A BRIEF SURVEY OF AMERICAN AWAKENINGS, REVIVALS, AND RENEWALS

Religious highs and lows --- spiritual recessions and revivals are an amazing phenomenon. The term “awakening” refers to -- · A stirring up from a state of sleep to awareness, · A turning from sin to salvation, · An abandonment of dry religious forms and rituals and a return to the living God · A redirection of focus from the secular to the supernatural. It starts as an intensely personal experience and then spreads to the public domain. Oh, men may pray, seek and expect it, but a real revival is the gracious work and miraculous act of Almighty God. Gordon Lindsay in his book, “The United States in Prophecy” (1971) pointed out that our wars, such as The French and Indian War, The Revolutionary War, The Civil War, World Wars I and II, etc. mostly occurred in 17 year cycles. Likewise, the Great American Revivals have occurred about every 26 years as if God provided at least one for each generation. So, God and the devil are both at work; Satan wants to kill people and God wants to save them. Christian historians cite the following: 1. 1735-1748 THE FIRST GREAT AWAKENING It started in Massachusetts among the Puritans with Jonathan Edwards and spread up and down the Eastern Seaboard among the struggling colonies with Evangelist George Whitefield. His flamboyant preaching drew big crowds of those who sought God. Also Samuel Davis in Virginia emphasized that “without a personal conversion experience you’re on your way to Hell.” There was strong conviction of sin, much weeping and repentance and they “prayed through” to salvation. He also condemned the “Party Spirit” saying that denominational divisions are of the devil. There was great enthusiasm and emotional outbreaks, loud shouting, and falling out in the Spirit. Critics opposed it as unchecked emotionalism and extreme zeal of mentally unbalanced people. 2. 1801 – 1830’s THE SECOND GREAT AWAKENING The Cane Ridge Camp meeting in Frontier, KY, was a co-operation between Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists. Crowds finally reached up to 25,000 people --- mostly the un-churched. Up to a dozen preachers on a platform 12’ x 16’ x six feet high took turns preaching, singing, exhorting, and praying at 3 services a day for many weeks. There were no musical instruments. People retired in little tents at night. There was highly charged and animated preaching. People sang, wept, howled and shouted so loud it sounded like a big water fall. There was “frenzied” worship, falling out in the Spirit, jerking, dancing, and running around. It was all highly criticized by contemporaries. 3. 1850 – 1860 THE HOLINESS MOVEMENT The leaders were John and Charles Wesley of Great Britain, starting in the early 1700’s. Their distinctive teachings: a. Salvation, and b. The “Second Blessing” of sanctification, or purification or perfection --- a crisis experience both preceded and followed by spiritual growth. These two points later developed into three points including “the Baptism into the Holy Ghost and Fire” among the Methodists, who later joined the Pentecostal ranks. The Holiness Movement developed into the “Church of God”, the “Pilgrim Holiness”, the Apostolic Churches, etc. The congregations punctuated the sermons with shouts of “Amen!”, “Glory!” and “Jesus!” But as size, wealth, and organizational structure developed through the years, their original fervor greatly declined. 4. 1858 – 1880’s THE THIRD GREAT AWAKENING A New York businessman, Jeremiah Lamphier, started a noon time prayer meeting in a fish market that spread across the nation. It grew to 6,000 and then to 50,000. Eventually about a million souls were converted in this time of refreshing from on high. 5. 1906 – 1909 and on THE PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT The leader was William Seymour, a Negro, one-eyed, former waiter in a former livestock stable on Azusa Street, Los Angeles, CA. This was right after the famous Welsh Revival of 1904 and the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. Many Whites and Blacks of all walks of life came from all over the nation --- many from the Methodist Holiness Movement. There were more women than men and many young people who were baptized in water. At the earnest, energetic, and animated preaching, the crowds swelled. They prayed, testified, clapped, shouted and danced. They spoke and sang in other tongues. Many were “slain” falling prostrate. They prayed all night, day after day. There was little formality. There were countless miracle healings of every sickness and illness --- blindness, cripples, deafness, and even missing body parts were instantly restored before the eyes of all, including secular news reporters. Demon spirits were expelled. There was plenty of criticism and rejection by other established churches of the day. This great Pentecostal Revival continued as a strong movement all through the 1920’s and 1930’s (The Great Depression years). To this day, there are scores of Pentecostal churches, although they have cooled off considerably. Just before the 1900’s and on up to the 1950’s, there was an amazing era of Divine Healing Ministers traveling around the country in auditoriums and big tents. There are too many to name, but a few were: Marie Woodworth Etter John Alexander Dowie Charles Parham Smith Wigglesworth William Branham Charles Price Jack Coe Kathryn Kuhlman A.A. Allen Oral Roberts T. L. Osborn Etc. They were very God-conscious men and women given to much prayer and fasting. Their great faith, boldness, anointing, and power drew overflowing crowds who witnessed live signs, wonders, and miracles. Sadly and hard to understand, many of them seemed to fail one way or another in the end. They all had their jealous critics. 6. 1948 – 1952 THE LATTER RAIN MOVEMENT --- (Within the Pentecostal Movement) Starting in a Bible school in Saskatchewan Canada, involving a 1,000 students and preachers. Their main Scripture was Joel 2 and Acts 2 about God pouring out His Spirit. They laid great emphasis upon the Five Fold Gift Ministries of I Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11. Also, all of the 9 Gifts of the Spirit in I Cor. 12:8-10: tongues, prophecy and Divine Healing. Their specialty was the practice of laying on of hands to impart specific gifts with prophecy to others. I Tim. 4:14 They encouraged the whole congregation to sing in tongues at the same time in worship. They preached the doctrine of “The Manifestation of the Sons of God” (Rom. 8:19 ) and performing the “Greater Works” (John 14:21 ) such as Philip’s transportation in Act 8:26 -40. Bill Britton advocated this message in his “Jesus Saves” tabloid. They were rejected as extremists by the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal groups. 7. 1960 – 1967 and on into the 1970’s and 1980’s THE CHARISMATIC RENEWAL It started among the Roman Catholics of Notre Dame. The early forerunner was David du Plessis. It was then greatly championed by “The Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International” with chapters in every major city in the USA and around the world. Their members were from nearly every Christian denomination that can be named. It finally included, “The Jesus People” --- young people converted from among the hippies. A SIDE NOTE In the mid-1970’s there arose a “Shepardship - Submission - Discipleship Movement” within the Charismatic Renewal which taught that every Christian and minister (especially women) had to be totally submitted to another person above them like a big pyramid - shaped ecclesiastical hierarchy. Apparently, their goal was to build one big Charismatic denomination. The F.G.B.M.F.I., Pat Robertson, and most all independent Charismatic churches rejected it. It was short lived. A PERSONAL NOTE By the grace of God, I was privileged to have a part in the Charismatic Renewal, as a featured speaker in scores of FGBMFI chapters, as well as a guest on the PTL, 700 Club, and other TV programs. The Lord led me to establish the first Charismatic church in the capital city of Raleigh, NC. At one point in time, half of the Christians there who spoke with other tongues received it in our church – Christ Chapel. Of course, we give God all of the credit and glory for it. 8. 1983 – 1993 THE THIRD WAVE – starting at Fuller Theological Seminary Peter Wagner and John Wimber helped plant a string of churches called “The Vineyard Churches”, which were mostly young married couples. 9. 1994 – 1995 THE TORONTO BLESSING was like a spiritual party. The Toronto Airport Vineyard Church pastored by John and Carol Arnott is where it happened. The evangelist was Rodney Howard Brown from South Africa, who led a “Laughing Revival”, in which many were struck with uncontrollable and sustained laughter. Also, Randy Clark of Saint Louis, MO ministered. The membership went from 300 to 3,000 with millions of visitors flying in daily from all over the world. There was lively worship music with guitars, drums and tambourines for an extended period of time. There was profound weeping and deliverance from past hurts that was like a spiritual overhaul. Many were slain in the Spirit and had dreams and visions. They experienced physical healings and rolled on the floor. Some ran around making barn yard noises, for which they were soundly rebuked and finally dis-fellowshipped by the leader of the Vineyard Churches. 10. 1995 – 2000 THE BROWNSVILLE REVIVAL This was a large Assembly of God church near Pensacola, FL, pastored by John and Brenda Kilpatrick. The evangelist was Steve Hill, born in Turkey, who had attended Dave Wilkerson’s Bible school in Texas and had participated in the Brazilian Revival. The saints had been praying earnestly for many months and then revival broke out in nightly services. Hundreds of people did not want to leave at the end of the service. Thousands came forward for salvation and many backsliders were reclaimed. Crowds swelled up to 5,000. They wept openly, fell out, spoke in tongues, were healed, and shook violently. The young people spread the excitement into their high schools. Long lines waited for hours to get in before the church doors were opened. They had to erect tents with closed circuit TV for those who could not get into the sanctuary. 11. 2008 – April to October (6 months) LAKELAND, FL Ignite Church pastored by Steve Strader, the son of a pastor. The unorthodox evangelist was Todd Bentley, covered with tattoos and body piercings, who dressed rather casually, but prayed for hours daily. The singing went on for hours and the services were long, night after night. He would prophesy that God was going to heal people and then call out scores of illnesses by the Word of Knowledge and they would run up to the platform to testify of what God just did. As he touched them --- sometimes roughly --- they would fall back. He often shook his head back and forth and laughed a lot. People came from all over the world. They erected a tent seating 15,000. There was much acclaim and criticism and in the end his wife left him. 12. 2012 --- Now THE RESTORATION OF THE RESTORATION The epicenter is the Independence, MO area among independent Book of Mormon churches called “Restoration Branches”, prayer meetings and other believers. This is not the work of some great prophet, or even a group of ambitious leaders, but of God. Instrumental persons being used are not being named at this time in order to shield them from undue distractions. Historically, many of the original Book of Mormon believers did have the Holy Ghost and experienced many manifestations of the Spirit. This was especially demonstrated at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple in 1836, attended by 1,000 people. During the 8 hour service they prayed, preached, gave the “Hosanna Shout”, spoke and sang in tongues, swooned, fell out in trances, and had amazing visions. But through the years these things declined just like after the days of the Act of the Apostles, and after the “Golden Age” among the Nephites. They have been spiritually hungry and thirsty for years and now God is finally granting them a Divine Visitation. They are tired of heavy-handed ecclesiastical authority. They want the supernatural realities of God. The younger generation has been bored with shallow religious programs; they want to see the things they read about in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. They deserve the spiritual experiences that God has given to His people in the past revivals --- powerful prayer, praise, worship, --- supernatural signs, wonders and miracles. Now, those concerned with certain doctrinal issues must remember that Jesus said, “When the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. Thus anyone being led into the truth is being led out of erroneous teachings. When God changes people, things are different and that includes everything. Rigid doctrinal emphasis that serves only to divide the Body of Christ will melt under the Love of God. They won’t be gathered around a set of truths, but around Him, Who is the Truth. There is no need to dwell upon old teachings and dusty traditions of the past when you are experiencing the mighty miracle - working power of the living God. This final revival with unprecedented exploits will be the greatest of all, exceeding all others. Jesus always saves the best wine for the last. CONCUSION We have seen how God sends revivals. The devil hates it, but he can’t stop it. All he can do is stir up criticism. One simple strategy is to send in those who are not right with God in their hearts to act up and make fools of themselves, barking like a dog, crowing like a rooster, and wiggling like a snake, so that when other curious people or even news media walk in, that is all they see and then they discredit the whole thing. Granted, when a person becomes super-charged with the “electric” power of God, they may feel so exuberant that they can’t contain their excitement and joy, but there is a line that they just don’t cross. A saint shouts praises to God; a sinner yells like a mad man. A saint dances in the Holy Ghost; a sinner just knocks over chairs and other people. Trembling, quaking, and leaping are Scriptural. Going into convulsions is a demon coming out. But the undiscerning are always prone to dismiss the moves of God, missing God’s blessing, thus condemning themselves, and ending up with nothing. God rejects those who reject Him, His Word and His work. But God’s true children are looking up to Him, Who is coming right away. (From Dr. Paul Richardson of Virginia and posted with his permission)

