Luke 1:34-35
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Extraordinary is NOT about what things happen around us but what is happening inside of us.
It’s the nature God has given us. When a prophetic word goes out, it is NOT about an event.
God is revealing His nature to us so we can move closer to Him. The extraordinary, the supernatural is for us. We must align ourselves with the supernatural.
Mary was ordinary but the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit came upon her.
Luke 1:41
And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Look at Jesus; He came out of the wilderness in the power of the Spirit.
What about the 120 in the upper room? The extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit came upon them.
It IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE to walk in the supernatural. The Holy Spirit will take over our lives. And when He does, extraordinary things happen.
Eph. 3:16-17
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,
The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Christ.
I think we need to stretch our faith and enlarge our thinking.
Let’s think about the Universe, it spans a diameter of over 150 billion light years and is still expanding.
There are over 16 billion trillion stars in the universe and 1 million earths could fit into the Sun.
The Milky Way galaxy in which we live is only 1 out of 100 billion galaxies in space.
Each galaxy with 100 billion stars. Our human eye can only see 3,000.
He’s a big, extraordinary, supernatural God.
By The Way, a light year is 9.5 trillion KM.
We are ordinary, He IS NOT. But if the Christ in us can be brought out, we will become extraordinary.
When we read the Word it is not to put the Word in us but to bring Christ out of us.
When we bring Christ forth, ordinary will become extraordinary.
He who is in us is greater than He that is in the world.
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
We must allow the Holy Spirit to take us through the doors to places we don’t want to go.
Moses had to go where he did not want to go.
Gideon had to go where he did not want to go.
We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. It’s time to allow God to break us out of our routines and cycles.
If we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, He will always lead us to the extraordinary.
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Own Your Thirst
Isaiah 44:3 (AMP.)
For I will pour water upon him who is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. I will pour My Spirit upon your offspring, and My blessing upon your descendants.
Isaiah 41:17-20 (AMP.)
17 The poor and needy are seeking water when there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the wild olive; I will set the cypress in the desert, the plane [tree] and the pine [tree] together,
20 That men may see and know and consider and understand together that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
It’s really talking about a revival of desperation. Desperation causes people to do things they would not normally do.
That verse says the poor and needy are seeking water but don’t find any.
So the fact that it says the Lord will answer them means they were crying out.
Desperation does that. So often when we struggle or we are in a dry place we think we have done something wrong and we try to fix it.
But this verse talks about a desperation that causes you to CRY OUT!
And God answers, not by saying, “Come to me”, but by saying, “I AM COMING TO YOU!” He says, “I am going to change your environment.
Water is coming. POOLS AND SPRINGS of it.
Trees are coming.
Shade is coming.
And everyone will see it.
Those who said it was your fault will see it.
Those who said you sinned, they will see it.
Look at somebody and say, “God will help you.”
In Isaiah 44, it is not talking about an INPOURING but an OUTPOURING that is coming.
So do we crave that outpouring? And He says that He will pour it out on the one who is THIRSTY? Anybody! Is anybody thirsty?
When can and will this happen? Next week?
When I stop being dry or struggling?
NO, TODAY! All it takes is for your land to be dry.
I never listen to Beth Moore but she inspired me with this word. I heard her for five minutes and she asked, “If we own our thirst”.
Because if we would “own our thirst” the outpouring will happen.
Can we humble ourselves in this open door enough to say, “I am thirsty and dry for an outpouring of your spirit God?”
In Chapter 41 did you notice the “I WILLS” Not I may but I WILL?
Not when the time is right.
Listen, if we will own our thirst He says, “I will take the wilderness, AND change it, right where you are.”
Isaiah 41:20 (E.S.V.)
that they may see and know,
may consider and understand together,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Everyone will know that only God could do this.
Listen, if God has given you a VISION hang on to it no matter what your environment looks like.
If you will own your thirst and tell God how thirsty you are, and that you are desperate, He promises to send an out-pouring of His rain.
His rain brings His presence which brings His glory and then everything changes.
Now watch, He said, “I will open rivers.”
“I will make the wilderness a pool of water.”
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
For I will pour water upon him who is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground. I will pour My Spirit upon your offspring, and My blessing upon your descendants.
Isaiah 41:17-20 (AMP.)
17 The poor and needy are seeking water when there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the wild olive; I will set the cypress in the desert, the plane [tree] and the pine [tree] together,
20 That men may see and know and consider and understand together that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
It’s really talking about a revival of desperation. Desperation causes people to do things they would not normally do.
That verse says the poor and needy are seeking water but don’t find any.
