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When God Gives Tests |
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![Greg Laurie [Signature]](http://www.harvest.org/contact/email/campaigns/devotional/weekend/images/greg-sig.gif)
Thanks, Greg!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
When God Gives Tests
Thanks, Greg!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Season 3 of Pastor Greg Starts Soon
The third and final season of Pastor Greg , the world’s first Christian sitcom, kicks off the first of sixteen all-new episodes this Friday February 22nd on TBN at 11PM PST.In true TV fashion, the season opener is fraught with hilarious twists. Following the storyline developed in the last four episodes of season two, Pastor Greg finally reveals to his wife Missy (Laura Romeo) his dream of moving to a new church. And, of course, chaos -- and hilarity -- ensues.
Suzie Zahn, the show’s publicist, announced that season three will offer viewers a rare glimpse of never-before-seen, behind the scenes footage, as well as biographies on the main cast.
“Don’t miss the 50th episode,” says Zahn. “Fans will be wowed by this special edition that includes a unique bonus -- the original auditions of the main cast members will be aired, and are sure to result in ear to ear smiles!”
Guest stars include Dawn Wells (as Greg's Mom), who baby boomers will remember fondly as Mary Ann, the farm-fresh castaway who dolled up the 1960s prime-time sitcom, Gilligan's Island. Eddie Mekka of the 1970s hit show Laverne & Shirley, as Missy’s father, also joins the cast.
“Dawn brings veteran comic timing, and a perfect understanding of how to pull the most out of the role,” says Greg Robbins (Pastor Greg). “We are honored to have her as a guest on Pastor Greg.
Eddie is a comedic genius and audiences will love him” says Greg Robbins.
Officials at TBN were pleased about season three's new crew, who worked its sitcom magic from the Uplifting Entertainment’s new studio in Carnegie, Pennsylvania.
“It takes a lot of vision, creativity, and teamwork -- as well as a wacky sense of humor -- to make a hit TV sitcom,” says Wells.
Mekka says “being on Pastor Greg is the most fun I’ve had on TV since Laverne & Shirley...what a great show!”
Pastor Greg became a runaway hit in its first season due to its zany, off-the-wall, and absolutely unforgettable congregational characters. Rather than get into a bible-thumping fest, the ground breaking half-hour comedy focuses on real folks, -- people with flaws who discover important truths about love, forgiveness, faith, and God’s family. The show airs on both Christian networks and over 100 network affiliates nationwide.
“Pastor Greg uses humor to deal with life issues everyone faces, and tries to show folks living out their faith in the real world,” says Robbins.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Salvation of Nicodemus
In the Gospel According to John, chapter three, beginning in verse one and continuing through verse 21, is recorded a discourse between Christ and a man called Nicodemus. This discourse condenses the gospel, giving the most striking exhibition and illustration of truth, and representing especially the fundamental doctrine of regeneration and the evidence of the change that takes place in the “new birth.” From the beginning to the closing verses in this short discourse, it is clear that our Savior regarded regeneration as of central importance to the building of His Church (Matthew 16:18). And those who desire to be members of His Church must follow Him in this regeneration (Matthew 19:28). Without regeneration man cannot possibly be saved. No other religion, doctrine or “Jesus” other than He that is taught here can rid a man of sin and save his soul.
Now let us begin our journey through these wonderful Scriptures that reveals God’s plan of salvation of man through love, truth, mercy and the grace that was brought down from heaven to the cross of Calvary (Ephesians 2:4-9).
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him.’”
(John 3:1-2 NASU)
It has been surmised by some that this meeting took place in the house of John, and Nicodemus coming to him was a result of Our Lord’s ministry at Jerusalem during the first Passover of His ministry. As indicated in his opening statement, by the use of the word “we,” apparently not only Nicodemus, but some of his colleagues also had seemingly come to have a limited belief in the divine nature of Christ’s mission (John 2:23). His faint-hearted belief corresponded to his timidity of action, which displayed itself in his coming “by night,” lest he should offend some of the other more hostile Jews who did not share in his beliefs.
Now let us consider Nicodemus, a wealthy man of high social standing, a man who had attained to the status of a leader and a teacher of the Law and the Prophets. He was a very religious man who considered himself “on the right track.” But he is a classic case of the “blind leading the blind.” He was a false prophet among a multitude of false prophets who had seated themselves in the “chair of Moses” and held the people of Israel captive to a false sense of security.
By contrast Jesus was a man of low esteem among the religious socialites of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Isaiah prophesied of Him with these words:
“For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”
(Isaiah 53:2-3 NAS)
Jesus Himself said,
--“The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
(Matthew 8:20f NAS)
He went about wearing sandals and a robe, carrying no books and phylacteries, yet teaching with authority and performing miracles of healing with demonstration of great power. His congregation was a people of low social status, such as the poor, the weak, the lame, the blind and the sick.
Nicodemus, being a scholar and teacher of the Law and the writings of the Prophets, should have known Jesus as the Messiah. The Holy Spirit indicates here in this passage that Nicodemus did not have a clue that Jesus was the One spoken of in the Law and the Prophets; he only had a knowledge that came from his intellectual reasoning derived from observing Christ teachings and miracles. The only thing that Nicodemus seem to have going for him was a desire to know more of Jesus. He must have felt that this man Jesus had something more than what he and the others of his class had.
Love is the supreme attribute of God and is the very core and nucleus of His glory. Love is also a state of being, a living life form---or as the Bible declares, “God is love” (1st John 4:8, 16). Thus God is the fountain of love-from this fountain of love flows truth and mercy, and from truth and mercy, grace.
His Son, the living Word of God, is the expression or out-flowing of love, truth, mercy and grace (John 1:14).
Love speaks truth with mercy and gives grace that results in faith, trust and hope. Often we consider it hard to speak the truth to someone. Consider the position that Jesus was in when Nicodemus, a “ruler of the Jews,” came to Him. Jesus could have taken the human approach and hugged this man of high position and respect; kissed him on the cheek; patted him on the back and said to him, you are doing great; just keep up the good works. But would this have saved his soul? Of course not!!
Only truth spoken from a heart of love leads to life for the soul.
In answer to the veiled question that the words of Nicodemus implied, and to convince him of the inadequacy of mere intellectual belief, Christ proclaimed to him the necessity for a spiritual regeneration:
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
(John 3:3 NASU)
Note: The Greek adverb translated “again” can also mean “from the beginning”---suggesting a new creation ---and “from above,” that is, from the Holy Spirit of God.
A truth preached without remedy leaves the hearer bewildered, condemned and hopeless. But here Christ teaches truth with remedy. Jesus presents Nicodemus with a shocking truth, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” In this statement Christ informs Nicodemus that regardless of his moral goodness, his social standing, his wealth, his positions as a teacher of Israel, and being of the linage of his “father Abraham,” he was lost and without hope, excluded or shut out from the kingdom of God “unless he be born from the beginning.”
