Article by John Tisdale
In this article, you will learn how to do the spiritual limbo. Like the popular party game, it’s all about seeing how low can you go? Instead of winning party favors, the spiritual version is all about winning favor with God. What you will need is a desire to experience more of God in your life and a willingness to do whatever it takes to make that happen. The path isn’t for the faint-of-heart. But, if you’re willing to make the journey, the reward can be exceptional.

Article by Francis Frangipane
If you think you know God but do not live your life in gratitude before Him, it is doubtful that you really knew Him in the first place. A thankful heart honors God. Often when we say we "know God," what we really mean is that we know facts about God. But we should ask ourselves, "Do I truly know Him?" Paul warns that just knowing doctrines about God is not enough to enter eternal life. He said, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:20-21

Article by Francis Frangipane
It should be noted that most Christians understand the significance of Christ's crucifixion, and are bowed in thankful reverence toward it. Here, at the foot of the cross, our need meets God's provision. We find forgiveness, redemption and healing. These are well-known, established truths of the gospel. They are proclaimed and re-enacted for us in an variety of expressions, rituals, and celebrations. With trembling awe we gaze at the Lord of life dying on the cross; we are captured by God's grace.

Article by John Tisdale
This article is designed to bring encouragement and conveys the preciousness of life and how we need to breathe in as much life as possible rather than waste a single moment. You may click the Email a friend link at the top of page to direct it to a friend. A link to a downloadable flash version is also listed at the bottom of the article.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Jesus warned of our days. Speaking of the unfolding difficulties in the world, He warned, "See to it that you not be terrified" (Lk 21:3). Indeed, He also said that one prevailing affliction that shall plague humanity would be "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of . . . things which are coming on the earth" (Lk 21:26 NKJ). Today, heart failure is the number one killer of men in the western world. In America, nearly one million people will die this year from some form of heart disease. Approximately every 30 seconds another heart fails and a person dies. There may be many contributors to heart failure, but a main source is the inability to handle stress.

Article by Francis Frangipane
The Lord is cleansing us for the distinct purpose of bringing His people into His glory. Yes, out of His desire to present a pure bride to His Son, the Father is purging the church of its sin. He is refusing to allow our inter-church relationships to continue without love. According to the Scriptures, before Jesus returns, the body of Christ will be holy and blameless (see Eph 5:27; Titus 2:14; I Thess 5:23; Col 1:22; Phil 2:15; etc.). Through new and successive levels of purification, the house of the Lord will again receive and display the glory of God.

Article by John Tisdale
This article walks the reader through a process of discovering the power bitterness has in robbing us of freedom and life. When we are trapped under its influence, we have difficulty finding lasting freedom. This journey takes you through some basic concepts of forgiveness and then walks you through practical steps to takes to find freedom from bitterness. It should help you get some handles on how to take steps out from under the heavy burden of unforgiveness on the road to inner healing and wholeness.

Article by John Tisdale
This article is designed as a brief introduction to the teachings of Jesus Christ regarding love as well as a practical guide to help you take steps forward in putting those teachings to practice in your life. By the time you finish, you will have a basic understanding of how to experience the unconditional love of God and to allow His love to change you and empower you to love others unconditionally. As this article is simply an introduction, it is intended to be a springboard that leads to additional studies and practical steps to bring His love into your everyday life.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Jesus warned His disciples about His impending crucifixion. "One of you will betray Me," He said. Yet, instead of turning to God in humble introspection, an argument actually arose among the disciples as to which one was the greatest. Jesus, who sees both the natural and spiritual realms, addressed Peter (who evidently "won" the argument): "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" (Lk 22: 31-32).

Article by Francis Frangipane
Now that the elections are over, we are compelled to return to what should be our first purpose: fulfilling the Great Commission. Indeed, as we draw closer to the Lord's return, His passions shall increasingly become our passions and to rescue the unsaved world is the epicenter of His heart. To understand the Lord's desire for the unsaved, we simply have to review Peter's discourse in Acts, chapter two. Remember, the disciples had been with Jesus for forty days after His resurrection. The words, which Peter took from Joel, conceivably might also have been spoken by Jesus Himself during this last intimate time with His disciples before the ascension.

Article by John Tisdale
This article is designed for someone who is struggling with difficult circumstances and is losing hope. It is a simple message and yet a much needed one in challenging times. In addition to text, it includes stunning graphics to set the tone for the message.

Artciel by John Tisdale
Most people struggle with the idea that God is infinite (without beginning or ending). God is also purported to be everywhere at the same time. Supposedly, He can hear everyone's prayers in the same moment. These and other such concepts can be difficult to accept. This article takes you on a fascinating journey into the life of a movie character named Bob. By observing Bob, we begin to get some insights into the capabilities that God can have because He is not confined to our dimensions of space and time.

