The Stickman's Understanding...

  In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. -Judges 21:25 Good morning and TGIF! The scripture above denotes the importance of having a strong leader.  Strength isn’t just about being firm—it’s also about having an inner moral compass. A true leader must lead by example, whether anyone is watching or not. Because in truth, our actions are never truly hidden. They may go unnoticed by others, but they are always seen by the Lord. A king symbolizes authority, yet authority without accountability—both for the leader and the people—is a flawed system. Today, we live in an age where respect for authority is steadily eroding. This decline is made worse by leaders who present themselves as moral guides while living in contradiction to the values they claim to uphold. Beloved, our moral direction must remain steady, unmoved by passing trends or cultural pressure. Our commitment to integrity and accountability should not be shaped by ...

  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. -Matthew 12:34 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!    As a parent, I was often accused of reading my children’s minds. But the truth is, no one can read minds—only God has the ability to see our thoughts from afar. Soothsayers, mediums, and others who claim such abilities cannot truly read your mind or predict the future. Instead, they operate within a demonic network, carefully observing and monitoring you. One of their main tools is actually what comes out of your own mouth—but that’s another matter altogether. The scripture referenced above contains the words John the Baptist used to confront the Pharisees. Known for their deceitful and dangerous speech, John wasn’t revealing a secret—he was pointing out something already well known. No one had to guess what was in their hearts because their words made it obvious. In the same way, what f...

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; -Isaiah 61:1  Good morning and happy hump day to you!  The 61st chapter of Isaiah is often regarded as one of the most comforting sections of verses in the Bible, akin to the sentiment often associated with the 23rd Psalm. Before you disregard this, consider the scripture above. It may seem familiar to you because this is the verse that Jesus read in Luke 4:18. As He read it with the assurance of a skilled author immersed in their own narrative, it flowed effortlessly. His authoritative delivery even challenged those lacking authority. In the early stages of his ministry, he boldly declared that the comforting reconciliation of God was now accessible to humanity. Likewise, what was proclaimed over 2025 years ago remains steadfastly a...

  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, AND THE SIN which doth SO EASILY BESET us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, -Hebrews 12:1 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! The apostle Paul speaks about the impact of sin, noting that it so easily  besets  us. The term “beset” conveys the idea of being weighed down or hindered—much like the condition one is in after a fall. I recently came across a parallel involving sheep that vividly illustrates this point. When a sheep with a full, heavy coat stumbles and falls, it cannot get back up on its own. It requires the shepherd to come and lift it. But before the shepherd places the sheep back on its feet, he first holds it close, allowing blood to return to its limbs—otherwise, it risks collapsing again. In the same way, when sin overwhelms us and disrupts our spiritual walk, leaving us stranded, we need our Shepherd to lift ...

And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. -Luke 15:27-28 Good morning and happy Monday to you!    The passage referenced above is traditionally known as the story of the prodigal son. However, a closer reading reveals that the older brother’s story is just as significant—perhaps even more so—than that of the younger, so-called prodigal. While many of us tend to relate to the younger son who was lost and then found, the older brother’s experience often mirrors the spiritual walk of many believers. His cynicism, pride, and sense of entitlement reflect how our judgmental attitudes toward others’ failures can distance us from grace. Heaven rejoiced alongside the Father, yet the older brother refused to join the celebration. In this parable, the older brother represents the Pharisees—those who resisted gra...

  I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. -Psalms 3:5 Good morning and TGIF! I am a notorious sound sleeper. Sound May not be the right description as I wake only when I sense danger is real. But I am able to rest with the best of em.  I’ve been often told, “I don’t see how you sleep”, this from those close enough to know of trouble around me. Yet if I say God is my protector, shield, fortress, and more how can I let fear reign anywhere in my life?  This is the thought David gives in the scripture above. Many toss and turn hours on end as they attempt to quell their active minds.  My peace bringing scriptures to include the one above include Psalms 27, Psalms 23, and 2 Tim1:7, all which deal with peace that destroys fear and so thorough it escapes the understanding of those not in a relationship with the Lord.  Go fellowship this weekend, we all need it. #pray1Tim2  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are...

