From Brokenness to Wholeness

“The mighty Spirit of Lord Yahweh is wrapped around me because Yahweh has anointed me, as a messenger to preach good news to the poor. He sent me to heal the wounds of the brokenhearted, to tell captives, “You are free,” and to tell prisoners, “Be free from your darkness.” I am sent to announce a new season of Yahweh’s grace and a time of God’s recompense on his enemies, to comfort all who are in sorrow, to strengthen those crushed by despair who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful bouquet in the place of ashes, the oil of bliss instead of tears, and the mantle of joyous praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. Because of this, they will be known as Mighty Oaks of Righteousness, planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory.” Isaiah 61

Jesus specializes in taking our brokenness and transforming it into beauty. Isaiah speaks of trading ashes for beauty, mourning for joy. This isn't just about feeling better; it's about a deep, transformative work in our hearts. Consider the areas where you feel broken or ashamed. Now imagine Jesus looking at those very areas with eyes of love, seeing potential where you see only pain and disappointment. He's not interested in your resume or your accomplishments; He's after your heart.

Today, practice "laying it all down" at His feet. What would it look like to surrender your pain, your past, and your perceptions to Him? Ask for the courage to let Him heal every crack and remove every unwanted fingerprint on your heart.

Embracing Yahweh’s Unconditional Love

If you were not in the room yesterday at The Wilderness Place it is important to hear the declaration of the love of Abba for us, His beloved. We have set this year to be all about Just Jesus and this is what it looks like. A marriage with Him. We have left behind religious duty and are pursuing a love affair. It starts with receiving the truth of His love for us. The Holy Spirit made a beautiful declaration of His love through Pastor Tim in the beginning of the service.

He's Emmanuel. He is the Lord with you always. I thank you, Lord, for the flame of the love affair, the romance. A love that does away with all fear. A love that destroys all insecurity. A love that heals all brokenness. A love that leaves no doubt about how he feels about you. A love that can be trusted. A love that is true. A love that honors what is sacred. A love that is pure from a pure light with no motives, unconditional love. A love that picks you every time. A love that's not interested in your resume. A love that is only interested in your heart being healed, being whole, being true.

Today, we focus on Yahweh’s overwhelming, unconditional love for us. In Song of Solomon, we see a beautiful picture of intimate, passionate love - a reflection of how God feels about you. You hear us speak a lot about being "smothered with kisses,” this is our beloved Jesus drawing us into the chambers of His love. This isn't just poetic language; it's a glimpse into the heart of Yahweh for you. He doesn't see you as "dark and sinful," but as radiantly beautiful. Pastor Tim made mention how we tend to see our righteousness as dirty rags that we try to hold on to but as His beloved we made the exchange and now have His righteousness. He does not see you as dark and sinful. Here is a beautiful letter between the Shulamite, who represents us, his beloved and the Shepherd-King, who is Jesus. Put yourself in this conversation with Jesus. Song of Solomon 1:2-9

The Shulamite- Let him smother me with kisses—his Spirit-kiss divine. So kind are your caresses, I drink them in like the sweetest wine! Your presence releases a fragrance so pleasing—over and over poured out. For your lovely name is “Flowing Oil.” No wonder the brides-to-be adore you. Draw me into your heart. We will run away together into the king’s cloud-filled chamber.

Jerusalem maidens, in this twilight darkness I know I am so unworthy—so in need.

The Shepherd-King- Yet you are so lovely!

The Shulamite - I feel as dark and dry as the desert tents of the wandering nomads.

The Shepherd-King - Yet you are so lovely—like the fine linen tapestry hanging in the Holy Place.

The Shulamite to Her Friends - Please don’t stare in scorn because of my dark and sinful ways. My angry brothers quarreled with me and appointed me guardian of their ministry vineyards, yet I’ve not tended my vineyard within. Won’t you tell me, lover of my soul, where do you feed your flock? Where do you lead your beloved ones to rest in the heat of the day? Why should I be like a veiled woman as I wander among the flocks of your shepherds?

The Shepherd-King - Listen, my radiant one—if you ever lose sight of me, just follow in my footsteps where I lead my lovers. Come with your burdens and cares. Come to the place near the sanctuary of my shepherds. My dearest one, let me tell you how I see you—you are so thrilling to me. To gaze upon you is like looking at one of Pharaoh’s finest horses —a strong, regal steed pulling his royal chariot.

Let’s take some time today and think about how you see yourself or how you think Yahweh sees you.

Are you willing to let Yahweh love you ferociously today? Ask Him to help you see yourself through His eyes of unconditional love.

Just Jesus

We as a Kingdom family studied Gideon’s story a lot last year in reference to being honest with Yahweh about where we are in our hearts and lives. Pastor Tim continued the story for what is a very important aspect for our walk into the new year. The year of new beginnings. In Judges 6, we know Yahweh himself showed up to Gideon after he was honest with how he seen things and what he believed about himself. Let’s see what instructions Yahweh gave him.

Gideon's first act of obedience was to tear down his father's altar to Baal. Gideon was scared because he knew how important this belief was to his father. Yahweh spoke to who Gideon is in His eyes, not who he seen hiding in the press. Similarly, we're called to examine our lives and tear down any "idols" we've erected - even those we've decorated with Christian language. These might be religious traditions, personal preferences, or cultural Christianity that have taken the place of authentic intimacy with Jesus. These idols can even be how we see ourselves outside of beloved identity.

Let’s do some honest self-examination. What aspects of your faith are truly about Jesus, and what parts are more about personal comfort or what has been passed down? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you've substituted religious activity for genuine intimacy with Him.

We’re making Him our sole focus and obsession. Take time today to sit quietly in God's presence. Ask Him to reveal any "idols" in your life - even good things that may have taken precedence over your relationship with Him. Commit to tearing down these idols and returning to your first love, Jesus.

Remember, God meets us where we are, but He loves us too much to leave us there. As you identify and begin to dismantle these idols, trust that God is faithful to rebuild your faith on the true foundation - Just Jesus.

Seeing Him Right

Our perception of Yahweh shapes everything about our faith and how we live it out. Pastor Tim highlighted how we often view Yahweh through our own lens of darkness rather than seeing Him as He truly is - pure light. Oftentimes we view scripture through the lens that was passed down to us. Like the verse Pastor Tim shared with us about heaping coals on our enemy’s head. (Proverbs 25) We’ve been told and understood this scripture to mean if we are nice to our enemy then God would burn them up with condemnation and make them pay on our behalf. We have seen this wrong all along. We were told it meant one thing but in light of the truth of 1 John, through the lens of beloved identity we see it right.

