CampfireTALK - a word from pastor Rich

When You're Faced With A Choice ...

2010-09-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

When You're Faced With A Choice ...

My sons are the delight of my life! I watch them grow and as they develop into the young men that God has created them to be, I am amazed!

Recently, my youngest son John began football practice. He has always loved football! He can tell you things, and the details about football that even I don't know! He knows stats, statistics, plays, blitz's, and approaches, I mean he is "really" into football! And now, in the 7th grade he finally gets to play.

Well the season begins with early morning practice! I mean these guys have to be up and at the school between 6:15 and 6:30am! They have to get in there and get suited up and on-the-field before the sun is even up! And then there's the running, the exercises, the drills .. none of which I'm sure my son John ever imagined as a part of the game!

One morning, not long after they began full suit-ups and the thing boys love the most - "contact", my son was late coming out onto the field. Usually he's in the midst of the group, so I took a trot back to the locker room to see if he was maybe having uniform problems. I found a young football player, totally suited out, with all of his dreams and his hopes lying broken and destroyed before him in the floor. He was absolutely overwhelmed beyond his wildest dreams. He was in utter tears! I had never seen him so devastated before in my life! I almost cried myself.

The first thing I did was take this young man, his dreams shattered before him, and I pulled him into my chest and I just held him next to me, as he sobbed the deepest tears of disappointment. I asked him what was wrong, and he uttered those words that come so easily when the going gets so tough ... "Dad, I want to quit! I can't do this any more!"

I've never seen him so ... so overwhelmed before. He was devastated! I mean this has been his "dream" ... the big one! He has always wanted to play football - for years! I could not believe my ears! But he was very serious, so, I asked him, "Why?". He said to me, "I'm not any good at this! Those guys are all better than me!"

As I looked into those tear-filled eyes, I could see that he had lost all hope. All of the years of dreaming about this game, and studying it ... playing it in video games and with his friends, and now ... now it seems like it's all over, not just in his mind, but in his heart!

I had to step back. How many times had I given up? How many times had I had a dream, worked at it and toiled hard to see it come to pass ... and found myself in this same predicament - overwhelmed by the opposition. Now I didn't just see my son John before me, but I saw "me" in the eyes of the Father God, coming to Him with tear-filled eyes and saying, "Daddy, I just can't do this anymore! It's just not working out!"

I could feel His compassion, and the tenderness that He must feel towards me. I asked God, "Father, what do I tell my son? This is not just a class he took, it is his "dream"! It is the very thing that he has wanted to do ... for as long as I can remember! What am I going to say to him, knowing that my answer will have a direct reflection on the rest of his life?"

Check in next week and find out what happened ...
Until then ...

Make me proud!
- rich -

Find A "Word-Based" Church!

2010-08-04T15:59:00.000-05:00

Find A "Word-Based" Church!
by pastor Rich Allcorn

Last week we discussed the subject of the calling on your life. You see, God "wants you" to fulfill the calling that He has foreordained you to do! It's "HIS PLAN" for you! Why wouldn't He want you to discover it, and walk in it? We also discussed the fact that God will often send you out "before" you see the "stuff" you think you need! All He really needs is YOU! He sent out the disciples, not just the twelve, but the seventy as well! They left with basically "nothing" in their hands but their hiking stick and their jacket! But God provided for them!

This week we want to address the importance of your being "CONNECTED" ... with a church! Now not just any church will do here. You need to be in a Bible-based church, where they are teaching and preaching the Word of God! If you go to a church and they never have you open your Bibles during the service ... or you don't see anybody carrying their Bibles to church, GET OUT QUICKLY! You are in a place where you will "die" spiritually, from hunger and lack of teaching! Jesus told us to "study the Word", to "remain" in it, and only THEN would we find THE TRUTH, and that "THE TRUTH" would set us free! (John 8:31-32)

So you see it is very, VERY important for you to hook up with a church where they are preaching the Word of God! I remember once church I attended where the folks were getting excited because (and I quote) "the Holy Spirit was holding a dime up on my wall at home". Now I know God "can" do this, but what is the point? You might as well sit in front of the TV and watch "entertainment"! God is not into "entertaining" you - HE WANTS YOU TO GROW! He wants you to LEARN! And HE WANTS YOU VICTORIOUS! And it is not going to happen if you're getting hung up on parlor tricks and mental candy. I like the way Kenneth Copeland puts it, "Preach the Word!"

He's just quoting what the Bible tells us:
2 Timothy 4:1-2 [New American Standard Bible]
"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 [New American Standard Bible]
"For Christ has not sent me to baptize, but to preach glad tidings; not in wisdom of word, that the cross of the Christ may not be made vain. For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us that are saved it is God's power."

Preach The Word!
So we find that even Jesus went out to "preach the Word" to the people! Paul said to "preach the Word"! Timothy "preached the Word".

Why preach the Word? Look at 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 ... IT IS THE POWER OF GOD! God's mighty power is made manifest in the preaching of His Word! It "glorifies" Him. It is "praise" to Him. It "exalts" Him when we preach His Word! And His power is then manifested ... to heal, to deliver, to set free ... those who are in the hearing of it! And "that" is what Jesus said that He was sent to do!

Until next week, spend the rest of this week considering where you are in your life today. Is your church preaching the Word of God? Do you see people carrying their Bibles to church where you go? To you leave "refreshed", and ready to tackle the week? Are you challenged by your brothers or sister there ... be be "better" ... to "step out" and BE that thing that God has called you to be? If not, pardner it's time to start looking for a "Word Church"! I've been there! The best thing you can do if your church is not preaching the Word of God is to "get out quickly"! Find some place where they've got their Bibles out! Go man go! Get in a place where the "power" of God is present, and where the people are "obedient" to what God set as a precedence in His church - to "preach the Word".

Discover Your Calling!

