THE ALTAR

I was at a conference with thousands of believers. We entered into the presence of God as His royal priesthood. We praised God without shame and the manifest presence of God honored our praise by coming into our midst to establish His throne in our presence. Psalms 22:3 says, "But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel." This eternal principle operates wherever God's people offer Him the sacrifice of praise. As preist we offered our praise to God and God received our offerings and confirmed His pleasure by coming into our midst to set His throne there and reign in our presence as King of kings.

We had assembled ourselves at the altar of God. Psalms 43:4 "Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy: And on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God." We were standing on the holy hill of God and we had entered His tabernacle. It was a glorious place to bask in the glory of God and receive His presence and all that He was pouring out on us.

We remained in the presence of God until the conference host showed us an excerpt of his movie that was coming out soon after the conference. As the trailer of the movie played I sensed a shift in the atmosphere but I wasn't sure why or what had happened and then as understanding came forth. The manifest presence of God had lifted. The throne of God had moved. We were still in the same physical place but we were not in the same spiritual place. I felt sad and then my sadness turned to offense.

I was offended when the conference preacher stood to preach the Word of God and within the first twenty minutes of his mesage people started to get up and walk out. There were walking out on the Man of God as he stood to give us the Word of God. My offense were with the people. I started to call them immature and selfish. I said to myself and I said to a freind a few days later, "This is what is wrong with the church. Leadership is so selfish and undisciplined. If leaders (It was a leadership conference) are so disrespectful to the Word how can we expect any difference from the people."

Days later Holy Spirit brought my offense forward and said to me, It wasn't the people's fault that they walked out. They left because they had no hunger for my word because they changed altars. They were hungry when they were at my altar, they were hungry when they were expereincing my presence but when the conference shifted the altar shifted. My people were directed from My altar to the altar of the golden calf. They left from worshipping me to being entertained. Whenever my people are gathered at the altar of the golden calf they will never have an appetite for my Word."

I was blown away by this revelation. Whenever God's people gather at His altar not only will we experience His manifest presence but our spirits will hunger and thirst for His rightoeusness revealed in His Word. But when God's people worship at the altar of the golden calf we will not have that hunger (Please read Exodus 32 and pray to Holy Spirit to give you understanding). Holy Spirit began to show me how churches all over this world are gatheirng at the altar of  the golden calf to be entertained. Everything in their service is designed to tickle their flesh and make them feel good about themselves. They may talk about God and pray to God and sing songs about God but the purpose is to give the people what they want.

When Aaron created the golden calf in Exodus 32 the Word says in verse six, "Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings, and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Israel's worship of the golden calf appealed to their flesh. It was a worship of entertainment at the altar of the god that had created for themselves.

The altar that you worship at determines your appetite.

I'm going to continue sharing what Holy Sprit has revealed to me concerning worship and altars in the coming weeks. Today ask Holy Spirit to reveal what altar are you worshipping at.

WHO I AM

I declare and decree blessings to every Father, biological and spiritual. May this poetic offering deposited in me by Holy Spirit bless you and cause you to overcome every plot of the enemy to steal your identity.

WHO I AM

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am constructed uniquely by the hand of God. I am blessed by His word spoken over me before there was me.

I am His image. I am light called out of darkness. I am creation manifesting purpose.

I am man molded from earth. I am vessel of Holy Spirit living because of His breath in me.

I am soul. I am self. I am spirit. I am standing in the earth. I am reigning in my place. I am planted. I am prospering. 

I am master. I am manager. I am man. I am son of God. 

Written by Bernard Boulton 2012. All  rights reserved.  

          

Pastor Bernard Boulton releases second book "DIVINE FAVOR: GOD ACTS FOR YOU WHEN YOUR ENEMIES ACTS AGAINST YOU

Divine Favor: God acts for you when your enemies act against you is a Spirit based real life story that illustrates a principle of Divine Favor. That principle is Divine Favor is God reacting for you when your enemies act against you.

This is a personal story from the life of Pastor Bernard Boulton that chronicles many instances where God showered favor on him as he experienced the hand of his enemies growing up in Cleveland Ohio and in ministry as a preacher and pastor. Divine Favor is a testimony of God's favor being released at pivotal moments in Bernard's life.   

Bernard uses as a backdrop to his story characters from the Scriptures who also experienced God's favor in response to the hand of their enemies. A few are:

Leah, a woman unloved by her husband and favored by God.
Gideon, the poor farmer struggling to etch out a living under the oppression of his enemies raised up by God to be a mighty general.
Job the grieving father who experienced favor when he interceded for his harassers. And many more.

Divine Favor will encourage you to see the favor of God operating in your life because of the presence of your enemies.

This book is available as an ebook at Smashwords. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/167696. Get your copy today for .99.  
   

MOTHER BERNICE LOWE: A PRIMITIVE BAPTIST GIANT NOW RESTING IN THE LORD

Today, Saturday June 9, 2012 in the sanctuary of the Chestnut Ridge Progressive Primitive Baptist Church in Westfield North Carolina an overflow crowd, that filled the sanctuary and spilled out to the foyer, gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Mother Bernice Cox Lowe. Mother Lowe made her transition from earth to glory on Friday June 1, 2012.

Many eulogistic remarks were given by friends and family. The most remarkable eulogistic remarks were delivered by the Elder Doctor Thomas W. Samuels. Samuels is a legendary figure in the Primitive Baptist Church. His life and membership in this denomination spans from birth where he was raised in a Primitive Baptist parsonage in Miami Florida. His pastoral career spanned almost five decades when he retired from the Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist in Charlotte North Carolina after leading the church to construct a multimillion house of worship and center for ministry. Doctor Samuel is currently in his last year of serving as President of the North Carolina/Virginia State Convention after being president for thirty five years.   

Doctor Samuel shared with the congregation his relationship with the members of the Cox family for seventy years. Doctor Samuels shared his familiarity with many members of this family throughout his years. He described Mother Lowe as a faithful member of the church. He enumerated her many sacrifices to attend the meetings of the National Convention, in February and August for many years.

