New Years Bliss!

Hello Wonderful Friends!

I am declaring over each and every one of you the most blessed and favor-filled, outrageous, amazing, and stupendous New Year and New Decade in Jesus!! You are further along in your destiny than ever before and God has not forgotten a single one of his precious promises over your life! Each day that you are given the gift of life on this earth, you are one step further along in the journey that the Lord has planned for you before the foundation of the earth--A plan to prosper you and not to harm you, a plan to give you hope and a future!! (Jer. 29:11) Be massively encouraged that you are right in the heart of God's best for you! Don't lose hope! Keep going! You are doing so much better than you think!!

Thanks for the friendship and love and encouragement that you all keep on pouring over Suzanne and myself. You're the best!

If you are looking for some place to go tonight to celebrate the New Year, I have 7 suggestions for you:

1. IHOP, East Bay--8 pm to Midnight at Parkway Baptist Church, 7485 Village Parkway, Dublin, CA

2. Fred Long's place--7 pm, 785 Hampton Road, Hayward, CA

3. Charles & Tina Razzel's place, 8 pm, 1805 Brooktree Way, Pleasanton, CA

4. Sausalito Christian Fellowship--7 pm at 131 Filbert Ave., Sausalito, CA. Blazing Fire's Janet Shottelkorb will be leading worship!

5. Harvest House in Fremont, 6 pm-Midnight--Worship & Praying for the 7 mountains of influence! - 40645 Fremont Blvd., Suite 10A, Fremont, CA

6. New Ecstatics w/Ben Dunn & John Crowder, 9 pm @ Studio E, 152 Harvey West Blvd., Santa Cruz, CA

7. Stay at home and sit at the feet of Jesus! Now there's a choice that will never be taken away from you!!

We are going to have an extremely powerful time together this Saturday night, January 2nd, at Blazing Fire Church as we make bold declarations from heaven to earth!!! Expect shifts to happen! We will most likely end in a New Year's blessing tunnel!! It all starts at 6 pm at our usual location, 3200 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton.

I look forward to seeing many of you and ushering the new decade in with authority and much joy!!

Christmas Night - 2009

Hello Wonderful Friends!

Just a quick note to share something that was on my heart for you today. Sometimes because of all the stress getting ready for Christmas, there can be a feeling of let-down. You might think to yourself, "I did all that for this?!!"

If you are feeling any sort of post-Christmas blues whatsoever, let me assure you that nothing of eternal significance has changed since yesterday, nor will it be different tomorrow...You are still Daddy's favorite! You are still the delight of His eyes! You still touch his heart more deeply than you will ever know! Wonderful Holy Spirit still lives within you! Jesus has still paid the full price for your freedom! And you still have a destiny as a world-changer, loving people one heart at a time!

No matter how you are feeling, remember this:
"Jesus is so completely able to rescue and preserve those who come to God through him because he is always alive to intercede on their behalf." (Hebrews 7:25)

You know what that means? You can have on off day, but Jesus never does! He's always on and He's always for you. He neither sleeps nor slumbers (Ps. 121), but his eye is upon you, and he is declaring God's truth over you, finishing the good work he started in you!

Hope your day-after-Christmas is filled with the joy and peace of knowing that you belong to the Lord...and the day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that...

A Merry Christmas! - Dec 17, 2009

As Christmas approaches, I declare the Peace of Jesus upon you! If you need more of that peace, take a listen to my sermon last week, "The Prince of Peace" on our podcast.

Be encouraged by this brief description of the "real" story of St. Nicholas:

St. Nicholas should be an inspiration to us all. He was a godly man whose reputation for giving to people caused him to be a revered example of what compassion and giving are all about. He was not a jolly large man who climbed down chimneys, and he didn't have flying reindeer.

A Gift From God
Nicholas and his parents lived in Turkey in the third century and were Christians. Nicholas' parents had prayed and asked God for a child, much as Abraham and Sarah had done. From the time Nicholas was born in about A.D. 280, they considered him a gift from God. Diligently, they taught their young son devotion to God and to be very generous to the poor. Although they both died when Nicholas was in his teens, their heritage of living for God and giving followed Nicholas.

Ordained as a young teenager, Nicholas entered the priesthood at age 19. His uncle, the bishop who ordained him, prophesied that Nicholas would offer guidance and consolation to many people, that he would eventually become a bishop, and that he would live a life of enlightenment. Eventually he did become the bishop of a small, coastal village, and his influence spread into many nations.

Many accounts have been written about the life of Nicholas. It was said that he would spend all night studying God's Word to bring it to the people. He was known for helping the poor, for praying, fasting and standing steadfast in faith and goodness. Many miracles were brought about through his prayers. Included among the accounts of his ministry is the report of twin brothers who were raised from the dead. It was written that one could hardly keep count of the virtue and goodness he spread around him.

When Nicholas died on December 6, A.D. 343, he is said to have quoted Psalm 11 with his last breath, "In the Lord I put my trust." In the Greek language, the name Nicholas means "victorious" or "hero of the people," and he did indeed become a very popular figure in the centuries that followed his death. Stories of Nicholas spread throughout Greece and into Russia. He became the popular patron saint of Russians, who called him "Nikolai, the wonderworker."

The story of the true St. Nicholas is a beautiful picture of the giving that Christmas is really about. St. Nicholas represents the giving heart of our Heavenly Father, Who always gives good gifts. The greatest gift of all is the gift of Jesus Christ to us from God the Father. Jesus is our hope, redemption and victory. He is our advocate with the Father, our blood-covenant Friend Who will never leave nor forsake us. In Him, we have the joy of living a heavenly life on earth.

He is the meaning of Christmas "Christ mass" means "anointing celebration." It's the celebration of "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power…." It's the celebration of how the anointed Jesus "…went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil…" (Acts 10:38). It's the story of our triumphant Savior—Jesus, the Christ—the King of kings and the Lord of lords!

Now, that's a Merry Christmas!

