Mind Game

Have you heard of this new game? Have you seen this game at your local Wal-Mart? The answer is no. It is not one of the games that kids are dying for this year. It did not make Amazons holiday hot games list. However this game is being played daily.

Mind Game is a two-player mode game. The players are you versus the computer (Satan). The game is broken down into three main levels. Level one deception. Level two control. Level three death.

The object of the game is to survive and find freedom throughout the game.

Level One is deception. In the land of deception everything looks nice but remember looks are deceiving.

Level Two is control. In the land of control you loose the ability to control your thoughts, actions, and motives

Level Three is death. In the land of death the game is over.

The computer (Satan) goal is to make us go through each level and conquer us.

I pray that this little example of a game will spark a fire in your walk with the Lord. We must remember it does not matter how long you have been saved. What position you hold in a local church. Satan wants to deceive, control, and kill our walk with the Lord. Matthew 24:24 speaks directly to us for this is the day that we live in.

Matthew 24:24 “ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great sings and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

So how do we achieve the object of the game? To survive and have freedom we must put on the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5 states “ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

We need our minds renewed daily. Think about all the things that try and capture your mind on a daily basis. If there has ever been a time we need wisdom it is today. The mind of Christ will produce wisdom in our lives. God’s word (wisdom) must be our sustenance, our nourishment, our food, and our life’s bread.

David said it best I hide his word in my heart. The power of the Word of God is the key to surviving and having freedom in the game. Let the Word of God sink deeply into your heart and speak wisdom into your mind. THAT WE MAY NOT SIN AGAINST THEE O LORD.

God Bless,
Evangelist Brian Ricketts

Do you love Jesus?

I come to you today with a simple question. Do you love Jesus?

This past Sunday we where in Rochester Indiana preaching at Sanctuary of Praise pastor by Bishop Robert Ritter. In this service my mind and heart was capture by the account of the Pastor’s missionary trip.

Bishop Ritter shared his account of the trip to the Philippians with the church that Sunday. The church that pastor preached at was not your typical church you see in America today. The church had palm tress leafs for walls, one light bulb to light the whole structure, and a tin roof. Bishop said as he began to preach the rains came and leaked through the tin roof. The native people would walk up to the 30 miles to attend the services. As Bishop was telling his account he kept asking do you love Jesus?

I wonder today do we really love Jesus. Are we willing to walk 30 miles to church? Are we willing to let our suites and dresses get wet? Are we willing to worship under a tin roof? Are we willing to worship in a hot place with no air condition? Are we willing to worship in a place with no heat?

Can we do this without complaining? So the question is. Do you love Jesus?

I pray that this little account of a church in the Philippians will spark a fire in your soul. Actions speak louder than words. Lord let our actions prove to you this day and the days to come that we love you.

Cracked Lenses

Psalm 141:8

My eyes are upon You, O God the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute

In the summer time this year, a group of us was playing basketball. I wear glasses and of course the unthinkable happen. The lens of my glasses fell out and was step on. Nothing worst then trying to see with cracked lenses. And of course with everything that happens to me the Lord shows me something about him.

In life pain often functions like cracked lenses. It creates within us a conflict between what we experience and what we believe. Pain can give us a badly distorted perspective on life and on God. In these times we need the Lord to provide us with new lenses to help us to see clearly again. Our clarity of sight begins when we turn our eyes upon Jesus. REMEMBER THIS CHILD OF GOD "Focusing on Christ puts EVERYTHING in perspective."

Holy Roller or High Roller

The church of the living God is having an identity crisis. The church's identity proves to the world who we are and what we are about. I remember a time when church people were labeled "holy-rollers" but now many shun that label. The bible speaks of a time when a falsehood would encamp the church. Look around and see what is being preached today from the pulpits across America. Should we seek the Lord for the blessing or should we seek him for salvation. Holy rollers where known for their expression of worship and praise. High rollers are known for the money that they worship and praise. The identity of the church is being re-invented right before our eyes. The blessings can NEVER outweigh the importance of salvation. Our identity is one of great importance today in 2007; I ask each child of God are you a holy roller or a high roller???

In Jesus name
Evangelist Brian Ricketts

The Flag Still Fly's...

