Storm Chasers

Have you ever watched storm chasers on TV or on a movie? You will notice when they receive notification a storm is coming they track respectively, not driving away but directly into the storm.  It sounds ludicrous, but they are storm chasers, it’s what they do and do it well while maintaining safety. 

I want you to know when we speak the Word of God, it is the storm chaser. It chases down the storms that come into our life and instead of taking pictures it defuses the storm.  The word of God does not drive away from the storm but tackles it head on.  The word of God does not show up to take pictures, but shows up to defuse the storm.  Storms will come in life.  While they may be difficult to navigate, rest assured that God will not give you more than you can bear and with Him, nothing is impossible. 

In the bible there were several different types of storms. One storm caused the disciples to panic, even though Jesus had told them to cross over to the other side. In this passage of text Jesus had finished feeding five thousand; there were even 12 baskets left over. The disciples followed Jesus’ word and loaded onto the ship and began to sail to the other side. No matter what is occurring the word given to us by God will always take precedence to the opposition. So, around 3am in the morning a great storm arose. This storm was so horrific they began to throw out all of their belongings. Jesus saw them and came walking on the water. He eventually loaded into the boat and said “Peace Be still,” and they were immediately on the other side. Jesus is the storm stopper. Another storm was when Jesus was in the boat, and He was asleep when it began. The disciples once again were afraid and went to awake him. When he awoke, He said o, ye of little faith and said "Peace, Be still."  The third type of storm was a hurricane. In this storm, Paul the Apostle was being transported to another city. In the process God sent an angel and he stood by Paul and said there would be no loss of life. In each of these storms, God was there. His Word superseded what was occurring.

It’s the Word that causes the storm to cease and brings into existence God’s supernatural peace that passes all understanding. Jesus said call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things; Jeremiah 33:3. There is not a storm that God’s Word cannot cause to cease.

Today, I want to encourage you to speak the Word. Find scriptures to release toward the storm and see how one word, one scripture can cause the storm to be peaceful and still. Speak the Word and see God’s supernatural hand calm the storms in your life.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Erase the Film

Do you remember the old film reels that schools would project before the digital age of technology came about?  Our memories can be like the film located on the reels.  In our life we encounter good, bad, and ugly situations; we store these memories similar to archived film.  Many times we do not realize these archived films hold unhealthy emotions and thoughts attached.  It’s easy to suppress and push as far down as possible anything related to difficult memories.  It’s in this, we develop roots.  Roots that eventually hold us back from moving forward with the purpose God has planned for our lives.

There was a woman in the Bible who was directed to leave her city with her family.  The Lord was going to destroy the city and gave them a heads up to head out of town.  In His heads up, He also gave specific instructions that when leaving, do not look back.  As Lot, his wife and family were exiting the city, she looked back.  She turned into a pillar of salt.  The consequences of looking back on things we should leave behind can be grave.  Sure we can learn from experience but it’s important to not relive and re-hatch events over and over.  Do you find yourself rehearsing “film” you should discard?  Learning how to discard film in our life is a process.  I want to share with you how you can overcome in four steps: face it, trace it, erase it and replace it. 

Face it: confront the piece of film, face it with an attitude of victory and the spirit of an over-comer.

Trace it: Draw the line back to the root of where this film first started.  Identify the root.

Erase it: We are not denying it occurred, but the storage space you used to keep the memory, that film can be erased.  We do this by releasing to God the pain and embarrassment of the event.

Replace it: Once erased, you replace the film by generating new memories in that previously archived section.   You replace what can sometime be a gaping hole, with the word of God.

When Joseph in the bible was promoted to be second in command, his brothers came to him for food because there was a famine. His brothers did not recognize him because he had been gone for over 13 years. He could have harbored all the bitterness and hurt they caused him, but he forgave them and they were all spared.

