Pastor Alan's Devotional Blog

Blog Put On Hold

2009-11-20T21:20:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a break from Bloggin'

John Avant is Coming!

2009-09-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

EVANGELISM CONFERENCE with JOHN AVANT at Royal Heights Baptist Church in Delta BC. October 26 & 27

John Avant is a gifted evangelist, speaker and author.

He will speak the evenings of October 26 (Monday) & October 27 (Tuesday) and during a lunch Tuesday for pastors, church planters, church staff and ministry leaders.

All is FREE but you must register with Mary Huppe, Office Manager at office@royalhbc.com

Worship was Great Today!

2009-09-13T21:33:00.000-07:00

We baptized our 28th person this morning! What a joy to witness what the LORD is doing. Gina shared a super testimony about the work of the LORD in her life. The worship team had new sound equipment. The spirit of the room was high!

I just love going to worship. To gather with other believers to sing songs of worship to our King of kings and LORD of lords. To see first time believers give their very best to the LORD.

After the service we all had a Chili lunch as Jana won the grand prize of having the best Chili of all of us. Great job, Jana! Oh, and she just had a baby a few days ago!

I just loved worship today!

Jesus is our Sabbath

2009-09-05T01:19:00.000-07:00

Why do we, as humans, find it so hard to be a human being instead of a human doing? We seem to MUST do. We seem to be driven to do instead of be.

Most of our training from early childhood to adult learning is teaching us how to do something. We seem to honour those who have mastered some skill, like a doctor, lawyer, NASA scientist, etc. If you are "smart" and doing something important than, we conclude, we MUST be important.

This thinking "works great" until you lose your job or grow old or someone smarter comes into the room. Then jealously begins, envy surfaces and depression can quickly become the mood for the rest of our lives.

How does our understanding our being help us live in the practical world of life?

Hebrews 4: 1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “ So I swore in My wrath, ‘ They shall not enter My rest,’”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

This rest is the Christian's sabbath. Christ is our Sabbath! We have ceased from our striving to "please God by our doing". We have discovered that our religion of works in an abomination before the LORD. He is not interested in our "doing", it is filthy rags of false righteousness before Him.

Christian, you have been made new! You are a new human BEING. You have been made righteousness not be your "doing" by through our absolute ceasing from work. We totally live or rest only in the Christ's righteousness to give us life.

This is where the seventh-day Adventist completely miss the understanding of the Sabbath. They continue to look to honour a day when the Sabbath is God's picture to enter His rest. And God's only REST is His Son, Jesus the Christ.

Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks.

Does it matter that the seventh-day advents celebrate the LORD on the Saturday, which was the Sabbath day for the Jewish people of Israel? No,... if that is their choice, to God be the glory. But when they claim that all who do not are serving the Anti-Christ this is where we part company.

As a believer in Christ, I ALWAYS keep the Sabbath! I keep the Sabbath every day, for I rest (Sabbath) only in the Christ and His finished work to redeem me to His Father. This old convent day is completely fulfilled in the coming of the Christ. He is our Sabbath Day,...enter Him alone and cease from all of your labours to save yourself. Stop doing and BE!

Christian, we have been given the greatest gift of all time from our Lord. He has given us LIFE. We are human BEINGS! Rest in this truth. Rest in the Christ! Stop "trying" to please the Father. You can only please Him by faith (totally resting in Him alone).

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Stop it!

Stop "trying" to be and just BE. You are righteousness in Christ. Enjoy this righteousness. Embrace who you have been made to be. Rest! REST! REST!!

John 6:28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

God is looking for people who just Believe in Him, not work FOR Him. You CANNOT work FOR God, you can only ABIDE with or in Him and His holy work flows through you. Your "work" is to DO no more work!! Your work is to but BELIEVE!

I know this is a "new concept" for many but this is the very secret of the Christian faith. This teaching is really over 2000 years old. This is the clearly teachings of Paul. It is only by faith and unto faith, unto faith and unto faith that victory is experienced in the practical world of living.

Worry

2009-09-01T23:50:00.000-07:00

What is worry?

In today's world with the uncertainty of money many seem to be in a panic. "Will we have enough? What will I do if we don't? How will we survive?" Many are living in daily fear about the financial situation.

Look at these words of Jesus written over 2000 years ago...

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Easy to write. Easy to read. Easy to agree with but impossible to live without totally abiding in the Almighty.

Why worry? Where does it come from? It comes from our misunderstanding of who's in charge of this ol' world. The LORD God is Sovereign. He is trustworthy. If you believe, rest in, put your full weight upon, had total faith in this truth worry cannot come.

Christian, who is in charge of all things? Do you believe?

Satan: The Enemy of God

2009-08-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Today, I had the Redemption ministry house guys all in the church building as we work together through a course on "How To Counsel Yourself". I love teaching this class because you can see the guys that "get it".

Their eyes light up. Their hope is clear. They ask questions and give answers with meaning a purpose. It is just great!

Today we talked about Satan and His ways. What a reminder of the evil that he can do to this old planet. Oh, how he hates God with a passion.

Some of his names:
Tempter (Matthew 4:5; 1 Thessalonians. 3:5)
Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24)
Enemy (Matthew 13:39)
Evil One (Matthew 13:19, 38; 1 John 2:13-14; 3:12, and 5:18)
Belial (Worthlessness) (2 Corinthians. 6:15)
Adversary (1 Peter 5:8)
Deceiver (Rev. 12:9)
Dragon (Rev. 12:3)
Father of Lies (John 8:44)
Murderer (John 8:44)

Where did he get his start? Why did he get twisted up?

Isaiah 14:12 “ How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart:
‘ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

But God...

In Ephesians 6:10-18

How do you win the battle with the Evil One? Dress in the armour of the LORD.

To dress is to BELIEVE. To FULLY Trust in. To ABIDE. To put all your confidence and faith in the finished work of Christ. To put not trust in your works or your skills.

The Armour:

The TRUTH: The truth is only God's Word. Everything is subject to this one divine revelation.

The RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD: Not our righteousness but God's. We are justified. Made right with the LORD God Almighty in a through only His Son, Jesus Christ.

The GOSPEL: We have nothing to say but what we have received. It is only Jesus the Christ and Him crucified.

The FAITH: I rest in Him. His work. His love. His victory. His obedience. His holiness. I believe!

The SALVATION: I am saved! I am saved! I am saved!. Thank God Almighty I am saved!

The WORD OF GOD: The Scriptures are God's words given to man. Trust them. Treat them as sacred because they are. Believe them! They will set you free!!

My Blog:A Love - Hate Relationship

2009-08-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

I love blogging! I hate blogging today! I love blogging! I hate that I have no time today! I love blogging! You can the point...

My blogg is a great way for me to lay out some of the thoughts I'm having on any given day. The problem is getting to the page every day to lay out those thoughts for all to see. It is easier for me to have these thoughts than to write about them.

What keeps me going are the words of my friend, Paul Johnson. I remember once when he was my pastor and I told him after I didn't administrate something very well, "I'm just not a good administrator, Paul!" Looking for his approval and nod of agreement instead he said, "Alan, that's no excuse, learn it!" Ouch!

I remember reading at least 10 to 20 books on the subject so that I would learn how to care for people and things in a proper way. He was right, I was just trying to give an excuse.

So, today I am open for comments: If you think I should continue this blogg, let me know. If you are frustrated with my lack of consistency and think I should move on to other things, let me know that also.

Maybe nobody reads this thing anyway and I'm talking to myself????

Our Amazing God

2009-08-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

It is just like God to keep doing things beyond what we could ask or think!

At the start of the year we asked the Lord for 29 baptisms. 29 new people who would be brought into the faith. 29 new families that would be healed and brought into the health of the gospel.

The amazing thing is that we have never see 29 people baptized in one year here at Royal Heights in over 18 years! We were and are asking God by faith. "LORD, lead us to the ones You have so chosen to taste Your goodness and mercy. Reveal to us, Your people, who You desire to bring to Yourself when we declare the great gospel message in their hearing. LORD God, redeem Your people, we pray!"

Today is the month of August and we are experiencing amazing works of God. We saw 25 people be baptized so far this year! Only God can cause the increase in His church. Only God can call the lost to be found. Only God can take the dead and raise them to His eternal glory. ONLY GOD!

Also this year we worked on our overall purpose or mission statement for the church. Our conclusion was the saying, "We exist as a church body to be On Mission with the Master!"

This last Sunday was a great confirmation to myself that the LORD was organizing and designing His work to His glory. Could I arrange to have the key mission's leader of the Southern Baptists churches throughout the world to speak to our people? Could I accomplish these things with and through my influence?

The answer is "NO!" I am powerless to influence this way personally BUT God...

This week, Dr. Jerry Rankin, the President of the Southern Baptist's International Mission Board preached to God's people here at Royal Heights!

Did God know he was coming to speak here? Did God know He was about to send a man whose whole life is missions? Did God know He would send the President of over 5,500 missionaries to encourage Royal Heights in her mission?

The answer is "YES!'

He moves the hearts of leaders as He so decides. He brings people and resources to reveal His glory and power. This is the LORD God's work and man is the benefactor of His great love.

Thank You, LORD! Thank You, that we never have to motivate You to reach our neighbours and our friends, for Your heart is as a Shepherd's, longing for the sheep to find her rest! Thank You, LORD!

To Be Set Free

2009-08-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

We live and serve a Lord who is perfectly capable of healing all who come to Him. He is a LORD without limits. Strength that is beyond measure. All should run to Him.

Without a clear look at God we struggle with so much in our lives. God is a God of mercy and grace, wrath and Holiness, and love and truth. To know God is to know Life. We must take time to sit at His feet and learn.

Who is man that You are mindful of him? God is in love with mankind. He desires all to be saved. He expects us to turn from our sin and give our lives over to Him.

Our beliefs become the means of safety as they are converted to God's ways and mind. False beliefs are the chief reason why we do not function as we should when we have come to the Lord.

Humans are not made to "work", they are made to rest. They rest in God as He works through them. This is a truth that becomes difficult to grasp but once found the load become instantly light. God is at work in us to do His good pleasure.

God enemy is now our enemy. The Evil One hates the works of God and those who carry out His work. He is at war with us even if we don't know it. We must prepare to do battle.

The Lord's kingdom is reigning. Jesus' kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom. He is winning each person to Himself in love. Oh the power of His kingdom. He can conquer every man and every situation.

The Lord's people are His blessing. He has found them to be His holy Bride. The church is to live with the oneness of Christ in us. He gives His gifts to each one of us to display the glory of the Father.

When God's people are free, it is instant! When God's people "get it" they rejoice. When walk this truth out we experience God Himself! This life is the adventure we are privileged to have with LIFE!

Bless His Name!!

Is Fasting For Today?

2009-08-05T01:50:00.000-07:00

Common views:
1. Quick fix for spiritual ailments, as if denying food will make up for the malnourishment of their soul.
2. Confusion. It seems good but I don’t know about it.

What is fasting?

Bible Greek word is "Nesteia means "not to eat"
Asitos means "without grain or food"
Hebrew word; Tsum means "to cover ones mouth"
Anah means "to afflict or humble oneself"
Essentially, "fasting is voluntarily denying the body something for a specific purpose." Food is not always the object denied.

Sleep is denied by King Darius,
Daniel 6:18
Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Sexual relation for a brief period of time,
1 Corinthians 7:4-5
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. {5} Defraud ye not one the other, except with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Three distinct reasons for fasting:
1. To express sorrow.
2. As a sign of repentance.
3. To make a request of God.

What fasting is not.
It is not buttering up God so He will give us what we want. We receive what we ask for because we are in Christ and obey Him (1 John 3:22). Fasting is no escape from obedience.
Not to impress others.
Not a quick cure for spiritual ailments. Laziness in studying and digesting God’s Word always leads to leanness of soul.
Not a guarantee of obtaining a certain desire in prayer. Fasting never forces God’s hand.
Fasting is no substitute for God’s revealed Word and will never change His will. (Ex. It would be inappropriate to fast and see if God would have us marry an unbeliever.)
　
Why fast?
God places a high priority upon humility. Without it, we seek our own desires. Fasting helps us set aside our own needs and desires. It helps us become absorbed with the interests of others and the will of God.
James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
If fasting produces that humility, good. Fasting lets us be aware of how dependant we are of God. It lets us see the seriousness of our situation.

How should we fast?

Know your motive and what we want to accomplish.
Fasting is not advisable to those in poor health.
Be secret about it.

I'm BACK!

2009-07-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

Holidays have come to an end. I just flew in from Edmonton today. My wife, Wanda and my mother, Evelyn drove mom's car all the way from Edmonton.

A wedding tomorrow! The pastor life BEGINS! I LOVE IT!

I'm happy to be BACK!

Holidays are a Comin'

2009-06-29T00:46:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in my daughter, Sharon's house, in Red Water which is just north of Edmonton. I will be here a week with Wanda then we will drive over to North Battleford to visit our families.

I will take a break from the Blog, but will get back at it in July. I am back at the office on the Sunday of July 19th. On the 18th, the Saturday, I will be officiating at a wedding.

Have a great summer and thanks for checking out my Blog.

See you July 19th!

A Thirsty Soul

2009-06-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

What is worship?

Jesus met a woman at a well who was there to draw some water for herself. Jesus asked her for a drink. This surprised her because she knew that Jewish men never spoke with Samaritan women. Here He was speaking to her and asking something from her.

Jesus sees the thirst in her soul for relationships. He reveals to her the search she has been on to find love. With numerous husbands and broken relationships, her system is clearly not working.

Jesus sees her thirst. "...ask of Me and you'll never thirst again!"

Oh, to truly drink from the living water. To truly believe that He is our answer of refreshing for our souls. He is water of life.

Are we much different from the woman at the well? We seek and look for something to satisfy our deep longings for relationship. We feed our soul with the things of the world hoping to find something that we calm the thirst in us for satisfaction.

Jesus makes this profound statement to the woman when He declares that He can give living water to her. He is saying, "I alone satisfy the soul". No man or prophet before Him ever claimed to be this everlasting drink for man. Only Jesus dared to claim He was the Water of Life to all who came to drink from Him.

Are you thirsty? Have you found Jesus as the satisfaction of your soul? Have you drunk from the Christ? Are satisfied with your life? Do you "feel" full or empty?

Study the life of Jesus, than sit down before His Word and believe! A whole new world will open before you. It will be heaven on earth!

Dependence Upon is LIFE

2009-06-18T00:47:00.000-07:00

SIN equals independence not just some bad behaviours that we do. SIN is man's attempt to find LIFE outside of God Himself. SIN is more than missing the mark, it is missing the very purpose you and I were made. We were made to glorify the LORD God Himself. God HATES independence!

You can hear people who are living in independence. They say things like, "I'll do it my way. No one can tell me what to do. It's my way or the highway. I am in control of my own life. I am my own boss." These statements and ones like them reveal that the person has placed his or her faith in themselves and they are independent from God.

FAITH means dependence upon. You have come before God and bowed your heart before Him and openly admit that you want and need Him. You want Him to live His life through your life.

When you were received by God unto salvation He re-created you in Christ to be a vessel of honour that He would use to express Himself to the world. You were "born-again" or "born from above". You are a new creation. The old has been destroyed and the new has come. You are not the same person before you came to know Christ.

The life that now desires to be expressed is a life that only finds joy in living in servanthood before the throne of God. Each day your new life wants to please the Father by bringing Him glory. The clearest way that God living in you is revealed to the world is through the outward display of love.

The word that is used for love in the Bible is agape. This word is an action word and means “doing the most constructive, compassionate, redemptive thing for another.” This love is what Christ desires to express through us right now, through our earthsuit. He expressed this love clearly through His earthsuit when He willing died on the cross for us and He will continue to bring honour to His Father through us and our earthsuits.

Jesus said: “He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father” (John 14:12).

You cannot live the Christian life, only Christ can live His life through you. As we abide in Christ we bear much fruit. Our dependence upon Him to live through us is the secret of a powerful Christian life.

You and I have NO POWER outside of Christ. It is ONLY when we are in Him that this power to live is given. You must abandon any thoughts of independence. You CANNOT save yourself. Only the Christ can save you! And remember, after you have come to trust Him for your salvation, it is only His life that can continue to walk in obedience to the Father.

You can be "successful" as a Christian, you just must "die to self". Jesus has given us the hope we needed to bring glory again to our Creator. He alone brings us into a right relationship with God. He alone gives us a new life. He alone unites us again to Himself to walk as true people of faith.

This is possible because we are plugged into a Source that’s more powerful than we’ll ever realize this side of heaven! Father God is our Creator. Jesus is our LORD and Master. The Holy Spirit is our Strength and Sanctifier. The Triune God has won us and is desiring to live His life through us. Wow! I freely give my life to Him to redeem and use for His purposes.

I celebrate because I have come HOME!

Proof of the Existence of God

2009-06-16T03:44:00.000-07:00

Everything has a cause...

It is illogical to suggest that something had no cause. This is where the theory of evolution becomes inadequate. It can not explain how anything began, let alone life. When we consider the evidence (that there are things which exist) it logically demands that either something or someone caused it. We can then rule out "something" as the solution since we would be returning to the original problem (what made the something?). This demands that there must be Someone who has always existed (eternal) and is in themselves therefore uncreated. We don't have to understand this in order for it to be so.

At this point some say we should not even try to understand these things because our minds just get in the way. But I suspect the opposite is the case. That is, it is perfectly legitimate to ponder these things and rather than our minds being too bigger an obstacle, our minds are actually too inadequate to comprehend them. Therefore, faith and thinking are not incompatible, its just that we have realise that they both require discipline and exercise.

~Andrew Corbett

Spiritual Health

2009-06-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

When a person is unhealthy it can show up very quickly, even to the untrained eye. We may see a paleness to their features or a laboured approach to their walk. We may hear them coughing, hacking or sneezing. We may know that they struggle to get out of bed because of the pains they feel.

Good health is so important. But how do we know if someone is spiritual healthy or spiritually sick? What are the vital signs to the spiritual condition of people?

Eight Character Traits of a Healthy Spiritual Person:

1. They have put their trust in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

2. They have a love for the Scriptures and for talking with the Lord.

3. They have deny their flesh and take up the cross of Christ.

4. They display the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

5. They have a hatred for sin and desire for righteous in their lives.

6. They have a witness of Christ in their lives.

7. They are willing to work together with other like minded bleivers.

8. They humbly submit to the Scriptures, Holy Spirit and God's people.

I know that a person who has no connection with the Lord will not want to do these things. These character traits are lived out as an expression of our love to our Lord. It is in joy we abide with our Lord as He fills us with His Spirit to fulfills the glorifiction of the Father.

Ponder on the characteristics of a believer and follower of Christ. Then ask yourself, are you spiritually healthy?

It's Friday!

2009-06-12T06:16:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, my day off has begun!

I went to bed early last night (1:30AM), exhausted from the day. I knew it was too early to go to bed so now I'm up at Starbucks at 5:30AM. Now, I know why I have to stay up to at least 3AM or 4AM every morning or I have to get out of bed before 5AM or 6AM.

Anyway, my day off just starts early, I guess.

I'm enjoying my coffee, answering some fresh emails and looking through some Bible passages that I want to see what they really mean, instead of what I think they mean.

Yesterday, I got to spend about 3 hours with someone just going deep into the scriptures about the gospel of Christ. I find that so enjoyable! The gospel is so overwhelmingly beautiful. The cross of Christ is so deep and so pure in its wisdom and grandeur, it is difficult to contain myself sometimes. Oh, if we knew the beauty of the cross...!

I think I'll ponder this some more as I get another coffee! Ahhhh, to enjoy a day off!

Coffee Time

2009-06-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

I am sitting at Chapter's having a cup of coffee. Grande with cream and a half teaspoon of sugar. Is there any better out there for taste? I think not!

I am sitting here thinking about some of the people who have into my life. These people have had an effect on me that is forever. I apprreciate each one. I've valued each one. I've hurt a few of them deeply but I believe they still love me. I have given much to many of them but always feel I have received more.

Paul J, Dave B & Don F, Tim & Joan, Amin & Sepideh, Rob B, Glen, Gary, Jack C, Gerry T, Dwight, Bob, Richard & Mel, Art, David N, Mary H & Marylou, Pearl, Sheila, Fred & Pat, Darrel & Sonja, Corinne, Harold, Chad, John, Graig, Dave C, John, Anita, Kellie, Don H, Rachelle & Andrea, Billy & Vi, Eduardo, George, Peter, Paul & Nancy, Jim & Elaine, Karrisa, Kyla, Tricia, Luke, Matt, Elin, Anthony, Joanne, Bruce, Abraham, Grace, Mark, Linda, Gerry H, Adam, Sarah, and the list goes on and on!

I am a man who is most blessed!

I am so thankful for all the people who have invested in me. I am a privledged person.

This is a great coffee time.

Pray to Know God

2009-06-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more worthwhile than to pray to God and to converse with him, for prayer unites us with God as his companions. As our bodily eyes are illuminated by seeing the light, so in contemplating God our soul is illuminated by him."
St John Chrysostom

Prayer is God's way to draw us closer to Him and His will. As we come to know God deeper through seeing life through His eyes we become more like Him in behaviour; compassionate, merciful, loving, angry at sin, etc.

These behaviours begin to become part of our outward expression of our inside transformation that has already happened. When we came to be known by Christ, He gave us a spirit that is totally connected and dependent on Him and He expects us to walk in that spirit. This new spirit longs to live out the desires of God! Prayer is God's way to guide your spirit into the activity of Himself.

Prayer is not attempting to convince God what you are doing is important and He should be involved with you. Prayer is your heart linking with His heart so you can see and interrupt what He is doing and how you may adjust so you can follow Him.

Praying without a knowledge of scripture can easily become a vain effort to know God on your terms. To manipulate God to do what your flesh desires. Remember, God is not tricked. He never moves unless His Glory is the final outcome. God can only do right. You must know the scriptures that reveal Him or you will create a false god in your mind and move toward it. Idols are the false imaginations of man attempting to reveal God that does not exist.

Only God can reveal Himself. No man can know or discover God without God so willing. Man's mind is continually bent to evil and self so if you pray in this mind of flesh and earth thinking your prayers will be long and vain. Jesus said, "babbling...;

Prayer is to move you into the heart and ways of God. As you come to know God through His Word, you will be brought to a God who is nothing like the world as created. God is not a giant Santa Claus dispersing gifts to all who ask. This is so alien to the true heart of God it's a shame Christians even let any of this false teaching into their home and even around their children.

God is Holy. He is Almighty. He is compassionate. He is Pure. He is full of mercy. He is a God of Wrath. He is love. He is just. He is unchanging.

Unless your one desire is to know God and be known by Him, you will always struggle with prayer. You will struggle because you basically see prayer as a means "to get" instead of a means "to know".

To know the beauty of God is the goal. To walk with Him as He brings all of His enemies under his feet is the adventure. To live with an understanding that He is ever present, with you right now causes you to purify yourself. Prayer is the awesome privilege we get to have an audience with the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Prayer's purpose is to know God, to become one in Him.

1 John 3
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

...Thrown Into The Lake of Fire

2009-06-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

People say, "this verse can't mean God will thrown people in the lake of fire. A loving God would never do that to people.

"I can't believe in a god that would do that to people."

"I think my time here on earth is the only hell"

"I think hell is not real"

"I think..."

My answer to this and other comments that blantantly go against the Bible is "it does not matter what YOU THINK, it matters what God says. If you don't believe something is true and it is true than your believe is in error. Your belief does not create reality. If it true, it's true. It does not matter what you believe about it."

Many humans desire to live in a world with no God. We want to even claim we know God but sadly many even so called "Christians" areonly Christian in name but are functioning Atheists! We really don't believe what has been clearly laid down by the holy writings. We hope against reality that God will not cast people into the lake of fire. We life with the false hope that He's "too nice" to do that.

Hell is an awful place of glorification of God. Hell is not a place that was created by Satan, it was created by God Himself and God only makes things to bring glory to His holy Name. So why would He make hell and the Lake of Fire?

Look at some of the Scriptures on the subject:

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds... And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-12, 15)

And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14)

"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. (Matthew 7:13)

And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:12)

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 7:19)

"Therefore just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. (Matthew 13:40)

True love is not permissive.

The first false assumption is that love allows the object of that love to do whatever he or she wants. However, this permissive kind of "love" isn't really love at all. Any of you who are parents will recognize that allowing your children to do whatever they want to do is not loving at all. If you were to do this, your children would grow up to be spoiled selfish brats, incapable of loving other people. Permissive gods, who are caught up in their own intrigues, and so allow humans to do whatever they want without repercussions, are found in the pagan religions. However, the God of the Bible wants us to love Him and other people above everything else we do.

God's moral laws have a purpose

The Creator God of the universe is obviously a God of order. The laws that govern the physical universe are so precise that we can calculate the positions of planets, stars, and galaxies thousands to millions of years into the future. Would a God of this kind of precision design moral laws that are random or changing? It doesn't seem likely or consistent with the character of the Creator that we know from the reality of the creation. Therefore, it seems likely that unchanging moral laws are consistent with the God of creation. The Bible says that the moral laws are consistent with the character of God. Therefore, the main purpose of the moral laws are to teach us what God requires for us to enter into His kingdom. The moral laws also allow us to live with each other on earth without hurting each other. In fact, if we all perfectly fulfilled the moral laws of God, we would be in perfect harmony with each other. Our failure to fulfill God's moral laws leads us to seek Him as the source of our salvation.

God's creation of free will beings must allow for the possibility of rejecting God completely

Since God created spiritual beings for the purpose of expressing love, those beings must have complete free will in order to express that love. Of course, free will allows for the possibility of those beings rejecting God and His plans. Unfortunately, most people do not agree that God's rules are good and do not want to embrace them. In fact, the vast majority of people want to run their own lives without submitting to God at all. Somehow, they feel that God will just let them into heaven because they have behaved about as good, and maybe even better, compared to the rest of the people on earth. The problem with this idea is that God does not grade on the curve.

