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Mercy triumphs over judgment

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Encouragement

  • ReadinessJanuary 19, 2023

    Readiness – The primary sense is to go, move, or advance forward.

    But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

    Luke 12:39-40‬‬ (NIV)

    In the early 70’s when the book, “The Late Great Planet Earth,” was released by Hal Lindsey, the awareness of the return of the Lord Jesus was front and center. There was also a very popular song, “I Wish We’d All  Been Ready,” that accompanied the message throughout the world. 

    Life was filled with guns and war
    And everyone got trampled on the floor
    I wish we'd all been ready
    Children died the days grew cold
    A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
    I wish we'd all been ready
    There's no time to change your mind
    The son has come and you've been left behind
    A man and wife asleep in bed
    She hears a noise and turns her head
    He's gone
    I wish we'd all been ready
    Two men walking up a hill
    One disappears and one's left standing still
    I wish we'd all been ready
    There's no time to change your mind
    The son has come and you've been left behind
    Life was filled with guns and war
    And everyone got trampled on the floor
    I wish we'd all been ready
    Children died the days grew cold
    A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
    I wish we'd all been ready
    There's no time to change your mind
    How could you have been so blind
    The father spoke the demons dined
    The son has come and you've been left behind
    You've been left behind
    You've been left behind
    SONGWRITER: LARRY NORMAN

    The back and forth between the coming of the Lord Jesus—how, when, and where—is not what Jesus is addressing. He tells His disciples the importance of understanding the gravity and the certainty of the Master’s return. The work of sanctification of the Holy Ghost is to make the Bride of Christ ready. Our willingness and being in a state of preparedness with the awareness of the Holy Ghost working in us is essential in these days. We are warned not to listen to those who say, “Where is your master, did He not say He was returning?”

    “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.”

    2 Peter 3:3-4‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    I read this recently sent to me from a brother: “We can provide for present needs, yet fail to prepare for the future, or we can provide AND prepare.” Be not deceived God cannot be mocked, whatsoever you sow THAT you shall also reap.

    “So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.”

    Romans 14:12 NASB2020 

    “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them and have been established in the truth which is present with you.”

    2 Peter 1:12 NASB2020

    Readiness is the word I am hearing entering into 2023. 

    Hallelujah!

    -KC

  • 50 Years!January 13, 2023

    Hallelujah! This is the day the Lord has made. Betsy and I will rejoice in it. January 13, 1973.

    There was a chorus that we and the family and friends sang as we went out after our wedding vows. After we were pronounced husband and wife.

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days all the days of their lives.
    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days of their lives.
    And they shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and they shall feast at the table spread for them.
    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow them all the days of the days of their lives.

    Thank Father, Son, and Holy Ghost for your faithful promise to us.

    -KC

    Artwork: vecteezy.com

  • One More Day Then GoldenJanuary 12, 2023

    “And the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “At last this is bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called ‘woman,’ Because she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

    ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭NASB 2020

    fashion — design, shape, mold, form, pattern, mould

    leave — leave, desert, let go, abandon, forsake

    cleave — adhere, stick, cling, cleave, join, gum

    This morning I’m considering the creation of male and female. God distinctly separates them from the creation of Heaven and Earth. In the book of Enoch it is said that God did this to clearly show that creation was done for man.

    Years ago Ern Baxter taught us this truth: God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are coequal but not cofunctional. In the same way, the creation of male and female are coequal but not cofunctional. This is God the Creator’s design and pattern for marriage. The word fashion is uniquely given concerning the woman. You can see it in the way she has been into fashion ever since.

    The Creation of Adam, Michelangelo

    The difference of how both came into being is very important. Man is dirt, breathed into by God. His beginning is, in relationship, connected to the earth. For the woman, being taken from the man’s side places her in a vital and strategic position. It has been said that Adam’s rib and Satan’s fib made way for woman’s lib. LOL.

    Coming from and alongside, a picture of relational oneness and agreement. Much like our relationship to the Holy Ghost our Helper. She has been so positioned in God’s design that man has to be totally disobedient to not leave and cleave to her.

    The making and keeping of vows to one another before God is holy and accountable to Him. When God woke up Adam and presented and brought Eve to him, He immediately related to her and named her woman. Not partner or significant other—woman. The cause of marriage was revealed instantly to him. He was leaving mother and father, in which he had none, and was to cleave to this glorious and wonderful creation. God’s gift to his loneliness, his need for relational help, and the place for his love to be given. This act of leaving and cleaving to one’s wife, for men, is the act of marriage.