Doctor Samuel talked about Mother Lowe commitment to the North Carolina/Virginia State Convention as an officer in the Women's Congress and a stalwart supporter for the expansion of the state headquarters building in East Spencer North Carolina. Doctor Samuel shared Mother's Lowe partnership in prayer with him that God would show favor to the State Convention and cause the building that was completed in 2006 to come to fruition. And as God heard Jabez so He also heard Thomas Samuel and Bernice Lowe.

Doctor Samuel shared with the congregation that Mother Lowe was a consistent and fiery advocate for the rights of women to have a voice in the Primitive Baptist Church a position that was passed on to her from her mother, the venerable Mother Minerva Cox, another giant in the Primitive Baptist Church.    

Doctor Samuels was eloquent in both his remarks and the reading of poetic verses. He received an ovation at his conclusion.

Other highlights at this four hour long celebration was the eulogistic remarks given by Elder James Strickland. Elder Strickland is currently serving as the pastor of the Kings Mountain View Progressive Primitive Baptist Church in his 55th year, one of the longest serving pastors in one church in the Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Strickland, a member of Chestnut Ridge shared his long time relationship with Mother Lowe and her active participation in the Sandy Ridge Progressive Primitive Baptist Association for many decades.

Two eulogistic messages were delivered by Elder Kenneth Smith, the son in law to Mother Lowe and the pastor of the Holly Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Concord North Carolina and Reverend Nelson Staples III, the pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Beckley West Virginia.

Other persons of note in attendance were Elder Henry Wright, the moderator of the Sandy Ridge Progressive Primitive Baptist Association. Deacon John Jessup, the president of the Sandy Ridge Church School Convention. Mother Wyvette Dillard, the president of the Sandy Ridge Women's Congress. Mother Grace Byers, the president of the North Carolina/Virginia States Women Congress. Sister Lula Brown, president of the North Carolina/Virginia State Church School Convention. Elder Harry Love, the moderator of the Southwestern Primitive Baptist Convention. Elder Doctor Larry Tatum, the president of the National Primitive Baptist Church School Congress and pastor of the New Sardis Primitive Baptist Church in Cleveland Ohio, my home church.

Mother Lowe was the last member of her generation. Her legacy lives on in her children, Lashene Lowe, First Lady Jill Smith and Julia Bratton and her grandchildren.

I celebrate Mother Bernice Lowe for her leadership and for her life. She served well as a Wife, Mother, Educator and believer of the Lord Jesus Christ. When God created man and woman He said to them to fill the earth. That meant that within every human being is the innate ability to announce to the earth that I am here and after we have departed this earth our presence will speak about us in the minds and hearts of those who we have impacted and influenced. Such can be said about Mother Bernice Lowe, she filled the earth with her presence and she testified in her words and works about the One that she lived for.

Doctor Samuels said as he closed his remarks, "It's not goodbye but only goodnight." I agree and concur with those same sentiments. Goodnight Mother Lowe.  

IT'S A NEW DAY

I was awakened at two o' clock this morning. Whenever I'm awaken at this hour it is the Holy Spirit getting me up to pray during the fourth watch of the night, which begins at 3:00 a.m. For years I didn't understand the purpose of getting up to pray at this time and I would protest to the Holy Spirit for awaking me at this hour. But finally illumination came from Chuck Pierce's book God's Unfolding Battle Plan. In this book Chuck teaches on the purpose of the four watches that are revealed in the Scripture and the purpose of each watch.

With understanding I now embrace this call to pray and keep watch in this hour whenever I am led to. It is a sacrifice and it is worth it for what God is calling me to do with Him and what He is doing in me.

As I am ending this watch, it's almost six o'clock, the Holy Spirit wanted me to share with you as you read this that the end of the fourth watch is  a new day. And that where God is calling you, a new day. I know that it doesn't look like it but you've got to see what I am saying with your spiritual eyes. As long as we continue to see with our natural eyes we will never see new days.

The fourth watch which ends at 6:00 a.m. declares that a new day is dawning. This watch is greatly demonstrated in Exodus chapter 14. The children of Israel had left Egypt and Pharaoh was coming to capture them. When they people saw Pharaoh and his great army they became afraid. In this new day God is calling you out of fear. Fear had confined you. It has caused you to stop advancing in what God is calling you to do. This new day is a day where God says be not afraid.

It is a new day because God is speaking to you through the Moses in your life. Moses told the fearful people, "Do not be afraid, Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today." The reason why many of us has missed former new days is because we refused to hear God speak through Moses. Sometimes we can be so concerned about moving that we miss a vital key to movement which is hearing what the Spirit is saying. We can't move until we hear. Today God is giving you ears to hear. And what you hear will cause you to move.

It is a new day because God is separating you by His glory. God separated Israel from Egypt by a cloud. The cloud was the glory of God. What was light to Israel was darkness to Egypt. The glory of God is separating you from those who are your enemies. The glory of God is separating you because God has ordained that you are going forward in your destiny from those who are chasing after to destroy you before you ever realize the full manifestation of your destiny.

It is a new day because God is opening a way for you to go forward. What was once closed (The Red Sea) is being opened by God. And that's why God has been waking you up before 3:00 a.m. He's been calling you to Stand still (watch and pray) and see (Gain a vision or prophetic sight) the salvation (the manifestation of His action on your behalf).

Go forward and witness how God is going to defeat your enemies. There is an open door before you. There is a way before you. I declare that you are going forward. No turning back. It's a new day.

Bernard Boulton's latest book DIVINE FAVOR: GOD ACTS FOR YOU WHEN YOUR ENEMIES ACT AGAINST YOU

Divine Favor was written during a season of transition where I was learning the purpose of past seasons and the significance of present seasons. One day I was reading my favorite psalms, number 23 and when I reached verse five, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.." The Holy Spirit caused me to stop and meditate on this verse. Prior to this day I was very familiar with Psalms 23. It was the first passage in the scripture that I memorized. The congregation of my childhood recited Psalms 23 each Sunday as our responsive reading. But on this particular day I was being lead to consider something that I had never consider about this verse that I had grown up with and could recite without thought.

The Holy Spirit started teaching me from this passage and begin to speak in my spirit about the presence of spiritual enemies in my life. He showed me the times that I had been injured by enemies in ministry and about the times I had encountered attacks that I wasn't sure I would overcome. And the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me that the very people who were used by Satan to do me harm had actually provoked the hand of God in my favor.