All who enter God's kingdom must be absolutely holy, since no sin is allowed in God's presence. In addition, people must be willing to allow God to prevent them from sinning ever again, since there is no sin in heaven. This means that people must be willing to submit fully to God's will in order to get into heaven.

Of course, all humans fall short of God's moral requirements. Therefore, God has made a provision to erase all sins that we have committed in this life and to perfect us so that we cannot sin when we receive eternal life from Him. Sin means "independance from God". The opposite of sin is not good behaviour. The oppositeof sin is faith, "dependance upon".

Provision to remove us from sin and place us into the presence of God is through the sacrifice of God's son, Jesus Christ. Jesus took the punishment that we deserve and gives us the reward that we do not deserve - eternal life. In accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour, all our sins are erased.

People prefer hell over complete submission to God

So why doesn't God make everyone into perfect beings and allow them all into heaven? It would actually be more cruel if God were to do this, since many people prefer hell to the alternative (complete submission to God). All the people who end up going to hell will have done so because they actually prefer hell to being forced into the presence of God for all eternity. People like to live in their sin and favorite sins and answer to no one else. They know that if they accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour that God will want them to change their lives and they would have to give up their autonomy.

Conclusion

At this time in history, there is more evidence demonstrating the existence of God than at any time in the past. In addition, there are missionaries throughout the world proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and the salvation that He offers as a free gift. Although the gift is "free," it will cost you your life, sin, selfishness, and pride. Since none of these character traits are allowed into heaven, those who insist upon holding onto these traits and remaining independent from God cannot enter into heaven, but must be separated from God in a place called hell.

Therefore, those who go to hell do so voluntarily, preferring hell to complete submission to a holy and just God.

(Much of this article was from a site; www.godandscience.org)

Man Gives $60M To His Employees

2009-06-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

Miami banker lavishes $60M on his employees
February 26, 2009

MIAMI (AP) - At a time when U.S. bankers are being pilloried on Capitol Hill as heartless and greedy, Leonard Abess Jr. stands apart.

After selling his U.S. bank for a fortune last fall, he quietly handed out $60 million in bonuses from his own pocket -- and not just to top executives. In all, 471 employees and retirees, including tellers, clerks and secretaries, were rewarded, receiving an average of about $127,000 each.

"I think everybody was surprised. But knowing Leonard, the type of person he is, I can believe him giving it away," said retiree William Perry, who spent 43 years at City National Bank of Florida, rising from janitor to vice president. Perry, 78, got $50,000, which he is using to help his son pay for law school.

"He's a brilliant banker, which I think is obvious because of how well the bank has done all these years. And, obviously, a very generous man," said Ginger Nunn, a managing senior vice president. "He can not only set an example for other bankers but for any businessperson."

Abess, 60, did not return several calls for comment Wednesday. He never wanted to make a big deal out of his largesse; he didn't even show up at the bank when the envelopes were distributed in November. It wasn't until he mentioned the bonuses in a recent interview with The Miami Herald that they became publicly known.

Abess' father founded the bank in 1946 and he began his career in the print shop, working his way up the corporate ladder. His family sold the bank in the early 1980s to an investment group, which in turn sold it to a Colombian coffee magnate. When the magnate was convicted of fraud, Abess bought a majority stake out of bankruptcy in 1985 for $21 million, all of it borrowed, and then acquired the rest for $6 million.

The bank, under his ownership, grew from $400 million in assets and seven offices to $2.75 billion in assets and 18 offices.

While other U.S. bank CEOs passed out million-dollar bonuses to their cronies as their institutions failed, Abess kept City National profitable and received no money from the federal bank bailout. When he sold an 83 per cent stake to a Spanish bank for $927 million, he decided to share the bounty with his 399 employees and 72 retirees.

"Those people who joined me and stayed with me at the bank with no promise of equity, I always thought someday I'm going to surprise them," he told the Herald. "I sure as heck don't need" the money.

But others persuaded him that dropping such large checks on the employees without warning wasn't a good idea.

Abess, who remains the bank's chairman and chief executive, made a video telling the employees a bonus would be coming with the sale and assuring them it wasn't severance. A vice president, Linda Naughton, contacted some retirees and told them they would be getting a letter from Abess and should "sit down before they opened it."

Joyce Andrews, who has spent 57 years at City National, including a stint working as a secretary for Abess' father, has known Abess since he was a toddler. On Tuesday night, the 75-year-old woman said, she was so proud she felt like his mother.

Andrews would not say how big her bonus was, but she said she invested it for her retirement.

"It's so unbelievable. I think it has to be the best feel-good story of the year. Don't you? When a man shares that much, $60 million. The fact that he could even do it or thought about it," she said. "There are people that get money that don't do a thing. It's theirs, you know? I think it was a wonderful thing."

What a great story! There is genrousity still out there.

30 Years Married!

2009-06-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Today is 30 years of marriage with my wife. 30 years of having a close friend. It is amazing how the Lord has blessed us through the years.

I met Wanda while she was a waitress at a local coffee shop in the area. We met on March 1st and married on June 1st of the same year. It has been a real ride since 1979. I've enjoyed it and I hope she has!

"God, thank You! Thank You for my wife, who is my best friend! Thank You for the four beautiful children that you blessed us with. Thank You for the great friends You blessed us throughout the years, the list goes on and on! Thank You for Abundant Life Christian Fellowship and the ministry You called us to when we were there. We so enjoyed our experience. Thank You now for Royal Heights Baptist Church. We love the people and feel so cared for and blessed."

"Father God, You alone are the Maker and Builder of lives. I bow to You and Your holiest. Forgive me where I failed to display Your glory and beauty through my deeds and actions. Father, thank You for blessing me in Grace. I know I have recieved so much of what I do not deserve. Thank You! Thank You! Thank you for my wife, my friend, and my covanant partner till death do us part."

Wanda, I love you!

TESTIMONIES OF LAST SAYINGS OF MARTYRS

2009-05-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

Johannes (John) Huss of Bohemia, Czech reformist burned by the Roman Catholic Church as a "heretic" on July 6th, 1415 in Constance (Courtesy:

The procession crossed the bridge and halted in a meadow, between the gardens of the city and the gate of Gottlieben. Here the execution was to take place. Being come to the spot where he was to die, the martyr kneeled down, and began reciting the psalms. He offered up short and fervent supplications, and oftentimes repeated, as the bystanders bore witness, the words, "Lord Jesus, into thy hands I commend my spirit."

"We know not," said those who were near him, "what his life has been, but verily he prays after a devout and godly fashion." Turning his gaze upward in prayer, the paper crown fell off. One of the soldiers rushed forward and replaced it, saying that "he must be burned with the devils whom he had served." Again the martyr smiled.

The stake was driven deep into the ground. Huss was tied to it with ropes. He stood facing the east. "This," cried some, "is not the right attitude for a heretic." He was again unbound, turned to the west, and made fast to the beam by a chain that passed round his neck. "It is thus," said he, "that you silence the goose, but a hundred years hence there will arise a swan whose singing you shall not be able to silence."

He stood with his feet on the targets, which were mixed with straw that they might the more readily ignite. Wood was piled all round him up to the chin. Before applying the torch, Louis of Bavaria and the Marshal of the Empire approached, and for the last time implored him to have a care for his life, and renounce his errors.

"What errors," asked Huss, "shall I renounce? I know myself guilty of none. I call God to witness that all that I have written and preached has been with the view of rescuing souls from sin and perdition; and, therefore, most joyfully will I confirm with my blood that truth which I have written and preached."

At the hearing of these words they departed from him, and John Huss had now done talking with men. The fire was applied, the flames blazed upward.

"Do not believe," he says to the people, "that I have taught anything but the truth." No trembling of the lips - no whitening of his cheeks. He is going to testify to the truth. Why should he fear? Truth and liberty are eternal, and will live when emperor and pope have passed away. Truth makes men free, and it will be glorious to die for freedom.

The wood is piled around him - bundles of dry sticks. The executioner stands with his torch. "Renounce your error," shouts the Duke of Bavaria.

"I have taught no error. The truths I have I taught will seal with my blood."

"Burn him." The executioner holds his torch to the wood.

"John Huss," says Fox, "began to sing with a loud voice, 'Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.' And when he began to say the same the third time, the wind so blew the flame in his face that it choked him."

Poggius, who was secretary to the council, and Aeneas Sylvius, who afterwards became Pope, and whose narratives are not liable to the suspicion of being coloured, bear even higher testimony to the heroic demeanour of both Huss and Jerome at their execution. "Both," says the latter historian, "bore themselves with constant mind when their last hour approached. They prepared for the fire as if they were going to a marriage feast. They uttered no cry of pain. When the flames rose they began to sing hymns; and scarce could the vehemency of the fire stop their singing."

What is it that the people hear coming from that sheet of flame? "Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will toward men." It is the song which the angels sung above the pastures of above the pastures of Bethlehem. And this: "We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory." It is Gloria in Excelsis. The smoke blinds him, the flames are circling above his head. Yet the voice goes on: "Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on me." The flames wrap him round, his head falls on his breast.

Huss had given up the ghost. When the flames had subsided, it was found that only the lower parts of his body were consumed, and that the upper parts, held fast by the chain, hung suspended on the stake. The executioners kindled the fire anew, in order to consume what remained of the martyr. When the flames had a second time subsided, the heart was found still entire amid the ashes. A third time had the fire to be kindled. At last all was burned. The ashes were carefully collected, the very soil was dug up, and all was carted away and thrown into the Rhine; so anxious were his persecutors that not the slightest vestige of John Huss--not even a thread of his raiment, for that too was burned along with his body--should be left upon the earth.

ROGERS MARTYRDOM
Mr. Rogers said, "That which I have preached I will seal with my blood!"

"Then," said the sheriff, "thou art a heretic."

"That shall be known," said Rogers, "at the day of judgment."

"Well," quoth the sheriff, "I will never pray for thee."

"But I will pray for you," replied Rogers; and so was brought the same day, which was Monday the 4th of February, towards Smithfield, by the way, all the people rejoicing at his constancy, with great praises and thanks to God for the same. And there, in the presence of Rochester, comptroller of the queen's household, sir Richard Southwell, both the sheriffs, and many people, the fire was put unto him; and when it had taken hold both upon his legs and shoulders, he, as one feeling no smart, washed his hands in the flame, as though it had been in cold water. After lifting up his hands unto heaven, not removing the same until such time as the devouring fire had consumed them, most mildly this happy martyr yielded up his spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father.

THOMAS CRANMER, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. Martyred 12 September, 1555

Then was an iron chain tied about Cranmer, whom when they perceived to be more steadfast than that he could be moved from his sentence, they commanded the fire to be set unto him. And when the wood was kindled and the fire began to burn near him, stretching out his arm, he put his right hand into the flame, which he held so steadfast and unmovable, (saving that once with the same hand he wiped his face,) that all men might see his hand burned before his body was touched. His body did so abide the burning of the flame with such constancy and steadfastness, that standing always in one place without moving his body, he seemed to move no more than the stake to which he was bound; his eyes were lifted up into heaven, and oftentimes he repeated "his unworthy right hand," so long as his voice would suffer him; and using often the words of Stephen," Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," in the greatness of the flames he gave up the ghost, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.

JOHN HOOPER, BISHOP OF WORCESTER AND GLOUCESTER
Martyred 22nd of January, 1555

Then the hoop of iron prepared for his middle was brought, which being somewhat too short, he shrank and pressed in his body with and, until it fastened: but when they offered to have bound his neck and legs with the other hoops, he refused them, saying, "I am well assured I shall not trouble you."

Being now ready he looked around on all the people, of whom he might be well seen, for he was both tall, and stood also upon a high stool, and beheld that in every corner lifting up nothing to be seen but weeping and sorrowful people. Then lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven he prayed in silence. By and by, he that was appointed to make the fire came to him and asked him forgiveness. He asked why he should forgive him, saying that he never knew any offence he had committed against him.

"O, sir," said the man, "I am appointed to make the fire."

"Therein," said Mr. Hooper, "thou dost nothing to offend me: God forgive thee thy sins, and do thine office, I pray thee."

Then the reeds were cast up, and he receiving two bundles of them in his own hands embraced them, and putting one of them under each arm, showed with his hand how the rest should be bestowed, and pointed to the place where any were wanting. Command was now given that the fire should be kindled. But because there were not fewer green kindling than two horses could carry, it did not kindle speedily, but was some time before it took the reeds upon the wood.

At length it burned about him; but the wind having full strength in that place, and it being a lowering cold morning, it blew the flame from him, so that he was in a manner little more than touched by the fire. Endeavours were then made to increase the flame, and then the bladders of gunpowder exploded; but did him little good, being so placed, and the wind leaving such power.

In this fire he prayed with a loud voice, "Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me! Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me! Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" And these were the last words he was heard to utter. Yet he struck his breast with his hands, until by the renewing of the fire his strength was gone and his hand stuck fast in striking the iron upon his breast. So immediately, bowing forwards, he yielded up his spirit. Thus lingering were his last sufferings. He was nearly three quarters of an hour or more in the fire, as a lamb, patiently bearing the extremity thereof, neither moving forwards, backwards, nor to any side; but he died as quietly as a child in his bed; and he now reigneth as a blessed martyr in the joys of heaven, prepared for the faithful in Christ before the foundation of the world; for whose constancy all christians are bound to praise God.

William Tyndale Born 1484 ? -- Martyred October 6, 1536

At last, After much reasoning, when no reason would serve, although he deserved no death, he was condemned by virtue of the Emperor Decree , made in the Assembly at Augsburgh and upon the same brought forth to the place of Execution, was there tied to the Stake, and then strangled first by the Hangman, and afterwards with fire consumed in the morning, at the Town of Filford, A.D. 1536; crying thus at the stake with a fervent zeal, and a loud voice, "Lord open the king of England's eyes."

Latimer & Ridley burnt alive at Oxford in the year 1555.

Then they brought a lighted stick, and laid the same down at Ridley’s feet; upon which Latimer said calling out from the fire, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." (from Foxe's Book of Martyrs)

How Polycarp was martyred in about 168 A.D.

Polycarp was born abound 70 A.D. He was sold as a slave in his childhood to a wealthy woman named Calisto. She reared him as her son. He came to know Christ as his Savior in those early years. As he grew older, he had the opportunity to study under the Apostle John and others who had personally sat under the teaching of Jesus Christ.

Polycarp was actively involved in serving the Lord in the Church of Smyrna. Upon the death of Calisto, he became heir to all of her estate. He used his inheritance to advance the cause of Christ and to help those who were in need. When the pastor of his church, Pastor Bucolos, died the Apostles and particularly the Apostle John appointed Polycarp to be the Pastor of the Church of Smyrna. Polycarp faithfully ministered in that church for many years.

Persecution of Christians was the order of the day when Marcus Aurelius was the Emporer of Rome. For many years Polycarp was spared. But, the full forced of persecution was unleashed on Polycarp in the later years of his ministry. Three days before he was arrested the Lord revealed to him in a dream that he would be burned at the stake. When the soldiers came to get him, his friends insisted on hiding him. Polycarp made it clear that in the future, he would not allow himself to be hidden. Soon the soldiers discovered where he had been taken. When he saw them coming, he went out and greeted them warmly and offered them food. As they were eating, he requested that he be allowed to pray before they took him away. His request was granted. For two hours he prayed fervently out loud and my book says, "inasmuch that many of the soldiers began to repent, that they were come out against so godly an old man."

When he was done praying they set him on a donkey and took him into the city to be tried as one who was an adversary of the authorized pagan religion. When he arrived, they sat him in a chariot and began to urge him to say the Caesar was God and offer a sacrifice to him. They said, there is no harm in that is there? At first he refused to answer. Finally, after they continued to press him Polycarp said, "I shall not do what you would persuade me to."

This made his judges very angry. They had confidently supposed that they would be able to easily persuade him to do what they wanted him to do. They became vicious in their words and actions. They literally threw him out of the chariot he had been sitting in, which caused serious injury to his thigh. This display of force incited the blood thirsty mob to the point that they were so loud in their curses and jeers that no one could hear. As they were dragging Polycarp to the place of execution, a voice rang out from Heaven loud and clear, above the harangue of the crowd which said, "Be strong, Polycarp, and quit thyself like a man." [The phrase "quit you" means, to carry through, or perform to the end. Hence, be strong and stand like a man to the end.]

The record states that while no one saw who it was that spoke to Polycarp, many of the believers who were in the crowd clearly heard the voice also. To be sure, Polycarp stood for the Lord Jesus Christ to the end, despite all the efforts to persuade him to renounce Christ. One of the judges tried to get him to deny his faith by saying, "Reverence thy old age…Swear by Casear's Fortune. Repent, and say; Take away the Wicked."

The historian goes on to say, "Polycarp, looking with a stern countenance upon the whole multitude of wicked Gentiles, that was gathered together in the Lifts, and shaking his hand at them, looked up to Heaven, and groaning said, Take away the Wicked." But the judge was not satisfied with this. He said, "Sware, and I will set thee at liberty; reproach Christ." It is at this point that Polycarp gives his famous response -- "Eighty and six years have I now served Christ, and he has never done me the least wrong: How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?"

The judge then angrily urges him to, "swear by the Genius of Caesar." Polycarp refuses, but offered to share his faith in Christ. The judge rejected the offer and threatened, "I have wild beasts ready, to those I will cast thee except thou repent." Polycarp responds calmly, "Call for them then: For we Christians are fixed in our minds not to change from good to evil; But for me it will be good to be changed from Evil, to Good."

The furious judge said, "Seeing that thou dispiseth the Wild Beasts, I will cause thee to be devoured by Fire, unless thou shall repent."

Polycarp answered, "Thou threatenest me with Fire which burns for an hour, and so is extinguished; but knowest not the Fire of the Future Judgment, and of that Eternal Punishment, which is reserved for the Ungodly. But why tarriest thou? Bring forth what thou wilt!"

The judge loudly cried out three times, "Polycarp has confessed himself to be a Christian." The mob responded in fury, "This is the Doctor of Asia; The Father of the Christians; an the overthrower of our Gods. He that has taught so many not to sacrifice, nor pay any worship to the Gods."

At first they cried out that the lions should be loosed on him and then that he should be burned alive. They took Polycarp to the stake and were going to nail him there. He spoke up and said, "Let me alone as I am: For he who has given me strength to endure the Fire, will also enable me, without your securing me by nails, to stand without moving in the pile." They merely tied him to the stake.

He prayed this prayer before the fire was was kindled -- Lord God Almighty, the Father of thy Well-beloved, and Blessed Son, Jesus Christ, by whom we have received Knowledge of thee; the God of Angels and Powers, and of every Creature, and especially the whole Race of Just Men who live in thy presence! I give thee hearty thanks that thou hast vouchsafed (allowed) to bring me to this Day, and to this Hour; that I should have a part in the Number of thy Martyrs, in the Cup of thy Christ, to the Resurrection of Eternal Life, both of Soul and Body, in the Incorruption of the Holy Ghost. Among which may I be accepted this Day before thee, as a fat and acceptable Sacrifice; as thou the true God, with who is no falsehood, has both before ordained, and manifested unto me, and also hath now fulfilled it. For this, and for all things else, I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee by the Eternal, and Heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ they Beloved Son; whit whom to Thee and the Holy Ghost, be Glory both now, and to all succeeding Ages, AMEN.

Upon the "AMEN" the executioner lighted the fire, but something strange happened. The flames arched around Polycarp like a sail of a ship filled with wind and he would not burn. After some time, the command was given to the executioner to stab him with a sword, so he did. The result was that so much blood flowed from the wound that it extinguished the fire. The fire was rekindled and Polycarps body was burned to ashes. Polycarp was faithful to the Lord unto death.

A Great Saskatchewan Weekend

2009-05-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

I was invited to Discovery Baptist Church in Regina to lead a seminar on "Declaring the Gospel". It was on Friday and Saturday and then I preached on the Sunday. It was a great experience.

I flew down on Friday morning. During the flight I had opportunity to go through the napkin evangelism presentation with a passenger on the flight who was sitting beside me. He refused to see himself has dead in sin and believed that the only way to God was to earn his way in, so eventually we agreed to disagree. He later revealed to me he was an actor. He had acted in many movies, never as the main lead but when he named some of his movies they were popular ones. It was interesting to see where his life had been. I sadly know where is life is going, if he does not come to an end of himself.

Anyway, I was so impressed to see what the Lord has been up to in Regina. I had visited the church a few years back and it was almost completely discouraged. People had left, leadership was struggling, and costs were going up. When I went there this week, the place looked fresh and alive. The people were full of joy with a deep seriousness to know God.

I stayed with the pastor and his wife, both were so very godly. Humble in spirit and yet full of the wisdom of God. God surely has blessed His people by providing them with great leadership.

During the meetings we looked together at what the scriptures say is the gospel. After each session people were noticeably moved, some to tears, many visibly impacted by the Spirit of God. Oh, the power of the Gospel!

On Sunday, I again preached on the majesty of God and the fullness of knowing Him. At the end of the service their pastor gave an invitation to do business with the Lord and only six or seven of the congregation remained in their seats! All came forward! We got on our knees together and lifted up our hearts to the Lord asking Him to fill us with His Spirit, so we would be witnesses unto His Name. It was beautiful to see and be apart of!

The pastor called me into his office after to counsel with a young believer. At the end he was going to be baptized the following Sunday! God is good!

I came back home on the flight and went to my Home group. Don & Wanda were the only ones there but we laughed and laughed. The fellowship was sweet. The joy of the Lord is my strength!

This has been a great weekend!

The Fear of God

2009-05-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

I received an e-mail yesterday from a friend about the Fear of God. She had a perfect understanding of this complicated consecpt.

"As I reflected on what we talked about yesterday, I again go back to the fear. It is not an awe fear but a genuine fear of God. But what separates this fear from all other fears is this one thing: this fear makes me want to run to God and hide in Him and not run the other way. Our natural tendency is to run the other way or get away when we fear something. But this fear draws you to Him, with reverence which is pretty cool."

When we understand the Fear of the Lord it frees us up in so many other places in our lives, such as the fear of man or not having enough or death and dying.

There is a great illustration in the Chronicles of Narnia, an allegory by CS Lewis, the author. The story has two girls, Susan and Lucy, getting ready to meet Aslan the lion, who represents Christ. Two talking animals, Mr. and Mrs. Beavear, prepare the children for the encounter. "Oooh" said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.

"That you will, dearie." said Mrs. Beaver, "and make no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most, or else just silly."

"Then isn't he safe?" Said Lucy

"Safe?" said Mr. beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you!"

What a good understanding that CS Lewis makes about the fear of God. God is not safe as in tame. God is incredibly holy, full of praise and presence. No being can stand before Him unless he so agrees. You are wise to fear the Lord. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

...But he is good!

Thank You, LORD!

2009-05-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

The week is ending and a new one is about to begin. Who would've ever thought that I would see 50 years of these things go by! Time seems to be flying.

My wife, Wanda, is in the kitchen cooking up a storm. My oldest son Richard is over for the weekend and my youngest son Jerry just flew in from Kelowna. My second oldest son, Simon flew to Penticton to visit his daughter, Emma. And my only girl, Sharon, just got off the phone with her mother as she was helping her do her cooking over the phone.

I'm preparing and finishing up my sermon that I'm to preach tomorrow. My sermon series is called, Managing Life, that's something I'm into right now.

Life, what a big subject.

Lord, I just want to say, thank You, thank You, thank You!

Make Disciples

2009-05-15T03:26:00.000-07:00

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 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, 20 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.

When our Lord was leaving the planet,He left us with clear instructions of what we were to be about. One: Go make disciples, Two: Baptize them, Three: Teach to observe.

I believe the strength of the church is found by obedying this command. We were not told to gather for worship, or Bible studies, we were not told to come together to sing or eat meals together. We were told to make disciples.

Why did the Lord say it was the priority of the church to be about making disciples?

I believe this answer is found in the making of a disciple of Christ. When we make a disciple, you see, we must teach them to pray and study the Bible. We must teach them to gather in worship and praise. But if we focus on gathering for worship service we can have the people do this without becoming disciples of Christ.

Cults gather people to do one thing with them, make them a disciple. This is why cults spread so quickly. They disciple. They disciple with false doctrine but they disciple.

When the church relooks at the task we should be about from the task we are doing, we will find the strength coming back into the Lord's community. It will be then our worship services become ever deeper, our prayers become full, our fellowship becomes sweet.

Church, let's make disciples, it is the Lord's business!

My Mother Taught Me.... Poem

2009-05-11T00:07:00.000-07:00

To Value A Job Well Done
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

Time Travel
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

Logic
"Because I said so, that's why."

Foresight
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

Irony
"Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about."

Osmosis
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

Stamina
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

Weather
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

Hypocrisy
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

Circle Of Life
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

Behavior Modification
"Stop acting like your father!"

Envy
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

Anticipation
"Just wait until we get home."

Receiving
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

Medical Science
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

How To Become An Adult
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

Genetics
"You're just like your father."

Wisdom
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

Justice
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you"

Conquering Debt God's Way

2009-05-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

People pray for many different reasons, sometimes it's for the well being of others, sometimes it's simply looking for answers. It can be healing, and many times confusing. For Bruce Ammons, it was life changing. God answered his prayers in a way he never expected, giving him the courage to take some big steps financially and the wisdom to teach those steps to others.

Bruce Ammons and his wife Ruthie had always been involved with the church and when they found themselves in financial trouble they knew prayer was where they should turn. "We were in such a bind that we prayed to God for help, we said 'God will you help deliver us we'll do anything You ask us to do just please deliver us' and God led us to a Bible based elimination plan and it didn't all make since to our human minds but we obeyed it anyway and it even included the role of being generous with our money. My thinking was if God would ever help us get out of debt I would start being generous with my money toward His kingdom, but He really changed my perspective and He taught me that if I would start being generous now He would in fact help me to get out of debt. So that's part of the strategy we teach is the role of generosity in the role of debt elimination," Bruce Ammons said.

