Unwrap the Present of Jesus…

Reaching the world with the word of our great Savior needs to be on everyone’s “Things To Do" list for 2011. We thank the LORD for his great grace showered upon us. Progress has been made in building the Kingdom of God, but there is still a long way to go.

I was very happy at work in the past month as I could see the holy spirit moving among the people as they worked together to help others less fortunate in our workplace and community. People were filled with the joy of giving and it brought a special feeling to many.

But yet there are still many who haven’t unwrapped that present of Jesus that God gave to us over 2,000 years ago. On Christmas Eve, a cake decorator ask me how to spell “JESUS”. She was to write “Happy Birthday Jesus” on a cake that had been ordered for a Christmas party.

I am not to judge whether this person knows the LORD or not, but if someone in their 40’s doesn’t know how to spell “Jesus”, there is a pretty good chance they don’t know him.

Be bold this coming year and help spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Help others to find the gift God has given us and help them to unwrap it.

In His Grip,

Rick Hawbaker ~ Praying 4 U Ministries

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"ARE YOU A PREACHER OR WHAT?"

I had a person from my past contact me on Facebook wanting to be friends. I accepted them and a day later they looked over my page which is full of me, what I do, and what I believe. This was their response to what they found out about me…

"ARE YOU A PREACHER OR WHAT? i THOUGHT YOU WERE THE hAWBAKERS FROM THE dAWSON, iA. i WENT TO SCHOOL THERE, TILL 1962.ALL THIS RELGION STUFF IS GETTING TIRESOME!! OK?"

The Holy Spirit brought to mind a scripture I had read earlier in the day. “They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.” John 15:21 (NIV)

I am not the little boy of the 60’s that she once knew. I did not grow up and become conformed to the patterns of this world. But instead, I have been transformed by the renewing of my mind and have accepted the role that God has planned for me as one of his very own.

It is written in God’s holy word, “Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:13 NIV).

Awesome One – Our hope is in you all day long. Guide us in your truth and teach us, for you are God our Savior. You are the great healer, the great provider. From you, through you, and to you are all things. To you be the glory forever and ever! In the Jesus name. Amen!

Rick Hawbaker ~ Praying 4 U Ministries

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Walk in the realm of the sovereign power

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8-10

Beloved, the enemy’s agenda is to steal, kill and destroy. Satan doesn't want you to believe that nothing is impossible for you. But that’s the truth - Nothing is impossible as you possess the very power that raised our great Jesus from the dead.

Satan was defeated at the foot of the cross and God will reign on earth. Pray for a deep desire to get closer to the King of the universe. Seek his face and ask for the gifts of the holy spirit to help you further the kingdom of God.

Father God, May we walk in the realm of your sovereign power. Help us to work together this coming year to build your coming kingdom. We love how you love us and you never let us down. Thank you King Jesus! In the good and great name of Jesus. Amen, Amen!

Rick Hawbaker ~ Praying 4 U Ministries

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"For to us a child is born..."

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

As we once again celebrate the awesome gift of a Savior that God has given to us, I want to recognize what a gift you are to me. Together we are the body of Christ, here on earth to work to build the coming Kingdom of God. How awesome is the LORD most high!

I pray this day in the good and great name of King Jesus that you will have a very Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!

Rick Hawbaker ~ Praying 4 U Ministries

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Life is a circle...

Have you ever thought about how everything in life is a circle? Where everything begins it also ends. Jesus triumphant entry on a donkey through the walls surrounding Jerusalem is believed by many to be the same place Jesus will return.

It is written in Isaiah 9:6 (NIV), "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,". God sent us a Savior that was to become a man. That was the beginning.

"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth." Job 19:25 (NIV) He came to us as a man and he will return and again stand on earth. This will be the end.

Father God - Thank you for sending us your son, Jesus. Reveal to us exactly how you want us help you in building your coming kingdom. Let us be possessed with your holy spirit so that everyone we encounter will see that Jesus is our King. I ask this in the good and great name of King Jesus. Amen! Amen!

Called To Love,

Rick Hawbaker
Praying 4 U Ministries

(This devotion was originally posted on Facebook on December 21 on Global Scope Ministries "Men of Faith" fan page and on my own "Praying 4 U fan page. Enjoy!)

Still Getting Glory Bumps...

A month ago I was floating on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden boat singing "How Great Is Our God". Oh, what an experience. Right in front of where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. I still get glory bumps thinking about it.

God was behind getting me to go to Israel. He knew that if I went I would never be the same and I am not. My strong faith in him was strengthened.

The holy word of God has been opened up to me. I have continued to be sanctified and I have developed a love and concern for the Israeli's.

Beloved - We must all the time be holy and all the time be helping others. God has so much more for all of us. Surrender completely to him and let him bend and shape you to exactly what he created you to be.

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91 (NIV).

Rick Hawbaker

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Keep In Step With The Spirit...

It doesn't seem like it has been that long ago that I was telling people that Christmas is six months away and now Christmas is upon us within a week. It is time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

What a great gift from our creator? The ultimate gift of the universe, our Savior, Jesus! Praise God! Hallelujah! I am forever grateful!

Isn't is sad that this time of the year doesn't bring the better side out of all people? Many living in darkness have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. All they have picked up on about Christmas is it is an occasion to give and receive gifts.

The weaknesses of the flesh are leading fallen souls into darkness. The very things that God warned us of through the apostle Paul in Galatians 5 are devouring the lives of many.

"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NIV).

We are called to be free and are to serve one another humbly in love. We are NOT called to show our anger, greed, pride, envy, conceit...this Christmas week or at anytime.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Those who are "Christ-like" will abound in the fruits of the Spirit showing love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Lift your hands to the LORD for he is our refuge and strength. Ask him through his son Jesus to pull you out of the mess you dangerously are living in. He loves you dearly and he wants you on his team - his team of faithful servants.

We are to live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit. Don't conform to the wicked ways of the world, but instead be only indebted to love each other. Put aside the deeds of darkness and be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." (Romans 16:20 NIV).

Rick Hawbaker

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"Home by 11"...

Our God is awesome. He knows all, sees all, and hears all. Often we know that God has put us in a certain place and at a certain time.

It gives you a different feeling as you feel the presence of the Almighty when you see that it was all his plan for you to be where you are.



Awesome isn't a strong enough word to use when you talk about our Creator. Is it?

One of my days off as I hurried about city doing the things I needed to get done, I kept getting the message in my head of "Home By 11". I had gotten up, done by daily devotion, and was on the computer checking two email accounts, writing to friends, and chatting with friends around the world on facebook.

As I hurried down the steps and out the door I thought to myself "Home By 11". "Home By 11" became my goal that day. I drove out the garage, down the drive and onto Meadowood Lane thinking "Home By 11". I was in and out of Wal-Mart, Home Depot and to the Christian book store. Same thought was in my head. "Home By 11".

Taking my truck through the emission controls place, I kept pulling out my piece and checking the time. I was thinking, "they got to hurry up. I have to be home by 11. It is my day off!"

Actually, I didn't have much to do. Just planned on lifting weights, riding my bike on the trails and wanted to replace a couple of sprinkler heads in the yard. But, my days off to me are valuable and I don't like wasting a minute.