From the revelation of Psalms 23:5 I was led throughout the Old Testament to see others who were the candidates of God's favor because of malicious attacks from enemies. David the writer of this Psalms knew the hurt that enemies afflicted on him but the more David faced enemies the more the favor of God was released in his life.

The Holy Spirit gave me this story, which is my second published book, to teach and impart this truth to the Body of Christ. It is the enemy in your life that causes God to react to you with favor. The pages of this book is my personal story written with a backdrop of biblical characters who faced pain, persecutions and problems and saw God move on their behalf. I offer this story to you to encourage and edify you. May this account cause your eyes to be open to see the real blessings of  enemies in your life.

Divine Favor is currently being offered as an ebook at Smashwords, http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/167696  It will later this summer in hard copy. Please go to Smashword and read a free sample of this story. If it blesses you purchase it. The price is .99.
 

NATHAN "NATIONS" ALLEN: KINGDOM POET

I am pleased to introduce to you an anointed poet who ministers with grace and ability. His name is Nathan S. Allen and I had the privilege to listen to his presentation one day last week and the Holy Spirit led me to invite him to share his ministry and experiences as a poet on Bernard's word. This is the first time that I have presented a poet on this site and I know that you will be blessed by his story and his poetic ministry that will offered at the bottom of this page. Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you through Nathan's words.

Nathan S. Allen is a minister, poet, spoken word artist and author of Expressions from A Contrite Heart. Writing from an early age, Nathan has been charged to minister to the body of Christ through the pen. A prophetic scribe through Voices of Christ Literary Ministries International, he ministers especially in the areas of sexual and relational brokenness. His spoken word name is "Nations" and he ministers at various events around the Atlanta area. He also maintains a blog that can be found at http://www.spiritualhardcandy.wordpress.com.

Nathan obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee in the summer of 2000.

1. When did you first know that you were a poet? I knew that I was a poet from an early age because I always had a way with words. Probably came from always having the longest Easter speech out of the kids when I was little. I always won writing contest when I was in them during my grade school years.

2. Do you have any mentors who influenced your art? Theresa Johnson and the VOC ministry are the only real mentors I can think of. This ministry has shown me the real reason the Father has given me the gift of writing. I no longer I try to write from the flesh. I do my best to make sure what I write is under the leading of Yeshua and that my motives for being a poet/spoken word artist is pure.

3. Share with us your first public appearance as a poet? My first appearance as a poet came in a secular club. I read a piece I had written and it was well received. The piece was secular in nature and I had become infatuated with Def Poetry Jam that came on HBO. I wanted to be seen and noticed.

4. What advice do you have for aspiring poets? Aspiring poets should be authentically themselves and not try to mimic anyone else. They should also learn to hear the voice of God and write His words, not theirs. They need to ask themselves if their writing moves people to change or at least challenges them. Is what they're writing increasing heaven or increasing hell?

5. How has the church embraced your gift? For the most part the church has embraced my gift. I have received several invitations to minister in different congregations. My home church loves it when I come to town because I do a piece during Sunday service. I believe that my gift is embraced because I'm ministering through poetry, not entertaining.

6. Do you have any future projects? I am currently working on my first novel and am looking to record a spoken word CD.

Be blessed by this poetic offering from Brother Nathan titled "It's time to move forward."

GRADUATION! IT'S TIME TO MOVE

Today my son, Bernard Quincy Boulton. known as Quincy, graduates from the George Washington High School in Danville Virginia. I've been reflective of Quincy's journey from kindergarten to graduation, since yesterday when I attended the graduation of Dan River High School because three of that class of graduating seniors, Vivica, Mariah, and Antwone, are members of the church that I currently serve as pastor.

As I reflected on my son's graduation today a memory appeared. I saw the first day that I carried Quincy to school. I walked him to his classroom and when I turned to leave he said, "No Daddy don't leave me." He was afraid and my heart was breaking as I assured him that he would be fine and I would be back to pick him up that afternoon. I was an emotional wreck as I walked out of that building crying silently to myself, not wanting anyone to see how affected I was by son's entrance into the school system, change had entered his life and our lives as well. The next year we moved him to another school, after we was so callously treated by the principal of that "Christian School." That School, Abundant Life Christian Academy, wold be Quincy's school for the next year and a half. Me and Vantoria was resolved in getting Quincy a Christian education because we wanted him to shaped by an institution that embraced our Christian beliefs. In Quincy's formative years we wanted him exposed to an environment that supported the manner in which we were raising him. It was difficult because we had very little money, but the sacrifice was worth it.

Along with his attendance in school we also enrolled Quincy in Sylvan to strengthen his reading skills. The closest Sylvan Learning Center was in Burlington North Carolina and twice a week me and Quincy drove to Burlington, an hour's drive from Danville for his studies. Quincy's initial tuition was paid for by his Godmother, Daveida Wallace. Daveida, known as Dee, went home to heaven in January of this year.

In the spring of 2000 the Boulton's moved across the country, twelve hundred miles to serve in another church. Not sure of the Christian schools in that city we decided to enroll Quincy in public school. Our first conflict with his teacher came when she suggested that Quincy stop talking about his father so much because it was making the children who didn't have fathers at home self conscious. For the first time me and Vantoria  had to assume our roles as Quincy's  defenders and advocates. After dealing with us that teacher very quickly backed away from her "Quincy can't talk about his father in class anymore" stance.

After a year in that state Quincy would continue his education in two more public schools system. Because he has had such a love for the Lord and a consecrated walk as a believer he has faced many challenges and persecutions. Many days he would be so tired and discouraged from the price he has paid to walk before his peers as a Christian. But I've taught him that his assignment in every school that he has attended is to love his enemies and pray for them. And to confess his faith and believe God for greater things.

Graduation means, a completion and a move. Today my son completes his primary school education, but he is completing so much more. Today when I watch him walk to receive his diploma, he will do it with confidence. My son is no longer that scared little boy who didn't want me to leave him on that first day, he is a confident young man, confident in God and in himself. Quincy's completion of his public school education is also his completion of a season in his life that has been full of potential. problems, promises and persecutions. At times Quincy has not always liked what he has gone through but he has grown because of it.

