The Messenger

2010-05-23T18:43:00.007-04:00

The Peace of God be with you always

Prescribed by the Great Physician ***************************** The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember....
Noah was a drunk

Abraham was too old

Isaac was a daydreamer

Jacob was a liar

Leah was ugly

Joseph was abused

Moses had a stuttering problem

Gideon was afraid

Samson had long hair and was a womanizer

Rahab was a prostitute

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young

David had an affair and was a murderer

Elijah was suicidal

Isaiah preached naked

Jonah ran from God

Naomi was a widow

Job went bankrupt

Peter denied Christ (3 times!)

The Disciples fell asleep while praying

Martha worried about everything

Mary Magdalene was promiscuous

The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once...

Zaccheus was too small

Paul was too religious

Timothy had an ulcer....
AND Lazarus was dead!

Now! No more excuses! God can use you to your full potential. Besides, you aren't the message, you are just themessenger. And one more thing...

Share this with a friend or two...

In the Circle of God's love, God is waiting to use your full potential.

1. God wants spiritual fruits, not religious nuts.

2. "Dear God : I have a problem. It's me. " My Dear Child: I have the solution. It'sMe! !"

3. Growing old is inevitable ... growing UP is optional.

4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

5. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.

6. Do the math .. count your blessings.

7. Faith is the ability to not panic.

8. Laugh every day. It's like inner jogging.

9. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

10. As a child of God , prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape..
12. The most important things in your house are the people! ..

13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15 He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

Have a great day!!! The SON is shining and He can certainly use you!

Please share, I just did.

Cry In The Wilderness...

2009-07-31T16:33:00.005-04:00

Cry In The Wilderness

This article was brought to my attention by a close friend who thought I should publish it on my blog to further amplify this man’s voice. Read and weep. Or better still, Read and Rejoice.

Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women; we all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out f or answers. "The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain’s heart. "In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel’s murder I would be their strongest opponent. I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy - it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs; Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage, You’ve outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need!

“Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not - let the nation and the world hear this man's speech... Please send this out to everyone you can. GOD BLESS YOU!

Michael David Odogwu
Graceland, Spring TX

www.worldcrusaders.org

2009-07-29T17:01:00.001-04:00

Who On Earth Are You Waiting For?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…
Ephesians 1:3 (New King James Version)

Sometimes the simplicity of the Bible leaves you wondering why it could be so easily misunderstood or misinterpreted. The complexities of life can only be corrected or rectified by the simplicity of the Bible. But in most cases, people tend to read or meditate the sacred pages with the same lens through which they view the world.
I was sitting on my back porch one evening wondering when my “season” would come as I have heard people say so often. It’s amazing how the things we hear influence the way we think. After what seem like an eternity and with no answer to my open ended question, I had an urge to open the Bible and read a few verses to conclude my “quiet” time with God. It was at this point that I fell upon the passage from the book of Ephesians or it seems like the passage fell upon me. As I read, the words were both an encouragement as well as a rebuke. How clear can a statement be? “God has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (paraphrased.) If my earthly father had told me that he has paid my tuition for yet another year of college, I wouldn’t have any doubt in my mind that he has done so; nor would it cross my mind to keep asking him for it. Worse still, I will not spend a beautiful evening wondering when or if he will ever pay my tuition. My attitude would be – dad said he has paid my tuition so I better get ready for another year of school! Then it dawned on me, how often we doubt God, even reading complicated meanings into his word to justify our lack of faith. Here I was, a child of God, wondering when my season would come when God said all along that he has blessed me with all blessings. Now the word ALL means the same thing all the time. It encompasses everything; this means that everything I need to complete my God-given destiny has been made available to me by God. All I have to do is get up, go out, and get it! I could sit and worry about my life all evening or over the course of a lifetime and it still wouldn’t change the fact of God’s word. This simple truth remains a major stumbling block for many people today who are caught in the precipice of life. Many well meaning, faithful, and committed Christian people still continue to question God in the innermost recess of their heart. Like me, they think God is wasting too much time in meeting their needs, and the question continues to grow bigger and bigger until it finally gives way to discouragement, resignation, or disappointment.
Today, I am sent as a timely messenger to rustle the feathers of complacency that may be growing on your wings, and remind you again that God has already blessed you with all that you will ever need to live a rich and fulfilling life. Whatever your definition of that blessing may be heaven already has it on record that it belongs to you. Whether you go claim it or not is entirely up to you not God. Your tuition has already been paid, don’t waste it. As a fellow believer, I encourage you – get up, go out, and possess your inheritance.

Michael David Odogwu
Graceland, Spring TX

PRAISE@36,000FT.

2008-07-01T12:11:00.007-04:00

"Then Shall Thou Delight Thyself In The Lord; And I Will Cause Thee To Ride On The High Places Of The Earth...(Isaiah 58:14)

This picture is so funny I couldn't resist using it for this article. Have you ever been at a place where you feel like you're hangin on to dear life? There are times when life seem to throw a curve ball at you and you begin to wonder if you will ever make it out of this one.

Recently, I was on my way back to Harrisburg after successful ministry trips to Houston and Tulsa, I had to change planes in Cinncinnati but the flight was delayed due to weather conditions. Two hours later as we took off in one of those small shuttle planes I had an irresistible urge to praise God. I took off my headphone and burst out in one of my favorite Sunday Morning praise songs. Initially, the other passengers gave me a casual glance and returned to their business as the flight continued smoothly. Five minutes into my spontaineous praise session, the pilot turned on the fasten seatbelt sign and informed everyone to sit down because of impending turbulence. For the next twenty minutes that small plane rocked like a paper boat in the midst of a storm. The passengers who are all sitting at the edge of their chairs by now suddenly latched onto the songs I was singing as if their lives depended on it. I have said time and again that its hard to find an atheist at 36,000ft. that midnight flight back to Harrisburg proved it again. When we landed not only did I get nods and handshakes as we left the plane but each of person left with a song in their heart I promise you.

