Dream Again

Psalm 126 (NET Version)

A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the well-being of Zion,

we thought we were dreaming.

2 At that time we laughed loudly

and shouted for joy.

At that time the nations said,

“The Lord has accomplished great things for these people.”

3 The Lord did indeed accomplish great things for us.

We were happy.

4 O Lord, restore our well-being,

just as the streams in the arid south are replenished.

5 Those who shed tears as they plant

will shout for joy when they reap the harvest.

6 The one who weeps as he walks along, carrying his bag of seed,

will certainly come in with a shout of joy, carrying his sheaves of grain.

This Psalm is for me. I feel like it was written to identify with me in ways that few understand. Only the Lord knows.

Originally it was a Psalm of praise to celebrate the return of Judah to the city of Jerusalem after 70 years in captivity in Babylon. What a day of celebration! They could hardly believe it was actually happening after such a long time. 

It is ok for us to dream again, to believe the very best. If something (finance, relationship, health, etc) was not well, God can restore it to well being! He can cause your captivity to return (reverse it, and set you free.)

 I can only imagine the day when God restores well being to me relationship-wise. Things have been in ashes and dead. But God in a vision, caused a sapling to spring up in the midst of it. It is not that which is old being restored. It is something new, growing in the place of the old.

He has begun the work. But it is not complete yet. He can cause us to sow, and in time, reap new sheaves from the ashes. 

I will be like one who dreams. I dare to start dreaming now.

While I sow the seed of His Word.

When my hope and expectation is finally answered, I will be rejoicing even more, and celebrating! 

11:42am EST APR 21/14

New Song: Jesus High Priest

My newest song "Jesus High Priest" is now online!
Watch and listen here:

It is based upon Genesis 14:18-20 and Hebrews 7. I have been teaching on the Order of Melchisedec for some time in church now, and this song's words and melody just came together in the Spirit for me.

Blessings
Pastor Curtis

Risen- A poem

Christ you have risen 

From that impossible place

The look of disbelief 

Wiped from every face

Christ you have arisen

In my heart today

And now my only song and chant

Is that Jesus Is the Way!

The grave is empty now

No other can claim

The awesome history

Of a Lamb that once was slain

Jesus You're Lord of all

And the Life that beat the grave

Satan is defeated

You people of God, be Brave! 

-- 

Poem by Curtis J. Alexander (c) April 20, 2014 

1:10PM EST

Edge of the Coin

Truth is like a coin.

It has worth.

It is two sided.

And it has an edge.

Many people miss the fact that Biblically, truth is a two edged sword or coin.... 

12 For the word of God is lively, and mighty in operation, and sharper than any two edged sword, and entereth through, even unto the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit, and of the joints, and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and the intents of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)

Truth is dynamic and lively. It is indestructible. Jesus identifies Himself as Truth.
When Thomas asks Jesus where is the way in which Jesus is going, Jesus reminds him,
6 Jesus said unto him, I am that Way, and that Truth, and that Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6 (Geneva)

Jesus is very Truth. Anything against Jesus is not truth. Any path leading away from Jesus is not the Way to travel. Jesus is that Way in which we believers walk.

Truth is like a coin, and in order to apply it, you need an edge. Coins are inserted into vending machines, coin banks, and shopping carts on their edge. The two sided truth is applied wholly. But it takes the narrow balanced approach, the edge, in order to apply it.

If you tried to put a coin into a slot by placing it flat, it will not fit! You must insert the coin narrowly, and in doing so, you insert both sides of the coin at the same time! 

Jesus is the edge we need in life... He keeps us sharp, and He keeps us balanced. That edge is the very thing that unites both sides of the coin, making it one coin. 

So it is with truth in our daily life. For instance, here is one doctrinal example: the truth of Grace. One side: We all get into Heaven by His Grace alone, through faith. That is something we cannot earn or work for. The other side of that same "coin" is that we work after we are saved. We work for His glory as ministers of Christ. There is no call to be an idle Christian. The call is that we serve Him and love Him and each other. So we work NOT to be saved, but BECAUSE we are saved. And in order to apply this truth, you must apply both sides at once... not one or the other. Insert the coin... Invest your faith... Turn the coin on its edge and APPLY it! It will unlock God's power in your life. 

This Easter season, ask Jesus to reveal the Truth of Himself to you. He died and rose again for your salvation! He lives forever more, the winner over sin, Satan, and death! That's the truth! Follow and trust Him.
Blessings,
~Pastor Curtis

11:07PM EST Sat. Apr. 12, 2014

Poem: VIEWFINDER

VIEWFINDER

Lord I remember You

You remember me too

I remember You

For all that You do

You Always knew me
Before I came to be

I remember You are

The Greatest Person, by far

You hold death by the neck

Satan's plan you did wreck

Jesus Christ You fill my view

God incarnate is You

Your word my viewfinder

Your Spirit my soul's binder

Remember me this day

As I glorify You in the Way.

This man's miracle, please complete

Make my hope stand by my feet.

And we will together Thank You

And keep Christ the Center View.

---

By Curtis John Alexander (c) 2014 Apr 6

1:21PM EST

Jesus Is The Hero of your History

Ok here is something the Lord just showed me:

Psalm 119:132 (Geneva version)

"Look upon me and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name."

--

For those of us who still struggle, from time to time, to forget those things that are behind, to forget what we once had but don't have anymore: Remember the mercy of the Lord instead. He used to do that for you. And He will still give you comfort and mercy. He was there in your past, and He is STILL here, right now, in your present. He is also in your future. He is able and willing to give that very same mercy to you this morning! 

Yes, be thankful for all you had, all you have now. But, don't dwell for too long on what your former relationships used to do for you, because that tends to drag us down, make us sad, or prevent us from making new friends and new relationships. Take it from one who knows.

Dwelling on past loves has no present reality to it beyond being thankful for the good times, and learning life lessons. So, be like the Psalmist above, and dwell on what God used to do. Because there is a present reality to be had TODAY in remembering the Lord. He can help you live TODAY. He remembers you, and looks upon you!! He will have mercy on you again today, if you love His name! (See also Romans 10:9) So, why not ask Him: 

"Lord Jesus, I remember how you used to have mercy on those who loved Your Name. I would ask that you please have mercy on me again, today! Thank you and I praise You! Amen."

In essense, make JESUS the hero of your history. Because He is. And, not only that, He is the ONLY person of your history who is also able to be with you now and always... in your present, and in your future, and in eternity! See your history as part of HIS Story! 

Blessings!

Pastor Curtis

April 5, 2014, 6:00AM EST.