John declares that in Yahweh there is no darkness at all. This means that every attribute of Yahweh - His justice, His discipline, even His anger - stems from His perfect love and goodness.

We don’t talk a lot about the anger of Yahweh. We often hear people talk about how the wrath of God will come down on certain people. This is the same thinking about heaping coals on people’s head. We are viewing these scriptures with threads of darkness. The wrath of God is him coming after wrong thought patterns that interfere with His love for us and how we see Him. He does this for even our enemies.

“This is the life-giving message we heard him share and it’s still ringing in our ears. We now repeat his words to you: God is pure light. You will never find even a trace of darkness in him. If we claim that we share life with him, but keep walking in the realm of darkness, we’re fooling ourselves and not living the truth. But if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him, we share unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5-7

Today, examine your view of Yahweh. Are there areas where you've attributed darkness to Him? Perhaps you've seen His discipline as punishment rather than loving correction. Or maybe you've interpreted challenging circumstances as Him being against you rather than working for your good. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight any misconceptions you have about Yahweh’s character. We have to see Him right in order to walk daily in His light. This is what brings about unbroken fellowship with each other, which is very important for our purpose here. On earth as it is in heaven. As beloved children of Yahweh, when we are bound together as Kingdom family, we are a force to be reckon with to conquer the world with His love and mercy.

Meditate on the truth that He is pure light, and allow this reality to transform how you relate to Him and others!

Stretch Out Your Tent Pegs!

“Increase is coming, so enlarge your tent and add extensions to your dwelling. Hold nothing back! Make the tent ropes longer and the pegs stronger. You will increase and spread out in every direction. Your sons and daughters will conquer nations and revitalize desolate cities.” Isaiah 54:2

Our walk with Abba this year will look a lot different because we are putting faith with everything we hear. We have been reading this scripture in Isaiah, and it gives us instructions for the coming year. Increase is coming and we must be ready. When we apply belief to “increase is coming” we take action. How? First, what would you like to see happen this year in your personal life? Maybe it’s restored relationships, physical healing of your body or you want to be healthier and stronger, you’ve dreamed of launching your own business with the creative ideas Abba has given you, you have a song in your heart to sing, a book to write, whatever is stirring in your heart it is time for action steps. Hold nothing back!

Abba is telling us increase is coming but we have our part to do. It starts with belief. Take some time to pause in His presence. Stir up the gift on the inside of you. 2 Timothy 1:6, fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift Yahweh imparted to you.” This literally means to excite the gift or awake the gift. Allow the Holy Spirit to awaken the gift on the inside of you. Ask Him what are the next steps. Make a plan. No one adds to their dwelling without a plan. As you make steps in faith, he will continue to show you as it unfolds.

This isn’t just about us right now. It is about legacy. Generations to come will be affected by our choices and actions we take today. Isaiah says our children will conquer nations and revitalize desolate cities. This is what we are handing them when we take steps now. We are learning there is no limits on the drinking (our belief) in the Kingdom. Think about this: the Kingdom of Jesus lacks nothing. Everything is available to us right now. Jesus said, “on earth as it is in Heaven” which means we can have everything that is in heaven on earth right now. One thing is required. Faith.

What will you put a demand on the Kingdom for this week? This month? This year?

If there is any lack in any area of your life it is time to stretch out your tent pegs and spare nothing! Take steps with faith.

I Am the Poetry of Jesus

Our family at The Wilderness Place is making a declaration to be people who waste nothing. This means whatever we hear from Jesus we are attaching faith to it. Yesterday, we talked about Jesus being the bread of life. When we eat from his table, we will not be hungry, but we also have to drink. The drinking is applying faith to what we hear.

“Don’t just listen to the Word of Truth and not respond to it, for that is the essence of self-deception. So always let his Word become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life!” James 1:22

In other words, be a doer of what Jesus is saying. I love the example from the TPT above, become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life. If you have ever been to a play at a theater, you can see this displayed beautifully. Most plays are from poetry written long ago. The people study the words and live them out on stage. This is exactly what our lives should be. Studying the words of Jesus, listening for His voice and direction, and believing what He says. When we believe and put faith to what he says our lives will be a display of His truth.

Belief is proven by what you do with what you hear. When you read the accounts of Jesus and what He did while physically here it is intended to spark belief for what is possible for today. What are some of the accounts of Jesus?

Healing- he healed a lot of people physically, emotionally, and mentally. He brought deliverance to people who were tormented.

Resurrection power- he raised people from the dead, even before his own resurrection. We can believe for people to be physically resurrected today.

Peace- he brought peace to storms by speaking to them. Yes, physical storms he spoke to but also, we can speak peace to turmoil happening on the inside of others and ourselves.

Provisions- he fed lots of people with very little. He caused the fisherman to catch a multitude of fish in one cast of the net. We can help ourselves and others yes, with resources but the provision of wisdom is so needed.

Jesus says in John 14:12, “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows me in faith, believing in me will do the same mighty miracles that I do- even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father.”

Do you believe this to be true? All of us know the right answer. Yes, of course, I believe what Jesus says. We just are not doing what He says. Look at that scripture again. He says this is “timeless truth” which means this will never not be true. The person who “follows in faith” and “believes” will do greater miracles than Jesus. So, all the accounts listed above we should be walking out in our daily lives if we believe.

What are you doing with what you hear? Make a commitment today to step out in what you believe and have seen Jesus do. When you step out things change.

Abba, we want to be people who waste nothing. Your beloved children who hear your voice and respond to what we see and hear around us daily. We ask for wisdom in how to step out in faith. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and makes available the wisdom we need to glorify you. Help us to lay down unbelief and remove the scales from our eyes that came by way of a standard set by the church for the last several decades. We want what you gave your life for. We want to glorify you and display your greatness in the earth. This is why we are here.

Abba, what is my next step in becoming who you created me to be? Remember, He meets us right where we are.

Are You Drinking Jesus?

“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. Come every day to me and you will never be hungry. Believe in me and you will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

Every word Jesus speaks has purpose. How he says it and in what order is all purposefully spoken. He says, ‘I am the Bread of Life.” What do you do with bread? Well, you eat it. As lovers of Jesus coming to him every day through the reading of scriptures, prayer, Sunday services and Tuesday night we are essentially pulling up to the table to eat of Jesus and His truths. He says we will never be hungry as long as we are eating of Him.

