Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

There is no other time of the year that spark such a mired of emotions like the short few weeks from Thanksgiving through New Years day. I whole heartedly agree that these days are “the most wonderful time of the year.” I was sitting out on the beach boardwalk the other day just to breath in the beautiful blessings of the moment. The white sands and white caps of the rolling ocean waves painted a picturesque canvas of Florida’s “White Christmas.” Yeah, I know it’s not snow in the “Winter Wonderland,” but you have to admit, it’s beautiful.
I sat there reminiscing over the past 54 years of my life and all that God has given me. I thought of my childhood days in West Virginia, sitting in front of the Christmas tree my dad cut down from the woods and mom decorated. Under it was a few gifts, but to me the framed setting said it all. I can’t recall how or why my minded captured such emotion that I still can remember, but I sensed then and still envision the very nature of God in the whole spirit of “Giving.”
Christmas represents the very core of Christianity because Christmas is about giving, “for God so loved the world he gave” (John 3:16). Study the dancing eyes of a child as he or she tears the wrapping paper away to expose the requested toy. Gaze across the table of family members laughing while they share their life stories over dinner. Watch your own face light up when your spouse, son or daughter or grandchild looks over at you and says, “Thank you – I sure do love you.” There’s nothing like that in the whole world.
I know this maybe another Christmas letter of the many you might receive, but please accept my words that is coming from my heart to you personally. As I sit here and write, my mind is racing over the dozens of family members, hundreds of friends and church family. Imagine with me that I am sitting with you over lunch sharing these words with you. Since you are in our personal rolodex, allow us the opportunity to tell you personally that you matter to us. We’re praying for you and wanted to tell you that we love you and yours.
Please let Jenny and I to wish you a Christmas filled with the precious gifts that only God can give… the joy of close friends… the love of family times… and blessing of glorious memories. May your year end with the gratefulness of God’s goodness and your new year spawn the kind of faith that offers a miraculous flow of opportunities. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With all our love,

Pastors Tim & Jenny McClure

Promiseland Newsletter 12-09

WE NEED ANOTHER HOLY VISITATION

A few weeks ago while I was in our prayer room in our house, the Lord caught me up in a Holy Ghost glory. While there, tears in my eyes, my soul full, He spoke to me; “What church needs is a Holy Visitation.” The time when this happened was when the world had become the most corrupt, perverted and anti-God. God’s people were slaves to an agnostic society. The Pharisees were the scourge of religion with blatant hypocrisy, corruption and living in total denial to where and how they were forced to live. Israel was spiritually dead. The darkness was so great, the only thing that could have ever saved them would be a Holy Visitation.
Since 1975, drug abuse has risen over 20%, crime 18% and aggravated battery 21%. Murder, terrorism and government and corporate corruption has gone through the roof. All of this has happened with more Christian Television, Music, Movies and the explosion of the “Mega-Churches.” Allow me to share my heart’s burden of what America needs today if we’re going to save our nation, families and future. Just like Mary, the mother of Jesus had a Holy Visitation from an Angel and the Holy Spirit overshadowed her till she became pregnant with a Savior of the World; today we need a Holy Visitation to impart in us a major shaking that is the ONLY thing that will save our nation, families and our future.
While walking in my neighborhood, praying one night with all this on my mind, the Lord spoke to me, “Welcome to Laodicea.” We’re living in a time when the church has traditionalized Laodicean as normal. We have created a new breed of “spiritual motivation” that we patronize weaknesses, failures and sins to the point that it’s a “reverse motivation.” “He’s worse than I am makes me feel good.” We used to be motivated by those greater than we are. Now we seem to glamorize dysfunction, failures and perversion.
“Woe unto those who call evil good and good evil” (Is 5:20). “God is weary with your words that you say everyone who does evil is accepted in God’s sight. Why doesn’t your religion hold you accountable? (Mal 2:17). Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for boasting that their “outside the cup” was clean. “Fools, you drink from the inside the cup.”
You say, Pastor it sounds too gloomy. What then must we do? “If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face, turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). The answer to your broken marriage is Get a hold of God and don’t let go until he bless you (Jacob). Pray, pray, and pray again until the rain falls (Elijah). Repent, fast a day, 5, 12, 21 until you hear from God (Daniel). Go back into the house of God, fall on the altar and cry out to God till he save you from your doom (Jehoshaphat). Your answer is not at the end of a beer bottle, new wife or new boyfriend but it is waiting at the end of your faith – knees.
What we all need is a new “Holy Visitation” like Mary had that literally turned her then world “upside down.” No, we will never see the salvation of our USA from legislation. Government is not going to save our country, only salvation can save our government. With nearly 1/4th of our nation’s work force out of work, worse economy since Jimmy Carter days, we desperately need to get on our face and plead for a divine interruption of our corruption till we birth a salvation.
By Dr. Tim McClure

Died on Christmas
Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. "In honor of this holy season" Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven." The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle", he said. "You may pass through the pearly gates" Saint Peter said. The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, "They're bells." Saint Peter said "You may pass through the pearly gates".
The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a couple girlfriend pictures. St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked," And just what do those symbolize? The man replied," "These are Carols."

Philosophies to live by:
* A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
* A pint of example is worth a pound of advice.
* The best vitamin for making friends is B-1.
* He who throws mud loses ground.

Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

COMING EVENTS
Dec 2009 – Visitation – Theme for December, 10:30 AM Sunday’s
Dec 11-12 – Christmas parties – @ a place near you – call 321-216-8030
Dec 20 – Christmas Interview – illustrated sermon @ Promiseland 10:30 AM
Dec 27 – The Door – State of the church address – Promiseland 10:30 AM

Promiseland Church
1855 Lansing St. Melbourne, FL 32935
www.promiseland.org
http://www.oikas.biz/blog.php?user=Timmcclure
http://www.memberstar.com/redir_a.php?LFAId=2540

Are you coming or Going?

As a child, I grew up in the country. We kids would come in the house, then outside to play. My momma used to say, “Are you coming or going?” Today, I have watched hundreds, and thousands of young and old alike come in and out of church. Come in and out of relationships. Come in and out of business, passion, entrepreneurship and just about everything. Today so many are fickled and really don't know where they truly are or where they are actually going.
Many of you are Desiring / Dreaming one thing, but Listening & Watching another. When your brain things one thing but you hear the opposite = Puts you in a Hypnotic Trance. Hypnotism is a neurological fact. Not the Hollywood Boris Karloff. The way your brain works= when you hear / ask question, your brain automatically goes to work to find the answer. WHY can’t I do this? = brain finds an answer why you can’t. Why don’t I get the break? = brain gives you a reason.
This is why Jesus said, “Say not, 4 months then comes harvest but if you will say with your mouth and believe in your heart (mind) = you shall have what you say.” “We have the same spirit of faith, if we believe with the heart and confess with the mouth.”
PARADOX – this is why most never get healed, never stay saved, never live happy or stay in a relationship. They hope one thing while they invest in the opposite. Why do you think the Movie Industry puts Music in the background of their movies? Because it creates hypnotic processes. Why do you think the music playing in the Mall or stores is soothing and not swing band? It’s called Suggestive Psychology. MTV does this with the Music words saying one thing, while pictures say the opposite. It creates a hypnotic trance.
Listen, you can't desire one thing while all along stay at a stagnant place. You can't look in one direction but move in another. You can't confess one thing and behave the opposite. You can't "wish" one thing but actually do something totally different. Make up your mind of what you want and RIGHT now make the commitment to DO whatever it takes to accomplish it. Stop the in and out, up and down mamsy pamsy wishy washy and Just Do It.

Whatever happened to Commitment?