This statement by Christ caused Nicodemus confusion and overwhelmed his intellect because he interpreted the statement in a materialistic sense. This was evidenced by his follow up question.
“Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he’?”
(John 3:4 NASU)
Our Lord, in love and mercy, began to answer his perplexity:
“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
(John 3:5 NASU)
Nicodemus should have been able to understand this statement, for in the Israelite tradition when a man became a proselyte to their religion he was baptized with water; and, in this baptism, the candidate promised in the most solemn manner to renounce idolatry, to take the God of Israel for his God, and to have his life conformed to the precepts of the divine law. But the water that was used in the baptism was only an emblem of the Holy Spirit. The soul was considered as in a state of defilement, because of past sin: now, just as by that water the body was washed, cleansed, and refreshed, like so, by the influences of the Holy Spirit, the soul was to be purified from its defilement, and strengthened to walk in the way of truth and holiness. Thus the cleansing was not outward but inward; it was not of the body but of the soul and was the work of the Spirit.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
(John 3:6 NASU)
Here Jesus continues to answer the question ask by Nicodemus: “Can a man enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
By “flesh” is meant, not merely the flesh and blood body, but all that comes into the world by birth -- the entire man, including the soul: yet since “flesh” is here opposed to “spirit,” it plainly denotes humanity in its corrupted, depraved condition-humanity in entire subjection to the law, referred to by the Apostle Paul as “the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).” Thus our Lord here implies that, were it possible that the flesh be re-born, it would not suffice, for the tree will always be of the nature of the seed that produces it; and “a corrupt tree cannot produce good fruit” (Matthew 7:18).
“That which is born of Spirit is spirit.” The result of the operation of the Holy Spirit upon the soul of man is an impartation of a divine nature, of the same moral attributes as His own (Galatians 5:22-23).
Just as God is the real agent in the birth of the body, so also is He the Creator of the new spirit of man. The kingdom of God is spiritual and holy; and that which is born of the Spirit resembles the Spirit or he who is begotten of the word (seed) of God is in the image of God. Therefore this spiritual regeneration is essentially necessary, to prepare the soul for a holy and spiritual kingdom.
Christ continues,
“Do not be amazed that I said to you, ’You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit’.”
(John 3:7-8 NASU)
The manner in which the Holy Spirit effects this new birth, though it is incomprehensible to man, men should not suppose it, on these grounds, to be impossible. Like the wind, the Spirit moves in many directions, we hear its sound, perceive its works in the motion of the trees, the drying of the earth, the waves on the water, etc., and feel it’s breeze in our face, but we cannot discern its cause, we can only discern its effects; we only know that it exists by the effects which it produces: like so is everyone who is born of the Spirit: the effects are as discernible and as sensible as those of the wind; but men cannot see the Spirit. But he who is born of God knows that he is thus born: the Spirit Himself, bears witness with his spirit, that he is born of God (Rom 8:16); for, he that believes has the witness in himself, (1st John 4:13; 5:10; Galatians 4:6). And so does this Spirit work in and by him that others, though they do not see the principle, can easily appraise the change produced; for whatsoever is born of God over comes the world, (1st John 5:4).
“Nicodemus said to Him, “How can these things be? Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things’?”
(John 3:9-10 NASU)
Since such experience had not yet been his, Nicodemus still remained unenlightened (verse 9). Christ therefore condemned such blindness in one who professed to be a teacher of spiritual things.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.”
(John 3:11-13 NASU)
As He continues our Lord uses the plural, “we speak” and “our testimony,” as no doubt Himself only is intended-probably in emphatic contrast with the opening words of Nicodemus---“Rabbi, we know.” Christ speaks of His absolute knowledge and relationship to God the Father, which “the only begotten Son in the bosom of the Father” claims as exclusively His own (John 1:18). He emphasized the reality in His own life of those truths that He had been expounding (verse 11).
“And you do not accept our testimony” – Again we point to Nicodemus’ opening statement, “Rabbi, we know,” the word “we” no doubt referring to himself and the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin to which he belonged and here Christ, in using the word “you,” is addressing Nicodemus and his religious class.
With this, He returned to the problem underlying the first statement of Nicodemus. If, after Christ had illustrated this new birth by a most expressive metaphor taken from earthly things, and Nicodemus still does not understand and believe; how can he believe, should Christ tell him of heavenly things, where earthly images and illustrations cannot be used. Or, if he, a teacher of Israel, does not understand the nature of such an earthly thing, as the symbolism of water baptism, practiced every day in the initiation of proselytes, how will he understand heavenly things? If he cannot understand these things how can he believe in the “new birth,” which, though coming from above, is yet realized in this world, how can he hope to understand “heavenly things,” i.e. the deeper mysteries of God’s purpose in sending Christ into the world (verse 12).
No man is qualified to speak of heavenly things. To speak of those things requires intimate acquaintance with them and demands that he has seen them; and as no one has ascended into heaven and returned, so no one is qualified to speak of them but He who came down from heaven; Christ himself and He alone (verse 13).
With this He turns to yet another metaphor,
“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;
(John 3:14 NASU).”
This is another event that Nicodemus should be familiar with for it is recorded in the Scriptures as follows:
“Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. And the people spoke against God and Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.’ And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. So the people came to Moses and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and you; intercede with the LORD, that He may remove the serpents from us.’ And Moses interceded for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he shall live
(Numbers 21:4-8 NAS).’”
There is something very unique in the metaphor that our Lord is using here. The crafted “fiery serpent” mounted on the end of a standard would be symbolic of the thing that had caused their impending death now being dead. Thus it is written that among the Israelites, the brazen serpent was considered a type of the resurrection, as though through looking upon it, by the command of God, the dying lived; therefore he is effectively raised from the dead.
Now Jesus makes the comparison,
“that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life.”
(John 3:14-15 NAS)
In the Garden of Eden the serpent brought the sting of death upon man through sin (Genesis 3).
On the cross of Calvary Jesus would die in man’s stead, thereby removing the condemnation of the Law (Romans 8:1-2; 1st Corinthians 15:56-57) and defeating the serpent.
Thus, by the command of God, all who believe in “the Son of Man” and His work on the cross would be effectively raised from the dead.
This is the message to Nicodemus and to those who would read this account: Men are dying because of sin, as the serpent was raised up, so shall the Christ be lifted up: as they who were stung by the fiery serpents were restored by looking up to the brazen serpent, in the same manner men who are sin sick and dying are healed and effectively raised from the dead, by looking up to and believing in Christ crucified; thus His death becomes, to such men, resurrection life.