2010-07-28T14:57:00.000-05:00

Discover Your Calling!
^{by pastor} Rich Allcorn

The key to provision in your life is being "in the will" of God. If you are where you are supposed to be, then God's "provision" is there for you. In much the same way as our military sends troops out. We airlift provisions for them. We don't just leave them stranded there, with no provisions? No! We provide them with food, ammunition, fuel, and whatever else they may need to get the job done! And God is no different!

God actually "wants" you to succeed! Sometimes I feel that we have forgotten that! God does want you to succeed! He wants you to "make it" in the calling that He has placed upon your life! And to do that, you have got to have provisions ... to succeed, to prosper, and to continue in the call!

Let's take a look at an example of this in the Bible.

Luke 9:1-6 [New American Standard Bible]
¹And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases. ² And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing. ³ And He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. ⁴ "And whatever house you enter, stay there, and take your leave from there. ⁵ "And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." ⁶ And departing, they began going about among the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

Luke 10:1-16 [New American Standard Bible]
¹ Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. ² And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. ³ "Go your ways; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. ⁴ "Carry no purse, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. ...

Luke 10:17-20 [New American Standard Bible]
¹⁷ And the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." ¹⁸ And He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. ¹⁹ "Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.

Jesus sent them out - They returned victorious!
Notice in the above versions of Luke chapters 9-10 that Jesus was in the habit of sending them out ... without "anything"! Not only did He do this to the disciples, but he did it to the seventy others who were in training under him! He sent them out with only the clothes on their back! I like what one translation says of Luke 9: ""Don't load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment."

Sometimes we get so caught up in the "things" we think we need to get the job done that we forget ... God only needs "us" ... to be obedient, to be willing, and to be "there" - to get the job done!

Until next week, spend the rest of this week considering your life, and your willingness to God's calling. Are you holding off waiting for the proper equipment? Do you have "things" that you think you need ... to begin? I've been there!

Give these some consideration. Pray over it.
And let's pick up here next week.

Bringing Your Faith to Harvest

2010-07-26T13:06:00.002-05:00

The key to success in life is "living by faith"! The Bible is constantly encouraging us in this, with the assurance that the children of God "live by their faith"! And in these past few weeks we’ve discussed your “Now Faith”, and the “Quality Decision” that it takes to “activate” it! We also discussed “Living By Faith”, a lifestyle that is “advanced living”! It requires new thinking, and placing a watch over your words, to ensure that you are always speaking “in-line” with your faith. This week we are going to discuss “Bringing Your Faith to Harvest”!

Mark 4:14-20 [NASB]
The sower sows the word. And these are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them.

And in a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.

And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, and the worries of the world , and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And those are the ones on whom seed was sown on the good soil; and they hear the word and accept it, and bear fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.

Your Heart Condition Is Vital to Your Success!
Notice that, in each of the examples above, the “heart condition” (in other words the condition of the soil) was extremely important to the final outcome of the seed! In example #1, the heart (soil) was not at all prepared to receive the seed, and the seed itself became prey – it was “eaten up” by the devourer – those nearby. This could be birds, animals, etc. but the real issue is, the seed did not even take root!

In example #2, the roots never got a chance to take hold. You see the heart (soil) was polluted with other things that are contrary to the Word of God and His ways (rocks). The heart was “hardened” by these things, and like the rocky soil, the seeds had very little chance of success.

In example #3, the heart had other things in it’s life that were just as important, some maybe more. These things were already established (pre-existing) and therefore had an advantage over the new seed, and they choked it out!

In example #4, however, the seed fell onto a heart that was well-prepared for the word of God (good soil)! It has been meditating the Word of God, and in fellowship with the Father. Notice also, that the results varied! Some produced 30, some 60, and some 100-fold! That means that the “degree” of time you spend in the Word of God, in prayer, and in fellowship with the Father, have a great deal to do with not only “whether” you get a harvest but “how much” you get IN your harvest!

John 8:31-32 [King James Version]
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus told His disciples, and those around Him that He was teaching, that they were only His disciples “if” they would continue in His Word! Are you a disciple of Jesus today? Are you in regular meditation of His Word? Do you skip meals regularly? Then why skip your “spiritual meals”? Your spirit man needs food just as much as your physical man does. And don’t forget the caveat (bonus, special treat) that Jesus mentioned! He said that by meditating in His Word, we would then “prove” ourselves to truly be His disciples, and that we would “know the truth” and that very “truth” that we had learned would set us free!

I think we’ve all got some work to do … so, let’s “get busy” and prepare that soil for harvest!

Living By Faith

2010-07-26T13:04:00.000-05:00

The key to success in life is "living by faith"! The Bible is constantly encouraging us in this, with the assurance that the children of God "live by their faith"! Galations 3:7 and Romans 1:17 to name a few, ensure us that we are only truly the children of Abraham if we "live by our faith".

Galations 3:7 [Living Bible]
You can see from this that the real children of Abraham are all the men of faith who truly trust in God.

Galations 3:7 [Amplified Bible]
Know and understand that it is really the people who live by faith who are the true sons of Abraham. z

Romans 1:16-17 [New American Standard Bible]
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

New Thinking is Required!
When you were a sinner, as an unborn-again man (or woman), you had no idea about how you lived. But your thoughts and your motives were based on fear. Fear is the opposite of faith. When you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, however, you were "born-again" through "faith". The Bible says it by grace (God's free gift) through "faith" that you are saved! And with this new life you now have to practice "new thinking"!

Ephesians 2:8-9 [New American Standard Bible]
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

But salvation is not just a "one-time" event! It is a "way of life". You are to be "living" that life ... of faith, working out your salvation, as Paul puts it in Philipians 2:12. Here Paul says that we are to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling"! That means we have a "life" that we have to live ... a "walk" ... a "way of life" that we are to follow! That way is the way of living the life of "faith"!

Philippians 2:12 [Amplified Bible]
... work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

I know this blows holes in many of folks "I can live like I please now" theory, but it's true! You have to "walk" the talk! Paul said in fact that "faith without works is dead"! If you are not living and "working" your faith, then you're not living the life of faith. Your faith is "dead"! Don't jump on me about this, Paul said it! But wouldn't you rather know now, so that you can do something about it? (rather than later, when it's too late!)