So the fact that it says the Lord will answer them means they were crying out.
Desperation does that. So often when we struggle or we are in a dry place we think we have done something wrong and we try to fix it.
But this verse talks about a desperation that causes you to CRY OUT!
And God answers, not by saying, “Come to me”, but by saying, “I AM COMING TO YOU!” He says, “I am going to change your environment.
Water is coming. POOLS AND SPRINGS of it.
Trees are coming.
Shade is coming.
And everyone will see it.
Those who said it was your fault will see it.
Those who said you sinned, they will see it.
Look at somebody and say, “God will help you.”
In Isaiah 44, it is not talking about an INPOURING but an OUTPOURING that is coming.
So do we crave that outpouring? And He says that He will pour it out on the one who is THIRSTY? Anybody! Is anybody thirsty?
When can and will this happen? Next week?
When I stop being dry or struggling?
NO, TODAY! All it takes is for your land to be dry.
I never listen to Beth Moore but she inspired me with this word. I heard her for five minutes and she asked, “If we own our thirst”.
Because if we would “own our thirst” the outpouring will happen.
Can we humble ourselves in this open door enough to say, “I am thirsty and dry for an outpouring of your spirit God?”
In Chapter 41 did you notice the “I WILLS” Not I may but I WILL?
Not when the time is right.
Listen, if we will own our thirst He says, “I will take the wilderness, AND change it, right where you are.”
Isaiah 41:20 (E.S.V.)
that they may see and know,
may consider and understand together,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Everyone will know that only God could do this.
Listen, if God has given you a VISION hang on to it no matter what your environment looks like.
If you will own your thirst and tell God how thirsty you are, and that you are desperate, He promises to send an out-pouring of His rain.
His rain brings His presence which brings His glory and then everything changes.
Now watch, He said, “I will open rivers.”
“I will make the wilderness a pool of water.”
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
2014 – The Year Of The Open Door
Matthew 8:18
And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.
In the Hebrew calendar it’s the year 5774 – Ayin Dalet, meaning open door/portal/opportunity/entrance.
Ayin means – eye, see, perceive, reveal
Dalet means – house, tent, a flapping door, ear
Dalet in Hebrew, looks like a doorknob.
It is also the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The bent shape of dalet also symbolizes a needy person who is bent over the Word to hear.
Ayin as said means “eye, see”. So in 2014 you will have a choice to see things – optimism or pessimism.
I’m telling you, if you get this 2014 will be like days of heaven on earth.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20
18 “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
20 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
So in 2014 you must engage the Word differently than you have in the past.
The Word is the open door of the Son.
You must not just hear and never do.
Things failed in 2013 because you heard but never did.
God is saying in 2014 ENGAGE HIS WORD.
If you do you will see heaven on earth in 2014.
So in 2014 engage the Word over your family, business, and church.
So sow the Word in 2014 and you will see doors open.
Out of that open door will flow miracles. As you speak the Word and step through the open door you will see every barrier and limitation break as FAVOR rests on you.
Open doors will lead to open revelation and open understanding.
Yes, storms will come but you must BUILD on that which has stood the test of time.
You must be like that needy person bent over the Word to hear what the Spirit is saying, then DO IT!
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.
In the Hebrew calendar it’s the year 5774 – Ayin Dalet, meaning open door/portal/opportunity/entrance.
Ayin means – eye, see, perceive, reveal
Dalet means – house, tent, a flapping door, ear
Dalet in Hebrew, looks like a doorknob.
It is also the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The bent shape of dalet also symbolizes a needy person who is bent over the Word to hear.
Ayin as said means “eye, see”. So in 2014 you will have a choice to see things – optimism or pessimism.
I’m telling you, if you get this 2014 will be like days of heaven on earth.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20
18 “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
20 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
So in 2014 you must engage the Word differently than you have in the past.
The Word is the open door of the Son.
You must not just hear and never do.
Things failed in 2013 because you heard but never did.
God is saying in 2014 ENGAGE HIS WORD.
If you do you will see heaven on earth in 2014.
So in 2014 engage the Word over your family, business, and church.
So sow the Word in 2014 and you will see doors open.
Out of that open door will flow miracles. As you speak the Word and step through the open door you will see every barrier and limitation break as FAVOR rests on you.
Open doors will lead to open revelation and open understanding.
Yes, storms will come but you must BUILD on that which has stood the test of time.
You must be like that needy person bent over the Word to hear what the Spirit is saying, then DO IT!
Yours for revival,
Pastor Francis Armstrong
Friday, December 6, 2013
The Storm That God Is In
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)