The Stickman's Understanding...

  Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.                     -Luke 18:22-23 Good morning, God bless and happy Friday. How bad do you want it?  That is certainly a question that has legitimacy in today’s climate of compromise.  When the Lord encountered the rich young man, the man on the surface was genuine in his desire for heaven but when pressed asking him to give away his fortune, he balked.  One lesson here is you can’t desire heaven without first desiring the cross (sacrifice).  Truth be told his desire seemed to be more recognition that he was among the disciples than service to Christ. Many are simply happy just being there but are not given to carrying out the commission of Chr...

  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. -James 5:16 Good morning and God bless you. The scripture above is often quoted in part. I.g. The effectual...” The part left off helps to bring clarity to the overall thought James is expressing.    What is effective prayer? Whose prayers are effective? Verse 16 comes after James has listed some Christian responsibility. Humility, consideration, honesty, hard work, loyalty and faith are a few of the things leading up to verse 16.  The previous list are attributes of the righteous and it is our responsibility to represent Christ in our righteousness.  A gift of righteous standing is answered prayers. So by that we often see people pray with fervency but to no avail.  Fervent means passion and further frequency. A prayer repeated but without righteous standing is as “sounding brass”, akin to repent-less faith....

  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; -Luke 18:1 Good morning and God bless you. Midweek dull drums? How about praying?  It shouldn’t be a mystery as to why the Lord placed this precursor before the parables that followed.  One was of the widow, broken, mistreated by others and the system which should protect her. Then the pious Pharisee who had religion but not relationship. Sad is that this is the story of many saved who forgot that the same grace that saved them is for all.  Jesus before He told these parables in essence said “brace yourself” against the character of the works and the strongest brace is prayer.  Prayer brings patience, stokes passion, it is a precursor to perseverance and prevailing.  Fainting is a product of fear, it is a result of frustration and pinpoints to us our faith is on furlough.  That said if you feel less than all God has said about you...pray!  Your comment...

  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19 God bless and good morning. In my mind preaching the prosperity ministry without the ministry of righteousness is like preaching muscles without exercise.  Most quote the scripture above as if it is the defining pronounced key to kingdom blessings, and as what happens with partly dividing the word, occurs.  Upfront Paul was speaking from a place of needing but not having, a place of having but not needing. But regardless being satisfied in God’s provisions. He spoke of this in verse 12.  But even in his suffering he said in verse 13; what we all should say. We can do all things through Christ...which includes endure all things knowing how Romans 8:28 (All things work together) fits rightly within.  Many times we consider Phil 4:19 when the big challenges present themselves but big challenges are made of little unrecognized challenges and like interest unch...

  And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. -1 Chronicles 4:9 Good morning, God bless you and oh yeah happy Monday.  I’ve always been fascinated with the scripture above. It’s placement; in the middle of the sleep aid roll call of lineages.  It’s proclamation; more honorable than his brethren? So the ones before and it seems to imply many that came afterwards.   And certainly his name. When most children are born they get cute nicknames not to mention a real name with real meaning. This was so much more a matter of practice than in today’s norm of cute names with no meaning.  So if she called him sorrow or pain it means just that. I am not sure what the names of his siblings were, but what set him apart is the question that needs to be answered.  Let’s not prolong this, simply it was he was more honorable. So much so that in the middle of a sure sound sleep formula we ...

  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31 God bless and good morning. From the scripture above we learn that patience renews strength and that strength is displayed by feats of your prowess flight, speed, stamina and even your focus.  What, though does waiting entail? Upfront it is all based in who you are waiting on. Those that wait on others and self are waiting in futility.  Others as well as self reliance results in failure. Self can’t give purpose or explain the route to it. The same applies to others.  Why wait? Time is in God’s hand and His understanding of time and it’s effect on our appreciation of blessings is unquestionable.  It is no wonder that patience is a virtue. It is how God deals with us (patiently) and how He uses it to teach us to manage relationships, blessings and our dominion in the earth....

