Brent Anderson

“We who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory”—2 Cor. 3:18

As a pastor, many times during a church service, I see many different congregational members walking into the sanctuary, coming and going every week.  There are many genuine people in the church however, I have seen over the years that many are coming to church on Sundays, but during the week, no one would ever be able to tell they’re Christians.  In other words, they talk the talk on Sundays, but don’t walk the walk on Mondays. 

Over the years I’ve learned to quickly identify these once-a-week believers.  They might be arguing with their kids or spouse on their way to church but as soon as they walk into the building, they put their “happy face” on.  It’s almost like for them, church is a masquerade party.

I know that many though, truly want to know God.  It’s their heart’s cry.  They truly want to see Him as He really is.  I believe that it’s so very important to get a true revelation of the greatness and grandeur of our God.  However, for the veil to be removed from our eyes, the veil (or mask) must first be removed from our face.  God’s grace is truly enough for us, but we must come to God as we are and not hide behind anything. 

As the veil of sin and unbelief are removed from our faces and from our lives, then our eyes will be opened and all of the sudden we can behold His glory, majesty, and splendor.  Why is it so important that our eyes be opened, because faith (which pleases God) only comes by hearing His word (revealed word).  In other words, when we see a characteristic or attribute of God that we’ve never seen before, all of the sudden we stand in awe of Him and true worship occurs.  The end result is faith.  We believe in what we see, that’s why faith comes by the hearing of the revealed or spoken word of God.  As soon as God reveals something to us, we suddenly say, “oh I see what You mean…wow!”  Then faith follows accordingly.

I would encourage you today to examine yourself.  God’s grace is bigger than your sin.  All we have to do is come to God and confess our sin, and He’s faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us.  We must stop hiding behind the masks of sin and come just as we are to God.  Once He cleanses us and forgives us then we can boldly approach His throne because of His blood, and see Him as He really is. --Brent Anderson 



“Honor the Lord from your wealth and the first of all your produce, so that your barns will be filled with plenty and that your vats will overflow with new wine”—Prov. 3:9-10

I love the subject of giving.  It is a subject that offends many in the Church today.  It is a subject that many pastors dread even mentioning on their Sunday services.  The subject of giving has split churches, however, there is much written in the Bible about giving.

In the above verse in Proverbs chapter 3, the end result of giving is God’s provision (full barns) and God’s Presence (new wine).  I think so many have been taught that they have to give or the church that they’re in or the Christian television show will cease to exist.  I would agree that there have been some church leaders who have also stolen the people’s money.

I’m not talking about tithing.  Tithing is an act of obedience.  It’s giving God the first ten percent so He can bless the other ninety percent.  I am talking about giving a free will offering to the Lord above and beyond the tithe or ten percent.  I believe that the next couple paragraphs you read, if this really touches your heart, can change the way you think about giving forever.

First, let’s look at what our money represents.  The average person works 40-50 hours a week at a job.  These hours are taken away from that worker everyday and at the end of the week (or every other week) that worker is compensated for those hours in the form of money.  Money, for many people, takes the place of God.  Money can put clothes on your back, provide you with shelter, food, and transportation.  Many people all over the world who do not know Jesus Christ survive day after day because money is their God.

However, when we take what the world considers to be our security (our money) and give it to the poor, needy, mission ministry, or church, then all of the sudden we cease to put our faith in that money and we place that faith instead in God.  A problem arises however, when we consider the principle of sowing and reaping.  When we give money to get back more money, then our motive for giving is wrong.  You see, God always looks at the heart.

I think when we give, not to get more money, but to get more of Him (new wine) and to truly help others in need, then all of the sudden we will begin to see a new dimension of God’s power released into our lives because God loves faith.  Nothing screams “faith” louder than giving up our money.  Remember, Jesus said that it’s harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven then for a camel to go through the eye of the needle…(Mt. 19:24). 