But, why bread? Why would Jesus refer to Himself as bread? Back in the biblical days and even today when someone gives you a gift of bread it is a gesture of care. Bread represents nourishment, sustenance, and hope for a prosperous life. It is a symbol of generosity and sharing. When we break bread with someone, essentially have dinner with them you form a bond of connection. It makes sense of why Jesus refers to Himself as bread. There is no one I can think of better than Jesus to be this life-giving substance. He brings nourishment to our souls and hope for a prosperous life. He is the symbol of generosity. He gave his life for you and me. He is the ultimate gift. As we partake of Him daily, we should not be hungry for anything else. Just Jesus! He really does satisfy our hunger pangs.

As the body of Christ, we are eating a lot. Churches all across the States are mostly full every Sunday. Bible apps are open often and we are eating His word. We are streaming on average 20+ hours of worship per week.

WE ARE EATING! So why are things not changing? We cannot just eat without drinking of Him too.

Jesus says, those who come to Me will never be hungry but those who believe in Me will never be thirsty. In order to not be thirsty, you must drink. Jesus is saying belief is equivalent to drinking. We must have faith in Jesus and in what He says is possible. Most all people say they believe in Jesus. I would dare say the majority of people do believe he came as a child; he died on the cross and was resurrected. We just don’t believe in all the miracles and words he said in between, otherwise our lives would display what He says we can offer the world as lovers of Jesus. We are here for a purpose. Earth is not a waiting room for eternity in heaven. We are alive with the Spirit of Jesus dwelling on the inside of us. We have resurrection power flowing through us or at least wants to flow through us. This is where the drinking of His blood comes in. We must believe we have this power and He’s given us all authority to display this power on earth. We are here to glorify Him to those around us.

Let’s look at the woman at the well. She knew all about where to worship and knew enough about God to know there was a Messiah coming but her life didn’t represent the Kingdom at all. She had the knowledge of church and truth but was hiding from others due to shame. She was eating but not drinking. When Jesus told her of his water, and she BELIEVED her life was never the same. She not only believed in what he said to her that day she took action in her belief. Church history shows this woman as St Photina, which means enlightened one. She led many to Jesus. Risked her life and her children to represent Jesus well. At the well that day she drank and was never thirsty again.

We must believe not just in who Jesus is and what He did but who He says we are. What a gift to be able to make this life all about Jesus and offer others bread and drink through our lives lived out for Him. What steps are you taking this year to drink more of Jesus?

Happy New Year!

There is a holy stirring taking place in our hearts for this year. 2025 means new beginnings and we are anticipating with joyful expectation for what Abba will do in this family in the wilderness! We want to share the prayer declaration from this past Sunday as we enter the new year.

Abba, we ask you to show us how to be people who put action to what we say we believe. We want to be people who aren’t eating just to be eating but eat in a way that is nutritional to our bodies. We want it to change things in us. (John 6:35) We want to feed from your truth and see it produce fruit in our lives, our families, businesses, and our daily walk in the crowds. Let us not miss you in the crowds.

We’re asking you to make us ready for the obscure things you want to speak to us. The obscure things you want to do through us - help us see you how you really are. We will no longer keep you in the box that has been built around you through the eyes of American Christianity. May we see the most powerful, most loving, most incredible Father Jesus came to reveal. Give us ears to hear your whispers throughout the day so we may display your glory on the earth. May we be the people you have called us to be. We want to host you well. Our hearts desire is to live for one thing - to encounter your glory!

On Earth as it is in Heaven!

Merry Christmas!

Reminder we will not send out any Walks for the next two weeks. We encourage you to take a walk in remembrance with the Lord over this past year. What has he been speaking to you? Where are you in your obedience to His voice? Spend time with Jesus over this holiday focusing on Him. He loves you! He came to earth for you.

Merry Christmas to you and your family from The Wilderness Place.

Quench or Ignite?

It’s crazy to think you have to give Jesus, the Anointed One, Lord of Lord, and King of Kings permission to do something. When Jesus is Lord over your life, He has permission to direct your steps. Did you know you can quench the Holy Spirit? We know this is possible because in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, it says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” What does this even mean? Quench means to suppress, stifle, hinder or restrain the Spirit from moving through you. For example, you know He wants you to pray for someone but you’re nervous and you don’t do it. He has given you a word of encouragement for someone, but you just aren’t sure if they will receive it. He desires to move through us. We are the light of the world - a city set on a hill. It is the Holy Spirit in us that makes us shine. We are to shine His presence and power to those around us.

Pastor Tim shared a moment in service Sunday of this very thing happening to him last week. He was leaving the church and heard the Holy Spirit tell him to go to a certain store that he does not typically shop. He kind of passed it off at first because it was next to another stop, he was making. As he was checking out there was a lady standing there who recognized him as a pastor. They exchanged conversation and when he left the store, he realized Abba had directed his steps just to show this young lady how much Jesus loves her. This young lady was in the service Sunday and Pastor Tim was able to say to her, Abba moved heaven and earth to let you know He sees you and He loves you. What a powerful moment it was in the room. What if Pastor Tim thought no, I will just go where I usually go. I am familiar with that store. I can get in and out. He would have quenched the Holy Spirit, and this young lady would have missed the encounter with Jesus. We must slow down and be in tune with His voice so He can show others how much they are loved by Him.

We must surrender to His Lordship. At The Wilderness Place we have been in 2 Corinthians 3:16-17 all year. This verse had revealed some truth, and we have experienced freedom from things that have held us back from being all He designed us to be. “But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted, and they see. Now the Lord I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom.”

There is freedom! This isn’t just all about you and I being free from sin and bondage and wrong thinking. This is freedom to do his will. Freedom to be led by him. We can go where he directs us to go. We can give like he wants us to give. Pray like he says pray. Love like he says love. This intimate relationship with Jesus has to reproduce fruit in the earth. So many fail to see the beauty of complete surrender. The focus is on what we don’t get to do if we surrender instead of the focus being on Him. Our appetites matter so much. We must keep coming to His table, eating His food and drinking from His fountain. This is what changes us into who He designed. The image of Jesus displayed on the earth.

You are significant and there is so much more in you than you know right now. Surrender to Him to reveal the promises, power and hope in you! The world is waiting in anticipation for the revealing of Jesus through His beloved children.

You Get to Choose!