So, we have learned about our "Now faith" in Hebrews 11, that it is the evidence of things hoped for, the assurance of things that are not yet seen! We have also discussed the fact that your faith has to be "activated". You have to put it into motion, or into action! This is done with a "firm & quality decision", of which there is no turning back! It's a decision "already made".

If you remember about faith, you know that faith works just like "seeds" and everything works on the seed principle where faith is concerned. So we know that we must apply and live by our "now faith", with a singleness of purpose ... a decision by which there is no turning back. And we have to practice that life ... daily!

Spend the rest of this week considering your life, and your daily actions. Ask yourself, "What can I do to apply 'faith' in my life today?" Make this a practice! Challenge areas of your life where 'fear' still exists, and replace it with firm & quality Bible-believing 'faith'!

It Starts With a Decision!

2010-07-26T13:02:00.000-05:00

Any action that you are about to take, whether it be by word or deed, is going to first require that you make a decision to take that action! In working with faith you need to keep in mind that the only decision that will work with faith is what Kenneth Copeland calls "a firm and quality decision". I like to call this decision a "decision already made"!

Let me explain this further:
When you make a "firm & quality decision", you are deciding that once-and-for-all, you are going in a particular direction. It does not matter what your experience has been, or what you may know (in the natural) through knowledge or maybe through here say, you "have decided" that you will proceed in a particular direction. As a result, you are making what is called a "firm & quality decision" ... one that will put into motion, an "action", that will surely bring about results!

You must "decide" on a course of direction.
With a "firm & quality decision", you have to give careful though and consideration to what you are about to set in motion. This decision is not carelessly made or concocted in a momentary notion! No, it is one of "quality", with "firm resolve" behind it! Once made, you are "committed" to this direction! Once you decide and speak the decision out loud (in a form of declaration), the matter is set into motion! There is no turning back! There is no second guessing, no "well yeah, but what if"! IT - IS - DONE ... period!

That is why I like to call this a "decision already made"! You see, once you've made this decision, you have literally placed a bit in your mouth, and have purposed your course! And, like the horse that will try to turn aside from the road to graze on some fresh green grass that just happened along the way, the "bit" will pull your head, and your focus, back on-track, and on the course you have "already decided" to take.

"Now faith" is the evidence of things hoped for, the assurance of things that are not yet seen! (Hebrews 11:1) If you understand anything about faith, you know that we're dealing with "seeds" here ... and that everything works on the same principle of a seedtime & harvest. When a farmer plants his seed, he continues about his business, knowing full well that the seed will produce what it was created to produce!

If, however, that farmer were to dig that seed up, this whole entire process would "STOP"! The seed would die! Why? Because when you dig up the seed, while it is in the process of performing it's task, you interrupt the cycle! The elements that are at work to make the seed successful are interrupted!

The farmer who understands the "seed principle" has already made his "firm & quality decision" before he ever planted his seed. When temptation comes his way, or doubt and fear, he he remembers that his decision is "already made"!

THE SEED STAYS!

Why? Because he has faith that the seed will do what it is supposed to do ... it - will - produce a harvest!

So, when applying your "now faith" you have to understand what it means to make a "quality decision", of which there is no turning back! In order for the "seed" of your "now faith" to work, you have to let it alone! You have to let it do it's job! And that job is to produce you a harvest!

Remember, "now faith" is the tangible "evidence" of what you've prayed for! And when you tend to lean towards doubt, or fear of failure begins to come your way, your "now faith" is your "assurance" that your "now faith" is still at work! It is still there in the ground (you can't "see" anything happening) and it is producing your harvest!

Now Faith!

2010-07-08T15:09:00.002-05:00

Now Faith! by pastor Rich Allcorn

In Hebrews 11:1, the Bible says that "Now faith" is what we need. "Now faith" is the evidence of things hoped for, the assurance of things not yet seen! (ref: Hebrews 11:1)

Have I got your attention? Let's take a look at this "now faith". From what we just read, "now faith" is evidence ... "the" evidence, of what you're hoping for! What is evidence?

ev- i - dence [ev-i-dins] noun

1. that which tends to prove or disprove something; grounds for belief; proof.
2. something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign: His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever.
3. Law . data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects.

Evidence of your "now faith" is the "proof", to "make plain or clear" what you've prayed for!

The Bible also says that "now faith" is the "assurance" of things not yet seen! What is assurance?

as·sur·ance [uh-shoor-uhns] noun

1. a positive declaration intended to give confidence: He received assurances of support for the project.

2. promise or pledge; guaranty; surety: He gave his assurance that the job would be done.

3. full confidence; freedom from doubt; certainty: to act in the assurance of success.

4. freedom from timidity; self-confidence; belief in one's abilities: She acted with speed and assurance.

5. presumptuous boldness; impudence.

6. Chiefly British . insurance.

Now please take notice as this word's definitions really opens up some understanding here! "Assurance" is a "positive declaration" to give evidence (or proof); a promise or pledge; full confidence; freedom from timidity (or boldness); and please notice the last one listed as "chiefly British" ... is your "insurance"? That is a "sealed, secured backup that you will succeed" ... insurance!

One could summarize "assurance" as your "declaration", your "promise", and your "boldness" in believing what you have applied your faith towards! You have "insurance" that your faith "will succeed" ... because you have "assurance". The "evidence" is your proof, that your faith has already succeeded!

So your "now faith" is the "evidence", the "proof", the "insurance" ... that the things you've "hoped for" ... things that are "not yet seen" ... have already come to pass! They are "done"! It - is - established ... even before it has even happened! And your evidence, your proof, that what you've prayed for ... that what you're "hoping for" ... has already come ... is in your confession, your boldness, and your actions!

Take this and study it ... chew on it ... digest it!
And glean all that you can ... until next week!