Christ has so graciously told Nicodemus truth concerning the condition of his soul and has given him the remedy in the new birth. Now He tells him from whence flows this wonderful grace.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16 NASU)
Here Jesus utters the words that are the heart and soul of the gospel. All that is written from Genesis to the book of Revelations is centered on this one verse revealing the heart of a loving Father; and Nicodemus was privileged to hear it from the lips of the One who was to express that love in the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. What a blessing it must be to sit and look into the soft, gentle eyes of the Christ and hear the words of the love, mercy and grace that brought such a great salvation to a undeserving, lost and dying world. And all he has to do is believe!! How could he turn away without falling at His feet to worship Him?
But to believe and worship Christ would mean he would have to give up Judaism, admit his error, give up his position as a teacher: And what about the Sanhedrin and his honor among men; and the possibility of losing his life at the hands of the hostile Jews? Could all these become invisible to Nicodemus in the brightness of this Sun of righteousness seen rising on “the world” with healing in His wings!
Christ reveals some more startling news to Nicodemus,
“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
(John 3:17 NASU)
It was the doctrine of the Jewish leaders, and most likely Nicodemus held to it, that the Gentiles, whom they often term the world, or the nations of the world, were to be destroyed in the days of the Messiah. Christ corrects this false notion; and teaches here a contrary doctrine. God, by giving His Son, and announcing His purpose in giving Him, shows that He purposes the salvation, not the destruction, of the world-the Gentile people: nevertheless, those who will not receive the salvation He had provided for them, whether Jews or Gentiles, will perish; for this plain reason, there is but one remedy, and they refuse to apply it (John 14:6).
“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
(John 3:18 NASU)
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us (Ephesians 2:4 NASU),” provides a way to be delivered from death to eternal life in His Son Jesus. He accepts the death of His Son in man’s stead as a satisfaction for man’s sin debt, and “he who believes,” he who places his trust in that offering for salvation, “is not judged;” for the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” sets the believer free, through regeneration, from the judgment of the “law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-8 w/emphasis on v. 4).” But if he does not believe he rejects God’s offer and “insults the Spirit of grace” and remains under the judgment of “the law of sin and death.”
“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”
(John 3:19-20 NASU)
Light often denotes instruction, teaching, and doctrines of God’s truth that those who receive it may be properly instructed in the ways of holiness. All the instruction that God gives us by way of revelation may thus be called light; but this word here is used especially to denote the Christ, who is often spoken of as “the Light” (See Isaiah 60:1; 9:2; Matthew 4:16; John 1:4). It is no doubt that it is to Himself as the light to which Jesus refers to here.
Darkness is the emblem of ignorance, iniquity, error, superstition, myths, fables and lies-whatever opposes truth. By the sin nature of Adam men are born sinners and desire the fleshly pleasures of darkness more than they do light; because of the depravity of their mind they are better pleased with error than truth, with sin than holiness, with ways of Satan than Christ. They reject truth because it exposes the ugliness of their sin, reveals to them their ultimate punishment, and destroys their comfort zone.
Our Lord closes His discourse with Nicodemus with these words,
But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
(John 3:21 NASU)
He who practices truth practices righteousness and “the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;” (1st John 3:7 NASU). And the one who is righteous comes to the Light that his deeds may be clearly seen as being the work of God. For it is written, “--- we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 NASU).
With the words of Jesus weighing heavy on his mind and His love tugging at his heart Nicodemus apparently leaves the presents of the Christ to return home and to Judaism. Even though the discourse did not show any evidence of a change of heart at the time, Christ words were not without their effect upon Nicodemus. The effects of the Gospel began to surface ever so slightly at the Feast of Tabernacles. While the Sanhedrin was enraged at Christ’s proclamation of Himself as the “living water” (John 7:37-38), Nicodemus was emboldened to stand up in His defense. Yet here also he showed his timidity and reluctance. He made no personal testimony of his faith in Christ, but choose rather to defend Him on a point of Jewish law (John 7:50-52).
At Christ burial, about three years after their first meeting, Nicodemus made a public profession of his being of the following of Christ. His faith in Christ strengthened him to make an open act of reverence; from his wealth he provided the “mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundreds pounds,” with which the body of Jesus was wrapped (John 19:39).
“The Gospel of Nicodemus and other apocryphal works record that Nicodemus gave evidence in favor of Christ at the trial before Pilate, that he was later deprived of office and banished from Jerusalem by the hostile Jews, and that he was baptized by Peter and John. It has been written that his remains were found in a common grave along with those of Gamaliel and Stephen (ISBE).”
Even without the evidence of the “Gospel of Nicodemus” and the other “questionable” works that are recorded, the account of the Holy Scriptures stands along as a great testimony to the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Nicodemus came to Jesus walking in darkness and left with words of life. The manner, in which the Gospel narrative traces the overcoming of his fear of the Jews and his willingness to risk all, that he might reverence Christ, is in itself, a beautiful illustration of the working of the Holy Spirit, and of how belief in the Son of Man is truly a new birth, and the entrance into eternal life.
And now we exhort every reader, as in the presence of God, and in view of the judgment-seat of Christ, solemnly to ask whether they have experienced this change? Whether they know by experience what it is to be born of “water and the Spirit?’ If they do they will be saved. If not, they remain condemned and will not find rest for their soul.
Selah.
James C Sanford
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Thugs’ Bunny
Assud the rabbit and his friends is a children’s television program airing in the Middle East.
The purpose of this program is to convince young children in the Arab world the elements of hatred and warfare.
We should pray first and foremost for the peace of Jerusalem.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper who love you [the Holy City]!”
Psalm 122:6 [AMP]
Secondly, we need to pray for the souls of those who would lead little children into sin.
6But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea.More details about ths television program may be found at the Anorak News web site.
7Woe to the world for such temptations to sin and influences to do wrong! It is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the person on whose account or by whom the temptation comes!
Matthew 18:6-7 [AMP]
To see a translated clip from this program, check out the video that we have embedded below:
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
God’s Valentine Gift
Was not a bunch of flowers;
It wasn’t candy, or a book
To while away the hours.
His gift was to become a man,
So He could freely give
His sacrificial love for us,
So you and I could live.
He gave us sweet salvation, and
Instruction, good and true--
To love our friends and enemies
And love our Savior, too.
So as we give our Valentines,
Let’s thank our Lord and King;
The reason we have love to give
Is that He gave everything.