At what point did you stop believing Yahweh’s promises? Are not His promises yes and amen? The delay in seeing His promises come to fruition is on us, not Him. We blame Him for lack of miracles and presence by saying He’s sovereign. When He’s ready he’ll do it. The thought of this belief rattles me. Obviously, He is sovereign, but He designed this relationship to work together with us. The real question you must ask yourself- do you want a regular Sunday morning relationship, or do you want the Kingdom of Yahweh relationship? They are not the same.

Regular Sunday morning looks like this- you dress up, show up and nothing in your life really ever changes except you adopt a mask the church handed you at the door your first Sunday. Why a mask? It is for hiding and pretending. There is no freedom in participating in something Jesus never told us to do. When you read the teachings of Jesus, He never gave instructions for us to label ourselves with titles such as Pentecostal, Catholic, Baptist, etc. Etc., etc., because there is a lot. The saddest thing about this is the American church is the most segregated group of people. This is not the heart of Jesus. You can never truly be who He designed you to be if you put this coat of religion on. We are so thankful it is not and never will be like that at The Wilderness Place.

The Kingdom of Yahweh is where you and your family come to encounter His presence. You get to be honest about where you are and what you have done. You’ll never have to fear rejection from Him or a Kingdom family. This Kingdom operates on honesty. Yahweh shows up and transforms your life when you are honest. How do we know? Let’s look at the story of Gideon. “Yahweh’s Angel suddenly appeared to Gideon and said, “Yahweh’s presence goes with you, man of fearless courage!” “Me?” Gideon replied. “But sir, if Yahweh is truly with us, why have all these troubles come to us? Where are all his miracle-wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not Yahweh deliver us out of Egypt?’ But now Yahweh has abandoned us and put us under the power of the Midianites.” Then Yahweh himself faced Gideon directly and said, “Am I not sending you? With my presence you have all you need. Go in the strength that you now have and rescue Israel from Midian’s power!” Judges 6

Yahweh sends His angel first to speak with Gideon but when Gideon is honest, real and raw it says, “then Yahweh himself faced Gideon.” We can no longer afford to hide behind the masks. We must give Jesus his due reward for laying his life down. As we learn to surrender every area of our lives to Him, we begin to see transformation in us first, then our families, and our cities. Just like Gideon, Yahweh will send us with His presence, and we will have all we need.

Jesus said in John 14:12, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” Why are we not seeing greater works than Jesus? We stopped believing it is possible. Jesus raised people from the dead. He delivered people from demonic oppression. Oh yes, we pray for the sick from a distance, but we have come into agreement with oppression. Like anxiety, depression, ADD, ADHD, and so many more. I am not saying these things don’t exist, they do but we stopped believing the Kingdom can change it. We stopped demanding on earth as it is in heaven. This is what Jesus said we can have. Why are we not seeing it? Did He lie, absolutely not! We stopped believing and began to agree with darkness. There is no anxiety or depression or sickness of any kind in heaven. We want the promises He paid for. Therefore, we must begin to agree with the Kingdom of Yahweh.

We are so thankful for the leadership and example of Pastor Tim at The Wilderness Place. His passion for Jesus is contagious, awkward, beautiful and provoking. All the things Jesus was to those when He walked the earth. The truths we are being taught is life changing if you will lean into it. Understand these truths are an invitation for you to RSVP to the dinner table of the Lord. You are being invited to a banquet to taste and see that the Lord is Good!

Will you accept the invitation to a transformed life for generations to come?

Loving Him Empowers Me

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. John 14:15-16 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. John 14:23 NKJV

IF you love Me- you will obey My commandments. This version of scripture communicates if you aren’t obeying everything Jesus commands you don’t love Him. We have all had many moments where we think, I do love Him but man, why do I keep messing up? Then this cycle starts again. Where we ask Him to HELP us but then we lean on our own ability to try to obey again. Only to fail once more.

In verse 23 it reads if we love Jesus and obey then the Father will love us, and they will come and make their home in us. This seems like fools’ gold because none of us can keep his commandments or obey His word on our own accord. Therefore, it tells us He can’t and won’t love us if we can’t obey. It seems hopeless with this belief. The way this has been taught for so many decades has really hurt a lot of people. This type of message is why we have seen so many come into the church to give their lives to Jesus and really try to do what they think is right. They really do try but seem to keep falling short of obedience. After so many times of failing they begin to believe the lies of you can’t do this. He’s disappointed in you again. He’s angry with you because you messed up again. They leave feeling defeated and unloved. We as the church have to look at how things have been taught and be willing to say we got some things wrong.

Now let’s look at how it is really meant to be taught by looking at The Passion Translation. If you don’t know, this translation is written by studying the original language of the day and translating the words to its true meaning.

“Loving me empowers you to obey my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Savior, the Holy Spirit of Truth, who will be to you a friend just like me—and he will never leave you.”

“Jesus replied, “Loving me empowers you to obey my word. And my Father will love you so deeply that we will come to you and make you our dwelling place.”

Jesus is actually teaching us falling in love with Him will empower us to obey. What is my part and your part? We keep coming back to learn to love Him. We keep beholding Him. Keep worshiping Him. Keep pouring the oil on His feet. You must know that when you mess up the first place you run is to His arms. Never run away from Him. Pastor Tim asked a powerful question on Sunday. “What if the thing that is holding you captive is based on how well you let Him love you?”

We must see Him right. We must allow Him to challenge the way we have thought about Him. He says plainly in these verses. He empowers us to obey. Falling in love with Him brings power to our innermost being. How? He sends the Holy Spirit of Truth who will never leave us. He is the same power who raised Jesus from the dead, and He lives in us. Jesus continues to tell us in verse 23, loving me empowers you. He also tells us the Father loves us so deeply that He makes His dwelling place in us. All we have to do is love Him.

Let’s talk about this love affair with Jesus. Think of it this way. Meeting someone new feels exciting. You notice qualities you like, and you spend time together, talking often. As you spend time talking, your feelings grow stronger, and trust builds. You open your heart, allowing love to grow on both sides. You learn more about each other and commit to a lifelong covenant. There will be disappointments and mistakes, but instead of running away, you choose to face challenges together. Your love continues to grow making the two of you a force to be reckoned with.

This is the progression of our relationship with Jesus. The more we spend time with Him talking, listening and facing challenges together you will love Him more and more. As we grow in our love for Him, we are empowered to be who He created us to be. The bright shining light of His goodness.

Every day you surrender that day to Him. The more you behold His goodness the more in love you become and the empowered you are to obey. This walk with Him is not a race. We don’t have to be in a hurry.

Hey, Jesus! What do you think?