Bruce has been leading seminars for years now, he's traveled, helping others understand what God has taught him and that you have to give in order to get something back. "The seminar is a Bible based debt elimination seminar that teaches people how to pay off their debt house and cars included in a period of five years. It's a very effective debt elimination plan it's not traditional nor conventional it's different then what you'd typically hear of taught by the world but it's very exciting and really it's life changing."

Bruce acknowledges prayer doesn't always lead you where you might expect it to. He left a steady job to go out on his own and help others who were going through the same financial struggles he had, relying strictly on love donations to earn a living. But for this husband and father of three, he turned again to his faith and the power of prayer.

"Prayer has changed my life, and I am just amazed to see time and time and time again God proves Himself faithful. God doesn't answer every prayer that I pray in the way that I ask Him too, but I do believe God knows best, and in fact, I've been able to see that God answered my prayer in a different way than I have preferred but months or years later I look back on it and think thank God He didn't answer it the way I prayed it. God knows best. He's always faithful and the neat thing about prayer is that its an open phone line with God."

"The power of prayer has changed my life and I'm committed to it from now on."

Bruce Ammons is going to be our keynote speaker on May 31th at Royal Heights Baptist Church. He will preach the morning service and lead us in Conquering Debt God's Way in the evening. Plan to set this time aside, you won't be disappointed!

Flat Landers

2009-05-06T01:19:00.000-07:00

I'm in Edmonton with my daughter, Sharon and her husband, Adam. I look out side and the world is flat! You can see as far as the eye can see. It is beautiful!

I use to be a flat lander when I lived in North Battleford, Saskatchewan which seems like another life time ago. I stayed and worked in the North Battleford area for thirty years. My first job was selling pop and peanuts at the local hockey games. I became a welder and a cement workers for a number of years then finally working my last eight years as a city fire fighter.

I remember moving to Penticton in BC and feeling like we abandoned of province that we loved. We coulod so homesick once that we even considered returning home. But we remained and started to enjoy the clossness to the mountians and rolling hills.

Now Wanda and I enjoy the mountianous area over the flat land but whenever we are back in this area I feel a little like I'm coming home.

I'm here teaching a group of people that Sharon and Adam are relating to spiritually. I am leading them through the Book of Romans to teach the gospel and its impact once understood.

Pray for me. Pray for me because now I miss the mountians and the closenest of the ocean!

Salvations

2009-05-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

The worship service was beautiful. You could sense the Lord in the room. Kelyn gave his testimony of his walk with the Lord. Kelyn is three weeks old as a believer! The last worship song was especially moving as it sought us to move into the compassion of Christ.

A family of three have been attending the church. They came through their ties at our Small World Preschool. They listened intently all through the message. After service I invited them out to Boston Pizza for lunch.

During our meal I had the opportunity to ask them about their faith in the Lord. The man and woman listened as I declared to them the gospel of Christ. Taking a simple napkin I drew out the plan of salvation. At the end both, with tears, gave their lives to Christ. We held hands at the table in Boston Pizza and prayed to receive Christ. Both will be baptized this coming Mother's Day!

Two souls in the Kingdom! Salvation freely received! To God be the Glory great things He hath done!

Now it's Sunny

2009-05-01T23:03:00.001-07:00

Today, the weather was warm and sunny. Weird! All the snow melted off the grounds and now they are watered and ready for Spring.

Flying home tomorrow, it will be great to be home for one day. I have to fly out again to go to Edmonton and do a Romans' Study at a Home Group.

I must now go finish up my sermon prep for Sunday morning!

Unexpected Weather

2009-05-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in Cochrane,...it's snowing! Wow!! It's the first day of May and it's snowing! I thought we were in global warming!

This is certainity unexpected weather for me. I brought my light coat. I was not prepared for this.

Many times in our lives we expereince unexpected turn of events. We thought something would happen and it has turned out almost the opposite of what we have expected. How do you prepare for these changes?

First - You must trust that it is the LORD God behind every situation working things out to His glory and praise. We must not take things as if they are a personal attack against you.

Second - You must learn to embrace pain. We normally run from pain so this is difficult for us to do. When situations are not working out like we thought go through the situation counting it all joy as you grow in Christ.

Third - You must test your faith in smaller situations to prepare for the more challenging ones. Faith grows by going to faith-needing expereinces. Faith expereinces are events that challenge our situations in life.

Fourth - You must remember that either you are going into a challenge, are in one right now, or about to go into one soon. Life is a series of unxpected events, orchastrated by the Sovereign LORD Almighty, working all things to Himself!

Fifth - You must connect with others so you go through things together. You were never meant to live life by yourself, it was supposed to be a group effort. Call out to friends and family.

The storms of life are coming. Are you ready? Do you have a big coat somewhere? Have you set your life up in faith to go in and through this events without destroying your heart and attitude?

Hey, ...I like snow!!!

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

I thought I Was Right

2009-04-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

I went to Manchester, New Hampshire this weekend to do some evangelism teaching. It was an interesting experience.

I got to the airport early, with Tim driving me. We left my house at 5AM so I would get there on time. This met I had to be up at 4:30AM to be ready! We got to the airport and Time dropped me off. I walk up to the ticket counter and discover my plane does not leave until 8AM. I'm three hours too early!

Anyway, I try to book myself in but have trouble at the self-ticket booth so I have to go to the counter. The lines are all busy except the first class ticket line so she calls me over and books me in. (No, I never got first class) She completes this procedure rather quickly and tags my one bag and I'm off to sit and wait for my flight.

I look at my ticket and see that I'm flying out at Gate 10B. I make my way over to it. I board the aircraft after the long wait. As I'm making my way down the isle, I'm looking for seat 20E. When I get there it is full. Someone is already sitting in the seat. I ask him what is his seat number and he tells me 20E, the same as mine. I draw the attention of the steward and he says, "hmmmm, just sit in any seat." So I do.

The plane heads off down the runway and I'm talking to the guy who has my seat. Suddenly, I notice my ticket stubs do not have my name on them but a Stephen Maurphers. I ask him if this is his name and he says it is. I said, "Oh, oh, I think my bags are tagged with your name and not mine!"

I arrive at my now new destination and go to the check out counter to clear up the confusion. They look at my ticket on the file and realize I was suppose to go to Toronto for my connecting flight and I am now in Chicago! She looks at me and says, "Wow, they really mixed this up!" I said, "I am use to having an airline lose my luggage but never one that loses ME!"

They rebooked everything to get me to Manchester, only it would be now a seven hour wait before I could get on the correct flight! Finally, it arrived and I was off. It was now 12:30AM and I was tired of airports.

I got to the luggage department and found that they now lost my luggage! They would have to send it in the next morning. My conference was the next morning so this meant no change from what I was wearing.

Eventually the luggage did come the next day and I could change. The conference went smoothly and life went on. What's the lesson in all this?

It all started because I thought the woman at the ticket counter who booked me in was correct. I followed her plan until I discovered I was in Chicago instead of Toronto. I thought I was right but the truth was I was on the wrong flight all along.

Many people believe they are on the right road to heaven. Someone has told them that this is the way. Do this and do that. Keep this rule and that rule. But soon they will discover, too late, that they are on the wrong road, entering the wrong gate!

I could fix my situation, many will never be able to change their desparate situation. I lost a few hours, many are moving into eternity. I was travelling with a lot of others so it seemed right but many are on the board way thinking because so many others are with them, it must be okay. It was only when the truth was known to me, I could get the situation fixed. The truth must be made known now to people so they can have their situation fixed.

Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Making the B Attitudes Practical

2009-04-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

Eight Recovery Principles based on the BEATITUDES
by Rick Warren

1. Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.
”Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.” Matthew 5:3

2. Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.”Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.
”Happy are the meek.“ Matthew 5:5

4. Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself and to another person whom I trust.
"Happy are the pure in heart." Matthew 5:8

5. Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life.
"Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires." Matthew 5:6

6. Evaluate all my relationships, offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others when possible, except when doing so would harm them or others.
"Happy are the merciful" Matthew 5:7 "Happy are the peacemakers" Matthew 5:9

7. Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His work for my life and gain the power to follow His will.

8. Yield myself to be used by God to bring this good news to others, both by my example and by my words.“Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.”
Matthew 5:10

Who Am I?

2009-04-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

You may know me.
I'm your constant companion.
I'm your greatest helper; I'm your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am at your command.
Half the tasks you do might as well be turned over to me.
I'm able to do them quickly,
and I'm able to do them the same every time
if that's what you want.
I'm easily managed, all you've got to do is be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want it done;
after a few lessons I'll do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great men and women;
of course, servant of the failures as well.
I've made all the great individuals who have ever been great,
And I've made all the failures, too.
But I work will all the precision of a marvelous computer
with the intelligence of a human being.
You may run me for profit, or you may run me to ruin;
it makes no difference to me.
Take me. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Be firm with me and I'll put the world at your feet.
Who am I?

I Am Habit.

A profile of Iglesia Cristiana Segadores de Vida

2009-04-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

A profile of Iglesia Cristiana Segadores de Vida, America's Fastest-Growing Church of 2007
By Jeannie Choi

When Armando Ortega heard that a cell group member of his church was suffering kidney failure, he didn’t hesitate to offer his own. Though a series of tests revealed he was not an eligible candidate, Ortega would have gladly undergone surgery, he says.

“That is our heart—to go the extra mile to reach out and help others. It’s beyond normal,” says Ortega, associate pastor of Hispanic church Iglesia Cristiana Segadores de Vida, in Hollywood, Fla. (segadores.com).

To many, offering a kidney is an almost unimaginable act of generosity, but for the leaders at Segadores de Vida, No. 1 on the Outreach 100 Fastest-Growing Churches list, giving themselves away is key to growing their church.

“Our goal is to influence our community,” says Ruddy Gracia, 41, who pastors Segadores de Vida along with his wife, Maria. “If anybody near our church is hungry or in need, we want them to know there’s a place that will help.”

Segadores de Vida, Spanish for harvesters of life, began in 1992, when the Gracias gathered their neighbors in their apartment living room. “We knocked on our neighbors’ doors and won them to Christ immediately,” Maria says. “We grew in that apartment to 85 people in less than six months.”

Meetings were intimate, with nearby residents in the predominantly Hispanic community coming together to share their spiritual and practical needs. The Gracias did all they could to meet those needs, like teaching their members English, arranging legal aid for immigrants and providing prayer support.

The rapidly expanding congregation migrated to a local middle school classroom in 1993, but soon filled the school choir room, and then the gymnasium. By 1995, Segadores de Vida had more than 300 members and was meeting at a storefront in a nearby strip mall. Settling into a more formal setting, the leadership transitioned out of the home-church model and focused on the weekend services, a move Ruddy now sees as a mistake.

“We immediately stopped growing. In 2000, we started the cell groups again and in the past seven years, we’ve grown from 700 to 6,000 members,” Ruddy says. “So the real success has been through raising lay leadership within home cell groups.”
In March 2003, Segadores de Vida moved into its current building, which accommodates 1,750 people. The congregation meets in three services, with people lined out the door. Parking is an utter mess, but the Gracias could not be happier.
“People are ready. This is the time for the Church to harvest what the Lord has promised. We’re in overdrive all the time, but we’re following the Lord’s steps,” says Maria.

Segadores de Vida’s guest connections technique is extremely strategic: Every first-time visitor is contacted by phone within 24 hours of visiting the church. Within 48 hours, a cell group leader meets with the visitor and, over the next five weeks, forges a relationship. Once the visitor has made a decision to follow Christ and join a cell group, he or she is invited to a three-day retreat during which the church’s leaders minister and educate new believers toward spiritual maturity.
Participants are then enrolled in the Segadores Bible School—a series of classes that equips members for leadership. The final trimester of Bible school requires every student to bring several people to Christ, and these new believers become the student-leader’s first cell group. On average, the journey from first-time visitor to cell group leader takes eight to 12 months, Ruddy says.

“We believe that the purpose of salvation is not just to go to heaven, but to lead others to come with you. From the moment you set foot in this church, we place you on a river flowing toward a goal, which is to be used by God,” he says.

With more than 600 cell groups ranging from eight to 40 members each, Segadores de Vida is a growing network of smaller communities that meet weekly to worship together, study God’s Word and provide support to the Hispanic congregation. The church also partners with local civic organizations to help support members in need.
“As people get connected to their cell group, the leaders discover they’re here as immigrants, don’t know English and are in need of legal aid. We already know the system, so we guide them to a lawyer who will not steal their money, and companies and schools that will help them,” Ruddy says.

More than leading the helpless to the temporal comforts of the world, the leaders of Segadores de Vida bring them to the eternal joy of knowing Christ. Although Armando Ortega didn’t pass the test as a kidney donor, he did pass the test as a parent, when eight years ago, he and his wife decided to legally adopt Nicole, a 13-year-old cell group member. Nicole’s grandmother, who was raising her, had suffered a stroke.
“God started putting in our hearts to help her get through this,” says Ortega.
Today, to the Ortegas’ delight, Nicole is happily married and beginning a family. Her testimony stands as an example of what Segadores de Vida is all about—bringing people into the family and helping them start their own.

-Excerpted from Outreach magazine, "Features," 2007 Outreach 100

Clearly Baptist Church

2009-04-15T01:08:00.000-07:00

We had a team come from the USA during the Spring holidays. Clearly Baptist Church served with us over the Easter break. They are now on mission again to another part of the world. They ask for our prayers. Below is their request:

Me (Pastor Kevin Ivy) and five others leave Jackson Monday morning to begin a long journey to the southern part of India. We are going to an unreached people group called the Mapilla. They are a group of over 10 million muslims who have no missionary, no church, and no Gospel witness. They are lost and without Christ. They are hard to the Gospel. The International Mission Board is having to fly a missionary in to Calicut to meet us. That is how alone and unreached these people are. If anything is to be accomplished there, there must be prayer, prayer, prayer.

I want to encourage you to pray for several things.

1. Pray that the Mapilla people will begin to have their eyes opened and their hearts softened so that they will be open and responsive to the Gospel. There are numerous reports of unreached Muslims having dreams and visions of Jesus and of mission teams bringing them the truth. It is my prayer that some of these Muslims have had dreams and visions that prepare them for our arrival with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that the Mapilla will begin having visions and dreams and that their hearst will be softened and prepared for the Gospel.

2. Pray for our safety and the safety of our families as we are gone. Pray that we will all walk very closely with God from this point on, and throughout the entire trip. Pray that we will be discerning, wise, and anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit to be used mightily of Him for His glory.

3. Pray for the power of Satan to be bound. I was talking with a church member today who was remembering the week leading up to her mission trip to the Dominican Republic. It was a rough week and it seemed that Satan tried every way he could to crush her spirits. It seems that Satan definitely works hard to disrupt the work of God. He is sticking his ugly head up everywhere I turn lately it seems. He is raking me over the coals as I try to prepare my heart and mind to go.

The mission team met to pray Monday and we prayed that the strongholds that Satan has among this people would begin to fall and that he would begin to open their eyes, soften their hearts, and open their ears so that when we arrive they will be able to hear and receive the Word of God. Little did we know that Satan is not only working among this people group, but he was going to work full force among us here in the U.S.A. This is part of what prompted the blog entry last night. If you didn't read it, go back to the archives and read it. We are too naive to realize when Satan is using us, attacking us, influencing us, and hindering the work of God through us. God, help me...help us NOT be an instrument of Satan to hinder and thwart the work of God. Help us oh God, to guard our hearts and minds against the works and thoughts of the evil one. Help us oh God, to pray, pray, pray. Help us oh God to focus on your mighty works.

Pray that Satan will be bound both here and there.

In short, if anything good is to come out of this first trip to this unreached people, we must MUST have the prayers of godly people behind us. Would you please forward this blog like crazy? Would you please ask those in your inbox to forward it like crazy? Would you sign up to follow us along the way...at least as much as we can have internet access? Would you commit to pray?
I want to ask each of you to pray for us as we leave Jackson, MS Monday morning at 8 a.m. to make our almost 2 day journey to the southern part of India. Pray for our work there. Pray for the people there.

Judas' Betrayal

2009-04-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

What Lessons Does Judas' Betrayal Teach Us as Disciples?

Judas is a very sober example of how a good disciple can go bad. From such promise to a total wreck. What do we learn from this event?

His betrayal is hidden from his closest associates.

It's interesting that though the Apostle John is aware of Judas' weakness for money and theft (John 12:6), he doesn't know who the betrayer is until Jesus tells him. All the disciples had weaknesses and patterns of sin -- that's how sinful humans are. So that Judas has a recurrent sin is no indication to anyone that he is a betrayer. It is possible for you and I to betray Jesus in our heart without anyone knowing. Except Jesus. Jesus knows.

Judas' sin ruins him -- and others.

It makes him vulnerable to the seducing voice of Satan. Our sins can ruin us, too. And, very possibly, those around us whom we love.
Is it I? The disciples at the Last Supper don't know who will betray Jesus, and each wonders if it might be himself? Each of us has in us the seeds of betrayal. We must be vigilant.

Even Jesus has one of his leaders turn against him.

Sometimes as Christian leaders we ourselves when one of our leaders turns against us. What did I do wrong? we ask. But even Jesus had this happen. Yes, good leadership is important, but the root of failure lies within the person, not necessarily the leader.

Differences between RELIGION and CHRISTIANITY

2009-04-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

The difference between RELIGION and true CHRISTIANITY:

RELIGION
"Salvation is something I must do. I must somehow earn or gain salvation by the way I live."

CHRISTIANITY
"Salvation is something only God can do. Salvation is of the LORD!" (Eph. 2:8-9; Jonah 2:9).

RELIGION
Religion is summed up in one word: DO--man trying to DO different things to please God and earn His favour.

CHRISTIANITY
Christianity is summed up in one word: DONE--Christ dying on the cross to save sinful man (John 19:30).

RELIGION
The religious man is busy "working" (doing good works) in order to be saved.

CHRISTIANITY
The saved person is "not working" (Rom. 4:5) but is RESTING upon the finished work of Another.

RELIGION
TRYING

CHRISTIANITY
TRUSTING (Acts 16:31

RELIGION
A Work to Do which is never done (How can anyone work well enough and hard enough to earn salvation?)

CHRISTIANITY
A Word to Believe (1 Pet. 1:25) about a Work that is Done (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

RELIGION
Man hoping to save himself

CHRISTIANITY
God saving hopeless man (1 Tim. 1:15)

RELIGION
RELIGION is man trying to BRING HIMSELF TO GOD (by human effort, good works, ritualism, traditionalism, sacraments, etc.).

CHRISTIANITY
CHRISTIANITY is Christ BRINGING US TO GOD on the basis of what He did for us on the cross (1 Peter 3:18).

RELIGION
Religion is man trusting his own good works (Titus 3:5).

CHRISTIANITY
Salvation is man trusting the good work which the Lord Jesus did on the cross (Rom. 3:22-26).

RELIGION
A religious ritual A real relationship (John 17:3)

CHRISTIANITY
Following rules Enjoying life (John 6:47; 10:10).

RELIGION
"I must reform my life and turn over a new leaf"

CHRISTIANITY
Doing Something Knowing Someone (John 17:3)

RELIGION
Man trying to please God in the wrong way (Rom. 8:8--"So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God").

CHRISTIANITY
Man truly pleasing God in the only way (Hebrews 11:6--"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him").

RELIGION
Seeking to earn God's favour by works

CHRISTIANITY
Receiving God's favour by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8 and see Eph. 1:6).

RELIGION
"I can work my way to heaven and earn my salvation" (Romans 6:23 teaches that we have earned our way to hell: "the wages of sin is death")

CHRISTIANITY
"I could never live well enough to earn my way to heaven. Christ had to pay the price for my salvation (1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).

RELIGION
"Salvation is something that a person must earn."

CHRISTIANITY
"Salvation is a free gift" (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 4:10).

RELIGION
The sinner sees himself as good (Luke 18:11-12).

CHRISTIANITY
The sinner sees himself as sinful (Luke 18:13).

RELIGION
The religious man compares himself with others (Luke 18:11).

CHRISTIANITY
The saved man sees himself as God sees him (1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 53:1-3; Rom. 3:10-12).

RELIGION
TRUSTING SELF (Luke 18:9)

CHRISTIANITY
TRUSTING CHRIST (Eph. 1:12-13)

RELIGION
BOASTING IN SELF (Luke 18:11-12)

CHRISTIANITY
BOASTING IN THE LORD (1 Cor. 1:29-31; Eph. 2:9)

RELIGION
"I have kept the law! I have done that which God has required" (Matthew 19:16-20).

CHRISTIANITY
"I have broken the law but I am trusting the One who came into this world to save guilty lawbreakers" (1 Tim. 1:15).

RELIGION
The religious man is seeking to establish his own righteousness (Rom. 10:3).

CHRISTIANITY
The saved man is satisfied with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).

RELIGION
Religion is pictured in Genesis 3 by the fig leaves that Adam and Eve made for themselves--a terrible covering (Gen. 3:7 and see Isaiah 64:6).

CHRISTIANITY
Salvation is pictured in Genesis 3 by the coats of skin which God provided by way of the shedding of blood--a perfect covering (Gen. 3:21; Rev. 19:8).

RELIGION
CAIN'S RELIGION--"I bring to God the labour of my own hands" (Gen. 4:3).

CHRISTIANITY
ABEL'S FAITH--"I bring to God a blood sacrifice. An innocent substitute must die to save me" (Gen. 4:4).

RELIGION
Hoping to be saved by good works (a false hope)

CHRISTIANITY
Saved unto good works by God's grace (Eph. 2:10).

RELIGION
Religion teaches that good works are the cause of salvation.

CHRISTIANITY
The Bible teaches that good works are the result of salvation.

RELIGION
Religion says, "Good works are those things that a person does to be saved."

CHRISTIANITY
The Bible says, "Good works are those things that a saved person does" (James 2:14-26).

RELIGION
"Christ is my Example and Teacher. I try to follow Him and live as He lived."

CHRISTIANITY
Christ is my Saviour and Substitute. I am trusting Him and only Him to save me" (Luke 23:40-43).

RELIGION
"I hope I will be saved."
"I think I will be saved."
"I feel that I will be saved, maybe."

CHRISTIANITY
"I KNOW I am saved right now" (1 John 5:13-"These things have I written unto you that believe on to name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life").

A Soldier's View of the Tomb

2009-04-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Cassius stood at rigid attention in front of the commanding officer of Jerusalem's military cohort. "Centurion," the officer barked, "explain yourself! One of your squads was assigned to guard a tomb, a dead man. What could be so hard about that? Now I'm hearing rumors that the body is missing? Tell me this is all a mistake!"

"Sir, may I be frank, one old soldier to another?" asked the Centurion. He and the Tribune went back a long way, though the Tribune was of the equestrian class, and he a mere commoner.

"Please, Cassius," he said somewhat more gently, and motioned for the Centurion to take a seat.

"I must beg your indulgence, sir," Cassius began. "The story actually begins weeks ago."

"Take your time," the Tribune said, relaxing somewhat.

"Ever since this Jesus began preaching around Jerusalem, we thought he might be some kind of revolutionary bent on stirring up the populace with his talk of the Kingdom of God. But I went and listened to him, sir. He was no threat. Thousands would sit in rapt attention as he would talk about his Father, and loving your neighbor, forgiveness from past sins, and beginning a new life. It was fascinating, sir. Made you feel like he cared about you personally, he did."

The Tribune was resting his chin on his hand. "Go on, soldier."

"The next I saw him, we had been ordered to stand guard outside the Governor's official residence. The crowd was getting ugly. Pontius Pilate was sitting up there on the judgment seat and Jesus stood before him. Someone had roughed him up a bit, sir.

"What did you expect, Centurion?"

"Finally," Cassius continued, "Pilate motioned for silence. 'I find no crime in this man,' he called out. Then he tried to set Jesus free. He asked them to choose between Barabbas--a known murderer and rebel--and Jesus."

"And now that criminal Barabbas is walking free again."

"Jews from the ruling Sanhedrin were shouting, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!' The rabble took up the cry. It was touch and go for a minute there, sir. Then Pilate called for a basin, and began to wash his prissy little hands ...."

"Centurion, I'll allow no disrespect," the Tribune said sharply.

"Yes sir, but you know Jesus was innocent, pure and simple. He had just offended some powerful priests. But when Pilate saw how the wind was blowing he went along. I thought Rome was about law and justice, not expediency."

"Ruling is sometimes dirty business, Centurion," interjected the Tribune.

"So is soldiering, sir. On your orders one of my squad was picked to scourge the man."

"Oh, they enjoyed it well enough," said the Tribune. "That tall soldier ... Publius, wasn't it? He flogged like a madman, as I recall, with the metal tips of the scourge biting into his back until the skin lay in tatters and blood ran free."

"Few times in my career have I been sickened by blood," commented Cassius, "but to see an innocent man treated with such cruelty...."

"I don't recall you stopping them from dressing him in a purple robe with a reed for a scepter and a crown of thorns. Oh, they were having fun, all right."

"I've crucified hundreds in my time," Cassius replied, "but this man was different. He didn't curse. He didn't whimper. He was half-dead already from the beating Publius gave him, and he fell on the way to Golgotha."

"Fell?"

"He was just too weak to carry the cross, so we conscripted a strong Cyrenean to carry it. Then we crucified Jesus."

"All men die the same."

"Not like he did," replied Cassius. "We spiked him to the cross-bar and hoisted it onto the upright, but I'll never forget his prayer: 'Father forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing.' Sir, I was responsible for killing him, and he forgave me."