Promiseland Newsletter 11-09

Whatever happened to Commitment?
She was distraught and voice was broken and elevated with anger as she frantically asked me, “Whatever happened to commitment?” Her fiancé of twelve months broke up without even a reason. “I can’t believe it, after twenty years, the Smith family just up and quit our church and went across town to a church that holds a totally different doctrine than we do” my pastor friend said to me in despair. “After I paid his bail, got him off drugs, put his marriage back together and got him a job with a friend of mine, he came in my office and told me that God had told him to go to another church” another pastor told me with a broken voice and confused.
No matter where you look, the commitment level of our world is in peril. Look around you, many of the large major banks have failed, the largest insurance companies have folded. General Motors and Chrysler went bankrupt and millions of American workers have their 401 K to tank and left their retirement in doubt. Politician's promises have faded before the ink has dried on their campaign flyers.
Marriage vows are threatened with the perplexity of emotional insecurity and parental commitment will only last as long as sensual fulfillment is given by the other spouse. Domestic abandonment is the norm instead of the impugned rarity. “My word is my bond” mantra is now an ancient relic on display in ecclesiastical museums. “Trust me” has become a warning phrase in a sentence that means, “I’m lying .” Let me ask, whatever happen to commitment?
Dr. Martin Luther King said it well, “If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.” The Bible reads, If you will make a commitment to God he will help you in all you do (Ps 37:5). If you will make a commitment to God in your work, then it will succeed (Prov 16:3). Commitment is an act of committing to a charge or trust. Commitment is a pledge that means an unbroken agreement.
I understand that our 21st Century culture has corrupted almost every aspect of American life. I agree with you that our government, social and civic institutions have sold us out for a dollar. I have also been victimized by our gigantic corporate system who will replace you to save fifty cents. I know there is no more security in our social, domestic, scholastic or corporate world. I can appreciate that it feels like everywhere you turn someone is trying to rape you, sell you out or cheat on you.
However, no matter how evil the world becomes; no matter how corrupt society functions, we cannot submit to join their sinful virus. The church cannot concede to such a sinful nature and prostitute our spiritual life all in the name of “looking out for #1.” I rebuke the spirit, the notion, the apathy that shouts in my face, “Whatever.” I curse the remote holding, couch sitting selfishness that cares for nothing except their own driveway.
I am one who after 37 years of marriage still says “till death do we part.” I am still committed to the church I founded and pastor over 29 years ago. After 38 years of being a member of a church, I still do not miss a single service – Sunday & Wednesday (unless I am out of town preaching or vacationing). Call me “Old Fashion” but I don’t believe Jesus will lie to anyone if he says, “Well done thou good and FAITHFUL servant.” I believe in eternity. I believe in a judgment day. I believe in heaven or hell. I believe that my life, my action, my commitment does matter. Whatever happened to commitment? In Christ Jesus, nothing; how about in you?

HOW TO STAY SAFE IN THIS WORLD TODAY!
1. Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. 2. Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home. 3. Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. 4. Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms. 5. Of the remaining 33% of all deaths occur in Hospitals. Above all else, avoid hospitals. You will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at church! FOR SAFETY'S SAKE - Attend church... IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Philosophies to live by:
* A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
* A pint of example is worth a pound of advice.
* The best vitamin for making friends is B-1.
* He who throws mud loses ground.

COMING EVENTS
Nov 2009 – Commitment – Theme for November, 10:30 AM Sunday’s
Nov 15 – Freedom Weekend – Knight & Dwyer Law firm – 10:30 AM
Nov 20-22 – Fellowship Groups – @ a place near you – call 321-216-8030
Nov 26 – PLC Gives Back – Feed the Homeless @ Promiseland 8-10 AM
Nov 29 – Worship Weekend – Guest worshiper Jon Johnson – 10:30 AM

Promiseland Church
1855 Lansing St. Melbourne, FL 32935
www.promiseland.org
http://www.oikas.biz/blog.php?user=Timmcclure
http://www.memberstar.com/redir_a.php?LFAId=2540
www.freedomfromthe925.com

LOTTERY WINNER REVEALS A LOSER

For all his multimillion-dollar lottery winnings, Jack Whittaker can't seem to do anything but lose. The man who landed a $315 million jackpot on Christmas Day seven years ago has since lost his wife to divorce, his granddaughter to drugs and now his daughter, found dead in her West Virginia home on July 5, 2009. Whittaker has also been arrested on charges of driving drunk, lost more than $500,000 in cash to thieves and settled with the parents of a teenage friend of his granddaughter's who died at his house from a drug overdose.
Back when Jack Whittaker won his jackpot $315 million, he said “the first thing I’m going to do is pay my tithe to my church.” Sad to say, Whittaker never paid the church tithes, offering or a donation. Amazing how many people often say that when they get a lot of money, they are going to give to the church, but they never seem to give the tithe of their $150 a week, let alone will give the tithe of their $150 million if they ever get that.
No, the truth is, “Money is a Multiplier.” Whatever or whoever a person is, money will only amplify what he or she really is. We never really know who or what most people are at the core of their soul because they never seem to have any means or ways to manifest who or what their core nature really is. Money never really “changes a person,” it merely amplifies their true self.
A surprising number of other lottery winners share Whittaker’s pain. According to a health study reported this week in London's Daily Mail, winners smoked and drank far more two years after winning then they did before, countering the notion that more money means better health. The paper cites the tragedy of Phil Kitchen, a jobless carpenter who won big in 1999, turned to binge drinking and died three years later, at age 58, of self-neglect.
Less than six months after Brandi Whittaker’s death, Jack’s wife, Jewell, started divorce proceedings. Even before the recent blow of his daughter's death, Whittaker told ABC News in 2007, "Since I won the lottery, I think there is no control for greed. "I think if you have something, there's always someone else that wants it," he said. "I wish I'd torn that ticket up."
Winning what was then the nation's largest lottery payout in 2002 proved to be the manifestation of Jack Whittaker's true self. Whittaker, lost his granddaughter Brandi Bragg to a drug overdose in 2004. She was 17. His wife filed for divorce. And on July 5, his daughter, Brandi's mother, Ginger Whittaker Bragg, was found dead in her home.
The fact is, when a person “wins big” in way of means or money without true character, the person will suffer at the hands of such a false magnification. Always remember, winning big when one is a loser will only magnify the low loser in a big way. The key to this story is, work on your character first before you work on amplifying yourself.

FREE FROM ME

My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest” (Ps. 55:4-8).

Have you ever felt like David? We’ve all felt like that and thought about quitting. However, there is a problem with the “free from me” syndrome as I call it. We could spend ample time discussing all of the details of “justification” for wanting to quit work, quit school, quit trying, quit caring, quit marriage, quit loving, quit church, and even quit God. However, reasons or excuses are always a “blue light special,” whole sale, and are very, very, cheap--if you know what I mean. I don’t wish to waste my time dealing with “justified” reasons or excuses of the why of wishing to escape from it all, but would rather like to discuss where it comes from.
The “free from me” syndrome can be seen in every corner of life styles and from every civilization. Take TV for example; What is it really, but a tool of “escape.” Most people watch approximately seven hours of TV per day. Why? All to escape from the real world. Take a novel, fiction of course--and you will find another fantasy high. The list is endless if you start thinking about it: Drugs, alcohol, parties, babes, dudes, concerts, music, etc. Again, I don’t wish to look at “why”, nor the “reasons” but “where” does it come from.
The “free from me” attitude comes from an attitude of rejection of self. That’s right! The majority of people do not like themselves. They would rather do what David was thinking, and fly away from it all. The major problem with the “free from me” spirit is, that when you “quit” or fly away, where ever you go, YOU will still be there. The answer is not to quit, or escape from circumstances, problems, temptations, etc., but rather to find the miracle in you, the change that Jesus made in you and like it.
Most singles want to get married because they don’t like being ALONE--you know, alone with THEMSELVES. One out of two marriages end up in a divorce. Why? They found out that they were still alone, even though they were married. Guess what? They found themselves alone again. Yes, TV, parties, drugs and wanting marriage again. Why do people get on this merry-go-round anyway? Because, they ignore the place where it all comes from which is in themselves. Your answer, and the world’s answer is in letting God do a divine work in your life until you can be happy about yourself.
Your answer is not in a new marriage, new home, new car, new job, or a new relationship, but in a new YOU. There is only one place you can get a new you, and that is with Jesus. Your answer is where David found his answer, which is in CHANGE (Ps. 55:19). In the same chapter he thought of flying away, he found out that if he would let God change him, the afflictions would go. Yes it is possible for you to learn to like yourself by liking the change God has made in you. I invite you into this wonderful world of change

JESUS SAT DOWN

“Jesus, after he offered one sacrifice for sins forever sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Heb 10:12-13).