You see, even when the enemy wants to destroy us, God has alternative plans. It could have been easy for Joseph to make his brothers suffer like he did, but he knew God had a bigger plan and that was to help his family and others. Joseph faced it, traced it, and erased it by replacing it with God’s word. The word of the Lord was “God had sent me before to preserve you and our inheritance.” This Word replaced all the wrong, mistreatment, rejection, hurt, and lies Joseph had encountered. 

Today, face that area that you have avoided. Maybe it’s being able to stay in a relationship. Maybe it’s with your career or raising children. Maybe it’s being committed, or staying focus. Whatever it is, face it with an attitude of victory, so you can trace it, erase it and replace it with what God says in His Word.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark 

Why Forgive

Forgiveness is not an act of acceptance, but an act of freedom. When we forgive, it releases the toxin’s the offense caused.  In the bible, there was a woman with a chronic health issue.  This blood condition plagued her for twelve years.   Twelve years is prime opportunity to grow bitter.  Most people would have grown frustrated after twelve days.  What is unique about this piece of history is that while she could have become bitter because there was no relief; she instead chose to keep her focus on Jesus and not allow the pain to blur her vision of being made whole.  The bible goes on to say when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment she was indeed made whole.

It’s God’s desire that we are whole. Whole simply means without lack. When we hold onto unforgiveness, it opens up doors to anger, resentment, hatred, and we become frustrated, disillusioned, and hard to get along with. In fact it will harbor us to the shores of doubt, unbelief, and distrust. But when we forgive, we release ourselves from the shore to sail out to the waters of more than enough. You might say, but you don’t know the agony and pain I went through. I might not know, but I know Jesus was touched by the feelings of our infirmities. This means, He knows what it means to be sold out, beaten, abused, and ridiculed; and he knows how to forgive.

The first step to forgiveness, is knowing that forgiving is not accepting or approving what happened.  It is not making excuses thinking you should not have been there, or any other intrusive thought that comes to mind.  No, it’s releasing the pain and the person for what they did. It’s not a get out of jail card for them, but a get out of jail card for you. You were born for greatness and the only way to move on is to forgive.

Forgive today and release yourself from the harbor of would have, should have, and could have to the ocean of living life victorious. Your best is yet to come.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

twitter.com/PastorMarkBrown 

Thriving

“Thriving”

Life has a way of bringing us situations we might not have been trained to handle. However, with God, we can thrive instead of survive. In every situation Jesus was in, He knew how to take it and turn it around. He knew who He was and to whom He belonged; two variables which caused Him to never doubt His assignment on planet earth. 

In the book of Corinthians, Paul writes to the Church at Corinth and tells them to live a life that is thriving. He tells them to embrace the truth that makes them free. This city became one of the wealthiest cities in this time. But even thou you could acquire things; they did not live a thriving life. A thriving life is more than having money, it’s more than notoriety; it’s a life that has allowed Christ to permeate throughout their life.

It starts with building a bridge between you and the place of purpose.  Instead of saying “this is the way I am” no say, “I am more than a conqueror, I have God’s favor, I have His authority and His presence.” Every time you speak the Word, you have just moved into a life of thriving. I have known of people who were gifted, smart, and even Pro Athletic. Everybody could see it but them. The reason was they lived a life of constant survival; just make it to Friday. Then when Monday came around, just make it to 5 pm. No my friend, God designed us to thrive. He knew life would have hard at times, but we must remember God said for us to enjoy and not endure. 

Today, wherever you are in life, reaching your goals, in the middle of a setback, or maybe you have not started; step into thriving mode and watch your purpose vehicle accelerate to your destiny. God said in Mark chapter nine verse 23 with Him all things are possible. With God you can thrive and not just survive in life.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark 

Failure is not Final

Failure is not final. You might say, “How’s that possible?” You see failure is an opportunity for God to show forth His power. The bible tells us of a man named Gideon. Gideon had faced tremendous failure in his life. In fact, when God came to him, he was working in the bottom of a winepress threshing wheat. The reason was, at that time the enemy would come and take all their provisions if they saw them. It would seem as though the enemy had won. But God addressed him saying “Mighty hero” and Gideon responded, “I am not a mighty hero.” Gideon was not in denial, he had faced failure, but God was speaking to him letting him know failure is not final.