"Haven't you been a soldier too long to be troubled by a guilty conscience, Cassius?"

"Then the thief crucified next to him asked to be remembered when Jesus came into his kingdom."

"His kingdom!" the Tribune sneered.

"But listen to his answer: 'Today you will be with me in paradise.' Amazing! About noon, Tribune, the sky grew dark. Everyone saw it, and felt the cold chill when he cried, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' He sounded like the loneliest man in the world, hanging in the darkness. He spoke scarcely a word until three in the afternoon when he shouted, almost triumphantly, 'It is finished!' And, if you listened closely, you could hear him whisper, 'Into your hands I commit my spirit.'

"At that very moment the ground began to tremble and roll," said Cassius. "Knocked me to the ground for a moment. And then the darkness began to lift. I tell you, Tribune, that was no mere man we crucified, he was the Son of God."

"A few freak coincidences and you're willing to declare him divine? He's just as dead as anyone."

"No, Tribune, he's not."

"He's not?"

"The chief priests and Pharisees insisted that Pilate guard the tomb so Jesus' disciples wouldn't steal the body."

"I know. I ordered it."

"We posted three men around the clock, relieved every eight hours as regulations call for. I sealed the tomb before they began. It was secure."

"So, what's this rumor that the body is gone?"

"It is gone, sir."

"I'll have your hide, Centurion!" the Tribune shouted, rising to his feet.

Cassius stood, too, but went on. "Sunday morning, sir, the three soldiers on duty came running into the barracks like they'd seen a ghost. 'Centurion! Centurion!' they shouted. 'He's alive!' I got them calmed down, and made them tell me every detail.

"Their shift had begun in the evening," he said. They had been wide awake all night--telling stories about their girlfriends back home most of the time, I understand. Then, while it was still dark, they said the garden tomb lit up as if it were high noon, and an angel with garments like lightning came and rolled the stone away from the tomb. They just sat there trembling. Then one of them got up-- Publius, I think they said--and looked in the tomb. The body was gone, and the graveclothes were lying on the limestone shelf wrapped round and round, but no body in them."

"You expect me to believe that?" the Tribune responded disdainfully.

"I questioned them closely. Each looked. Each saw the same thing. The body was gone."

"They must have fallen asleep, and told a story to cover themselves."

"They were battle-hardened veterans, sir, not some green troops. I know those men. Besides, sir, you'd think the sound of people trying to roll a huge stone would awaken sleeping soldiers. No, they were telling the truth, all right."

"What do you expect me to tell people, Centurion? That he rose from the dead?"

"I don't know what you're going to tell them, Tribune, but that's what happened. He's alive. I tell you, he's alive!"

"We'll tell the soldiers to say they fell asleep and his disciples stole the body," suggested the Tribune.

"What soldier is willing to say he fell asleep?" asked Cassius with a thin smile on his face.

"We'll pay them to say it," said the Tribune. "The chief priests owe us. They'll come up with a goodly sum to bury this story.... I'll take care of it from here on out, Centurion. You didn't see anything. You don't know anything. Got it?"

"But I do know, and I did see, Tribune. I can't change what happened. Jesus is out there alive. More than alive."

"Forget this ever happened, Cassius."

"Forget it if you can, sir. But with all respect, Jesus is alive, and that changes everything."

Transformers

2009-04-02T03:16:00.000-07:00

When I was raising children we use to buy them toys called Transformers. Transformers were robot-like men who could also be a vehicle of some kind. They were cool! Our kids would push them around as a car for awhile then "bam" instantly they were transformed into a alien space man with powers. The mind of children would soar with the possiblities.

The mission of the church is to also to transform. To transform the minds of people.
We are not just trying to win arguments or make points in a debate class. We are not trying to push our beliefs on others or just put down someone else's beliefs. Our goal is to introduce someone to a Person, His Name is Truth!

To whole body of Christ is focused on seeing that a person clearly hears the Gospel or good news of Jesus so they can accept or reject its offer of life. We see transformation happen right before our eyes when people fully surrender into His arms.

How do people transform?

There are only three possible ways by which men have ever been transformed:

1) By the strength of another
2) By the costs of a purchaser
3) By conviction of a truth

Men and even nations have been transformed by the use of the strength of another. When a person’s life or physical welfare is sufficiently threatened by the use of force, he will usually submit to the will of another. The history books are full of examples of this kind of tranformation.

Likewise, if a sufficient price or consideration is offered to most people, they will tranform their lives to conform to the will of the person paying the cost. This is readily recognized in the area of wages or even bribes. When compelling reasons are given for a different course of action, a person may frequently be convinced to change both his mind and his conduct.

Now, of these three ways by which man can be changed, which is/are acceptable for use by us?

Obviously the first two, strength or paying the cost does not transform the mind or the disagreememt. Neither one of these methods has anything to do with tranforming the mind of the individual. These methods might change his actions but they will not change his convictions. Belief in what is right cannot be imposed on the human mind by either force or money. Even the change in conduct wrought by these methods lasts only as long as the force or the money holds out.

The only tool left to the Christian is the power of persuasion! This is precisely as God has ordained it. Note the following two passages:

“Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men….” (2 Corinthians 5:11).

“….and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening” (Acts 28:23).

Our Lord is not interested in “forced” service or “bribed” obedience. He is interested in people being persuaded to “obey from the heart” (Romans 6:17). God desires a transformation of the whole man which begins with “the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

While the power of persuasion is all we have, it is enough! The only thing that renders it ineffective is our refusal or negligence to use it. May God always find us busily engaged in using the power of persuasion to change the minds of men.

Martyrs - People Who Attack False Beliefs

2009-04-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

Martyrs were people who aggressively attacked false beliefs. They were not passive observers but instead people who were willing to take great risks to see that the gospel of Christ was declared throughout the world. This risk was to their personal sacrifice of their lives many times.

Here are some examples of the early church's witnesses:

Stephen was preaching the gospel in Jerusalem on the Passover after Christ’s crucifixion. He was cast out of the city and stoned to death. About 2,000 Christians suffered martyrdom during this time (about 34 A.D.).

James, the son of Zebedee and the elder brother of John, was killed when Herod Agrippa arrived as governor of Judea. Many early disciples were martyred under Agrippa’s rule, including Timon and Parmenas (about 44 A.D.).

Philip, a disciple from Bethsaida, in Galilee, suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified (about 54 A.D.).

Matthew, the tax-collector from Nazareth who wrote a gospel in Hebrew, was preaching in Ethiopia when he suffered martyrdom by the sword (about 60 A.D.).

James, the Brother of Jesus, administered the early church in Jerusalem and was the author of a book in the Bible. At the age of 94 he was beat and stoned, and finally had his brains bashed out with a fuller's club.

Matthias was the apostle who filled the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.

Andrew, the brother of Peter, preached the gospel throughout Asia. On his arrival at Edessa, he was arrested and crucified on a cross, two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground (thus the term, St. Andrew's Cross).

Mark was converted to Christianity by Peter, and then transcribed Peter’s account of Jesus in his Gospel. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria in front of Serapis, their pagan idol.

Peter was condemned to death and crucified at Rome. Jerome holds that Peter was crucified upside down, at his own request, because he said he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord.

Paul suffered in the first persecution under Nero. Because of the converting impact he was having on people in the face of martyrdom, he was led to a private place outside the city where he gave his neck to the sword.

Jude, the brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa in about 72 A.D.

Bartholomew translated the Gospel of Matthew in India. He was cruelly beaten and crucified by idolaters there.

Thomas, called Didymus, preached in Parthia and India. He was thrust through with a spear by pagan priests.

Luke was the author of the Gospel under his name. He traveled with Paul through various countries and was supposedly hanged on an olive tree by idolatrous priests in Greece.

Barnabas, of Cyprus, was killed without many known facts about 73 A.D. Simon, surnamed Zelotes, preached in Africa and Britain, where he was crucified in about 74 A.D.

John, the "beloved disciple," was the brother of James. Although he suffered great persecution, including imprisonment where he wrote the book of Revelation, he was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.

The witness of Christ is costly because the message is the direct opposite of the world's message. The world's message is, there is no god, do whatever you want, there are no eternal consequences for your actions. Christ's message is, there is a God who should be feared if you go against Him and His teaching, you will be held responsible for your actions and they have eternal consequences.

Keep the faith! Keep the witness! Declare the gospel, even if it cost you!

Hearing The Voice of God

2009-03-31T00:46:00.000-07:00

If you walked up to a fellow believer 50 years ago and said, “God spoke to me and revealed. . .,” they would assume that you had been reading your Bible that morning. Today if you walk up to someone and say the same thing, a whole different sentiment is conveyed. Today it would be assumed that you heard a “still small voice” whisper in your ear, you got an “impression,” or you “felt led” to do something.

Unfortunately, “hearing from God” in modern evangelicalism has nothing to do with reading the Bible and understanding it. Instead, it has to do with a very subjective, personal, feelings-based practice of trying to hear God speak apart from Scripture.

It is my contention that this second, and very new and modern, view that impressions from the Lord is the norm is not only subjective, dangerous, and presumptuous, but also grossly unbiblical.

That is not to say that people in previous centuries never claimed to be led by impressions, nudgings and feelings. There were many who did. However this notion, which today is nearly a sacrament among evangelicals, was historically frowned upon, warned against, and rejected as being quite contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures - which it is.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian John Gill).2

Spurgeon is one of my favorite figures of church history. Known as the “Prince of Preachers,” Spurgeon preached over 36,000 times during his pastoral ministry, often to crowds in excess of 10,000 people in a day without electronic voice amplification!

Although examples could be offered where Spurgeon believed and acted on impressions he believed were from God, whenever He discussed such things, he warned of the dangers of such a mystical approach to being led by God.

Some Quotes from Spurgeon

"Likely you have crossed paths with folks who think that every spiritual idea that presents itself to their minds must be God speaking to them. They measure their spirituality by the number of such impressions that they receive and follow. If they don’t race after some course of action, they think they are disobeying the voice of God. So, they follow after every still, small voice and feeling carte blanche, as if it were a directive from God, because they believe it is.

I have known people to lay aside all sound doctrine, rational thinking, and Scripture itself to follow after what they believe God was telling them through “impressions.” Spurgeon warned against this in Sermon 2185, “I hope that none of us will ever fall into the snare of following the guidance of impressions made upon us by texts which happen to come prominently before our minds. You have judgments, and you must not lay them aside to be guided by accidental impressions.”

Spurgeon was addressing the practice of seeing in Scripture some message customized for them which they think is mysteriously contained in the text. This personal message is somehow “given to them by the Holy Spirit” when it springs off the page.

By what should we order our life? Strong impressions or Scripture? Spurgeon answered this in his eloquent and even humorous way in a Sermon.

“Some, I know, fall into a very vicious habit, which habit they excuse themselves - namely, that of ordering their footsteps according to impressions.

“Every now and then I meet with people whom I think to be rather weak in the head, who will journey from place to place and will perform follies by the gross under the belief that they are doing the will of God because some silly whim of their diseased brains is imagined to be an inspiration from above.” There are occasionally impressions of the Holy Spirit which guide men where no other guidance could have answered the end. I do not doubt the old story of the Quaker who was disturbed at night and could not sleep and was led to go to a person's house miles away and knock at the door just at the time when the inhabitant was about to commit suicide - just in time to prevent the act.”

In the same sermon Spurgeon confessed, “I have been the subject of such impressions, myself, and have seen very singular results.” By “singular” Spurgeon meant, “extraordinary, remarkable, or exceptional.” There are times when we act upon what is in our heart or mind because we feel strongly inclined to it (when not in violation of Scripture) and we find that God grants remarkable results.

I don’t doubt that those who think God leads through impressions have themselves felt such strong leadings. We all have feelings and thoughts come to our mind. The question is, “Am I instructed in Scripture to treat these impressions and feelings as God’s revelation to me? Should I live by such impressions?”

Spurgeon answers, “But to live by impressions is oftentimes to live the life of a fool and even to fall into downright rebellion against the revealed Word of God. Not your impressions, but that which is in this Bible must always guide you. ‘To the Law and to the Testimony.’ If it is not according to this Word, the impression comes not from God - it may proceed from Satan, or from your own distempered brain! Our prayer must be, ‘Order my steps in Your Word.’”

Common Sense over Impressions

I believe that God can and sometimes does providentially direct our steps by the ordering of suggestive providences. Since Scripture teaches that God is sovereign, we must conclude that His unseen hand is directing all things. Sometimes this is felt and sometimes this is seen. We can believe this, which I do, without falling victim to the folly of believing that this means God is whispering directives in our ears.

All these strong providences and suggestive circumstances must be tested by common sense at least and certainly tested by the Word of Truth. Spurgeon explains this:

“It needs a deliberate and judicious reflection to distinguish between the actual and apparent in professedly preternatural intimations, and if opposed to Scripture and common sense, we must neither believe in them nor obey them. The precious gift of reason is not to be ignored; we are not to be drifted hither and thither by every wayward impulse of a fickle mind, nor are we to be led into evil by superstitious impressions; these are misuses of a great truth, a murderous use of most useful edged tools. But notwithstanding all the folly of hair-brained rant, we believe that the unseen hand may be at times assuredly felt by gracious souls, and the mysterious power which guided the minds of the seers of old may, even to this day, sensibly overshadow reverent spirits. We would speak discreetly, but we dare say no less.”

Spurgeon’s Balanced Perspective

Spurgeon did not “despise” those who received impressions and did say, “Such strong impressions are not to be despised, and I have no doubt that highly spiritual minds do become like a photographer’s sensitive plate, and do receive impressions. What another man may be a fool for talking of, such men may truly speak of, for God does sometimes reveal his will in this way.”

I would agree with that assessment, with the caveat that the “spiritual mind” is the one controlled not by impressions but by the Word of God. He who is governed by the Scripture is thus governed by the Spirit. The one governed by the Spirit will order his steps according to the Word of God, not impressions. His heart and mind will be so influenced by Scripture that he will find himself proving and doing the perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). Therefore, it would be the Word which impresses the mind and not some additional revelation. Such a ‘Word directed,” Holy Spirit-controlled man or woman will find themselves knowing and doing the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. God’s will in a given situation is brought to light as the person, submitted to the Scripture, walks in the Spirit.

For Spurgeon, the tendency of some to be guided by impressions was something that needed constant reproof and warning. Sometimes following such feelings and impressions ended up producing, in the words of Spurgeon “singular results.” In other words, it worked out OK. But far from being a rank pragmatist, Spurgeon recognized that under the “guidance of the Spirit” in “impressions” people committed “follies by the gross.”

A Final Word From Spurgeon

There is an obvious deceptive danger in judging your duty by impressions. Spurgeon comments in a Sermon, “Others, too, judge of their duty by impressions. ‘If I feel it impressed upon my mind,’ says one, ‘I shall do, it.’ Does God command you to do it? This is the proper question. If he does, you should make haste, whether it is impressed upon your mind or not; but if there be no command to that effect, or rather, if it diverges from the line of God's statutes, and needs apology or explanation, hold your hand, for though you have ten thousand impressions, yet must you never dare to go by them. It is a dangerous thing for us to make the whims of our brain instead of the clear precepts of God, the guide of our moral actions. ‘To the law and to the testimony,’ - this is the lamp that shows the Christian true light; be this your chart, be this your compass; but as to impressions, and whims, and fancies, and I know not what beside which some have taken, -these are more wreckers lights that will entice you on the rocks. Hold fast to the Word of God, and nothing else; whoever he shall be that shall guide you otherwise, close your ears to him. If at any time, through infirmity or weakness, I should teach you anything which is contrary to this Book, cast it from you, hurl it away as chaff is driven from the wheat; if it be mine and not my Master's, cast it away. Though you love me, though I may have been the means of your conversion to God, think no more of what I say than of the very strangers in the street, if it be not consistent with the teachings of the Most High. Our guide is his written Word, let us keep to this.”

Much of this article was written by Pastor Jim Osman - Kootenai, ID

The Crucifixion (WARNING:Graphic Content)

2009-03-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

What did it cost Jesus for you to be saved? What does the crucifixion look like? What does Jesus dying for you mean?

These words that follow are hard to read when you know they are being done against our Saviour but you should still read them. Each believer should know some of just the phyiscal cost brought against Jesus. It is sobering to see what it cost for us to be called, Christian!

Reader beware...

The Garden

The physical trauma of Christ begins in Gethsemane with one of the initial aspects of His suffering - sweat like drops of blood. It is interesting that the physician of the group, St. Luke, is the only one to mention this. He says, “And being in agony, He prayed the longer. And His sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground.”

Though very rare, this is phyiscially possible, the phenomenon of hemathidrosis, or bloody sweat, is well documented. Under great emotional stress, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. This process alone could have produced marked weakness and possible shock. This does not mean this is what happened to Jesus but it is possible. Luke could have been just describing Jesus' sweat was heavy and full, like blood but not blood.

After the arrest in the middle of the night, Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas, the High Priest. A soldier struck Jesus across the face for remaining silent when questioned by Caiaphas. The palace guards then blindfolded Him and mockingly taunted Him to identify them as they each passed by; they spat on Him and struck Him in the face.

Condemned to Crucifixion

In the early morning, Jesus, battered and bruised, dehydrated, and exhausted from a sleepless night, was taken across Jerusalem to the Praetorium of the Fortress Antonia. It was there, in response to the cries of the mob, that Pilate ordered Bar-Abbas released and condemned Jesus to scourging and crucifixion.

Flogging first

Preparations for the scourging are carried out. The prisoner is stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum in his hand. This is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached to the ends of each. The heavy whip is brought down with fill force again and again across Jesus’ shoulders, back and legs.

At first the heavy thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles. The small balls of lead first produce large, deep bruises which are broken open by subsequent blows.

Finally the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death, the beating is stopped.

The half-fainting Jesus is then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with His own blood. The Roman soldiers see a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be a king. They throw a robe across His shoulders and place a stick in His hand for a sceptre. A small bundle of flexible branches covered with long thorns is pressed into His scalp.

Again there is copious bleeding (the scalp being one of the most vascular areas in the body). After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers take the stick from His hand and strike Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. Finally, they tire of their sadistic sport and the robe is torn from his back. This had already become adherent to the colts of blood and serum in the wounds, and its removal, just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, cause excruciating pain - almost as though He were again being whipped, and the wounds again begin to bleed.

The walk to crucifixion

The heavy beam of the cross is then tied across His shoulders, and the procession of the condemned Christ, two thieves and the execution detail, begins its slow journey, The weight of the heavy wooden beam, together with the shock produced by copious blood loss, is too much. He stumbles and falls. The rough wood of the beam gouges into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tries to rise, but human muscles have been pushed beyond their endurance.

The nails of crucifixion

At Golgotha, the beam is placed on the ground and Jesus is quickly thrown backward with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square, wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep in to the wood. Quickly, he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The beam is then lifted in place at the top of the posts and the titulus reading “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” is nailed in place.

The pain of crucifixion

The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each. As he pushes Himself upward to avoid the stretching torment, He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there is the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the metatarsal bones through the feet.

Crucifixion - the medical effects

As the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in the life-giving oxygen.

Six hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins. A deep crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.

The compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues - the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues send their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus gasps, “I thirst.”

Crucifixion - the last gasp

He can feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. With one last surge of strength, He once again presses His torn feet against the nail, straightens His legs, takes a deeper breath, and utters His seventh and last cry, “Father, into thy hands I commit My spirit.”

Apparently to make doubly sure of death, the legionnaire drove his lance through the fifth interspace between the ribs, upward through the pericardium and into the heart. Immediately there came out blood and water. We, therefore, have rather conclusive post-mortem evidence that our Lord died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.

- Condensed and edited from "The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ" by C. Truman Davis, M.S. March, 1965

Jesus, Spoken of Outside of the Bible

2009-03-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

Because these words do not come from our Bible, they can not be fully trusted. They are letters, with their origin in the time of Christ, which makes them valuable but open to error or exaggeration. They are an interesting read, as they describe Jesus the Christ.

The letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar

This is a reprinting of a letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar describing the physical appearance of Jesus. Copies are in the Congressional Library in Washington, D.C.

TO TIBERIUS CAESAR:

A young man appeared in Galilee preaching with humble unction, a new law in the Name of the God that had sent Him. At first I was apprehensive that His design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews. One day I observed in the midst of a group of people a young man who was leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude. I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected so great was the difference between Him and those who were listening to Him. His golden colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about 30 years of age. Never have I seen a sweeter or more serene countenance. What a contrast between Him and His bearers with their black beards and tawny complexions! Unwilling to interrupt Him by my presence, I continued my walk but signified to my secretary to join the group and listen. Later, my secretary reported that never had he seen in the works of all the philosophers anything that compared to the teachings of Jesus. He told me that Jesus was neither seditious nor rebellious, so we extended to Him our protection. He was at liberty to act, to speak, to assemble and to address the people. This unlimited freedom provoked the Jews -- not the poor but the rich and powerful.

Later, I wrote to Jesus requesting an interview with Him at the Praetorium. He came. When the Nazarene made His appearance I was having my morning walk and as I faced Him my feet seemed fastened with an iron hand to the marble pavement and I trembled in every limb as a guilty culprit, though he was calm. For some time I stood admiring this extraordinary Man. There was nothing in Him that was repelling, nor in His character, yet I felt awed in His presence. I told Him that there was a magnetic simplicity about Him and His personality that elevated Him far above the philosophers and teachers of His day.

Now, Noble Sovereign, these are the facts concerning Jesus of Nazareth and I have taken the time to write you in detail concerning these matters. I say that such a man who could convert water into wine, change death into life, disease into health; calm the stormy seas, is not guilty of any criminal offense and as others have said, we must agree -- truly this is the Son of God.

Your most obedient servant,
Pontius Pilate

__________________________________________________________________

The Emerald of Caesar

This Likeness of Jesus was copied from a portrait carved on an emerald by order of Tiberius Caesar, which emerald the Emperor of the Turks afterwards gave out of the Treasury of Constantinople to Pope Innocent VIII for the redemption of his brother, taken captive by the Christians.

__________________________________________________________________________

Josephus, the "Antiquities Of The Jews"

This is a quote from Josephus, from his historical first-century writings entitled, "Antiquities Of The Jews," Book #18, Chapter 2, section 3.

"Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day."

____________________________________________________________________

The Description of Publius Lentullus

The following was taken from a manuscript in the possession of Lord Kelly, and in his library, and was copied from an original letter of Publius Lentullus at Rome. It being the usual custom of Roman Governors to advertise the Senate and people of such material things as happened in their provinces in the days of Tiberius Caesar, Publius Lentullus, President of Judea, wrote the following epistle to the Senate concerning the Nazarene called Jesus.

"There appeared in these our days a man, of the Jewish Nation, of great virtue, named Yeshua [Jesus], who is yet living among us, and of the Gentiles is accepted for a Prophet of truth, but His own disciples call Him the Son of God- He raised the dead and cured all manner of diseases. A man of stature somewhat tall, and comely, with very reverent countenance, such as the beholders may both love and fear, his hair of (the colour of) the chestnut, full ripe, plain to His ears, whence downwards it is more orient and curling and wavering about His shoulders. In the midst of His head is a seam or partition in His hair, after the manner of the Nazarenes. His forehead plain and very delicate; His face without spot or wrinkle, beautified with a lovely red; His nose and mouth so formed as nothing can be reprehended; His beard thickish, in colour like His hair, not very long, but forked; His look innocent and mature; His eyes grey, clear, and quick- In reproving hypocrisy He is terrible; in admonishing, courteous and fair spoken; pleasant in conversation, mixed with gravity. It cannot be remembered that any have seen Him Laugh, but many have seen Him Weep. In proportion of body, most excellent; His hands and arms delicate to behold. In speaking, very temperate, modest, and wise. A man, for His singular beauty, surpassing the children of men"

God's Wills

2009-03-29T02:27:00.000-07:00

God's will is reveal as three wills in the Scriptures; the first is His sovereign will. This will is beyond the understanding of man and angel. It is the will of God that is always fulfilled as He works out everything out to His perfect council. No accidents are ever occurring in the plan of the Sovereign Lord.

Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

The second will is the Lord's moral will. This is His holy law. He revealed to the earth His heart. What He desires and commands of the earth morally. Ever human but Jesus has broken His moral will. To break it is death, damnation and condemnation of the person. All the world is guilty before God. Each person must repent and turn to the sacrifice of Jesus as He experienced the wrath of the Father's holiness on Himself for every sinner.

Proverbs 28:9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

The third will is the Lord's particular will for every person on the planet. He has created us for good works and we should walk in them. How do we many discover these works of God? By obeying the Word of God.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths.

If we desire to know the Lord's particular will for us than we must first live out these five truths:

1. I MUST know His Son as my Lord & Saviour

If I have not received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour than how could I ever know the Father? His will is that I would believe His Son.

2. I MUST desire Christ-likeness

The Lord has predestined every believer to be conformed to the image of His Son. If you have no desire to look like Jesus in character than don't receive Him as your Lord and Saviour.

3. I MUST serve Him right now, in His Body, according to His Word

The Scriptures give many clear, uncomplicated instructions on how to do the will of God. The church is Jesus' vehicle that He created to work His sheep. Each are a part of the other. We must be willing to be servants of each other.

4. I MUST communicate with Him through prayer

Prayer is a two way communication between two beings who love each other and desire to know each other. As we speak to God, who is listening, than He "speaks" to us mainly through His written Word. The truth is not subjective (inside me and letting me interpret it how I feel), the Truth is objective (outside of me to command me to follow in obedience from my heart). It is important to view prayer as two way.

5. I MUST be willing to obey no matter what!

The instructions for us to obey come from the scripture. The scriptures are for training us in doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness so we will be equipped for every good work. God loves you to love others but He gives you room to choose how this will look for you but the command is to love.

