There are people that God will put in your path that make a great impact on your future. The ministry that you do together, and the people that you meet because of them, can set the course for your journey for the next season, or maybe even for the rest of your life.

Carol Owens was one of those people for me. Carol, along with her husband Jimmy, founded the School of Music Ministry International. I was a student in their first school in the USA. SMMI was a 6 week training school that became a template for all the worship schools that started after that worldwide. I was working full time, as the Director of Marketing for Pacific Bell, at the time. I had not taken a vacation for over a year, so I was able to take 6 weeks of vacation to attend the school.  I was also the volunteer director of worship at my church, working with five different worship teams. I was simply hoping to become a better worship leader for my local church.

While attending the school, Jimmy and Carol asked me to pray about coming to work for them to help establish Worship Schools all over the world. I did. Because of their obedience to start the school, and to ask me to help, I left my six figure corporate job to become a missionary. I moved into their spare bedroom, and helped them set up worship schools. I have now been a full time missionary, with no salary, for over 30 years. It has been the best adventure with God you could ever hope for. I have traveled to over 60 countries. I have taught students from over 100 countries. I have lived overseas several times. I have never wanted for anything. God has blessed me abundantly. I am forever grateful to Jimmy and Carol for SMMI, and all the lifelong friends I met by knowing them. They opened up their home, and shared their lives with me, and others in our ministry.

Carol passed away this week. She was a great lover of God. She and Jimmy wrote hundreds of songs, and their music, and musicals, (Like “The Witness”, “Come Together,” “If My People” “Heal Our Land”) sparked prayer movements and revivals worldwide. Their fun children’s musicals (Like grammy nominated Ants’hillvania) delighted young saints through the years. They also wrote a wonderful book about how to write, “God Songs.” I am certain that her mansion in heaven is amazing and filled to the brim with ‘treasures in heaven’ that she has stored up because of her faithful service to the Jesus. I love Jimmy and Carol like family. She will be missed until I see her again in heaven.

I encourage you today, to take time to thank God for the wonderful people He has used to connect you to your destiny. And, while you’re at it, contact them, and let them know what a blessing they have been in your life!

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 King James Bible “God inhabits the praise of His people…”

I’ve always thought of this verse as God coming to be with us when we worship Him in a corporate church setting. Which He does. But, this week, I got the revelation that whenever we praise anything, or anyone, God and inhabits that praise. In other words, when we are positive, and say good and encouraging things… When we praise someone’s behavior, or activity… Even when we praise ourselves… (instead of being critical) Jesus comes to dwell there. God comes to be there with us. God comes in the fullness of who He is. 

I believe our sacrifice of praise is similar to sacrifices given to God in the Old Testament that create an aroma that is pleasing to God.

 “Present as an aroma pleasing to the LORD a burnt offering.” Numbers 15:7 NIV

And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the LORD. Leviticus 1:9 NKJV

Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. Hebrews 13:15 Amplified Bible

I believe that God is saying that our sacrifice of praise becomes the aroma that draws God to us, just as the sacrifices did in the Old Testament. Our praise catches His attention. Creating an atmosphere of praise, and encouragement, and being positive releases the aroma that draws God into our experience.  When we draw near to God, He draws near to us! 

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you… James 4:8a BSB

I want to challenge you today to create an atmosphere that is positive around you. Praise God for all He is, and all He has done. Speak blessings over people. Encourage them. Praise their behavior. As we do, I believe it draws God to us, and allows Him to step in to the situation in the fullness of who HE is! For God truly does inhabit the praise of His people.

Be sure to encourage those around you today. The Bible says in Hebrews 3:13 NIV: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Have a great week!

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60: 1-3 BSB

Happy New Year! Every year, I spend time with the Lord, asking Him what He wants to say to me about the upcoming year. This year, I heard the Lord say that “2023 will be a year of great glory!”

I also felt that He said to me “2023, Just wait and see!”