Jesus, the Real St. Patrick, and the Power of Forgiveness

Jesus, the Real St. Patrick, and the Power of Forgiveness—Sermon 3.16.2012

A. Introduction: Forgiveness and flowing with the Holy Ghost go together. You want more power than you must forgive your enemies, yourself, and others (who do you blame?--maybe even forgive God for your pain, suffering, past)

B. Power in forgiveness (forgiving enemies): Luke 23:34 (Jesus on the Cross), Acts 7:58b-60a (Stephen getting killed/stoned)

1. St. Patrick finding God & Christ in captivity, escaping, & forgiving captors—slave of Ireland  slave of Gospel
2. Patrick went after captor, former master Milchu first, but he (Milchu) burned himself and his house up (suicide) before Patrick could testify/preach to him

C. Forgiveness connected with receiving (flowing with) the Holy Spirit: John 20:22-23—true representation of St. Patrick (not wearing green but being disciple of Christ)

1. “The Breastplate” of St. Patrick

Christ shield me today against poison, against burning, against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward,
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

D. Overcoming evil/serpents/demons: Mark 16:15-18—Show (These signs shall follow…) and tell (preach Gospel) See also Luke 10:19

1. St. Patrick and the legend of ridding Ireland of “snakes”/removing “snakes” from island

E. Conclusion: I want the “snakes”/demons out of Independence, out of Kansas City—get your training, forgive God, yourself, others, your enemies, move in power through forgiveness and humility

End Time Warriors Midterm

Randall Q. Lawrence
End-Time Warriors—Spring 2012
Dr. Eva
3/6/2012

Midterm: Are you an End-Time Warrior?

Yes!!! Absolutely!!! I have had a number of experiences in my life that have pointed to this calling. These events (prophetic dreams, prophetic blessings, and more) highlighted the War between God and satan, Jesus and the devil, Light and darkness.

For far too long in my life, I have allowed the devil and demons to “push my buttons”, lead me around, undermine my ministry and witness for Christ, break my heart, confuse my thinking and understanding, lead me into sin and temptation and more. I really did not have a clue about spiritual warfare until coming to Missouri in 2007, and I really did not understand it properly or have the proper examples/mentors until beginning my education with Faith Bible College and Ebony & Ivory Ministries.

I had a prophetic dream after asking the Lord as a teenager what to do with my life. He gave me 2 dreams in one night. The dreams dealt with deliverance ministry in using the Name of Jesus in spiritual warfare (Philip. 2:9-11) and in becoming vulnerable (trusting of God) and in dealing with the devil/demons having known me and in having been allowed to “work me over” for most of my life.

I also had a prophetic blessing which spoke about (demonic) “warriors working” to pull me from God, but I chose God. (“A battle between the forces of the universe has been waging and you have overcome that battle. You have chosen to follow the Lord Jesus though the [demonic] warriors have been valiant in trying to tear you from that decision. You must recognize that, yes, there is a great war going on in the hearts of the people. You have seen through the deceptions of the great deceiver…”—2003 Evangelist Blessing).