There Is A River - Dec 12, 2009

Daddy approves of you! Yes, YOU! You are the delight of His eyes and you are exactly what he wanted when he made you! If you do nothing else today, take time to snuggle up to your Heavenly Papa and take in the love! That is the ONE THING that will truly make your heart merry this season! Oh, and then go spread the love the first chance you get! Papa loves it when you do that!!

Last Saturday during and after our time of worship, I sensed and felt a huge, strong River that was flowing through the church building and, subsequently, right through each person who was present! The Lord led me to play my Native American double flute while encouraging each person to receive from that heavenly River exactly what they needed: love, mercy, healing, peace, forgiveness, strength, hope--absolutely anything and everything we needed was available!

Here is one testimony from Cheryl Field, who was there that night:

Pastor Brent,

I have to tell you want happened Saturday night! When you asked us to stand for healing, I stood up for my brother who has hidradenitis and my 16-year-old nephew who has Crone's disease, even though I have been in constant pain in my shoulder. On the way home, I asked Papa to heal my shoulder and take the pain away. Later, around 11:30 pm, I was laying in bed re-reading Blazing Fire's Core Values, and my heart started to race and I felt Holy Spirit's presence...all of a sudden my shoulder started quivering and shaking like I have never seen before! The pain was gone!!! This morning is the first time in I don't know how long that I didn't wake up in pain or have to take any Tylenol! Papa is so awesome! Thank You Holy Spirit, and Jesus for making it possible!!!

In Papa's love, Cheryl

Thank you, Jesus! We are seeing more and more miracles of people being completely healed and set free! And do you know why? Because the river of God's love and presence and power and joy is flowing mightily from his throne and it's getting deeper and wider all the time!! (see Ezekiel 47) The Source of that refreshing, cleansing Water from Heaven is nothing less than the Father's heart, and let me tell you, His heart is infinite and it is unlimited! God's supernatural world is totally invading the natural world that we see with our eyes and ears. And it's only going to increase because the Kingdom is always advancing!!

Psalm 46:4 says, "There is a River whose streams bring joy to God's city. It sanctifies the dwelling of the Most High."

That river is not just a fun concept--a nice idea. It's REAL!!!

So, I declare this river of supernatural joy to gush upon you and within you RIGHT NOW! I declare that river to break forth from you, bursting out from your belly (John 7:38) to saturate a hurting and severely malnourished world with blessing and encouragement straight from God's heart--through you--to theirs!

Anyone for some River rafting?! The water level is UP...again!!

SO Thankful for YOU! - November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!!

Paul's words from 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 are a perfect expression of how Suzanne and I feel about all of you:

"You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure, it's a must! We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally and your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it's only right that we give thanks. We're SO proud of you! You're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone we meet in the churches all about you." (The Message Bible)

It's actually quite true! Whenever I talk about what God is doing at Blazing Fire, I start talking about the obvious transformation I see happening in you all over the months and years as you have willingly embraced the truth of the Father's deep love for you and the astounding grace that is yours because of the finished work Jesus on the cross!

After 8 wonderful years of this journey called Blazing Fire, our hearts are FILLED with gratitude to the Lord for surrounding us with so many passionate lovers of Jesus! Thanks so much for helping to make the journey so fun and meaningful! We are truly blessed to have so many amazing friends!!

Love,
Brent & Suzanne

P.S. The Lord graciously multiplied food (turkey, mashed potatoes & pie) last Saturday at the Oakland homeless outreach! Karen shared about it at Blazing Fire and another server told us her story of the same phenomenon--more and more food every time they went back to check! How cool is that?!!

The God Who Heals - Nov 20, 2009

Hundreds of years before Jesus came on the scene to walk the earth and display the true heart of His Father who loves and heals his children, there was a man who 'got it' to the core of his being--He knew the depth of God's love and compassion that is displayed in miracles, signs and wonders.

The man's name was King David, and this is what he said about his amazing God:

"Bless the Lord, my soul, never forget all his acts of kindness. He forgives all your offences, cures all your diseases, he redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with faithful love and tenderness; he contents you with good things all your life and renews your youth like an eagle's." (Psalm 103:

God has never changed. Everything David said was true, and Jesus came to demonstrate the true nature of his Father with extravagant acts of love and power. Yet, a battle still lingers, mostly in the confines of our own minds, about the goodness of God. Not wanting us imprisoned with the misconceptions that have been perpetuated by the enemy, God is graciously revealing more and more of the depth of his great love toward us, causing us to see Him for who He really is.

As a result, we are seeing a dramatic increase in how God is powerfully touching and healing people. A few weeks ago, a teenager came to Blazing Fire's worship service in desperate need of deliverance. He was in a very dark place and wanted freedom, but didn't know how to receive it. In the middle of the worship, God gripped this young man's heart, so much so, that for over an hour he was taken by God to a place in the Spirit that was 'other than' where he was standing in the natural. In that place, God was sovereignly and supernaturally setting him free to the point where he became a radically changed person. The most amazing part of the story is that no human being prayed for him! God just did it! Two Saturdays ago, there were well over 50 people healed of ailments, injuries and diseases. Most of you have heard by now of a creative miracle that took place that night as Lee Betancourt (who oversees our outreach to the homeless in Oakland) had the tip of his pinkie finger, that had been chopped off in an industrial accident 35 years before, grow back!! Lee and Daniel (who was praying for him) watched in utter amazement as God not only grew the 1/2" of his finger back out in a matter of seconds, but even fully restored the nail as well!! Come on!!!!!!!!!! That's just absurdly astounding!! A testimony like this will mess with you!! Just who is this God, anyway??? Well, He's so glad you asked because he really wants to show you. And when you see greater and greater displays of his power (and that is absolutely going to happen), just know that he is really displaying the fullness of his love towards you and all of his children.

What David saw and what Jesus demonstrated, is what we are seeing before our very eyes: God is GOOD and He cannot withhold his extravagant love for us!! And that love is showing itself in dramatic ways--He can't help himself!!

