The Bishop's Buzz
No Other King
April 1, 2022 • Bishop Adam G. Blackstock
In the book of Psalms, we find a powerful passage of scripture that gives us a great illustration of Jesus. He is strong and mighty and the King of Glory. Besides that account in Psalms, we find other accounts that describe Yeshua as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Prince of Peace. No other King is described like that ever before God, and no other king will be described like that ever again. There is a simple reason for this plain hard fact, as Kenneth Copeland would say “Jesus is Lord.” He, being Jesus, means so much to Prophetess and me that we say it after every radio broadcast as well. Repeat after me --- There is no other king because Jesus is Lord. Let’s look at a few passages of scriptures that reinforce my message today. The first is Psalm 24:1-10. It reads “The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, That seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” (Psalm 24:1-10 KJV) We find David, the writer of this Psalm defines God as the King of Glory. Repeat after me --- There is no other king because Jesus is Lord. Secondly, Paul, in the first letter to Timothy tells us that the Lord is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It reads “that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 1who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:14-16 KJV) Repeat after me --- There is no other king because Jesus is Lord. Lastly God has also revealed this same powerful revelation to John in the Book of Revelation during the great revelation. In the book, it is mentioned twice verbatim. First, in chapter 17 and again in chapter 19. Let’s look at both of those scriptures. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14 KJV) Notice in this text that we that follow Jesus are called, chosen, and faithful. I declare and decree that you are called, chosen, and faithful. Two chapters later Jesus says the same thing. Here it reads “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:15-16 KJV) Here it is written on His clothes and body. I am believing for us to see Jesus like that again. Repeat after me --- There is no other king because Jesus is Lord. In conclusion, God will reveal Himself to us from this point on as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the King of Glory!!! He is doing it in my life right now. Repeat after me --- There is no other king because Jesus is Lord. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
Beware False Prophets
March 23, 2022 • Bishop Adam G. Blackstock
In the second book of Peter, Peter warns the reader about something that we should beware of. He shares what he saw in the time he was present with the Lord and after as he spread the gospel to anyone that would listen. What he sees are false prophets, false preachers, and those spreading misleading teaching to the people of God. So let’s look at a few points that Peter brings to light in the second chapter of his second book. Repeat after me --- I will have no space for false teachings in my spirit. Firstly, there is swift destruction to those that pedal in false teachings and those that follow those teachers or prophets. In the scripture it states “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” (2 Peter 2:1-2 KJV) Following false teaching will lead you to Hell and an early end. We must discern the truth and follow it not falsehood. Repeat after me --- I will have no space for false teachings in my spirit. Secondly, the way to understand if the prophet, preacher, or teacher is false is their desire to profit off of the follower. If the sole motivation from the speaker is money, you must beware that they are false prophets. Peter said “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:3 KJV) Repeat after me --- I will have no space for false teachings in my spirit. Thridly, God will deal with these false teachings and teachers swiftly. Jesus will destroy the works of sinful lusts and sinful nations. This should be a concern to the United States and other western countries greatly since these nations have gotten less holy every day. God tells us through His Word by Peter a strong rebuke. He writes “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)” (2 Peter 2:4-8 KJV) As you can read from the texts, God reminds us what happens to sinful people and sinful cities. He destroyed them to save the world and save the people. Repeat after me --- I will have no space for false teachings in my spirit. Fourthly, The Lord will rescue righteous people from false teachers and wickedness. He will act fast and save you from being in the wrong place under sinful situations. “Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.” (2 Peter 2:8 – 9 NLT) God is not let you people of God be abused by false teachers or temptations. God knows what you can bear. Repeat after me --- God will rescue me from sinful circumstances and situations. In conclusion, God will give you discernment to know those false teachers and false doctrines. He will show you the game false teachers and false preachers are playing as they try to steal or manipulate you out of your money. He will deal with these false teachers quickly and lastly, God will rescue you from negative situations in your life. Repeat after me --- I will have no space for false teachings in my spirit. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
For Such a Time as This
March 16, 2022