The above experiences and more have pointed to the need for training in spiritual warfare and how little I have known and walked in my past. I’ve only begun to get a handle on the mighty weapons of our warfare to pull down strongholds of the enemy (2 Cor. 10:4), destroy the works of the devil (thief, destroyer) in the Name and Blood of Christ (1 John 3:8), and to get myself and others free of demonic and worldly influence (Gal. 5:13). I praise God for what I’ve learned through Ebony & Ivory Ministries and through Faith Bible College-my training ground, my covering, my mentors and teachers, my learning and greater anointed walk/adventure. This is definitely the time for End-Time Warriors of Jesus Christ to rise, prepare and fight!

Blood, Name, and Spirit Midterm

Randall Q. Lawrence
Blood, Name, and Spirit-Spring 2012
Dr. Nick
3/5/2012

Midterm: The Blood

To be honest, I did not really have a clue (about the Blood of Jesus and what It means) growing up in a church that was not Pentecostal or Charismatic. In reading the Bible, I knew blood sacrifice was very important in the Old Testament; Jesus Christ’s (bloody) sacrifice was and is all important in the New Testament and in our lives.

I remember going to see “The Passion” with my Dad in the theater. We both cried our eyes out at the Sacrifice of Jesus (John 18-19, Matt. 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23)—He became a bloody, painful mess, endured the unendurable for all of us (“cup & baptism”-Matt. 20:22-23, 26:39, “Lamb that was slain”--Rev. 5:6-14)! It was a graphic depiction of the physical suffering of Jesus Christ (see Isaiah 53—Suffering Servant “…by His Stripes we are healed…”-v. 5) that greatly impacted the two of us!

However, I did not really begin to understand the importance of the Blood of Jesus until Ebony & Ivory Multicultural (church with Faith Bible) and through many of your (Dr. Nick’s) sermons and your classes. I have really gained an appreciation for the Power in the Blood of Christ—demons/devil/hell is routed (Rev. 12:11), believers are protected and healed and delivered (Ephes. 1:7-12), lives and families are changed and made whole (Acts 26:18). There is victory, I mean VICTORY, V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!!! (Rev. 19:11-16) in the Blood of Jesus.

I knew that the Name of Jesus was powerful (Philip. 2:9-11), but I really feel like I still even after over 2 years here that I barely understand the power in the Blood of Jesus. It (understanding and pleading the Blood of Jesus-Rev. 7:14, 1 Pet. 1:2) is kind of like an iceberg that has most of its mass under water and a small amount above the surface. This is the impression that I get from my time here, from your (Dr. Nick’s) book ‘The Blood’, from your sermons, from the ministry of war here and in the world, and from my journey with the Lord and Holy Spirit over the last 5+ years but especially the last 2+ years.

There is protection in the Blood. There is healing and deliverance in the Blood of Jesus Christ. There is Spirit-filled anointing in the Blood. There is power to pull down the strongholds of the enemy in the Blood. There is freedom and adventure in the Blood. There is sanctification in the Blood. There is holiness and righteousness through His Blood and Sacrifice. There is witness in the Blood. There is contact and connection with the Holy Spirit through the Blood. The Old Testament blood sacrifice was nothing but the prophetic type and shadow for the Blood Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in His New Covenant/New Testament. There is power and victory in the Blood of Jesus!

Finger of God Testimony

I guess I missed the Furious Love contest, but I wanted to share my testimony for the Finger of God Deluxe Edition. I had no idea that it wss 5 DVD's long. We had wanted to borrow it for awhile from our friend, Derek S., who is the CCM--Contemporary Christian Ministries leader. He graciously lent it to us saying that we could mail it back to him. I kept thinking that I would watch it over the weekend and give it back not realizing how long it is. We had a special retreat that began with the guest ministry of Frank & Nephtali Seamster. Friday night, I stayed up late and watched the 1st DVD and part of the 2nd DVD. I was blown away especially by the Bethel School of the Supernatural students, but I was inspired....Next day, I'm trying to tell my best friend, Peggy, (now my wife) about it. I was so inspired that my faith was challenged, and I began to walk in the "anointing" of the Holy Spirit like the Bethel students. Peggy did not have faith for a healing of her legs, but I asked Nephtali to pray over her and then made her take off her two ankle braces. She did not want to, but I made her test them (her feet and ankles) out by running. She did not believe, was not real cooperative, and went to the bathroom up a small flight of stairs. She took them normally. In all my time of knowing Peggy, she had never taken stairs normally always slowly one stair and one foot at a time. She began to scream and laugh so much that she was almost hyperventilating. It was a miracle just like the Finger of God events and the Bethel students! Not only that....there was more. I stated a very short statement to our friend Derek that turned out to be a prophetic word of Knowledge to him. This had never really happened to me like this before. I watched the DVD's and experienced an anointing that blew me away, makes me hungry for me, enlivens my life, and challenges me spiritually to have more of the Holy Spirit in my life. Thank you so much for these films! God, peace, blessings, and endowment be with you and God bless all your future endeavors! Thanks again! Randall

Sermon 2.5.12: Breakthrough-How bad do you want it?

SERMON 2-5-12: BREAKTHROUGH: HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?
Prayer—Dr. Nick and Dr. Eva

“Breakthrough”: Webster defines it as “1. The act, result, or place of breaking through against resistance, as in warfare. 2. A strikingly important advance or discovery.” Thesaurus uses terms like “attack, prelude, innovation”
Principles of Breakthrough:

1) Attack—assault, onslaught, charge, rush, drive, push, blitzkrieg--see 2 Samuel 23:16, 1 Chronicles 11:18
a. Courage and victory even against overwhelming odds
b. All glory and credit goes to God

2) Prelude—change, work a change, new phase—see Luke 18:1-8
a. Prayer and persistence are a key!
b. God answers prayer, but He is not a vending machine! (put a coin/faith in, get what you want out)

3) Innovation—introduction, discovery (or re-discovery—power of prayer & fasting), leap, transformation—see Genesis 32:24-31
a. Persistence (repeated it!!!) and sacrifice (fasting) are a key to breakthrough!!!
b. Who are you? Jacob (heel)Israel (God-wrestler) Breakthrough involves a change in identity! How bad do you want it?!?

Conclusion: Breakthrough involves courage, prayer, persistence, more persistence, and transformation!!! How bad do you want it?

David H. Smith and Dabbling in the Occult 1

David Smith and Dabbling in the Occult #1

I’m going to develop this into a full blog entry. I got the book From Mission to Madness: Last Son of the Mormon Prophet by Valeen Tippetts Avery from the library. From the preface, “David Hyrum Smith (1844-1904) was a brilliant and charismatic man, whose mind began to be clouded by mental illness when he was twenty-eight. Painter, singer, philosopher, theologian, naturalist, preacher, poet, and traveler, he approached life with warmth, humor, and intellectual curiosity. For a decade and a half before tragedy struck he was so effective a missionary for his church that he was placed in its presidency, so good a poet that his hymns are still sung, so compelling a preacher in Utah that it was rumored he would supplant Brigham Young, and so entertaining a writer that his descriptions of the places he visited conveyed to readers in the Midwest the excitement of America’s expanding frontier. Enthusiastic about the world in which he lived, David not only devoted himself to his religion but also dabbled in séances and spiritualism, defined the religious implications of contemporary science, challenged the Utah Mormons about polygamy, and argued the place of reason in a revelation-oriented theology.” [Italics emphasis is mine.]

It did not hit me at first. This preface holds the key to the mental illness development of David Smith. I do not have the Scriptural reference off the top of my head. The Old Testament especially the Pentateuch warns against consulting with witches, diviners, necromancers (spiritualists, talkers with the dead). The Israelites led by God and Moses were warned to have nothing to do with these things. King Saul, the first king of Israel, dabbled into this arena also with disastrous results in going to the witch of Endor to consult with the “ghost of Samuel”. We, nowadays, want to subscribe mental illness to genetic disorders or chemical imbalances. We underestimate the influence of the occult and opening the door to demonic influences.

