LEARN TO SPEAK WITH YOUR EYES

Either your spirit or your mind is going to dominate your body. 

Which is it going to be? its up to you. 

When you were born again your spirit was recreated brand new (2Cor5.17) with the righteousness of God (2Cor5.21) made a participant in His Divine Nature (2Pet1.4) and was supposed to dominate your mind (Rom12.2) and body and bring them into subjection to the Kingdom of God. . . . . but. . . . sometimes your spirit doesn't dominate because you fail to act on what you know. You fail to speak the Word of God as God has put it in your heart, (Mk11.23) for if you did speak it in faith you would put God's own creative power to work in your circumstances. I'm not talking about blab it and grab it, I'm not talking about positive thinking or positive confession; I am talking about what the faith eye sees, the faith mind believes and the faith tongue speaks until it actually creates a living vital thing was was first seen by the eye of faith. 

What can you see with your faith eye? What are you believing? People can tell what you are believing because they can hear what you say and see what you do. Your spirit can be seen by how you speak and act; is it taking control or is your lazy, unfruitful, backslidden, unregenerate, carnal mind taking charge? The best practise for changing your circumstances is to let your faith eyes do some speaking. 

Dr Howard Sands 

Howard Sands is the International Director of Beautiful Feet Task Force, is available as a speaker for churches, outreaches, business & missions. 

For more details or to book Howard for your college, church or event see here.

What is Your Life Motivator

An unlikely farm labourer becomes warrior, hero, liberator, general and judge.

Shamgar – faithful and full of faith

Judges 3.31

Although the land we are told v30 had rest 80 years, we are also told Ch 5.6 that the roads were abandoned,

It seems that the rest (according to Matthew Henry) was not in the south east part of the land where Philistines still marauded, but rest in the north west from the Moabites. The Israelites had abandonded the roads because of these looting, pillaging Philistine thieves that controlled the highways.

Apparently one day Shamgar saw a raiding party and got up a Holy Spirit inspired anger.

The word says he killed 600 with an ox goad, 

(This implement, Mr. Maundrell informs us, in Palestine and Syria is of an extraordinary size. He measured several, and 'found them about eight feet long; and at the bigger end about six inches in circumference. They were armed at the lesser end with a sharp prickle for driving the oxen; and at the other end with a small paddle of iron, strong and massive, for cleansing the plough from the clay. In the hand of a powerful man such an instrument must be more dangerous and fatal than a sword. )

He took what was at hand.

The impulse was sudden and strong, He had no sword only the tools of his trade

God can make those whose family, finance and position are of no consequence (he was following the plough) and save a nation with them.

God can make ploughmen into judges and generals

Shepherds into kings,

Fisherman into apostles

It doesn’t matter how weak the weapon is if God directs and strengthens the arm that uses it.

Then the ox goad does more than Goliaths sword ever can.

Sometimes God chooses to work by unlikely means that the excellency of the power may be seen to be of God and not of men.

But what if Shamgar didn’t respond that day.

What if he hid in fear and the Philistines ravaged the land yet again.

Who knows how many times they had done it before and how many other men God had put the impulse in but they had shied away from the task.

Are we taken with a passion and love for His house that we won’t allow the marauding armies of the Philistines to plunder our land.

Are we the people who will stand and deliver a nation, a people, a community, an individual person.

Are we the ones that see ministry as doing what ever God requires (not just some high position that inflates our ego).

Are we consumed by a passion for His House that we come and do the work so that the house looks good, not out of a sense of duty,

Not out of a sense of “its my job”

But because I want to serve my Lord and do whatever it takes to make His house

• a place of praise,
• a place of excellence,
• a place of real spiritual worship,
• a place where others can find the presence of God that heals their hurts, bathes their emotions, softens their spirit and enables them to find the God who cares.

1 Cor 4.17 Paul spoke about Timothy as His faithful son, “faithful in the Lord”

he spoke about Moses as "faithful in all his house."

Faithful:- those that have the Lords best interests foremost in everything they do.

We are building His house full of this kind of people, not merely doing a job in church but faithful in a ministry to the Lord.

Here this message live here.

Follow Beautiful Feet Task Force

Facebook 

Google+

YouTube

Africa Network BFTF

"There are only two things, God & Violet Crumble."

I heard an interesting statement in church today, 
"There are only two things, God & Violet Crumble."

Now that is not what Pastor Ian said, its what I heard. He said, "There's only God and nothing else matters."  My involvement in advertising for so many years took that slogan that Violet Crumble made famous "Nothing else matt...." and interpreted it in my brain to the Violet Crumble product in Ps Ian's statement, (maybe it had something to do with winning a Picnic bar in answering a question in one of Ps Ian's famous church quizzes). Therefore there is not just one thing, there is God and then if nothing else matters there is Violet Crumble.  Video ad

How our brain works is a fascinating thing, word / product / image association.
What is the image that comes to your mind when I say Africa.
Well that depends on what things to do with Africa have made an indelible impression on your mind, let me not put images into your mind of what it may be in your mind (we're all different), but allow me to share with you an image, impression and concern in mine when I hear of or think of Africa. (I have already done 6 missions trips to 4 African countries)

I think of thousands of ministers passionate for the gospel message of Jesus Christ that saves to the uttermost even the worst of sinners, I think of some difficult situations from rural villages  to major cities,  I think of humungous gatherings of people hungry for the gospel truth, I think of leaders crying out for help on how to teach their congregations that Jesus has already won their victory. For most, they know it but they don't know it. I mean they have heard it, they even give a mental assent to the truth of it but they themselves don't know how to live in it so how can they impart the revelation of truth of it to the congregations. They are hungry for revelation knowledge of the word that will sustain them.

