Using Social Media

Most of you who know me, know that I am a man, passionately attempting to fully serve Jesus with all of my life. What I find interesting, is the voice God has given me being used on Social Media.

Daily, if you turn on your phone or laptop, we are flooded with clever media pieces that endeavor to keep us triggered, in a state of outrage, in many cases, pure political theater. I began to wonder, ‘What is God saying in all this noise?’

So, I decided to do what I knew I should be doing all along, and that is to read through my Bible every year, deliberately seeking to hear what Jesus might be saying to me through it.

As time has come and gone, daily, I post Bible verses from my daily Bible readings using: https://oneyearbibleonline.com/daily-oyb/?version=51&startmmdd=0101

As I post, I try and find a cute or relevant picture, quote, or simple application pic to make life more interesting.

This has become as simple as 1,2,3.

1. Read Daily Bible Reading and post a few verses.
2. Respond to each and every person, requesting prayer
3. Spice it up by adding sarcastic or truthful statements regarding political theater and clear government corruption,
4. To promote the various charitable works in Africa and now, my primary focus, here in America: https://www.chrisaomministries.com/the-bivouac/

We are the Salt of the Earth, Jesus said Matt 5:

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

There was no refrigeration in the years that Jesus walked the earth, so salt was used to preserve meat and fish from rotting. Likewise, I use raw truth and Biblical principals to confront and correct the moral rot of todays society. This spices things up a bit, but hey, that’s what salt is supposed to do, right?

Thank you for following me, I pray for you and your family daily, cause God is love, and He really really loves you. May you walk in the love and power of the Holy Spirit, every day.

Africa Community Development projects – God@Work

Africa update:

Donate on-line: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=95XHSDDXDS7MC

 

As most of you know, my passion is to create programs to support ministries and feed orphans. Obviously, the preference I have is to find people who first host a Bible school, because

Galatians 6:10

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith 

 

I am not merely a community development organization, but actively seek to expand and support the Christian cause and to expand the kingdom of God wherever I can. I cannot be moved solely by human need, but work with Christian organizations that believe the Bible is the Word of God.

 

I am convinced that Bible schools are the most important need in every community, because the Word of God is absolute truth, with the ability to transform lives, and show people how to live. Unless people learn right from wrong behavior, simply feeding or clothing them become enablement, instead of empowerment, and they never learn of Gods design to provide for them, through meaningful work and careful stewardship of our God given gifts and resources.

We teach them how to fish.

 

Having made this premise known. Here are the two projects we are currently working on in the nation of Kenya.

https://www.chrisaomministries.com/2019/06/i-thirst

clean water for 13 villages!

https://www.chrisaomministries.com/2019/07/gardens-of-grace

 

Here is how and why I became involved.

Pastore Evans Mukwa asked me to send him information in 2012 on how to start a Bible school to educate and disciple his leaders in his church, and since then has graduated around 30 students through the IVBI curriculum.

Then, he awoke one morning to discover military at his door with several orphan children they had found in the villages, and asked him if he could take them in. He quickly fed them breakfast, and at church that night announced his new orphan program. He would serve community breakfast at the church, and then asked families to take these children home to sleep at night for the security of the children.

And so it has begun, with 13 children in the communities care initially. We set up an account on Western Union and began to send small amounts of money to help with school fees and the childrens immediate needs. Over time, we we introduced to pastor Victor Otieno Gumba from Nyatike in Migori province, who was also helping widows and orphans.

Pastor Victor ended up with 58 children, and presently helps 98 through his program. I am not sure of his Bible school development, but he has been appoved by Victory to start a school, and curriculum has been sent to him.

 

So many forget that after we receive Jesus, we are left here on earth with a job to do, its called the great commission: https://www.chrisaomministries.com/2016/03/our-mission-the-great-commission

 

The ‘make disciples of all nations’ part is quite the commission!

 

So, I find myself working to do something of eternal value with my life, and in this case, in the nation of Kenya.

 

Update: The well got drilled and we raised funds to purchase a solar powered pumping station. Now we need to construct a wash house, so that people coming from surrounding villages can use the bathroom in a sanitary manner and not pollute the well. Also, since the system is solar powered, it only runs during the day. We need a reservoir that can be filled in daylight hours to provide water after dark. To make a long story short, pastor Victor had a the teens there make mud bricks and get ready to build walls. Yet the cost of the metal roof, reservoir and fixtures is 2300USD. As I discussed this with one of the donors, he agreed to do a matching fund of $1000, so when people donate$1000, we will actually have $2000 towards this project.