Many times we go through life and are faced with failure. Whether it’s in our marriage, career, family and we settle; placing a period where it might not necessarily belong. I want to encourage you failure is not final. God can take any circumstance and have a strategic rebound. When King David in the Bible sinned against God and had an affair, he did not say Oh well it’s over, no he ask God to forgive him. That is a huge deal. Moral failure is destructive, tears apart hearts, families, not something to take lightly. God forgave him and allowed David to still be king. David is proof; failure is not final. Maybe you messed up today or yesterday. Remember, failure is not final.

So, if you have had any failure, (which every successful person has), don’t allow it to be final, instead use it as place of learning and the wind to propel you into your destiny in Christ. It’s not over! No matter how bad it is, failure is not final. Today, take the step toward God’s strategic and didactic plan for a supernatural resilience because failure is not final!



Blessings,


Pastor Mark 

When Faith Makes Sense

In life it makes sense to work so to get a paycheck. It makes sense to pay your utilities so to keep them on.  But when it comes to faith, it can at times seem not to make sense.

Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He is the reason we have life. Because He is our life giver, it makes sense to respond and act upon what the life giver request. When God told Moses to throw the rod down, it made sense. But it did not make sense to pick it up after it turned to a snake. The reason it made sense to pick it up was because God told him to. God will never ask us to do anything that will cause us hurt or harm. 

So, it might not make sense to bless others, but it does because the bible tells us give and it will be given back. It might not makes sense to love when it seems those who we are loving are not loving us back. But it does because God said to love.

You see, it might not makes sense, but when we follow what the Word has spoken, it makes sense to walk out in faith.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark 

4 Attributes of a Leader

This week I attended our Leaders Conference with our Pastor/Bishop Nate Holcomb. Here are 4 attributes of a True Leader

1. Leaders do not brake under pressure. This means they do not allow the pressures of life to determine how they will react. It can be difficult at times as a leader. But one thing is when under pressure we run to the rock. Psalms 91:16 says with long life I will satisfy Him. Jesus said we will run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Many people are running to other objects for relief. We must run to Him.

2. Leaders cannot become bitter with Life. This is one of the greatest attributes about a true leader. We must not become bitter with the process. Isaiah 1:19 we will eat the good of the land if we are willing and obedient. We can eat and be satisfied if we are willing and obedient.

3. Leaders tell the truth and keep their word. Keeping your word and telling the truth is an attribute of a leader. You cannot say you are leading and not keeping your word and telling the truth. The bible tells us the truth will make you free. It's the truth that we must keep. Keeping our word even when it hurts will cause one as a leader to reach their full potential.

4. Leaders have to be patience. Stick to what God has spoken to you. You might have to change or reposition what you are doing, but you must have patience and move on when God instructs you. David asked the Lord, do I pursue my enemy and the Lord answered him one time to wait by the mulberry trees and when you hear the sound of the shuffling of the tress that is when you move. He had to be patience and move when God told him. It might not make sense, but it does make sense to follow God, so move on what He is speaking.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Fasting

Fasting is our way of clearing our spiritual channels so that we can acquire clear and precise direction and anwsered prayers. When Daniel fasted for 21 days, the bible tells us his prayer was heard the first time he prayed, but their was warfare in the heavenlies. It was only held up for 21 days, but God answered it.

During this 21 day fast, I encourage every one to paticipate in some form. God hears the prayer of the righteous. Here are some points on fasting.

1. Write down what you are believing God to do in 2012. The bible tells us to make the vision plan.

2. Have a daily confession.

Corporately fasting January 1st, 2012 - January 21st 2012 is much the same precept as praying in the morning to establish the will of God for the entire day. Fasting is a principle that God intended for everyone to be able to enjoy. It's not a punishment; it's a privilege! By making fasting a way of life, you can get closer to God and grow in your spiritual walk like never before.