In American History we understand the FLAG was vital to the battle at hand. A unit's flag served as a important tactical function in battle. The flag was often the soldier's only guide, his way of knowing if he was where he was suppose to be when the thick smoke from cannon and muskets consumed the battlefield. Flags where not only used for identification purposes but also served as a means of inspiring morale within the troop. The colors of the flag embodied its honor and that of the men who followed it. The flag would lead them in the fierce of the battle, a banner that would rise them up and fight. The flag was so important that it was carried by a color bearer and guarded by a color guard.

So as the FLAG was important in America History it is vital to the christian solider. As Moses and the children of God found themselves in a battle while on their journey to the promise land. We are in a battle trying to march to the promise land. Moses knew that victory was in the Lord and the Lord only. Moses knew the revelation of God in Jehovah-Nissi, THE LORD OUR BANNER! We have a charge to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH! We must stand in the liberty that Jesus has provided. Galatians 5:1 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled with the yoke of bondage." In the battle we can become weak, weary and even vulnerable to the enemy of our soul. The banner still fly's today. Jesus said he is the SAME today, yesterday and forever. His banner over us is LOVE! The banner is still strong! His way is still right! He is in control! We know the victory is neither in the quickest nor in the slowest. But they that endure until the end. The flag gave average men endurance to FIGHT and pursue to the end of the battle. THE FLAG STILL FLY's! and with Jehovah-Nissi on our side, WE ARE MARCHING ONTO ZION!!!

The "Ark" of Today

King David had a passion to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant which represented the very presence and power of God. On they way back King David took the ark to a man named Obed-Edom. The Ark of the Covenant for us today is the Holy Ghost which is the presence and power of the living God Jesus Christ. Let's look at what happen to Obed-Edom when the ark was at his house. The ark changed Obed-Edom home life. His house and all that was in it was blessed. It changed his priorities. When King David came back for the Ark Obed-Edom could not part from it. He became whatever the ark needed. He was a singer, doorkeeper, minister before the ark and gatekeeper. Also, since Obed-Edom was willing to do whatever and be faithful the bible says he had 62 descendants follow his footsteps.

The power and presence of God resides in our hearts today through the Holy Ghost. Just as Obed-Edom we can have our home lives change. Our house and all that is in it will be blessed. Our priorities will be changed if we allow the Holy Ghost lead us. We are the singers, doorkeepers, ministers, and gatekeepers of the POWER AND PRESENCE of the living God Jesus Christ. You might be the only one in your family, your job, and your community that is willing to become whatever the "ark" needs today. The bible says that the Holy Ghost will lead you into ALL truth.

Make a vow to be a Obed-Edom of today!!! And watch people follow!!!

People of Praise

Praise Elevates us into the Lord's presence and power. Remember Paul and Silas who was beaten and threw into prison for doing the Lord's work. The bible tells us at midnight they began to pray and sing praises unto the Lord. The result of them doing this was A POWERFUL MOVE OF GOD. In fact it was describe as a earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison. Paul and Silas knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above the troubles at hand. They enter into the presence and power of God by praise and worship. Psalms 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of his people. He dwells in the atmosphere of His praise. Remember child of God that praise is the "gate-pass" which allows you and I access to the sacredness of His glory. The psalmist wrote " Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise."

If we stay a people of praise we will see great benefits from our pursuit of praise.

1. It will change our lifestyle

2. It will send the enemy running

3. See many "earthquakes" in our life

4. "Midnight" will not scare us

JOIN THE PURSUIT TODAY! BECOME A PERSON OF PRAISE!

The Mighty Sword

Ephesians 6:17 " And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."

The sword of the Spirit is a mighty weapon in spiritual warfare. Child of God remember that the Word of God is powerful and strong and is available to us everyday. In fact the bible describes the Word of God as QUICK, POWERFUL and sharper than any two-edged sword. Cutting into the soul and spirit of a man. David said I have hid thy word in my heart. We need to keep the Word in us through the power of the HOLY GHOST! War has been declared upon our souls from our enemy. We have been called to be warriors. The only way to fight is to "STAND" for what is RIGHT AND HOLY. We cannot win this battle for our soul by accident. No man has ever been HOLY by chance. We do not have the order to be quiet and take matters easy but rather to pray always and watch constantly. Remember the enemy is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may defeat. Defeat, must not be an option for us. TAKE THE SWORD! TAKE THE SWORD! TAKE THE SWORD! The captain's voice is saying TAKE THE SWORD AND USE IT! Let the Word of God come forth in this generation. Child of God use the weapon the Lord has given you TODAY!