Hebrews 11:6 says “for without faith it’s impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  I would ask you this year to make giving an avenue for seeking God because it’s such a great act of faith.  Since God is rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, I think when great faith is applied, great reward also follows.  I believe that reward will be God’s provision, and also more importantly, God’s amazing Presence.  If you want more of God, then give more.  Try Him in this and watch what happens.  --Brent Anderson



For the last few weeks I have been studying the book of Isaiah chapter 6.  In this chapter Isaiah has a vision and he sees the Lord, seated on a throne.  He sees the train of God’s robe filling the temple.  He also gets a glimpse of the worship of heaven and hears the angels calling out to one another, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty…”  What an awesome sight this must have been for Isaiah.

Immediately upon seeing this he suddenly gets a new revelation of Himself for he says, “Woe is me, for I am a man of unclean lips.”  Isn’t this what it’s all about?  Getting into a place where we can see God as He truly is.  When this happens, and only when this happens, then we can truly see ourselves for who we truly are, since God is the standard by which we must live our lives.

You see, seeing God not only brings us revelation of Him, and then ourselves, but this also leads to confession of our weaknesses and sins.  As soon as Isaiah confessed then the fire of God came.  Yes, and angel appeared with a burning coal of fire and touched his lips.  Suddenly Isaiah was purified and righteous before God.  All the guilt was gone.

As soon as the guilt was gone, then Isaiah’s ears were open to hear God talk to him.  God told him that He needed someone to be a mouthpiece to speak to the people.  Isaiah quickly answered the call.  He simply said, “Here I am… send me.”  Wow!  He went from being a man of unclean lips, to using those same lips to be God’s mouthpiece.  He let the fire of God cleanse the part of Him that God wanted to use.  How cool is that?

Maybe you’re in a place right now where your vision is extremely limited.  You cannot see God or hear His voice.  It’s in these times that we must press in and determine to find Him.  Never let your circumstances determine your view of God, but always let your view of God determine your circumstances.  Our God is limitless and boundless in all that He is.  He is our  source of life, hope, and joy.  In Him there is life and life abundantly (John 10:10).

If there’s something between you and God, then confess it.  Let the fire of God cleanse you.  Change what needs to be changed so you can hear His voice.  Then, upon hearing His voice, you too can also say, “Here I am… send me.”  James chapter 4 verse 8 says, “draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  Yes, we have to make the first move, but God is always longing for a relationship with us.  We must make time for the lover of our souls and spend time in His Presence.  Church doesn’t count.  We must take time alone with Him and listen for His voice.  When He speaks, it will open up a whole new world and with His words will come life, faith, hope, joy, and vision for your future.  --Brent Anderson



I was attending a Christmas play, and towards the end of the play, a teenaged girl sang a song called “ A Baby Changes Everything”.   During the song a video played behind her and it showed a young Mary, the mother of Jesus in various scenes.  Mary became pregnant with the Savior of the world and this pregnancy required many changes.

First of all, she was not even married yet.  Second, this pregnancy required those closest to her, which was Joseph, the man to whom she was betrothed, to get on board with God’s plan.  When the baby was born, they had to move because King Herod heard about the birth of King Jesus, and he wanted to make sure that all male babies born during that time were killed.

No matter what the sacrifice though, Mary was willing to be used by God to fulfill His purposes in her.  She gave up friends, family, and even her home to let God use her as He desired.  That baby truly changed everything.  However not only in Mary’s life, but the lives of everyone on the planet and in the heavens above.

Then God showed me that He is constantly birthing new things in each of us.  Unfortunately, many of these new births never make it to conception because of our unwillingness to let God have His way in us.  God wants to birth something new and life changing in you today.  As a matter of fact, there’s probably already a seed inside of you that God placed there.  Are you willing to let the changes in your life take place so that seed can grow and birth new things.

God’s heart is for people.  When God births something new in us, we can be assured that it will, in turn, affect many others down the road.  God is a God of multiplication.  God’s first command to Adam and Eve was to be “fruitful and multiply”.  This is indicative of new births.  Most of us do not like change, but all of us need change in one area or another.  Just like the song says, a baby definitely changes everything.  Let God change in you what needs to be changed, and live your life full of expectation.  Remember, if you’re not expecting… you’re barren.  Think about it!  --Brent Anderson

Last weekend my wife and I went trouncing all over the country.  We had meetings in Tuscon, AZ and then we hopped on a plane and had a lunch meeting in Dallas, TX.  We ended up in St. Louis that evening driving home to our house in Missouri.  It was while driving on the interstate the God started to speak to me.