I have had 2 classes, Rejection I & Rejection II, with material developed by one of the founders or main persons connected with Lake Hamilton Bible Camp which specializes in deliverance ministry. The book, Rejection and Its Fruits and Its Roots, is relevant to this subject. I’ve also had teaching in connection with CCM (Contemporary Christian Ministries) in regards to “opening of doors”. In addition, I have gone through the process of deliverance and inner healing for things in my life that were not right with God. I have been blessed and freed from past unhealthy soul ties and past fruits and roots as related to rejection, fear, pride, and other ungodly things in my life. I realize this can be a one-time event, but it also becomes a lifelong process.

I was wondering about this episode with David Smith. I have never heard anyone mention that he “dabbled in the occult” (spiritualism, séances). This would explain how he could open himself up to the demonic. David Smith was born after his father, Joseph Smith, Jr., along with his uncle, Hyrum Smith, were killed by mob actions. There are also sins connected with the parents—generational curses. Whether Joseph Smith, Jr. (JS, Jr.) originated the doctrine of polygamy or not is open to debate, we do know that he dabbled into masonry and promulgated baptism for the dead and other esoteric practices that could have opened doors in the life of David Smith. The very loss of a parent before one is born is a form of “rejection”. (anger/resentment at not having parent in life; sense of abandonment.)

A good example of this would be that the murder of JS, Jr. caused David Smith to grow up without his actual father. He did have a father figure in the form of a step-father Lewis Bidamon, when Emma re-married. David Smith became a part of the “Josephites”/”Reorganites” (Joseph Smith III-JSIII) in following his brother to become a part of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) in contrast to the Utah “Brighamites” or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). In missions to the west, David Smith had to deal with persons telling him that his father JS, Jr. had promulgated and practiced polygamy while he could not speak with his mother Emma (improper) or his brother JSIII who took a hard-line stance that his father neither originated nor practiced the doctrine of “plurality of spiritual wives”. David’s later mental illness ended up costing his son Elbert a father figure so the sins of the father are visited upon the grandson going from generation to generation.

Friday the 13th: Luck or Blessing?!?

Today is Friday the 13th.....I do NOT believe in luck (either good or bad)....there is either blessed or not blessed, and if you are not blessed then you are not in God's Will the way you need to be....in tithing, in relationships, in humility, in seeking, in loving.....this day is based on the King of France having it in for the wealthy and powerful Templars.

Breaking mirrors, walking under ladders (just kind of dumb), having black cats cross your path is having faith in superstition, in bad luck. I have faith in God. I have faith in Christ. I have faith in Holy Spirit.

One of my biggest pet peeves is to see someone ordained to ministry or set apart for some kind of ministry and watch persons congratulate them, give them best wishes, and say "Good luck." We do not even pay attention to what we are saying many times. "Good Luck!" with a ministry from God. How about "God be with you!", "I'll be praying for you.", "God bless you and your ministry."

Over the last year or more, I've worked hard to eliminate luck or superstition and associated sayings from my vocabulary and life. I challenge believers to believe in Christ and not believe in luck!

Midterm for Advanced Understanding of the Spirit, sickness and demons: Seek the Healer and not the healing

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Dr. Z.
10/25/2010

Midterm paper: Seek the Healer and not the healing (at least 3 examples)
I am going to discuss a number of healing stories regarding Jesus.

I will focus on stories where persons were not afraid to go after Jesus and his attentions.

First, I will begin with the story of the blind man (or men) near Jericho. This story is recounted for the most part word for word in the 3 synoptic gospels (Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43). Only in Mark is he named as “Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus”. Matthew describes two blind men calling out (v. 30). One thing common to all the accounts is the faith exhibited in calling Jesus “Son of David” implying Messiah or “anointed one” (Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Romans 1:3, Revelation 22:16). The important thing in this story is that the blind man (or men) did not give up on calling out to Jesus and “cried out all the more” when rebuked by others. I like the Mark account about him “throwing off his mantle…”, springing up, and coming to Jesus. He wanted a healing, but his focus was on Jesus and faith in Jesus first. Jesus asked him what he wanted—“let me receive my sight”. Jesus commended his faith in the healing of his sight. All 3 accounts speak of him or them following Jesus, but I like the ending in Luke about him “…glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.” (v. 43) (Note: There is a similar account in Matthew 9:27-31 about two blind men healed)

Second, I would like to look at the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:1-42. Jesus breaks a couple of taboo’s here both by speaking with a woman and with a Samaritan woman at the well in asking her for a drink. He offers “living water” (v. 10, 13-14) and describing it as a “…well of water springing up unto everlasting life”. She is still focused on literal water until Jesus proceeds to give her a prophetic “word of knowledge” regarding her having had five husbands and living with another man now. She calls Him a “prophet”. Jesus proceeds to reveal His identity as Messiah and teaches about true worship that supersedes the Jews (worship in Jerusalem) and the Samaritans (worship on the mountain)—“…true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth….God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (v. 23-24) The disciples return and marvel at Him speaking with a Samaritan woman. The woman leaves her pot and goes into the city telling about her encounter with the “Christ”—“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (v. 29) It is now the disciples’ turn to be too literal when Jesus speaks of His “meat is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work”. (v. 34). Many Samaritans of the city proceeded to entreat him to stay so He and His disciples tarried there for two days. This woman went from going to the well by herself (possibly ostracized from the other women of the city) to becoming an “evangelist” for Jesus Christ for the city. Even though they speak about believing in Him (“…indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world”—v.42) from their own experiences and encounters with the living water of Jesus, it was still the word of the Samaritan woman that drew the “harvest” (John 4:35) for Jesus. This woman found emotional and social healing and restoration by pointing others to Jesus and becoming His messenger for her city and its inhabitants. The Healer provides “living water” and “meat” (doing Will of Father), teaches about “true worship” and about fields “white already to harvest” (v. 35)—essence of discipleship and seeking the Healer. Jesus in ministry has the same focus (“do the will of him that sent me…”—John 4:34) as He did when He was twelve years old (“…I must be about my Father’s business”—Luke 2:49)

Third, I would like to look at the story of the man born blind in John 9:1-41. He has two brief encounters with Jesus at the beginning and end of the chapter. Most of the chapter is devoted to the discussion between this healed man and the Pharisees. The disciples had questioned Jesus on whether this man or his parents had sinned (a common belief was that calamities, disease, or disability resulted from sin). Jesus answered that it was not a result of sin but “that the works of God should be made manifest…” (v. 3) On the Sabbath, Jesus anointed the man with “clay and spittle” and directed him to the pool of Siloam to wash it off then he received his sight. The man had to first answer to the people then to the Pharisees who questioned him, questioned his parents and then questioned him once again. There was division between the Pharisees over his “work” on the Sabbath vs. the evidence of healing. His parents confirmed that he was born blind and could now see. The man had been questioned thoroughly the first time. When he was brought back and told Jesus was a “sinner” (v. 24) according to the Pharisees and was questioned repeatedly regarding his healing, then the man responded with “Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners…If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” (v. 30-33). They reviled the man and threw him out (a threat with which his parents had been afraid of the Pharisees). After this, Jesus found him and revealed His identity as “Son of God” as He asked him about his faith. The man then confessed his faith in Jesus and worshipped Him. Jesus then makes a statement about coming into the world so the blind will see and so the seeing will be blind (refusal to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ). The man born blind not only received a physical healing but also spiritual sight and revelation of Jesus Christ as Son of God. The man born blind, like the Samaritan woman, first thought of Him as a “prophet” (v. 17) but quickly understood Him as so much more—Son of David, living water, Son of God, THE HEALER.

