How Do You Spell Integrity?

     Our Prayer Force for this week is in the form of a serious question: How Do You Spell Integrity?  We already spelled the word for you, but we are actually wanting you to define the word in relation to yourself.  Are you a person of integrity?  Do you seek to be a person of integrity?  Does integrity mean anything to you at all?  If a tree is known by its fruits and we believers are trees of righteousness, then what kind of fruits are we producing?  I was recently given some fruits that were very tasty and delicious.  It obviously came from good trees.

    When we leave our homes and meet with people, our integrity is on the line, you will be judged by many people whether you like it or not.  Don't get me wrong, integrity is needed at home too, but in the public's eyes more people get to see and comment about our actions.  Are there changes that must be made concerning your integrity?  How do you spell integrity?  You do realize that your integrity gives you a reputation, and your reputation can either bless or curse you.

     How do you spell integrity?  Is it with your first and last name?  I spell integrity in many ways: God, Yeshua, Holy Spirit, the Word, truth, honesty, devotion; the list is quite long.  I want to know that when I say something, I stand behind it with my integrity.  Once a friend told me that someone they knew called me a liar because I made a promise that wasn't kept.  After going over with them what was said and the time frame it was to occur in, it shut them up.  When what I promised arrived in the specified time, that person felt very embarrassed about what they said about me.  How do I spell integrity?  I would love to say Paul Kamanu Sr., Apostle.

July 29 - August 4, 2007

Honor Your Word!

     "When thou vowest a vow unto God defer not to pay it;
for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed."
Ecclesiastes 5:4

     How many people have given their word to others concerning doing, giving or paying something but after time have failed to keep it?  Are you guilty of this dear one?  Are there people waiting on you to fulfill your vow or promise?  I honestly believe that most people did not plan to renege on their promise, but because of circumstances found it very difficult to clear matters.

     There are others who actually plan to fleece someone for their selfish gain; it happens everyday!  Listen dear ones, the Spirit of the Lord would have you to honor your word, to Him and all else.  whenever you make a vow to God, you need to Honor Your Word and pay the vow.  Why would a person lie to, of all people, God?  To pay your vow means to be in right standing with God and all He is.  Do not allow anyone to prevent you from doing what you promised.  Honor your word, get it paid before God comes to collect!

     To honor your word shows integrity on your behalf.  It tells others that you are a person that can be trusted.  Does your word mean anything to you or does it simply not matter?  I am glad that God kept His word when He spoke over you and I.  Can you imagine where we would be if He didn't?  I have been disappointed many times by those who made promises to me, the church and our ministry but did not keep them.  Because of their failure in keeping their vow, we wound up in debt with our creditors, fell out of grace with potential business partners and were made to look like liars.  Vows are very important when made and we must do our utmost to honor what we say!

Touching Souls Is What Matters To God

     In September of 1992,  some fifteen years ago, I made my first missionary journey outside the comfort of my homeland.  Prior to this, I had gone to the mainland and neighbor islands with our youth group minister, but it was not a missions outreach because we factored in going to amusement parks between what we would do in church.  I needed to learn that touching souls is what matters to God.  Let's discuss this important subject in our Prayer Force for this week, dear ones.

     What made this trip different in 1992 than my previous trips was the fact that I had a sincere purpose, a clear mandate from Abba concerning what I was to accomplish.  All types of things rose up to try to discourage us from going to the outreach, but I placed my complete trust in God because I learned that touching souls is what matters to God.  We arrived in Honiara, Solomon Islands after transitioning through Fiji and was I in store for a culture shock!  Thousands gathered at the stadium for our crusade; I was one of three speakers that night.  Oh how well I remember how nervous I was ; I had never done this before.

     I nearly lost my voice,  I was so embarrassed, but thank God it was restored.  Over 15,000 people people attended the night meetings and over a thousand attended the day school ministry sessions.  It was then that I recognized that Touching Souls is What Matters to God, during those days and nights of watching these precious people come to the altar after the appeal was made.  We witnessed it again as we traveled to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, as thousands of more came to our meetings.  I cried a steady stream of tears as I watched as people responded to my words that were being anointed by Holy Spirit.  Dear ones, touching souls is hat matters to God, and you can be a major part of making this happen for our generation.  Becomes a soul winner for God's Kingdom.

August 5 - August 11, 2007

A Word From The Lord

"So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the
word of the Lord...and he cried, 'Yet another forty days
and Nineveh shall be overthrown!'"
Jonah 2:3a, 4a

     The late Dr. Lester Sumrall often told those who would listen, "There are untold billions yet untold!"  I grabbed hold of these words as a missionary because I am called to win souls into the Kingdom of God.  Like the Prophet Jonah, I was a person filled with preconceived ideas, wanting  things to happen according to how I wanted it to be.  But the mercy of God covered me, turned me around for the good and gave me another chance to carry His message to all who need to hear it.