God loves His people. He has laid down clear teachings to work into our very lives. We must learn again to trust Him. To value every word of God on record and see how this principles of old reveal the heart of the Father.

In the day when almost every one says, "God said to me" or "God told me to...". We seem to have taken the usual and made it common. The special and made it every day. God loves His people so He gave them His written Word so they would know what He is thinking and saying. May we learn to follow His Word for in it is eternal life!

Transformation in a Church Body

2009-03-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

What has been the way the LORD has transformed His people? What process do they normally go through as a church discovering the will of the LORD? What would a church body look for if they believe God is supernaturally using them as His people?

I believe you begin to see five responses:

1st Response: A Correct Heart Attitude Towards God’s Holiness

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“ I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Contrite:
1. caused by or showing sincere remorse. 2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement;

Isaiah 66:1 Thus says the LORD:
“ Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
2 For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the LORD.
“ But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.

2nd Response: A Hatred Of Sin

Proverbs 16:6 …And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil…

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, …

3rd Response: Private & Corporate Prayer

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,…

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 9:11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

4th Response: Immediate Obedience To The Revealed Will of God

1 Samuel 15:22 So Samuel said:
“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.

Mark 3:35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

5th Response: Declaring to All the Works of God

Acts 14:27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

When you see these five responses of the church body you know that this is the work of the LORD in their midst. Church, let's pray for the LORD to do things that only He can do --- REVIVE HIS PEOPLE!

The Sunday Without The Sermon

2009-03-23T22:25:00.000-07:00

What would church look like if we took away the pastor, the music and worship, the buildings, the programs and HOME Groups?

What would you have left?

The answer of what is left is what impacts and what resounds in our church! It is where our church’s health lies. Because doing church is not about the pastor, the "stuff". These things can be also done in a cult. So what is left?

What we have left is God, His people and His mission! The church is always on the move because the LORD is always on the move. The church's mission is the Father's mission, nothing more and nothing less. The mission of the church is to see that the Father is glorified in every land, tongue and person in the whole world.

We don't need buildings or electric guitars to get this accomplished. He need the Spirit of the LORD. Buildings and guitars are only to be used to further His mission, never to become the focus of it.

On Sunday I never preached the message I had prepared because I was sensing the LORD was attempting to speak with us again about His mission; His heart. After Theresa, a new member the Lord added to our body just a week ago, spoke, the message I had prepared didn't seem right, in light of what I was experiencing. I know it is a risk to just open up the service to "whosoever" but the risk is worth it to hear the LORD.

Different ones spoke. Each coming from a certain view or sense that they were experiencing. It was good to hear directly how the LORD was working in the individual lives in the congregation. The one voice my spirit really responded to, although the others were needed, was Kellie's observation about the wall coming down.

I sense, there is a wall that's coming down. It is difficult for me to even identify what the wall is. It is not that the people do not want God or that there is great sin in the camp or that people are not declaring their faith. The wall is just a wall. A wall that resists the Spirit of God in some way as to stifle His presence. I also know the LORD could just blast through any wall if He so chooses but He seems to wait for His people to recognize it and make the necessary adjustments in our lives.

Church, God is up to something in our midst. He is about a great work. He desires that we fully join Him. This will mean adjustments on each of our part. Are you and I ready to make the changes?

I spent all of Monday with the LORD. In the evening, I went to our auditorium and poured my heart out before Him. I read the Scriptures. I'm writing this Blog while still at the church building, seeking the mind of the LORD.

Church, let's pray. Ask the Father to open up your heart and mind so He can speak right into you. Ask Him about your immediate relationships, are they healthy and holy? Ask Him about the secret areas of your life, are they clean and pure? Ask Him about the instructions He has commanded you in times past, were you obedient and carried them out? Ask Him to wash your feet again and set your heart on solid ground so He may use you to His glory and praise!

Ask Him,... then listen!

Good Friday?

2009-03-21T01:29:00.000-07:00

Too often, throughout the Body of Christ, we do things out of religious obligation, many never knowing why we perform this or that religious act. As "Believers," we simply believe, assuming that SOMEBODY - our leaders (we hope) - have a handle on things, and we move along, often too ashamed to ask for fear of making waves.

Ask almost any child how many hours are in a day and you'll get "24" as the answer. Multiply that by 3 days and you get 72 hours every time. When we know that Jesus arose from the grave on what we refer to as "Easter morning," if we work backward for one 24 hour period, we land squarely on Saturday morning, right? When we work backward for a second 24-hour period, we wind up squarely in the middle of Friday morning. Finally, when we work backward for a third and final 24-hour period, there we are, squarely in the midst of Thursday morning.

Why do we still think it happened on Friday?

Was Jesus referring to a LITERAL 3 Days/3 Nights when He said He'd be "3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth" and so fulfill "the type of Jonah" (Matt 12:39-40), what did He mean? How about when He said, "The Son of Man must suffer…be killed and AFTER 3 days rise again" (Mk 9:31)? Three days and three nights is 72 hours, right? Working BACKWARDS from Resurrection Sunday brings us to…Good Friday?

NO! Good Wednesday, actually.

HOW SO?

The Hebrew day was measured from one sunset to the next (6PM to 6PM), generally referred to as "evening to evening" (Lev 23:32; Ex 12:18). The Roman time-keeping method was midnight to midnight. Several Scriptures refer to the variances in Hebrew vs. Roman time: Jn 19:14 (6AM to sunrise); Mk 15:25 (9AM on the day of crucifixion); Matt 27:45 (noon to 3PM). The 'twelve hours in the day' referred to in John 11:9 referred to sunrise and the twelve hours of the night FROM sunset. Here's where the expression 'a night and a day' in 2 Corinthians 11:25 denotes a complete day.

So, 6PM on Saturday (the Sabbath) started the first day of the week (our Sunday), important when studying the resurrection accounts. Jesus was killed the 3rd hour (Hebrew time, 9AM) and hung on the cross 3 hours. At the 6th hour (Hebrew time) darkness covered the land until the 9th hour (noon to 3PM), completing the 9 hours of agony on the cross. Because the NEXT day was the HIGH Sabbath, beginning at 6PM, the body was placed in the borrowed tomb just before sunset (Jn 19:31).

WHERE DOES "EASTER" COME FROM?

The early translators of the Scriptures translated the Greek word for "Passover" (the whole week of the festival) as "Easter." Why? This was a pagan festival named for the Saxon goddess, Eastra, which no doubt got her name from the Assyrian/Babylonian goddess of fertility, Ishtar (which explains the eggs and reproductive rabbits as the poster children for the occasion).

Familiarize yourself with these New Testament 3-Day Signs:
Matt 12:39-40; Matt 14:32; Mk 8:2; Lk 2:46; Lk 13:32; Jn 2:1; Jn 2:18-21; Acts 9:9

Here are the 3 Days/3 Nights of Calvary as referred to in Scripture...
The following examples speak of 3 days AND 3 nights:
Jonah 1:17; Esther 4:16; Matt 12:40.

THE SABBATH DAY. WHICH ONE?

Scripture reveals that Israel observed the weekly Sabbath, the 7th day of the week (Ex 20:8-11; 31:12-18; Deut 5:12-14). Additionally, besides these WEEKLY Sabbaths, there were FESTIVAL Sabbaths! If any of these fell during the ordinary week, they counted it as an EXTRA Sabbath in that week, meaning there were sometimes TWO Sabbaths in one week: the FEAST Sabbath and the WEEKLY Sabbath.

So, there were TWO Sabbaths in the Passover week, the week of Jesus' crucifixion: the FEAST Sabbath, or HIGH Day, as well as the WEEKLY Sabbath.

THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

There are 16 references in the New Testament speaking of the 3 Days/3 Nights of Christ's redemptive work. In His first mentioning of His sufferings (Matt 16:21), Jesus says He would be 'raised again the third day.' In John 2:19, He had already mentioned 'three days' as the time after which He would raise up 'the Temple of His body,' This expression occurs 11 times in regard to His resurrection. The expression 'after 3 days' (Mk 8:31), is used to describe the same event. This shows that 3 Days/3 Nights MUST include 3 days and the 3 PRECEDING nights. The full 3/3 is evidence of the resurrection on the THIRD of the THREE DAYS, each preceded by a night.

1) the HIGH Day of Jn 19:31 was the FIRST day of the feast; Jesus "gave up the ghost."]

2) the FIRST DAY OF THE FEAST was the 15th day of Nisan which began at SUNSET on the 14th

3) SIX DAYS BEFORE THE PASSOVER (Jn 12:1) takes us BACKWARD to the 9th of Nisan

4) AFTER TWO DAYS IS THE PASSOVER (Matt 26:2; Mk 14:1) takes us to the 13th of Nisan

5) THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK (resurrection day, Matt 28:1) was from our Saturday sunset to Sunday sunset, fixing the days of the WEEK.

6) Going BACKWARD from the THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS (Matt 12:40) we arrive at the day of BURIAL, before sunset on the 14th of Nisan, i.e., BEFORE our Wednesday sunset!

This makes the 6th day before Passover the 9th of Nisan, our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset. Before Wednesday, Nisan 14th (commencing on Tuesday at sunset), was the PREPARATION DAY on which the crucifixion took place. All four gospels agree this was the day of the Lord's burial (before our Wednesday sunset). The bodies should not remain on the cross the Sabbath day, "for that Sabbath was a HIGH DAY," therefore, not the USUAL 7th day, or WEEKLY Sabbath (Jn 19:31).

WHAT'S FOR SUPPER?

Since Jesus was crucified on PREPARATION DAY, He could NOT have eaten the Passover lamb at the Last Supper. It wasn't slain till evening of the 14th of Nisan (afternoon). On that day, the daily sacrifice was killed at the 6th hour (noon) and offered by the 7th hour (1PM). Clearly, this did not take place till 4 hours AFTER the Lord had been hanging on the cross and wasn't completed till the 9th hour (3PM) when HE GAVE UP THE GHOST.

No Passover Lamb could have been eaten at the Last Supper the previous evening, though Jesus had sent Peter and John to make arrangements to eat the Passover (Matt 26:18; Mk 14:14; Lk 22:8-15). John 18:28 CLEARLY indicates that the Jews brought Jesus before Pilate in the early morning, careful not to enter the palace so they could avoid becoming ceremonially unclean as "they wanted to be able to eat the Passover." This refers to the whole festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread, which lasted seven days and included a number of meals.

Rather significant that the lambs were killed when THE Lamb of God actually died. With these facts, we can piece together the events of the Lord's last week as recorded in the Gospels.

As for the 3 Days and 3 Nights before His resurrection, they were as follows:

1) FIRST NIGHT AND DAY IN THE TOMB:

The First Day of the Feast (THE HIGH DAY), the 15th of Nisan, our Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset.

2) SECOND NIGHT AND DAY IN THE TOMB:

The Second Day of the Feast, the 16th of Nisan, our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset.

3) THIRD DAY AND NIGHT IN THE TOMB:

The Third Day of the Feast, the 17th of Nisan, our Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.

4) THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, the 18th of Nisan, our Saturday sunset, the THIRD DAY of Matthew 16:21, NOT the third day of the feast.

Considering these details, we can summarize that Jesus was actually crucified on a Wednesday, NOT a Friday.

WHY THE MISTAKES ALL THESE CENTURIES?

Two Sabbaths in one week, causing confusion in the Church to this day.

THE BOTTOM LINE

In short, Jesus was crucified Wednesday morning, the third hour. From noon to 3PM, there was darkness on the land. By 6PM, Jesus was in the tomb, as the bodies could not remain on the cross on a Sabbath day, for "THAT SABBATH was a High Day" (Jn 19:31). It was NOT a weekly Sabbath, NOT a Saturday. It WAS the Passover Sabbath…a Thursday.

Therefore, Jesus was crucified on Wednesday. Good Wednesday, if you like.

This is why on the Wednesday before Easter Sunday we have the LORD's Supper together and celebrate His death and sacrifice for us as believers.

People, sometimes ask me, "What does it matter anyway?"

It matters because it is important to follow the Old Testament pattern of Exodus 12, of the Passover Lamb. This is important because God gave us a pattern. A pattern about the most important event in all human history, the death of His Son. I do believe He is expecting us to honour the correct time frame.

Our attitude is important on these truths. This carefree attitude to Scripture has some churches sprinkling babies and calling it baptism or refusing to have the Lord's Supper or Baptism even in their churches and still saying it is okay.

Church, are not allowed to just change whatever we decide because we have a custom. If we discover the custom is wrong, we should change. If we refuse to change even though we know we are incorrect, will not we become like the Pharisees and Scribes of Jesus' day that would not give up the traditions of man in favour of God's ways?

We are to follow the patterns set down by the Lord Himself. When you didn't know this truth, you had an excuse but now you know. The Lord Jesus was crucified on Wednesday, so I'll hope to see you at Royal Heights!

Living Out the Great Commission

2009-03-17T01:23:00.000-07:00

Every church needs people that know how to live out the commands of Christ. His final words to His disciples were,... "“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 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, 20 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.”

For a church body to take this command seriously than each person in the church body has to believe this command was given to them personally. Each person who calls themselves a disciple needs to know this is a command the LORD expects to be carried out.

When the church,at large, sees this command as for everyone then there seems to be little power given to the church. When the individual begins to take personal responsiblity the church comes alive.

As Royal Heights begins to feel the personal weight of the LORD's command we are seeing people come to Christ like never before. Last week a man who just joined the body a couple of weeks ago lead his friend to the LORD on Wednesday. I lead someone to the LORD on Saturday. And another person was having an unsaved person coming to the church on Sunday morning and he was lead to the LORD. He even came accepting the LORD with his baptism clothes in tow, so we baptized him that Sunday morning. As the morning continued and the service was over another man gave his life to the LORD and will be baptized this coming Sunday.

Something is happening!

Something beautiful!

Something Godly!

Friendships

2009-03-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

John 15
"13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."

What is a friend?

Below are some thoughts about friendship.

"Best Friends Listen to what you don't say"
-Samantha Norman-

"You'll always be my best friend, you know too much!"

"When it hurts to look back and your scared to look ahead you can look beside you and your best friend will be there."

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverb 18:24

“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverb 17:17

“He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.”
Proverb 22:11

“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
James 4:4b

“A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad.”
Arnold Glasgow

“If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.”
Moshe Dayan

“You can make more friends in a month by being interested in them than in ten years by trying to get them interested in you.”
Charles Allen

Teaching The Faithful

2009-03-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

If just preaching and teaching could get a church healthy and thriving by bringing in the lost, than it would already be done because we have spent much time in these two areas. Instead we discover that preaching and teaching alone do not get the transformation that is needed in a church until the third ingredient is added,...coaching.

The coaching model is based on the belief that the question is the answer. The coach is responsible for people finding the answers themselves and developing their own problem-solving skills. Spiritual coaches get the people to use the Scriptures in a practical way. A way that changes their every day life.

Coaching builds accountability by providing a safe forum for people to honour the commitments they have made. These commitments advance personal and organisational growth. You are not just giving them information, you are looking and expecting obedience to the Scriptures.

Coaching is collaborative as well as interactive and is like a dance rather than a premeditated or prescriptive process. The shared experiences, insights and solutions generated during meetings, move the person forward, which also allows the coach to grow even more.

Coaching is about having people grow on their own, Coaching helps people become more observant, so they can better respond to the events, problems, or situations that arise within their environment. They go to the Lord and the Scriptures for answers.

Coaching isn't about giving information, it is about responding to the needs of other people, people will simply resist, if information is forced on them.

Coaching consists of motivating people to reach their highest levels, by offering them opportunities and possibilities, not obligations. Coaching is the art of creating new possibilities that didn't exist before.

What is a spiritual coach?

A spiritual coach is a mature believer who walks with another while guiding them in the doctrine and practical ways of God. A coach's role is to provide a structure a foundation and support, so people can begin to self generate the results they want on their own. Learning and growth are achieved by both parties involved within the coaching process. In coaching, the relationship is objective and that focuses not only on what the person needs to do to become more successful, but also who the person is and how he thinks.

A coach works on the whole person and is multi-dimensional, rather than focusing only on what the person is already doing. The coaching relationship is built on choice, rather than necessity.

The Coach's role is to focus on strengths, not weaknesses. By bringing out the true life of a believer, by supporting, assisting and maximising people's strengths in Christ. He requests change and growth as well as informs and guides and empowers people to be accountable for their success and failures.

Be a Spiritual Coach!

Evangelism MUST Include Discipleship

2009-03-05T00:16:00.000-08:00

If you led one person to the Lord every six months, separated yourself and discipled them to the point that they became a mature Christian who could reproduce their faith, at the end of six months there’d only be two Christians. Then, if each one of you led one person to the Lord, separated yourselves and discipled them for six months, at the end of a year there’d be four Christians.

This doesn’t look as good to a person who could lead a thousand people to the Lord in a crusade and get them to confess Jesus. Most people would say, “Well, this discipleship method only produces four converts in the first year, whereas the other method would produce a thousand converts. We have to go with the other one.”

If we emphasize discipleship, the person who leads one person to the Lord every six months and those two do the same, in just a little over twelve and a half years they would evangelize more than the population of the world. Some people think That can’t be, but I challenge you to figure it out.

I’ve multiplied it out, and in a little over twelve-and-a-half years, one person discipling another person every six months, making them a reproducing member of the body of Christ, could evangelize five and a half billion people versus twelve-and-a-half thousand people with the other method.

If we could get you to where you not only experienced victory and maturity yourself but had a desire to go out and reproduce it in another person, if you became the trainer instead of the trainee, here are some of the things that could happen if only one person got a hold of this concept, followed the Lord to a place of maturity, and started discipling another person.

If you only did this with one person per year, at the end of one year, there would be you and the person you discipled—two. At the end of two years, there’d be four. But, if you could continue to follow that, at the end of ten years there’d be 1,024 people who had been discipled and were reproducing members of the body of Christ. If you continued, with only one person originally receiving this, at the end of twenty years there’d be over a million people. That’s awesome. This is the method of multiplication that the Lord established—going and making disciples, not going and making converts.

Our evangelism must include discipleship. A person who accepts Christ must be taught to reproduce their life in another. If they do not this is be the abnormal not the normal!

The LORD never asked if anyone wanted to become a Christian, He asked if they wanted to become a disciple. The difference between a Christian and a disciple is radical. Let's be disciples!

Babes in Christ

2009-03-02T23:44:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 3:1-3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Imagine that you are viewing a movie of a new born child. You get to watch as the baby is delivered. Its an exciting time. You see the child be nurtured and coddled. The film progresses and you get to see this baby get cuter and cuter with each day. There are cute outfits, little, bows, rattles, and toys.

Then there are scenes of the child as it begins to crawl. This baby stumbles a bit and can't quite get all four limbs working together, but soon enough after a little more viewing you see this baby finally begin to crawl. This child seems to be developing normally. You watch as this child's life unfolds and development and growth become more pronounced.

But something goes wrong. The child stops developing. Though the child is growing physically, it isn't developing mentally and emotionally. And it soon becomes evident that as it develops into that stage where crawling is left behind, that something isn't right. It still crawls when it should walk. The child still mumbles as an infant when it should be developing language skills. It is stuck in the infant stage. The situation is sad.

This is what Paul is comparing the Corinthians believers, too. They are babes in Christ. They have not grown up.

What does a spiritual baby look like:

A baby is concerned with self rather than service.
A baby is concerned with argument rather than action.
A baby looks to human resources.
A looks to people rather than to the Master

o He needs to look to Christ.
o He needs to remember the cross of Christ.
o He needs to begin building.
o He needs to pray to be more concerned for others than Himself.
o He needs to ask God to teach him patience, kindness, and maturity.

~author unknown

Basic Christian Doctrine

2009-02-23T09:58:00.000-08:00

Basic Christian Doctrine
1. There is only one God - Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 4:8-9
2. God is Trinity - 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2
3. There are no Gods before or after God - Isaiah 43:10
4. God knows all things - 1 John 3:20
5. God is all powerful - Psalm 115:3
6. God is everywhere - Jer. 23:23,24
7. God is sovereign - Zech. 9:14; 1 Tim. 6:15-16
8. God is Spirit - John 4:24
9. God created all that exists - Gen. 1:1; Isaiah 44:24
10. Spirit does not have a body of flesh and bones - Luke 24:39
11. God has always been God - Psalm 90:2
12. Jesus Christ is God - John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8
13. Jesus became a man - Phil. 2:5-8
14. Jesus has two natures: divine and human - Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5
15. Jesus was sinless - 1 Pet. 2:22
16. Jesus is the only way to God the Father - John 14:6; Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22
17. The Holy Spirit is God - Acts 5:3-4
18. The Holy Spirit is not a force. He is a Being- Acts 13:2
19. The Bible is inspired by God - 2 Tim. 3:16
20. All people have sinned - Rom. 3:23, 5:12
21. Man did not evolve, he was created - Gen. 1:26
22. Adam and Eve were real people - Gen. 3:20; 5:1; 1 Tim. 2:13
23. Death entered the world because of Adam's sin - Rom. 5:12-15
24. Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:2
25. Jesus died for all our sins - 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Pet. 2:24
26. Jesus' sacrifice was a substitution, for us - 1 Pet. 2:24
27. Jesus rose from the dead in His physical body - John 2:19-21
28. Those who reject Jesus will go to Hell - Rev. 20:11-15
29. Hell is a place of fiery punishment - Matt. 25:41; Rev. 19:20
30. Hell is eternal - Matt. 25:46
31. The unsaved go to hell forever - Rev. 21:8
32. Salvation is a free gift of God - Rom. 4:5; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9
33. The Bible is the Word of God - 2 Tim. 3:16
34. Jesus will return visibly to earth - Acts 1:11
35. There will be a final judgment - 2 Pet. 3:7
36. The damned will be thrown into a lake of fire - Rev. 20:15
37. Satan will be cast into the lake of fire - Rev. 20:10

Some Excellent Words

2009-02-21T01:28:00.000-08:00

Notes from the book, The Road less Travelled - M. Scott Peck

“Neurotics make themselves miserable; those with character disorders make everyone else miserable.”

“Love can be defined as the will to extend one’s self for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.”

“What seems to be love is often not love at all.”

“The difficulty we have in accepting responsibility for our behaviour lies in the desire to avoid the pain of the consequences of that behaviour.”

“A life of total dedication to the truth also means a life of willingness to be personally challenged.”

“We teach ourselves to do the unnatural until the unnatural becomes itself second nature.”

“The reason people lie is to avoid the pain of challenge and its consequences.”

“The act of withholding the truth is always potentially a lie, and that in each instance in which the truth is withheld a significant moral decision is required. The decision to withhold the truth must always be based entirely upon the needs of the person or people from whom the truth is being withheld.”

“By their openness, people dedicated to the truth live in the open, and though the exercise of their courage to live in the open, they become free from fear.”

“Two people love each other only when they are quite capable of living without each other but choose to live with each other.”

“Passive dependent people are so busy seeking to be loved that they have no energy left to love.”

“A good marriage can exist only between two strong and independent people.”

“If you expect another person to make you happy, you’ll be endlessly disappointed.”

“Masochists look on their submission to mistreatments as love, whereas in fact it is a necessity in their never-ceasing search for revenge and is basically motivated by hatred.”

“If an act is not one of work or courage, then it is not an act of love. There are no exceptions.”

“The principal for that the work of love takes is attention.”

“Attention is an act of will, of work against the inertia of our own minds.”

“You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.”

“True listening, total concentration on the other is always a manifestation of love.”

“Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the making of action in spite of fear; the moving out against the resistance engendered by fear into the unknown and into the future.”

“We can love only that which in one way or another has importance for us.”

“A full life will be full of pain. But the only alternative is not to live fully or not to live at all.”

“When we shy away from death, the ever-changing nature of things, we inevitably shy away from life.”

“The only real security in life lies in relishing life’s insecurity.”

“The highest forms of love are inevitably free choices and not acts of conformity.”

“The proper management of one’s feelings clearly lies along a complex balanced middle path, requiring constant judgment and continuing adjustment.”

“To attempt to love someone who cannot benefit from your love with spiritual growth is to waste your energy, to cast your seed upon arid ground.”

“Genuine love, with all the discipline that it requires, is the only path in this life to substantial joy.”

“The genuine lover always respects and even encourages the separateness and the unique individuality of the beloved.”

“Narcissistic individuals lack the capacity for empathy, which is the capacity to feel what another is feeling.”

“Everyone has a religion, no matter how limited or primitive or inaccurate.”

“To some extent the religion of most adults is a product of transference.”

“Human beings are poor examiners, subject to superstition, bias, prejudice, and a profound tendency to see what they want to see rather than what is really there.”

“Those who achieve growth not only enjoy the fruits of growth but give the same fruits to the world.”

“Those who are in the relatively more advanced stages of spiritual growth are the very ones most aware of their own laziness.”

“Mental illness occurs when the conscious will of the individual deviates substantially from the will of God, which is the individual’s own unconscious will.”

“Genuine loving people are, by definition, growing people.”

“When we nurture ourselves and others without a primary concern of finding reward, then we will have become lovable.”

“What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one.”

“The four areas of discipline include delaying gratification, accepting responsibility, dedication to truth, and balancing.”

“In taking the time to observe and to think about their children’s needs, loving parents will frequently agonize over the decisions to be made, and will, in a very real sense, suffer along with their children.”

“The feeling of being valuable – ‘I am a valuable person’ – is essential to mental health and is a cornerstone of self-discipline.”

“Problems do not go away. They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit.”

Depression

2009-02-18T15:27:00.000-08:00

I appreciate the thinking of Dr. Bill Gillham. He understands a person's identity in Christ. He has wrote numberous books. One book he wrote, was "LifeTime Guarantee, it is a great understanding about the work of God in you.

Touch the book you see and it will take you to a Christian Bookstore to purchase it, if you want a copy.