Making mud bricks

In Eldoret, we are working on the Gardens of Grace greenhouse project. We paid to have the soil samples done, then sent money donated to pay for soil preparation, site prep and fencing to keep stray livestock  out of the site.

The uncleared land

Clearing the land

New fencing

We still need $4200USD, to construct a small caretakers cottage on site, and purchase the first greenhouse. By faith, God has provided this need, as this project will provide for orphans for life as we manage it well.

 

Of course, please pray for the financial needs of our family. Just working and paying bills has been a grind, and somehow we fell behind on weekly bills, yet our eyes are on Jesus to catch us up. WE have an invitation to fly to Belize to help pioneer another two BIble schools, and of course to preach the gospel and demonstrate Gods power. This requires prayer, faith, time off work here, and around $3000.00. Gods will, Gods bill. https://www.chrisaomministries.com/2019/11/mission-belize

 

With overseas projects, 100% of all donations go to the project minus any international transfer fees. (On smaller amounts Western Union and taxes cost around $20), for amounts over $1000.00, our bank charges $68 for a bank to bank international transfer.)

 

 

 

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Awake to Righteousness!HEAL OUR LAND – USA

Leadership in the River

In God we trust?

I believe the greatest need in the world is seasoned Christian leaders, who honestly care about the people they lead and the impact they have on their communities and society as a whole.

Yet, in many cases there has been a great disconnect between successful business leaders and the local churches they attend. There are legitimate reasons for this in many cases: I have met successful business people that have honestly stated: If I ran my company they way they run this church, I would be bankrupt in 30 days. Business should be win/win the clients receiving great value for the products and services they purchase, the suppliers making a fair profit on their goods and services.

Yet, where does a Christian leader go for help? To the pastor trying to effectively minister to the business community in their area, AND to the business owner honestly determined to make an eternal difference in their calling through their business, this book is written for them.

The author has spent over ten years navigating the jungle of construction contracting victoriously serving Jesus through it all.

The heart of this book came from an encounter the author has with his pastor in 2007. A wealthy businessman had come forward for prayer at a church service at Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklhaoma, led by the legendary Billy joe Daugherty. Billy Joe asked the author to join him in praying for this beleaguered businessman, and he looked the man in the eye and said: Sir, why don’t you join one of our small group Bible studies. The leader looked Billy Joe in the eye and said: ‘Billy Joe, you know I can’t do that. I have money, and every time I give Christians access to my life, they treat me like a walking ATM, constantly looking for me to pay for their latest missions trip or outreach.I’d rather stay home and watch a movie with my family’ I interjected: ‘ Exactly! Seems that about every missionary in town drops by my office when they are in town looking for a donation, it would be good if there was a Bible study where leaders could actually study Gods Word for answers, without getting hit on for money.” Then Billy Joe looked me in the eye and said: ‘That’s a great idea, why don’t you start something’.

 

And so I did. With one of my business partners initially, we began to meet Tuesday mornings from 7:30-8:30AM at the local coffee shop, and since 2008, we have continued to meet. We read the book “The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon’s Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness’ by Stephen K Scott. The gist of the book is this: find a group of 6-10 people who will commit to reading a chapter of Proverbs every day, and putting it into practice in their homes and businesses. Since there are 31 chapters of Proverbs, it puts you through this book every month, and our weekly Bible studies are very simple to calculate. Let say that a particular Tuesday falls on the 15^th of the month, we read Proverbs 15 that morning, each of us reading 2-3 verses, and at the end, each person shares what they got out of that particular reading, or anything else the Lord might put on their heart.

^{Over the past 10 years, we have met weekly with leaders in both business and ministry, and read the Proverb chapter of the day, and deliberately sought God for wisdom. He has answered and given us a portion of His excellence, and we have learned that Holy Spirit led leaders, fully grounded in the Word of God, are the greatest need of this generation.}

^{As I have read these two apparently contradictory commandments from Proverbs, I hope you see this clearly.}

^{Pr 26:4} Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

 

To the business owner with a foolish employee, how are they to respond?

 

Verse 4 says not to respond to their foolishness, yet verse 5 commands that they be answered and corrected, and humbled from their pride.

 

Is this situational ethics?

 

No, this is wisdom in working human relationships in the business world, and requires a walk with God that causes the leader to know exactly what to do in each possibly complex situation.

Over the years, many precious pearls of insight into the Scripture have been given to our group, so I have compiled this rich storehouse of truth into a series of leadership motivational talks, that I’m sure will be of great use to many in the kingdom.

 

https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/09/17/workers-in-the-vineyard-be-led/
https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/09/14/leadership-vs-management/

 

Creation testifies of Creator!

Creation hears her Creator!