The Spirit revealed to me recently that I as ascend in the things of the Spirit so will my son, because of our covenant commitment to one another. Where I go he follows me. As I receive promotion in the Spirit my son will receive promotion in the Spirit.

Because Quincy has completed this season in his life now he can move on to the next season of his life. And he will have many moves because God is the God of movement. God is taking Quincy from glory to glory and from faith to faith. I am excited about my son's future because of his sincere desire to serve God and do his will. And it has been my great privilege in his life to speak into him what God has for him. Just a few days ago Quincy looked at me with a little concern etched in his face and he said, "Dad what if it doesn't happen?" When I looked at him and saw the fear in his face the Spirit released this word from me, "It's going to happen son. What you are desiring is going to happen. God says so." The concern on his face was replaced with resolve.

My son is qualified to move because of what he has completed. I am led to speak to many in the body of Christ this morning. You are qualified to move because you have completed a season in your life. You stayed focused and faithful in the season that you were in. You have endured some hard places and faced some hard situations but you stayed and now God says to you "Graduate." It's your time to move. Move.

         

KINGDOM THINGS ARE TAKING PLACE ON FACEBOOK

I'm always blessed when I read about God kingdom connections that are being made on Face book. Some of the most fruitful kingdom connections that I have made in the last two years have been made on face book. I want to share with you one of those kingdom connections.

It was a Tuesday night in April and I was coming home after teaching at the New Mine Creek Church. On that particular night there was an urgency in spirit to get home get in on a conference call that was being sponsored by the Financial Breakthrough Network, headed by Samonia Whisonant. Teaching on the conference call was Apostle Kevin Ford. His presentation was electric. It really ministered to my spirit and released a fresh rhema word to increase my faith in the area of finances.

Apostle Ford leads a prayer Call on Monday nights for men through his network called Global Men Prayer Network. I've attended every prayer Call but one, since I heard Apostle Ford that Tuesday night in April. Although it's a prayer Call it's more than a prayer Call. It is a time for men to get together and encourage each other. It's a time for men to receive the wisdom of Apostle Ford as he teaches the meditations that the Holy Spirit places on his heart. It's a time for men to connect on the phone from different  places throughout the United States.

A brotherhood is being built through weekly Monday night Call. An international brotherhood is being birthed. Men with the heart of David are connecting across denominational lines, and doctrinal lines and racial lines. We are being unified in the Spirit and I haven't seen this kind of concerted effort reaching out to men since Promise Keepers in the 1990's.

Brother I challenge you to find your way to this gathering tonight. The Prayer Call starts at 9:00 p.m. EST. The call in number is 1-218-895-0196. The access code is 6367729#. This is a safe place and a refuge from the isolation that men sometime find themselves in. I can guarantee you that you will not regret being here. The link for Global Men Prayer Network is http://www.facebook.com/groups/gmpnetwork                

PURE MINISTRY Part 2

2 Corinthian 11:3 "BUT I FEAR, LEST SOMEHOW, AS THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE BY HIS CRAFTINESS, SO YOUR MINDS MAY BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST"

On last week I started a discussion on the topic of pure ministry. I was challenged by the Holy Spirit to examine my own ministry and determine it's purity before God. Of course ministry is the continual act of service to either God or man or both. Ministry is the work that one does because they have knowledge of their spiritual gifts, abilities and assignments that God has given to them to perform.

Pure ministry is ministry done without hidden agendas and ulterior motives. It is being faithful in executing your call with the desire to please God and bless people.

Today as I continue this discussion I want to discuss what defiles pure ministry.

Once a person starts to operate in their gifts which determines the ministry that God has called them to they must always be on guard for Satan. He is our arch enemy and he loves defiling what is pure. 

Paul reveals the strategy of the devil in 2 Corinthian 11:3. Satan uses deception to corrupt pure ministry. Deception is being cheated by believing a false appearance. First Satan works on the vision of the ministry. In the beginning the person is all about God and doing His will. But if a person in ministry is not careful the vision will become more about his will and desires over God's will and desire for that ministry. And that where deception comes in.

If Satan can get you to change the vision of ministry then you will change the voice of ministry. In the beginning it was all about saying what God said. Your motive was representing the Word of God to the world. But now it's more important about what you say and what you think and what you want others to hear.

A deceived ministry is motivated by what Satan has shown it instead of what God has said. Satan deceives through three areas: The lust of the eye (what I see is what I want), the lust of the flesh (what  I want is what I should I get), the pride of life ( I do what I want with what I see and what I can get). Ministry loses purity when it loses God's vision and God's voice. In Revelation 2 the church at Ephesus lost pure ministry when they lost their vision which was to love Jesus first. And Jesus warned them that they were about to lose their voice if they didn't get back their vision. Their voice was their lamp stand which is influence in their community. History records that this church did lose their lamp stand because they lost pure ministry.

Satan loves nothing more than corrupting pure ministry by corrupting the mind of the one who ministers. If Satan can corrupt the mind he can corrupt the the ministry which comes from the mind. It is vitally important to protect your mind because it is the gateway to ministry. Out of the mind comes knowledge, thoughts, creativity, memories and understanding.

Pure ministry comes from the knowledge of God which fills the mind with the thoughts of God. The thoughts of God releases your creativity, which is the fruit of your imagination. The memories of times that you shared with God and which God used you to bless others with your ministry becomes sweet recollections that you can relive over and over again. And you come to understand God's will and purpose for your life.

When the mind is corrupted the knowledge of God is replaced with self knowledge and human knowledge. Thoughts become self centered and egotistical. Your creativity becomes motivated by money and altruistic motives. Your memories become self seeking and distorted and your understanding becomes cloudy.

When Satan gets the mind he gets the ministry. Don't let Satan corrupt your mind. Fill it with the Word of God. Think the thoughts of God which comes out of God's Word. Protect your creativity by recognizing that all your gifts and abilities comes from God to be used for His glory and not your bottom line and reputation. Keep the memories of God's presence in your life and in all things get understanding that comes from knowing God's plan and purpose for your life.

