW.
The option of tomorrow is gone; this must be a year of NO DELAY.
You will have challenges, but the pay off will be great.
You will step into your NEW NORMAL this year.
What you have delayed on before, you can no longer delay on.
2013 will be the season of no more delay. You have been equipped, refined and prepared for this mandate.
You are being commissioned as 21st century messengers that will go forth with profound revelation of the Father’s heart.
You will be a light shining in the midst of great darkness. There will be a notable acceleration in this apostolic ministry this year.
All mixture and corruption must be sifted from your soul.
We must be like Daniel, who in Chapter 9 said:
We have sinned
We have committed iniquity
We have done wickedly
We have rebelled against You
We have departed from your precepts
We have departed from your judgments
We have not heeded your prophets.
Do not delay, sift your heart. As Kim Clement said, we cannot enter 2013 with one negative word on our lips, but rather the word CONQUER will resonate and prepare our path to many victories in 2013. DON’T DELAY.
It’s time for a year of no more struggles. God is about to reach down to take you up to a supernatural level in the heavenlies. Higher than you have ever been.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
It’s been taken off the table, there is no longer a choice given to wait!
God says what you know to do you must do NOW.
The option of tomorrow is gone; this must be a year of NO DELAY.
You will have challenges, but the pay off will be great.
You will step into your NEW NORMAL this year.
What you have delayed on before, you can no longer delay on.
2013 will be the season of no more delay. You have been equipped, refined and prepared for this mandate.
You are being commissioned as 21st century messengers that will go forth with profound revelation of the Father’s heart.
You will be a light shining in the midst of great darkness. There will be a notable acceleration in this apostolic ministry this year.
All mixture and corruption must be sifted from your soul.
We must be like Daniel, who in Chapter 9 said:
We have sinned
We have committed iniquity
We have done wickedly
We have rebelled against You
We have departed from your precepts
We have departed from your judgments
We have not heeded your prophets.
Do not delay, sift your heart. As Kim Clement said, we cannot enter 2013 with one negative word on our lips, but rather the word CONQUER will resonate and prepare our path to many victories in 2013. DON’T DELAY.
It’s time for a year of no more struggles. God is about to reach down to take you up to a supernatural level in the heavenlies. Higher than you have ever been.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
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