Are you ready? Because we are entering into unchartered territory where the outrageous goodness of God is going to surpass our ability to even explain what He's doing. Here we go!!!!!!!!!

A Perpetual Party! Oct 31, 2009

Last Saturday at Blazing Fire Church we had a blow-out party at our Father's house where He shares His full inheritance with us forever! (And can I say that you all know how to party in the Spirit?!!) This was just after having the finest robe of righteousness put over our shoulders, the ring of power and authority to represent our Father put on our finger, and the shoes of sonship and daughtership placed on our feet! We had to celebrate because we BELONG!

At this point in the evening, I forgot the to share with you the significance of killing the fatted calf which was the punchline of the story. As the story is told in Luke 15, they killed the fatted calf that had been prepared for this celebration. The Bible tells us that Jesus, as the sacrificial lamb, was slain before the foundation of the earth for our sins (Rev. 13:8). In other words, Jesus' sacrifice was not in reponse to man's sin, but was prepared ahead of time for us by God, who being completely outside of time, knew of and prepared for our desperate need for a Savior from the very beginning. Wow!

But there did come a time when the fulness of that salvation plan came to pass in our time line of history. And when Jesus died on the cross two thousand years ago, the perpetual celebration party of the Father's unconditional love and acceptance of his wayward children officially began!

Absolutely EVERYONE has been invited to this party! The offer has gone out to each and every child of God to come back home to the Father's house and enjoy His deep pleasure. This is the exceptionally Good News that we must continue to convey to a world who has been lied to by the enemy that God is angry and does not love them or want them. We cannot make people come to the party, but we sure can speak of the goodness of the Father's heart until they come to their senses and make their way back to the One who adores them! And we never have to be apologetic for continually celebrating in the truth of God's passionate love, enduring faithfulness and unending mercy towards us!

If you happened to miss the fun, please re-live it with us on the free podcast that you can find on our home page at www.blazingfire.org.

Also, if you missed some or all of the Holy Spirit conference with Jason Upton, Sean Smith & Dennis Rainier, you can purchase CD's or DVD's of the various sessions by going to: www.revivalcryresources.com.

It's Party Time Tonight! - Oct 24, 2009

Hello Amazing Friends!

When my sons, Derek and Aaron, were growing up, Suzanne and I loved planning parties for them and we loved even more having the parties--watching them laugh as they played with their friends and enjoying their faces light up with the delight of feeling special. And there was something exceptionally fun about watching them open a gift that sent them squealing with joy. An outsider looking in might think that the gift was excessive and over-the-top. But we couldn't help ourselves...and we didn't want to. That's the joy of lavishing love on your children!

Your Father in heaven loves a good party! So much so, that he's the one throwing it! When Jesus told Parables to let people know what his Father was really like, he made it pretty clear that his Dad loved parties. When the lost sheep was found... he threw a party! When a lost coin was found...he threw a party! And when his lost son came home, even after wasting the Father's inheritance, he simply had to throw a party! And not just a quaint little tea party, but an all-out, kill-the-fatted-calf, everybody-get-crazy-fun bash! (Luke 15) What explanation can you give for this kind of excessiveness? The best one I can think of is that God is just really, really happy and he loves to spread the joy around! And just what brings him so much joy that he can't help himself and can't keep it to himself? I believe that deep down inside of you, you already know the answer to that one. YOU do! YOU bring him intense joy! You bring him so much joy that he looks for ways to lavish his love on you. And he looks for gifts to give you that are over-the-top and excessive. Not because he has to but because he wants to. That's what love does!

YOU are the one he must have! One glance from YOU turns his heart inside out! The one He is lovesick for is YOU! And since the price has been paid for in full by Jesus on the cross to have you as His very own forever, he chooses to throw a perpetual party!

During tonight's worship service at Blazing Fire, Saturday, October 24th, we're going to enjoy the Father's Party together!! I'm going to preach from the story of the excessively lavish love of the Father from the parable that Jesus told in Luke 15. And at the end, we're going to celebrate! Not just a little, "wa hoo," mind you. But a "WAAAAA HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" party! The exceptionally Good News is worth getting really, really happy about! And why wouldn't you? You're made in the image of your Father who happens to love throwing parties. And even better than that, you are the object of his great affection!

So, bring your shofars and tambourines and even a party hat if you want to. It's time for the younger sons & daughters to come back home and it's time for the elder sons and daughters to stop working for what is already theirs, so that we can all thoroughly enjoy our Father who absolutely adores all of his children!

A Rising Up Is Happening! - Oct 9, 2009

Hello Amazing Friends!

I want to share with you some revelation that Blazing Fire's Leona Mendiola (worshipwaryor@yahoo.com) received from the Lord at Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) just a few weeks ago. As you read it, where there is agreement within your spirit, be sure to declare it out loud!

For the United States, there will be a great calling back--a calling back to morality and purity. A great justice will arise from the earth and many will be awakened. Do not become complacent but stand for justice--stand for truth. There will be a great divide as my spirit sweeps upon the earth. There will be a division of the sheep and of the goats and those who are lukewarm will experience an inner revival. My kingdom will grow in power, purity, favor, and success. As the world continues to crumble I am establishing a greater level of the seven mountains of society this year, for my Kingdom will be known across the earth as a Kingdom arising in great strength. My people will walk in divine health, favor, success, and creativity as this world is being shaken. Even as it was upon the children of Israel as they prospered in the midst of darkness, so too my church will be lit with the light of Goshen. It will cause such a stirring that people will say, "Truly God is with them!''

The Lord says to you, "By my light you will walk through darkness unharmed covered by a supernatural cloud of glory and fire of love! I am releasing in you creativity, prosperity, and a rising up. Follow my voice and I will release the way into your hearing through a dream in the night--through a whisper. Stay near to me and I will release the secrets, and financial wisdom--the hidden things unknown by man but by my Spirit I shall reveal them. Come to the waters and drink- you who have no money come and buy honey, milk and wine from my Kingdom. Freely, I will give to you all things and surely I will take care of my love and my bride. Follow in the footsteps of the flock, and feed beside the shepherd's tent--there you will find me."