I have for near 50 years have heard Christians pray, worship, sing and even preach suggestive words of such requests, demands or even declaratives that Jesus is to go out and move on someone’s heart, save the lost or go and heal the sick. In other words, our theology sounds like we Christians are telling Jesus to go out into the field and do what Jesus told us to do.
Yes, I am saying that it is NOT truth that we Christians have any position to TELL Jesus to go out and do what he told us to go out and do. We have no more power, right or position to tell Jesus either in prayer, worship or sermon to go out into the highways and byways and save the lost, heal the sick or deliver the oppressed.
Ridiculous! It was Jesus who told we Christians to “go out into the highways and byways and … heal the sick, raise the dead, freely you have received, freely give” (Matt 10:1-5). The Bible fact is, Jesus came and DID his purpose on earth (written in the gospels) and died, buried and rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and SAT DOWN. No, Jesus is NOT going to get up and do OUR work for us. It was Jesus who SENT US OUT into all the world to win the lost, heal the sick and raise the dead.
I hope and pray that our misunderstanding or ignorant theology is the fault of our wrong belief and not our ineptness. I pray that our false allusion of Jesus being responsible of doing the work of the church is based on our miss guided teaching through the centuries and not our choice apathy. Yes, this is hard language, but after near 40 years of ministry worldwide, my words are mild to what I’m sure heaven is saying about the church’s lack of ministerial fulfillment. Let us all rise up from our couch of comfort and get to work for the Gospel of the Kingdom. “Jesus said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?

Have you ever asked the question or have someone ask you the question, “Why do BAD things happen to GOOD people?” How many times have we heard someone say, “If God is a loving God, why did God let this bad thing happen?” I’m sure that if you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you have been through some very troubling heart aches that have set you back. Most of us were raised in a culture that has suggested that if one becomes a Christian, then God will save us from trouble, trials and struggles. Allow me to be honest for a few minutes. I grew up in the church world where one of the evangelism’s approach was to present the gospel with the assumed notion that if we got saved, we would be saved from bad things happening to us. And of course, that is just not true. I don’t need to belabor the reality that Bad things do happen to Good people – namely Christians. Let’s address the “why” this happens.
First, “God makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45). In other words, Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. Jesus was using Sunshine and Rain (weather) as a metaphor of life. Everyone in the world, whether good or evil live under the same weather at the same time. Weather doesn’t take place daily based on a decision that God makes. Sunshine or stormy weather is not based on some emotional reaction from God. Get it out of your mind that God decides for you to have a bad thing happen to you today or a good thing. Jesus was explaining that (like weather) circumstances happen from a set of “systematic cycles” of life. Each of us will have good days and bad days, regardless of what we do or not do. Predestination is not a decision of God, but the intention of God. God planned your life for good. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11-12). Every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). So, everyone regardless of how they live will face good and bad days. This is a part of nature – period.
Second, bad things happen to good people because of attacks of the enemy. Sometimes we (good people) sow the right seeds, do the right things, live a good life and still things go wrong and we’re forced to live through afflictions. David records, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them OUT of them all” (Ps 34:19). However, even when we do good, sow the right seed, and do nothing to give reason for a bad thing to come to our lives, the devil comes in and sows bad tears in our fields of life. Jesus reveals, “An enemy has done this” (Matt 13:28). Jesus told Peter that the devil was trying to “sift him as wheat” (Luke 22:31). Satan is before God accusing the righteous daily (Rev 12:10). Satan’s motive is to use trials, tests, troubles, loss, pain and suffering to get the righteous to “curse God and die” (Job 1:11). Therefore, bad things happen to good people also to cause us to deny our faith and leave God.
Third, bad things happen to good people because of the seeds we’ve sown. None of us would dare deny that much of the bad things have come our way because of dumb stuff we have done. If we could go back and undo things we’ve done over the past 10 years, I imagine that we could write a book of stuff we wish we could undo. Bad things happen to good people from the very seeds we’ve sown causing us to reap “bad things.” Sometimes these “bad seeds” are behavior we know of and sometimes from actions we do not know. We’ve all heard the term, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” The greater truth of this statement is true in Scripture (Rom 2:1). We will reap what we have sown (Gal 6:7). These are the three reasons Why bad things happen to Good people.

Elder couple in the courtroom
An 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting. When she went before the judge he asked her, "What did you steal?" She replied, "A can of peaches.” The judge then asked her why she had stolen the can of peaches and she replied that she was hungry. The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can. She replied "6". The judge then said, "I will then give you 6 days in jail." Before the judge could actually pronounce the punishment, the woman's husband spoke up and asked the judge if he could say something. The judge said, "What is it?" The husband said, "She also stole a can of peas."

Funny Philosophies to live by:
* It’s not until mothers have teenagers that they can understand why animals can eat their young.
* Grandchildren are God’s reward for not killing your kids.
* Be nice to your children, they’ll chose your nursing home.
* Anyone who quotes the “It’s as easy as taking candy from a baby” has never had kids.

COMING EVENTS
Oct 2009 – Vision – Theme for September, 10:30 AM Sunday’s
Oct 2-3 – Empowered Women Conference – Cathy Poulsen @ Promiseland
Oct 11 – Power Weekend – with Pastor James Sizemore – 10:30 AM
Oct 16-18 – Fellowship Groups – @ a place near you – call 321-216-8030
Oct 31 – FALL FEST – Community Outreach @ Melbourne Square Mall 5-9 PM
Nov 5-7 – Live the Dream Conference – London, England: www.oikas.biz

Promiseland Church
1855 Lansing St. Melbourne, FL 32935
www.promiseland.org
http://www.oikas.biz/blog.php?user=Timmcclure
http://www.memberstar.com/redir_a.php?LFAId=2540
www.freedomfromthe925.com

LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

My wife, Jenny gave me a new VISA card that was sent to us. I took it and proceeded to cut it up. Aleena (six years old at the time) was shocked and wanted me to stop. I told her, “Learn this well while you’re young.” I said, “If a man made only $300.00 a week, but spent $500.00 that week, what happens?” Aleena thought and said, “He had to steal.” I thought it was a good answer, but I explained how we couldn’t live beyond our means. We must spend only within what we make, not on what we borrow. Our society has allowed itself to fall into a trap. The trap is the debt system of purchasing our wants. I am sorry to say that Christians have not avoided this trap either.
We are constantly being tempted by advertisements showing us large selections of very appealing cars, home furnishings, vacations, and almost everything else we might want. We can have it with "easy payments" they advertise. We can see the world on a "buy now, pay later" plan. Our Lord was certainly aware of the problems of borrowing. So aware, in fact, in His charge to His people, God pleads with us to "listen obediently to the voice of the Lord your God" (Deut. 15:5-6). What does He want us to hear? He is commanding us not to spend beyond our means. Why is it so important that God Himself commands His people to live within their means? He tells us in verse 6: so that (the lenders) "will not rule over you." It is not God's plan that we should become a slave to our debtors (Prov. 22:7).
A man is charged to love the Lord, his wife, and his family, then his neighbor as he loves himself. The love of money is the root of all evil. However, when a man is in debt he finds himself thinking too often of his money problems. I have been told that, for most of us, money occupies approximately 50 percent of our thoughts (Matt. 6:24). As our debt grows, our allegiance to debt increases, and our thought time for the Lord and family decreases. Our problems begin to compound and we wonder what has happened to the blessing of the Lord regarding our marriage and walk with God.
If one makes only $300.00 a week (net), he must plan a budget that spends only $280.00 a week, (less than what he makes). The greatest problem with far too many Christians who say they cannot afford to pay tithes is that they are living beyond their means. They invest in a debt more than they have the income to pay for it. If you only make $300.00 a week, you cannot pay tithes, offerings, rent, food, car, gas, utilities, phone, clothes, and then go out and buy on credit a new stereo, weight machine, vacation, and make application for a Master Card and VISA. If you borrow and live on $425.00 a week, while you’re only making $300.00, somewhere out there you’re going to have more bills than you can pay.
Our budget we make of spending must be below what we make if we are to ever stay above our debt. One of the greatest sins men and women make today is when they get a raise they instantly raise their cost of living higher. We cannot spend more than we make. And if we get a raise, we should never go out and plan to buy more and live higher. This “spend - get” craze has destroyed more marriages, homes and Christians than any other demon. Read up on budgeting and learn how to “Live within your means.”

