In John 5 there was a man in need and in fact he carried this need for 38 years. The man was crippled and seeked healing from a pool of water. He was right at the edge of the water but every time the door opened to go in someone else stepped over him while others over looked this mans need because they were so focused on their own.

This morning as I was crossing the river the Lord gave me this message. See this man had a need and was within the the walls of the church building. For 38 years people stepped over him and pushed him aside to insure that they received their healing rather than caring about someone else’s. Why could someone not have sacrificed something of themselves for this man? Was it due to their own selfish desires? Where was their compassion and true love?  In 1 John 3:16 we learn,”This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” There is another scripture that ties to this lesson and that is with the persistent widow in Luke 18. This man did not become discouraged and lose hope. He continued to have faith that one day he would receive the healing as he did and not from the pool of water but from the healing hands of Jesus Christ.

May this message this morning encourage you to take your eyes off of yourself and to help someone else in need. To stand like you have never stood and to walk like you have never walked in the healing hands of Jesus Christ.

Here is a video that may bless you this morning as it does me…My Redeemer Lives

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

 The message of God is so simple that many simply can’t comprehend. In fact man likes to complicate it in order to try to show their own intellect or for their own selfish agendas. We often ask the question,”How?” When the Lord simply says,”Do.”

 In 2 Kings 5 there was a man named Naaman who had leprosy. He received Godly direction but struggled with this due to how simple it was. In fact it even offended him due to his stature but through the council of his friends he was convinced to take that simple step of faith to receive the blessing before him.

 As a child we are much more trusting than as we are as an adult. If Naaman had been a child and received this direction from an adult then he probably would not have struggled with the how and simply done what he was told.  See as we grow older we tend to complicate matters and want details rather than simply trusting in God.

 For the Lord says in Isaiah 55,”As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

 Breakthroughs come to those who believe and simply take those steps in faith…It is when we complicate the steps that we often become frozen where we are. In other words simply climb and praise God for the view without allowing your fears to rob you of the joy.

James A. Harrison 

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com 

In 2 Kings 2 we can learn a vital lesson between Elisha and a group of prophets that can be applied to our lives today. Elisha knew something but the group kept on pushing him through persuasion until he gave in to what he knew due to the shame which the prophets over shadowed him with.

Standing firm upon what we know is a vital part of being obedient to God in order to maintain what He gives. Knowing that he was a man of God they continued to shame him rather than taking his word for what he knew. This could have saved them alot of trouble but due to their human nature they had to discover it for themselves.

How does this message apply to us today you may be asking? Well, look at it this way; Has anyone ever shamed you into a decision or into a point of giving in? Has anyone continued to push something rather than simply accepting your word? The same principle works on a national level as well, just look at America and how our leaders have given in to persuasion rather than standing upon what they know is right by God for the people.

There is a fine line to discern and recognize in the spirit realm to insure that we are following God and not Satan. Spiritually Satan works in forceful ways which can be related to peer pressure where on the other hand God works in love through our freewill. It takes an inner strength of God to stand against the tide of the world that desires to sweep us out to sea but we must recall that there is great power within us who truly believe.

Always stand upon what you know and never give in to shame or persuasion. Allow God to direct your steps for He knows what is is best and He cares about our well being…amen

Sometimes we have to learn how to stand before the Lord opens the doors for us to walk…

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

The LORD said to Elijah, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”    Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19

See Elijah knew that the sound of a gentle whisper was God’s voice. He realized that God doesn’t reveal himself only in powerful, miraculous ways. To look for God in something big like rallies, churches, conferences, or higly visible leaders may be to miss Him because He is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart.

Are you listening for God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it & the next question is will you follow?

In 1 Kings 1 it is easy to see Satan at work through Adonijah King Davids son. Adonijah wanted a position and tried to take it rather than trusting in God and accepting his position. In other words Adonijah was guilty of coveting and this jealousy led to his wrongful actions.

We can witness the application of Matthew 10:16 as well through the actions of Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba King Davids wife. The interesting part of the lesson is this; “King David was old and weak but this did not stop him from standing up to do what was right by God.”