This is National Women’s Month and tonight starts the biblical celebration of Purim. During this celebration we hear and read of a testimony of a woman so brave that no one of the time can be compared. She stopped a whole people from being slaughtered and was given the right to fight back and lay claim to all the spoils. During this month let us celebrate all women in our lives and lift them up for their spiritual bravery and the special blessings that come from them. We are in a year of Double Adar and double blessing. With this being a double double year and a double Adar season, we should bless women tremendously in 2022 and especially during this month and next. In the book of Esther, we see the people of God being threatened by grave deaths. They were decreed to die by a king tricked by the evil man Haman. Haman, who was a descendant of a people that God told a past king of Israel to kill completely. That king did not, and Haman’s people survived, and hatred lived in Haman’s heart. There is a lesson to be learned here. If Jesus tells you to destroy a demonic spirit, you should utterly destroy it and not let it back. Let’s look at a crucial portion of text after the decree has been extended to all the lands of King Xeres. “When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; and came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; all the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.” (Esther 4:1-17 KJV) That commandment to fast was to all Jews. Fasting destroys the yolk of bondage off of our lives. After the fast, she went before the king in an act of bravery and sacrifice. Esther, of course, did convince Xeres that Haman tricked him and that a second decree needed to be issued to replace the original one. During this season read the entire book of Esther. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
Double Double
March 2, 2022 • Bishop Adam Blackstock
This is the year of double and actually this is the month of double. We are in a year of Double Adar. This is when we get an additional month that pushes our springtime into a prosperity rich season that extends throughout the year. We will see how we have come to this blessing. Tell yourself this is my year of double!! Or just say Double Double!!! “2022 is your year for victory!” (Rod Parsley, 2022) We will get three things that God promises to us. Pastor Parsley tells us and I agree that we will get 1. “Restoration of what has been lost or stolen, 2. Release from every obstacle holding you back, and 3. Abundance, joy and so much more!” (Rod Parsley, 2022) “2022 — on the Hebrew calendar 5782 — is a shmita year with double Adar months! What do these terms from the Hebrew calendar mean for you? Release and restoration in 2022! God commanded the children of Israel to observe the shmita or Sabbath year every seven years: the way He rested on the seventh day of creation, the people and land were to rest for a year every seven years. This year, 5782 (or, for us, 2022), is also a double Adar year, the “leap year” of the Jewish calendar when an extra month of Adar is added in. You can lay hold of these blessings, of restoration, release and more. Together we’ll usher in this new year of abundance and blessing — restoration and release!!” (Rod Parsley 2022) Tell yourself this is my year of double!! Or just say Double Double!!! Right now, we are toward the end of Adar I. I pray that you are preparing for the blessing coming in Adar II. Let’s take this season to get our spirit, body, mind and relationships right before Adar II starts on March 4th and ends on April 2nd. Seeing what Job went through in his life as a righteous example used by God to show up the devil, we can see what God is going to bless you with. Is your relation with God strong enough to go through what Job went through and still stay faithful? I hope so, because the double is on the way. “So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days.” (Job 42:12-17 KJV) Tell yourself this is my year of double!! Or just say Double Double!!! Maybe you can be like Elisha and be willing to follow around a prophet and be their water boy or girl. The blessing of following someone that is dedicated to God with a pure heart and a pure spirit is a double blessing. Elisha ended up doing double the miracles that Elijah did in his lifetime. Elisha received double when he received the mantle from Elijah when Elijah was taken to God in Whirlwind. The double blessing in this year of double is for those that are willing to give up of themselves and follow Jesus or the man or women that God has put in place to lead you to your destiny. Tell yourself this is my year of double!! Or just say Double Double!!! Use these biblical examples of what God’s can do with your faithfulness. Get your double!! Praise Jesus. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
Jesus the Transformational Leader
February 23, 2022 • Bishop Adam G. Blackstock
Over two thousand years ago, God sent Jesus down to the earth in human form to transform the world. Although Jesus was all God, He decided to come down as a man to have the fullest effect on our transformation. He came down as a man to show mankind that we can be transformed just by a touch from Him. He taught us to walk on water, heal the sick, deliver the captives, and give sight to the blind. He even fed five thousand plus women and children, and came right back the next chapter in the bible to feed four thousand and women and children. Transformational leadership is a hallmark of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Transformational leadership is defined as a leadership approach that causes change in individuals and social systems. In its ideal form, it creates valuable and positive change in the followers with the end goal of developing followers into leaders. Enacted in its authentic form, transformational leadership enhances the motivation, morale and performance of followers through a variety of mechanisms. These include connecting the follower's sense of identity and self to the