This year will be known as the presence of God!

"Not only an awareness of the angels--as my people have been infatuated with the angels--but a season of my presence, a season of rest and a season of the presence of God. As Moses knew the revelation and the secret to walking with me--he knew that he would go forward victoriously--so, too, you will know the power of my presence and stand in the confidence of me as your source of victory and deliverance! As I go before you clearing out the land I have given you, I will cause you to walk in the power of truth and darkness will loose its hold."

"This year, I will open the hearts of those who have been hard hearted. I am unlocking the gate. Purity and restoration are on my heart this year! There will be a filtration system in the spirit and a straining out of all contaminants. They will see the filth that the enemy has given to them for what it is--polluting their water--and there will be a refusal to drink of the polluted waters. A choice again will be offered--Choose now this day who you will serve. I do this for those who are ignorant they are drinking pollution. Today, I offer them a fresh glass of water!"

"Do not be afraid of the enemy! Stand in my favor because it testifies that there is a God in heaven, a father who loves you and cares for you in all things. Stand out! Don't shrink back, for this is the message of my Kingdom. Stand out and beam--knowing you are loved!"

"And I am calling the youth into an even deeper intimacy with me. They will find me in the secret places and I will begin to disciple them in the deeper things. They will go forth in prophecy and healing. They will be leaders in an even greater way."

Pray for boldness for these young ones. They are humble and still need to be broken away from the 'old mindset' and brought into a place of equality with 'adults.' What I saw was a powerful wave that is coming upon the youth, but they don't yet know their ability to come along side in powerful leadership positions--like Jeremiah when he said, ''Oh, but I'm just a youth.'' God is breaking that and bringing them up into their positions in the fullness of where they are supposed to be.

I see people of all ages coming into greater wholeness within themselves and into a rest with who they are. I see them coming to the true revelation of who they are suppose to be inside. I heard the scripture when, in the midst of corruption, Elijah cried out, "I'm the only one left!' and the Lord responded, "I have 7000 prophets hidden away who have not bowed their knee to Baal." And I saw that with homeschooled children--that they were some of the ones being hidden away for a time being prepared by God for something great--a double portion. The Elisha generation is in the rising! Children who aren't defiled by immorality. And I saw that God always hid away a remnant when he was about to do something great. He's always preserved something when a breakthrough was imminent. This goes beyond just homeschoolers--but an Elisha double-portion, hidden generation is arising!

Finally, I saw Blazing Fire soaring and branching out--spreading out through other people in other cities. What I saw in this was an even greater way that people are carrying the distinctives of Blazing Fire and impacting their cities and starting things there.

Leona

Drink In the Fall Feasts! - October 2, 2009

Hello Amazing Friends!

First of all, a reminder that Paul Manwaring of the Bethel pastoral staff in Redding, will be with us this Saturday evening at Blazing Fire Church!! Paul is an amazing man of God with brilliant insight for the emerging new wineskins that the Lord is revealing to His Church. If you cannot come, it will be available to listen to for free on podcast sometime next week (www.blazingfire.org).

Now, I want to share with you a quick overview of the three Jewish Fall Festivals, along with some of the significance for us who live in the glorious New Covenant of Grace!

There is a reason God has put certain traditions in place for His children—it’s because we tend to forget. We are in the midst of three very important feasts that God instituted for the Israelites centuries ago that are wonderful reminders for us today.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which this year began at sundown on Sept. 18^th, the beginning of “10 days of Awe” which is a time for repentance. Repentance is not saying to God, ‘I am a worm,’ but it is coming into complete agreement with who you are as a Son or Daughter of God who has been paid for by the blood of Jesus. It is a time to turn our backs on the lies that keep us in chains and remember our freedom in Christ to bring his light and life to a world who desperately needs to know the Good News!

That 10 days ends with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This year, that happened at sundown on September 26th. It was on this one day of the year that the high priest would enter the Holy of holies to present a blood sacrifice to alleviate people of the guilt they had from their sin. This is the reminder that Jesus has absolutely done everything to make us right with God. Hebrews 10:11-14 reminds us that, “Every priest stands at his duties every day, offering over and over again the same sacrifices which are quite incapable of taking away sins. Jesus, on the other hand, has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his seat forever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all who are sanctified!” That would be you and me! Everyone who has said yes to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus is perfectly cleansed from all unrighteousness!! There is not one thing that we can do to add to his finished work on the cross. We are not at odds with God in any way!! Waaaa Hoooooo!

And now, the third Fall Feast is approaching—Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles—which this year falls on Oct. 3rd, this Saturday. It is a joyful celebration of the harvest--the perfect provision of God--and it is a reminder that Jesus is God's perfect provision as Savior of all nations! It was on this festival that Jesus cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37 & 38)

This is a reminder to you to drink and drink and drink of the goodness of God! And after you have done that…drink some more!!

Wedding Bells Are Ringing! - September 18, 2009

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 19th, Lonnie Ellis, an Elder of Blazing Fire, and Angela Elias are getting married during our worship service! The service begins at 6:00 pm. We have enjoyed a wedding during our worship service one other time before and it was positively "off-the-hook!" We are anticipating an extra large crowd, so I encourage you to come a bit early to get a seat. We will begin with the same passionate worship time that you are used to experiencing at Blazing Fire and at the conclusion of that time, Angela will come down the aisle to meet her waiting groom!

There is, of course, another Groom who is waiting as well! He has his gaze fixed attentively on his bride--a gaze marked by expressive pleasure, delightful joy, and steadfast love! This was the Groom who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, thinking nothing of the shame (Heb. 12:2). You were absolutely the joy that was set before Jesus! He had to have you as his very own for all of eternity and he willingly chose to lay down his life to set you free to become his perfect match that you were meant to be. He not only sacrificed himself to be sure that sin could not take you down, but he also continuosly sings his truth over you to be sure that your beauty increases from glory to glory!

