The Stickman's Understanding...

  I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. -Psalms 34:1 Good morning beloved. Wishing my son Michael Paul and spiritual daughter Carrah a happy birthday.  Just what does it look like to bless the Lord at all times? We often read but miss the point of the writer. In the back story of Psalms 34, David was expressing joy, relief and assurance of God’s protection.   He had been before a King who wanted to use and destroy him. Perhaps as a weapon against his own people or to otherwise make a spectacle of the renown David.  By this time it was well known that David would be the next King of Israel, so what was this King doing uninvited in another Kingdom?  With the pressure on him and yes he was afraid, the young man who would be King sought a way out of the dire situation.  So he pretended not to be himself and if some insisted he was David, the King would feel no threat from someone such as he.  The King then us...

  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. -Deuteronomy 28:2 God bless, good morning and happy Monday. The phrase “faith confession” is near to my heart, not so much the phrase as the active application of these truths.  A faith confession is a reiteration of what the Lord has promised. It is stated until it becomes a part of your belief system and lived out loud until others come to faith.  In the body today what has me aghast are Christians who either have no faith confession or they have a contrary confession.  Many who would and have spoken despairingly of the 10 fearful spies also bring back “an evil report” which is stating anything contrary to what God has said.  The scripture above begins a walk down the promises, but even those mean nothing if you do not come into agreement with the Lord.  If you trust and act on that trust the blessings will do so much more than provid...

  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. -Psalms 1:2 Good morning and God bless!!! TGIF! As a young man growing up I recall a commercial that at the end stated in a booming voice saying “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”  At the time I couldn’t fully comprehend the natural, not to even consider the implication in the spirit of wasting our minds. What you place your mind on is certainly what’s important to you or should I say in your heart.  The scripture above has the Psalmist repeating the words God gave to Israel famously thru Joshua after the death of Moses, and in general to Israel through other prophets.  God even expressed the same sentiment in other phrases, such as Paul’s word to Timothy saying study to show yourself…in 2 Timothy 2:15.  Why is it so important to keep our mind on Him? Well besides our peace being found, so are the manifestations of our blessings.  You can not remove the connectio...

  And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: -Numbers 13:17 God bless you on this great day. Beloved the story of the 12 spies is really a revelation of faith versus fear.  From it one thing I’ve found is not everyone sees things in the eyes of faith and they will try to re-write what has been written.  This is the case with the 10 who brought back an evil report (verse 31). Their pen was flawed and ink flowed from a broken trust.  A great lesson I’ve learned in my walk is to consider the source. Look not only at who is writing the story, but more importantly who has written the story.  The one who has put down their pen is likely the one you can trust, because they have already been there as things unfolded and knows the outcome. They have written the story.  Among God’s greatest titles is that He is the author and finisher of our faith. No one is called an author until...

  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. -Matthew 7:23 Good morning beloved and yes you’ve made another Wednesday or in the voice of the GEICO camel “Hump Day”.  A story is told about the diligent agnostic who after years of doubting the God word and leaning toward being an atheist,   read that many will miss heaven by 18 inches.  The number intrigued him and he tried to do some mathematical digging to determine the author’s assessment, finding no equation, factors or nothing in the simple number 18; he then began searching the scriptures.  As he searched them he found some very interesting things in scriptures that had 1, 8, 18, 81, 1+8, but nothing stood out as a solution to explain why the number 18. Finally he searched out the author who explained physically the average distance between a humans head and a humans heart is 18 inches.  As the agnostics sat listening to the preacher, he went on to e...

  I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. -Psalms 116:1 God bless you and happy Tuesday. A very popular song from yesteryear is “I love the Lord” as sung by Whitney Houston. If we were to examine the song we’d see steps.  The first few steps, verses or stanzas are ones that all will sing based on the cycles of life.   “I love the Lord. He heard my cry and pitied every groan. Long as I live and troubles rise, I’ll hasten to His throne.” The words resound through our souls as God’s faithfulness is celebrated, but what is clearly on display is the contrast of His faithfulness as compared to our unfaithfulness.  In life surely we will cry, and just as surely God captures the sound in pity even though the source of our trouble can more often than not be traced back to our straying from His presence.  If we were really honest we’d admit trouble is birthed of our retreat from Godliness. Please note how close our cry is to our statemen...

  Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. -Psalms 20:6 God bless you and good morning. Happy Monday. Oh the joy of salvation; the blessed assurance of being in Christ!  David in his writings expressed this joy. This is a joy that destroys the Monday morning legend of a fatalistic view of that dreaded first day of the week.  Monday is not the true first day of the week.    It is really a continuation of the week.  Now if extended from a Sunday filled with worship it would not as great a factor to that it ushers in the dull drums of a new week.  Smile everyday is a blessing, especially knowing that you are in Christ.  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 you and command your day!!!

