The Stickman's Understanding...

  Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. -Matthew 15:11 Good morning and TGIF!    The scripture above appears to have the Lord Jesus giving nutritional advice speaking about what the disciples were eating.  In verses 1 and 2, the Pharisees and scribes had come to Jesus complaining about the disciples eating without washing their hands.  In this it would be easy to think that a reasonable request to wash ones hand shouldn’t be ignored. But the real concern of the Pharisees and scribes wasn’t hygiene but a violation of the law. In essence it was another method to bring condemnation and to control the ministry of Jesus.  The Lord’s response should give us pause. In it he acknowledges that even after guarding what goes in your mouth, it is still possible that what goes in isn’t as bad as what comes out.  Inevitably something slips through our gates (heart, ears, eyes, mouth) because ...

  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: -1 Peter 2:9 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you! In total transparency someone called me strange at work which I took no offense.  Shouldn’t we all be peculiar when the reference that is used is this old broken world? The same which is expected because it is common rarely draws ire or admiration as this world assigns value.  Peculiar is a contrasting, where it is found that the object observed differs from other objects. Christians should be peculiar when the world performs an assessment.  The Apostle Peter was inspired to call us peculiar and Royal. Royals never conduct themselves as those around them. Royals know their linage and act accordingly, as should we.  That said I’ve been called strange as you may have been, take no offense just keep on doing things a...

  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. -Romans 10:10 Good morning and happy hump day to you!  The scripture above is key in its use to emphasize the importance of confession.  But before confession comes faith must take root in the heart. Confession to be effective must be righteous.  Righteous confession that leads to salvation that is first established in your heart is key. Your innermost being, your every fiber must believe.  Beloved belief is key to receipt in both the natural and the spiritual. When you purchase something at a store, let’s say it is packaged and you can’t see the content, but based on your belief you complete the purchase.  Your belief in the integrity of the manufacturer, the store or the retail employee prompted your purchase.  Now consider that the creator of the universe which by the way all things are made from things He created, you must believe and He rew...

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? -Matthew 16:15 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! This scripture is one that deals with knowing who Christ is. Not knowing who He is will not allow you to ever know who you are in Him.  The struggle to identify yourself in Him prevents you from striving. Striving requires understanding, acceptance, and application of that knowledge which is wisdom.  Simon who had issues identifying himself seemed to have suddenly come into the revelation of who Christ was, which showed him the path to who he was in Christ.  He identified Christ, then Christ identified him in Himself by adding to    his name. Up until this point he was identified only as Simon son of Jonah. Now all history calls him Petras or Peter.  Discovering who you are in Christ clears up all the issues associated with identity crises. As stated that discovery will promote you from shrinking to striving.   God bless you and command your d...

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory  shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.    -1 Peter 4:13 Good morning and happy Monday to you!  Upfront as Christian's we must understand that though we are called into His glory to appreciate it,    we must know His suffering and the result of His suffering is our salvation. And since we are commissioned and share in His glory, we must have a part in His suffering.  Not only was the sin of the world lifted up with Christ on the cross but also the injustice yet righteous sacrificial love as well. Most want the glory, but will not be a part of the story. The role they avoid is the area that they are missing preventing the glory from being revealed. The glory is stifled!  Beloved learn who you are and your place, for if you suffer with and for Him, you will be lifted up with Him in His glory.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your com...

  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! -Psalms 107:21 Good morning and TGIF! The declaration above has always been a call to reason. In it the psalmist takes in the majesty of the Lord and gasps at its beauty, it synchronicity, and functionality, the great order astounds him as it should also cause our marveling.    The Samaritan woman at the well forgot that she had a history, which is why she came to the well alone. She ran forth to declare the all knowing God who had wrought salvation through His son, the Messiah.  The psalmist in this instance took all who would go off land and deep into the sea.    Once there he described the power that God holds over nature and the reverence all nature has for Him.   Beloved when we praise God, He is in attendance and the sheer majesty of His Shekinah takes hold…the word Oh here means “If”. And the fulfillment of the Ifs on our part always re...