mission and the collective identity of the organization; being a role model for followers that inspires them; challenging followers to take greater ownership for their work, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of followers, so the leader can align followers with tasks that optimize their performance. In Christianity, transformational leadership is the act of turning us ordinary followers of Christ into Disciples of Him that live the true righteous life that comes with healing, deliverance, increase and sanctification that Jesus provides us. Below are a few scriptures that show what the word of God can do as a transformational tool for the body of Christ. If you allow Jesus to transform your life you can receive these benefits from Jesus too. “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14 KJV) “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor 3:18 KJV) “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:17 KJV) “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Act 2:38 KJV) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV) “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:14-17 KJV) “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Eph. 4:17 – 24 KJV) Use these scriptures as example of what God’s transformational power looks like on your life. He is the ultimate transformational leader in our lives. Praise Jesus. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
It's Not Happening Here
February 9, 2022
During Sunday’s church service at GBFIC, the Lord took me to Paul’s letter to the Colossians Church. He wanted me to deal with the heresy that was going on in that church at the time because it was a very real problem in today’s church. The global church is at a crisis point. There are so many false doctrines and false teachers out there it is getting harder to tell what the true word of God is these days. There were four main falsehoods that Paul had to deal with at the church at Colossae. Colossae was one of the largest cities in Asia Minor during the time of Paul. Paul, in the 2nd chapter of the letter to the Colossian church, addressed those false teachings that were going on there and at Laodicea a partner and neighboring city. Let's look at each one individually and make sure they don’t show up in our church or any other church we partner with. Paul deals with the first false teaching in verses three and four. In the amplified version of the bible, he stated “In Him, all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden. I say this so that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech.” (Colossians 2:3-4 AMPC) In this text, Paul addresses the beguiling and well-crafted arguments that sound like God but aren’t. The second false teaching that Paul dealt with in the book of Colossians was high-minded philosophies and humanistic teachings. We find this challenged in verses 8 and 9. “Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One. For he is the complete fullness of deity living in human form.” (Colossians 2:8-9 TPT) God is not about religion he is about a relationship. God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him. He is more about us loving Him and following Him than a religious sect or denomination. Paul deals with this third false teaching of overzealous religiosity. Jews were trying to force circumcision to the Gentiles and conversion to Judaism to follow Christ. We are trying to make everyone fit into these over religious boxes to serve God and that is not the case. “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” (Colossians 2:13-16 KJV) Lastly, God wanted Paul to address Angel worshipping that was happening at the churches in that area. They were spooky. Church, Body of Christ, people of God we need to beware of the spooky church. “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” (Colossians 2:18-19 KJV) In conclusion, we will not allow four falsehoods into the church. GBFIC and its partners are protected by God and the shepherds he put in place to watch His sheep. These falsehoods are: 1. Well-spoken arguments without any substance or spiritual healing components. 2. Humanistic philosophies and teachings. 3. The falsehood of religion instead of a relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. 4. Spooky churches and behavior. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
Joy
January 26, 2022 • Bishop Adam G. Blackstock
Joy is an important balancer of the soul. It is special because it is founded in God’s love. It is so important that even carnal movies, television shows, and stage plays are dedicated to finding it. Pixar made a movie called “Inside Out.” Its main premise was getting joy back to the main protagonist’s mind, will and emotions. If the world understands this principle of God, we have to. We should understand the love that Jesus has for us and that he gives us joy. “Joy is an expression of the Spirit of God. When a man is possessed by the spirit of God, the Spirit expresses Himself as many things such as love, peace, gentleness, faith, joy, and others. A believer who is domiciled by the Holy Spirit becomes of a house for the fruit of the Spirit which one of them is Joy. Spirit of Joy meaning will help you know how joy affects your life directly. God operates in the atmosphere of joy. If you want to host God, then you must put joy in place. The activities of the spirit of God become heightened around your life the moment you set up an atmosphere of joy. Knowing the Spirit of Joy meaning will help you increase the activities of the Spirit around your life and bring God into your situations. When God steps into your situations, turnaround is assured. Joy is an expression of excitement or gladness informed by the knowledge of God’s love for you and the inheritance He has kept for you. The Spirit of Joy is best expressed based on your heavenly realities, not earthly realities. When your happiness and excitement are no longer influenced by earthly events but heavenly realities, that’s the true understanding of the spirit of Joy meaning.” (Israel, 2021) Repeat after me; I have joy - the world didn’t give it to me, and the world can’t take it away. Let’s look at a few scriptures too that should help you build your joy. Joy is a principle that Jesus delivered to us through the Holy Spirit. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:11 – 15 KJV) In the previous scripture Jesus himself presents joy as a reason that He chose the things He did. If Jesus found it that important, shouldn’t you? Repeat after me; I have joy - the world didn’t give it to me, and the world can’t take it away. Jesus declares later in the book of John that the travail you could go through will end in joy. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:20 – 24 KJV) Repeat after me; I have joy - the world didn’t give it to me, and the world can’t take it away. God didn’t just give you salvation, eternal life, healing, and deliverance through His loving act of sacrifice on Calvary’s cross; He gave us peace, love, power, wisdom and of course, joy. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
Maginfy the Lord
January 19, 2022
As Christians we have a responsibility to magnify the Lord in all we do. We cannot continue to represent Jesus and represent the world equally. Using a magnifying glass or telescope doesn’t change the nature of the object you are looking at. It doesn’t alter it at all. It uses the power of the telescope or maginifying glass to increase the image in the beholder’s eyes to make it seem larger than it is. We have to do the same to God in our eyes. God has always been bigger than the enemy, challenges we face, sicknesses we encounter, and anything we may come against. We just have to adjust the way we view Him and the way we believe God views us. We need to adjust our view of the world. The world is where you are, but not where you live. You reside and live in the Kingdom of God and you represent it and should be a tool of maginification not minimization. What does it mean to magnify the Lord you ask? Glad you asked, repeat after me. Maginfiy the Lord with me. Let’s look at a few scriptures that shows us, the readers of the bible what magnifying the Lord looks like. Psalm 34 says “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt his name together.” (Psalms 34:3 KJV) This scriptures tells us to bless the Lord at all times and continue to honor God in everything we do. This is the secret sauce of magnifying the Lord. Maginfiy the Lord with me. Another scripture that enforces this critical principle of the Kingdom is found in the Book of Acts. Read Acts chapter 10 where it says “And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” (Acts 10:39-46a KJV) When God shows up and the power of the Lord comes on us we must acknowledge His presence. Maginfiy the Lord with me. As shown by the scriptures our role in this world is to make God look bigger to the eyes of the beholder and grow the Kingdom of God. We are supposed to be the only media the world will see that demonstrates Jesus. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
Faith vs Doubt
January 12, 2022
There is a battle in the spirit of most people when it comes to faith. They either have it or they don’t, at least that is what they think or believe. It seems as though belief is fully correct if you don’t have faith and live in doubt or it is completely incorrect if you have a God-like faith. Let’s be transparent, we, the body of Christ, have the measure of faith, so there should be no one that believes that they are without faith. Unfortunately, there are too many Christians that believe just that. Say to yourself I have supernatural faith. Let’s look at a few scriptures that enforce faith as a powerful principle of God. Hebrews 11:1-6 says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:1-6 KJV) In that portion of God’s Word, we find two important faith statements. One, that faith is the substance of things hoped for but not seen. And two, it is impossible to please God without faith. Those two statements fly in the face of allowing doubt to set in. Say to yourself I have supernatural faith. Another scripture that supports what I am calling this God-like faith movement is found in Mathew 21:21-22. It reads “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Mathew 21:21-22 KJV) This scripture also shares an important factor about faith. To use the power that comes with faith, you cannot let doubt set in or even show up. Say to yourself I have supernatural faith and I will not doubt. In several scriptures, Jesus tells us the disciples that you cannot have faith and doubt fill the same space. Doubt is a strong faith destroyer. “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” (Mark 11:22-23 KJV) Another scripture that shares the desire for us to live without the concept of doubt is where Jesus walked on the water and Peter went out after Him. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Mathew 14:27- 31 KJV) As you can see there, Jesus asked Peter where did he doubt. We already know and Peter did too. It is when he began to sink, it is the reason he sank. Don’t let doubt cause you to sink. Stand in faith, my brothers and sisters. Stand! Say to yourself I have supernatural faith and I will not doubt. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
The Lord is My Salvation
January 5, 2022