Check out our series for the month of July where we consider the "working man" ... and we find whether the "Ward Cleaver" work routine works, or is it just a fantasy that we've been sold that keeps us in bondage.

See ya' next week!!
Make me proud!
- rich -

NOTE: If you are a musician, and want to sing or play in a band, we need you! If you've got any experience running a sound board, we need you! If you can usher, or set up and take down P.A. equipment, please ... we need you!

Contact me at: pastors@wordchurch.info
or call the church office at: (512) 782-9775

Following Your Dreams!

2010-07-08T15:08:00.000-05:00

Following Your Dreams! by pastor Rich Allcorn

"Everyone has a dream, a goal in life, in which we work towards. We strive to achieve this dream, this goal, and if we are lucky, we make it."

That is the way the world sees success. Luck, and a routine. But does it really work that way? Sometimes maybe, but not or most. Most of us spend our lives punching a clock for somebody else ... working a "job". We don't really strike it rich, but we "make ends meet". In otherwords, popular to hear this or not, we "survive". We "make a living"!

Do these phrases sound familiar? I hope so! Most folks use these phrases heartily to include themselves in the rest of the crowd that is "working" ... to make a living. "Back to the ole grindstone", they always say!

Is this what God intended for man? Certainly not!
GOD created man ... for fun! He was created to be a creature, not of habit, but one of change, of variety ... alive and growing, ever changing, and having 'fun' along the way! You see "life" itself indicates "change". The daily routines that we teach our kids that are "good for us" are not at all the way we are designed. God has created man to be "ready to believe" in Him and His promises "daily". That indicates that things are anything BUT routine!

Do you need faith and trust in God to draw a weekly paycheck? If your salary is regular, with vacations and health plans, and such, is that truly reality? Ask any businessman who owns or operates his own business and he will quickly tell you, "No way! It's a dream ..." Oh you get your paycheck and your regular vacation time, but only because somebody else has taken up the slack and pulled it together for you ... so that there was enough money to "regularly" pay you your salary, and to "routinely" pay the expenses of having you come to work. But I assure you, the money does not come in that way! In no uncertain terms, the money comes in sporadic, in bunches, and groups, at random times, and with big deals closed, and sudden payments from clients. It comes in at various rates, each and every day. Some days, or even weeks, there is no income!

Have I got your attention?
Check out our series for the month of July where we consider the "working man" ... and we find whether the "Ward Cleaver" work routine works, or is it just a fantasy that we've been sold that keeps us in bondage.

See ya' next week!!
Make me proud!
- rich -

NOTE: If you are a musician, and want to sing or play in a band, we need you! If you've got any experience running a sound board, we need you! If you can usher, or set up and take down P.A. equipment, please ... we need you!

Contact me at: pastors@wordchurch.info
or call the church office at: (512) 782-9775

We're Not From This Planet

2010-07-08T15:07:00.000-05:00

Remember, the story last week about John and his trip to Canada? Well, new developments arose and he had the opportunity to travel to Arkansas with some friends for a couple of weeks! So, when he arrived from Canada, we had a wonderful reunion, while we washed his clothes and packed his bags ... and he left the following morning for Arkansas!

During this time John begin to feel home sick ... We used SKYPE to talk to him. He would call us on his little notebook computer (netbook) and we could see him, and he could see us. The visits were great! But it didn't help his missing us until, on Father's Day, since he had to be away from us on that day, we took the notebook computer with us and set it up in the kitchen while we were cooking!

He got to watch us and visit with us ... and he even watched TV and played with his friend in Arkansas, all the while occasionally looking over to his PC and seeing us and hearing our conversations. It made him feel 100% better!

You know, "we" as Christians are NOT from this Earth. Oh, we were born here, but our spirits were "re-born" when we received Jesus as our Lord! When that happened, we became new creatures! And, though we've never been there, we long for heaven! It's a good thing to know that, like with John and using SKYPE to e-visit with us, we too can e-visit with Heaven! We won't need SKYPE though ... just some time alone with the Father.

If you will spend time in prayer, with God, and fellowship, it's like you've "been there" when you get through! Try it some time and see that the "presence" of Heaven goes with you!
As you finish reading this, please remember pastor Danny and his daughter "Abby" in your prayers! This is important! She has an assignment from the Father ... here in the Earth, and no demon or devil is going to interrupt that plan of God, with anything that would hinder or stop her! We "believe" that she is totally and completely healed and whole ... in Jesus name!

Make me proud!

NOTE: It is important that you are actively learning and growing in the knowledge of the Lord. If you are not currently in a church where they are preaching the word of God, please consider coming by for a visit!

Trusting in God

2010-07-08T15:05:00.000-05:00

Just last week our 12yr old son, John, left for a trip to Canada. He traveled with a tour group from his school to Montreal and Quebec City. This was a leap of faith for us, just in letting him go with them ... but WITHOUT US!

The first night he was there he called us. We had a "Canadian plan" set up on his phone so "he" could call us just like here, with no extra charges or phone bill surprises! Anyway, we were visiting with him and he was so excited! He was telling us about all that he had seen. As he was talking to his Mom he suddenly said, "Mom, can you hold on just a minute ... " He sounded worried, like something was wrong. His Mom said, "John! What's wrong?" Now we could hear him breathing really fast, and it sounded like he was running! You could hear him say, "Mom ... I ... can't!" and then the line went dead!

Here we were, sitting there in our den ... our son is thousands of miles away, in another country ... and now it appears that something has gone wrong? Was he lost? Was someone chasing him? Oh the devil was having a hayday with the various "possibilities" on this one! And I assure you, he was speaking each of them into our ears as we waited! We just sat there, looking at each other ... dumbfounded!

What do you do? Well, being a mother, the first thing pastor Jane did was, "I'm going to call him back!", as she was holding back the tears!! Now I was hearing the same voices in my head that she was hearing! However, I have a very good understanding of the spirit of fear and what it can do!