Lifetime Guarantee

By Bill Gillham

Here is an article he wrote on "Depression".

"It was no big deal for Peter to try walking on water. He was a fisherman. Obviously he must have been a good swimmer, right? If he sank, he'd just swim out. No sweat. I'm like that," my dear friend said. "If I see I'm getting in over my head in my business, it's no big deal. I can always swim out." My friend’s faith was in himself until one day God said, "Listen Sport, this time I’m going to let you get so far from the shore that you’ll never be able to swim back."

Perhaps you identify with my friend. So long as you were able to keep your arms and legs flailing, you never experienced depression or defeat. But, when the currents have carried you far from shore and you can’t swim out, you become a candidate for depression. Don’t despair! Your loving Father wants to show you how to stop placing your faith in the wrong object, self or others. Christ alone must be your primary Source if you are to be liberated from the chains of depression.

A practitioner who always treats depression as the problem is missing the mark. Just as fever is but a symptom of the cause, so it is with depression. Depression is a symptom of a deeper cause. Most counselors would agree that less than 5% of depression cases have physically induced depression which does not respond to counseling. PMS, hypoglycemia, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, thyroid or blood sugar problems, etc. are physical factors which can cause depression. Counseling such a Christian with spiritual truth can subject him to even greater despair because although he may see the truth which sets a man free, he can’t appropriate it. However, the remaining 95% of the depressed Christians can experience victory solely through spiritual counsel.

Let's work backward from the symptom, depression, to identify its source. Show me a person who is depressed and I’ll show you a person who is hostile. Show me a person who is hostile and I’ll show you a person who is frustrated. Show me a person who is frustrated and I’ll show you a person who is not getting a basic need met. An unsatisfied need is the root cause of depression. Let’s identify which need it is:
You feel rejected by others: You feel rejected or abandoned by the one(s) whom you’ve chosen as love sources. Your love-need is unsatisfied.

You reject yourself: You need to respect (love) yourself and you can’t do it.
You can’t control: You can’t control your circumstances, the people you’ve targeted, or God. They just won’t "act right" and you are hostile. You feel you have the right to control. Although this is not a basic need, falsely assuming it to be can produce depression when it can’t be satisfied.

Depressed people typically experience one or more of the following thought patterns:
Self-condemning thoughts: I’m such a sorry person! I always mess up! I don’t blame them for the way they treat me; it’s all my fault!

Low self-esteem thoughts: I understand why they don't love me. They've discovered what I have always known. I'm unlovable!

Pity-party thoughts: It's her fault! If she'd just try as hard as I do! You’re not fair, God! I don't deserve this! If only I had (this)…If only I hadn't lost (that)…if they (or God) would just do it my way!

Thoughts of this type are served up to your sound mind through your flesh (old patterns of behavior) with first person singular pronouns by a power called sin. You can’t stop them, but you don’t have to obey them (Rom. 6:11-13). Reject them! God commands you to "let your mind dwell on" (those things that are good and true and right...) If you are depressed, you are doing just the opposite. Given the fact that your emotions respond to your mind, it’s no wonder that you feel so down.

You must "let your mind dwell on" these facts:
Your Creator designed you to need His unconditional love which you already have through your relationship with Jesus Christ. But, you seek to satisfy your love-need through conditional love from people; you seek to merit or earn their love. Or you seek to bestow love upon yourself via the same technique and because you’ve let yourself down, you can’t value yourself. When your love supply wanes it paves the way to depression.?

Your Creator designed you to be dependent upon Christ and His strength through you, but you’ve sought to depend on self. Not hearing of exchanging your life for Christ’s Life, nor who you now are in Him, you appropriated Him only as Savior and Lord. So you’ve been living independently which is sin. You’ve actually believed it was noble to face Monday mornings trusting in your strength. This is trusting in the arm of flesh which will fail you. Like my friend at the beginning of this article, when you find yourself so far from the shore that it’s hopeless to swim back on flesh power, you begin to sink into the murky waters of depression.

So much for the problem. Let’s talk about letting the One who created you give you victory over it. After all, who knows what’s best for you, your Creator or His creation?

• Your Creator designed you to need His unconditional love which you already have through your relationship with Jesus Christ. But, you seek to satisfy your love-need through conditional love from people; you seek to merit or earn their love. Or you seek to bestow love upon yourself via the same technique and because you've let yourself down, you can't value yourself. When your love supply wanes it paves the way to depression.?

• Your Creator designed you to be dependent upon Christ and His strength through you, but you've sought to depend on self. Not hearing of exchanging your life for Christ's Life, nor who you now are in Him, you appropriated Him only as Savior and Lord. So you've been living independently which is sin. You've actually believed it was noble to face Monday mornings trusting in your strength. This is trusting in the arm of flesh which will fail you. Like my friend at the beginning of this article, when you find yourself so far from the shore that it's hopeless to swim back on flesh power, you begin to sink into the murky waters of depression.
So much for the problem. Let's talk about letting the One who created you give you victory over it. After all, who knows what's best for you, your Creator or His creation?

1. Make God's unconditional acceptance through Christ your major Source of love. Stop grieving over the human love you want but can’t obtain. It isn’t that God is against our getting human love; He tells us to love one another. But notice He never says we are to strive to get loved by people. It’s fine when you get it, but people-love must not be your source, God is. And your tank is already topped off with God's love. Believe it with your mind whether your emotions agree or not. It’s always to be believed, not always to be felt!

2. Stop trying to run your little portion of the universe. As a friend of mine says, "If you want to get along with God, stay out of His chair." Move! Tear up declaration of independence! You’re cutting in on His job description! Stop it!

3. You are obviously of such value that the One who created you "spent" His only Son to purchase you as a son. This cannot be denied, so choose to believe this with your will. Your emotions may not buy it. They think it’s nonsense. You must accept the fact that you are extremely valuable to your Creator. Adopt His opinion.

4. God says that upon your death in Christ, you were recreated in Him for a specific purpose (Eph. 2:10). This purpose is to enjoy an intimate, warm relationship with Jesus and to bring honor to His reputation by letting Him express His life through you. Rain on whether you feel like it. Dive in and begin acting like it! Give life your best shot and believe Christ is doing it through you.

5. Accept the fact that you are a new creation in Christ, someone different whom you can learn to respect (2 Cor. 5:17). The new you is a lovable delight to the "Father of your spirit." Everything offensive about you was crucified in Christ and buried in Him. Then when Christ arose, you were reborn as a lovely new creation much like a worm which becomes a butterfly.

6. To us, it seems like we’re earthlings with a heavenly hope, but God says we are heaven-dwellers who temporarily live in earthsuits. You have already ascended to heaven in Christ where you are the apple of your spiritual Father’s eye. He even wants you to call Him "Daddy!" ("Abba" means "Daddy").

7. You can believe all of the above and it will not make a dent in your depression. You must sell out to the truth. You must walk in the light if you are to come out of the darkness. Close your eyes. Picture yourself treading water far from the safety of the shore. Say, "Jesus, I have been trying to swim in the ocean all of my life myself. I didn’t know You came into me through me. It’s no wonder I’m so exhausted and defeated. They say that a person being rescued from drowning is supposed to relax and submit himself to his Rescuer. Jesus, I do that right now."

You are now relaxing in Christ’s loving arms and He is in control. Yes, you move your arms and you flutter kick your feet, but you think, "not I, but Christ through me." Call us and order the tape series on depression. Listen to it repeatedly, trusting in the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ as all He desires to be to you. Slowly, step-by-step, you will begin to experience the lifting of your depression. Why? Because you will experience God’s unconditional acceptance (love) which will relieve your frustration, which will relieve your hostility, which will lift your depressed spirit. As you learn to walk in the Light, fellowshipping with Jesus, letting Him serve others through you, you will begin to think, "You know, Dad, thanks to You, I’m actually learning to respect myself. Oh, use me to show others the purpose for living."

Qualifications of a Biblical Counselor

2009-02-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Counseling is not a discipline like dentistry or medicine which depends upon a very ridge, technical knowledge. Rather, counseling is mainly a helping relationship between people who care. Counseling can happen and does happen on many levels.

Counseling is not just relationship, there is also technical knowledge to consider so that the counselor is confident that he or she will be of help to the counselee and the counselee knows that true help is available.

Effective Biblical counseling requires SEVEN QUALIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS, to see fruit in the area of setting people free. Free from sin-filled practices being carried out by the counselee.

Counseling is not for the élite or the special ones in a congregation but is really encouraged in Scripture to be practiced by the Christian community for believers who love one another and desire each one to be set free.

We can remember the seven qualifications of a biblical Counselor but starting each qualification off from the letter “C”.

Let’s look at each one of these seven qualifications:

CHRISTIAN - He/She Must Be a Christian

The first essential qualification is that the counselor himself/herself must be a genuine Christian — a true believer in Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 2:14, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." An unsaved counselor is precisely what Jesus describes in Lk. 6:39: "Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?"

CONVINCED - He/she must be absolutely convinced and convicted that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant, all-sufficient Word of God.

COMPETENT - He/She Must Be Competent. He/she must be competent to open the Word of God to others. He/she must have an extensive knowledge of the Scriptures (Rom. 15:14) which enables him/her to find Biblical solutions for the problems of life. While a seminary degree is not required to be a competent Biblical counselor, a working knowledge of the Bible is. By the way, a counseling degree from a university or seminary is no guarantee of a counselor's competence.

COMMON SENSE - He/She Must Have Common Sense Derived from the Word of God. He/she must have a good measure of divine wisdom, as Paul writes in Col. 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom." Godly wisdom is a balanced combination of knowledge, experience, and common sense directed by and under the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

CHARACTER - He/She Must Have Consistently Godly Character. Unlike the world, which believes it is possible to compartmentalize a person's character and their job performance, as though one does not affect the other, a Biblical counselor must understand that his/her own personal life has a direct bearing on his ability to minister effectively to others.

COMPASSION - He/She Must Have a Heart of Compassion. A Biblical counselor has the ability to relate to others in a compassionate way that encourages appropriate change. While genuine Biblical counseling often involves the confrontation of sinful behavior and attitudes, the counselor's own demeanor, his/her tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, and body language; must draw a person toward the loving work of the Holy Spirit, rather than repelling him.

COMMUNICATE - He/She Must Be Able to Communicate. Paul describes this as "soundness of speech that cannot be condemned" (Titus 2:8). A competent Biblical counselor will learn how to explain Biblical commands and principles in ways that the counselee can understand and apply. This qualification for Biblical counseling is described in Isa. 50:4, "The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary."

Remember, You Are Not the Real Counselor

Every genuine Biblical counselor is comforted to realize that he or she is not the one who will accomplish healing in the heart of the person who comes to the office for help. Ultimately, only the Holy Spirit is able to produce the healing your counselee so desperately seeks, as He applies His own Word to His children.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would assist in the work of counseling when he said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (Jn. 14:26).

Though a counseling session must inevitably draw to a close, the counsel of the Holy Spirit continues to be available to the Christian, day or night. As Jesus said, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever" (Jn. 14:16).

Fact, Faith and Feeling

2009-02-12T22:43:00.000-08:00

Fact, Faith and Feeling

Fact, Faith and Feeling were walking on a wall,
When feeling came near the edge and took an awful fall,
Faith was so close to feeling that he fell too
But Fact remained and pulled Faith up,
And that brought Feeling up too!

Anonymous

This poem shows a great understanding of setting a person free. Free to live out their lives in obedience to Christ. The key is Facts or Truth.

Truth will set us free.

The Uninformed Pastor

2009-02-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

For the last two days we have had a group of 12 youth and young adult workers, leaders and pastors sitting around a table and thinking about how to reach this special age group with the gospel. As I sat there, never having directly done a youth ministry, I could see I was the opposite of the Reformed Pastor, I was the Uniformed Pastor.

How do you reach the age group between 13 and 25 years old? What are the bridges into their world? What are the obstacles that we struggle to get through? Who are the gatekeepers of this community? What are they looking for? What must the body of Christ do to reach these people?

1 Chronicles 12:32 ...of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do,...

As the group of leaders processed the why and the how to of ministry you could see the wisdom of the Lord enter the room. As the sharing continued, each one had stories of how the Lord was working and what was not working. The room's total "Evangelism IQ" raised a notch.

God, in His wisdom, wants us to wrestle with these issues. He could send His answer and His way at any given moment but He instead gives us insight into His mind as we hungry and thirst to know it. He does not just send down a "How To" manual for every situation. He wants us to seek His face on these issues. He wants us to rely on and totally trust Him as the way to obedience.

The meetings ended with prayer and focus. Focus to reach the young adults of Canada. Those who do not know the Scriptures and have never read a Bible. Those who come from various dialects and cultures. Those who are in families directly opposed to any Christian influences. All this set in a Canadian culture of apathy and tolerance.

Isn't it an exciting time to be in the ministry?

Lord, give your servants the wisdom needed to do the assignment You gave, to reach the lost. You, alone, know the heart beat and drive of every people, tongue and nation. You, alone, are the God of all peoples, the Lord of all lands. Make a way for Your people. Show us Your path into the heart of the lost that Your Name willo be glorified and Your Kingdom will be praised. AMEN.

Know The Enemy

2009-02-07T01:01:00.000-08:00

The Evil One in the Scriptures is presented as the enemy of God. Since, we are the children of God, he has become our enemy also. But as one man said, "You must look at your enemy because it's better to have eye-to-eye contact with them – to know their shape, their form, their smell and their thinking."

To defeat an enemy, we should know something about them. Who are they? How do they think? How do they defeat us?

The Bible introduces the Evil One with a variety of names. These names describe him so we can defend against him. Look at the names and prepare accordingly.

1.Satan (Job 1:6-9; Matt. 4:10)
2.A False Angel of Light (2 Corinthians 11:14)
3.The Father of Lies (John 8:44)
4.The Proud One The five "I wills" in Isaiah 14:12-14
5.Belial (2 Cor 6:15)
6.Beelzebul (Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22)
7.Abaddon, Apollyon (Rev 9:11)
8.The Prince of the Power of the Air (Eph. 2:2a)
9.The Accuser of the Brethren (Rev. 12:10)
10.The Prince or Ruler (John 12:31)
11.The Dragon (Rev. 12:7)
12.The Evil One (John 17:15; 1 John 5:9)
13.Lucifer (Isa. 14:12)
14.The Serpent (Rev. 12:9)
15.The Devil (Matt. 4:1, 5, 9; Eph. 4:27; Rev. 12:9; 20:2)
16.Power of Darkness(Colossians 1:13)
17.Prince of this world(John 12:31)
18.The Tempter(Matthew 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5)
19.The Wicked One(Matthew 13:19)
20.Man of sin(II Thessalonians 2:3)
21.Little Horn (Daniel 7:8)
22.The Adversary (I Peter 5:8)
23.Antichrist (1John 4:3)
24.Enemy (Matt. 13:39)
25.Evil spirit ( 1Sam. 16:14)
26.God of this world( 2Cor. 4:4)
27.Murderer ( John 8:44)
28.Old serpent - Rev. 12:9, 20:2
29.Power of death - Heb. 2:14
30.Roaring lion - 1Peter 5:8
31.Ruler of darkness - Eph. 6:12
32.Son of perdition - John 17:12
33.Thief - John 10:10

There Are No Accidents

2009-02-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

When the world sees events or circumstances happening before them, they use words like, luck, good fortune, and chance to describe events happening that are just accidentally happening. But the scriptures teach us that there are no accidents or random events happening in the universe.

Why do I say this?

God's attributes, qualities or characteristics inherent in Himself are many but the three for our consideration are His Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omniscience.

Omnipotence; He has the power to do anything He desires (Job 42:2; Luke 1:37).
Omnipresence - He is in all places, all the time (Jer. 23:24; 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 90:2).
Omniscience - He knows all things (1 John 3:20).

It is out of these attributes His works flow:

Election - choosing who is saved (John 1:12-13; 6:37-40; Eph. 1:4;11; Rom.. 8:29-30; Acts 13:48; Phil. 1:29).
Creation - bringing the universe into existence (Isaiah 44:24; Col. 1:16-18).
Providence - guiding and providing for His creation (Psalm 135:7; Ecc. 3:13; Acts 14:17).

What this teaches us is He is omnipotent, then He has the power to accomplish anything He desires. He can create, alter, or destroy a universe and all that is in it.

His omnipotence teaches that He retain complete control over all objects that exist and events that occur; otherwise, He would not be able to say anything with absolute certainty. He would never be able to fully promise us anything because random chance might be able to change the circumstances that He wouldn't be aware was coming.

Since He is omnipresent, then nothing is hidden from Him. This includes all dimensions; all time whether past, present, or future; and every form of existence either thought, action, or substance. God is NOT just in the universe, the universe is IN GOD!

Since He is omniscient, then He eternally comprehends all things actual as well as potential. God comprehends all things from His eternal nature since omniscience, by default, is to know all things eternally.

This includes all objects in the entire universe, all thoughts, all actions, all motions, etc. God comprehending all things potential means all things that could exist but do not exist whether they be thought, motion, deed, object, energy, etc.
There is nothing that God does not know what will happen or has happened.

To deny God's omniscience is to deny His omnipresence. In order for God to know all things, He must be in all places at all times, past, present, and future. He would not be the God that is revealed in Scripture.

Therefore, since God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, He is able to create anything He desires while retaining perfect knowledge and complete control of all actual objects and actions -- including perfect knowledge and complete control of all possible combinations of events of all those objects and actions. It necessarily follows that all things (actual and/or potential) that have been, are now, or will be in existence occur by the direct control of God and/or the permitted control of God.

Conclusion: With all knowledge, God has absolute control over all He encompasses. THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS ONLY "ON PURPOSES", But many are in the purposes of God and are beyond our finding out. So we trust Him, as a Good and Wonderful God, only doing what brings Him glory, honour and praise!

Good Questions

2009-02-03T11:59:00.001-08:00

Dr. Jeff Myers of Bryan College helps others develop a biblical worldview. One of the tools he offers in developing critical thinking skills is how to use the right question at the right time.

He suggests four good questions to help anyone think critically.

1. What do you mean by that?
You want to get the other person to define his terms and explain what he is saying. If you don't make sure you understand what the other person means, you could end up having a conversation using the same words but meaning very different things.

Get the other person's definition. Let's say you're talking to a neighbor who says, "I don't believe there is a God." Don't quarrel with him: "Oh yes there is!" "No, there's not."

Just start asking questions instead. "What do you mean by 'God'? What's your understanding of this God who isn't there?" Let him define that which does not exist! You may well find out that the god he rejects is a mean, cold, abusive god who looks a lot like his father. In that case, you can assure him that you don't believe in that god either. The true God is altogether different.

Let's say someone says she is for a woman's right to choose abortion. You can ask, "What do you mean by 'woman'? Only adult women? What if the baby is a girl, what about her right to choose? What do you mean by 'right'? Where does that right come from?" Do you see how asking What do you mean by that? can expose problems in the other person's perspective?

2. Where do you get your information?
The question Where do you get your information? is particularly important in today's culture, where we drown in information from a huge array of sources. Information is being pumped at us from TV, radio, music, Websites, email, blogs, billboards, movies, and conversations with people who have no truth filters in place at all. Consider the kind of responses you could get to the question, Where do you get your information?

"I heard it somewhere." Well, how's that for reliable? Follow with another killer question, How do you know it's true?

"Everybody says so." That may be so, but is it true? If you say something loud enough, often enough, and long enough, people will believe it's true even if it isn't. For example, "everybody says" people are born gay. Doesn't everybody know that by now? That's what we hear, every day, but where is the science to back up that assertion? Turns out, there is none. Not a shred of proof that there is a gay gene.

"Someone else may say, "I read it somewhere." So ask, in a legitimate newspaper or magazine? Or in a tabloid?

Did you see it on the Web? That could be a single individual with great graphics abilities pumping out his own totally made-up stuff. Or it could be a trustworthy, legitimate Website like Probe.org.

Did you see it on TV? Who said it, and how trustworthy is the source? Was it fact, or opinion? Be aware of the worldview agenda behind the major media outlets. Former CBS reporter Bernard Goldberg exposed the leftist leanings of the media in his book Bias: A CBS Insider Exposes How the Media Distort the News. Most of what you see on TV is what the Bible calls "the world," and we are to be discerning and skeptical of the values and information it pumps out.

Don't be fooled by someone sounding confident and self-assured. Many people feel confident without any basis for feeling that way. Ask, Where do you get your information?

3. How do you know that's true?
The third killer question is, How do you know that's true? This is probably the most powerful question of them all. It puts the burden of proof on the other person.
Most people aren't aware of what they assume is true; there's simply no other way to see the world. They often believe what they believe without asking if it's true, if it aligns with reality. If you respectfully ask killer questions like How do you know that's true?, all of a sudden it can begin to occur to folks that what they believe, they believe by faith. But where is their faith placed?

Sometimes, the kindest thing we can do for people is gently shake up their presuppositions and invite them to think.

The reigning philosophy in science today is materialism, the insistence that the physical universe is all that exists. Something is only real if it can be measured and quantified. We need to ask, How do you know there is nothing outside the matter-space-time-energy continuum? How do you know that the instruments of physical measurement are the only ones that matter? How do you know there isn't something non-physical, which cannot be measured with physical measuring tools? If all you have is a ruler, how do you measure weight? (And if all you have is a ruler, and someone wants to talk about weight, it would be easy to deny there is such a thing as weight, only height and length, a lot like the materialists' insistence that since we can't measure the supernatural, it doesn't exist.)

At the heart of the debate over stem cell research is the question of the personhood of a human embryo. Those who insist that it's not life until implantation need to be asked, How do you know that's true? It's genetically identical to the embryo ten minutes before implantation. How do you know those are only a clump of cells and not a human being?

Postmodern thought says that no one can know truth. This philosophy has permeated just about every college campus. To the professor who asserts, "No one can know truth," a student should ask, How do you know that's true? If that sounds slightly crazy to you, good! A teacher who says there is no truth, or that if there is, no one can know it, says it because he or she believes it to be true, or they wouldn't be saying it!

We get hostile email at Probe informing us of how stupid and biased we are for believing the Bible, since it has been mistranslated and changed over the centuries and it was written by man anyway. When I ask, "How do you know this is true?", I don't get answers back. Putting the burden of proof on the other person is quite legitimate. People are often just repeating what they have heard from others. But we have to be ready to offer a defense for the hope that is in us as well.{3} Of course, when we point to the Bible as our source of information, it's appropriate to ask the killer question, "How do you know that's true?" Fortunately, there is a huge amount of evidence that today's Bible is virtually the same as the original manuscripts. And there is strong evidence for its supernatural origins because of things like fulfilled prophecy. Go to the "Reasons to Believe" section of Probe.org for a number of articles on why we can trust that the Bible is really God's word.
There are a lot of mistaken, deceived people who believe in reincarnation and insist they remember their past lives. Shirley MacLaine claims to have been a Japanese Geisha, a suicide in Atlantis, an orphan raised by elephants, and the seducer of Charlemagne.{4} Here's where this killer question comes in. If you lose your life memories when you die, how do you know your past lives are real? When you're born into a new body and your slate is wiped clean, how do you know it's you?
So many people have embraced a pragmatic, expedient standard of, "Hey, it works for me." "It works for me to cheat on my taxes, as long as I don't get caught." "It works for me to spend hours on porn sites late at night since my wife doesn't know how to check the computer's history." "It works for me to keep God in his corner of the universe while I do my own thing; I'll get religious later in life." Well, how do you know it works? You haven't seen the whole, big picture. You can't know the future, and you can't know how tomorrow's consequences will be reaped from today's choices.

Let me add a caveat here. The underlying question behind How do you know that's true? is really, "Why should I believe you?" It can be quite disconcerting to be challenged this way, so be sure to ask with a friendly face and without an edge in your voice.

4. What if you're wrong?
One benefit of this question is that it helps us not to "sweat the small stuff." There are a lot of issues where it just doesn't matter a whole lot if we're wrong. If you're agonizing over a restaurant menu, trying to figure out the best entree, what if you're wrong? It doesn't matter. You can probably come back another time. If you can't, because you're traveling and you'll never have another chance, is it going to wreck your life? Absolutely not.

Many of our youth (and, sadly, adults as well) believe that having sex is just part of being social. Many of them believe that sex qualifies as recreation, much like going to an amusement park. They need to be challenged: What if you're wrong? Besides the high probability of contracting a number of sexually transmitted diseases, there is the ongoing heartache of the discovery that "casual" sex isn't, because of its lasting impact on the heart.

The ultimate question where this matters is, What do you believe about God? What do you do with Jesus' statement "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except by Me"?{5} What if you believe there is no God, or that you can live however you want and God will let you into heaven because you're not a mass murderer? We need to ask, What if you're wrong? You will be separated from God forever!

It's only fair for Christ-followers to ask that of ourselves. What if we're wrong? What if we're actually living an illusion that there is a God and a purpose to life? I would say, "You know what? I still lived a great life, full of peace and purpose and fulfillment. Ultimately, if there were no God, it wouldn't matter—nothing would matter at all!—but I still loved my life. Either way, if I'm right or I'm wrong, I win."

Worship Vs Sports

2009-02-03T00:15:00.000-08:00

"Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious!" Psalm 66:1-2

She stands out among the other worshippers in the crowded auditorium. Her worship is so exuberant, she can hardly contain her joy. She restrains her excitement. Her fist pumping a little, probably out of respect for others who might feel uncomfortable. She turns his face heavenward, eyes closed, and sings her heart out to the King of glory. She sits near the front row, and points her index finger high, presumably indicating God as number One. If you didn't know better, you might think she's idolizing her favorite band and lost in the wonder. When I observe this woman worshipping, I am suddenly struck by a stark contrast.