In most years after the New Year’s celebration, we ask what’s next? I venture to tell you that it is quite obvious this year. We, in the body of Christ, have to make a concerted effort to show to anybody and everybody that does not have a relationship with Jesus, His marvelous love and salvation. The Lord’s salvation is integral factor to a city-wide, state-wide, nationwide, and worldwide revival. There are too many souls out there in the field not to get to work. Let’s look at what Jesus and the Lord both say about salvation. In Mark 16, we find Jesus telling us the importance of the Gospel and salvation. “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” (mark 16:15-18 NLT) In Isaiah 55 the Lord give us a prophetic invitation to salvation and tells us the benefits of it. “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” (Isaiah 55:1-5 NLT) The Lord’s salvation comes with supernatural victory, healing, deliverance and peace. It becomes clear that revival cannot start with salvation. We have to believe that revival is needed now. We cannot wait for revival to just show up, we must get the message of Jesus out to the world as soon as possible. The world is dying without the power of Jesus to revive it. We have to evangelize the streets, the cities, the office buildings, the suburbs, and the countryside and talk to everyone about Jesus and the importance of it. Revival is more than a tent and a speaking engagement. It is the demonstration of God’s love just like He said in Isaiah 55. Revival in the word’s nature means a coming alive of something that was dead or dying. So revival starts, ignites, and breathes through salvation. Salvation is the engine that fires up revival. In the last few previous years, the body of Christ has been attacked from outside forces. Those Forces came straight from the pits of Hell. But, Let’s remember that Jesus went to Hell to spoil the Devil’s plan too. In Ephesians 4, the Bible states “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)” (Ephesians 4:7-10 KJV) In case you didn’t understand that Peter clarifies this text by saying in 1 Peter 4:6 “For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” (1 Peter 4:6 KJV) We can now say unequivocally that Jesus preached salvation to everyone including to those in Hell and we should do the same. We should declare that we will preach until everyone we know is going to Heaven that might have been on their way to Hell. So, let us not forget the call to arms for Salvation and celebrate the New Year with a single-minded mission of the Lord’s Salvation. That are the true blessings of Jesus for this coming year. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
This Christmas
Isaiah 40:9–11, Isaiah 52:7–9, Mark 1:1–3, Luke 2:10–14, John 3:16–18
Christmas is Saturday this year and plenty of people will get together with family members to open up gifts that were placed under the tree. They will pontificate on and on with friends about which football team is better than the other. Most families will eat, drink, and be merry. There is a small religious group of people that understand the nature of the season. These churchgoers are aware that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ. We come together to either be in church or to love on Jesus by being with family and friends on Christmas day. Some families even go to church as GBFIC will do on Christmas Eve. In addition to all the hoopla, there is a great number of people around the world dealing with depression, anxiety, fear, grief, and other true emotions that are difficult to express during what is supposed to be such a joyous time. Having this in mind is why the Advent readings are so critical for those individuals that are going through challenges. Let's look at those for a moment. Below are the four Sunday readings that you can find in the December 8th Bishop’s Buzz. Advent Readings (Four Sundays before Christmas) 1. Hope (or promise) – The hope and promise of salvation both from tyranny and from sin. “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord GOD will come with a strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:9-11 KJV) “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:7-9 KJV) 2. Preparation (waiting or prophecy) – Having believed in the promise, we as believers are to wait and prepare for the promise to become a reality. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.” (Mark 1:1-3 KJV) 3. Joy (peace) – After preparing ourselves for the coming prophecy to manifest, we move to a spirit of joy. Joy because we know the promised King is coming, and Joy because he is bringing salvation, healing, and victory as well. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:10-14 KJV) 4. Love (adoration) – The last Sunday reading is about God’s love washing over us and through us to develop a loving environment for the arrival of the promise and the lasting love that comes with Jesus entering the earth and returning to the earth and saving it. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 KJV) If we work towards adhering to the themes of these readings it should offer peace to those who may be going through a difficult time as the season comes to an ultimate close on Saturday. I am reminded to give the gift of Jesus’s love to those that are less fortunate than I and I hope you will follow my lead and do the same. I don’t just mean sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I refer to you reaching out and showing love by giving your substance, time, and talent to those who need your attention and assistance. We have to give others a lift up as Jesus gave us a lift up. So let us not forget the Christmas season and of course the reason for the season in the first place. Jesus so loved the world that he gave his greatest gift. Find someone that is in need and give them the ultimate gift, “Jesus’s love and peace.” Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