I felt that the Lord was meaning two things with the “Wait and see” word. 1) He is going to do great things this year, and He is excitedly saying, “Just wait and see!” AND 2) I felt that the Lord told me in 2022 that “Everything you know is about to change.” And that there will be a great freedom coming to the earth that is beyond anything we have experienced before. I felt that He was telling me to WAIT on some of my scheduled projects and investments, as things would be changing and I would be wasting my time working on those things now. So, “Just wait and see.”

I pray that 2023 will be a GLORIOUS year for you, and that the Lord will direct your steps!

Remember – Don’t shrink back from God’s call on your life. Life is too short and too precious to waste. The world is counting on you. But, you’re not alone. We are here to help. We’ve trained students for the last 40 years from over 100 countries, and now you can take some of our classes online. We hope you’ll check out our new online course “Live Streaming Video Production School” that is being offered this semester, with the class starting on January 16, 2023. You can enroll in a class today!

… Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1 & 2 

Las month, I had a dream. I want to share some of it with you today.

In the dream, I was in a car driving down a road, about to get on the freeway. BUT, I got distracted and missed the entrance, and was about to drive over the edge of a hill/ cliff. I knew that I’d be driving into a steep valley and that my car would crash. I said, “Oh no!” and quickly turned to the right to drive on a railroad track instead, knowing a train could be coming at any moment. Then, I reach another road, and I pulled off to the right, away from the mountains on my left. When I stopped the car I was shaking. 

 I was so mad at myself for being distracted and not paying attention and missing my entrance to the freeway. If I had just paid attention, none of this would have happened, and I would be safe, and where I was supposed to be going. And, I wasn’t doing something wrong, I was just not paying attention. I was listening to the radio, and adjusting the vents on the A/C – And then I looked up and I was headed for a crash, and going off the road, and missed the freeway.

 It only took one second of not paying attention and I was headed off the road, down a steep hill, wrecking my car.

 I knew the only way to get back to my entrance on the freeway, where I was supposed to be, was to get back on the railroad track and pray that a train wasn’t coming down the track right then.

I want to encourage you today, to pay attention to what it is that God has called you to do. If you aren’t sure what that is, our class, “Discover and Do Your Destiny,” is a great place to start. It will help you have the tools to keep you on the right road, and to focus on the things that are important. It will help you pay attention each day and not be distracted. You don’t want to get off course. You are almost there. It’s time to get on the freeway! 

Remember – You don’t want to miss your entrance to the freeway because you are distracted and not paying attention. If you get off your road, and on the wrong track, you could get hit by a train. And, then, to get back to where you can enter the freeway, you’ll have to backtrack – by driving back on the track – and risk, again, being hit by a train. You can learn to stay on the road to your destiny in our class, “Discover and Do Your Destiny,” that starts on January 15, 2023. 

This week the Lord was speaking to me about “It’s Time, and “Big Doors.”

It was a very long and detailed word. I want to share part of what He said, with you, as I feel this is for you as well.

The Lord says, “The doors I am about to open for you are BIG DOORS – they are HUGE doors.

They are bigger than you have ever truly anticipated. But, you are ready.

And, when the doors open, you will know that it is Me.

And, you will know it is my timing and my plan.

All you have to do, is walk through the open doors.

It is time.

This is a new season, in the new ERA, of the Kingdom Age.

You were created for such a time as this.

For such a time as this!” 

Then, just after the Lord told me this word, about it being TIME, I got a text that a package had been delivered to my front door. I went to see what it was. It was a watch that a friend had ordered for me for my Birthday. A watch! Yes, Lord, it is time!

So, today, I want to give you a great reminder, that it is time!

Our free gift this month is a link to a special Music Video of our friends Rock song, Revolution Anthem. It is time.

https://youtu.be/lj-lXtL-lD0
This song is written, and sung, by a long time friend of our ministry, Bradley DeRuiter, and features his wife Kimiya DeRuiter. You can also see many of our friends in the video Bill Peters, Rachel and Nathan Johnson, Taljon DeRuiter, and Al Rondon, among others.