Fasting is one of the most powerful weapons God has given us for our daily lives. Fasting has to do with your future.As you fast, pray for God's direction and guidance. Focus your faith on your dream and God will show you how you can turn your vision into a reality according to His will.

1. Habakkuk 2:2 tells us to write the vision down. Take time and write down what you are believing God for. . Seek the Lord in prayer and let your decisions about your fast come from Him.

2. Ask the Lord to show you areas to target during your time of fasting and prayer. Start with a clear goal and make a commitment to stick to your fast.

3. Finally be ready to grow in your walk like never before as you seek the Lord through the Biblical principles of prayer and fasting.

FASTING FOCUS SCRIPTURES
Matthew 6:33, Isaiah 58:6

Corporate Fasting: 2 Chronicles 20:34, Joel 2:15-16, Acts 27:33-37

TYPES OF FASTS (consult with your doctor prior to starting)

• Full Fast - drink liquids only (you establish number of days) consult with your Doctor
• Daniel Fast - (see below)
  
• 3 Day Fast - This can be any type of Fast
• Partial Fast - 6am - 3pm or sun up to sun down. This can be any type also (full, Daniel, partial, 3 day)

GUIDELINES FOR DANIEL FAST
(Foods We May Eat)
Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed
Peas
Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries,
Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava,
Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas,
Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries,
Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts,
Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers,
Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens,
Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach,
Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini
Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts
Liquids: Water

(Foods to Avoid)
Meat
White Rice
Fried Foods
Caffeine
Carbonated Beverages
Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
Refined Sugar
Sugar Substitutes
White Flour and All Products Using It
Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

Reposition

Reposition – Your best is yet to come

In a few days, it will be the New Year. Maybe this year has been a year of drought and frustration. On the contrary, maybe this is been one of the best years of your life. Either way, I want to talk to you today about repositioning. In the bible, there was a man by the name of Isaac. He was told by God to stay in the region he was in but there was a famine. Due to the famine in the land, it seemed to complicate things. How could God want him to stay where there was great lack and despair? In a quick answer, it was to accomplish the assignment God set out for his life. Looking from the outside in, it would appear like Isaac missed God; but he didn’t. You see, as you read the account of this portion of his life in Genesis 26, you learn that he had to reposition himself. When he did, the bible explains he was able to break through. Are you at a point in life where you a need a breakthrough? I encourage you to do what Isaac did and reposition yourself. Isaac repositioned himself, dug a well, and named it Rehoboth which means more than enough room.

The process was a challenge. However, once he repositioned, he was able to move forward and accomplish all that God had set out for his life. In Matthew 3:9 it tells us not to think of ourselves too highly and to place our focus on knowing Him; Jesus. God may be calling you today to reposition your attitude, relationships, career track, health focus or something of the like; only you know. Whatever it is, start today to reposition. The bible teaches us Isaac removed himself from the place where nothing was working, repositioned in the same country, different region.

God desires for our life to be fruitful, even in hard times, but it can only occur if we reposition ourselves and have our souls anchored on the rock of Christ Jesus. I want you to think about this as we approach this next year. Where you are at and where does God desires for you to be? Write it down. You might have to forgive someone, or forgive yourself. You may have to ask for someone to forgive you. Listen to that still small voice inside. Decide today, not to take the past into the future. Instead reposition, so that you can have the life God intended you to have! I am confident that 2012 is going to be an epic year, I declare God’s best over your life and hold onto the hope in your heart that the best is yet to come!

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Reposition

Reposition – Your best is yet to come

In a few days, it will be the New Year. Maybe this year has been a year of drought and frustration. On the contrary, maybe this is been one of the best years of your life. Either way, I want to talk to you today about repositioning. In the bible, there was a man by the name of Isaac. He was told by God to stay in the region he was in but there was a famine. Due to the famine in the land, it seemed to complicate things. How could God want him to stay where there was great lack and despair? In a quick answer, it was to accomplish the assignment God set out for his life. Looking from the outside in, it would appear like Isaac missed God; but he didn’t. You see, as you read the account of this portion of his life in Genesis 26, you learn that he had to reposition himself. When he did, the bible explains he was able to break through. Are you at a point in life where you a need a breakthrough? I encourage you to do what Isaac did and reposition yourself. Isaac repositioned himself, dug a well, and named it Rehoboth which means more than enough room.

