It Is Finished

As I look at Sunday morning church goers I am overwhelmed with sorrow. Too often Christians are under the conception that God owes them something. Therefore our worship services are filled with programs and performances that don't glorify God. The average Christian is wounded and hurt, waiting for God to "show up". Well as far as God is concerned God has already showed up. He sent His son Jesus Christ to pay for the sins of the world. Jesus defeated death, hell and the grave. Jesus removed the curses of poverty, sickness and disease. Genesis tells us that on the seventh day God rested. The Gospels tell us that Jesus declared on the cross "It is finished". Finally in Matthew 28 Jesus declares that "All Power" was given to Him, and He tells believers to go in his delegated power applying His teachings to their lives, also to teach others and to baptize in His name and He promises that He will be with us forever. In other words Jesus is telling all Christians, He has given us everything we need to KEEP IT MOVIN! So believer GET UP, Get into the word and Get Going about the Fathers Business!

The Commissary of God

Anyone who has ever served in the military has heard of the Commissary. The Commissary is a store that sells food or supplies to the personal or workers in a military post. The ability to shop at the Commisary is a privilege for military personal because of it's convenience of being located on the military base. Also the price for groceries is considerately low compared to the popular food chains in the area. As you study the bible you will see that Christians are in the Army of the Lord. We are encouraged to endure hardness as a good soldier and to put on the whole Armor of God. As we serve God, he is obligated by His word to provide for us a Commissary in His Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 says, as we seek God and His Kingdom, everything we have need of will be given to us. God also promises us in Philippians 4:19 that he would supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory. The glory of God is everything he has and everything He is. God's glory is His Commissary. We enter into the Commissary of God through faith and with our seeds; financial seeds, emotional seeds, good deeds, faith filled confessions, and sharing the Love of God. 2 Corinthians 9 promises us that the God who gives us food, gives seed to the sower and multiplies the seeds that we sow. As believers, we must remember everything that we need is in the Commisary of God and as long as we have a seed God will meet our needs! Therefore, be sure to always sow into the House of God and into every good work of the Kingdom of God. I look forward to seeing you in God's Commissary!

Consecration

The Word Consecration means to set apart or dedicate for divine service. I believe the best prayer that a believer can pray is the prayer of Consecration. In Luke 22, Jesus prayed the prayer of Consecration in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said "Father not my will but yours be done". Jesus said that his flesh was weak but His spirit was willing. Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus didn't want to carry his cross and he definitely didn't want to be crucified. But in his unwillingness he prayed the prayer of Consecration ... Father not my will but yours be done The bible says that as a result of this prayer of Comsecration, God sent an angel to strengthen him. Now it seems like the angel should of delivered him from carrying his cross and the crucifixion; But on the contrary the angel just gave him the strength to pick up his cross and be crucified.

I have learned that one of the most powerful and effective prayers a believer can pray is the prayer of Comsecration. This prayer is the prayer that sets the believer apart to be divinely used by God. It sets all fleshly and carnal desires aside, and places our hearts in the hand of God. But you must be forewarned this prayer is not one to be played with or taken lightly. When the prayer of Consecration is in affect, you can expect three things:

1. strength (to continue)
2. your cross (burden
3. Crucifixion (dying to self)
God will grant you these three things to set you apart for His divine will, purpose and assignment for your life. So get ready, get serious and when you decide you want to go further in th things of God, pray the prayer of Consecration ... Father not my will, but yours be done!Amen

Living the Fasted Life

Did you know you don't have to wait until the Bishop calls a fast to begin Fasting? Did you know you don't have to wait until trouble comes to begin your fast? Fasting is a spiritual disciple that helps the believer live a more disciplined spiritual life. Keep this term on your mind as you go about your busy day ... "The Fasted Life". This term means to do everything in moderation. Try not to indulge in anything too much. Did you know you don't have to always eat everything on your plate? Did you know you don't have to visit your Facebook page or watch TV everyday? You can even turn your cell phone off for a few hours when you get home! Here is an equation to help you; less facebook, less Internet, less cell phone, less TV, less food, equals more Bible, More Revelation, More Success and More God! This is your equation for "Living the Fasted Life". You don't have to be a fanatic, just begin to simplify your life by not over indulging in anything and spend a little more time developing spiritual disciplines. You will be surprised by your Progress! See on the KIRB!