The Message Bible translates part of Ephesians 5 like this: "Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness!" That's you and me, beloved! This is what Jesus does for us without fail because He WILL have a radiant, beautiful bride at his side, and His strong love will faithfully and perfectly bring us down the isle where he will capture his prize to be his forever!

Here is a foretaste of what is coming: "Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty ctaract, the sound of strong thunder: 'Hallelujah! The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign-Strong! Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give him the glory! The Marriage of the Lamb has come, his Wife has made herself ready. She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen. The linen is the righteousness of the saints.'"

Can you hear the wedding bells ringing? They are louder than they have ever been and you are looking more beautiful to Jesus than ever before! Keep your eye on the Prize just as he is doing with you!

Waaaa Hoooo! - September 10, 2009

"Waaaaa Hoooooo!" That's what the Lord says when he looks at you!! He also says, "Wow! Look what I did when I made you! I really outdid myself!! Wow! Wow! WOW!!!" And He's not just saying it--He's feeling it and His whole being is deeply moved by you.

Now, if you think I am stretching the truth a bit, take another look at the Scripture that reads, "Yahweh, your God is there with you, the warrior-Savior. He rejoices over you with happy song, he renews you by his love, he dances with shouts of joy for you, as on a day of festival!" (Zeph. 3:17)

He's not putting up with you, he's CELEBRATING you!! His heart is longing and aching for us to see what he sees so that we can truly walk in the greatness of who we are! In fact, all of God's creation, in harmony with Him, is longing for the very same thing (Romans 8:19).

So, once again, it's time to agree with God's assessment of the truth about yourself. Anything else is believing in an inferior reality. Your Father says about you: "Child, You are Amazing! Inspiring! A delight! A joy to look at and be with! You cause my heart to dance, to sing, to leap with gladness because you are exquisitely made! I formed you with pleasure and fashinoned you with pride! You are my finest creation--one that I choose to intertwine myself with for all of eternity! Yes, YOU! You are the one who makes my heart beat faster each time you glance at me! You are the one who turns me inside out when you choose to worship and love me! YOU! You are the one I love and adore and cherish and treasure...it's YOU!"

Time is much too precious and our place in Kingdom history is much too far along for us to be waylaid by incorrect thinking anymore. Rise up, Saints! Take your rightful place as the Beloved Sons and Daughters of the Most High God! Know that you are loved! Agree with it...Savor it...Revel in it...Operate from it...And share it with as many others as you possibly can! Tell me one person on this planet who in the depth of their being does not want to heart that there is an eternal Father who says about them..."Waaaaaa Hoooooo!"

A New, Supernatural Creation! - Sept 4, 2009

Hi Friends!

Just a short message this week to remind you that there is an important Kingdom Training School of Supernatural Ministry Informational Meeting tomorrow, Saturday, September 5th, at 4 pm for those who are considering attending the school but need more information. The meeting will take place at our usual place of worship, Harvest Valley Christian Church, 3200 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, CA.

Also, a few of you were asking me to post the declaration we made together a few weeks ago when I preached about "A Supernatural God and His Supernatural People." Here is the declaration. I encourage you to say it out loud like you mean it! Agreeing with God's truth changes us!

"I am a New Creation! My old natural self is gone and I live in the power of God's Spirit as a supernatural being! I have been born from above and Christ has made his permanent home inside of me! God has empowered me with his authority to usher in His Kingdom of light and to make a real difference in this world! With God's permission, I am a broker of the spiritual realm wherever I go, releasing the light, life, hope, love and power of Jesus!"

YES!!!!

A Big Dose of Joy! - August 28, 2009

Hello Friends!

Having just talked last Saturday about how God moves supernaturally, I thought that this article from Beni Johnson (of Bethel Church in Redding) would be a perfect word for many of you. Although this is a word for 2009 and we are 2/3 through the year, this word is just for YOU right NOW!

"We have eight grandchildren. I really love learning from them. One of our granddaughters, Selah, is a mystic. What I mean by that is that she sees into the spirit realm and she lives there; that is her life. We have some amazing stories from her. I would like to share with you what Selah saw about 2009.

Selah loves to dance, and when she dances, she brings heaven to earth. She uses dance as a way of intercession and warfare sometimes. She was dancing in one of our Friday night services and it was a mix between ballet, hip hop and gymnastics. When she was dancing, she was having a vision at the same time. All of a sudden, she began laughing hysterically out of control and rolling around on the floor. Her mom had to take her out of the service when worship ended because she was the only one laughing.

After she calmed down, her mom asked her what had happened. Selah said, "I was dancing, and I saw these gifts beginning to fall all over the building. God told me what was inside two of the gifts. One was the gift of peace and the other was the gift of not being afraid. Then, there was one gift that was wrapped in brown with a red ribbon and it had a big S on it. I knew that was special for me and I opened my box and it was the gift of laughter! " Selah then rolled over and drew a picture of the two gifts and a person lying down and holding a sign up that said, "Laughing 2009."

After this happened, my son called me and told me her vision. I absolutely loved it. I don't know about you, but I will take that! I will take those three things for 2009: peace, fearlessness and laughter! Let's dive into the heart of the Father for this year. Laughter for 2009

Love,
Beni
www.benij.org"

You have every reason to be filled with hope and joy--you have a Daddy in heaven who totally adores you and is always 100% for you!

A Good, Generous Benefactor - August 21, 2009

Hi Friends!

Unless you have had a truly good, generous & benevolent parent or guardian in your life to know what that's like, it can be difficult to believe that our Heavenly Father is exactly that--Good AND Generous AND Benevolent!

