This is a special day for you!
June 30, 2015
If you are alive, this is a special day for you. We don’t often think about it but every day we have is a gift to us. Not only that but who you are and what you have to give is unique. Never forget that you are unique and don’t allow the world to conform you to what they see as “normal.” Nowhere are we ever commanded in the scripture to be normal. We are an extraordinary people and we will do extraordinary things with our lives. We must remember that: “We are Fishers of Men, not keepers of the aquarium.”
Each of us is unique. We have strengths and weaknesses. It is important that we be who God made us to be. Read this quote from one of Brennan Manning’s books. “Be who you is, cause if you ain’t who you is, you is who you ain’t.” If you are not going to be you, who is?
Those of you who know me know that one of my passions is equipping people to do the things that Jesus Did. I believe we as a church do a great disservice to those around us if we do not do those things he commanded us to do in Matthew 28:18-19. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples… and In Matthew 10:1 “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Vs. 7 as you go, preach this message, “The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.”
So we have this authority and power available to us to do exactly what Jesus did while he was here. “God has given us dynamite power, but we live firecracker lives.” (Author Unknown) Either we don’t understand what we have available or we don’t know how to use it.
For much of my life as a believer I thought that knowing what the Bible said and sharing the salvation message was more than sufficient. I don’t think I thought seriously about praying for the sick, expecting something to happen until I was exposed to a man in 1984 named John Wimber. Before that experience I placed a lot of value on knowledge and education. But after this experience with John’s teaching and modeling of the healing ministry, part of what I have discovered is that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. And how do we show them we care? One way is to pray for them to be healed.
If you’ve attended any of my workshops or read my books one of the things I say constantly is this: “The more you expect, the more you see, and the more you see, the more you expect.” I heard this quote from Pastor Bill Johnson years ago and it significantly impacted how I pray for people. I expect healing and I am surprised when they are not healed. I can’t say definitively that I’ve seen an increase in the number of healings but it seems to me that I am experiencing more healing than before my expectations were raised. So the question I have for you is: “What are you expectations of God?”
In my book “Why Not Waste Time With God,” I write about how important it is that we learn to know the voice of God. We place much value on knowing the word of God but I’ve found that knowing the word of God is not enough; you must also know the voice of God. How are you going to know the voice of God if you don’t spend time with God?
I love to go up to Kern Canyon and sit by the river. While there God spoke to me and said, “Michael, I’m going to teach you how to be a friend.” At first that was a bit puzzling to me because I thought we were friends. But then He began to show me that sometimes friends just spend time together hanging out. Not reading the bible, or interceding for someone or journaling, just being together because it’s good to be together.
A Dutch Theologian, Edward Schillebeeckx wrote: “In a revealed religion, silence with God has value in itself and for its own sake, just because God is God. Failure to recognize the value of mere being with God, as the beloved, without doing anything, is to gouge the heart out of Christianity.”
Think about this: “The God who created the universe, who heals the sick, who knows you need food and shelter to survive, against whom all military might and power is but a puff of dust, beside whose power a swirling, raging river is but a trickle in the sand, is the God who wants to spend time with you!”
God bless,
Mike
Ignite Conference July 2015
June 19, 2015
Wednesday June 24 thru Saturday June 27, 2015
You won’t want to miss this yearly conference conducted by Christian Healing Ministries. The IGNITE CONFERENCE will be held in Cromwell, CT Wednesday June 24 thru Saturday June 27, 2015.
Speakers will be R.T. Kendall and Judith MacNutt and team. For more information and registration click on this link.
FREEDOM AT LAST!
May 26, 2015
The end of this last month we held our FREEDOM RETREAT. What an exciting time we had together. You could feel the tangible presence of God when you walked into the room. Not only that but there was an excitement and expectation of what was about to happen.
Mark and Dawn Thompson did most of the teaching using material from my book, Before You Get Here. They are both gifted teachers with a good balance of honesty and experience from their own lives. They covered a variety of topics written to help us deal with all the emotional baggage we carry around. Baggage that is the result of things that are said or done to us and can cause deep emotional pain. Almost always there are issues of unforgiveness to face as well as other issues that cause us pain.
We often have a misunderstanding of our Father God’s love for us so we talked about that and tried to help them understand how loved and valued they are by God. Another topic was dealing with a Wounded Self-Image, which can have a debilitating effect if not addressed. Other issues that are not often talked about included Inner Vows, Curses and Soul Ties. Curses can be the result of generational sin or occult involvement. Soul Ties include sexual relationships we’ve been involved in before marriage or outside of marriage. It’s amazing that although we may as a society have a very casual attitude toward sex, there are significant consequences emotionally and spiritually from our involvement in sex outside of a covenant marriage relationship.