Still on schedule to complete all I wanted to do by 11, I went to the bank, got my head buzzed and stopped at Starbucks. I made it! I got everything done I had been putting off until my day off and it wasn't 11. Hallelujah! All praise and glory to God. He likes me!

Once home, I got the truck unloaded and began replacing the sprinkler heads in the front yard. I waved to a passing neighbor as he drove by and watched down the street as he made his way home. I notice a little boy walking about a half a block away. I looked at my watch and it was exactly 11 o'clock.

When the little fellow got within hearing distance I hollered, "hey, how are you today?" His answer of "fine" didn't sound so "fine". I didn't recognize the big, little guy who said he was four. I thought it was strange he was walking in the burbs by himself.

He didn't know his last name or his address. Sure enough. The little boy was lost. I carried on a conversation with him in hopes of keeping him safe on my sidewalk until someone showed their face that he knew. I live on a corner and he looked all ways and none of the homes looked like his.

When the small talk was running out, I knew it was time to head down the streets with him to find his home. If not he was going to take off and I know I wouldn't want any of my little love ones wondering the streets by themselves in hopes of finding their home. He didn't know which way to go, but was sure he did not live on the street he walked to my house on.

Nothing looked familiar to him in the first two blocks down the street and none of the neighbors out in their yards recognized the lad. We walked around a curve and we could see the next crossing street. All of a sudden the little boy sprinted for a house and ran up the steps and through the door.

I waited for a couple of minutes and a lady in a bathrobe with a towel wrapped around her head, and a toddler in her arms, made her way to the door. Letting go of the little boy's hand just for a second she waved through the window.

God knew that I needed to be "home by 11" that day to help one of his lambs. What would have happened to the little boy if I hadn't been in my yard on the corner? Which way would have he turned and gone? I don't know, but I am glad I was "home by 11".

Father God in Heaven, You are the almighty, amazing and awesome one. How you have planned and put everything together is certainly a mystery. Thank you for being there for us and thank you for putting others in our lives just around the corner at the right time waiting to help us. Your love for us is unending. Bend us, shape us and mold us to be more like you. I ask this all in your son's name, Jesus. The great coming and risen King. Amen! Amen!

May the Kingdom of Light come quickly!

Rick Hawbaker

Stepped out of darkness into light...

I use to feel I was surrounded by darkness as the days and the weeks went by. Not any more. I now feel the light of our Lord shining through me. Although I am surrounded by darkness here in Satan's kingdom, I live to spread God's light to the world.

A friend of mine in Christ has shown a lot of change in her life recently. She had experienced the deeds of Satan in the past, and has just recently turned the corner and come home to Christ. Yes, she has stepped out of darkness and has come into light. Hallelujah!

I gave her encouragement the other day telling her that people had mentioned to me that they had seen a big change in her in the past two weeks. I asked her if she felt different and she answered, "Ever since I have been reading the bible and I have been praying to the BIG GUY UPSTAIRS, things have changed for me."

She continued, "My boyfriend and I have been getting along great. We still have our moments, but they are just moments of disagreement and not days of conflict." This young girl is full of wisdom and had come to me saying, "I want what you have. I realize my relationship with my boyfriend will not last unless it is Christ centered."

I was amazed and thrilled to hear this new believer now exclaim, "What this country needs is for it's people to drop to their knees and fold their hands and pray for themselves and for the country."

God is very happy to have another lost sheep come home and it won't be long until she will be leading other sheep to their master.

Father God, You are matchless. Awesome beyond compare. You work for the good of all in supernatural ways. We are so grateful to you and so happy to be in the hands of the creator of the universe. Thank you for showing us your divine power, your grace and unending love. In the good and great name of King Jesus, thank you!

May your Kingdom come quickly!

Rick Hawbaker

(Pictured above is a storm moving up on the Sea of Galilee in Israel)

Pray for those spreading the gospel...

A pastor friend of mine in India travels some days to over 20 villages. He is on fire for the Lord and is spreading the gospel of Jesus in a nation that is dominated by Hindus. He works and prays for the revival of India. In his own words he is, "Hoping to bringing back people from the darkness to light."

He is one of four on a team that saturate the villages in the name of the Lord. As they move from one village to the next by bus they encounter many objections. Satan tries hard to turn them back. Lots of people reject the tracts they attempt to hand out and lots of people just simply reject the Christ-followers.

Before they enter each village they pray that the strongholds be broken down in the name of Jesus Christ. Lots of the people in the villages worship idols. They pray that the spirit of witchcraft is bound, and they pray for the release of the power of God into the lives of the people.

Pray for all of the Christian soldiers attempting to advance the Kingdom of God in India. Pray for the people they witness to that ask Jesus into their lives and for all of those being converted to Christianity. May those that are coming to know the Lord as their personal savior have spiritual growth as they learn to walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

This pastor told me this week, "God is moving in the nation of India. What an awesome God we serve in our lives. Glory to Jesus." He lives for the BIG days in India as God enables them to reach a lot of village people. They do not want to miss one heart for HIS Kingdom.

Pray today for all those spreading the gospel and winning souls for Christ. That's what it is all about no matter where you live on this planet. Spread the good news of our coming and risen King Jesus. I pray that the cat's meow for you may be harvesting souls for Christ.

Serving an amazing God,

Rick Hawbaker

Give Us A Deep Desire For Peace For The Planet

The most I can do for anyone is to pray for them. We have the great power of our loving Father within us. Yes, the power that raised Jesus from the dead is within us and among us.

That is what Jesus told us. I strongly believe it. Do you? Call upon the Almighty God's power to open up heaven and drop down peace for those facing many changes in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast, West Africa).

A brother in Christ wrote to me last Saturday asking for prayers as the Ivory Coast was to have an election on the next day. His congregation of Liberian refugees were near an end of a three day fast and prayer for total peace. They were afraid for the safety of their own lives and prayed that God would take control of everything.

Ivory Coast was split into north and south by a civil war in 2002-2003. The long-delayed election was meant to reunite the country, but instead it has reopened those divisions. There are over 16 million people in the country from more than 60 ethnic groups. Migrants from other west African countries make up to 40% of the population.

Random shots have been fired in the city of Abidjan, neighborhoods are being surrounded by well-armed men as homes are being searched, according to my brother via email. He said his angry neighbor, 20 meters away, got in the face of the bandits and his neighbor was nearly beaten to death. My friends three year-old son was hit in the head and received a deep cut by a thrown rock in the melee. Sixteen have been shot dead by security forces in the violence since the election.

Please consider praying for the people in Ivory Coast. Conditions are getting worse and many have not eaten for two days now. They are remaining indoors as they can hear heavy machine guns in the streets and all over the city of Abidjan.

Can you believe something like this is going on at this time in our world? We think we have problems. We complain about being stuck in traffic, we don't like our jobs, some are still whining about the last political election, gas is too high. The list goes on.

Things are not all right in the world. Millions of people are watching their families starving and are afraid of losing their lives. Not just in Ivory Coast, but in too many places to list here. What are we going to do? Sit and watch hunger kill little ones and then feel very sorry for them when their lives are gone?

The KEY is prayer. We have to call upon the power of our great God. Our countries dirty money and military assistance can't save the world. Only God can do that through his son, Jesus Christ. Will all of you children of the Lord please pray to our God in heaven? Pray for the little ones to be able to eat physical food to gain strength. Keep the adults safe, fed, and in your word, and in prayer.