I said, "Stop!" Then I firmly told her, "Get a hold of your feelings on this ... NOW!" I immediately sent a "text"! The text to his group leader was simple: "John is lost!" Then I texted John and said, "Call me ... NOW!"

Then came the longest moment of silence I believe I have ever known. What was only moments seemed like an eternity!! As we waited, Jane was in tears, and starting to go into a panic attack. I don't know what all goes through a mother's head in this situation, but I DO KNOW that fear opens doors to the devil, and I currently had his head stuck in the door, and I was pressing it hard! He wasn't happy! But neither could he get in, to my mind and my heart, or into my wife! I was not about to let that happen!!

I said to pastor Jane, "Honey, you have got to decide WHO are you going to trust?" She took a deep breath ... a cleansing breath ... and let it out slowly. You could still see it in her eyes, though ... she was terrified! But she refused to say anything more, to ensure that she did not step into fear either!

Another moment of silence. If we had owned a wall clock we would have heard it ticking ... tic-toc, tic-toc ... in the silence ... as we waited!

Suddenly "my" cellphone rang. The contact name said "John Allcorn". I answered it. There was a quiet voice on the other end. It sounded rather sheepish, like he'd just had a scare and was getting over the adrenaline rush. He said, "Dad?" He was safe. John was safe!

After visiting with him, it turns out that he was talking to us on the phone and looking around, and he got separated from the group! He started to panic! He was running trying to find them, holding the phone in his hand. His finger hit the hang-up button as he was frantically running, looking to see where they'd gone. And they had already noticed him missing and were waiting for him, so there was no problem. To him, though, he was for a few moments ... all alone, in a strange country, with his parents literally thousands of miles away!

What do you do when you suddenly find yourself in a predicament? Either on John's end - "lost" - or on our end, "with your little baby ... possibly lost, or running for his life, and thousands of miles from your protection"? What do you do?

This is important, because WHAT you do, will affect the outcome! Faith is the force in the Kingdom of God that works on your behalf. Fear is the perversion of that force, the opposite of that force, and it works "against" you!

It is important in a crisis that you (1) do not fear, and (2) that you carefully select your words! You will either say something to enable "faith" or something to open the door to the devil and all that he's been saying that "could happen"! Is GOD faithful? Do you trust Him ... with your son, or YOUR life? Really? Do you rrreally trust Him?

Today is the time to "get into the Word" and feed your spirit man ... with faith. Because when you are faced in a crisis situation ... an opportunity to choose faith or fear, which is it going to be? Is your heart full of television, and examples of the very worst things that could happen? Or it is full of faith examples of folks who have believed God and "seen" the deliverance of the Lord? Yeah, think about it! As for me, I was glad that my heart was "locked-in" to faith ... and my Daddy's ability to deliver me (and my son). Will you be ready?

By the way, John finished his trip, and had a wonderful time! But we were so, so happy to hold him in our arms once again at the airport! Thank you so much Father ... you are faithful!

We'll be teaching on this soon! Look us up!
Make me proud!

NOTE: It is important that you are actively learning and growing in the knowledge of the Lord. If you are not currently in a church where they are preaching the word of God, please consider coming by for a visit!

Once Saved - Always Saved?

2010-07-08T15:02:00.000-05:00

In Joshua chapter 1, verse 5, the scripture says this:

"... As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. "

Once saved - always saved? I've always heard this discussion, and often pondered it, but never really took the time to address it until I was asked, personally, to comment.

You see, I have never had a problem with my salvation, or losing it. Some however are either in fear of losing it, or feel that they can only keep it by works. Others feel that you can, if you're not good enough, lose your salvation. However, the Bible does not support this discussion, not in any way, when it pertains to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a "Believer" who is saved by that blood sacrifice of Jesus.

The question posed to me was this:
"Do you believe 'once saved always saved'?"

My answer, coming straight from the Holy Spirit, was an enlightenment even to me, as it came out. The answer was this: "It is impossible for one to 'lose' one's salvation. You have to 'lay it down', and that my friend is an entirely different matter."

The Bible teaches us, as Joshua 1:5 will support, that God will never leave us or forsake us. There is no debate about this. It's clear and simply. He did not use an "if", an "and" or a "but", He just said "never". That settles that!

There is a scripture in the Bible that speaks of the "laying down of one's salvation". In my entire life, I've only met 1 individual in this state. But, if were up to God, you can rest assured that "HE" will never under any circumstances allow "anything" to come between you and Him. The only one that can do that ... is you.

I was then asked about a scripture in Revelation 3:5 that refers to your name being "blotted out" of the Lamb's book of Life. I was thrilled to hear the Holy Spirit's interpretation of how this one applies! "You see, you are foreordained from before the foundations of the World ... I have already 'seen' you, and have planned for your future, a bright and wonderful future! And your name has been written in the Lamb's book of Life from the very beginning! But there are times when a man will not choose to accept the gift of Jesus' sacrifice ... a time which, with much sadness and tears, the name must be removed from the book, and their soul condemned to eternal damnation. But the Father did not intend for it to be this way. He, living by faith Himself, is 'believing' that a man will follow and receive Jesus, and learn to fulfill the plan of God for his life."

I am looking forward, very soon, when I will be teaching on this and elaborating on these questions, and the answers that come for them. If, though, you are only able to read this eNewsletter, remember this:

God loves you! He loves you so, so very much ... that He gave you His very, very best ... in Jesus! And He has gone to great lengths to separate you ... from your sin! And NOT ... from Him. Trust and know that God's love for you is more than you'll ever know. If you are experiencing problems, whether in health, in finances, or in relationships ... know that it is not God who is sending these your way. These are a result of something you "did", or "didn't" do ... and He has the answer to overcoming it! The great thing is ... He'll tell.

We'll be teaching on this soon! Look us up!
Make me proud!

NOTE: It is important that you are actively learning and growing in the knowledge of the Lord. If you are not currently in a church where they are preaching the word of God, please consider coming by for a visit!

