Drum the Message Home

“You must not murder.' Exodus 20:13 (NLT) Shall I say then, that the reason the Church has lost its effectiveness in this culture is because we have lost our moral compass? No one listens to God anymore. No one fears God anymore. No one reads their Bibles anymore. The main reason the Church is not relevant in today's culture is because we no long read our Bibles and we lack understa nding of what God is saying to us in His Word. Life is so very, very precious. Though often misinterpreted the Word is very clear and not up for debate in this area. 'You must not murder'. God said in His Word, 'My people are destroyed because they don't know me.' Hosea 4:6 (NLT). It is true. We perish when we refuse to do the research. We perish when we become lazy and let others do our thinking for us. Thinking is hard work. When we refuse to think, we become vulnerable to every wind of doctrine and open to every spirit of fear. The Ten Commandments were giv

'And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!' Romans 5:5 (TPT) I have learned to trust in Him through it all. Through all of my experiences the Holy Spirit was the cause of all my blessings, my current blessings and those that are to come and He is what keeps my hope alive. Just knowing that God loves me enables me to stay in His will and to delight myself in Him every day. I can discern the depths of my God's love for me through wisdom and revelation knowledge that the Holy Spirit provides. He is at work even now in my current situation, this thing of most importance to me, this concern, this problem... that was assigned to me. How else could I bear it, but that the Holy Spirit has been consoling me and working through me to keep hope alive! And I do not waver, nor do I stumble. I trust Him. I know that the experiences in my life

'but if anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never thirst again and will be forever satisfied! For when you drink the water I give you it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit, springing up and flooding you with endless life!”John 4:14 (TPT) Oh but that this were true! Just imagine it. A place where you could go, for an endless supply! A wealthy King that w e might meet that loves us enough to adopt us into His Kingdom. The Kingdom is where all of our needs are met. No one left wanting. No one left needing. No one left lacking anything. We will be forever satisfied! Thank You Jesus! Consider the well that never runs dry. A fountain that is gushing with the provisions we need to drink for our health. A river that is leaping with the fish we need for food. A spiritual checkbook we need with endless cash reserves too much to fathom. A Holy place where we never die. All of our physical and spiritual needs are met. Just imagine that we are in th

'looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.' Hebrews 12:2 (ASV) My faith. Looking to Him as the one who in the beginning wrote about it and then later worked with me in order to strengthen it I realize that my faith is in Him. J esus is to be my perfect faith example. He had faith in God and His mission and He kept His focus on heaven and He tried to take as many people there as He possibly could. Nothing that I could ever go through could compare to what He had to endure for me. He succeeded. He never failed. I should not complain about my circumstances when I look to what He did for me. My lack of faith. Looking to Him for everything I realize that my lack of faith in a situation will not destroy me because my faith is not in my faith, it is tied to His Grace and He supplies me with all the power that I need. H

'Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.' Micah 7:18-19 (NRSV) He does the pardoning and the passing, the action that He takes that frees me from the guilt burden that I bear and the punishment that is due me. He breaks the power that sin holds over me. I am healed. He does delight in showing mercy and does not stay angry at me forever because He takes pity on me and His compassion for what I bring on myself and for what the enemy puts me through is overwhelming. I am free. He does show compassion on me, not just this once, but repeatedly and over and over again. Every time. He takes all of my failings and puts them under His feet to be trampled on and defeated. I am saved.

' Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and wor k have not been wasted.' Philippians 2:14-16 (GNT) When might acting lessons be needed? Perhaps they would be needed when I am called to do everything without complaining and it is my nature to find fault. Wouldn't an acting lesson in human nature help me to see how I might be able to change and thus prepare me to be able to control that inclination? Christ is my Master teacher when it comes to learning how to deal with my own humanity. When might acting lessons give me strength to be the person that I want to be? Perhaps they would be needed when I am called to do everything w

'Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18 (NRSV) The Lord's invitation is real and has been sent. Come now. The time is now, Today is the day. The purpose of this get together, it's a conference of sorts, is to debate. A debate with the Infinite about my future. From time to time God has given me, the ungodly, an opportunity to debate with Him. Though it doesn't seem reasonable that I, the finite, could make any of my arguments sound defensible. Here is my chance to sound a sensible defense for my actions and lack thereof. Omissions. Commissions. Complaints. Really? The issue is always the same with me. When I hear the knocking, I freeze and consider that the One on the other side is approaching me in anger. The hand that is knocking was in fact nailed to a tree! Righteous indignation. How else might He feel? How

'Like a bird protecting its young, God will cover you with His feathers, will protect you under His great wings; His faithfulness will form a shield around you, a rock-solid wall to protect you.' Psalm 91:4 (VOICE)   Covered by the flight wings of God! How comforting a thought. He is always faithful and will never leave me. I have the full armor of God, and He keeps me safe and secure from all alarms. I am securely placed in His care and He is always faithful and will never leave me. I am behind a wall built so true, so tall, so strong, so solid that nothing could penetrate it. He will allow nothing inside of it that will harm me. He supplies my armor ea