    Forsaking and actually divorcing himself from all others brings a continuing relational oneness that no man can put asunder. His eyes were to be only for her. His arms were to be only for her. His side reserved only for her. This is God’s design and she is fashioned for this place.

    Tomorrow we will celebrate 50 years of Betsy receiving me—Hallelujah—and my leaving and cleaving to her and only her. He that finds a wife not only finds a good thing, but also finds God’s favor. What favor I was given and continued to have from Him. Thank you Holy Ghost for bringing us together on January 13, 1973. Eternal praise and thanksgiving forevermore.

    -KC

  • Three More Days Until 50 Golden Years of Holy MatrimonyJanuary 10, 2023

    “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.””

    Genesis 2:18 NASB2020‬‬

    When God created the heavens and the earth and all that it contained, He pronounced it as good. Not just a Paradise, but filled with His goodness. But during the process, He saw in man one thing that was not good. It was not good for man to be alone.

    God, who is good, went to work to resolve this flaw, this loneliness in man. His very words: it is not good for man to be alone. There is not a more helpless and hopeless feeling than to be alone. So, the remedy was to make a helper suitable for him. Exactly what he needed: help.  The Scripture says, “suitable, fitting; according with; agreeable to; proper;” Just right for him, a helper.

    It has been my experience when loneliness is in a person, it is the result of not receiving help or the difficulty of asking for help.

    Since last Friday, I have been waking up and seeing Betsy lying beside me and the Holy Ghost flooding me with memories of His help in our lives. For men it is difficult to ask for help; for many reasons, but especially to ask or receive help from his wife. This is a good place to confess: there are very vivid memories where I missed God. Primarily because I did not receive Betsy as my helper. I have come to see that she is a type of Holy Ghost given to me. She is my helper and is called to be positioned alongside of me. He is our helper and comes along side of us also.

    When God took away something that He gave me, that was so precious to me, I became very angry. I had forgotten it belonged to Him. I had lost relationships, house, possessions, vehicles, position, and was bankrupt. We left our home and both of our parents in Houston. As we drove off with the children waving to them out the back window of the van sobbing, I remember the anger that was burning out of control in me.

    In fact, Betsy was driving because I couldn’t.

    As we drove out of the city limits and I continued to burn, I heard her say, “Keith, I have only one question.” I thought, here we go, here comes the other shoe dropping. I said, “And what is that?” Her response was, “We are not mad at God are we? Because if we are, who will help us?” If I have ever heard a word from God, it was in her voice. In that moment she saved our lives. She never asked why I put us in this place. She just wanted to know how we were going to get through and reminded me that God was the only one who could help us.

    I am eternally grateful for His joining her to me. Thank you Jesus for your divine appointment in our meeting. She was made suitable for me. In these 50 years, she has never left my side nor forsaken me. She is and has been my help. For she is Your goodness and help in my life. Glory to God.

    -KC

  • 6 Days till Golden AnniversaryJanuary 8, 2023

    Yesterday I woke up and had a flood of memories fill my being, some I posted. This morning, I was remembering our period of engagement and the word given to us concerning our invitation. Besides the usual announcement and logistics one of the first words we received was concerning our invitation. After we were engaged, Betsy and I decided to put this word on the front of the invitation.

    From July 1972 until November, we went to three conferences on marriage and received the revelational truth on marriage. In a series on the Kingdom God and you, the fourth teaching was on Ephesians 5:26.

    ““For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.””

    Ephesians 5:31 NKJV

    Marriage is not instituted or an institution. It is and was ordained by God before the fall. The Holy Ghost inspired Moses to write this eternal truth.

    The definition of cause is as follows: That which produces an effect; that which impels into existence, or by its agency or operation produces what did not before exist; that by virtue of which any thing is done; that from which any thing proceeds, and without which it would not exist. Cause is a substance exerting its power into act, to make a thing begin to be. -Webster’s 1828.

    The Pharisees came to Jesus asking him about divorce. He told them that because of the stubbornness of one’s heart, God gave Moses a writ of divorce. Jesus continues to say, “It was not so in the beginning.” Marriage was  ordained in the beginning, where there was nothing but good.

    The 60’s atheism movement, led by Madalyn Murray O’Hair, begin to erode the truth of creation. As this demonic attack on the word of God increased, that which was created came under man’s scrutiny and unbelief. That which was held sacred became secularized. In the beginning God created male and female, made He them. These are the only two beings that make up marriage. Only a male can be a husband and only a female can be a wife. These are the very genders they were made and given the capacity to function in this relationship.