The first time he stepped into the ring, Muhammad Ali was told he was too scrawny to be a boxer. Never allow other people's failed dreams cloud your ambition. Just because they quit, gave up and believed the lies, NEVER allow you to hear it let alone believe it. "Nothing can stop what they imagined to do" (Gen 11:6). Dream baby, dream. Never allow anyone or anything deter you from dreaming your dreams. All of Joseph’s family, even his father rejected his dreams as legitimate. Literally every move Joseph made and every day he lived he faced excessive opposition to his dreams. Why, we ask? Simple, your dreams are about your future, not your past. If you ever get God to speak to you, it will ONLY and always be about your future, never about your past. If you ever hear the devil talk to you, he will always talk to you about your past and never about your future. Why? Satan is scared of your future, but loves to harass you about your past. Listen, get up and step into that ring and Dream baby dream.

Twenty nine years ago, my family and I moved to Melbourne and founded Bible Truth Church. I moved here without the assistance, help or support of any denomination, ministry or organization. I rented a house, 1057 Byrd St, turned on the utilities and had only $500 left in the bank. I put an ad in the paper for my business; “Truth painting, for the job you can trust” and in 2 weeks I was working. I then put an ad in the paper for evangelism, “FREE HBS in the convenience of your own home 254-5777.” And Johnny Flores called that week where we landed our first Bible study who became our first two converts.
I joined the Chamber of Commerce, introduced myself to every civic leader, business & Christian radio. I contracted to paint the WWBC – NCN complex in Cocoa for exchange of radio time daily, Monday through Friday. We became known throughout the county. I rented the Eau Gallie Women’s Club (only Sunday AM & PM) for $200 a month. Small store fronts went for $1200 a month. One year later I added Tuesday nights for an additional $200 a month. We had to set up and tear down for every service for four years. In our second year I put $5000 down on 1.7 acres at Lansing St. One year later Norman took a loan for $5000, and the rest came up with $5000. I applied and maxed out 5 credit cards for $35,000 and I paid them off and an additional $15,000 in cash to build our first building. For the first five years, my company paid my salary, mission trips and building of the church building. The 20 - 25 tithe paying members paid the utilities, rent, outreach and some expense.
We moved into our new church building in July 1984. The next year I had signs all over the church; 100 for our goal in attendance. On our big Sunday we had 99 people. I wanted to go out and get a dog so I could say we had a 100. I then went full time for the church and worked my painting business on the side. In 1986 we experienced great growth. January 1986 we had 27 to receive the Holy Spirit & join baptized. In July 1986 we had 120 to receive the Holy Spirit & 50 join the church. By the end of 1986, our record attendance was 180. 10 years later, we had 4 bus routes, baptizing many every week and over 600 one Easter. Since then, we have records of over 3800 baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.
From 1984 through 1994 we started Bible Truth Academy, Class of Ministries discipleship class every Tuesday, Outreach almost every Saturday, Bible Truth Institute once a week, two Sunday services, Thursday midweek service, and Saturday night prayer. We bought the adjoining 4 acres and years later started plans for building our existing church. Through years of corruption from local governments, three times the banks we were using went bankrupt, two of our General contractors failed, 12 subcontractors failed and $1.2 million later, we moved in to our new auditorium in January 2003 as Promiseland Church. The devil did not want the Vision of a Promiseland to come to past. But persistence, faithfulness and undying commitment of a few with their relentless faith, we did it and we’re still here.
“Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.” I have found that it cost to be a savior. Jesus faced the worse kind of trials, tests and even death. Yes, it seems lies come cheap, sin is easy, apathy is a piece of cake, but building a real church will cost everything you are and have.
This brings me to the call and reason of this letter. This coming weekend, we’re celebrating 29 years of pastoring, Promiseland’s existence and a dynamic spiritual journey. We are having Pastor Steven Sledge from the Potter’s House Church of Bishop TD Jakes to come preach this year’s Anniversary Conference. I’m asking everyone to make sure your whole family, friends and as many as you can get to be in service this Saturday night 6 PM and Sunday morning 10:30 AM for a “Stand on your feet shouting” celebration. We only do this once a year and this is your time to say with your presence that you belong to Promiseland and you support the Vision of this ministry.
Some may say that economic times are tough, but I say without God, church or a covering, you don’t know what tough would look like. I will be the first to say that if it were not for Jesus, salvation, the Holy Spirit baptism, Promiseland and a spiritual covering, I would not have a life.

Celebrating 29 Years of Ministry

As I sit here now reminiscing our first experience twenty nine years ago in coming to Melbourne, Florida it causes my soul to recapitulate my nights of prayer that lead me to this city to start a church in the first place. The very short of a fabulous (longer) story began in a daily prayer in my bedroom each night. At the end of my Pastoral studies in Jacksonville, Florida. One night the Lord spoke the name “Melbourne” to my spirit. And yes, my first reaction was, “No Lord, I am not a missionary and though Australia would be an exciting adventure, missionary work is not me. Nights later I spent hours looking through the east coast of USA for a city named Melbourne. I must confess, I had a burning passion to go back up to the North East to start a church, not Florida. Weeks later, my family and I spent a weekend in Melbourne to “feel out the city.” Obviously, we fell in love with the beautiful tropical landscape.
Our second visit months later was the sure win. Sunday early evening as we drove away from Melbourne on I-95, I had to pull the car over for the tears were so full in my eyes, I could not see to drive. Jenny and I sat there in the car and held each other and weep before the Lord knowing Melbourne was the city and this was the time. In the summer of 1980, I moved my family to Melbourne. I had to stay in Jacksonville a few weeks to finish up contracting jobs I had.
In the first year I gave every Friday night to God in prayer till the sun came up for souls. I told God I was not here for me but for the Kingdom of God. Only a few months passed till I had a radio broadcast – FREE, taught Home Bible Studies, baptized a few families, secured a building and birthed a church. Our first Sunday morning we had 13 and that night we had 30. Just a year later we had already had baptized 30 people and filled with the Holy Spirit. Just this year I combed through the records and found the lists of baptisms and numbers of people who had been filled with the Holy Spirit. The numbers of people who had come to the altar to give their heart to Christ were too many to record from Sunday to Sunday. Twenty nine years later, we’ve had over 3800 to be baptized and over 4200 to receive the Holy Spirit let alone the near 8000 that gave their heart to Christ.
I have traveled to 48 of the 50 states and have documented hundreds of well known mega churches that had not in the entire history of their church baptized more than a few hundred, though they boasted of 1000’s in service each week. I have interviewed more than a 100 church leaders, administrators, leadership staff of churches over 3000 in membership and many if not most could not verify that they had baptized 5% of their congregation. It’s one thing to build a growing church (an admirable feat), but another thing all together to actually transform souls from the trenches of hell to the halls of heaven. Today, proven statistics reveal that all the mega churches combined do not secure more than 3% of the whole Christian church membership in America. Most pastors wish their church was a mega church if for nothing else than to afford them economic ability to fulfill their vision. However, 98% of mega churches became a mega enterprise at the depletion of surrounding churches. Membership exchange is not growth, revival nor evidence of God’s anointing.
These past 29 years have written a many of epic novels on the hearts and souls of tens of thousands with regard to the simple ministry of a poor country boy and his lovely wife. I’ve traveled to over 32 countries preaching the gospel. I’ve spoken in 42 of the 50 states. I have seen thousands of thousands of people come to the altar and pray. Miracles after miracles and revivals after revivals have shocked my humble life. The hundreds of men, women and young people who have given their life, blood, sweat and tears through these past 29 years can only give witness to the absolute dynamics of the Word of God. Nothing or no one can garner such a follow-ship for near three decades. We’ve had five times as many to quit, leave and move away as we have saved. But as the gospel song writer sings it, “Through it all, through it all I’ve learned to depend upon his word.”

What a difference 100 Years makes!

The year is 1909, One hundred years ago: What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for the Year 1909:
The average life expectancy was 47 years. Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub. Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower! The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour. The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year. A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year. More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME. Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. Sugar cost four cents a pound. Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen. Coffee was fifteen cents a pound. Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo. Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason. Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars. The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!! Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet. There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day. Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write. Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school. Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health' Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help. There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.A!

MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT

Matt 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
Every Christian in every generation only had about 70 years to complete their work. We are living in the eleventh hour of our lives if not the eleventh hour of the world. We are running out of tomorrows. None of us are getting any younger. What we do, we must do quickly. “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city” (Luke 14:) Make your Life Count.
What was the ultimate goal of Jesus in sending out the 12? Jesus said that he sent them out so that his house might be full. The end result of every church must be to fill the house with souls serving Jesus Christ. “Go out quickly.” The “Principle” of saving souls, or filling His house was to go out “Quickly.” The TIME factor is important. Jesus said; I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work (John 9:4 ). The truth is we don’t have a long time! All we have is today. The analogy Jesus is making is dealing with the end of his dispensation. However, there was a “Time” factor even Jesus was limited to. Make your Life Count.
The urgency in this time is that we are the only ones who can reach this generation. Once it’s gone, no one can or will reach it. Since Jesus, there has been over 35 “Worlds” that have been born and die. Meaning, the whole world has been born, lived their lives and have died. Think of it. 35 worlds have come and gone of which the overwhelming majority have not heard the gospel. Make your Life Count.
Longfellow said it, “What is time? The shadow on the dial. The striking of the clock. The running of the sand. Day night Winter Summer Months years Centuries.” The youthful boy or girl here tonight can tell us what time it is, but the greatest scholar here could not define what is time. God operates within a time framework.
What are you doing with your life? Where are you going? Who are you becoming? None of us are getting younger. We’re racing the clock. “One life to live will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” What are you doing for Eternity’s sake?

Curse of Addiction

It felt as if the walls were caving in on me as I walked down the long, narrow hall leading to the psychiatric ward extension of Wuesthoff Hospital. I was there to visit George Robinson, who was court ordered to receive psychiatric treatment. A creepy feeling overcame me when the security guard locked the door behind me. Shock overwhelmed me as I stared into the faces of what looked like three hundred neurotic deranged human beings. Even though I had only spoken to George a few times prior to this visit, I was there at his request. I came to help him overcome his sixteen years of alcohol addiction. As I walked through the crowd, looking for George, I saw people engaging in elaborate conversations with the walls, while others stared silently into space. Paranoia eased from me when a few "normal" people nodded and said hello. I remember thinking as I looked across the Ward, "this is the curse of addiction." If nothing else gave me reason to thank God I was not a drug addict, that experience did. As I gazed at the crowd of men and women, young and old, it became evident to me that drug addiction destroys the mind, separates families, and leaves the addict functionally helpless.
One of the first things alcohol and other drugs do to a person's mind is destroy virtually millions of irreplaceable brain cells. (According to the Center for Drug and Alcohol Treatment of America). From my experience at Wuesthoff Psychiatric Ward, I did not need many facts or statistics to prove to me that drug addiction destroys the mind. Drug addiction is a slow death, according to Dr. John B. James of Johns Hopkens Alcohol Research Center in Baltimore, Maryland. It was clear to me, after talking with George Robinson, that sixteen years of alcoholism had almost stripped him of his self worth and esteem. Even his conversation seemed to jump from one subject to another. I found it hard to make sense of what he was trying to say. It was evident that drug addiction was a psychological curse.
Another way that I saw drug addiction as a curse was the way it separated families. As I talked to George that day, he revealed to me that his addiction had driven a deep wedge between him and his father. George confessed that he lost every friend that he ever had. Drugs had destroyed almost every promising relationship George ever had. At thirty years of age, George Robinson had no real friends, no plans of marriage, no children, and no loving relationship with his mother or father. I was a preacher he had only met four or five times, and he said that I was the only one he could call for help. This brought new meaning to the latest government reports that found drug addiction to be one of the leading causes for divorce in America.
Finally, not only does drug addiction destroy the mind and relationships, it also renders the addict virtually helpless in securing a meaningful future. George Robinson had a bachelor's degree in agriculture. He was a skilled carpenter, a wind surfing champion, and a very skillful surfboard designer. George, at one time, owned a very successful surfboard manufacturing business, and alcohol addiction had taken it all away. I didn't need all the facts and figure that day to convince me that drug addiction would destroy a man's future success. If George was ever to enjoy a successful future, alcohol would have to go. Clearly, drug addiction was a curse to him.
It took George eight months of hard work to overcome his addiction. After nine years of drug free living, George Robinson has his right mind, is happily married and is a successful businessman in Melbourne, Florida. My experience with helping George overcome his addiction has revealed to me, the unforgettable curse of addiction.

IRONY OF LIFE

D.H. Lawrence presents one of the most profound ironies of life man can ever experience in his “The Rocking-Horse Winner.” I like to think of it as the growing up irony. Lawrence presents the seemingly backwards scenario’s of life in that the child was the mature entrepreneur and the parents were the naïve life wasters. In life, we expect the child to be the naïve passive person who accepts with whatever is handed to him while the parent is expected to take control of life and make things happen.
One would expect the parents of a child who is a minor with economic struggles to take control of their circumstances and make life better than it has become. One would expect that the parent should be the responsible one to speak faith and optimism that generates security for his or her child. One could easily accept a child to speak insecurities and question his or her future. However, in Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner” we read the Irony of Life where the roles of responsibilities are reversed.
Paul’s mother is always speaking failure, fear and faithless words that generate fearful imaginations in Paul’s life. Such disparaging words from Paul’s mother caused Paul to hear voice from the house and their home life of never having enough. Such faithlessness normally causes children to become fearful neurotics wasting away in insecurities. However, with Paul, he took on the role of responsibility and overcame poverty while his parents passively surrendered to the failure of the whatever.
Paul, the seven to ten year old in Lawrence’s “The Rocking-Horse Winner” took upon him the role of making an income to pull the household from ruin while his parents only grew worse in economic failure. Paul appear to remain a child in insisting to ride his baby rocking horse while all along he developed a winning strategy to win the bets at the horse races from the childish saddle. Ironic, a child seated on the back of a toy takes life in his own hands and generates over a half of million dollars for his mother in a few short years, while his parents do little to nothing but complain about financial “bad luck” (Literature, DiYanni, McGraw Hill, 2002, pg. 97).
Edgar V. Roberts and Henry E. Jacobs explains that “Irony refers to language and situations that are inappropriate or opposite from normal expectations” (Literature, Roberts & Jacobs, Prentice Hall, Englewood, 1992, pg. 64). The irony of life seems to never hand us what we expect. If it did, I must say life would be too boring and predictable. Success and heroes would not be the aspired goal, but rather maintain the status quo. Extra ordinary people are those who define to us the true irony of life. They do the unexpected and accomplish the unbelievable. Ironic isn’t it that a child would be the responsible adult and the parent would become the whining child?

