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
Thursday, August 1, 2013
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
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