    If the Church is to have any cause it should be this truth. This should be our priority one. After all, we are the Bride of Christ. A mentor once said: if you have dysfunctional marriages you have a dysfunctional church.

    Paul writes clearly concerning marriage. The three builders, Moses, Jesus, and Paul, all quote this passage in Genesis 2:24. If the Church should be an advocate of any cause it should be marriage. God hates divorce because of the stubbornness of men’s hearts. Stubbornness is rebellion and rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.

    We must uphold the sanctity of marriage without feeling we are condemning people who have been through divorce. Marriage is holy and ordained by God who is holy.

    Onward and upward. Hallelujah!

    -KC

  • Golden AnniversaryJanuary 6, 2023

    This morning I woke up thinking of the week before this glorious gift that was to be part of God’s great goodness and mercy in my life. We are one week away from celebrating our 50th golden anniversary.

    I remember the only thing I could pray and think about was, “please Lord, may the rapture of your Bride not be this year. So much was being taught and written; Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey was at the forefront. I was one of the summer evangelists for Baylor University the previous year. In every revival meeting, I preached on the rapture and second coming. I could not wait for the sound of the trumpet and the shout of heaven.

    My bride, Betsy, on our wedding day almost 50 years ago.

    Suddenly, one week before receiving this beautiful woman as my wife, I changed my tune.

    The only focus of importance was to make it to the altar on January 13, 1973 at the Evangelistic Temple in Houston Texas. I prayed, “Lord Jesus, you have waited almost 2,000 years for your glorious bride, please wait at least another year so Betsy and I can be husband and wife, covenanted in marriage.”

    I realized how much our bridegroom has been waiting for His Bride to make herself ready.

    For four months, night and day, Betsy and her mother prepared for the wedding day to come. The invitations to be created, printed, and sent. A dress to be found, caterers to be hired, wedding cake, groom’s cake, menu to be chosen, flowers, music, dresses for bridesmaids, tuxes to be rented, ministers, musicians, wedding gift list, showers, luncheons, honeymoon, etc. etc. I am sure I am missing more.

    The bridegroom waits as the preparation for the glorious day approaches. Of course, I was included and asked how I liked various things, but the preparation in readying for this day was the bride’s. As I write this post, seeing what goes into the ceremony, how much more preparation is going on by the Holy Ghost preparing the Bride of Christ for such a Bridegroom—our Lord Jesus.

    John the Baptist said, “the one who has the Bride is the Bridegroom.” My own anticipation and expectation pales in comparison to the great love, sacrifice, and patience of Jesus as He intercedes for His beloved Bride.

    The Holy Ghost being sent into the world, after Jesus made a way for His Bride to be covenanted to Him, is a great mystery. Marriage, Paul says, is a great mystery. But he was speaking in reference to Christ and the Bride, the true Church. As I remember the wife of my youth, in this week to come, the mystery to me is how God brought such favor to love me faithfully and to show me what love is.

    Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Ghost for our marriage covenant in you.

    -KC

  • The Blameless Way Part 3January 3, 2023

    Read part 1 and part 2.

    The blameless way, walking in His way.

    “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.”

    Psalms 101:3-8 NKJV‬‬

    David gives us insight into hating that which causes one to fall away. He hates the work of this spirit that is working in that which shrinks back. Paul speaks of a great falling away in the days to come. This spirit that is spoken of by David is to be cast off—not letting any part cling to him. It is not in any way to take hold of him. The power of this spirit is like a sticky substance or an entanglement.

    Entanglement: To adhere closely; to stick to; to hold fast upon, especially by winding round or embracing; as, the tendril of a vine clings to its support.

    Some years ago we saw a black slime as a viscous substance. This is to be hated. A perverse heart shall depart from me. I will not know wickedness that perverts the word of God.

    The work of falling away is of the one who secretly slanders. The meaning of the devil is “one who slanders.” Secretly is the way it starts: to deceive or sow discord. This demonic deception is to be destroyed, exposed, brought to the light. That which is done in secret is to be shouted from the housetops and cast down.

    A prideful countenance in one is to be confronted and not endured. Contention is the spirit behind these looks. A haughtiness and proud look will not be endured. Contention cometh before pride and pride before the fall. This is the fallen state of the unrenewed mind and disrupts the unity and purpose of our walk and work. It is not to be endured.

    Our eyes are to be continually on the faithful, those who uphold the Lord in their hearts, and walk in humility with their God. Humility is perfection in the eyes of the Lord. His favor rests upon the humble and there is perfection in this attitude, in its service and work.

    Help me Holy Ghost.