On the other hand I also think of many churches where the pastors are almost worshiped, they adore adulation, sitting mightily on throne like chairs before their congregations and having their members do everything for them; gaining at least three titles is tantamount to dictatorial rule and as a consequence substantial financial gain, these doctrinally shallow leaders keep their people in the same shallowness so that their position in the pecking order is not disturbed, it just too good being adored and having everything materially conceivable even through many of their congregations are often struggling to put food in their children's mouths.

Whilst there are people in every country and from every walk of life that abuse privilege Jesus showed us a form of leadership not like the world, he demonstrated and taught servant leadership. Paul the apostle of Bible writings was first of all a persecutor of the church than an advocate of it. He received revelation of who we (the church) were in Christ, that other disciples who were disciples before him said, "some of Paul's teachings are hard to understand." Yes they are, for they are not to be understood with the soul/mind but with the spirit. Paul said these things are spiritually discerned.

My heart and passion is to help people become spiritually minded enough to receive the revelation of who they are in Christ, that they know how to live in it daily, that they don't need to be lording it over others but can in true humility help believers to have the confidence in Christ for every situation that He intended for us. When you mention Africa to me, the picture I see is of thousands of leaders receiving understanding of what Christ has done for them and how to both appropriate it themselves and release others into the freedom it brings for them.

To this end Beautiful Feet Task Force is again ministering in Africa the revelation of Jesus Christ to hundreds of pastors and leaders. I expect there will be all types there, some there for good intent and others for selfish. Some there who are healthy strong servant leaders and others who have not yet realised that releasing people into their destiny actually releases you into yours.

I'd like to take you on this journey with me, sadly for this trip you can only come in prayer, in giving and virtually, (we will be posting to facebook as much as possible during the trip - Follow here)

From 23 October 2015 Ps Howard will be heading to Bamende, Cameroon as one of many guest speakers of Dr Bernard Etta at the '40th Anniversary Global Convocation' along with guests from many parts of the world.

Then its on to Cape Town, South Africa for the jointly organised 'Kingdom Advancement Leadership Summit,' hundreds of leaders from Southern Africa particularly are expected to attend.

After this, BFTF with the Pheonix Ministers Fraternal are hosting 'Leading Without Limits' in Durban, South Africa.

During these programs and many local church functions Ps Howard will be (with others) helping many hundreds of leaders lift their revelation of who Christ is in them, what He has done for them and what He wants to do through them.

The church in Africa is growing much faster than the western church and yet the need for sound teaching and revelation of who we are in Christ has become greater than ever because of rampant poor, shallow and wrong teaching that has kept many bound in law and limited knowledge of the freedom found in Christ.

Will you help bring freedom to thousands through supporting hundreds of leaders across Africa with revelation knowledge.



You can support BFTF in these ways. 
PRAY - SEND - GO - FOLLOW


PRAY especially on days of international mission
SEND support these missions with your gifts
GO join a team whenever a team is going. 
FOLLOW BFTF on social media 


PRAY                                             
Subscribe to Prayer  Newsletter

SEND   

Two ways to contribute

direct deposit to Beautiful Feet Task Force

Commonwealth Bank of Australia
BSB 062 614  Account number 0094 0442   

or with your credit card or PayPal account. 
 

GO
Get advance notifications of team trips

FOLLOW

Facebook

YouTube

What’s in a Seed?

Howard Sands (c) 2010

What’s in a Seed?
Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow.

     Discover how this principle has, is, and will, apply in your life.

re discover the journey of your life, and how, where you are now is just a part of the journey to where you are going. Small beginnings, cold winters, hard times, refreshing rains and summer joys are all part ofg the journey to where you are going. 

Life is In Stages

Seeds

Genesis 1:12

The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:29

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

The right kind of seed – every seed produces

The seed of the Holy Spirit was planted in you – keep that seed only growing

Leviticus 19:19

" 'Keep my decrees. " 'Do not mate different kinds of animals. " 'Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. " 'Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

Deuteronomy 22:9

Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.

Planting  - theres a death to self

John 12:24

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

Underground growth,  - the seasons –winter necessary

Genesis 8:22

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

Shooting – there’s extreme joy with new birth – natural and spiritual -

Mark 4:27

Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

Isaiah 61:11

For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Seedling

Young tree – beauty and strength in a growing young tree = this is just the early phase not its destiny. 

