Sozo Today

  “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.”  Exodus 23:20  As the news became public about little 3-year-old Casey Hathaway, folks throughout Eastern North Carolina and beyond began to pray. He had wandered away from the backyard while out playing with young relatives and headed into the deeply wooded area of Ernul, a rural/farming community in north western Craven County.  A massive search party formed, and as nighttime temperatures plunged into the twenties, everyone was worried that Casey may not survive. By[…]

“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 A couple of definitions for the word “associate” are: to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc.: and to join as a companion, partner, or ally. That’s exactly what Peter and John had done. For three and a half years, they had “associated” themselves with Jesus and it showed. In fact, it showed in such a way that the leading priest and council were “amazed!”  They had associated with Jesus to the point[…]

Acts 3:10 “When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!” The key to modern day marketing is found in the testimonials. From late night infomercials, to emails and website pop-ups, marketers are trying to get us to buy their product or service. After they go through the process of showing us the product, they want to seal the deal in our mind by using testimonies from “people just like you and me.” Whether the person has lost 50 pounds in 3 months or grown all their hair[…]

“Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:2 Terror had gripped the hearts of the Hebrews as Pharaoh and the whole Egyptian army was bearing down on them. They had nowhere to go, as they cried out to Moses, who cried out to God. God told Moses to stretch out his staff over the waters and then God sent a mighty wind to blow a great divide in the middle of the sea. As water towered on the left and right, every last[…]

Exodus 12:13 “But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.” Each one was handpicked, and as they brought the lamb into their homes, they followed the instructions the Lord had given through Moses to take special care of it. Over the next four days, that precious little lamb became a part of the family.  So it was without joy, but rather with broken hearts, that the[…]

Exodus 10:2 “I’ve also done it, so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord.” Whenever the big train rolled into the city and the Big Top was erected, thousands would flock to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which was hailed by many as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” I’m sure it was a sight to see, but nothing has ever compared to the show God Himself put on in Egypt, as the[…]

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. No, they really had no idea what they were doing. As the religious leaders of Israel demanded that Barabbas be released, and Jesus be sentenced to death, they were, in fact, demonstrating, through that one act, exactly what Jesus came to earth to do. His main purpose was to be the “Once and for all sacrifice” for all mankind, so that all who were guilty and deserving of death could be set free. Barabbas was[…]

Psalm 88:2  “Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry.” Have you ever just had a big ole cry? You know, one that comes from the very depths of your being, either from a broken heart or desperate need? The words penned by the Psalmist, Jesus’ description of end times, and the plight of the Egyptians all looked pretty dark and bleak. Desperate situations can cause one to pray and cry out to God from the depths of despair. And, it can seem in those dark moments that God is nowhere to be found and that our cries for help[…]

Psalm 8:5 (NLT) “Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.” Many, through the years, have had a hard time grasping this verse. Even King James, when translating the Bible into English, substituted the word “Elohim,” which means “God,” with the word “Angels.” But, regardless of how hard it may be to grasp, God makes it clear, through the Psalmist David, that He has crowned us, His children, and has set upon us a place of special honor, second only to Himself. So how should we react and respond to such a position[…]