    David comes back to his house. The work of deceit shall not be in his house. Speaking truth shall be the standard, being led by the spirit of truth, the Holy Ghost, the presence of God. No lies shall remain. When David arises He sings and blesses the Lord, acknowledging who He is, and binds, rebukes, and casts down the wicked in the land. That all evildoers may be cut off from our cities where our houses are set. The Lord our God will cut them off—their influence and their wicked ways.

    Daily, may we continue to pursue our Lord Jesus and His way which is blameless, without spot or wrinkle, as we come into this new year.

    -Keith Curlee, president

    Psalm 101

    A Psalm of David.

    I will sing of mercy and justice;
    To You, Lord, I will sing praises.
    I will carefully attend to the blameless way.
    When will You come to me?
    I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.
    I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;
    I hate the work of those who fall away;
    It shall not cling to me.
    A perverse heart shall leave me;
    I will know no evil.
    Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy;
    I will not endure one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart.

    My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me;
    One who walks in a blameless way is one who will serve me.
    One who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;
    One who speaks lies shall not maintain his position before me.
    Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
    So as to eliminate from the city of the Lord all those who do injustice.

  • The Blameless Way Part 2January 2, 2023

    Read part 1 and part 3.

    Continuing in Psalm 101 as we start a new year—to walk in the blameless way. As David carefully speaks, giving attention to His heart toward God.

    He starts by walking in His house first. From his house he saw Bathsheba; from the same balcony where he praised and prayed every morning.

    Walking in integrity in every room of our house is the highest priority. There is nothing that goes unheard or unseen before our Lord. David now sees the importance of what he puts before his eyes. The standard now is: what is in his house must be of worth. “I will set no worthless thing before me.” The word set has a sense of lasting. No matter what is in the house, he judges it with integrity, defined as purity; genuine, unadulterated, unimpaired state.

    ““May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, “May peace be within you.””

    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭122‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬‬‬

    Jesus says, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear, how important it is to our walk. Our walk begins in our house. Continuing to inquire of the Lord in this passage.

    -Keith Curlee, president


    Psalm 101

    A Psalm of David.

    I will sing of mercy and justice;
    To You, Lord, I will sing praises.
    I will carefully attend to the blameless way.
    When will You come to me?
    I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.
    I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;
    I hate the work of those who fall away;
    It shall not cling to me.
    A perverse heart shall leave me;
    I will know no evil.
    Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy;
    I will not endure one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart.

    My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me;
    One who walks in a blameless way is one who will serve me.
    One who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;
    One who speaks lies shall not maintain his position before me.
    Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
    So as to eliminate from the city of the Lord all those who do injustice.

  • The Blameless Way Part 1December 30, 2022

    Read part 2 and part 3.

    New Year’s profession to follow in the blameless way.

    “I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, Lord, I will sing praises. I will carefully attend to the blameless way. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall leave me; I will know no evil. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; I will not endure one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart. My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; One who walks in a blameless way is one who will serve me. One who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; One who speaks lies shall not maintain his position before me. Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, So as to eliminate from the city of the Lord all those who do injustice.”

    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬‬‬

    In the early 80’s I heard a brother, Des Evans, share on this passage as a devotional with a small group of brothers in Dallas, Texas. From that time on I have begun the New Year professing and reflecting on how to be faithful and accountable in walking it out.

    David professes a standard to walk by in his relationship with the Lord. This is not a self help list or a self improvement adjustment. Nine times he says, “I will carefully attend to keep me in the blameless way.” When I meditate on these, it is a good way to measure my walk by the Holy Ghost standard found in His Word.

    David holds true to his relationship with the Lord in singing. declaring God’s nature, and His worthiness to be praised. He sings of the mercy and justice of God—God the judge of all mankind and man’s way. As he does all through the Psalms, he implores us to sing to the Lord, sing praises.

    Paul writes in Ephesians 5 concerning being spirit filled: singing psalms, hymns, singing in the spirit, making melody in your heart. David says “I will sing” some 13 times in his Psalms. He declares the greatness and awesomeness of His Lord and God.

    We read in Psalm 59:16: “I will sing of thy power, yea, I will sing a loud of thy mercy in the morning; for thou has been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.” He follows up in verse 17: “unto thee, O my strength, I will sing; for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.” In Psalm 75:9 he sings: “I will declare forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.”

    These are just a few examples of his heart’s awareness of his Lord and who He is. The first priority of David—his “I will”—is to sing to the Lord. I will sing praises and for David, the praises of God will be continually in his mouth.