Know that we love you, we believe in you, and we are praying for you! It’s time!

The one who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens a door that no one can shut, and who shuts a door that no one can open… Revelation 3:7 International Standard Version

Recently, I had a vision I want to share. It was simple, but profound.

Jesus and I were in a car. He was driving and I was in the passenger’s seat. He parked the car in front of a tall skyscraper. He got out of the car, and came around, and opened my door. I got out of the car, and we walked, arm in arm, up to the front of the building. When we got there, He opened the door for me, and we walked in together.

Then the scene ‘rewound” and I saw it again.

Jesus and I were again in a car. He was driving and I was in the passenger’s seat. He parked the car in front of a tall skyscraper. This time, as soon as He stopped the car, I opened my door and jumped out of the car. I ran ahead of Him, up to the front of the building. When I got there, I opened the door for Him to walk through. I held the door open as I waited for Him to catch up. Then, He walked in the door, and I went in behind Him.

I was expecting Him to tell me what a great job I was doing, and be proud of me for opening a door for Him, so that He could enter the building. But, when I looked at His face, I saw that He was holding back tears. He was disappointed, insulted, and sad. I then realized that He wanted the first scene to be how I live my life. He wants me to wait on Him to open the doors for me. He wants us to walk together in the journey, and not for me to run ahead. He wants me to realize that He is proud of me when I let Him drive, and let Him open the doors.

I don’t know about you, but, too often, I run ahead. Too often, I think I am doing a great job for Jesus because I opened a door for Him to enter into a location or situation. He created the universe. He doesn’t need me to open a door for Him. He is the one who opens doors. Jesus is the one who opens doors that no one can shut. He is the one who shuts doors that no one can open. What He wants is for me to enjoy the ride with Him as He drives, and let Him open the door. And, He want us to walk together – arm in arm – to the next destination, where again, He will open the door for us to enter together.

I want to challenge you today to let Jesus drive. Enjoy the ride. Wait for Him to open doors for you. Walk with Him, arm in arm. Jesus is wanting a relationship with you, where you allow Him to guide your steps.

Photo by Buddpaul CC3.0

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

As you know, most of the time, I am encouraging you to “do your destiny.” I want you to fulfill all the things that the Lord has planned for you to accomplish. I remind you that you are a Superstar, and you have a great calling and a destiny from God. I challenge you to take classes, and finish projects, and create content to disciple the nations.  But, today, I want to remind you that you are enough. Just as you are.

Sometimes we can get so focused on finishing a project that we don’t remember that we have value, no matter what we do, or don’t do. God loves us without placing any conditions on His love. That means He loves you whether you ever write your book, or not. He loves you whether you ever complete you short film, or not. He loves you whether you ever record your song, or not. He loves you, whether you ever accomplish anything else in your life, or not.

Yesterday, the Lord reminded me of the same thing. He loves me no matter what I do, or do not, accomplish.

God wants to spend time with us. He wants to be with you. He wants to have fun with you. Jesus knocks at your door, and asks if you can come out and play. Don’t be someone that tells Him that you are too busy to spend time doing something fun with Him.  God loves us because that is who He is. God is love.

Yes, God wants us to do our destiny. Yes, He wants us to disciple the nations. Yes, He wants us to do all He has planned. But, He doesn’t want us to ever think that His love is conditional on whether we do, or not. He loves us, not because of what we do, but because of who we are.  He loves you because of who YOU are.  You are Father God’s child. You are the Bride of Christ. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. You are His. And, you are enough.

Accept God’s love today. Know that no matter what you are going through, He is there for you! This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 15:13 NIV 

In my prayer time this morning, I felt like the Lord wanted to encourage you today, with the truth that He is the God of HOPE.

God loves you.
He wants you to overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

He wants you to trust Him, so that He can fill you with His joy. For He knows that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

He wants you to trust Him, so that He can fill you with His peace, the peace that passes all understanding. The peace that will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Whatever you have to face today, trust Him. He is faithful.