  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14 Good morning and God bless you! Let’s look at the scripture above in light of the one below.  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. -John 9:31 There is no secret method to praying prayers that gets God’s attention and brings help, blessings and more.  It is a “heart-set”. The formula is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and those who pray prayers that do not follow God’s prescribed plan are those that catch the remnants of John 9:31.  The now famous prayer of Jabez (1Chronicles 4:9-10) would not be prayed before he had come to the realization of humility before the Lord, some would think that humility is enough but consider the origin of humility and the extended wor...

  Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. -John 9:31 God bless you on this wonderful morning.  As a follow up to repent-less faith I was led to the scripture above.  Over the years this scripture has been misinterpreted literally limiting an unlimited God. Some saying that God can’t hear you. There is a difference between God choosing to forget our sins compared to choosing not to listen.   Listening requires focus so the scripture means God will not heed or HARKEN to the prayers of a sinner.  Have you ever been ignored? Does ignored mean that who you are speaking too can’t hear you? Of course not it means that they hear but choose to not respond.  I believe all my children at one time or another have experienced my not listening as they also have not listened to me  🤣 .  But my listening doesn’t mean I would not continue to provide for their needs, it’s just their ...

  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. -2 Chronicles 7:14 God bless and good morning. On yesterday the phrase repent-less faith came to my heart and I feel led to expound on what it is and it’s perils.  The phrase actually gave me pause as I considered a scriptural basis until the often quoted scripture above came to me.  Don’t we all know that repentance is closely tied to grace and the grace to repent is key to walking in faith.  Face it...we can’t walk in faith without repentance because to be able to it makes the word of God of little effect.  Many don’t understand this and live their lives ignorant allowed by the carnality which has infiltrated our churches  😢 .   Therefore we have those who are actively living in sin, actively defying God’s righteous guidance having t...

  When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? -John 5:6 God bless and good morning. Happy Monday! Up early this morning reading when I came across this scripture.    It began screaming in my spirit, why did the Lord ask such a simple question?  Why of course the man wanted to walk or did he prefer the role of king of the pity party?  Jesus had observed the lame man and discerned a lack of faith. The Lord asked if the man wanted to be healed but instead of embracing the healer, he talked of why he wasn’t healed yet.  We do the same relying on medical professionals and medications not recognizing we may take the medical advice and drugs but the Lord who placed knowledge in the path of Doctors is still the healer.  The Lord’s question addressed the free will of the man as well as the role we all must play in our healing.  At this point during the Lords earthly ministry we...

  For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. -Psalms 27:5 God bless you and yes it is Friday again. The scripture above is one that we should apply to our lives especially given the current world situation. We are indeed in a time of trouble.  But is this trouble new or is it just illuminated? Are we not always under attack? Let me answer those questions for you.  The trouble is not new. We have been under observation and have had covert attacks since the garden.    Those covert attacks are now more overt but many still think they are new.  Yet even in this attack and yes there will be more, the Lord continues to raise up a standard and provides for our protection.  Be encouraged because in His protection you can rest assured as He places your heart at peace.  Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com Yo...

  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. -Psalms 150:6 God bless and good morning. For some reason the scripture above has been ringing in my heart! As a focal scripture today, what does it mean to have everything breathing praise the Lord?  As I consider Psalms 34:1 and how it captures my heart removing limitation on when we should bless the Lord. God deserves praise and worship all the time as David also said in Psalms 113, “from the rising of the sun...” This gives us a time frame of every day from sun up till sun down.  Then if the question of    what about after the sun sets? God has that covered saying meditate on His word day and night!  Let everything that has breath. Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (ICC) using our cash app $intercedingcc  God bless and Command Your Day  

  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. -Joel 2:13 Good morning and God bless you. While reading this morning I came across the scripture above and it touched me given that the Lord is frfr. He seeks genuineness from us.  As I read it a refraining scripture in the New Testament came to me 2 Tim3:5, “Having a form of godliness”  Having a form of godliness is merely showboating as is ripping your clothes which may be replaced or perhaps like Cain you didn’t bring for sacrifice your finest ensemble ( 😉 ).  God has never wanted your sacrifice of things as much as He wants your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 says “when you search for me with all your heart”. Not all your talents, possessions or with your ulterior motive.  Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding ...

  Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; -Psalms 107:2 God bless and good morning. Before prayer this morning I read the scripture above in Psalms 107 and saw a clear line drawn between it and the great commission.  That line is very direct in how we should conduct ourselves. Our daily walk, talk, mannerisms and more should reflect a relationship of the redeemed to those we encounter.  Saying so entails so much more than just our voice as a sweet lie is as retched as a yelled one. Christian life must be agreeable in all areas of our lives. No area speaking less than the other in our striving    to represent Christ.  If the world doesn’t see a difference in our walk versus theirs then what will draw them to look at our Christ?  On today I encourage you to boldly say I am the redeemed of the Lord!  Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to I...

  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! -Psalms 107:31 God bless and good morning and of course happy Monday. Oh that men  would praise His name.  Oh that God be glorified! What has been my battle cry since salvation over 20 years ago are those words.  When I was not saved I was an adamant party goer. Truly the one who came to start and to end it. While hell bound I ignorantly ignored my direction and the perils of those that I dragged with me.  But to be honest foolishly my fear of being disliked was greater than my fear of being rejected by God. Yet I knew of the Lord but denied Him access to my full heart, because I didn’t know Him.  The real problem was wanting carnality, the approval of man but the benefits of the Kingdom.   You can’t have it both ways as you are not able to serve God and mammon. When I came to that realization I lamented on all the wasted years I spent resisti...

  7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.                                                                                                -Psalms 34 Good morning, happy Friday and for sure God bless you! While thinking on the Lord this morning, the scripture above kept coming into my thoughts.  How fitting is that scripture in the season that we are in. 2020 has been more than an eye opener, it has also revealed God’s power to save, po...

And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. -1 Samuel 10:8 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. -1 Samuel 13:13 Good morning and God bless you. Have you ever been anxious? Don’t answer that because haven’t we all been anxious?  That is a normal human trait and God understand this but being anxious is a fleshly attribute as it literally denotes a lack of faith.  Especially since the opposite is patience which is a fruit of the spirit. In the scripture storied above we find the first King of Israel Saul, and the first commandment where he disobeyed the voice of God given through the prophet Samuel.  Samuel had ju...

  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. -Luke 5:5 God bless and good morning. I pray your day has started well and that you have an awesome day. Does anyone remember the story of Peter's first encounter with the Lord Jesus?  I’ve always strived to have a nevertheless in my heart, reflected in my action and certainly what I say.  Facing the truth we all at times have crisis in our faith. At times it seems impossible in our own strength to defeat the daily onslaught of the enemy. And how true is that, because our own strength weakens God’s response.  Isn’t it in our weakness when God response the strongest? And isn’t it when we have come to the end of our own futile attempts and walk by faith that God will have you fishing where no fish seem to be?   Here’s a nugget of understanding 😉 ; God doesn’t always tells us how He will do things, He just wants ...

  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. -Revelation 12:11 God bless and good morning beloved.  In prayer this morning I heard this scripture referenced and it resonated in my soul.  Dissecting it there are found multiple weapons for us but none of the weapons found in it or anywhere would be of any effect without the shedding of the blood of the lamb.  Upfront our adversary is shown as the him whom the blood defeats, the blood testifying of the truth against the father of all lies. That said how important is the blood?  Our confession of Christ, asking of forgiveness, declaration of health, working in faith, none would be of any effect if He had not bled. His blood was not requested as much as required. His blood denoted pain, unselfishness, and love.  So our testimony would be nullified if He had not bled. Our supplication of no use...thank you Lord for your shed b...