Hosea 2:“In that day, I will answer,”
says the Lord.
“I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds….
And the sky will answer the earth with rain.

22
Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries
of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees.
And they in turn will answer,
‘Jezreel’—‘God plants!’

22
Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries
of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees.
And they in turn will answer,
‘Jezreel’—‘God plants!’

22
Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries
of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees.
And they in turn will answer,
‘Jezreel’—‘God plants!

Romans 1: ²⁰ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

 

Hosea 4 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel!
The Lord has brought charges against you, saying:
“There is no faithfulness, no kindness,
no knowledge of God in your land.
² You make vows and break them;
you kill and steal and commit adultery.
There is violence everywhere—
one murder after another.
³ That is why your land is in mourning,
and everyone is wasting away.
Even the wild animals, the birds of the sky,
and the fish of the sea are disappearing.

To Know creation, we must know Creator, and He can only be known through Jesus: https://chrisaomministries.com/2017/02/27/do-you-want-to-go-to-heaven/

 

 

Keep the rod of God’s authority lifted!

As I read this mornings account, I am reminded of our spiritual responsibility as leaders, to exercise God’s authority in the earth, through prayer, in this, our generation:

Ex 17:11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage.

We must submit first to God, and His authority in our lives, then from that position, use spiritual authority to change our generation.

In order to have authority, we must submit to authority, then we can do true eternal damage to darkness:

Clearly, in Jesus, we have authority from heaven to be exercised in the earth. In order for the kingdom to go forward, we must continue to stand for righteousness and holiness, purity and God’s power.

Let’s Pray:

“Father, I stand for my home, my community, my state, and my nation before Your throne, exercising Your authority against principalities and powers, and every demonic power and person serving darkness. I enforce Your kingdom in righeousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and expect Your power to manifest today, destroying wickedness, and prospering Your people, in the name and authority of Jesus, Amen!”

Let God pick your battles:

 

As I read this morning’s Bible reading in One Year Bible, I began to think about broken people trying to leave broken lifestyles. Let’s read it together.
Ex 13:17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

¹⁸ So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.^[a] Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.^[b]

 

We all know the story, 10 plagues, Moses and Pharoah, “Let my people go!”

 

Imagine if you will the mindset of these people. Beaten, broken, enslaved for as long as anyone could remember, suddenly delivered by the hand of God, yet not yet fully trusting God fully yet.

Remember when God called David, and Samuel had a hard time accepting it:

 

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

 

He knows what we are made of, and what it takes to build a strong foundation of faith into our hearts, that one day will allow us to be the warriors, delivers, and victors in life’s battles.

 

If any of you have seen the movie ‘Captain America’ there is a scene where the commanding officer says something like, ‘there is no way we can make a soldier out of him’, then in one of the drills, Cap falls upon a grenade to protect the other guys in his platoon, and the hardened soldier gets some instruction. He had looked at the small stature and fraility of the man, yet his courage in battle revealed his heart.

In this case, God knew the children of Israel were not ready for a battle yet with the Philistines, so He led them on a longer route.

 

Anyone read the Christian classic: ‘Hinds Feet on Hinds Places?”

It is the journey where a fictional character named ‘poor little much afraid’ is transformed through a journey with the Shepherd, to receive her hinds feet to be able to leap around the mountains with a new name: ‘Grace and glory” It’s a great read, but the point that comes to mind is the way that that Shepherd leads her on their journey, the horror of being led directly away from her destination into the desert, instead of up the mountain.

Seems the Shepherd was wiser than her though, because near the end of the book, she discovers the extra miles in the desert had strengthened her to climb the steep dangerous cliffs, and in exhilaration she discovered she had conquered her fears, and was able to leap the tall heights with ease and joy.

 

Over the years, I have worked with broken people, each struggling with some deep dark secret pattern of destructive behavior. Addicts especially come to mind, and how relevant this verse is in their lives. They cannot be around alcohol or drugs of any form for some time, until they become strong, the temptation is too great.

In this Bible reading, the children of Israel were about to come in between a rock and a hard place, with far worse than the Philistines to face, the entire army of Egypt was about to back them up to the Red sea, and you know the rest of the story, God fought for them that day, as a whirlwind, a sea parter, and One who is altogether faithful.

Maybe you are in a fight for your life today. Literally, or spiritually, it doesn’t matter.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  (ASV)

¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

Jesus is the way, and also the waymaker. He will provide, He will deliver, He will lead you away from battles you are not yet qualified to fight. He knows, He cares, He loves.

Let’s Pray:

“Father, I need you to lead and guide me today. Show me Your will and Your way. Deliver me from the brutal circumstances that seek to destroy me, and show me the straight and narrow way Jesus promised is available to me. Amen”

Miracles and Judgement!

