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Dealing with the Spirit of Magnification

Posted in Co-Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

Since the beginning of time, Satan desired to be more than he was—more powerful, more recognized, more important. Before his fall from glory, Lucifer had it going on in the spirit.  He had an awesome position and his beauty and his fame can be compared to none.  When the devil fell from glory, his desire to “be more” never left him. Isaiah 14:13-16 tells us how Satan longs for more.  He often transforms himself into an “angel of light” in an attempt to deceive the believers. He will use whatever means possible to ensnare believers. He is a master delusionist. The Bible tells us he is “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

Yet God promises His people protection from the wiles and devices of the evil one.  Weapons may form against the believer, but they will not prosper (Isaiah 54:17). God’s promise of protection is much greater than Satan’s delusion of destruction.  But it is vitally important that we learn this truth: The supernatural manifestations that occur in our lives are dependent upon our ability to discern each situation. The one that is greater in our eyes will manifest his glory in our lives. If God is greater, it will be His glory that is manifested in our life. If Satan is greater—then his glory will be manifested.

Even though we love the Lord, life situations at times can seem so “BIG”! The trick of the enemy is to cause us to magnify our problems. It appears like Satan has a big magnifying glass that he carries with him everywhere he goes. As believers we must get a true revelation of the Greater One on the inside of us.  Jesus stripped Satan of all authority. He took the keys of hell, death, and the grave and gave us power over all the power of the enemy. In the end, when everything is said and done, the Bible says that kings will look at Satan and ask, “Is this the man who made the earth tremble? Who shook kingdoms?”

As believers, let’s put the devil to open shame and cast down the magnifying glass the devil has used to blow up the importance of situations in our lives. Cunningly he makes things seem so much bigger than what they really are. The sin of it all is that he make us believe that what we are facing is bigger than whom we serve!

Let‘s make God large in our lives and declare Psalms 34:3 today, “Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together!  In Ezekiel 38:23 God says, “I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”

An Overcoming Prayer Life

Posted in Co-Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds!”

One of the most powerful weapons God has given the body of Christ is prayer. Prayer cannot be a passing fancy or fad. Power comes through constant prayer. Many people pray but lack the patience to be persistent when the answer doesn’t come in a day or a week. Victory is the Lord’s but it will not manifest on the earth if we as believers do not fight for it. Intercessors, this is our time on the earth to see that God’s will is done during our watch. We must stand in the gap and tell the Enemy, “Not on my watch!” We must persevere in prayer all the way to victory.

In order to take the fields of battle God has assigned to us, we need to be steadily and patiently plugged in to our Father’s command center. We need to tune in to heaven’s frequency and listen to what God has to say concerning His will and His ways of bringing His goodness into manifestation on the earth. We must go beyond just merely presenting our requests to God but to pray until we hear from heaven! There are battles still raging on this earth, and those battles are fought in the spiritual realm before they manifest in the natural. If we prevail in the Spirit, we will win in the natural.

Daniel was a man of prayer and would let nothing deter his mission to pray. Daniel was thrown into the Lion’s den…Why? Because he threw open his windows and prayed in spite of the order of the king. Daniel 10 states that Daniel began to seek through prayer and fasting for 21 days. Then finally after three full weeks, an angel appears to Daniel saying, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before God, your words were heard; and I am come because of your words.”

Prayer is a call to duty, a practice and principle for every one belonging to Christ. Prayer is the key, the weapon, to our success and to winning battles in every arena of life.

“The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” Daniel 11:32

A Higher Place

Posted in Co-Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

In Psalm 61:1-2, David prayed, “Hear my cry, O God, attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

What do we need when we are overwhelmed? We need to go to the Rock that is higher than we are, where we can see above the confusion and the chaos and get a heavenly perspective.

Without the proper vision, we will perish (Proverbs 29:18). We need to be a prophetic people who understand the times we live in. We cannot afford to prophesy frivolous things when God is trying to show us the fire on the horizon. We must see the bigger picture.

How do you get this prophetic vision and revelation that comes from above? How do you get the understanding and insight you need for the days to come? You need an encounter with the Father. He alone can give us the perspective we need to stand in the days to come. Call out to Him, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Be a Doer of the Word

Posted in Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

A mirror is an amazing commodity. Think about it. Whether brushing your teeth, your hair, shaving, etc., looking into a mirror allows us to behold ourselves. The bible says in James 1:22-25 “Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only.” To be a hearer only and not a doer is synonymous with looking into a mirror at yourself and deliberately forgetting the type of person you truly are.

I believe this passage in James challenges us in the Body of Christ to focus on the integrity of our character. After all, masquerading Christ likeness in our day IS rampant. You know, wolves in sheep clothing, deceiving your own selves.

I pray this day our hearts will continually hunger and thirst after righteousness. I pray this day the burden for the souls of mankind will increase. And that your life goal will be to obey His commandments. What a glorious reward to hear the Voice of God say “Well done, thy good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.” These truths, I do so ever believe….

