“Nevertheless‭ I have‭‭ ‭this‭ against‭ you‭, that‭ you have left‭‭ your‭ first‭ love‭." (Revelation 2:4, NKJV)

Jesus’ message to the church at Ephesus contained a pat on the back for their sound doctrine and good works. But Jesus warned them that they had left their first love and were in danger of losing their candlestick.

When we begin a relationship, we are full of love, zeal, and passion, but as time goes on and distractions abound, we can easily abandon our first love. It's like that in marriage, and it's like that in our relationship with the Lord.

The Word of God tells us that our relationship with Jesus is like a marriage. Paul, in talking about the marriage relationship, said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:31-32, MEV)

In both relationships, we need to do something to "keep the home fires burning." We must cultivate and at times rekindle the fire that we once had. We need to be careful to not get our eyes on the wrong things and lose our initial passion.

Here are three keys to keep the fire burning in your marriage, and in your relationship with the Lord:

Spend quality intimate time together.  Just as in the marriage relationship, times of intimacy with the Lord are essential. When we worship Him, love Him, wait on Him, and feed on His Word, He can reveal His heart to us and make our hearts burn.

Walk together in your daily life. It is important that a husband and wife work together and play together in their daily life. Too many independent activities are not good. In the same way, Jesus should be a part of our work day, our shopping, and our leisure activities. Going hunting with Jesus is good. He's our constant companion by the Holy Spirit.

Watch your associations. Friendships with people who pull you away from your spouse are not good. Attitudes that encourage sexual promiscuity and disloyalty are distructive to the marriage. In the same way, spending too much time with some people can hinder your relationship with the Lord.

Jesus said to the church in Ephesus, "‭Remember therefore from where you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first, or else I will come to you quickly‭ and remove your candlestick from its place, unless you repent." (Revelation 2:5, MEV) We need to remember the value of our relatitionship with the Lord and return to our first love. It's a decision that we make every day to cultivate and reignite the flames of love.

Enjoy this message from the heart of God!

Fan the Flames of Revival … and Let it Spread!

Re-digging the Wells of Revival

The Love of the Father [Audio]

In these challenging times, we need to remember to be thankful for all that the Lord has done for us. Above all, we can be thankful for the blood of Jesus which was shed for us. So we are sharing an online Thanksgiving Communion Service with you. It's just 17 minutes and you can watch the video or listen on our podcast. Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Notes: REMEMBER THE BLOOD

"The Lord’s Supper 

I have received of the Lord that which I delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread. When He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take and eat. This is My body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”In the same manner He took the cup after He had supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. ”As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." (1Corinthians 11:23-26, MEV)

Main Thought: Remember the blood of Jesus, because it is only through His blood that you have eternal life, a relationship with God, healing, divine protection, wisdom, authority in prayer, and every good gift that comes from God.

"whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed," (Romans 3:25, MEV)

"How much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:9, MEV)

"In Him we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace," (Ephesians 1:7, MEV)

"how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14, MEV)

Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus," (Hebrews 10:19, MEV)

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1John 1:7, MEV)

SO …

Maybe you’re going through the trial of your life. REMEMBER THE BLOOD

Maybe you haven’t seen loved ones or had fellowship for months. REMEMBER THE BLOOD

Maybe you’re battling a disease or severe finanicial difficulties. REMEMBER THE BLOOD

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32, MEV)

RECEIVE THIS MEAL and all that it means, in Jesus name.

And remember, He died, but He’s alive, and if you've received Him, so are you! Enjoy the life!

Join us as Susan shares her experience of recuperating from hammertoe surgery. She shares some lessons that apply to more than medical and physical realities, but give a vivid picture of what happens when we have something wrong with even a small part of our spiritual life.

It's great to have Susan back in action! Enjoy!

You can also read more about her experience here: "Susan: A Trip to the Burrito Factory."

By Tom Shanklin

"Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city . . . But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized." (Acts 8:5-8, 12, NKJV)

When Philip went down the city of Samaria, he saw great results. There were many miracles. there was great joy, and people made a commitment to the Lord and were water baptized. 