Jesus came to reveal the true nature of the Father. Right away He offended the Pharisees by making this declaration in John 1:18, “No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.” This really upset them because they had in their scriptures as we do today where it says Moses saw Yahweh face-to-face. Moses saw an aspect of Yahweh. He did not see the fullness. They took that one image of Yahweh and developed a whole religion around it.

Even people in the church misunderstand things. We often think that those who don’t attend church are far from Yahweh and question why they don’t surrender to Jesus. They have not seen a true picture of the Father. Instead, they see a God who is quick to judge and punishes harshly, even sacrificing His son just to be able to look at us. This is a damaging view the church has presented to the world.

Jesus came saying, “Metanoia, repent.” We have taken repentance has saying you're sorry and asking for forgiveness to only keep doing the same thing over and over. What does metanoia really mean? The origin of the word is Greek and means to change one’s mind or perspective. We are not saying you shouldn’t ask for forgiveness when you have done something that disagrees with Abba’s plan for your life. Obviously, as lovers of Jesus when we do opposite of what we know to be true with Jesus we need to bring it to Him and let Him talk to us about it. But we must remember there is no shame and condemnation with the Father. He is always ready to pour out grace and mercy and love us right into His lap.

We see the word repent a lot in the New Testament. Why was it so important for Jesus to emphasize over and over change the way you think? Your entire life is lived out by the way you think. All of your decisions come from how you see things. If we don't see things as He does, we'll make the wrong choices. This doesn’t just affect us as individuals. It affects our children and grandchildren. It affects those who desperately need to see the correct image of the Father.

How do we change the way we think? By exposing our thoughts to Him. For example, growing up you watch how your parents’ handled money. If they were not good with money you are most likely to not be good with it either. If they did not communicate well, guess what? I remember thinking as a child there were certain things my mom would say and do as a measure of discipline, that I said I would never do as a parent. Before coming into this measure of beloved identity I would find myself saying and doing some of the same things she did. Every time I did, I would bring it to Him and say I don’t want to do it that way. We change these patterns by exposing our thoughts to His. He always has a better way with finances, parenting, work, and family matters.

Ask Jesus what He thinks about it. How does He see it? We can learn the answer to these questions by reading the scriptures looking for Him, taking a quiet moment with our thoughts on Him, listening for Him to speak. One of my favorite ways of knowing Him better is looking for Him throughout my day wherever I am going or whatever I’m doing. He really is in every moment. He always has something to say to us to show us a better way. The Kingdom way. Today begin to bring everything to Him even things that seem to work well. Is it how He sees it?

Arise, and shine! You are a city set on a hill! We must start thinking like it!

What Am I?

When someone ask you about your faith what do you tell them? I’m a Christian, is the typical answer. If they say, what kind of church do you go to, how do you respond? Baptist, Catholic, Protestant, Pentacostal, etc.

Why did we ever allow ourselves to be labeled with a term Jesus never did? We have put on the coat of denominations and segregated ourselves in the church. Jesus never told us to do that. You cannot find in the scriptures one place where Jesus said to label yourself anything other than a child of Yahweh, a bride, or lover. Even non-denomination has become a denomination. If our pursuit is to look like Jesus and display His glory on the earth like He instructed, then we must lose the titles and labels given by men and become who Jesus says we are.

Pastor Tim shared with us what he tells people when they ask about his faith and who we are at The Wilderness Place. He tells people he is a lover of Jesus. If you are around him for any length of time you will know this to be true. It is one thing to proclaim your belief but another to display it. Jesus did not just proclaim, “the Kingdom is here now" He displayed it. We must stop labeling ourselves with “groups of people” and display Jesus to the world around us. It is what is needed and what He deserves! It is what Jesus gave His life for.

What does it look like to be a lover of Jesus? It is a lifestyle of learning about Him. Every day paying attention to His voice, eyes and studying His written word. Remember you become what you behold. If you are married or in a relationship, think about how you treat your partner compared to your relationship with Jesus. For example, if you spend and give the same time and attention to your partner as you do to Jesus, how would that affect your relationship?

Being a lover of Jesus consumes your thoughts about Him. What does he like? How does this make him feel? What makes him happy? What moves his heart? This is our cry as His lovers. Being His lover isn’t just when I am in the church building on a Sunday morning or during my ten-minute devotion time every day or so. It is moments throughout my day thinking about Him, talking to Him, asking Him questions.

As lovers there must be a clear-cut difference to the world around us than what they’ve seen from denominations.

Ask yourself today this question. “What Am I?” Be honest with yourself, because He already knows. Just like Pastor Tim said yesterday when you are honest Abba shows up to help and have a conversation.

Psalm 84 is the heart cry of a Lover of Jesus:

God of Heaven’s Armies, you find so much beauty in your people! They’re like lovely sanctuaries of your presence. Deep within me are these lovesick longings, desires and daydreams of living in union with you. When I’m near you, my heart and my soul will sing and worship with my joyful songs of you, my true source and spring of life! O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God, even the sparrows and swallows are welcome to build a nest among your altars to raise their young. What pleasure fills those who live every day in your temple, enjoying you as they worship in your presence!

How enriched are they who find their strength in the Lord; within their hearts are the highways of holiness! Even when their paths wind through the dark valley of tears they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others find only pain. He gives to them a brook of blessing filled from the rain of an outpouring. They grow stronger and stronger with every step forward, and the God of all gods will appear before them in Zion. Hear my cry, O God of Heaven’s Armies! God of Jacob, listen to my loving prayer.

God, your wraparound presence is our defense. In your kindness look upon the faces of your anointed ones. For just one day of intimacy with you is like a thousand days of joy rolled into one! I’d rather stand at the threshold in front of the Gate Beautiful, ready to go in and worship my God, than to live my life without you in the most beautiful palace of the wicked. For the Lord God is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! Wrapping himself around me like a shield, he is so generous with his gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along his paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for he provides it all! O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what euphoria fills those who forever trust in you!

Can You See It?

“I am the seer!” Samuel replied. “Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning, I’ll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way. And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.” 1 Samuel 9:19

Saul thought his mission and purpose was to look for his father’s donkeys. He had no idea what had been planted in his heart by the Creator. He had taken on his father’s vision not realizing who he really was created to do. How many of us have taken on someone else’s vision for ourselves and we have no idea what the Creator has planted in our heart. I would dare say most of us are doing what we think were supposed to be doing but it’s not actually what we are called to do. We need people in our lives that can “see” with eyes of the Kingdom and can call forth what Jesus put in our heart.