The Focus Factor

Have you ever been so busy that you forgot the main things you set out to do? Have you ever lost your train of thought and in the middle of a sentence asked the person you were talking to, "what was I saying"? Well I believe this happens to many of us as Christians. Too often we get so busy and distracted with our daily lives we forget what being a Christian is all about. We lose our focus and become side tracked and begin to wonder how we ended up so far away from Gods purpose in our lives. To focus, means to make the neccessary adjustments to see an object more clearly. And this is exactly what we are supposed to do as believers. Whatever the adjustment is, it is our responsibility to stay focused on God's Kingdom! The Kingdom of God is not meat or drink but Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom. 14:17). The foundational building blocks in the Kingdom of God, are not natural things but Spiritual. These spiritual building blocks are Righteousness (divine position) Peace and joy (divine assuredness and divine strength), which are produced by the Holy Spirit. The builder of the Kingdom is the Holy Spirit of God. We must focus on the work of the Spirit of God, which is A Revelation of righteousness, Peace and Joy! Focus on the position of Righteousness, the assurance of your salvation, and the strength of Joy!

Forgiveness

Hello Family!
I just want to encourage you as you press your way through this week. A great script to meditate on during your time of fasting is Matthew 6:15, “But, if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily, I say unto you, “They have their reward”. 

Notice in this scripture an important ingredient in fasting is forgiveness. Forgiveness is acquitting others of their offenses towards you. When we forgive others, God promises us that He will forgive us. Also if you notice in verse 16 the scripture uses the words, WHEN you fast rather than IF you fast. The word WHEN makes fasting a command from Jesus and not a suggestion. All believers should fast occasionally as the Spirit leads. We are also instructed not to appear as though we are fasting. This means don't show sadness or hunger because of fasting. This also includes boasting and bragging about your fasting. Remember, in this same chapter   we have another promise ... Your father who sees what you do in private will reward you openly!

Don't forget to come and get fed this Wednesday night in the House of God. Keep Praying, Keep Pressing, Keep Praising!

Bishop Smith

The Daniel Fast: Prayer that Provokes Warfare

In Daniel 10, the Prophet's prayer and fasting Provoked Spiritual Warfare in the heavens! Daniel's earnest exhibition of prayer and fasting was to gain spiritual understanding and it caused principalities to go into battle. The Prince of Persia held up Daniels Prayers for 21 Days. The number 3 represents Divine Perfection and The number 7 represents Divine Completeness; Therefore the number 21 can represent 3 perfect cycles of completion. For those of you participating in the Daniel Fast, don't give up! Your answer is on the way! Continue to Deny the flesh and remain prayerful (at least 3 times per day). If you make a mistake, repent and continue. This fast was not meant to be easy because it provokes WARFARE! Remember the attacks and battles that you may experience during your fast are a reflection of the warfare in the realm of the spirit. My prayer for you is that you endure and overcome and walk in the victory that is yours in the Mighty Name of Jesus!

DANIEL FAST TIPS:
Keep a Journal to record Revelation, visions, instructions, answers etc.
Limit all outside distactions (Tv,Phone,Computers)
Plan your Day and your Menu
Schedule your Prayer And meditation (at least 3 times per day)
Eat only Fruits, Vegetables, whole grains, nuts etc.
Drink only water
No Sugar

In Da Club?

Recently I heard a Christian song called: In da Club! The song paints the picture of Christians taking over the clubs in the city. This song helped me realize the new era of Christianity we now live in. It seems as though there is a new 21rst Century Christian coming to church. This new believer loves God but has loss faith in the church. There is a yearning in his soul for the love and peace and prosperity that has been preached for centuries. But he is beginning to realize that these things don't come from the church and can only come from God Himself. Men and women all over the world are leaving churches to find God. They are tired of being hypocritically persecuted for their outward appearances and Transgressions. Saggy jeans, body piercings and tattoos are flooding church pews on Sundays. The hustlers, harlots and homosexuals are are leaving the NIGHT Clubs and Coming to the LIGHT Clubs searching for God. The true church is beginning to really understand what Jesus meant when He said, "Come as You Are". Jesus doesn't care what you wear on the outside, but who you are on the inside. Bring your sins, your friends, your short comings and your failures to God and not to the church. There is a new club in town. You don't have to dress up, because everyone is wearing the same thing ... From the Parking lot to the pulpit to the pew. join the Club, the light Club ... The next time you look for a church, make sure you find God, because He really wants you to Come As You Are!