The process was a challenge. However, once he repositioned, he was able to move forward and accomplish all that God had set out for his life. In Matthew 3:9 it tells us not to think of ourselves too highly and to place our focus on knowing Him; Jesus. God may be calling you today to reposition your attitude, relationships, career track, health focus or something of the like; only you know. Whatever it is, start today to reposition. The bible teaches us Isaac removed himself from the place where nothing was working, repositioned in the same country, different region.

God desires for our life to be fruitful, even in hard times, but it can only occur if we reposition ourselves and have our souls anchored on the rock of Christ Jesus. I want you to think about this as we approach this next year. Where you are at and where does God desires for you to be? Write it down. You might have to forgive someone, or forgive yourself. You may have to ask for someone to forgive you. Listen to that still small voice inside. Decide today, not to take the past into the future. Instead reposition, so that you can have the life God intended you to have! I am confident that 2012 is going to be an epic year, I declare God’s best over your life and hold onto the hope in your heart that the best is yet to come!

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Attitude of Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours! We pray that your day is filled with faith, family, friends and fun.

You might say, “Pastor, I’m thankful for today and to be alive, but it’s been a rough year.” Yes, my friend I know. 2011 has been rough for quite a few families. Not just economically, but relationally; there has been much transition.

I want to encourage you today and let you know, through every opposition, there is opportunity. Your best is yet to come! We can make excuses or we can make progress. Choose progress! Together, let’s take on an attitude of gratitude. Let’s not allow the fear of losing to be greater than the excitement of winning.

I want to speak faith filled words over your life. I want you to walk away with a hope that you can Begin Again, Dream Again and Live Again. You can reach your full potential through Christ. You are more than a conqueror.

God see’s your future and there are great opportunities ahead for you. Having a thankful heart opens up the abundance in our life.

Every Thanksgiving, at our home, we go around the dinner table listing three things we are thankful and grateful for. I encourage you to share with someone today, what you are thankful for.

Here are three you can start with:

I am thankful my future is bright!

I am thankful my best days are ahead!

I am thankful that there is hope for tomorrow and strength for everything we go through.

Life is what we make it. Thank you for sharing this short time with me on your Thanksgiving!

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving,

Pastor Mark Brown

Staging a Comeback

In life we are faced with some of the greatest opposition. These oppositions are meant to derail us from reaching our full potential in Christ. Jesus said in John 10:10 “the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but I (Jesus) have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.” The only way to acquire and live an abundant life, is to allow Him to stage a comeback.

So, how does God stage a comeback? God is notorious about making His comeback in our lives. In the book of Romans, it tells us all thing work together for the good of them that are called by His name. It’s allowing Him to work all the good, the bad, and the ugly situations out in our lives. It starts with placing our disappointments, success, strengths, and weaknesses in His hand.

In the bible, God gave dreams and visions to a young man named Joseph. This man went through horrific times in life. In fact, he was falsely accused, lied about, and thrown out, all because of dreams he had. But he kept holding on and pressing forward when most would have given up. After 13 years, God promoted him and his dreams came to pass.

I want you to know just as God staged a comeback for Joseph, so is He staging a comeback for you. God is intentional about our success. He knows life has its opposition, but He knows how to position and set the stage for a great comeback. Your comeback may not take 13 years, it may be next month, next week, in two years, but know that God is working on your behalf.

I don’t know where you are in life or if you need a comeback in a certain area of your life, but if you give Him all of the problems, God will set the stage for one of the greatest comebacks in your life. Remember, this stage is set by God and not man, which converts to you and I succeeding because of the person who has set the stage.