'T herefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Chris t, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may kno w what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ' Ephesians 1:15-19 (NKJV) It is possible that we don't even know what we have. What lies ahead? How big is our inheritance? What if you had it all the time and you didn't even know it? What if you didn't know enough to even live like you had it? How can we possibly know least someone pray for us and ask that God give us the spirit of wisdom and

'For God in heaven unveils his holy anger breaking forth against every form of sin, both toward ungodliness that lives in hearts and evil actions. For the wickedness of humanity deliberately smothers the truth and keeps people from acknowledging the truth about God. In reality, the truth of God is known instinctively, for God has embedded this kn owledge inside every human heart. Opposition to truth cannot be excused on the basis of ignorance, because from the creation of the world, the invisible qualities of God’s nature have been made visible, such as his eternal power and transcendence. He has made his wonderful attributes easily perceived, for seeing the visible makes us understand the invisible. So then, this leaves everyone without excuse.'Romans 1:18-20 (TPT) It's sad really. Reality. How do I escape it? How do I change what I see to be real and what I know in my heart to be true? How can I convince myself to believe a lie? Deep breath. What is truth?

'He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.' Matthew 18:2-5 (NIV) As I wa s reminded last week about the joys of caring for a newborn it made me meditate on my faith. While I was meditating I thought of ways I could focus more on his care. Feeding him whenever he is hungry so he will grow. Changing the atmosphere when he is ready. Talking and reading words of encouragement to him so he will learn. Giving him the rest he deserves. Respecting him. Loving him. If only I could learn to treat my faith like a little child he might serve me better. Just like a little baby, my faith is so fragile and needs me to keep him safe from neglect and harm and to help him to

“The breaker [the Messiah, who opens the way] shall go up before them [liberating them]. They will break out, pass through the gate and go out; So their King goes on before them, The Lord at their head.” Micah 2:13 (AMP) God is in the house and He wants you back. All of you. Not just the part that you decided to give Him. He has to have it all. Even the hidden parts. The parts that you have kept behind the gate. The enemy has kept you a slave to your sin and God is calling you out. Follow Him. Walk away. Redemption from the curse is near. In ancient times the strongest and most protected cities were the ones with the walls and the gates. The walls kept the enemies out. The gates were the most vulnerable places. The gates were the most logical places for exit into and out of the city. Sometimes the enemies were given access to the city through posing as friends through the gates. The imposters. God's design is always perfect. He is the magnificent architect of

'For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.' James 2:13 (NRSV) As in the Law of Reflection, we reflect what we are and we become what we see. Try this. Look in a mirror and smile, see how you look and how that will change your entire countenance. Take that smile out into your world and see how many smiles you get back. The opposite is also true if you take the frown with you, it will bring you similar but negative results. So it goes with laws. When you establish one, it sets a precedent and that forces compliance and then judgment for those who fail to measure up to the standard soon follows.  Standards were set in Moses day and people soon realized that none could ever measure up to them. Then Christ came and did just that. He never sinned so that He could live His life as our example. He showed mercy to everyone that He met. He came to set the captive free. I could be like that. I could speak up

“So now, children, listen to me! Blessed are those who keep my ways. Heed discipline and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from Adonai' Proverbs 8:32-35 (TLV) These words direct me to life: listen, watch and wait. To the believer, Christ is Wisdom and Life. Find Him and find God's favor. Listening. Help me to be wise in my listening and not to refuse Your mercy. Help me to wait on Your voice and block out all others and to heed Your instructions. Watching. Help me to be alert and ready for any correction that comes from You. Help me to be always watching on the wall for Your appearing. Waiting. Help me to be the one that is waiting all night standing outside Your door. Help me to always be thankful for Your favor as I receive my anointing and Word of Life from You.    

'And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.' Mark 11:25 (ASV) Forgive them, no matter how grievous the offense and your requests will be heard and answered. For the faithful one, that holds anger and resentment in their heart, spiritual power is taken and requests are denied. Hope is restored by the obedient act of forgiveness. Promises are fulfilled by our God that loves us and corrects us when we ought. The Spirit is willing, restore the mind to the former and the rest will come and follow it.  