If your ministry is impure repent and ask God to restore you to purity which in Jesus Christ. I believe that the God's people are in a season where God is judging ministry with fire and the only ministries that are pleasing God are those ministry that are pure like gold and silver, and precious stones. Judgment is in the house of God and impure ministries are being exposed and dismantled by the fire of God's judgment (1 Corinthian 3:12-15).  

PURE MINISTRY Part 1

2 Corinthians 11:3 "BUT I FEAR, LEST SOMEHOW, AS THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE BY HIS CRAFTINESS, SO YOUR MINDS MAY BE CORRUPTED FROM THE SIMPLICITY THAT IS IN CHRIST."

I've been teaching at the New Mine Creek Church on finding and maintaining balance between soul, spirit and body (1 Thess 5:23). As I wrote the material that I taught yesterday I was led to the verse from 2 Corinthians that is written as the introduction of this post.

From this one verse the Holy Spirit took me on a journey yesterday that continues to this very minute as I write these words. I was led by the Holy Spirit to examine my ministry and to judge it asking myself if it is pure. And as I judged the ministry which God has given me the Holy Spirit caused me to share with you the same challenge. Is your ministry pure? As I consider the meaning of the word pure I was led to another word that describes pure ministry and that is word is sincere. Sincerity is the ability to be honest and open. A sincere ministry will operate without hidden agendas and ulterior motives.

As I considered pure ministry I looked at the ministries that God has given me. He has called me to be a worshipper and an intercessor. He has given me the ministry of husband and father. he has given me a ministry of pastor, preacher and teacher of His Word. He has given me the ministry of scribe, writing stories, life lessons and teaching material. He has given me a publishing company that published my first novel in 2009 and will be publishing my second book this summer.

As I looked at all of these responsibilities that I operate in according to the gifts and abilities that Abba Father has deposited in me I took a careful look at the purity of the ministry that He has called me to.

I considered a second word that describes purity and that word is faithful. A pure ministry will be faithful to God, and faithful to people. Pure ministry is consistent. It is being devoted to what you have been called to do.

Then I dealt with why is pure ministry so important? The analogy that the Holy Spirit brought to my mind was that of running water washing over and cleansing everything that it touches and flows through. In that same way your ministry is like flowing waters touching and reaching every person who receives it. If the ministry is not pure than what pours out of you affects the person to whom you minister. If what comes out of you and me is contaminated then we contaminate the person that we minister to.

Pure ministry cleanses and purifies the one who receives it. Our ministry is pure because the source of the ministry is Christ and He is pure, without blemishes and spots. As we operate in Him who is pure then what pours out of us will be pure.

David, the second king of Israel had a pure ministry, although he was not perfect. His ministry was pure because he was a God seeker. He was sincere about what he did and he was faithful to the very end. When confronted about his sin he was humble. Not only did David bless his kingdom as he ministered to Israel but he is still blessings today thousands of years after he died.

Seek to be pure in your service to God and man. Be pure in what you do in the service of the Lord. Don't contaminate the gift that God has given you by selfishness and ambition. Let the waters of your gifts flow out of you to bless every person who receives what you give. Be the river that is needed to cleanse the house of God.

The next time I write I am going to show us what defiles pure ministry. God bless you.     

WHAT HAPPENED TO CARLTON PEARSON?

I would like to qualify this post by stating that I am in no way condemning Carlton Pearson or joining the choruses of blogs and news sites that vilify Carlton Pearson. I am writing this post from a deep place in my spirit that is concerned about this man who was such a blessing to me in the past.

I saw Carlton Pearson last night being interviewed by Bishop George Bloomer on the Word Network. Although the context of the interview, if we can really call it that, was interesting my heart was grieving for this man who had, at one point been such a powerful emissary in the Body of Christ but who now has fallen into biblical and theological error.

And so I share with you the question that plagued the heart as I watched this man espousing a teaching that is damnable and tragic. WHAT HAPPENED TO CARLTON PEARSON?

I searched for an answer as I listened to Carlton last night.

First I believe that Carlton has been terribly deceived by the enemy of his soul. Last year I did a series of teachings on the Seven Signs of the End Times that are recorded in the Bible. One of the signs was spoken by Jesus in St Matthew 24: 4-5, "TAKE HEED THAT NO ONE DECEIVES YOU. FOR MANY WILL COME IN MY NAME, SAYING THAT I AM THE CHRIST, AND DECEIVE MANY."

The word deceive means, to be cheated, to be given a false impression, to be caught in a bait, to wander."

The evidence that Carlton is deceived was made stronger, in my opinion when he said to Bishop Bloomer, "I am wandering."

But deception is only the fruit of a more deadly root. The root of deception is boredom. Carlton mentioned that he was in a meeting with men and and possibly women who were leaders in the Church. He said that he was there physically but he was not there mentally and emotionally. He admitted that he had become bored with Church. Then he said that it was during that time that he was looking for another audience. 

Carlton's boredom with church was, I believe, his first step toward deception.

But then something else that he said gave me more of an answer. Bishop Bloomer called Carlton the Nebuchadnezzar of the 21st century and Carlton agreed.  Nebuchadnezzar was a great king, an instrument of God's judgment on God's chosen people but when Nebuchadnezzar became full of pride God judged him and Nebuchadnezzar became insane. I'm not suggesting that Carlton is insane, even though he said so himself, in a joking manner but could it be that pride elevated Carlton until he became so full of fame and fortune and power in the Church that he thought he could introduce a teaching in the Church that would be acceptable because he was Carlton Pearson. Did his own personal pride set him up for his great fall?           

My heart breaks over the decline of this very gifted able man of God. But what should the Church do in response of his heretical stand? We should pray for our brother. We should pray that God opens his eyes to see once again the truth that Carlton lived and preached. It has been in my heart to pray for Carlton for the last two years that he will repent and return to the Church. And I will continue to do so until he returns or until God lifts the burden from my heart.

Would you please join me and pray for the spiritual restoration of Carlton Pearson.

WHEN MEN PRAY

1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."

