The Prevailing Word

Time To Shine Church!

Jesse Roland — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:33:01 +0000

Great article and a Word to the church from Heaven!

Merry Christmas

Jesse Roland — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:01:22 +0000

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:1-20

It’s true…

Jesse Roland — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:52:57 +0000

Read this – Gingrich: Ron Paul’s base is “people who want to legalize drugs”

It’s true. His base is largely college-age libertarians and that is exactly what they believe. Prostitution too!

The “I” of the Storm

Jesse Roland — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:24:39 +0000

Read Matt. 14:22-36. When Jesus directed His disciples to cross to the other side, He sent them right into a storm. Why would He do that? Was He displeased with them? Why would Jesus do this particularly after such an eventful day in His ministry?

I believe there was a lesson to be learned and they would only learn it this way. Consider that they had been witnesses that very day of one of the most profound miracles of Christ’s ministry. He had fed thousands with five loaves and three fishes. I am sure they were on the “mountain top” spiritually speaking. What a Savior He was! Yet, He needed them to understand even more about their lives as they followed Him. They had to come to a place in their life where they knew Him not only as the Supplier but as the Faithful One. Even in storms.

It is easy to see Jesus when the going is good or we are in a church service. It is not so easy to see Him in the night with storm winds blowing. We are told that the disciples feared and anyone would have in that scenario. When circumstances beyond our control come upon us and our emotions begin to stir and threaten to become just as uncontrollable we can identify with them.

The problem is that we often we see ghosts in our storms instead of Jesus. We see what is not real. We fear and fret over what could happen. We are like the woman whose frustrated husband asked why she worried herself sick all the time. Her response was that worry works because 90% of what she worried about didn’t happen.

Fear has torment the Bible tells us. It will harm us on many levels. It will even choke out the Word. Fear is a destructive force that can ruin or paralyze lives.

The answer is to cope with fear. The bravest hero is not the one in the crowd who had no fear. He was the one who acted in spite of it. We Christians must take our fear and deal with it by “casting our cares” on the Lord. He is able to take them from us if we will give them to Him. A man was once a terrible worrier. It had caused him ulcers and other stress related problems. Then there was a very noticeable change in him. His health and countenance improved. A friend asked him what the difference was. “I hired a professional worrier. If there is something that causes me to start worrying I immediately take it to him.” His friend asked, “How much does that cost?” $100,000,” he replied. “How can you afford that?” his friend queried. “I let him worry about it,” was his response. You and I have something much better. We have a Savior that we can take our troubles to and He will give us peace that passes all understanding.

Jesus can be trusted. 365 times in Scripture the phrase “fear not” is used in some form. When we learn to trust Jesus fear will lose it’s power. He is faithful and will never leave us. Once I went fishing in a small jonboat with only a trolling motor. The fishing was so good I lost track of how far I had gone out on Lake George (the second largest lake in Florida). The winds started picking up and suddenly I found myself blown into the cattail covered bank of that massive lake too far from the landing. The waves seemed like they were ocean waves. I cried out to God to calm the wind and the waves. I became frustrated and even angry that God wouldn’t help me. Then I heard the still small voice of God. “The storm in you is the one I worry about more than the one around you. I want to calm that one because it will help you in your life in a major way in days to come.” What peace came! Although I had to get out of my boat in the alligator and snake infested water and pull my boat back in waist deep water I had the amazing peace and the joy of the Lord. I learned a powerful lesson that day… in a storm.

When the storm comes upon us simply find Jesus. Notice that He said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” In the midst of any hurricane you will find in the center a place of perfect peace. It is right in the middle. It’s called the “eye” of the storm. Jesus is the “I” of your storm. Get to Him and although the storm may be raging all around, in the arms of Jesus there is peace and safety.

Stay Sharp

Jesse Roland — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:22:52 +0000

In the book, Tony Evans Speaks Out On Fasting, he tells the story of a young lumberjack who challenges an older, more experienced lumberjack to a contest. The younger fellow was confident and sure that he could cut down more trees that anyone. The contest began early one morning. The younger cut down tree after tree believing his strength and stamina would be too much for the older fellow. He was even more convinced he would win because he kept seeing the old lumberjack take breaks. At the end of the day, after the trees had been tallied for each man, the result was that the older had cut down one third more than the younger lumberjack. Shocked, he went to the older man to find out how he had beaten him. “Son, what you don’t understand is that every time I sat down for what you call a break, I was sharpening my axe. A well-sharpened axe makes for a lot less work, so trees fall faster.”

Ecclesiastes 10:10 tells us, “If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.” There is no wiser course than to make sure that you take time to “sharpen your edge.” Whether it is in your marriage or ministry, you need to keep your spiritual edge keen. The reality is that “the flesh” will only get you so far in life. You can work harder and get much done but it will fall short and even fail much of the time. We need to work wiser or spiritually. This is when we “walk in the Spirit” and put no “confidence in the flesh.”

Take time to sharpen your axe daily and frequently. I believe this means that we must take “holy pauses” and spend time in God’s presence. It is “prayer closet time” that will sharpen your spiritual man and enable you to live supernaturally. Intimacy with the Father will cause you to rise up to a new level of wisdom. Living from Divine Wisdom instead of “hard work” will be liberating and productive in a way that you never could expect otherwise. This is living out of the “secret place” and when you do you will live life “under His shadow.” Living under the shadow of the Almighty is living wise!

So, take time to stop what you are doing. Get into your prayer closet (wherever you can be alone with God) and drink deeply of His love and grace. Do this as often as you can and when you feel the dullness coming on. Stay sharp!

Praying With The Spirit

Jesse Roland — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:21:21 +0000

Grace and peace be unto you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Last week we discussed what Jesus is doing presently. He is interceding (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 2:17; 7:24-25). We have been given the privilege and the responsibility of joining Him as fellow workers in His present day work (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:5-6).

Now let me ask, what is the Holy Spirit doing right now? He is interceding (Rom. 8:26-27). In addition, He comes alongside and empowers God’s people to intercede. We can say it this way: Jesus is our enthroned Prayer Partner and the Spirit is our indwelling Prayer Partner. If the praying of believers is one of the chief ways that God accomplishes His purposes, then the indwelling Spirit surely wants to make your intercession powerful and effective in advancing His Kingdom.

The Spirit will make it a priority in your life to enable and transform your prayer life. He will call you to prayer… increase your desire to pray… bring needs and crisis moments to your attention… put prayer burdens upon you… add depth and power to your praying… join you to others in the worldwide prayer movement… reveal key requests and decrees… and so much more. He will lead and guide us into a dynamic ministry of intercession.

So much depends on our praying. This lost and dying world needs God’s people to stand in the gap for them desperately. Join with your divine Prayer Partners and let’s go forward together into all that God has prepared for us! As we join with the growing numbers of faith-filled, anointed intercessors from all over the earth, we will surely see the greatest outpouring of revival, refreshing and renewal the world has ever seen!

A Novel Idea

Jesse Roland — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:02:22 +0000

Read: Bishop Paul Morton’s Message to Eddie Long: Repent and Apologize, Christian News

What a thought! Apologize… even repent? It will not happen (too much money riding on it) but it would be a nice change in how Hollywood/Celebrity/Churchianity operates today.

The Texas vs. California Example

Jesse Roland — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:44:49 +0000

Read> RealClearPolitics – The Texas vs. California Example

Terrific article. A must read.

What A Sordid Mess

Jesse Roland — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:08:15 +0000

Read:Report: Anthony Weiner coached woman to lie – Jennifer Epstein – POLITICO.com

How can he not resign immediately? This tells us his ego is only eclipsed by his immaturity. Who would want him to be their Congressman? What kind of judgement would he have?

8 Facts You Should Know About Wisdom

Jesse Roland — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:55:39 +0000

This is from the Mike Murdoch book “The Assignment.” I hope it helps you like it did me.

Wisdom Is The Most Important Thing On Earth. “Wisdom is the principal thing;” (7).
You Must Pursue Wisdom. It will not come to you. “Get Wisdom, get understanding:” (5).
Wisdom Can Be Forgotten. You must constantly read and study to keep yourself stirred and reminded. “…forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth” (5).
You Can Know Wisdom And Deliberately Walk Away From It. “Forsake her not,” (6).
Wisdom Will Preserve And Protect You If You Love And Pursue Her. “She shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee” (6).
Wisdom Is The Key To Every Promotion In Your Life. “Exalt her, and she shall promote thee:” (8).
Wisdom Brings You Honor, Credibility And Acceptance By Others. “She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” (8,9).

Bro Jesse