Article by Francis Frangipane
"'Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?' Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for He, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him" (John 6:70-71). To what was Jesus referring when He identified Judas Iscariot as "a devil?" Was He speaking figuratively or factually? Could a human being not only "have" a devil, but actually become one? Some believe that Judas had become so perfectly possessed by satan that he actually lost his humanity. Yet, consider: after this fallen apostle delivered Jesus up, he felt such remorse for betraying Christ that he committed suicide. Could a devil feel remorse for sin? I do not think so.

Article by Francis Frangipane
God's word assures us that the Redeemer we see in the gospels is the same Lord Who enters our lives when we are born again. The same things Jesus did in the first century, He promises to do again for us today. Indeed, Scripture confirms that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever" (Heb 13:8). If the person we call "Jesus" is not as wonderful or powerful as Jesus of the gospels, we are serving the wrong one.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Do we understand what it means to be blessed? Perhaps we are more familiar with what it means to be cursed. The Bible definition of a curse meant "to be bound with a spell," "hemmed in by obstacles," or "rendered powerless to resist." I think many Christians are fighting the effects of curses against their lives. Even though they may not identify as a curse the resistance or heaviness that they frequently feel, they are aware that something is working against them. Some curses are generational in nature. The Scriptures warn that the sins of the fathers will be passed to "the children, and on the third and the fourth generations" (Deut. 5:9). There are character traits, sinful attitudes and cultural prejudices that can be inherited from our parents.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Too many Christians serve a little, prepackaged god who, along with a hymnal and bulletin, was given to them at church years ago. Today, "little god" still sits in their minds, blocking their capacity to see the true God for who He is. "Little god" asks nothing of his followers except they try to be good, and he promises that everyone will go to heaven regardless of what they believe. "Little god" is harmless, nice and safe. Unfortunately, he is also an idol that dwells in the church and needs to be cleansed from our thought life.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Ask Him. Go on, ask the Lord, in view of the times in which we live, what He considers practical. I venture you won't hear Him saying things like, "My son, invest in an IRA", or "Child, always get eight hours of sleep." No. As I know the Lord---and He is practical---He will say something like, "Both righteousness and wickedness are coming to full maturity upon the earth, and the world order, as you have known it, will soon be gone. Therefore, stop worrying about the things of this age. Prepare yourself to live continually in My Presence and abandon yourself to Me and My will and I will guide you through the days ahead."

Article by Denise Frangipane
Before I appropriated the gift of Christ's peace, I was always looking for something to distract me from my fears. There were few times when I found myself alone while growing up in a family of eleven. My sense of security came from having people always around me. In fact, I hated being alone, especially in the darkness. To keep from dealing with my gloomy, fearful thoughts, I would occupy my mind with radio, television or books. When all these distractions were removed, however, I was left with an unending supply of tormenting, disabling thoughts.

Article by Francis Frangipane
In the last days, God's word promises that the "mountain of the house of the Lord will be established" (Isaah 2:2). Our sincere conviction is that if this dwelling place of God truly emerges in our cities, it will transform entire regions and great revival will emerge. However, I would make it clear from the beginning, if our goal is anything other than becoming a home for Jesus, this truth will simply become another "wind of doctrine"; we will again be blown off course. Without the abiding fullness of Christ in the church, we will have no more impact in the world than a political party, whose strength rests in numbers and not God.

Article by Francis Frangipane
'Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?' Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for He, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him" (John 6:70-71). To what was Jesus referring when He identified Judas Iscariot as "a devil?" Was He speaking figuratively or factually? Could a human being not only "have" a devil, but actually become one? Some believe that Judas had become so perfectly possessed by satan that he actually lost his humanity. Yet, consider: after this fallen apostle delivered Jesus up, he felt such remorse for betraying Christ that he committed suicide. Could a devil feel remorse for sin? I do not think so.

Article by Francis Frangipane
In the last chapter we gazed at the effect of mercy on the heart of God: the Lord would spare Sodom for the sake of ten righteous souls. We also discovered that God's mercy would have gone ever further. Even as the Lord's wrath was about to fall on Jerusalem, the Lord said if there had been just one man of integrity in the city, the man's presence could have gained pardon for the entire city (Jer 5:1). Yet, the Lord's willingness to extend mercy has not always been welcomed by the church. We must rediscover true, basic Christianity. We have been content to possess a religion about what Jesus did without actually manifesting the reality of who Jesus is. Truly, our destiny does not find sure footing until the life of Christ emerges through us.