"Yes, God cares, but who cares?", those are the words of my friend in west Africa. He is a Liberian refugee who fled for his life and to save his family during the civil war in Liberia. Now he and his family face extinction in the neighboring country of Ivory Coast. They are sleeping in complete darkness as their electricity has been turned off and they are watching their children dying from lack of food. No money to hop to Ghana, the next country.

He can't be more serious as he cries out to God to save them. May he and his family be in the palm of God. May the Lord surround him with many angels to feed and protect them from the "power" of other human beings. Death may be more than very real to them. It just may be certain.

It has to break God's heart to see his dearly loved people oppressed to near death and yet the rest of the world goes on about life in it's own merry way.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." (Psalm 51 1:-2 NIV)

Father God, Forgive us great God for not seeing you living in fear for your life, in pain, in suffering, dying of hunger and thirsty. Make us more aware of your needs throughout the world and give us a deep desire for peace for the planet. We love you and love what you have done for us. May we not forget our brothers and sisters. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our coming and risen King! Amen! Amen!

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

Born To Love,

Rick Hawbaker


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Put on the armor of light...

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." - Acts 17:24-25 (NIV)

What else can you possibly ask for. He gives you everything! There is nothing else. God made the world and everything in it. Enjoy his great creation and praise the name of Jesus above all names.

With each passing day we are getting closer to the second coming of Jesus Christ. All praise and glory to Jesus, the risen and returning king! How exciting it is to know we will be spending eternity with the King of the Universe.

"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." - Romans 13:12 (NIV).

When you come out of the night and into God's light, you have to dress approprietly. When you go to work you wear work clothes. Someone sees you on the way to work dressed for work, they know you are heading to work. You go for a day hike in the mountains, you wear clothes for that. Someone sees you in your hiking boots and hiking pants, they know you are heading to the outback.

It is the same with God. You must take off your clothes of darkness from your past and dress the part that you are living in light. You can defend and attack if you have on all the armor of God. Since we anticipate the return of our Savior soon, we should be putting on the armor of light every day.

Be energetic and committed to a close walk with God. You are children of the Lord and should live as children of the light.

Thank You Jesus!

Rick Hawbaker

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Right where he wants me....

That's where God has me. Right where he wants me.

I do wrestle with thoughts of am I doing what it is that God wants me to do. I do get good feelings as I see God working through me.

It made me happy as a co-worker introduced me to her mom saying, "This is Rick. He gave me a bible!"

I have never been introduced to anyone in that way before. Thinking about it later I still had a good feeling about myself. I am in hopes that this young lady will always remember me as the person who gave her a bible.

That would be so much better than to be thought of by the world's standards..."He drives an orange Hummer", "He lives in the BIG house on the hill", or "His wife bought a 50 inch TV this morning."

In accordance to God's plan for me, I have surrendered to our great God and have ask him to be the pilot, the conductor, the director of my life. I am in the palm of our Savior, bringing fresh blessings, fresh revelations and fresh manna to God's dearly loved children.

Beloved, I know that I am one of the king's men, but my heart still leaped with great joy as a co-worker referred to me and a friend as "children of the Lord". May I forever hold that title in other's eyes!

All praise and glory to Jesus, the risen and returning king!

Rick Hawbaker

Going through the ups and downs...

Some days do you feel real connected to God and then the next day you wonder why is God hiding from you? You are not alone. A lot of people have the same feeling. The ups and downs of life. The ups are the good times and the downs are the difficult times.

King David writes about such a time in his life in Psalm 27. He begins the Psalm when all is going well for him. "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall." (Psalm 27:1-2 NIV)

Then David changes his tone in his writing crying out to God to be merciful to him and to answer him. He writes in verse 9, "Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior."

Does this sound familiar in your life? When the good times are rolling you are thanking and praising God all over the place. Then life takes a turn and you think that God has run out on you. Some even question if there really is a God.

David goes on to close out the psalm, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14 NIV)

When difficult times come, take David's advance - Remember the good times when God did not forget you. Wait on the Lord as he will not forsake you. Ask God for strength and courage as you wait for an answer.

Father God - You are the light, the salvation and stronghold of our lives. Thank you for being there for us through the good and bad times. Help us to remember this example in David's psalms. May we become strong as we wait for you. The great provider of all things. Thank You Jesus!

Rick Hawbaker

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(Pictured above is a statue of King David in Jerusalem)

God's splendor shines brightly over all creation...

God's splendor shines brightly over all of creation. I am elated that the King of the Universe has taken a permanent marker and sketched me into his grand scheme. I am truly grateful to be chosen out of millions to be one of his sheep.

My prayer this week is that all God's dearly loved children see his grandeur. I think so many get so busy in the rat race that they live in a fog and really never slow down long enough to clearly see our creator. And friends, God has so much more for each and everyone of us.

I encourage you to do business with the Lord this week. A real prayer is life creating and life changing.

The closer your heart beats to the Almighty, you begin to think like God, desire what he desires, love the things he loves, and hate the things he hates. Yes, your heart becomes broken for what breaks his.

God is an awesome being. He is supernatural, unlimited in power, has infinite knowledge, is perfect goodness and divine simplicity. His love is unending and grace unchanging. In Romans 11:36 (NIV), his holy word tells us, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."

Get off of your log and tell others about the greatness of Christ. We have an obligation to demonstrate to our generation that God is truly alive. "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12 NIV).

Wow! Now that is bringing heaven to earth...doing the works that Jesus did while he was on earth and doing more. The power of the holy spirit is in us and available for us to tap into for ourselves and for others. Get on with doing your Father's business and show your generation that God is Alive!

Leading and Feeding Christ's Sheep,

Rick Hawbaker

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Look to the cross, not to the dollar signs...

Chatting with a friend over lunch a few days back, I told her of my interest to be called to a mission project to end out my working years.

Some friends think I am working a big net for God right where I am, but I want to do more.

The first thing she said was, "Oh, Rick. You would really be good at it." Second thought as she continued, "Mission projects don't pay very well."

I have come along way in my walk with the Lord. I used to think it was all about making money, too. But, my immediate answer without a blink was, "Don't you know that my Father is the King of the Universe?"

Money has very little to do with happiness. Quit beating yourself up to make money to buy things that won't make you happy. Surrender to the Lord.

Seek your Almighty Father like you seek the almighty dollar. Then you will see change. Look to the cross, not to the dollar signs.

Don't get caught up in the rat race and let your values become distorted. Don't allow yourself to become so stressed making money that you produce damage to your bodies, minds and spirits. The temple of the holy spirit resides in you brothers and sisters.

It is written in God's holy word, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV).

The temple of the Holy Spirit isn't in Jerusalem. It is in you!

We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Yeshua! May you be blessed by our GREAT GOD as you experience just how deep and wide and long and high his love is for you. Boldly proclaim the GREATNESS of OUR SAVIOR to the ends of the earth!

Leading and Feeding Christ's Sheep,

Rick Hawbaker

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(Pictured above is a cross in a cemetary in Jerusalem)

Making a BIG difference in a few people's lives

You may have heard enough about others in need and are filled to the brim with hearing that crap. Maybe God feels the same way. Don't you think he gets tired of people continually seeing others in need and not doing anything about. I know I can't save the world by myself, but I can make a BIG difference in a few peoples lives.