  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. -Matthew 24:10 God bless you and TGIF!!! Have you noticed that people are easier to offend now than ever and in their indignation they do things that are beyond unreasonable.  A young man was recently charged with shooting into a car that resulted in the death of a toddler. When questioned he revealed it was not his intent to shoot the child but he showed no remorse quipping the mother had offended him and he “blacked out.” Literally blinded by rage.  As many terrible things I can bring to bear almost all sprang forth from someone being offended. Being offended isn’t new but what is done with the anger reflects a level of selfishness indicative that people    are too easily offended.  The Lord Jesus warned us that offense would come as a sign of end times and towards those who speak truth. (Yes the same truth you accept that sets you free is what offends those who r...

  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. -Matthew 24:12 God bless you and good morning. I was recently watching the USA pull out of Afghanistan. People chasing planes, grasping ahold and even falling from the sky at hundreds of feet.  It was heartbreaking seeing the desperation. But more heartbreaking is the indifference shown    on Social media via comments.  The world system isn’t getting warped, it has always been. More people aren’t    vocally speaking in hate, but digital platforms are giving us a shuttering view into the dark nature of man’s fleshly heart.  The exposure of these hearts provides a numbing agent and exponentially increases the number of those who are desensitized and thus indifferent.   The Lord warned us this would happen, total disregard for righteousness (lawfulness) leads to coldness of hearts.  These things not only will but must happen to further contrast the world from Christ....

  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. -1 Corinthians 2:2 God bless you and good morning. The scripture above reflects the heart of a broken man, one broken by the grace of Christ.  The Apostle Paul is well into his missionary mission speaking to the often rebellious Corinthians.  After some begun to ally themselves to individuals such as Apollos and Paul, Paul spoke that by grace all he had was because of Christ.  He considered it arrogant to place his knowledge at the level of Christs’ majesty. Paul was very well educated, but didn’t consider his meager understanding comparable to Christ and saw it as a distraction splintering the church.  In like manner no matter how much we learn, no matter how many sheep skins we hang or titles bestowed, always humble yourself and not allow your knowledge and or gifts deflect worship from God.  Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferintercedi...

  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. -Romans 8:2 God bless you and good morning. I just love Romans 8. Let’s look at verse 2 this morning.  When you are in Christ the blessed redemptive nature of His sacrifice is as His love, commanded towards you.  It is this law of living in Christ that preserves a Christian in their faith walk. This living in Christ has not only removed condemnation but expressed as the eternal blessing commanded that we should expect.  Sins penalty is death due to the law of sin, whereas grace allows repentance and repentance, life eternal.  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 you and command your day!!!

  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. -Romans 8:1 God bless you and happy Monday!!! The word NOW is often rushed, and pushed aside in a precipitously habitual manner.  Now is a word that indicates present tense and in its biblical application both pass hurts and failures as well as present and future blessings are unlocked.  Immediately Christ cleanses and redeems the sincere repentant heart. Yet the caveat is a call to adhere to righteous living.  Walking not after the flesh but after the spirit assures that condemnation has no power over the saint.  So NOW in the sense of heart and action you are free from the penalty of past condemnation.  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 you and command your day!!!

  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. -Acts 5:41 God bless and TGIF! You’ve made it through another week. This story is so near to my heart, because as a Pastor I suffer for the cause of Christ.  I would never complain to anyone except the Lord but when I do, I envision His suffering and repent.  This is when the joy for suffering becomes real again. The Apostles had been beaten and threatened but before the ink dried on their court documents they were once again ministering Christ.  As they did the joy of being worthy or a better way of putting it is “the agitation” they caused in the kingdom of darkness  was bringing attention to Jesus, Jesus was being lifted up.  And as we know when folks really examine the story of Jesus, most come away with a faith or a new faith at levels that are beyond comprehension.  The same as He called us joy facing and enduring the cross,...

  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; -Colossians 3:23 Good morning and God bless you!!! In the late 80s and early 90s a popular phrase which originated with Harley Davidson was “Go hard or go home.” I found a great explanation for the phrase.  “To face a challenge by making a bold , superior effort , lest one give up and forgo the opportunity.”  The scripture above surely influences this viewpoint. The Apostle Paul sought to glorify God and exhorted us to do the same.  As a Christian we are always under the watchful eye of the enemy. He uses those who we encounter to assess our walk. And anything that does not align with the word immediately becomes suspect and an accusation of our God to the godless.  Thus when we work and or walk in Christ,    it must be not as unto our supervisor, not as unto our spouse, not as unto fellow believers or non believers, but as unto obtaining more glory for God.  Your comments a...

