Drum the Message Home

' But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.' 1 John 4:3 (NLT)   The war between heaven and hell is real. Adam and Eve lived with God in Paradise. The devil is in the details. He is here.  Where he tries to take me is nothing short of hell. He will not acknowledge the truth and tries to suppress it for his own gain. He is not from God for he exhibits the spirit of fear, envy and jealousy. He is deceptive and He is evil. He is darkness and there is nothing good in him. The spirit of the Antichrist is out to kill, steal and destroy. He is headed to hell for eternity and would like to take as many of us with him as possible. Therein lies the rub. Listen and do what my flesh tells me to do, for a moment of pleasure. Listen and do what the Spirit tells me to do for a moment of denial to my f

'Oh, the joys of those who do not      follow the advice of the wicked,      or stand around with sinners,      or join in with mockers.     But they delight in the law of the Lord ,      meditating on it day and night.     They are like trees planted along the riverbank,      bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither,      and they prosper in all they do.     But not the wicked!      They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.     They will be condemned at the time of judgment.      Sinners will have no place among the godly.     For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,      but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1 (NLT) It's only just the beginning. And, so it begins. This is how it begins. A Word. A phrase. An early morning wake up call. The unveiling. We are being called to it!  The invitation is--to be a writer! Who knew? Right?  Have you been given your 2020 assignments yet? If not, they are on the way.

' And again their voices rang out:       “Praise the Lord !        The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever!”   Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, “Amen! Praise the Lord !”   And from the throne came a voice that said,      “Praise our God,        all his servants,     all who fear him,        from the least to the greatest.”   Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:      “Praise the Lord !        For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.' Revelation 19:3-6 (NLT) Sitting behind the drum set at church one Sunday I was encouraged by the number of people that were joining in to sing during the praise and worship part of the service. The worshipers. Every week. And again their voices rang out! Praise the Lord!' Their voices sounded like a loud crash of thunder. T

' So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.' Ephesians 4:25 (NLT) I am beginning to see cracks in the armor of this wicked culture. I am beginning to get tired of the lies. Can't you feel it too? So many people in this culture are beginning to get bored with the media and the academy and big business and big pharma and religion and the government officials that are pushing so hard to support that which we know is not true. Why are they all lying to us? Many of us in this culture are beginning to see where those that set out to deceive and are the liar-pushers of the day are trying to take us. The lie. It sounds so good at first. A little lie. A bit of truth perhaps. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably isn't!  It's not that easy to live in a culture that is all about deception. No one likes to be deceived. You can't build a culture on a foundation of lies. Lies take us down the road that no

' “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?   Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!   So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.' Matthew 7:9-11 (NLT) Father. We appreciate You. My own parents never cease to amaze me by the extremely generous gifts that they give, but You, God, are the best gift giver. Father, we adore You. You give good gifts to those who ask. You keep us amazed by just how generous You are. Prayer is the way that you have established for us to obtain what we need. So, pray. Pray often, as according to frequencies such as eating and breathing. Pray seriously, as according to all things that have got your full attention. Pray big prayers, as according to the size of the need. Pray bold prayers, as one that would have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Pray earnestly, a

' So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.   The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.   But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.' Galatians 5:16-18 (NLT) Stay on the right path. Walk with the Spirit. Stay on the Spirit path or the Spirit sidewalk, so to speak. As long as we breathe we live in the flesh, but through the Holy Spirit we are encouraged to deny those sinful cravings that the flesh brings. Spirit vs flesh living is in opposition to one another. The flesh keeps us in bondage and under obligation to the laws of Moses.   So then, when I follow the desires of my sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexu

' For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.' 2 Cohians 5:21 (NLT) And today is such a great day! Christmas Day! The best day of gift giving. The day that we Love! The Spirit is upon us!  And then there is tomorrow. The day that we hate. The day of long lines and the not so great day that gift exchanges begin. The day we exchange the not quite so perfect gift for something else. If you got something that doesn't fit, and you don't get the spiritual connection to this most natural of occurrences, then, please don't miss this. No one is perfect except the Perfect One. His name is Jesus. Know that Jesus was born for a reason. He is the reason for this season. He fits perfectly. This season of giving is tied to the fact that God is the best gift giver ever. He gave us His very own Son. Isaiah declares that the Government will be on His shoulders!  God knows us all so well and He kn

' Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”' Luke 6:38 (NLT) What shall I give? 'Tis the season. If I have a giving spirit I will reap the benefits. God has made me a promise in this. Sowing and reaping. Sewing and reaping. Needle and yarn in my hands all month long and I am blessed beyond measure. Bet I will receive something to keep me warm in return. Don't you just love all the mystery and the secrecy during this season of giving? Stingy old Scrooge. You have chosen the measure. Yours will be that of lack. A piece of coal perhaps. Hands clutched tightly. Nothing much to give for your heart has turned cold. Nothing much to receive. It hasn't always been this way. For, the Word says, we shall know them by their fruit. The seeds that I plant will result in a harvest of like-k

' Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”' John 13:7 (NLT) He called that one right. He always does. And yet, at times when I read what He has done for me to set the example, it just seems to make no sense. To the senses , His Love, on display for the whole world to see, is magnificent, is unimaginably complex and yet to the heart it is purely simple.  This one act I am to do is like that. Foot washing. It's not that hard to see why that act of foot washing would be necessary. Right? I get it. He did it. I am to obey. But. Sin is so filthy. We can get ourselves into the darkest and strongest of smelly type worldly messes. What He has said and what He has done were all part of His plan and had a heavenly purpose.  Magnificent splendor awaits me in the after. Back to reality in the present. How might I, the worshiper, humble myself enough to bend the knee to my neighbor? That requires a huge change in my prideful heart. That requir

' Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.' 2 Timothy 4:18 (NLT) It's not, 'I might', or 'if I could I would' or even 'I should', but no, Paul says that the Lord WILL deliver me. Amen.  So then, deliver me from what, save me from whomever will. Consider this, a world where a man like Paul would have enemies! Isn't that absurd! Isn't that disgusting. So unbelievable, and yet it is true. We know that many have nothing but anger in their hearts for God. and for the men and women of God. So then we must pray and believe that God will put us in His perfect Will and that He will deliver us from all evil attacks and will bring us safely home. So then, what's to stop us from our mission. Praying and believing will dissolve all fear. Praying and believing will drum up the power of the Heavenly host of the God Armies! Amen.  Paul deal

' “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.' Acts 7:33 (NLT) Nowhere. No place can I go. Absolutely! Nowhere can I hide. Nowhere can I go that I am out of His reach. Nowhere can I go that I am out of His Holy presence. Nowhere can I go that I am out of the presence of God. Take your shoes off! Put off your shoes in an act of reverence. It's a custom in the East. It's a Holy place. It's the place of Divinity. It's a place, or a sanctuary. It's a place to have Hope and to Believe. It's where He manifests His presence. God is everywhere. Hold fast! He is there, in the burning bush. He is there, at the foot of the Cross. He is there sitting on the Throne of God, among the heavenly host and choir of angels. He is there, at the foot of the hospital bed where another is lying sick. He is there at the altar where we see one finding Him and the salvation that He brings. The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost

'But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”   Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.   And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.   When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”' 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT)

' A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.' Luke 1:39-40 (NLT) Whenever you've got it and you know that you do, it's just too hard to contain it. That is why it is so important for women who have been filled with the Holy Ghost to communicate with one another on a regular basis. Think of the possibilities. Think of the sharing and the caring that would go on. Think of the potential ministries that would be developed and birthed. Sinners, yet under grace and saved! That's reason to rejoice. That's cause to celebrate! That's just what these two women did.  Rejoice! Many months of moments filled with laughter. Many discussions about their concerns for one another and their future. Many times that they shared their most intimate and deepest thoughts with one another. Praying and singing. Praising and worshiping. Hoping and caring. Trusting and believing. Learn

' Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.' James 4:8 (NLT) Do something today that you will thank yourself for later.  I will draw near to You Lord, in faith, in repentance, in returning and in prayer. No regrets to be found in doing those things as once I find myself doing them, for God has given me the desires to do them, then God will manifest His glorious presence and His favor will shine upon me. His grace will be given to me and I will find my strength to endure which comes from Him. God is Good. For it is all found in Christ. He is the reason that I am able to be made clean. It was God's Work and through Christ's blood that I have been cleansed and He alone has redeemed me from my sins. Save me from myself Lord. Make Your temple in my heart. Make me pure as the driven snow. For it is with pure heart and clean hands that I can really begin

' As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.' Genesis 8:22 (NLT) God's promises are true and that we can believe. We are God's covenant people. What He has said He also will do. For He is Truth and my God cannot lie. So it goes from the beginning, and so it will be until the end. As long as the earth remains, God will provide. God will cause time and seasons to go on. The order of things has been established for all things created during the six days, but then comes the seventh. Even the higher order of things has been seen and will be established when limits are reached and man is filled up. So, we set the pace to a steady march, with drums blazing, and we head out the door. Head down. White. White. Everything is white. So, on this day we prepare to meet the elements. Hat, coat, gloves and more! The wind that faces us is fierce. The earth beneath our feet is treacherous. Yet, we find beauty in

' Honor the Lord with your wealth      and with the best part of everything you produce.     Then he will fill your barns with grain,      and your vats will overflow with good wine.' Proverbs 3:9-10 (NLT) I am to give back the first fruits of what God has blessed me with in the first place. So in my willingness to obey Him in this I honor God in giving him the first and the best of everything that He has given to me. Likewise, it is not to be the meager portion, no rather to make my gifts extravagant! Not the miserly mindset, no rather to give it joyfully and make it generous. Not the merest amount, no rather to make my tithe the most!   I would be wise to do it and not hold back or rob God. Slack leads to lack. I would be generous to follow in this way as God is generous to me. He always takes care of all my needs. He owns it all. I find that this is the way to prosperity. I give to be a blessing, it is most pleasant, as He has given to me and blessed me in all thin

' Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.' 1 Corinthians 14:15 (NLT) Go to church. Become a member. Find your way back and ascend. On this Rock, the gates of hell will not prevail against it. On our way we find the doors and the windows open. Come inside they say. You are welcome here they greet and with a hug and a hand shake! The people are kind and friendly in God's House. Lovely souls really. Heads full of wisdom and knowledge. Hearts full of unity and love. Pews full of the Family. Words are given in the Spirit with interpretation. All is done for edification and understanding comes from within. So welcome they will make you feel. And then you see it there, the Bible which is the Word of God and the Hymnal, right beside. Those of the Faith, you will soon find that they are a singing people. It is a singing faith. For the pieces to the

'Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”' John 6:29 (NLT) To some lost in their sins, Jesus just doesn't suit their tastes. His gospel of peace is too much for them to take. He demands the unthinkable. They may have followed Him for awhile but soon enough became bitter and walked away. They doubted what He said, they denied what He did, they did not believe for a second what their own eyes saw and their ears heard and their hearts felt.  So they turned and walked away in unbelief. They missed the opportunity of a lifetime and the only work that God wants from us. They refused to believe that Jesus was who He said He was. The Savior of the world! The very Son of God! In their unbelief they were forever undone.  The half-baked. The unsaved. The unbeliever is doomed to fail. Because of the sins of Adam, we know that the unbeliever is under the curse of the Law and will die in their sins. Eternal hell awaits the unbelieve

'I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me,      “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!     The wicked are stringing their bows      and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows      at those whose hearts are right.     The foundations of law and order have collapsed.      What can the righteous do?”   But the Lord is in his holy Temple;      the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely,      examining every person on earth.     The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.      He hates those who love violence.     He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,      punishing them with scorching winds.     For the righteous Lord loves justice.      The virtuous will see his face. ' Psalm 11 (NLT) David's struggle was real. Under the lawless rule of Saul, there were no societal norms left in which to fall back on so came the advice to withdraw and to retreat. In his