Miracles and Judgement

Let’s read these words of Jesus together today:

Matt 11:²⁰ Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

God is love! God is good! God loves to mighty miracles of healing, deliverance, and prosperity. Yet, authentic miracles, demand a response. When someone critically ill is healed by the power of God, God expects people to turn to Him in thanksgiving and praise.

Remember the ten lepers healed, only one came back to say thank you?
Luke 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

Notice how Matt 11 continues:

²² But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. ²³ And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

God does signs, wonders, and miracles still today. We must respond in thanks, praise, and give honest testimony of His power.

The welfare of our city may well depend upon it!

Let’s Pray:
‘Father God, release signs, wonders, and miracles, here, in my life, my city, my nation! Reveal your love, power, and glory! Father I pray that as you do, we continue in childlike awe, humility, and thankfulness, never losing our sense of awe and gratefulness, for who you are and what you do. May each of us who receive from you today, be faithful to testify of your goodness and grace, in your name we pray Lord Jesus , Amen!’

Got Storms? – Look Up! He is Walking towards you!

Live and love again

Read this verse, and thought about you my friend:

Matt 14: 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

We are like these disciples sometimes: when we find ourselves in trouble, and cry out to God, and He actually shows up in power, many of us get scared of the very one who has come to deliver us.

It has been said: If you live in a graveyard too long you stop crying when someone dies.

I remember after the death of a family member, how I hurt. I had spent months, perhaps years in fervent prayer for their healing, but they died anyway. Inside my heart, I simply gave up. I attended one of myriad conferences down at what was then known as ‘The Toronto Blessing’, and like many times, went for prayer and ended up knocked down on the carpet, as several pastors gently laid hands upon me and were praying in the Holy Spirit. I whispered to the Lord, ‘Lord, I hurt…My heart feels like a stone inside of me” Suddenly, in a vision, Jesus was kneeling beside the pastors that were praying for me looking at me with deep, intense, love. I asked Him, Lord, “Why will you not heal my heart?”

Suddenly His countenance changed, and He was angry, and He said: ‘Because you will not let me!”, and I suddenly saw it. I had walled Him, and everyone else out of my heart, a prisoner of my own pain. It hurt too much.

Yet He knew! He cared, and like a dam breaking, I began to shake and sob and say, ‘Lord, I’m sorry, it hurts”, and like a rush, His power shattered the dam, and I wept until I could weep no more. Felt like pus being drained from a wound, but the pressure, the pain, was gone. My grief, sorrow, heartache, and ‘clinical hardness’ of heart were washed away. It was such a deep experience, that I went home after the meeting, and slept 12 hours.

Yet, the burden was lifted, I was free to love, to live again!

Maybe you are right there. Something horrible happened in life, and perhaps for years, you compartmentalized God, keeping Him out of the most painful areas of your life, because it simply hurts too much.

He is coming to you, over the wind and the waves….

‘Jesus, do for them, what you did for me. Give them the courage to receive your love, your touch, your savage inbreaking of your love. Take out the bitterness, the hardness, the trauma, and break down the walls so that we can live and love again, Amen’

Just Saying…

Just Sayin…

Read this verse, and I see it happen in people’s lives daily:

Job 19:2 How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?

Ever been around people that knowingly or unknowingly attempt to destroy your faith? You are carefully learning to use your words with caution, praying, trusting and believing God with ever fibre of your being in your hour of test, and then you discover people who speak, mockingly or contrary to the very thing you are believing for! That’s why the Bible says to in Pr 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

God knows, God cares, and: 1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Let’s pray:
‘Father, we wrestle not against flesh and blood…Help me to not not compromise what I have believed you for, before people, because of people. Help me to guard my heart against negative reports, words, and people, and to love them, no matter what they do. In your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!’

Speak to Your Mountain!

Mountain Moving Faith!

Mark 11:22-25

King James Version (KJV)

22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Zechariah 4:6-7

King James Version (KJV)

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

Funny how the whole counsel of God comes together! In yesterday’s Bible reading, we read of a prophetic declaration to Zerubbabel, talking about how mountains move when we shout to it!

What do we shout?

Grace!

Not some kind of sloppy agape, limp wristed kind of greasy grace, but the manifest power of God in the earth.

Jesus told us to speak our faith, to speak to mountains, so let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Let’s do it!

“Father, you see the adversities I face. Now, I take my place in Jesus, and I speak to poverty, debt, lack, sickness, fear, depression, oppression, and every curse, snare, or hindering or soulical prayer prayed against me, now, and command these things MOVE! In the name and authority of Jesus, Amen.”