Maybe you’re doing the job you are designed to do but without the vision of the Kingdom. As a beloved son and beloved daughter, we are designed to see the world around us through the eyes of the King. Every person can be a seer. It really comes down to what you believe about yourself. Saul didn’t see himself as a king. When Samuel tells him he was born to be a king he disqualifies himself because of where he is from and what family he came from. Don’t think for a moment you are disqualified because of where you came from or where you live right now. It does not matter which family you are from. When we allow what others say to infiltrate our way of thinking and seeing we are ultimately letting them set the standards for our lives.

Abba is calling us out of veiled vision. He’s extending the invitation today to see with Kingdom eyes. We must be people of hope so we can see into a city and say this is who you are designed to be. Gulfport is dependent upon us. Mississippi is dependent upon us. Your family is dependent upon you. Parents, I think we have the most important role. We have to be careful to not put something on our children they were never designed to do. We can get off track by trying to guide them down a path that seems right because it’s what your family has always done. We must have eyes of the Kingdom to “see” our children in the manner in which He created them. Grandparents, this applies to you as well. I don’t think Kish, Saul’s father realized he was raising a king. If he did, I don’t imagine he would have had him out there looking for donkeys. Pastor Tim said it perfectly Sunday.

“Do you see your kids with hope? Do you see what God is establishing through some of the difficult moments you are enduring? You think nobody sees you. God sees what you do. God sees how you give. He sees what's happening in your kids. I need to fix how you see yourself and the only one I know that can do that is Jesus. Matthew five, this is Jesus himself talking to you and me. You are the salt of the earth but if the salt loses its flavor how can it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Salt loses its saltness by not understanding the value of itself. The salt matters and Jesus is calling you and me salt. Your life matters. Where you live matters. What you're doing matters. How you invest your life matters. Don't let others tell you why you're here. Let Abba tell you why you're here and what you're doing. You are the light of the world. Your children and grandchildren are the light of the world. A city set on a hill.

How we see ourselves and our children matter! We talk all the time about why it is important to plant yourself in a family with those who can see with Kingdom eyes. We must begin calling forth what Jesus has planted in each one of our hearts. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel poured oil over Saul’s head and said the Lord has appointed you to be ruler over Israel. He anointed Saul for such a time that he was walking into. I am here to tell you the Lord has a flask of oil He is pouring out over the family at the Wilderness Place. He says, “I am here to anoint you for such as time as this. You are My light. You have the Kingdom to rule and reign. I am here to give you eyes to see how I see.”

Family, it’s time to step into what is already in your heart. Can you see it?

Celebrate the King

“One day Kish’s donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, “Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys.” So Saul took one of the servants and traveled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin, but they couldn’t find the donkeys anywhere. Finally, they entered the region of Zuph, and Saul said to his servant, “Let’s go home. By now my father will be more worried about us than about the donkeys!” But the servant said, “I’ve just thought of something! There is a man of God who lives here in this town. He is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let’s go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.” “But we don’t have anything to offer him,” Saul replied. “Even our food is gone, and we don’t have a thing to give him.” “Well,” the servant said, “I have one small silver piece. We can at least offer it to the man of God and see what happens!” (In those days if people wanted a message from God, they would say, “Let’s go and ask the seer,” for prophets used to be called seers.) 1 Samuel 9

This passage starts off telling us about a father who has some donkeys that went missing. This father was a very wealthy influential man from the tribe of Benjamin. When his donkeys went missing, he told his son, Saul to take a servant and go find the donkeys. The two of them traveled for three days looking for donkeys. What does this have to do with us today? The things you are doing right now may seem like it is for someone else’s wellbeing or a daily mundane task. Maybe you think what is this all really for anyway? Yahweh was setting Saul up. Saul thought he was just out completing a task for his father in looking for donkeys, but he was being brought into his destiny. Be careful you don’t miss what Yahweh is wanting to do through you. Every step we take matters for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom and changing the world around us.

In verse 6, we see the servant suggest to Saul they should go see the man of God that is in that town. He can help them in finding the donkeys. Saul replies with a Kingdom principal that is important for us today. “We don’t have anything to offer him.” But the servant says, I have one piece of silver. The honor established in their hearts is what is on display here. They wouldn’t dare to think of showing up to the man of God without first displaying honor in what they have to offer. One piece of silver. This isn’t about money. This is a probing thought from the Holy Spirit. How do you show up to the house of Yahweh every week?

We can no longer treat the meeting together as common. Our times together on Sundays and Tuesdays isn’t just a day we attend church. If we are wanting Abba to ever increase the water level, we must honor what He has invited us into. How do you honor this invitation? You must come with expectation and anticipation of encountering the King. We’re growing from glory to glory therefore how we approach our coming together for One Passion, One Purpose, and One Person has to increase in honor and value. We must let Abba set our standards.

We are invited to the most exquisite wedding banquet of all times every week. We get to sing and dance with the King. Are you on the dance floor or waiting in the corner? I can’t think of a more exciting thing to do than celebrate the King with my singing and dancing. Think of all He has done for you. He is worth celebrating with outward expressions regardless of who is watching.

Those who have been forgiven much will show extravagant love. In Luke 7, we see this woman washing Jesus’ feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. She didn’t care who was in the room. He’s given us so much. He deserves an expression of worship beyond what you’re comfortable with.

Who else is worthy? There’s only ONE!

Ordinary to Extraordinary

Abba uses ordinary things to get us where we need to be but if we aren’t careful, we can miss out on extraordinary moments. We have many examples in scripture of people who were about their daily lives when they encountered Jesus. For instance, the woman at the well, Zacchaeus, the Roman soldier with a sick servant and many others. We also have examples of those who missed the life changing encounter with Jesus like Martha. She was so busy and honestly didn’t value the friendship she had available with Jesus. What about the ten lepers who encounter Jesus in Luke 17? Ten lepers passed by Jesus asking from a distance to be healed. Jesus gives them instructions to go be examined by the priests. As they walked away, they were healed of leprosy. One of them ran back to Jesus to honor Him by falling down at his feet thanking him over and over. The point in this parable is they all left their houses that day to do what they normally did but this day they encountered Jesus. They asked for healing and received it but one realized the significance of what happened and gave honor. By doing so he received even more of the Kingdom of Yahweh. He received healing for his heart, not just his skin.