I have made friends with a Liberian refugee that is a congregation pastor on the Ivory Coast of Africa in Abidjan. The Redeemer Christian Fellowship was established 2008 with a total of 17 people. They began as a family devotional prayer group for those who were saved from the Liberian civil war.

God has blessed this church that had a humble beginning. It has increased little by little and now has 93 members. That doesn't include the visiting friends both Ivoriens and Liberians. They have orphan children left behind as their parents were killed in the civil crisis. There are also disabled refugees, widows and the old.

"Sir, we need more training. We need some bibles and tracts for the congregation." That's the exact words the congregation pastor wrote to me. He said they all speak and read English. Now isn't that crazy. I just bought another bible last week and have five in our upper room and three in my truck. Why don't I send him some of mine.

I have sang and prayed "break my heart for what breaks yours" too many times. I am so happy that God has chosen me to be one of his people. I am going to get as many bibles to this congregation that I can.I am going to help God build his kingdom on earth whenever and wherever.

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels are with him and he sits on his glorious throne, and he easily separates the sheep from the goats...I will sit on the right and take my inheritance of eternal life. The kingdom prepared for me since the creation of the world. Those on the left will go away to eternal punishment. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Shalom,

Rick Hawbaker

Daily Scripture, Prayer and Praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Praying-4-U-/364285405278

(Pictured above is the Sea of Galilee in Israel near where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount.)

Beginning to flourish in God's overflow...

Have you ever gotten a word from a prophet and scratched your head and wondered what it means or what it will mean to you? In the last six weeks I have gotten three confirmations about a word of prophecy that was given to me and it is beginning to make sense.

It all began back on Saturday, October 9th when I was at the Men's Advance with 200 men from our church. I ran into a prophet there and this man that I had never met before began telling me things about myself.

The prophet said, "Looking at you I see joy. Great Joy. Joy overflowing. You are a teenager with lots of energy." He continued, "Wait. I see a goat. A mountain goat. It is sure-footed on the mountain rocks. It is jumping and leaping with joy. That goat, it is you!"

The prophet finished saying, "I don't know when, whether it is today, in two weeks or in two months, but I can see you are going to be filled with absolute joy!" Within two hours I was very happy about something that happened at the Men's Advance.

The next day I drove two hours down out of the mountains and shared the experience with my wife. We talked about could this thing that happened be what the man was talking about.

A couple days later I was checking over facebook on my phone and I ran across a message I had gotten from a facebook friend I had never met. This lady wrote to me on October 1st "you will have great joy starting in the month of October." She had written this eight days before the prophet told me basically the same thing

The message suddenly meant something to me. I got on facebook and found the lady that had written to me. She lives in Austria. I researched her information and found out she is a prophetess.

Woe! I have a prophetess from Austria and a prophet from Loveland, Colorado both telling me I will be filled with joy! Now I am getting excited. Trying to figure out just what is going to happen and what does this all mean has been interesting.

On October 30th, I was in Israel down by the Dead Sea and visiting the area the cave was in that David and his men hid in from King Saul. This was Ein Gedi where David cut the corner of Saul's robe off in the cave without Saul knowing it.

Upon leaving the area and heading back to the parking lot, three ibex ran across our path less than ten feet in front of us and they leaped high over the four foot retaining wall. Ibex are mountain goats. My wife and I were amazed. We took a couple of steps and then suddenly it dawned on us that those ibex were me!

I am waiting for the rest of the story to be revealed to me. I have been filled with joy since October. I don't know if the leaping goat was to show me I am going to be moved to a higher level with God soon or to again show me that nothing is impossible for a common person or an ibex.Or could it mean something else?

I have not recontacted the shofar blowing prophet that first told me I was going to be filled with joy, but I have been in contact with the prophetess. In her writing on October 20th, she wrote to me, "Glory be to God Almighty, the revealer of hidden treasure...Begin to flourish in his overflow."

Shalom,

Rick Hawbaker

Daily Scripture, Prayer and Praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Praying-4-U-/364285405278

The LORD Surrounds His People...

I became even closer to God last week as I traveled to Israel. Nothing is greater than a closer walk with Jesus. It was great seeing where he walked, where he talked, and where he healed the sick. My love for the Lord and faith in God was strengthened.

Walking the streets I wondered if the children we were passing were descendants of Mary and Joseph. Some of the Jewish shop owners we talked with were Levites. These cousins of ours now lived in the City of David.

"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore." Psalm 125:2 (NIV). I saw for myself that Jerusalem is indeed surrounded by mountains and I have seen that the LORD is everywhere around us.

Be a vehicle that the LORD can use to build his coming kingdom. Pray to be the one person that can do a lot for the LORD. Be a Peter, a Paul, a Schindler. Be all the time holy and all the time helping others.

Serving a living and loving God,

Rick Hawbaker

Daily Scripture, Prayer and Praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Praying-4-U-/364285405278

Spying On My Heritage...

Beloved, I have just returned from a visit to the place that one day the light of the world will reign. Jerusalem. Holy Jerusalem.

It was a trip of a lifetime. I thank God and praise him, the great provider, for giving me a chance to spy on my heritage.

Sitting on the steps that Jesus taught on, seeing the pools he healed in, and cruising on the Sea of Galilee that he walked on, all brought me closer to our great God. Everything began in Israel and everything is to end in Israel.

I found being in the holy lands a tingling experience. Glory bumps popped up on my body as I visited some of the holy places. Hanging out on Mt. Zion and actually walking inside the walls where the temple will be rebuilt was really moving. Just like God, Jerusalem is amazing beyond compare.

The Arc of the Covenant, the holy of holies, is believed to be there under the Temple Mount. I had a chance to pray to our Almighty Father within 50 feet of where The Arc is believed to be. I poured out my prayer concerns to the Lord and wrote them on a piece of paper, folded it and stuck it in a crack of the Wailing Wall.

I was certainly blessed to have seen the City of David and to renew my vows to the risen Lord as I was baptised in the Jordon River. Our God is the same yesterday, today and yes, forever. He is a loving, living and healing God.

God has planted a seed in each of us. Join with me and pursue the life that God has planned for us. Let that seed grow and let it bring forth the fruit that God intended it to be.

I feel I have left a piece of myself in Israel and feel I have brought a piece of Israel with me back to the United States of America. I will continue to serve God, spread his gospel, and see lost souls saved.

Peace And Prayer To You!

Rick Hawbaker

Daily Scripture, Prayer and Praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Praying-4-U-/364285405278

(Pictured above is the Jordon River in Israel)

Be That Perfect Gift From Above To Others

Text messaging back and forth the other day with a friend, we were able catch up with what is going on in each other's lives. It's encouraging to hear and share what we are doing to build the coming kingdom of Christ.

God has so much more to offer us and he is anxious to give us all he has planned for us. I told my friend about it via a text and I said I was going after it. He text back within a minute stating, "Ur right & I'm lined up 2 run that same race, or be an arrow flying 2 the same target! Yeshua! (Jesus)."

I thank the Lord God Almighty in Heaven for a friend like this. A friend that is in hot pursuit of King Jesus, just like I am. In God's holy word it says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).

We need each other if we are going to learn to love God, love people and impact the world. We must join together to advance the coming Kingdom of God. God wants us to make good friendships and to be a really good friend of Jesus Christ. Pray daily for the desire to know him more.