     A Word From The Lord is so powerful that it will bring change to people's lives wherever they may be.  People are waiting for a word from someone that can turn situations around for them, and they could bee just a short distance from you.  The word Jonah shared was not a deep theological message, but even with only eight words, it was very profound!  Eight numerically marks a new beginning and the entire city of Nineveh would experience a radical move of God, even though they served an idol!  God did not desire to destroy Nineveh and all it's inhabitants, so He sent someone with a Word From The Lord.  Logistically, getting Jonah to Nineveh would take great maneuvering, but he got there in the right time frame that lined up with the prophetic word. 

    A Word From The Lord changed my life twenty-eight years ago and now I am able to deliver messages that get the same results.  Irregardless of where we declare a word from the Lord, it is activated by His Holy Spirit, which brings conviction, comfort, strength, courage, faith, grace, love, mercy, salvation, deliverance and everything else that's needed to change a current situation.  It's time to declare A Word From The Lord!

The Process Called Transition

     We have stated many times that Salvation is a process, a time of change that cleans you up and makes you free.  In our Prayer Force this week we will study The Process Called Transition, and how it applies to all of us.  Transition speaks of change, and quite honestly, most people reject transition because it demands giving up all of what we have come to enjoy and even love.  The Process Called Transition is just that, a time when we must move with the will of God, which will bring advancement to God's timing.

    We Christians believe in creation, not evolution, because we realize that God created all things and they did not merely evolve.  You've got to catch this point: the calling on your life never changes, but your position and function in ministry evolves many times until it comes up to the fullness in Christ.  In other words, you and I must go through the process called transition if we expect to receive and operate in God's best for us.  When God schedules this transition, it can become frustrating because we have no control over it if we submit totally unto the Lord.

     The Process Called Transition is important because if you've ever done something for a period of time, it can become habitual.  We know that most people reject changing their habits!  If the truth be told, we must admit that we can become both addicted and intoxicated with the success we've enjoyed.  But God wants us to see there are yet greater things ahead of us and we must not allow ourselves to be so comfortable in our current position.  Tell the truth - if you were experiencing pain and hardship, it would be very easy to transition out of it because you look forward to better days.  The Process Called Transition comes into our lives to bring perfection and obedience. 

August 12 - August 18, 2007

Experiencing The Wind of Transition

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the
sound thereorf, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and
whether it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit."
John 3:8

     As we move into this new transition for our ministry, all of us must be willing to engage in the new things Abba has for us.  Understand that transition is not a time of simply moving in another direction without any aim, but true transition has purpose in it.  So many people experience a lot of movement and do a lot of activities but have no progress or sense of accomplishment.  They actually think what they've done is transition, but it really isn't because transition has a target and focus.

     As you study the Word of God, you will see it is apparent that all those who are led by the Spirit of God can easily make their transition.  Some may even declare it is a time of swift change, changes that will be very dramatic and quick.  When God begins to change times and seasons, He is actually orchestrating positional shifting which takes place in the Kingdom of God.  During these pivotal times, God may choose to remove people and replace them with someone else.  Hear this point: nothing lasts forever!

     Seasons devote a space of time; they have a beginning and an end.  We have mango, lychee, and mountain apple seasons here in Hawaii and when it is over, it is very difficult to get some.  On the other hand, you can get papaya year round.  The season of transition can be clearly seen in Ecclesiastes chapter three; it's a fluid move from one direction to another.  Experiencing The Wind of Transition is what we are currently going through here in our house, because we learn that our calling is eternal, but our functioning and position in ministry is temporal!

The Journey Through The Unknown

     Our Prayer Force for this week will deal with the journey we all must make that will lead us through the unknown areas God wants us to experience, enjoy and conquer.  Let's study the subject called The Journey Through The Unknown.  Every believer must understand the importance of obedience; this is very important to grasp if you expect to do any ministry work with positive results from God.  Trust is a lifestyle that works along or partners with faith, and for you to succeed, you must trust God.

    We all would love to control our destiny but we really can't, being that the future is only in God's hands.  Do not let this statement fly past you dear one!  God has everything all planned out for us and we must yield to Him if we ever expect to accomplish what we have received as our assignment.  You see, many fear the unknown, but you don't have to because God owns it!  We may not comprehend or know the unknown, but God surely does.  The obedient factor is sent to us for our benefit; if we fail to use it then we will be out of God's will and blessings. 