Yielded Vessels

Posted in Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

‘And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.‘ (Jeremiah 18:4)

As we continue to consecrate ourselves daily, I’m reminded constantly how Jesus came unto us with no reputation of Himself. Though clothed in divinity, He came in the form of a servant, humbled himself, even to death on the cross!!! Now, Jesus is seated in a place of honor, far above every principality and power in this world and in the world to come. GLORY TO GOD…Guess what? Where Jesus is, we in the body of Christ are there also. Yet, by comprehending this one simple principle can we demonstrate Christ-like humility. We are like clay in the hands of the potter. Allow the Holy Ghost to mold, mend, re-make, and re-shape you. Yes! Release these words into the atmosphere as well as your heart: GOD, I choose to be a yielded vessel in your hands. The less of me O GOD, while the more of YOU…

And Him Only Shalt Thou Serve

Posted in Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

Hmmmm! There are a lot of things I get concerned about. This observation does: In the gospel of Matthew, chapter 4, verses 8-10, it reads thus: “Again the devil taketh him up into an exceedingly high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou will fall down and worship me. Never before in the history of time has the gospel of Jesus Christ spread throughout the world in the manner its being done now. We can do more now. Look at the tools available: Satellites, the internet, media, social media, etc.. Its not the accomplishments made for the cause of Christ that concerns me, it is the attention given to the chosen vessels that God has raised up in our day. There is a growing cavalcade of so-call superstars in the body of Christ arising due to the vast media attention given to them. Yes, we are anointed! Yes, we are gifted! Yes, we have special abilities and yes, we are prosperous!!! If not watchful, this could play right into the strategy of Satan. Did not Ole Lucifer notice how anointed he was? Did not Ole Lucifer notice how beautiful and gifted he was? Did not Ole Lucifer want to be exalted above God?

It’s almost inescapable to not be influenced by the fame given to our ministries as thousands be healed, and thousands more give their lives to Jesus, and thousands and thousands and thousands of others are the recipients of miracles. Ministry in our day is quite extraordinary. We are doing greater works just as Jesus said we would. Yet God is being robbed of the glory that rightly belongs to Him. The spirit of Lucifer causes us to see our church, our ministries, and even ourselves. Body of Christ, resist the lust to be famous. Abandon this aggressive plan to be the top ministry. I look forward to receiving my rewards for works done from my Lord and Savior than from Hollywood. Do not be deceived into becoming an eye servant. By doing so, we actually bow to the will of Satan, for the kingdoms of this world do bring earthly glory…..”AND THOU SHALT WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD, AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE”

Apply Faith Principles

Posted in Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

At times, life challenges make you feel like a rubber band; being stretched to its maximum length, without breaking. Well, it is your faith actually that is being stretched. God has given us everything that pertains to life wherewith the outcome will be victorious. “Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Some things have to be accomplished, while other situations must be endured. I pray that you continue to apply faith principles to life’s challenges. Remember, whenever a measure of faith is used, more will be deposited.

21 Day Consecration

Posted in Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

Our church just completed 21 days of fasting and prayer. I pray what you learned during the consecration will carry on throughout the year. We experienced a closeness with the Holy Ghost, corporately, that paralleled how it was in Eden; before we lost fellowship with God due to sin. Biblical fasting disciplines the flesh. As our spirit man strengthens, this allows our self-will, thoughts, feelings and emotions (soul) to be influenced by God’s word. So walk in the Spirit—Enjoy intimate fellowship with God’s presence on a daily basis!

The Year of God

Posted in Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

I was just telling our congregation how excited I am about 2012, ‘THE YEAR OF GOD‘. His presence will be manifested in every area of our life. This is due to you choosing to walk in total obedience consistently during your daily walk with the Lord. When we intersect with God’s timing, the enemy cannot prevent what’s coming to you at this acceptable time. When the prodigal son made up his mind to come home, the bible says his father saw him afar off. Guess what? The son who once was lost was coming directly towards him. God’s word concerning your prophetic destiny will accomplish its purpose. It shall come to pass. Can’t you see it afar off? Guess what? The expected result is coming directly towards you.

The Power of the Spoken Word

Posted in Pastor Hardy's Blog, Pastor's Blog.

When Jesus got up from the grave, He declared “that all power in heaven and earth is in my hand.” Not only are we redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, but restored back to right relationship and fellowship with God the Father as it was in the beginning. Let me further challenge you. We cannot put back into divine order every imperfect situation in our lives. The finished work was completed at Calvary. Listen to the words of our Lord: ” And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: And whatsoever you shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever you shall loose on earth, shall be loose in heaven.” It’s not so much what God is going to do, it’s whatsoever you say. Nothing is more gratifying than to see the demonstration of the power of God in our lives through the words spoken by us. Not our words, but the word of God.