By Joanna Fuchs
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Don’t Believe The Hype
The Powerhouse Ministry has just completed a new audio teaching CD entitled “Don’t Believe the Hype.” Details about this release:
 | The world calls Christians fascists and say that their way is better than God’s way. This message gets to the truth and leads the wayward heart to Christ. Product Number: 226942224· Audio CD · Number Of Discs: 1 · Packaging: Paper Sleeve · Release Date: 2/11/2008 The world shows you the Bacardi Party. They don’t show you the hangover afterwards. The world tells you to have all the sexual encounters you want. They don’t show you the person alone and feeling used. This is a great message to share with those who question your beliefs and should help lead them to Christ. |
If you can’t afford the CD (or don’t want to spend money), you can listen to it on-line by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).
You can also download this message (and other resources, including the color CD artwork) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Conveying the Love of Christ
Basically there are two groups of people in the earth, those who are lost and those who are being saved, or those who are “of the world” and those who are in the Body of Christ. We must not expect those who are of the world to behave the same as those in the Body. Those who are of the world are lost, hurting, and afraid. Those in the Body are supposed to be announcing the “good news” of the saving power of Jesus Christ to the lost, leading with faith, healing and being courageous.
Therefore:
“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:5-6 NASU)
Here we are instructed by the Holy Scripture to conduct ourselves toward those who are not of the faith with wisdom; possessing an understanding of God’s truth---and also having the ability to apply that knowledge to the greater benefit of the unbeliever; using good judgment “making the most of the opportunity” in proclaiming the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Always letting our speech be with grace, for grace, like salt, purifies and preserves; thus our speech should be of the nature of godly grace, never harsh, abrasive or abusive, but reflecting and conveying the love of Christ. As salt destroys impurities and thus preserves, let our speech be such, to oppose the corruption of sin, leading to the preserving of the soul. And let our conversations be with such sound judgment, that we may discern how to treat the adverse judgments or opinions formed beforehand, without proper knowledge of the facts, and meet the objections of all who are without faith in our Lord Jesus.
Selah.
James C Sanford
Sunday, February 10, 2008
In Everything, Give Thanks!
Our latest podcast presents seven minutes (and seven seconds) of wisdom entitled “In Everything, Give Thanks!” When life gives you lemons, you can make lemonade. When life dumps a pile of Sugar Honey Iced Tea on you, use it to fertilize your lemon trees. But regardless of what happens in your life... give thanks!
This seven minute (and seven seconds J ) podcast is available by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).
You can also download this message (and other resources) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
End and Rapture... Paradise of the New Earth
A blissful fate in the paradise of the new earth is awaiting those of you who will stand firm during the last battle of faith, who will remain faithful to Me until the end. It will certainly still be a difficult time for you but you will be able to prevail, for you will receive an exceptional flow of strength from Me, you will be so evidently taken care of by Me and My love that you will patiently accept all difficulties and profess Me and My name before the world. You and your strength of faith will also lift those of your fellow human beings’ who are still of weak faith. They will recognise My might and strength if only a person has living faith in Me. But you should not stay with Me for the sake of reward, instead your love for Me should motivate you to resist all hostilities by the adversary. And you will indeed possess this love in view of the distinct help, the love, which I Myself will prove to you…. Then burning love for Me will arise in you and nothing will be able to frighten you anymore, nothing will be able to separate you from Me, Who is and wants to remain your Father, Who wants to transfer you as His children into the paradise of the new earth…. and Who therefore will help you until the very end. And I will shorten the days for the sake of My Own.... This promise shall be your comfort when you look at the chaos around you, when you are subjected to persecutions which originate from My adversary and affect all those who believe in Me. Don’t let yourselves be misled by the promises of those who don’t want to acknowledge Me.... don’t let yourselves be deceived by their apparent good living standard and don’t desire it yourselves, for My adversary and his followers will not be able to enjoy it for long…. Everything will cease to exist on the Day of Judgment, and only you will survive this day and be allowed to enter the kingdom of peace when I will carry you away before their very eyes.
And so that you will remain strong in your resistance, so that you will remain loyal to Me until the end, I will fortify you in every adversity of body and soul…. And I will also visibly come to you, if your strength of faith and your love allows for it…. I will provide you with such remarkable strength and comfort that you will be firm enough to resist and that you will also live through the short time without incurring the slightest damage to your body and soul…. For My power is truly great enough to protect you in every adversity and danger. Therefore, if you are unusually put under pressure for the sake of your belief you can count daily on My coming…. Then you will know that the Day of Judgment is not far away anymore, and then wait in love and patience, for I have promised My help to you and I will rescue you from all distress. You don’t know how close you are to the end and the day and hour will remain a secret to you as well; but pay attention to the signs which proclaim the end to you.... and you will realise that you are living in the twelfth hour and that time flies. This is why you should make use of it to the best of your ability and always remain in contact with Me so that you will constantly receive strength and increase your strength of faith and your love for Me.... I will truly save you from destruction if only you have the will to belong to Me, therefore I will also give you the strength to prevail until the end or I will recall you before, so that you will not fall prey to My adversary in your weakness…. For as soon as your will applies to Me I shall no longer leave you to My adversary but take hold of you and draw you up to Me.... Yet blessed is he who experiences the end, who will remain loyal to Me and profess Me before the world…. I want to endow him with the delights of paradise, I want to transfer him onto the new earth when the Day of Judgment has come…. and all adversity and suffering will be over for him, he will live in peace and beatitude and I Myself will be with My Own, as I have promised...
Amen
This post was created by A Step Up Ministries Christian Counselling Fellowship
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Saturday, February 2, 2008
$80 Miracle
Our latest podcast presents seven minutes of wisdom entitled “$80 Miracle” -- and this message is not necessarily what you might think that it is. We challenge you to download this podcast and give seven minutes of your time to grow immensely in wisdom!
This seven minute podcast is available by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).
You can also download this message (and other resources) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Scientific Evidence of the Reality of Jesus?
I was watching a documentary about Justin Fatica, a young man who uses unorthodox means to lead young people to Jesus Christ. There was a man who approached Justin’s group and angrily said that unless he could see scientific evidence that God was real or that Jesus was real, he refused to believe.
That wasn’t the first time I heard that argument... and it seems those unbelievers are so smug in their arguments that we are brainwashed. My buddy Bill Maher, who has gone on record for his beliefs against religion, drew the wrath of so many people by referring to the birth of Christ as a space alien having sex with a Palestinian girl. He considers it all a joke... a myth... a meaningless bit of fiction.
I guess the bottom line is that those who want scientific evidence wouldn’t believe even if they had it. Jesus said:
22And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23And in Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.
25But Abraham said, Child, remember that you in your lifetime fully received [what is due you in] comforts and delights, and Lazarus in like manner the discomforts and distresses; but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish.
26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who want to pass from this [place] to you may not be able, and no one may pass from there to us.
27And [the man] said, Then, father, I beseech you to send him to my father’s house--
28For I have five brothers--so that he may give [solemn] testimony and warn them, lest they too come into this place of torment.
29But Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear and listen to them.