Why? Because Christ was preached. This is the message that brings miracles and change in the hearts of people. In this video you will learn the four elements of Chirst that Philip likely preached:

Christ the Promised Messiah

Christ the Healer

Christ the Suffering Savior

Christ the Coming King

Be encouraged. Christ has come, and He’s coming again. Enjoy this message!

Preaching the Evangelistic Message>>>

Notes: THE MESSAGE THAT BRINGS MIRACLES

"Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city . . . But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized." (Acts 8:5-8, 12, NKJV)

M.T. The message of Christ the promised messiah, the healer, the suffering Savior, and the coming King, will bring miracles, joy, and changed your life.

Mk 16.15-20—Over and over we have seen the results when we “preach Christ.” There are many biblical topics, but this is the ONE that brings miracles. Them that believe. Ordinary people. (Deacon, later called an evangelist)

BACKGROUND Acts 1:8 Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. Because of persecution, the disciples were scattered and went everywhere. Why we need evangelist and those who do the work of the evangelist. Roman 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:18 Bridge to the “all the world” ministry.

PREACHING (herald, solemn announcement with authority) CHRIST (Romans 10:17)

1. Christ the Promised Messsiah (44 OT prophecies were fulfilled in the New Testament, and there are more to come)

Samaritan woman….. "The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”" (John 4:25-26, NKJV)

They would have known about “Christ,” Samaritans were of a mixed race through intermarriage and mixed relgion and were despised by the Jews, but they had some knowledge of God. So when Philip “preached Christ,” it no doubt resonated with them.

2. Christ the Healer

"“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38, NKJV)

Philip would have told them about the miracles that Jesus did like Peter did in his preaching. How he raised the dead, made the lame to walk and the blind to see, and that He had commissioned his follower to do the same. (Jn. 14:12) and it was happening (Acts 3)

3. Christ the Suffering Savior

"Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one,

By Tom Shanklin

"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10, NKJV)

Often in our meetings and our ministry online, we lead people in a prayer to receive Christ based on this scripture from Paul’s epistle to the Romans. According to this verse, we receive salvation by what we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth. When we believe the Gospel message that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead, and we confess with our mouth “the Lord Jesus” (or as other translations say, “Jesus as Lord”) we are saved. 

But then we have many scriptures from the lips of Jesus and others, who indicate that we are to be baptized in water. It begs the question, if I am saved by believing in my heart and confessing with our mouth, “why should I be baptized?” 

Study Guide: Why Should I Be Baptized?

”And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16, NKJV)

There are several baptisms mentioned in the Scriptures: baptism into Christ (salvation), baptism in the Holy Spirit, and baptism of fire (persecution). But we are talking today about water baptism. The word “baptize” is translated from the Greek word “baptizo,” which means to dip, dunk, or immerse.” In fact, Worrell translation of the Bible translates “baptize” as Immerse and translates the phrase “John the Baptist” as “John the Immerser.” It is a totally accurate translation. To baptize IS to immerse.

However, even if we didn’t have the Greek translation, we could see from the Bible that baptism is an immersion. 

"After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized." (John 3:22-23, NKJV)

Notice, John baptized in Aenon near Salim, because there was “much water there.” If John was baptizing by pouring or sprinkling, he would not need “much water.” 

Also, notice Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch:

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." (Acts 8:38-39, AV)

They went down in the water and came up out of the water—immersion. 

There are various ways to baptize by immersion. You can baptize in a baptismal in a church, a swimming pool, a stock tank, a creek, a lake, or a pond. Just get creative, and get ‘er done. 

So, you ask, “Why should I be baptized? Well, let’s see what the Word of God says.

1. Because Jesus commanded it

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV)

"But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46, NKJV)

Life with God begins with making Jesus Lord. But if you are not willing to do the first thing that he said for you to do, you are not really allowing Him to be Lord. He did not say, “Be baptized if it’s okay with your relatives. 