Begin your comeback today.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark Brown

It shall be

In Genesis chapter 37 we see here a young anointed man by the name of Joseph, which is the son of Jacob, in the beginnings of his life. Joseph was in the interlude of what was getting ready to thrust him into the destiny in his life. The bible records Jacob as loving Joseph above all his brothers and was given a coat of many colors by his father.

Through the process of time the young man had dreams which were very bold and exclaiming about his life. Little did his family know that these dreams where prophetic from God of what was to come, but like most religious families, they refused to receive them and became offended at what Joseph was telling them. Has God given you a vision in which you were so excited? However, bound and immature people try to discourage the vision because they want it for themselves or they simply cannot see you there. Don’t worry because God led Joseph through all the immature and death traps of the enemy and He will lead you though too.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

It's your Time

God's method's are not always common. He used a donkey to stop a man from being killed. He used a bush that was on fire, but did not burn to get some one's attention. He told one man to eat a scroll. He told an army to fight not with weapons but with musical instruments. He spit in the mud and took the mud then proceeded to place them on a blind man's eyes and he was healed.

All of these are only a few of uncommon ways God used to deliver, heal, save, and bring back to life for people. There can be times in our life that He uses uncommon ways to solve the solution. These uncommon ways are uncommon to us, but not to Him. They have meaning and are used many times as examples in our life.

I want to encourage you not to dismiss something that God is using in your life. It might be different to us, but it's not different to Him.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

When God says Yes

God's word is not just facts but truthful. What is predicated upon God's blessings manifesting is our obedience of the truth.

When God says Yes, it means He has already gone before you and has given you opportunity to acquire what you desire. It's All About Him. As I have said before God's truth overrides all facts. It's when we speak the Truth of the Word of God into our situation we see victory.

God told Noah to build the ark. It had not rain in over 100 years or a Century. The facts did not add up. Even if it rained, it would take months years to even get to a place where the ark was needed, but he did not know God was going to flood in one down pour to make the ark float.

Noah trusted the truth that God said it's going to rain verses the facts. The facts might be the economy is not good. The forecast might be no rain, jobs limited, money tight, or it might be jobs are in quantity, and money is not an issue. Which ever it is, when God says Yes, move on His word. It's the truth of what He has said that will override the fact.

If God is saying yes to you, don't ignore it, it's your time for greatness.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Taken

The present invidious, will not compare to the supernatural that God will do. God has the efficacious to develop full potential in and through you. You have what it takes to accomplish all that God has placed in your heart.

God knows the right time. He is not infelicitous, but timely and knows exactly what to say and do for us.

In Exodus God used a shy, but strong in nature man to deliver Israel out of the Egyptian hand. God will use whoever desires for Him to use. No matter how much Moses was trained and educated in the Egyptian protocol, he was already taken by God. When we have a revelation we are already taken, no matter where we go, where we educate ourselves, who we thank we may want to become or marry, you are already taken. Before the foundation of the World God took you and planed out a coarse for your life.

Here are three points that will encourage you to know you are taken.

1. Before- This is a word that God is notorious about in letting us know before you arrived at where you are, God already had a plan and is directing your path. Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 1:4

2. For we know not- We might not know where to go or what to say, but God does and when we pray in the spirit, the Holy Spirit makes intercession on our behalf. Romans 8:26

3. Everything will work to your good. God has already repositioned you to accomplish what He has said is yours. When Abraham went to Egypt, he told his wife that he was going to tell them he was his sister. Technically she was his half sister. He did this because he thought the King would kill him and take his wife. So when they arrived and he said this is my sister, Sarah was taken to the King. But that night the King had a dream that God showed him she belonged to Abraham and not to touch her. The King did nothing wrong, but she was already taken. God interrupted the enemies plans and rescued her. She was let go and so was Abraham. So it is in our lives we are taken and God will interrupt the enemies plans if we allow Him.