545 PEOPLE

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits? Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes? You and I don't propose a federal budget. The President does. You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does. You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does. You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does. One hundred Senators, 435 Congressmen, one President, and nine Supreme Court justices -- 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country. I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a President to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.
Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the President, can approve any budget they want. If the President vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair. If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red. If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ. If they do not receive Social Security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way. There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.
Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do. Those 545 people and they alone, are responsible. They, and they alone, have the power. They and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses. Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees. We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

EVERY SOUL COUNTS

Since the beginning of the 90’s, the proportion of the adult population that is Non-churched has risen significantly to 32 %. That may not sound like much, but 32% of 300 million adults in America is over 95 million people. Add children of those adults in America and the total is more than 150 million human beings.
To put this statistic into perspective, the non-churched population of America would be equivalent to the 10th largest nation in the world!!!! Larger than every nation in Europe. Three times larger than the population of Canada. That would equate to over 40 states in the USA. Almost all of South America.
What is the center heartbeat of Jesus? He died on the cross for 150 million un-churched men, women, boys and girls. He died for 300 million Buddhists in the world. He died for half a billion Muslims. He died for the 6 billion men, women, boys and girls who are lost in this sin, evil, cursed, abomination filled world - who is, I might add, desperately wanting someone to love them like Jesus.
You can make a difference. You can allow Jesus to use your hands, your feet, your eyes, your arms to reach, touch and love others who have no one to love them.
Ps 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

PIED PIPER

Your life, success or failure, happy or anxious, Energetic or docile, Going the right way or the Wrong way greatly depends on Who or What is Influencing you. Please hear me today: Your life will get no better than the people you hang out with. This past week, you could turn nowhere without seeing, hearing or reading about Michel Jackson. Sad,
Sad, after $100’s of Millions and this is who he is? And the corrupt media who damned him, attack him, scorn him a couple years ago, now they want to let us think they LOVE him. “O such an Icon.” They destroyed him and now they want to take credit for him. Filthy devils! Look around at what a twisted, perverted and corrupt life Hollywood, Washington DC, Paris and the rest have to offer. I would never want their $100’s Millions if I had to live that kind of life. None of them know what LOVE is. The bar songs, Rock, Country, Pop, etc. all offer so much depression. Is it any wonder “The wages of Sin is Death?” As I pondered these thoughts this past week, my personality wanted to rebuke, while my intellect wanted to teach and my passion wanted to encourage. After pondering this, my passion won out. Please, hear my heart:
Why do we blindly believe what the Masses do, say, think, act? The disciples came to Jesus and said, “The Pharisees were offended when you said that everyone is defiled by what he says & what he does. Jesus said; “Every plant that my heavenly Father doesn’t plant shall be plucked up. Let them alone, they are Blind leaders of the blind and both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt 15:12-14). Why is it cool just because everyone else is doing it? Hey, someone ask, why is getting drunk cool. Hey, someone needs to ask why pushing dope your only way out. Why can’t you push a business? Why do you believe what you see on TV? Why is it that we are told to follow the crowds only to find our lives STUCK in traffic? “Shut up and punch the clock, they say. Mary, you are not coloring in the lines. Charles, you didn’t write about the story I gave you.”
Isa 56:10-12 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, dumb dogs who cannot bark; sleeping, stuck, loving to slumber. 11 They’re selfish and teachers who don’t understand: they’re all about themselves. 12 Come they say, I’ll get wine, whiskey; we’ll get drunk and tomorrow we’ll do it all over again. STUCK
Many of us are Desiring & Dreaming one thing, but Listening & Watching another. We can’t pray for a happy marriage and hang out with people who destroyed every relationship they’ve been in. We can’t dream and hope for prosperity and listen to family bash the wealthy. We can’t wish for health while confessing your sicknesses and showing off our pill collection like it’s a badge of honor. Stop listening to the media’s mantra trying to program your mind to be against success, prosperity, health and purity. For example, they bemoan; “Is that one of those get rich schemes?” OK, let me ask, If you had a choice to work HARD for 50 years to accumulate $500,000 extra in investments, or you had a choice to work HARD for 5 years to accumulate $500,000 in investments, which would you choose? Of course we all would chose the five year choice. Isn’t it corrupt that the media and government will slam entrepreneurs who devise a plan, idea, system, or product that helps a person make money on their own, saying, “They are trying to scam the public.” At the same time the media and government set up a State Lottery and STILL $billions from the public. Hey, shake yourself, stop, get out of the line of the Pied Piper. He’s taking you down to the end of the road to dump you off in the river to drown.
Let me encourage you to turn off the News, become extremely selective to the shows you watch. Never watch a movie the media “Critics” praise (they’re usually perverted, twisted and evil). Yes, and turn off the stupid radio filled with some of the worse depressing, demoralizing songs any human could hear. Please hear me, make a commitment to be very selective to watch, listen to and read only the kinds of stuff that will grow you, succeed you, bless you, encourage you, make you healthier, happier and wiser. Find the people that ARE where you want to go and make friends with them. Back away from the “so called” friends who’s lives are messed up. Step back long enough and see what the parties, drugs (streets or prescription), alcohol, and promiscuity leads you too. On the other hand, take a good look at the passionate business minded, entrepreneurs, philanthropist, missions minded people are doing and see how their lives have turned out and go there. Stop, look around at the traffic jam you maybe in and make a choice today to GET OUT OF THE TRAFFIC JAM.

Get Rich Quick Scheme

Have you ever heard or have said, "Oh, is that one of those Get Rich Quick Schemes?" Of course you have. Let me ask you, did you make that quote up? No? Where did you get that? You heard someone else use it? Let me ask you, if you had a choice to work HARD for 50 years and accumulated a sum total after all your bills $750,000 - OR - work HARD for 5 years and accumulate a sum of $750,000 after bills were paid, which would you chose? WHAT, you'd chose the 5 year plan? Does that make you a "Get Rich Quick Schemer?" Of couse not. The "Get Rich Quick Scheme" saying was comprised from a corrupt shrud "Slave Traders" who wish to keep you poor, ignorant and weak. The same crooks who slander against those who chose to become wealthy fast are the one who "play the lottery." Now who is the "Get Rich Quick Schemers?"

APATHY

The opposite of love is not hate, it is APATHY. Indifference is death to passion. the Shurgged shoulders attitude to any and all quest will cause the life to drain from any endevor. Jesus said, "I'd rather that you be hot or cold, but if you're indifferent, it makes me sick" (Rev 3:16). Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.

POWER WEEKEND

Bishop Wayne Malcolm is doing a "Power Weekend" this June 21, Sunday at 10:30 AM at Promiseland Church, 1855 Lansing St. Melbourne, FL - EVERYONE WELCOME. Sunday evening at 6 PM, Bishop Malcolm will be teaching a live "Business Opportunity" seminar. Wayne Malcolm is a Bishop of 4 churches, author of several best selling books, very successful Professional Life Coach, international speaker with the likes of Bishop TD Jakes, Noel Jones, John Francis and many more. Don't miss this Life Changing Event. 321-254-5777, drtimmcclure@aol.com, http://www.promiseland.org/

Weekend Transformation

Wow, what a powerful "spirit-moving" weekend this past week at Cornerstone Church with Pastors Bill & Tina Godair in Salisbury, NC. The personal Pastoral Staff session was life changing. And the two totally seperate Sunday morning services with two totally different crowds will be remembered for years to come. "Life Translation" was what God gave me to release in their lives - just for them. With more than 500 attending both services, the energy was intense. And the Leadership Definition class Sunday night was filled with tears, hearts and emotions that will linger in their souls for months to come. Exhausting, but to see the revolutionary response from some of the greatest people on the planet was well worth it.