    To be continued…looking into this passage for the New Year. Sing Praise!

    –Keith Curlee, president

    Psalm 101

    A Psalm of David.

    I will sing of mercy and justice;
    To You, Lord, I will sing praises.
    I will carefully attend to the blameless way.
    When will You come to me?
    I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.
    I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;
    I hate the work of those who fall away;
    It shall not cling to me.
    A perverse heart shall leave me;
    I will know no evil.
    Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy;
    I will not endure one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart.

    My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me;
    One who walks in a blameless way is one who will serve me.
    One who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;
    One who speaks lies shall not maintain his position before me.
    Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
    So as to eliminate from the city of the Lord all those who do injustice.

  • 12 day countdown until Christmas EveDecember 17, 2022

    “Joy to the world the Lord has come, Let earth receive her King.”

    — Isaac Watts

    What a great song of confession and admonition in this great Christmas Carol. The call to the earth and all that dwell therein. “Let earth receive her King!” This declaration aligns itself with the word of God: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, and they that dwell therein.” It is the truth of the creation and its creator God, and the redemptive price paid by King Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain. He holds the deed to all the earth and all its inhabitants. He is the King of the whole earth.

    So we sing, joy, joy, exceedingly great joy to Him who all glory is to be given. Whether all that dwell therein acknowledge or receive Him, the deed is written and certified and signed in His blood—paid in full.

    “And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they *sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.” And I heard every created thing which is in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, or on the sea, and all the things in them, saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures were saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.”

    ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭14‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    Joy, joy, unspeakable eternal joy forevermore.

    -Keith Curlee, president

  • Celebrating the Season of LightDecember 5, 2022

    “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

    ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬‬‬

    There is a Christmas song that declares how wonderful this time is every year—and it is wonderful. This year we decided to have the outside of our house decorated by a service. They provide the lights and come and decorate the outside of the house. They then come take them down; for older people how wonderful. As I drive through the neighborhood at night, it is so uplifting to see darkness being dispersed, as those who celebrate the light begin the celebration by lighting up their homes.

    However one believes it is undeniable: the birth of the only begotten Son of God who was born in the fullness of time.

    The darkness is dispersed and the airwaves are filled with carols, declaring that the Light of truth has come to all of mankind. Joy to the World, the Lord, the Light, has come. The heavens declaring the glory of God. Let earth receive her King. His Kingdom of His marvelous Light. Not only reminding us of the Light of the world, which He is, but His great light shown in the hearts of every believer who has come to Him.

    “And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it. This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. “

    John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬, ‭9‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    In the beginning darkness covered the face of the deep, and God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” As we begin this time of declaring the birth of the Christ Child, may every heart be filled with His marvelous Light. May His face shine upon us now and forevermore. Glory to God in the Highest!

    Keith Curlee, president

  • ThanksgivingNovember 24, 2022

    1 We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
    He chastens and hastens his will to make known;
    The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:
    Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.

    2 Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
    Whose kingdom calls all to the love which endures.
    So from the beginning the fight we were winning:
    You, Lord, were at our side; all glory be yours!

    3 We all do extol you, our leader triumphant,
    And pray that you still our defender will be.
    Let your congregation escape tribulation:
    Your name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

    Breaking Bread (Vol. 39) #204

    To give thanks to the Lord may be the first truth the Holy Ghost leads us into after “Abba, Father.” Thanksgiving is the entrance into His Presence. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. One of the first words, when I was exposed to spirit-filled people, was “thank you, Jesus.” This confession and praise to the Lord was continually on my lips after receiving the Holy Ghost. It came forth out of my innermost being.

    Paul writes in everything give thanks—in everything. It is an eternal affirmation of the life that our God has given us. Out of our innermost being ought to be a river of thanksgiving flowing out of our mouths to our Lord Jesus and His Lordship in our lives. In Scripture, one form or another of thanksgiving is written 130 times.

    As Don Moen wrote, “it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.” May all our thanks be given to Him first, and may heaven be filled with our thanksgiving today and always. To Him be Glory forever and ever.

    Hallelujah!

  • The case against an ungodly nationNovember 14, 2022

    “Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord nullifies the plan of nations; He frustrates the plans of peoples. The plan of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen for His own inheritance.”

    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬‬‬

    “Vindicate me, God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; Save me from the deceitful and unjust person! For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Send out Your light and Your truth, they shall lead me; They shall bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places. Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And I will praise You on the lyre, God, my God. Why are you in despair, my soul? And why are you restless within me? Wait for God, for I will again praise Him For the help of His presence, my God.”