It is written in James 1:17 (NIV) that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." Make your friendships with others good and be that perfect gift from heaven to someone else.

Serving a living and loving God,

Rick Hawbaker

Daily Scripture, Prayer and Praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Praying-4-U-/364285405278

God Has So Much More For You...

Our Almighty God has so much more for you to enjoy and do in this life on earth. He is a proud father waiting for you to get to a place so he can give you all he has planned for you.

According to the holy scriptures, "But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them." (Isaiah 30:18 NIV).

Better than an earthly father that would do anything and everything for his children that he possibly could, our Sovereign Lord has given up his only son to die for us so that whoever believes in him will have eternal life through his son, Jesus!

The fact that God has to correct us doesn't diminish his love for us. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). We will fall, but we won't fail. For the Lord is forever with us. All glory and praise to the Almighty.

God has more gifts for you. Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 21:22 (NIV), "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Believe and ask in Jesus name for God to give you spiritual gifts so that you may use them to help him build his coming Kingdom.

I know that God is alive. I have experienced him in my own life and have seen him working in others. God is every where and he is all things to all. "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36 NIV).

"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore." (Psalm 125:2 NIV)

Thank You King Jesus!

Rick Hawbaker

Daily Scripture, Prayer and Praise...Check out http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Praying-4-U-/364285405278

Ohhh, Praise Him! Hallelujah!

I am excited! I returned home yesterday from a week-end Men's Advance in the Rocky Mountains. Nearly 200 men from our church were there. A HUGE blessing for all who attended. It was a GRAND time. One that will not soon be forgotten. We stirred it up for the Lord! Praise God Almighty!

It was the biggest piece of heaven I have ever experienced. I am still feeling glory bumps just thinking about it. We prayed for the healing power of the Lord to come. People there were healed by God and people that we prayed for who weren't there were healed too.

It was an awesome display of God's greatness. The holy spirit engulfed us the entire week-end. The spirit of God came down upon us and dwelt among us. We were on fire for the Lord!

Father God...I have a burning desire to pursue you and pray daily to be your friend. I am using this life to invest in my next life. I pray for healing and revealing power and pray that we will be healed of addictions. Break the lies that hang over us. Speak to us at a new level as you continue to sanctify us. All this I ask in King Jesus name. Amen!

Ohhh, Praise Him! Hallelujah!

Rick Hawbaker

"You Turned My Wailing Into Dancing..."

I have been flipping through the pages of the bible for years and reading here and there. Last week I ran across Psalm 30 and two verses stuck with me.

"You turned my wailing into dancing: you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever." (Psalm 30:11-12 NIV)

King David wrote this psalm of thanksgiving upon the occasion of the dedication of his temple. Although David was the anointed one to become King of Israel, he spent many days on the run from King Saul, whom he replaced at the helm.

David's dysfunctional family life haunted him from the time he was a young lad tending the sheep until he died and was buried in the city of David as the King of Israel.

You might think the king-to-be had everything, but the truth is he was plagued with troubles just like every other human being. David was connected to the Lord and prayed in desperation at times. We are blessed to have his prayers and thoughts recorded for us in God's holy word.

Like David, we too are faced with an unpaved rocky road to walk. Our God can change are sorrows into joy in an instant. He can turn our wailing into dancing and he does. But don't forget gloomy days will return for us as we are surrounded in Satan's kingdom of darkness until our days here come to an end.

Be filled with the GREAT HOPE of one day the Lord coming back to get us. Jesus tells us in John 14, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

We will rise and soar beyond everything imaginable and discover the place Jesus is off preparing for us to spend eternity. As we come to realize just how great our God is...it is then we worship him all the more passionately!

Thank You King Jesus - You are Awesome!

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36 NIV)

Rick Hawbaker

Something To Think About...

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." That is what Jesus tells us in Revelation 22:12 (NIV).

Does that mean we are saved by our works? No, but it does indicate that as we are obedient to God, we will show works with our obedience.

The Bible teaches in Ephesians 2 that works do not save, but by grace we are saved through faith. However, getting a free ticket to heaven via grace does not give us permission to sit back and do nothing for one another.

God has given us "talents" and we have been instructed not to bury them. We are to make them prosper. We should be looking for opportunities every day, to show everyone just how great our God is.

"For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." Matthew 16:27 (NIV).

God knows the intent of our heart. What we do is an indication of what we really believe. Increase your desire to know him more!

"The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." 2 Chronicles 15:2 (NIV)

Rick Hawbaker

Jesus also lived for us and lives in us still.

Our God is Holy and higher than anything on earth. I thank God Almighty for the way he loves us.

There is none greater than our God and He soars above all the earth. His son, Jesus, told us in John 14 that "No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is the way and truth and the life!

My prayer for you this day is that you will seek the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and all your strength. Sing out to the Lord and praise his holy name. For His greatness is beyond compare and he is more than enough - more than sufficient.

Anything that separates you from God is a sin. Don't let sin be your downfall. "Repent! Turn away from all your offenses: then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit." (Ezekiel 18:30-31 NIV)

Repent, believe and grow in faith. Just having knowledge of the Great One is not enough. In Romans 10:9-10 Paul told us, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Live for an audience of one. And that one must be God. Be ever so thankful for all the blessings that our Almighty God has given to us and thankful for the blessings yet to come. Our God is awesome! His love for us is overflowing, over the top and never ending.

God made the ultimate sacrifice of giving up his own son, Jesus, that we might be saved by the blood of the lamb of God. Let us not forget that Jesus died for us, and also lived for us, and lives in us still. Thank You, Jesus!

Rick Hawbaker
'Born to Love'

"Blest be the tie that binds."

I witnessed a bit of heaven this past week as glory bumps ran from the top of my head to my toes. My body tingled as I felt the presence and closeness of our God, the GREAT author of everything. There is nothing greater than God. Nothing!

My experience began as I was on facebook the social networking utility that makes the world smaller. It connects people everywhere that has computer access. I was just about to shut the computer down for the night when a pastor from the far east began chatting with me. We exchanged a couple questions each and then a college student from a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean clicked on my name and she too began chatting.

There certainly was a tie that bound us together and that tie was Jesus Christ, our Beloved King. We enjoyed fellowship and shared our prayer concerns with one another. We talked of our mutual burdens and sympathized together. We told of our dreams of one day meeting the guy in the sky and being in the presence of the Holy One.

I had never communicated in a chat with someone who was living in the next day. These two Christ-followers are around 12 hours ahead of me. As I was getting ready to go to bed on a Thursday night, one of them with hunger pains was already thinking about what to prepare for lunch on a Friday. That's Crazy!

But, what is more CRAZY is that the other one said he fasted and prayed on Friday's. As I crawled in bed and hoped to drift off to sleep I found myself sweetly dreaming of the coming kingdom of God. And, that is exactly what the man had told me to do as we signed off.

I felt a presence of the Lord surrounding me with his angels as I laid in bed and prayed. I have never flown on eagle's wings, but I felt I soared around the starlit skies that night.

I took the prayer concerns of the two I had just chatted with to Jesus, my intercessor with God on the throne. I can tell you that I was being prayed for by those two that night. Our hearts were tied together. I can't express the feeling I had as I was being prayed for.