Myrtus Research

Peggy & Randall Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Revelation Current End-time Events
Dr. Eva
10/12/2010

Myrtus Research

Myrtus—research online for this virus yielded articles stating it was an “allusion to Hebrew word for Esther”

Further research:

Myrtus—name for family of fruit; also “guava” connected with myrtus articles; also used for religious purposes during Sukkot (Jewish Feast of Tabernacles*) holiday

Myrtus—scientific name for Myrtle—flowering plants with star-like flower that has five petals & sepals to evergreen shrub, small tree
Biblical references to “Myrtle”—Isaiah 41:19, 55:13; Zechariah 1:8, 10, 11; Nehemiah 8:15*--Feast of Tabernacles—“…fetch olive branches, pine branches, and myrtle branches.”

***From Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary:
“Myrtle is an evergreen tree with dark glossy leaves and white flowers. The leaves, flowers, and berries of the myrtle were used for perfume and as seasoning for food. The myrtle tree had a religious significance for the Jews (Zechariah 1:8-11) and was a symbol of peace and joy. Queen Esther’s Hebrew name Hadassah (Esther 2:7) meant ‘myrtle’.”

Final for Advanced Understanding the Spirit, Sickness, & Demonic Power: Steps to be filled with the Holy Spirit

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Understanding the Spirit,
Sickness & Demonic Power
Dr. Z.
12/13/2010

Final: Steps to be filled with the Holy Spirit

I wanted to take this topic because of my experience this year on Palm Sunday, March 28 in Excelsior Springs. As an RN (Registered Nurse), I noticed Elder Larry (Quinter) having problems following the church service. His color was rather pasty, had weakness, and was complaining of his chest and heart. Ellie, his wife, was very concerned. Dr. Nick was there along with Dr. Esperanza, and I believe Dr. Eva. I remember Dr. Nick instructing everyone to begin to pray in their prayer language. I did not have one, and so I prayed in English. This spirit of MI (myocardial infarction-heart attack) or another heart issue was not breaking off so Dr. Nick instructed Larry to begin to pray in his prayer tongue. It (the demonic spirit) then broke off as his normal color and breathing returned. I was amazed and realized these persons will “fight for you” when the devil and demons try to get you. After I left from Larry, I saw my friend, Peggy, being prayed over by Missionary Julie Nash and Dr. Esperanza (?) for her prayer language. I went back to be with them, and Julie looked at me looking at Peggy and realized that I desired my prayer language also. It opened up to me and Peggy both that day. I had felt impotent (in not having a prayer language) with prayer over Larry. I had discussions with Ben, my instructor in Bible Prophecy II, over prayer language—“It’s there….” was prophetic word of knowledge that he had given me. Since Palm Sunday, Peggy and I have both deepened the use of prayer language/tongues in our lives and have used it over and over.

I bring up this experience because I think it helps to have a personal experience to look at as far as guidelines for being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Book of Acts gives some guidelines, but all the experiences of a mighty move of the Holy Ghost are not all the same, but there are certain parallels to these Spirit-filled experiences. Jesus Christ had instructed the disciples to “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall opened to you:” (Matthew 7:7)

Let us use this scripture to come up with guidelines or conditions in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The “asking” would be the prayer and waiting on the Lord—well-illustrated in Pentecost with the disciples waiting on the promise of the Father and prophecy and instruction of Jesus (Acts 2). The “seeking” would be in seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit and in seeking persons (ones filled with Holy Spirit, speak in tongues or prayer language, anointed of God)—Peter and John with Samaritans (Acts 8:17) and Paul with the Ephesians (Acts 19:6). The “knocking” would be conditions like inspired, Spirit-filled preaching (the Word of the Lord), laying on of hands by anointed and Spirit-filled ministers—Ananias with Paul (Acts 9:17), Paul in Ephesus. Another condition necessary for the filling of the Holy Spirit would also include deliverance (p. 42, #27 text).

I may by wrong, but I do not see a clear pattern of “1, 2, 3” or “A, B, C” steps for the “filling of the Holy Spirit”. I do see a number of conditions necessary for a move of the Holy Spirit—deliverance, unity, focus on prayer, seeking no matter what it takes. The Holy Spirit, God and Christ are very creative with their bestowal of Gifts of the Spirit. In the Book of Acts, this “filling of the Holy Spirit” came both prior and after water baptism (see Acts 10:44-48). It came with tongues and prayer language. These conditions were met with Peggy and me receiving our prayer tongues in March earlier this year.

Note: These conditions were also met with Charles Parham and Agnes Ozman for the beginning of the Pentecostal movement in 1900. The only condition that was not met was to have tongue-speaking believers praying over Ms. Ozman. She, her fellow students, and Charles Parham were all asking and praying, seeking an answer to tongues as a manifestation of baptism of the Holy Spirit, and knocking on Heaven to get an answer with prayer and not giving up. This later would lead to the Azusa Street revival through Parham and William Seymour, student under Parham in Houston, TX.

Review of 2011: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I would like to review the year a little with some highlights...



January 2011--onething '10; prophetic experience- "Day in our lives 10-15 years from now..." Peggy taking classes?, mtg. with Jon & Anna-fulfillment of promises of God

February 2011--CCM Retreat; guest preaching at Linn, MO; ordination of Peggy as non-denominational Pentecostal minister

March 2011--Mtg with Jon & Jessi

April 2011--Furious Love Event--Monroe, MI ("honeymoon")-mtg. Darren Wilson, Shampa Rice, Angela Greenig, Philip Mantofa, Will Hart ("honeymooners"), Rolland & Heidi Baker (Heidi's "bag holder"), Robbie Dawkins, and more.

May 2011--My 1st FBC Graduation-Master's-Ministry of the Prophet; Vow Renewal/3 Trails Cohousing Blessing/NWP reception

June 2011--Jon leaving for USAF basic; CCM Celebration Reunion Co-directors of operations-Graceland--Peggy's b-day; summer classes

July 2011--1st wedding anniversary-my b-day, summer classes

August 2011--Jon's USAF Graduation

September 2011-Labor Day Revival-Santa-Cali-Gon; teaching classes at Faith Bible College: Peggy-Substance Abuse I; Randall-Major Prophets

October 2011--Armorbearer seminar;

November 2011--Peggy guest speaking for 2nd time; mtg with Anna & Brice and later Jon & Jessi; going deeper with Ebony & Ivory Ministries

December 2011--finishing FBC fall term (taught 2nd class-Minor Prophets); more teaching for Spring Term; engagement of Jon& Jessi; Anna's birthday month with 26 cards for her 26 years





I realize in looking over the monthly highlights that Peggy and I have been greatly blessed. It's been a year of highs and lows (we've lost some dear friends to death & life changes) and challenges and adjustments. I know that I am greatly blessed in my wonderful, loving, supportive, Spirit-filled, feisty wife, companion, and best friend-Peggy M. Lawrence. I can honestly say that I love her more than I did at the start of the year & was thankful to give her a vow renewal with white gown and with a reception. (just need to get her a diamond ring in the new year)



With my life and life purposes, I, first and foremost, give credit to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior along with Holy Spirit and Abba Father. After God, then my wife deserves most of the credit for getting my life on track and getting it to where it is today!



This year holds tremendous healing and fulfilling of God's promises. My life is now graced by my step-children Anna and Jon along with now Jon's fiancee Jessi and Anna's Brice. This was fulfillment of promises of God to Peggy (from years ago)! (God is faithful and all of His Promises are true and sure!) God has given us a glimpse into his future plans and more promises to us! (see "Day in our lives 10-15 years from now...") We have been greatly challenged and stretchedF in taking Faith Bible College classes (and now teaching also) and in ministering with Ebony & Ivory Ministries. We do so appreciate Dr. Nick and Dr. Eva along with (Drs.) Chely & Kevin and our brothers and sisters at Ebony & Ivory and Faith Bible College. I cannot begin to describe all the experiences, challenges and blessings involved over the year. I continue to grow in my armorbearer/preacher/teacher roles while Peggy grows in her teacher/prophet-seer roles.