Hey! my prayer is that all your air travel will be smooth but if you ever find yourself in a turbulent life situation, rather than pulling hair and chewing nails try Praise! Its amazing how much you can accomplish in a day when you suddenly pause from work and to take a Praise Break!

YOU MIGHT NEED ONE RIGHT NOW!!

Note: Forward to Frequent Flyers, Road Warriors, or FIVE PEOPLE you think could use a PRAISE BREAK

MichaelPrince

www.worldcrusaders.org

What The Primaries Taught Us

2008-06-10T10:52:00.004-04:00

"Pundits called it perhaps the most fiercely contested primary elections in recent American history" but regardless of who you voted for or even if you did not vote at all, we all learned something new from this year's democratic primaries. The lesson is so basic that even intellectuals and some of our best political analysts have all but missed it. It is understandable why some could not see it obviously because of the emotional blindspot created by the fact that their favorite candidate did not win. But the truth is that the results of the democratic primaries if anything proves that the message of Hope and Change will trump any other topic in the public arena. Be it on the puplit or in politics, Joel Osteen or Barack Obama, any messaage that brings hope and promises change draws a lot of people. Barack Obama, an underdog with the odds stacked against him came from nowhere to clinch the democratic nomination for the President of the United States. You know why? becuase he used words that resonated within the people. This a vital lesson for Christians and all people of faith, Hope sells no matter who is selling it. The reason thousands of people flock to Joel Osteen's church is because he preaches a message of hope and he offers a refreshing change to the typical televangelist. Even though he draws criticism from certain religious circles who think he is not fiery or bombastic enough. The fact remains that over 7 million people who view his weekly broadcast from all over the world don't think so. And all those who claim to be preaching the real gospel have not explained why crowds are not coming in bus loads to hear them. Crowds followed Jesus everywhere he went. In a world where stress levels are rising alongside the price of gasoline people need hope. We are creatures of hope, we are wired to believe that things could get better, and we follow anyone repeat anyone that bring us the promise of Hope and Change. That explains the reason why the case of "inexperience" that was made against Obama did not stick because people chose Change over experience and Hope over racial differences. The Church will do well to learn this vital lesson. We need to focus more on uplifting and encouraging one another with the message of hope which Christ died to give us rather than pointing fingers at one another. That my friends is the only way to remain relevant in the market place(s) of the world.

You may be reading this blog and feeling like "I could use some hope and change in my life right now," if that's you why not invite the great Herald of Hope, Jesus into your heart right now. He will not only bring you real hope he will rock your world and effect eternal changes in your life.

Pray this prayer...

Lord Jesus, Come into my life.

Give me a heart filled with hope.

And a change that will last forever.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

MichaelPrince

www.worldcrusaders.org

"When Kings Go To War"

2008-05-26T10:22:00.000-04:00

In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem...(and his problems began) II Samuel 11:1 (New Living Translation)

This morning I was awakened by the prophetic voice of the Spirit of God and empowered by the strength of his mighty hand. Gird up the loins of your heart son of man! he commanded and I will give you a word in due season for him that is weary, for they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. When God speaks the wise listens and grow even wiser. Life is a riddle, the word of God is the key. Therefore as you read you will gain insight to life and recieve wisdom for the road ahead.

Spring is a time of beginnings, a time of birth and renewal. Spiritually, its a time to of preparation and strategic positioning. This preparation preceeeds possession. Contrary to what many people think, the world is a place of extremes, you are either gaining ground or your losing it. You are either growing in influence, understanding and knowledge or you're shrinking into apathy and insignificance. For an airplane to keep from stalling (a terminology which simply means to fall out of the sky) it has to maintain the same power and thrust that was required at take off. You may be stalling and not know it or you know it but lack the additional power and thrust required to maintain your flight. Wherever you may be, this word is for you. There are seasons in life when you must leave the coziness of your comfort zone and dare to do things that are often uncomfortable and difficult. To blaze a new trail and experience something different from the ordinary, to gain ground and achieve new feats. To miss this season is to court disaster. This is not a duty that can be delegated to a subordinate. There are battles in life that must be fought personally. There are victories that can only be won when you are physically present in the battlefield. David was an anointed King in the old testament (to be anointed means to be divinely chosen and empowered.) Through this anointing David prospered immensly. He became the greatest king of Isreal leading his army and the entire nation to victory after victory. David was a mighty man, one of the few military leaders in histoy that never saw defeat in the battlefield. But with success came slothfulness, the feeling of having arrived dulled the once sharp cutting edge of this mighty warrior king. As feasting and relaxation became excessive, David began delegating his responsibilites to suburdinates. He sent his armor bearer to fight his wars while he stayed back in the comfort of the palace. It was on this occasion that he spotted a young woman taking a shower in another house down below, from then it was a downward spiral that lead to adultery and murder.

Hear the Word of the Lord!

You are now in the spring season of your life. Don't let up or let go, refuse the easy life that leads to insignificance and non-achievement. This is the time to go to war, time to drive out the enemy that occupies and tries to dominate your life: Sickness, disease, sin, divorce, drugs, poverty, fear, wrong relationships, bankruptcy, spiritual blindness, apathy, and everything that originates from the realm of darkness.

Pray This Prayer

Today I bind the forces of darkness that have come against my life. I cast them into the bottomless pit where they belong. I declare victory in every area of my life. I declare Jesus Christ as my Lord and Advocate. I give God all the glory and honor. Amen.

http://www.worldcrusaders.org/