30But he answered, No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent ([*]change their minds for the better and heartily amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins).
31He said to him, If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe [even] if someone should rise from the dead.
(Luke 16:22-31 AMP)
If someone came back from the dead and would get dissed... then if a scientist studied our DNA and found an encoded message saying, “God is your Father and He loves you,” then people would still call it a hoax or deny or disbelieve it.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God respects faith and He is only satisfied when we approach Him in faith. So if you want evidence... ask the apostle Thomas what evidence is worth. He told his fellow disciples that he wouldn’t believe that Jesus rose from the dead unless he could see Jesus for himself... put a finger in the nail holes and thrust his hand into the spear wound in Jesus’ side.
24But Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25So the other disciples kept telling him, We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the marks made by the nails and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe [it].
26Eight days later His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though they were behind closed doors, and stood among them and said, Peace to you!
27Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe!
28Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God!
29Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and [a]to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me.
(John 20:24-29 AMP)
Jesus said it is a blessing to believe what you have not seen. So, stop looking for scientific evidence and start looking for the love of God that is there waiting for you to receive. Will you receive Him, or reject Him?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Ten Minutes of Wisdom: Prick Kicking
Our latest podcast presents ten minutes of wisdom entitled “Prick Kicking.” This isn’t about bar fighting but, rather, about ministries whose ministry is to attack other ministries.
This seven minute podcast is available by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).
Our key scriptures are Acts 5:17-41 and Acts 9:4-6.
You can also download this message (and other resources) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
A View of the True Church
A View of the True Church
By Randall Walton
In this twenty-first century of the Christian era, there is a massive array of religious organizations that are known as “The Church.” Most of these institutions consider themselves an example of the true and accepted church of God, or as having God’s stamp of approval.
But of the hundreds of different denominations scattered abroad, no two are exactly alike, by which we know that they are most certainly not all “God-ordained.” In fact, it is our solemn conviction that there does not exist anywhere on earth a “true church,” or one that follows the pattern that is laid out in the Book of Acts. It is our contention that the body which was established by Jesus Christ through His apostles is/was the only corporeal Body which has ever met the demands and standards of its Founder, and it is quite evident that it was very short-lived!
While it remains true that a handful of faithful followers have existed down through the dark centuries since the passing of the apostles, it is also true that the divine pattern, which they knew, has never been replicated. We seriously wonder how anyone can refer to their own religious company as a “New Testament Church.”
Let us substantiate this claim with a brief profile of that pristine body which was established by none other than the Lord of Glory Himself, and which existed but a few short years due to carnality that was allowed to go on unabated and unchecked.
- They were all with ONE ACCORD (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1; Acts 4:24; Acts 5:12).
It is doubtful that this condition has existed at any time since those days. There have been attempts made to require everyone under some regime to conform to certain set of ideas and beliefs, but all of these have failed to succeed because it is “with the heart” that man believes; no regime or order has been able to conquer, control, or change man’s heart. The 120 saints who gathered in the upper room were united in their fervor, zeal, and aim/purpose. We do not assume that they believed every minor and major point exactly alike, but they were of one accord in their desire to please God and to see God’s will done.
- They were baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:5; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:15-17; Acts 19:6).
Just prior to Jesus’ ascension, He told the apostles to remain in Jerusalem to receive the promise of the Father. “For John truly baptized with water; but YE SHALL BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). So it was just seven days later that Pentecost was fully come and these saints (about 120, both men and women) were baptized with the Holy Spirit, the evidence of which was that they all spoke with “tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance.”
3. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4; Acts 4:8 & 31; Acts 9:17; Acts 13:9 & 52; Ephesians 5:18).
There is much talk today about “Spirit filled churches,” “Spirit filled preachers,” etc., but the early church bore the signs thereof. Where are Spirit-filled people today? Just because a person speaks in tongues, or rolls on the floor, or dances a holy jig does not mean that person is filled with the Spirit. Filled means FILLED. Being filled is not the same as an anointing of the Spirit, either. Too many people claim to be filled with the Spirit who are not filled at all.
- The early church was a channel of power (Acts 1:8; Acts 5:5-10 & 12-16; Acts 9:36-42; Acts 12:4-10; Acts 20:8-10; etc.).
“But ye shall receive POWER (dunamis, [dynamite] Grk.), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” Supernatural power was one of the earmarks of the church. There was power over sickness, sin, Satan and death. Jesus had stated that “he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12).
Very little power is demonstrated among believers today. Sin and lawlessness dominate most of the religious scene today, whereas in the early church, even liars were smitten by the power of God (Acts 5:1-10). Demons were cast out of those who were possessed; an ungodly man was struck with blindness (Acts 13:11); a fornicator was turned over to Satan (1 Cor. 5:4-5).
5 5. They had all things common (Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-37).
One of the outstanding out comes of the Pentecostal experience was the selflessness of the people, a condition which is sorely lacking among the professors of the Christian faith today. The outpouring of the Spirit not only changed their manner of worship, but also their manner of living. Now, no man called anything his own, but distribution was made of all the resources according to each one’s needs.
6 6. The FRUIT of the Spirit was manifest:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith(fullness), meekness, temperance”
(Galatians 5:22-23)
Fruit is a product, or the result of certain action having taken place. In this case, it is the Holy Spirit at work in the heart supplying the necessary impetus and spiritual nutrition to produce the expected results.
In a study of the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament, it is very easy to find evidence of each of these divine qualities, thereby confirming the fact that the Holy Spirit was actively at work within them, aiding in the production of these characteristics of the divine nature.
- They had the Gifts of the Spirit.
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of WISDOM; to another the word of KNOWLEDGE by the same spirit; to another FAITH by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of HEALING by the same Spirit; to another the working of MIRACLES; to another PROPHECY; to another DISCERNING of spirits; to another divers kinds of TONGUES; to another the INTERPRETATIONS of tongues” (1st Corinthians 12:7-10).
The operation of these gifts in the church made it a vibrant, powerful, living body of which Jesus was the Head.
While it is true that there are many claims today of apostolic succession and the use of the gifts of the Spirit, it is probably safe to say at least 99%+ of these claims are false. We do not know of any place where these nine gifts (or even one) are in existence. We have witnessed many counterfeit attempts to display these spiritual manifestations, but to this present hour we have not discovered the genuine.
These nine spiritual gifts set the early church apart from all other religious orders. There was never anything like this before, and there has not been an equal to it since it slowly faded into oblivion.
- They had God-ordained Ministries.
“And He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11).
These 5 ministries or offices are generally referred to as the “Five-Fold Ministry.” There are several religious bodies that claim to have these ministries. Frankly we doubt that all of these offices are in existence today. It would be truly wonderful if this was true, but the record speaks differently.