  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. -John 10:10 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you! Often I consider this warning directly from the Lord Jesus as I observe the downward spiraling course this world is on.  Here we have the Lord tell us that the enemy is assuredly going to attack us and the purpose of his attacks. As I’ve taught as well the progressively three prone approach first to steal, our knowledge, our faith, our joy, our peace and ….  Then to kill… our natural death is not the final death…the final death is eternal separation from the giver of life…. And to destroy… destroyed is the final death.  In contrast Christ gives us life abundantly that trumps the stealing, stops the killing and allows us one day to hear “well done, enter in My joy…  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at d...

  14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.                 -John 17 Good morning and happy hump day to you!  The scripture above is a part of what is called the High Priestly Prayer. In it the Lord Jesus is praying to the Father for Himself and for us.  We are the “them” whom the word is given to. Because we have, live, and share the word persecution is sure to come.  The less you are attached to the world the greater the persecution. But salt not stirred doesn’t flavor the ingredients.  The late Bishop Willie James Campbell while explaining what it means to be “in this world, but not of this world” said. Paraphrasing “A park bench and swings are placed in the park but they unlike trees and grass are not of the park.” ...

  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. -Psalms 30:5 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! Of all the promises of God that we need in these perilous times a very important one is joy.  The closer we to the rapture the more perilous times get, the more perilous times are, the more frequent the sorrow, the longer the darkness, and the more welcome the morning joy.  Beloved rest assured that our joy promised must be accepted, which is troublesome that many do not. Many who are of the faith are great at declining their joy and in the process the joy of those around them.  Let just call them joy stealers. Yet we are called to have joy in spite of and regardless of what we encounter. The Apostle Paul said in all things give thanks, so even when faced with whatever give thanks and receive your joy.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Co...

  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. -Hebrews 13:15 Good morning and happy Monday to you! The easiest sacrifice and certainly the most plenteous sacrifice we can give God is the sacrifice of praise. The Apostle Paul was inspired to clear up any possible confusion of its nature by identifying the instruments used as lips.  The breath used to play that instrument originates not from the lungs but the heart.  Many fail to understand that though in song that place the sacrifice is brought is the house of The Lord, the scripture uses the word continually negating a particular place or time.  So though David was glad to go to the house of The Lord he never limited his praise and worship there.  So good morning and bring in the week with praise due His name!     God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drsch...

  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: -Philippians 1:6 Good morning and TGIF!    If there is one thing you can rest assured on is the truth of God’s faithfulness. The Apostle spoke with assuring words the language and tone of one who knew first hand that God had shown Himself faithful.  In a sense an inventory that included a well thought out comparison had been done and in his assessment Paul had found he could depend on the Lord.  Beloved how blessed are we to know that He will begin and will not relinquish the work at hand until it is complete.    So hold on to those dreams, visions and breakthroughs. God is faithful!  Go fellowship this weekend, we all need it.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (ICC) using our cas...

  22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. -Lamentations 3 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!  Ever thought of just how much the Lord loves us. In the scripture above the prophet Jeremiah after “lamenting” the correction of the Lord spoke of His faithfulness.  In this context the always righteous Judge though He is making corrections, it is because of His loves that the corrections are being made.  As we all can and often do looking back we see things that should have destroyed us but His mercy that is faithful held back the hand of justice.   So on this morning I am up thanking Him for faithfulness which exceeds all expectations and His grace that rebounds.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (ICC) using ...

  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: -Matthew 28:19 Good morning and happy hump day to you!  In the great commission of the scripture above, we are called to be godly examples and many equate that to an assignment given to clergy only. But the phrase used by Jesus “Go ye” has no alliance to race, creed, culture, gender or title.  We must all preach in word and in deed. The only preaching some people will ever see is your life. We are observed in every transaction, conversation; every encounter equates to a sermon.   Trust me if you openly live for Christ, you will be judge in secret as well as openly. Don’t you think it is time to openly take our place and declare the work of Christ on the cross and His work today?    Go ye states I will not hide my light under a bush, I will not fear offending others by using the name Jesus.  Follow the universalist view of the ...

  I remember a conversation once, where someone remarked with sincerity they wished that they were like me. That of course brought about the question of who did they think I was? After shuffling their feet just a little they said, you know Christian. My dumbfounded look allowed them enough time to further explain saying a real Christian… saved. It prove to be quite an icebreaker as I know, as we all should know that it is by God’s grace that we are saved. The apostle Paul described in the scripture above how the struggle is real. Being a Christian does not mean that you don’t struggle with the things of this world.  It does not mean at all the things that you were before Christ do not try to stake a reclamation. Being a Christian means that you make a conscious effort daily to put the flesh under subjection or as Paul said letting the flesh die daily.  Beloved the struggle is real and the flesh fights an unfair and malicious battle, so times you fall short, but simply get...