    ‭‭Psalms ‭43‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    I have been in the Middle East for 60 days, and I am always amazed at how aware I become of the prophetic plan of God in these last days concerning the nations. God’s great sovereignty and His heavenly plan is unfolding before us here. Where so much of man’s plans are instigated in the fallen and sinful nature of mankind through the deception of Satan and his demons—the prince of the power of the air.

    In these passages we see David’s crying out to the Lord concerning the condition of his nation. He pleads his cause and asks for salvation from the ungodliness that is manifested in its people. The nation has given itself to the deceiver and his deception, leading them into the final day of the Lord and His wrath.

    Ezekiel 39, Gog and Magog, Russia’s Putin, has begun to gather the nations into the epicenter of the earth. The invasion of Ukraine and the blatant demonic obsession of Putin and his ally Iran—Persia—is growing stronger and stronger. Iran is supplying drones by the thousands and weapons to come to the aid of Putin and his plans to drag the nations into this conflict designed to trap them in the end-time snare. Make no mistake, this will not end between Ukraine and Russia. Iran will demand Putin payback in this alliance. They will demand he help them take action against Israel to eradicate their enemy.

    Just as the nations have been indecisive on going all in against Putin, they have already conceived in their one-world political and religious agendas for the destruction of Israel and its ally the U. S. of A. All nations prophetically will turn on Israel, and their only hope will be the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and His covenant with them. It has taken President Biden one week to congratulate Netanyahu for his reelection. This administration through its globalization plans have opened the door for the last days rise of Israel’s destruction.

    As we saw in our own recent election: the predictions of a common constitutional agenda of law and order, economic stability, the protection of our children from immoral indoctrination, the destruction of our borders, and the continual battle against abortion rights, to name a few. This agenda is designed to continue to sow discord against the faith of those called and chosen of God. As Obama continued to propagate his America, based on his faith in Islam and his contempt on the Judeo Christian values, which once again have been exposed as he ran to rescue the so-called Biden administration of the left.

    The days of the United States, unless there is a great awakening from this deception, seem to be numbered, and it will go down from internal corruption. As David pleaded, vindicate us O Lord from deceitful and unjust leadership. Since the 2008 election of Barrack Obama and his Muslim influence, I have had to fight what David battled. Mourning because of the enemy and have come against the spirit of despair and rejection of another election of deceit and unjust people.

    The only red wave that is relevant for believers is the ultimate red wave that was shed on the cross, the blood of the Lamb of God. There is no other name where which man can be saved, JESUS! May His red wave flow through the earth one more great time, an end-time harvest. It says we overcome the evil one by the blood of the Lamb, the red wave of God, and the word of our testimony, and lastly that we love not our lives, even unto death. The Father sent the Son, the Son testified of the Father, and we are to lay down our lives, by the Holy Ghost in rejection of the world and its ungodliness.

    We are no longer a nation whose God is the Lord. Our leaders’ lips expose godly values at election time, on both sides, but our hearts are far from Him. All of these plans are and will be nullified by Him. As David sang, Fear the Lord all you people, the plans of nations and man will come to an end. He frustrates them and they only confirm His eternal will, His plan, that stands forevermore, from generation to generation.

    Prayer can change many things, but it cannot change the sure word of prophecy. As Paul said, “despise not prophecy, but examine it and hold fast to that which is good.” When Jesus came to the place of laying down His life He showed us the struggle of it, but He laid down His will for the Father’s will.

    Thank you Jesus for loving the Father and loving us that we might live with you forever. Hallelujah!

    —Keith Curlee, President

  • Fixed On HimNovember 3, 2022
    Sunset at the Triumphant Mercy land in Baadaran, Lebanon. Photo by Ziad Zazan.

    This is my 52nd day in the Middle East dwelling with brothers and sisters who have, as Peter said, “a like faith as ours.” As the Psalmist wrote and sang: how good and pleasant it is!

    This morning I awoke to a hymn I sang as a boy…

    1 Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
    Naught of this world's delusive dream:
    I have renounced all sinful pleasure-
    Jesus is mine! There's nothing between.
    
    Refrain:
    Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
    So that His blessed face may be seen;
    Nothing preventing the least of His favor:
    Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.
    
