The Stickman's Understanding...

  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. -Matthew 22:9  Good morning and TGIF! If the Apostle Paul’s mission could be condensed into a single scripture, it would be his unwavering zeal and his unwavering commitment to his task, as exemplified in the scripture above. He ventured into the outskirts of society, reaching out to the inhabitants and offering them the hope that only Christ can provide. He explained that God’s plan was to reconcile all through Christ. This morning, I ask you, what highways are you traveling without looking for potential guests for supper? We are called to seek, not limited in our search for those we seek. How many merchants have you passed by, unaware of the opportunity to extend an invitation due to cultural differences? We are all guilty of this…the supper table is vast, it is full of sustenance, but with many empty seats and it is open to anyone who will come.  Go fellowship this weekend, we all n...

  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. -Hebrews 6:10 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!   The book of Hebrews is almost a novel about faith. Faith and righteousness are not strangers. In the scripture above, there is an encouragement for all Christians who have been called to carry the gospel. Those with this assignment are not always treated in a way that is consistent with the sacrifice of their calling. The scripture serves as a comfort, assuring us that our lives are not in vain. Those who faithfully carry out their assignment as a labor of love are not forgotten by our righteous, loving, and faithful God, no matter what!  #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 ap...

  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 happy hump day to you!    I believe the weapons formed to steal, kill, and destroy the very foundation of our dominion—the family—are at play. Culture, in its pursuit of widespread acceptance, condones falsehoods, gradually eroding barriers to achieve this. The initial objective is to normalize these lies in the minds of the secular population, particularly through the innocent ignorance of our children. To accomplish this, an economy is established where both parents, if together, are compelled to work.  This weakens the bond between parents and children as the limited time they spend together is consumed by chores and rest. Consequently, electronic devices often become the primary caregivers. What parent would deny a crying child their favorite toy, TV show, or game? Yet, many of these ...

  And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain. -1 Samuel 18:21 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! Anyone remember the story of the Trojan Horse? In the story, the enemy hid in what appeared to be a gift. The exterior was beautiful, resembling a new trophy. A trophy that the city of Troy might have thought was a sign of their enemies’ surrender. The enemy had tried and seemingly failed, giving into the city of Troy and seemingly departing, leaving a gift. Troy accepted and embraced that gift, just as Saul hoped David would accept what had been offered to destroy him. In the scripture above, it is known that the King had decided to “gift” David his daughter. She was to be the enemy within the faux kindness that was the name of the Trojan Horse. Beloved, the enemy often uses the Trojan Horse method on us. H...

Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. -1 Samuel 18:15.  Good morning and happy Monday to you!    The phrase “behaved himself very wisely” should serve as a conviction for all of us. Many times, we are guilty of not behaving ourselves wisely. In this story, Saul attempted to kill David on several occasions, but David remained silent. Instead, he accepted Saul’s offer of kingship wisely. How many times have you recognized that the intentions of someone you are close to, even those who may have been hostile to you, are not necessarily meant for your benefit? That person could be your spiritual leader, your friend-nemesis, or even a family member. We are not judged by what others do, but by our own actions. Whether it’s retaliation or choosing to bless those who mistreat us, our reactions are scrutinized by the Lord. David’s reaction of obedience was evident when Saul saw him. Saul was confused and his fear only grew. When you walk...

  Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. -Haggai 1:5 Good morning and TGIF! One of the enemy’s most common tactics is what can be called “self-righteous offense.” This goes beyond feeling embarrassed when caught in wrongdoing—it is the anger that rises because guilt has been exposed. Yet guilt cannot exist without evidence, and evidence only exists when there is substance behind it. Shame draws its strength from the truth of the accusation. We all long for blessings, but if we are not living righteously, we have no grounds to claim them. This is not to say that God withholds all blessings—for He is gracious—but it does remind us of a key principle. The prophet Haggai emphasized this truth: if you find yourself grumbling about lack in the present, pause and consider your past actions. Often, today’s blessings are hindered by yesterday’s choices. Go fellowship this weekend, we all need it.  #prayforthepeaceofIsrael God bless you and command your day!!! ...