Article by Francis Frangipane
How do you handle criticism? How does one protect himself from the "scourge of the tongue" (Job 5:21)? Where is the stronghold from accusation? If you are going to be successful in the Lord's work, you must find God's hiding place from one of the most painful weapons in Satan's arsenal: the critical tongue. The fact is, for better or for worse, people are going to talk about you. You cannot do the will of God without causing changes, and changes will always cause some to stumble. In fact, Jesus said we were to beware when all men speak well of us. He said we cannot serve two masters; if we are to truly please Him, we cannot be distracted by trying to please everyone else.

Article by Francis Frangipane
In the book of Revelation there is a marvel: "in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind . . . around and within" (Rev. 4:6, 8). Our purpose here is not to spend ourselves in speculations about these creatures. Our goal is to possess that purity of heart which comes from living in the awareness of God. We're seeking the open vision that is manifested at His throne.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Ultimately, I believe there are only two acceptable, core attitudes we should have toward the Almighty. The first attitude is heartfelt abandonment. This is the result of having found the Lord's Presence in a new unfolding of His glory. Heartfelt abandonment will always be accompanied by transcendent awe, unspeakable joy and irrepressible love. All of these are the result of having laid hold of the Lord; they are the consequences of His presence. The second core attitude we must possess comes in the seeming absence of God's presence. It is a relentless longing, an unquenchable thirst, to find Him whom your soul loves. Abandonment and longing are the two tracks that lead us into our destiny in God and guides into true spiritual fulfillment.

Article by Francis Frangipane
The sense of distance we often feel between Christ and ourselves is an illusion. As we enter the days prior to Christ's Second Coming, the Lord shall begin to remove that falsehood. Indeed, He promises, "In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you" (John 14:20). The Scriptures tell us that Christ is the vine, we are the branches; He is the head, we are His body; He is the Lord and we are His temple. From start to finish, the Bible declares the Lord not only has a dwelling in heaven, but that He also abides perpetually in redemptive union with His people. The ever-present focus of His activity is to guide us into oneness with Himself.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Two forces are increasing in the world: the power of life and the power of death. The Scriptures tell us that, before Christ returns, Satan will be cast down from the spirit realm to the earthly realm "having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time" (Rev 12:12). Jesus warns us in Matt 24:22 that,"...unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved." Prophecy after prophecy warns of these days. Satanic darkness is on the face of the earth, and where the devil is, death and destruction are soon to follow.

Article by Francis Frangipane
When true holiness exists in a Christian's life, it produces a luminosity, a glow around that individual. Infants and little children, because their spirits are yet pure and undefiled, and because they are so close to the actual Presence of God, emanate this light as well. Their light is visible because their hearts are transparent and truthful. For us, the way to the bright lamp of holiness is this same way of transparency and truth. It is the way to the pure gold of the kingdom of God.

Article by Francis Frangipane
We often will hear messages on sin and lawlessness, but the idea that the Lord will not only remove sinners from His kingdom, but specifically people who willfully cause others to stumble, needs to be addressed. This is no small issue with the Lord. Just as "dead flies make a perfumer's ointment stink," so a few stumbling blocks in a local church can cause an otherwise loving congregation to repel the unsaved, rather than draw them.

Article by John Tisdale
This article is designed to give you a high level overview of the dynamics at play in an addiction. It provides a foundation upon which other articles will build. It discusses some strategies to gaining victory over past addictive patterns that have robbed you of life. If you or someone you know struggles with addiction, this may be a good starting point for understanding some of the keys involved.

Article by Francis Frangipane
"He is the sole expression of the glory of God the Light-being, the out-raying of the divine and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power." Hebrews 1:3 amplified. I know the unrepentant world is destined for the Great Tribulation, and that many worldly Christians will become spiritual prisoners of the Antichrist. But as far as the living, praying church is concerned, if we continue to climb toward the standard of Christlikeness, ahead of us lies a time of great glory and harvest. In support of this holy goal, let me submit to you an encounter I had with the Lord.

Article by Francis Frangipane
As a speaker in citywide and regional prayer conferences, I am often asked to unmask the "spiritual power" opposing the body of Christ in the conference region. City leaders and intercessors have even asked if I knew the "name" of the principle spirit that is resisting the church in their area. "Do you want to know the name of the most powerful spirit opposing most Christians?" I ask. Eager faces respond affirmatively. "It's Yahweh."