Compare today’s professed apostles with the apostles in the Scriptures. Based on the information we have, these modern apostles are man-made, not God-ordained. And if God has not sent them, they are not true apostles.
The same can be said of the prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
Too many professing ministers of the gospel have chosen their careers as a vocation. God did not call them: they chose their particular job. This is not to say that there are no God-called ministers, for some are surely bearing good fruit, but it is a skinny minority to whom this applies!
A Restoration Promised
Would you like to see a truly New Testament Church? On the basis of what we have covered thus far, it is plain that no such creature exists on this planet today (This includes People of the Living God).
However, we have the assurance that God is going to restore the Church to its original splendor and glory, and that before Jesus returns in the clouds:
“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it: That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word; That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
“And He shall send Jesus Christ…Whom the heaven must receive (keep) until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began (from “of old,” Grk)” (Acts 3:20-21).
It is on God’s program---this restoration of all that once belonged to the people of God: the same glory, the same power, the same ministries, gifts, manner of life, and experiences. The greatest display of spiritual might and power is due before Jesus comes back to judge the world in righteousness.
But the church (lit. the people of God) must first be sanctified and cleansed. There exists too much worldliness, carnality, and fleshly activity for this restoration to take place presently. If you are a member of the “called-out-ones” expect some sever trials and testings for these are instrumental in the cleansing process to which He will subject His elect.
For a preview of these things, we encouraged you to read the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.
And when the restoration is completed we believe these eight factors will be plainly visible:
- The saints will be of one accord.
- They will be filled with the Spirit.
- They will be baptized with the Spirit.
- They will be endued with power from on high.
- They will have all things in common.
- They will have the fruit of the Spirit.
- They will have the gifts of the Spirit.
- They will have the God-given ministries of the Spirit.
Truly, that will be a glorious Church!
Copied by permission from a monthly magazine titled “The Testimony of Truth” published by “The People Of The Living God;” A Non-Sectarian Back To The Bible Movement.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Hope, The Anchor of the Soul
“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.’ And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.”
(Hebrews 6:13-15 NASU)
Evidently the promise referred to, in the oath made to Abraham, is that he would have numerous posterities. The apostle apparently is pointing out the fact that Abraham had waited for a long time and his faith did not waver, and in due season the object of his desires was granted. To realize the full force of this, we are to remember:
- That when the promise of numerous posterities was made to Abraham, he was seventy-five years old (Gen 12:1-5);
. - Then twenty-four years elapsed after this, during which he was a sojourner in a strange land, before the manner in which this promise would be fulfilled was made known to him (Genesis 17:1-16);
. - It was only when he was an hundred years old, and when he had persevered in the belief of the truth of the promise against all the natural improbabilities of its accomplishment, that he received the pledge of its fulfillment in the birth of his son Isaac (Gen 21:1-5);
. - The birth of that son was a pledge that the other blessings implied in the promise would be granted, and in that pledge Abraham may be said to have “received the promise.”
He did not actually see the numerous posterities, or the Messiah who was to descend from him, or the influences, which would result to mankind from the fulfillment of the promise. He did see the certainty that all this would occur; he saw by faith the Messiah in the distance (John 8:56), and the abundance of grace that would result from His coming.
It was a remarkable instance of faith, and one well suited to the purpose of the apostle. It would furnish ample encouragement to the saints to whom he wrote, to persevere in their course, and to avoid the dangers of apostasy.
“For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:16-18 NASU)
For men swear by one greater than themselves, that is, they appeal to God. Men never swear by one who is inferior to them. The object of the apostle in this declaration is to show that as far as this could be done God had done it.
He could not swear by one greater than himself, but he could make His promise as certain as an oath taken by people was when they solemnly appealed to Him. He could appeal to His own existence and adherence to truth, which was at any time the most solemn form of an oath, and thus intended to put the mind to rest in regard to the hope of eternal life.
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:13-20 NASU)
Before examining the meaning of hope let us first take a look at what an anchor is. According to Webster’s an anchor is “any thing that gives stability and security to that which it is firmly attached or well secured.”
For example a boat that lets down a good anchor will not drift or be tossed about.
A good anchor must be made of material worthy to be an anchor. Again, a boat anchor would need to be made of a heavy material that would resist rust and corrosion; and it would need to be firmly attached to the boat.
A likeness to the above would be a person who is knowledgeable and well trained in the gospel is anchored and will not drift or vary because that which he believes secures him. If his knowledge and training is in the word of God then he has faith and this faith is the substance of his anchor of hope; and the love of Jesus firmly secures the anchor.
Therefore, a Christian of faith is a person knowledgeable and well trained in the word of God and has a fixed, unchangeable and unshakeable hope; he has this hope as the anchor for his soul.
Webster defines hope as “a desire accompanied by expectation.” Nelsons Bible Dictionary defines hope as “confident expectancy.”
Nelson seems to have the better biblical definition in as much as confidence is built upon reassuring acts or promises by an authoritative dependable person; one who has demonstrated his authority and faithfulness.
Further, biblical hope is not passive but patience while aggressively pursuing the promises of God through love and obedience to the will of God (faith). Thus the essential quality of hope is that it is oriented to something in the future that one expects but does not yet possess (Romans 8:24-25). Therefore hope is something the believer is born into, a salvation not yet seen.
If Abraham persevered when “appearances” were so much against the fulfillment of what had been promised, then certainly modern day saints should persevere under the clearer light and with the more distinct promises of the gospel.
James C Sanford
Monday, January 28, 2008
About Pastor Jake
Pastor Jake is one of the more prolific writers that we know. We are blessed to have him as a fellow laborer for Jesus Christ.
We are grateful for his ministry and his contributions to the Powerhouse Ministry!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Got Milk?
Our latest podcast presents seven minutes of wisdom entitled “Got Milk?”
This seven minute podcast is available by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).
You can also download this message (and other resources) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Truth
What Is Truth?
“Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘So You are a king?’ Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, ‘what is truth?’”
(John 18:37-38)
During the time period when Jesus walked the earth, there were many opinions concerning truth; and some had even supposed that it was a thing utterly out of the reach of men. Pilate perhaps might have asked the question, “what is truth” in a mocking way; and in not staying to get an answer he indicated that he either despaired of getting a satisfactory one, or that he was indifferent about it. Nevertheless all truth in heaven and on earth was standing before him and he did not know Him.
To know Christ, the living Word of God, is to know truth, for Christ is the embodiment of all truth. Like Pilate, most of mankind had lost sight of truth and Jesus came that He might restore mankind in truth. Apart from truth man cannot be in right standing with God, therefore man must seek to know God’s truth.