Think about where we sit at sporting events, concerts, or plays. When we purchase tickets for an event like that, we try to get the best seats we can. Often there is discussion about which outfield to sit in, or how close can you get to the 50 yard line. Is it worth an extra $20 to sit 10 rows closer? The location of your seats totally transforms your experience.

Consider how many behave on these occasions. Many head to a game painted in team spirit. I've seen folks who are typically reserved reaming out a referee or cheering like an uninhibited child. We stand up, clap, and chant. We're totally invested in the game. Often, many have begun celebrating the event earlier in the day by tailgating, talking about the rankings and who's favoured in this particular game. If our team wins, the celebration may continue late into the evening, or produce wild behaviour in the streets.

Now, think about church attendance.

Many often arrive late. Try to sneak quietly in the back so they won't be noticed. The front two rows are usually completely empty. Some sing halfheartedly, concerned what others might think if they externally display any signs of true worship. They try to pay attention to the sermon, but are distracted. We avoid overt expressions of emotion, because we want to be "reverent". In our "reverence," are we simply masking our fear of being real with God? When church is finally over, many beeline for the door, trying to decide what's for lunch.

Obviously, we must take into consideration one's personality or "bent" in this illustration. Some people, like my mother, would never jump, clap, or shout at any of the aforementioned events. Her worship may be just as intense and personal as the one in our illustration who's on her knees, arms stretched high.

Church, God is so much better than our favourite team and more stirring than any show we've ever attended. He trumps U2 backstage, Wicked, or an NFL rivalry game. We always have the best tickets to His productions, so let's give Him the authentic praise He alone deserves.

I'll see you in the front-row Sunday morning, with a heart full of worship.

Hobby Farm Vs Real Farm

2009-02-02T02:31:00.000-08:00

A hobby farm is a small country estate of about three to ten acres.They are normally very beautiful, set along a nice river bank or rolling hills. The home is full of style and elegance. The yard is fully fenced and five or six chickens peck at the feed still laying in between the rocks.

The owners enjoys the outdoor life. The fresh air, the freedom from the city's fast pace. They normally work in the community so they can afford to keep their farm. The expenses are high considering the cost of feeding the horses, one or two cows and a few chickens. The machinery needs to be up kept. And the expense list can go on.

The main point of the hobby farm is enjoyment. The farmer does not need a harvest to keep it going. It does not rely on the resources it produces but on the other monies the farmer brings in from the outside to keep it running.

Contrast this against a real farm.

A real farm is large, with many acres to care for because all of the expenses must come from the harvest. The feed is faithful sown each year or they will go hungry or lose the farm completely if this was neglected.

Every animal is on the farm for food or work, no animal is allowed to stay for free. Each must pay the cost of living on the farm. The farmer normally has many animals also because he is not only providing for his own household but for the households of the nations.

The spring is a time of focus sowing. All time and energy is directed for the singular purpose of getting things in and ready for the harvest. The harvest is always the focus.

The farm takes much work to run. The work is hard but rewarding. Each person on the farm must be self motivated not waiting on a person to come and tell them to labour.

A church is like a hobby farm or a real farm. The way you can always tell is talk to the leaders and congregation about the harvest. If they take you on a walk and show you the facilities, the services and the music. If they focus your attention on how they care for its members and not on the care for the lost, you will know they are hobby farming.

If they show you how they make disciples and equip each person to declare their faith to a dying world. If they reveal a clear plan on how they are bringing each and everyone into the business of bringing in the harvest. And if they desire to present a clear gospel to you and those you love within the short time you know them, you know you have arrived at a real farm. A farm that looks for the harvest to sustain them.

Royal Heights, we must always be a real farm. We must always plant and water so the Lord will cause the increase because harvest time is coming! The harvest is not just a great time for the church, it is why it is in business!

Psalm 126
5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

Personal but NOT Private

2009-01-30T04:56:00.000-08:00

When God begins a relationship with us, it cannot be more personal. To be known by God and to know God, is an amazing experience. I am reminded of the verse that reveals what eternal life really has become for us..."And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." John 17:3.

The truth is, God has not called us into such a personal relationship as to keep this relationship silent. He wants us to speak about it and encourage others around us to enter this same personal relationship.

The other day I watched a show where this young person was meeting a new person and they were about to date for the first time. This young girl was so excited to have this personal relationship with this young man. She called her friends together just to tell them about this new found relationship. She spoke about this relationship in such as way as if she almost could not help it. It was flowing out of her. She wanted to talk about it. She was not forced to speak about this relationship but instead enjoyed to speak about him.

This picture is a good metaphor about our relationship with the Lord. He wants us to tell the world what a great relationship it is that we have entered. He loves us speaking about Him as a God of love and full of loving-kindness.

When we keep our relationship private about our Lord it seems to indicate one of three things: 1. We really don't have a true relationship with the Lord. 2. We are ashamed others will find out that we love the Lord. 3. We don`t know how to speak about this relationship we have with the Lord.

The first statement needs to be answers by saying, cry out to God that He may give you life and life eternal.

The second statement is face this fear. Be strong and courageous. We have a great and wonderful God. Although the world is attempting to paint a different view of the Lord, God is good. Be a witness to your relationship you have with Him before your family and friends.

The last statement is learn how to speak about Him in the variety of experiences He puts before you. I know the message of the gospel can be offensive when others hear it because it says if they are not in than they are out of Christ. People don`t like hearing this truth unless they are seeking to also enter this relationship.

The good thing about going public with your relationship is Jesus reminded us that the fields are white to harvest. Many people around us the Lord has already called them and your witness is what brings that into reality. You get to see a person who was completely lost become a person who becomes completely found.

God is good,...let`s tell someone!

Jesus Increased

2009-01-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

Increased is a good thing. We look forward to growth in all areas of our lives. Growth in health, growth in knowledge, growth in our spiritual lives, etc.

The focus in this verse is on two areas which brought into favour two Beings.

Wisdom and Stature plus God and Man.

Why wisdom?

Because it is such a rare commodity. It takes experience to have wisdom. The word wisdom means "applied knowledge".

The Bible puts on those who are elderly because of this one trait in their lives, wisdom. The grey hairs of people often have brought them through life so they grew up in things they should do and things they shouldn't. They got this wisdom over time.

Young mom don't get discouraged raising those little ones. With all the questions you have on discipline and love. It is a challenge to know eactly what to do in every situation but reach out to some older moms. Their experience can give you insights. Plus you will not have to repeat the same mistakes they did.

Young leaders don't get overwhelmed with all the decisions you have to make each day. Read some of the wisdom of others who have gone through the trenches. Learn from their thoughts and ideas.

Jesus wisdom is what excelled Him in being in favour with God and man. When we get out of balance by not using wisdom to make our decisions soon we pay the cost is hurt relationships. I've done this and so would have many of you.

Jesus also grew in stature.

The physical health of a person goes a long way in seeing that the day goes well also. Our growth in this area of life is so critical during the early years. Watch over your children and give them good things to eat. Give them good experiences to enjoy.

Jesus came into favour with God and man by doing these two simple tasks. May we learn the art of keeping our Christianity simple. It is normally in the simple that power and strength are found.

The Gospel for the Nations

2009-01-26T23:20:00.000-08:00

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

When God begins to work in the hearts of people it can be completely overwhelming. He is the LORD of all people, all tongues and all nations. He loves mankind with an everlasting love.

When God began His church "called out ones", the world was never to be the same. Few things have started on this planet that end up changing how mankind will forever conduct their lives. The message of the early church was such an event.

The gospel or the good news came to the nations with power. The power of the Holy Spirit.

What is the gospel and why is it so needed?

Mankind has been in rebellion against the LORD GOD of the heavens. Man has raised his fist in defiance against the Rightful Owner and Possessor of all life. Man believe he should rule, instead he is a slave to sin and has inherited death and eternal separation from God as his work of sin. Man is completely lost, dead in sin, The wrath of Almighty God dwells on him. He can not and will not escape. It is appointed unto man once to die, then judgement.

Mankind has been lauded into a false peace. A sleep of death.

But God who is rich in mercy, sent His only Son in the fullness of time, to redeem man and make away for his return to a relationship again with his Creator. Jesus the Christ lived a righteous life before His Father God. He was the only man who ever lived without sin. He became the only substitute that would be received by God has a just payment for the sins of mankind.

After living for 33 years and preaching for 3 1/2 about the plan of God. Mankind took Him, stripped Him and mocked Him in open shame. He was bruised and beaten by the hatred of man. They took Him up the hill of Golgotha, the place of the skull, and drove nails through His hands and feet as they spread Him on a cross.

The earth shook. The day went to night. Fear rose across the land. God's Son died for the sins of man. The Lamb of God. The Perfect Sacrifice for sin.

He was removed from the cross after a soldier checked to see if He had really died. He pieced his side with a spear. They placed Him in a tomb and rolled a heavy stone over the entrance.

One Day

Two Days

Three Days.

On the third day He arose again! Jesus walked out of the grave and proclaimed to the world. "My Father has accepted My death as payment for your sin. If you but repent, turn from your wicked ways, and put your trust in My death as your payment for sin, My Father will recieve you unto Himself. Without Me, no one will see God."
Every nation must hear this message. Every people and language are in grave danger. Each must repent and believe that Christ alone is the only One who can save.

Let all the nations rejoice for the Son of God has redeemed us. The Son of God has saved us!

Staff Retreat

2009-01-24T22:24:00.000-08:00

Church,we had a GREAT Staff Retreat over the weekend. The Staff at Royal Heights are EXCELLENT!

Please, pray for the leadership as we continue to seek the heart of the LORD on the many matters that come our way.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.

Validation

2009-01-22T23:56:00.000-08:00

What does encouragement do for us? How do the words we speak bring life and hope to others? When are we responsible to speak the truth in love?

A New President

2009-01-21T16:04:00.000-08:00

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Barack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States.

Watching the new President of the United States take the oath of office was a history making event. Millions watched as life unfolded before them. Years of prejudices to give way to a new colour in leadership. You could see that people were proud to be an American.

I am happy for United States, for their new leadership but we all must be reminded of one thing, no person is the answer to the world's challenges save one, Jesus the Christ.

God in His wisdom puts in various leaders to be a watch-care for the nations. But all Presidents, Kings and Lords must always remember they are given this task to move the nation closer to its Great Creator.

All through the ages men and women have comeand gone but the LORD remains on His throne guiding the world to the end. He expects every leader to bow before Him and Him alone. He expects all people to give recognition and worship to Him alone.

The new President has begun his time to serve the people. He will come and he will depart, leaving behind his legacy, to good or to evil. God alone will judge.

Our Jesus has been given a Kingdom from His Father, the Ancient of Days. It is an everlasting Kingdom. A Kingdom beyond every kingdom. It is a Kingdom without end!

Daniel 7: 9 “ I watched till thrones were put in place,
And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a burning fire;
10 A fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The court was seated,
And the books were opened.

11 “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13 “ I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.

Babies

2009-01-19T17:44:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting in the coffee shop working on a project I'm putting together for the church. Across from where I am sitting, at the next table, is a young mother with a new baby.

To watch a young mom, who is fascinated by the new life she has given birth to, puts a smile on my face. She is constantly looking over at her baby as he or she sleeps in perfect peace knowing that mother has everything under control. When the baby stirred instantly the mother used this occasion to pick the child up and hold him close to give him reassuring comfort.

The mother had brought another friend with her. This girl clearly did not have any children and was excited and scared to hold this new child. When the mother offered for her friend to hold the baby instantly excitement filled her eyes. As she took the child in her arms, which took about a minute and half to make the transfer because of all the instruction and care that was happening, a huge smile came across her face. Various noises came out of her mouth trying to get the little one to smile or at least recognize he was now with her and not with mom. The baby slept on.

As I watched this event unfold before my eyes I was reminded of the church. The church is the bride of Christ and the new believer is her little baby she must and desires to care for. The new believer is so trusting that the mother will care for him. He just believes that things will be okay because mother is watching over everything.

Church, as the LORD brings us 29 new baby Christians this year it will be important that we love them as a mother loves her new born. The baby trusts that the mother knows best and she will love and develop him.

Church, it is important that we take these new ones into our arms and develop them into mature adults. Each lesson we teach them is to make us interdependant on each other. Our desire is to see them grow up in a healthy way, giving and receiving the things of God.

As a baby needs the milk of the mother to survive, it is important that we take the LORD's young believers and give them the pure milk of the word of God. As they drink it in they will develop in a way that makes the mother proud.

It is not the baby's responsibility to be the main caregiver of itself, it is the mothers. At least until that child is healthy enough to fend for himself. A good church must love the young to give them the strength they will need to do life in the real world.

1 Peter 2: 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Church, let's get ready to develop healthy spiritual children as the LORD honours us with the birth of new believers!

Blessed

2009-01-18T18:31:00.000-08:00

Blessed is the man

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:34

Blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. Proverbs 16:20

Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Isaiah 56:2

Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. Daniel 12:12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:11

Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me. Matthew 11:6

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:9

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!" Mark 11:10

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Luke 1:42

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh? Luke 6:21

Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you. Luke 11:27

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28

Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:15

Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed. Luke 23:29

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Romans 4:7

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. Romans 4:8

Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Romans 14:22

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3

Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed. Revelation 16:15

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:9

Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

Blessed Is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book. Revelation 22:7

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Psalm 40:4

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. Psalm 41:1

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5

Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law. Psalm 94:12

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Psalm 106:3

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. Psalm 112:1

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. Psalm 119:2

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:5

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. Psalm 128:1

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding. Proverbs 3:13

Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. Nehemiah 9:5

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. Psalm 1:1

Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Genesis 14:19

Wisdom for Raising Children

2009-01-16T23:11:00.000-08:00

A is for Accountability.
Hold your children accountable for their behaviour.

Mat 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

B is for Boundaries.
Set specific limits, and make clear the repercussions if those limits are exceeded.

C is for Consistency.
Almost every form of discipline works IF you are consistent. If you tell a child you will count to three and he should have whatever it is completed, don't count to 4. Do something!

D is for Discipline.
Make the discipline fit the crime. Never discipline in anger. Discipline is always to develop the child. Punishment is to hurt with no development as the goal. Don't punish children.

Prov 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

E is for Example.
Children are in greater need of models than critics. Set a good example.

F is for Forgiveness.
Practice it and teach the importance of forgiving.

Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

G is for Giving.
Teach the joy of giving, not only to family and friends, but to strangers in need.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

H is for a sense of Humour.
Keep your sense of humour. Promote laughter with your children.

Prov 15:13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

I is for Imagination.
Be creative, and play with your children. Read and sing with them. Make up songs. Put their names in them.

J is for Justice.
Be fair, and insist that they be fair, also.

Col 3: 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

K is for Knowing your children's friends and their parents as well as their teachers.

Children are influenced very quickly by ideas, you must watch over so you know what ideas they are being exposed to. The closer the person to their heart the easier it is to accept their ideas. Only let people of good character close to your children.

L is for Listening.
Listen to your children. It will teach them how to listen to others, and their thoughts will give you insights.

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

M is for Morals.
Be sure your own standard of conduct is sound. When you fail, apologize and make things right, if possible.

1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conduct;

N is for No.
Use it, and mean it. Only say it when you mean it.

Exodus 20. "Thou shalt not...." The LORD was not saying "No" because he was holding something good back from us. He told us "No" because He knew how much pain would be involved in stealing, lying, commiting adultry, coveting, etc.

O is for Oops.
Give the kid a break when they do childish things. Be firm, but don't act as if the world is coming to an end when they do things wrong. Remember that they are, but flesh.

Ps 78:39 For He remembered that they were but flesh,A breath that passes away and does not come again.

P is for Pressure.
Reduce the pressure on your children, but insist they maintain high standards. A "C" means average, don't constantly push them to be above average. Not every child can get an "A" our they would move that grade toonly be a "C".

Q is for Questions.
Pay close attention to their questions and give simple answers unless they demand more. Children learn by asking questions. Lots and lots of questions!

R is for Respect.
Show respect, teach respect and earn respect.

Eph 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

S is for Source of Strength.
Share your own faith or beliefs with your children. Faith can be a great strength in times of trouble.

Deut 6:6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

T is for Togetherness.
Have special, designated times to be together as a family--but know when to let go, too. The family meal has proven to beone of the best times for all the family to connect, protect it from the TV, appointments, and anything else thatcomes in to destory it.

U is for Uniqueness.
Understand the uniqueness of each child, and let that child be who he or she is.

V is for Voice.
Tone of voice can convey more to a child than the words spoken.

Prov 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

W is for Words.
Keep your word. Promises broken destroy trust.

Eccl 5:5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

X is for xylophone.
Music is a child's gift. Many children love to play an instrument and/or sing. Let them.

Y is for You.
Take care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually. A happy parent helps a child to be happy.

Z is for Zoo!
This is what your house will be like but when they grow up an leave, you will miss them completely.

Panic

2009-01-14T11:20:00.000-08:00

With the financial situation of the world as it is, it can be easy to push the "panic" button. The problem with panic is it rarely brings any kind of health to a situation and often brings greater stress.

One man was asked, what's the difference between a depression and a reccession? He answered, "A recession is when the economy is bad enough that my neighbour loses his job. A depression is when the economy is bad enough that I lose my job!" Maybe there is a lot of truth in this statement.

It is easy to stay positive when it is not directly effecting us but what do you do when the situation comes home?

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1. Prayer
The secret of looking at any situation is to get the LORD's view on the subject. Do you think God is stressed about the world economy? Do you think He could still provide for you and yours?

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

2. Be Thankful
To be thankful even in challenging times is a picture before your family and friends that you do believe there is a God, on the Throne, who loves you and cares for you. Thank Him for everything! For your healthy, the little money you do have, your family, your house, clothes, and the list goes on. Be thankful! Be thankful!

3. Tell God your situation
Lay it all out there before Him. Hold nothing back. Treat Him like the Father King He is. Let Him know your complete situation. Then leave it with Him to figure it out. You remain faithful in the things that you can do to be responsible and let Him remain faithful in the things He is responsible for.

Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It can't get better than that!

A Good Mind

2009-01-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The human being has the ability to have one of two minds, a mind of the flesh or a mind of the spirit. The mind of the flesh thinks like a flesh creature.

Flesh thinking is explained in the Scriptures as very distructive. Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

May we, as believers, move far from flesh thinking. Flesh thinking is basically thinking thoughts only about yourself; Thoughts away from God and His people.

Spiritual thinking is God-centred or God-focused thinking. It seeks to bring God into the flow of life. It brings peace because it is based on the foundational truths of God and not the whim of man.

God's foundational truths are lived out by the fruit of the Spirit in us. God moves us at the heart of our very being. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

God ususally exposes our thinking by exposing our actions. But good actions do not neccessary mean good thinking because we can fake good action for awhile. Long term living is the way the LORD exposes the thinking of man. How are you thinking? Look at life in the long term. Do you desire to love the LORD with all your heart? Do you want to serve your fellow man? Do you long to see the works of God in your life as you serve and please Him? It is because you are renewing your mind into the image of the Son.

God wants us to think like Him. To live to the glory of Him. True peace and life is found here and only here!

Beloved of God, Called Saints

2009-01-10T23:44:00.000-08:00

Romans 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this verse Paul points his letter to whom he is speaking. Not all Rome but the beloved of God, those called saints.

The words “to be” have been added. It should just say, “called saints”. "To be" could give the impression that it takes awhile to become a saint. A view held by the Catholic church, which is a complete false doctrine.

Why are these people Christians? Paul says it is because the love of God. “The beloved of God” it is obvious that the Lord has loved you because you would not have found Him without His revelation in your heart.

John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day."

There are two calls in the Bible. One, that is general and one that is effectual, it does a work.

Whenever the gospel is preached God calls men everywhere to repent. It is a universal call. But many do not respond to the call.

1 Cor 1:26-27 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

These beloved people are called saints. What is a saint? It is a holy one. Its meaning to be separated to God and to His glory and service. That is what happened in the Old Testament when something or someone was made holy. People or utensils all were separated to God. It was not because of their behaviour or act on their part but only because of God.

Notice how sanctified is before justified.

1 Cor 6:9-11
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

A saint is not a person who never does bad, never sins in the flesh. He is a person who has been set apart by God, for God. We do not die as a saint if we live righteously or do some profound act or miracle. We begin as a saint and are expected to live to the glory of God. We die as a saint only because we have a God who has set us apart. All glory is His, from the start or our salvation to the everlasting end.

Praise be to His Name.

Just a Minute

2009-01-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

Our goal is to pray for one minute a day for one lost person. Simple.

Why be a part of this exercise?

When we begin to daily pray for the lost, even one minute a day, we will begin to see the lost and seek to engage them. Everything important in the Kingdom of God starts and ends with prayer.

Can you begin to notice the names of your waitress or gas bar attendant,and begin to pray for their salvation. You may be the one to present the gospel to a first time believer.

Stop right now and pray for 60 seconds!

What is God Looking For?

2009-01-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we become confused on how to serve our Lord. What is He looking for? What does He want from me?

Does being responsible before the Lord just mean doing more for Him? Like the statement man makes, "You were saved to serve". This is a half truth. You were really saved to expereince love, the love of God. We were made to enjoy Him, forever.

In our confusion we run around trying to do things for Him. Many times this can beome just busy work. We do these things until we tire out and throw our hands up in the air.

God spoke through Isaiah, the prophet:

Isa 66:1-2
1 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
2 For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.

What does He look for?

"But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.

God is very interested in us as human beings, not human doings. He knows that once we understand and we know Him and His heart, we will always serve Him from the heart.

God is good. He is looking for those who will understand the great gift of His Son, who was given to us. He is looking for those who will have a healthy fear of Him so they respect and carry out His will in every circumstance.

As a people, we want to "do". God wants us to "be". Spend some time before the Lord seeking to know the Blesser instead of seeking a blessing. God desires for us to love Him because He knows He loves us. All real love seeks to see love returned and expressed.

Keep things simple.

You are Responsible

2009-01-05T11:37:00.000-08:00

Galatians 6:5 "For each one shall bear his own load."

The Apostle Paul is attempting to get a church to take some personal responsibility to live out their faith. Yes, they were instructed to help each other and help the community at large but he also clearly instructed them to take personal responsibility over their own lives.

How does a person take personal responsibility?

First, accept the fact that you are responsible for where you are in life. No blaming-shifting towards your present or past circumstances or people that have come into your life. You are where you are in life because of choices you made. If you cannot accept the fact that you are responsible you cannot move on. Even if a tragedy or some other events have occurred which you believe led you to the place you are right now, it was your own choice to either respond or react to the situation in the way that you did. You are responsible,...no one else!

Learn to forgive people, yourself and God. So many walk around with this anger towards life. Someone or something has let them down and they are mad! Does this change the situation? NO! As a matter of fact, we have a warning about our anger from the LORD, through James, "1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

Learn to let things go through forgiveness. Let go of the blame by simply acknowledging that is there is nothing you can do to change the past. You are responsible for the here and now, and whatever occurred in the past is done, it's a fact. You can continue to blame others for where you are, but what purpose will that serve you now? Blaming yourself is not the same thing as taking responsibility. Letting it all go through forgiveness is the important thing.

Second, start to change what you can about your situation. Get off the couch! MOVE! Be responsible! You are where you are because of you and you alone. If you don't like it, make better choices.

Example: If you blamed your spiritual life and love for God on the inadequately of your church, switch the responsibility to yourself now and make a change. What are you doing to change it NOW? Blaming others will do nothing to change your life, so just get over it and do what you can to take responsibility.

Example: If you don't like your financial situation, change it! Stop blaming the market, your ex-husband or your current wife. It is you! Make choices that educate yourself into maturity in this area.

Example: If you don't like your weight, stop blaming your wife, mother or your favourite restaurant. It is you! Be responsible. Get off the couch, move, exercise,...shovel snow! I'm speaking to myself now! I wanted to lose 25 pounds by 2009, I lost only 12 pounds than gained back 6 of those! I would love to blame my wife because of her great cooking but it was me.

I did find the secret to losing weight. When you are at the table and you know you have eaten enough, firmly place your hands on the edge of the table and push! It works every time!

This is a simple statement: You are Responsible but very difficult to get people to REALLY believe. When you and I do, we will be set free! Free to walk in a manner we were made to walk in. We will walk as responsible adults, in Christ!

