The Stickman's Understanding...

  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: -John 10:27 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! One of the most deceptive lies is that sheep are ignorant. I can see how the enemy would want us to think so because it casts shade at our Lord, the Lamb of God.  The Bible doesn’t expound on their intellect but we are given clues in how a sheep can distinguish between its shepherd and others. Doing so requires a certain level of intellect.  A sheep may hear the same words from a different shepherd, the same command, but it will still only follow a recognized voice.  The Lord gave us the gem above exposing to us that when you are His not only do you hear but you heed His voice.   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 $intercedingcc 

  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: -Joel 2:28 Good morning and happy Monday to you!  The scripture above is a week-starter! Anybody notice that the Spirit of the Lord is moving on young folks. All around the world revivals are breaking forth and young folks, the so called “lost generation”, are crying out.  Where it is mostly happening is what has me on the verge of and spontaneously worshipping. On college campuses!  In the face of oppression from not only their peers but from even administrations. Muslim, Buddhist, and Atheistic professors, and hecklers and the sort are not distracting a crying out from the pouring out of His Spirit.  It is His Spirit fulfilling prophecy. Beloved cry loud and spare not, the day is growing short.   God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and ...

  9And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:  10If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. -Deuteronomy 30 Good morning and TGIF! So...who says favor isn’t fair? The phrase “Favor ain’t fair”caught the evangelical church by storm when Bishop TD Jakes shared it a number of years ago.  Though his intent may not have been this it has become a battle cry to justify what appears to be favoritism of God without purpose towards a given individual or even a group.  Please understand that God is gracious but He is not hoodwinked by lip service and declarations invoking His blessings ...

  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. -Isaiah 53:2 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!    I was watching an old TV show where a conflict having been resolved resulted in a conversation between the father and his son about linage. The son while apologizing stated he had pulled up root and went awry.  The father picked up on the conversation and stated his son could try to move but he had been established by the tap root and could never lose his identity.  The term caught my attention and after I researched it the scripture above really settled more into my spirit.    The tap root comes from the seed directly and is responsible for full support of the plant and its functions.  The tap root forces it’s way into the ground to establish a foundation for the smaller support roots, the vines and...

  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. -John 15:5 Good morning and happy hump day to you! As the Lord was preparing the disciples for His departure, the scripture above was given to emphasize the importance of staying connected to Him.  The importance of staying connected can not be overstated. If compared to the impact of being disconnected the difference is clearly seen.  For one the most impactful thing I’ve seen is when a fruit disconnects from the vine it begins to wither. It starts at the stem.  The stem which was the life conduit begins to dry and it eventually falls off the fruit. The growth process ceases when a fruit detaches and eventually, it begins to reverse or digress. As long as fruit remains attached you grow and produce but when you separate which results in stagnation, spoilage and ultimately total deterioration. Stay connected!  Your comm...

  4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. -1 John 4 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! Ever get disgusted with the influencers? You know the ones who are not degreed, taught or experienced in much more than athletics, music, acting, etc… As a blood washed believer we will find ourselves at odds with those who live and speak contrary to the word of God. We say He lives, they say He doesn’t, we say He was born of a virgin, they say impossible. We state in agreement with Him that He is the only way to the Father and they say, there are many ways.  There is no reason to get upset with their huge following because as verse 5 says…The world will hear… The ones who fully deny Him are of little consequence when compared to the more dangerous ones who attempt to intermingle lies with the truth. They try to f...

  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. -Isaiah 26:3  Good morning and happy Monday to you! I just love and as my auto correct said “live” this scripture. It is like my personal call of triumph and a statement of my hope, help and peace being found in the Lord.  I am    often asked how can I have such joy in spite of what appears to be chaos,    opposition, and distraction on a demonic level.  Simply it is where my focus is. Your physical body may be in the midst but if your focus isn’t then you are as Paul says in Ephesians 2:6 “seated in heavenly places”  It is where your mind is so resides your peace. If your mind stays in fear, your peace is a close neighbor.  But if you meditate both day and night, keeping Him center-most in your life, it’s like submitting a spiritual change of address.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Conta...

  Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. -Numbers 13:28 Good morning and TGIF!    It is amazing how the same words spoken can take on two difference meanings. One spoken in fear whilst the other in faith.  All 12 spies saw the same things and together they brought back some of the “milk and honey” of the land. All said that the land was fertile, and that in the land were certain people, to include the Anakim (Giants).  All 12 reported the children of Ankim was there in the land but somehow the report of the two was given as a matter of fact which fact should never trump faith.  Ten spoke in fear and discounted the word of God whilst two spoke saying they are there but God said… Beloved never allow what you see to always be what you believe. Vetting what you see should be compared to what God has said and if God said something contrary to what you cu...

  10 By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. -Proverbs 13 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you! I quipped recently to my wife, that we all should read Proverbs 13 twice a year.  If possible it should be required reading in schools. It is full of gems, one of the jewels is the scripture above.  If hindsight is 20/20, adhering to this scripture is like a super vitamin that keeps any and all sight enhancing apparatuses at bay for life.  I’ve often said that covert disobedience is more insidiously dangerous than overt. Covert is hidden and may not be addressed in a timely manner, overt stays under the surface and may be missed, revealing itself after the damage is too extensive to repair.  Beloved self awareness is key as awareness of others play a much smaller role than the billboard implies. Take more advice than you give receiving that advice respectfully and it will certainly plant seeds of blessings.  ...

  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. -Proverbs 13:24 Good morning and happy hump day to you! I am sure many have wondered why the enemy tries so hard to distort or bury the scripture above. The attack comes when the naysayers point out that the Bible doesn’t say verbatim “Spare the Rod and spoil the child”. Not acknowledging that the saying is simply an explanation of the warning contained therein.  A rod is described as an object used to    correct and or provide a defense to the owner. The owner is obligated to utilized his rod efficiently and with prudence. This means no pleasure is derived from distributing the impact of the rod. Further the rod is not immune to damage. A Shepherd would often damage their rod protecting or correcting their flock. The word spoil has even taken on a new meaning. In that time period it was used to describe a devaluing of an object. A child spoiled would not add a value to family, i...

  1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, GIVING HEED to SEDUCING SPIRITS, and DOCTRINES of DEVILS ; -1Timothy 4:1 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! As I was meditating on the scripture above I thought what does it means to give HEED.  From a quick study, giving heed means to allow an exchange of information to take place; and in this instance the Apostle is suggesting those who are allowing it, are doing so because of their own disbelief.  Young Christians who have had conversion based in a given life situation are very susceptible to falling for false doctrine. But reading the first part of this scripture Paul uses the phrasing “latter times”. Is this to express that those who should be rooted based on if nothing else time, are not rooted.  The platform for those with influence is broad, opportunistic and like any lie louder than the truth and moves at breakneck speed. But as broad as the lie, ...

  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; -1 Timothy 4:1 Good morning and happy Monday to you! We are often warned of the unfaithful in the word of God, so when they become manifest why are we shocked?  The danger of departing is real but not as sneaky as the activity used to attack and “water down” the truth.  Those that seek to water down the truth will not full on attack it, but they will come at an angle.    For example a group called the Ebionites claimed to accept Christ as Messiah but they didn’t accept the virgin birth, which is crucial in the purity of Christ.  Knowing of Christ is basic, but knowing Him requires levels. These levels in Christ are places of spiritual maturity, growth and faith and are enhanced as you grow up. The levels all containing His ways, but each level has corner stones. With love being the foundation, each levels ...

  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. -Psalms 119:133.  Good morning and TGIF! I love the way this scripture reads in the ESV. “Keep steady my steps according to your promise”. When God    Orders or Keep steady your steps it is an indication of a life that He heads because you allow Him that liberty.  God being always mindful of His word applies it to our lives. In keeping His word He considers the good plans that He has for us.    Lastly consider the heart of Jabez and those who are conscious of the impact of a obedient life. Obedience surely trumps sacrifice.  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 $intercedingcc 

  Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. -Exodus 3:1 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!   I noticed that God does not call you while you sit doing nothing but waiting on Him, He calls you when you are doing something and usually for Him.  Moses and David were shepherding sheep, Samuel was serving Eli, Elisha was plowing.  Beloved the key to ensure you don’t miss His calling is to always be watching. If Moses had not been watching perhaps he would have seen the burning bush but not have noted it wasn’t consumed.    Or what if Samuel had been a deep sleeper and he didn’t hear the voice of the Lord or even ignored it?  From this scripture we ascertain that God will call you when it seems least likely and you are busy. So while you are working, do not allow your work to consume you so much that you miss the c...

