Less than Zero

What is less than zero?

What is emptier than emptiness? What is darker than darkness? What is deader than death? What is less than zero?

Zero is the same as
Nothing Nil Zilch Zip Nix

The Question is what is less than Zero?

This was a question that was impressed upon me the other night. In the darkness I began to ponder this and roll it around in the chambers of my mind. The following is just an outflow of these thoughts.

To understand what is less than Zero, let me tell you what Zero is. a. A cardinal number indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration. b. An ordinal number indicating an initial point or origin. c. An argument at which the value of a function vanishes. Zero is the absence of value.

Below are few quotes I found on Zero.

“The introduction of zero into the decimal system in 13th century was the most significant achievement in the development of a number system, in which calculation with large numbers became feasible. Without the notion of zero, the descriptive and prescriptive modeling processes in commerce, astronomy, physics, chemistry, and industry would have been unthinkable. The lack of such a symbol is one of the serious drawbacks in the Roman numeral system. In addition, the Roman numeral system is difficult to use in any arithmetic operations, such as multiplication.

In the case of the original Babylonian system a zero was simply represented by a space. Imagine if, in our decimal system, instead of writing 104 (one-hundred-and-four) we were to write 1 4 (one-space-four). It's easy to see how this can lead to a certain amount of confusion, especially when there are multiple zeros next to each other. The problems can only be exacerbated if, like the Babylonians, one is using a base-sixty system and writing on clay tablets in a thunderstorm. After more than 1,500 years of potentially inaccurate calculations, the Babylonians finally began to use a special sign for zero. Many historians believe that this sign, which first appeared around 300 BC, was one of the most significant inventions in the history of mathematics. However, the Babylonians only used their symbol as a placeholder and they didn't have the concept of zero as an actual value. Thus, clay tablet accounting records of the time couldn't say something like "0 fish," but instead they had to write out in full: "We don't have any fish left."

The use of zero as an actual value, along with the concept of negative numbers, first appeared in India around 600 AD. Although negative numbers appear reasonably obvious to us today, they were not well understood until modern times. As recently as the eighteenth century, the great Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (pronounced "Oiler" in America) believed that negative numbers were greater than infinity, and it was common practice to ignore any negative results returned by equations on the assumption that they were meaningless!

Zero must be distinguished from nothing. Zero belongs to the integer set of numbers. Zero is neither positive nor negative but psychologically it is negative. The concept of zero represents "something" that is "not there," while zero as a number represents the lowest of all non-negative numbers. For example, if a person has no account in a bank, his/her account is nothing (not there). If he/she has an account, he/she may have an account-balance of zero.

The Babylonians invented it, the Greeks banned it, the Hindus worshiped it, and the Church used it to fend off heretics. Now it threatens the foundations of modern physics. For centuries the power of zero savored of the demonic; once harnessed, it became the most important tool in mathematics. For zero, infinity's twin, is not like other numbers. It is both nothing and everything. "

What is less than Zero?

It would seem to be obvious, and that would be a negative value is less than zero.

A value of things that is not positive.

What would you rather have, a Savings account with $20,000 or a Credit Card with a Balance of $20,000?

Each in it’s own right is a lofty and significant number to me. One however is empowering, the other is debilitating. The point is this, I would rather have zero, flat busted broke, than have less than zero.

God can work in a void and darkness, but what can he do in a place of the unimpressed and uninterested?

What can he do, when people’s lives are full of everything but God? Schedules that are keeping them running to and fro, and never pass GOd or collecting the blessing available to those aware of their need.

So often it is only when they look up and find themselves in a great despair that they begin to search for God and it requires of them to make many adjustments to even make room for God.

They must become empty first before God can even help them. The following seems to illustrate this.

LASCARI, Sicily (Reuters) - Giovanni Greco sent himself, literally, to an early grave. Greco, 63, was so keen that his future mausoleum would be a perfect fit that he liked to visit it ensure the builders were making it just right. But his latest visit proved to be his last. According to local media reports, Greco was making his regular trip to the construction site in the small cemetery in his hometown of Lascari at the weekend.