When I was praying about sharing this message, I went to the Lord in prayer and asked Him, “What is the main thing on your heart concerning this message. Here is the thought that came to me: “If Jesus was willing to go to the cross and suffer a horrible death for our sins, and take upon Him the sins of the world,

When Jesus died on the cross, He became a curse for us. He literally took the curse that we deserved, so that we could be free from the curse of the law and receive the blessing of Abraham. The price has been paid. Do not allow any part of the curse to be a part of your life, in Jesus name.

Notes…

Free from the Curse of the Law

"‭Christ‭ hath redeemed‭‭ us‭ from‭ the curse‭ of the law‭, being made‭‭ a curse‭ for‭ us‭: for‭ it is written‭‭, Cursed‭ ‭is‭ every one‭ that hangeth‭‭ on‭ a tree‭:‭That‭ the blessing‭ of Abraham‭ might come‭‭ on‭ the Gentiles‭ through‭ Jesus‭ Christ‭; that‭ we might receive‭‭ the promise‭ of the Spirit‭ through‭ faith‭." (Galatians 3:13-14, AV)

Gal. 3:1-12 The Gospel brings results

Genesis 3 The curse upon Adam and Eve

Deut 27-28 The curse of the law

Luke 13:10-16 Enforcing the covenant blessing

Refuse to Live Under the Curse

Freedom from Generational Curses

Please let us know how God has blessed you through this message and any prayer requests you have. We are here to bless you! Tom and Susan

Many people are brokenhearted through the circumstances of life. Broken relationships, loss of a loved one, betrayal, abuse, failed businesses, and many other factors can lead to deep sorrow and pain. But Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted, and He will heal you. Watch or listen and receive your healing down deep inside today. It will come as you receive the healing touch of the Holy Spirit.

Notes: HEALING THE BROKENHEARTED

"‭The Spirit‭ of the Lord‭ ‭is‭ upon‭ me‭, because‭ he hath anointed‭‭ me‭ to preach the gospel‭‭ to the poor‭; he hath sent‭‭ me‭ to heal‭‭ the brokenhearted‭‭‭, to preach‭‭ deliverance‭ to the captives‭, and‭ recovering of sight‭ to the blind‭, to set‭‭ at‭ liberty‭ them that are bruised‭‭,‭To preach‭‭ the acceptable‭ year‭ of the Lord‭." (Luke 4:18-19, AV)

Main Thought: You can be healed of a broken heart by the anointing.

"‭He healeth‭‭ the broken‭‭ in heart‭, and bindeth up‭‭ their wounds‭." (Psalms 147:3, AV)

Illustration: Wounds must be bound up to heal properly. Some wound are so deep that they require a doctor. Likewise, some wounds of the heart require Dr. Jesus.

Gospel for the Whole Person.

"‭Surely‭ he hath borne‭‭ our griefs‭, and carried‭‭ our sorrows‭: yet we did esteem‭‭ him stricken‭‭, smitten‭‭ of God‭, and afflicted‭‭.‭But he ‭was‭ wounded‭‭ for our transgressions‭, ‭he was‭ bruised‭‭ for our iniquities‭: the chastisement‭ of our peace‭ ‭was‭ upon him; and with his stripes‭ we are healed‭‭.‭All we like sheep‭ have gone astray‭‭; we have turned‭‭ every one‭ to his own way‭; and the LORD‭ hath laid‭‭ on him the iniquity‭ of us all." (Isaiah 53:4-6, AV)

The Anointing

"‭How‭ God‭ anointed‭‭ Jesus‭ of‭ Nazareth‭ with the Holy‭ Ghost‭ and‭ with power‭: who‭‭ went about‭‭ doing good‭‭, and‭ healing‭‭ all‭ that were oppressed‭‭ of‭ the devil‭; for‭ God‭ was‭‭ with‭ him‭." (Acts 10:38, AV)

"‭Verily‭, verily‭, I say‭‭ unto you‭, He that believeth‭‭ on‭ me‭, the works‭ that‭ I‭ do‭‭ shall he do‭‭ also‭; and‭ greater ‭works‭ than‭ these‭ shall he do‭‭; because‭ I‭ go‭‭ unto‭ my‭ Father‭." (John 14:12, AV)

"‭Heal‭‭ the sick‭‭, cleanse‭‭ the lepers‭, raise‭‭ the dead‭, cast out‭‭ devils‭: freely‭ ye have received‭‭, freely‭ give‭‭." (Matthew 10:8, AV)

Tom and Susan healed at pastor's conference.