2 Corinthians 9:8, 10 describes Him like this:
"God has the power to cause all kinds of gifts to overflow to you, so that you will be wealthy in all things at all times, and will have much left over for every good work. God who fully supplies every single expense, plus more, to pay for the seed for the sower, and to pay for all the expenses for bread to the eater, will supply all the expenses to pay for, as well as multiply, the seed you sow, and make the crops of your righteousness grow!" (from The Source N.T.)

The verb for "fully supplies every single expense, plus more" (epi-khoregeo) refers to the paying of all expenses, every single one of them, even additional, unplanned expenses. In other words, no stone is left unturned! The word used is the same one used for 5th century Greek drama where a private citizen, known as a khoregos, would vie for the great honor of paying for the entire drama--elaborate stage sets and costumes, training--whatever was needed. The expenses were considerable, but it was considered a huge privilege to pay the costs to make it all happen. At the end of the drama, the khoregos would be brought forward to the thunderous applause of the crowd.

Our Father is the One who knows every word of every scene of every act in the drama called "our lives." He considers it his great honor and huge privilege to pay for what is needed on your behalf! And not just what you need to get by, but to include the added touches--the extra kisses from heaven--to show you his good, generous and benevolent heart! A Day is coming soon when we will all be with God and see how all of our lives were perfectly woven together in this "Story of Christ through the ages", in which we all were given a significant part to play--and we will rise as one in a THUNDEROUS OVATION in gratefulness to the One who supplied everything we needed to do our part and to get us home safely!!!

Yeah...He's THAT good!

Planetary Revival! - August 7, 2009

Hello Amazing Friends!

The last several weeks at Blazing Fire's worship gathering, we have been receiving astounding kisses from heaven! Something very special is going on! Something special has been going on for many years, but this is greater and sweeter still. Holy Spirit has been drawing us so much deeper into the Father's heart in worship--two weeks ago we were taken into an extended time of spontaneous heavenly singing in the Spirit and last Saturday into an erupting crescendo of wild full-throated adulation. We are getting tastes of the Heavenly Throne Room where praise and worship abound unceasingly for our great and mighty God!! This past Saturday, we were at the bubbling-over point from worship all the way through to the fire tunnel at the end, led by our Wildfire youth and by the angels that sent us over the edge!

In the midst of difficult circumstances, God is pouring out the supernatural because WE NEED IT more than ever! It is his way of preparing His bride to go through anything and everything victoriously in Christ! Here is an amazing prophetic word given just after worship Saturday night by Blazing Fire's own Lani Langlais (RiverGlory@sbcglobal.net):

"Plenary (full; complete; entire; absolute; unqualified) and planetary revival—everywhere! You are revival--Each one of you! Where you go, you leave a trail of my fire. Where you go, I go. Where you walk, I walk. Nothing can stand before you. My word is in your heart. My word is in your mind. My word is in your mouth. My word is fire! My word is FIRE! My fire covers the earth. The fire of my glory covers the earth, covers you. There is no part of you that is not burning with my love, with my grace, with the attractive reality of who I am…of who I am…of who I AM. You will be surprised by the revelation of my glory where you do not expect it. You will be surprised, for my voice is given to you to hear under all circumstances and in the strangest places and from the most unusual sources. Speak my word. Speak my pure word. Speak my love at all times. Let all your communication be 'whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are right, whatsoever things are pure and holy and wonderful and Good News and great and awesome', because this is who I am in you!

The Lord has so much more to say to each and every one of us, but I am overwhelmed with his goodness—totally undone! Undone! Undone! Take this--this is yours! I can’t carry it—this is yours! This is yours! All the anointing. All that you want is in Christ! Take it all! Take it all! He gives it all to you—everything. You come behind in nothing—you do have it all. You do have all things necessary for life and godliness. You possess everything. You are the inheritors of the ages. You are heirs and heiresses of my love and nothing can stand before you. Nothing!

Each and every one of you is released to bring revival. Each and every one of you is a revivalist. God has prophesied your life—read all about it. You will go and do new things. New things! You are a new song!

Revival is breaking out all over the place. You are an epicenter of revival and you are in one right here and now!"

After this prophetic declaration, Leona Mendiola (worshipwaryor@yahoo.com) got up to say this about our upcoming Children's Conference, "Back to the Future: A Divine Invitation:"

"When you were talking about revival, I saw that it's pouring over the children. We are having a conference for the children and I am being reminded that the Spirit is being poured out on ALL flesh. I see the children being called and drawn by the Spirit of God to the waters, to God. This conference has the supernatural, heavenly divine anointing on it. God is forming this conference--It hasn't been put together by man. It has been inspired by this divine inspiration that has been hidden in the DNA that God used to birth it. When the children come, they are going to be imparted with this heavenly impartation of spiritual wonders and signs and dreams. The conference is saturated by so many prophetic people who have these gifts that God has given them. We're going to give the children the beauty of His love--just what we have here--we're pouring it out on them, and they are SO ready! They are so prepared, and they are going to leave that conference with something that's supernatural--this planetary revival! So we're going "Back to the Future" because our children are the future revivalists and the NOW revivalists!

And there's a parent conference at the same time. God is raising up beautiful parents and we're going to be part of that! This conference will give us the ability to raise up these supernatural, anointed children!"

How Does Your Garden Grow - July 31, 2009

Hello Friends!

Earlier this summer I bought some gorgeous deep-purple petunias and planted them in our front yard. As I took care to water them daily, each of the plants had numerous colorful blooms that were continually replaced by new flowers. But somewhere in the middle of the heart of the summer, I neglected to water them daily and although the plants still lived, the purple pedals were soon no longer present. Just watering them "whenever I got around to it" wasn't bringing the flowers back. So, I determined once again to water them daily. After day one of watering, no flowers emerged. After day two and three of watering, there were still no flowers. But some time in the middle of that week, a few glimpses of violet were making their way back, and it was then that the sweet voice of the Lord began speaking to me...