He climbed a ladder to get a better view of the top of the mausoleum when he slipped, hit his head on a marble step, and fell into his own tomb

A grave is not an uplifting thought, but an empty one speaks that someone is still alive, For this void to be filled, is testimony to a grave that prevailed.

We will all rest our heads in a cushioned coffin one day. What it will mean, to us and those that knew us will vary greatly depending on who we were and what we did. Some will die and some will be glad they did, others will die and all will miss them.

What is less than zero?

An Empty Grave is Zero. If you died without God, that is less than Zero.

A world full of sin is a zero, you being full of that world is less than zero.

We may within ourselves present this world of little value. Six Billion souls, and what are you among so many? Some are just another zero walking around. Neither adding to nor taking away, and in this state of mind there is hope. However for many, their lives are being added to in a negative way that will only exacerbate the terrible situation they are in.

We are living in a world that thrives on the Concepts of “Less than Zero”. We are able to see this by the great appeal that is made to our fleshly desires to have things. “No Payments for 90 Days.” Zero Interest.

Let me tell you something, all this stuff that sounds free is just another heavy weight that is being added to your life. People are living in Big Houses, with Empty Hearts. Driving Fast Cars, with slow minds. Expensive tastes with cheap values.

You can turn your interest around.

You must let Go of what holds you and empty out that which fills you.

Those Deep Feelings of Bitterness, Hatred, Regret, Despair, and disappointment

MUST be poured out.

You must become EMPTY of the NEGATIVE flow and power, for GOD”S POSITIVE BLESSINGS to Flow and empower you.

You don’t pour clean water in a dirty glass. You don’t put clean clothes on a dirty body.

There must first be a purging for there ever to be a pouring.

Before you can ever appreciate the power of addition, you must first understand the concept of subtraction.

To appreciate ZERO, you must first understand Less than Zero.

It would be better to have an emptiness or void than to have a fullness of something that is hindering and distracting.

If you don’t know the answer it is bad, but if your answer is wrong, that is worse, because it requires more effort to teach the answer because you must first unlearn what you know that is wrong.

You have a Baby. They know zero. You have a teenager. They know everything, however many of their conclusions are faulty.

It is easier to teach someone who wants to learn than to teach someone that thinks they know everything.

Less than Zero.

We read in Genesis Chapter 1, that God found a place that was without form and void, with Darkness the overriding description. Void is the lack of anything, emptiness.

In this place of emptiness there was the opportunity for God to fill it with his spirit, his word and his work.

God works in a place of need. He will never help anyone who doesn’t think they need his help. God cannot help those that don’t believe in him. God cannot help those that don’t need him.

God can only help those that see their desperate need for him.

Subtraction is a concept I don’t prefer, but subtraction is necessary for me to see the power of addition. I can appreciate the power of multiplication when I understand the power of division.

As I grow in an understanding of God and his Mathematics, I will grow in confidence and understanding that, “..no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

The final point is the Prodigal Son. He left his Fathers House full. Full of his fathers’ money, full of his dreams and desires. It was not until he was empty of all these things that he made a decision what he would do. When he arrived to that Value of Zero, he made a choice, that he would rather be a zero in his fathers’ house, than a negative value in the devils hand.

The Devil laughs at us and questions our ability and commitment. He points out our weakness and failings and will tell you, your nothing. “What can you do?”

The answer is found in David’s words,

“ Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Ps 17:13-15

“LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.” Ps 26:8-12

You don’t have to be Less than Zero!

With God, He can transform you into his priceless treasure.

In Him, By Him, Through Him!

Scott A. Phillips
www.inbythroughhim.blogspot.com

The Treasure is Found in the Trouble

In 1998 a devastating storm hit the small country of Guatemala that killed thousands of people and touched off floods and landslides. This was a horrific tragedy. However there is a silver lining to this story.

Recently scientist began to notice that a large number of Jade stones began to show up in shops. They began to investigate and found that this very storm had caused these veins of rare treasure to be exposed and some washing into riverbeds to be found by people beside the rivers. On further examination they have found large deposits of this rare and valuable stone.

The Incan people valued this above that than even Gold. However until this storm no one could ever find the source of all the artifacts and treasures excavated. Jade is produced much like diamonds are, they arise deep inside the earth as rocks are cooked at pressures so great that their basic characteristics change. Geologic action lifts them to the surface. Jade catches the eye with it's astonishing Range of colors, Red, Blue, Brown, Blue Green, Emerald Green, dark green and blackish.

Can I tell you that your storm are going to expose the treasure that is in you. Storms come to the foolish and the wise, however in this foundation of faith, in the Rock, you will find there are treasures that only come to light following the darkest night. One of the Government officials commented that this discovery exposed and discovered the Jewel of their national heritage. The product of the Storm is more than Trouble, but Treasure.

Discovery does not produce anything. It is hard to appreciate what has not been discovered. It may be there all the time, but it is not been seen or known. Storms are natural phenomenon that we all endure, however we must realize that trouble always is followed by treasure.

Treasure. If you are going through a storm and have not yet discovered that treasure, be encouraged, with every wind that blows, and every rain drop that falls, it is uncovering and revealing something that was always there.

God said of Job, "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" Job 1:8

The deep seated suspicions of all those around job surfaced in his trial, but in the end they saw what Job had always been. Job served as a testimony to the world that Character and Integrity are commodities of unspeakable value that don't change in trouble, but are revealed in it.

Get ready to start prospecting for your Promise, when the storm is passed, you will be able to see something of unspeakable value.

Treasure is found in Trouble,

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips
www.inbythroughhim.blogspot.com

Retrace the Steps of Your Miracle

The story in Luke tells of Jesus coming in contact with 10 lepers. And after their request Jesus told them to go to the priest and show themselves. And as they went they were healed. Each step down that long dusty road, they found healing virtue flowing into their bodies. Each step represented more healing power flowing into their broken bodies from years of this destructive disease, the further they walked in obedience, the greater their miracle became. At some point down the path of obedience one of them found a revelation.

"I am Healed!"

Think of that. The heat of infection was gone. The fever had left. He looked at the infection and it was gone. His natural response was demonstrated in what he did.

This man began to retrace his steps to where his miracle started. We find him at the feet of the one that began the Miracle. Weeping and worshiping, this man found a greater revelation of healing than the others, for he realized what was the natural response that flowed from his heart.

“Let me get back to where this started.” The power of praise and thankfulness took him into a greater dimension of his miracle.

Praise The Lord God Almighty!

Many people today come in contact with Jesus and ask him to help them, and as they are walking away, the answer comes. Why do they never turn back to allow this revelation of Jesus to expand and grow in their lives?

Retracing your steps

The first time Moses had a revelation of God was in a burning bush, years later, he came full circle. The next time he comes to this place he finds a burning mountain. Where he first got a purpose, finds waiting on him a covenant.

What would happen if we would all retrace the steps of our Miracle? I guarantee you, that when you get back to the place you started; you will find that it is bigger than you remembered.

Consider afresh the mighty works of God in your life.

The Completion is waiting on your return,


Return to your First Love, Do the First Works,

Take Me Back.

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips
www.inbythroughhim.blogspot.com

An Open Door

This is an article I wrote in 2002. I am in the process of republishing articles written in the past that are not on this blog. For three reasons. Most of you were not on the list 7 years ago. Some of the material, when I re read it, seems to be as relevant now as then and I also would like to have it here on this blog in case I lose access to the other site.


The other morning in prayer I saw a door. An open door. On the other side of this door was a harvest field. This is the scripture that I feel goes along with this.

“And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.” (KJV)

To enter into the labors of another. I think so often the greatest struggle we have is realizing the work another has invested in a given thing. So often people go about tearing down and minimizing what someone else has done and therefore never reap where another man has sowed.

The church I pastor has been in existence for over 30 years.

Like many churches has experienced the ebb and flow in attendance and revival. Actually, overall the church has not seen a lot of Revival. However a whole lot of work has been done. This church has had 5 pastors. One was here for over ten years, another was here for around five years I believe and the other was here for over 13 years. I have been here now five years.

This is just speaking of only the Pastors, but just imagine how much effort would be represented of the saints of years gone by.

Imagine how many prayers have been prayed, tears have been shed, and days have been fasted, lessons that have been taught, sermons that have been preached, money that has been given, and sacrifices that have been made.

The blessing that is to be found in acknowledging the labor and sacrifice of another is that we can participate in the harvest that is the proof another’s ministry.

I have been plowing my field, sowing my seed and working in this field. But I am not so foolish to think that I did not desire to reap another mans labor.

To enter into another mans labor.

We are talking about the Kingdom of God and we as Saints and ministers are servants tending the Lords vineyard. If we can recognize the pain and labor expended by others, maybe the Lord would let us reap the answers to their prayers and fasting.

We are living in the last days, and we all are going to be reaping where we did not sow. Let us take a moment and consider the fact that the Work of God is not going to be accomplished only by Johnny come lately, but it was truly a work that took the current and the former to bring about the promise.

We are working and laboring together in his kingdom. If God would let another man reap where I sowed, Praise the Lord, it’s not my field or fruit, it is the masters.

One plants, another waters. God is the one that gives the increase. Walk through the door of opportunity and reap where the harvest is. The Door is open, open into the field of Harvest, Get to work!

We are but one more generation in a long line of men and women who have given our lives to the purpose and kingdom of God. We did not get here on our own and we will not complete without someone picking up where we left off.

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips
www.inbythroughhim.blogspot.com

originally written

May 15 2002 10:11AM

Don't Let the Enemy Define You

Don’t let the Enemy define you

In the war of words, it is always bad if your enemy is allowed to define your position. In the issue of Abortion, You have the “Pro Life” and the “Anti Choice” or the “Pro Choice” and “Baby Killer” labels that are used depending on who is defining who. This is a good example of why we do not want our enemy defining who we are.

I read the other day that GE is coming out with a highly advanced Ultra Sound machine that will allow mothers to get a virtual picture of what the baby looks like. The article said that it would probably be a blow to the pro-abortion people, because mothers would be able to see just how human that “fetal tissue” really is.

So often in living for God the great struggle is we have people that allow their enemy to define who they are.

I was reading in a magazine an article that was describing what a certain group believed, being affiliated with that group, I knew that it was not what this group really believed. The point is this, it is never beneficial if you let someone who is not on your team writing your press release.

So often people are tripped up over the simple reason they begin to believe the definitions that define them, placed there by someone who did not have their best interest at heart.

In our walk with God there are two key influences, Good and Evil, Jesus and all of his helpers, and Satan and all his help. Jesus is known as and called our advocate; the Devil is called the Accuser.

God always sees us in the best light possible, the devil is always seeing us in the worst light possible. Look at the Story of Job. God saw Job as Perfect, Satan saw him as pampered. If we do not take the time to take our issues and problems to God, we will end up being unduly influenced by information that is not always beneficial to us.

If you study the life of Abraham in Genesis, you see the “FACTS”. Abraham lied, struggled, took shortcuts and just made plain dumb decisions. However if you read what God said of Abraham in Hebrews, he said, “He struggled not.” God chooses to see us in our victory, and overlooks the struggle it took us to get there. It’s almost like God does not see the Valley, because he only sees the mountaintops.

America lost a number of battles in WWII. However, we won the War. We regret the loss, but we rejoice in the Victory. Please realize anew and afresh, that the war is not over, and if you will just keep fighting, the War will be won and all of your less than glorious moments will be but a faint memory in the light of the glorious victory that you will enjoy.

Don’t believe the Press of Satan. Listen to What God says about you in his word.

You are his,

Beloved,
Begotten,
Betrothed,
Beautiful,
Bride.

Holy,
Hallowed,
Holy Ghost Filled
Halleluiah Shouting,
Hell shaking,
House of God.

Saved,
Sanctified,
Set Apart,
Sold out,
Son of God

Don’t let the Devil Define you, The only way the Devil can tell the truth is if we choose to believe his lie.

Refined and Defined,

In Him, By Him, Through Him!

Scott Phillips

www.newbirth.us

originally written

June 2002

The Visitor that Changes Everything

The timid and confused chamberlain knocks on the kingly door that leads into his palatial parlor. There standing beside him is an embarrassed and fearful young married woman who has been summoned by the very King. Not knowing what was to be asked, and behold the unthinkable was requested, yeah demanded. Not long passes and this violated visitor is sent on her way.