'She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.' Proverbs 31:25 (NLT) 'Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.' Laughter is the Best Medicine - HelpGuide.org  

'But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine. Instruct the older men to be sober, sensible, and self-controlled; to be sound in their faith, love, and endurance. In the same way instruct the older women to behave as women should who live a holy life. They must not be slanderers or slaves to wine. They must teach what is good, in order to train the younger women to love the ir husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, and to be good housewives who submit themselves to their husbands, so that no one will speak evil of the message that comes from God... For God has revealed his grace for the salvation of all people. That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world, as we wait for the blessed Day we hope for, when the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will appear. He gave himself for us, to rescue us from all wickedness and to make

'From deep inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God: “In my distress, O Lord, I called to you, and you answered me. From deep in the world of the dead I cried for help, and you heard me. You threw me down into the depths, to the very bottom of the sea, where the waters were all around me, and all your mighty waves rolled over me. I thought I had been banished from your presence and would never see your holy Temple again. The water came over me and choked me; the sea covered me completely, and seaweed wrapped around my head. I went down to the very roots of the mountains, into the land whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, brought me back from the depths alive. When I felt my life slipping away, then, O Lord, I prayed to you, and in your holy Temple you heard me. Those who worship worthless idols have abandoned their loyalty to you. But I will sing praises to you;

' Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines t o the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NKJV) When the giants I face seems bigger than me I would be wise to consider David, when he was yet a small shepherd boy. This story, of how he proclaimed to be a representative of One who was greater even though he was facing what appeared to be a well equipped and larger than life enemy, gives me

Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.' 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (GNT) 'I thank God that I speak in strange tongues much more than any of you.' 1 Corinthians 14:18 (GNT) Read, meditate and pray. Actually, it says to pray at all times. Pray without ceasing. Be joyful ALWAYS, pray at ALL times and be thankful in ALL circumstances. Of course that is what Paul would say. He was emotional and totally under the influence of the Holy Spirit. How is that even humanly possible for me? It cannot be possible in the natural, but consider this, that is just what God wants from me in my life lived together with Christ Jesus in the supernatural. The Spirit gives me utterance. The Spirit tells me what to say and pray. The Spirit brings to mind the issues that God sees and are closest to His heart. Where does the desire to pray continually come from? The Spirit. How

'I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only. No one can hide where I cannot see them. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth?' Jeremiah 23:23-24 (GNT) You may have heard that God is there in the pause. In the pause of each breath. I do my part with the fifty percent physical and He meets me at the highs and lows. But wait!. I guess I forgot that He is the creator of life; the heart and lungs and all the rest too. God creates life so He must be there at the beginning and the end of it and everywhere in between. The in between parts include the good reports I hear at the doctor for example. There's the truth being taught in school. Consider the praise reports we hear by some government officials. Don't forget the wholesome and sweet things we see in the arts and entertainment. Fundamentally, He is in the praise and worship part at the altar of faith. He's there with the two of us as we pray for each other. As I lo

'Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God's light had shone on you, you suffered many things, yet were not defeated by the struggle. You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way. You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly, because you knew that you still possessed someth ing much better, which would last forever. Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward. You need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises. For, as the scripture says,     “Just a little while longer,       and he who is coming will come;        he will not delay.        My righteous people, however, will believe and live;       but if any of them turns back,        I will not be pleased with them.” We are not people who turn back and a

'Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all those who were selling and buying in the temple. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.' Matthew 21:12 (EHV) Eviction Notice: To the den of thieves in the outer courts. Take notice. Jesus is about to drive you out! Job notice: Custodial workers needed. Cleansing shall come to the house of God. His House is being restored to its original glory, and is being called the house of prayer. Prayer is breaking out across this great land. The lights are on again and the smell of fresh baked bread is filling the temple. God is in the process of setting the Dove free, never to be caged again! He did it then. He can do it again. Calling forth the spiritual dreams and visions. Healing gifts and gifts of prophecy to manifest in everyone. Great praise. Believing it to be true for all of His children. Lord, reign over all the earth!  

'When I looked again, I heard the voices of heavenly messengers (numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands). They surrounded the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. Thousands of Messengers (with a great voice) :                  Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.                 Worthy is the Lamb to receive authority                     and wealth and wisdom and greatness                     and honor and glor y and praise. Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and beneath the earth and in the sea and all things in them echoing the messengers. Every Creature:                To the One who sits on the throne                   and to the Lamb be blessing and honor                   and glory and power throughout the ages. And the four living creatures kept on repeating: Four Living Creatures:                        Amen. Amen. And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever]. 'Revel

“ I know that after I leave, imposters who have no loyalty to the flock will come among you like savage wolves. Even some from among your very own ranks will rise up, twisting the truth to seduce people into following them instead of Jesus. So be alert and discerning. Remember that for three years, night and day, I’ve never stopped warning each of you, pouring out my heart to you with tears.' Acts 20:29-31 (TPT) "How can we save the lost? Try tears." General William Booth. "My church will never grow while my eyes are dry." Ira Stanphill. "Let us learn to think of tears as liquid prayers, and of weeping as a constant dropping of importunate intercession which will wear its way right surely into the very heart of mercy, despite the stony difficulties which obstruct the way. My God, I will "weep" when I cannot plead, for Thou hearest the voice of my weeping." Charles H Spurgeon. 'And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes