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).