It was October of 2005.

    But to really start, it was about a year before that. Sometime in the fall of 2004 the Lord made a drastic change in my walk and understanding of Him. I had only been saved for about 3 years (Feb. 2001) and I was raised (in Christ) in the Word Of Faith doctrine. I knew about faith, but I think it was a little presumptuous. It was that fall when I stepped into a used bookstore and bought the book “Surprised By The Spirit” By Jack Deere, for $ .25. The book changed my life. I saw a genuine faith and a genuine demonstration of the Kingdom of God. This book really started it all for me. After I read it I began to seek after the true power and anointing that Jesus has to offer.

 

 

 

    Through a series of other books and teachings and the leading of the Lord I decided to go after God with fasting. I thought after my first 3 day fast that the Lord was going to fall and I would hear the mighty rushing wind, see the fire fall from heaven and that Jesus would personally come a visit me and tell me how mighty I was. Well, needless to say I was a little dissapointed. Instead the first thing He taught me was how to be a good husband. He taught me how to love my wife like Christ loved the church. And instead of it being a face to face meeting that would last a few minutes, it was 4 month process of personal bible study and marriage counseling (http://www.billhaynesministries.com). Go figure.

 

    I now understand why He did this. My wife and I were on two different wavelengths when it came to our service to the Lord. Not one better than the other, just different. Now I know that the Lord wants the marriage relationship in unity first. Because without agreement in the marriage anything you try will not work and will actually work against you instead of for you. For men especially, you must learn to love your wives the way Christ loved the church before you expect to take the world for God. Your wife will be your anchor and if there is contention between you, her, and God, you are in for trouble. So FIX YOUR MARRIAGE!!! But more on that later.

 

    So, Jesus fixed our marriage and the change was dramatic. My wife became my favorite person to talk about the things of God with. Before it was impossible for either of us to relate to each other, but God leveled us out. Around this same time Katrina hit the coast. I remember it was on a trip to Oklahoma City, we talked the entire way about the tragedy of all the people that were being washed away and everything they had owned go right down with them.

 

    We realized that these people have worked their entire adult life, probably 50-60 hours a week trying to maintain their homes, cars, and toys. And after a little water and a few hours it was gone, everything. We began to think about all the time wasted in storing up security and comfort in things so fragile. I think we all realized that we may all be in shock one day when the rug will be pulled out from underneath us. The foundation we are standing on here in America is very sandy and weak. Jesus has been telling us for about 2000 years that the waves would come crashing in…we just choose not to listen.

 

    So that was a pretty loud wake up call. We started to question what we were living and working for, was it really worth it, and most of all, was it acceptable to Jesus and according to His call?

 

    A few weeks later Joeleen (my wife) learned that a neighbor of her sister was in a car wreck on the highway. As she got out to check on her 3 kids in the back of the van, an oncoming car hit her and she was killed instantly. This really had an affect on Joeleen. For days she would cry about it, wondering why it had affected her so much. We began to ask ourselves questions. If that mom would’ve known she was going to die a week before, how would she have lived her life differently? Would she go to work, or would she quit her job? Would she do the same mundane things, or would she take every second and make it count? Knowing her end was near. Well, what about if she knew a month ahead, what about 6 months, even a year, how would she live her life? Would she and her husband keep their 50 hour a week jobs? Why did they even need to work that much? Oh yeah, it was because of the house they lived in, and the cars they drove, and the toys they wanted. Where those things all worth it? Would they probably cut their lifestyle down to nothing to require the absolute minimum income requirements so they could do what was most important in their last days with each other? Sell the house and get an apartment? Work at a grocery store instead of a high-end corporate job?

 

    These were honest questions that unfortunately this family didn’t get to ask themselves. It was already to late for them. What about us? What about our family? What about our lives and how we wanted live? What about what Jesus would say on the day of our showing? Surely He wouldn’t be impressed with our ability to obtain wealth at the expense of being to distracted to love our family, live according to His will.

 

    That question got me the most. What would Jesus have to say? Because that’s what really counts…when it’s all said and done, Jesus holds everything in His hands.

 

    During this same time the Lord had me assimilating the gospels. I chose a number and I would read each gospel that many times, over and over, straight through, no studying, just getting them inside of me. As all this was happening at once, I saw Luke 14:25-35 and that was all it took. I knew what was required…everything is required.

 

    Come on now people. Let’s get realistic here. What are we living for here in America? Bigger houses, newer, prettier cars, more financial security? What is it really? And how secure is it really? Look at Katrina. Nothing but some water to ruin a life in no time. Why is it that we always think and say, “Money isn’t everything.”, and “Money can’t buy happiness”, but we don’t really mean that. If we did we wouldn’t live so enslaved to it. Remember what Jesus said, “You can’t serve God and money at the same time.” Let’s begin the process of dying to this world system and enter into the Kingdom of God according to His standards.