All of heaven listens when a man pauses to pray. The creation bears witness to this incredible sight as it remembers the first man Adam and his unquenchable thirst for the presence of Elohim. What a sight it was to behold this first human, created in the image of God walking through the Garden in intimate conversation with His maker. The first man shared with his heavenly Father the awesome opportunities that had been given him as the steward over the earth that God had made for him.

In my imagination I perceive that the prayers of the first man was devoid of religion and pretense. It was man communing with God. It was God walking with man. It was relationship. It was love.

When Adam lost it all I believe that the thing that he missed the most was the place of intimacy with God. Hearing the sound of God walking in the Garden. God walking toward him, God walking with Him. God hearing him and He hearing God.

What the First Adam lost the Last Adam restored. The Last Adam, Yeshua restored this privilege of communing with the Father in prayer. The Father that we were cut off from we now can enter into His presence once again. The Father whose Voice we couldn't recognize is now very familiar to us. Now because of this restoration of relationship we can return to the Garden that we lost and we can resume the relationship that was severed.

Brothers we have our place back. We're back in the Garden and the Father is there with us hearing us when we pray and responding to us as He said that He would.

Paul said in 1 Cor 11:7 that man is the glory of God. I believe that the glory on a man is best seen in his prayer life.

I saw this manifestation of glory last night when I joined Apostle Kevin Ford and the men of the Global Men Prayer Network. It was edifying to me and glorifying to God for these men to take dominion over the phone lines and lift their voices in concerted prayer. Apostle Ford taught on the identity of a man and we prayed that God would restore the understanding in men to know and walk in their identity in Christ.

This network is only a few weeks old but I see God using it to release a new season in the Body of Christ. I call every man who seeks a genuine place of fellowship with brothers to become a member of this Network. http://www.facebook.com/groups/gmpnetwork  Join today.

WRITE WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS!

I've been quiet on this blog for a couple of months as I needed to take time off to hear the Holy Spirit speak. During this time His voice has been very active in my life. However when God speaks to me it causes a reaction in the unseen realm that bring demonic attacks upon me. This is the case for those who will hear the Spirit speak. The devil and his kingdom hates the entrance of God's voice and God's word into the earth realm. However I give praise to God that I am becoming a veteran in spiritual warfare and know how to engage enemy and defeat his attempts at victory in my life.

A year ago, after I returned to the United States from Nigeria I received a word from the Lord and the result was months of spiritual attacks as the enemy warred against the manifestation of that Word in my life. So here it is a year later and once again I am engaged in spiritual warfare because of an open door that God has set before me. And as I walked victorious last year I am confident in the Lord that I will prevail again.

One of the avenues that the Holy Spirit is speaking so powerfully in my life is through the Voices of Christ. This apostolic and prophetic group was founded ten years ago by Theresa Harvard Johnson. Theresa is a mighty woman of God who walks in apostolic ministry as a voice/vessel of God. She is a spiritual Mother to those who have been anointed to walk in their scribal purpose of releasing the Word of God in the earth though the gifts that has been deposited in them.

Every day  I visit this group and receive impartation from the teaching that is offered. The Holy Spirit is delivering me from a Gentile mindset regarding my ministry/business as a writer and publisher. My heart is being delivered from the mindsets that I allowed in after the release of my first book in 2009.

As an intercessor my heart is heavy for all the authors and writers and even readers who are conforming to the world regarding its definitions for writing and publishing and even reading and supporting the gifted men and women who drives the atmosphere of this industry through their writing.

The Spirit is saying, Come out from among them and have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness. You seek fame and fortune and the things of the flesh but the Spirit says seek me first. Seek my assignment for your writing. Seek my plans for your publishing endeavors. Seek my power when they call you to compromise your story. My kingdom is not of this world but everything that you need to do my will I have deposited in the earth and I am awaiting to release it to you if you put Me first.

If you hear the voice of God visit this site http://www.voicesofchrist.com  

   

RAIN IS COMING!

Deuteronomy 11:13-14 "And it shall be if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord Your God and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul. Then I will give you RAIN for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine and your oil."

The Holy Spirit says that rain is coming. Abba Father has promised that He will give us rain in the places where we live, love and lead. The Father says that He will give rain on our land. Our land is our work, our wealth, and our ways. The rain that Abba Father sends comes in two stages or in two seasons. It comes as the early rain, this is the rain of the beginning. The early rain causes our seed to began the growth process. It is the rain that begins life. The latter rain is the rain of the end. It is the rain that brings our seed into maturity. It is the rain that causes what has manifested in the earth to reach completion so that what has been planted can now be harvested.

Be not weary as you wait for rain if you have been faithful to do what the Father has instructed you to do. The Father says if you obey Me the rain will come. In what matter has the Father called you into obedience? He has called you to do what many in the Church will not do. He has instructed you to love Him. Loving God is the seed that you plant that releases the promise of rain.

Tomorrow many will gather in houses of worship all this world but many will not love Him in Sunday worship experience. He calls us to love Him by serving Him with all of our heart and soul. To serve Him is to worship Him, to praise Him, to exalt His name in the congregation of the righteous. But many will gather to serve self. They will exalt themselves, exalt their gifts and their performances and put themselves in a exalted place. They will serve self by feeding their desires, their wills and their emotions. They will give Abba nothing because they worship self.

Many will give offerings and some will present tithes, not for Him but for them. They will give not to obey Him but to play a religious form of lottery as they wait for their big payoff.

Hear the voice of Abba who calls you to love Him by obedience and serve him with your heart and soul. By serving him with your soul you make your soul, which is yourself, come down off the throne of your life and submit to the King who waits to bless you with rain. But if you will not love Him and serve Him He will not cause rain to fall on your land.

The dry place that you are in is the result of your own disobedience. The dry land that you continue to plant seed in can live if you will do what Abba Father is calling you to do.

And for you that is waiting for rain, wait on in faith. Don't get weary in your waiting. Rain is coming! Declare that, Rain is coming! Rain is coming! And when the latter rain has completed its purpose  you will bring into your storehouses Grain (the supply for your daily needs). New Wine (the increase that comes from His riches of His glory). And Oil (the anointing for new assignments in new seasons).        

A PLACE IN GOD

There is a place in the presence of God where we are called to dwell. It  is a place free from the distractions, divisions and disturbances of the world. It is a place of peace, purpose and prosperity.