How do you wake up each day? When you walk out the door to go to work, the store, or dinner what are you anticipating? We must realize and remember every moment is ordained by Abba to experience Him. When you anticipate meeting Him in every moment you will. Are you looking for Jesus in the conversations with your co-workers, your students at school, your children at home, your friends or family members?

It is so important to guard your heart. “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

If you watch the news and it tells you how bad the world is or if you follow ministries with an end of the world vision, guess what you will see when you look at the world? What you behold you become. This is why we must behold Jesus. We must have hope to see Him in everyday life. He brought hope, life and light.

Be careful you don’t miss the most valuable parts of your day. Let’s be like the one man in Luke 17 where we honor every encounter throughout our day. How well we honor the Kingdom determines how much we get to experience. This life isn’t just about us; it’s about representing Him well in the world around us. We must be people of hope. Pastor Tim shared an acronym on Sunday for HOPE- Honoring Our Presence Encounter. When we honor the encounter with His presence we see with eyes of hope. We must be people who can see into someone’s life and bring hope to them. I will quote Pastor Tim here, “You have to have hope to see how people were designed to be when they were first formed by the King.” This is a powerful statement. When we honor the encounters we have with Him, we become people of hope where the Lord can give us the vision of who He designed someone to be when He formed them. This is an incredible opportunity. This is how we change the world. If not us, then our children.

Anything of value will cost you something. The value of the future of this world, the value of the commission of Jesus must cause us to desire His plans over our own. As you embark on your day be intentional about your steps. Ask the Holy Spirit to not let you miss Him in any given moment. He loves you and wants to display His love to you, and through you.

The Message of Jesus

I was asked this question last week. When you read scriptures what are you looking for? If I’m honest, I was a little stumped by the question. My answer was well, I am looking for Him but mostly what is He wanting to say to me. Later, I began to talk to Jesus about the question, and I had to be honest. It is mostly to see and hear for myself and others. Rarely is it to “look FOR Him” but I love these questions because they bring us to the reality of the Kingdom. This is where we grow from glory to glory if we’re honest when the questions come.

Pastor Tim asked a very important question on Sunday. Jesus came with one message that can be summed up in three words. What are the three words? I will let you think about it for a moment.

He tells us in John 17. “I have glorified you on the earth by faithfully doing everything you’ve told me to do.”

This is obviously before the cross and resurrection. We have been told our entire lives Jesus came to die on the cross for our sins and was resurrected so we could be forgiven and go to heaven when we die. This is not what He is saying in John 17. The answer to the question is- Kingdom of God. His message was the Kingdom of God. In all the Gospels you can see Jesus saying, the kingdom of God is like…the kingdom of God can be compared to this…the kingdom of God operates like this. In John 17 Jesus looks at his disciples and says I have finished the task that I was sent to do. Wait, Sunday school told us his task was to die on the cross for our sins and to be resurrected three days later. How can Jesus look at His disciples and say I finished what the Father told me to do? I'm done with the purpose in which I'm here for, before the cross and before the resurrection. What was he here to do? He was here to talk about the kingdom of God. It's at hand, it's available to you. He taught his disciples to pray for Yahweh’s kingdom on Earth. He never told us to suffer through this dark world until we die and can go to heaven. Jesus was telling us the commission I gave Adam to subdue and populate the earth is back on. We can start again. Adam gets the commission in Gensis 1:28, “And God blessed them in love, saying, “Reproduce and be fruitful! Populate the earth and subdue it! Reign over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every creature that lives on earth.” Adam gets off track and takes a bite from an apple. We all fall but Jesus shows up to teach us what the kingdom and the planet is supposed to look like. He is showing us what's available to you and me. He goes to the Cross and into the grave. He comes out of the grave and tells his disciples; all authority has been given to me and now I give it back to you. Everything Adam gave up in the garden I give it back to you. Everything that was lost by biting the apple I give it back to you.

We have to change the way we think. We have to believe the Cross and Resurrection was to get back what was lost in the garden and do what Adam was supposed to do. Have dominion on earth. One thing Jesus said a lot was “On Earth as it is in Heaven.” Jesus has given us all authority to rule and reign. We CAN see Heaven on Earth. It starts with faith, hope and honesty.

Faith in what Jesus says. We can no longer afford to believe a false gospel that was given to us out of fear of the future. Waiting for a trumpet blast to be rescued from a dark world is a false gospel. We are commissioned to subdue which means take over in Love and Power. We are commissioned to populate. If He planned to rescue us from a dark world, He would not have told us to populate. We must have faith in the words of Jesus.

Hope is being anchored in Jesus. Everything He did and said is where hope is born. It is believing in what we haven’t seen YET! We have hope for the future. A multi-generational future. We must see it with Kingdom eyes.

Honesty. We must be honest with how we have approached scripture, how we have seen Jesus and what we have believed. Our lives have to begin to look like Jesus said they should. He left the throne of Heaven and came as a baby. He subjected himself to the same temptations we have growing up. He gave us wisdom and taught us truth. He suffered and died then took back all the authority lost in the garden so we could be who Abba created us to be. If you have believed this false gospel there is no shame or condemnation. You get to start again. Bring all of your beliefs, hopelessness and lack of faith to Jesus. Ask Him to restore hope. Ask Him to open your eyes to see Him in scripture. Ask Him to give you ears to hear His voice when He speaks to you. One of the many benefits we have because of the cross and resurrection is to have an intimate relationship with Him. We can walk hand in hand with Him as we subdue and see the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our God.

Jesus’ prayer over His disciples in John 17 is also a prayer for each of us.

“Father, I have manifested who you really are and I have revealed you to the men and women that you gave to me. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have fastened your Word firmly to their hearts. And now at last they know that everything I have is a gift from you, And the very words you gave to me to speak I have passed on to them. They have received your words and carry them in their hearts. They are convinced that I have come from your presence, and they have fully believed that you sent me to represent you. So with deep love, I pray for my disciples. I’m not asking on behalf of the unbelieving world, but for those who belong to you, those you have given me. For all who belong to me now belong to you. And all who belong to you now belong to me as well, and my glory is revealed through their surrendered lives.”

May you go forward from this day on being who you are designed to be. His beloved son and beloved daughter destined to see Heaven on Earth. May you walk in the authority Jesus gave you in every area of your life. Blessings.

We Don’t Have to Pretend

Honesty wins every time. If you are asked the question, “Are you an honest person?” What would you say?