Work situation: Peggy continues to work for Comprehensive Mental Health Services though she took a new position this year while I worked for Benilde from Nov. 2010-Aug. 2011. I've volunteered at Faith Bible College and Community of Christ library over the fall. I will be looking to establish some income or obtain employment to supplement our income in the New Year (I would appreciate your prayers in this regard.)



We met some tremendously gifted persons at Furious Love Event, worked for some gifted persons (Mike & Cheri W. with 2011 Celebration and many more), traveled to Michigan and to Texas along with Oklahoma and within Missouri, realized how blessed we are to be where God has called us, doing what He has called us to do, developing into ministers of Christ. Our summer teacher equated us to be like Priscilla and Aquila. I wish I knew more about them, but I realize they were married and were a ministry team. This is what I have with my beloved Peggy and My Lord!



God, peace, blessings, and endowment be with you and yours in 2012! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Temple of Solomon Reflection 6 (week 8)/ Tabernacle of David Reflection: Is the "latter rain" reflected in the above?

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon, Tabernacle of David
Bro. K., Elder L.
3/15/2011

Temple of Solomon Reflection 6 (Week 8)-Tabernacle of David Reflection—Is the “latter rain” reflected in the above?

Dr. Nick gave a 2-part sermon series this past weekend on the “Latter Rain” with the concepts of corn/wheat (substance), oil (consecration, glory, Presence), and wine (joy in the Lord). Are these reflected in the Temple of Solomon and Tabernacle of David? My first thoughts are that they are reflected in the sacrifices and types of sacrifices for the Temple and Tabernacle.

As for grain (substance), the main sacrifices of oxen and goats would be fed with these, but there is also a meat (grain) offering—Leviticus 2 which involved flour (grain), oil, and frankincense (v.2—“sweet savour unto the Lord”)—also includes unleavened “cakes”—“firstfruits unto the Lord” (v.12 14). Verse 14 speaks of “green ears of corn dried by the fire” and “corn beaten out of full ears”. Verse 16 speaks of “part of the beaten corn thereof…”.

In addition, the tables of showbread had an important place both in the Temple and in the Tabernacle—within the Holy Place.

The peace offering (Leviticus 3) was to be “of the herd” and “without blemish before the Lord” (v. 1,6) It could be a “goat” (v.12). The sin offering (Leviticus 4) was a “young bullock without blemish” (v. 3) The trespass (guilt) offering (Leviticus 5:14-19) was a “ram without blemish out of the flock” (v.18). All of these offering would have been fed with grain, corn, and/or in the field.

Now, I’m not sure about the wine, but we realize that the bread and wine of Passover became the Bread and Wine of Christ with Communion and the Last Supper so this is important. I thought that I had read somewhere in the Scriptures about a pour offering, but I am not finding it now so I will have to do some more research.

Temple of Solomon Final B--Reflection on Septuagint

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon
Bro. K.
5/26/2011

Temple of Solomon: Final B (Reflection on Septuagint--#70/72):

I tried to find the story about putting together the Old Testament during the Babylonian captivity, but I could not find it. I did, however, find a very interesting story about the Septuagint (meaning “70” or LXX) version of the Bible—“translation by 72 Elders”—translation of the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) into the Greek language during the time of Ptolemy II (285-246 B.C.). This was first described in the “Letter of Aristeas” , supposedly written by a member of the court of Ptolemy II.

70 and 72 are very significant numbers Biblically especially in regards to anointing. There is a very significant episode involving Moses and 72 Elders including 2 (Medad & Eldad) that remained in camp. In Numbers 11:24-30, the Lord God’s Spirit that was on Moses also then rested on these 70 on the mountain with Moses not to mention on the 2 in camp with Joshua. Joshua wanted to forbid them and went running to Moses who rebuked him saying, “Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29) This is paralleled in the New Testament (Luke 10:1-24) when Jesus sends out the 70 for witness (some versions say 72) as forerunners for His ministry. The 70/72 return “with joy” (Luke 10:17) at the success of their deliverance/forerunner ministry though Jesus counsels, “do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather, rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (v. 20). Thus, we see this number as significant for anointing for Presence of God (Kingdom of God), prophecy, deliverance, and as forerunners for Christ.

,Getting back to the Septuagint, the 72 scribes/translators/elders were reportedly picked by the High Priest, 6 from each tribe, worked on the translation and reportedly completed the task in exactly 72 days. “Later tradition says, for instance, that the 72 scribes worked separately or in pairs and miraculously produced the same translation, word for word, proving that the group was divinely inspired.” The Septuagint originally referred to the Greek Pentateuch but gradually came to refer to the entire Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as other books of Scripture were translated from Hebrew to Greek in Alexandria in Egypt. Very fascinating story that connects very well with anointed stories about 72 in the Old and New Testaments!!!

Temple of Solomon Reflections 9 & 10 (weeks 11-12)-Furious Love Event

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon
Bro. K.
4/19/2011

Temple of Solomon Reflections 9 & 10 (Week 11-12)-Furious Love Event

This event was sponsored by Wanderlust Productions (‘Finger of God’ and ‘Furious Love’ movies) and held at Redeemer Fellowship—a charismatic, Spirit-filled “Baptist” church in Monroe, MI. The speakers included most of the ones in Furious Love—Will Hart (of Hart Ministries), Rolland & Heidi Baker (missionaries in Mozambique, Iris Ministries), Shampa Rice (Iris Ministries missionary in India-Bokaro school), Mattheus & Rebecca V. D. Steen (“Esther” in Furious Love, TRIN—Touch, Reach, Impact the Nations), Robby Dawkins (Vineyard pastor-Aurora, IL), Greg Boyd (pastor that’s written on war between God & satan), Angela Greenig (Set Free Ministries International), Philip Mantofa (Indonesian mega-church pastor & evangelist)—very powerful group. Most of the group shared their mistakes (even embarrassing moments) and failures and that their success and power can be attributed directly to Jesus Christ and their intimate relationship with Him.

I want to share a few of the very powerful, prophetic God-encounters. After getting lost for 1 & ½ hours for a church that was 5-10 minutes from our hotel, we finally made it to the church and were “blown away” by the prophetic art-work mostly done by Darren Wilson’s father—Elder and member of Redeemer Fellowship. We walked around checking it out. The church was very gracious and hospitable with its members and leaders volunteering as hosts for the event April 6-9. The church even had a canteen and dining area where you could get breakfast, lunch, and supper. Our first experience/God-encounter included meeting a young lady-Heather who had been an IHOPU student from NY who was graduating in the spring. We had prayer, and I got a ‘word of knowledge’ that her job (calling) following graduation would not come in the usual manner but in an unusual, God-ordained manner—powerful start with irony of a couple of Faith Bible students (one an IHOPU reject) blessing a former IHOPU student.

The FLE was awesome, Spirit-filled and really challenged Peggy and me. I loved listening and being challenged by Will Hart who shared his story of going astray, going to a charismatic meeting with a Spirit-filled boat captain and getting “slain in the Spirit” from a God-encounter. He shares how this boat captain, looking somewhat like Popeye”, kicked him in the foot while on the floor asking, “Boy, what are you doing on the floor?” (meaning what are you going to do now for the Lord). They got Will up, had him pray over another, and they both hit the floor. “Boy, I SAID, what are you doing on the floor?” Will Hart testified that his life has never been the same since—could not dress the same, talk the same, walk the same, and continues to serve the Lord—served with Iris Ministries in Mozambique and was in the Furious Love Movie for various encounters with the Lord and His “Furious Love”. We were so impacted that Peggy and I went on a “treasure hunt” (seeking to bless someone for the Lord through prophecy and word of knowledge and prayer) instead of going for the altar call.