God reminded me of a verse in Psalms 42:7 “Deep calls unto deep at the sound of My waterfalls.”  I told God I knew the verse well but I really didn’t understand it.  He began to tell me, what is the sound of heaven.  I told Him that it was the sound of worship.  It was the sound of angels crying “holy, holy, holy”.  He said,  “Yes, that is true, but what does the Bible say is the sound coming from the throne of God?”

I was quickly reminded of the verses in the Bible that said that His voice was like the sound of many waters. (Ez. 43:2, Rev. 1:15 ).   He then proceeded to ask me, “What does My Word say will flow out of you?”  I immediately remembered the verse in John 7:38 that says out of your belly will flow rivers of living water.

All of the sudden I had a new revelation of worship.  I realized that when Christians come together to praise and worship Jesus, and bring with them a full heart full of God’s Presence that a certain sound starts to take place.  I bring my full heart and my river of living water, so does someone else, and then another, and another and so on.  All of the sudden when so many worshipers come together in one place and start to worship we duplicate the sound of heaven.  We all bring our rivers and the sound of many waters fills the place and God shows up.

When that sound happens and the rivers start to flow, all of the sudden the atmosphere changes.  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords enters the room and manifests His glorious Presence.  This is the environment for the miraculous.  This is the atmosphere where heaven meets earth.  This is the place where the Spirit of the Lord is.  This is the place of complete joy and freedom.

You see, this is the power of praise and worship.  Our God is enthroned in the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3).  This is why God is seeking worshipers.  Make it a priority to pour yourself out to Him daily, so He can fill you with His glorious Presence.  After your filled, let that river of life flow out of you and duplicate the sound of heaven.

I was talking with a friend the other day about some of the challenges that life brings us.  He was talking about how tough some have it right now in these economic times being what they are.  I started reflecting on the past challenges that have arisen in my life.  For example, my wife and I saw our baby boy die in the hospital, I have battled through some tough physical challenges and so has my wife.  I have also been down the road of facing strained relationships with family that to this day I am still dealing with and believing God for full restoration.  In going through all these challenges in life I came to this conclusion: never underestimate the power of the journey.  

When life throws everything at us but the kitchen sink, we must trust that God is building something within us that will last.  It’s extremely hard to grow in the good times, but God wants us to trust in Him and have faith in Him.  Jesus said in Mark 11:22 to “have faith in God”.  The book of Habakkuk says that “the just shall live by faith.”  Hebrews 11:6 says that “without faith it’s impossible to please God.”  You see, God is more concerned about our character than our comfort, however, we do not always understand that.  When something comes along that makes us uncomfortable such as sickness, relationship issues, financial issues, or job struggles, God just wants us to trust Him.

Every great man or woman that’s ever done anything amazing for God in life has had to go through a wilderness or desert experience.  Yes, even Jesus who was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted and tested (Luke 4:1).  You can read about Job, Paul, Moses, Abraham, David and many others that had to endure some pretty harsh stuff but God never left them.  David said in Psalms 23, “for though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.  Notice that he didn’t walk around the valley of the shadow of death, but through it.  God was taking a shepherd boy and grooming him to become the king over His chosen people.  What an honor. However, to whom much is given, much is required.

Whatever journey you might be facing in life right now, rejoice because God is creating something great on the inside of you and even now, you’re becoming more like Him.  I can tell you from my life’s experience so far, that the price is definitely worth it.  I am so thankful for all I’ve gone through because it’s made me who I am today.  God promised Job in Job 8:7 that his latter days would be greater than his former.  Job was a righteous man and God brought him to the devil’s attention (“consider my servant Job”).  However, at the end of that book, Job ended up with twice as much as he started out with.  God was faithful with Job and God will be faithful with you.  So remember what the Bible says in James chapter 1, “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work so you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.”  My point:  God is not through with you...Never underestimate the power of the journey!   - Brent Anderson