    2 Nothing between, like worldly pleasure:
    Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
    Must not my heart from Him ever sever-
    He is my all! There's nothing between. [Refrain]
    
    3 Nothing between, like pride or station:
    Self or friends shall not intervene;
    Though it may cost me much tribulation,
    I am resolved! There's nothing between. [Refrain]
    
    4 Nothing between, e'en many hard trials,
    Though the whole world against me convene;
    Watching with prayer and much self denial-
    Triumph at last, with nothing between! [Refrain]
    Keith preaching at the Tent of Praise in Beirut, Lebanon. Photo by Ziad Kazan.
    “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only only and to Jesus. Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    In this Holy Ghost verse we see the need to fix our eyes on Jesus as we run the race set before us as authored by Him concerning our life that is set before us. He has authorized our place in the race that He has begun in us and has also determined its end. He awaits us at the finish line.

    I am 73 and know if I am not caught up in the air at the great shout and the trumpet sound, I have a day where I will cross the finish line and be received by Him. The key to this race is remaining in an enduring, perfecting faith as all those in Hebrews 12. The men and women of God endured all things and continued to and finished that which was begun in them and finished in them.

    Webster’s 1828 defines fix:
    To make fast; to fasten; to attach firmly; as, to fix a cord or line to a hook.
    To set or place steadily; to direct, as the eye, without moving it; to fasten.
    The gentleman fixed his eyes on the speaker, and addressed him with firmness.

    In order to run we also must set aside anything that so easily entangles us—the sin—and impedes our progress, but also can cause us to stumble. It is like trying to run a race with our shoestrings tied together. A constant distraction which causes us to look away from Him. We think that we are looking to the finish line, but this is not so. He is the finish line and we are fixed on Him. We have entered the race because of Him and have run the race because of Him and can only finish because of Him. For He Himself fixed His eyes on the Heavenly Father. He only did what He saw the Father doing and He ran—showed us how and ran the race before us. He came and in faith and endurance ran the race and finished in the arms of His Father and ours. He cried out as He died, “IT IS FINISHED!” Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus!

    As Paul writes to His beloved Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” -‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

    He fought to stay in the race, to keep His eyes on Jesus. He finished as he started: in faith, an enduring faith. Let nothing come between us and Jesus. Glory to God.

    Keith Curlee, President

  • Protected: The World and the BelieverOctober 5, 2022
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  • Being born again is just the beginningSeptember 7, 2022

    “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, until all is accomplished! Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

    “For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

    Matthew‬ ‭5:17-20‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    Jesus preached and taught the Kingdom of God just as John the Baptist first came announcing the Kingdom of God is at hand. The disciples were always asking Him when He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. We as believers do not know the difference between the kingdom and the Church—both instituted and ordained by God. One is not greater than the other, yet Jesus taught us to seek the Kingdom of God first. The word Church, gathering, is introduced by Jesus when Peter confesses Him as Christ the Son of the living God. At that point, Peter believed in Him and I believe was born again. We are born again to see the kingdom of God. The acknowledgment of Jesus as God’s Son was an acknowledgment also of Abba Father. Jesus told him, “The Heavenly Father has revealed it to you, not flesh and blood.” Jesus no longer saw him as Simon Barjona’s flesh and blood—man—but changed his name, acknowledging He saw Him as the Heavenly Father saw Him.

    And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

    Matthew‬ ‭16:17-18‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    Simon, meaning “reed-like” or “wavering,” Barjona meaning son of Jonas—which can be translated as “wine-bibber.” Roughly translated, Simon Barjona means “unstable son of an alcoholic.” Now, Jesus gives him a new name. He is now Petra, stone, rock, one who is stable, and someone to build on. A new creation, a new man. Later Peter writes we come to Him as living stones and Jesus being the Chief Cornerstone, rejected by unbelief.

    And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture:

    “Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone,
    And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

    This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for unbelievers,

    “A stone which the builders rejected,
    This became the chief cornerstone,”

    and,

    “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”;

    for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this they were also appointed.

    But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

    1 Peter 2:4-10 ‭NASB2020‬‬

    Jesus has begun to build a new house, a temple of living stones, a spiritual house, for a holy priesthood, offering up sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. No longer are we reed-like, wavering and tossed to and fro like drunkards, living for ourselves and the world. Paul exhorts us, “be not drunk with wine, which is dissipation—“a descent into drunkenness and sexual dissipation, the squandering of money, energy, or resources.”

    Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

    Ephesians 5:17-18 ‭NASB2020‬‬

    Being born again is just the beginning. We must also be baptized and continually filled in and with the Holy Ghost, the power of God. We are God’s spiritual house, built by the architect of our faith, made alive, new creations by our believing in the only begotten Son of our Heavenly Father. We have been called and appointed to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. He Makes All Things New! Hallelujahs to the Lamb!

    Keith Curlee
    President, Triumphant Mercy Ministries

  • The Kingdom in the Holy GhostApril 21, 2022

    “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.”

