The Stickman's Understanding...

  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and  the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. -Rev 12:10 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!  The longing for the day described above is unlike any other—a day that follows the rapture, when the world will witness the full reality of the enemy’s nature. Beloved, the pressures we face in this world are driven by a fallen spiritual being intent on challenging the sovereignty of our God. Just as he accused Job, the enemy also brings accusations against us, stirring the worst in humanity. These accusations are relentless and without limit, depending on whether our actions validate his claims. Our strength, however, comes from Christ and is rooted in knowing and living out the truth. The enemy’s accusations gain power only when we believe and act on his lies. Yet even in the midst of ...

  He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. -Matthew 16:2 Good morning and happy hump day to you! The passage above recounts an interaction between Jesus and a group of Pharisees. At the outset, the Pharisees asked Him for a sign. In response, Jesus pointed out that signs were already all around them. He noted how they could interpret natural signs—like changes in the weather—to anticipate what was coming. Yet, despite likely having heard of or even witnessed His miracles (as this took place midway through His ministry), they still failed to recognize the greater spiritual truths in front of them. Many today still place more trust in natural signs than in the supernatural. But not everything can be explained by nature—some things transcend human understanding. As Christians, we will encounter those whose beliefs are grounded solely in what they can see. But appearances can be misleading without discernment. Others are d...

  And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. -1 Samuel 8:7 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! In the scripture referenced above, the Lord is seen consoling Samuel, the last Judge of Israel. Samuel had poured out his heart over the people’s stubbornness, grieved that Israel demanded a king in order to resemble the nations around them. Though they were called to be distinct, they still desired conformity—a struggle that persists even today among those called to a higher standard. As a believer—especially in pastoral ministry—I’ve encountered rejection not for a lack of love, but for standing firmly on the truth and refusing to be led by emotion. If you’ve chosen to stand on truth, you may have faced similar pushback. Often, truth is branded as hate by those determined to replace it with deception. But as the Lord assured Samu...

  Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. -1 Samuel 10:22 Good morning and happy Monday to you! This scripture here has captivated me since I first read it. One word is the reason; the last word “Stuff”  Saul being selected and anointed still operated in fear and therefore hid himself among the stuff. The Lord did not even think enough of where Saul was and what was around him to identify his location and what he used to hide.  Please do not look at Brother Saul sideways…Cause we hide among stuff.  We hid in our gated communities, behind our titles, jobs, our 401k, our bank accounts, our degrees, our fine cars, and etc. we allow those things to keep us out of the vineyard, away from the harvest. If it isn’t those things perhaps it’s fear, selfishness, or even uncertainty that is keeping you from testifying?  What stuff are you hiding among?  #pray1Ti...

  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20 Good morning and TGIF! The most horrible form of deaths reserved for the worst criminals was crucifixion. Our Lord bore that for us though we surely deserved it.  As He bore that death for us, He rose for us as well. His gesture of extreme grace and our humble acceptance allows us to rise out of death to eternal life.  Yes we rose still in the flesh which is a challenge for us, but we can live for Christ despite this paradoxical state, by having faith. As faith is the key that opens the door to growth in a relationship with Christ.  Go fellowship this weekend, we all need it.  #prayforthepeaceofIsrael  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can giv...

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.                          -Matthew 14 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!  In the scripture, we see that after Jesus fed the multitude—a moment in which the disciples themselves partook and were satisfied—He sent them ahead.  Often, after a season of fulfillment, a time of testing follows. Jesus was fully aware they would face a trial, yet He still sent them forward, knowing He would be present when the moment called for it. Reflecting on this passage brings to mind the old but insightful saying: sometimes we fear not only the problem, but also the solution. The storm was the problem—violent and threatening to overturn their boat. Yet the solution was also approaching, and they mistook Him for a ghost....