  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. -Isaiah 61:3 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!     The Bible often refers to the body of Christ as Zion. Zion being a place of peace, protection, and provision as Canaan was to the Israelites coming out of Egypt.  Israel went into Canaan and though the heavy lifting had been done, they still had the job of clearing the land, so is it in Zion. Hence why there is mourning in Zion. Mourning denotes the cost of the battle.  Yet there was reward for the suffering in Canaan and there is a reward for suffering in Zion. Though the work had reduced the soldiers to ashes, the Lord will restore the ashes, replacing them with beauty.  #pray1Tim2  God bless you and command your day!!! Your com...

  And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. -Exodus 17:11 Good morning and happy hump day to you!    The scripture above parallels the words of our Lord in John 12:32, where He said, “If I be lifted up.” When we lift up Jesus—both in our personal lives and before others—it leads to victory. Even the army of Israel, under the capable leadership of Joshua, could not prevail when Moses’ hands were not raised. In the same way, we place ourselves in jeopardy when Christ is not exalted in our lives. It must be Him—not us, not even our well-meaning positions—that is lifted up. Only He is worthy. #pray1Tim2   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 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 tremendous Tuesday to you! The scripture referenced above comes from a letter Paul wrote to encourage healing and foster unity among the Colossians. Too often, people attempt to create unity without first addressing the need for healing. But true unity can only grow from a foundation where healing has taken place. And healing itself can only take root in an atmosphere of peace. Paul understood this deeply, which is why he continually pointed believers toward Christ—the source of true peace. As Christians, we are called to receive and live in that peace. Jesus Himself declared, “Peace I leave with you.” He calmed storms with a word, and with His peace abiding in us, we too can remain steady and calm in the face of adversity. #prayforthepeaceofIsrael God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me ...

For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. -Psalms 11:7 Good morning and happy Monday to you!  Founding father Thomas Paine captured the intensity of the era following the Declaration of Independence with these powerful words:  “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he who stands by it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” Beloved, we are living in times long forewarned—days when the hearts of many have grown cold. “Fair weather” means little now, for even minor storms cause many to retreat. Far too often, compromise is the reason—choosing comfort over conviction, and silence over standing firm. Stay the course. Trust in the Lord above every other voice. Speak truth with grace, correct with patience, and remember always: hate the sin, not the sinner. #pray1Tim2  God bless you and command your day!!! Yo...

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. -Proverbs 4:23 Good morning and TGIF! Guarding your heart is often misunderstood as shutting others out of your life. But that mindset, if taken to the extreme, can actually hinder us from fulfilling our call to engage the world for Christ. In many cases, past hurt causes believers to retreat inward, distancing themselves from the responsibility of the Great Commission. In truth, guarding your heart is about protecting your inner man—your spirit—and preserving your relationship with Christ. Think of your life in concentric circles. The outer circle represents the world, where you’re called to be a witness. The innermost circle is the space of your heart, and not everything—or everyone—should be allowed access there. As the saying goes, you can’t afford to “take everything to heart.” Go fellowship this weekend, we all need it.  #pray1Tim2  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions a...

  So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; -Proverbs 2:2 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!   Hearing truth without acting on it is no different than ignoring what’s plainly in front of you. Just as faith without works is dead, so too is listening without obedience. Simply knowing something doesn’t make one wise—that’s just information. True wisdom is found in applying what you know. The scripture above highlights a two-part principle for godly success: to listen  and  to act. The verses prior emphasize the value of elders in turning knowledge into wisdom. However, as essential as it is to receive instruction, it’s equally important that the wisdom shared by elders is sound and rooted in truth. #pray1Tim2  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 $interce...