  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? -Numbers 23:19 Good morning and happy Monday to you!  “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, nor does evil become good because a man made law has been passed.”  On yesterday I saw this quote and it resonated inside of me. We are in a world of unreasonable indulgence where for the sake    of the selfish flesh and false love many come into agreement with the perverse.  Beloved the things that are promoted as truth by many are just stepping stones along the enemies project timeline, his goal being to so deluge us with lies that we no longer recognize or believe truth.    This is where this scripture gains ground, our hope and certainly our trust must be in the Lord.  Keeping our eyes on Him will keep us in perfect peace and as Brother Peter would testify a...

  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. -2 Timothy 3:1 Good morning and TGIF!    One of the most shocking things is to hear a Christian say after a particularly evil and heinous event or act is “I can’t believe this or this is unbelievable”.   Further is when a “believer” asks “I don’t know why God allowed this to happen?”. When we should be the one encouraging and speaking the truth of the scripture above. As a warning to the unsaved and as a teachable moment or encouragement to the saved.  Beloved the word of God is true and it shines as truth more and more each day. These are the last days should be more an occasion of celebration and a stoking of the flames of evangelism.  Go fellowship this weekend, we all need it.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (ICC) using our cash app $interc...

  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. -Isaiah 6:8 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!  When I first got saved I had several long-time friends that literally defriended me. And of course since this was almost 30 years ago it wasn’t in terms of the social media unfriending that we see today.  Instead they simply stop taking my phone calls and stop inviting me to even the safest of events. And as bad as that feels I lost even more friends when I began pastoring. But if the math was done, a reconciliation was needed, if I counted up the cost, I found that the Lord has filled every void, healed every crack, and ensures that I was made whole in all ways.  The scripture above is one of my favorite scriptures. It is the first scripture that I learn after I was saved. In it the prophet Isaiah says send me I’ll go. Isaiah heard the call, answered the call, but yet he still asked the Lord...

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. -Isaiah 54:17 Good morning and happy hump day to you! How many think they know the scripture above? A show of hands would yield many raised, some higher than others.  Well I for one thought I knew everything there was to know about it until I really took the time to read the verse leading up to it.  Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. -Isaiah 54:16 The Lord created the weapon builder (Smith) and the weapon user (soldier/waster). Then the remainder of verse 17 began screaming at me… and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.  The tongue here is not the tongue of the creator, but that of ...

  1Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.                                      -Psalms 103 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! Bless the Lord oh my soul and all…This is my battle cry. The shepherd boy who would become King wrote this perhaps while in the role of servitude herding over his father Jesse’s flock.  Truly his heart was in tune as a servant leader. When your ALL worships the one true God not much else matters. If all your problems were placed on a scale would they weigh an ounce when compared to the weight of His glory!? Just a moment of worship melts away hours of anxiety…just the mention of His name stokes the flames of joy at the core of the heart of the saved. Beloved I encourage you to take a moment this day and refreshed, renewed and be restored!    God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and ques...

  23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth  him with  his hand.                        -Psalms 37 Good morning and happy Monday to you!  I’ve found that His grace is beyond sufficient and His glory beyond comparison. As I have grown in His grace I’ve found more and more that He is the Lord of all. His glory encompasses all and is revealed in all.  The scripture above captures how His grace guides, forgives, and restores all who call on His name. I’ve fallen more times than I can count but every time that I have come to Him in true repentance He has restored me. Lastly in His grace I’ve discovered my labor is not in vain. Beloved let Him order your steps in an obedient posture be willing to say Lord “not my will,but your will” and you will find His grace in abundance.  God bless ...

  13Ye are the SALT of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.                                    -Matthew 5 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you! While reading this a random thought came to mind; the opposite of salt and light would have to be bland and dark.  Taste and sight are two senses that add value. Imagine a restaurant which has bland food and it is excessively dark therein. The patronage would be minimum as eating bland food in a dark place is not very appetizing.  The Lord is referring to the drawing power of living a life guided in the word. Your flavor draws and your ambience keeps them.  We are called to be sent and when we go we are told to draw, devel...