  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. -Hebrews 11:4 Good morning and happy hump day to you!  The scripture above is found in a place that is often called a gallery of faith. A Who’s Who in the Judeo-Christian tradition are on display and applauded. Also and most importantly their faith was rewarded.  Therein is the beginning of the “bys” in this chapter the Gateway, the portal, the pathway to blessings. Take note that the catalyst to receive was BY faith. You receive nothing from God by begging, crying, or complaining.  Although God does sympathize with you and will wipe away your tears, your tears are not what spurs God to action.  Those in the gallery didn’t know what we know as they had little knowledge of Shiloh (look it up), but they trusted, obeyed and were blessed.  #prayforthepeaceofIsrael  God ...

  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.                     -2 Corinthians 12:9 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! As I pondered in the scripture above a revelation came, perhaps already realized by some.  The thorn was grace. What??? The thought here is that what could have happened was prevented from happening by the thorn.  Paul could have fallen due to the ministration of his own flesh, but grace…the thorn served him well as it was sufficient to keep him dependent upon the Lord.  Beloved what thorn have you sought God for that may be His sufficiency keeping you grounded? As was Paul the thorn placed a weakness in his flesh but that void was filled by spiritual strength from the Father.  Perhaps this is why Paul said “I glory in my in...

  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. -John 21:17 Good morning and happy Monday to you! The miracle of the drought of fish stands out as a unique moment in Christ’s ministry, primarily because it occurred after His resurrection. Though it wasn’t the first time Jesus had instructed His disciples to cast their nets resulting in an overwhelming catch, this instance carried a different, more ambiguous tone—at least on the surface. Without the ensuing conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter, the deeper significance of the miracle might have been overlooked. Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” The first response from Peter appeared automatic—more of a reflex than reflection. The second time simply echoed his initial reply, offering no added dept...

  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. -Proverbs 14:12 Good morning and TGIF! The Bible was written for the Church, equipping it with the tools needed to draw people out of the world and into the truth. Until that transformation takes place, many continue to cling to their former ways, convinced those ways are still right. While this was especially evident in the lives of early believers before they came to Christ, the same pattern persists today within the body of Christ itself. Increasingly, some in the Church are beginning to question what Scripture clearly defines as sin, second-guessing truths that require no reinterpretation. The referenced scripture sheds light on the mindset of the reprobate—both within and outside the Church. It is the responsibility of every believer, redeemed by the blood of Christ, to live by and pursue the truth. As Jeremiah 6:16 declares:  “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths.”...

  For we walk by faith, not by sight: -2 Corinthians 5:7 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!     What does it really mean to walk by faith and not by sight? Put simply, we are spiritual beings navigating a natural world. We possess both physical and spiritual vision. Interestingly, even in our everyday lives, we often act on faith more than we realize. Take, for example, starting your car. Like many, you insert the key and trust the process—essentially sitting atop a controlled explosion. When you drive, you exercise a measure of faith in the strangers around you, believing they’ll stay in their lanes and follow the rules of the road. Walking by faith in the spiritual sense means trusting beyond what your eyes can see. Though we may not perceive all that’s happening in the unseen realm, we choose to believe that God is faithful to His word. And in that trust, we keep moving forward—living by His promises and obeying His truth, even when we can’t see the full p...

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. -Matthew 4:19 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! This passage recounts Jesus’ first encounter with Simon Peter along the Sea of Galilee. When He saw Simon and his brother Andrew, He called them to follow Him—and they responded. Jesus’ invitation wasn’t a rejection of fishing, but a redirection of purpose: not to catch fish, but to reach lost souls. Yet many remain merely converts, lingering near the shore, still casting nets for lesser pursuits. To truly fish for people, one must move beyond the initial moment of salvation and cultivate a heart that longs to lead others to it. This requires maturity, growth, and the courage to launch into deeper, unfamiliar waters. The lost are still waiting. But Jesus never sends His disciples out unprepared. His promise was clear: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Even early in His ministry, He was aware of how little time He had. He knew the disciples were...