"Blest be the tie that binds." I lived those words that night. They were written by a Baptist preacher for his sermon nearly 300 hundred years ago in England. John Fawcett wrote that poem and it later became a farewell Christian hymn and is sang yet today in churches around the world.

"Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Before our Father's throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. We share each other's woes, our mutual burdens bear; and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again."*

Thank You, Jesus. My love for you and your dearly loved children continues to grow in my heart. Expand my area of influence for you and your coming kingdom. You are the King of Glory. I ask that you bless each and every person that reads this blog and shares it with others. Come, King Jesus. Come!

Born To Love,

Rick Hawbaker
'Jesus' Younger Brother'

*John Fawcett's Poem "Blest be the tie that binds."

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!"

God's holy word tells us in Hebrews 13:8 (NIV), "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!" Many miracles were performed by God through Jesus when Jesus was walking the dusty trails of Israel.

Even after Jesus was crucified, had risen from the dead, and had ascended into heaven, we still read of healing happening on earth. They were performed through the hands of Jesus' disciples and were happening with the very same intensity as when Jesus walked the earth.

"Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed." (Acts 5:16 NIV).

Healing is happening on earth to this very day. People are healed through prayer by touch, by a physician working through Jesus, and some are healed of sickness as God takes them to heaven where there is no sickness.

King Jesus always prayed the will of God. He prayed in Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV), "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven." People in heaven are not sick! You can clearly see it is God's will that we are also to be free from sickness and disease.."on earth as it is in heaven."

Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18 (NIV) about the signs that will accompany those who believe, that "in my name...they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." You need to find someone who believes God's word about healing. Have that person lay their hands on you and pray to God that through Jesus Christ that you will be healed.

"Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV).

In our love letter from heaven our Father tells us, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16 NIV). Pray dearly loved children of God. Pray!

Born to Love,

Rick Hawbaker

We Are In The Hands Of The Almighty...

God opened my eyes last night as a group of friends gathered at my home to study God's holy word. This morning I met with a different group of friends to pray and the same scriptures were discussed.

Paul tells us in Romans 9:21 (NIV) that the potter has power over the clay when he writes, "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?"

God molds us like clay and makes us into what we are to become. Too often we forget that God is the potter and we are the clay. He has all power over us.

In Jeremiah, God's word tells us that sometimes the pot is marred. "But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." (Jeremiah 18:4 (NIV)

Sometimes when we are not following the plan that God has for us, our life suddenly changes. Our potter takes us and breaks us and makes us into what he wants us to become.

If you are in a stormy season in your life right now, take comfort knowing that God might be taking you breaking you and making you to become what he intended you to be. Take great joy and comfort in knowing you are in the hands of the Almighty and nobody loves you more than He.

It is written, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8 (NIV) Praise to the King of Kings. Not my will but thine be done!

Rick Hawbaker
'The King's Kid'

Look Past Your Job And On To Jesus

Now more than ever we need Jesus Christ as we face our battles each day. I can't imagine a day without king Jesus with me, although I did try to live without him in control of my life for a lot of years. Life with Jesus isn't any easier, it's just not lonely, because you have Jesus.

I am so sorry I didn't catch on sooner. "Remain in me, and I will remain in you." That is what Jesus has promised us in John 15:4. The closer we get to our God in our walk with the Lord, the closer he gets to us.

The Great Shepard brings me his sheep to pray with and to pray for each day. I thank God for the chance to pray for others as that is the most I can do for someone. Many of God's dearly loved children are not happy with their current job situations. A lot of sad people are performing jobs they are way over qualified for and lots of people are stuck in jobs they have no interest in.

It is so sad that we can't be content with what God has given us. Why do we worry about the job we have? Look past the job and on to Jesus. Get about our father's work and build the kingdom. If you are planning on taking your story to heaven's gate about the great job you had on earth, don't bother. Nobody at the pearly gates will be impressed.

We want more and we all have a deal to make with God. We tell God, "I'll do this, Lord, if you do that." Instead shouldn't we be listening to our creator? If we would step back and look at the deals we are trying to make with the Almighty, we would see just how ridiculous our wants are.

Turn your life over to God if you are looking to be happy. Surrender to the your Maker. That's the only way to happiness. He died for you. You live for him. Seek the kingdom of God and spread the good news of Jesus to everyone.

King David wrote to us, "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:3-4 (NIV)

Surrender your life to the Lord and trust in him always. Be still before him and wait patiently for his direction. He loves you more than you will ever know. Love is sacrifice. He sacrificed it all giving his life for you!

There Aren't Good And Bad People...

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." I love that scripture from Proverbs 27 in the holy, holy word of our awesome God. That scripture has been in the bible since it was written, but it just found me a few months back.

I wrote on a facebook friends page a day or two ago that I would have loved to have been in that dominant foursome of Peter, James, John and Andrew. Can you imagine what it would have been like to hang out with Jesus? My friend later posted the comment, "I just can't wait to meet them, lol, Moses and Noah, too. lol :).

Expanding on the thought of some day rising on eagle's wings and meeting up with these greats in glory land, led me to think about one day having a chat with King David. David was a Shepard, a great warrior, a king of Israel. God says of David, "a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' Acts 13:22 (NIV). I want to meet David.

David had a dysfunctional family for sure, but he was obedient to God and he repented. He quite possibly might be our best example of a man who asked for forgiveness and repented. After David had committed adultery with Bathsheba he prayed, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Psalm 51 1-3 (NIV)

Today as I think about David's life, I think how he was both a good person and a bad person. But really there are only bad people. David was bad. We must just face it. Like David, we are bad. Paul said in Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

It all comes down to there aren't good and bad people like we are led to believe by earthly beings. But, there are two kinds of people. That's right. There are bad people who repent and there are bad people who don't repent. Since we are all steeped in sin and bad through and through, We Must Repent!

Don't go around feeling all secure and full of pride about yourself thinking you were raised in a church family. At best that will only get you a distant glimpse of Jesus from earth. Pride is a terrible thing. It destroys people, cities and countries. Being full of pride is what got Satan kicked out of heaven.

Walk through life with open hands and an open heart. Our God is awesome beyond comprehension. Jesus died for our sins, past, present and future. Seek the one who saves. That would be JESUS!

May your agenda be to live the life God wants you to live. That would be the WILL of GOD! Repent, believe and increase your faith!

Serving a living and loving God,

Rick Hawbaker

"Unending Love - Amazing Grace"

Twenty-four members of our church choir recently returned home from a mission trip to the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. It is great that these faithful servants of the Lord were able to get away to perform a drama workshop with Hope Partnership in Mathare Valley slum.

It takes a commitment of time and money, lots of planning, sacrifice and love, to go on a trip of this nature. Those that got to go became broken-hearted as they witnessed what God was doing there in the people of the slums in Africa.

Their trip home had them helping the Lord as well as they flew across the Atlantic. It turned into a 40-hour adventure of being in airports and in the air. They flew from Kenya to Rome where they switched planes and then headed to New York City. A little way over the Atlantic a lady toward the front of the plane began having a heart attack.

Word was sent to the back of the plane for assistance. A R.N. that was with our church group, went to help the heart attack victum. Seeing that things were heading down hill very fast for the woman in need, she sent word to the back of the plane to our church group to start praying and start singing.

The people prayed and began singing "Amazing Grace" and it wasn't long before most everyone on the plane joined in. The plane turned around over the Atlantic and headed back east. It landed in France and a waiting medical team rushed on the plane, stabilized the victum, and took her to the local hospital for further medical care.