A.C.T.S church

We know according to scripture that false teachers, false preachers, and false apostles would arise. We are living in a danger zone of lies and greed. Truth is being attacked daily. The Lord is looking for a church( a people) who is label as an ACTS church.

A- authentic
C- compassionate
T- transcendent
S- Spirit-filled

I believe in these last days we need to function inside this banner.

A authentic people in Word, Action, and Duty
A compassionate people willing to hold the truth and to tell the truth no matter what happens to them
A transcendent people reaching beyond our knowledge and capturing the knowledge of Jesus Christ
A Spirit-filled people letting the Holy Ghost lead us not us leading the Spirit

THIS IS ONLY A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT THE LORD HAS SHOWN ME FOR THIS GENERATION OF SOULS.

"The Song" For The Ages

There has been one song throughout the ages that is a constant reminder of the GRACE of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

LET THE SONG COME FROM YOUR HEART TODAY!!!

AMAZING GRACE!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me -I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught -my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved.How precious did that Grace appear -the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares -we have already come.T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far -and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me -His word my hope secures.He will my shield and portion be -as long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years -bright shining as the sun.We've no less days to sing God's praise -then when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me -I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see

Just remember where we came from and where we are now!!!!!!

GLORY TO THE LORD FOR HIS GRACE!!!

WHEREVER YOU ARE JUST START SINGING HIS AMAZING GRACE!!!

Wings of Hope

More than often our lives are push to the max. We catch ourselves saying not again or why me Lord. Remember these words we find in Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. The whole purpose of our walk is to finish so we can be rewarded. The prophet Jeremiah also reminds us that the Lord has a good plan for us not one of evil. He provides HOPE that will sustain us until the end. We can soar with the wings of hope that our Lord provides. Fly within the watchful eye of our Lord today!

Psalms 31:24 "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that HOPE in the Lord."

Psalms 38:15 "For in thee, O Lord, do I HOPE: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God."

DON'T EVER GIVE UP HOPE! NO MATTER WHAT!

The Call of Holiness

We must remember today that we have been called to a life of holiness. Hebrews 12:14 "Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Holiness is of deep importance for the church today. The verse suggests a question which demands our attention. Are we holy? Shall we see the Lord? This question can never be out of season for us. Holiness in today's age is not one of popularity. However, it is the most profitable to our souls. We must be holy for it is COMMANDED of us. The Lord Jesus told his people "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." The Pharisees seemed holy on the outside but in fact their lives where greedy and selfish. I pray that you will go and study about the Pharisees and scribes to make sure you are not in the same mode. Another COMMAND we find is in 1 Peter 1:15,16 "As He which has called you is holy; so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, be ye holy, for I am holy." Church a life of holiness is the only sound evidence that we are children of God. In these last days souls weigh in the balance of our lives. You see the bible speaks about a great falling away that would happen from the faith and doctrine of the gospel. A soul in darkness cannot see the light until someone with light shines in there eyes. Holiness way of life proves to a darken soul that there is a holy God. There is more harm done today through unholy and inconsistent children of God. Will we not become part of the great falling away and choose to stay holy before the Lord. For Satan and his demons want to destroy our testimony of holiness. The Lord is calling the church to stand and be counted in this day of perversion. My prayer is that by His grace we have the courage to stand and be counted for the pure unadulterated gospel. AMEN! Hear the call TODAY! and remain HOLY!