Think about it! Adonijah had people already standing with him as he tried  to claim this position and King David could have just rolled over in bed but he did not. This is how Satan works by preying upon the weak and vulnerable. He often tries to get others to join him in his corner to help persuade or over take a position in order to interrupt something that has been given through obedience to the Lord. This is where we must recognize the ways of the devil and learn to stand upon the rock of Jesus Christ for what is simply right by God. At no time are we to just roll over in our sleep and allow evil to rape us of our God given rights as a child….The object is to be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove while learning to pass the mantle before the light grows weak and dim…The passing of the mantle is what many fail to understand and this often has negative impacts on the people…

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

This morning as I was baking biscuits for the Outpost I began to seek the Lord in spirit for further understanding. Then as I was watching the biscuits closely He began to teach me the parallel between a chef and discipleship. For a chef knows what ingredients to add and the importance of recognizing the timing of when the food is ready to receive.This same skill is to be recognized in discipleship.

A chef also recognizes the importance of proper flames and constant heat within the preparation of the meal. Another vital part is the atmosphere of the room. The chef knows that not all sides cook the same and the object of the dish is for every side to accent the main coarse. The Lord continued to teach me in this relation to discipleship through recognizing that every biscuit is vital to watch. For not all biscuits are ready at the same time even though they stay in the oven at the same temperature. For their location within the oven plays a roll in their developing process as there is an importance in a well balanced meal as well.

There is alot of wisdom to this message that simply does not not stop when we seek God for further understanding. The vital part is recognizing that anyone can put the biscuits in the oven but who is willing to stay with them all the Way through???

I don’t know about you but there is nothing like smelling something in the oven that is being cooked in love and watching it develop over time…..The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelations 22:17

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Jonathan left camp to go to the Outpost due to the Israelites being stuck in fear rather than simply trusting God. Jonathan stepped out with his armor bearer and with God. As they went into the enemy territory Jonathan prayed and asked God to go before them and He did. What was Jonathans intentions some may ask? It was simple Jonathan saw how his father Saul was lacking faith and how it was having a negative impact on the people. So Jonathan was willing to risk his own life in faith and willing to break the order of man that was holding everyone back… Yes, they went into the enemy camp but there comes a time in life when the enemy is gaining ground and weakening the people that we as children of God have to step out in faith to reclaim what has been robbed by Satan!!! That 1st starts in our own life and then gains ground from there…For we are all nothing but dust from the Earth but everything with Jesus who gives us Victory in faith…amen.. View this link to here more testimonies from…The Outpost

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

When we look upon God’s creation we can discover the very things He teaches in the Word within nature. For instance geese they can sense predators and the seasons at hand. They mate for life and when one goes down the mate goes too. In addition they fly in formation in order to lighten the loads of the ones that follow. The one that starts at the beginning of their journey is not always one that leads at the end.

They learn to work together as they fly in unity and when they meet another group or let’s say another body of believers they don’t argue about the direction nor do they compete for the lead. They simply merge together as one building a larger formation as they continue to seek their destination. Once they reach their destination within the fields we can witness many different species all being fed from the crops that God provides.

Another interesting part is that they don’t chase the wind but they learn how to use the wind to their advantage. They understand the importance of returning home from season to season. Storms throw them off course from time to time but they always seek to return home. It is when we learn to fly in unity with the direction of God that is confirmed in His Word that we can all enjoy the season at hand.

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

The hotter the fire the cleaner the burn. The colors within the flames of the fire display the elements within burn. Many individuals get stuck in the first stages of the burn without seeking the liquid that fuels the fire. The liquid fire is the Word of God that burns out the impurities in order to make something solid.

The outer realms of the fire can be sensed and felt causing many to get trapped on the outskirts of the fire rather than learning to walk through the fire to reach the other side. Within the Source of the Fire there is a magnificent glow that man can not look upon due to the brightness of the light. It can be felt within the marrow within our bones producing new blood cells for the body.

There is a major lesson in this to those with the eyes and ears to hear. There is much more to the fire than what meets the eye as we were taught this with Moses and with Jesus on the mountain of God. May you be encouraged this morning to walk through the fire in the Word to deepen your relationship in the Spirit of God and may the light of Jesus show you the Way.

If you would like to study this deeper here is a link to Fire & Flames which teaches the recognition of the elements within the flame. Some stages of the fire causes some to run due to the burn. Some stages cause other hide because they simply don’t want to face what is on the inside. While there are some that keep seeking to get closer to the Source of the fire. The closer we come, the more we shed and the flesh will begin to burn. May your spirit man AWAKEN as you listen to this song Hail The Lamb…

“For a relationship is built upon the Rock of love. For the flames of Jesus are pure and warming as they save our souls.”

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com