The Holy Spirit is leading you into this place as you focus your hearts and thoughts on Him.

The spirit of this world is the cause of your worry, weariness and warfare. But the Holy Spirit is bringing you into the house of God, His abiding presence and in His presence we drink from the river of His pleasure.

Today hear the voice of the Holy Spirit who says stop being like the Gentiles who run to and from seeking the things of this world, reacting to the things of this world, and being formed by the things of this world. Become a seeker of God and live in His presence all day and seek the fullness of His presence and when you do that you will discover the fullness of His house. And in His house is everything that You need to be abundantly satisfied. (Psalms 36:8-9).

WHITNEY HOUSTON: THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL

I was working at my computer on Saturday night when the news flashed across my web page, Publicist reports that Whitney Houston has died. Disbelieving the report,  I walked to my bedroom to confirm what I had just seen. I turned the television to CNN and they were reporting that Whitney was dead.

I felt shock, and hurt and loss. It was as if a member of my family had died. Me and my wife Vantoria starting talking about Whitney's presence in our lives. We talked about her voice, a unique gift that filled the airwaves during the 80's as Whitney burst on the scene and filled our lives with her music..

I became a fan of Whitney Houston in 1985 when I heard her sing the Greatest Love of All. That particular song holds a special place in my heart., the first time I heard it sang was at the ninth grade promotion ceremony in June 1982 at the Martin Luther King Junior High School in Cleveland Ohio. The young lady that sang The Greatest Love of All at the ceremony had experienced a great loss that very week when her Mother died. I don't remember the girl's name but I can still see her singing with such power as she touched the emotion of every one of her classmates including me. When she reached the end of the song she started to cry and we all cried with her.

A couple of years later I heard Whitney sing The Greatest Love of All and I was a fan from that day on. 

Now when I hear the Greatest Love of All  I will see two faces in my mind and cherish the memory. I'll see the ninth grade classmate who had the courage to sing with a broken heart. And I'll see Whitney Houston, an incredible gift to this generation.

Second opportunities

It is unusual for me to write a blog on a Sunday morning but I was impressed by the Holy Spirit to share this message with you.  Today is the twenty second day of a new year. Are you doing anything different? Are you pursuing your purpose? I hope that every day is a day where you live in the Presence of God demonstrating the power of God as you receive the provisions of God.

I want to encourage you today to be ready for second opportunities that are coming your way in 2012. I believe with all my heart that God is going to present many of His children with second opportunities this year.

A second opportunity is God bringing you the same experience that you missed the last time He presented you with it. And please understand that it is not my intention to cast you into the land of regret where you bemoan past opportunities that you now realize has past you by. I have great news for you, many of those opportunities that you let get away are coming back. You may be asking the question how do I know this?

Because God gave me this message to preach today at the New Mine Creek Church and the Holy Spirit got me up early this morning to write this message to you.

In St Mark chapter six Jesus came to Nazareth a second time. The first time He came to Nazareth is recorded in St Luke chapter four. The good people of Nazareth rejected Jesus the first time. They missed an opportunity of a lifetime, receiving God who came to deliver them from darkness into light.

But two years later Jesus came back. He came to give the town where He had grown up and where many of His family lived a second opportunity to receive Him and see God move in their community. But unfortunately they missed this second opportunity to receive Jesus. In a few months He would be dying on a cross and a few day later He would be resurrected and forty days after that He would ascend to heaven.

Like the people of Nazareth many of us have missed God opportunities in our past but I believe strongly that 2012 is a going to be a year of second opportunities. And I'm not talking about new opportunities I'm talking about missed opportunities. And so be ready to receive what you passed over the last time.

I missed an opportunity some years ago. I missed it because I was distracted when it appeared. I passed it over without praying about it. And when I realized that I missed an opportunity to live a dream I thought that a dream had come to an end but then some years later the opportunity returned for the second time. This time I prayed and I waited on the Holy Spirit to give me instructions and when He led me I grabbed hold to it. Excitement and faith rose up in me when I recognized that God had given me another opportunity. The same thing is going to happen to you in 2012. BELIEVE IT!

Experiencing Success and Sorrow

I know that you have probably been wondering where I've been. It has been a couple of weeks since I have posted a blog but I have been busy and spending time on the release of my book DIVINE FAVOR: GOD ACTS FOR YOU WHILE YOUR ENEMIES ACT AGAINST YOU. It will be released as an ebook in a few weeks. 

I hope that the end of 2011 was a time of joy and celebration for you as you look excitedly to the new year 2012. Me and my family closed the year with an invigorating vacation in central Florida. We spent five days in Orlando Florida and loved every minute of it. The weather was perfect. The resort that we stayed at was beautiful. The restaurants that we ate at where good, even though I didn't get to go to the Crab House that I was trying to find and kept getting caught in traffic! and our visit to the Holy Land Experience on Christmas Eve was great!

If you've never been to the Holy Land Experience I encourage you to go. The Crouches and TBN has done a phenomenal job in creating that park. It has created a desire in me now to visit the Holy Land in Israel and experience the place where our Lord lived.

My son Quincy

Me, Myself and I.

With a new year I have a new mind. I have new plans and new goals. I have new dreams and new projects. I am excited about 2012 and what I will accomplish because God has given me the idea and the grace to perform the idea but in the midst of this new year I have already experienced sorrow. That's part and parcel of this life that we live. Success is inside of me manifesting and sorrow is in me because of devastating losses.

On last Thursday my wife Vantoria received news that her best friend had died. Her nickname was Dee, her name Daveida Wallace. She was the mother of Eric, me and Vantoria's godson, Kayla and David. She fought valiantly with cancer but last week she broke the news to my wife that they had reached the end of the road together. She bid my wife goodbye and went into the hospital the next day. She died two days later.

It has been painful watching my wife deal with the pain from the death of her friend. The two of them had been through a lot together. They had shared many experiences, both good and bad. They were loyal to one another and they were friends to the very end.

Although the two of them lived hundreds apart and they didn't see each other often the distance didn't diminish their relationship. They counted themselves blessed to have known each other and Vantoria will have a great void in her life with her best friend gone.