  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. -Colossians 3:2 God bless you and good morning. Where is your treasure? The story of King Midas gives insight to a man who thought his treasure was in things.  Having a touch that turned all things into gold was beyond his wildest dream until he inadvertently touched his daughter and she turned into gold.  Gone were the warm embraces and gentle cheek pecks, gone were the giggles and conversations. In its place was what he placed his heart on, but his true love was also lost.  If only he had his affection and priorities in order? If he had given more than lip service, but his hearts ovation. In essence he had placed his daughter on the back burner thinking she would be available like a cherished toy, played with then tucked away for later use.  His view was blinded by earth bound values. Which resulted in a tragic outcome.  The apostle Paul calls us to account in the scripture above. Our true ...

  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. -Psalms 37:7 God bless you and good morning. As I was preparing for Tuesday morning prayer I began reading Psalms 37. I’ve always found great comfort and encouragement in the words of this chapter.  As a young man I almost completely derailed my life. I saw what others had through guile, deceit, and criminal mischief and compared my meager belongings and felt cheated.  I got involved in some things that I am not proud of and was certainly heading down the wrong path. At that time I considered the ill gotten gain of the devices worth more than the destroyed lives of those who suffered for the devices success.  It was a single encounter with a righteous man that caused me to re-evaluate my life. The encounter allowed me to view two futures instantly.  In the first scenario, I literally saw myself impriso...

  26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.            -John 6 God bless you and happy Monday!!! If I had a question that would totally having you re-evaluate your relationship with the Lord, it would be “what are you seeking God for.”  In the story we see Jesus addressing those whose motive was contrary to His purpose.  In this case it was fish, but I am sure we all if we dig deep enough will find at some point we were seeking Him amidst.  Let’s say your relationship with your spouse is in need of “repair”, and you promise the Lord if He’d fix it you’d be more faithful. Wrong… It isn’t no where near right to seek the Lord for someone or something else that you are putting first.  Matthew 6:33 says He is to be sought first not people and certainly not things. Jesus called them out and showed them their hearts. A...

  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. -1 Samuel 30:6 Good morning, God bless you and TGIF!  My granddaughter Bri-Bri has just recently began riding without training wheels. And this of course has not been granted without the sidewalk taking its pound of flesh.  After a particularly nasty mishap, I being rattled began to walk to her.    As I did I was prompted to take a different approach.  My approach was to say, “It’s Ok, now get up and ride your bike.” Immediately she got up on her bike and as she rode just out of earshot I heard her say to herself… “ l am going to be ok, these things happen.” I asked “are you ok” as she immediately ceased crying and Her older sister Yana then confirmed my    suspicion when she said, “oh she is talking to herself.” Oh what a lesson, it ...

  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. -Proverbs 4:7 God bless you and good morning. Is it possible to have too much knowledge?  That of course is up for debate, but knowledge without understanding isn’t.  I recently saw a quote which inspired me to strive to convert as much of what I know into understanding.   “I can explain it to you, but can’t understand it for you.”  Depending on how you are wired that stated to you could be an insult or an inspiration. I pray most chose the latter.  The writer of Proverbs stated the same thing, decrying the value of knowledge as it pales when compared to understanding.  Understanding can come in an informal setting (school of hard knocks) or formal setting (Harvard). Yet the value does not diminish. Wherever you get understanding treasure it and use it as a springboard into a better life.  Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at d...

  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. -Proverbs 3:7 Good morning, happy hump day!!! Aren’t most of us guilty of self promotion; the fallacy that what we think or do is without error?  This is right where grace places itself in the line of fire and reminds us that all have and all will fall short… The writer of Proverbs gives us the sound advice above; In essence when self is the holder, promoter, chief disciple and believer; it is likely you are being wise in your own eyes.  Self has a way of convincing us how wrong everyone else is and how amazing we ourselves are… The writer associates evil with being self wise. The scripture comes on the heels of Prov 3:5 (Trust in the Lord with all…), and Prov 3:6 (In all thy ways acknowledge…), and it solidifies the thought of dependency upon God and not SELF.  Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (ICC)...

  Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. -Isaiah 41:10 God bless you and good morning. Aren’t you tired of fear? It is so prevalent that the slightest nod ensues it with power.    The other day I heard about a tornado touching down in a nearby small city.  The news came via Facebook. Giving a much needed break to the overworked sirens at the fire station (lol), the book helped spread the alarm.  Within a few minutes almost everyone had heard and were spreading the news. It wasn’t until in the next town, someone looked outside and seeing that the sun was shining in their town and though they saw clouds over the “impacted”  City, it didn’t in anyway seemed tornadic.  How easy we cower in fear when we feel as if something is out of our control, when we should know whatever we can’t, He has. The scripture above call...