Feb 18, 2014
"When God calls you, there is no need to prove yourself." -Mark Casto
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"When God calls you, there is no need to prove yourself." -Mark Casto
Rescue: Alcoholism
Fresh Wine in Your Marriage!
Today I spent some time praying over our ministry and in particular for our marriages. Marriage is the foundation of a successful family, which then leads to the success of church, and the nation. It is obvious right now that we have taken a hit in this area by our adversary the Devil because family is the bedrock of society. If Satan can destroy the family he can steal that generation. This is exactly where we are as a nation.
It is becoming statistically proven that children raised in a home with a successful marriage lead in grades, character development, and social skills. Whereas divorced homes create a harder environment for children to excel in certain areas of life. I know that there are many who come from divorced homes that have become successful. I'm not saying it's not possible, all things are possible with God, however it could have been easier.
What is God's idea behind marriage? Let's hit two highlights. God created marriage and not the government. Government cannot decide on what marriage is if they weren't the source of origination. God's plan for marriage is one man and one woman according to Genesis 2:24. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Secondly, according to Mark 10:9 Jesus said, "Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate." Remember that God brought you together in the institution called marriage and it is in His divine order. My encouragement to you is for you to remember your vows, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, in joy or pain, and forsaking all others to cleave to each other only, so long as you both live.
This is what I felt in my spirit during prayer today to speak over your marriage:
Jesus first miracle performed was wine at a wedding celebration. And I just feel like declaring prophetically over you that new wine is coming into your marriage. Your marriage will not be a drag but rather a celebration again. I speak a fresh romance again in your lives. That your eyes will be single on one another again. I declare that divorce is not an option and a fresh wine of joy, intimacy, and true friendship be restored in your marriage.
I speak over your marriage:
- Forgiveness will replace unforgiveness.
- Joy will replace bitterness.
- Peace will replace confusion.
- Self-sacrifice will replace selfishness.
- Unity will replace thoughts of divorce.
- Stress will be replaced with contentment.
- Love will overcome every obstacle.
- God will always be the center.
LOVE NEVER FAILS! Begin to declare this over your marriage and receive this word by faith!
Glory or Goofy?
There are many things happening in the body of Christ in this moment and I just felt led to share my heart on a few things since it's been a while from my last post. Let me begin with the positives. Many churches are beginning to unite despite denominational differences of the past and are beginning to realize the reality of the Kingdom of God. We are seeing churches unite around the Great Commission and seeing the generational gaps bridged. Now here are some negatives. The church is still in spectator mode watching the "few anointed" do all the work of the ministry. Many church leaders who are considered the "anointed few" do not see the value of multiplying themselves in the next generation. Lastly, people are claiming supernatural experiences of glory which results in unusual manifestations but it doesn't lead to true kingdom fruit. Is this glory or goofy?
I realize that some of my readers will say, "I wish those positives were happening in my church, or Mark those negatives are not happening in my ministry." Either way, I believe God is stirring up the church for the real and genuine move of His Holy Spirit. If we will only be sensitive to Him and be obedient to His revealed word then we will walk in the fullness that God has for our lives.
I want to cover that last issue that I put under the negatives in the church right now, where people are claiming glory and really it's just goofy. Now before you get mad, let me explain. I have talked with many people from all over the United States about their supernatural experiences. While some have been a little out there and others that match clearly with scripture. The one thing I look for in validating the experiences is what fruit did it produce? I have heard everything from being tickled by angels to hot liquid honey, describing the anointing, that came over their physical body's. While many call it glory, if it produced no fruit in their lives or the lives around them it was just goofy. God does not give experiences to us for us to share these eccentric stories to impress other people. God encounters come for two purposes.
1. To bring about fruit in our lives.
2. To empower us to change the lives around us.
These two things connect with the main point of John 15:16 when Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."
If the glory you say you are experiencing is not producing the fruit of righteousness, holiness, or love in yourself and those around you it may be goofy. Let's press in for a glory that produces true spiritual transformation and sees the lost saved, people healed, and glory that raises the dead and delivers the oppressed.
I want the glory not the goofy!
Under The Influence
Unfortunately we live in a society that has been plagued with alcohol abuse where we have witnessed several times someone "under the influence". It may have been at a restaurant watching them be loud and obnoxious or the person swerving in and out of the lanes while driving. Either way, it was very noticeable that the individual was "under the influence".
"Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18 NIV)
If we can identify someone who is "under the influence" of alcohol, can the world identify someone who is "under the influence" of the Holy Spirit? Is it noticeable that the Spirit of God is leading us, guiding us, and influencing us? It was so noticeable on the day of Pentecost that in Acts 2:13, "Some, however, made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much wine." People took note that these men who were "under the influence".
The Holy Spirit comes with evidence, which should convince the world of His influencing power. The Holy Spirit will manifest fruit in the life of someone "under the influence". When you are being "led" by the Holy Spirit the world should notice joy, peace, kindness, self-control, and what remains of Galatians 5:22-23.
Another key element of the Holy Spirit's influence upon your life should be the gifts of the Spirit. This is where perfect strangers can be touched by someone "under the influence" of the Holy Spirit. You may give a prophetic word, word of knowledge, or even the working of miracles. All nine gifts are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
There is plenty of evidence that God shows through the life of someone "under the influence". May God grant us the opportunity to show the world how glorious it is to be "under the influence" of God's Spirit...no one get's hurt, no one dies, but everywhere the Spirit goes something lives!
Fast, pray, read the word, and obey until you the world around you notices that you are "under the influence" of the Holy Spirit!
I'm Weak, But Still Anointed
" And I am weak today, though anointed king;" (2 Samuel 3:39)
This was spoken from the mouth of King David following the cruel battles of the house of Saul and the house of David. David was exhausted physically, mentally, and spiritually from all that had transpired since his inauguration as King. Brothers were killing brothers, and life was throwing curve balls at David. He never even got to enjoy his first few days as King.
However, here is the point I wish to make to those of you who know God has anointed you for a particular assignment. Being weak doesn't mean your anointing is. This is one of the revelations we need to receive as God's children that we don't operate out of the weak identity of the flesh. What makes us powerful is the Spirit of God in us and the anointing upon us. It is the anointing that will make up for your fleshly weakness.
Jesus said this to the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." How many people get discouraged because they identify their weakness to determine their effectiveness? I have found over the years that I get better results when I feel in the natural I was less effective. Why is it that way? "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (weak), that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:7) God likes to take the weak and show Himself strong through them, so that at the end of their assignment He gets all the glory for it.
It's time to be like the Apostle Paul and say, "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) Remember it doesn't matter how gifted, talented, or charismatic you are, if you don't have the anointing nothing will change either way. So you may be weak, but remember you are anointed!
Adventure, Brotherhood, Machines, Mountains
Proverbs 12:26 "The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
This past weekend I had the privilege of taking a group of guys to the mountains of Kentucky for an outdoor adventure! Away from the cell phones and cares of life we took some tents and side-by-sides up the mountain to enjoy the outdoors and build relationship to strengthen the brotherhood. There were times of fun, laughs, and talks. There were even times of danger, and in those moments it made you realize how important it is to know who your friends are. On an outdoor adventure with these powerful machines and narrow paths you had to trust the people leading you. Picking your friends is important!
Brotherhood
1 Peter 2:17 "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."
Brotherhood is incredible for many different reasons. You can confide in them about issues you are facing, struggles you are in, and share the joys of life with them. You have accountability. They know your strengths and weaknesses and are able to help keep you balanced. The brotherhood will pick you up when you have fallen down.
This weekend we learned how crucial the brotherhood is. Just setting up the camp was enough to recognize how valuable they are. While two are setting up a tent, two more are gathering wood for the fire. You learn to work as a team for the safety of each individual. Out there in the woods you don't just make decisions for yourself, because a poor decision costs the whole group. What a revelation for the church!
Machines
If you have never driven a side-by-side you are missing out on life. There is nothing like taking one up the side of a mountain, over rocks, through bushes, and at times through the mud! It was an absolute blast! There are so many things the Lord showed me through our driving adventures that I could share but I will only share a couple. In the brotherhood you have to trust the person who is driving you. You also have to trust the person riding with you to see things you may not be seeing on up the trail.
We traveled up a very rough and dangerous trail towards the end of our trip. It was probably the most intense trail we had been on all weekend. It took us two trips to get everyone and everything on top of the hill. But while on top we had to make a decision about how to get down because it was raining and it was about to get dark. We didn't have time to make two trips, we had to get everything and everyone down in one shot. That meant a few of us would be riding on the outside back of the ATV.
I was driving one of the ATV's and one of the brothers was on the back. Through our communication and care for one another, we strategically got down the mountain without anyone hurt. Two key words, communication and care, is what got us safely down the mountain despite the danger that was present. If we would implement these two words in the church we would be much stronger!
Mountains
The gorgeous scenery of the Appalachian Mountains was incredible. We literally stood at the peak of the mountain and realized how far we had come. It was such a feeling of victory to know we had climbed the mountain, set up camp, built a fire, and reached the top. It was a feeling like you were born to do this!
On top of the mountain gives you such a perspective of life. When you are at the bottom all you can think is, "How in the world are we going to get to the top?" But when you get to the top you start looking down and seeing how small things are at the bottom, which makes the obstacles look like nothing at all. On top of the mountain you feel like nothing can stop you. That's why the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 2:6, God has made us "sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,". Paul wants you to see things from the proper perspective. Everything looks big from the bottom, but everything looks small from the top. When you sit in heavenly places, what the devil made you think was so big, is so small where Jesus is!
Adventure
The definition for adventure is "a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome". Boy does that define our weekend. You never knew what was going to happen. On top of that, we were right near Hazard County...Dukes of Hazard country! As people of faith, we should always be on an adventure! This trip would not have been fun unless we were willing to take risks, step out and do things that we had never done. You might have to scream through it, but let's do it was kind of the motto.
Christianity is an adventure. Our great commission demands that we go into all the world. That means you will have to go down paths you have never been on before, overcome obstacles that seem dangerous, and learn to survive with what you have. But as people of faith we have one thing that keeps us secure, God is watching over us to assure a great adventure. But you will never know the rush of adventure unless your willing to go after it!
My advice to you is this: Go find some brothers, get some machines, find a mountain, and go on an adventure! You will learn so much about yourself and those with you that it will change your life forever. Thanks to Sam, Sarge, Ryan, Christian, Aaron, Jason, Chris, Duane, Garrett, and Nathan for an incredible weekend. May the brotherhood continue and the adventures grow wilder!
Asking the Tough Questions of the End-Times
Join me tomorrow night for a special service at The Extreme where I will be asking Perry "Papa P" Stone tough questions concerning the End-Times. Maybe you have wondered if the Bible teaches that there will be a literal rapture or will the Anti-Christ be a Muslim? You are going to hear incredible insight from one of the greatest prophecy preachers in our day!
Here is a link to the last webcast and roundtable discussion that Papa P and I did together. It was a lot of fun and we answered a lot of different questions. Make sure you let everyone know about tomorrow night either by coming in person or by joining us online at www.ociministries.org We will begin the webcast at 7PM EST and I know you will be blessed by the knowledge of the word of God that will be shared.
If you have friends or family that don't know the Lord or are oblivious to the End-Times, tomorrow night will be a night you need to gather people around the screen and listen closely. Share this on Facebook, Twitter, and email! Or do the old-fashion thing and call them, text them, whatever it takes. Until then click the link below and enjoy our last webcast!
Perry Stone & Mark Casto Q & A