"My intent is for you to reflect and display My glory all of the time. But to do that, you must immerse yourself in My love and saturate yourself in My grace and commune with me every single day. If you have been dry for a while by living your life apart from enjoying Me, you will still live, because I am in you, but your life will not fully reflect the color of My Presence to the world around you. As you seek Me and spend time with Me in the cool of the garden, My life will begin to breath freshness into your spirit. Don't get discouraged if you meet with Me and don't see an immediate change. As you come and interact with Me day after day after day, the fullness of my brightness will shine brilliantly forth from you! It is inevitable! You will feel the assurance of My love and My pleasure for you and those around you will see the obvious evidence that you have been with Me. If you feel dry, come back to Me with all your heart! If you feel lifeless and colorless, remember that your First Love has never left you and that I am still waiting to pick up right where we left off. I AM your life! I AM the Living Water that refreshes and restores your soul! I AM your color! I AM the absolute only One who will satisfy the deepest longings of your heart!"

"Let's enjoy each other RIGHT NOW!! I can hardly wait!!!"

"How beautiful you are, my love, and how you delight me! Come then, my beloved, my lovely one, come!" (Song of Songs, 1:16; 2:10)

God's Presence is Enough! - July 24, 2009

Hello Friends,

Jesus is amazing! He is wonderful! He is beautiful! He is all that and so much more!!!

He is interceding for you at this very moment (Romans 8:34) and is your greatest supporter and encourager! He wants you to rise to the top, to soar into your appointed destiny, to finish strong in this race to receive your gold medal with him on the winner's stand!

And he knows that along the way, it can be very hard at times. Remember that he lived this life as a human and knows everything you are going through! This is why Jesus says to you, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me! Get away with me and you will recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest." (Matthew 11:28, The Message Bible)

If you have been feeling overwhelmed, discouraged or disillusioned in any way, I want to bring you encouragement straight from the throne of God. First of all, I want to assure you that through the battles, the Father is strengthening your faith in ways that would boggle your mind, if you only knew! I also want to encourage you to run into the arms of your loving Father who has always wanted you and who will never, ever give up on you! Go to the that place of intimacy with God, no matter what it takes. Ignore the discouragements and enjoy the huge heart of the One who adores you! Lay your frustrations and anxieties on the One who has the broad shoulders to take the load and choose to fix your gaze on the Lover of your soul! He loves you so very much! He has chosen you to be His forever!

If you have been wanting to throw in the towel, listen to these words from the Lord to your heart:
"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace!"
(2 Corinthians 4:16, The Message Bible)

His unfolding grace! That is His astounding grace that keeps on presenting itself to you each time you require it! God's grace is enough!!! It is enough for you to make it through the difficult times! It is enough to give you hope when you are disappointed. It is enough to give you vision when you have lost sight of the goal of your faith. It is enough!!!!!

Earlier today, I heard these words from the Lord...

"Don't despair. I am still for you. My heart hasn't changed one little bit. I know you don't understand all my ways. I have not asked you to. But, one day you will see everything for the way it truly is--from my perspective. Until that time, know that I am with you and I am for you! I will be everything you need! I AM everything you need! Keep drawing into me. My presence will never disappoint you! My presence is everything you need! My presence is your ultimate destiny!!! Keep coming after me because I will never disappoint you!"

Lonnie Ellis Jr. Graduates to Glory - July 3, 2009

Beloved Friends,

Lonnie Ellis Jr. graduated to glory in the sweet embrace of Jesus just before 4 am this morning. These are not the words I wanted to be writing to you this morning--especially after the intercessory battle for his life that many of you so lovingly and powerfully engaged in. None of that, by the way, is wasted! In a way that only God truly knows right now, every prayer and declaration was heard and will be acted upon.

Lonnie is now part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses (Heb. 12:1) where he is fulfilling his destiny and prophetic promises from the other side of this paper thin division we call life after death. It is much more accurately Life after life as Jesus told us that we would never die (John 11:26), but we will go on from life to more Life!

For now, we trust our Papa as children who fully believe the absolute truth that He is good at all times in all ways! Our Father, who knows all things and all eventualities, who is outside of time and sees the beginning from the end, has chosen to do what He knows will bring the most people possible to Jesus and to glorify His name in the greatest possible way through Lonnie Jr.

Lonnie Sr. has conveyed to me that he and the family are not praying for Lonnie to be raised from the dead. While that may seem like a contradiction to some of you in a culture where we are believing for the impossible, it is really a matter of listening to the Father's voice. While Jesus did raise several people from the dead while he was alive as a man walking on this earth, he clearly did not raise everyone who died in that time span. Instead, he only did what he saw his Father doing (John 5:19)

Right now, Lonnie Sr. is getting some much needed rest since he has not slept much in the last several days. As much as you want to convey your love and concern for him, please give him a little time first, or write to him at lonnie@drmi.org. I will send out more information as soon as I receive it about the service celebrating Lonnie's life as well as ways that you can bless the family should you want to do that.

Tomorrow, July 4th, we will most certainly be gathering to worship God together (6 pm at Harvest Valley Christian Church, 3200 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton). I anticipate that it is going to be a very meaningful family time together and we are going to celebrate communion in complete agreement with the eternal truth of our union with Christ, now and forever! The last thing Lonnie Jr. told me when we were leaving his hospital room last night was, "When I beat this cancer and get out of the hospital this weekend, I'm coming to Blazing Fire to give my testimony!" My response was, "Lonnie, you can have the whole night--preaching and everything!" He joked back, "Not the singing part!" I believe that Lonnie's testimony will be heard on Saturday night and well beyond!

I declare God's grace and love-filled Presence to saturate each one of you in the glorious name of Jesus!

A Father's Day Blessing - June 19, 2009

Hello Friends!

First off, I want to extend a blessing to all fathers out there on this Father's Day weekend:

Your Heavenly Father says to you:

"My sons! I am so very proud of you! You have no idea how pleased I am with you. You are doing so much better than you think you are. Keep going! I made you just the way I wanted and I like who you are! You are enough. You measure up. No matter what anyone else has told you contrary to that, my voice of truth is the one that matters.