The word truth is defined as a statement or an act that conforms to fact or actuality. Fact is exact and cannot be altered; thus fact has no variation; and truth conforms to fact, and it too, to remain truth, cannot be in part, vary or be altered. Fact and/or truth are the standard by which all else is measured. To make a statement or to do an act that adds to, takes from or omits the facts is a distortion, a variation and a misstatement that does not represent and uphold the facts; thus it is not truth.
Truth establishes trust. Trust is defined as confidence in the honesty, integrity, reliability and justice of a person or institution. If a person or institution is to be trusted they must be known for speaking and abiding in the truth. It is the element of trust in truth that has the power to transform the soul.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
(1st Timothy 3:15ff)
God’s word---His truth, is His expressed power and authority; therefore the power and authority of the church is God’s truth. Myths, fantasy, fiction or any other form of a lie has no place in the church of the living God; for the true church is Christ body in the earth today, the embodiment of truth.
To be a member of the body of Christ, the church, one must be faithful to know, be obedient to-- and faithfully speak the truth.
“O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill, and to Your dwelling places.”
(Psalm 43:3)
James C Sanford
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Seven Minutes of Wisdom: True Religion
Our latest podcast presents seven minutes of wisdom entitled “True Religion.” We see people like Al Qaeda who feel that their religion warrants blowing up innocent men, women and children (despite that the Qur'an teaches the opposite). We see people like Ted Haggard preaching against homosexuality yet winding up in an embarrassing situation. Then, there is poor little Britney Spears who was raised in the church but lately seems only determined to raise hell.
We can point fingers at the aforementioned... or others. But truth be told, we all have sin in our lives. We just haven’t been caught (yet). So what exactly is true religion... and how do we live it? Download this seven-minute podcast by clicking or, right-click the icon below:
You can also download all of our podcasts and/or other resources from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Here are the scriptures that we referenced:
| Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 |
8[[a]You behave as if] you are already filled and think you have enough [you are full and content, feeling no need of anything more]! Already you have become rich [in spiritual gifts and graces]! [Without any counsel or instruction from us, in your conceit], you have ascended your thrones and come into your kingdom without including us! And would that it were true and that you did reign, so that we might be sharing the kingdom with you!
1st Corinthians 4:8 (Amplified Bible)
26If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless (futile, barren).
27External [a]religious worship [[b]religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.
James 1:26-27 (Amplified Bible)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A Letter from God
When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him from the dust of the ground and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman I did not create from the dirt. I made you from man as a symbol that you are “within” man, just as my bride is “within” me.
I fashioned you after I breathed the breath of life into man because you are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly form you. As a surgeon would put a patient under anesthesia, man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with my creativity. From man’s one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects his very life. I chose the rib; that which protects his heart and lungs and supports him as you are meant to do. Around this one bone I shaped you... I molded you. I created you tenderly, beautifully, and perfectly.
Your characteristics are as the rib; strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ within man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The ribcage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. I created you to support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side closest to his heart, to stand beside him and be held close to his side and dear to his heart.
You woman are my perfect creation. You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes are as beautiful as a golden sunset. Your lips; how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose; so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch. I’ve caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I’ve whispered tender words of love in your ear. I hold your heart here within mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Your pure heart is most like mine. You my precious angel are the climax of my creation. You are a representation of my pure and spotless bride. When man loves you, he loves me, and the more deeply he loves you, the more deeply he loves me.
Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you as a physical representation of myself upon the earth. You possess my holiness, my strength, my purity, my beauty, my love, my protection and my support.
So man... treat woman well. Love her extravagantly; treasure her royally, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you only hurt me. What you do to her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart; her heart, and also my heart.
Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness, show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his very life; that you the bone that shelters his very heart.
Signed,
The One Who Created and Loves You
Thanks to David River for this!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Full-Time Position Available
The Chief Shepherd Group is looking for employees who can start immediately and work for the rest of their lives.
Please read all of the following before applying.
Character: Loving, forgiving, hospitable, dependable, energetic, humble, alert, controlled, courageous, generous, faith -filled, service-oriented.
Duties: Deeply love other believers, open your home to them whenever necessary, use the gifts God has given you, willingly suffer for Christ, be an example to others, humble yourself under God's hand. resist the devil, and stand firm.
Experience and Education: No experience and no education required. The Good Shepherd is willing to qualify every committed worker through on-the-job training.
Benefits: The covering of a multitude of sins; suffering in Christ's name; experiencing God's grace; receiving an eternal crown of glory.
How to apply: Humble yourself under God's mighty hand.
The life of service to which God calls His children is an adventurous one that cannot be fulfilled in our own power. He calls us to do things- love deeply, use our spiritual gifts, withstand sufferings, be humble, resist the devil- that we in ourselves cannot do. In fact, that's the point. The only way to genuinely minister to others, imitate Christ and live in humility is through the enabling grace of God. If we live in His grace, we will be the people and do the works that fulfill our calling.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
7-Minutes-of-Wisdom: Babies With Power Tools?
Our latest podcast presents seven minutes of wisdom entitled “Power Tools.” Remember the song by White Heart called Power Tools?
Well, a lot of Christians (and perhaps non-Christians even more so) are like babies with power tools. How so? Give us seven minutes of your time and we will tell you how!
This seven minute podcast is available by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).
You can also download this message (and other resources) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
You Can’t Always Get Whatchoo Want !!!
As Mick Jagger sang, you can’t always get what you want. But, if you try sometimes... you get what you need. In that regard, we have a new recording by Brotha DC providing seven minutes of wisdom about what we ask from God and what to do while waiting to get it (or, in some cases, to not get it).
This seven minute message is available by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).
You can also download this message (and other resources) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Love, Mercy, Grace and Faith
There is a great principle that is found throughout the Holy Bible concerning God’s love, mercy, grace and faith. The Apostle Paul states it very clearly in Ephesians 2:1-9. In the first three verses he states the dreadful condition of man’s soul and that the wrath of God was his destiny.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,” (Ephesians 2:4 NASU)
It is a beautiful expression, “God is ‘rich’ in mercy;” overflowing or abundant, more than sufficient. Thus mercy is the riches or the wealth of God rendered in abundance to someone who is miserable, needy and hopeless, someone who is without claim to favorable treatment.
Mercy is closely related to compassion in the Holy Scripture; their differences are barely definable. The Greek word from which compassion is derived means literally “from the bowels,” denoting the deep innermost being, an intensely emotional reaction to someone or something in a hopeless condition. Mercy, therefore, is both feeling compassion and acting upon it. Thus mercy can be though of as compassion in action.
The most important fact about mercy in the Bible is that God is the fountain of mercy. There are, to be sure, references to human displays of mercy in the Bible but God was the source. If man desires mercy from man he must go to God and ask Him to supply it.