CampfireTALK - (05/31/2010)

2010-06-03T15:45:00.000-05:00

YOU JUST GOTTA "DO IT"!
Last week I was listening to a preacher speaking about when God sent Moses to be "his mouthpiece" in freeing his people from the slavery of Egypt. Then again, last night, it was on TV. The Spirit of God kept speaking to me about this ...

Here's just a portion of that message for you, with some insights ... I call the message ...
"You Just Gotta DO IT!"

[Excerpt from the message: JUST DO IT!]

Did you ever consider some of what Moses had to go through when he answered the call of God on his life? I mean, I can identify with some of it! He was basically "called away" from Egypt to go through some serious ministry training and preparation for his future task! He spent the next 20 years in the desert! He had no idea that he would be "teaching" others to live in the desert! He had no idea that he was going to be a "Survival Trainer" after all of this! And he certainly didn't have any idea of the size of "classes" he was going to be teaching either! MAN!! A whole "nation", mind you! That's a lot of folks to have in a class! And these weren't the most cooperative students either!

Here's just a look at the steps in Moses "Training Program"!

LEAVE HOME!
The very first thing that Moses had to do was to "leave home" and head off for .... well, God knows where! His entire "comfort zone" was totally upset, and everything he'd grown to know as "home" was ... well, it all changed, and he had to leave! His "nest" became uncomfortable. God "stirred things" and the next thing he knew he was running away!

20 YEARS OF GOING NOWHERE!
Look at the training for Moses calling and how it started out! He spent his first 20 years in training ... as a "sheep herder"! And, in the desert no less! He was basically going nowhere! What was he thinking the whole time he was doing this? Obviously not your or my idea of any "training" for a calling of God, is it! He must have been thinking that he "missed God" He must have felt like he was not getting anywhere ... like he was wasting his time. He basically felt like a failure, at least in the area of what he thought he was called to do by God!

How many times have you felt that way? Like God has no idea what you're up to, or how you got where you are now. And, from your point of view, it certainly looks like He's forgotten the whole thing! It looks like you're going nowhere, in a hurry! But are you?

YOU'VE GOTTA GET "FIRED" UP FOR YOUR CALLING!
While Moses is out in the desert, tending to some of his flock, he has a "visitation" from God! He encounters a "burning bush". Now what is so unusual about this burning bush is that it doesn't burn. There's no smoke! And there was no lightening, and no ignition source around, to have caused this fire! I mean this thing is seriously ablaze, and there's no burning up the bush! It's just there, burning and burning ... and burning! It is never consumed! No smoke, no ash! But it's on fire, there's no mistake about that!

Can you imagine coming up on this one? You grab the first bucket you can find, fill it, and you head for the fire! You throw the bucket of water on the fire and "poof" ... nothing but water vapor! It's like the water instantly turned into "clouds" and then vanished in the hot desert sun! You go get another bucket, and throw it on the fire! There it goes again! "POOF!" Instant cloud, and then it's all gone! And the fire? It doesn't even "hiss" when the water hits! No smoke! No nothing!

YOU'VE GOTTA LEARN TO RECOGNIZE GOD'S VOICE!
If that's not bad enough that you cannot put out this fire, you now find out that the fire is possessed, or at least it seems to be! It "talks"! That's right, it "talks"! Talk about hair standing up on the back of your neck! That bush is talking! Yes, goosebumps 'n all, there is ole Moses, and the bush is all talking to him, "MOOO-SSSSES"! "MOOOO-SSSESSSSS"!

Don't you know he's thinking, "Man, I've been out here too long! It's gotta be the heat! I mean, bushes don't "talk"! Bushes - do - not - speak! Yet there it is! There stands a bush, talking ... and this bush knows you by name!

The bush talks again! "Moooo-ses"! "Moooooo-ses"! (brrrrrrrr!) Ok, now the hair's standing up on the back of your neck! There is no amount of hairspray that's gonna get these neck hairs back down either! And that voice? This thing's got Charlton Heston beat! IT'S SO DEEEEEP! It's loud! And when it speaks, the voice goes down to the core of your bones!! Talk about a "WAKE UP" call! Man!
Your knees are going weak!!

And after all of these theatrics, what is the message? Bottom line? "Moses, you're gonna have to go back home and have some serious words with your step-brother! God wants you to tell him that you are here to shut down his construction operation, and take all of his workers, their families, and their goods, and leave! "AND" (if that's not enough!) you're also going to tell him that the whole town is going to have to take up a collection and give these folks all of their gold and silver, enough to re-imburse them for their labors these past 400 years!

And you thought your calling in life was hard? Don't ever think that what God has assigned YOU to do is so hard! Compare it to Moses! I'm sure you're getting a break!

BE WILLING TO "DO" WHAT HE SAYS TO DO!
Just when you were thinking that this was about to get hard, God comes up with this neat idea to get the Pharoah's attention! He tells Moses to set his staff down on the ground. When throws the staff down to the ground, it turns into a snake! Now I've got no problem with this neat little trick until it comes to the part where God says basically, "Ok Moses, now reach out and grab the snake by the tail and pick it up!" Did I hear Him right? Did He just say, "Grab the snake, Moses!" ?

Whoa! That's ... you ... what? You want me to do what? Hey! I'm an old cowboy here! I don't like snakes! Where I come from, the only good snake is a dead snakeI And folks, let me tell you something! I "know" what happens when you grab a snake by the tail and pick it up! The "business end" moves around to survey what's just happened to the back end, with the full intent of taking a bite out of the hand that's holding it up in the air!

I'm really glad I was not Moses, because that, my friends, really took a lot of guts to do! You've gotta know for sure that you're hearing from God when He tells you, "Now, grab that snake by the tail and pick it up!"

I can hear my youngest son, John, with that one!
"Now God, did you just say pick it up? Seriously?"

[end of exerpt]

SUMMARY:
So, when God calls you to do something ...
You can expect some "shaking" ... you can expect that your world around you is about to change! Your "comfort zone" is going to be removed! You're probably going to be taken "out" of your element, and placed into a training scenario that may not make any sense to you at all!