     The choice us yours if you will be in obedience or disobedience and, as you should know, they each have a result.  One of course is a bit more harsh than the other.  Make up your mind today to make The Journey Through The Unknown.  Doing so will give you the ability to develop your reliance upon God and His Word.  You ought to know by now that God will be with you as you make that journey, even when you may feel all alone.  It is so wonderful for us to recognize that God has thought out the plans for our lives and that obediently following them will help is transition to where we belong.  May I remind you that transition takes faith and trust in God, which is preceded by love.

August 19 - August 25, 2007

Teach Us O Lord

"So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Psalm 90:12

     In this teaching on the subject of transition, it is vitally important for all of us, irregardless of our age, to acknowledge that our time here on earth is limited.  By the way many and behave, its as if they expect to live on earth forever.  They are sadly mistaken, even deceived by the devil himself.  We must have a courageous heart, understanding that God controls all things, time is only in His hands and we must be wise stewards of what He has allocated to each of us.

    Moses, that great man of God, lived 120 years and his life was divided into three segments of forty years.  During his first forty he served Pharaoh well, was a general in the Egyptian military and was successful in battle.  It was during this time that he saw something that triggered the call of God upon his life.  He watched as an Egyptian was beating a Hebrew and Moses sprang into action.  While we don't justify his actions of murdering the Egyptian, it is very apparent that the incident did something that initiated God's call on his life as the leader of the Jews.

    The next forty years was his time, or transition period, that would prepare him for his final forty.  His second forty set him up for a time unlike any other in his life.  As an overseer he protected women shepherds and eventually married one of them, which hooked him up with Jethro his father-in-law and spiritual advisor.  The final forty was spent leading God's people through the wilderness and getting them to the promised land.  During this entire saga, you know that he numbered his days!

Trusting God Totally

     Life is full of challenges, obstacles and decisions, and we must be strong to overcome them.  If you were to receive God's help in your life, one thing you would need to do is place your total dependence on Him!  In our Prayer Force this week, let's look at a subject called Trusting God Totally. In Matthew 6:31, Yeshua taught a lesson on faith, saying, "Therefore, take no thought saying, 'What shall we eat?' or, 'What shall we drink?' or, 'Wherewithal shall we be clothed?'"  I want you to see a great significance being laid out by our Lord that we can yet appreciate today.

    Knowing that  in life we often look back in history to learn about how others lived - especially if they were relatives - Yeshua had the people reflect on how their forefathers made it from Egypt to the promised land.  You see, if you are going to believe in God then you must trust Him totally.  The Hebrews struggled with this; they often complained, fought and murmured against two people: God and Moses.  God was seeking to get them to trust Him and develop their faith in Him alone, yet they always resisted, even after seeing His miracles. 

     In the wilderness, three things they needed were food, water and clothing and God provided it without fail.  Each time they would complain they failed the test, yet God looked beyond their rebellion to the covenant He had with Abraham.  Since you and I are recipients of Abraham's blessings, having been grafted in by our Lord Jesus, we can also believe God will provide those things for us if we believe His word.  Study the books of Exodus and Numbers.  You will learn how God provided, sustained and protected His children as they journeyed through inhospitable lands.  Evil lurked all around, yet God still ruled!  So we see that Trusting God Totally is real!

August 26 - September 1, 2007

Ka Wai Ola...Living Water

"And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had
digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines
had stopped them after the death of Abraham."
Genesis 26:18

     To settle in and live in any area, one of the first things you must be sure of, or check for, is fresh water.  It is said that wherever you find fresh water you will find life.  This is a true assessment that should be considered.  Think about it - how can you expect to live without pure, fresh water?  God gave us water and continues to do so for our survival.  Everybody needs water!  They say we need to drink at least eight 16oz glasses of water daily to help keep our bodily functions operating properly.  Do you drink that amount? 

    The enemy desires to kill each of us.  It is clearly seen in the actions of the Philistines.  They covered the wells dug by Abraham, whose desire was that his family would flourish.  These wells were vital not only for the people, but also for their crops and animals.  How evil can people be when they stoop to levels such as these?  Isaac took matters into his own hands by getting busy and removing all of the dirt, rubbish and rocks used to cover up the wells.  Can you see him hard at work, going after the precious water so desperately needed not only for his family, but for those around him too?

    Applying this scenario spiritually would help us understand why we should not let the religious spirit into our lives.  It too can stop up your wells (innermost being) so you do not flow with the Living Water.  According to John 7:37-38, the Holy Spirit so desires to flow in and from your life after you have received Him.  We all need Ka Wai Ola...Living Water for our natural and spiritual well being!  A healthy church is one that thrives because of the existence of Ka Wai Ola...Living Water as their substance.  We cannot make it without heaven's best in our lives!