God’s infinite love is the groundwork of man’s salvation; in reference to man that love assumes the form of mercy, and that mercy provides the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is God’s love that motivated Him to be “rich in mercy” and moved Him to the greatest act of compassion ever shown man.
“Even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:5 NASU)
The hopeless is the sinner who is without hope, born into Adam, bound to eternal death under the Law of sin and of death. When Adam sinned against God he became separated from the life of his soul, God’s Spirit of life, and became one with his flesh; thus he became “sin in the flesh.” Every child of the flesh of Adam is born “sin in the flesh” and he sins because he is born a sinner. And like Adam, does not have the Spirit of Life in him; thus he is spiritual dead.
In Christ is the Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:1-2) and by the grace of God we are made alive with our resurrected Lord through a spiritual rebirth. So from God’s love and mercy comes grace.
And by grace God has exalted the believer.
“and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6-7 NASU)
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASU)
The grace of God the Father has been placed on every man’s plate through the sacrificial death of His Son on the cross of Calvary; He died “to take away the sins of the world.” But the message of the Gospel is that to partake of this wonderful grace, the gift of eternal life that is on every man’s plate, one must believe (John 3:16), he must have a lasting faith (Matthew 24:13) and put total trust in the work of Christ for the salvation of his soul.
But where does one get such a faith, a faith that leads to the Divine attribute of faithfulness? “Faith comes by hearing,” but how does one hear? “And hearing by the word of Christ;” (Romans 10:17 NASU). So it is the word of God being preached by the anointed preacher (Romans 10:14-15) that quickens the ear of the spiritually dead and causes the dead to hear. And hearing the word of God the formerly dead turns away from his sins (repents) and receives the gift of faith. Thus the faith that God’s grace works through is a gift from God and not of works or anything that man conjures up, thus he cannot boast.
Therefore we have the great principle of God’s love resulting in mercy, and from mercy the gift of faith, and grace working through the gift of faith in Christ Jesus, resulting in redemption. (Ephesians 2:4-10)
We leave the reader with this though: Salvation is not by the works of the Law or works of faith, but by faith through God’s grace. Unless we repent and receive His gift of faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). We are justified by faith and we must live by faith (Romans 1:17) and by faith we faithfully walk in the works that God has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10), but it is the grace of God that flows from His fountain of love and mercy that saves our soul, working through His gift of faith.
James C Sanford
Monday, January 7, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Mission Possible
“Mission Possible” is the first of our “Seven Minutes of Wisdom” podcasts for 2008.
This recording looks at the mission Jesus gave us... compared to what most churches are actually doing.
Are we on target? Are we even close?
Izzit apples and oranges... or apples and bowling balls?
Download this podcast by clicking the icon below (or, right-click to download the MP3).
You can also download other podcasts (in addition to entire teaching CDs and books) from our download site, http://www.link2power.org.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
He That Believes
“John testified about Him and cried out, saying, ‘this was He of whom I said, He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me. For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace’.” (John 1:15-16 NASU)
Grace upon grace
The Apostle John has said in verse 14 that Christ was “full of grace and truth.” Of that “fullness” he now says that all have received; that is, all who believe derive from his abundant truth, mercy and grace to understand the plan of salvation, to live lives of holiness; and thus partake of the numerous blessings, which He came to impart by His teachings and His sacrificial death. Thus grace and truth are realized through faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ. For it is by grace through faith that we receive the fullness of Christ and through Him the fullness of God, grace upon grace.
14 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Whoever believes in Him
To believe is more than an acknowledgment or an agreement with a known truth. In the context of verses 15 and 16 it means whoever remains steadfast as in Genesis 15:6 where Abraham had been steadfast in the Lord’s commandments and the Lord “reckoned it to him” as righteousness; for other examples see Exodus 4:1; Numbers 14:11; etc.
To believe is also to be persuaded of God’s revealed truth; such as in Acts 17:4 after hearing the preaching of the gospel many were persuaded to join Paul and Silas; for other examples see Acts 27:11; 28: 24; etc.; and to also adhere to and rely on God’s promises; as the centurion did in Matthew 8:13 and the synagogue official in Mark 5:35-43; etc. Thus it must be that being persuaded of God’s truths, adherence and reliance upon these truths, is the evidence of what one believes in the eyes of his Creator.
Looking deeper we find that believing or faith, in a scriptural sense, represents four principal ideas.
- The first is personal confidence and deep trust in God;
- and having a spiritual understanding of the essential body of truth as revealed by the Holy Spirit (Luke 18:8; 1st Corinthians 16:13; 2nd Corinthians 13:5; Colossians 1:23; 2:7; Titus 1:13; Jude 3);
- and further, having the fruit of the Spirit manifested in the believers life as a witness to others of total trust in God (Galatians 5:22-23);
- and finally, and of most importance is that Christ must be the object of faith (Galatians 3:23-26).
The above being understood, the reader must also understand there can be no believing unto salvation without the anointed preaching of this Gospel: a dispensation of love, mercy and grace from God alone, proclaimed by the Apostle Paul to be “the Gospel of peace; glad tidings of good things.” (Romans 10:15)
13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” 14 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher"” (Romans 10:13-14 NASU)
How then will they call on Him (Christ) in whom they have not believed?
The good news of salvation through Jesus must be preached, proclaimed in the world to bring about conviction of sin, repentance and obedience of the faith.
How will they believe in Him (Christ) whom they have not heard?
The Apostle answers this question in verse 17, “So faith comes from hearing” (Romans 10:17f NASU). The word of God preached by an anointed preacher quickens the ear of the sinner who is spiritually dead in his sins and causes him to hear.
How will they hear without a preacher?
“And hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17ff NASU). One who anointed of God to preach the gospel must present the gospel to the sinner.
How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15 NASU)
How will they preach unless they are sent?
“The word of Christ” (Romans 10:17ff NASU) meaning: the word of the “anointed one;” such as the preacher that is called, prepared and sent of God. Or if the reader prefers the translation that reads: “the word of God”—as preached by the “sent” (meaning: sent of God) or the anointed preacher of faith.
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” — that is, the word of faith which we are preaching.” (Romans 10:8 NASU)
The word of faith, which we are preaching,
The gospel message having now been preached is not a far off, having been heard it is now in your mouth and in your heart.
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” (Romans 10:9 NASU)
Confess with your mouth
Confess with your mouth that which is now in your innermost being, in your soul through the persuasion of the truth proclaimed to you, you will be saved.
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
James C Sanford
Friday, January 4, 2008
Keith Green: Born Again
This is a previously unreleased song by Keith. It is part of a new album that should be announced later in 2008 containing music that Keith recorded but so far has never been released. Click the control below to enjoy this beautiful song:We are grateful to Ezequiel Pethead for his hard work in bringing this to us. We look forward to the release of more unreleased music by Keith Green in 2008.