Moses had no idea that the time he spent in the desert was "training" ... for him, so that "HE" could help a nation ... to survive in the desert, while they were waiting on the "timing" of God!

Be willing to do some strange things when you begin to serve God in your calling. What he tells you is not always going to make sense. And, like the "snake" incident, God may have you do something that goes against your past experiences, or what you believe to be the way to do things! Just be willing to "grab the snake"! Be willing to "do" what he tells you to do, no matter what your fears! Just "DO IT"! Do it! And watch God's plan unfold before your eyes ...
Make me proud!

CampfireTALK - (05/24/2010)

2010-06-03T15:43:00.001-05:00

In James chapter 5, verse 16, the second part of that scripture says this:

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

This scripture recently just "jumped" out at me in the spirit, as God began to unfold some new understandings, a different way of looking at it, to me.

The phrase "fervent" simply refers to a prayer that is "earnest" and one that is "heartfelt" ... a "continued" prayer that is persistent, unyielding. And we have always focused on "that" ... that a man who wants to "availeth much", or in other words "accomplish much" ... I like what the Amplified Bible says about that! It interprets the phrase "availeth much" as "makes tremendous power available, dynamic in it's working"! Man, talk about "pump you up", THAT right there tells me that persistent fervent prayer "makes things happen"!

But again, we're only seeing "half" of what the Spirit was showing me about this scripture. In almost every translation the word "righteous" is the same! The Message translation, however, refers to it as "a man living right with God". What the Spirit of God said to me was this, and I'll paraphrase it ...

"a man who is righteous, is a man who is in "right standing" with God ... a man who is in fellowship with the Father, and knows the Father's heart, and knows where he stands with the Father ... "

What the scripture is saying then, is this: "If we are spending time in fellowship with the Father ... if we seek His face and know Him well ... because of that intimacy with God, "then" when we pray fervently and persistently, we do make tremendous power available, which is dynamic in it's working, on behalf of that prayer and that need!

What does "dynamic in it's working" mean? You're gonna have to get my message that covers the "dynamo". In a nutshell, it works the same as what we call a dynamo. The "dynamo" is a generator that, when power is applied to run the generator, the generator begins to create the power to run itself, which creates more power, which then naturally means that more power is available to make power, when then produces even more power ... and so on, and so on.

It's like a exponential explosion of power! One level provides power to sustain that power and more besides. When that more power comes, then there is even more power available to self-sustain it, and more with it! In a nutshell it's like a "cascade power runaway"! This things get's started generating power, which makes more power available to generate even more power, so that more power is available to generate even more power to that more power, and so on! "MAN", can you imagine that!

Now go back to that scripture! And I will re-word it, to make the point:

When a man who has been in the presence of and in regular fellowship with, the Father God, enters into consistent, persistent, fervent prayer on a matter ... there is tremendous power that is released on behalf of that prayer ... power that is self regenerating, a power that cascades in on itself to multiply and magnify it's potential so that more and more and more power in this prayer is available ... until the answer comes.

Remember last week, when I discovered the POWER, and the boldness and confidence that also came with that power? And it was all because I was not just running around seeking His presence, I was seeking "HIS FACE". I was "in His face" in worship! I was talking with, and visiting with the Father Himself, each morning! I was WITH HIM!

Smith Wigglesworth says, as we discussed last week, that this is "the key"! Walking in a daily walk and fellowship with God! He says that from this comes the confidence you need!

Did you know that Moses, once he had gone before the Father, and got understanding of God's plan, that he no longer needed Aaron to speak to the Pharoah! He went before his face, in boldness! He "knew" what the plan of God was! He "knew" what God's will was! He was just walking it out.

You too can have that same confidence, and achieve those same results in prayer ... but it has to come by one thing ...
You have to spend time with the Father!

We'll be teaching on this soon! Look us up!
Make me proud!

CampfireTALK - (05/18/2010)

2010-06-03T15:31:00.000-05:00

I've been reading a book given to me some time ago ...
Actually it's a re-read. This is one book you don't just read it, you "study" it! The book is "Smith Wigglesworth - The Complete Collection of His Life Teachings". It is written by his granddaughter, Alice Berry Nee' Wigglesworth. I recommend it for your study library - it's a "keeper"!

In the first chapter, Smith talks of the relationship with God. He says, "It is necessary that we find our bearings in this Word. [Word of God] There is nothing that will bring to you such confidence as a life that is well-pleasing to Him." He goes on to say, "The moment you pray you find that the heavens are opened. If you have to wait for the heavens to be opened something is wrong."

In studying further I begin to understand what he is saying. He compares the walk to Jesus, our example. Jesus when He prayed, expected immediate results. He was in fellowship with God. He "knew" where He stood with God! He got what He asked for too! But how? According to Smith Wigglesworth, it was because of His constant and regular time spent one-on-One with The Father, in close personal fellowship.

I have experienced this and can attest to it. A couple of years ago, I had begun to spend time with the Father in the early morning hours. I would rise early, a serape (Mexican blanket) in hand, and would head out to the back porch or some place secluded, and just visit with the Father. Sometimes I'd pray. Sometimes I'd sing to Him. Almost always, when I did pray it would be in the spirit. I wanted to be praying "perfectly" in line with the Word of God, so I kept my mind out of it all, and prayed in tongues. And "HE" would talk with me!

I remember after one morning like this, I was presented with a young boy who needed prayer. He was full of despair. He felt that nobody loved him! When I began to pray over him, his face changed. He got this evil grin, his voice dropped to a deeper tone, and he said, "You can't cast me out." And it was at that moment that I experienced this "knowing" that Smith is talking about! A "POWERFUL" sense of knowing ... "KNOWING" (I can't shout it loud enough to get the point across to you - I "KNEW" the end results!!!) but this just came over me, this "KNOWING", and I placed my hand on this boys chest to pray!

If you've seen the movie IRON MAN, you know what the next moment felt like! Iron Man, in these movies, has a way of producing an energy pulse from the palm of his hands. Well, when I put my hand on this boys chest, a (I still can't do this loud enough for you to get it) "BOLDNESS" came upon me!! I placed my hand on his chest, and with authority, but not that loud really, I firmly - knowing the end result already - said to the spirit, "In the name of JESUS ... come ... OUT!!" and the boy went limp!

At first my natural mind thought, "Now you've done it! You've killed him!" but that is just not possible. I don't have that kind of power ... it was GOD's power that I was using to heal and deliver this boy, and GOD is not a killer!

Suddenly, the boy sat up! He smiled the warmest smile he could possibly smile!. Then, he hugged my neck! I'll never forget that! There was just such a "peace" about him! We've been close ever since!

But that authority, that "knowing", that "POWER" ... came over me, from time with God. Mind you, I was not running around seeking His presence, I was seeking "HIM". To seek His presence means that you want to be in the "immediate vicinity" of where He is. But I was talking with, and visiting with the Father Himself, each morning! I wasn't just seeking to be near Him, I was WITH HIM! And as Smith Wigglesworth says in his book, "that" is the key! Walking in a daily walk and fellowship with God! He says that from this comes the confidence you need. It's the same kind of confidence that Moses had when he no longer needed Aaron to talk to the Pharoah, but addressed him himself, face-to-face! Or Elijah, when the King sent his troops to retrieve him, and he defied them all! Or the same kind of confidence that Peter had when, in front of all of those religious folks in the temple he had the audacity to tell a "lame man" to "GET UP!", pick up his bed and walk!

We'll be teaching on this soon! Look us up!
Make me proud!

CampfireTALK - (05/11/2010)

2010-06-03T15:29:00.000-05:00

This past week was a week of prayer, with the National Day of Prayer in the United States, and we all gathered together and prayed for our country ... didn't we? Did you?

The Father promised that if we would turn from our wicked ways and seek His face, that He would hear from heaven and "heal" our land! What better opportunity than during the nation's NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER !

It is so important that we "WAKE UP" and get involved in regular, active prayer for this country! God cannot do anything unless we do! That's right, I said, "CANNOT". God has given the authority in the Earth to man. Man messed it all up! Jesus came and fixed that, took the authority back from Satan so that it once again rests in the hands of man ... but this time in just "One Man" ... Jesus! And, Jesus said to the rest of us (mankind), "Go ..." He delegated the authority to us to GET BUSY and make it happen!

That's right, HE - is - waiting ... on "us"! The Father, upon Jesus return from His assignment (to die on the cross/rise up), told Him, "Sit at My right hand until Your enemies are made your foot stool." That means that not only Jesus, but God Himself ... all of Heaven, in fact, is waiting ... waiting on us!

So, what was your answer to the question above? Did you pray last week? Did you? If not, you should bow your head in shame. Stew in the shame of it all for a minute.

Then, go to the Father (in faith) and ask Him to forgive you, and to help you to get involved in what God is doing! It's not going to happen ... it is not going to change until "you" decide to get involved, and "pray".

The Father, and Jesus, "sat - down" (in heaven) and from then right up to today, they are applying their "faith", and are patiently waiting, and believing ... in us!

Something to think about, huh!
Make me proud!

CampfireTALK - (05/01/2010)

2010-06-03T15:26:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what is happening to our country? We've got a president that hasn't got a clue about our history or just how integrated God is in this country. We've got folks going around passing laws, and uprooting laws, left and right, that totally and completely would cause our forefathers to roll over in their graves!

The reason it is all happening folks ... it's hard to say this, but it's "our fault"! We, the body of Christ, have been given dominion over this region of country. We are to pray, to intercede, and to "stand up" for this country and what it stands for. But what have we done? Think about it ... really!

We are sitting on our hands, and watching what is taking place before our eyes! AND, if we'd just be truthfully honest, we are all just "hoping" that it'll all go away. It's all like a bad dream! "I'll just close my eyes and wish upon a star, and it'll all be better in the morning." But it's not, is it!

Proverbs 18:9 says, "He who is 'slack' in the day of distress, is a friend of the destroyer!"(NASB) Another translation (KJV) calls that man, "slothful"! That means, when we sit back and do nothing, we are part of the problem! We are in ca-hoots with the enemy! We're actually ... "helping" the enemy!!

The Bible also says, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!" Well? Well? When was the last time you "said so"? The Body of Christ has begun to emulate the world instead of Jesus. We are all worried that we might offend someone. We're taking on their humanistic ways, their concerns, and lifestyles that are blatantly, specifically mentioned in the Bible we are now just ... overlooking. We're passing laws that protect those lifestyles, even though the Bible says (in one translation) about it, "God hates that!"

Take a look at Jesus ministry! He was offending folks all the time! He even called one woman a "dog"! Why? Because He thought it was more important to save someone from going to hell, than to worry about their feelings or their pet 'deal' and trying to walk on egg shells around them. He wanted to "shake them" out of their trance, and get them to think and understand that they are headed for destruction!

Jesus loved them ... He loved them very much. Sometimes ... sometimes, though, love has to be tough! Like right now! I am most likely standing real hard on some of your toes! But bless God folks, they must need standing on, or the Spirit of God wouldn't be directing me to this! Jesus is not, I repeat "NOT" coming back for us until ... (and that's conditional) UN-TIL ... "we" make His enemies His footstool!

What did Father Daddy say to Jesus when He returned from His assignment here on Earth? What was the first thing that God said to Him? "Sit here, at My right hand, until your enemies are made your footstool." Well, if They are Both "sitting", then WHO pray tell me is going to make these enemies of theirs the footstool? You guessed it! We are!

FAITH - sits - down! In a nutshell, you could title that scene in Heaven as just that: "Faith Sits Down". Because THAT is exactly what God did! He, and Jesus, "sat - down" and from then right up to today, they are applying their "faith", and are patiently waiting, and believing ... in us!

Something to think about, huh!
Make me proud!