A REAL STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT WORKS

Please find the answer to the "Real Stimulus Package that works." Instead of giving $trillions of dollars to comanies and government agencies that will squander the money on lavish parties, women, bonuses, kickbacks and corruption schemes, use the following plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan: There are 40 million working people in America who is over 50 years of age. Give each of them $1 million in severance pay with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. 40 million job openings: Unemployement problem fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American automoble. Auto industry problem fixed.

3) They MUST buy a house or pay off their mortgage. Mortgage / home market fixed.

If more money if needed to pay for this, just have all the Republicans and Democrat Congressmen and Senators to pay their taxes. That should do it.

TWO OR THREE

You’ve heard of or read the verse that reads: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). I have heard this verse of Scripture miss-quoted and miss translated my whole life. The typical translation sounds like this; “I know there is only a couple of us here, but the Bible says where two or three are gathered together, God is here.” For years many has justified their not attending church by trying to site this passage as their excuse. Truth is the verse has nothing to do with “attending church.” The focus is on a fellow Christian sinning against another Christian and refusing to repent. The instructions are given in Matthew 18:15-20 to address the sins of a fellow believer. The final step is to take the offending believer before the whole church to repent and if he will not, then the leadership is to separate the offending believer from the church. Like a disease, you must cut the disease out of the body in order to save the body. You do not save the disease and lose the body. And when the action is taken by the church leadership and the church body to separate the offending believer, Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered (pass judgment) in my name (representing me) there will I be in the midst of them (I will stand behind their judgment against the defiant offending member.” The passage is about authority, not church attendance.

WINNERS NEVER QUIT?

You’ve heard the age old saying, “Winners never quit and Quitters never win.” Though the principle maybe true in one degree, but in simple truth, the saying is not true. Quite the contrary. True winners will quit a lot of things that they are not good at or a lot of things that hinder their single most definite purpose in life. Take most of the world famous athletes who climbed to the top of their game. Many if not most of them were good at a lot of sports. But they had to quit virtually all of them except the single one they became the best at. True “Winners” will have to quit many distracting things they would easily enjoy, but if they pander to the dozen’s of interrupting side lines, they would never have become the best at the one thing they are known as the best. Yes, you will have to QUIT most things in order to focus on ONE thing if you are to master that single most definite purpose in life. So, quit procrastinating and get to what you do best. So quit dealing with stupid things and concentrate on the few smart things. So quit conversating with negative people and only commune with the positive. You get my point?

Keep your face in the Sunshine

There was a man who walked by a major construction site and asked one of the workers who was hauling cement on his back, “What are you doing here? What’s it look like, I’m carrying cement.” He walked further and asked another, “What are you doing here? We’re building a building.” The man walked further and asked yet another, “What are you doing here? My friend, we are building a Cathedral for God.” What does your attitude tell others what you’re building? Helen Keller said it well, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you can’t see the shadows.”

The Dog who got hit

Years ago an old wise man shared with me a fabulous proverb I have lived by to this day. He told me, "If you throw a rock towards a pack of dogs, the one that yelps is the one that got hit." What he was trying to say is that when someone confronts another about a questionable subject and the person instantly jumps to defend him self, then he usually is guilty. So many people who are 24/7 arguing against every accusation are usually guilty. Those who scream all the time of their innocence are the dog who got hit. If you are not guilty of what you are accused of, why engage in an argument? If that is their opinion, why invest so much energy trying to correct their wrong? Live life like you play chess. If you are attacked, don't invest your energy defending yourself if you are innocent, continue play your game. Stay on the offensive towards your goals and plans to succeed. Now if it is your family that is accusing you, then you have another issue to deal with (smile). That’s for another blog.

I AM ONE

I am only one, but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.
Just because I cannot do everything will not stop me from doing something.
I am only one, but still I am one.
I do not have everything, but still I have something.
Just because I don’t have everything will not stop me from using what I do have.
I am one, but still I am one.
I do not know everything, but I at least know some things.
Just because I don’t know everything will not stop me from learning more.
I am one.

Character does matter

Back in the early 1990's when Bill Clinton was running for president, many of the "left wing" media covered for Clinton's exposure with his sexual expiates by suggesting “Character doesn’t matter” with regard to leadership. News organizations like CNN, NBC, CBS and the New York Times all reported the same mantra; “Character doesn’t matter.” After eight years of Clinton’s administration, being impeached for lying and a host of other “character” flaws, the media still turned their heads. However, after Clinton left office, the nation was slammed with one corruption after another from Wall Street and Corporate executives that to this day our nation is still suffering. Now in 2009 with over $10 Trillion in debt and twice that lost in scandals, corruption and fraud who would dare recant the mantra, “Character doesn’t matter?” Let me ask you, who would you rather stay and watch your 3 year old little girl, a man with no character, or a man with impeccable character? Yeah, I thought you’d say “Character DOES matter.”

Is this a Get Rich Quick Scheme?

I’ve had so many people through the years to ask or scoff, “Is this a get rich quick scheme?” What they are doing is simply reciting a mantra from skeptics and doubters about the possibility of economic success in their life time. Some attempt to ask, “Is this a non conventional way of becoming wealthy? Others are more pessimistic in asking, “Does your system or business plan require me to get off my couch and actually do something about my own economic future?” I used to answer by saying that it was not a get rich quick scheme and then try and explain the details of the business opportunity. However, I don’t do that anymore. For those who ask me, “Is this a get rich quick scheme?” I answer, “You better hope so, because you don’t have the time to get rich slow and long.” Truth is, you only have a few decades to become “rich.” And if you go the route that the “conventional” nay-Sayers propose, you’ll be working, still punching a clock at age 70.

How much is $1 Trillion?

If you started a business at the birth of Christ and you stayed open 365 days out of the year and you LOST $1 Million dollars EACH DAY until right NOW; you could stay in business another 700 years before you lost your FIRST $1 Trillion dollars. Just this year, our government has printed, spent and allocated through legislation nearly $3 Trillion setting our National Debt to over $10 Trillion dollars. WOW, that’s a LOT of broke, busted and disgusted couples, children and grand children (Hag 1:1-9).

Techniques to Win Economically #3

Efficiency The first thing everyone must do in slow down times is become more efficient with their time and money. Years ago, a man came to me for counsel. His wife was a Nurse Practitioner which made about $80,000 a year. After ten years of marriage and then having a baby, she chose to stay home. His income was about $30,000 a year. To say the least, their income was slashed to a fourth and their debt went through the roof. With tears, he asked, “What do I do?” I said, You either triple your income or you lower your expenditures to meet your present income. No more eating out, twenty get a way weekends, or buying stuff because they’re cute. In these times, people should sell their late model car that has a high monthly payment and buy a used car for a cash price. Shut the cable off, no more buying anything except living expenses and stop eating out. There are a dozen ways for you to become more efficient and frugal with your money.

Techniques to Win Economocally

2. Multiple Streams of Income

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to add things up in an 8.6% unemployment rate in America with prospects of that reaching 15%. Today, no one has a secure job. The “One Income Source” job is MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction). Today, you need to have multiple sources of income. Do a quick Google search and find out that the wave of the future financial success will be from entrepreneurs, Home Based Businesses (HBB) and Multi-level Marketing (MLM) businesses. It is easy to get involved in a HBB or MLM enterprise today with little to no money out of pocket to start. Through entrepreneurial thinking, you can sell your talents, skills or knowledge to others by helping them succeed. For example, I put up $500 for a friend to remodel a boat which he did and then put it on eBay and we split the profit where I almost doubled my money. Another example, my son used his and my building knowledge to start a Home Inspection business that he inspects a house to two a month. You can learn to use eBay or Craig’s List to buy and sell items and make $100’s a month.