The lady survived and is still alive to this day. "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118:1 (NIV)

"Our God is greater, our God is stronger. God You are higher than any other. Our God is Healer, awesome and power. Our God, Our God..." *

Awesome Lord, thank you for all of these loving people singing and praying together that day on the plane. I praise you for that story of victory. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the glory bumps you have given me as I share such a story. You are a truely awesome God. Mighty to save! All Glory and Praise to your son, Jesus.

Serving an awesome God,

Rick Hawbaker
'Born to Love'

*That's the chorus from 'Our God' from the album Passion: Awakening by Chris Tomlin.

I Am The King's Kid...

The heartland of America is where I was born in the 50's to a family that worked and lived off the land. The Lord has always been with my family and our love for Christ has grown in all of our hearts. The Lord has blessed us and is ever present with all of us.

I am one of God's very own sheep and boldly profess I am the king's kid. Being the king's kid is grand. I can't think of anything that would be better. The closer I get to king Jesus, the closer he gets to me. Satan doesn't like what I am doing because I am advancing the kingdom of God! I have chosen God over Satan and have never looked back. I love the way God loves me!

Those who are Christ-like are to be the light of the world, but you can't be the light of the world if you are not plugged in. You have to know the word of God and apply it in your life. That's how you defeat Satan. Get plugged into a small group or two with Christian friends and be in hot pursuit of Jesus Christ. Seek the kingdom of God. Make yourself available to God to do his work and keep in rhythm with the holy spirit.

When is the last time you made God crack a smile? Is Jesus pleased with our progress? It is written in Matthew 25 that it will be easy to separate the sheep from the goats when the Lord returns for his people. Are we doing enough to build the kingdom of God? Are we doing anything?

The Lord told the prophet Samuel just before he anointed David to be king over Israel, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV).

Repent, believe and grow in faith. Don't hurry through life and miss Jesus. Slow down from the run you are on. Take time to look for God working around you and join him in helping others. There is nothing outside of Christ. He is all we need and all we have. Be an outpost for the kingdom of God!

Do you know the God you are worshipping. More importantly, does God know you?

Serving a living God,

Rick Hawbaker
'The King's Kid'

Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus!

"Stand up, Stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross." I stood up and sang that song with great enthusiasm many times as a young teen. I had no idea what spiritual warfare was and knew very little about the God I was worshipping. I just knew that getting together with friends was a good time and getting together at church one evening a week is what all the good kids did.

I have since come to know evil in this kingdom of darkness and have come to know the Lord and his shining light. God's Holy Spirit continues to sanctify me as I advance the Kingdom of God. The councils of hell shake when my feet hit the floor in the mornings. Satan is very real to me as he was to our King Jesus. If you are ignorant to the fact that there is a war going on for you, then you are probably losing the battle.

There is not a word known to me that states just how great our God is and there is no word that states how bad Satan is. As you make a stand for Jesus, the spiritual forces of evil attack you, and attempt to knock you down from your stand for righteousness. I have a friend that has a strong relationship with Christ and every time his family prays in his home, his five year-old daughter screams and cries, "Satan is king of my heart!" You can't tell me there is not an evil force among us.

Our agenda here on earth is not to run around looking for evil and to stomp out Satan. That would be letting Satan set our agenda. We are to do the work of the Lord, just like Jesus did, and when Satan attacks and intimidates us, we are to stand against every hint of spiritual opposition.

Stand firmly for Jesus. We will be attacked, but we must not be frightened. Never consider retreating, but instead advance. We must advance the Kingdom of God! That's how Satan will be defeated.

We are citizens of a much greater kingdom than we are in now and we are here only for a short time in exile . Our strife will not be for long. Prepare yourself to fight off evil when it is present. There is a crown of life waiting for those who persevere.

James told us "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 (NIV)

Rick Hawbaker
'He Died For Me. I Live For Him!'

Warriors For Christ, Half A World Apart, Working Together To Build The Kingdom Of God...

I began writing a Christian blog toward the end of March. Who would have thunk over 1,300 people would visit the site from 22 different countries in the next five months.

People from around the world have clicked on 2,800 pages to read the 69 blogs that God has written through me.

About the same time, I started a Praying 4 U fan page on facebook. That too has turned into an international adventure with nearly 100 interactions per week with the 180-plus fans.

God has blessed me and enlarged my territory of influence for him. Through these two ventures I have been able to share scripture, prayer, and stories of how God has worked in my life and through me. God has kept me in his word daily studying to learn more. I have gotten to know some of God's children in places like Zambia, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines and Pakistan.

I have been praying for people and missions in various places and have received letters that these faithful servants of God are praying for me. It really is a small world in the grand scheme. Here we have warriors for Christ, half a world apart, praying for one another and working together to build the Kingdom of God.

We will never know how much our awesome Father loves us. Be in hot pursuit of the King of Glory and get as close to this super being as possible. Desire the gifts of the holy spirit and use them as you are the hands and feet of the Almighty.

It is written in the bible, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:4 NIV). Paul told us in Philippians 4:13 (NIV) "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." And you can too!

Use the power of the Holy Spirit that God has given you and seek him in everything. You won't be disappointed. Eternity with Jesus and his gang will be worth all the suffering we face here in Satan's Kingdom. All glory and praise to our risen Savior, King Jesus! We shall live forever through him!

May God Bless You,

Rick Hawbaker
'King's Kid'

Rascal...

Our awesome Father loves us more than we can ever imagine. He even loves us on our very worse day. On the day we have our back to him and on a day that we think we certainly don't need or want him, God loves us! Why does he loves us so much? Because we are his children.

I had an older than old man working for me in a big box retail setting. This man, Willy, wore a smile from ear to ear daily and greeted everyone with interest and kindness. Having grabbed the short straw in most every situation, this man lived by himself in a one room empty apartment and slept on the hardwood floors with roaches running around him and mice climbing up the walls.

Many years ago his wife had caught him in bed with another woman. Looking down he told with shame, "the look she gave me will not be forgotten." He never saw his wife or kids again. He filled the void in his life with alcohol and never gave much thought to giving up the bottle.

Once his story was revealed to me, I immediately began helping him and hooked him up with other Christ-followers in the workplace. We provided things he needed and prayed for him. He had been to a Christian church a few times, but didn't feel comfortable sitting there as his past haunted him.

I talked to him almost every day and shared Jesus with him. I would share stories out of the bible and told him how great God is and how he was moving in my life. As God's light shined through me often he told me he wanted what I had and told me so almost every day.

One night I talked to him about our great savior for an hour and a half in the parking lot with a full harvest moon low in the eastern sky. He would not take the leap. He would not jump and receive Jesus as he was Muslim and felt he would be letting down his strong heritage if he turned to Christ.

Finally, I pointed at the moon and said to him, "Willy, you see the moon up there.There is a song by Matt Redman, "You Never Let Go!" that says, 'And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on. A glorious light beyond all compare.'

I continued, "Everytime you see the moon from now on, I want you to remember what I just said because there is a light that is coming for the heart that holds on. A light that is coming for us. No matter what you have done in your past, you are a son of God just as I am. You can have what I have. Repent and believe in him. God loves you!