So today, know that you are taken and be willing to block out the enemy and all that he has attempted and attempts to do.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

When Faith Makes Sense

When things are going well or are not too far off base, it can seem easier to have faith. Maybe it is because your faith isn’t being stretched, it is still in a comfortable zone, not requiring too much. Or possibly, it’s because you simply are still relying on natural factors to resolve the issues vs. supernatural intervention.

Some people think faith is a crutch or something tricky and it doesn’t really make sense. They don’t always understand it and can’t seem to grasp how to stand in faith when the world around them is falling apart.

Let me clarify that faith is an action. Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Faith is not foolishness or presumption, but rather believing and trusting at the same time.

Once you understand that about faith, the next thing you need to check is who or what you are having faith in. Are you having faith in your career vs. having faith in God that opens doors no man can shut and shuts doors no man can open? In life we can experience “faith failure” because our trust and belief was not in the right place to start with. Then we proceed to not understand, blame God and the list goes on. So today, I invite you to have faith for whatever situation you are facing. Faith in God, that He will turn the situation around and is in complete control. Don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed, walking through the week in fear or with anxiety but rather do your part, which is what we call the natural, and allow God to do the providential. Activate your faith!

Praying for your success,

Pastor Mark

Present verses future

Occupy, Reign, Rule, takeover - these words speak about planning and structure. It's important to gather, plan, and build or rebuild what has been destroyed. God deals with us about plans and structure.

Even the anointing needs a structure to rest on. If we do not have a structure, then we are missing points.

Here are some points about creating a plan and structure for where you are going.

1. Jesus would at times talk with His disciples and give them insight on His mission here on earth. He would say they will destroy this temple, but in three days it will be built again. He of course was talking about the death, burial, and Resurrection. We must take time and speak what the vision is while creating a plan to accomplish it.

2. Plans are guide rails to steer me and keep me on focus. The more focus I am, the better I am able to deliver what God has spoken. Abraham prophesied that God would provide and He did. He didn't know how, but knew God has able and would come through for him.

3. Refuse to look back Fight the good fight of faith. Refute the enemies words, thoughts, and your emotions with the Word of God. God will do His part and it will come to pass.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Promotion Comes from the Lord

Promotion is something that most people work hard to do. Whether it is a position at work, in your spiritual walk with God, He is always at work. God placed a desire in us to desire better. This desire can be altered by our view point of how to acquire what we desire.

The question comes into play how? Why? and many other questions. But the bible is very clear about the way to achieve the promotion. It starts out by instructing us in the book of Psalm 75:6-7 ⁶For promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South.⁷But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. You see the promotion is ultimatly determined by God. You might say why would God give a position I have been working for to someone that is less qualified, or ungodly.

The reason is sometimes it's delayed, but it does not mean a denial. It could be God is setting you up for a better promotion and if you take this one it could alter what God desires for you to do. Also God is building you up. He is setting you and placing you for the right position for your life. Remember the foot steps of a good man or woman is ordered by the Lord. When we do our part, God will guide us by His Spirit to the place where there is abundance of peace, joy, love, and grace. He may lead you to a different place, but stay focus. Your promotion is coming from the Lord.

So what do I do in the mean time?

1. Continue to allow God to prepare you.

2. Stay Focused. A focused life is a life that is diciplend and is flixiable, teachable, and consitently ready to puresure God's will in every area of there life.

3. Refuse to allow anything or anyone to distract you from all that God has for you.

4. Relax. God has it in control.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Our perception in life will be a direct reflection of where and how we achieve in it. When God places you somewhere God has a perspective on that area. God will never dilute or change what He expects.

When Faith Speaks

Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. By faith Noah built an ark even though it had not rain in years. By faith Abraham acquired all that God said was his. By faith Gideon over came an army of thousands with only 300 men. By faith Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. By faith 3 Hebrews refused to compromise and was thrown into the fire, but came out unharmed. By faith Daniel stayed faithful to God and God delivered him from the lions. By faith we walk by faith. Don't limit the faith you have in Christ. If God before you who can be against you. You are worth more than the world.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark