"Finish the Race Strong"

"I have fought a good fight, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I have kept the faith". Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

WHETHER IT'S A BLUR, RED OR GREEN RIBBON WHICH IS AWARDED TO THE PARTICIPANTS, THE IMPORTANT THING IS THE THE RUNNERS COMPLETE THE COURSE

It is not how we begin the race that counts, but how we finish. The race track is strewn with the casualties of the fallen along the way. They began well, but some how they stumbled on "the sin which so easily beset them". The prizes do not go to those who enter the race, but to those who cross the finish line strong. Whether it's a blue, red or green ribbon which is awarded to the participants, the important thing is that the runners complete the course. Gold, silver and bronze medals are given to the winners in athletic events of the summer Olympic games.

EVEN THOUGH HE RECOGNIZED THAT "THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S", HE HAD TO PLACE HIMSELF IN A POSITION OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Before his head was severed in a prison in Rome, the Apostle Paul, was able to give this powerful testimony that he had "fought a good fight". Even though he recognized that "the battle is the Lord's", he had to place himself in a position of spiritual warfare. It was not always easy. But, the reason he could call it "a good fight" was because he knew the final outcome. He would win! Regardless of all the pressures in ministry, he could truthfully declare that "he had kept the faith". He did not compromise when it would have been easier to have done so. Standing up against all the enemies which came against the early church, he remained an unblemished hero of the faith.

EVERYTHING THE LORD HAD DIRECTED HIM TO DO, HE WAS TOTALLY OBEDIENT

Even as Jesus said at the end of His earthly ministry, "It is finished", so Paul could decree without hesitation, "I have finished my course". He had completed his assignment. Everything the Lord had directed him to do, he was totally obedient. He had "run the race set before him with patience". No matter what the obstacles were, he persevered, and made sure that he made a strong showing when he crossed the finish line.

HOW WILL YOU FINISH YOUR RACE?

For some the race is long, while for others it is short. My parents preached the gospel for decades. My father for over 60 years, and my mother for over 70 years, while my brother only had the opportunity to preach 202 sermons before God called him home two weeks before his 23rd birthday. But all of them ran the race with everything they had, and by the grace of God finished their course. How will you finish your race? Keep your eyes on the goal--the glory of God radiating from the face of Jesus, as His lips part with the welcome words, "Well done, good and faithful servant". Winner's circle is awaiting your arrival.

Bishop Marvin Schmidt

"You Are Not a Doormat!"

"ARISE, WALK THROUGH THE LAND IN THE LENGTH OF IT AND IN THE BREADTH OF IT; FOR I WILL GIVE IT UNTO THEE". Genesis 13:17 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)RESPECT THE CALLING OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE, AND DON'T LET FRIEND OR FOE NEGATE THE DIVINE VISION WHICH YOU HAVEDon't let usurpers disrespect your dreams, and walk all over you. You are the one to do the walking--over and above your circumstances--claiming the promises which God has given you. You are not a doormat where people thoughtlessly wipe mud off their feet at your expense. Don't allow yourself to be run over by a truck driver, leaving tire tracks on your face. Respect the calling of God in your life, and don't let friend or foe negate the divine vision which you have by their negative attitudes and belittling remarks.GOD DELIGHTS IN "SPREADING A TABLE FOR YOU IN THE PRESENCE OF YOUR ENEMIES" Everything God wants you to be and to do has already been deposited in you. But, there will always be those around you who will either by design or thoughtlessness try to rob you of your spiritual inheritance. They do not see what you see, and will take sport in mocking you, and labeling you as being incapable of achieving your full potential. God delights in "spreading a table for you in the presence of your enemies". It is His desire to bless you so much that it will either shut their mouths, or cause them to flee muttering unintelligible grunts. They will "come in one way, and leave in confusion, seven ways".
REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THOSE WHO WOULD PUT YOU DOWN, AND CAST YOU IN AN UNFAVORABLE LIGHTAchieving your dreams will not take place, and unfold automatically. It is important to know that first of all you must "arise". If you have arisen, and are "walking through the land throughout its length and breadth", you cannot be kicked in the face, and have others wipe their feet on you. You are no longer a doormat. Remove yourself from those who would put you down, and cast you in an unfavorable light. If you look for their approval, they will never lift you up, but will continue to drag you down. If they insist on hanging on, it is time to serve them with an ultimatum, "Either you speak good things into my life, or go somewhere else. From this time on I refuse to accept your garbage". For some reason, it is a prevalent practice in our generation for friends to put others down with smart remarks, which in reality are not smart, but ignorant. These people are known as "dream discouragers and vision destroyers". Who needs it!?!NO MORE BEING KICKED IN THE MOUTH. GET UP, TAKE YOUR STAND, AND LET NO ONE PULL YOU BACKThe time has come to put your foot down, and say, "Enough is enough!" Do not put it with it any longer. The typical retort is, "Oh, I was just joking". This is not funny. There is nothing humorous about it. When someone in your life "jokes" like this, they are trying to communicate a message to you, endeavoring to use humor, while criticizing you. As you arise in obedience to accomplish all you have been called to do, some will go with you, but there will be others you will have to leave behind. No more being kicked in the mouth. Get up, take your stand, and let no one pull you back. God has commanded, "Go forward. No looking back!" There is a bright future in store for you, and no time to waste arguing with those who would try to bring you down to their level.

"If You Have Been Given AUTHORity

You Are an AUTHOR of Impacting Words"

"Then he (Jesus) called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power (inherent ability to perform miracles) and AUTHORITY (backed up by the government of Heaven) over all devils, and to cure diseases". Luke 9:1 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

"Looking unto Jesus THE AUTHOR and FINISHER OF OUR FAITH . . . " Hebrews 12:2a KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

THE RIGHT WORDS IN SEASON WILL ACCOMPLISH THEIR INTENDED GOAL EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY

A person entrusted with authority must needs be, by the very assignment, an author. Anyone in a position of authority has to be familiar with words, know their definition, and understand how to put them together intelligently so that they make sense. The right words in season will accomplish their intended goal effectively and efficiently. One who exercises authority moves in a prophetic gifting, and perhaps even in the office of a prophet. That is why it is vitally important that he knows how to put the correct words in the most powerful fashion to make the maximum impact.

THESE PRETENDERS HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE THAN TO BECOME PRISONERS OF THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION

The individual who operates in authority must speak specific words with an unction from the Holy Spirit to cause demons to be properly loosed and bound. Furthermore, he has to know how to use the Name which is over and above all other names to command sickness and disease to bow, and surrender themselves under His nail-scarred feet. When rightly enunciated, with the prescribed decree boldly uttered, these pretenders have no other choice than to become prisoners of the Captain of our salvation.

WHEN WE WASTE WORDS, THEY BECOME NON-WORKING

When words are misused and haphazardly applied it is a serious offense against the Almighty. Words are weapons. If they are spoken carelessly and in jest, when the time comes to employ them to conquer fears and cause strongholds to disintegrate, they will fall flat, and be lost. The authority has been drained out of them, thus making them empty and ineffective. This is why we must guard our lips, and not spout out anything that comes into our minds. When that happens, such words become powerless, and lose their value. When we waste words, they become non-working. Jesus said that we will be judged by the words which have come out of our mouths. Words used to devalue the Holy Spirit, and attribute His works to the devil can so offend Him that He will forever depart from that person's life.

THE CHAPTERS IN BETWEEN ARE THE ONES WE WRITE, BUT HE IS THE ONE WHO STARTS AND FINISHES IT

"Our Faith" is like a book being co-written by Jesus and us. He is referred to as "the Author", as He writes the introduction. Then at the conclusion of the book of our lives, He will be "the Finisher". The chapters in between are the ones we write, but He is the One Who starts and finishes it. The more we co-operate with the theme which He has chosen for our biography, the more powerful the authority in His name will operate in our lives. Our authority has been authored by Him--it originated with Him--and is backed up by the government of Heaven. This is why authority in the name of Jesus still works today.

"Having a Personal Experience with

God will Extend Your Life"

"And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel ('facing God'): for I HAVE SEEN GOD FACE TO FACE, and MY LIFE IS PRESERVED". Genesis 32:30 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

THE SECRET OF THE FULFILLMENT OF LIFE IS FOUND IN THE FACE OF JESUS

A popular myth was circulated in ancient times that to look on the face of God would cause a person to die. Just the opposite was true. What is the source of our spiritual life? The answer is found in 2 Corinthians 4:6 KJV, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST". (Capitals are mine for emphasis) The glory of God emanates from "the face of Jesus Christ". The secret of the fulfillment of life is in found in the face of Jesus. That is why we say, "Look and live".

WITH THE CHANGE OF NAME CAME A CHANGE OF CHARACTER

One night when Jacob encountered a divine stranger, he would not let the One Whom he would soon discover was the Angel of the Lord, depart from him, until He received the imparted blessing. This declaration resulted in an all-night wrestling match. As a result of this face-to-face confrontation with God Himself--the preincarnate Jesus Christ--his life was not only preserved, but his name was changed to Israel. With the change of name came a change of character. He went from being known as "the deceiver" to "a prince with God". Blessings and an extension of life came about when Israel met his Lord face-to-face.

IT IS NOT A PHYSICAL DEATH, BUT "DEATH TO SELF"

Yes, there will be a death when we look upon the face of Jesus. It is not physical death, but "death to self". This kind of death is necessary if we are to experience Christ's resurrection life, as we crucify the flesh, and "have a funeral for the old man of our carnal nature". Jesus, alive and well through the power of the Holy Spirit, lives in us. He is the reason for our very existence.

IF WE WANT TO LIVE A LONG LIFE, ADDING YEARS TO OUR LIFE, AND LIFE TO OUR YEARS, WE NEED THEN TO HAVE A PURPOSE TO GET OUT OF BED EVERY MORNING

One of the reasons Jesus came to Earth was "that we might have life, and have it more abundantly". John 10:10 KJV. If we want to live a long life, adding years to our life, and life to our years, we need then to have a purpose to get out of bed every morning. Experiencing God's glory helps us to increase our knowledge of who Jesus really is. Knowing Him and making Him known to others should be a major reason to keep living.

"Pharmakeia:

An Overlooked Sign of the End Times"

" . . . For thy MERCHANTS were THE GREAT MEN OF THE EARTH (international business people with connections to the world economic capital, called Babylon); for BY THY SORCERIES (Greek: pharmakeia: the administration of drugs; poison; demonic activity in association with idolatry) WERE ALL NATIONS (a worldwide drug cartel) DECEIVED (led away from truth into error). And IN HER (the same place where drugs were manufactured, sold and used) WAS FOUND THE BLOOD OF PROPHETS, and SAINTS, and of all that were slain upon the earth". Revelation 18:23c-24 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

"Idolatry, WITCHCRAFT (Greek: pharmakeia: demonic seduction through drugs and idolatry), hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies". Galatians 5:20 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

THE CATALYST OF THIS WORLDWIDE DECEPTION WILL BE TRIGGERED BY WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE GREEK WORD, "PHARMAKEIA", PRONOUNCED, "FAR-MAH-KEY-UH", FROM WHICH WE DERIVE THE ENGLISH WORDS, "PHARMACY" AND "PHARMACEUTICALS"

Nine eleven--September 11th, 2001--when the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City were brought down in less than an hour, as two hijacked planes crashed into them, was a preview of what will happen when the economic center of the world-system called Babylon--probably New York City--will be burnt up in one hour during the Great Tribulation. Revelation 18 KJV. The catalyst of this worldwide deception will be triggered by what is known as the Greek word, "pharmakeia", pronounced, "far-mah-key-uh", from which we derive the English words, "pharmacy" and "pharmaceuticals". It is a clear reference to "the drug culture" of our current society.

IT IS A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS WHICH THRIVES IN THE LAST DAYS, BUT ONE OF THE GREATEST DECEPTIONS WHICH SATAN HAS EVER DEVISED

This same word is translated "sorceries" in Revelation 18:23 KJV, and "witchcraft" in Galatians 5:20 KJV. It is a picture of "mind-expanding drugs", which produce hallucinations, and cause the user to see things, and hear voices which are not there. It is a multi-billion dollar business which thrives in the last days, but one of the greatest deceptions which Satan has ever devised. Today, nations such as Mexico and Columbia, and countries in the Arab world are holding their politicians and citizens "hostage", warning those who dare interfere with their drug-trafficking with death, "execution-style". These are not idle threats, as thousands have already been murdered who tried to stand up to these unscrupulous drug dealers.

DRUGS AND JESUS DO NOT GO TOGETHER

It is an insult against God and the intelligence of born again Christians when addicts make the blasphemous claim that "smoking pot--marijuana--assists them in "meditating, and focusing on Jesus". What a lie of the devil. This is a deception of the worst kind. Not only does the Babylonian-system produce the deception of drugs, and make it the number one business enterprise in the last days, but where it is prevalent, Revelation 18 KJV tells us that the prophets of God, and His people are assassinated. Drugs and Jesus do not go together. They are enemies of each other.

THESE WORDS PENNED OVER 1,900 YEARS AGO ARE AS UP-TO-DATE AS THE HEADLINES IN TOMORROW MORNING'S NEWSPAPER

It has been proved over and over again by medical science that pot smoking leads to schizophrenia. Marijuana is an introduction to "the hard stuff" of such addictive drugs as heroin, methamphetamines, and all kinds of "designer-drugs". According to the Word of God, drug use, demonic activity and false religions go hand-in-hand to deceive and destroy one's life. This, my friend, is one of the most overlooked signs of the end times. Let all who read these words beware of the worldwide deception prophesied by John on the Isle of Patmos in the first century AD. These words penned over 1,900 years ago are as up-to-date as the headlines in tomorrow morning's newspaper.

"Set Free From Being a Slave to Our Enemies"

"But IF YE FORGIVE NOT (do not let go of offenses committed by others against you) MEN THEIR TRESPASSES (wandering away from the truth and sinning against God and others), NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE YOUR TRESPASSES". Jesus, Matthew 6:15 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

IF WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE OFFENDED US, THEN HE WILL FORGIVE US OF OUR MISDEEDS

"The forgiveness equation", as stated by Jesus, is clear-cut, and easy to understand. He laid it out in the simplest of terms. God's forgiveness to us is "conditional". If we forgive those who have offended us, then He will forgive us of our misdeeds. If we hold grudges, and do not forgive others, then God will not forgive us of our sins.

BASICALLY, FORGIVENESS MEANS "TO LET GO OF ANY AND ALL OFFENSES"

To hold on to hurts and emotional wounds suffered from what people have done in the past will negatively affect us more than it will them. Basically, forgiveness means "to let go of any and all offenses". To "stay hurt" allows someone else to be in control of our feelings. When this happens, we have "abducted the throne", and become a slave to the one who is perceived in our mind to be our enemy.

THEY DID NOT FORCE US TO COME UNDER SUBJECTION TO THEM, BUT BY OUR OWN UNFORGIVENESS, WE VOLUNTARILY BECAME THEIR EMOTIONAL PAWN

To be unforgiving harms us more than it does the other person. What an awful concept to let someone who is supposedly our enemy make us their emotional slave. They did not force us to come under subjection to them, but by our own unforgiveness, we voluntarily became their emotional pawn. This does not mean that we become "bosom-buddies", but we have learned a lesson. We love them, but we love them from afar.

TO BE FREE FROM THIS BONDAGE, AND TO BE EMOTIONALLY HEALED, WE MUST FACE THE SITUATION HEAD-ON

Continuing to hold ill feelings against someone, no matter what it was that they did, or how long ago it happened, is not worth it. Being in such a spiritual condition will eat away at our spirit like a cancer. To be free from this bondage, and to be emotionally healed, we must face the situation head-on, and let it go! It is time to move on. We must not allow what happened in the past to influence our present and the future. Unforgiveness has robbed us long enough, so we must not let it continue to do its evil work today and tomorrow. The life of Father God in us must not be blocked in any way. Without His forgiveness we are stymied. By accessing His forgiveness, the future is as bright as the promises of God.