Not long and another visitor walks through that Kingly door, this faithful and courageous soldier, and the unknowing victim of the Kings indiscretion that was perpetrated on his wife. This man, Uriah, When he comes in from the battle field refuses to return home as told, but sleeps on the steps of the kings’ house, because he was such a man he could not feel right sleeping with his wife when his friends were dieing in the trenches. He was sent back to the battle with a message that would cause his death.

Another visitor came telling the king that alas, the man that you wanted dead has died.

Under the cover of darkness, the married women who is now a widow is sent for and she becomes a wife yet again, the Kings wife. Everything seems to be fine. But wait,

There it is again, someone is knocking at the door. A steady, strong, and insistent knock of someone who knows your home. Insistent rapping, rapping, rapping at your front door. A UN requested visitor has come calling today.

This visitor walks with purpose as he strides up to the King, this man is none other than the Man of God who declares the dreadful deeds that have been done in secret are no secret at all to the Most High. The king is told, the good news and the bad news, for they are both the same, your not going to die king, but the child will.

A few days pass and the servants of David cautiously approach, not wanting to tell him the awful news, news that the child has in fact died.

So many visitors, so little time. David is spared and he calls for Bathsheba who is no longer a widow, but is now his wife and comforts her. And in this comfort a child is conceived. It is interesting that David calls the child Solomon, which means, Peace.

But wait,

There it is again,

That Knowing knock, that can be only one person. This visitor walks across this well traveled floor and declares one of the most beautiful and mysterious statements in all of scripture. In essence the Lord sent the very same prophet that brought the judgement of death to David, but this time he I imagine is smiling, weeping, crying as he communicates the message the Lord gives, “You can call him peace, but I call this child beloved.”

The final visitor that forever changed the history of this child and this ill-advised union is none other than mercy. This child grows up to become king. The wisest, richest and most successful of Kings in the History of Israel. Truly he was beloved of the Lord. It was all because someone visited him.

Today, Mercy is coming to your house and wants to pronounce to you, that God has more than given you peace with the past, but a glorious hope for the future.

Only God could take something like this and make it so beautiful.

Mercy is the message that can make all mistakes miraculous!

Dear Sir or Madam, you have a visitor.

In Him, By Him, Through Him!

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Ps 8:4

The Amazing Vanishing Cross

Convenient Spirituality or Committed Christianity

It seems that there is two schools of thought that are competing for the hearts and minds of those seeking salvation in Christ. There is a very loud and boisterous call that appeals to the lower instincts of a person and offers them an easy way out while still offering them a sense of the supernatural.

The great struggle between true commitment and convenience based concepts. You see it through out the Charismatic/Pentecostal ranks. You have those that are in touch with their feelings, but out of touch with what is important and others who are all about what is expected and bypass the necessary stirrings associated with faith. However there is a balance available.

The fine line of balance is something that is hard to define, for everyone thinks they are balanced. I of course being so bold to write on such a subject obviously think of myself as balanced, but that in itself highlights the true difficulty in finding balance, because we use our own lives and experiences to judge ourselves. Many times we use the foolish balance of comparing ourselves among ourselves. We must not fall for this foolish measure.

The true measure of spirituality is The Man that manifested himself in Flesh and yet was the embodiment of the Spirit of God. You may be committed as a Christian compared to a Sports Star Christian or a Television Celebrity Christian, but we know they are not the rule. I read an article in Charisma magazine the other day heralding “Christians” who are the actors on the Soap Opera’s found on midday television. I knew it was not a joke, because this magazine is pretty good at finding the most fringe and foolish topics to cover, and alas another example of this feel good journalism.

We must not allow ourselves to get swept into this feel good, mushy, politically correct, if you feel good about it fine, however you feel God leading you, spiritual babble to effect our Doctrines of Decency, Morality and Responsibility. I call it Doctrine on Purpose. It is the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles.

I was told the other day of a church that encouraged divorce so that the spouse could be married to someone that the leadership viewed as more zealous. I read the other day in this same magazine about a Pastor who had committed a Homosexual act with the Youth Pastor and he was so “BOLD” to take a 90-day sabbatical, and when he returned to speak, he was greeted by his congregation with a standing ovation. Another pastor right here in Mississippi, pleaded guilty to rape, and now has over 100 people who think he makes a good pastor. Not infidelity, but RAPE. There was a lot of discussion about forgiveness, but no one talked about what the scripture teaches concerning those in leadership.

The reason why the world wants a morally weak ministry is because they do not want someone who can stand with their own moral authority and demonstrate a contrast of Integrity and Morality, because those in the pews are fake Christians too.

What is this all about?

Everyone these days wants to be “Spiritual”, but very few people want to truly be committed.

If you study the words of Christ when he spoke to those that were to follow him, he made the gate narrow, the way straight and the burden a cross of self-denial and discipline.

When you are dealing with “New Christians” you want to make it as simple as possible and as reasonable as you can, but at the end of the Day, they will have to choose what they want. Do they want Real Christianity, which is demonstrated in a life of commitment and distinction, or convenient spirituality that will mesh and mold to how you feel and what you like.

Let us stand in the way of the teeming masses beating their way down the Broadway pointed out by the Prophets of Profit, Ministers of Make-You-Feel Good, and hold up a banner of truth, love and a spirit of care that cannot be denied.

I have made up in my mind; I would rather live a life of commitment, than live in the shallow water of spirituality that is fitted to how I feel and what I like.

No matter what the most popular books and preachers are saying, Christ’s Word has not changed, you must forsake all, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him, leaving behind family, friends, and those that will tell you it does not have to be that way.

Sounding the Clarion Call of Commitment!

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips

originally written
Jun 12 2002 12:07AM

Let it Go Already!

For three nights in the dreams of my sleep this message was constructed and born in my spirit. Not to mention the weeks that this has been echoing in the chambers of my soul, for I could smell what was cooking in the kitchen. I knew it was only a matter of time before I would receive a message dealing with and causing me to declare what I am today, and the past three nights I have tossed and turned as if it were in the belly of the whale with a word from the Lord.

Let it Go!

The lesson found in the book of Jonah is not of Judgment, but of Mercy. The preacher did not even get the message. Sadly this is very often the case, the messenger failed to inspect the contents and results of the message and apply it to his own life.

After Disobeying God. After Fleeing from his responsibility. After running from the very presence and favor of God. After enduring a storm. After being thrown over board. After being swallowed by a fish and dwelling in the gastric juices and dead fish and sea weed for three days. After being puked on the beech.

He resented Nineveh. He blamed Nineveh on his tragedy. He was Mad.

He went Mad. He preached Mad. He stayed Mad. He went outside the City and sat in a booth Mad. He got HOT mad. He fainted Mad. He was Mad that God did not destroy the source of his problems. The source of his problem was himself. He was not a big enough man to see it.

It is not your Parents. Not your Brother. Not your enemy. Not People, Not Churches, not Preachers. Not the World. Not Sin. Not even the Devil and his legions of Devils. But the greatest source of struggle in life is

Your RESPONSE TO GOD.

Jonah failed to see that the reason for his situation was how he looked at it. IMAGINE with me. He goes and preaches to a city of 60,000 wicked souls and they ALL repent. And he gets Mad because God does not burn them up.

God asked him a question, “Doest thou well to be angry?”

Jonah is an exact replica of what I don’t won’t for a preacher or pastor. Jonah, the book about the infamous prophet ends with him mad. Not saying he was lost, only an observation, His book ended with him mad.

Let it Go

Who does it hurt for us to harbor and hold on to things that have happened and did not happen? So often times the people we hold grudges on, don’t even know or care that we are mad at them. So it is eating on you on the inside…. Causes you to grit your teeth, toss and turn, fuss and fight, cuss and scream, rant and rave.

In your little life’s game of monopoly. You’re mad. All the while, they are sleeping like a baby, laughing all the way to the bank, passing go, and collecting two hundred dollars, oblivious to your torment. And you’re stuck in Jail with that frown…. Holding on to the bars that seemingly confine you.

RELEASE

If your anger is not hurting the person it is directed to…. WHO is it hurting? Who is loosing sleep? Who is tossing and turning? Who is getting ulcers? Whose mind is getting bent?