I will finish with another God-encounter. It did not have to do with the main speakers. Peggy and I had lunch with Robin & Art Thomas and 2 m.o. Josiah Samuel. We asked Robin to pray over us, had a wonderful conversation with them, Art gave me his book signed-The Word of Knowledge in Action, and he gave us a Word of Knowledge that by this time (April 2010 to April 2011) next year that I would be holding my own child. I was so excited that I pulled Peggy by the hand outside to an open, grassy area and began yelling “Yes! I will take it! Yes!!!!” over and over. We claim it even now and have had other Words of Knowledge (for children) spoken over us. These were just a few of the God-incidences and blessings of the Lord with the Furious Love Event.

Temple of Solomon Reflection 8 (week 10)-Love

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon
Bro. K.
3/29/2011

Temple of Solomon Reflection 8 (Week 10)-Love

Last week was a very stressful situation with work, sudden death of a friend, and more, and so is this week with health news in regards to my Dad. I picked love to do my reflection on because that is how the week ended and what the weekend reflected with a 40 year “love affair” (loving relationship) attested at the funeral for our friend Gail, with your wedding with Chely, with Friday and Sunday services.

One might ask what love has to do with the Temple of Solomon. Well, the Temple of Solomon foreshadows Jesus Christ and points to Him. Jesus Christ was all about love. To be honest, the Temple of Solomon (& Tabernacle of David) is not something I really ever focused much on yet in looking at how God works and in understanding Jesus Christ more then these topics become very relevant. As a Christian, we hear non-believers talking about this wrathful, judgmental, Old Testament God. We look at what happened after a long time of disobedience, of breaking of covenants, of idolatry and more and then assign these results to the personality of God without digging deeper. Focus on the Temple of Solomon is about digging deeper.

Solomon, wisest in the world, foreshadowed Jesus Christ. Yet, a Solomon without Jesus Christ inside, fell prey to idolatry and being led astray by his wives. The ultimate story of the Temple is in the crucifixion of Christ with the tearing of the veil of the Temple and then with Pentecost. “The Kingdom of God is within you” contrasts with our fallen nature. I have heard the Bible being called a “love letter” and “love story”. I believe that this is true. God, Abba Father as a Holy, Omnipotent, Omniscient Creator has done all this work like the Temple of Solomon to provide access to Him to weak, fallible, broken humans and set forth a plan of redemption in Jesus Christ so that we might have access. Ultimately, it was about a Temple and Holy of Holies place that became not without (outside of us) but within (inside of us) through the ministry of Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit—this is the love story which was illustrated so aptly this past weekend in a funeral and a wedding demonstrating the love story continues.

Temple of Solomon Reflection 7 (week 9)-Disappointment

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon
Bro. K.
3/22/2011

Temple of Solomon Reflection 7 (Week 9)-Disappointment

I want to write this reflection on disappointment and frustration. I am going to get a little personal so this is the warning. Peggy and I are trying to conceive. We have the promises of God for children, prophetic words, and more. I just want children so bad that each time that it is evident that we are not having one yet is like a “dagger to the heart” and “poison to the mind”.

You might ask what this has to do with the Temple of Solomon? Well, I cannot connect it with the Temple of Solomon so much as connect it with its descendent—the Temple of Joshua and Zerubbabel—temple built following the Babylonian exile. I cannot find the Scripture right now (Ezra, Zechariah, Hosea?), but there is some Scriptures about the dedication of this second Temple which was smaller and less grand and did not have the Ark or other things associated with the Temple of Solomon. The Shekhinah glory in the form of a cloud came down in encompassed the Temple of Solomon. This was not repeated with the 2nd Temple so that some persons were crying over missing out on this evidence of the Glory of God.

What’s this got to do with Peggy’s and my disappointment over not conceiving a child yet? Well, I will try to connect it. In my faith, the Glory of God came down for the dedication of the Kirtland Temple (1st Reflection) in 1836—Kirtland, Ohio. This was a powerful experience with tongues and interpretation of tongues, Spirit-filled preaching, and prophetic dedicatory prayer. Well, in less than 2 years, the “Saints” were run out of Ohio. My faith built the Community of Christ Temple in Independence starting in 1990 and completed in 1994 completely debt free. We did this at some sacrifice. The issue is that the Temple is not endowed (anointed) the way the Kirtland Temple was and has been at times since the dedication. These are my disappointment (not conceiving yet, not having the Glory of God on this Temple in Independence—latter not being like the former), but I praise God because I know that following His commandments can turn these disappointments into fulfilled promises in Jesus Christ.

Temple of Solomon Midterm: David's Charge to Solomon

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon
Bro. K.
3/8/2011

Temple of Solomon Midterm:David’s Charge to Solomon (p. 27 text—1 Chronicles 22:6-16)

I want to compare and contrast King Solomon with his father King David especially their two hearts and two heads and their relationship with God. King David gave the charge to his son, King Solomon, son of Bathsheba to build the House of the Lord which had been his desire, but he was not allowed since he was a man of war and had shed blood. “David challenged him to take heed to the law of the Lord through Moses, encouraging him to seek the Lord in wisdom and understanding to fulfill this charge on him. He would build the vision of his father David.” (p. 27 text) (also 1 Kings 2:1-9, 1 Chronicles 28:1-21)

When the Temple built by Solomon was done, we had the Shekinah—“visible manifestation of God” (1 Kings 8:10-11, 2 Chron. 5:13-14, 7:1-3). This power of God was not manifest like this until the fall of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2)—the endowment of power from on high (Luke 24:49). We know that Solomon prayed a very inspired prayer in the dedication (2 Chron.6:12-42) and know that God asked Solomon wanted he wanted (long life, riches, etc.), but Solomon chose wisdom so he was granted the life and riches. (1 Kings 3:3-15, 2 Chronicles 1-12)

Solomon, despite youth and experience, began his reign very well and reigned with the wisdom of God. This is where I want to get into my source/citation (see endnote)—Bible Stories movies “Solomon” with Ben Cross and Vivaca Fox. I really enjoyed this movie because I feel it did a decent job of seeing into the life and mindset of Solomon and his relationship with God. Solomon had to deal with enemies from within (his own brother and general) who tried to usurp the throne before he began. (1 Kings 1) He was a man of peace, unlike his father King David, who was a man of war. This was a requirement for building the House of the Lord—Temple of Solomon. We know that Solomon had the wisdom of God, the example of David, man “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), and then was given long life and riches and acclaim throughout the world for his wisdom and kingdom.

Solomon began to get married for diplomatic reasons—to prevent war and to form alliances and to enjoy his reign as King of all Israel. King Solomon had many wives like his father King David. This might not have been his downfall if Solomon would have been more focused on the Lord God than on his wives. David had danced before the Lord while moving the ark of the Lord the Tabernacle and was despised by Michal for the display—the Lord and David proceeded to reject her (2 Samuel 6:16, 21-23) so the priority for David was the Lord and worship of the Lord as David had set up of David and its worship system. (1 Chronicles 23-26)

In the movie, we see Solomon falling in love with the Queen of Sheba. (Biblical story—1 Kings 10:1-13, 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 ) They have a son who is rejected as the next king just as the Queen of Sheba is rejected as wife & Queen of Israel. The Queen of Sheba leaves so her son can inherit her kingdom, and she and Solomon set up a colony in Africa…(dramatic license?)