Each of these topics were taught and then we spent a significant amount of time after each teaching providing ministry to those who wanted it. We had available 24 prayer ministers. When a topic was dealt with we then provided time for people to go for prayer with one of our prayer ministers and deal with that issue in their life. It was exciting for me to watch and listen to what God was doing as I looked around the room. There was confession, repentance, tears and laughter. It was a safe place to get real where you could say what you may have never said to anyone about the wounds inside you that were deep and painful. FREEDOM provides a place that is safe and healing.
People attended from a number of different churches as well as those who came from other cities outside of Bakersfield. The worship was terrific, the food was outstanding and the fellowship was fun. As we wrapped up Saturday afternoon we heard some testimonies that clearly demonstrated God’s freeing and healing power were at work during the weekend! Person after person stood up and shared the healing and freedom they felt. They shared how they had been carrying this around for many years and didn’t know what to do with it. Now they were able to face it, release it and experience freedom such as they had never thought possible!
Freedom is Available!
My newest book, subtitled Baggage To Drop On Your Way To Heaven, is a guide to assist in discovering freedom from the invisible burdens that oppress and defeat many Christians today.
Testimony thus far from one who read the book, “Mike I’m halfway through your book and I can’t put it down. It is absolutely excellent! Thank You!”
Before You Get Here: Baggage To Drop On Your Way To Heaven is available in our online bookstore.
Coming in June
Ignite Conference in Cromwell, Connecticut June 24-27 with Christian Healing Ministries.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
God bless,
Mike
FREEDOM! Seminar and Retreat
May 1, 2015
FREEDOM! SEMINAR AND RETREAT
Friday – Saturday May 22-23, Bakersfield, CA
This retreat is being offered in a format that will allow you to set aside a Friday and Saturday and cover what we normally do over a four-week teaching period. This retreat is designed to address a wide variety of issues using Mike Evans’ latest book, Before You Get Here. Subtitled, Baggage To Drop On Your Way To Heaven, it is a guide to assist in discovering freedom from the invisible burdens that oppress and defeat many Christians today. Topics included are: The Traps of Unforgiveness, Healing the Wounded Self-Image, Healing the Father Wound, Breaking Curses and Soul Ties, and Understanding Inner Vows and how to renounce them.
The FREEDOM! Retreat is conducted by Mark & Dawn Thompson. The hours tentatively scheduled are Friday 6-9pm and Saturday 9am-6pm. This will give us an opportunity to conduct the teaching and minister to you as each topic is covered. We have to limit the number of people attending so if you are interested please contact us as soon as possible. Phone Mark Thompson at 661-333-7888 or mrk.s.thmpsn@gmail.com
Lifepoint Church Seminar, May 14-15
Gifts of the Spirit- Learning To Do What Jesus Did
Thursday and Friday, May 14th and 15th at Lifepoint Church in Bakersfield. This will be a teaching and equipping seminar you will not want to miss. To register contact: 661-431-6229 dwatson@bakersfieldchristian.com
God, How do I do this?
May 1, 2015
Recently I had one of those moments as I was reading Psalms 51:10-12 when I was struck by the words “steadfast and willing.” The passage reads, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” What struck me about this passage were the words, “renew a steadfast spirit within me”, and “grant me a willing spirit to sustain me” When I looked up “steadfast” in the dictionary it said, “unchanging, steady, loyal, constant.” Then I looked up the word “willing” and it said, “to decide on, to choose, to yearn for, desire.”
As I thought about this, I realized that in order to be steadfast and willing in my journey with God I was going to need God to show me how to do this because I could not be willing and steadfast in my own fleshly power. I turned over to Proverbs and began reading chapter 3. As I was reading He started to answer my earlier question, “God, how do I do this?” He begins in verse 1 with, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.” My response was okay, but why? He continues, “for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” This is good I can understand this.
Then He says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” Again I’m thinking why, “Because you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” By this time I’m becoming very interested. As I continue to read He says; “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” Why? “Because this will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Health and nourishment, that’s good I like this, so I read on.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” Okay, what’s the benefit? “Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Then He ends with “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke.” Why? “Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” I’m thinking wow this is great stuff! God shares with us His wisdom, and shows us exactly how it will affect us.
It makes sense that if you don’t heed his counsel what you will reap will be the opposite of the good that God desires for you. What was exciting for me was when I fully began to realize that when we ask God to help us be steadfast and willing in our walk, He has already provided not only wise counsel but the benefits of relationship with Him as our loving Father. What a privilege to be able to benefit from the wisdom of God.
God bless,
Mike
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