Willy never did receive God as long as I knew him, but he told me many times that I was a rascal. A rascal because from that night on as he drove home in the dark, he would look at the moon and think about the Jesus I had.

Rick Hawbaker

'Serving King Jesus'

Christ is more than a way to a better life

We are called to be pure, righteous and holy in God's eyes as we are conformed to the image of Jesus.

This isn't something God just does to us. It is a process that God does with our cooperation.

Raising your hand in a church service signifying you now accept Jesus as your savior isn't going to get you off the ground. That is only the start of your new life in Christ.

Mumbling a sentence or two in less than a minute after making a decision for Christ in five minutes or less, is not going to get you the ticket to heaven you are expecting. You have got to change. God needs to work in your heart so that the sins you once loved, you now hate. The God you ignored for years, you now must put first in your life and desire him more and more each day.

You aren't saved by works, but by grace through faith. You receive God through repentance and having faith. Repentance is evidence of our fruit. You must repent and believe. You will show evidence that you have been changed. If there isn't any evidence, you aren't saved.

Jesus Christ is more than a way to have a better life. Christ is your life. If you have a fiery passion for the radiant king of the universe, you will change. You have to walk in the rhythm with the holy spirit and in doing so, you will bring life and peace to yourself and others.

Through sanctification, God will change your life and he will continue to change it as he sets you apart from worldly things. You will not be perfect until the day you pass, but the spirit of God will lead you to be saved. Not saved from sin as you will always sin, but saved from hell, the wrath of God.

Jesus said in the gospel of Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV), "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

In Luke 13:23-24 (NIV) Jesus was asked the question that is on people's minds. The question people do not want to think about, "Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

We are told in an Old Testament promise from God in Ezekiel 36:27 (NIV), "I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." We receive grace freely and God's power through his Spirit pushes us to obey God, rather than our carnal nature. In this way we shall reign in life.

There is nothing outside of Christ. He is all we need and all we have. It is all about God. He has given you free will. You can choose him and live forever, or be tormented in hell for eternity.

Your Brother In Christ,

Rick Hawbaker
'Serving A Living God'

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

God has laid on my heart a lot of people this past week that are hurting. More than one family is dealing with alcoholism, many are in various stages of battling cancer, and many are stuck in a job they hate. We need to be there for our brothers and sisters and help them in any way we can.

Christians are not immune to suffering. It isn't a matter of if we will suffer. The question is when will we suffer. Paul faced more suffering than most people, but yet he still felt the future glory outweighed the present suffering. That's the mindset we must adopt.

We need to be there for each other. Brother Paul instructed us in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." When you are there for others it isn't what you say that counts, it's the fact that you are there for them. Don't leave them alone. Give them the support that only a friend can give.

In scripture from God's holy word, compassion means to show sympathy, pity, and mercy for another. It also means "to suffer with." Peter told us in 1 Peter 3:8, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

We are to run the race well, but let's remember we are not in competition with one another. Don't beat each other up, but encourage one another. We are not on earth to knock each other out, but to lift each other up.

Serving a living God,

Rick Hawbaker

There Are Better Days Ahead...

Whatever you and your love ones are up against this day, rest assured you can find help through Jesus. God loves us way too much to leave us the way we are. God molds and shapes us as we deal with the storms as we go from one season to another.

Max Lucado wrote, "A season of suffering is a small price to pay for a clear view of God." I thank God for showing me the seasons of pain I go through are to make me better and they have brought me closer to him. The short days of discomfort for me pass and the good effects of my changing are everlasting.

Lucado also wrote, "God never promised to remove us from our struggles. He does promise, however, to change the way we look at them." Instead of complaining and saying, "When is this going to end?" We need to quietly and patiently wait on the Lord. God changes our situation when his purpose in putting us through something has been accomplished.

"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5 NIV) All praise and glory to Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth. Praise to King Jesus!

There are better days ahead. Matt Redman sings in 'You Never Let Go', "I can see the light that is comin' for the heart that holds on." Hang on and wait in great anticipation for that glorious day that the light comes for you.

Let's give God thanks in everything and praise him as we anticipate the GREAT things to come. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 118:1 NIV)

Rick Hawbaker
'Serving A Living God'

You Too Can Pick God Over Man...

It is hard to surrender to the Lord, but it is only by surrendering ourselves to him that we may become free. Paul Washer is credited with saying, "the freest man on earth is the one who makes himself a slave to the perfect master." We must relinquish trust in ourselves and put that trust in Jesus and become free.

God wants to do so much for us. We are his dearly loved children. It is tough to let go and tough to give up in this fallen world of Satan's. Jesus gave everything he had for you. When he was on the tree, you were on his mind. Look for God working around you today and join him in bringing his kingdom.

Whatever it is that you are facing today, God can help you through it. Pray for his strength and courage to surround you as together you overcome what you are up against.

The bible tells us in 2 Samuel 24 that David was faced with three options from the Lord...three years of famine, three months of fleeing from his enemies, or three days of plague. David told prophet Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the LORD for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man."

David picked the plague as three months of fleeing from enemies would be fighting with the neighboring countries and three years of famine would make his people dependant on food from neighbors. David knew better than to put his situation in control of man. He knew that even in anger God would be more merciful and gracious than human beings. He picked the three days of plague.

Like David, we are steeped in sin, but we can repent and be cleansed white as snow. You too can pick God over man.

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save." (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)

Rick Hawbaker
'King's Kid'

Way To Go God! : )

God led me this day to cross the path of a friend who had been up all night worrying about her health. She had been to the doctor's office for a lot of tests last week and had not heard any results. The unknown is what was getting to her.

She had given the doctor permission to leave the information on her home phone recording as she is hard to get a hold of with her work schedule. They called, but never left a message. Instead they sent her a letter stating she needed to contact them to "discuss some important health issues".

She was scared to death. "Important health issues"-Does she have cancer or diabetes? She was scared to the point she could not think of anything else. Why wouldn't they leave the information on the recording as instructed. Is her time about up?

I ran into her after she received the letter and before the doctor's office was open, so she hadn't had a chance to talk with anyone. She looked pretty weary having only a little bit of sleep. I could see a heavy burden had been laid upon her and it was taking a toll.

The Holy Spirit led me to ask her if we could pray together before she made the phone call to the doctors office. Moments later her, a friend that was with her, and I gathered in a friendship circle and put our arms around each other and prayed.

I lifted her concerns up to God through his son, Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus and we witnessed it today. After praying, the look on her glowing face was one I have never seen. As she looked up from the prayer to the heavens, she instantly was strengthen and comforted by God our father. The stress and worry had left her.

It was great to have helped bring a piece of heaven to earth today. What a thrill to share Jesus with a friend. Jesus gives and takes away. He gives us our daily needs and takes away our pain and suffering. "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." (Psalm 68:19 NIV)

God is the great comforter and great healer. He told us way back in Exodus 15:26 (NIV), "for I am the LORD, who heals you." and later in Hebrews 13:8 (NIV), God's word says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

I was not the only one to witness God this morning. My friend said she definately felt the presence of God. She claims to have immediately felt the power of the Lord. He strengthened her and helped her to make the phone call. He comforted her as she waited and waited on hold to receive results of the tests.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10 (NIV). God is our strength and comfort and he is available 24/7. How can he help you today? We can't make it by ourselves. Turn to our loving father for help!

Rick Hawbaker
'Son of God'