After this, with his broken heart, King Solomon begins slowly to allow the corruption and issue of the religion(s) of his wives (sacrifices to idols and foreign gods) to begin to undermine his relationship with the Lord God of Israel and to undermine his covenant with God. (1 Kings 11:1-13) This does not come to fruition in his reign, but it does come to fruition in the reign of his son, King Rehoboam with the splitting of Israel (northern Kingdom) with Jeroboam from Judah (southern Kingdom).

Where am I going with all this? King Solomon, wisest man in the world, becomes mis-lead through his heart and his head and thinking he knew better than anyone else—lost his First Love—relationship with God, put desires of wives over God. Our head is a good servant but a lousy master. King David meanwhile despite serious mistakes and sins had his heart on the Lord and truly knew how to repent and set his heart right with the Lord God. The incidence with the dancing and his wife Michal (2 Sam. 6:16, 21-23) shows how David’s priority and heart were set on the Lord unlike the priorities of King Solomon later in life who chose to depend on his own wisdom (fallible) and not on his relationship with God. Heart wisdom in the Lord trumps head wisdom in the Lord—Jesus Christ exemplified this in His ministry, passion and death on the cross, and His resurrection.

Temple of Solomon Reflection 4 & 5 (week 5-6)

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon
Bro. K.
3/8/2011

Temple of Solomon Reflection 4 & 5 (week 5-6):

I wanted to combine last week and this week because of the powerful experience that I had in guest-preaching in Linn, MO the weekend before last. I found out last minute that I would also be doing the Sunday School and would present a slideshow presentation of a mission trip to Mexico that I took in 2009. The pastor thought she had sent me a facebook message earlier in the week, but I did not get it so I was scrambling to put everything together at the last minute. I was able to get it done, and we left Saturday afternoon to go and would be staying at the Pastor’s house overnight.

We got to the church, but we had some confusion because Pastor Kathy thought I was going on to her house while we thought she would be meeting us at the church which she eventually did. It was a God thing in that we got to worship and pray and Peggy anointed the pews on Saturday night since they leave the church open. We finally got to her house, had a very late but delicious supper, toured the house, then I excused myself to go over my sermon some more since I had been pre-occupied with the Sunday School presentation. I got everything mostly set. We enjoyed being hosted. We had a 45-60 minute drive from her house to the church the next day so Peggy and I got into a powerful, deep, Spirit-filled intercessory prayer over the Linn congregation, over Pastor Kathy and her family, over the community and more. I told Peggy that I felt like I needed to set aside most of my sermon and share more of what God was laying on our hearts for this tiny, rural congregation.

The Sunday School presentation went well though some initial technical difficulties that we worked out and then it went well with Peggy’s help. The service went well with special music from our friend Bill (who had ridden with us) though we noticed Pastor Kathy juggling numerous jobs—hostess, presider, Pastor, A/V person, special music, pianist, and more. The sermon went very well and was definitely Spirit-led and filled & included this:

• …world and satan may speak “lies” that I’ve neglected my church (congregation). I have not! You’ve turned from me. I desire you and a relationship with you ALWAYS—these “lies” belong in the pits of hell where they originate from…..

I sat down when I felt the Spirit say that was enough. I was struck by Peggy staring at me with an intense, unfamiliar look on her face. It took me about 2 hours to describe—not looking past me, over me—more looking into me. It took her awhile to describe what she was seeing—“almost like I was bigger…”, “different”. She said that I had done a good job of listening to the Spirit. We had lunch, discussion with Pastor Kathy, prayed over one another, got some pictures, and then came home. It was less than a day and a half though it seemed almost like 3-4 days. Very powerful time in the Spirit and the Lord!

Temple of Solomon Reflection 2 & 3 (week 3-4)

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon
Bro. K.
2/22/2011


Temple of Solomon Reflection 2 & 3 (week 3-4):

I do not really have any good reflections on the Temple of Solomon because I will admit that I am behind on the reading with being out ill. I want to reflect on the cause of the illness. You are free to share this with others.

I want to recount what transpired on 2/12. I had told Dr. Nick that I was willing to go out to see Brian & Rhonda and get the keys to the college from Brian. What Peggy and I dealt with became something else. We knew that we might have to deal with some things because we knew about the family’s history of witchcraft & more, but we did not realize what we would end up dealing with. First time that we went out, no one answered the door though I thought that I heard someone yelling “a-hole…” or something like that (mother?). We had made sure that we applied a blood line of Christ, had the armor of God on, and had mighty prayer. We went home to try again later. The first time that we went we took our wedding album and wedding scrapbook to be able to share. We went to Mardel’s and did some errands and went home to unwind from ominous feeling.

We tried again later in day with blood line, armor, and prayer. We both went up to door this time. We figured it would work out because it seemed like most of the lights were on in the house. We were not even sure it was the right house, but the mailbox was short, saw an angel in the yard, Christmas stuff still on door, and I had spotted Brian’s favorite energy drink can by the door. We knocked about 5x without an answer though we thought we heard voices, but no one came to the door. We finally went to the car and began to text them with our new phones. We finally got the responses: “getting a car”, “tinkering with a car”, and more. I tried to figure out when we could get the keys, and they offered the next day so we invited them to church. We eventually left and got to Radioshack where Brian called, and I hand the phone to Peggy.

I do not remember when exactly, but I started to get really hot on my face and then feel it in my ears and sinuses and head. We got home and made the mistake of delaying prayer to get settled and contact Dr. Nick then Peggy prayed over me. It did not lift off until she used her prayer language then I got discernment/knowledge that it was a demon spirit of infirmity. We were thankful that we had not gone in the house and wondered if a “curse” had been directed at us.

By the next day, I had a full-blown case of sinusitis (sinus infection) and had to have prayer and anointing with oil both in morning and in evening on Sunday and more prayer later in the week and even into this week.

I guess my reflection is that we need to be ready all the time. Peggy later in the week had to deal with a demonic or satanic lair of a house. I do not think it was an accident that I was mostly out of commission (to be able to offer prayer support) when she dealt with this and got information from Dr. Eva about what she was dealing with. We are blessed with being at Faith Bible College and Ebony & Ivory to learn about how to deal with this stuff. I guess you will not be attacked unless you are a threat. I do realize that I allowed a measure of pride/ego/rationalization to put a “chink” or hole in the armor and covering of God. It was a tremendous lesson to me in allowing God to do His thing and not to think “my thing” is helpful (wearing a hat that might bother Brian). I learned the importance of humility, dependence of God, and need for broken heart and contrite spirit and that God’s protection is more than sufficient.

(Names have been changed to protect persons involved in situation.)

Temple of Solomon Reflection 1 (week 2)

Randall Q. Lawrence
Faith Bible College
Temple of Solomon
Bro. K
2/8/2011

Temple of Solomon Reflection 1 (week 2):

It has been interesting to read about why studying the Temple of Solomon is important, what and who it reflects (Jesus, heavenly tabernacle/temple), reading about various interpretation principles, and then reading about the various temple—Tabernacle of Moses, Tabernacle of David, Temple of Solomon, Temple of Zerubbabel, Temple of Herod, Temple of Ezekiel’s vision, etc.

I decided that I wanted to focus on what temples mean to me. My church (Community of Christ/R.L.D.S.) had a first temple in Kirtland, Ohio, 80-90 miles north of where I grew up in New Philadelphia, Ohio. This temple or “House of the Lord” was dedicated in 1836 with mighty prayer, anointed singing, and even apostles speaking in tongues with interpretation given—an outpouring of the Spirit due to sacrifice in the building of this Temple. At the time (1836), most church buildings would have fit in the Kirtland Temple with their length smaller than its width. The “saints” that built were very poor and sacrificed greatly to build it. I am also challenged to see an anointing/endowment (Luke 24:49, Acts 2, Joel 2) on our Independence Temple with the Community of Christ HQ that’s just down the street from us.