Dee and her daughter Kayla

Dee and her firstborn Eric 

The day after I received the news about Dee dying I discovered on the Internet that one of my mentors and a giant in the field of preaching died a month ago. The Reverend Freddie L. Brown was one of Cleveland's greatest preachers. He pastored the Mount Gillion Baptist Church for over thirty years. In the National Baptist Convention Reverend Brown was a renown revivalist and one of the most popular preachers in that denomination. He was packed with spiritual power and a dynamo in the pulpit.

For many years Reverend Brown was heard all over Cleveland Ohio and surrounding areas through his radio broadcast heard on Sunday nights from WJMO. As a young preacher I attended Mount Gillion every Sunday night where I sat and learned the fundamentals of soul preaching preaching from Reverend Brown. Before Reverend Brown would preach he would lead the choir in singing "Look where he brought me from." Another song that he would sing during prayer time was  "God will take care of you." Over the weekend as I mourned his passing I can still hear Reverend Brown singing those songs lifting the congregation in the church and over the airwaves to a crescendo of excitement.     

Reverend Brown encouraged young preachers like me. I preached on youth day at Mount Gillion  when I was eighteen years old. It was the largest church that I had preached at up to that point and the experience was a foreshadow of where I was going in ministry. After that service Rev Brown told me to take my time and grow into the calling that God had on my life. That would be the first of many lessons that I would receive from Reverend Brown who opened his pulpit and his heart to developing me as a minister of the gospel.

Because of his openness to young preachers a gang of us assembled at at Mount Gillion. We were in school learning from one of the best.

The last time I saw Reverend Brown was in a November 2006. Reverend Brown had a stroke that summer that left him unable to speak. With no voice one of the greatest preachers in America could no longer do what he had been doing since the 1950's and he stepped away from active ministry. The church had a lengthy celebration as he was retired that November. I went that night to let Reverend Brown know how much he meant to me. The preacher that Friday night was Reverend Jasper Williams from Atlanta. The service was explosive, it took me back to old times, the way church use to be. 

I walked over to Reverend Brown to speak to him and shake his hand. I told him that I would be praying for him and how much he had influenced me to pursue excellence in ministry as he done, to love people and care for their souls, and to be innovative and always seeking God for fresh approaches to ministry. He couldn't reply although he tried to.

So my mind is looking to success and what I need to do to experience success. And my mind is reflecting on these two incredible persons who I had the privilege of knowing. My heart is full of hope for the future and my heart is full of sorrow over the passing of these two very important people that blessed my life with their presence.    

Please enjoy this short excerpt of Reverend Brown's message "The Seven Promises of God."

  

NEED AN EDGE FOR 2012? TRY YOUR FAITH!

I am so excited that we have reached the end of 2011! Like me I'm sure that you've had a year of highs and lows, successes and failures, triumphs and defeats. I appreciate you for being a reader of Bernard's Word. It is a great blessing to have you visit my website and read about the things that concerns me and that I am passionate about.

I give God praise for 2011 and some of the incredible experiences that I had this year. Some of my highlights for 2011 are:

1. In March I visited the beautiful country of Nigeria for eight days preaching and teaching in the southern region of that country.

2. In June me and group of members from the New Mine Creek Church began learning about wealth building and successful strategies about money and finance from one of the greatest financial mentors in the country William V. Thompson, president of Dynamic Financial Training.
     
3. In July I celebrating twenty years of marriage with my beautiful wife Vantoria.

4. In August my son Bernard Quincy entered his senior year in high school.

5. In August I preached at the National Primitive Baptist Convention on the eve of the election that secured  the presidency of Elder Bernard Yates.

6. In September I attended the African American Literary Awards in Harlem New York.

7. In December me and my family had an incredible Christmas vacation in Orlando Florida.

8. In October I connected with a group of writers in the John3:16 Marketing Network for a monthly prayer conference call.  

I hope that 2011 has been an incredible year for you as well. Because they type of year that you had in 2011 should be a springboard for living with a edge in 2012.

A couple of weeks I was surfing through my television and I came across the Sports show First Take. First Take is a sports show that highlights two commentator who debate their opinions about what's happening in the world of athletics. One of the debaters is the straightforward Skip Bayless (I love it when he gives it to Lebron! I can't help it!) . On this particular show the other debater was the fast talking, take no prisoners Stephen A. Smith.  Their topic of conversation was the Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. The comment that struck me was when Skip said that Tim's faith gives him an edge and that was a great part of why he was having a successful year.

I have to admit at this point that I don't watch the NFL. And I knew nothing about Tim Tebow, but Skip's comment caused me to do some reading about this quarterback who was the source of conversation on First Take. And what I learned about Tim had left me amazed once again at how God uses people who are available to Him and makes them a declaration to the world about who He is..

When Tim Tebow walks out on that field to perform as a quarterback he walks believing that God is with him. He believes that as he executes his plays and leads his teammates that the presence of God is surrounding him. And Tim believes that God speaks to him and gives him peace under a tremendous amount of pressure to perform and conform.

Skip said that Tim's faith gives him an edge. In other words Tim has an advantage because of the God that he believes in and what he believes about himself because God is operating in his life. Stephen A. Smith said that Tim's faith was a force, wow! no greater words have ever been spoken about faith. Because that what faith is, it's a force!  

When you live by faith it gives you an edge. I'm not saying that faith makes you better than others but it puts you ahead. Your faith gives you an advantage. If you have faith and operate by faith principles that's put you in the company of champions. Throughout 2011 the Holy Spirit has been saying to me that He's raising up a generation of Davids. David is the spiritual prototype of a people who have a edge because they believe God and they are willing to go into the valley and kill the giants that has created fear among the people of God. When all of Israel cowered before Goliath faith gave David an edge.

2012 is going to be a year of conquering giants because your faith is giving you an edge. Your faith will make you stand out and take hold of the opportunities that others will run from. You are going to do impossible things because you have an edge. You have a confidence that God has spoken to you and that God is with you. The Holy Spirit has set dreams and visions in your heart that you will accomplish because you have an edge.

I see you in 2012 WINNING, GAINING, POSSESSING! Declare to the giants that you have faith, you have an edge!