Just let it go.


The paradox of Jonah is another prophet.

A man. A man who did not have a house or a home. A man who did good everywhere he went.

He helped people pay their taxes. He helped people who were hungry to eat. He rescued a lady who was about to be killed. He helped a blind man to see. He helped a deaf man to hear. He helped a lame man to walk. He helped a dumb man to talk. He looked up to see a short man and went to his house to eat at a man who could not get to him.

He never lied. He never did anything but good. His twelve closest friend forsook him in his time of greatest need. His accountant sold him to his enemies. His most vocal supporter denied him and cursed at his memory. He was hated by everyone he was trying to help. He was innocent of any fault, yet a crowd called for his death.

Not just any death, but the most horrible, crushing, shameful, diabolically painful, tortuous death that could be died.

He was spat on by those who took him. They plucked his beard of his face, chunk by chunk. They took a thorn bush with thorns two inches long and wove it in a circle and crushed it up his scalp. They paraded his bleeding mass of a body that was unrecognizable. A bleeding pulp waking through the streets of a city he wept over.

He was laid upon a tree. His hands were cruelly taken and nailed upon the rough-hewn tree. His feet were fastened together and a single spike went through the bones in his feet. He took it all without one accusation or question. He opened not his mouth.

They took that cruel tree and dropped it in a hole and I can not imagine the agony as his body shook under the impact. For the next 4 –6 hours he hung there. He was ridiculed. He was laughed at. He was cursed. He was spat upon.

The Traffic slowed down, as people turned to gaze at this spectacle of humanity. As he was hanging there, looking at the city that rejected him, the soldiers that abused him, the Nation he was sent to save.

He lifted up his Voice and Cried………………………

FATHER FORGIVE THEM, for they know not what they do.

I was there. You were there. We all here today have bloody hands, because our failures helped nail him. My mistakes were the power behind those roman soldiers fists as they beat him. It was your stubborn ways, rebellious ways that stripped the dignity from deity and caused him to be the laughing stock of the world.

Jesus had plenty of reason to be mad. But he opened the door of mercy. I don’t deserve the privilege to even tell of this story today. But Christ was CRUCIFIED for your wickedness. For your stubbornness. For your rebelliousness. For your hardness.

We can be Like Jonah and be surrounded by mercy, but not taste of its sweet nectar. We can be like Jonah and be recipients of his power to save and never understand its amazing GRACE.

I need Jesus to open my eyes fresh. Mercy there was great and Grace was free, Pardon there was multiplied to me, there my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary. I need his heavenly Gaze to fall upon my soul and words of unspeakable power to be spoken of his forgiveness.

The ONLY WAY I CAN TASTE of his GRACE. I must be willing to follow his example of Forgiveness.

You and I must be able to look at the source, or suspected source of problems and persecution and pray forgiveness and mercy in their lives. If we cannot we will preach to others of his Mercy only to be found on the trash pile of human debris. Let us not let our book end with us sitting outside the city mad.

If you have been wronged or suffered because of the call of ministry on your life, let me give you a word today. God probably used your tormenters to purify something out of you.

I read this morning a powerful passage of what David said when Shemei was cursing him. One of his supporters wanted to kill the cursing man, but David said,

“ And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.”

The bottom line is we must follow Christ’s example he showed when he was betrayed, beaten, ridiculed and done wrong. “He opened not his mouth.” The words he spoke were those of forgiveness and mercy.

The book ended with the prophet mad.

The Life of Jesus ended with Mercy, and his book is still being written.

To the wrongs done, betrayal experienced, hardships endured, difficulties. If you think you have someone to blame,

God asks you a question, “Doest thou well to be angry?”

Let it Go!

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips

The Wall Will Fall!

One day while in prayer, I had a moment of inspiration,

“The wind blows on both sides of the wall, the rain fall’s on both sides of the wall, God is not bound by walls or barriers, I may not get through, but nothing can keep the work of God out.”

It was quickened to me that God can and will use those held inside the wall to tear down the wall. Walls of tradition, walls of false doctrine, strongholds of sin, strongholds of deception, God will use those behind the wall to tear down the wall.