It is still has a valid ministry – provides shade and beauty,

Birds still rest on it and make nests in it

Leaves still exchange carbon di oxide for oxygen to give life

Binds the ground together with its roots so rains don‘t destroy & degrade the land

But this is not its destiny. 

Hosea 14:5-6

I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of   Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon

Must survive the Weather/ elements – storms of life

Young trees are supple – know how to take the battering winds

Tall mature tree  

Matthew 13:32

Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

Luke 13:19

It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."

1 Corinthians 3:6

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

Cut down

Isaiah 6:13

And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land."

1 Kings 5:6

"So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians."

To the saw mill to be cut to lengths

1 Kings 5:18

The craftsmen of Solomon and Hiram and the men of Gebal cut and prepared the timber and stone for the building of the temple.

Endure the pain – stay securely anchored in Him

Hebrews 6:19-20

19We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

2 Timothy 2:3

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Stored in the timber yard

1 Chronicles 22:14

"I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them.

Sold to the builder

Cut shaved shaped nailed

2 Kings 22:6

the carpenters, the builders and the masons. Also have them purchase timber and dressed stone to repair the temple.

House – a great house – a palace – a temple – a city

This is the destiny of the seed

2 Chronicles 2:3

Solomon sent this message to Hiram king of Tyre: "Send me cedar logs as you did for my father David when you sent him cedar to build a palace to live in.

Hebrews 11:10

For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God

You’ve been working towards it

Don't lose heart in the winter. 

Don't stop growing through the storms of life. 

Don't give up when you're cut down.

Don't say I can't when you're being cut and shaped. 

Don't think your time will never come when you seem to be forgotten when you're lying in the timber yard,

because everything you do is determining

how your palace will work out.

36 saved in village ministry in 2 days in Tamil Nadu, India

India mission 1-12 Oct
Stage 1. 1-2 Oct 2014. Village ministry near Rajapalayam, 2+ hours drive from Madurai in TN. Invitation by Nidy Durairaj from NHCC Australia.  
He has helped pioneer and build 5 churches in this area.

We began the ministry with a morning meeting in a Hindu family home in the small village of Sivilingapuram where Ps Arul (local pastor) has been ministering, this family has shown him kindness and interest in his message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Howard spoke on personal testimonies of healing and the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

The home owner and his wife received Jesus as their saviour along with the son of a late Hindu swami and others. Eleven in total received Christ in that tiny village tiny home, we visited other homes in the village and returned to the home of the meeting for beautiful lunch, Indian hospitality is clearly seen here even though these people have very little materially they are so happy to receive Jesus and share their homes and lives with us.

After returning home for a little rest in the afternoon, it's hot here, we needed it, it's amazing how easy it is to sleep on these camp stretchers, we headed off to the church where the anniversary meetings are to be conducted, this is a church in Thumbombakullam village where Nidy from NHCC who has invited me, along with his aunty in Chennai and supporters from Mission Fellowship in Australia have constructed a church building and dedicated it 5 years ago.

Although scheduled to start at 6pm and only about 6 people present, Nidy was not concerned, the people will only come when they get back from the work in the fields or cotton mill factories, this is an agricultural area. We started the meeting about 7pm with maybe 50+ people but by 7.30 the numbers had grown to about 100. The first heavy rain in 7 years fell last week so everyone is busy planting crops. Howard preached on "what can you see," a message about seeing the spiritual side of life as well as the natural.

The rain came again during the service, a great downpour, the people are very happy for the rain. Another guest preacher from within the state also spoke after  Howard, unfortunately, even though he was asked to finish with an altar call for salvation he failed to do this and the meetings was dismissed. Apparently he is only accustomed to preach in churches and assumed everyone in church is born again. We should never make this mistake, especially when it is a special occasion. Nevertheless the people were encouraged and will return the next night.

Howard prayed for several that came forward for prayer for healing after the meeting was closed including one older lady who had hip pain that she was completely healed from and a young boy that had bad hearing in one ear that said he could now hear properly in that ear. Both gave testimony to those around them of their healing.

Thursday morning we went to another village and another meeting in tiny home, about 30 people (about 25 of them children) crammed into a small living space about 10 feet by 10 feet. Howard told them stories about the healing of his son Joshua., how God spared Howard's son but did not spare his own son. How when he was 3 years old his older sister Kyle at the tender age of 6 led him to Ask Jesus into his life.  We made a salvation appeal and 15. Children asked Jesus into their life.  We called in several more villages and met the people and prayed in their homes on the way back to pastor Arul's home. 

The evening service started by 7.20pm and by 7.40pm the place was packed tight with about 200+ people for the anniversary service. After local preacher preached. Howard was invited to share the word of God and spoke about the woman in e bible that pressed through the crowd to receive her. Oracle of healing.  7 more asked. Christ to be Lord of their life and many committed themselves to press through the crowd to receive something from God they were desiring. 

After a community dinner we drove back to Ps Arul's home, packed, said goodbye to Ps Arul and family (son Vinod has been helpful in taking photos) and left about 11.30 pm for the 2 hour drive to the major city of Madurai where Howard will spend the next several days. 

Goodbye Rajapalayam, it's been great meeting the beautiful people of your villages.