3 Techniques to Win Economically

Today’s economy is in a mess. While some are not worried, others are being put out on the streets. While I do not advocate “mere survival,” there are techniques that you can use to ensure you will not end up on the bottom in this down turn economy. Here are just a few of the most proven ways to keep making money, no matter what state the economy is in.
1. Leverage Debt

The proper use of debt is one of the best ways to avoiding being sunk in this economic storm. Regardless of today’s financial failures, if you are making money from several different avenues, you’ll stay off the bottom if not climb to the top. If you’re simply relying on only one paycheck, you’re at a much greater risk of losing everything if something should go wrong. You say, Tim, what do you mean? Let me use a couple examples: 1) Mortgage – You own a house and pay the mortgage. Can you rent out a room for $400 a month? Or convert your garage into an efficiency to rent out. You therefore used your mortgage to earn you an extra $400-500 a month. 2) Buy a used car at a bargain price, drive it a year and sell it for the same price you paid for it. You therefore used your car loan to drive FREE.

to be continued ...

A walk across the street

Years ago, I was having lunch with a well known named pastor who I was contiplating doing a short business transaction with. As we sat at lunch doing some small talk and trying to get to know one another, he began asking me what I believed and if I still held to the Biblical tenants that I have for a few decades. I laughed at him and said, "Funny how so many of you guys in your club think that those outside of your club are a wrong." I then asked him, What are you so afraid of that is outside your club? I then proceeded to explain to him that if he just had enough nerve to step out from behind his closed world, and walk across the street, he'd see that there is a whole big world out there. I then challenged him that if he would dare leave his comfort zone and walk across the street, he'd never come back. My argument to him is what I propose to you; namely to step out from behind your closed fearful world you've created to keep you safe. True, some things we need to keep safe. But to spend 10, 20, 30 or 40 years in the same mind, knowledge and paradigm is not safe, it's stagnant. Like this pastor, many in the Christian world and even in the secular world have locked themselves in a 4x4 room of repeatable quotes and secure excuses. This is not safe at all, its merely maintaining the status quo. Break out of your narrow self for once and open your ears long enough to see and hear something you've never heard or see before. Perhaps if you do, you might see or hear something new that could change your life for good forever. Thank God the woman at the well walked across the street and talked with a person she was told her whole life she should never talk to. It changed her life forever.

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE

Satellite Radio took five years to come together and another five years to market it. Then Apple created the “i-pod” and Satellite Radio virtually died. XM radio & Sirius Radio merged just to try to survive. Sirius Radio stock was at it’s high of around $68 a share and in one year after Apple released their “i-pod” Sirius Radio stock was at $2 a share. Listen, change is inevitable and we must commit to always be growing and adapting so that change will not distroy us.

Can you hear me now?

“Can you hear me now?” He appears in another secluded place and asks again, “Can you hear me now?” Paul Marcar (actor) who plays the “Can you hear me now” Verizon guy brought a visual image of cell phone use to a whole new level. If anyone who has ever used a cell phone for very long identified BIG time with the Verizon Wireless Company’s commercial.
The same could be commercial-ed to the church. Every week I feel like walking around the church and ask, “Can you hear me now?” 2009 is a VERY different world than 30, 40 years ago with regard to the church and preaching. With the cacophony of noise competing for the attention of every person, young or old alike these days, every pastor has a Mt Everest to climb every Sunday. Let me ask you, “Can you hear me now?” I know that everything from family, friends, work responsibilities, neighbors, TV, temptation, frustrations, regrets, and an over whelming bur roughs of mess is competing for everyone’s attention. And one hour a week is supposed to suffice to hear a clear voice of God? I don’t think so. So what is the answer? First, “Can you hear me now?” Every morning purpose yourself to HEAR God beyond every noise that competes for your attention. Before walking out of your house have a season of prayer and devotion that will clear your head for God to maintain your attention. Prepare yourself in advance to hear a voice of God on Sunday and Wednesday. Go early and take 5 minutes to ask God to speak to you. “Can you hear me now?”

Distraction, #1 tool of Satan in 2009

January 1, 2009 in my morning devotions, I heard God say to me, "Distraction is going to be the primary tool the devil will use in 2009." Distraction as in anything that will divert your attention away from your primary goals or objectives. Attempting to turn you away from the very thing you are passionate about or that you are called to accomplish. Jesus was distracted by the devil in the garden while fasting and praying for his launch of his ministry. Satan was trying to distract Jesus from his primary purpose; obtain the anointing to begin his ultimate ministry on earth. When Satan tried to "distract" Jesus through temptation, Jesus said, "Get behind me Satan." This is simplicity was saying, "Satan, get out of my face." We must get every distraction, that is temptation, troubles or problems away from our attention. Turn it off, shut it down or rebuke whatever it is trying to make you loose your concentration.

WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” (Edmund Burke). So much of the history of the struggle between good and evil can be explained by Edmund Burke's observation. Time and again those who profess to be good seem to clearly outnumber those who are evil, yet those who are evil seem to prevail far too often. Seldom is it the numbers that determine the outcome, but whether those who claim to be good men are willing to stand up and fight for what they know to be right. There are numerous examples of this sad and awful scenario being played out over and over again in the scriptures.When good men do nothing, they get nothing good done. To be good, one must do good. The Lord commands his people to do good (Luke 6:35; Eph. 2:10). Christ "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us unto himself to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). In the parable of the talents, Jesus described a man who did nothing. When he received his Lord's money, he "went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money" (Matt. 25:18). When his Lord returned, he returned to the Lord just what he had been given (Matt. 25:25). Notice, the servant did not do any outright evil, such as stealing the money, but then neither did he do anything good. He did nothing and accomplished nothing. Jesus said he was a "wicked and slothful servant" (Matt. 25:26). Jesus rebuked the church at Laodicea for doing nothing. "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:15-17). Too many Christians and too many churches are doing way too little. They are standing idly by, they mere spectators. They sit on the sidelines instead of actively participating and working for the good. However if good wins they join in the celebration though they did nothing to produce the victory. If evil wins, they will complain long and loud though their own apathy helped produce the undesirable result. When Jesus found a fig tree with "nothing thereon, but leaves only" He cursed the tree and "the fig tree withered away" (Matt. 21:19). What will He do with those who claim to be good and yet who do nothing? God knows that Pastors today desperately need Men and Women who will roll up their sleeves and go to work in the vineyard. Jesus said the most important prayer we can pray as leaders is "Lord send laborers in the field to help us work" (Luke 10:2).

Taking the Plunge

There I was at age 13 on Sue Creek Ave in Baltimore, MD trying to learn to swim off my neighbor's peer. Scared to "take the dive" or even jump off the doc. And all of a sudden, one day while running out to the front of the doc to climb down the ladder to take a swim, my foot found the "shorted" plank on the doc and over I went. Bam, a head dive into the water. Of course, it was only about 3 feet deep. Wow, I didn't die! was my thoughts. So I walked out of the water onto the shore and ran down the end of the peer and jumped in, no, dived in. Wow, look at me now. Who would have ever thought that in just a few decades an unknown, small quiet boy excited to be alive would be sitting here "blogging" to the whole world? I've taken the dive. Look at this place! Millions of millions of people from all around the world, sitting at their computers talking with people they can't even understand their language. Cultures from high rise metropolis to back woods villages. Sharing their heart, their thoughts and their expertise. OK, here we go. I'm running down the peer ... jump. OK, it's not that big of a deal I know. But the story was fun. Now the real key is to do this every day or at least every week.



Dr Tim