Profile of a Leader

2009-01-04T03:01:00.000-08:00

Leaders will be marked by characteristics like these below. Take a moment to rate yourself according to the following statements:

Key:
0 = Never 1= Seldom 2 = Sometimes 3= Usually 4= Always

1. They have influence
```0 1 2 3 4
2. They have self-discipline
```0 1 2 3 4
3. They have a good track record
```0 1 2 3 4
4. They have strong people skills
```0 1 2 3 4
5. They have the ability to address and solve problems
```0 1 2 3 4
6. They do not accept the status quo
```0 1 2 3 4
7. They see the big picture
```0 1 2 3 4
8. They have the ability to handle stress
```0 1 2 3 4
9. They display a positive spirit
```0 1 2 3 4
10. They understand people
```0 1 2 3 4
11. They are free from personal problems that sabotage
```0 1 2 3 4
12. They are willing to take responsibility
```0 1 2 3 4
13. They are free from anger
```0 1 2 3 4
14. They are willing to make changes
```0 1 2 3 4
15. They have integrity
```0 1 2 3 4
16. They have a growing personal walk with God
```0 1 2 3 4
17. They can see what needs to be done next
```0 1 2 3 4
18. People follow their leadership
```0 1 2 3 4
19. They have the ability and desire to keep learning
```0 1 2 3 4
20. They have a manner which draws people
```0 1 2 3 4
21. They have a good self-image
```0 1 2 3 4
22. They have a willingness to submit to and serve others
```0 1 2 3 4
23. They can "bounce back" when problems arise
```0 1 2 3 4
24. The have the ability to develop other leaders
```0 1 2 3 4
25. They take the initiative
```0 1 2 3 4

Total Points _____/100

How did you do?

Score 0-50 What is a leader again?
Score 51-75 Leadership - i like it!
Score 76-85 You are a leader in training. You see the big picture and you are willing to see that it getsdone.
Score 86-99 You are leading and doing a great job at it. Continue to learn.
Score 100 You cheated!

What will 2009 look like?

2009-01-03T19:09:00.000-08:00

If someone tried to predict 2008, they probably would have got in wrong in the financial world. We have witnessed record loses on Wall Street that filter down to Main Street. The working man is starting to feel the sting of other people spending their money.

But what will 2009 hold? Do we know? Can we know?

Let me give you some assurances of absolutes that will happen in 2009.

1. God will be and remain on His throne.
God never leaves His throne. He always moves life to His greatest glory. Nations come and go but God is from Everlasting to Everlasting, the Almighty!

2. God's church will not be defeated.
Jesus said that the "Gates of Hell will not prevail aginst His church" so we can rest assuranced that His glorious church will continue, with power. Men and women will give their lives to see all God has promised come into reality.

3. God's Word will not come back to Him void.
The Word of God will continue to have its effect on the earth. Many people will attempt to belittle it, call it foolish and seek to destory its power but they will not weaken His Word. Truth is forever; God's Word is Truth. God's Word will continue to go forth.

4. The Gospel will continue to be the power of God.
The gospel is the only means on which a man can be saved. The gospel will continue to be preached, day after day, minute after minute, to the world at large so men every where can repent and believe. There is no other Name under heaven in which to be saved, other than Jesus the Christ.

I do not know if the world will become financially healthy or if Canada will remain a nation or if I will even be alive by this time next year BUT I can say with the Apostle Paul: "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." 2 Timothy 1:12

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T02:55:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's Here...2009!

We have a Theme Verse this year. We believe God is going to do some great things in the year 2009. There is nothing too hard for our LORD. He is the ALMIGHTY!

We are also asking the Lord for 29 baptisms in the coming year. This is the most baptisms Royal Heights has seen for years. Let's ask God every day for souls! This will take a renewed desire on our part to see the lost come to the Lord. Each one of us will need to be open to be used by the Lord to encounter people with the gospel.

We are believing that this will greatly effect our worship attendance on Sunday mornings. We will need to expect this increase and prepare accordingly. Now that the Spanish Church has agreed to meet at the same time as us but in our other building, parking is going to become a challenge. We will need to be patient to work together to see the impact we can have on the community around us.

Our three goals for the year are simple. I ask everyone to commit to these three goals with an sincere heart, seeking God to accomplish His will through us. No one person can do these things. It takes the complete body of Christ to pursue these goals, together!

Royal Heights,...LET'S DO IT!

Reason for the Season

2008-12-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

Pearl Tingle send me a great link to a short Christmas video. It is great!

"O Holy Night" sung by Josh Groban;

The link below shows beautifully why it is called Christmas, not the holidays, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/v/Z_ypUnnqr8Y&autoplay=0

Luke Chapter Two

2008-12-25T04:41:00.000-08:00

1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

The Narcissistic Church

2008-12-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

(Paul Johnson sent me this article he found. It is very good)

The names say it all.

YouTube. MySpace. And, of course, ipod, itunes, imac, and iPhone.

If there is a theme to our day, it’s that “it’s all about me.” The technical term is narcissism. In Greek mythology, Narcissus is the character who, upon passing his reflection in the water, becomes so enamored with himself that he devotes the rest of his life to his own reflection. From this we get our term “narcissism,” the preoccupation with self.

The value of "narcissism" is the classic "I, me, mine" mentality that places personal pleasure and fulfillment at the forefront of concerns. Historian Christopher Lasch went so far as to christen ours “the culture of narcissism,” calling it our new religion.

Now as Christians, this should be antithetical. We follow a savior who said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many;” “Whoever wants to be first must become last;” “Whoever wants to be great among must become the slave of all;” and then bowed in submission to the Father Himself and said, “Not my will, but yours.”

Yet a spiritual narcissism has invaded our thinking where the individual needs and desires of the Believer become the center of attention.

Have you ever heard the way we talk?

“I want to go where I'm fed" or "I need to be ministered to” rolls off our tongues without even blushing. We walk out of a worship service and say, "I didn't get anything out of it" as if worship was about what we received rather than what we gave to God.

And it’s killing the church, blinding our vision, paralyzing our mission, and muting our voice.

But is it simply a reflection of a narcissistic culture? Or could it be something we secretly feed ourselves?

Consider the first two questions any organization must ask itself (courtesy of Peter Drucker): What is our mission? and Who is our customer? The second of these involves crass language, I know, for any church. But let’s consider them a moment. First, what is our mission? I would argue that it is to seek and to save the lost (how could we have a mission other than the one Christ had and then entrusted to us as the church?). Yes, the Great Commission involves discipleship, but I tire of those who pit evangelism against discipleship, as if doing one prevents concentrating on the other. It’s a both/and, not an either/or. But more to the point of the mission, if you never reach anyone for Christ, who, exactly, will you be discipling? Evangelism must be in the vanguard.

From this comes the second question: Who, then, is our primary customer? It is inescapable: if our mission is to seek and to save and then disciple the lost, then our “customer” is the one who is lost. Here is the breakdown: most churches have, as their primary focus, reaching and then serving the already convinced. From this, services rendered to the believer become paramount, and other churches become the “competition.”

Which means that we are not victims of a culture of narcissism; we are purveyors of it.

There are those who would say that the place where spiritual narcissism runs amok is in contemporary approaches to outreach that seek to cater to the unchurched – as if these churches are abandoning orthodoxy in any way possible in order to gain warm bodies. Most, of course, are doing nothing of the sort. In truth, the real narcissism is among the churches catering to the believer, making their needs paramount to such a degree that the lost are, well, staying so. Because nowhere does true spiritual narcissism face more opposition than in a church which is choosing to die to itself in order to reach out and serve those around them.

Then it’s not about whether you are fed, but whether or not you have learned to feed yourself and, best of all, feed others.

Then it’s not about whether you are ministered to, but whether you are, yourself, a minister to others.

Then it’s not about whether you got anything out of the service, but whether you gave God anything of service.

And that is a church that has died to itself enough to….live.

James Emery White

Pressures of Ministry

2008-11-10T23:18:00.000-08:00

The numbers are staggering. 80% of pastors feel discouraged in their role and 50% would leave the ministry if they had another way of making a living. The numbers are even higher for the spouse where 85% struggle with depression and 80% wish their spouse would choose another profession. 80% of pastors say they have insufficient time with spouse and that ministry has a negative effect on their family.
40% report a serious conflict with a parishioner once a month.
33% say that being in ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
75% report they’ve had significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.
58% of pastors indicate that their spouse needs to work either part time or full time to supplement the family income.
56% of pastors’ wives say they have no close friends.
Pastors who work fewer than 50 hrs/week are 35% more likely to be terminated.
40% of pastors considered leaving the pastorate in the past three months. Such numbers are too profound to overlook.

To enter ministry is to often enter a world of pain, discouragement and frustration. It is because of these statistics we need to prepare our young people who are being called into the ministry. We must prepare them for real work, serious work.

What are some key ways we could and should prepare people for the ministry?

The first step to make sure their perspective is to maintain a biblical view of themselves and their ministry. In many ways our culture has placed unrealistic expectations on pastors and church leaders and their role. Leaders are pressured to lead the church to new heights of attendance and increase the number of programs within the church, all with little funds and sometimes little help from the congregation. Furthermore, our culture has instilled within us the expectation that life should be free from difficulties and hardships. This almost sets leaders up for failure or at the best, disappointment.

The scriptures warn us that to enter ministry is to enter a life of difficulty and struggles (2 Corinthians 7:5; 11:24-29). We are also in the midst of a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12). While leaders may complain about the hardships they face, Paul saw it as a badge of honour to suffer for the cause of Christ (Colossians 1:24; see also Philippians 1:29 where the word “granted” is the Greek word referring to a graciously given gift). The reason he had this perspective is because he recognized that the strength from ministry comes not from ourselves or even our training, but from the hand of a sovereign and gracious God who empowers us to accomplish His purpose (Col 1:29).

The second perspective is to make sure that leaders are taking care of themselves and their families physically and emotionally. God recognized the importance of rest when he instituted the Sabbath day. This is equally true for leaders in ministry. Working seven days a week is a recipe for burnout in ministry and neglect of spouse and family. We need to make sure that leaders take the time to be renewed and take the time to be with family and spend time with their children. God makes it clear that He expects us first and foremost to care for the needs of family so that they do not become the sacrificial lamb on the altar of ministry (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

The third perspective is leaders need to develop a network of individuals who can offer support, encouragement and perspective. Moses needed Aaron and Joshua, Paul needed Barnabas and Titus. Tragically 70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor. They need to develop these relationships. It may be with a fellow pastor in the community, it may be with a fellow missionary, it may be with a friend that they can talk with once a week or month. If they do not have a close friend, then they need to start praying for one, immediately.

Fourth, leader must seek help when they need it. Often there can be a “pastoral pride” that exists that hinders leaders from seeking help. Pastors especially can feel the pressure to always have their act together and that it is somehow a sign of weakness to seek the help of others. They can forget that leaders also are human beings struggling in a difficult ministry. There are times when pastors need to be “pastored.” There are times when leaders need the counsel and input of others. There is no shame it getting help. Proverbs states that it is the wise who seek the input of others. It is the fool who thinks that he does not need the assistance of others.

Leaders need to realize that ministry has been, is, and always will be a difficult and painful calling. They must also realize that ministry will continue whenthey are gone. Everything does not centre around the leader but around the LORD. However, leaders must also realize that God’s grace is always sufficient and that where there is trouble there is also His sustaining hand.

I love being a pastor at Royal Heights. I fall in the 20% bracket where I enjoy my minstry. I have real friends. I have a loving wife and family. I am priviledged. Thank you LORD!

15 Characteristics of the Small Church

2008-11-07T15:05:00.000-08:00

While no church will manifest all 15 of these characteristics, in most cases there will be several that predominate.

1. The small church is relationally driven.
There exists within the congregation a family atmosphere where individuals are considered part of a bigger family, where relationships become more important than performance and organization.

2. The small church works through informal channels.
Because of the close relational bonds, decisions are often made over coffee rather than formal meetings. While policies and procedures for conducting church business are important and should be implemented, they should be communicated informally and in relational terms, rather than through formalized channels.

3. The small church works as a whole.
When the church acts, it acts as a whole rather than as individual parts. The whole congregation makes decisions rather than a representative few. People desire to know what is going on in every program and ministry even though they are not directly involved. The ultimate decision-making authority resides within the congregation rather than within the board or pastor.

4. Power and authority reside in the laity rather than the pastor.
The small church is owned and operated by the laity rather than the pastor. While the pastor may retain the title, the power of the church belongs to the people who have built and directed the church for generations. If the pastor comes into conflict with that power, then the pastor will often be asked to leave.

5. The small church relates as a family.
The small church functions as a family. To become part of the family, a person must be grafted in. This depth of relationship takes time to develop, thus making it difficult for first timers to be included.

6. Communication occurs through the grapevine.
Everyone knows what is going on because everyone talks about it. The rule of thumb regarding the grapevine is that the smaller the church and more close knit the people, the more the grapevine will be an asset.

7. Traditions and heritage undergird the structure, ministry, and culture.
Within the small church, traditions are more than ruts; they are the stories and bonds that tie the present congregation to previous generations. Because the small church values not only the present membership, but also past members, traditions play an important role within the life and expression of the church. They are slow to change for change constitutes a break not only from the past, but from the past membership.

8. The church functions and worships intergenerationally.
Because they are a family they want to be with the whole family. To divide the congregation by age is to split the family. People in the small church not only enjoy being with other family members; they often resent any segregation (other than during the Sunday school).

9. The focus is on people rather than performance.
In the small church, the focus shifts to the individual person instead of performance. Thus, a person is kept in a particular position even though there are others more qualified and could do a better job.

10. They have a place for everyone.
The small church has a place for everyone. Whether it be the mentally slow person who runs the sound system, or the retired grandmother who teaches the adult Sunday school class, everyone is given the opportunity to be involved.

11. The small church values relatives.
Because of its size, the church often has a higher percentage of people related to other members of the church. This interrelatedness has tremendous impact in the life of the congregation. One way it impacts the church is in the selection of key leadership positions.

12. The small church values generalists.
In an age of specialization, the small church values and utilizes generalists who can do a number of different jobs and responsibilities. Because there are few workers to perform the multiple tasks within the small church, there is a greater value placed on leaders who can do a number of things satisfactorily rather than an individual who can do one thing extremely well.

13. There is a place for everyone and everyone has a place.
Place is extremely important in the small church. Like a family that sits in the same place for every meal, people sit in the same place Sunday after Sunday. When they are absent, everyone notices their places are empty and they are missed. Place is also a symbol of their belonging to the church family. It symbolizes their security in a world that is insecure. It becomes part of the memory and story of the congregation.

14. It has a different calendar and different timetable.
Small churches have their own calendars around which they function. These calendars are often seasonal and tied to the employment base for the community.

15. Small-church attenders are givers.
People in the small church have a strong sense of ownership of the church. As a result, they are willing to give their time and money to the church. However, often they view giving differently. Instead of giving from the standpoint of a set amount, they approach it based upon the needs of the church.

Don't Take The Day Off

2008-11-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

So you want a day off. Let's take a look at what you are asking for.

There are 365 days per year available for work.

There are 52 weeks per year in which you already have 2 days off per week, leaving 261 days available for work.

Since you spend 16 hours each day away fron work, you have used up 170 days, leaving only 91 days available.

You spend 30 minutes each day on coffee break which counts for 23 days each year, leaving only 68 days available.

With a 1 hour lunch each day, you used up another 46 days, leaving only 22 days available for work.

You normally spend 2 days per year on sick leave.

This leaves you only 20 days per year available for work.

We are off 5 holidays per year, so your available working time is down to 15 days.

We generously give 14 days vacation per year which leaves only 1 day available for work.

There's no way I'll let you take that day off!

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

redeem - to buy back.

How many days have we let slip through our fingers? Let's get back,...for Christ.

The Power of HABIT

2008-10-18T17:53:00.000-07:00

The Power Of Habit

You may know me.
I'm your constant companion.
I'm your greatest helper; I'm your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am at your command.
Half the tasks you do might as well be turned over to me.
I'm able to do them quickly,
and I'm able to do them the same every time
if that's what you want.
I'm easily managed, all you've got to do is be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want it done;
after a few lessons I'll do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great men and women;
of course, servant of the failures as well.
I've made all the great individuals who have ever been great,
And I've made all the failures, too.
But I work will all the precision of a marvelous computer
with the intelligence of a human being.
You may run me for profit, or you may run me to ruin;
it makes no difference to me.
Take me. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Be firm with me and I'll put the world at your feet.
Who am I?

I Am Habit.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 15th Anniversary Edition - Unabridged Audiobook on CD

By Stephen R. Covey / Simon & Schuster Trade Sales

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families

By Stephen R. Covey / Saint Martin's Press

Sam Walton and Church Growth

2008-10-16T02:36:00.000-07:00

SAM WALTON’S PRINCIPLES AND OUR CHURCH’S GROWTH:

Sam Walton died in April/92, after becoming one of the richest men in the States. He had extraordinary success in creating and building the Wal-Mart discount chain. The following are “Sam’s Rules for Building a Business”, in his own words:

RULE #1: Commit to your business. I think I overcame every single one of my personal shortcomings by the sheer passion I brought to my work.

RULE #2: Share your profits with all associates, and treat them as partners. In turn, they will treat you as a partner, and together you will all perform beyond your widlest expectations.

RULE #3: Motivate your partners. Money and ownership aren’t enough. ...Set high goals, encourage competition and then keep score.

RULE #4: Communicate everything you possibly can to your partners. The more they know, they more they’ll understand... Information is power and the gain you get from empowering your associates more that offsets the risk of informing your competitors.

RULE #5: Appreciate everything your associates do for the business... Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise.

RULE #6: Celebrate your successes. Find some humor in your failures. Don’t take yourself so seriously.

RULE #7: Listen to everyone in your company. And figure out ways to get them talking. The folks on the front lines - the ones who actually talk to the customers - are the only ones who really know what’s going on out there.

RULE #8: Exceed your customers’ expectations. If you do, they’ll come back over and over.

RULE #9: Control your expenses better than your competition. This is where you can always find the competitive advantage... You can make a lot of different mistakes and still recover if you run an efficient operation.

RULE #10: Swim upstrean... If everybody else is doing it one way, there’s a good chance you can find your niche by going in exactly the opposite direction... I guess in all my years, what I heard more often than anything was: a town of less than 50,000 cannot support a discount store for very long.

WHAT CAN YOU APPLY TO... OUR CHURCH?

Before We Can Counsel

2008-10-15T01:34:00.000-07:00

Before we can do Christian counceling we must have councelors meet these four qualifications:

1.We must agree that the authority of the Scriptures is foremost. By “authority” I mean that when the teaching of Scripture conflicts with any other idea that is presented, the teachings of the Scripture will be accepted as the truth and the other idea will be viewed as unacceptable. To emphasis this, I mean regardless of the other ideas support from the world’s Psychologists and research that seems to contradict this truth of Scripture.
Example: The world says, homosexuality is an alternate life-style, instead of sinful behaviour. The world says, Alcoholism is a disease, instead of sinful behaviour.

2.We must insist that the Bible is God’s infallible, inspired, inerrant revelation in written form.

3. We must agree that Scripture is to be the guide over our thinking.

4. Since Scripture is our guide and mind of God. We will:
a) spent time in the study of the Bible and not just with humanistic books on counseling. (Read through it)
b) our bible study times will be regular so that we remain fresh in the Word of God.
c) we will have a working knowledge of the basic Bible doctrines.
d) we will be in regular fellowship with a Bible-believing church so we may exercise the Spirit’s gifts as we ourselves grow in the knowledge of our Lord. (Can't counsel if you don't come into the church community)

Obedience-Based Discipleship

2008-10-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

My friend, Millar Z. is a Chinese man who has the attitude "git-r-done!" He trains believers all over the world. He is practical and deep at the same time, while always expecting to see God work as he walks with Him.

He put some notes down on his discipleship thinking that are worth looking at:

"Genesis to Revelation tells us what God wants man to know about.

Question: Are we obedient in the way we are approaching communities with the gospel?

Matt 21:33. Parable of the vineyard owner who left the country. After some time sent back a servant to check on the vineyard. Beaten and sent away. More sent. More beaten and some killed. Finally sent the son. Killed. Question Jesus asked, “What will happen to the tenants?” Destroyed. Vs. 43, speaking to Pharisees. Fruit means many things - people saved, churches established, mature believers, etc.

Expectation of God is that we produce fruit.

If not, the pronouncement is that what we have will be taken away and given to someone who will produce fruit.

Question: “Are you producing fruit?” “Are you winning the lost, starting new churches, leading believers to live mature Christian lives that transform their communities?”

Word is clear. If not, everything will be taken away.

Our responsibility as leaders is to help our leaders produce fruit. We must produce. Are we making disciples, starting churches, reproducing ourselves into others?

Definition of leaders includes people who produce more leaders. Leaders produce leaders. If you’re not producing leaders you are an administrator, not a leader. We are looking for leaders.

Likewise real churches produce more churches. A church that does not produce more churches is not a church, it is a Christian club. By definition churches produce more churches.

Obedience results in churches reproduces churches on a regular basis."

Millar puts the weight where the weight should be. These are great questions to ponder and even greater commands to obey!

"...He made the Stars also!"

2008-10-13T01:21:00.000-07:00

Moses is the Prophet of God who records the very revelation of how the LORD created. Moses pens out in the beginning words of Genesis the work of the Lord. He gives a list of what God was doing each day during creation.

Genesis 1:16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.

With ONLY FIVE WORDS he tells of the one of God's most powerful display of power. Only five words!

The Eagle Nebula is an amazing example of the mighty hand of God.

Here are some posts of some amazing photos of the creative power of the LORD.

If this is some of the things our God has made can you imagine what He is like? How awesome and breath taking He must be. No creature can stand before Him in pride, all must kneel to His authority and strength.

LORD< I kneel! Praise Your name.

Thanksgiving is Here!

2008-10-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

With the world enconomy in the state it is in there can seem that there is little to be thankful about BUT this wouldn't be true.

It becomes more important to have a thankful heart in hard times than even in good. So many people are hurting it is good to be their encouragement.

Here are so famous quotes of thankfulness:

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. ~H.U. Westermayer

Gratitude is the memory of the heart. ~Jean Baptiste Massieu, translated from French

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. ~G.B. Stern

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink. ~G.K. Chesterton

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. ~Frank A. Clark

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live. ~Jackie Windspear

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. ~Epictetus

There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance. ~Joseph Addison

Who does not thank for little will not thank for much. ~Estonian Proverb

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things. ~Horace

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them. ~Chinese Proverb

Lots of Babies!

2008-09-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

Every where I look I seem to see a little baby. Mary & Don's Carla, just had a baby girl! Babies, babies babies!

Here are some Question and Answers about children:

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most common pregnancy craving?
A: For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: The more pregnant I get, the more often strangers smile at me. Why?
A: 'Cause you're fatter than they are.

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labour?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

God loves babies! How do I know? He said, "You must be born again!"

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Wouldn't be great to fill the church auditorium up with new borns? Those for the first time seeing the brand new world of faith? Those who come with so much hope and potential in the Son?

Go have children!

How Long is Eternity?

2008-09-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Composite Index recorded a paper loss of $1 trillion across the market for the day, a first!

Bill Bryson (in his book, Notes from a Big Country) gives a fascinating illustration of just how much this is:

If you were locked in a vault and you could keep every dollar bill you initialled, (we're assuming that you initial one bill every second and that you don't need to eat, sleep or take comfort breaks!)do you know how long it would take you to make a million dollars?

Twelve days of non-stop effort would earn you a million dollars.

120 days would give you $10 million.

1200 days - $100 million. That's over three years to get a paltry $100 million ... Still a long way to go ...

After 31.7 years, you'd be a billionaire.

But wait, there's more ... we're still only at the billionaire stage ... Keep initialling, Kiddo!

After initialling a dollar bill every second without stopping, it would take you 31,709.8 years to get to your first trillion!

"How long is eternity?"

How long will I exist either with or without the eternal rewards God wants me to have? If you’re a non-Christian, how long will you exist out of the presence of God?

If you had a bird in your backyard next to a sandbox. And you take a pail, fill it full of sand, and then let some of the grains of sand fall through your hands. One bucket of sand has thousands of grains of sand.

Let’s imagine that you could instruct that bird to pick up one of the grains of sand in its beak, fly to the moon and drop it off. Let’s say it takes one million years for the bird to get to the moon. He puts the grain of sand down and flies back to earth. It takes a million years for him to get back. He then picks up the next grain of sand and flies back to the moon. He drops off that grain and flies back to earth—a million years there, a million years back.

One by one the bird takes each grain of sand in your sandbox to the moon. When he is finished, you take him down to the Atlantic Ocean and the beach which runs along the coast. You tell him, "I want you to start clearing off the sand on this beach one grain at a time."

He starts there, then works his way up to Miami, then to Jacksonville, Hilton Head, Charleston, New York City, Boston, and up toward Maine. He takes each grain of sand to the moon one at a time, a million years there, a million years back. When he’s done with all of that, you take him out to the West Coast and from Mexico all the way up to California and Oregon, you tell him to take one grain of sand at a time and fly it to the moon.

When the bird finishes with all of that, you say, I’ve got this other little spot called the Sahara Desert. I want you to clear the sand off of that place one at a time." When he finishes that, you say, "Three-fourths of the surface of the earth is water. Let me drain the oceans dry. At the bottom of the oceans you have a lot of sand. Take all of that sand to the moon, one grain of sand at a time, a million years there, and a million years back."

When he finishes, if you could add up all of the millions of years it had taken to remove all of the sand from all of those places, eternity would just be beginning. (How Long is Eternity? By Dr. John Ankerberg)

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“ I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Sunday, the First of the Week

2008-09-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, what another great Sunday. During Bible study we had discussion on the actions of Joesph testing his brothers' love and care for each other. Those who attended were deep and right on track.

Service came and the worship team was ready to bring us to worship. Their spirits were full and they sang from an abundance. God was in the room inhabiting the praises of his people.

Many guests were there this morning. New faces seeking the Lord. I could see them worship. The joy on their faces revealed their hunger for God.

Paul, our missionary friend, sang a special music on the spur of the moment. Bill & Frankie were present, the bringing back of old friends. Elaine, had her birthday, which made her a little older (not in spirit).

Home Group met later in the evening. A new girl attended. She wants to get baptized. Excellent worship and study. People were real.

Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Sitting in Dallas, Texas

2008-09-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Here I am sitting in a hotel conference centre in Dalls, Texas. The conference is hosted by Russell Brunson, an Internet savvy, young man who knows how to make real dollars on the web. There is no hype here, this is the real deal.

I am so impressed with the young minds now started to figure things out. I'm 49 and can see that the next generation has alot to offer. They think outside of the box because they don't see a box. Their ideas are crisp, clear and very thought out. They appear undisciplined but are just the opposite in real life.

I have learned much. Some of this stuff needs to be brought to our young and up and coming young men and women in the spiritual field. A young person could "easily" have a workable online business that could care for their needs as they do their mission work in small, un-finaniced places.

This reminds me of David and his men,..." who were designated by name to come and make David king; 32 of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;" 1 Chronicles 12:32

When we are aware of what is happening in the world around us we learn how to connect with what is really happening not what we think is happening. The church must be looking at similar questions so we stay as a true value to the world at large. Jesus is ALWAYS the true value of EVERY generation and EVERY nationality of people.

JESUS IS THE ANSWER!