    Isaiah‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    INCRE’ASE, v.t. To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity or amount; as, to increase wealth or treasure; to increase a sum or value.
    1. To advance in quality; to add to any quality or affection; as, to increase the strength of moral habits; to increase love, zeal or passion.
    2. To extend; to lengthen; as, to increase distance.

    From Jesus’ ascension to the Father and His seating on the throne of God, the Kingdom of the government of God has been on the increase. Since the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came in power, the Kingdom of God has been increasing in the earth. The Holy Ghost is the zeal of God and this is being accomplished in spite of the darkness getting darker and the events of our day. The satanic boasts and exhibition of his works cannot hold back the increase of the government of God in the earth. The Word says there shall be no end to the increase. 

    Which brings us to the question: How does God see increase? First of all, it has nothing to do with numbers. Many are called but few are chosen.

    Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

    1 Samuel 14:6 NKJV

    The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;

    Deuteronomy 7:7 NKJV

    And we cannot fail to to give account of  John the Baptist definition and confession of how increase is seen:

    He must increase, but I must decrease.

    John 3:30 NKJV

    This revelation of John clearly establishes the work of the Holy Ghost, the zeal of God, and the Lordship of Jesus on the throne of our hearts. This was the early believers’ greeting to one another: “Jesus Is Lord!” The work of the Holy Ghost in us is the increase of His Lordship in our lives, spirit, soul, and body. We are admonished to:

    But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;‬‬

    1 Peter‬ ‭3:14-15‬ ‭NASB2020

    As we see all the more clearly the place and work of the Holy Ghost to establish the Kingdom of God in us, that place is surely meant to be a large one. There He, the Holy Ghost, is revealed who is the filler of the vacancy that Jesus left at His ascension in His disciples. At Pentecost they received a whole wealth of personal gracious action—abiding, revealing, teaching, leading, and conveying in their innermost man the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Becoming very present while absent and while invisible should be seen. Hallelujah!

    This baptism, or infilling, is essential in making Jesus Lord. It is the Holy Ghost with our spirit that brings us endless application of truth in our experiences. Experiences of our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, conforming us to His image.

    For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;

    Romans 8:29‬ ‭NASB2020

    May today we see the increase of His Kingdom in our inner man as the Holy Ghost, the zeal of the Lord, does His glorious work in us. Increase! HALLELUJAH!

    Keith Curlee
    President, Triumphant Mercy Ministries

  • 50 Days to PentecostApril 19, 2022

    The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

    Acts‬ ‭1:1-5‬ ‭NASB2020

    ‬‬Luke begins to make an account to Theophilus as to what he has seen and heard in his time with Jesus. He tells us that Jesus continued to teach them on the kingdom of God as He moved about amongst them after His resurrection. Knowing that He soon would ascend to Heaven, He continued to reveal the things of the kingdom of God. He preached and taught on the kingdom of God from day one as He went about Israel, declaring to seek the kingdom of God first.

    For Him, this is priority one, first of all, according to the Lord of all.

    Nothing has changed concerning His message to them and those who shall follow. Now He commands them to go and wait for the promise of the Father, the baptism and pouring out of the Holy Ghost, which they had heard from Him before the cross. He will send another, the spirit of truth, the Holy Ghost. He will not leave them as orphans, abandon, or forsake them. Paul later writes,

    Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by other people.”‭

    Romans‬ ‭14:16-18‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

    Jesus is clear where the kingdom of God resides—it is in the Holy Ghost, and He shall be in you, and with you. It is not from below, not of the earth, not of the flesh, and cannot be inherited. He is to be received just as the Father and Son are. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

    We are admonished to not let the kingdom of God or the Holy Ghost to be spoken of as evil. Both cannot be seen by the world, but just as they hated Jesus they will hate His followers and will not cease to make war with His subjects. The kingdoms of this world will be conquered and become His: our King, Jesus.

    What grieves me are theologians and denominations who, in their teaching, discount the Holy Ghost baptism. Peter declared, “Repent, be baptized, and receive ye the Holy Ghost.” He is not a second experience. He was not diminished in any way at the apostles’ passing for He is in us and is with us. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. No less God and coequal with the Father and Son—just different in function. God three-in-one, in absolute agreement. For righteousness, peace, and joy of the kingdom are in the Holy Ghost. For we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Why? Because it is in the Holy Ghost.

    These next 50 days from last Sunday until the feast of Pentecost I am asking Him to reveal and lead me into more truth concerning the Kingdom of God.

    Hallelujah!

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