The Secret of Happiness

The secret of happiness is to have the Holy Ghost in your life. The Holy Ghost provides many elements in our daily lives. I can say without a doubt if I did not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost I would not be happy nor would I be standing for the gospel of truth. Happiness today is perverted. For one to feel happy it is based upon the material world. The definition of happiness means enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, satisfaction, or joy. I encourage you today child of God to remember that your joy resides in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat or drink but righteousness, and peace, and JOY in the Holy Ghost."
The secret of happiness is to let the Holy Ghost reside in your daily lives. A lot of saints have the Holy Ghost but do we allow it to work within us everyday. The song says I have the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart where down in my heart. The Holy Ghost will produce happiness in us because it will lead and guide us into all truth. People can hurt us and lie to us but not the Spirit of the Lord. It will comfort us in the time of need when no one understands nor can help us. My joy is not in this world or the things of this world. My happiness comes from knowing that I have been given the gift of the Spirit. Church remember that when we allow the Holy Ghost to teach us and revel what the Lord wants us to do then we will achieve happiness. SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD. The Holy Ghost is the secret to the world's happiness they just don't see it. We need to be marked by the JOY we have in the Holy Ghost so others can taste and see that the Lord is good. Acts 1:8 says we shall receive POWER after the Holy Ghost is come upon us. Let the power of the Holy Ghost flow through you and into someone else today. Let the joy come out today and express your worship and praise in front of someone who is not living for the Lord. The flu spreads so fast that it effects large numbers of people. I wonder why can't the Holy Ghost spread like the flu. Spreading like wildfire. Let's pursue to show the joy of the Holy Ghost until the Lord returns for his bride.

"Keys" To Life

I was getting into my van today I noticed how many keys I have. Some of the keys are to nothing and some are important to my everyday life. I remember my grandfather having a huge key ring with tons of keys on it. I have noticed around me that some people have alot of keys and some don't have that many keys. Then the Lord used the keys to remind me that there alot of "keys" out there that seem to unlock the right door. Those "keys" are just like my six nothing keys.

Remember church only one Key can unlock the DOOR to life. The key is Jesus Christ. Not all keys will open the "door" nor will all paths lead to salvation.

ONE NAME UNDER HEAVEN where we MUST be saved!

Acts 4:12 " Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

The goal of Satan is to have one big HUGE key ring where it seems all "keys" are the right one.

But we know through Eph. 4:5 there is only ONE.

Pastors, evangelists, teachers keep upholding the one true key JESUS CHRIST.

The Ultimate Challenge

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord I must give you a warning in this post. In the months to come we will face a challenge, one that will push every ounce of faith we have. I would like to call this the " ultimate challenge". I have heard prayer request coming in like a flood lately. Child of God, I believe just as Job faced a challenge about his faithfulness we will as well. Let's take a brief look at his "challenge" which was a gauntlet of many "tests". Oxen and donkeys slain. Fire destroys sheep. Camels stolen. Children killed( 7 men, 3 women). Covered in boils. Wife abandons God. Friends come to comfort but accuse. I would say that classifies as a ultimate challenge. We are going to face the same thing child of God. Everything that can come will come. So how did Job get through this challenge? By extreme faithfulness. You and I will have to become passionate about living in the will of God than ever before. The "tests" will become more intense as the enemy raises up. We must STAND in faithfulness no matter what storm comes against us. There is an old saying fight fire with fire. It is time church that we pull out our swords and defend our walk with the Lord.

This ultimate challenge will push us like never before church. It will take every ounce of energy we have to remain faithful unto the Lord. Can we be like Job who stay faithful beyond all the suffering he had to face. Faithfulness will produce the victory in this ultimate challenge. Faithfulness in prayer, faithfulness in fasting, faithfulness in reading the word, faithfulness in every aspect of our walk.

Let's run the race that is before us and be faithful unto the finish line.

Philippians 4:13 " I can do all things through CHRIST who strengths me."

Remember the words of the Prophet Jeremiah " Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find REST for your souls.

Let's become extreme in our passion to remain FAITHFUL unto the Lord.

Take a hard look at the picture and burn that image into your soul. You can see the intensity that the hands make by gripping together.

The Ultimate Challenge awaits us are we ready!

Thy Will Be Done....No Matter What!!!