Women healed of heart at church during preaching.

There is a River

"‭«To the chief Musician‭‭ for the sons‭ of Korah‭, A Song‭ upon Alamoth‭.»‭ God‭ ‭is‭ our refuge‭ and strength‭, a very‭ present‭‭ help‭ in trouble‭.‭Therefore will not we fear‭‭, though the earth‭ be removed‭‭, and though the mountains‭ be carried‭‭ into the midst‭ of the sea‭;‭Though‭ the waters‭ thereof roar‭‭ ‭and‭ be troubled‭‭, ‭though‭ the mountains‭ shake‭‭ with the swelling‭ thereof. Selah‭.‭There is‭ a river‭, the streams‭ whereof shall make glad‭‭ the city‭ of God‭, the holy‭ ‭place‭ of the tabernacles‭ of the most High‭.‭God‭ ‭is‭ in the midst‭ of her; she shall not be moved‭‭: God‭ shall help‭‭ her, ‭and that‭ right‭‭ early‭." (Psalms 46:1-5, AV)

The River is flowing your way today. Receive it, in Jesus' name.

Comments on “Healing the Brokenhearted”

Amen brother and sister Shanklin.. Yes we need to run to God for healing. May all those who have listen to this teaching keep drinking on the Holy Spirit. Thank you once again for sharing with us this powerful message. (Kenya)

Very good message from both of you.  It really ministered to me. (Minnesota)

Thank you! thank you! Very encouraging. My husband and I watched your video together this morning. Bless your ministry! Love and prayers. (Minneapolis)

Just watched the new video twice.... it ministered to me greatly; thank you for sending; It was exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you Pastor Tom and Susan and thank you Lord: we praise You! My daughter knows when there’s a new Pastor Tom sermon playing in the house; she came out to watch y’all preaching;  she loves to hear both of you speak. Thank you for blessing us... so grateful.

Visit our website to watch this message on video and to learn more about our ministry. Thank you!

Elijah was a man who did exploits for the Lord, but when Queen Jezebel threatened him, he ran for his life. He had to travel forty days to the mountain of God where he heard God speak in a still small voice. Likewise, we find in hard to hear from God in turbulent times. We must get away from all the distractions, quiet our soul and listen. Then we can find the peace and direction we need. Enjoy!

"‭He said, “Go and stand on the mountain before the ‭LORD‭.” And, behold, the ‭LORD‭ passed by, and a great and strong wind split the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the ‭LORD‭, but the ‭LORD‭ was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake came, but the ‭LORD‭ was not in the earthquake.‭And after the earthquake, a fire came, but the ‭LORD‭ was not in the fire, and after the fire, a still, small voice." (1Kings 19:11-12, MEV)

God's Part, Our Part in Prayer

Healing Scriptures and Prayers

By Tom and Susan Shanklin

When Peter saw the lame man at the gate beautiful begging for alms, he told him "Silver‭ and‭ gold‭ have‭‭ I‭ none‭; but‭ such as‭‭ I have‭‭ give I‭‭ thee‭: In‭ the name‭ of Jesus‭ Christ‭ of Nazareth‭ rise up‭‭ and‭ walk‭‭." (Acts 3:6, AV) The man had never walked a day in his life, but that day everything changed. What was it that Peter had that caused this man to walk, leap and praise God? Join us as we talk about "Two Ingredients for Miracles in Your Life."

Reading: Acts 3:1-16