  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!     Martin Luther, often regarded as the father of the Protestant Reformation, earned his BA in 1503, MA in 1507, was ordained in 1508, and completed his Doctorate in 1512—all before writing the  Ninety-Five Theses , the document that ignited the Protestant movement. Despite his impressive academic achievements, Luther wrestled with doubt and spiritual unrest. His life reminds us that salvation cannot be attained through knowledge or education alone. It serves as a warning to those who try to follow Christ solely through another person’s relationship with Him. If your faith depends entirely on someone else’s walk with God, it becomes vulnerable to their failures. Should that person stumble—like Nebuchadnezzar, reduced to eating grass—you may find your own faith shaken. In time, Luther ...

  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; -1 Peter 3:14 Good morning and happy hump day to you!    Is it not true that we all long to be liked, even if not celebrated? Yet when you serve the Lord wholeheartedly, you will often face unfair treatment—especially when you refuse to compromise truth. And the cost is even greater when you stand boldly against falsehood. A “certain man” I know would tell you this: when you fully embrace your God-given purpose and will not compromise—whether for family, culture, gender, ethnic ties, or even the pull of revenge—you should expect rejection. Scripture makes it clear that rejection will come, but we are called to rejoice in it. To be celebrated by the world often means to be misaligned with God. As the Apostle Peter reminds us, those who are in Christ can rejoice, for they stand with His truth. And we know this: truth often offends, for who celebrates the ver...

  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; -Romans 3:23 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! To accept Christ without admitting and repenting of sin is to embrace a false doctrine. In today’s culture, many attempt to soften the message of God’s plan of salvation, but in doing so they often neglect these two essential pillars. Simply acknowledging the need for a Savior is not enough. God’s glory demands not only acknowledgment but also a turning away from the world, a confession of our inherited sinful nature, and genuine repentance. The scripture above marks a vital milestone on the journey of salvation. To move forward, one must first recognize—and even embrace—the truth it presents before proceeding to the next step. #pray  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

  Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: -Proverbs 24:3 Good morning and happy Monday to you!  The scripture above points out an unusual but familiar reality: people often use their skills effectively for others, yet fail to apply the same wisdom in their own lives. They know what to do, but consistently put off doing it for themselves. Think of the mechanic who can repair anyone’s car but neglects his own. Or the carpenter skilled in crafting intricate projects, yet with doors at his house barely hanging on their hinges. Or the financial expert who skillfully manages investments for clients, but never balances their own checkbook. The scripture sheds light on this tendency. To establish a house, knowledge alone is not enough—you must put into practice what you know. It’s one thing to know how to build; it’s another to know how to maintain. Jesus taught us to count the cost before building and to ensure we build on a solid foundation. For n...

  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:12-13 Good morning and TGIF! I believe one of the greatest challenges Christians face today is a lack of true understanding of love. For some, love is mistaken as always agreeing—but that is not love. Others equate it with harsh, unmerciful correction—and that too is not love. Simply saying “yes” to everything, or “no” to everything, is not evidence of genuine love. We are called to love in every circumstance—in agreement or disagreement, in anger or in joy. Love may give a timely yes, a comforting yes, or even withhold a yes in order to provide a greater reward later. The Lord demonstrated the ultimate expression of love through His self-sacrifice. Yet even on His way to the cross, He modeled love in many forms: corrective love, reflective love, guiding love, and connecting love. Go fellowship this weekend, we all need ...

  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. -John 15:9 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!  The scripture above points us to the immeasurable love the Lord has for us. Jesus Himself declared that just as the Father loves Him, so He loves us. This truth carries a powerful implication: if we remain in His love, we will experience its full benefits. To “continue in My love” is not to suggest that His love ever ceases—for His love is constant—but rather that ours often falters. Remaining in His love means growing deeper in it. From this, we receive all the blessings that flow from love itself. Yet, though the Lord is ever present in the doorway of our hearts, we often fail to meet Him there. Love, by its very nature, is reciprocal and requires commitment from both sides. Relationships thrive on effort. The Lord continually shows His love toward us—faithful, generous, gracious, comforting, and full of hope. So my question is this: who would no...