Article by Francis Frangipane
Without fail, as long as we live in this world, pressures and heartaches will hunt the human soul, often springing upon us when we least expect them. Jesus, too, faced conflicts, but He did so from the perspective of one who lived in the fullness of God's Presence. For all He endured of spiritual warfare or frustration with His disciples or attacks from the Pharisees, His spirit always was full of life in abundance.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Two Types of Knowledge - There is a type of knowledge that is doctrinal, theological and instructive, and there is a type of knowledge that is born out of a revelation of God. Both are known as "truth," both produce a certain type of person, and both are accepted as "Christianity." You can be certain that God wants us to have right doctrines, but we must never content ourselves with merely the accumulation of correct knowledge. For this knowledge often remains just a file of religious facts; where the Word of God is viewed more as a museum than a power plant.

Article by John Tisdale
This is a story of God's work of redemption in the life of an average man named John Tisdale. Here he shares his personal journey of searching and finding what he's been looking for his whole life. It is written in somewhat of a poetic style and uncovers the author's heart-felt cry to experience the touch and transforming power of God into his life.

Article by Francis Frangipane
To live for God is to be nourished by the nectar of heaven. As the days unfold toward Christ's return, an ever increasing number of voices will clamor for our attention. There will be church programs and prayer strategies, activities and powerful movements. Signs and wonders will splatter the world, dazzling the religious mind of man. Remember also, the days ahead shall increase in pressure and troubles. Jesus warned that, because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall grow cold. Do we not know too many whose heart, once hungry for God, is now stricken dead with cold love? Angry Christians: the world is full of them. We must not assume it cannot happen to us.

Article by John Tisdale
This article focuses on a message of divine love. It is designed for the person who is struggling with understanding his/her needs for love and acceptance (and not feeling either). It goes below the surface of the obvious and considers some important principles about your real identity and worth.

Article by John Tisdale
This is an Encouragement Gram (or e-gram). It is designed to be sent to loved one who may be in need of some encouragement. This e-gram conveys a message of the great love of a magnificent God who sings over us. This is the HTML version. You may click the Email a friend link at the top of e-gram page to direct it to a friend.

Article by Francis Frangipane
The desire to be acknowledged and appreciated by others is basic to human nature. Jesus Himself seemed somewhat troubled that, after healing ten lepers, only one returned to give thanks (Luke 17). Yet, while the need to be occasionally appreciated is not sin, it can become sin when we begin seeking recognition. We must determine that our service to mankind is guided by a higher, more focused obedience to God.

Article by Francis Frangipane
Have you not deeply desired to see God to know Him intimately and truly? Beloved, to see Jesus is to behold God. Let us not consider it heresy: We can surely see God! But first, we must renounce every perception of the Almighty other than what we have proven is true in Christ. Therefore, study the life, teachings and deeds of Jesus Christ and you will remove all mystery about the nature of God.

Article by Francis Frangipane
The Bible describes our relationship with the Christ in strong symbolic pictures of oneness: He is Head of a body, Husband of a wife, God in His temple. In spite of these powerful metaphors, there remains a sense of distance between the Presence of the Lord and ourselves. This distance is a test. Our call is to possess that love of God which reaches even into eternity and brings the glory and Person of Christ into His earthly House.

Article by John Tisdale
This is an interesting question that you may not have considered before. It is apparent that heaven has an economic system. Scripture speaks repeatedly of having treasures in heaven (as well as there being a least and greatest in heaven). Yet, what is it that will have value there? We can derive the answer from a simple principle of economics that scripture indicates is at work in God's eternal economy...

Article by Francis Frangipane
We in our world have a different version of Christianity than that which Christ founded in the first century. Our version secures a hope in the afterlife, but does little to change us in the present life. We are still as easily offended and as unloving as those who do not know Christ -- and we are certainly just as divisive. Yes, we marvel at what Christ accomplished at Calvary, but we shrink from what He desires to fulfill in us. We desire His blessings, but not His backbone. Because we have diluted the full purpose of Christianity, which is conformity to Christ, the power to transform us is likewise diluted. As a result, our leaders fall, marriages fail and the gospel is reduced to a course on ethics, which we can take or leave since God forgives us anyway.

Article by Francis Frangipane
"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:17). There are, perhaps, many evidences that tell us the living presence of the Lord is near, but the most prevailing sign of God's Spirit is seen in the transformation of those surrendered to Him. True Christian liberty does not mean we have freedom to do what we want; in God, it means we have freedom to do what He wants. We have freedom to change.

Article by John Tisdale
This article explores a question with which most people have wrestled at some point in their life. If God does exist, what reason would He possibly have for choosing to hide His existence from us? How we answer this question shapes our understanding of the meaning of life and why we are all here in the first place. In this brief article, we discover they it would be essential for God to hide Himself from us in order to fulfill His declared purposes for the human race. If you have ever wrestled with this question, this is an excellent resource to help you find some meaningful answers about God's existence.