Leadership
December 15, 2021 • Exodus 17:5–6, Matthew 20:26–28, Matthew 16:24–26
During my time at both Norwegian Cruise Line, and the Walt Disney Company, we had training activities ranging from sales, communication, thoughtfulness, and leadership. Leadership trainings usually prepare you for taking up the position and what the position’s role is or was. That is not the leadership I am going to talk about today. Leadership is an action, a way of life, a behavior that leaders and lay people alike can and should do. Let’s look at the bible for some more insight. The first characteristic of leadership is giving of one’s self. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26 KJV) Leadership is not just pointing people in the right direction, but sacrificing and taking them there yourself. Another characteristic of leadership is following God’s directions. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink.” (Exodus 17:5-6 KJV) Here we find Moses and the people of Israel in the dessert struggling for water. Moses did not question God, he did what was directed from the Lord, even if it would look foolish. But when a person follows God and leads others to do the same the results are heavenly. Go get you some water. A third leadership characteristic is serving others. Leaders have to be willing to lay down their own selves and needs to serve the people around them. In politics a mayor, president, congressman and senator are still called public servants. In the Body of Christ, a leader is still called a servant. Let’s look at John 13 for a clue into true leadership from Jesus. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 1Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” Another scripture highlights God’s view of leadership. Here in the book of Matthew we find Jesus defining leadership. “But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28 NLT) Jesus pressed the disciples to serve them so that he can truly demonstrate one of the greatest acts of true leadership. Leadership is an activity that anyone can do. We have to trust ourselves and the ones around us to show true leadership. We must sacrifice and love unconditionally. That is the heart of a true leader. Lead on GBFIC, family, and friends, let your love and leadership shine through! Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock
Advent
December 8, 2021 • Mark 1:1–3, Luke 2:10–14, John 3:16–18, Isaiah 40:9–11, Isaiah 52:7–9
The Advent season is among us and I wanted to share with you its origins and its meaning. We talk about Advent during the last part of November into Christmas every year, but do we really know where it came from? Advent is a powerful and important season that became liturgy because of the spiritual relevance. It is not known when the period of preparation for Christmas that is now called Advent began – it was certainly in existence from about 480 – and the novelty introduced by the Council of Tours of 567 was to order monks to fast every day in the month of December until Christmas. According to biblical scholars “it is impossible to claim with confidence a credible explanation of the origin of Advent". Most people in the early Church believed Advent as a time of penitence. It was a period of fasting known also as the Nativity Fast or the Fast of December. “While Advent is certainly a time of celebration and anticipation of Christ’s birth, it is more than that. It is only in the shadow of Advent that the miracle of Christmas can be fully understood and appreciated, and it is only in the light of Christmas that the Christian life makes sense. It is between the fulfilled promise of Christ’s first coming and the yet-to-be-fulfilled promise of his second coming that Karl Barth penned these words: “Unfulfilled and fulfilled promises are related to each other, as are dawn and sunrise. Both promise and in fact the same promise. If anywhere at all, then it is precisely in the light of the coming of Christ that faith has become Advent faith, the expectation of future revelation. But faith knows for whom and for what it is waiting. It is fulfilled faith because it lays hold on the fulfilled promise.” The promise for Israel and the promise for the church is Jesus Christ; he has come, and he will come again. This is the essence of Advent.” (Holcomb, 2021) Advent Readings (Four Sundays prior to Christmas) Hope (or promise) – The hope and promise of salvation both from tyranny and from sin. “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:9-11 KJV) “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:7-9 KJV) Preparation (waiting or prophecy) – Having believed in the promise, we as believers are to wait and prepare for the promise to become a reality. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.” (Mark 1:1-3 KJV) Joy (peace) – After preparing ourselves for the coming prophecy to manifest, we move to a spirit of joy. Joy because we know the promised King is coming, and Joy because he is bringing salvation, healing, and victory as well. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:10-14 KJV) Love (adoration) – The last Sunday reading is about God’s love washing over us and through us to develop a loving environment for the arrival of the promise and the lasting love that comes with Jesus entering the earth and returning to the earth and saving it. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 KJV) So let us not forget the Advent season and celebrate the blessings of God that comes with the blessed anticipation of the Advent season. Thank you for reading another Bishop’s Buzz. A buzz is not a buzz unless you share it! God Bless, Bishop Adam Blackstock