My princes, you are my success story! I will make sure that your life makes a difference in this world. I will take you on an adventurous journey into the depths of my heart and thenout into the world where you will give away what I have poured into you. I am inviting you into my "Father & Sons" construction business where I will teach you all that I know about how to genuinely care about people and see the best in them. You and I will build up and not tear down. I will make you the excellent fathers and husbands and friends that you've always wanted to be. Even if you did not receive affection from your earthly fathers, I will teach you about love and how it is never a sign of weakness to show affection.

It is my greatest joy to lavish my love on you and to bless you with all of the spiritual blessings that I have. I gladly and openly bless you with my extravagant favor, my sons! I will always love you, because you are mine!!"

Of course, these words of affirmation are for daughters as well (God has an equally impressive "Father & Daughters" Sewing Business, where he teaches you to restore all things!)

Donna Fuller (dfuller@blazingfire.org),our children's pastor, had this encouraging word to share:

I can't believe it's Thursday already. It's our garbage day and I was a day behind. I don't know how it happened, but I just called the company and they are sending the truck back for our "stuff". Hmmmm is that a prophetic picture? I'm calling it forth in the spirit.
I am declaring FREEDOM! Freedom to all who have gotten side-tracked and feel like they have missed their "day of visitation". It's NOT too late! I'm calling the "angels that gather all things that offend" to move into our situations and take out the garbage AND the recyclibles... I am declaring a clean slate! A fresh start! A new beginning! Our garbage pick-up day is Thursday... I am declaring a new Thirst-Day! New Thirst for the Presence of the Living Water.. the ONLY one who can satisfy!

Yesssssss!

Don't worry about...ANYTHING! - June 12, 2009

Hey Friends!

First off, I want to direct your attention to Blazing Fire's brand new web site! It's still at the same web address, www.blazingfire.org. Bill Hernandez (of Blazing Fire Church) has done an amazing job constructing it and it now has more of the features (along with a brand new look) that we needed to better fulfill the vision God has given us to impact the world with the fire of His love--see how creatively this is depicted in our new logo! If you have a web design need, you can see Bill's website at www.upperdesignstudio.com. Check out our new site www.blazingfire.org and look around!

Now for an encouraging word!

Don’t worry about…

ANYTHING!

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)

With the barrage of negative news coming at you from every direction, you have a moment by moment choice before you. The choice is this: “Whose report am I going to believe?” God’s report is this: “You have been chosen by me to be my blessed and highly favored child and to be a light in the midst of darkness. All things are working for your good at all times!” But the world’s report which is fueled by fear and the enemy’s intimidation is…well…not very encouraging to say the least.

The world says, “Fret! Be anxious!”

God says to you, “Peace! Be still!”

The world says, “Lose sleep worrying! All is lost!”

God says to you, “I am for you!” I am in total control! All is going according to my plan!”

He assures you of a peace that surpasses all understanding. What that means is that you have to give up your demand to have everything all figured out in your mind, because that’s still you trying to take care of you. God’s peace, which bypasses your understanding, is a direct feed from His Spirit to your spirit. So, even when your mind can’t come up with the solutions, your spirit is already at rest. Next you listen to the truth of that still small voice inside of you (that would be the Spirit of Christ) and let Him restore the peace of your emotions and your thinking back into their proper alignment.

Take a deep breath (right now!) and remind yourself, “All is well! I have a GOOD shepherd who promised to take exceptional care of me! I am my beloveds and He is mine! All things are working out for my good! Ahhhhhhhhhh…I will worry about…NOTHING!

Jesus says to you:

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid!” (John 14:27)

Lenses of Love - June 5, 2009

Hello Family & Friends of Blazing Fire!

I wanted to inform you that I will not be preaching over the next month so that I can focus more on a book that I have been writing about the extreme passion of the Father's love for his kids! Here is a portion of what I have been writing. Enjoy and be massively encouraged!

We each have a certain way of looking at life depending upon the lenses through which we view it. What determines our lenses is the experiences we have in life that shape our perceptions. You have read numerous truths in this book about the love that your Father in heaven has for you, but how readily you believe those truths has everything to do with the lenses through which you are looking. If you had parents or significant people in your life who abused their power and used it to hurt you, then it will be much more difficult for you to embrace the truth that God uses his unlimited power for your absolute best, working on your behalf all of the time. If you were told growing up that you were 'no good' or 'less than' and if whatever you did was never enough, then there will be more of a disconnect when you hear God’s comforting words that he totally accepts you and that he has made you exactly the way he wanted—and that he LIKES you!

The list of lies that some of you have been told or the abuses that some of you have endured would be too long to write about here, but can I tell you something you must hear? Every time a lie was spoken that tarnished your beautiful image and every time your innocence was robbed because of an abuse of power, your Daddy in heaven wept. It was never ever his intent for the precious ones he loves to be damaged and taken advantage of. We do have an enemy—the devil and his army of darkness who seeks to destroy. When we attribute everything that happens to God, we fall prey to the enemy’s plan to steal from us the intimacy with God that we were made to enjoy. God is good and the devil is bad. It’s really important that we don’t mix the two up. God gives free will to his children which is sometimes misused, but He also has a way of miraculously turning everything to our good (Romans 8:28).

Your Father knows every single thing that has happened to you in your life and he is more than able to prove to you his love and compassion. He says to you, “I’m going to love you the way you deserve to be loved! I will treat you as the prince/princess that you are until you believe it and you hold your head up high as my priceless treasure!"

God is in a process with you of erasing the hard drive of past deceptions and filling you with affirming words until your lenses are completely cleaned and you see clearly the love of a Father who has always adored you and who has nothing but good in store for you. And the more you believe His goodness, the more you experience it!

And you will experience the goodness of your Father because he is giving you his lenses of love to look through!

Pastor Brent Lokker

Blazing Fire Church