This past Sunday my mother suffered a stroke. The road of sickness is never easy for the one who is sick or the loved one's. I must write this to tell everyone that in the middle of sickness and pain you can have FAITH that leads to comfort. Since I have been serving the Lord, the one thing that holds is my FAITH in Jesus. Brothers and Sisters true FAITH is when life seems the darkest and you can say without a doubt I trust in the will of God. Let these words that we find in 2 Corinthians 4:8,9 dig deep into your soul and speak FAITH into your situation whatever that might be.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair Persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

Remember that the Lord says we need only a "little" faith in Him. We must remember that he taught us to pray His will be done not ours. Our attitude should be whatever you choose to do with my life Lord LET IT BE DONE! even if it means to suffer through sickness or pain. Faith is knowing that the Lord controls our life and that EVERYTHING is for our sakes. I recall that Job was FAITHFUL even when sickness and death came into his life. Job's wife lost faith and told him to curse God and die. The most profound statement that a sick, sadden, lonely man said was the LORD giveth and the Lord taketh away. That FAITHFUL attitude brought about lost and gain.

Child of God keep your righteousness like Job who would not loose his FAITH in the middle of the Lord's will for his life. The Lord's will for Job life seems unfair to the mass but child of God we see with FAITH-COLOURED GLASSES.

The promise of Him never leaving us nor forsaking us must be engraved upon the tablet of our hearts today. The Holy Ghost is our comforter. Let the Spirit of God lead you through His will for your life.

Matthew 6:10 " Thy kingdom come thy WILL be done in earth, as it is in heaven"

The Gift of Life

Today I was reminded again that life is a gift from our Lord and Saviour. As of today our little daughter Hannah Jean is a month and 5 days. As I was putting her coat on this morning and telling her that I love her, she gave me a BIG HUGE SMILE. And if you are reading this Mom Pender YES I did cry. Brothers and sisters we must remember that life is a gift one not to take lightly.

Psalms 118:24 "This is the DAY which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

I know that our lives can be as a "mad house". I encourage you today to give thanks to our Lord for the life that you have. No matter what is facing you today REJOICE in this day.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Remember the words of James that life is a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then it vanisheth away.

Make today count and give thanks for LIFE and EVERYTHING that you have and don't have.

I pray that the picture reminds you that LIFE is a GIFT! (That is little Hannah Jean)

SMILE child of God, for Life is complete when you have JESUS!

What STATEMENT are YOU making?

The question is what statement are you making. People make statements on a daily basis. Let's look at one of the definitions of the word statement. It means " a communication or declaration in speech or writing." Each day we must ask ourselves what statement are we making. I pray that in this day we can achieve the statement or the declaration of the Apostle Paul that we find in the very first part of Romans 1:16 " For I am not ashamed of the gospel." I ask you today are you bold enough to declare that you are not ashamed of the gospel. Dear brother or sister in the Lord remember what Luke says in 9:26 " For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angles."

Paul lived a daily statement of boldness of not being ashamed of the gospel. Before the mercy seat of the Lord will you and I set forth today a STATEMENT of NOT being ashamed of the gospel. A heart of repentance, a daily prayer life and the pursuit of the knowledge of God through studying His word will we achieve the declaration that Paul spoke.

Paul was not feeling shame because he knew the gospel. In fact Paul counted everything in his life as dung for to know the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ his Lord.
Lay down your life child of God and remember that your statement starts on your knees and shines throughout the land today. TELL IT FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP,TELL IT FROM THE VALLEY, TELL IT FROM WHATEVER POINT IN LIFE YOU ARE AT.

JUST TELL THE GOSPEL AND MAKE YOUR STATEMENT TODAY!!!!!!

New Guy on Block

My name is Brian Ricketts and I live in Indianapolis Indiana with my wife and daughter. I was born again at the age of nine years old in a Apostolic Pentecostal Church. I was called to preach the Word of God at the age of twelve. My wife and I have served in many areas of the ministry. We have went through the "ranks" you can say. We have served as children church leaders, youth pastors, assistent pastors and now evangelists. I felt lead to start a blog, so this blog is nothing more than a wintess of the power of Jesus Christ in our lives. Our motto is "Sowing One Seed At A Time" at Mustard Seed Ministries so this blog will be little "seeds" for one to read. I pray that this blog will bless someone else in the internet world.

Thank you
Evangelist Brian Ricketts
www.msm.daystart.org