  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. -Mark 16:20 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!  Often God works within the perimeter of your obedience. Take note of the sequence of events that the scripture above references.  The Lord Jesus had given the great commission to the remaining eleven and as we all know it outlines our role as purveyors of the gospel.  He told them that their role as it is our role, is to spread the gospel. Having given the commission and the work when performed by the believer, then signs and wonders would follow.  The Lord does often work I. Sequence, I.e. grace, followed by belief, followed by faith, followed by Godly works. Many times we attempt to place the signs and wonders at the beginning which is out of order. It takes little to no faith for signs and wonders that come first.  I challenge you to have faith, spread the message in words...

  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. -Matthew 24:39 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! I wasn’t privy to watching the Grammy Awards show recently but from what I am told I missed nothing.    No more than what’s described in the Bible as people moving forth in life doing things which they falsely perceive holds no accountability.  Beloved it is amazing what people will endure in the name of not wanting to repent or admit the fallen state of man.  The scripture above addresses the state of man before the flood and how the same mindset exists in the last days (now). The Lord is pointing out what will occur and when it does, all types of explanations come forth none giving glory to the accuracy of the prophecy of God.  Beloved open your eyes, cry aloud and spare not, the eternal destiny of so many are on the line.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questio...

  Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. -Proverbs 24:1 Good morning and happy Monday to you!  Nothing corrupts good manners like bad company. As one of those sayings “mama” instilled in me early, at this age I can certainly appreciate the soundness of that teaching.  From the scripture above we glean one reason the good gets caught up. Simply keeping your eye on the wrong thing which indicates your values may be misaligned.  Envy indicates lack of self worth (value). Especially envy of the corrupt immoral behavior.  Some feel that this is a lesson they have learned, but in actuality many who are of age still haven’t allowed that lesson to settle into their decision making process.    It is therefore of the utmost importance to watch the company you keep, guard the gates.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Inte...

  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. -Colossians 3:15 Good morning and TGIF! Here is a bold statement. Next to love, peace is the most important element in this walk of faith. Both are fruit of the Spirit and both results of the seeds of grace planted by the Lord.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, -Galatians 5:22 Let’s examine this. In order for the joy of the morning, we must have peace, in order to be kind we must be at peace, in order for gentleness, we must have peace… We truly live in a fallen world, one that is full of hate, vengefulness, and the like. When those of the world see how we handle the world, they marvel.  We are at peace because we know that the blessed hope draws near. Our peace confuses the world because the world lacks the peace that surpasses understanding.  What a joy our peace is, such as it is why not share ...

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!  The second part of this scripture is key in your trust in the Lord.  Saying you trust in Him requires letting go of your understanding and seeking His guidance. Our own understanding is froth with fault.  Many times we misunderstand, misstep and make mistakes that drive wedges between us and our purpose, us and our blessings, and or us and our relationships.  Our understanding is fleshly and finite, whilst the understanding of God is spiritual and infinite. Our understanding is full of pride, programs, and personal plans.  Leaning towards our understanding means an eye for an eye. Our understanding dismisses as not true anything we can’t explain.  The scriptures two parts compliment each other.    We are first told in the positive to totally trust the Lord and, negatively, not to trust our own understanding....

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. -Romans 12:2 Good morning and happy hump day to you! I’ve often said that the two things that sell a product are fear and lust. Take note those things are the key weapons of the enemy. Fear says “Do not be an outlier and if you are one, then you are in danger”. Fear will make you compare yourself to others to see if you measure up, and if you don’t (you rarely do), what you must do to conform.  Conformity is a real challenge as the pressure to go along to get along is real. Further since comparison is the thief of joy, any joy you had before dwindles. Hence the importance of a renewed mind and its transforming effect.  A renewed mind draws us toward being    transformed and having a transforming impact on others.  God calls us to be transformers! We are to shape others mainly through a Christly exa...