One fateful day, President Reagan declared, “Mr. Gorbechev, Tear down that wall.” Not many days passed before the youth of communist Russia began to dismantle the barrier that had separated east and west, freedom and communism, hope and hopelessness. How many stories were we told and heard of people smuggling the word of God behind the “Iron Curtain”. The wall fell because a man was willing to declare what it really was, “The evil empire.” The power of words called into focus the contrast and this contrast worked as a powerful wave that slowly caused that wall to come tumbling down. Today, you can go to ebay and buy pieces of the wall that fell.

The wall fell.

Most people today in areas of ministry and purpose find themselves banging their head against a wall. The tension, stress and strain that compounds itself in our lives can be at times frustrating beyond explanation. We pray. We fast. We pray. We fast. We pray some more. We weep. We intercede. We pray some more. And often the in midst of our struggle we wonder, “Will this wall ever fall?”

The wall will fall.

Keep pushing against the wall. Keep pressing.

I am reminded of a story. One day an angel appeared to a man and told him, “Tomorrow, there will be rock in front of your door, push the rock. So the next day, true to the command pushed the rock. From sun up to sun down, he fulfilled the command. Everyday after that, he pushed. Week after week, month after month and year after year, the faithful man pushed. Years later, he began to complain, “God, you told me to push the rock, and I have been faithful. But it has not moved.” The devil began to put his two cents worth in and accuse him of his failure. “See, you are a failure, the rock has not moved any.” So the man, weary and tired from a day of pushing the rock, went to bed discouraged and down. That night the angel returned and said, “Look at your legs, they are strong and powerful. Your hands are hard and calloused. Your back is broad and full of strength. Your obedience is seen in the strength you have acquired in the pushing. God only wanted you to push the Rock. The Lord never told you to move the rock. He told you to push the rock. God will move the rock.” The next morning, with one push, the rock rolled down the mountain. The process that we all find ourselves in the middle of, is building a reservoir of strength.

The cold war, is responsible for America becoming the Super Power she is today. If there had not been a wall, America would not have had the will to strengthen itself.

The interesting point is the wall was not run over by the tanks and was not bombed by the planes, but it was tore down by the people that were confined by it. Today we are not on a mission to destroy the sinners, but to fight against the evil strongholds of iniquity that hold them bound. We are not fighting people; we are fighting against a spiritual reality that is bent on the destruction of the souls of men.

We have a purpose. Prophesy against your wall. Proclaim the message to those behind the wall. The wall will fall.

In the days prior to the liberation of the slaves, there was what came to be called, “The Underground railroad.” Many people found freedom from slavery, because someone would come and guide them through to a place of freedom. The sacrifice and effort made was all focused on helping people escape the tyranny of slavery.

Today, our job is much like that. We are trying to help those that are willing to take the step, trying to bring them to a place of freedom from drugs, alcohol and all the degrading works of the flesh that the devil uses to imprison them. The captives always build the wall. The wall is built by those held bound. Just as they build the wall, many things are going to have to be torn down with their own hands. Jesus will give the power, but people must exercise their will to stay in a place of victory.

We are quickly approaching a time of unprecedented harvest and miracles in America. People are tired of commercial religion. People are tired of preachers that are only in it for the money and prestige. People are tired of seeing ministers and leaders also being adulators, cheaters, molesters, rapist, liars and drunks.

A day is coming and now is that people are revolting from the religious walls that confine them in tradition led by men driven out of the desire to please the people that precipitates the fall to their own carnality.

The world needs an uncompromising prophetic voice to highlight the contrast of sin and righteousness, holiness and carnality. The heaven and hell concepts of right and wrong, sinner and saint. When the ministry begins to pander to the concepts of comprise to please the crowd, they are steps away from moral failure.

Just as Gorbechev did not tear the wall down, the people did. What God is going to do will not be propagated in bulk by leaders of the failing establishment, but it will be propagated by people hungry for freedom and finding revelation.

Where will they Go? Where the Ministry stands for integrity, preaches truth and has been prophesying, praying and pushing against the evil empire and it's walls.

Prophesy to your Wall,
Engineer an Underground Railroad, Push your Rock,

The Wall Will Fall!

In Him, By Him, Through Him,

Scott Phillips