I believe every person reading this would answer yes, of course I am honest. There is not one of us who would want to think otherwise about ourselves. Oh, we are honest when we go to the store. We wouldn’t leave without paying. If you are a parent one of the big things you teach your children from the beginning is about being honest about their actions. You expect your spouse to be honest. You expect your friends and family members to be honest. We have made honesty a surface matter. Meaning it’s about what everyone can see.

There is a very important aspect to the Kingdom of Yahweh we have missed in the church. Honesty. The sad thing is the world sees it and it is why they want nothing to do with “church” now. As beloved sons and daughters the standard for us has to be different. It starts with being honest with Abba.

He will not entertain pretenders. It is unfortunate what has happened to the children of Yahweh in the past. We have gotten into the habit of hiding our true selves from others. We wear masks so people can’t really see the struggles in our lives or our families. Even those secret habits we still have. Here is the dangerous part about the mask. We get so familiar with hiding what is in our hearts we then wear the mask in front of Abba. We try to pretend with Him.

The scripture shows us a very important detail about Abba. He will show up wherever the real you shows up even if it's not glamorous. Adam is hiding and Abba shows up to find him. He doesn't say Adam I see you behind that bush. “Adam where are you?” Adam is hiding and the Lord needs him to come out of hiding and be honest. Lord, we ate apples you told us not to eat. Is Abba calling you out of hiding?

This is why it is important to be part of a Kingdom family and not just attend a church on Sunday morning. A family has a father who cares and will lead you to the feet of Jesus. A father can hear the most offensive, embarrassing acts and not make you feel like less of a person. He embraces you and points you to the face of Abba so you can finally be free from the cage you have been hiding in. When we begin to be honest with ourselves about what is really going on in our hearts, we can lay it out before the Lord and even our Kingdom family. What beautiful gifts He has offered us. The safe place of His lap and the hearts of a family.

Proverbs 21:3, “The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer Him sacrifices.”

Being honest is more important to Abba than any service you give on a Sunday morning. What is he putting His finger on today and saying I want to talk about this? It is time to come out of hiding and put it out on the table.

Your healed, whole heart is on the other side of your honesty. It is supernatural the way He comes in to heal and set us free as soon as we are honest with ourselves and Him.

Lord, We’re Invested

Have you ever known someone who seems to get their breakthrough so easily? Like everything comes so naturally for them, but you find yourself always seeming to claw your way through life. Nothing comes easy. How do you respond to these situations? Do you murmur about how easy they have it and it’s never like that for you? If you find yourself in the midst of people who see breakthrough so easily it is important that you honor and celebrate what is happening in their lives.

“Anything you can’t honor and praise, you aren’t ready for.” Pastor Tim

Invest in what is happening with others and places. When you wait until you get what you’re praying for to invest you aren’t trusting Him. Worship isn’t just singing. It’s giving, serving others, celebrating and honoring what is happening around you. What does this all do? It makes room in your life for what’s coming. The rest of Isaiah 54 tells us what is to follow when you, O barren one sings.

“Increase is coming, so enlarge your tent and add extensions to your dwelling. Hold nothing back! Make the tent ropes longer and the pegs stronger. You will increase and spread out in every direction. Your sons and daughters will conquer nations and revitalize desolate cities. Do not fear, for your shame is no more. Do not be embarrassed, for you will not be disgraced. You will forget the inadequacy you felt in your youth and will no longer remember the shame of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband; his name is Yahweh, Commander of Angel Armies! Your Kinsman-Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel! He has the title Mighty God of All the Earth!” Isaiah 54

Enlarge and add extensions is terms for investing. All you have to invest up front is an open heart that sings to Jesus. As hope is revived in your heart you will want to invest in others, in your city and state. You begin to see your sons and daughters rise up with wisdom, honor, hope and truth to conquer the hearts of humanity and revitalize desolate cities. Hope brings resurrection to so many things.

In this hope revival we will forget the times of inadequacy, shame and embarrassment. We have a promise here. Our Maker is our husband. Every aspect of your life He cares about. He is Yahweh, the very breathe in your lungs. He is Commander of Angel Armies; he protects you and your descendants. He is your Kinsman-Redeemer; He redeems every aspect of your life making you holy in His sight and before others. He is Mighty! Nothing is impossible for your life. The dreams He has put in your heart for your life and purpose He has the power to see it come to fruition. It all begins with singing.

Pastor Tim ended Sunday with a beautiful prayer over our Kingdom family and it is worth finishing up our walk this week. I encourage you to print this out and pray in agreement with us over what Yahweh is doing in our hearts right here on Pass Rd in Gulfport.

Lord, we pray for hope revival in every heart, in every family, in every situation. Lord let us be the first to sing even in our barrenness, in our brokenness, in the places we have been stuck for what seems to be a lifetime. Lord, let hope revival break forth from the very places that seem to be the less likely. That's the story of a King born in a manger. It’s a baby's first breath being the beginning of conquering death. Help us see the kingdom in seed form and honor the smallest of sparks. Can we be the flames that light hope in Gulfport? Lord, I know there are situations and lifetimes of dishonor but Lord, let us start again. Let us begin to value every moment with you like it is the first. Let us begin to see our lives like you see them. Let us begin to see hope in situations that seem hopeless. Let us close our mouths if we become people of who complain, like you did Zachariah. Let no evil thing come out of these lips, no words of doubt. Lord, begin to transform our imagination into Kingdom imaginations just like the imagination of children. Let us start to look at broken relationships like they are brand new. Hearts being knitted back together in unity and honor. Let tenderness and innocence begin to be poured out in situations. Let us be the first to forgive because we are first forgiven. The ones who bridge the gap. We want to do whatever moves your heart. Lord how do you see our lives changing? What dream should I start dreaming? What business or how many businesses should I own? Lord how much acreage should I have? How many animals should be on that acreage? I pray that every person that is currently an employee would begin to let you build owner in their heart. We would begin to take care of other businesses as if they are our own to bring glory to your name. We would begin to see streets in our neighborhood as ours. Lord, trash would not roll by us because we would be the first ones to lean down and pick it up even if it's not ours. Let us be the first one to worship you the loudest. One to worship you no matter the situation. Help us realize we determine how long we stay barren. We want an overflow of your kingdom. Lord your will be done your kingdom come. Your will be done in us just like it is in heaven. We love you, Lord. We honor you. Lord, will you teach us to honor and treasure what you're saying and what you're doing. Teach us to see value in others and the situation we find ourselves in. Everything has purpose even what we are going through right now. Lord, we thank you for planting incredible families here at The Wilderness Place. We ask all of these things in Jesus’ name. Amen